Black and Blue?

Couple of interesting results overnight - not ground-breaking or anything, but interesting nonetheless. I would have paid a lot of money to have been able to see that match in Rotterdam between Rafa 'The Boss' Nadal and Jo-Dub Tsonga. It looked like a tight one - and thinking back to the semi of the Aussie Open in '08, it's a pretty good match up for Jo-Willy. I think I'm right in saying he'd rather play Rafa than Roger. He still lost, but he gave the Rafabot a good run for his money. I'd bet Rafa isn't in his scintillating Open form here, but still a challenge is a challenge. That one would have been interesting, I think.

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And then in San Jose, we have Mardy Fish not just challenging, but actually beating Juan Martin del Potro. And in pretty comprehensive fashion as well. Now, I would not have picked that one at all. I wouldn't have thought Mardy Fish was anything like a match for the big Argentine.

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People have talked a lot about what the loss to Nadal must have done to Federer's confidence after the Australian Open. But that was a five set match, and Federer could have won if he played better in the big moments. Has anyone stopped to think what must have happened to Juan Martin del Potro's confidence? I mean, sure, hello, quarter finals = great achievement, but can there be anything more crushing for a player than an absolute beatdown like that? We haven't a deconstruction like that quarter final. It was an absolute demolition job. And JM is supposed to the world #6. He's supposed to be close to guys ranked #2. Federer comprehensively showed that that wasn't the case.

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I think Federer is a special case - for him, the closely-fought epics (ie. the Aussie Open and Wimbledon) hurt more than the beatdowns (ie. Roland Garros). But for everyone else? You get beaten three, love and love, and your confidence is going to take a beating. This has got to be the first time in a while JM has lost to someone ranked significantly lower than him. Did he just have an off-day or is his confidence bruised black and blue?

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Today's Results

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ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament (Rotterdam)

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Rafael Nadal def. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 6-4

Andy Murray def. Marc Gicquel, 7-6 (7-2) 4-6 3-0 retired

Gael Monfils def. Julien Benneteau, 7-6 (7-4) 6-1

Mario Ancic def. Mikhail Youzhny, 6-4 6-2

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Brasil Open (Costa do Sauipe)

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Tommy Robredo def. Jose Acasuso, 6-2 6-1

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SAP Open (San Jose)

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Mardy Fish def. Juan Martin del Potro, 6-3 6-4

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Open GDF SUEZ (Paris)

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Serena Williams def. Emilie Loit, 6-4 6-1

Jelena Jankovic def. Alizé Cornet, 5-7 6-4 6-4

Elena Dementieva def. Nathalie Dechy, 6-3 6-2

Amélie Mauresmo def. Agnieszka Radwanska, 6-2 6-0

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PTT Pattaya Open (Pattaya City)

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Vera Zvonareva def. Peng Shuai, 6-2 6-3

Magdalena Rybarikova def. Caroline Wozniacki, 6-4 6-1

Sania Mirza def. Tamarine Tanasugarn, 7-5 6-4

Shahar Peer def. Vera Dushevina, 6-4 4-6 6-2