Tennis and Bushfires

Can I just say THANK YOU to Andy Roddick for winning in Memphis, taking out the Worm. I was beginning to think that Radek had magical powers, and I wasn't so keen on the notion. So thank you, A-Rod.

*

Not a lot of play today, except in Dubai, where a very bare looking draw started today. No Federer, no Nadal, no Roddick (the only one of the three who pulled out for specifically political reasons... but I wonder...). The draw is now headlined by Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic - and we've already lost our first seed, Ivo Karlovic, who went down to qualifier Marco Chiudinelli. So I think we might see a pretty anti-climactic Dubai this year...

*

But today I mostly want to talk about the Tennis Australia bushfire appeal, which I think is totally wonderful and a very admirable initiative. According to the website, some contributions thus far are:

• A commitment from Tennis Australia and Tennis Victoria to work with government and local communities to ensure all facilities are rebuilt, restocked with equipment and restaffed with coaching and administrative help
• Long term plans for tennis days, coaching days, competitions and clinics to help the morale of the communities and further engage community spirit through the sport
• Dozens of Victorian coaches donating their time and resources to run clinics throughout the year in schools and clubs
• Thousands of dollars of donations of cash, equipment and services at club and community level from players, coaches, fans, officials and staff from everywhere from Kooyong to the Gold Coast.
• Offers of signed paraphernalia for auction from players throughout the world, co-ordinated by the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour and the ATP World Tour officials.
• Donations and offers of help from current players like Bernard Tomic, past players like Geoff Masters, Wayne Arthurs, Alicia Molik, Todd Woodbridge and others
• Lleyton and Bec Hewitt investigating with Tennis Australia the possibility of a fund raising day which will involve past and present players

*

It may seem cheesy, but I think it's wonderful to see everyone pulling together to help out after such a tragedy. Hats off, Tennis Australia.

*

*

Today's Results

*

Regions Morgan Keenan Championships (Memphis)

*

Andy Roddick def. Radek Stepanek, 7-5 7-5

*

*

Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships (Dubai)

*

Andy Murray def. Sergiy Stakhovsky, 6-7 (3-7) 6-3 5-3 retired

David Ferrer def. Ivan Ljubicic, 3-6 6-2 6-1

Marin Cilic def. Janko Tipsarevic, 2-6 7-6 (7-3) 6-4

Marco Chiudinelli def. Ivo Karlovic, 7-6 (7-4) 4-6 7-6 (9-7)

Teimuraz Gabashvili def. Laurent Recouderc, 5-7 7-6 (7-4) 6-3

Fabrice Santoro def. Victor Hanescu, 6-4 6-2

*

*

Delray Beach International Tennis Championships (Delray Beach)

*

Guillermo Garcia-Lopez def. Steve Darcis, 6-3 6-3