Allez...?

I'm going to start my giving a huge shout out to the tennis stars who have donated to the Victorian bushfire appeal. These are not only Australian stars, but international as well - Ana Ivanovic and Serena Williams are among those who have given generously. The Black Saturday fires have been one of the biggest tragedies in recent history here, and it is lovely to see the tennis world contributing so heavily to the rebuilding. Tennis Australia have got an excellent program for the rebuilding of the game in the affected areas, and it is so wonderful to see the tennis community pulling together.
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Now, onto some actual tennis... or the potential thereof, later in the week. I've been thinking about Davis Cup, and you know what? I think there is one team in there which is SO dangerous and yet no one is talking about - and I can't figure out why.

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That's France. With Richard Gasquet, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Gilles Simon and Gael Monfils, who are all in the top twenty, you cannot forget about any of these players. They have to be such a shot at the title this year. I mean, I don't want to take anything away from Spain who have to be a huge chance to defend - with Rafa, Ferru, Fidgiano and obviously Nando making up an absolutely massive side - but I really like the chances of the French team.

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I think they can beat just about anyone - if they play to their abilities. They are all, to a man, their own worst enemies. Jo-W is, I think, pretty solid... and Gilles Simon (the little bird) is not too much of a headcase - but if scatty scatty La Monf turns up and Richou runs and hides under the bed... yeah, don't want to think about that.

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It'll be interesting to see who they play in which rubbers - you've got to give Tsonga a guernsey in the singles surely, and rankings would dictate that Simon would be the other one... but I wouldn't be surprised to see La Monf out there on Day One. Just sayin'.

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Today's Results

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Monterrey Open (Monterrey)

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Agnes Szavay def. Pauline Parmentier, 6-2 6-2

Edina Gallovits def. Magdalena Rybarikova, 6-4 3-6 6-3

Melinda Czink def. Alla Kudryavtseva, 7-5 6-1

Mariya Koryttseva def. Lenka Wienerova, 6-4 6-1

Vania King def. Klara Zakopalova, 6-1 6-4

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.

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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...

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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

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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.

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Today's Results

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Regions Morgan Keenan Championships (Memphis)

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

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Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships (Dubai)

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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

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Delray Beach International Tennis Championships (Delray Beach)

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