DUBAI, UAE – Roger Federer swept away the challenge from Andy Murray in the final of the ATP tournament in Dubai, 3 March. The Swiss dominated the game with an aggressive forehand while the Scot was forced to run around behind the baseline. Murray beat Novak Djokovic in the semi-final to end the Serb’s run of three successive wins in the tournament. However in the final the Scot’s first serve failed him, dipping to 50% after being 65% earlier. Federer barely broke a sweat as he forced Murray on to the defensive, breaking the Scot’s serve three times while dropping his own serve just once to win 7-5 6-4 in a match that was more one-sided than the score suggests.
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – Saturday afternoon 3 March promises great tennis, with Andy Murray and Roger Federer facing off for the finals of the Dubai Open. Murray defeated the world’s number one player, Novak Djokovic Friday night in straight sets, 6-2, 7-5, in an impressive performance with strong serves that lead the Guardian to say “No early-season blues, then, for Murray in 2012, which may turn out to be his breakthrough year.”
Federer defeated Juan Martin del Potro 7-6, 7-6 in a far more tightly contested race.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA- It took more than five and a half hours, ending after one thirty in the morning, 29 January. Novak Djokovic finally wore down Rafa Nadal in the men’s final of the Australian Open 5-7, 6-4, 6-2,6-7, 7-5. Nadal took the first set but Djokovic swept past him in the next two and looked like he would cruise to victory. That would have happened against any other player except Nadal, but the Spaniard battled back to take the fourth and then seemed to be grinding Djokovic down in the fifth. The Serb found more energy from somewhere to break Nadal’s serve in the 11th game and then had only to hold serve to win. Nadal twice played his get out of jail cards but eventually he could do no more. The longest Grand Slam final was finally over.
In the women’s final Victoria Azarenko, from Belorussia, swept past the Russian Maria Sharapova 6-3, 6-0 in one of the shorter finals. The win also took Azarenka to the top of the WTA rankings, taking over from Caroline Wozniacki, so at last we have a Grand Slam winner who has won a Grand Slam tournament.
Links to other sites: Australian Open, Guardian, Sydney Morning Herald
LONDON, ENGLAND – The opening match of the ATP World Tour Finals in London Sunday 20November will have a familiar look as it offers Jo-Wilfried Tsonga another chance to meet Roger Federer. The Swiss star breezed past Tsonga to win the final at the Paris-Bercy Masters. Rafael Nadal and Mardy Fish complete the B Group.
The A Group is headed by Novak Djokovic, along with home favourite Andy Murray, David Ferrer and Tomas Berdych. Berdych beat Murray in Paris, while Djokovic withdrew to recuperate from shoulder strain. The top two from each group will face each other in the semi-finals. The final will be 27 November. An undefeated champion picks up 1500 ATP points plus $1 630 000. Roger Federer has won the ATP Tour Finals a record five times, equal with Ivan Lendl and Pete Sampras.
TOKYO, JAPAN – Rafael Nadal called Andy Murray “unstoppable” after the final of the Japan Open, won by Murray 3-6, 6-2, 6-0 Sunday 9 October. Murray lost his first set but then went on to win his third title in his last four tournaments, allowing Nadal only four points in the final set. If Murray wins the Shanghai Open this week he will replace Roger Federer as the world’s number 3 player.
Federer is sitting out Shanghai to recover from minor injuries and fatigue, and Novak Djokovich has announced that he, too, is skipping Shanghai, which Murray won in 2010, defeating Federer 6-3, 6-2. The men’s final is 16 October.
Djokovich says a back muscle injury that has plagued him since the US Open is not yet better, after being aggravated during team play for Serbia in the Davis Cup.
Links to other sites: ATP Shanghai, Independent, UK, Tennis, Australia
FLUSHING MEADOWS, NY, USA – The semi-finals and finals of the men’s singles at the US Open looked like they would harvest all the media attention this weekend, 9-11 September, when something happened over there on the women’s court. American Serena Williams, who had been playing some of her best tennis and was widely expected to walk off with the title, was defeated by Samantha Stosur of Australia, 6-2, 6-3. It is Australia’s first title at the Open in 31 years. Stosur won her first major title by defeating a 13-time Grand Slam winner.
Williams “had not lost a set coming into the final, taking out the likes of No. 4 Victoria Azarenka, former No. 1 Ana Ivanovic, up-and-comer Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki” notes the US Open new report, and she had not lost a match in the summer hard-court season.
Stosur goes home with $1.8 million in her pocket.
The women’s final did not, of course, completely over-shadow the men’s games, in particular the nearly five-hour Roger Federer-Novak Djokovic match that was played down to a nail-biting final with Djokovic coming back from a two-set deficit and two match points to defeat five-time winner Federer 6-7 (7-9), 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-5.
Djokovic faces off against Rafael Nadal Monday afternoon in New York for the final match of the Open. Nadal defeated Andy Murray in the semis, 6-4, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2. Nadal was the 2010 US Open winner, but Djokovic has been dominating the game since the start of 2011.
Links to other sites: Bloomberg, Sydney Morning Herald, US Open
Flushing Meadow, NY, USA – The lineup for the fourth round of the men’s US Open tennis tournament is an all-star list, with Swiss Roger Federer facing off against Juan Monaco from Argentina, Andy Murray from Britain playing Donald Young from the US and Spain’s Rafa Nadal up against Luxembourg’s Gilles Muller.
Novak Djokovic, Serbia, plays Alexandr Dolgopolov, Ukraine, at 11:00 New York time and Federer plays Monaco at 19:00 New York time Monday.
CINCINATTI, USA – Andy Murray won his seventh ATP title when Novak Djokovic retired when down 3-0 in the second set, having lost the first 6-4, 21 August. It was only the second loss of the year for the Serbian who has won 57 matches this season while progressing to the top of the ATP rankings. He called for medical treatment for his shoulder at the end of the first set.
Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer both lost in the quarter-finals of the Cincinnati Masters tournament which is the last big tournament before the US Open.
Wimbledon, London: Novak Djokovic broke the eight year domination of Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal when he beat Nadal in four sets 6-4 6-1 1-6 6-3 to take the 2011 Wimbledon Gentlemen’s Singles Championship, Sunday 3 July. The Serb also moved to the top of the ATP rankings after an exceptional start to the year in which he lost only one match, to Roger Federer in the semi-finals of the French Open. The Swiss, currently number three in the rankings, lost to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the quarters. British hopes of winning the first men’s title since Fred Perry in 1936 were again dashed when Andy Murray fell to Nadal. London mayor Boris Johnson blames high UK taxes.
In the Ladies the tall blonde Czech Petra Kvitova beat the taller and blonder Maria Sharapova as the Russian was beaten 6-3 6-4 by her inability to serve, not to mention the powerful strokes of her opponent.
Wimbledon, London Roger Federer’s dream of a seventh Wimbledon title, and a 17th Grand Slam win disappeared as the French 12th seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga came back from two sets down to win 3-6 6-7 6-4 6-4 6-4, 29 June. It is the first time Federer has lost after having a two set lead. The big French star, who lives in Gingins in canton Vaud, came back in the third set as his booming service, powerful forehand drives and a newly developed single-handed backhand passing shot broke the Swiss star. In the other matches Rafa Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray went through to the semi-finals. Djokovic beat Australian teenager Bernard Tomic in four sets, 6-2 3-6 6-3 7-5. Nadal also needed four sets to get past American Mardy Fish 6-3 6-3 5-7 6-4. Andy Murray had an easier time as he cruised past Feliciano Lopez 6-3 6-4 6-4. The semi-finals on Friday will feature Nadal v Murray and Djokovic v Tsonga.
WIMBLEDON, LONDON, ENGLAND Last year’s champion Serena Williams crashed out of Wimbledon, as did sister Venus in a dramatic day’s tennis. World number one Caroline Wozniacki also lost. The men’s event went more to form although Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer each dropped a set before going through to the quarter-finals. Serena Williams went down 6-3 7-6 to France’s Marion Bartoli while Venus fell 6-2 6-3 to Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria.
Andy Murray swept past Richard Gasquet 7-6 6-3 6-2, Rafa Nadal saw off a determined challenge from Juan Martin Del Potro 7-6 3-6 7-6 6-4. Roger Federer started rather slowly and lost the first set tie-break to Mikhail Youzhny but then swept past the Russian, 6-7 6-3 6-3 6-3.
International sports, Australian Open tennis, cricket
Melbourne, Australia (GenevaLunch) – Scotland’s star failed in his attempt to win the first British Grand Slam title for 75 years, since the glory days of Fred Perry. To make matters worse for British sports fans, England lost the fifth cricket one day match to lose the series to the Australians 4-1, Sunday 30 January.
Tennis: Novak Djokovic destroyed Andy Murray in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 to take his second Aussie Open, as well as his second Grand Slam, with a fine display of aggressive tennis combined with dogged defence when it was needed. Murray never got his game going against his close friend and rival. In 2010 he lost in similar fashion to Roger Federer.
Links to other sites: Guardian, Australian Open, The Age
International sports, Australian Open tennis
Sydney, Australia (GenevaLunch) - Rafa Nadal lost in straight sets 6-4, 6-2, 6-3, to fellow Spaniard David Ferrer in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open, 26 January. The world number one and top seed was a shadow of his normal self, suffering from leg strain and the after effects of fever. Nadal tried to shorten the rallies as he tired, but committed too many errors. The defeat ended his dream of holding all four Grand Slam titles at the same time.
David Ferrer will play Andy Murray in the semi-final after the Scot came through in four sets against the young Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov. The other semi will see Novak Djokovic take on the title holder Roger Federer.
Links to other sites: Australian Open, Guardian
International sports, tennis
O2 Arena, London, England (GenevaLunch) - Roger Federer rounded off one of his best weeks of tennis for some years with a masterful win over his Spanish rival, and current ATP number one, Rafael Nadal, in the end-of-season ATP World Masters series in London 28 November. The Swiss player won 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 to follow up his 6-1, 6-4 crushing of Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals. Rafa Nadal had a much harder time before edging out Andy Murray 7-6, 3-6, 7-6. Federer dominated the first set with immaculate serving, driving forehands and unusually aggressive whipped backhand shots. He dipped slightly in the second set but quickly took command in the final set as Nadal appeared to run out of energy and ideas.
International sports, tennis
London, England (GenevaLunch) – Roger Federer was on top of his form Tuesday evening 23 November, defeating Andy Murray 6-4 6-3 at the ATP World Tour finals. Federer showed beautiful form while, as the Guardian put it, “Murray searched in vain for something like his best form while his opponent gave a masterclass.” Federer lost only one point in his first five service games and polished off the struggling Murray in one hour 15 minutes, without conceding a break point.
Murray will now need to beat David Ferrer, who was defeated Sunday by Federer, to stay in the finals.
Diego Maradona, football star, met with Federer after the match.
International sports, tennis
O2 Arena, London (GenevaLunch) - Andy Murray looked in excellent form as he swept past Robin Soderling 6-2 6-4 in their round-robin match on the opening day of the end of season ATP World Tour Finals 21 November. Roger Federer also made short work of his match with David Ferrer, winning 6-1 6-4. The winners will meet Tuesday.
International sports, tennis
Flushing Meadows, New York, USA (GenevaLunch) – Number 25 in the tennis world, Vaud’s own Stanislas Wawrinka, has dashed British player Andy Murray’s hopes of taking the US Open tennis title this year. Wawrinka, in an upset Sunday 5 September, rallied in the second set to defeat Murray 6-7 (3), 7-6 (4), 6-3, 6-3. Murray, ranked number 4, was a favourite for the tournament.
Wawrinka now faces American Sam Querrey, in a tournament where the US would like to see a solid win on its home territory.
International sports, tennis
Cincinnati, USA (GenevaLunch) - Roger Federer beat Nikolay Davydenko 6-3 7-5 to reach the semi-finals of the Cincinnati Masters. Two of his main rivals lost. Andy Murray was unable to fight the heat, fatigue and a solid Mardy Fish. He lost in three sets 6-7, 6-1, 7-6. Fish will now face fellow American Andy Roddick. Rafael Nadal, the ATP top ranked player, lost to unseeded Cypriot Marcus Baghdatis 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. Baghdatis played an aggressive game and was helped by the many errors from Nadal. The Cypriot, ranked 20th in the world will next face Federer in a re-run of the 2006 Australian Open final.
Serena Williams, the top seed, has pulled out of the US Open with foot injury problems.
Links to other sites: Cincytennis.com, NY Times
International sports, tennis
Toronto, Canada (GenevaLunch) - The trophy is called the Rogers Cup but someone forgot to tell Andy Murray. The Scot powered past Roger Federer 7-5 7-5 to take the tournament after beating Rafa Nadal in the semi-final. Federer was satisfied with his performance in the tournament, which serves as a warm-up for the US Open. He beat Novak Djokovic in the semi-final to claim back his second place in the ATP rankings.
International sports, Wimbledon tennis
Wimbledon, London (GenevaLunch) - Rafael Nadal, the world’s top player according to the ATP rankings, ended Andy Murray‘s hopes of becoming the first British player since 1938 to reach the Wimbledon final. Nadal won in three sets, 6-4 7-6 (8-6) 6-4. The match was closely contested but Nadal never seemed threatened and managed step up a level when it was really needed. The other semi-final saw Czech Tomas Berdych beat the number three seed, Serb Novak Djokovic, also in straight sets 6-3 7-6 (11-9) 6-3. Berdych always looked in control as the two fought it out from the baseline: the only time Djokovic came to life was in the second set tie-break when he survived four successive set points to level before surrendering the set with a double fault. Berdych now has the chance to beat the top three players in the world after beating Roger Federer in the quarter- finals.
The women’s final will feature Serena Williams against Vera Zvonareva.
International sports, tennis
Roland Garros, Paris (GenevaLunch) -Swiss tennis champion Roger Federer swept past his friend and doubles partner Stanislas Wawrinka 6-3 7-6 6-2 to move into the quarter-final of the French Open Sunday 30 May. He will meet Robin Soderling in the next match. The Swedish player beat Rafael Nadal last year before falling to Federer in the final. In other matches Andy Murray was knocked out 6-4 7-5 6-3 by Tomas Berdych while home favourite Jo-Wilfried Tsongas retired injured against Mikhail Youzhny, meaning there are no French players left in the singles.
Justine Henin won her match against Maria Sharapova 6-2 3-6 6-3. Another ex-number one, Venus Williams, was eliminated by Russian Nadia Petrova.
Links to other sites: Roland Garros, BBC
International sports, tennis
Madrid, Spain (GenevaLunch) - Roger Federer loked like he was back in top form as he eased past Stanislas Wawrinka 6-3 6-1 despite losing his opening service game in their match at the ATP Madrid Open, 13 May. The ATP number 1 disposed of his Beijing Olympics doubles partner in just 69 minutes to set up a quarter-final encounter with Latvian Ernests Gulbis, who beat him at the Rome Masters.
In the other matches Rafa Nadal beat John Isner 7-5 6-4, while Andy Murray thrashed Victor Hanescu 6-2, 6-1. Nadal plays Gael Monfils next, Murray plays David Ferrer.
Links to other sites: ATP World Tour, Telegraph
Rome, Italy (GenevaLunch) - Roger Federer, the ATP top ranked player, lost his opening game in the Rome Masters to put an early end to his clay court preparation for the French Open. He was beaten 2-6 6-1 7-5 by Latvian Ernests Gulbis in a scrappy, error-filled match. Scotland’s Andy Murray came through, as did Novak Djokovic.
Miami, Florida (GenevaLunch) – Scotland’s Andy Murray, the defending champion, was knocked out of the Miami Masters by Mardy Fish, currently ranked 101 by the ATP. Murray lost 6-4 6-4 and will now lose his third place ranking to Rafa Nadal. Roger Federer came through 6-3 6-3 without having to play at his best. Nadal came through but world number two Novak Djokovic lost.
Links to other sites: BBC, SonyEricssonOpen
Indian Wells, California, USA (GenevaLunch) – Roger Federer won’t be starring at Indian Wells this year, after a defeat, 5-7 7-5 7-6 (7/4), at the hands of Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus in the third round of the Indian Wells Masters 1000 tournament.
Scot Andy Murray beat US player Michael Russell 6-3, 7-5 to move on in the tournament.
Links to other sites: AFP/Sydney Morning Herald, Lawn Tennis Association
Melbourne, Australia (GenevaLunch) - Swiss world number one tennis player Roger Federer added a fourth Australian Open to his collection, and a record 16th Grand Slam singles title to his trophy cabinet as he crushed Andy Murray 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (13-11.) Federer quickly took control as he broke Murray’s first service game but the Scot battled back to win the next three games.
The Swiss star then gave a masterful demonstration to take the first two sets. The third set was tightly contested as Murray took advantage of a few weak points to break Federer’s serve and lead 5-2 but he handed back the break and the set went to a tie-break. A tiring Murray failed to convert four set points and eventually lost the tie-break 13-11 to end the match.
Melbourne, Australia (GenevaLunch) – Swiss tennis star Roger Federer cruised past Swiss resident (canton Vaud) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, 6-2 6-3 6-2 to reach the finals of the Australian Open. Federer and British player Andy Murray face off Sunday for the title.
Links to other sites: Australian Open, TSR (Fre)
Melbourne, Australia (GenevaLunch) - The big surprise in the womens’ draw for the 2010 Australian Open has been the performance of Chinese players Li Na and Zheng Jie but they failed to make it through to the final. Serena Williams powered her way past Li Na 7-6, 7-6 in a closely fought match. Justine Henin thrashed Zheng Jie 6-1, 6-0, winning 12 games in succession. The final showdown between Serena Williams and Justine Henin should be a fascinating match. The Williams sisters moved into the final of the womens’ doubles where they will face Zimbabwean Cara Black and Liesel Huber of the USA.
Andy Murray started his semi-final match against Marin Cilic nervously, losing the first set 6-3 but then the British player picked up to break the Croatian’s serve and take the second set 6-4. He then went on to take the next two sets against a tiring Cilic to win 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-2. He will play either Roger Federer or Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the final.
Links to other sites: Australian Open
Melbourne, Australia (GenevaLunch) - Scotland’s Andy Murray moved into the semi-finals of the Australian Open when last year’s champion Rafael Nadal withdrew in the third set suffering from a recurrence of an injury to his right knee. Murray was already leading the match 6-3, 7-6, 3-0 and looked in awesome form. He will face the Croatian giant Marin Cilic, who beat Andy Roddick in five sets.
Melbourne, Australia (GenevaLunch) - Roger Federer was in fine form as he brushed aside the local favourite Leyton Hewitt 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 to enter the quarter-finals of the Australian Open Monday 25 January. Federer was in complete control throughout, dropping serve only once, in the third set, and then coming back immedately to beat Hewitt for the 15th time in succession.
Federer will next face Nikolay Davydenko, who beat Fernando Verdasco in a tough five-setter 6-2, 7-5, 4-6, 6-7, 6-3. Davydenko beat Federer in their last two matches, after a long string of losses against the Swiss star.
