Cincinnati Masters Second Round

Novak Djokovic had to fight hard to move into the next round following his encounter with Simone Bolleli. The last time they met was at round of 64 at the Australian Open this year where Djokovic, the eventual champion, won convincingly in three sets losing only 5 games. The break of serves took place in the second set. Djokovic converted the only 2 break points he had the entire match. Bolleli, who had a total of 12 break point opportunities, was only able to capitalize on 2 to level the match and force another tie-break. Just as the first set tie-break, the Serb dominated only conceding 2 points.

World no. 2 Rafael Nadal continues his impressive form winning his match against Frenchman Florent Serra in just 46 minutes. This is his 30th straight consecutive match win since Hamburg in May. Serra was never a threat only winning a single game and clearly outclassed by Nadal. The Spaniard may become the new world no. 1 if he wins the tournament and Roger Federer loses before the semifinals.

Results:
[3] Novak DJOKOVIC (SRB) d. Simone BOLLELI (ITA) 7-6(2), 7-6(2)
[2] Rafael NADAL (ESP) d. Florent SERRA (FRA) 6-0, 6-1
Nicolas LAPENTTI (ECU) d. [5] David Ferrer 7-6(2), 3-6, 6-3

Rogers Cup Montreal Second Round

Ana Ivanovic, the champion of the 2006 Rogers Cup, took three sets to down her opponent 64th ranked Petra Kvitova. It was the first match of the Serb since her third round loss at Wimbledon. The world no. 1 was a little bit rusty conceding a 3-1 lead in the second set by committing a number of unforced errors which allowed Kvitova to fight back and win the set. In the deciding set, Ivanovic was dominant leading 5-0 and earning three match points. The Czech was able to pull herself out of trouble winning three games before the Ivanovic finally eliminated her on the fourth match point.

Fellow Serbian Jelena Jankovic had an easier time downing local favorite Aleksandra Wozniak. It took just 20 minutes for the world no. 2 to win the opening set without losing any game. Wozniak, champion of the Bank of the West Classic two weeks ago, found some of her tournament-winning form in the second set to even things up at 4-4 after being down 4-2. It wasn’t enough though as Jankovic quickly reasserted herself to close out the match in exactly an hour.

Maria Sharapova needed 2 hours and 55 minutes to advance in the third round by outlasting Marta Domachowska in three sets. After her win, she announced her withdrawal from the tournament because of a shoulder injury. Both players were erratic during the match and troubled by physical pain. Sharapova called a trainer in the second set. The Russian was clearly affected by her shoulder committing 17 double faults, 10 of which were in the second set. Domachowska also needed a trainer on the third set due to back pain. Unable to resist the pain, she lasted through the match but was no longer a threat to the world no. 3. Due to Sharapova’s withdrawal, Ai Sugiyama will advance immediately into the quarterfinals.

Results:
[1] Ana IVANOVIC (SRB) d. Petra KVITOVA (CZE) 6-3, 4-6, 6-3
[2] Jelena JANKOVIC (SRB) d. Aleksandra WOZNIAK (CAN) 6-0, 6-4
[3] Maria SHARAPOVA (RUS) d. Marta DOMACHOWSKA (POL) 7-5, 5-7, 5-2
[4] Svetlana KUZNETSOVA (RUS) d. Alla KUDRYAVTSEVA (RUS) 6-1, 1-0 Ret.

Federer moves into the third round

Roger Federer has so much more to defend than the points he gained as the returning champion of the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters Cincinnati. The world no. 1 ranking which he has held since early 2004 is under threat from the long-standing no. 2 Rafael Nadal. The Spaniard’s five straight titles along with Federer’s disappointing results has closed the gap between no. 1 and 2 just 300 points. The Swiss could very much lose his ranking if he fails to make it into the semifinals.

On Tuesday, Federer was scheduled to play Robby Ginepri. With a 4-0 standing against Ginepri, his chances of progressing through this second round encounter are good. The top seed was the first to draw blood breaking Ginepri in the seventh game to lead 4-3. The American was quick to respond though breaking back to level the game. Federer broke his opponent’s serve again only to be broken in his next service game to force a tie-break. Ginepri commanded the tie-break 7-2 taking advantage of the poor service games of the Swiss.

In the second set, Federer had a number of early break points but could not convert any of it. The first break in the set was by Ginepri in the eleventh game to give him a 6-5 lead and a chance to serve out the match. However, the American struggled to keep his composure allowing the world no. 1 to break back and force another tie-break. It was much closer this time but Federer was able to keep calm and win the set to push for a third set decider.

Clearly disappointed by failing to close out the match and troubled by some stomach problem, Ginepri struggled to keep up with the Federer express. In just 22 minutes, the Swiss dismantled the American with his almost flawless service games (dropping a lot of aces and losing only a single point) and powerful ground strokes denying his opponent to win a game.

Results:

[1] Roger FEDERER (SUI) d. Robby GINEPRI (USA) 6-7(2), 7-6(5), 6-0

Next Match (third round):
[1] Roger FEDERER (SUI) vs. [16] Ivo KARLOVIC (CRO)

Cincinnati Masters preview

There is no question that Rafael Nadal is the top player in men’s tennis today. He has already won seven tournaments this year including the two grand slams (the French Open and Wimbledon) and three Masters Series (Monte Carlo, Hamburg, Toronto). That’s more than twice anyone else has achieved. He is also on a 29-match winning streak since May. Still, he is only just the no. 2 player in the world. But that could very well change this week.

For 234 consecutive weeks, Roger Federer has been the world no.1 and the dominant force in the ATP tour. This year, he has only managed to win two ‘small’ titles in Estoril and Halle. He has also yet to win any grand slam for the first time since 2002. His performance has been inconsistent losing surprisingly to the likes of Mardy Fish, Radek and Stepanek. The Swiss clearly struggled during the early part of the season due to mononucleosis but he is said to have recovered. His performance at the All-England Club especially fighting back from a 2-0 set lead to force a fifth set in the final against Nadal has signaled that Federer is back on form and ready to fight for his no. 1 status. However, in his first match since Wimbledon at the Rogers Masters Toronto, he lost to Gilles Simon recording an alarmingly high number of unforced errors especially to his forehand. He is now just 300 points ahead of Nadal.

Don’t count out Novak Djokovic just yet. Following his second round loss to Marat Safin at Wimbledon, people have shifted their focus only to the top 2. The Serb still deserves some attention though. In the Hamburg semifinal against Nadal, had Djokovic won, he would have overtaken the Spaniard for the no. 2 ranking. He is also the Australian Open champion and winner of two Masters Series titles. In the Toronto Masters, he had a chance to redeem himself especially as he was the defending champion. In his quarterfinal match against Andy Murray, the Serb had a shaky performance and seemed unusually low in confidence. He lost in straight sets.

Nadal is on course to clinch the world no. 1 ranking. His impressive win-loss record 61-7 has much to do with it. Meanwhile, Federer and Djokovic just made it easier for him after their early losses at Toronto. While both haven’t really played terribly, they seem to be missing an intangible but crucial factor in their game – confidence. While Nadal is beaming with confidence, Federer and Djokovic appear defeated, unable to respond to the challenge of the Spaniard. This week at the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters Cincinnati, it’s crunch time for them. Federer has to bounce back from his surprise second round loss and make Nadal work even harder for the no. 1 spot that he has long occupied. He is the defending champion of the tournament and losing early would also mean losing a ton of points. Djokovic has to prove that there is a top 3 in the ATP and cement his billing as the best hard court player in the game.

Check out the draw for the Cincinnati Masters here.

Rogers Cup Montreal preview

The WTA tour has been much criticized because there doesn’t seem to be a player consistent enough to win match after match. Justine Henin did remarkable winning every match she entered since losing the semifinal at Wimbledon last year. After a string of losses this year, she shocked everyone by retiring in May at just the age of 25 and right before the French Open where she has won 4 times. Maria Sharapova regained the world no. 1 ranking but quickly lost it after a fourth round exit at the French Open. Ana Ivanovic won that grand slam and immediately replaced the Russian as the no. 1. At Wimbledon, she lost to Zie Jheng in the third round. She was able to retain her ranking by the similar early exits by the other top 4 players. Last week at the East West Bank Classic in Los Angeles, compatriot Jelena Jankovic, the world no. 2, could have gained the world no. 1 status had she won the tournament despite haven’t reaching a grand slam final yet. The tournament was highlighted for its lack of high-profile players. It was perhaps proper that she didn’t win because it would have made it very easy for her to be no. 1.

Ivanovic was able to retain for ranking mostly because of the poor performances of the other challengers. The points between the top 4 are very close and with a good performance coupled by an early loss of another, each would have a shot at the WTA summit. This week, the top players are heading to Montreal for the Rogers Cup, the first tier I event since Berlin in May. Ivanovic, Jankovic, Sharapova and Svetlana Kuznetsova will be under immense pressure especially after their highly-criticized exits at Wimbledon before the quarterfinals. There are also a number of notable up-and-comers top-billed by Marat Safin’s sister, Dinara Safina, who reached the French Open final and won the tournament at Berlin. She also upset top-seeded Jankovic at the East West Bank Classic to reach the final and eventually clinch the title. She already has 3 titles this year.

Check out the draw for the Rogers Cup here.

Nadal wins Rogers Masters Toronto

[2] Rafael NADAL (ESP) d. Nicolas KIEFER (GER) 6-3, 6-2
It’s good to be a Spanish sports fan right now. Spain won against Germany in the Euro 2008. Just recently, Carlos Sastre won the Tour de France. Now, Rafael Nadal continues his impressive form by winning his fifth-straight title which includes the French Open and Wimbledon. More importantly, he inches closer to the world no. 1 ranking held by Roger Federer for 234 consecutive weeks. Nadal has been no. 2 since 2005 and with his win in the Rogers Masters Cup, he is just 275 points away from the Swiss.

In Sunday’s final, the Spaniard was up against Nicolas Kiefer. The unseeded German had a very good run going into the final beating top ten players Nikolay Davydenko and James Blake. He also downed Gilles Simon, conqueror of Federer in the second round, to reach the final. This is his first ATP Masters Series final. Nadal, meanwhile was chasing his 12th.

Nadal broke Kiefer twice to win the first set 6-3. The match picked up during the fifth game on the second set. Tied at 2-2 on Nadal’s serve, Kiefer had a number of break point opportunities but was unable to convert any of it. That was pretty much the most competitive the match got. For the most part, the match was straightforward in favor of Nadal.

This is his third Masters Series title for the year following his wins at Monte-Carlo and Hamburg.

Semifinal results

Rogers Masters - Toronto

[2] Rafael NADAL (ESP) d. [8] Andy Murray (GBR) 7-6(2), 6-3
The last meeting between the two was during the quarterfinal match at the All England Club where Nadal clearly out-muscled Murray in three easy sets. Keeping the momentum for his first career victory over Novak Djokovic in the previous round, the Scot started strong holding serve to force a first set tie-break. Nadal easily won the tie-break. The Spaniard remained strong, asserting his dominance by making short work of Murray.

Final match:
Nicolas KIEFER (GER) vs. [2] Rafael NADAL (ESP)

East West Bank Classic – Los Angeles
[4] Dinara SAFINA (RUS) d. [1] Jelena JANKOVIC (SRB) 7-6(3), 6-1
Ana Ivanovic can breathe easier – for now. Compatriot Jankovic was on-course to reach the summit of the WTA rankings had she won this tournament. As the top seed, she was clearly the favorite to secure the title. If she were to be no. 1, she would have done so even without reaching the final of any grand slam. But it wasn’t meant to be. Surprise French Open finalist Safina stunned Jankovic beating her in straight sets. The first set was close reaching a tie-break. In the second set, it was the Russian all the way as she only dropped one game to secure her slot in the final.

Quarterfinal results

Rogers Masters - Toronto
[8] Andy MURRAY (GBR) d. [3] Novak DJOKOVIC (SRB) 6-3, 7-6(3)
Djokovic is the clear favorite going into the match as he is the defending champion and he has won all of four their previous meetings. Murray wasn’t keeping it in mind though. The Scot immediately broke Djokovic in his first service game then raced to a 3-0 lead. The Serb had a couple of break point opportunities but he was unable to convert any of them. In the second set Murray was again able to break Djokovic’s service game. This time the no. 3 seed was able to respond breaking back and forcing a tie-break. Djokovic however could not recover from his error-strewn game. Murray was in control throughout the entire match.

[2] Rafael NADAL (ESP) d. [10] Richard GASQUET (FRA) 6-7(12), 6-2, 6-1
So far the highlight of the tournament would have to be the first set tie-break. It was the most exciting moment in tennis since the Wimbledon final. Both players really displayed impressive shots and the rallies were also great. Gasquet finally won with a 14-12 score. Unfortunately, the French man did not keep his momentum going into the next two sets. Nadal was clearly unfazed by the first set loss. He steamrolled Gasquet dropping only three games to win the match and advance into the semifinal.

Scheduled matches (semifinals):
Gilles SIMON (FRA) vs. Nicolas KIEFER (GER)
[8] Andy MURRAY (GBR) vs. [2] Rafael NADAL (ESP)

East West Bank Classic - Los Angeles
[1] Jelena JANKOVIC (SRB) d. [9] Nadia PETROVA (RUS) 7-5, 6-4
Top seed Jankovic marches into the semifinal beating Petrova. The Serb was able to overcome two service breaks early in both sets to win the match. She is only two matches away from taking the world no. 1 ranking from countrywoman Ana Ivanovic. Her semifinal match will be her toughest though. She has to overcome no. 4 seed Dinara Safina, the French Open finalist. The match is crucial as the winner will be the clear favorite in the final over the two unseeded players in the bottom half of the draw.

Third round results

Rogers Masters Cup – Toronto
With Nikolay Davydenko and David Ferrer crashing out in the third round, only two top 5 players remain going into the quarterfinals of the Rogers Masters. Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal eased through the third round to secure slots in the last 8. If the no.2 and 3 seeds make it past the next round, they are set to have a semifinal clash which is sure to be exciting as most of their recent matches have been. After Roger Federer’s shocking second round loss, the top half of the draw does not seem to have a challenger capable of taking down either one of the two. Then again, it also didn’t seem like Federer would lose to anyone from his draw but he did anyway. James Blake, the no. 7 seed, is the highest ranking player in the top half following the loss of fellow American, Andy Roddick, yesterday.

[3] Novak DJOKOVIC (SRB) d. Robin SODERLING (SWE) 6-4, 6-4
Defending champion Djokovic moves steadily into the quarterfinals with a straight sets victory over the Soderling. The hard-hitting Swede had several break point opportunities but was unable to convert any of it.

[2] Rafael NADAL (ESP) d. Igor ANDREEV (RUS) 6-2, 7-6(1)
Who would have expected this match to last just under 2 hours when Andreev provided an injury-scare in the opening game? Hampered by an ankle problem, Nadal easily cruised through the first set 6-2. The second set proved more competitive as both players were able to hold serve to force a tie-break. The Russian, however, could not keep up with the relentless Spaniard winning only a single point.

Nicolas Kiefer (GER) d. [4] Nikolay DAVYDENKO (RUS) 4-6, 6-4, 6-4
Down a set and 3-1 in the second set, Davydenko almost looked certain to land into the quarterfinals. Kiefer fought back hard to cut the Russian’s lead and force a third set decider. Keeping his momentum, the German veteran was able to knock-out the no. 4 seed.

[10] Richard GASQUET (ESP) d. [5] David FERRER (ESP)
Gasquet, the 2005 finalist, cruises into the last eight beating the no. 5 seed Ferrer in straight sets.

Scheduled matches (Quarterfinals):
Gilles SIMON (FRA) vs. Marin CILIC (CRO)
Nicolas KIEFER (GER) vs. [7] James BLAKE (USA)
[3] Novak DJOKOVIC (SRB) vs. [8] Andy MURRAY (GBR)
[2] Rafael NADAL (ESP) vs. [10] Richard GASQUET (FRA)

East West Bank Classic – Los Angeles
[1] Jelena JANKOVIC (SRB) d. Melinda CZINK (HUN) 6-3, 6-2
Jankovic moved one easy step closer into her second title of the year and the world no.1 ranking. After the retirement of former world no. 1 Justine Henin in May, the WTA has been criticized by the inconsistency of its players. This ‘problem’ was especially glaring at Wimbledon when the top 4 players crashed out before the quarterfinals, a first in the open era. If Jankovic becomes the no. 1, she would have done so without even winning a grand slam or even reaching the finals.

Jankovic sails through to the 3rd round

Although she is the no. 2 player in the world, Jelena Jankovic never seems to get any recognition compared to other WTA players like top-ranked Ana Ivanovic, Maria Sharapova and the Williams sisters. It could possibly change though by the end of the week. Jankovic could displace her compatriot Ivanovic as world no. 1 if she wins the East West Bank Classic. She defeated Vania King of USA in straight sets 7-5, 6-2 to move into the third round. The Serb is schedule to play Melinda Czink of Hungary on Thursday.

Rogers Masters: 2nd round results

[5] David FERRER (ESP) d. Robby Ginepri (USA) 6-4, 6-4
Despite being a top 5 player, Ferrer has a losing record against Ginepri winning only once in 5 encounters. The Spaniard was quick to improve his win-loss record over the American by winning in straight sets to advance to the third round in this tournament for the first time in his career.

[2] Rafael NADAL (ESP) d. Jesse LEVINE (USA) 6-4, 6-2
Nadal started poorly in his opening match being broken in the third game and trailing Levine 4-1. The Spaniard immediately responded though winning 5 straight games to win the first set 6-4. Disappointed by his lost chances, the Young American struggled in his game and was unable to break Nadal’s momentum.

[4] Nikolay DAVYDENKO (RUS) d. Tommy HAAS (GER) 6-3, 7-6(6)
The no. 4 seed quietly sneaks in the 3^rd round beating Haas in straight sets following a close second set tie-break.

Gilles SIMON (FRA) d. [1] Roger FEDERER (SUI) 2-6, 7-5, 6-4
With his no. 1 ranking at stake in the coming months, Federer had to defend the 350 points he gained by reaching the finals last year in Montreal. In Toronto, he is undefeated winning in 2004 and 2006. The Swiss immediately commanded the match winning the first set in just 26 minutes. Simon, winner of the Indianapolis tournament last week, proved his win was no fluke charging in the next two sets to upset the top seed. Federer’s usually immaculate forehand failed him miserably producing an uncharacteristically high number of unforced errors compared to winners.

Schedule of play: 3^rd Round
Robin SODERLING (SWE) vs. [3] Novak DJOKOVIC (SRB)
[4] Nikolay DAVYDENKO vs. Nicolas KIEFER (GER)
Igor ANDREEV (RUS) vs. [2] Rafael NADAL (ESP)
[5] David FERRER (ESP) vs. Richard GASQUET (FRA)

East West Bank Classic preview

Last year, Ana Ivanovic was crowned as the new champion of the East West Bank Classic in Los Angeles. Although she won’t be participating in this year’s tournament, her compatriot, Jelena Jankovic, will be carrying the Serbian flag high and proud as the top seed. In 2006, the world no. 2 defeated two-time champion Serena Williams on her way to the finals before losing to Elena Dementieva. With Williams withdrawing from the event due to a knee injury, Jankovic will be the clear favorite to win the title. She is looking to capture her second title this year following her win in the Tier I event in Rome. The highest ranked player next to her is French Open finalist and world no. 9 Dinara Safina.

Djokovic through to the third round

After the epic Wimbledon final two weeks ago, everyone is still buzzing about Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. With all the attention on the top 2 players of the world, the rest of the players have been sidelined including Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic. The young Serb has cemented himself as a genuine contender to the top 2 by almost snatching the world no. 2 ranking from Nadal in the Hamburg Masters Series. However, after a second round exit at the All England Club, he has fallen off the radar going into the Rogers Masters Series even if he is the defending champion. Naturally, he won’t just let this go by.

Djokovic was set to face hometown favorite Frank Dancevic in his second round match on Tuesday evening. Immediately he grabs everyone’s attention with his bright orange shirt and light blue shorts. The support of the Centre Court crowd for Dancevic, though, was not enough to upset the no. 3 seed. The quality of tennis by the Canadian was great but Djokovic was simply more powerful, confident and determined to make it through the next round with a straight sets win 6-4, 6-4. He is set to play either Fernando Verdasco or Robin Soderling on Thursday.

Scheduled matches for Wednesday (second round):

[5] David Ferrer (ESP) vs. Robby Ginepri (USA)

[4] Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) vs. Tommy Haas (GER)

Jesse Levine (USA) vs. [2] Rafael Nadal (ESP)

[1] Roger Federer (SUI) vs. Gilles Simon (FRA)

Rogers Masters preview

The draw for the Rogers Masters Toronto has been released. The sixth Masters Series event will have 16 seeded players including the top 3 player of the world, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

World no. 1 Federer has only won two titles so far this year in Estoril and Halle. After his loss at Wimbledon, he is just ahead by 545 points over the second-ranked Nadal. With 1850 points to defend between now through the US Open, every match will be critical for the Swiss. In the third round of the draw, he could face the no. 14 seed Fernando Gonzalez. If he makes it through, no. 6 Andy Roddick or no. 12 Tommy Robredo could be his possible opponents in the quarterfinals. Meanwhile, Nikolay Davydenko, James Blake and last year’s semifinalist Radek Stepanek could trouble Federer in the semifinals.

Nadal is looking into continuing his 24 match-winning streak which started at Hamburg in May until Wimbledon two weeks ago. In his part of the draw, David Ferrer and Richard Gasquet, the 2006 finalist, could be quarterfinal opponents. If he successfully goes through that round, things won’t get easier.

When each draw is released, everyone is curious to see in whose side Djokovic will fall into – he will be on Nadal’s side. Over the past year, the Serb has proved to be a great threat for the long-standing top 2 players. Although his ranking points have fallen considerably b his early exit at Wimbledon, he is still considered as one of the best hard court players in the game as he is the defending champion of the tournament and also the winner of this year’s Australian Open. However, he could face the no. 8 and 9 seeds Andy Murray and Stanislas Wawrinka in the quarterfinals. Another potential threat in this round is former world no. 1 Marat Safin who upset Djokovic in the second round of Wimbledon last month.

With all due respect to Djokovic and the rest of the players, most of the attention will be focused on the fight for the no. 1 ranking between Federer and Nadal.

Top 3 qualify for the Masters Cup Shanghai

This shouldn’t come as a surprise. The top three ATP players in the world have qualified for the year-end Tennis Masters Cup on November 9-16 in Shanghai. World number 2 Rafael Nadal leads the ATP Tour race with two Grand Slam wins at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. The Spaniard also holds two Masters Series titles by winning at Monte Carlo and Hamburg. Although the season hasn’t been quite up to his standards, world number 1 Roger Federer has secured enough points to qualify for the sixth straight year in the Masters Cup. The Swiss star has won two International Series titles in Estoril and Halle and was a runner-up to Nadal in two Masters Series tournaments and 2 grand slams. Finally, Novak Djokovic, the world number 3 will make his second appearance in the tournament after winning the Australian Open and capturing the Indian Wells, California and Rome Masters Series titles.

Federer has won the Masters Cup four times in 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2007. He is looking to tie the record of five titles with Pete Sampras and Ivan Lendl. This is the third year Nadal has qualified for the year-end event. In his two previous appearances, he has only managed to reach the semifinals before falling to the eventual champion, Federer. Djokovic is hoping to improve his dismal performance last year as he lost all 3 of his round-robin matches.