French Open: Day 5 Update

Roger Federer, the Williams sisters, Jankovic, Tsonga, Kuznetsova, Monfils, Roddick and Dementieva are some of the big names who made it through to the third round today.

Roger Federer found himself in a much tighter and tougher match than he would have expected or is used to in the French Open's second round Thursday before producing a 7-6 (8), 5-7, 7-6 (2), 6-2 victory over Jose Acasuso of Argentina.

Federer, whose season hasn't been up to his high standards, was up to the task each time, though. "Mentally, I've always been very strong, but I'm not being put in a position like this very often, you know," Federer said. Then, moments later, as if to make sure everyone understood him, Federer added: "Coming through such a match is always a great feeling. Like I said, I'm not part of such close matches that often."

Federer, in contrast, offered this assessment of his performance: "I was not managing and controlling the match the way I should have."

Yet there he was, taking a 6-3 lead in the first-set tiebreaker. Federer erased the first two set points with aces before Acasuso pulled a forehand wide. Then, ahead 7-6, Acasuso shanked a shot to waste No. 4, and Federer eventually claimed that set.

Charismatic Jo-Wilfried Tsonga gave the partisan crowd something to chant, as the electric Frenchmen with the can't-miss-smile stormed back in a fourth set tiebreaker and advanced to the third round over Argentine Juan Monaco, 7-5, 2-6, 6-1, 7-6 (8).


Excitement was at a fever pitch in the deciding moments of the fourth set as Tsonga, trailing 5-1 in the tiebreak, bravely stormed back to even the score at 5-5. "Tsonga! Tsonga!" chants reverberated throughout the rafters at Court Suzanne Lenglen, and as hard as Monaco tried to stem the tide, he finally wilted on Tsonga's third match point.


Tsonga, who had never won at Roland Garros until the first round this year, will face Belgian Christophe Rochus next in the third round.

Gael Monfils, a semifinalist in last year's French Open, invigorated the French crowds even more, as he was an easy straight set winner over Victor Crivoi, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3.

The second round match between fourth-seeded Novak Djokovic and Sergiy Stakhovsky was suspended on Thursday due to bad light after 90 minutes of play.Novak is two sets in front, 6-3 6-4.


Venus Williams fought back from a set down and then saved a match point against unheralded Lucie Safarova in her French Open second round match today. The No3 seed, who eventually prevailed 6-7, 6-2, 7-5, will now face 29th seed Agnes Szavay.

Jelena Dokic left the court in floods of tears on Thursday after retiring with a back injury while leading by a set in her French Open second round match against Russian fourth seed Elena Dementieva."It's a shock and a disappointment," the Australian former world number four told a news conference after quitting with the score at 6-2 3-4 against.

"I felt like I had the match in my hands and I was doing well and even if I didn't win, I was playing really well. I felt like I probably played the best tennis that I played this year."

It was a much simpler affair for fifth seed Jelena Jankovic, who reached the third round with a 6-1 6-2 win over Magdalena Rybarikova, and Russian seventh seed Svetlana Kuznetsova, who took less than 50 minutes in a 6-0 6-2 win over Galina Voskoboeva.

French Open: Day 4 Update

The most spectacular moment of Andy Murray’s second-round win at Roland Garros came when he attempted to chase down one of Potito Starace’s devilishly good drop-shots, lost his footing and ended up inadvertently performing a forward-roll across Court Philippe Chatrier. A giant red smear of clay appeared on the back of his black shirt. There was also a stage when it appeared as though the red clay was going to be smeared over Murray’s French Open ambitions, as he was twice a point away from going two sets to one down.

In the end, Murray went through, but not before he had had that tumble on the clay, been bamboozled by those well-disguised drop-shots, and had lost his way in the second set and for the first half of the third set. If Murray’s tennis was decidedly average for a long period, his four-set, 6-3, 2-6, 7-5, 6-4 victory was anything but ordinary.

“The most important thing is that I found a way to win,” said Murray, but he will need to play a tighter match if he is to have control of events against Tipsarevic, who yesterday put out Spain’s Feliciano Lopez. Murray and Tipsarevic, the world No65, have played four times previously, but this will be their first match on clay.

Sharapova had been away from the slams for so long, because of a shoulder injury, it had almost been forgotten how she likes to mark important victories by blowing kisses at the spectators and down a television lens.

It would not have been that surprising if Sharapova, who played this tournament last year as the world No 1, but who is now ranked 102, had lost to Petrova. But Sharapova's greatest quality has always been her will to win, and that mental fortitude gave her the edge in the decider; she won 6-2, 1-6, 8-6.

In reaching the last 32, Dinara Safina has dropped just two games, as she followed up her 6-0, 6-0 win over Britain's Anne Keothavong by beating Russia's Vitalia Diatchenko 6-1, 6-1. Safina, the Russian world No 1, led 5-0 in the first set, having won her first 17 games of the tournament. Safina, the runner-up last year to Ana Ivanovic, has won her last two clay-court tournaments, in Rome and Madrid, and is in the best form of her tennis life.

Defending champion Ana Ivanovic swept into the French Open last 32 with a comprehensive 6-1, 6-2 victory over Thai veteran Tamarine Tanasugarn. The 21-year-old Serbian has experienced a disappointing 12 months since lifting her first major title at Roland Garros last summer, but she looked in tip-top condition as she engineered her passage into the third round.

Big man Marat Safin crashed out in 2nd round against unseeded Josselin Quanna 7-6(2) 7-6(4) 4-6 3-6 10-8. Marat was leading 2-0 but Qunanna died for each volley and made 2-2, and wins against Marat.

Fernando Verdasco made short work of Philipp Petzschner out on Court 2. The eighth seed is looking in fine fettle and hardly broke a sweat in a 6-1 6-2 6-3 win.

Rafael Nadal's French Open winning streak reached a record 30 consecutive matches Wednesday. Nadal already had bettered Bjorn Borg's men's mark of 28 straight victories at the clay-court Grand Slam tournament; now the Spaniard topped Chris Evert's overall record of 29, too.

Trying to become the first player with five championships in a row at Roland Garros, Nadal moved into the third round by beating 72nd-ranked Teimuraz Gabashvili of Russia 6-1, 6-4, 6-2.

French Open: Day 3 Update

Serbian fifth seed Jelena Jankovic has progressed to the second round of the French Open, beating Czech Petra Cetkovska, 6-2, 6-3. Jankovic, who reached the semi-finals at Roland Garros last year, will next face either Slovak Magdalena Rybarikova or Kristina Mladenovic of France for a place in the third round.


Svetlana Kuznetsova beat French wildcard Claire Feuerstein, 6-1, 6-4, to go through. The Russian seventh seed, runner-up here in 2006, had already broken twice to race to a 5-1 lead before rain interrupted play. Kuznetsova, whose passing shots left her opponent often rooted to the spot, broke again the seventh and eventually sealed victory on her third matchpoint with a powerful forehand that was too good for Feuerstein.


The world No 2 Serena Williams needed celebrated at Roland Garros on Tuesday, jumping up and down on the red clay of Court Suzanne Lenglen, nine match points to complete the win, and it was played in cold and windy conditions that had the former champion picking the clay out of her eyes. With all that to think about, you can understand why Williams marked her 6-3, 6-7, 6-4 win with more than a small smile.


Men's fourth seed Novak Djokovic reached the second round when his opponent, Ecuadorian Nicolas Lapentti, retired because of injury with the Serb leading 6-3, 3-1.

French Open: Day 2 update

The sun sets over the Suzanne Lenglen court at the French Open on May 25, 2009 in Paris, France. Safina, Venus Williams, Nadal, Federer and Sharapova all went through.

Dinara Safina, 2008 runner-up who is bidding to win her maiden Grand Slam title, will now face fellow-Russiant Vitalia Diatchenko for a place in the last 32 after her 6-0 6-0 whitewash.World number 48 Keothavong became the first British woman in 26 years to reach the semifinals of a WTA clay-court event in Warsaw last week.


Third seed Venus Williams, who has never won in Paris, is also through to the second round, but the Wimbledon champion looked far from impressive in desposing of fellow-American Bethanie Mattek-Sands 6-1 4-6 6-2.


Meanwhile, Maria Sharapova made a winning return to Grand Slam tennis when she came from behind to beat Belarus' Anastasiya Yakimova 3-6 6-1 6-2.


Defending champion Rafael Nadal saw off a spirited challenge from Brazil's Marcos Daniel to reach round two of the French Open with a 7-5 6-4 6-3 win.

Daniel matched Nadal stride for stride before the world number one broke at 5-5 and served out the first set. “I wasn't at my best level but it's been like that for the last four years (in the first round) and I've won in three sets, so that's a positive” Rafael said.


Nadal found it difficult to shake off his 97th-ranked opponent but edged the second set and eased through the third. Nadal, wearing a bright pink shirt, had been on the back foot for much of the first half of the match but at last he took the initiative and Daniel could not deal with the precision of the Spaniard's forehand.

Roger Federer was next on Court Philippe Chatrier and he eased past Spain's Albert Martin 6-4 6-3 6-2. "I didn't have much trouble on my service games," said the Swiss. "I mixed up my shots well to finish it off." Federer said.


Roger Federer feels he could beat reigning champion Rafael Nadal at this year's French Open in Paris, because despite winning the last four tournaments the Spaniard is "Nadal is only human."

The world number two is hoping this year will prove to be a turning point after suffering three consecutive final defeats to Nadal at Roland Garros.

"He's won four straight times here in Paris which shows how tough he is, but if you play him the right way there will be chances, he is only human and we wait for that moment when he is not at his best; hopefully that will be this year," the Swiss said.

Federer's win is another positive result to add to the good form that saw him complete his first victory over Nadal in almost two years when taking the Madrid Open title.

"I feel good, that's most important, I'm confident and feel like I can beat the best and win again.


Sixth seed Andy Roddick won a match at the French Open for the first time since 2005, serving impressively as he swept past France's Romain Jouan 6-2 6-4 6-2.

French Open: Day 1 Update

This is the 79th French Open, which will bring you the ultimate, the zenith of clay-court tennis. First match was between defending champion Ana Ivanovic and the unfeasibly blue-eyed Sara Errani from Italy. Ana Ivanovic's campaign to defend her title began with a stutter, but ended with a bang in a 7-6 (3), 6-3 victory over Sara Errani in the tournament's opening match on Court Philip Chatrier.


Lleyton Hewitt survived 55-aces from Croatian Ivo Karlovic to reach the French Open second round last night with a 6-7 (1-7) 6-7 (4-7) 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 6-3 win. Hewitt, now ranked 50 and who underwent hip surgery in August last year, will face Andrey Golubev of Kazakhstan, for a place in the third round where four-time champion Rafael Nadal would be a likely opponent.



Once Hewitt had levelled the tie at two sets apiece, Karlovic needed treatment for dehydration and Hewitt seized his opportunity, breaking to lead 2-1. He claimed the tie after almost four hours.

Verdasco is through in straight sets against Florent Seera. He’s such a good player, particularly on clay. And he always seems to be in Rafa’s quarter of the draw. David Ferrer’s three-set 6-2, 6-4 and 6-4. win over Portugal’s Federico Gil.

Nadal Handed Tough Path To Fifth Roland Garros Title

World number one Rafael Nadal faces a potentially treacherous task in his bid to win a fifth consecutive French Open title. The top seed, unbeaten at Roland Garros since his debut in 2005, is in the same half of the draw as Briton Andy Murray and Spanish eighth seed Fernando Verdasco who gave him a rough time in the Australian Open semi-finals.

Hewitt, battling back from hip surgery last year, and now ranked at 50 in the world, first faces 26th seed Ivo Karlovic, the giant Croatian who shocked him at Wimbledon in 2003. Claycourt specialist David Ferrer, twice a quarter-finalist, is a possible fourth round opponent with Verdasco a likely last eight rival.

Swiss second seed Roger Federer, chasing the only grand slam title to have eluded him, faces Spaniard Alberto Martin en route to a possible fourth consecutive final with Nadal, whom he beat in the Madrid Masters final earlier this month.

Federer has a possible quarter-final encounter against American sixth seed Andy Roddick, beaten in Madrid in their only claycourt meeting in 20 duels.

One of the highlights of Federer's campaign could be a semi-final with world number four Novak Djokovic of Serbia who, following a first-round match against Ecuador's Nicolas Lapentti, is looking at a quarter-final clash with Argentine Juan Martin del Potro.

Federer Gets Tips From Sampras To Regain Wimbledon Title

Tennis great Pete Sampras tipped Roger Federer Thursday to regain his Wimbledon crown from Rafael Nadal, who will be carrying extra pressure as defending champion. The American, who won Wimbledon seven times, said he sensed Federer was hungry for another title.

"It will be interesting for Rafa to come back as defending champion as before he was always just a contender, so there will be a bit more pressure on him this year," he said as he launched the Venetian Macau Showdown on Thursday. "In last year's final Roger and Rafa really transcended the sport. It's also a good opportunity for players like Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic to come through. "If I was to put money on it I would say Roger, but he's not a shoo-in."

If Federer does win Wimbledon he could equal or even beat Sampras' record 14 Grand Slam titles. The Swiss superstar currently has 13 and has a chance to make it 14 at next week's French Open, although clay is not his best surface.

Sampras will play an exhibition in Macau in October against old rival Agassi.

Roland Garros(Frech Open) begins May 24th in Paris

The Roland Garros Tournament , known throughout the world as the French Open, is underway. The warm ups and qualifiers play begins already. Officially from May 24 to June 7 tournament will be held in Paris, France.


Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal traveled on Wednesday to Paris with his sights set on a record fifth consecutive French Open title, saying he hopes he can play at his “best level”. The 22-year-old Nadal, who has never lost a match at tennis’ clay-court Grand Slam event, will play Roland Garros – which gets under way on May 24 – for the first time as world No. 1.

“If I play at my best level, I’m confident I’ll have a good result in Paris, and if that doesn’t happen, I have to take it in stride because I’ve having a really good year,” Nadal, the winner of five titles so far this season, said.


Nadal’s uncle and coach, Toni Nadal, said that just as in past years “Roland Garros will be a very difficult (challenge) and we’ll see what happens, although he’s coming in strong with good results throughout the year. There’s no additional pressure; it’s always the same. It’s clear that doubts (about Nadal’s clay-court dominance) may be raised after the win in Madrid by (Roger) Federer, who played a good match,”

“(Federer), (world No. 4 Novak) Djokovic, (world No. 3 Andy) Murray and a handful of other players can beat us and we’re aware that that can happen,” Toni Nadal said.

Will Madrid be turning point for Federer?

Roger Federer finally got some wind behind his sails and floated free of the shoals of self-doubt and a self-protective embrace of disappointment. We all know just how much that Roland Garros title means in the big picture; the French Open championship match could have a more profound impact on tennis history than any other major final. Federer has introduced a big question mark in the Roland Garros narrative, and revived the idea that he may yet win the clay-court major. If Federer wins at Roland Garros -- whether his final-round victim is Nadal or someone else -- Madrid will stand as the turning point.


The plot certainly thickened. Nadal not only enters Roland Garros on a losing streak but he also came within a point of losing to Novak Djokovic. Nevertheless, surely Federer and, to a lesser extent, Djokovic picked up considerable momentum. Who nad thought Federer's first title of 2009 would come against Nadal on clay. Novak is Nadal's half, who gave tough competition, 3 sets took almost 4 hours. Never mind Nadal's contention that the surface bears little resemblance to Paris. We're talking about one sloppy match here.

Nadal still remains the clear favorite to win still another French Open, but we should be more inclined to bet the field (the other 127 entrants). Players at least have some material evidence that he's vulnerable.

Wimbledon's Centre Court Gets New Look With Retractable Roof

Wimbledon, home to the world's most prestigious tennis tournament, shows off its new look Sunday with the debut of its retractable roof, the centerpiece of "A Centre Court Celebration." Past Wimbledon champions — and married couple — Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf played in an all-star exhibtion, along with Tim Henman and Kim Clijsters. The husband-and-wife team lost out to their opponents but clearly enjoyed every moment of being on the court, exchanging a kiss as the end of the match.


All four players gave the enclosed ­environment their approval. "They were the most fantastic playing conditions. There was no moisture on the court at all," Henman said, allaying Wimbledon's fear that condensation would be a major problem once the roof was closed and the costly investment in an air-management system would prove to have been a waste of money. "It's a lot warmer than it was but there's no excuses with the condition of the court."

So what about the roof from the spectator's point of view? Traditionally, the east-west swivel, eyes fixed on the trajectory of the ball, causes Wimbledon neck. On this particular day, though, it was the north-south movement that did the damage with glances cast upwards with the regularity of a group of tourists shepherded into the Sistine Chapel.

Federer Finds Hope As He Hands Rafael A Defeat On Clay

Roger Federer defeat his great rival Rafael Nadal on Sunday when he stunned the world number one 6-4, 6-4 in the Madrid Open final to win his first title of the season.

Nadal was bidding to become the first man to win all three clay court Masters events in one year after his victories in Monte Carlo and Rome but slipped to only his fifth loss on his favoured surface in 155 matches since 2005.

Federer has lost to Nadal in the final of the French Open the past three years and his victory on Sunday will boost the Swiss world number two's hopes he can win a 14th grand slam singles title at Roland Garros starting later this month.

Federer had to fend off break points in the second and sixth games of the first set but then grabbed a crucial break in game nine before serving out the set to love.

A delicate drop shot that even the athletic Spaniard could not chase down gave him another opportunity in the fifth game of the second set and Nadal netted a backhand to fall 3-2 behind.

The Swiss slipped to 15-40 when serving for the match but fought back to deuce and powered an ace down the middle on his second championship point before raising his arms in triumph.

"I thought I took all the right decisions today and in the end it looked pretty comfortable so it was a perfect win for me, I'm very, very happy that I stayed positive and I got the win I needed badly because I've had some rather bad losses this year," he added. "It's very satisfying." Federer told a news conference.


This was Federer's first title of the year, his 58th in all, and his 15th Masters, putting him level again with Nadal.

Madrid Open: Nadal and Federer meet again to decide Madrid Crown

Novak Djokovic was left searching for answers after this toughest loss to Rafael Nadal. Nadal saved three match points to complete a 3-6, 7-6(5), 7-6(9) comeback win over Djokovic to reach the Madrid Open final on Saturday.

“I had problems in the first set and some of the second. It was difficult for me to play at 100 percent. I had trouble pushing off,” said the top seed need his right leg to be heavily strapped just above the knee in the second set.

“In some points of the match I played even above my limits. And that was especially in the match points I had,” a red-eyed Djokovic said the four hour, three minute match. “It’s frustrating when you played so well and you can’t win. A couple of points decided the winner. So I’m very disappointer that I can play this well and still not win a match. The positives are I’m one point away from the victory.”



Djokovic showed he meant business after his recent losses to Nadal, earning the first break of the match in the second game off a double-fault. The Serbian third seed kept up the attack on the world number one, reaching 4-1 on his way to the early lead.

Federer smooth win 6-3, 6-4 over Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro, which finished in less time than one of Nadal and Djokovic match set.




Nadal stands a formidable 13-6 over Federer, winning five of their last six meetings including the Grand Slam finals in Paris, Wimbledon and Melbourne.

“Playing Nadal anywhere is a challenge, especially on clay. The extra factor here is that this is in Spain,” said the Swiss.

Madrid Open: Nadal to face Djokovic, Murray crashes out

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic will meet for the third time at Madrid Open on Saturday. World number one Nadal surprisingly trailed 0-4 in the second set against Spanish rival Fernando Verdasco, the seventh seed, but king of clay stormed back for a 6-4, 7-5 win in a shade under 2 hours.

Third seed Djokovic, fighting to claw back his number 3 ranking from Scot Andy Murray, will face Nadal. The Serbian reached his fourth consecutive Masters semi-final with a 6-4,6-4 win over Croatian wild card Ivan Ljubicic.

“I thought at the moment (when he trailed 0-4) that I had to plat a bit better and get more confidence for a possible third set,” said Nadal. “I played really bad at that moment.” Nadal said he was happy to have avoided a third set.

Del Potro, who had lost all three of his previous meetings with Murray, came back from 2-5 in the first set to claim victory on a fourth match point in the ninth game of the second. Murray’s hope of celebrating his 22nd birthday with a victory were dashed by fifth seed Juan Martin Del Potro who beat Andy 7-6(7/4), 6-3 in a late-night match.

Madrid Open: Federer and Djokovic reaches semifinal

Roger Federer dominance over Andy Roddick continued at Madrid Open 7-5, 6-7(5/7), 6-1. It was their first meeting on clay. Roger improved his record to 18-2 against sixth-ranked Roddick. Roddick saved three match points before sending return long on a Federer second serve to hand victory to Swiss star. Roger will face either Andy Murry or Juan Martin Del Porto in semi-finals.

Federer mixed up his game very beautifully in the first set before leading 1-0 with a drop shot. Roddick broke in the second game with 2-0 before Roger broke back and held for 2-2. ‘I thought it was a good match’, said Federer.

Ljubicic was unable to continue that form today though as he clumped to a 6-4, 6-4 defeat against third seed Djokovic.

Madrid Open: Federer and Djokovic reaches semifinal

Roger Federer dominance over Andy Roddick continued at Madrid Open 7-5, 6-7(5/7), 6-1. It was their first meeting on clay. Roger improved his record to 18-2 against sixth-ranked Roddick. Roddick saved three match points before sending return long on a Federer second serve to hand victory to Swiss star. Roger will face either Andy Murry or Juan Martin Del Porto in semi-finals.

Federer mixed up his game very beautifully in the first set before leading 1-0 with a drop shot. Roddick broke in the second game with 2-0 before Roger broke back and held for 2-2. ‘I thought it was a good match’, said Federer.

Ljubicic was unable to continue that form today though as he clumped to a 6-4, 6-4 defeat against third seed Djokovic.

Madrid Open: Federer in Quarters, Nadal gets walkover

World number 1 Rafael Nadal got an easy walkover against Philipp Kohlschreiber was forced out of left leg injury. While No.2 Roger Federer scored 6-2 and 6-4 win over James Blake and moved to quarters of the Madrid open tennis tournament.Also in last eight were Andy Murry, won against Tommy Robredo 7-5, 6-1, and Novak Djokovic, who advanced with a 6-4, 6-4 over Andreas Seppi. And sixth seeded Andy Roddick also got walkover against Nikolay Davydenko withdrew because of left leg injury. Fernando Verdasco defeated Juan Monaco of Argentina 7-5, 6-2. Ivan Ljubicic won against Gilles Simon 3-6, 6-4, 6-3. Weather and injury is dominating Madrid Open.“A lot of tennis in the body is sometimes not the best thing but unfortunately in tennis, it happens that we have injuries,” said the Swiss, who next faces Roddick.

Roger Federer Smashes Racket

Battling a long slump, Federer angrily broke his racket on Friday en route to a 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 loss to Novak Djokovic in the semifinals at the Sony Ericsson Open.

Federer fell behind 2-love in the third set, and when he netted an easy forehand to start the next game, he slammed his racket to the concrete, mangling it. The outburst was a shock coming from Federer, winner of the tour's sportsmanship award the past five years.

"I was just frustrated," a red-eyed Federer said shortly after the match. "Didn't feel great. It's just a natural thing I did."

Federer was betrayed by his forehand, long touted as the game's best. It was the biggest culprit during the match's pivotal stretch bridging the second and third sets, when he lost 24 of 28 points and seven consecutive games.

Federer shanked at least half a dozen forehands and blamed the breeze, a staple at Key Biscayne.

Federer has endured wrenching defeats in recent Grand Slams, including a loss in February at the Australian Open that left him sobbing. But he has also struggled in Masters events, the ATP Tour's most prestigious tournaments aside from the majors.

Federer, who hasn't won any title since October, now heads to Europe to play on clay, his least-favourite surface. Or maybe it's now hard court.

"I haven't been winning 20 tournaments in a row, so nobody expects me to win really," Federer said. "It has been a tough last year or so, especially on the hard courts. My game never really clicked. Thank God the hard-court season is over."