ATP Tour Finals 2009: Day 2 Report

World No.9 Robin Solderling Stuns World No.2 Rafael Nadal ‘YET AGAIN’ 6-4,6-4 in his debut at ATP Tour Finals on Monday. This is second win in a row against Spaniard after five month victory at the French Open.

But it is unbelievable, when Rafa took over World No.1 rank from Roger last year, and made Roger cry in Australian Open for his sixth grand slam, it seemed like a man who will changed the pinnacle of men’s tennis.


"It's always fun to play against a good player. I always enjoy playing against the top guys. Nadal is for sure one of them," the Swede told reporters.

"I don't believe in revenge," said 23-year-old Nadal, who has not won a title since May. "I went on court, tried my best. I didn't think for one second about the Roland Garros match.


"It's completely different conditions and the moment is completely different, too. So it didn't affect anything. But I am working really hard to come back at my best level. I think I'm not far away from my best level."

Defending champion Novak Djokovic overcame Nikolay Davydenko and registered 11 matches triumph in a row including back-to-back titles. Novak came through 3-6, 6-4,7-5 in Monday's evening session as the two remaining players began their campaigns in the ATP Tour finals tournament.


"I haven't felt great on the court today - I'm definitely not the fittest guy on the tour right now," Djokovic said. "He was the better player in the first two sets. I was lucky to get through and win this. I was fighting for every service game and in the end I'm happy with the performance."


Davydenko is not easily quelled, though it takes an enormous amount of self-confidence and no small degree of striking the lines by his opponent when the situation demands it.


Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Nikolay Davydenko of Russia take off their shirts after the men's singles first round match and exchanged.

ATP Tour Finals 2009: Day 1 Report

British number one Andy Murray wins end of year event against US Open Champion Juan Martin Del Potro 6-3, 3-6, 6-2. He doesn't feel under pressure to deliver a home triumph in the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London.


Murray has won six ATP titles in a year, still haven’t won any GrandSlam. Who has compiled a 65-10 match record, is looking for his second title on home soil after ending a 71-year wait for a homegrown winner at the AEGON Championships in June.

Murray was able to transition well from defence to attack and took his opportunities to carve out an early 5-0 lead in the first set.

"When I got close to winning at the end of the match, the atmosphere was excellent," said Murray of the capacity crowd on centre court at The O2. "That's going a make a big difference going into the next couple of matches."


“Against Andy, always the match is very tough,” explained del Potro. “We play three sets in every tournament, every match. Today was a little strange, but he played great tennis in the third set.

Four-time Barclays ATP World Tour Finals champion Roger Federer survived a scare on Sunday evening against Spain’s Fernando Verdasco before prevailing 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 in the second Group A match at The O2 arena in London.


He had arrived in London on the back of successive defeats in the final of the Basle Open, his home event, by Novak Djokovic, and then in his opening match of the Paris Masters, defeated by Julien Benneteau of France.

Verdasco, like his compatriot Rafael Nadal a left-hander, has had an excellent year, reaching the semi-finals of the Australian Open and qualifying for this elite eight-man field for the first time.


Verdasco will take on Del Potro with both men knowing a win is vital if they are to maintain a realistic challenge.

Sampras Won Exhibition Match at Macau

Pete Sampras won in three sets against Andre Agassi Sunday as the two married American tennis sport's greatest rivalries.

The 3-6, 6-3, 10-8 in an exhibition match held at the Venetian Macao Hotel. This was the first time the two had played since Sampras won in the 2002 U.S. Open final for his then-record 14th Grand Slam.


Agassi won the first set in 27 minutes with a single break in the fourth game, but Sampras responded with a much-improved performance in the second to prevail in 21 minutes to send the match to a decider with also a single break in the third game.

Sampras led their head-to-head series 20-14, including 4-1 in Grand Slam finals. Sampras said: "Andre just hits the ball so cleanly even after being retired for three years. The pace of his shots is just very heavy. "Today he was serving great, I think he even out-aced me. It was a pleasure playing him, he is a great player with a great return of serve.

Justine Henin Confirms Her Comeback

Former world No.1 Justine Henin has confirmed she will make her competitive tennis comeback at the Brisbane International in January.


"After a 15-months absence I am pleased to begin my second tennis career at the Brisbane International," Henin said in a statement.

"It will be great to get back to playing competitive tennis again and with the strong field, the same court surface and a similar climate to Melbourne, it will be the perfect preparation leading into the Australian Open."

7 grand slam winner, Henin joins a stellar field at the tournament with US Open champion and fellow comeback star Kim Clijsters also coming, along with former French Open champion Ana Ivanovic and Australia's Jelena Dokic.

Henin was the world No.1 for 117 non-consecutive weeks and has won more than $US19 million ($A20.43 million) in prize money.

Henin will be given one of four women's wildcards into Brisbane as she has no current WTA ranking. She announced her immediate retirement from professional tennis on May 14 last year when she was the current World No.1. On retiring, Henin requested that the WTA remove her name from the rankings immediately.

Shanghai ATP1000 Master 2009 - Finals

Russian sixth seeded Nikolay Davydenko display superb aggressive tactics to beat World Number Two Rafael Nadal and win the Shanghai Masters 1000 event. It was a bit close match, the Russian still emerged a winner in straight sets 7-6 (7-3) 6-3.


"I cannot believe it. I'm enjoying this. Beating (Novak) Djokovic (in the semi-final) and Nadal is something amazing.I'll enjoy this week and I don't want to think about what's going to happen tomorrow or in the next tournament."

"I was so tired at the beginning in the first set. At 4-4 I was thinking I have no chance to win," said Davydenko.

Spaniard Nadal, whose season has been disrupted by knee and abdominal injuries, struggled from the beginning and despite being involved in some stunning rallies was constantly second best.


"Today is a loss but it is a positive loss," he said. "I expect to be here for a long time and play without problems for a few more years. I just can say I am going to work hard to be at my best as soon as possible and I am not seeing myself very far off that." said Spaniard.

US Open 2009: Opening Ceremony

2009 US Open Ceremony was held at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Many Celebrities were present in the opening night celebration. Andre Agassi eight time Grand Slam Champion, Mia Hamm Soccer superstar, NBA Champion David Robinson and former NFL star Doug Flutie were sports legends in the ceremony.
USTA Chairman of the Board and President Lucy Garvin, host of the event was Robin Roberts, co-anchor of ‘Good Morning, America." Not to forget, Rob Thomas singing “America the Beautiful," and the O’Jays, performing “Love Train.”


Even more celebrities like, NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg, American model Christie Brinkley, Miss Universe Dayana Mendoza, WNBA stars Janel McCarville, Michelle Fletcher, Leilani Mitchell,Ashley Battle, Erin Thorn and Stephanie White.

Roger & Mirka - Twin Girls Pictures

They are so adorable...... Thanks Roger:) Warm Wishes to You & Your Family..

As said in Facebook by Roger "As promised, here is a family picture that my dad took. He thinks he's becoming a professional photographer. It was very funny as both girls had the hiccups while we were trying to take a decent picture. The girls and mom are doing great. Thanks for all your warm wishes".