Sharapova ends 2013 season and withdrawals from Istanbul

Maria Sharapova has only played three games since Roland Garros and was forced to skip US Open due to a shoulder injury. 

The Russian Word No. 3 played her last match in Cincinnati against Sloane Stephens and unfortunately announced that she wouldn’t play this year at Istanbul.

“I am very disappointed that I will not be able to play in the TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships this year.  The fans in Istanbul have welcomed us each year with such intense passion and warmth. I will sincerely miss the energy and excitement they brought to the year-end tournament. I want to thank Istanbul for being a tremendous host and hope to play in Turkey sometime in the future,” said Sharapova about her withdrawal. 

Murray withdrawals from London

Andy Murray announced this Wednesday his withdrawal from Barclays ATP World Tour Finals due to a back injury.

The British number 1 already missed this year Roland Garros due to a back injury and after a surgery in September was forced to announce that he wouldn’t be able to play in London this year.

“"I'm really disappointed not to be playing this year, I love playing in front of my home crowd, it's a great atmosphere,” said Murray. “All the players look forward to competing in London and I'll be doing my best to qualify again for the tournament next year."

After Murray’s withdrawal there are only three players qualified for London so far: Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and David Ferrer.

ATP Shanghai – Isner survives while Tipsarevic falls

John Isner was able to comeback from a set down against Santiago Giraldo while Marcel Granollers surprised Janko Tipsarevic

 

The year of 2013 hasn’t been good for Tipsarevic, the Serbian started the year as World No. 9 but is already outside top 20.  Janko has struggled with his game not being able to play aggressive from the baseline and was once again defeated today against Granollers. The Spanish is a very competitive player, not only from the baseline but also around the net. Marcel didn’t drop his serve during all match and claimed clinical breaks in both sets to take this match 6 – 4 6 – 4.

Isner is currently the 13^th placed in the Race to London and still looks to qualify after a good summer. The American No. 1 faced Santiago Giraldo and the Colombian showed all his quality on return breaking Isner serve and taking the first set 6 – 4. Isner raised his service level and tried to be more aggressive in the return with his forehand, Big John had 0 – 40 on Giraldo serve when the Colombian was serving at 4 – 5, however Santiago managed to save all set points. This set seemed to go into a tie break, but John fired some good forehands once again and this time was able to break Giraldo to level the match at 1 set all. The third set was once again all about the serve, John was looking to have things under control but at 4 – 4 he faced 0 – 40 situation, however the serve saved his skin and at 5 – 6 Giraldo served a double fault at match point giving Isner a place in next round.

ATP Shanghai –Federer returns in style

Roger Federer made his debut at Shanghai in the doubles competition along with home favorite Ze Zhang

This was the first game of Federer after his disappointing performance at US Open where he was surprised on the fourth round against Tommy Robredo.

The former Olympic doubles champion played his second tournament of the year in doubles and pulled off an outstanding performance with Zhang. The Suisse-Chinese team dismissed Kevin Anderson and Dmitry Tursunov by 6 – 2 6 – 1 not dropping their serve during all match.

Match Stats:

          Kevin Anderson & Dmitry Tursunov                 Roger Federer & Ze Zhang:

Aces                                   4                                                                     7

                                           

Double Faults                     1                                                                     0
   

First serve in                     75%                                                                 91%

First serve won                  55%                                                                 81%

 

Second serve won              9%                                                                  66%

 

Break Points Saved          2/7 (28%)                                                        1/1 (100%)   

ATP Beijing – Djokovic revenges US Open final against Nadal

Novak Djokovic defeated the new World No. 1 Rafael Nadal to claim Beijing crown

Djokovic was looking for his fourth straight title on four appearances at Beijing in his 38^th meeting against Nadal. The Spanish struggled against Fabio Fognini in quarter-finals and was very close from elimination. In semi-finals the US Open champion saw his opponent Tomas Berdych retires due to a back injury.

Nole started the match with confidence getting an early break and digging a 3 – 0 lead, the Serbian ball was very deep and not allowing Nadal to hit his forehand top spin forehand as he likes. Both players held serve from that point on and just after 35 minutes Djokovic closed the first set with a forehand inside-out winner.

The second set started with a very close game on Nadal’s serve and after a huge rally Rafa missed the drop shot giving Djokovic the break lead. Nole’s serve was just too strong today, the Serbian didn’t face a single break point all match and only lost 6 points on his service games.  With a service winner Djokovic claimed fourth Beijing title keeping his undefeated record in China Open.

ATP Tokyo – Raonic and Del Potro into final

Milos Raonic and Juan Martin Del Potro claimed straight sets victories to book a place in Tokyo’s final

Raonic was looking for first career victory over Ivan Dodig, the Canadian lost the two previous matches on Barcelona’s clay and this year at Eastbourne grass.  Raonic showed some outstanding service game levels and took a first close set in the tie break losing only 2 points on his first serve.  Dodig wasn’t able to keep his game level and was destroyed by Milos in the second set, the 2012 finalist Raonic returns to Tokyo’s final after dismissing Ivan Dodig 7 – 6 6 – 1.

The 2008 finalist Juan Martin Del Potro was trying to return to the decisive game in Japan’s capital. The Argentinean started strong getting a break in the opening game after an outstanding inside-in forehand winner. DelPo had chances for double break in the third set, but Nicolas Almagro managed to hold his service game and in the following game recovered the break with a delicate backhand crossed volley. Both players held serve until the tie break where Del Potro emerged victorious 9 – 7. The second set was all about the serve, no break points during all set and once again a tie break was needed, but this time the former US Open champion was too strong taking this breaker 7 – 1 with a service winner.

ATP Beijing – Nadal regains World No. 1 spot

Tomas Berdych retired from his match against Rafael Nadal allowing the Spanish to regain the number one spot.

Nadal has played at an outstanding level since his return on February with a remarkable 65 – 3 record so far. Rafa reached his 13^th season final after Berdych retirement from the match because of a back injury.

Nadal was very happy about his achievement: “This is a great year, one of the best years of my career without any doubt. It sure is special be back to the top position of the rankings after more than a half year without playing tennis.”

About his great comeback, Nadal emphasizes all the hard work he had to be back where he is now: “At the end, it's just a number... What makes me happy is everything I did to be back where I am today." 

ATP Tokyo – Almagro edges defending champion Nishikori

Defending champion Kei Nishikori felt in quarter-finals clash against Nicolas Almagro

Home favorite Kei Nishikori was looking to defend his title and started with confidence claiming a 4 – 1 lead with double break up, however Almagro fought back recovering from that disadvantage and taking the first set in the tie break.

Like it happened with Jurgen Melzer, Nishikori was able to claim the second set by 7 – 5 and seemed to be in very good place to take the third.

Both players held serve until 3 – 3 and Almagro’s powerful strokes made the difference giving him the first break in the decisive set. Nishikori tried to fight back getting a 15 – 30 lead, but the Spanish fired two straight aces and after a backhand error from the Japanese was just one game away from taking this match. Nishikori seemed to be struggling with his body and suffered a hold break of serve losing this match and the chance of defending his title. 

ATP Beijing – Nadal one win away from World No.1 after epic comeback

Rafael Nadal overcame Fabio Fognini after dropping the first set and is one game away from World No.1 place

Nadal was trying to extend his perfect Hard Court record, but struggled in the first set against Fognini’s shot making, the Italian played at great level digging a 3 – 0 lead. Fabio got another break and served for the set at 5 – 1. Nadal got the break, however this was Fognini’s set and the Italian got another break to close the first set 6 – 2.

Fognini kept the good level and like in the first set claimed a 3 – 0 lead and was just three games away from beating Rafael Nadal. After two holds of serve Fognini had a huge chance to get a double break in the second set for a 5 – 1 lead, but Rafa saved it with authority. Since that point was all about Nadal winning five straight games and taking the second set 6 – 4.

Fabio was still thinking about lost opportunity in the third and wasn’t able to produce good tennis, Nadal took advantage of that winning the third set 6 – 1.

WTA Beijing – Serena edges Kirilenko in two close sets

World No. 1 Serena Williams overcame Maria Kirilenko in two tought sets 7 – 5 7 – 5.

Serena was looking to extend her outstanding head-to-head record over Kirilenko, Williams won all the 7 previous meetings between the two players.

The Russian played very solid from the baseline with some quality shots and in the first set she had chance to serve for the first set, Maria broke Serena serve at 4 – 4 and served in the 10^th game to close the first one. Kirilenko seemed to be in control leading 40 – 0 with three set points, however Makiri felt the pressure and lost all set points with double fault, backhand unforced error and a forehand crossed winner from Serena. After two more errors Serena got the break back and leveled the set at 5 games all. Williams held serve and got another break to close the set at her first set point with another double fault by Kirilenko.

Kirilenko was once again the first to get the break in the second set getting a 4 – 2 lead, but Serena once again came back and after two holds and a break was leading 5 – 4 with Maria serving to stay in the match. Despite being able to save herself from that game, the Russian wasn’t able to repeat that at 5 – 6 and lost this set once again 5 – 7 at match point number 4 with a backhand unforced error. 

ATP Beijing – Djokovic survives three sets clash against Verdasco

Novak Djokovic needed three sets to overcome Fernando Verdasco

Djokovic started the first set in style getting a 3 – 0 lead and seemed to be in control of the match, but Verdasco fought back and recovered the break after a double fault from Djokovic in the 7^th game. Both players held serve comfortably, but in the 12^th game, when Verdasco was serving to stay in the set, Djokovic made the difference getting the break and a decisive set to claim the first set.

The second set was all about Verdasco, the Spanish managed to save the two break points he faced and took advantage of the two break point chances he had on Djokovic’s serve.  Fernando lead the match into a third set after taking this one 6 – 2.

Nole raised his game level in the decisive set, the Serbian saved the break point he faced and broke Verdasco serve two times. This time was Djokovic to win a set with 6 – 2, closing the match after a backhand crossed error from Verdasco.

ATP Tokyo – Nishikori continues title defense

Kei Nishikori overcame Feliciano Lopez in straight sets and keeps his chances of second straight title in Tokyo alive

This was the fourth meeting between the two players, the third this season. Nishikori triumphed at Memphis final while Lopez emerged victorious at Cincinnati.

The first set was a close one and a tiebreak was needed to decide it. Lopez won the two previous tie breaks, but this time Nishikori was able to claim the breaker and take a 1 – 0 lead in the match.

The second set was all about Nishikori outstanding shot making ability. Lopez didn’t find answer for Nishikori strokes and just after 1 hour and 9 minutes Nishikori claimed the match at second match point with a forehand return winner. 

Nalbandian retires from tennis

After 13 years on professional tennis, the former World No.3 David Nalbandian announced his retirement.

Known for his world class two-handed backhand, Nalbandian has struggled in the last years with his body. Four years ago he suffered a serious injury on his hip, needed surgery and took long time until return to ATP Tour. This year the Argentinean needed new surgery on his shoulder, but this time he isn’t able to comeback.

“I can play matches, but my shoulder won't let me continue my career. I can't play like that at a [professional] level.” Nalbandian said that to the media in Buenos Aires.

Nalbandian won 11 ATP World Tour titles, his best results were Tennis Masters Cup in 2005, ATP Masters Series Madrid and Paris both in 2007.

The 31-year old left a final message thanking everything tennis gave him: “"It's tough because I have to announce my retirement from the sport that gave me so much. I'm very grateful."

ATP Tokyo – Tsonga falls against Dodig

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga was surprised today against Ivan Dodig and compromises his chances to qualify for London

The French number 1 is currently the 10^th in the race to London and needs to collect as many points he can in order to qualify. Today he faced Croatian Ivan Dodig and was trying to avoid a second straight loss against Dodig, in the previous match last year at Queen’s Dodig claimed the victory 7 – 6 3 – 6 7 – 6. Tsonga is still recovering from knee injury and struggled against Ivan strong serve not being able to break the Croatian serve. After less than 1 hour and 30 minutes Dodig closed the match 6 - 4 7 - 6.

Dodig pulled off a major upset and second career victory over Tsonga, the Croatian will play in the next stage against Jarkko Nieminen

Match Stats:

                 Ivan Dodig:                                                Jo-Wilfried Tsonga:

Aces                                   9                                                                     9

                                           

Double Faults                     1                                                                     2
   

First serve in                     72%                                                                 65%

First serve won                  79%                                                                 79%

Second serve won              55%                                                                  52%

Break Points Saved          3/3 (100%)                                                        0/1 (0%)   

ATP Beijing – Nadal and Djokovic cruise into second round

The 2013 US Open finalists (Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic) were in action today at Beijing and both collect an easy win.

Djokovic was the first to get on court against Lukas Rosol and was trying to repeat this year’s success at Miami where Nole defeated Rosol 6 – 1 6 – 0. The Serbian started even better this match claiming the first set 6 – 0, losing only two points on serve.  Rosol raised his game level on the second set and had two break point chances, however Djokovic saved both and a break of serve was enough for the World No. 1 to book place in next stage.

Nadal aims for World No. 1 spot and to keep his unbeatable record on Hard Court this season (Rafa won all 22 games on Hard Court this year). The Spanish faced Santiago Giraldo and was looking for sixth win over the Colombian player. Despite losing his serve twice, Nadal didn’t have much trouble to take this match. The Mallorca’s player dismissed Giraldo 6 – 2 6 – 4 and kept his outstanding record on Hard Court

ATP Tokyo – Del Potro, Tipsarevic, Lopez and Nishikori come from set down

This Tuesday some of the best players at Tokyo had a difficult start losing the first set and needed to recover from set down

Juan Martin Del Potro overcame an inspired Marcos Baghdatis. The player from Cyprus served at great level with 17 aces, however DelPo managed to recover and keep himself alive in this competition. The Argentinean is the number 1 seed at Tokyo and will face in the second round his fellow countryman Carlos Berlocq.

Janko Tipsarevic has struggled in the last months and is now out of top 20. The Serbian faced Victor Hanescu and lost the first set after a close one decided in the breaker (6 – 8 in the tie break). Janko reacted very well after disappointing first set and took the second with expressive 6 – 1. Things got mental in the third and Tipsarevic proved to be better saving all three break points and claiming the victory with 6 – 4.

Feliciano Lopez faced Japanese Wild Card Tatsuma Ito and had a hard time in the first set, the Spanish only got 37% first serve in and was broken two times by Ito. Feli improved his service level and was able to hold all his service games after the first set firing a total of 18 aces to get a place in the second round.

Home favorite and defending champion Kei Nishikori also had to battle to book a place in next stage. The Japanese lost first set in the tie break against Jurgen Melzer, but managed to repeat this year triumph in Madrid against the Austrian. After a close first set (7 – 5), Nishikori cruised into victory with a 6 – 2 result in the third and decisive set. 

WTA Beijing – Lisicki dismisses Venus

Sabine Lisicki destroyed Venus Williams in Beijing’s second round 6 – 1 6 – 2

Venus was trying to keep the good momentum after Tokyo’s performance, but in the other hand was an inspired Lisicki. The German served at outstanding level and the American struggled to return Sabine’s first serves. The German only lost one point on first serve during all match and this was the key for her to be confident in her forehand.

This was a match that went like predicted with Lisicki’s victory.In the next stage the German will face the winner of the match between Na Li and Bojana Jovanovski.

Match Stats:

                 Sabine Lisicki:                                                Venus Williams:

Aces                                   7                                                                     1

                                           

Double Faults                     6                                                                     3
   

First serve in                     60%                                                                 64%

First serve won                  96%                                                                 58%

Second serve won              33%                                                                  23%

Break Points Saved            0/0                                                            3/7 (42%)   

ATP Tokyo – Del Potro vs Baghdatis Preview

Juan Martin Del Potro will face Marcos Baghdatis in Tokyo’s first round

This will be fifth meeting between Juan Martin Del Potro and Marcos Baghdatis, the last match was this year at Dubai in a closed match where DelPo edged Baghdatis in a third set tie break.

After disappoint performance at US Open Del Potro tries to repeat 2008 performance when he reached the final and lost to Tomas Berdych. On the other hand Baghdatis reached semi-finals last year and looks to defend that performance.

The previous matches were always very tied and this should be another fiery contest. Del Potro hasn’t played in the last month and may struggle before he gets some game rhythm. Baghdatis has good shot making skills and has proved in the past that he knows how to play against the player from Tandil. I expect a very interesting match and my prediction is for a Del Potro win in three sets.