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%)