Tennis: Alcaraz, Medvedev ease into US Open second round

NEW YORK -- Carlos Alcaraz launched the defense of his US Open crown with a brisk victory after his opponent suffered an injury on Tuesday as third seed Daniil Medvedev strolled into the second round with a quick-fire win.

Alcaraz, returning to the same Arthur Ashe Stadium court where he lifted his first Grand Slam as a teenager a year ago, was always in control after Germany's Dominik Koepfer rolled his left ankle badly in the opening game.

Koepfer tried to continue despite being in obvious discomfort, but finally called it quits while trailing 3-2 in the second set after dropping the first 6-2.

"That's not the best way to get through into another round," said world number one Alcaraz. "But I have to say on my side I was playing great."

Alcaraz, who faces Lloyd Harris of South Africa in the second round, is on course to face 2021 US Open champion Medvedev in the semi-finals.

Medvedev opened his account on Tuesday with a 6-1, 6-1, 6-0 thrashing of Hungary's Attila Balazs in just 74 minutes.

The Russian will face Australia's Christopher O'Connell in the second round on Thursday for a spot in the last 32.

"That's probably the fastest three-set match I played," Medvedev said after his blistering demolition of Balazs.

While Alcaraz and Medvedev cruised into the second round, Karen Khachanov -- a semi-finalist at last year's US Open -- was on the wrong end of a first-round upset.

The 11th-seeded Russian was bounced out in straight sets by American world No.89 Michael Mmoh, losing 6-2, 6-4, 6-2.

Germany's 12th seed Alexander Zverev, a beaten finalist at Flushing Meadows in 2020, never looked in danger of following Khachanov out of the tournament, registering a 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 win over Australia's Aleksandar Vukic.

Jannik Sinner, the Italian sixth seed, trounced Yannick Hanfmann of Germany 6-3, 6-1, 6-1.

In other men's games on Tuesday, British veteran Andy Murray downed France's Corentin Moutet 6-2, 7-5, 6-3, in a match that saw a bungled attempt to use the US Open's new video review technology for the first time.

Chair umpire Louise Azemar Engzell attempted to deploy the system after Moutet requested a review following a double-bounce call.

The umpire was forced to abandon the attempt however after discovering officials were unable to properly access footage of the incident.

"I don't know how the technology works," Murray said. "But it obviously didn't go to plan in a pretty important moment of the match. So, yeah, it would be good if they could get that fixed."

Meanwhile, China sealed a notable first when Wu Yibing beat Serbia's Dusan Lajovic 3-6, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 to join compatriot Zhang Zhizhen in the second round.

It is the first time in tennis's Open era that two Chinese men have reached the second round of the same Grand Slam tournament.

 - Ailing Jabeur advances -

In the women's draw meanwhile another semi-finalist from 2022 also made an early exit, with French seventh seed Caroline Garcia slumping to a 6-4, 6-1 reverse against Chinese qualifier Wang Yafan.

Meanwhile second seed Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, the reigning Australian Open champion, progressed with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Ukraine-born Belgian Maryna Zanevska.

The end of the match was tinged with controversy as Zanevska declined to shake hands with Sabalenka in protest at Belarus's military support of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"I know I'm representing Belgium but all my family are in Ukraine," Zanevska told AFP.

"I have family fighting on the frontline. And I think if I shake her hand it would be the same as spitting in the face of them."

Tunisia's Ons Jabeur, desperate to land her first Grand Slam title after losing in three major championship finals in 2022 and 2023, survived a medical scare before scraping past Colombia's Camila Osorio.

The 29-year-old fifth seed looked out of sorts throughout her 7-5, 7-6 (7/4) win, at one stage in the opening set complaining of breathing difficulties before taking an extended medical timeout.

Jabeur has played only one tournament since being upset in last month's Wimbledon final by unseeded Czech Marketa Vondrousova.

Vondrousova, seeded ninth in New York, cruised into the second round on Tuesday with a 6-3, 6-0 win over South Korean qualifier Han Na-Lae.

Third seed Jessica Pegula meanwhile kept home hopes alive with a clinical 6-2, 6-2 defeat of Italy's Camila Giorgi.

But there was disappointment for American icon Venus Williams, competing in her record-extending 24th US Open.

Williams was bounced out 6-1, 6-1 by Belgium's Greet Minnen -- who was just a few weeks old when Williams reached her first US Open final back in 1997.

Agence France-Presse

Tennis: Medvedev halts Murray heroics to take Qatar title

DOHA, Qatar -- Daniil Medvedev beat fellow former world number one Andy Murray 6-4, 6-4 in the Qatar Open final on Saturday to win his second ATP title in a week.

The 27-year-old, who won in Rotterdam last Sunday, convincingly ended his 35-year-old opponent's comeback heroics that saw Murray fight four three-set battles and overcome eight match points to reach the final in Doha.

Medvedev broke Murray's first serve in each set as he remained unbeaten in three encounters between the two. His 17th career title should see him move up one place to seventh in the new world rankings.

Medevedev said both players struggled to find their rhythm in the wind but also complained about new match balls used on the tour,

"Honestly now I can say this now that the tournament is over, and also I won, I think that these balls are not good for hard courts," said the Russian.

"They changed something this year and I don't like them. I heard a lot of other players are struggling with shoulders, elbows and wrists.

"Myself I had wrist problems in Australia. Generally I think I was struggling all week to find the perfect rhythm with these balls, but I am happy to win."

Medvedev fired down five aces but also committed six double faults. 

Murray repeatedly shouted at himself and his support team after errors.

Medvedev had seemed to be cruising to victory in the second set until he was serving at 3-2 up with two game points. Murray fought back and produced a brilliant backhand winner to surge back into the clash at 3-3.

At 4-4, Murray was leading 40-0 in a bid to produce another shock, but the Scot let Medvedev get back into the game for the key break that decided the title.

"Daniil is one of my favorite players to watch and one of the best on the tour," said Murray, who acknowledged he had been through an "amazing week".

Murray is expected to rise from 70th to 52 in the world rankings. But he said that after his grueling week he would speak with his team before deciding whether to compete in the Dubai tournament this week. 

Murray saved three match points in his first round game and five against Czech challenger Jiri Lehecka in his semi-final. 

He spent more than 12 hours on court during his week in Doha and conscious of his 2019 hip replacement surgery and will see what toll that has taken.

"All were pretty tough matches physically so at my age and with the conditions I do have to be mindful of those things," he said.

"Definitely there are some things to work on but I am proud of my week and the work that me and my team have put in to get me back to this stage."

Medvedev said he would fly to Dubai on Sunday to prepare for an event boosted by his second straight title but wary of the fact that he could meet world number one Novak Djokovic in the semi-final.

"It is all about confidence and as it can come really fast it can go away really fast with one loss. I feel really great right now but next week is a new challenge."

Agence France-Presse

Tennis: Murray wins Stuttgart opener as Kyrgios finds his feet - and shoes

STUTTGART, Germany -- Andy Murray won his first match at the ATP event in Stuttgart on Tuesday, while Nick Kyrgios made a triumphant return after sitting out the European clay-court season.

Murray overcame a slow first-round start on grass as he defeated Christopher O'Connell 6-4, 6-3 and Kyrgios dominated Czech youngster Jiri Lehecka 7-6 (7/3), 6-3.

The colourful Australian barely had enough gear to make it onto court, with his tennis bag showing up on Monday while his all-important grass shoes only arrived at the tournament site with an hour to spare before his match.

"I had to play doubles in clay-court shoes yesterday," said Kyrgios, who has partnered up with Alexander Bublik. "I had to deal with a bit of adversity.

"Today was the first time I wore grass-court shoes.

"I didn't have the best preparation for here. I did hit on grass back in Australia, but there is nothing like a match.

"I've never needed match play to perform, I know what I have to do to win."

Former world number one Murray, now ranked 68th, is back in his element on the grass and can hardly compare his current confidence with his low point of a year ago.

"It feels completely different," the 35-year-old said after his victory 116th-ranked Australian qualifier O'Connell.

"Last year I was barely training before Queen's and when I was training I was not moving well.

"I also entered Queen's at the last minute, had an issue with a nerve in my leg and just didn't feel great."

But that unfortunate situation is now well in the past for the three-time Grand Slam champion.

"This year I've trained three weeks on grass and had good sessions," the Stuttgart debutant said.

"I've had some good matches (last week in Surbiton) and a good build-up for Wimbledon."

Murray delivered seven aces at the Weissenhof Club - whose grass was originally curated by Wimbledon groundsmen - and broke his opponent four times.

"I'm very motivated right now," said Murray. "That comes from loving the sport. You have to be willing to play through some pain.

"But it's a lot easier to do that when you are competing for major titles."

Top seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, who begins play Thursday after a bye, is determined to improve his grass-court standing after losing in the Wimbledon first round in three of four visits.

"I'm not where I want to be on the surface. But I have the right intentions - I'm fully present and committed to my job on court," the world number five said.

"I'm trying to get as many points as possible from each surface. I got a lot of clay points this spring (Monte Carlo title defence and Rome final) and I want to try and do the same on grass."

Tsitsipas starts against Swiss qualifier Dominic Stricker, the 2020 French Open junior champion who defeated American Maxime Cressy 6-7 (2/7), 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/2). 

Agence France-Presse

Tennis: Medvedev advances in Miami as Murray downed

MIAMI -- Daniil Medvedev is thriving on the pressure of being the man to beat after dispatching Andy Murray in straight sets at the Miami Open on Saturday to edge closer to regaining his world number one ranking.

The Russian top seed served superbly against the 34-year-old three-time Grand Slam champion to ease to a straightforward 6-4, 6-2 triumph at Hard Rock Stadium and will face Spain's Pedro Martinez next.

Medvedev lost his No.1 ranking after just 18 days having failed to go deep in Indian Wells but will regain it once again from the absent Novak Djokovic if he reaches the semi-finals in Florida.

With Djokovic and Rafael Nadal both missing, the 26-year-old is the favorite to claim his first Miami Open title and his performance against Murray showed he's in the kind of form which will cause the rest of the field a multitude of problems.

"For sure, guys going against you are going to have more motivation if you are the top seed," Medvedev told AFP.

"It could be the biggest win of their season but I like to be in this position. The more pressure you have, the more you expect from yourself. 

"At the beginning of my career, I would be really happy when I was in the third round for the first time but now I want to achieve more. So yeah, there's definitely more pressure but also more motivation to continue doing well."

Medvedev was delighted to briefly reach the pinnacle of men's tennis but the Russian is determined to ensure his next spell at the top won't be as short.

"It felt good to touch it," smiled Medvedev. "Reaching No.1 is something that nobody can take away from me even if it was for two weeks. 

“But when I did lose it, I just headed back to the practice court and knew I had to get to the semis in Miami to get it back again.

"I have a lot of motivation to stay at No.1 for a long time."

- Murray eyes Wimbledon -

While Medvedev is at the top of his game, Murray is still searching for answers. 

The Scot, playing with a metal hip after two operations to fix the problem which almost forced him to retire, has reintroduced Czech legend Ivan Lendl into his coaching team for a third time and hopes he can arrest a run which has seen him fail to back up first round wins at his last six tournaments.

"My level of tennis wasn't good enough to win matches like that but Ivan will bring clarity over the right way to play," said Murray, who will spend time working with Lendl in Florida before skipping the clay court swing of the ATP tour to ensure he's prepared for Wimbledon later this summer.

"I don't think I have been practicing the right things for 18 months or so, it's difficult to sort of undo that space.

"That's one of the reasons why I'm taking a big period of training to change some of those things and hopefully get my game to a place where it's more competitive against the top players again. 

"I do feel like I played better here than I did in the previous tournament in Indian Wells but it's going to take a lot of work."

Agence France-Presse

Djokovic ‘rejuvenated’ by Murray top-spot battle

Novak Djokovic admits that Andy Murray’s dramatic last-gasp assault on his world number one ranking has rejuvenated a season which was limping into mediocrity for the 12-time major winner.

Djokovic has suffered a worrying dip in form since winning his first French Open and completing the career Grand Slam in June.

He had a shock early loss at Wimbledon followed by a first-round exit at the Olympics and a runners-up spot at the US Open.

But as the 29-year-old prepares to defend the Paris Masters title he has won for the past three years, he insists Murray’s charge for the top has provided the fresh impetus he needs.

“It makes me want to go on court and fight for every point because there is something to win at the end,” Djokovic said, adding he felt “rejuvenated and regenerated”.

If Djokovic reaches next Sunday’s final in Paris he will retain the world number one ranking that he has held for 122 weeks straight, no matter what Murray does in the French capital.

But if he fails to make the championship match, then Murray will become the number one as long as the British star wins the title.

The 29-year-old Briton took a step closer to the top spot on Sunday by winning the Vienna ATP title.

“Andy is playing maybe the best tennis he’s ever played. He definitely deserves to be in the position to finish up the year as number one. Whether or not that’s going to happen, it doesn’t depend only on him. It depends on me as well,” said Djokovic.

“I just try to work on my game these days and I know if I’m on the level I desire, I can challenge anybody or beat anybody.”

‘New ambition’

Djokovic, who has admitted “private issues” contributed to his summer slump — he has not said what those were — believes Paris is the perfect place to revive his fortunes on his return to the French capital.

“Winning Roland Garros this year gave me a lot of joy but it required a lot of energy. I felt a little exhausted after and I was a little less motivated,” said the Serb, who hasn’t played since a semi-final defeat to Roberto Bautista Agut in the Shanghai Masters in mid-October.

“I took a little time to think about all these things, to find a new motivation and a new ambition. It’s in place. I feel good. I’m happy to come back here to Paris. I hope to have a good week.”

Djokovic has a bye in the first round at the Paris Masters before facing either Nicolas Almagro or Gilles Muller.

In Vienna, Murray swept past Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-3, 7-6 (8/6) to earn his seventh title of the year and ramp up the pressure on Djokovic.

The Olympic and Wimbledon champion took his recent run to 15 straight victories, in which he has picked up the China Open and Shanghai Masters titles as well.

He now has 42 career titles and a second in Vienna, after also winning in 2014.

“I think I played my best tennis of the tournament today,” said Murray.

Like Djokovic, Murray too has a first-round bye in Paris and will face either Fernando Verdasco or Robin Haase in his opening match.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Davis Cup: Murray wins in 5 sets, Britain beats Japan

BIRMINGHAM, England — Once again, Britain had Andy Murray to thank for a victory in the Davis Cup.

Murray recovered from squandering a two-set lead to beat Kei Nishikori and give the defending champions a 3-1 win over Japan in the first round on Sunday.

Murray won 7-5, 7-6 (6), 3-6, 4-6, 6-3 for his 14th straight victory in the Davis Cup, digging deep in his third match in as many days. This was the second-ranked Murray’s first event after five weeks off, during which he became a father for the first time.

“He is a man of steel, isn’t he?” Britain captain Leon Smith said of Murray.

“He is amazing. It is a privilege to sit there with him, and we will remember that for a long time.”

Britain will play a quarterfinal match against Novak Djokovic’s Serbia in July, continuing the defense of a title it won for the first time in 79 years. Serbia defeated Kazakhstan 3-2.

The grueling contest between Murray and the sixth-ranked Nishikori lasted almost five hours and featured many memorable rallies. Murray appeared to be struggling physically during the third and fourth sets, but found some energy for the fifth set.

“The crowd helped, for sure,” said Murray, whose last action before this Davis Cup match was a loss in the Australian Open final to Djokovic on Jan. 31.

Murray preserved his record of having lost only once in his career from two sets up — in 2005 against David Nalbandian at Wimbledon when Murray was aged 18.

It was Nishikori’s first loss in 13 Davis Cup matches, a streak stretching back four years.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Djokovic sees off Federer fight-back to reach Australian Open final

Top seed Novak Djokovic saw off a thrilling fight-back by his great rival Roger Federer to reach his sixth Australian Open final and fifth consecutive Grand Slam title match on Thursday.

The Serbian world number one downed third seed Federer 6-1, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 in two hours, 19 minutes and will face either Andy Murray or Milos Raonic in Sunday’s final.

It was the 45th meeting between the two greats with Djokovic now edging ahead of Federer 23-22 in their head-to-head duels.

The amazing Serb continued his recent domination over the 17-time Grand Slam champion and on Sunday, he will become the first man in the Open era to contest six Australian Open finals.

“I played an unbelievable first two sets but that is what is necessary against Roger as he has been playing at a very high level in this tournament,” Djokovic said.

“I knew he was going to be aggressive and mix up the pace and try to come to the net, but I came out with the right intensity with great concentration and I executed everything perfect.

“But it was a battle in the end.”

It will also be Djokovic’s 19th Grand Slam final overall and he moves into equal-third place with Ivan Lendl on the all-time list of most appearances in major finals, which is headed by Federer.

The 10-time Grand Slam champion was in sensational form in the opening two sets, carving up Federer in their 15th Grand Slam encounter with his fabulous groundstrokes for the loss of only three games in just 54 breathless minutes.

He broke Federer’s first service to 15 and then held his serve to lead 3-0, winning 12 of the first 14 points.

The Swiss third seed was broken again in the sixth game, netting a forehand with Djokovic in full cry.

Djokovic’s 6-1 first set was his easiest opening-set win over Federer. He won 24 points to 11, with the rushed Swiss making 12 unforced errors.

Federer was broken to love in the third game in a similar start to the second set, with the world number one able to do no wrong. He broke again in the fifth game and made it two sets to love with less than an hour gone.

Four-time winner Federer probed for a way back in, with the Australian crowd urging him on, and he broke Djokovic for the first time in the sixth game of the third set.

The Swiss was finally putting pressure on Djokovic and he claimed the third set on his third set point, to a thunderous roar on Rod Laver Arena.

But both players had to cool their heels as play was delayed to enable the stadium roof to be closed ahead of expected rain, making for indoor playing conditions.

Djokovic broke Federer for a fifth time in the match in a sensational eighth game of the fourth set, featuring a forehand return winner for the break, and he safely served out for the match in the following game.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Djokovic easily beats Murray to win Paris Masters title

 

PARIS — Novak Djokovic beat Andy Murray 6-2, 6-4 to win the Paris Masters for the third straight year and a record fourth time overall, dominating the second-seeded Briton from the outset in a one-sided final.

The top-ranked Serb was largely untroubled clinching his 10th title of the season — four ahead of Roger Federer and six more than Murray. It was the 58th title of his career and 26th in Masters events, two more than Federer and one behind leader Rafael Nadal.

“I am obviously very proud and very happy to win this title again,” the 28-year-old Djokovic said. “It’s a great tournament and all the best players in the world were here.”

Djokovic also extended his winning streak to 22 matches, and will be the favorite to win the season-ending ATP finals for the fourth straight time when that tournament starts in London on Nov. 15.

Despite dropping only one set on the way to the final, Murray simply could not compete as Djokovic won his sixth Masters title of the year — setting a new record.

“It’s been an incredible year for him, well done,” Murray said.

Serving for the match, Djokovic clenched his fist and yelled when Murray’s return landed out to give him match point. When Murray’s aggressive two-handed backhand went just wide, he turned and blew a kiss to his coach Boris Becker — who has won this event three times.

In their 30th career meeting, Djokovic improve to 21-9 against Murray, a two-time Grand Slam winner who beat the Serb in the 2013 Wimbledon final.

But since then, Djokovic has won 10 of their 11 encounters. His only loss during that spell was in August, when Murray beat him in the Rogers Cup final in Montreal.

The second point of the match lasted 22 strokes, but that was about as competitive as it got.

Djokovic broke Murray at love in the third game, and the Briton had to save three break points in the fifth. Djokovic then held at love and broke again before serving out the set in 42 minutes.

Murray dropped his serve again to trail 2-1 in the second set but broke right back, only for Djokovic to get another break in the seventh game when the Briton’s forehand sailed long.

source: sports.inquirer.net

In-form Andy Murray rises two more places in ATP rankings

PARIS — Olympic champion Andy Murray climbed two places to eighth after winning his second tournament in a row in Valencia, as the new ATP rankings were released Monday.

Murray won a three-set thriller against Spanish veteran Tommy Robredo, who also moved up four places to 17th, a week after the Scot triumphed in Vienna.

Roger Federer closed in a little on world number one Novak Djokovic by winning in Basel, while Tomas Berdych jumped a place to fifth.  











ATP rankings as of October 27, 2014:

   1.   Novak Djokovic (SRB) 11,510
   2.   Roger Federer (SUI) 9,280
   3.   Rafael Nadal (ESP) 8,195
   4.   Stan Wawrinka (SUI) 5,385
   5.   Tomas Berdych (CZE) 4,485 (+1)
   6.   David Ferrer (ESP) 4,465 (-1)
   7.   Kei Nishikori (JPN) 4,355
   8.   Andy Murray (GBR) 4,295 (+2)
   9.  Marin Cilic (CRO) 4,195 (-1)
  10. Milos Raonic (CAN) 3,930 (-1)
  11. Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) 3,645
  12. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) 2,660
  13. Ernests Gulbis (LAT) 2,465
  14. Feliciano Lopez (ESP) 2,085 (+1)
  15. Roberto Bautista (ESP) 2,065 (-1)
  16. John Isner (USA) 1,970
  17. Tommy Robredo (ESP) 1,970 (+4)
  18. Kevin Anderson (RSA) 1,945 (-1)
  19. Gilles Simon (FRA) 1,810 (-1)
  20. Fabio Fognini (ITA) 1,790 (-1)

source: sports.inquirer.net

Queen’s champ Dimitrov eyes Wimbledon glory

LONDON — Grigor Dimitrov insists his Queen’s Club triumph proves he is finally ready to end his long wait for a Grand Slam title at Wimbledon.

Dimitrov enjoyed the perfect preparation for Wimbledon as the world number 13 hung tough to defeat Spain’s Feliciano Lopez 6-7 (8/10), 7-6 (7/1), 7-6 (8/6) in a classic final on Sunday.

The 23-year-old’s maiden success on grass makes him the first player since Roger Federer and David Ferrer in 2012 to win titles on three different surfaces in the same year after his victories on hard courts in Acapulco and clay in Bucharest.

Dimitrov’s fourth ATP trophy of a career so far scarred by unfulfilled expectations will make him a dark horse for the title when Wimbledon gets underway on June 23.

The 2008 junior Wimbledon champion’s impressive displays on the grass at Queen’s proved he is perfectly suited to the surface and added to the growing feeling he is ready to make the most of the vast potential that saw him compared to Roger Federer when he was a teenager.

Asked if he is set to make the breakthrough at one of the four majors, Dimitrov, who reached his first Grand Slam quarter-final at the Australian Open earlier this year, didn’t back down from the challenge: “We’re about to find out in a week. It would be special to win that one.

“Wimbledon has been closer to me and what I have always wanted to achieve, and it’s definitely on my list to do or to win, and I’m going to have the chance in a week to go out there and perform the best way I can.

“Ever since I’ve played as a teenager I’ve dreamt of winning Queen’s. So I’m just heading into Wimbledon with a lot of positive vibes.”

If Dimitrov, the youngest player in the top 20, does enjoy a strong run at the All England Club, he will no doubt lean on the advice of girlfriend Maria Sharapova, who won Wimbledon aged 17 and clinched her second French Open title earlier month.

Sharapova was supporting Dimitrov at Queen’s and the Bulgarian, who blew a kiss to her during the post-match trophy presentation, was quick to pay tribute to his partner, while also hailing the impact of Australian coach Roger Rasheed, who has managed to add more focus and discipline to his game.

“Maria’s been unbelievable with me, just supporting me, and I think the feeling’s mutual, and I hope this won’t be the last tournament she’s at,” he said.

“Having Maria on my side definitely adds up, from a tremendous champion like her, there’s a lot to learn. And everything happened pretty naturally with Roger, it just feels comfortable.”

Dimitrov has long tired of the comparisons with Federer that saw him dubbed ‘Baby Fed’, but he knows the label will never be forgotten until he proves a success on his own terms.

“I think this is a step forward for me. I’m excited with progress so far, but my goals are way too high, so I wouldn’t call it a breakthrough or a coming of age – not yet,” he added.

“I was fired up all week, it’s been a very successful week for me.

“I’ve had such a good time but there’s still a lot to be achieved.”

Lopez, no slouch on grass himself, is convinced Dimitrov is the most likely candidate to break the Grand Slam stranglehold of Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.

“He’s the most complete player of that young generation and he’s already doing well,” Lopez said.

“Sooner or later it will come for him, but right now it’s tough.

“We’ve had 10 years of these animals at the top. It’s very tough to win slams because Roger, Rafa, Nole (Djokovic), they win everything.”

source: sports.inquirer.net

Murray, Djokovic to meet again at Key Biscayne

KEY BISCAYNE, Florida  — Even with his surgically repaired back still nowhere near perfect, defending champion Andy Murray needed only 73 minutes to beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-4, 6-1 at the Sony Open on Tuesday and set up a quarterfinal with Novak Djokovic.

“My game is getting there,” said Murray, the No. 6 seed, who acknowledged he was dealing with a sore back. “The last six sets I’ve played, very high-level tennis, very few errors.” 


He’ll need to keep it that way against Djokovic, who eased past Tommy Robredo 6-3, 7-5.

The second-seeded Djokovic even gave back a point in the second set. A groundstroke from Robredo clipped the baseline and Djokovic couldn’t handle it, but the ball was erroneously called out. After a review showed the ball was in, the point was ordered to be replayed.

Djokovic shouted “It’s OK, it’s OK” as the fans applauded his sportsmanship.

“For me, it’s something that is part of the sport, fair play,” Djokovic said. “I expect everybody else to do the same. Of course, not everybody’s the same, but for me, that’s something that’s normal. Just a normal, natural reaction.”

Top-seeded Rafael Nadal downed 14th-seeded Fabio Fognini 6-2, 6-2. Nadal has dropped a total of nine games in six sets so far in this tournament.

Singles players with a combined 66 Grand Slam victories were in action Tuesday, including Roger Federer — a winner of 17 of them himself. And he looked very much like the Federer of old, needing only 49 minutes to beat ninth-seeded Richard Gasquet 6-1, 6-2.

“Look, things went well out on the court today,” Federer said, clearly understating matters.

Federer, the No. 5 seed, had 25 winners to Gasquet’s eight, converted five of his six break chances and won 92 percent of his first-serve points in the second set. Next up for Federer is 20th-seeded Kei Nishikori, who upset No. 4 David Ferrer 7-6 (7), 2-6, 7-6 (9).

Ferrer had beaten Nishikori in the same round at Key Biscayne a year ago, their most recent meeting before Tuesday. No. 22 Alexandr Dolgopolov of the Ukraine also pulled off an upset, topping third-seeded Stanislas Wawrinka 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 to reach the quarterfinals.

The last American in the men’s draw was ousted when 10th-seeded John Isner lost to No. 7 seed Tomas Berdych 6-3, 7-5.

On the women’s side, Maria Sharapova rallied from a break down in the first set to oust Petra Kvitova 7-5, 6-1 and earn a spot in the semifinals. She’s been a finalist at Key Biscayne five times, but never the champion.

“I love the energy here,” she said.

The fourth-seeded Sharapova, who needed three-setters to get through her two most recent matches at Key Biscayne, feasted on 30 unforced errors by the eighth-seeded Kvitova. Sharapova won 11 of the final 13 games and moved into a semifinal matchup with Serena Williams, the defending champion who won 62 of 100 points in her 6-2, 6-2 romp over fifth-seeded Angelique Kerber.

Williams broke Kerber twice in each set, faced only one break point and held a more than 2-to-1 advantage in winners.

“It’s really special,” said Williams, who makes her home in South Florida and has been wearing outfits with Miami Dolphins NFL colors in this tournament. “I live so close to here. I can drive here … it’s a great opportunity to play at home.”

Also, former No. 1 Martina Hingis teamed with Sabine Lisicki to reach the doubles quarterfinals.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Nadal blazes into fourth round with Murray, Federer at Aussie Open

MELBOURNE — World number one Rafael Nadal played his best match of the tournament to join title-contenders Andy Murray and Roger Federer in the fourth round at the Australian Open on Saturday.

The Spaniard was relentless in dispatching French 25th seed Gael Monfils 6-1, 6-2, 6-3 in just over two hours in a dynamic night performance on Rod Laver Arena.

Nadal will next play Kei Nishikori in the round of 16 after the Japanese star ousted American Donald Young in straight sets.

“Gael is always a big test, he’s a great player, but I think today I played my best match in the tournament so far, so very happy for that,” Nadal said.

The top seed is bidding to win his second Australian Open title and become only the third man to win each of the four Grand Slam titles twice, after Australians Roy Emerson and Rod Laver.

Murray, a three-time Melbourne finalist, tossed aside Spanish 26th seed Feliciano Lopez in straight sets and Grand Slam record-holder Federer also did it in regulation sets over Russia’s Teymuraz Gabashvili.

Murray, the British fourth seed, extended his dominance of Spanish left-hander Lopez to 8-0 with a 7-6 (7/2), 6-4, 6-2 win in two hours 15 minutes on Hisense Arena.

The Scot will next play French journeyman Stephane Robert, who is the first-ever ‘lucky loser’ to reach the last 16 at the Australian Open.

Federer, chasing his fifth Australian crown, made the round of 16 at Melbourne for the 13th straight year after an unruffled 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 win over the unseeded Gabashvili in one hour 41 minutes.

It was his 71st match victory at Melbourne Park, extending his record at the Australian Open, and set up a clash against 2008 finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Tsonga needed only three sets to get past fellow Frenchman Gilles Simon 7-6 (7/5), 6-4, 6-2 in one hour 53 minutes in a night match on Hisense Arena.

Federer, the 17-time Grand Slam champion, said he was over the back pain that dogged him last year and was in good shape heading into the second week, with battles looming against his main rivals.

“Right now I feel very fresh and very good physically,” Federer said.

“That’s why I do a lot of prevention work. You make sure you sleep enough and do all these things. You eat healthy and so forth. But it’s been a good spell now.

“I didn’t have any setbacks since Hamburg (last July) really, and that’s very good looking forward.”

It was a confident Federer performance against the 79th-ranked Russian as the stylish Swiss looks to become the second man after Roy Emerson to win five Australian Open singles titles.

Murray, who had back surgery in September, briefly appeared in pain early in the first set against Lopez, but through the match he moved unhindered to progress through to the last 16.

Robert, ranked 119, failed to come through qualifying but was handed a spot at the tournament when Philipp Kohlschreiber pulled out injured.

On Saturday, he beat fellow lucky loser Martin Klizan 6-0, 7-6 (7/2), 6-4. It was the first Grand Slam third round match between two lucky losers since Wimbledon in 1973.

“I’m very happy. You know, it’s not a dream because I lost in the qualies (qualifiers), but now after I got this opportunity, now I’m really in the tournament,” Robert said.

Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov also won through to the fourth round and a meeting with Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut after ousting Canadian power-server Milos Raonic in four sets.

Bautista Agut continued his winning run with a 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 win over French 27th seed Benoit Paire.

source: sports.inquirer.net