Tennis Frontier

Author: Owen Gigg

  • Hantuchova Wins Birmingham WTA Final

    Hantuchova Wins Birmingham WTA Final

    Daniela Hantuchova won her sixth career title defeating 16-year-old prodigy Donna Vekic 7-6(5), 6-4 at the Birmingham WTA final.

    The Croatian youngster nearly snatched the first set before succumbing 7-5 in the tiebreak, prompting a code violation for racquet abuse as she vented her frustration.

    Hantuchova, a former world number 5, broke Vekic twice in the second set after suffering an early break of her own to run out the winner and take the title.

    Click here to discuss the Birmingham Tournament, Hantuchova and Vekic with fellow tennis fans.

  • The King of Queens: Murray wins the Aegon Championships

    The King of Queens: Murray wins the Aegon Championships

    Andy Murray celebrated the capture his third Queen’s Club title defeating the defending champion Marin Cilic 5-7, 7-5, 6-3 in a closely contested match interrupted by rain delays.

    It was the Scot’s first tournament since missing the French Open, and ideal preperation for his forthcoming Wimbledon campaign.

    Cilic won the first set, breaking for a 6-5 lead and fended off two break points to serve out the set. The fifth-seeded Croat, who won the title last year following David Nalbandian’s default by kicking a line judge, continued the momentum into the second set, but Murray had tightened up his service game and finally broke Cilic in the 12th game to level the match.

    The deciding set saw some moments of brilliance from the top-seeded Murray as he increased the tempo and placed Cilic under huge pressure. He finally got his rewards and took the set 6-3 to win the match, with Cilic netting a forehand on match point.

    Murray donated his winnings to the Rally Against Cancer. His close friend and fellow Briton Ross Hitchens was diagnosed with the illness six years ago.

    “Ross is one of my best friends, so whether I won or lost, it wasn’t going to change the fact that we were still doing something really good,” said Murray, who moves into Wimbledon with a grass court title under his belt.

    Click here to discuss the Queen’s Club Tournament and Murray’s title with fellow tennis fans.

  • Roger Federer Wins the Gerry Weber Open, Halle

    Roger Federer Wins the Gerry Weber Open, Halle

    Roger Federer picked up his 78th career title winning the Gerry Weber Open at Halle for the sixth time.

    The 31-year-old Swiss defeated Russia’s Mikhail Youzhny in a tight three-set encounter, 6-7, 6-3, 6-4.  Youzhny had not beaten Federer in 14 previous attempts, but started brightly by winning the first set tiebreak.

    Federer responded by taking the second and third sets to seal his first title of the year.

    Click here to discuss the Halle Tournament and Federer’s title with fellow tennis fans.

     

  • Defending Champ Cilic Moves Into the semis at Queens

    Defending Champ Cilic Moves Into the semis at Queens

    Latest from Queens… Marin Cilic, the defending champion, defeated the #2 seed Tomas Berdych 7-5, 7-6(4) to reach the semifinals.

    Cilic, who won the title last year when David Nalbandian defaulted by kicking a line judge, faced a break point at 4-4 in the first set. Berdych dumped the return in the net, followed by Cilic failing to convert a brace of set points at 5-4 before Berdych made a forehand error on a third breakpoint at 6-5.

    In the second set, Berdych had break points at 2-2 and another at 4-4. But Cilic once again held off the threat before claiming victory in the tiebreaker.

    Discuss this match and much more in the Tennis Frontier message board forum.

  • Mens French Open Draw: Djokovic and Nadal destined to meet in semis.

    Mens French Open Draw: Djokovic and Nadal destined to meet in semis.

    Defending French Open champion Rafael Nadal was drawn in the same half as Word Number 1 Novak Djokovic today at Roland Garros.

    A dream final between the two is no longer possible with the pair destined to clash in semi-finals should they navigate the earlier rounds.

    The full draw is as follows:

    QUARTER 1:

    Novak Djokovic (SRB) (1)
    David Goffin (BEL)

    Ivan Dodig (CRO)
    Guido Pella (ARG)

    Alex Kuznetsov (USA)
    Lucas Pouille (FRA)

    Alejandro Falla (COL)
    Grigor DiMitrov (BUL) (26)

    Alexandr Dolgopolov (UKR) (22)
    Dmitry Tursunov (RUS)

    Bernard Tomic (AUS)
    Victor Hanescu (ROU)

    Simone Bolelli (ITA)
    Yen-Hsun Lu (TPE)

    Qualifier
    Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) (16)

    Tommy Haas (GER) (12)
    Guillaume Rufin (FRA)

    Qualifier
    Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP)

    Andrey Kuznetsov (RUS)
    Ryan Harrison (USA)

    Carlos Berlocq (ARG)
    John Isner (USA) (19)

    Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) (29)
    Pablo Andujar (ESP)

    Federico Delbonis (ARG)
    Qualifier

    Fernando Verdasco (ESP)
    Marc Gicquel (FRA)

    Nicolas Mahut (FRA)
    Janko Tipsarevic (SRB) (8)

    [divider]

    QUARTER 2:

    Rafael Nadal (ESP) (3)
    Daniel Brands (GER)

    Martin Klizan (SVK)
    Michael Russell (USA)

    Qualifier
    Lukas Rosol (CZE)

    Qualifier
    Fabio Fognini (ITA) (27)

    Benoit Paire (FRA) (24)
    Marcos Baghdatis (CYP)

    Lukasz Kubot (POL)
    Qualifier

    Grega Zemlja (SLO)
    Santiago Giraldo (COL)

    Jesse Levine (CAN)
    Kei Nishikori (JPN) (13)

    Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) (9)
    Thiemo De Bakker (NED)

    Qualifier
    Horacio Zeballos (ARG)

    Kenny De Schepper (FRA)
    Robin Haase (NED)

    Albert Ramos (ESP)
    Jerzy Janowicz (POL) (21)

    Florian Mayer (GER) (28)
    Denis Istomin (UZB)

    Florent Serra (FRA)
    Nikolay Davydenko (RUS)

    Qualifier
    Qualifier

    Sergiy Stakhovsky (UKR)
    Richard Gasquet (FRA) (7)

    [divider]

    QUARTER 3:

    Tomas Berdych (CZE) (5)
    Gael Monfils (FRA)

    Ernests Gulbis (LAT)
    Rogerio Dutra Silva (BRA)

    Igor Sijsling (NED)
    Jurgen Melzer (AUT)

    Jurgen Zopp (EST)
    Tommy Robredo (ESP) (32)

    Andreas Seppi (ITA) (20)
    Leonardo Mayer (ARG)

    Blaz Kavcic (SLO)
    Qualifier

    Martin Alund (ARG)
    Edouard Roger-Vasselin (FRA)

    Qualifier
    Nicolas Almagro (ESP) (11)

    Milos Raonic (CAN) (14)
    Xavier Malisse (BEL)

    Qualifier
    Michael Llodra (FRA)

    Qualifier
    Evgeny Donskoy (RUS)

    Qualifier
    Kevin Anderson (RSA) (23)

    Marcel Granollers (ESP) (31)
    Feliciano Lopez (ESP)

    Joao Sousa (POR)
    Go Soeda (JPN)

    Qualifier
    Albert Montanes (ESP)

    Marinko Matosevic (AUS)
    David Ferrer (ESP) (4)

    [divider]

    QUARTER 4:

    Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) (6)
    Aljaz Bedene (SLO)

    Jarkko Nieminen (FIN)
    Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA)

    Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP)
    Gilles Muller (LUX)

    Benjamin Becker (GER)
    Jeremy Chardy (FRA) (25)

    Juan Monaco (ARG) (17)
    Daniel Gimeno-Traver (ESP)

    Viktor Troicki (SRB)
    James Blake (USA)

    Radek Stepanek (CZE)
    Nick Kyrgios (AUS)

    Philipp Petzschner (GER)
    Marin Cilic (CRO) (10)

    Gilles Simon (FRA) (15)
    Lleyton Hewitt (AUS)

    Adrian Mannarino (FRA)
    Pablo Cuevas (URU)

    Jan Hajek (CZE)
    Qualifier

    Lukas Lacko (SVK)
    Sam Querrey (USA) (18)

    Julien Benneteau (FRA) (30)
    Ricardas Berankis (LTU)

    Tobias Kamke (GER)
    Paolo Lorenzi (ITA)

    Qualifier
    Qualifier

    Qualifier
    Roger Federer (SUI) (2)

    Click here to discuss the French Open draw, and more with fellow tennis fans on our discussion boards.

  • Murray, Del Potro And Others Pull Out Of Roland Garros

    Murray, Del Potro And Others Pull Out Of Roland Garros

    Andy Murray has pulled out of Roland Garros. He said in a statement: “It’s a really tough decision and I love playing in Paris, but after seeking medical advice I am not fit to compete,” adding “now my complete focus is on getting back on the court as soon as possible.”

    World #2 Murray has been troubled with a lower-back injury that caused him to retire from his second-round match in Rome. He has also stated that Wimbledon is his main priority.

    Juan Martin Del Potro has also pulled out. The World #6 and a former French Open semi-finalist has been suffering with a bronchial infection since appearing at the Monte Carlo Open. He was forced to sit out scheduled events at the Portuguese Open and Madrid Masters. He returned for the Italian Open in Rome but was below his best in a poor outing against the Frenchman Benoit Paire. Following the Paire loss, Del Potro returned to Argentina.

    Other Roland Garros casualties also include the Americans Mardy Fish and Brian Baker. They will be replaced in Friday’s draw by Joao Sousa of Portugal, and Guido Pella of Argentina.

    Additionally, John Millan, an Australian wild card, has withdrawn due to shoulder injury, and will be replaced by Nick Kyrgios of Australia.

    Click here to discuss this story on our discussion board with fellow tennis fans.

  • WTA Rome Draw – Internazionali BNL d’Italia

    WTA Rome Draw – Internazionali BNL d’Italia

    The Ladies Singles draw for the Italian Open in Rome is as follows:

    (1) Williams, Serena
    Bye
    ——————————
    Williams, Venus
    Robson, Laura
    ——————————
    Makarova, Ekaterina
    Oudin, Melanie
    ——————————
    Mladenovic, Kristina
    (14) Cibulkova, Dominika
    ——————————
    (11) Petrova, Nadia
    Suarez Navarro, Carla
    ——————————
    Pavlyuchenkova, Anastasia
    Oprandi, Romina
    ——————————
    Flipkens, Kirsten
    Wickmayer, Yanina
    ——————————
    Bye
    (6) Kerber, Angelique
    ——————————
    (4) Radwanska, Agnieszka
    Bye
    ——————————
    Kuznetsova, Svetlana
    Halep, Simona
    ——————————
    Burnett, Nastassja
    Cornet, Alize
    ——————————
    Vesnina, Elena
    (13) Vinci, Roberta
    ——————————
    (10) Wozniacki, Caroline
    Jovanovski, Bojana
    ——————————
    Jankovic, Jelena
    Pironkova, Tsvetana
    ——————————
    Zheng, Jie
    Rybarikova, Magdalena
    ——————————
    Bye
    (5) Li, Na
    ——————————
    (8) Kvitova, Petra
    Bye
    ——————————
    Lisicki, Sabine
    Burdette, Mallory
    ——————————
    Niculescu, Monica
    Peng, Shuai
    ——————————
    Hsieh, Su-Wei
    (9) Stosur, Samantha
    ——————————
    (15) Ivanovic, Ana
    Radwanska, Urszula
    ——————————
    Cirstea, Sorana
    Morita, Ayumi
    ——————————
    Goerges, Julia
    Hlavackova, Andrea
    ——————————
    Bye
    (3) Azarenka, Victoria
    ——————————
    (7) Errani, Sara
    Bye
    ——————————
    Knapp, Karin
    Mchale, Christina
    ——————————
    Tsurenko, Lesia
    Lepchenko, Varvara
    ——————————
    Medina Garrigues, Anabel
    (12) Kirilenko, Maria
    ——————————
    (16) Stephens, Sloane
    Pennetta, Flavia
    ——————————
    Schiavone, Francesca
    Bertens, Kiki
    ——————————
    Muguruza, Garbine
    Johansson, Mathilde
    ——————————
    Bye
    (2) Sharapova, Maria

     

    Click here to discuss this and more with fellow tennis fans on our discussion board.

  • ATP Rome Draw – Internazionali BNL d’Italia

    ATP Rome Draw – Internazionali BNL d’Italia

    1] Novak Djokovic vs bye
    Qualifier vs Martin Klizan
    Matteo Viola vs Alexandr Dolgopolov
    Stanislas Wawrinka vs Qualifier
    Marin Cilic vs Qualifier
    Kevin Anderson vs Jurgen Melzer
    Denis Istomin vs John Isner
    [6] Thomas Berdych vs Bye

    [4] David Ferrer vs Bye
    Horacio Zeballos vs Fernando Verdasco
    Albert Ramos vs Qualifier
    Philipp Kohlschreiber vs Milos Raonic
    Janko Tipsarevic vs Viktor Troicki
    Jarkko Nieminen vs Qualifier
    Fabio Fognini vs Andreas Seppi
    [5] Rafael Nadal vs Bye

    [7] Juan Martin del Potro vs Bye
    Xavier Malisse vs Qualifier
    Juan Monaco vs Benoit Paire
    Julien Benneteau vs Nicolas Almagro
    Kei Nishikori vs Paolo Lorenzi
    Jeremy Chardy vs Feliciano Lopez
    Marcel Granollers vs Nikolay Davidenko
    [3] Andy Murray vs Bye

    [8] Jo Wilfried Tsonga vs Bye
    Jerzy Janowicz vs Qualifier
    Marcos Baghdatis vs Grigor Dimitrov
    Sam Querrey va Richard Gasquet
    Tommy Haas vs Mikhail Youznhy
    Filippo Volandri va Gilles Simon
    Radek Stepanek vs Potito Starace
    [2] Roger Federer vs Bye

    Click here to discuss this and more with fellow tennis fans on our discussion board.

  • Ladies Final Four in Madrid

    Ladies Final Four in Madrid

    The final four will play out the Ladies semifinals on Saturday with both top seeds still in the draw. World number #1 and top seed Serena Williams meets Sara Errani, and Maria Sharapova faces off against former French Open champion Ana Ivanovic.

    Quarterfinal Results:

    [7] Sara Errani (ITA) d Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) 6 – 4, 6 – 3
    [16] Ana Ivanovic (SRB) d [6] Angelique Kerber (GER) 6 – 3, 6 – 1
    [1] Serena Williams (USA) d Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP) 6 – 3, 0 – 6, 7 – 5
    [2] Maria Sharapova (RUS) d Kaia Kanepi (EST) 6 – 2, 6 – 4

    Click here to discuss this and more with fellow tennis fans on our discussion board.

     

  • Nishikori sends Federer crashing out of Madrid

    Nishikori sends Federer crashing out of Madrid

    Roger Federer crashed out of the Mutua Madrid Open with a surprise defeat to 23-year-old Kei Nishikori in the third round.

    Nishikori, the 14th seed, defeated the defending champion 6-4, 1-6, 6-2 in one hour, 35 minutes. Federer is the second high-profile casualty of the tournament following Novak Djokovic’s shock exit by way of Grigor Dimitrov two days earlier.

    Federer was playing his first tournament in eight weeks, and his first of the year on clay, after taking an extended break due to niggling back problems. He was broken in the fifth game of the opening set, and his Japanese opponent served it out to take the lead.

    The 17-time major winner fought back strongly in the second set, taking it 6-1, and looked to have the momentum as they moved into the deciding set.

    However, Nishikori took control again, reasserting his ground game and broke Federer for an initial 3-1 advantage and held on for victory.

    “Overall, I’m pretty disappointed with my play,” Federer stated in the post-match press conference. “I’m not sure how well Kei thought he played. I didn’t think he had to play his very best, either, which is even more disappointing. It doesn’t change my mindset going forward. I’m going to go back to the practice court, train hard, and make sure I don’t have these kind of days anymore.”

    Nishikori, who will now meet Spanish wildcard Pablo Andujar in the quarterfinals, said, “I wasn’t really expecting this — 6-2 in the third, that’s not easy against him. I played well. I was a little bit tight, of course, but he didn’t make many first serves in the third set, and I was able to attack his second. I was even more aggressive in the third set. I’m pretty happy the way I played.”

    Click here to discuss this and more with fellow tennis fans on our discussion board.