Tennis Frontier

Category: ATP Tour

Tennis Frontier News from the ATP Tour.

  • Waiting For Rafa

    Waiting For Rafa

    Rafael Nadal

    Everyone is speculating about when Rafael Nadal will return to competition after being sidelined with a right wrist injury, which caused him to miss all of the North American summer hard-court season, including the US Open. Here are some updates from the Spanish- and Catalan-speaking press.

    Puntodebreak reported yesterday (September 10th, 2014) that he will play an exhibition with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in Kazakhstan on September 25th, which would seem to indicate that he’s on his way to Beijing for the China Open, which begins September 29th.

    Terra Peru published an article two days ago saying that he’s training for the tournament in Beijing and Nadal says he hopes to play there. However, he also says that the doctors have told him to proceed with caution, because if he has a relapse of the injury, the recovery could be long, indeed.

    There is video from iB3 of him training without a brace, but not hitting using the right hand on the two-hander. This is from his local television station and appeared on September 4th. The commentary and interview are in Catalan. It says that the training goes a bit slowly, but still states that he hopes to play in China.

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    Cover Photo (Creative Commons License): Marianne Bevis

  • Marin Cilic Emphatic in US Open Win

    Marin Cilic Emphatic in US Open Win

    The 14th seeded Marin Cilic of Croatia became the lowest ranked player to win the men’s title at the US Open since Pete Sampras in 2002.  He shut down 11-seed Kei Nishikori in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.  The final line-up was a surprise, when each man beat the #2 and #1 seeds, respectively,  Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, in a semi-finals day of upsets on Saturday.  This was the first final since the Australian Open 2005 to feature none of the so-called “Big Four,” (Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, Murray,) and only the third of the last 39 men’s finals not to be won by one of them.

    The loss is a disappointment for Japanese fans, who were rallied behind Nishikori as the first Asian man to come so far in a Major tournament, including semis.  Nishikori, who had debated even playing here, after a recent surgery on his toe, had a tough road to the final, having to defeat three top-5 players in the last 3 rounds, two of which went to five sets, and one, against Wawrinka (3) that finished at 2:26am, tying the latest matches ever at the Open.  Cilic, for his part, beat two top-6 seeds.

    While the match started nervously from both, they held serve until the 6th game in the first set, when Cilic got the break.  Cilic he also broke in the 4th game of the second set, and the fifth game of the third.  Once he had the breaks, he only needed to hold serve and did.  Cilic’s percentage of first serve points won, 80% versus 55% for Nishikori was one of the telling stats of the match.  Additionally, Nishikori’s winners-to-unforced errors count was 19-30, whereas Cilic put up 38-27.  The 5’10” Nishikori had trouble finding open space in the court against the 6’6″ wingspan of the Croat.  But, in the end, Cilic was the one with purpose and focus, and didn’t let the Japanese man into the match.  Nishikori, for his part, wasn’t allowed to play his tricky, agile game, being shut down but Cilic’s big serve and powerful hitting.

    2014 has seen four different winners of the men’s Slams, as it did 2012.  But in 2012, the wins were divided evenly between the “Big Four.”  This year has let two new winners in:  Stan Wawrinka at the Australian Open, and Marin Cilic in this US Open.  The tennis world will be watching to see if this trend continues into 2015.

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    Cover Photo (Creative Commons License): si.robi

  • US Open Day 15: Men’s Final

    US Open Day 15: Men’s Final

    2014 US Open F Men

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    Arthur Ashe Stadium — 5:00 P.M.

    Men’s Singles – Final
    Marin Cilic (CRO) (14) d. Kei Nishikori (JPN) (10) — 6-3, 6-3, 6-3

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  • US Open Day 14: Women’s Final – Order of Play & Scores

    US Open Day 14: Women’s Final – Order of Play & Scores

    2014 US Open F Women

    Day 14 is upon us, and so the women’s final, featuring the current #1 versus past #1, rivals and very close friends, Serena Williams and Caroline Wozniacki.  The Dane is hoping to win her first career Major title, while Serena will be hoping to finally get her 18th, which has been alluding her since she won her 17th in New York last year.

    The appetizer will be the men’s doubles final.  The #1 ranked team, the Bryan brothers, will be seeking to win their 100th title together.  (You read that right.)  They face Marcel Granollers and Marc Lopez of Spain, who beat the Bryans at this year’s French Open.

    The full schedule for Day 14 is listed below (Results to follow).  All times are local.

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    Arthur Ashe Stadium — 12:30 P.M.

    Men’s Doubles – Final
    Bob Bryan (USA) (1) / Mike Bryan (USA) (1) d. Marcel Granollers (ESP) (11) / Marc Lopez (ESP) (11) — 6-3, 6-4

    Not Before: 4:30 P.M.

    Women’s Singles – Final
    Serena Williams (USA) (1) d. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) (10) — 6-3, 6-3

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  • US Open Day 13: Men’s Semifinals – Order of Play & Scores

    US Open Day 13: Men’s Semifinals – Order of Play & Scores

    2014 US Open SF Men

    Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, the #1 and #2 seeds, respectively, will be hoping to set up the anticipated re-match of the Wimbledon final.  Kei Nishikori and Marin Cilic will be hoping to spoil the party.

    The full schedule for Day 13 is listed below (Results to follow).  All times are local.

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    Arthur Ashe Stadium — 12:00 P.M.

    Men’s Singles – Semifinals
    Kei Nishikori (JPN) (10) d. Novak Djokovic (SRB) (1) — 6-4, 1-6, 7-6(4), 6-3

    Not Before: 1:30 P.M.

    Men’s Singles – Semifinals
    Marin Cilic (CRO) (14) d. Roger Federer (SUI) (2) — 6-3, 6-4, 6-4

    Not Before: 3:00 P.M.

    Women’s Doubles – Final
    Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) (4) / Elena Vesnina (RUS) (4) d. Martina Hingis (SUI) / Flavia Pennetta (ITA) — 2-6, 6-3, 6-2

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  • US Open Day 12: Women’s Semifinals – Order of Play & Scores

    US Open Day 12: Women’s Semifinals – Order of Play & Scores

    2014 US Open SF Women

    The women’s semi-finals will be played on Day 12 to set the finals set for Saturday.  Shuai Peng of China is making her debut in the final four of a major, playing Caroline Wozniacki, who leads their head-to-head 5-1.  The second semi pits the 5-time US Open Champion, Serena Williams against Ekaterina Makarova of Russia, who was a winner in 2012 in the mixed doubles here.  Williams has won 3 of their 4 matches played, including a straight sets win here two years ago.  This year’s mixed doubles final is first up on the day’s schedule.

    The full schedule for Day 12 is listed below (Results to follow).  All times are local.

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    Arthur Ashe Stadium — 12:30 P.M.

    Mixed Doubles – Final
    Sania Mirza (IND) (1) / Bruno Soares (BRA) (1) d. Abigail Spears (USA) / Santiago Gonzalez (MEX) — 6-1, 2-6 [11-9]

    Not Before: 1:45 P.M.

    Women’s Singles – Semifinals
    Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) (10) d. Shuai Peng (CHN) — 7-6(1), 4-3 (Ret.)

    Not Before: 3:45 P.M.

    Women’s Singles – Semifinals
    Serena Williams (USA) (1) d. Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) (17) — 6-1, 6-3

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  • US Open Day 11: Men’s Quarterfinals – Order of Play & Scores

    US Open Day 11: Men’s Quarterfinals – Order of Play & Scores

    2014 US Open QF 2

    Day 11 features the Men’s Quarterfinals for the bottom half of the draw – Berdych v. Cilic, and Federer v. Monfils, to set the men’s semis.  Also in play are the Women’s and Men’s Doubles Semi-finals.  Women’s singles semi-finals are Day 12.

    The full schedule for Day 11 is listed below (Results to follow).  All times are local.

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    Arthur Ashe Stadium — 12:00 P.M.  

    Men’s Doubles – Semifinals
    Bob Bryan (USA) (1) / Mike Bryan (USA) (1) d. Scott Lipsky (USA) / Rajeev Ram (USA) — 6-4, 4-6, 6-3

    Not Before: 1:30 P.M.

    Men’s Singles – Quarterfinals
    Marin Cilic (CRO) (14) d. Tomas Berdych (CZE) (6) — 6-2, 6-4, 7-6(4)

    Not Before: 8:00 P.M.

    Men’s Singles – Quarterfinals
    Roger Federer (SUI) (2) d. Gael Monfils (FRA) (20) — 4-6, 3-6, 6-4, 7-5, 6-2

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    Louis Armstrong Stadium — 11:00 A.M.

    Women’s Doubles – Semifinals
    Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) (4) / Elena Vesnina (RUS) (4) d. Kimiko Date-Krumm (JPN) / Barbora Zahlavova Strycova (CZE) — 7-5, 6-3

    Not Before: 12:30 P.M.

    Men’s Doubles – Semifinals
    Marcel Granollers (ESP) (11) / Marc Lopez (ESP) (11) d. Ivan Dodig (CRO) (4) / Marcelo Melo (BRA) (4) — 6-4, 6-4

    Not Before: 2:00 P.M.

    Women’s Doubles – Semifinals
    Martina Hingis (SUI) / Flavia Pennetta (ITA) d. Cara Black (ZIM) (3) / Sania Mirza (IND) (3) — 6-2, 6-4

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  • US Open Day 10: Men’s & Women’s Quarterfinals – Order of Play & Scores

    US Open Day 10: Men’s & Women’s Quarterfinals – Order of Play & Scores

    2014 US Open QF 1

    Day 10 brings the quarterfinal clashes in the top halves of both the women’s and men’s draws, with three former US Open champions in action.  Defending champion and overall 5 times winner here, Serena Williams, will face Flavia Pennetta, while Victoria Azarenka, last year’s finalist, will play Ekaterina Makarova.  On the men’s side, one of the matches features two former champs.  Novak Djokovic, 2011 winner and last year’s runner-up will play Andy Murray, the 2012 winner.  And this year’s Australian Open winner, Stan Wawrinka will battle Kei Nishikori for a slot in the semi-finals.

    The full schedule for Day 10 is listed below (Results to follow).  All times are local.

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    Arthur Ashe Stadium — 11:00 A.M. 

    Mixed Doubles – Semifinals
    Abigail Spears (USA) (10) / Santiago Gonzalez (MEX) (10) d. Taylor Townsend (USA) / Donald Young (USA) — 6-3, 6-4

    Not Before: 12:30 P.M.

    Women’s Singles – Quarterfinals
    Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) (17) d. Victoria Azarenka (BLR) (16) — 6-4, 6-2

    Not Before: 3:00 P.M.

    Men’s Singles – Quarterfinals
    Kei Nishikori (JPN) (10) d. Stan Wawrinka (SUI) (3) — 3-6, 7-5, 7-6(7), 6-7(5), 6-4

    Not Before: 7:00 P.M.

    Women’s Singles – Quarterfinals
    Serena Williams (USA) (1) d. Flavia Pennetta (ITA) (11) — 6-3, 6-2

    Men’s Singles – Quarterfinals
    Novak Djokovic (SRB) (1) d. Andy Murray (GBR) (8) — 7-6(1), 6-7(1), 6-2, 6-4

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    Louis Armstrong Stadium — 11:00 A.M.  

    Men’s Doubles – Quarterfinals
    Marcel Granollers (ESP) (11) / Marc Lopez (ESP) (11) d. Alexander Peya (AUT) (2) / Bruno Soares (BRA) (2) — 7-6(3), 6-4

    Women’s Doubles – Quarterfinals
    Kimiko Date-Krumm (JPN) / Barbora Zahlavova Strycova (CZE) d. Andrea Hlavackova (CZE) (8) / Jie Zheng (CHN) (8) — 6-3, 4-6, 6-3

    Men’s Doubles – Quarterfinals
    Ivan Dodig (CRO) (4) / Marcelo Melo (BRA) (4) d. Carlos Berlocq (ARG) / Leonardo Mayer (ARG) — 3-6, 6-4, 6-2

    Mixed Doubles – Semifinals
    Sania Mirza (IND) (1) / Bruno Soares (BRA) (1) d. Yung-Jan Chan (TPE) / Ross Hutchins (GBR) — 7-5, 4-6, 10-7

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  • US Open Day 9: Order of Play & Scores

    US Open Day 9: Order of Play & Scores

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    Day 9 features the rest of the men’s matches for the Round of 16, and the first two women’s quarterfinals. The unseeded Swiss Belinda Bencic will play the unseeded Shuai Peng, from China. The other quarterfinal pits Caroline Wozniacki (10) against the crafty Italian Sara Errani (13). In the day session on Ashe, Grigor Dimitrov (7), who won this event as a junior, faces the unorthodox Frenchman Gael Monfils (20). In the evening, five-time US Open champion Roger Federer (2) will play the young Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut.

    The full schedule for Day 9 is listed below (Results to follow).  All times are local.

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    Arthur Ashe Stadium — 11:00 A.M.

    Men’s Doubles – Quarterfinals
    Scott Lipsky (USA) / Rajeev Ram (USA) d. Eric Butorac (USA) (12) / Raven Klaasen (RSA) (12) — 6-3, 7-6(4)

    Not Before: 12:00 P.M.

    Women’s Singles – Quarterfinals
    Shuai Peng (CHN) d. Belinda Bencic (SUI) — 6-2, 6-1

    Men’s Singles – Round 4
    Gael Monfils (FRA) (20) d. Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) (7) — 7-5, 7-6(6), 7-5

    Not Before: 7:00 P.M.

    Men’s Singles – Round 4
    Roger Federer (SUI) (2) d. Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) (17) — 6-4, 6-3, 6-2

    Women’s Singles – Quarterfinals
    Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) (10) d. Sara Errani (ITA) (13) — 6-0, 6-1

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    Louis Armstrong Stadium — 12:00 P.M.

    Women’s Doubles – Quarterfinals
    Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) (4) / Elena Vesnina (RUS) (4) d. Venus Williams (USA) / Serena Williams (USA) — 7-6(5), 6-4

    Men’s Singles – Round 4
    Marin Cilic (CRO) (14) d. Gilles Simon (FRA) (26) — 5-7, 7-6(3), 6-4, 3-6, 6-3

    Men’s Singles – Round 4
    Tomas Berdych (CZE) (6) d. Dominic Thiem (AUT) — 6-1, 6-2, 6-4

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    Grandstand — Not Before: 3:00 P.M.

    Women’s Doubles – Quarterfinals
    Martina Hingis (SUI) / Flavia Pennetta (ITA) d. Kveta Peschke (CZE) (5) / Katarina Srebotnik (SLO) (5) — 6-4, 6-3

    Women’s Doubles – Quarterfinals
    Cara Black (ZIM) (3) / Sania Mirza (IND) (3) d. Zarina Diyas (KAZ) / Yi-Fan Xu (CHN) — 6-1, 1-0 (Ret.)

    Not Before: 6:00 P.M.

    Men’s Doubles – Quarterfinals
    Bob Bryan (USA) (1) / Mike Bryan (USA) (1) d. David Marrero (ESP) (7) / Fernando Verdasco (ESP) (7) — 6-2, 4-6, 6-4

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    Cover Photo (Creative Commons License): jpellgen

  • US Open Day 8: Order of Play & Scores

    US Open Day 8: Order of Play & Scores

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    Day 8 features the fourth round matches for the top half of the draws. Serena Williams, the No. 1 seed, will face the unseeded Kaia Kanepi. The 2012 champion Andy Murray plays the No. 9 seed, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA). The evening session on Ashe begins with Victoria Azarenka taking on Aleksandra Krunic, and ends with Milos Raonic (5) vs. Kei Nishikori (10).

    On Louis Armstrong Stadium, Novak Djokovic (1), the 2011 champion, will play Philipp Kohlschreiber (22). The young Canadian Eugenie Bouchard (7) faces Ekaterina Makarova (17), and the Swiss Stan Wawrinka (3) will take on the veteran Spaniard Tommy Robredo (16).

    The full schedule for Day 8 is listed below (Results to follow).  All times are local.

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    Arthur Ashe Stadium — 11:00 A.M.

    Women’s Singles – Round 4
    Flavia Pennetta (ITA) (11) d. Casey Dellacqua (AUS) (29) — 7-5, 6-2

    Women’s Singles – Round 4
    Serena Williams (USA) (1) d. Kaia Kanepi (EST) — 6-3, 6-3

    Men’s Singles – Round 4
    Andy Murray (GBR) (8) d. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) (9) — 7-5, 7-5, 6-4

    Not Before: 7:00 P.M.

    Women’s Singles – Round 4
    Victoria Azarenka (BLR) (16) d. Aleksandra Krunic (SRB) — 4-6, 6-4, 6-4

    Men’s Singles – Round 4
    Kei Nishikori (JPN) (10) d. Milos Raonic (CAN) (5) — 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-7(5), 7-5, 6-4

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    Louis Armstrong Stadium — 11:00 A.M.  

    Men’s Doubles – Round 3
    Bob Bryan (USA) (1) / Mike Bryan (USA) (1) d. Bradley Klahn (USA) / Tim Smyczek (USA) — 6-3, 7-6(5)

    Men’s Singles – Round 4
    Novak Djokovic (SRB) (1) d. Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) (22) — 6-1, 7-5, 6-4

    Women’s Singles – Round 4
    Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) (17) d. Eugenie Bouchard (CAN) (7) — 7-6(2), 6-4

    Men’s Singles – Round 4
    Stan Wawrinka (SUI) (3) d. Tommy Robredo (ESP) (16) — 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(7), 6-2

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    Grandstand — 11:00 A.M.

    Junior Girls’ Singles – Round 1
    Catherine Bellis (USA) (1) d. Renata Zarazua (MEX) — 6-1, 6-3

    Men’s Doubles – Round 3
    Carlos Berlocq (ARG) / Leonardo Mayer (ARG) d. Vasek Pospisil (CAN) (8) / Jack Sock (USA) (8) — 6-2, 6-2

    Men’s Doubles – Round 3
    Marcel Granollers (ESP) (11) / Marc Lopez (ESP) (11) d. Leander Paes (IND) (6) / Radek Stepanek (CZE) (6) — 6-2, 4-6, 6-1

    Women’s Doubles – Round 3
    Martina Hingis (SUI) / Flavia Pennetta (ITA) d. Jarmila Gajdosova (AUS) / Ajla Tomljanovic (AUS) — 6-1, 6-4

    Mixed Doubles – Quarterfinals
    Abigail Spears (USA) / Santiago Gonzalez (MEX) d. Cara Black (ZIM) (3) / Leander Paes (IND) (3) — 6-4, 4-6, 10-8

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    Court 17 — 11:00 A.M.

    Mixed Doubles – Quarterfinals
    Taylor Townsend (USA) / Donald Young (USA) d. Ashleigh Barty (AUS) / John Peers (AUS) — 2-6, 7-6(3), 10-5

    Men’s Doubles – Round 3
    Alexander Peya (AUT) (2) / Bruno Soares (BRA) (2) d. Mikhail Kukushkin (KAZ) / Michael Venus (NZL) — 6-3, 6-4

    Not Before: 2:00 P.M.

    Women’s Doubles – Round 3
    Kimiko Date-Krumm (JPN) / Barbora Zahlavova Strycova (CZE) d. Su-Wei Hsieh (TPE) (2) / Shuai Peng (CHN) (2) — 7-6(4), 6-4

    Men’s Doubles – Round 3
    David Marrero (ESP) (7) / Fernando Verdasco (ESP) (7) d. Jean-Julien Rojer (NED) (9) / Horia Tecau (ROU) (9) — 6-3, 6-2

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    Court 5 — 11:00 A.M.

    Women’s Doubles – Round 3
    Andrea Hlavackova (CZE) (8) / Jie Zheng (CHN) (8) d. Gabriela Dabrowski (CAN) / Alicja Rosolska (POL) — 6-4, 6-3

    Not Before: 1:00 P.M.

    Women’s Doubles – Round 3
    Kveta Peschke (CZE) (5) / Katarina Srebotnik (SLO) (5) d. Alla Kudryavtseva (RUS) (9) / Anastasia Rodionova (AUS) (9) — 4-6, 6-1, 7-6(4)

    Not Before: 2:00 P.M.

    Women’s Doubles – Round 3
    Cara Black (ZIM) (3) / Sania Mirza (IND) (3) d. Jelena Jankovic (SRB) / Klara Koukalova (CZE) — 6-3, 6-2

    Mixed Doubles – Quarterfinals
    Yung-Jan Chan (TPE) / Ross Hutchins (GBR) d. Kveta Peschke (CZE) / Marcin Matkowski (POL) — 6-3, 1-2 (Ret.)

    Mixed Doubles – Quarterfinals
    Sania Mirza (IND) (1) / Bruno Soares (BRA) (1) d. Katarina Srebotnik (SLO) (6) / Rohan Bopanna (IND) (6) — 7-5, 2-6, 10-5

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    Cover Photo (Creative Commons License): wchuang