General Tennis News from the Tennis Frontier
Sam Stosur was unable to repeat last week’s Osaka triumph in Moscow, going down 7-6 (1), 6-2 in the final of the Kremlin Cup to Romanian Simona Halep.
”It’s an incredible year for me and I am enjoying every moment of it,” said Halep who has now won all five of the finals she has appeared in during 2013.
[divider]
Cover Photo: robbiesaurus, Creative Commons License
Britain’s Andy Murray has been given the royal seal of approval in the United Kingdom, collecting an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) medal in a ceremony presided over by heir to the throne, Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge.
Murray, who won the US Open title, Wimbledon, and Olympic Gold, was awarded the medal for services to tennis. He attended the ceremony with his parents and girlfriend Kim Sears.
The day didn’t pass without a hiccup – the Scot was nearly late for the ceremony having been held up by a random drug test.
The son of Olympic Gold medalist Miloslav Mecir is enjoying a successful ATP Tour debut at the Erste Bank Open in Vienna.
Miloslav Mecir, Jr., defeated Pablo Andujar in straight sets 6-4, 6-4 to set up a clash with Tommy Haas in the following round to be played on Thursday.
Mecir, Sr., nicknamed “The Big Cat”, won the 1988 Olympic Gold and also made the finals of the US and Australian Opens. His highest world ranking was No. 4.
“I always wanted to be better than my Dad,” said Mecir, Jr. “I have a pretty similar playing style.”
He has some way to go before achieving that ambition, but it’s a promising debut on the tour after a frustrating period where injuries nearly forced him to quit the sport.
“I didn’t think that this dream to come true as two years ago I thought about quitting tennis. I had inflammation of the elbow ligaments and I did not play for four months.”
Now injury-free, Mecir is enjoying a rise up the rankings and currently sits at No. 240 after winning six Futures events and progressing onto the main tour.
Jelena Dokic, the former World No. 4, is hoping to return to the WTA tour at the Australian Open in 2014. The 30-year-old Australian-based Serb has been working out with Todd Woodbridge, the head of professional tennis down under.
”She wants to get back into the game,” stated Craig Tiley, the chief executive of Tennis Australia. ”She’s training every day with a focus on next year.”
Dokic was a Wimbledon semifinalist in 2000 before a spate of family issues with a domineering father and subsequent injuries derailed her career.
In 2009, she made a strong return by reaching the quarterfinals of the Australian Open before injuries once again sabotaged her comeback.
It would be a remarkable return that almost certainly hinges on Tennis Australia awarding a wildcard entry.
[divider]
Cover Photo: NAPARAZZI, Creative Commons License
Roger Federer’s coaching split with Paul Annacone has been described as a mutual parting of ways by Annacone in an interview with the newspaper USA Today.
“After a number of very good, heartfelt, and really thoughtful conversations about what’s best in timing for Roger and also for me,” they concluded it was best to move on, said Annacone. “I think we both feel good about it. I know I do.”
Annacone still believes 32-year-old Federer has another Major title in him. “I can’t imagine anything other than success coming his way. For me, it’s not a matter of if. It’s a matter of when.”
[divider]
Cover Photo: Marianne Bevis, Creative Commons License
Novak Djokovic has won the Shanghai Rolex Masters by defeating Juan Martin Del Potro 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 (3) in a close final played out over 2 hours and 32 minutes.
Djokovic was in full command throughout the opening stanza, breaking the Argentine twice en route to grabbing the first set 6-1.
Del Potro, the conqueror of World No. 1 Rafael Nadal in the semifinals, began to find his rhythm in the second set and dictated early proceedings behind his monstrous forehand. He broke Djokovic and held on to level the match.
In a hard fought final set decider that went all the way to a tiebreak, Djokovic finally pulled clear to seize opportunities in the breaker to win 7-3 and wrap up the match.
Djokovic has now won 20 consecutive matches in China, having won the 2012-2013 Beijing titles, and the 2012-2013 Shanghai trophies. He extended his personal head-to-head record with Del Potro to 10-3.
Doubles
Ivan Dodig and Marcelo Melo won the mens doubles defeating David Marrero and Fernando Verdasco 7-6, 6-7, (10-2). It rounded off an impressive week for the pair who also defeated the top ranked Bryan brothers in the semifinals.
[divider]
Discuss the Shanghai Open in the Tennis Frontier Forums.
[divider]
Cover Photo: Marianne Bevis, Creative Commons License
Roger Federer and coach Paul Annacone have parted ways. The 32-year-old Swiss superstar revealed the news in a statement posted on his official website. The break comes after a poor run of form for the world No. 1, including an early exit at the Shanghai Masters to Gail Monfils.
Federer’s statement on the split:
After a terrific 3 ½ years working together, Paul and I have decided to move on to the next chapter in our professional lives. When we started together we had a vision of a 3 year plan to win another Grand Slam title and get back to the number #1 ranking. Along with many other goals and great memories, these 2 main goals were achieved. After numerous conversations culminating at the end of our most recent training block, we felt like this was the best time and path for both of us. Paul remains a dear friend, and we both look forward to continuing our friendship. I want to thank Paul for his help and the value he has added to me and my team.
[divider]
Talk about the split in the Tennis Frontier Forum
[divider]
Gael Monfils recorded only his second career victory over former world No. 1 Roger Federer to progress to the quarterfinals of the Shanghai Masters. The Frenchman prevailed 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-3 in just over two hours.
Federer pushed the match to a third set coming back from 3-5 down in the second set to break Monfils and take the eventual tiebreak.
Monfils was not to be denied, breaking Federer again in the fourth game of the deciding set. It proved to be crucial, as the remainder of the match went with serve.
Monfils will now meet the winner of Novak Djokovic and Fabio Fognini in the next round.
Federer will now have increased concerns about qualifying for the World Tour Finals following a poor run of form.
[divider]
Discuss the Shanghai Masters with fellow tennis fans in the Tennis Frontier Forum.
[divider]
Photo: Christian Mesiano, Creative Commons
Scoop Malinowski, who contributes to the Tennis Frontier, has released his new book “Facing Federer“.
Here is the third of three excerpts:
Dominik Hrbaty
“Roger is different. He’s the new generation. He was comparable to Marcelo Rios, very talented, he has great hands, but the difference was Roger had the big serve, big return. He could make winners out of anything basically. And even out of defense. And Roger is just one of a kind. It’s always a special feeling to play Roger or any No. 1 in the world. Because he’s the best player in the world and you want to be at your best. If you can beat him you become a part of the history of tennis. Because you don’t often meet a No. 1 in the world. And if you beat him, everybody says Wow, congratulations. You make the news. All the friends suddenly text you. It’s just such a good feeling. Also you can do it for yourself because you can prove that your own tennis can play against the top player in the world. And this is the point of tennis. If you can prove, not only to yourself, but also to the other people that you are learned on the level, you’re really playing at the top. And people are looking to you, that you are the one that can play tennis.”
Question: What was your most memorable match against Federer?
Dominik Hrbaty: “Probably in Cincinnati when I beat him as the No. 1 in the world. But there was also one in Wimbledon that was our last meeting. Because it was after my surgery, I didn’t play well and this was the only time that he beat me. Because I beat him two times before. We were very good friends with Roger and he was always joking about when he was going to beat me. And in Wimbledon, that match, we sit on the bench together, which is very unusual. On the last changeover I came over and sat with him. And I told him, ‘Roger, finally you beat me. So this is the day.’ And we had a good laugh. It’s not only about competition, sports and tennis is about friendship and also about, you know, making the thing that you will remember for the rest of your life.”
2000 Paris Masters, Round of 64, Hrbaty: 4-6, 6-2, 6-2
2004 Cincinnati Masters, Round of 64, Hrbaty: 1-6, 7-6, 6-4
2008 Wimbledon, Round of 128, Federer: 3-6, 2-6, 2-6
The first “Facing Federer” excerpt was with Dmitry Tursunov.
The second “Facing Federer” excerpt was with Gilles Muller.
You can purchase the whole book at Amazon:
[divider]
Discuss with fellow tennis fans on the Tennis Frontier message boards.
[divider]
Cover Photo: Carine06 (Creative Commons License)
Serena Williams overcame some back troubles to best Jelena Jankovic 6-2, 6-2 for her 10th title of 2013, the 56th of her career. While Williams looked in discomfort in the second set, it was Jankovic who received treatment for hip pain. Despite the loss, the Serbian is having her best year since 2009, and will raise her ranking to world No. 8 come Monday.
[divider]
Click here to discuss the Williams/Jankovic final in our discussion forum.
[divider]