Tennis Frontier

Tag: david ferrer

  • Wimbledon Day 4: Thursday, June 27 – Order of Play & Scores

    Wimbledon Day 4: Thursday, June 27 – Order of Play & Scores

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    Click here to discuss Men’s Day 4 action with fellow tennis fans.

    Click here to discuss Women’s Day 4 action with fellow tennis fans.

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    [Scores will be added as known.]

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    Centre Court – 1:00 PM

    Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) (8) d Jesse Levine (CAN) — 6-2, 7-6(7), 6-3

    Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) (4) d Mathilde Johansson (FRA) — 6-1, 6-3

    Novak Djokovic (SRB) (1) d Bobby Reynolds (USA) — 7-6(2), 6-3, 6-1

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    No. 1 Court – 1:00 PM

    Serena Williams (USA) (1) d Caroline Garcia (FRA) — 6-3, 6-2

    Richard Gasquet (FRA) (9) d Go Soeda (JPN) — 6-0, 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-3

    David Ferrer (ESP) (4) v Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) — Cancelled

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    No. 2 Court – 11:30 AM

    Sabine Lisicki (GER) (23) d Elena Vesnina (RUS) — 6-3, 6-1

    Tomas Berdych (CZE) (7) d Daniel Brands (GER) — 7-6(6), 6-4, 6-2

    Marina Erakovic (NZL) d Shuai Peng (CHN) (24) — 7-6(6), 6-2

    Laura Robson (GBR) v Mariana Duque-Marino (COL) — Cancelled

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    No. 3 Court – 11:30 AM

    Na Li (CHN) (6) d Simona Halep (ROU) — 6-2, 1-6, 6-0

    Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) (29) v Grega Zemlja (SLO) — Postponed

    Tommy Haas (GER) (13) v Jimmy Wang (TPE) — Cancelled

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    Court 12 – 11:30 AM

    Kimiko Date-Krumm (JPN) d Alexandra Cadantu (ROU) — 6-4, 7-5

    Kei Nishikori (JPN) (12) d Leonardo Mayer (ARG) — 7-6(5), 6-4, 6-2

    Alexandr Dolgopolov (UKR) (26) v Santiago Giraldo (COL) — Postponed

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    Court 18 – 11:30 AM

    Samantha Stosur (AUS) (14) d Olga Puchkova (RUS) — 6-2, 6-2

    Bernard Tomic (AUS) d James Blake (USA) — 6-3, 6-4, 7-5

    Igor Sijsling (NED) d Milos Raonic (CAN) (17) — 7-5, 6-4, 7-6(4)

    Bob Bryan (USA) (1) / Mike Bryan (USA) (1) v Marcelo Demoliner (BRA) / Andre Sa (BRA) — Cancelled

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    Court 5 – 11:30 AM

    Alize Cornet (FRA) / Pauline Parmentier (FRA) d Nicola Slater (GBR) / Lisa Whybourn (GBR) — 4-6, 7-5, 6-4

    Julien Benneteau (FRA) (11) / Nenad Zimonjic (SRB) (11) d Lukas Lacko (SVK) / Filip Polasek (SVK) — 3-6, 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-2, 6-1

    Michal Mertinak (SVK) / Vladimira Uhlirova (CZE) v Eric Butorac (USA) / Alize Cornet (FRA) — Postponed

    Lukas Dlouhy (CZE) / Rajeev Ram (USA) v Jesse Levine (CAN) / Vasek Pospisil (CAN) — Cancelled

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    Court 6 – 11:30 AM

    Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) (18) d Maria-Teresa Torro-Flor (ESP) — 6-0, 6-1

    Klara Zakopalova (CZE) (32) d Annika Beck (GER) — 7-6(5), 6-3

    Vania King (USA) (13) / Jie Zheng (CHN) (13) d Vesna Dolonc (SRB) / Bojana Jovanovski (SRB) — 6-3, 6-0

    Michael Llodra (FRA) (13) / Nicolas Mahut (FRA) (13) d Jan Hajek (CZE) / Jaroslav Levinsky (CZE) — 5-4 Ret.

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    Court 7 – 11:30 AM

    Jamie Delgado (GBR) / Matthew Ebden (AUS) d Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) / Mark Knowles (BAH) — 6-3, 7-5, 7-6(4)

    Not Before: 1:00 PM

    Santiago Gonzalez (MEX) / Natalie Grandin (RSA) d Nicholas Monroe (USA) / Marion Bartoli (FRA) — 6-4, 6-4

    Leander Paes (IND) (4) / Radek Stepanek (CZE) (4) v Daniele Bracciali (ITA) / Jonathan Erlich (ISR) — Postponed

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    Court 8 – 11:30 AM

    Silvia Soler-Espinosa (ESP) / Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP) d Tara Moore (GBR) / Melanie South (GBR) — 6-4, 7-6(3)

    Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi (PAK) (5) / Jean-Julien Rojer (NED) (5) d Dustin Brown (GER) / Rameez Junaid (AUS) — 7-6(5), 6-4, 6-4

    Nadia Petrova (RUS) (3) / Katarina Srebotnik (SLO) (3) d Lourdes Dominguez Lino (ESP) / Garbine Muguruza (ESP) — 6-1, 6-2

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    Court 9 – 11:30 AM

    Lukasz Kubot (POL) (15) / Marcin Matkowski (POL) (15) d Johan Brunstrom (SWE) / Raven Klaasen (RSA) — 6-3, 6-4, 7-5

    Not Before: 1:00 PM

    Jelena Jankovic (SRB) / Mirjana Lucic-Baroni (CRO) d Hao-Ching Chan (TPE) (15) / Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP) (15) — 2-6, 6-2, 6-1

    Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) (4) / Elena Vesnina (RUS) (4) d Karolina Pliskova (CZE) / Maria-Teresa Torro-Flor (ESP) — 6-2, 6-1

    Paul Hanley (AUS) / Hao-Ching Chan (TPE) v Robert Farah (COL) / Darija Jurak (CRO) — Cancelled

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    Court 10 – 11:30 AM

    Sandra Klemenschits (AUT) / Romina Oprandi (SUI) d Catalina Castano (COL) / Katalin Marosi (HUN) — 6-4, 4-6, 6-4

    Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL) d Barbora Zahlavova Strycova (CZE) — 7-5, 6-3

    Kirsten Flipkens (BEL) / Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) d Sorana Cirstea (ROU) / Ayumi Morita (JPN) — 6-3, 6-3

    James Blake (USA) / Jurgen Melzer (AUT) v Jamie Murray (GBR) / John Peers (AUS) — Cancelled

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    Court 14 – 11:30 AM

    Andreas Seppi (ITA) (23) d Michael Llodra (FRA) — 7-5 Ret.

    Roberta Vinci (ITA) (11) d Jana Cepelova (SVK) — 6-1, 4-6, 9-7

    Jeremy Chardy (FRA) (28) v Jan-Lennard Struff (GER) — Postponed

    Alison Riske (USA) v Urszula Radwanska (POL) — Cancelled

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    Court 16 – 11:30 AM

    Petra Martic (CRO) d Karolina Pliskova (CZE) — 7-6(7), 6-1

    Shuko Aoyama (JPN) / Chanelle Scheepers (RSA) d Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) (9) / Lucie Safarova (CZE) (9) — 3-6, 6-3, 6-4

    Feliciano Lopez (ESP) d Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA) — 6-3, 5-1 Ret.

    Kimiko Date-Krumm (JPN) / Arantxa Parra Santonja (ESP) v Christina McHale (USA) / Tamira Paszek (AUT) — Cancelled

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    Court 17 – 11:30 AM

    Madison Keys (USA) d Mona Barthel (GER) (30) — 6-4, 6-2

    Kevin Anderson (RSA) (27) d Michal Przysiezny (POL) — 6-4, 7-6(2), 6-4

    Ivan Dodig (CRO) d Denis Kudla (USA) — 6-1, 7-6(4), 7-5

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    Court 19 – 11:30 AM

    Tomasz Bednarek (POL) / Mateusz Kowalczyk (POL) d Ricardas Berankis (LTU) / Yen-Hsun Lu (TPE) — 6-2, 6-4, 6-1

    Flavia Pennetta (ITA) / Andrea Petkovic (GER) d Samantha Murray (GBR) / Jade Windley (GBR) — 6-0, 2-6, 6-2

    Eugenie Bouchard (CAN) / Petra Martic (CRO) d Lara Arruabarrena (ESP) / Monica Puig (PUR) — 6-2, 6-3

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    To Be Determined

    Not Before: 5:00PM

    Robin Haase (NED) / Alicja Rosolska (POL) v Jonathan Marray (GBR) / Heather Watson (GBR) — Cancelled

    Not Before: 5:30PM

    Angelique Kerber (GER) (7) v Kaia Kanepi (EST) — Cancelled

  • Wimbledon Day 2: Tuesday, June 25 – Order of Play & Scores

    Wimbledon Day 2: Tuesday, June 25 – Order of Play & Scores

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    Click here to discuss Men’s Day 2 action with fellow tennis fans.

    Click here to discuss Women’s Day 2 action with fellow tennis fans.

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    [Scores will be added as known.]

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    Centre Court – 1:00 PM

    Serena Williams (USA) (1) d Mandy Minella (LUX) 6-1, 6-3

    Novak Djokovic (SRB) (1) d Florian Mayer (GER) 6-3, 7-5, 6-4

    David Ferrer (ESP) (4) d Martin Alund (ARG) 6-1, 4-6, 7-5, 6-2

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    No. 1 Court – 1:00 PM

    Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) (8) d Albert Ramos (ESP) 6-2, 7-5, 6-1

    Laura Robson (GBR) d Maria Kirilenko (RUS) (10) 6-3, 6-4

    Tomas Berdych (CZE) (7) d Martin Klizan (SVK) 6-3, 6-4, 6-4

    Sabine Lisicki (GER) (23) d Francesca Schiavone (ITA) 6-1, 6-2

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    No. 2 Court – 11:30 AM

    Madison Keys (USA) d Heather Watson (GBR) 6-3, 7-5

    Tommy Haas (GER) (13) d Dmitry Tursunov (RUS) 6-3, 7-5, 7-5

    Richard Gasquet (FRA) (9) d Marcel Granollers (ESP) 6-7(2), 6-4, 7-5, 6-4

    Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) (4) d Yvonne Meusburger (AUT) 6-1, 6-1

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    No. 3 Court – 11:30 AM

    Samantha Stosur (AUS) (14) d Anna Schmiedlova (SVK) 6-1, 6-3

    Bernard Tomic (AUS) d Sam Querrey (USA) (21) 7-6(6), 7-6(3), 3-6, 2-6, 6-3

    Angelique Kerber (GER) (7) d Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) 6-3, 6-4

    Feliciano Lopez (ESP) d Gilles Simon (FRA) (19) 6-2, 6-4, 7-6(11)

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    Court 12 – 11:30 AM

    Na Li (CHN) (6) d Michaella Krajicek (NED) 6-1, 6-1

    Jeremy Chardy (FRA) (28) d Ryan Harrison (USA) 7-6(6), 4-6, 7-5, 6-2

    Milos Raonic (CAN) (17) d Carlos Berlocq (ARG) 6-4, 6-3, 6-3

    Karolina Pliskova (CZE) d Nadia Petrova (RUS) (13) 6-3, 6-2

    Klara Zakopalova (CZE) (32) d Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) 6-4, 6-3

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    Court 18 – 11:30 AM

    Ivan Dodig (CRO) d Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) (16) 4-6, 6-7(6), 7-6(3), 6-3, 2-1 Ret.

    Roberta Vinci (ITA) (11) d Chanelle Scheepers (RSA) 6-2, 6-1

    Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) (29) d Simone Bolelli (ITA) 6-1, 6-4, 6-3

    Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL) d Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) (21) 6-0, 6-1

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    Court 4 – 11:30 AM

    Mona Barthel (GER) (30) d Monica Niculescu (ROU) 6-3, 4-6, 7-5

    Andreas Seppi (ITA) (23) d Denis Istomin (UZB) 7-6(6), 7-6(3), 5-7, 3-6, 6-3

    Bobby Reynolds (USA) d Steve Johnson (USA) 1-6, 7-6(4), 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-4

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    Court 5 – 11:30 AM

    Denis Kudla (USA) d James Duckworth (AUS) 6-4, 6-2, 3-6, 4-6, 6-1

    Jana Cepelova (SVK) d Kristyna Pliskova (CZE) 6-4, 6-1

    Maria-Teresa Torro-Flor (ESP) d Irina-Camelia Begu (ROU) 6-3, 6-4

    Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA) d Ricardas Berankis (LTU) 7-6(4), 7-5, 6-7(3), 6-4

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    Court 6 – 11:30 AM

    Leonardo Mayer (ARG) d Aljaz Bedene (SLO) 6-2, 6-3, 6-4

    Alexandra Cadantu (ROU) d Tamira Paszek (AUT) (28) 6-2, 7-5

    Santiago Giraldo (COL) d Horacio Zeballos (ARG) 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-7(6), 6-1, 6-3

    Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) (10) / Galina Voskoboeva (KAZ) (10) d Sofia Arvidsson (SWE) / Johanna Larsson (SWE) 6-2, 6-0

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    Court 7 – 11:30 AM

    Jesse Levine (CAN)  d Guido Pella (ARG) 6-4, 6-2, 4-6, 3-6, 4-3 Ret.

    Urszula Radwanska (POL) d Mallory Burdette (USA) 7-6(3), 4-6, 6-2

    Daniel Brands (GER) d Daniel Gimeno-Traver (ESP) 7-6(5), 6-7(4), 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-4

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    Court 8 – 11:30 AM

    Jan-Lennard Struff (GER) d Blaz Kavcic (SLO) 6-4, 6-1, 6-3

    Mariana Duque-Marino (COL) d Julia Goerges (GER) 6-4, 6-7(3), 7-5

    Igor Sijsling (NED) d Alex Kuznetsov (USA) 6-3, 6-4, 6-4

    Mathilde Johansson (FRA) d Timea Babos (HUN) 4-6, 6-1, 6-3

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    Court 9 – 11:30 AM

    Olga Puchkova (RUS) d Arantxa Rus (NED) 6-4, 6-2

    Jimmy Wang (TPE) d Wayne Odesnik (USA) 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-2, 3-6, 7-5

    Grega Zemlja (SLO) d Michael Russell (USA) 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-4, 6-1

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    Court 10 – 11:30 AM

    Kevin Anderson (RSA) (27) d Olivier Rochus (BEL) 6-4, 6-2, 6-1

    Michael Llodra (FRA) d Jarkko Nieminen (FIN) 7-6(3), 6-4, 6-3

    Alison Riske (USA) d Romina Oprandi (SUI) (31) 6-7(5), 7-5, 3-1 Ret.

    Annika Beck (GER) d Nina Bratchikova (RUS) 6-3, 6-2

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    Court 11

    Frantisek Cermak (CZE) / Michal Mertinak (SVK) d Pablo Andujar (ESP) / Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP) 6-7(7), 6-7(5), 6-4, 7-5, 6-2

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    Court 14 – 11:30 AM

    Kimiko Date-Krumm (JPN) d Carina Witthoeft (GER) 6-0, 6-2

    Kei Nishikori (JPN) (12) d Matthew Ebden (AUS) 6-2, 6-4, 6-3

    Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) (18) d Maria Elena Camerin (ITA) 6-4, 4-6, 6-4

    Petra Martic (CRO) d Anna Tatishvili (GEO) 6-1, 1-6, 6-3

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    Court 15 – 11:30 AM

    Santiago Gonzalez (MEX) (10) / Scott Lipsky (USA) (10) d Paolo Lorenzi (ITA) / Benoit Paire (FRA) 6-4, 7-6(3), 6-4

    Xavier Malisse (BEL) / Ken Skupski (GBR) d Evgeny Donskoy (RUS) / Andrey Kuznetsov (RUS) 7-6(5), 6-7(4), 6-0, 6-1

    Varvara Lepchenko (USA) / Saisai Zheng (CHN) d Eva Birnerova (CZE) / Stefanie Voegele (SUI) 6-2, 6-2

    Barbora Zahlavova Strycova (CZE) d Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) 5-7, 6-0, 6-1

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    Court 16 – 11:30 AM

    Caroline Garcia (FRA) d Jie Zheng (CHN) 6-3, 6-4

    Shuai Peng (CHN) (24) d Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP) 6-3, 6-2

    Go Soeda (JPN) d Andreas Haider-Maurer (AUT) 7-6(6), 7-5, 6-1

    Alexander Peya (AUT) (3) / Bruno Soares (BRA) (3) d Eric Butorac (USA) / Andy Ram (ISR) 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4

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    Court 17 – 11:30 AM

    James Blake (USA) d Thiemo De Bakker (NED) 6-1, 6-3, 6-2

    Simona Halep (ROU) d Olga Govortsova (BLR) 6-2, 3-6, 6-3

    Alexandr Dolgopolov (UKR) (26) d Gastao Elias (POR) 6-1, 7-6(2), 6-2

    Kaia Kanepi (EST) d Tara Moore (GBR) 7-5, 5-7, 7-5

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    Court 19 – 11:30 AM

    Michal Przysiezny (POL) d Philipp Petzschner (GER) 6-3, 7-6(6), 6-0

    Marina Erakovic (NZL) d Ayumi Morita (JPN) 4-6, 6-0, 7-5

    Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) d Teymuraz Gabashvili (RUS) 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(3)

    Elena Vesnina (RUS) d Andrea Hlavackova (CZE) 6-2, 7-5

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  • Rafael “The King of Clay” Nadal Wins Record 8th Roland Garros

    Rafael “The King of Clay” Nadal Wins Record 8th Roland Garros

    Rafael Nadal surely is the King of Clay, winning a record 8th French Open today, defeating his compatriot David Ferrer, 6-3, 6-2, 6-3.

    This was Nadal’s 12 Grand Slam title, which moves him into third place for overall wins behind Roger Federer (17) and Pete Sampras (14). By winning Roland Garros eight times, Nadal has now also dominated a Slam more than any other man, passing Sampras and Federer, who have each won Wimbledon 7 times, and besting his own record at the French major.  Additionally, he sets a record by winning at least one Major in nine consecutive years.

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    Click here to discuss the Nadal/Ferrer final, and more with fellow tennis fans on our discussion boards.

  • ‘King of Clay’ Wins Epic 5-Setter to Reach the French Open Men’s Final; Ferrer breaks French hearts

    ‘King of Clay’ Wins Epic 5-Setter to Reach the French Open Men’s Final; Ferrer breaks French hearts

    The seven-time champion, Rafael Nadal, beat Novak Djokovic 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 6-7(3), 9-7 on Friday, in a match which lastest 4:37, securing his place in Sunday’s championship match at Roland Garros.  It was the much-anticipated rematch to last years’ final, and each player had much at stake.  Nadal is vying for his record 8th title at the French, while Djokovic was playing for the chance to be only the 8th player ever to hold a “career Slam.”

    The Spaniard David Ferrer later defeated Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in straight sets, 6-1, 7-6(3), 6-2, eliminating France’s hope of having one of their own in the Roland Garros men’s final.

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  • Roland Garros Men’s Semifinals: Friday’s Order of Play

    Roland Garros Men’s Semifinals: Friday’s Order of Play

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    Court Philippe Chatrier – 1:00 PM

    Rafael Nadal (ESP) (3) def. Novak Djokovic (SRB) (1) 6-4 3-6 6-1 6-7(3) 9-7

    David Ferrer (ESP) (4) def. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) (6) 6-1 7-6(3) 6-2

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    Court Suzanne Lenglen – Not Before: 1:00 PM

    Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) (4) / Elena Vesnina (RUS) (4) def. Andrea Hlavackova (CZE) (2) / Lucie Hradecka (CZE) (2) 6-4 7-5

    Not Before: 3:00 PM

    Sara Errani (ITA) (1) / Roberta Vinci (ITA) (1) def. Nadia Petrova (RUS) (3) / Katarina Srebotnik (SLO) (3) 6-3 5-7 6-3

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    Click here to discuss the Nadal/Djokovic semifinal, and more with fellow tennis fans on our discussion boards.

    Click here to discuss the Tsonga/Ferrer semifinal, and more with fellow tennis fans on our discussion boards.

  • Tsonga & Ferrer Advance to French Open Semifinals

    Tsonga & Ferrer Advance to French Open Semifinals

    David Ferrer, the No. 4 seed from Spain, ended Tommy Robredo’s historic run at Roland Garros, beating his fellow countryman 6-2, 6-1, 6-1.

    In the previous three rounds, Robredo came back each time from two sets to love down, winning in five sets, a feat which hadn’t been done since 1927.

    The Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the No. 6 seed, pulled off the upset, beating Roger Federer 7-5, 6-3, 6-3.

    Tsonga and Ferrer will play on Friday to determine who will advance to the final.

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    Click here to discuss the Tsonga/Ferrer SF on our discussion boards.

  • Robredo/Federer Wins 5-Setters; Advance to Roland Garros Quarterfinals

    Robredo/Federer Wins 5-Setters; Advance to Roland Garros Quarterfinals

    Tommy Robredo, the 31-year-old Spaniard, came back from two sets down today, to beat fellow countryman Nicolas Almagro, 6-7(5), 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.

    It was Robredo’s third five-setter in a row, each time losing the first two sets. In the second round he beat Igor Sijsling, of the Netherlands, 6-7(2), 4-6, 6-3, 6-1, 6-1; in the third round the Spaniard beat local favorite Frenchman Gael Monfils, 2-6, 6-7(5), 6-2, 7-6(3), 6-2.

    David Ferrer, also of Spain, made quick work of taking down the tall South African Kevin Anderson, 6-3, 6-1, 6-1.

    Robredo and Ferrer will now face off in the quarterfinals, thus guaranteeing at least one Spaniard making it through to the semis.

    The Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the No. 6 seed, beat Viktor Troicki, of Serbia, in straight sets: 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.

    In the final men’s match of the day, Roger Federer, the No. 2 seed, and former Roland Garros champion, had to go five sets against the Frenchman Gilles Simon (15), before sealing the victory, 6-1, 4-6, 2-6, 6-2, 6-3. After winning the first set, the Swiss played a sloppy second and third sets, before rebounding in the fourth, eventually closing it out 6-3 in the fifth.

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  • Roland Garros/French Open Day 4, May 29: Scores

    Roland Garros/French Open Day 4, May 29: Scores

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    Court Philippe Chatrier – 11:00 AM

    Victoria Azarenka (BLR) (3) def. Elena Vesnina (RUS) 6-1 6-4
    Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) (6) def. Jarkko Nieminen (FIN) 7-6(6) 6-4 6-3
    Gael Monfils (FRA) def. Ernests Gulbis (LAT) 6-7(5) 6-4 7-6(4) 6-2
    Serena Williams (USA) (1) def. Caroline Garcia (FRA) 6-1 6-2

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    Court Suzanne Lenglen – 11:00 AM

    Petra Kvitova (CZE) (7) def. Aravane Rezai (FRA) 6-3 4-6 6-2
    Benoit Paire (FRA) (24) def. Marcos Baghdatis (CYP) 3-6 7-6(1) 6-4 6-4
    Milos Raonic (CAN) (14) def. Michael Llodra (FRA) 7-5 3-6 7-6(3) 6-2
    Roger Federer (SUI) (2) def. Somdev Devvarman (IND) 6-2 6-1 6-1
    Ana Ivanovic (SRB) (14) def. Mathilde Johansson (FRA) 6-2 6-2

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    Court 1 – 11:00 AM

    Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) (4) def. Mallory Burdette (USA) 6-3 6-2
    Janko Tipsarevic (SRB) (8) def. Nicolas Mahut (FRA) 6-2 7-6(4) 6-1
    Julien Benneteau (FRA) (30) def. Tobias Kamke (GER) 7-6(9) 7-5 5-7 0-6 6-4
    Sara Errani (ITA) (5) def. Yulia Putintseva (KAZ) 6-1 6-1

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    Court 2 – 11:00 AM

    David Ferrer (ESP) (4) def. Albert Montanes (ESP) 6-2 6-1 6-3
    Angelique Kerber (GER) (8) def. Jana Cepelova (SVK) 6-2 6-2
    Gilles Simon (FRA) (15) def. Pablo Cuevas (URU) 6-7(2) 6-1 6-1 6-1
    Virginie Razzano (FRA) def. Zuzana Kucova (SVK) 4-6 6-2 6-0

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    Court 3 – 11:00 AM

    Anna Karolina Schmiedlova (SVK) def. Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) 7-6(5) 2-6 6-2
    Varvara Lepchenko (USA) (29) def. Elina Svitolina (UKR) 7-6(5) 6-1
    Nicolas Almagro (ESP) (11) def. Edouard Roger-Vasselin (FRA) 6-2 6-4 6-3
    Roberta Vinci (ITA) (15) def. Galina Voskoboeva (KAZ) 6-4 4-6 6-2

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    Court 4 – 11:00 AM

    Annika Beck (GER) def. Sandra Zahlavova (CZE) 6-2 6-1
    Dinah Pfizenmaier (GER) def. Urszula Radwanska (POL) 6-3 6-3
    Julie Coin (FRA) / Pauline Parmentier (FRA) def. Jill Craybas (USA) / Romina Oprandi (SUI) 7-5 6-4
    Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP) (20) def. Shelby Rogers (USA) 3-6 6-4 6-4

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    Court 5 – 11:00 AM

    Shuai Peng (CHN) def. Camila Giorgi (ITA) 6-4 6-2
    Olga Govortsova (BLR) / Anna Tatishvili (GEO) def. Stephanie Foretz Gacon (FRA) / Irena Pavlovic (FRA) 6-3 6-4
    Tommy Robredo (ESP) (32) def. Igor Sijsling (NED) 6-7(1) 4-6 6-3 6-1 6-1
    Sorana Cirstea (ROU) (26) def. Johanna Larsson (SWE) 6-1 6-4

    [divider]

    Court 6 – 11:00 AM

    Stefanie Voegele (SUI) def. Heather Watson (GBR) 6-4 2-6 6-4
    Andreas Seppi (ITA) (20) def. Blaz Kavcic (SLO) 6-0 7-6(3) 6-7(2) 4-6 6-3
    Sam Querrey (USA) (18) def. Jan Hajek (CZE) 6-4 7-5 6-4

    [divider]

    Court 7 – 11:00 AM

    Marin Cilic (CRO) (10) def. Nick Kyrgios (AUS) 6-4 6-2 6-2
    Lukasz Kubot (POL) def. Maxime Teixeira (FRA) 6-4 5-7 7-6(7) 6-2
    Jeremy Chardy (FRA) (25) def. Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) 6-1 7-5 6-4
    Bojana Jovanovski (SRB) def. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) (10) 7-6(2) 6-3
    Monica Puig (PUR) def. Madison Keys (USA) 6-4 7-6(2)

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    Court 8 – 11:00 AM

    Jamie Hampton (USA) def. Lucie Safarova (CZE) (25) 7-6(5) 3-6 9-7
    Horacio Zeballos (ARG) def. Vasek Pospisil (CAN) 7-6(9) 6-4 6-7(4) 2-6 8-6
    Jonathan Dasnieres De Veigy (FRA) / Florent Serra (FRA) def. Marinko Matosevic (AUS) / John-Patrick Smith (AUS) 7-6(4) 7-6(6)
    Petra Cetkovska (CZE) def. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) (19) 7-5 2-6 6-4

    [divider]

    Court 9 – 11:00 AM

    Paolo Lorenzi (ITA) / Potito Starace (ITA) def. Sanchai Ratiwatana (THA) / Sonchat Ratiwatana (THA) 6-4 6-1
    Marcel Granollers (ESP) (2) / Marc Lopez (ESP) (2) def. Jaroslav Levinsky (CZE) / Yen-Hsun Lu (TPE) 4-2 Ret.
    Severine Beltrame (FRA) / Laura Thorpe (FRA) def. Petra Martic (CRO) / Chanelle Scheepers (RSA) 3-6 6-4 6-4
    Anna-Lena Groenefeld (GER) (9) / Kveta Peschke (CZE) (9) def. Kiki Bertens (NED) / Tatjana Maria (GER) 6-4 6-4
    David Marrero (ESP) (8) / Fernando Verdasco (ESP) (8) def. Johan Brunstrom (SWE) / Raven Klaasen (RSA) 6-3 6-2

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    Court 10 – 11:00 AM

    Ashleigh Barty (AUS) def. Lucie Hradecka (CZE) 7-5 2-6 6-1
    Francesca Schiavone (ITA) / Samantha Stosur (AUS) def. Liezel Huber (USA) (5) / Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez (ESP) (5) 6-1 6-3
    Ivan Dodig (CRO) (12) / Marcelo Melo (BRA) (12) def. Victor Hanescu (ROU) / Gilles Muller (LUX) 6-7(4) 6-4 6-1
    Max Mirnyi (BLR) (5) / Horia Tecau (ROU) (5) def. Adrian Mannarino (FRA) / Benoit Paire (FRA) 6-0 7-6(3)

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    Court 11 – 11:00 AM

    Kaia Kanepi (EST) def. Klara Zakopalova (CZE) (23) 7-6(3) 6-2
    Eric Butorac (USA) / Jack Sock (USA) def. Martin Klizan (SVK) / Igor Zelenay (SVK) 6-4 6-4
    Robert Lindstedt (SWE) (3) / Daniel Nestor (CAN) (3) def. Sergiy Stakhovsky (UKR) / Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) 7-6(8) 7-6(4)
    Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) (4) / Elena Vesnina (RUS) (4) def. Mallory Burdette (USA) / Sloane Stephens (USA) 6-1 6-3

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    Court 14 – 11:00 AM

    Viktor Troicki (SRB) def. Daniel Gimeno-Traver (ESP) 4-6 7-6(4) 6-0 6-7(7) 6-4
    Mikhail Elgin (RUS) / Denis Istomin (UZB) def. Santiago Gonzalez (MEX) (11) / Scott Lipsky (USA) (11) 1-6 6-3 6-4
    Vania King (USA) / Monica Niculescu (ROU) def. Eva Birnerova (CZE) / Stefanie Voegele (SUI) 2-6 7-5 6-2
    Kimiko Date-Krumm (JPN) / Arantxa Parra Santonja (ESP) def. Christina McHale (USA) / Tamira Paszek (AUT) 6-4 6-3

    [divider]

    Court 15 – 11:00 AM

    Shuai Zhang (CHN) (13) / Jie Zheng (CHN) (13) def. Timea Babos (HUN) / Mandy Minella (LUX) 6-7(5) 6-4 6-3
    Misaki Doi (JPN) / Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ) def. Shuko Aoyama (JPN) / Kai-Chen Chang (TPE) 6-1 6-1
    Andre Begemann (GER) / Martin Emmrich (GER) def. Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP) / Albert Ramos (ESP) 6-3 4-6 6-3
    Nadia Petrova (RUS) (3) / Katarina Srebotnik (SLO) (3) def. Natalie Grandin (RSA) / Vladimira Uhlirova (CZE) 6-3 6-0

    [divider]

    Court 16 – 11:00 AM

    Feliciano Lopez (ESP) def. Joao Sousa (POR) 3-6 6-3 6-4 6-4
    Jelena Jankovic (SRB) / Mirjana Lucic-Baroni (CRO) def. Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) (16) / A. Medina Garrigues (ESP) (16) 6-4 3-6 6-2
    Jamie Murray (GBR) / John Peers (AUS) def. Julian Knowle (AUT) (15) / Filip Polasek (SVK) (15) 7-6(5) 7-6(5)

    [divider]

    Court 17 – 11:00 AM

    Maria Kirilenko (RUS) (12) def. Nina Bratchikova (POR) 6-0 6-1
    Kevin Anderson (RSA) (23) def. Evgeny Donskoy (RUS) 6-7(8) 6-1 7-5 6-2
    Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) def. Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) 1-6 6-2 6-2
    Sabine Lisicki (GER) (32) def. Maria-Teresa Torro-Flor (ESP) 6-4 6-0

    [divider]

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  • Inside Out: The Era of Forehand and Movement

    Inside Out: The Era of Forehand and Movement

    As Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer prepared for their thirtieth meeting, a familiar sense of nostalgia grew inside tennis fans. Still very much among the top three best players in the game – rankings notwithstanding – Federer and Nadal were once the undisputed rulers of the tennis world. They’ve given us classics, drama, and dominance, and their rivalry transcended the sport. Despite the lack of animosity, it has been so universally appealing in large part due to the contrast in styles. Beyond how they look, dress, and act, it was the way they play that was so different, and therefore, so captivating.

    And yet, despite the multiple nuances in their games, the different attributes, and the very few weaknesses, both Federer and Nadal made a living off one particular weapon – the forehand. Their games couldn’t be more different: Federer was always more complete, more aggressive-minded, had a better serve, took more offensive court positioning, and attacked the net; Nadal was a one-of-a-kind physical specimen, a defensive wall, stood farther behind the baseline, and took control of points through engaging in longer rallies where he would gradually wear out his opponent. None of that changes the fact that, regardless of the adjustments they’ve made throughout the years – Nadal has become more aggressive and well-rounded; Federer had to readjust some aspects of his game to better operate with age – when push came to shove, they cemented their spots in tennis history due to their respective forehands.

    Like the rest of their games, their forehands bore very few similarities: Different grips, different spins, and a different follow-through. And yet, whether Federer was running around his backhand to hit an inside out winner, or Nadal was pummeling his opponent’s weaker wing relentlessly, the result was often the same. In what will inevitably go down as the “Fedal era,” one of the most memorable phases in tennis history will be defined by one shot.

    Increased racquet technology, homogenization of the surfaces, and the rise of a new breed of phenomenal athletes have altered the game considerably, with serve and volley taking a backseat to a noticeable shift towards baseline tennis. The change has been characterized by a strong emphasis on the forehand. In fact, it is hardly a coincidence that the last couple of world number one’s before the Federer era were Juan Carlos Ferrero and Andy Roddick, two men who, in their heyday, possessed two of the most lethal forehands on tour. And yet, fearsome as those shots were, they paled by comparison to the brilliance that the Swiss Maestro’s racquet would later produce.

    Simply put, Roger Federer’s forehand revolutionized the sport. Widely tipped to be the greatest ground stroke in tennis history, Federer re-set the standards of what constitutes a world-class forehand. It wasn’t merely his ability to fire winners off that side that set him apart – after all, James Blake, Fernando Gonzalez, and Andy Roddick hardly struggled to rip out inside-out bullets – but rather, Federer’s combination of power, spin, versatility, taking the ball early, and the ability to hit it on the run that made him a nightmare to deal with.

    None of this would be possible had it not been for Federer’s most characteristic trait: his otherworldly movement. Federer’s ability to glide effortlessly on a tennis court was poetry in motion. He always put himself in perfect position to take the ball precisely when he meant to, and the results were devastating. The mixture of movement, precision, and taking the ball on the rise rendered his forehand near unplayable. Lleyton Hewitt had laid the foundations a couple of years earlier by running circles around his opponents, but he lacked the necessary weapons and offensive tools. Federer, on the other hand, didn’t.

    In fairness, cat-like quickness wasn’t exclusive to Federer, as the man who previously dominated the world of tennis, Pete Sampras, remains one of the best athletes the sport has ever seen. Meanwhile, the likes of Davydenko, Blake, the above mentioned Hewitt, and others were all great movers in their own right. However, Federer’s footwork was so utterly unique in its fluidity, quickness, smoothness, and efficiency.

    Then came Rafael Nadal, arguably the greatest pure athlete in tennis history. He redefined the word “speed,” covered every inch of the court like nobody before him, displayed unprecedented levels of explosiveness, and showed a level of physicality that no one else could match. When he first burst onto the scene, Nadal’s game was, to put it bluntly, fairly limited. His serve was harmless, his backhand was solid but, ultimately, did little offensive damage — beyond the trademark open-stance passing shots — and his return of serve was meant to neutralize points above anything else (which applies even today).

    If there is a prime example of how great movement and an elite forehand dominate today’s men’s game, it’s Nadal. Better than anyone in history, he was able to mask his weaknesses with a dominant forehand and unparalleled movement. Even more so than Federer, Nadal based much of his game around running around his backhand wing. However, the Spaniard lacked his rival’s serve and variety, making his forehand an even more integral part of his game.

    His entire early success is attributed almost entirely to his forehand and movement. Even as his game developed into something far more polished, Nadal’s bread-and-butter remained intact. Unlike anyone else, Federer included, Nadal is able to find his forehand wing time and time again. The amount of effort required to run around his backhand at every possible opportunity meant the Mallorcan had to work particularly hard in each rally, but Nadal was all too willing to make the effort. Like Federer, his forehand is actually deadlier from his backhand wing, where he can put it pretty much anywhere on the court. Once Nadal is able to find a forehand early in the rally, unless your name was Novak Djokovic, Nikolay Davydenko, and a select others, you weren’t wrestling the point away from him.

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    The man who ultimately broke the Fedal monopoly was, unsurprisingly, Novak Djokovic. Long tipped to be the future of tennis, the Serb may have differed from his great rivals in that he possessed one of the best backhands the games has ever seen — a shot many deem to be his strongest. However, it wasn’t until Djokovic recaptured the magic on his forehand side that he became the world’s finest player. Following a very strong 2008, Djokovic’s results became increasingly inconsistent. The reasons were numerous, from struggles with fitness, focus, and serve, but above all else, it was his forehand that grew more erratic, and the results underwhelmed accordingly.

    Djokovic moves as well as anyone on a tennis court, but the quality of his backhand provides him with far more options, therefore, he doesn’t need to run around that shot as frequently as Federer and Nadal. And yet, you often see him doing just that these days, to great effect. Good as his backhand is, the basic mechanics of the forehand mean he has more options off that wing. Additionally, Djokovic’s backhand being his better shot often clouds the fact that his forehand is easily one of the best on tour, and when playing well, it is the side that does the bigger damage. Yes, it remains the shot that is more likely to break down and fail him when things go south, as opposed to his always rock solid backhand, but offensively, it is slowly becoming his most potent shot.

    A quick look at today’s top 10 players shows just how essential it is to possess a great forehand. Beyond the aforementioned players, almost all of the world’s elite players share a world-class forehand: Ferrer, Berdych, Tsonga, Del Potro, etc. Naturally, there are exceptions, but even those, quite ironically, reinforce the rule. Richard Gasquet, for instance, was initially thought to be destined for greatness, only to fail to live up to the hype, in large part due to his unreliable forehand. Even previous one-of-a-kind shot-makers like Nalbandian and Davydenko occasionally suffered due to an inconsistent forehand.

    The most notable aberration, of course, is current world number 2, Andy Murray. Far from being a bad shot, Murray’s forehand remains nevertheless below the level of Federer, Nadal, or Djokovic. However, the Brit is able to make amends through fantastic movement, tennis IQ, tactical awareness, counter-punching, and a backhand that is easily among the very best in the men’s game. Nevertheless, it is hard not to attribute some of his shortcomings to his main rivals’ ability to expose his forehand. Djokovic has repeatedly dominated Murray in forehand-to-forehand cross-court exchanges and drew short replies, Nadal’s flattened-out cross-court backhands and inside out forehand have historically troubled Murray on faster surfaces — surprisingly enough — while Federer’s offensive onslaught has robbed Murray of three additional grand slam titles to his resume.

    A quick glance at the current crop of up-and-coming players shows no real candidate that fits the description of a modern day champion — a great mover with a world-class forehand. For now, at least, the status quo at the top of the men’s game seems safe.

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  • Wawrinka feasts on Ferrer to take Portugal title.

    Wawrinka feasts on Ferrer to take Portugal title.

    Stanislas Wawrinka continued a fine run of recent form by defeating top seeded David Ferrer in straight sets at the ATP Portugal Open.

    Wawrinka prevailed 6-1, 6-4 in just 64 minutes. “Stan played a great match, he deserved to win,” said Ferrer, whose own game was littered with 31 unforced errors.

    It took Ferrer 25 minutes to get on the scoreboard as he was pinned down by Wawrinka’s aggressive approach during an opening set.
    The second set was a more competitive affair but Wawrinka secured the crucial break to move 5-4 ahead and then served out the match to seize the title.

    It was the first ATP tour title for the 28-year-old Swiss since winning Chennai in 2011.

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