Tennis Frontier

Tag: exhibition

  • Djokovic Wins Abu Dhabi Invitational

    Djokovic Wins Abu Dhabi Invitational

    Novak Djokovic has opened the new season by defeating Spain’s David Ferrer 7-5, 6-2 at the Abu Dhabi Exhibition tournament in 82 minutes.

    Ferrer who came into the final on the back of a victory over World No. 1 Rafael Nadal had led 4-2 in the first set but a succession of unforced errors proved his undoing as Djokovic took control of the match and swept to victory.

    “I’m very satisfied with the way I played and I always enjoy coming back here,” stated the Serb, who added $250,000 to his bank balance in the process.

    New coach Boris Becker was in attendance, and will be encouraged by the Djokovic’s early season form.

    In the third place playoff match, Nadal defeated Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-6, 6-3.

  • Battle of the Sexes: Serena vs Andy Murray?

    Battle of the Sexes: Serena vs Andy Murray?

    A modern day Battle of the Sexes clash between Serena Williams and Andy Murray looks like it may come to fruition after both players expressed interest in playing a match that was first mooted by a follower of the Scotsman on Twitter.

    “I’d be up for it, why not?” was Murray’s response to the tweet. Serena, the ladies #1, has also made positive comments about the proposed meet. “That would be fun. I doubt I’d win a point, but that would be fun.”

    It wouldn’t be the first time Serena has played an exhibition against a male professional. She lost 6-1 in a challenge set to the German Karsten Braasch. However, she was only 16 years old at the time.

    There have been a number of challenge matches between the sexes, perhaps the most famous being 55-year-old Bobby Riggs challenging Margaret Court and Billie Jean King to matches. He split the series, losing to King but defeating Court.

    In 1992, Jimmy Connors defeated Martina Navratilova in a challenge match. In his recent book, Connors let slip he had one million dollars riding on a successful win.

    If the match does happen, Murray has suggested Las Vegas as an appropriate venue.

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  • Take me home, country roads…

    Take me home, country roads…

    All roads point to West Virginia for tennis legends Pete Sampras, John McEnroe and Ivan Lendl as they confirmed participation in the White Sulphur Springs exhibition at the Greenbier Resort.

    The trio will be joined by Tommy Haas – still active on the ATP circuit and currently enjoying a rich vein of form.

    Haas will face off against 14 time major titleist Sampras, whilst McEnroe will renew hostilities with old adversary Lendl.

    The following day will see a doubles match between the quartet.

    It is the second successive year that Sampras and McEnroe have been invited to the tournamount.

    The two day exhibition is scheduled to begin on the 21 September.