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Posts Tagged ‘Roger Federer’

Rafael Nadal is on course to become the winningest player of all time. With only 24 years old just get in New York the only title that was missing from his collection of the four majors that make up the Grand Slam.

Of course, that does not mean, as many mistakenly reported that the muscular Spanish has won a Grand Slam. A Grand Slam is what got the American tennis legend Don Budge in 1938. Something that matched and then surpassed the Australian Rod Laver, once as an amateur in 1962 and again in 1969 as a professional. That is, winning all four major tournaments, the Open Australia, France, Britain and the United States in one year.

I just made Nadal equals, in some ways, what they have done well (after Budge and Laver) Britain’s Fred Perry, Roy Emerson of Australia, the U.S. also Andre Agassi and Roger Federer. All of them have won at least four major, albeit in different seasons.

The last three, Nadal, Agassi and Federer have reached further into three different surfaces: clay, grass and hard courts.

Federer, who is still regarded as the best ever despite the evident superiority that Nadal has on him for some years (14-7 leads the Spanish official clashes between the two), was just added to the previous list last year when he won on clay at Roland Garros, on the outskirts of Paris. That was the tournament itself, for example, Pete Sampras could not reach, which conspired to make the U.S. will add to that list privileged.

Nadal has just won his ninth title in Grand Slam tournaments, which could be considered minuscule by comparing the mark with the record 16 having Federer or 14 which accumulated Sampras retired. But most shocking is that no Spaniard has achieved everything he has achieved at such a young age.

That astonished more when you consider that until now has shared his career playing in the same era of the Swiss, who also holds the record for 237 consecutive weeks at number one ranking of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) for A total of 285 weeks in different periods, only one of Sampras in total.

“Now is the best in the world and has the talent to be the best ever,” said Novak Djokovik between resignation felt by the final defeat and his admiration for Nadal, who beat him at Flushing Meadows for 6 -4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 in a final that was completed on Monday due to rain delays.

The others can think what they want. Roger Federer believes that for its part had a very good 2010 season, which began with a victory at the Australian Open and he entered Sunday with a victory at the expense of Rafael Nadal in the Finals of the ATP.

“Whenever people say losing speed, I’m able to bounce back,” Federer told Monday during a telephone interview as he waited to catch his flight out of London.

The winner of 16 Grand Slam titles has admitted that Nadal was sovereign in 2010, reviving the global leader in favor of three major titles.

But Federer said he was happy to have overcome a loss of power in mid-season – defeated in the quarterfinals at Roland Garros and Wimbledon – to finish the season strong. Federer has been at the expense of those defeats Robin Soderling at Roland Garros and face Tomas Berdych in London after reaching at least the semifinals of 23 consecutive Grand Slams.

Also, Federer has dropped a little laugh at the assertion that he only played well early in the season and the end of 2010.

“For some, it’s almost as if I had offered to poor performance throughout the summer or that I had not played at all. It’s hardly the case. I played again and again. I had some good matches, “he said. And then I suffered a few defeats tough, some guys have played better than me, and suddenly the first half of the season was over. But I really feeling of having had some good weeks. ”

Following his disappointment at International of France and Great Britain, some are again put to doubt him. Federer did not let these comments bother him.

He is aware that opinions are changing.

“I’m not angry. As an athlete, we must remain open to criticism because it’s not everyone who shares the same opinion. Everybody does not like the same players,” said Federer, who has slipped to third in the world after Wimbledon, but that will end the year at the second position.

“The rankings are changing rapidly. Right now I’m focusing on the long term and, by doing that, I keep my composure in difficult times.”

He maintained a perfect 5-0 and won 10 of her 11 sets in the final tournament of the season in London, crowning the whole by a 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 Nadal Sunday.

“It’s special to play the last game of the season against Rafa, because you can enjoy it more instead of running to play the next tournament,” Federer said.

The top two players in the world have a record of 1-1 against each other in 2010. During his career, Nadal leads the series 14-8.

“When he plays well, it’s hard to find solutions against him,” said Nadal.

Roger Federer and Andy Murray both won their first match in the finals of ATP on Sunday, each with victories in two innings in the first day of the tournament which concludes the season.

Federer beat David Ferrer 6-1, 6-4 on the ground inside the O2 Arena, while Murray defeated Robin Soderling 6-2, 6-4.

Murray, Federer, Soderling and Ferrer in group B.

In group A, hostilities begin Monday: The number one Rafael Nadal will take on Andy Roddick, Novak Djokovic, while play against Tomas Berdych.

Sunday, Murray has limited success with the forehand of Soderling, who has signed only five shots of winning this way.

The Swede reached the final at Roland Garros and has won the Paris Masters this year.

“I played very intelligently,” said Murray. In the second set, there were many long rallies and I was often on the defensive, but I kept the same tactics and I survived. ”

The Briton has faced only one break point, converting itself three of its six occasions like that.

“He defended himself very well,” said Soderling. Sometimes I was hitting the ball very hard, I tried to be aggressive. Every time I went to the net, he left a very good shot. I did better in the second set but it was better than me. ”

In doubles, the American favorites Bob and Mike Bryan were right Austrian Jurgen Melzer and German Philipp Petzschner, 6-3, 7-5.

Poles Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski defeated the Czech Lukas Dlouhy and Leander Paes of India 6-3, 7-6 (3).

Serbia’s Janko Tipsarevic beat Denis Istomin 6-2, 6-4, Tuesday to advance to second round of the indoor tennis championships in Switzerland, where he will face three-time champion Roger Federer.

Tipsarevic broke the service of the Uzbek thrice. Whoever occupies the 46th place in the world has lost its two previous clashes against Federer.

In other first round matches, the French Richard Gasquet beat Taiwanese Yen-Hsun Lu 6-3, 6-1; Colombian Santiago Giraldo was right of Slovak Karol Beck 6-2, 6-1; and Serbian Viktor Troicki showed the output to Germany’s Michael Berrer in straight sets 6-3, 6-0.

At night, Novak Djokovic successful launch in inflicting a 6-4 loss, 6-2 to Latvian Ernests Gulbis.

Andy Murray became the first player in over a decade to successfully defend his title at the Rogers Cup on Sunday, beating Roger Federer 7-5, 7-5 in the final in Toronto.

The Scottish 23-year-old triumphed after many delays because of rain at the Rexall Centre. His victory brought him $ 443,500, while Switzerland has grown to $ 222,000.

“It’s always nice to win a tournament,” Murray said. This is the first time I beat Roger and Rafa in a single tournament, which is much more pleasant. And I have not lost inning against one or the other – so it’s good for my confidence for the coming weeks. ”

It was the first confrontation between the two men since January 31, when Federer won their matches in straight sets at the Australian Open to earn a 16th Grand Slam title – more than any other player in tennis history .

Andre Agassi was the last person to defend his title successfully in the Canadian tournament, in 1995.

“I feel fine,” Murray said. Every time you win a tournament, you’re obviously incredibly happy. You’re relieved, especially after a game like today where you lead when interrupted by the rain, allowing him to return in force. ”

Rain delayed the start of the meeting 15 minutes, and when the game was finally put into motion, Murray, Federer seemed to drive the stadium even before the seats of the spectators are dried. The defending champion of the tournament has quickly broke the service of Switzerland, then relapsed to take a 3-0 lead before the mark of 10 minutes is taken.

Federer had arrived in Toronto with the hope of finding his form of yesteryear, six weeks after playing his last match – a defeat in the quarterfinals at Wimbledon.

He had caused a first gesture in the right direction by requiring the help of a coach (American Paul Annacone). He then said he “would love to win Wimbledon 10 others, five other Roland Garros, a gold medal in London, a Davis Cup and, in short, what you want”.

After being limited to two points in the first two games on Sunday, Federer came from behind and sounded the charge in the first inning. He scrambled equal to 5-5 with a double fault from Murray, but was broken in turn and had to concede the first set in Columbia.

Murray was in the service after Federer had taken a 2-1 lead in the second set when rain played its part. The players are back under their umbrella, then headed to the locker room for another break – this time 45 minutes.

Murray then held serve and tied the second set 2-2, but the referee has again asked both men to retreat under their umbrella.

A storm swept across the stage at the stroke of 16h, forcing the runners to return to the locker room. The game resumed at 17h, with Murray serving. The latter now had a 3-2 lead in the second inning.

Federer seemed to find its energy while scattered clouds in the sky, but could not elucidate the service of Britain – particularly when it reaches peak of 220 km / h.

Murray broke Federer to take the lead 6-5 and served for the match. This duel of titans finally ended when Federer sent his return out of bounds after a series of sensational forehand from Murray.

“I think he played well, admitted Federer. He does not give me much and has served in key moments at the end. He deserves the victory.”

For fans choose: Rafa, Roger, Novak or Andy. All these former Cup champion Rogers seem in great shape, and they all have a reasonable chance to regain their crown this year.

After several years where one or two players were heavily favored to sweep the board, the 2010 edition of this tournament, the overall prize money of 2.43 million USD, will stage seven or eight players with a legitimate chance of winning.

The world and the favorite, Spaniard Rafael Nadal won the tournament in 2005 and 2008. Switzerland’s Roger Federer, seeded third, had prevailed in 2004 and 2006. He is always at the top of his art, if not the top of the ATP rankings. Between these two players is the deuixème seeded champion of 2007, Serb Novak Djokovic.

Defending champion Andy Murray is back as number four. There are also Sweden’s Robin Soderling (No. 5), Russia’s Nikolay Davydenko (No. 6), Czech Tomas Berdych (No. 7) and American Andy Roddick (No. 8). In other words, several players can aspire to the highest honors in Toronto.

“It’s great for tennis,” said Djokovic. There are more guys who can win big tournaments. It makes things more interesting for the crowd and for us. The challenge is greater. ”

Djokovic beat Federer in the rankings, but it still identifies the Swiss star and Nadal as the players to beat.

“For sure Rafa and Roger are the favorites to win any tournament,” said the Serb. We respect that. But there are players who rise like Berdych and Soderling, and Roddick is still obviously in the portrait. It a lot of guys who are challenging the most dominant players. ”

For the organizers, the dream final would be a duel between Nadal and Federer, who are at opposite corners of the table. They competed only once in 2010, when Nadal beat the Swiss in the final in Madrid in May

Four Canadians were awarded passes: Frank Dancevic of Niagara Falls, Pierre-Ludovic Duclos of Sainte-Foy and Peter Polansky and Milos Raonic, both of Thornhill, Ontario.

The eight top seeds have received a free pass to the second round. The first round games starting Monday.

For his first match since winning his 16th Grand Slam title in February in Australia, Roger Federer has passed without straining the obstacle by Romanian Victor Hanescu, which he however conceded a set Sunday in the second round of the tournament ‘Indian Wells.

The Swiss, very inspired at times, has become 6-3, 6-7 (5 / 7), 6-1 in two hours after suffering a serious stroke less well in the middle of the second set by breaking the grantor Romanian (5-2) and then having committed unusual unforced errors to lose the decisive game of this round.

After equating the Romanian world number one, stung, however, quickly put the record straight by sending the final set in 23 minutes.

In the third round, the Basel meets Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis (27), author of a good start to the season (won in Sydney semi-final in Dubai).

Murray and Tsonga pass the 3rd round

Andy Murray, fourth global player and a finalist last year in the California desert, has passed the second round easily beating Italy’s Andrea Seppi 6-4, 6-4.

In the next round, Murray will meet Russian Igor Andreev (32) and American Michael Russell.

The French Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, he has easily placed in two sets 6-3 and 6-1 against Marinko Matosevic.

The ninth-seeded has been rather hasty in removing the Australian only 63 minutes.

Tsonga has not been very dominant succeed only 47% of his first serves. His general play allowed him to catch up while Matosevic did not offer the greatest opposition to his career.

Russian Nikolay Davydenko, seeded fifth, withdrew after medical tests had revealed a fractured left wrist. It is expected to miss at least four weeks of activity.

Moreover, the French Gaël Monfils, seeded 12th, has stumbled against the German Simon Greul, who won 1-6, 6-2, 6-3.

Some seedings were eliminated Sunday in Indian Wells, including Ivo Karlovic (23) of Croatia, who lost to Nicolas Almagro of Spain 7-5, 7-6 (5). The Serbian Janko Tipsarevic (30) has meanwhile withdrew when the score was 3-2 in favor of Dutchman Thiemo de Bakker.

American Michael Russell surprised the Russian Igor Andreev (32), 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, and another American, James Blake, eliminated David Ferrer (13) of Spain, 6-1 , 6-4. Czech Radek Stepanek (14) had to admit defeat against the Israeli Dudi Sela, 6-4, 1-6, 6-2.

In other matches, Tommy Robredo (18) of Spain defeated Sergiy Stakhovsky of Ukraine, 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 Feliciano Lopez (28) of Spain defeated Paul-Henri Mathieu in France, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, Robin Soderling (6) of Sweden had the best deal in Kazakhstan Evgeny Korolev, 6-2, 6-4, and finally, Jurgen Melzer (22 ) of Austria beat David Nalbandian of Argentina 6-4, 6-1,

No. 7 in the ATP World Tour, Nikolay Davydenko, capped a perfect week after winning the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals with his triumph 6-3, 6-4 win over Juan Martin del Potro at the O2 Arena in London.

Davydenko, who had been a finalist at last year’s edition in Shanghai to play Novak Djokovic, is the first Russian to win the tournament in its history (since 1970). His effort this week will be worth a check for U.S. $ 1,550,000 and will also snatch the No. 6 South African Airways ATP Rankings to Andy Roddick.

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Swedish Robin Soderling repeated the feat at Roland Garros on Monday when Rafael Nadal beat Spanish 6-4, 6-4 in the first Group B match of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, taking place at the O2 Arena, in southeast London.

The triumph of Nadal Soderling denied the option of reaching 400 wins as a professional and seriously compromises the claims of the Majorcan to defend ATP world championship crown this season.

The world No. 1, Roger Federer, increased his lead to 1.145 points on Nadal after his win Sunday against Fernando Verdasco and came within one victory of securing the top spot of the South African Airways ATP Rankings 2009, the position he held for four seasons between 2004 and 2007.

At the moment, Nadal can only get a maximum of 1,300 points and should win two round-robin matches remaining and become champion, while Federer needs to win one more game of the group stage and reach the final with a mark of 1-2 in the round-robin for ATP world champion 2009.

Federer could be the second player in ATP Rankings history of South African Airways had lost and regained the position of privilege. Ivan Lendl was No. 1 between 1985 and 1987, lost it in 1988 at the hands of Sweden’s Mats Wilander, and recovered it in the postseason.

The U.S. Open and has box. The chance of the draw has brought the construction of the final scene in which two emphases: first, that Rafa Nadal will have a difficult debut against Richard Gasquet, the second is that the Spaniard is on the bottom of the table, the same in the Andy Murray will be present, which means that both Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic lead the top of the table.

Roger Federer

Roger Federer (1) has been the innocent hand, as champion of the latest edition of the U.S. Open, the draw of the final table. Federer, who has been matched in the first round with local Brtitton Devin, one of the ‘wild cards’ issued by the organization, has been framed in the top of the table with Novak Djokovic (4), which will debut before the Croatian Ivan Ljubicic, as the biggest threat.

As the Spanish forces from the top of the table should be to outline the duels between Oscar Hernandez and Argentine Juan Ignacio Chela, Ruben Ramirez-Hidalgo and American James Blake, Albert Montanes against Swede Robin Soderling, Marcel Granollers at the German Mischa Zverev Fernando Verdasco against German Benjamin Becker and Guillermo Garcia-Lopez and Tommy Robredo to players from the previous phase.

On the bottom of the table, will be Andy Murray (2), which will debut at the Latvian Ernests Gulbis, the main protagonist. The Scot will most rival Rafael Nadal (3), which again has the status of third-seeded four years later. El de Manacor has been matched with a tough first round opponent, Frenchman Richard Gasquet, who after serving a two-month penalty for a doping apparently nonexistent, is required to add wins and points to reoccupy the positions it deserves in the ATP rankings. Rafa addition, for this part of the picture will other members of the ‘Army’ as David Ferrer, which means to ‘Joe’ Martin, Nicolas Almagro against Belgian Steve Darcis, Juan Carlos Ferrero against Frenchman Fabrice Santoro, Daniel Gimeno – Traver against Frenchman Gilles Simon, Ivan Navarro with the Croatian Ivo Karlovic and Feliciano Lopez against American Taylor Dent.