Quote For The Day
"Petkovic herself seems to realize that her novelty was wearing off. She said after her win over Wozniacki that she wouldn’t do her post-win Petko-dance anymore. This is a positive development—champs are known for winning, not dancing. But she couldn’t help herself when that last backhand found the line against Jankovic. Good for her. I’m happy she’s not a sideshow anymore, but I wouldn’t want her to lose her sense of fun along her way up the rankings. The WTA needs winners, it needs players with guts, but it needs personalities, too." --Steve Tignor
Who Can Stop Novak Djokovic?
I remember when Rafael Nadal was desperately trying to catch up to the pacesetter on the ATP Tour, working to expand beyond his clay-court empire and get within striking distance of the top. And I recall when Roger Federer was likewise engaged, hoping to unseat seemingly perpetual No. 1 Pete Sampras.
But I can't remember a time when Nadal and Federer were both eating the dust of a player who, if not more highly ranked, was certainly playing better and more consistently over an extended period.
Of course, I mean Novak Djokovic, who just may turn in a perfect score in the first (or Australian Open) quarter of the tennis year. Djokovic hasn't lost a match this year. In fact, he hasn't lost one since November, and it was pretty apparent that he lost that partly because he was preoccupied, looking ahead a few weeks to what would be Serbia's first taste of ultimate Davis Cup glory.
You have to go pretty far back to find a guy who rolled through the first three months of the year undefeated, although the number of events a player chooses to enter certainly has a bearing on that. Among the past five men to win the first major of the year (Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, Marat Safin and Andre Agassi, which takes us back nine years to 2003), only Djokovic has gone into Miami, the last event of the early hard-court segment, with a chance to run the table and finish the segment at 24-0 (he's currently 18-0).
But this isn't just an opportunity for Djokovic, it's also a great chance for Nadal or Federer to play an unfamiliar role for men of their status -- that of the spoiler. Strange as it seems to think of them in that light, it's about the best either man could do to salvage his early season. Federer has already lost to Djokovic three times this year (although he still has a superior 13-9 head-to-head record). Rafa Nadal is 2-4 in his past six matches with Djokovic, including Sunday's Indian Wells final, and has yet to win a tournament this year (Djokovic has played and won three).
Even if such august personages as Federer and Nadal relish the role of the spoiler, it's going to take more than willingness to beat Djokovic. He's shown this year that Federer just can't hit through him anymore; Djokovic's groundstrokes are too heavy, his court coverage too good, and he changes the direction of the ball and moves from defense to offense too expertly.
Nadal is better-equipped to handle Djokovic off the ground, but the very serve that pulled the No. 1 player through the U.S. Open final against Djokovic hasn't been seen much this year. An excellent returner, Djokovic can neutralize and pressure Nadal -- in essence, set him back on his heels and keep him off balance with a combination of great defense and quick-strike offense.
On top of that, Djokovic has always had a cocky streak, and now that has morphed into formidable level of confidence. The main question in my mind is whether Djokovic is fully focused on completing this transcontinental double. Only five players have won Indian Wells and Miami back-to-back: Michael Chang, Pete Sampras, Agassi, Rios and Federer (who did it twice, in 2005 and 2006).
After Indian Wells ended Sunday, Djokovic flew to Colombia to play an exhibition with Nadal, and then he threw the weight of his name and presence behind a worthwhile cause, the charity soccer match and dinner to raise money for Japan in the wake of the recent earthquake tragedy. Djokovic can be distracted, we've seen that in the past. And with three titles under his belt and the European clay-court circuit looming, he might be tempted to take his foot off the gas.
And I have a feeling Federer and Nadal would me more than happy to help him remove it.
Courtesy: ESPN
But I can't remember a time when Nadal and Federer were both eating the dust of a player who, if not more highly ranked, was certainly playing better and more consistently over an extended period.
Of course, I mean Novak Djokovic, who just may turn in a perfect score in the first (or Australian Open) quarter of the tennis year. Djokovic hasn't lost a match this year. In fact, he hasn't lost one since November, and it was pretty apparent that he lost that partly because he was preoccupied, looking ahead a few weeks to what would be Serbia's first taste of ultimate Davis Cup glory.
You have to go pretty far back to find a guy who rolled through the first three months of the year undefeated, although the number of events a player chooses to enter certainly has a bearing on that. Among the past five men to win the first major of the year (Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, Marat Safin and Andre Agassi, which takes us back nine years to 2003), only Djokovic has gone into Miami, the last event of the early hard-court segment, with a chance to run the table and finish the segment at 24-0 (he's currently 18-0).
But this isn't just an opportunity for Djokovic, it's also a great chance for Nadal or Federer to play an unfamiliar role for men of their status -- that of the spoiler. Strange as it seems to think of them in that light, it's about the best either man could do to salvage his early season. Federer has already lost to Djokovic three times this year (although he still has a superior 13-9 head-to-head record). Rafa Nadal is 2-4 in his past six matches with Djokovic, including Sunday's Indian Wells final, and has yet to win a tournament this year (Djokovic has played and won three).
Even if such august personages as Federer and Nadal relish the role of the spoiler, it's going to take more than willingness to beat Djokovic. He's shown this year that Federer just can't hit through him anymore; Djokovic's groundstrokes are too heavy, his court coverage too good, and he changes the direction of the ball and moves from defense to offense too expertly.
Nadal is better-equipped to handle Djokovic off the ground, but the very serve that pulled the No. 1 player through the U.S. Open final against Djokovic hasn't been seen much this year. An excellent returner, Djokovic can neutralize and pressure Nadal -- in essence, set him back on his heels and keep him off balance with a combination of great defense and quick-strike offense.
On top of that, Djokovic has always had a cocky streak, and now that has morphed into formidable level of confidence. The main question in my mind is whether Djokovic is fully focused on completing this transcontinental double. Only five players have won Indian Wells and Miami back-to-back: Michael Chang, Pete Sampras, Agassi, Rios and Federer (who did it twice, in 2005 and 2006).
After Indian Wells ended Sunday, Djokovic flew to Colombia to play an exhibition with Nadal, and then he threw the weight of his name and presence behind a worthwhile cause, the charity soccer match and dinner to raise money for Japan in the wake of the recent earthquake tragedy. Djokovic can be distracted, we've seen that in the past. And with three titles under his belt and the European clay-court circuit looming, he might be tempted to take his foot off the gas.
And I have a feeling Federer and Nadal would me more than happy to help him remove it.
Courtesy: ESPN
Djokovic - Post match interview - transcript
Courtesy: Official Website
N. DJOKOVIC/K. Anderson
6-4, 6-2
An interview with:
NOVAK DJOKOVIC
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. If you look at the numbers, it sounds like an easy game, but didn't look an easy one.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No, it was anything but easy. Almost two hour match for 6 4, 6 2, I mean, result doesn't show what we had on the court definitely. I mean, I kind of expected him to be aggressive, but he was really going for the shots. He was really putting a lot of pressure on me. A lot. His serve was exceptionally well and hard to read.
In the second set I found that momentum, but I went through situations where I faced couple of breakpoints in the first and second set, and I saved them. You know, I was fortunate in those moments. If he broke me, who knows in which direction the match would go.
Q. But you looked very comfortable and you were enjoying the match. Looked like you were having fun?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: When I was two breaks up in the second set I was comfortable sure, but not before that.
Q. You play against a guy with a big serve. Is there a special way to prepare for that kind of match?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I had Karlovic serving on my warmup. I was trying to prepare in some ways, but, you know, it's very challenging to play a big server who's very aggressive. And if he serves well and very precise and if he manages to get some free points on his service games, he puts a lot of pressure on your serve, and then you're in trouble.
Then you need to try to get as many returns back and get into the rallies. I knew that in the rallies I have a little bit more chance. Some bit slower conditions in the night, so I was kind of relying on that. But he really played well.
Q. Can you tell me about your next opponent, what you think about?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I think he's on a great run. He's been playing some really good tennis this week, beating high ranked players, quality players. Today he looked really confident on the court. If he serves well, then he can really beat anybody, I think. It's going to be really unpredictable what's going to happen. Very good match. I look forward to it.
Q. Your next opponent says that playing during the day and night in this tournament is two completely different tournaments.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah.
Q. You've played both during the day and night...
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I think I've played all during the night actually, all four matches. So it's going to be different playing during the day. It's going to be faster, and I think it's a little bit more suitable to him.
But, you know, I have a day to recover, to get used to it, to get some practice. I'm sure I'll be fine.
Q. You had five breakpoints to save. You saved all of them. Isn't it the best proof of your confidence and hat your confidence is as high a possible?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, yes. You know, I served well in the moments when I needed to. Okay, he missed some shots, but, you know, I feel that mentally I'm more stable nowadays. Obviously with confidence you're you believe in your shots. You're going for some shots, and it comes back to you.
Q. That's 24 wins in a row going back to last year.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Uh huh.
Q. That must develop its own confidence.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I mean, you obviously get confidence with 24 wins in a row. I mean, it keeps getting better, of course. But I don't want to be carried away from that. I want to keep on working hard and taking one match at a time. You know, when it stops, it stops, but I'm definitely focusing on the next opponent.
N. DJOKOVIC/K. Anderson
6-4, 6-2
An interview with:
NOVAK DJOKOVIC
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. If you look at the numbers, it sounds like an easy game, but didn't look an easy one.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No, it was anything but easy. Almost two hour match for 6 4, 6 2, I mean, result doesn't show what we had on the court definitely. I mean, I kind of expected him to be aggressive, but he was really going for the shots. He was really putting a lot of pressure on me. A lot. His serve was exceptionally well and hard to read.
In the second set I found that momentum, but I went through situations where I faced couple of breakpoints in the first and second set, and I saved them. You know, I was fortunate in those moments. If he broke me, who knows in which direction the match would go.
Q. But you looked very comfortable and you were enjoying the match. Looked like you were having fun?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: When I was two breaks up in the second set I was comfortable sure, but not before that.
Q. You play against a guy with a big serve. Is there a special way to prepare for that kind of match?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I had Karlovic serving on my warmup. I was trying to prepare in some ways, but, you know, it's very challenging to play a big server who's very aggressive. And if he serves well and very precise and if he manages to get some free points on his service games, he puts a lot of pressure on your serve, and then you're in trouble.
Then you need to try to get as many returns back and get into the rallies. I knew that in the rallies I have a little bit more chance. Some bit slower conditions in the night, so I was kind of relying on that. But he really played well.
Q. Can you tell me about your next opponent, what you think about?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I think he's on a great run. He's been playing some really good tennis this week, beating high ranked players, quality players. Today he looked really confident on the court. If he serves well, then he can really beat anybody, I think. It's going to be really unpredictable what's going to happen. Very good match. I look forward to it.
Q. Your next opponent says that playing during the day and night in this tournament is two completely different tournaments.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah.
Q. You've played both during the day and night...
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I think I've played all during the night actually, all four matches. So it's going to be different playing during the day. It's going to be faster, and I think it's a little bit more suitable to him.
But, you know, I have a day to recover, to get used to it, to get some practice. I'm sure I'll be fine.
Q. You had five breakpoints to save. You saved all of them. Isn't it the best proof of your confidence and hat your confidence is as high a possible?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, yes. You know, I served well in the moments when I needed to. Okay, he missed some shots, but, you know, I feel that mentally I'm more stable nowadays. Obviously with confidence you're you believe in your shots. You're going for some shots, and it comes back to you.
Q. That's 24 wins in a row going back to last year.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Uh huh.
Q. That must develop its own confidence.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I mean, you obviously get confidence with 24 wins in a row. I mean, it keeps getting better, of course. But I don't want to be carried away from that. I want to keep on working hard and taking one match at a time. You know, when it stops, it stops, but I'm definitely focusing on the next opponent.
Djokovic to face the new US #1
Novak Djokovic reached the Miami semifinals Wednesday by beating Kevin Anderson, extending his winning streak and avenging a loss two years ago to the South African in the same city.
World No 2 Djokovic defeated unseeded Anderson 6-4, 6-2 in a quarterfinal match at the $9 million ATP Masters 1000 hardcourt tournament.
"When I was two breaks up in the second set I was comfortable sure, but not before that," Djokovic said. "In the second set I found that momentum, but I went through situations where I faced a couple of break points in the first and second set, and I saved them.
"I was fortunate in those moments."
Djokovic, who has won all of his 22 matches this season, will face American Mardy Fish in the semifinals.
Djokovic has now won 24 consecutive matches dating back to last year's Davis Cup final.
"You obviously get confidence with 24 wins in a row," he said. "It keeps getting better. But I don't want to be carried away with that.
"I want to keep on working hard and taking one match at a time. When it stops, it stops."
The Serb is looking for back-to-back titles in Indian Wells and Miami. It would be his fourth title this season to go with victories in Dubai, Indian Wells and the Australian Open.
Anderson became South Africa's first ATP winner in more than five years when he took the title in Johannesburg in February.
Anderson won their only prior meeting by beating Djokovic in three sets in the second round here three years ago.
At the time, Djokovic was ranked third in the world and Anderson was ranked 122nd.
Djokovic will be the heavy favourite against 14th seeded Fish who will pass Andy Roddick as the No 1 ranked American player when the next ATP Tour rankings come out.
Fish has had an up and down year, making two semis in Delray Beach and Memphis but losing in the second round of both the Aussie Open and Indian Wells. He lost twice this year to 20-year-old Milos Raonic of Canada in the second round at Indian Wells and the semis in Memphis.
Fish ousted an ailing David Ferrer 7-5, 6-2 to reach the semifinals.
While Ferrer had plenty of praise for Fish's strong performance on serve, he said he could not really rise to the challenge because of a stomach ailment.
"I think it's the digestion," Ferrer said. "I went to the court, and I when I run to rallies, a lot of pain in my stomach. In the second set, I cannot run anymore."
Djokovic said like Anderson, he can't look past the match with Fish.
"I think he's on a great run," Djokovic said. "He's been playing some really good tennis this week, beating high-ranked players, quality players.
"I watched him play today and he looked really confident on the court. If he serves well, then he can really beat anybody."
The victory ensures Fish will climb to at least 11th when the rankings are next released, while Roddick will fall from eighth to 14th after losing his tournament-opener last week.
"It's very humbling," Fish said.
Courtesy: Supersport
Miami Quarterfinals: Sony Ericsson Open Day 9 Open Thread
by Craig Hickman
Ana Ivanovic arrives at Crandon, Park, March 22, 2011. Photo: JD Blom
Ivanovic in practice yesterday. Photo: Forty Deuce
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When you're trying to grow your sport, improve your brand, especially if you're the WTA, or more specifically, the sponsor of both the women's tour and the best event in North America, as far as I'm concerned, you would probably go through hell and high water to get a camera on a non-television court to bring viewers what could easily be the best WTA match of the year to date. But no. All we got to see was match point. If we weren't still in Miami, or in Miami at all, we had to watch the entire drama unfold via the scoreboard read the courtside updates of FortyDeuceTwits on her timeline. Such a drama it was, what with Ana Ivanovic losing a 5-1 final-set lead, as well as 5 match points, to fell to defending champion and world No. 2 Kim Clijsters, that Ana and Andrea Petkovic, author of her own upset over No. 7 seed Jelena Jankovic, withdrew from doubles. Ana was reportedly "inconsolable", according to FortyDeuceTwits, so much so that she pulled out of Marbella earlier today citing sore abdominals.
Kim Clijsters' hands in her interview roundtable, March 22, 2011. Photo: JD Blom
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Later today, Houdini Clijsters, will take the court against Victoria Azarenka, who survived a dogfight of her own to get here.
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Sony Ericsson, please get with the program. Literally. I want to be more excited about women's tennis but I need to be able to watch the exciting matches. Thank you.
ORDER OF PLAY - WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 2011
STADIUM start 11:00 am
J Erlich (ISR) / A Ram (ISR) vs [4] J Melzer (AUT) / P Petzschner (GER)
Not Before 1:00 PM
[9] A Radwanska (POL) vs [3] V Zvonareva (RUS)
Not Before 3:00 PM
[6] D Ferrer (ESP) vs [14] M Fish (USA)
Not Before 7:00 PM
[8] V Azarenka (BLR) vs [2] K Clijsters (BEL)
Not Before 9:00 PM
K Anderson (RSA) vs [2] N Djokovic (SRB)
COURT 2 start 12:00 noon
[3] L Huber (USA) / N Petrova (RUS) vs [WC] S Stephens (USA) / Y Wickmayer (BEL)
[3] M Bhupathi (IND) / L Paes (IND) vs [6] M Llodra (FRA) / N Zimonjic (SRB)
Not Before 3:00 PM
O Marach (AUT) / J Tipsarevic (SRB) vs [7] R Bopanna (IND) / A Qureshi (PAK)
Not Before 4:30 PM
[8] R Lindstedt (SWE) / H Tecau (ROU) vs [2] M Mirnyi (BLR) / D Nestor (CAN)
Ana Ivanovic arrives at Crandon, Park, March 22, 2011. Photo: JD Blom
Ivanovic in practice yesterday. Photo: Forty Deuce
::
When you're trying to grow your sport, improve your brand, especially if you're the WTA, or more specifically, the sponsor of both the women's tour and the best event in North America, as far as I'm concerned, you would probably go through hell and high water to get a camera on a non-television court to bring viewers what could easily be the best WTA match of the year to date. But no. All we got to see was match point. If we weren't still in Miami, or in Miami at all, we had to watch the entire drama unfold via the scoreboard read the courtside updates of FortyDeuceTwits on her timeline. Such a drama it was, what with Ana Ivanovic losing a 5-1 final-set lead, as well as 5 match points, to fell to defending champion and world No. 2 Kim Clijsters, that Ana and Andrea Petkovic, author of her own upset over No. 7 seed Jelena Jankovic, withdrew from doubles. Ana was reportedly "inconsolable", according to FortyDeuceTwits, so much so that she pulled out of Marbella earlier today citing sore abdominals.
Kim Clijsters' hands in her interview roundtable, March 22, 2011. Photo: JD Blom
::
Later today, Houdini Clijsters, will take the court against Victoria Azarenka, who survived a dogfight of her own to get here.
::
Sony Ericsson, please get with the program. Literally. I want to be more excited about women's tennis but I need to be able to watch the exciting matches. Thank you.
ORDER OF PLAY - WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 2011
STADIUM start 11:00 am
J Erlich (ISR) / A Ram (ISR) vs [4] J Melzer (AUT) / P Petzschner (GER)
Not Before 1:00 PM
[9] A Radwanska (POL) vs [3] V Zvonareva (RUS)
Not Before 3:00 PM
[6] D Ferrer (ESP) vs [14] M Fish (USA)
Not Before 7:00 PM
[8] V Azarenka (BLR) vs [2] K Clijsters (BEL)
Not Before 9:00 PM
K Anderson (RSA) vs [2] N Djokovic (SRB)
COURT 2 start 12:00 noon
[3] L Huber (USA) / N Petrova (RUS) vs [WC] S Stephens (USA) / Y Wickmayer (BEL)
[3] M Bhupathi (IND) / L Paes (IND) vs [6] M Llodra (FRA) / N Zimonjic (SRB)
Not Before 3:00 PM
O Marach (AUT) / J Tipsarevic (SRB) vs [7] R Bopanna (IND) / A Qureshi (PAK)
Not Before 4:30 PM
[8] R Lindstedt (SWE) / H Tecau (ROU) vs [2] M Mirnyi (BLR) / D Nestor (CAN)
Miami Men's 16: Sony Ericsson Open 2011 Day 8 Open Thread
All about the serve.
::
ORDER OF PLAY - TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 2011
STADIUM start 11:00 am
[14] M Fish (USA) vs J Del Potro (ARG)
Not Before 12:00 PM
[21] A Dolgopolov (UKR) vs [15] J Tsonga (FRA) 67(2) 64 32 - to finish 67 64 32
Not Before 1:00 PM
[21] A Petkovic (GER) vs [6] J Jankovic (SRB)
[19] A Ivanovic (SRB) vs [2] K Clijsters (BEL) - Round of 16 heldove
[16] V Troicki (SRB) vs [2] N Djokovic (SRB) - Possible Court Change
[1] R Nadal (ESP) vs [21] A Dolgopolov (UKR) or [15] J Tsonga (FRA)
Not Before 7:30 PM
[16] M Sharapova (RUS) vs [26] A Dulgheru (ROU)
Not Before 9:30 PM
[3] R Federer (SUI) vs [Q] O Rochus (BEL)
GRANDSTAND start 11:00 am
[6] D Ferrer (ESP) vs M Granollers (ESP)
[30] J Isner (USA) vs K Anderson (RSA)
F Mayer (GER) vs [7] T Berdych (CZE)
Not Before 5:00 PM
J Tipsarevic (SRB) vs [25] G Simon (FRA)
COURT 2 start 12:00 noon
[3] M Bhupathi (IND) / L Paes (IND) vs M Lopez (ESP) / D Marrero (ESP)
D Hantuchova (SVK) / A Radwanska (POL) vs N Llagostera Vives (ESP) / A Parra Santonja (ESP)
X Malisse (BEL) / J Murray (GBR) vs [6] M Llodra (FRA) / N Zimonjic (SRB)
[WC] A Ivanovic (SRB) / A Petkovic (GER) vs S Peer (ISR) / S Peng (CHN)
[1] G Dulko (ARG) / F Pennetta (ITA) vs [8] M Martinez Sanchez (ESP) / A Medina Garrigues (ESP)
Quote For The Day
"We lived through a decade of Carlos Rodriguez coaching Justine Henin after every single point and nobody called it on them."
--Lindsay Davenport, Tennis Channel commentary during the Maria Sharapova, Samantha Stosur match on Monday, March 28, 2011.
Apparently, Sharapova was called out for on-court coaching from the stands during a previous match in Miami. Davenport seemed to be underscoring a double standard. Or maybe she was simply stating her perception of a widely known "fact."
I put fact in quotations for I remember Carlos and Maria being called out once. But only once. Back in 2004 during Justine's quarterfinal against Svetlana Kuznetsova in Indian Wells. I remember being surprised by the call out, but not by the coaching, which only the blind couldn't see. Those in denial wouldn't admit. Carlos was telling his charge to charge the net more in order to turn around the second set. Sveta was leading 5-4 or 5-3, according to my memory. Justine took her coaching advice and won the last 3 or 4 games to take the match in straights.
--Lindsay Davenport, Tennis Channel commentary during the Maria Sharapova, Samantha Stosur match on Monday, March 28, 2011.
Apparently, Sharapova was called out for on-court coaching from the stands during a previous match in Miami. Davenport seemed to be underscoring a double standard. Or maybe she was simply stating her perception of a widely known "fact."
I put fact in quotations for I remember Carlos and Maria being called out once. But only once. Back in 2004 during Justine's quarterfinal against Svetlana Kuznetsova in Indian Wells. I remember being surprised by the call out, but not by the coaching, which only the blind couldn't see. Those in denial wouldn't admit. Carlos was telling his charge to charge the net more in order to turn around the second set. Sveta was leading 5-4 or 5-3, according to my memory. Justine took her coaching advice and won the last 3 or 4 games to take the match in straights.
Miami Marquee Match Monday: Sony Ericsson Open 2011 Day 7 Open Thread
by Craig Hickman
JD Blom for Tennis Panorama News
Samantha Stosur at the Sony Ericsson Open WTA Roundtable on March 22, 2011 in Key Biscayne, Florida.
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Day 7 at the Sony Ericsson Open features both world No. 1's Rafael Nadal and Caroline Wozniacki, major champions and former world No. 1's Maria Sharapova, on court against Stosur (most engaging player I met in Miami, but more on that some other time) right now, Roger Federer, Ana Ivanovic, Kim Clijsters, and the doubles team of Bob and Mike Bryan. Neil Harman tells us storms are in the forecast. Let's hope they blow over.
I, for one, am most interested in Alexandr Dolgopolov vs. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Happy to see it open the night session on Stadium.
ORDER OF PLAY - MONDAY, MARCH 28, 2011
STADIUM start 11:00 am
[4] S Stosur (AUS) vs [16] M Sharapova (RUS) - WTA
[1] C Wozniacki (DEN) vs [21] A Petkovic (GER) - WTA
Not Before 2:00 PM
[3] R Federer (SUI) vs [32] J Monaco (ARG) - ATP
[1] R Nadal (ESP) vs F Lopez (ESP) - ATP
Not Before 7:30 PM
[21] A Dolgopolov (UKR) vs [15] J Tsonga (FRA) - ATP
Not Before 9:00 PM
[19] A Ivanovic (SRB) vs [2] K Clijsters (BEL) - WTA
GRANDSTAND start 11:00 am
C Berlocq (ARG) vs [7] T Berdych (CZE) - ATP
[Q] O Rochus (BEL) vs [13] M Youzhny (RUS) - ATP
A Medina Garrigues (ESP) vs [6] J Jankovic (SRB) - WTA
Not Before 4:30 PM
[5] F Schiavone (ITA) vs [9] A Radwanska (POL) - WTA
[25] G Simon (FRA) vs P Cuevas (URU) - ATP
COURT 1 start 11:00 am
[WC] S Stephens (USA) / Y Wickmayer (BEL) vs [7] B Mattek-Sands (USA) / M Shaughnessy (USA) - WTA
M Mertinak (SVK) / D Norman (BEL) vs [7] R Bopanna (IND) / A Qureshi (PAK) - ATP
[8] R Lindstedt (SWE) / H Tecau (ROU) vs J Isner (USA) / S Querrey (USA) - ATP
S Stakhovsky (UKR) / M Youzhny (RUS) vs [2] M Mirnyi (BLR) / D Nestor (CAN) - ATP
- WTA
COURT 2 start 11:00 am
S Peng (CHN) vs [26] A Dulgheru (ROU) - WTA
P Petzschner (GER) vs J Tipsarevic (SRB) - ATP
[11] N Almagro (ESP) vs F Mayer (GER) - ATP
[15] M Bartoli (FRA) vs [3] V Zvonareva (RUS) - WTA
Not Before 5:00 PM
[1] B Bryan (USA) / M Bryan (USA) vs O Marach (AUT) / J Tipsarevic (SRB) - ATP
COURT 3 start 3:00 pm
A Kleybanova (RUS) / Z Yan (CHN) vs S Peer (ISR) / S Peng (CHN) - WTA
L Dlouhy (CZE) / P Hanley (AUS) vs [4] J Melzer (AUT) / P Petzschner (GER) - ATP
JD Blom for Tennis Panorama News
Samantha Stosur at the Sony Ericsson Open WTA Roundtable on March 22, 2011 in Key Biscayne, Florida.
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Day 7 at the Sony Ericsson Open features both world No. 1's Rafael Nadal and Caroline Wozniacki, major champions and former world No. 1's Maria Sharapova, on court against Stosur (most engaging player I met in Miami, but more on that some other time) right now, Roger Federer, Ana Ivanovic, Kim Clijsters, and the doubles team of Bob and Mike Bryan. Neil Harman tells us storms are in the forecast. Let's hope they blow over.
I, for one, am most interested in Alexandr Dolgopolov vs. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Happy to see it open the night session on Stadium.
ORDER OF PLAY - MONDAY, MARCH 28, 2011
STADIUM start 11:00 am
[4] S Stosur (AUS) vs [16] M Sharapova (RUS) - WTA
[1] C Wozniacki (DEN) vs [21] A Petkovic (GER) - WTA
Not Before 2:00 PM
[3] R Federer (SUI) vs [32] J Monaco (ARG) - ATP
[1] R Nadal (ESP) vs F Lopez (ESP) - ATP
Not Before 7:30 PM
[21] A Dolgopolov (UKR) vs [15] J Tsonga (FRA) - ATP
Not Before 9:00 PM
[19] A Ivanovic (SRB) vs [2] K Clijsters (BEL) - WTA
GRANDSTAND start 11:00 am
C Berlocq (ARG) vs [7] T Berdych (CZE) - ATP
[Q] O Rochus (BEL) vs [13] M Youzhny (RUS) - ATP
A Medina Garrigues (ESP) vs [6] J Jankovic (SRB) - WTA
Not Before 4:30 PM
[5] F Schiavone (ITA) vs [9] A Radwanska (POL) - WTA
[25] G Simon (FRA) vs P Cuevas (URU) - ATP
COURT 1 start 11:00 am
[WC] S Stephens (USA) / Y Wickmayer (BEL) vs [7] B Mattek-Sands (USA) / M Shaughnessy (USA) - WTA
M Mertinak (SVK) / D Norman (BEL) vs [7] R Bopanna (IND) / A Qureshi (PAK) - ATP
[8] R Lindstedt (SWE) / H Tecau (ROU) vs J Isner (USA) / S Querrey (USA) - ATP
S Stakhovsky (UKR) / M Youzhny (RUS) vs [2] M Mirnyi (BLR) / D Nestor (CAN) - ATP
- WTA
COURT 2 start 11:00 am
S Peng (CHN) vs [26] A Dulgheru (ROU) - WTA
P Petzschner (GER) vs J Tipsarevic (SRB) - ATP
[11] N Almagro (ESP) vs F Mayer (GER) - ATP
[15] M Bartoli (FRA) vs [3] V Zvonareva (RUS) - WTA
Not Before 5:00 PM
[1] B Bryan (USA) / M Bryan (USA) vs O Marach (AUT) / J Tipsarevic (SRB) - ATP
COURT 3 start 3:00 pm
A Kleybanova (RUS) / Z Yan (CHN) vs S Peer (ISR) / S Peng (CHN) - WTA
L Dlouhy (CZE) / P Hanley (AUS) vs [4] J Melzer (AUT) / P Petzschner (GER) - ATP
Sony Ericsson Open Week 1 Review
JD Blom for Tennis Panorama News
Kourtin' Karen, owner of Tennis Panorama News has posted her highlights of the first week down in hot, hot Miami. She's included some new photo galleries with previously unpublished photos we shot on- and off-site.
I attended one other charity exhibition in the first week that I haven't gotten around to writing about yet.
Stay tuned.
Novak on a roll in Miami
World No. 2 Novak Djokovic became just the third player in the past 30 years to open a season with a 20-0 mark as he defeated James Blake 6-2, 6-0 in a third-round match Sunday night at the Sony Ericsson Open.
Only John McEnroe and Ivan Lendl have posted longer winning streaks to start a season since 1980; McEnroe ran off 39 straight victories in 1984 and Lendl won 25 in a row in 1986.
It's an extraordinary feat, but not something the 23-year-old Djokovic is concentrating on. "To be honest, I'm taking it one match at a time and trying to win against the opponent that I have today and not thinking about what happened or what can happen," said the Serbian, following his win over Blake.
After taking Djokovic to deuce on the Serbian's opening service game, Blake would not have another chance in the match, winning just 22 per cent of his return points. Everything was clicking for the second-seeded Djokovic and he raced away after breaking Blake in the fourth game of the first set to lead 3-1. The American would win one more game, but at 4-2, Djokovic ran the table, winning eight straight games to ultimately triumph in 52 minutes.
When asked about any areas of his game that may call for improvement, Djokovic joked about the need to sharpen his drop shot, but attributed the upgrading of his first serve as a confidence boosting shot. "I have been working really hard on my serve in the last ten months, and now it's coming back to me," he said.
"I have been really trying to use that serve and trying to get some free points out of it, and tonight it was working really great. I think I'm quite a complete player. My game is based obviously on the baseline, but I need that serve so I can get more free points and put a lot of pressure on my opponent. That's where I'm getting lately, so I'm happy with that."
A familiar face stands in the way in the fourth round, his close friend and Davis Cup teammate Viktor Troicki, a player he's known since they were nine years old. Djokovic has swept their past eight meetings after Troicki won their first encounter four years ago in Umag. The two have played twice this year already, including last week at the same stage at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event in Indian Wells, where Djokovic routed his countryman 6-0, 6-1.
Although Djokovic has dominated their head-to-head series, Troicki does have something on the two-time Australian Open champion. "The first tournament in my life that I played, I won my first match and then I lost to him. And he gave me a bagel. It was 9 0. I still have a video of that match, and we still joke around a little bit," laughed Djokovic.
Courtesy:ATPWorldTour
Djokovic- Round 2 post match interview
Courtesy: Official Website
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. Considering that you played so much tennis, is it helpful that tonight's match was so short?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, definitely helpful. You know, in opening rounds, especially in the first round, you're trying to get used to the conditions and you don't want to underestimate your opponent, so you want to step into the court and try to be focused from the start and try to, you know, get as quickly as possible out of the court. So I did a great job tonight.
Q. How did you feel out there?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Um, I mean, I couldn't feel better, you know. Most of the shots I was hitting were winners, so I wasn't making a lot of mistakes.
Everything was working perfect.
Q. When you're playing like this, are you just chomping at the bit to get back out there as quickly as possible? Is it hard to wait between matches?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, it's confidence that plays a very important role in our sport, and in any other sport. So I guess you're trying to keep that confidence level very high, and when you step on the court, you know, you're hitting the ball and everything comes in.
You know, you have a lot of self belief that, you know, you can hit the ball hard and you can step in and take your chances, be aggressive, and that was the case tonight. That's the case, you know, lately for me.
I do look forward to my next challenges. You know, I've played a lot of matches, so it's good that I have an extra day tomorrow where I play doubles and where I take some time and get ready for next one.
Q. How much do you think you'll have to rely on your net game this tournament?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Excuse me?
Q. How much do you think you'll have to rely on coming to the net in this tournament?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Coming to the net? Well, look, I'm not a classic serve and volley player and I'm not coming that often to the net, but I try to put some variety in my game and use the chances that are given to me to come to the net.
It's something that I've been working on lately. It's well. You know, it takes time. I know I have to, you know, mentally kind of convince myself that I can come to the net, I can play well. I'm just happy with the way I'm playing.
Q. Considering the fact that you've been really unbeatable this year, does playing so well bring another level of pressure to maintain that high level of play?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yes, but, you know, I'm not thinking too much about being unbeaten this year or, you know, what it carries with it, you know, some kind of pressure or expectations.
I got used to that. You know, I'm playing for many years already on a high level in professional tennis, and I'm using this experience this year to be able to perform my best on the court.
I'm fresh mentally, motivated to have even more success. I'm looking to upcoming challenges. I know it's only been a couple of months of the year, but I have been playing great, and I want to keep on doing that.
I need to stay physically fit and healthy in order to, you know, be consistent with the success.
Q. You've got James next; is that right?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yes.
Q. Your thoughts about that matchup?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, you know, James has been around for a while. He's a great competitor. He's very exciting to watch. He hits the ball very clean, very powerful. He's a great mover. He's very fast.
You know, he's gonna be having a lot of support from the crowd. You know, it's definitely not an easy one. I have to step on the court and be on top of my game.
Q. You talked about confidence. Andy at the moment has no confidence, I guess. Can you feel for him? Do you understand what he's going through at the moment?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I absolutely understand. Today when I saw when he lost, I mean, that gives you it proves and it gives, you know, another reason and another example, actually, that this sport is all mental in the end, you know.
You can work as hard as you can and you can practice for hours and hours, but if you don't have that self belief on the court, if you don't have that confidence, you know, it can easily turn against you.
I felt it, you know, last year in this period for first five, six months. I had similar early round losses. I know how it feels like, you know. It's incredible, you know, how mental it gets.
You know, if you believe in your shots, if you're just relaxed on the court, then you he has a quality, I mean, to beat anybody on the tour. He's just going through that period that I'm sure it's gonna be over very soon.
Q. What are you going to do in doubles tomorrow to cheer him up?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, look, you know, I still haven't heard from him, so I'll let him sleep over and see hopefully tomorrow. He's gonna be fresh and motivated to win doubles. I'm really looking forward to that doubles.
Q. How does it come to pick Andy as a partner for doubles? You were both practicing doubles to be better later?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, you know, it's idea we had for a long time already, but we weren't managing to kind of organize and play together. We played in 2006 I think in Australian Open and, you know, since then we had a lot of success in our singles careers.
That's what we prioritize, and we didn't play that much doubles. But now that we play together, we should enjoy it. You know, I really look forward to that.
Q. Would you like to see more top guys play doubles? Do you think it's good for the game?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: At Indian Wells I think you had 9 of top 10 players, singles players, playing doubles. So, you know, it gives you example of, you know, singles players getting involved more in doubles.
You know, it's good for serve and volley, it's good for it's good for us to have some practice and enjoy sharing the court with somebody, as well. You know, because most of the time we're alone.
Q. You were this week in my country, in Colombia. How did you enjoy that experience?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I enjoyed it so much. You know, I didn't feel that kind of atmosphere ever in my life in exhibition event. It was incredible. It was very loved. It was just being a part of that exhibition event and the whole day being in Colombia, we felt like rock stars, you know. It's just great experience. I will definitely come back.
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. Considering that you played so much tennis, is it helpful that tonight's match was so short?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, definitely helpful. You know, in opening rounds, especially in the first round, you're trying to get used to the conditions and you don't want to underestimate your opponent, so you want to step into the court and try to be focused from the start and try to, you know, get as quickly as possible out of the court. So I did a great job tonight.
Q. How did you feel out there?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Um, I mean, I couldn't feel better, you know. Most of the shots I was hitting were winners, so I wasn't making a lot of mistakes.
Everything was working perfect.
Q. When you're playing like this, are you just chomping at the bit to get back out there as quickly as possible? Is it hard to wait between matches?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, it's confidence that plays a very important role in our sport, and in any other sport. So I guess you're trying to keep that confidence level very high, and when you step on the court, you know, you're hitting the ball and everything comes in.
You know, you have a lot of self belief that, you know, you can hit the ball hard and you can step in and take your chances, be aggressive, and that was the case tonight. That's the case, you know, lately for me.
I do look forward to my next challenges. You know, I've played a lot of matches, so it's good that I have an extra day tomorrow where I play doubles and where I take some time and get ready for next one.
Q. How much do you think you'll have to rely on your net game this tournament?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Excuse me?
Q. How much do you think you'll have to rely on coming to the net in this tournament?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Coming to the net? Well, look, I'm not a classic serve and volley player and I'm not coming that often to the net, but I try to put some variety in my game and use the chances that are given to me to come to the net.
It's something that I've been working on lately. It's well. You know, it takes time. I know I have to, you know, mentally kind of convince myself that I can come to the net, I can play well. I'm just happy with the way I'm playing.
Q. Considering the fact that you've been really unbeatable this year, does playing so well bring another level of pressure to maintain that high level of play?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yes, but, you know, I'm not thinking too much about being unbeaten this year or, you know, what it carries with it, you know, some kind of pressure or expectations.
I got used to that. You know, I'm playing for many years already on a high level in professional tennis, and I'm using this experience this year to be able to perform my best on the court.
I'm fresh mentally, motivated to have even more success. I'm looking to upcoming challenges. I know it's only been a couple of months of the year, but I have been playing great, and I want to keep on doing that.
I need to stay physically fit and healthy in order to, you know, be consistent with the success.
Q. You've got James next; is that right?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yes.
Q. Your thoughts about that matchup?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, you know, James has been around for a while. He's a great competitor. He's very exciting to watch. He hits the ball very clean, very powerful. He's a great mover. He's very fast.
You know, he's gonna be having a lot of support from the crowd. You know, it's definitely not an easy one. I have to step on the court and be on top of my game.
Q. You talked about confidence. Andy at the moment has no confidence, I guess. Can you feel for him? Do you understand what he's going through at the moment?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I absolutely understand. Today when I saw when he lost, I mean, that gives you it proves and it gives, you know, another reason and another example, actually, that this sport is all mental in the end, you know.
You can work as hard as you can and you can practice for hours and hours, but if you don't have that self belief on the court, if you don't have that confidence, you know, it can easily turn against you.
I felt it, you know, last year in this period for first five, six months. I had similar early round losses. I know how it feels like, you know. It's incredible, you know, how mental it gets.
You know, if you believe in your shots, if you're just relaxed on the court, then you he has a quality, I mean, to beat anybody on the tour. He's just going through that period that I'm sure it's gonna be over very soon.
Q. What are you going to do in doubles tomorrow to cheer him up?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, look, you know, I still haven't heard from him, so I'll let him sleep over and see hopefully tomorrow. He's gonna be fresh and motivated to win doubles. I'm really looking forward to that doubles.
Q. How does it come to pick Andy as a partner for doubles? You were both practicing doubles to be better later?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, you know, it's idea we had for a long time already, but we weren't managing to kind of organize and play together. We played in 2006 I think in Australian Open and, you know, since then we had a lot of success in our singles careers.
That's what we prioritize, and we didn't play that much doubles. But now that we play together, we should enjoy it. You know, I really look forward to that.
Q. Would you like to see more top guys play doubles? Do you think it's good for the game?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: At Indian Wells I think you had 9 of top 10 players, singles players, playing doubles. So, you know, it gives you example of, you know, singles players getting involved more in doubles.
You know, it's good for serve and volley, it's good for it's good for us to have some practice and enjoy sharing the court with somebody, as well. You know, because most of the time we're alone.
Q. You were this week in my country, in Colombia. How did you enjoy that experience?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I enjoyed it so much. You know, I didn't feel that kind of atmosphere ever in my life in exhibition event. It was incredible. It was very loved. It was just being a part of that exhibition event and the whole day being in Colombia, we felt like rock stars, you know. It's just great experience. I will definitely come back.
Sony Ericsson Open Day 6 Open Thread
JD Blom
Juan Martín del Potro changes directions to track down a shot by Ricardo Mello on March 23, 2011.
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I arrived home safely today and happy to be eating farm fresh eggs and in front of tennis on the tube.
ORDER OF PLAY - SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2011
STADIUM start 11:00 am
[14] M Fish (USA) vs [17] R Gasquet (FRA) - ATP
Not Before 1:00 PM
[5] F Schiavone (ITA) vs L Dominguez Lino (ESP) - WTA
Not Before 3:00 PM
[27] M Martinez Sanchez (ESP) vs [2] K Clijsters (BEL) - WTA
J del Potro (ARG) vs [4] R Soderling (SWE) - ATP
Not Before 7:30 PM
[8] V Azarenka (BLR) vs [25] D Cibulkova (SVK) - WTA
Not Before 9:30 PM
[WC] J Blake (USA) vs [2] N Djokovic (SRB) - ATP
GRANDSTAND start 11:00 am
K Anderson (RSA) vs P Andujar (ESP) - ATP
[6] D Ferrer (ESP) vs S Devvarman (IND) - ATP
[Q] A Bogomolov Jr. (USA) vs [30] J Isner (USA) - ATP
[28] J Groth (AUS) vs [3] V Zvonareva (RUS) - WTA
Not Before 5:00 PM
[1] B Bryan (USA) / M Bryan (USA) vs [WC] R Harrison (USA) / J Sock (USA) - ATP
COURT 1 start 10:00 am
[8] R Lindstedt (SWE) / H Tecau (ROU) vs S Aspelin (SWE) / J Knowle (AUT) - ATP
Not Before 11:30 AM
V Razzano (FRA) vs [19] A Ivanovic (SRB) - WTA
[3] M Bhupathi (IND) / L Paes (IND) vs E Butorac (USA) / J Rojer (AHO) - ATP
[6] I Benesova (CZE) / B Zahlavova Strycova (CZE) vs [WC] A Ivanovic (SRB) / A Petkovic (GER) - WTA
[17] A Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) vs [12] P Kvitova (CZE) - WTA
COURT 2 start 11:00 am
[15] M Bartoli (FRA) vs E Makarova (RUS) - WTA
[24] M Kirilenko (RUS) vs [9] A Radwanska (POL) - WTA
[23] M Llodra (FRA) vs M Granollers (ESP) - ATP
[16] V Troicki (SRB) vs [19] S Querrey (USA) - ATP
Not Before 6:00 PM
J Chela (ARG) / J Monaco (ARG) vs [6] M Llodra (FRA) / N Zimonjic (SRB) - ATP
Novak Djokovic - Point Of The Year & photos
Absolutely fantastic point during the Doubles match yesterday. Unfortunately Nolandy lost on the match tiebreak :(
Courtesy: ATPWorldTour
A few photos from the match
Courtesy: ATPWorldTour
A few photos from the match
Slideshow: Roger Federer Practice Session
Roger Federer practices with Andy Murray on March 22. Didn't seem to do Murray a whole lot of good. I'm sure Federer won't have much difficulty with Radek Stepanek later today, though the Czech does enjoy playing the world No. 3.
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Video of practice session
Tennis Family Unites For Japan Relief
Getty
Miami, FL – Friday evening at the Sony Ericsson Open, the tennis family came together for a special fundraising event for the victims of the Japan earthquake and tsunami disaster, dubbed “Tennis for Japan”, featuring the stars of the WTA and the ATP World Tour. Kim Clijsters, Robin Soderling, Vera Zvonareva, and many others, including Japan’s Kei Nishikori, Kimiko Date-Krumm, and Ayumi Morita, walked through the stands of the Stadium Court to collect donations from fans and encouraged the public to show support for the victims. In total, thanks to contributions from the WTA, ATP World Tour, the Grand Slams (Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, US Open), Sony Ericsson, ITF, IMG, SAP, Itaú, FILA, adidas and Lagardère, and the fans, the evening raised over $300,000 which will be donated to the Red Cross and other relief organizations to aid the victims of the disaster.
“Tennis is a global sport and when a tragedy strikes, the entire tennis community comes together and responds,” said Adam Barrett, Sony Ericsson Open Tournament Director. “I think the fact that the entire tennis family has come together tonight to help raise money for the relief effort makes a powerful statement about the sport, its players, and sponsors.”
“All of us have been deeply touched by the terrible disaster in Japan and I am glad that the tennis family was able to come together to organize this very important event so quickly, giving us the opportunity to raise money for the victims,” said Zvonareva, WTA World No.3. “As tennis players, we travel the world and play in Japan each year, so the disaster has touched all of us on a personal level. I hope that this fundraiser is only a start and the players and the public will continue donating and help the victims in every way possible.”
“It has been horrible to follow what happened in Japan and it is our duty to do as much as we can to raise awareness and funds,” said Soderling, ATP World Tour World No.4. “I am very proud of what the ATP and the rest of the tennis family has done so far and we need to continue to help as much as possible.”
Additionally, numerous players, including Caroline Wozniacki, Maria Sharapova, Ana Ivanovic, Ai Sugiyama, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic recorded video messages of hope supporting the victims. Videos will be shown throughout the 2011 Sony Ericsson Open and online on Facebook and both the WTA and the ATP World Tour’s websites.
Sony Ericsson Open’s defending champion and WTA World No.2 Clijsters was wearing a custom-designed FILA shirt, available for purchase at the Sony Ericsson Open. Proceeds from the sales of the shirt will be donated to Japan earthquake relief funds. Players have also been collecting signed tennis memorabilia which will be auctioned to raise funds.
Shortly after the disaster, Nishikori established a Facebook page in partnership with the Red Cross to collect money for Japan’s victims. Fans can visit www.facebook.com/#!/keinishikori and click on the “Japan Disaster Relief” tab in order to help. Nishikori also created an online auction at http://www.aceauthentic.com/keinishikori/main/index.php. Date-Krumm established a Relief Fund account at www.kimiko-date.com/gien/index.html. The WTA tournament in Tokyo, the Toray Pan Pacific Open, is also organizing a charity auction of the WTA players’ signed memorabilia and collectibles which will kick off in April.
On Wednesday night in Miami, many of the ATP World Tour’s top players took part in the ‘Hope Match for Japan’, a charity football match between the ATP World Tour All-Stars and the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, a North American Soccer League team. Marcos Baghdatis, voted the team’s most valuable player, and Andy Murray scored goals for the ATP World Tour All-Stars, which was captained by World No. 2 Djokovic. A total of 17 ATP World Tour players took part, including World No.1 Nadal and Nishikori. The charity match, which the Fort Lauderdale Strikers won 4-2, was followed by a gala dinner which raised more than $100,000.
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From Tennis Panorama News
Djokovic - Round 2 in Miami - photos
Nice entrance Nole :-)
Even better match with the loss of 1 game!
Even better match with the loss of 1 game!
Djokovic - More Wing Tennis footage
Novak has posted a new message on his Facebook page. It is another video from the Air Tennis stunt with HEAD.
http://www.facebook.com/djokovic.official#!/djokovic.official?sk=app_2392950137
Check the other 2 new videos there. One is from Beijing and the other Bogota :-)
http://www.facebook.com/djokovic.official#!/djokovic.official?sk=app_2392950137
Check the other 2 new videos there. One is from Beijing and the other Bogota :-)
Maria Sharapova Enjoys 'That Latin Flavor'
All Photos by JD Blom for Tennis Panorama News. I've included a lot at the special request of a fan on twitter who wanted to see all aspects of her dress. Best viewed on full screen.
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Last night, I attended my first-ever night session on Stadium Court at the Sony Ericsson Open. Outside of the Slams, this is among my favorite tournaments. I've always considered it the fifth Slam, even though recently, I've heard Indian Wells referred to as such. What I love about this slam is the high-energy crowds that come out at support Central and South American players. When JD asked me what the biggest tournament in South America actually was, I drew a blank. In my mind, this is it.
Which is why I ought to have gotten out to Court 2 a lot earlier and watched the compelling drama unfold between Paul Capdeville of Chile and Frederico Gil of Portugal. By the time I arrived, the match was at a few points shy of the final set tiebreak, which Capdeville let 4-1 and 6-3, only have the match stolen from him by the tenacious "Fred" (his fans where chanting his name after almost every point) who struck two outrageous passing shots to save two of the four match, deflating the Chilean who was gutted after the match. I shot a video of his interviews after the match to post for fans in Argentina and Spanish speakers who follow him, but unfortunately the footage exceeded the 90 seconds I'm allowed to publish and my editing skills are rudimentary at best.
Back on Stadium Court, Maria Sharapova played her first match in Miami match in three years. After she cruised to victory 6-3, 6-2 over Croatia's Petra Martic, I was the only writer, along with five photographers, who showed up for her news conference. Because it was late and she appeared to be a bit insulted by the empty room, joking that more children showed , I kept my one-on-one with the former No. 1 and face of the WTA succinct.
How are you feeling?
Good. Great.
When was the last time you played in Miami?
Three years ago.
That's what I thought. How does it feel to be back?
Way too long.
Feels really good. This is one of my favorite events. It's crazy that I've missed it this many years because of injuries. So I'm just so happy to get back on that court today and just I love playing in front of the crowd. They're so enthusiastic. They love their sports and have that Latin flavor about them. You know, it's fun.
How is your shoulder?
MS: Doing good. Yeah, stable.
Are you healed?
Healed? Tough to say an athlete is healed, but, yeah, I'm doing really well. Thank you.
You are pretty popular in Asia. Can you talk a little bit about how you felt when you heard about the Japan earthquake?
Yeah, it was a tragedy. You know, you still see all the coverage in the papers and on video. It's crazy to think that something like that could just happen so quickly and destroy so many lives, so many emotions.
Japan is one of my favorite places to visit, to go to. I've had incredible memories ever since I think I was maybe 13, 14 years old my first time I went there. I love so many things about it. I love the people. I love the food. I love the culture. I mean, I have been to so many different parts of it, as well, I've got to experience. I mean, you go to a different town, people live differently. It's so unique there. I draw so much inspiration all my life from there and from those people. It's devastating to know what they're going through. Yeah, but I hope that it doesn't continue and become worse.
Where do you see yourself in the game right now?
Um, you know, I see myself building from what I can. You know, my goal this year is to consistently stay healthy and just really build on you know, last week I got to the semifinals. I was really happy, because I hadn't played a tournament in a while. So just, you know, play a lot more tournaments, you know, play a lot more matches, and I feel like my form will get to where I want it to be when I do that.
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Cross-posted to Tennis Panorama News
Slideshow: GR8 Friends For Japan Fundraiser
by Craig Hickman
All photos by JD Blom for Tennis Panorama News
From what I hear, it's not often media is invited to sit down for dinner at an event such as this. As another photographer said while cutting through her tender filet mignon, "I fully expect we're going to get kicked out of here shortly." But Natalie Mikolich, the publicity director for the event, made sure the media she invited got to enjoy a delicious three-course dinner featuring:
As for the rest of the event, the photos and videos speak for themselves, no?
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Oh. I forgot to mention the Hors d'œuvres:
::
Cross-posted to Tennis Panorama News
For photos from the live tweets, click here.
All photos by JD Blom for Tennis Panorama News
From what I hear, it's not often media is invited to sit down for dinner at an event such as this. As another photographer said while cutting through her tender filet mignon, "I fully expect we're going to get kicked out of here shortly." But Natalie Mikolich, the publicity director for the event, made sure the media she invited got to enjoy a delicious three-course dinner featuring:
House Salad of Mesclun wrapped in Shaved Cucumber with Mandarin Oranges, Candied Walnuts, Cherry and Yellow Pear Yomatoes, and Dried Cranberries Drizzled with lemon oil
Surf and Turf featuring Filet Mignon in Red Wine Reduction, Seared Sea Bass, Mashed Potates, and Petite Vegetable Medley with Micro Greens
Chocolate Ganache Coated Three-Layer Cheesecake with Marzipan and Cocoa adorned with Fresh Raspberries
Surf and Turf featuring Filet Mignon in Red Wine Reduction, Seared Sea Bass, Mashed Potates, and Petite Vegetable Medley with Micro Greens
Chocolate Ganache Coated Three-Layer Cheesecake with Marzipan and Cocoa adorned with Fresh Raspberries
As for the rest of the event, the photos and videos speak for themselves, no?
::
Oh. I forgot to mention the Hors d'œuvres:
Salmon Tartare on Roasted Corn Crackers
Grilled Lamb Skewers
Foie Gras Mousse on Toast Points
Beef Wellington Bites
Grilled Lamb Skewers
Foie Gras Mousse on Toast Points
Beef Wellington Bites
::
Cross-posted to Tennis Panorama News
For photos from the live tweets, click here.
Videos: GR8 Friends For Japan Fundraiser With Novak Djokovic
by Craig Hickman
ATP World Tour No. 2 Novak Djokovic, Kei Nishikori and other ATP players held a fundraising event on Wednesday, March 23rd to benefit Japan relief efforts.
First Djokovic lead a team of ATP stars in an exhibition soccer match against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers professional soccer team. After the match Djokovic and Nishikori hosted a dinner at the posh JW Marriott Marquis Miami. The $350 per plate exclusive dinner/ after-party featured a silent auction and donations were made to the American Red Cross Japan disaster relief efforts.
ATP World Tour No. 2 Novak Djokovic, Kei Nishikori and other ATP players held a fundraising event on Wednesday, March 23rd to benefit Japan relief efforts.
First Djokovic lead a team of ATP stars in an exhibition soccer match against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers professional soccer team. After the match Djokovic and Nishikori hosted a dinner at the posh JW Marriott Marquis Miami. The $350 per plate exclusive dinner/ after-party featured a silent auction and donations were made to the American Red Cross Japan disaster relief efforts.
The event was hosted by GR8 Miami (www.GR8Miami.com).
::
I shot all these videos. Pardon the shaky hands. I had no tripod. I'll try to write a report that does the forthcoming slideshow of the event justice sometime in the next day or so. It may have to wait till I return home to Maine on Sunday though, as I'm traveling to Boston tomorrow afternoon.
Djokovic - Charity Football Match for Japan
British star Andy Murray got on the scoresheet as the stars of men's tennis united for a charity football match to raise funds for earthquake-devastated Japan.
World top two Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, the latter of whom captained the ATP World Tour Allstars, were among 15 top tennis players to swap the little yellow balls for a bigger white one while in Miami for the Sony Ericsson Open.
The Allstars fell 4-2 to the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, a second-tier team in the United States, as goals from Murray and Marcos Baghdatis were not enough to give the tennis boys victory in a shortened match played at a relaxed tempo.
The result had little meaning, of course, compared to the funds raised for the American Red Cross' relief efforts in Japan, where the death toll from the recent earthquake and subsequent tsunami crisis is expected to climb into the tens of thousands.
While Murray's goal could see him earn a call up for Scotland's Euro 2012 qualifying campaign, there is no danger of Nadal supplanting the likes of Xavi and Andres Iniesta in the World Cup-winning Spain football team - the tennis No. 1 started on the bench for the Allstars along with countrymen David Ferrer and Fernando Verdasco.
It was a special evening for Japan's No. 1 Kei Nishikori, who took the field with Djokovic and Murray in the Allstars starting team. The match was followed by a gala dinner which also sought to raise funds for the relief work.
Slideshow: Andy Roddick Practice Session
Defending champion Andy Roddick gets in a good session with compatriot Ryan Harrison on Stadium Court.
Slideshow: Sony Ericsson Open 2011 Children's Day
On Tuesday more than 1,350 children converged at the Sony Ericsson Open for Lindt Kids’ Day. Marcelo Melo, Bruno Soares, Natalie Grandin and Vladka Uhlirova joined the kids on court and offered tennis instruction. The children hailed from Miami-Dade, Broward and Lee counties; and the Hobe Sound area. A host of donors contributed to the event including: Build A Bear Workshop, Chuck E. Cheese, Dave and Busters, Hyatt Regency Miami, Jungle Island, the Miami Dolphins, Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay, Miami Zoo, Publix, TennisKidsZone.com and US Road Sports.
Sony Ericsson Open Day 2 Open Thread
JD Blom
Today, men's main draw matches begin with the All-American matchup of veterans Micheal Russell and James Blake as the featured night match.
ORDER OF PLAY - WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2011
STADIUM start 11:00 am
S Arvidsson (SWE) vs B Mattek-Sands (USA) - WTA
N Davydenko (RUS) vs K Anderson (RSA) - ATP
K Date-Krumm (JPN) vs Z Ondraskova (CZE) - WTA
J Del Potro (ARG) vs R Mello (BRA) - ATP
Not Before 7:30 PM
Q J Dokic (AUS) vs [WC] D Safina (RUS) - WTA
Q M Russell (USA) vs [WC] J Blake (USA) - ATP
GRANDSTAND start 11:00 am
G Arn (HUN) vs S Peng (CHN) - WTA
[WC] C Vandeweghe (USA) vs V Lepchenko (USA) - WTA
I Ljubicic (CRO) vs Q P Lorenzi (ITA) - ATP
S Giraldo (COL) vs I Andreev (RUS) - ATP
Not Before 5:00 PM
Q A Yakimova (BLR)vs A Kudryavtseva (RUS) - WTA
COURT 1 start 10:00 am
I Dodig (CRO) vs A Golubev (KAZ) - ATP
[WC] A Tomljanovic (CRO) vs J Hampton (USA) - WTA
X Malisse (BEL) vs Q R Sweeting (USA) - ATP
A Cornet (FRA) vs V Razzano (FRA) - WTA
E Gallovits-Hall (ROU) vs A Kerber (GER) - WTA
COURT 2 start 11:00 am
[WC] B Tomic (AUS) vs P Andujar (ESP) - ATP
G Dulko (ARG) vs E Vesnina (RUS) - WTA
S Devvarman (IND) vs P Starace (ITA) - ATP
Q D Young (USA) vs D Istomin (UZB) - ATP
Not Before 5:00 PM
Q S Stephens (USA) vs B Zahlavova Strycova (CZE) - WTA
COURT 3 start 10:00 am
P Hercog (SLO) vs C Scheepers (RSA) - WTA
J Benneteau (FRA) vs D Gimeno-Traver (ESP) - ATP
V Hanescu (ROU) vs Q A Bogomolov Jr. (USA) - ATP
L Dominguez Lino (ESP) vs Q A Rus (NED) - WTA
A Parra Santonja (ESP) vs Q S Mirza (IND) - WTA
COURT 7 start 11:00 am
S Errani (ITA) vs Y Shvedova (KAZ) - WTA
Q K Pervak (RUS) vs A Medina Garrigues (ESP) - WTA
Q S Zhang (CHN) vs A Szavay (HUN) - WTA
Q V Manasieva (RUS) vs T Bacsinszky (SUI) - WTA
Q L Hradecka (CZE) vs Q Y Chan (TPE) - WTA
COURT 8 start 11:00 am
J Nieminen (FIN) vs M Kukushkin (KAZ) - ATP
B Becker (GER) vs M Granollers (ESP) - ATP
T Kamke (GER) vs Qualifier - ATP
Q A Tatishvili (GEO) vs O Govortsova (BLR) - WTA
Q R Kendrick (USA) vs Q I Kunitsyn (RUS) - ATP
Slideshow: On The Red (Blue) Carpet
by Craig Hickman
Photos by JD Blom for Tennis Panorama News. Slideshow best viewed on full screen.
Tuesday night, the players chose their fashion forward best for the "Oscars" of the player party circuit. Venus Williams, Maria Sharapova, and Ana Kournikova were the biggest stars of the tennis world in attendance, as well as world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki, Fernando Verdasco, and pretty boy Feliciano Lopez, who made one of the photographer's weak-kneed.
Robin Soderling, along with his girlfriend, were among the first to show up and they were already walking out when we arrived. Tomas Berdych and Lucie Safarova were the last to arrive on the red (blue) carpet. An adorable couple close up, their chemistry was palpable. Tomas has always had the look of an angel and Lucie's baby-doll face was all aglow. I was thrilled to see Anastasia Myskina who arrived with the self-proclaimed "Russian Mob," led by Svetlana Kuznetsova in another one of her head-scratching get ups.
Mixed in with the players were a few actors, a couple professional gamers, some well-known local DJ's, and a few mystery men.
Venus Williams arrived about midway through and when Serena Williams wasn't far behind, it was clear the superstar wasn't coming. Also noticeably absent was Andy Roddick, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Kim Clijsters.
Tweeting the photos was a stroke of genius suggested by JD Blom. I was all set to tweet my best descriptions of the outfits when he looked over my shoulder and said, "Just snap a photo." Ah, technology. I'm not a wizard with the latest toys, so I had no clue you could do such a thing. Once I got the hang of it, it was all over. Would love to do that again someday.
Right before the paparazzi packed up equipment to leave, one of the Getty photographers asked my to identify most of the players he'd just captured for he only recognized a few big names. Who knew?
JD Blom
Maria leaving.
Cross-posted to Tennis Panorama News
Photos by JD Blom for Tennis Panorama News. Slideshow best viewed on full screen.
Tuesday night, the players chose their fashion forward best for the "Oscars" of the player party circuit. Venus Williams, Maria Sharapova, and Ana Kournikova were the biggest stars of the tennis world in attendance, as well as world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki, Fernando Verdasco, and pretty boy Feliciano Lopez, who made one of the photographer's weak-kneed.
Robin Soderling, along with his girlfriend, were among the first to show up and they were already walking out when we arrived. Tomas Berdych and Lucie Safarova were the last to arrive on the red (blue) carpet. An adorable couple close up, their chemistry was palpable. Tomas has always had the look of an angel and Lucie's baby-doll face was all aglow. I was thrilled to see Anastasia Myskina who arrived with the self-proclaimed "Russian Mob," led by Svetlana Kuznetsova in another one of her head-scratching get ups.
Mixed in with the players were a few actors, a couple professional gamers, some well-known local DJ's, and a few mystery men.
Venus Williams arrived about midway through and when Serena Williams wasn't far behind, it was clear the superstar wasn't coming. Also noticeably absent was Andy Roddick, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Kim Clijsters.
Tweeting the photos was a stroke of genius suggested by JD Blom. I was all set to tweet my best descriptions of the outfits when he looked over my shoulder and said, "Just snap a photo." Ah, technology. I'm not a wizard with the latest toys, so I had no clue you could do such a thing. Once I got the hang of it, it was all over. Would love to do that again someday.
Right before the paparazzi packed up equipment to leave, one of the Getty photographers asked my to identify most of the players he'd just captured for he only recognized a few big names. Who knew?
JD Blom
Maria leaving.
Cross-posted to Tennis Panorama News
Novak to help Japan with football match
Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray will take part in a charity football match to help raise money for the victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
The trio will be among a glittering array of tennis stars who take on the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, a second division team, before attending a gala dinner.
The money raised will help finance American Red Cross operations in Japan.
"I am very concerned for the people of Japan and think it is only right that we do whatever we can to help those in need," said Djokovic, who has enjoyed an unbeaten start to the new season, winning his first 18 matches.
Also showing off their skills for a good cause were Japanese player Kei Nishikori, Spanish trio David Ferrer, Fernando Verdasco and Feliciano Lopez, Serb Viktor Troicki, Juergen Melzer of Austria and Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus.
The players are in Florida area for the Miami Masters, which starts on Wednesday.
Courtesy: Eurosport
The trio will be among a glittering array of tennis stars who take on the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, a second division team, before attending a gala dinner.
The money raised will help finance American Red Cross operations in Japan.
"I am very concerned for the people of Japan and think it is only right that we do whatever we can to help those in need," said Djokovic, who has enjoyed an unbeaten start to the new season, winning his first 18 matches.
Also showing off their skills for a good cause were Japanese player Kei Nishikori, Spanish trio David Ferrer, Fernando Verdasco and Feliciano Lopez, Serb Viktor Troicki, Juergen Melzer of Austria and Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus.
The players are in Florida area for the Miami Masters, which starts on Wednesday.
Courtesy: Eurosport
Rafole in Bogota - Match footage
Quite a few parts from the exhibtion match yesterday so here is the link to the user's Youtube account
Joker9411
Joker9411
Of War And Radiation: Kim Clijsters Speaks
by Craig Hickman
JD Blom
Tuesday morning at the Sony Ericsson Open, Caroline Wozniacki, Kim Clijsters, Vera Zvonareva, Samantha Stosur, Francesca Schiavone, Jelena Jankovic, Li Na, and Victoria Azarenka made themselves available for the WTA All-Access Hour.
But it was Clijsters who spoke most candidly about recent world events. Probably because she was sharing her thoughts and feelings in her native tongue to journalists from her country. Something about being around your people that opens you up. What follows is translated from Flemish by JD Blom.
Q: When you are looking at the world events of Japan and Libya do you think about what is happening to the world and Jada’s future?
KC: Certainly. As soon as I heard that there was a radioactive cloud on its way to the west coast, normally I would not have worried about that, because you think it’s so far away. But this time I was “Let’s get out of here as soon as possible,” and also with Jada you think about it differently. When I was younger I used to worry about stuff, like when we had to go to Australia or Tokyo, and the war in Kuwait (sic) was going on and then on your flight map you could see that we were flying over Iraq and Iran and I had quite a bit of fear. I want to follow world affairs, but I do know that when Jada is walking around I don’t want her to see those things. But Brian looks at it quite differently. He knows what is happening and feels badly about it but it does not affect him as much as it affects me.
I was like, “We need to get those pills.” I went to all the natural food stores to look for products with natural iodine like seaweed, spirulina, and kelp. I bought it all. And Brian just laughs at me. He is like, "If the government says it will not have any influence no problem," but I think they are lying. Of course, they say that because they can’t evacuate the whole west coast. But I won’t be fooled. Even in Belgium my sister and aunt called me saying, “You gotta leave because the cloud is coming, or you can just put Jada alone the plane and we’ll pick her up here at the airport.” What a panic. It was a bum. Do you really think it can get here in Indian Wells? I didn’t even want to imagine it.
Q: Then there’s the Toray (Pan Pacific Open) in Tokyo in October.
KC: I won't go. And I won't go to Beijing either.
::
The world No. 2 retired from her fourth-round match in Indian Wells against Marion Bartoli citing a shoulder injury. She's now happy to report that her shoulder and her wrist are improving and she's ready to defend her title in Miami.
Cross-posted to Tennis Panorama News
JD Blom
Tuesday morning at the Sony Ericsson Open, Caroline Wozniacki, Kim Clijsters, Vera Zvonareva, Samantha Stosur, Francesca Schiavone, Jelena Jankovic, Li Na, and Victoria Azarenka made themselves available for the WTA All-Access Hour.
But it was Clijsters who spoke most candidly about recent world events. Probably because she was sharing her thoughts and feelings in her native tongue to journalists from her country. Something about being around your people that opens you up. What follows is translated from Flemish by JD Blom.
Q: When you are looking at the world events of Japan and Libya do you think about what is happening to the world and Jada’s future?
KC: Certainly. As soon as I heard that there was a radioactive cloud on its way to the west coast, normally I would not have worried about that, because you think it’s so far away. But this time I was “Let’s get out of here as soon as possible,” and also with Jada you think about it differently. When I was younger I used to worry about stuff, like when we had to go to Australia or Tokyo, and the war in Kuwait (sic) was going on and then on your flight map you could see that we were flying over Iraq and Iran and I had quite a bit of fear. I want to follow world affairs, but I do know that when Jada is walking around I don’t want her to see those things. But Brian looks at it quite differently. He knows what is happening and feels badly about it but it does not affect him as much as it affects me.
I was like, “We need to get those pills.” I went to all the natural food stores to look for products with natural iodine like seaweed, spirulina, and kelp. I bought it all. And Brian just laughs at me. He is like, "If the government says it will not have any influence no problem," but I think they are lying. Of course, they say that because they can’t evacuate the whole west coast. But I won’t be fooled. Even in Belgium my sister and aunt called me saying, “You gotta leave because the cloud is coming, or you can just put Jada alone the plane and we’ll pick her up here at the airport.” What a panic. It was a bum. Do you really think it can get here in Indian Wells? I didn’t even want to imagine it.
Q: Then there’s the Toray (Pan Pacific Open) in Tokyo in October.
KC: I won't go. And I won't go to Beijing either.
::
The world No. 2 retired from her fourth-round match in Indian Wells against Marion Bartoli citing a shoulder injury. She's now happy to report that her shoulder and her wrist are improving and she's ready to defend her title in Miami.
Cross-posted to Tennis Panorama News
Sony Ericsson Open 2011 Day 1 Open Thread
JD Blom
David Ferrer practice session.
::
ORDER OF PLAY - TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011
GRANDSTAND start 11:00 am
[WC] S Cirstea (ROU) vs J Zheng (CHN) - WTA
J Goerges (GER) vs M Oudin (USA) - WTA
P Schnyder (SUI) vs [WC] M Keys (USA) - WTA
[WC] S Lisicki (GER) vs M Czink (HUN) - WTA
COURT 1 start 10:00 am
Qualifying - J Dokic (AUS) vs C Mchale (USA) - WTA
Not Before 11:00 AM
E Baltacha (GBR) vs S Bammer (AUT) - WTA
R Vinci (ITA) vs I Benesova (CZE) - WTA
A Morita (JPN) vs [WC] H Watson (GBR) - WTA
E Makarova (RUS) vs V Dushevina (RUS) - WTA
COURT 2 start 10:00 am
Qualifying - J Hampton (USA) vs K Flipkens (BEL) - WTA
Not Before 11:00 AM
B Jovanovski (SRB) vs M Niculescu (ROU) - WTA
K Barrois (GER) vs [WC] P Martic (CRO) - WTA
U Radwanska (POL) vs S Halep (ROU) - WTA
J Larsson (SWE) vs A Rodionova (AUS) - WTA
COURT 3 start 10:00 am
Qualifying - M Russell (USA) vs M Matosevic (AUS) - ATP
Qualifying - S Bolelli (ITA) vs A Bogomolov Jr. (USA) - ATP
Qualifying - R Kendrick (USA) vs J Reister (GER) - ATP
Qualifying - R Schuettler (GER) or B Reynolds (USA) vs I Navarro (ESP) or G Zemlja (SLO) - ATP
Qualifying - T Smyczek (USA) vs F Cipolla (ITA) or O Rochus (BEL) - ATP
COURT 5 start 10:00 am
Qualifying - Y Meusburger (AUT) vs V Manasieva (RUS) - WTA
Qualifying - R Farah (COL) vs M Ilhan (TUR) - ATP
Qualifying - N Llagostera Vives (ESP) vs A Tatishvili (GEO) or P Mayr-Achleitner (AUT) - WTA
Qualifying - I Kunitsyn (RUS) vs E Prodon (FRA) - ATP
COURT 6 start 10:00 am
Qualifying - [WC] M Larcher de Brito (POR) vs A Rus (NED) - WTA
Qualifying - S Zhang (CHN) vs E Birnerova (CZE) - WTA
Qualifying - L Hradecka (CZE) vs I Falconi (USA) or S Zahlavova (CZE) - WTA
Qualifying - A Hlavackova (CZE) or Y Chan (TPE) vs A Pivovarova (RUS) or A Keothavong (GBR) - WTA
COURT 7 start 10:00 am
Qualifying - P Capdeville (CHI) vs B Phau (GER) - ATP
Qualifying - D Munoz-De La Nava (ESP) vs P Lorenzi (ITA) - ATP
Qualifying - R Sweeting (USA) vs L Rosol (CZE) - ATP
Qualifying - G Dimitrov (BUL) vs [WC] N Massu (CHI) - ATP
Qualifying - F Dancevic (CAN) vs D Young (USA) or A Clement (FRA) - ATP
COURT 8 start 10:00 am
Qualifying - K Pervak (RUS) vs J Namigata (JPN) - WTA
Qualifying - [WC] S Stephens (USA) vs S Ferguson (AUS) - WTA
Qualifying - J Craybas (USA) or [WC] L Davis (USA) vs A Yakimova (BLR) or K Bondarenko (UKR) - WTA
Qualifying - R Voracova (CZE) or C Dentoni (ITA) vs X Han (CHN) or S Mirza (IND) - WTA
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