Last Man Standing

Getty

And from little I saw, he also played the best tennis of the week, if not his entire career. Appropriate, too, that he didn't win any of his matches by retirement in this record-breaking week of retirements.

As for the former No. 1, he was so far behind the baseline, playing so much defense, he could never get aggressive. He hit less than 10 winners in the match. He flatout refused to flatten out his ground strokes, and they say up like basketballs. And most remarkably, he never tried to mix up his game to take his opponent out of rhythm.

Great tennis by the champion, but a bizarre match.

::


Getty

Samantha Stosur of Australia won her first WTA title at the Japan Open women's tennis tournament in Osaka on October 18, 2009. Stosur defeated Francesca Schiavone of Italy in the final 7-5, 6-1.


Reuters

Belgium's Yanina Wickmayer presents the trophy and flowers after her 6-3, 6-4 victory against Czech Republic's Petra Kvitova in their final match at the WTP women's open tennis in Linz October 18, 2009.

It's The Schedule, Stupid

Steve berates the long tennis season for the umpteenth time.

What does it say about a sport when its two most important names, the two names and bodies that have been asked to resurrect tennis with their rivalry, are physically broken by the end of a single season? Like Roddick says, the punishing nature of the schedule, its length, and its travel requirements are eternal topics of discussion. But its excessiveness has never been displayed as plainly as it was in Shanghai. Federer is participating in a doubles exhibition this coming week, but for the most part he and Nadal limited themselves to the ATP’s lineup of mandatory tournaments in 2008. That includes the final two post-U.S. Open Masters events, in Madrid and Paris. Fairly or not, these remain the culprits in this story: Nadal and Federer injured themselves while trying to stay in shape to play them. Not to win them—I doubt they cared much about that—just to play them. Some relief may come to the schedule in 2009, but Roddick, who reiterated his thoughts about it last week, remains correct: The season will still end in November, and it will still include two mandatory post-Open Masters events (this time in Paris and China), as well as the Masters Cup. And it will, in all likelihood, continue to hurt the sport’s most valuable property, Rafael Nadal vs. Roger Federer.

When will the powers that be get it? The worldwide financial crisis will likely affect tournament sponsorships for 2009. Will that spearhead the beginning of serious talks for a shorter, not just a reorganized, calendar?

Battle of the N.D.'s

Wasn't that much of a battle really. The younger N.D. beat the elder N.D. and finished the year as he began it. Good for him. Good for his fans. I remain uninspired.



Nenad Zimonjic of Serbia and Daniel Nestor of Canada beat Bob and Mike Bryan to win the doubles title and finish the year atop the rankings, stopping the American twins from four top finishes in a row.

Force of Will

In between yelps of "What the hell if Roger Federer doing?" and "What the hell is Andy Murray doing??!!" I found myself on the edge of my seat for a match featuring two players I simply can't make myself like all that much.

But what's not to like about scintillating tennis between two players, one struggling physically, the other struggling mentally, who make remarkable plays by sheer force of will even when one of them doesn't have to win?

Hat's off to both of them.

And I noticed the tennis talkaratti have kicked Novak Djokovic to the curb. Now Andy Murray is the heir apparent to the top spot.

Who knew?

And Gilles Simon has advanced to the semifinals, also on his first try. Nice work if you can get it.

A Tale of Two Matches

by Savannah



Novak Djokovic played Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in another rematch of the Australian Open final to close out play in the Gold Group. On the line for Djokovic if he won was the possibility of taking the Number 2 ranking away from Roger Federer. He came out strong and easily won the first set over an overwhelmed Tsonga. Tsonga revived himself and pulled out the second set 7-5 setting up what should have been a very interesting third set. Instead in one of the most remarkable for its arrogance and disrespect to my eyes Djokovic tanked the third set. He did enough to avoid the bagel but handed the set to Jo 6-1. I'm saying that to my eyes Novak tanked the set.

On the complete opposite end of the spectrum was the match between Andy Murray and Roger Federer.

Savannah's World

Djokovic and Davydenko Into Semis

No surprises. This time, experience trumped youth.

Youth Over Experience

Sounds like the US presidential election. Gilles Simon proved his win against Roger Federer earlier this year was on fluke, rallying again from a set down, and Andy Roddick is going to have to start paying mortgage to Andy Murray who improves his winning record over the American. Both matches featured some great tennis and the best players on the day won.

Rafael Withdraws From TMC Shanghai

by Savannah

Right choice as far as I'm concerned. There are people who look for any excuse to tear this man down and I'm sure they'll do so. What they should not forget is that this was an Olympic Year and most of the top players played one extra event. It won't make any difference to them but it is what it is.

And for those who think he's faking I have one word for you: Chennai. Try to watch it sometime. This man doesn't quit unless he has to.
Savannah's World