2010 Tennis Thread (Grand Slams, ATP World Tour, Davis Cup)

[GWhizz]

Keothavong into Memphis semi-finals but Baltacha beaten

Impressive form by Keothavong so far after only recently recovering from injury, defending her points well from last year. I expect her to break the top 100 by the time Wimbledon comes around and hopefully she'll show more than she did last year.

Didn't expect Baltacha to beat someone with the pedrigree of Sharapova but certainly showing improvement since her defeat to safina in the 3rd round of the Aussie Open.
She's definately going to break the top 50 in a few months, I expect her to be around the high 50's to low 60's after this run.

Venus beats Israeli Peer amid tight security in Dubai

Peer lost easily in the end to Venus 6-1 6-4, but she had a good run and certainly will give the UAE something to think about next year. Looks like a Vika vs. Venus final in dubai which will be fireworks and shrieking galore. I see Vika squeezing through in 3 sets.

 

[GWhizz]

Is Martina Hingis making a comeback? I heard something about her playing again the other day on a sports t.v. show and was very curious to know if this was indeed true?

I've missed her so much! :lovecoupl

Been doing the rounds for a while. Kournikova will be involved as well which is a plus.

 

[lechepicha]

Tennis-Soderling stunned by wine-lover Llodra in Marseille Open

http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKLDE61I1T320100219?sp=true

wadayaknow... that was surprising... Robin was playing superb.

 

[MILF Man]

Hi, MILF Man! Hingis will play on an established exhibition tour in the USA along with other former star players. Kournikova has played there, too. Martina won't make a competitive comeback on the WTA tour, though.

Thank you for the clarification GregCentauro and GWhizz.

I do wish Martina was coming back to compete on the WTA Tour, but I definitely have to start checking out her exhibition play now. :lovecoupl

 

[lechepicha]

Time and place for the dreaded asterisk

http://espn.go.com/sports/tennis/blog/_/name/tennis/id/4924641/time-place-dreaded-asterisk

make sure to read the comments as well...

 

[lechepicha]

Frenchman Michael Llodra won the ATP 250 in Marseille, beating Julian Bennetau in the final.
It's the 4th title of his career, and the first one in 2 years (Rotterdam, Feb 2008).
Nobody imagine a final between Llodra and Bennetau, since there were big guns in the tournament like Soderling, Tsonga, Monfils, or even Robredo and Simon.
Good for him, who has been extremely succesful in doubles (winning several grand slams), but not that much in singles.

The ATP 250 in Buenos Aires went to Juan Carlos Ferrero who beat his countryman David Ferrer in three sets.
It's the 14th title of his career, and the second straight, after his win in Brazil last week. It's also his 2nd of the year, co-leading the tour along with Marin Cilic.
Argentineans were sad, since local heroes Nalbandian and Monaco couldn't made the final.

The ATP 500 in Memphis went to Sam Querrey who beat his countryman John Isner.
It's the 3rd title of his career, and the first one in 7 months.
It was his 5th final in the last 8 months. Not bad, huh ?
Americans were delighted, since two of his local heroes fight the final.
Now the future looks good for him, waiting for Indian Wells and Miami, where he (along with Roddick) surely will have the local support.



this week tennis continues with:
- ATP 500 in Dubai. Top seeds: Djokovic, Murray, Davydenko, Tsonga and Cilic. Federer withdraws with a lung infection.
- ATP 500 in Acapulco (Mexico). Top seeds: Verdasco and Gonzalez
- ATP 250 in Delray Beach (USA): Top seeds: Haas and Karlovic

 

[GWhizz]

Vika lost to Venus in the Dubai final, Sharapova beat Arvidsson in Memphis and Murray won easily in his first match in Dubai against Igor Kunitsyn.

 

[lechepicha]

Top-seeded Haas ousted

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/news/story?id=4937146

now it looks like Karlovic or maybe James Blake will win the ATP 250 Delray Beach tournament... i wonder: how much a ticket will cost ? and how about in Dubai (Djokovic, Murray, Tsonga, Cilica) ?

 

[Lungzyn]

- ATP 500 in Dubai. Top seeds: Djokovic, Murray, Davydenko, Tsonga and Cilic. Federer withdraws with a lung infection.

Murray tried out some new ideas, didnt work out for him this time though, losing to Tipsarevic and his glasses
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/feb/24/andy-murray-janko-tipsarevic-dubai-open
Djokovic comes back from a set down agaisnt Troicki
http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/35560938/ns/sports-tennis/
Davydenko is out too, retired hurt
Cilic advances, he is 17-1 this year now :thumbsup:
Hot hot heat over there in Dubai :helpme:

 

[lechepicha]

Federer will do "Everything" to play at Indian Wells

http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/02/25/roger-federer-will-do-everything-to-play-at-indian-wells/

i certainly hope he does...

 

[lechepicha]

Honest Andy Murray disappoints Dubai tournament

http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/02/25/honest-andy-murray-disappoints-dubai-tournament/

this guy is looking pretty arrogant and dumb lately... (remember Marseille?)

and the best line in the article:

Until Murray emulates Roger’s results in the Majors, he should be careful how he emulates him in the press room. :thumbsup:

 

[lechepicha]

David Ferrer won the ATP 500 in Acapulco, Mexico. He beat his countryman Juan Carlos Ferrero, who has won 2 titles already this year (the past 2 weeks).
It's the 8th title of his career, the first in the last 20 months.
He, (and not Ferrero), now go for Switzerland in the 1st round of the Davis Cup World Cup this Friday. A Switzerland without Federer (but with Wawrinka) would look too light for "La Armada Española", but Spain is Nadal-less, Verdasco-less and Ferrero-less. Switzerland has a chance is Stan plays good.

Ernest Gulbis won the ATP 250 of Delray Beach, USA. He beat the scary Dr. Ivo in the final.
It's his first ATP title for the young man from Letonia. He's pretty talented and i think he can be the next Cilic.
It's going to be interesting to see him in Indian Wells and Miami, where a QF would be just fine for his improvement.

Novak Djokovic won the ATP 500 in Dubai, UAE. He beat (in two days -due to rain-) russian Mikael Youzhny in three sets.
It's the 17th title of his career, the fourth in the last five months and it was his 11th final in the last 12 months.

Not bad, right? well, in case you don't know, he's in a hole new level, where he's aiming to be one of the best of his generation, and the path to achieve greatness is written in Grand Slams words, not in 500's. And there, in the Slams, he has failed miserably in his last 8 attempts. But good for him anyway, you got to give him some credit.

By the way, he doesn't look good for Indian Wells: in SF, QF and 2nd round, he lost the first set. And in the final he lost the 2nd set after being a break up. And all of those matches were against NOT top-10 playes, so... TOO SHAKY.
Indian Wells, without Federer, Del Potro (maybe), Davydenko (maybe) and with Nadal rusty (coming off from an injury) should be a battle against Nole, Murray, Soderling and Cilic. But all those four (except for Nole) lose badly last two weeks, so... it doesn't look too exciting... who knows? maybe Ferrero (the most in-form player right now) makes the surprise. Or Gulbis

 

[lechepicha]

Federer is making plans to resume at Indian Wells

http://www.tennistalk.com/en/news/20100301/Federer_is_making_plans_to_resume_at_Indian_Wells

oh lord, please be kind with roger and his lungs... please!


Getting to Know Ernests Gulbis: Raw Talent Meets Initial Success

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...nests-gulbis-raw-talent-meets-initial-success

this kid rocks! he's so watchable and fearless. Remind me of early Gasquet, Cilic and Delpo.

 

[Bloodshot Scott]

Federer is making plans to resume at Indian Wells

http://www.tennistalk.com/en/news/20100301/Federer_is_making_plans_to_resume_at_Indian_Wells

oh lord, please be kind with roger and his lungs... please!


Getting to Know Ernests Gulbis: Raw Talent Meets Initial Success

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...nests-gulbis-raw-talent-meets-initial-success

this kid rocks! he's so watchable and fearless. Remind me of early Gasquet, Cilic and Delpo.

Gulbis's got sick game. His family is extremely wealthy, so that's probably why he never try's 100%. Very tallented player, and one of my favorites to watch.

 

[lechepicha]

Venus Williams beat Kim Clijsters in the final of the Billie Jean King Cup exhibition on Monday night

http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/03/02/venus-williams-wins-billie-jean-king-cup-vs-kim-clijsters

Venus is having a nice 2010... good for her. I like her better than Serena. I mean, she's not as arrogant as her lovely-mouth-i'ma-kill-you-fuckin-linewoman sis.

 

[lechepicha]

Did Nadal Hurt Federer's Career, Or Vice Versa ?

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/355576-did-nadal-hurt-federers-career-or-vice-versa


IS MURRAY GETTING TOO BIG FOR HIS BOOTS?

http://www.tennisgrandstand.com/archives/6026


Novak Djokovic: Acquiring a Taste for Second

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/355241-novak-djokovic-acquiring-a-taste-for-second

 

[GregCentauro]

my Davis Cup predictions (since my Fed Cup guesses were so great )

Spain v Switzerland - no Federer, no dice
France v Germany - tough draw for France but manageable
Russia v India - walkover (almost)
Sweden v Argentina - Nalbandian? :wtf:
Croatia v Ecuador - too easy!
Serbia v United States - Isner/ Querrey are not good enough
Belgium v Czech Republic - toss-up match. Czechs go through.
Chile v Israel - close win for Chile. 3-2. Sela will beat Massu.

Aussies will lose to Taiwan in Group I

 

[lechepicha]

Spain v Switzerland - no Federer, no dice

don't be so sure. There's no doubt that Wawrinka is capable of defeat Ferrer and Robredo. And Chiudinelli has improved A LOT. So, the surprise is feasable...

my guess is that, whoever that wins, will win 3-2

France v Germany - tough draw for France but manageable
Russia v India - walkover (almost)
Sweden v Argentina - Nalbandian? :wtf:
Croatia v Ecuador - too easy!

agree :hatsoff:

Serbia v United States - Isner/ Querrey are not good enough

i strongly disagree. Isner and Querrey are better players than Troicky and Tipsarevic.

and the bryan bros? they beat the shit of everyone who's in front of them.

of course, Nole will win his two singles matches. 3-2 for USA, i say.




and thanks for posting, GC! i feel so lonely in this thread sometimes... (almost half of the posts are mine )

 

[lechepicha]

Youzhny and Kunitsyn won their Friday matches.
Russia 2-0 India

it's going to be a walk in the park for the russians

 

[lechepicha]

Tsonga and Monfils won. France 2-0 Germany
Stepanek and Berdych won. Chechz 2-0 Belgium