2013 Tennis Thread

[Smallville22]

No respite for Federer as Djokovic clash looms

There is no let-up for Roger Federer as he prepares for his 12th consecutive appearance at the ATP's season-ending extravaganza.
The oldest player in the eight-man ATP World Tour Finals draw at 32 and a six-times former champion will begin on Tuesday against world number two Novak Djokovic, having come tantalisingly close to beating the Serb in the Paris Masters semi-finals at the weekend.
Wins over the big guns are becoming something of a rarity for the 17-times grand slam champion whose days of lording it over the sport may be over but whose box-office appeal never fades.
For the first time in more than a decade Federer's place in the Finals was in jeopardy after a season, which by his own sky high standards has been lean, left him facing an undignified scrap for points as the European summer turned to Autumn.
Thankfully for the ATP, especially with British favourite Andy Murray absent after back surgery, Federer's strong run in Basel where he lost to Juan Martin del Potro in the final and at the Paris Masters guaranteed his place.
The world number six may not be a title favourite when play begins alongside the River Thames at the O2 Arena, but few would wager much money against him producing a timely reminder of his powers as he aims to hold back the sands of time.
But an opener against Djokovic is a tough proposition.
"It's unusual, no doubt about it, back to back matches against Novak," Federer, who was a set and a break up against the Serb on Saturday before being overpowered, said.
"But I'm always excited about these challenges."
Federer, who has won only one title this year, faces a daunting task just to reach the semi-finals with Del Potro and Frenchman Richard Gasquet also in his section.
Del Potro was robbed of his possessions at Paris's Gare du Nord on his way to London and will no doubt be keen to unleash his anger on Gasquet who has qualified for the tournament for the first time since 2007 despite being only ranked nine - a beneficiary of Murray's ill-fortune.
"It's the first time something like this has happened to me. I'll try to enjoy the tournament and not let this affect me," Del Potro said.
"I arrived to this tournament with the remaining energy I have."
Play begins in the huge auditorium, usually reserved for the world's biggest music acts, on Monday in Group A with Czech Tomas Berdych, in his fourth consecutive appearance in London, taking on Swiss debutant Stanislas Wawrinka.
World number one Rafa Nadal, who could theoretically lose his top ranking to Djokovic if he flops badly at a tournament he is yet to win in a glaring omission from his CV, will begin on Tuesday against compatriot David Ferrer with the sour taste of his semi-final defeat in Paris still in his mouth.
"When he's playing well, he's very dangerous on all the surfaces, but especially on this one, because it's probably the worst surface for me," Nadal, who has won an incredible 10 titles since returning from a lengthy injury layoff in February, said after his Paris defeat.

 

[Smallville22]

Wawrinka shines against Berdych on Tour Finals debut

Stanislas Wawrinka got first use of one of illustrious compatriot Roger Federer's favourite stages on Monday and seized the spotlight to open his ATP World Tour Finals campaign in style with a 6-3 6-7(0) 6-3 victory over Czech Tomas Berdych.
Having outshone fellow Swiss and 17-times grand-slam champion Federer at this year's U.S. Open, Wawrinka showed he belonged in the elite season-ender with a dazzling performance at the 02 Arena to edge out fifth seed Berdych in two hours 25 minutes.
Wawrinka's run to a first grand slam semi-final in New York helped him to establish himself in the world's top 10 and he came into the tournament ranked eighth, one place behind Federer who starts his quest for a third title in five years in London on Tuesday against defending champion and world number two Novak Djokovic.
The 28-year-old looked completely at home in the 17,000-seat arena, seizing the initiative in the opening set of the Group A game with the kind of risk-taking tennis that stretched Djokovic to the limit in two epic, if ultimately vain, grand-slam battles this year.
He pocketed the opening set in confident fashion with one break of serve and still looked the better player in the second set as Berdych, the only player in the eight-man draw without a title this year, held on grimly.
Wawrinka buckled in the second set tiebreak when he failed to score a point but went straight back on the attack, breaking in the fourth game of the decider.
The Swiss needed treatment on his thigh with the finishing line in sight but at 5-3 he closed the door in ruthless fashion.
Later on Monday, Group B action gets underway with Juan Martin del Potro up against Frenchman Richard Gasquet whose place in the line-up was made possible by home favourite Andy Murray failing to recover in time from back surgery.

 

[Smallville22]

Djokovic and Nadal call for ATP to rotate venue

London's stunning 02 Arena will stage the ATP World Tour Finals for the seventh year in succession in 2015 but that will already be four too many, defending champion Novak Djokovic said on Monday.
The Serb, like most of the players who have contested the eight-man season-ender at the distinctive domed venue beside the River Thames, is a huge fan of the gladiatorial-like arena.
However, he feels the tennis authorities should continue the policy of taking the tournament around the globe.
"I think this tournament should definitely be organised at different places more often," Djokovic, who arrived in London fresh from winning the Paris Masters and still with a remote chance of reclaiming the year-end No.1 ranking, told reporters.
"I think it should not be held in one city for more than three years. That's my opinion because this is the tournament of the eight best players in the world and this is the tournament which is not fixed for one city or one country. It is in the ATP's hands.
"I know various players share the same opinion because of the promotion of tennis, popularising the sport in a place where maybe tennis isn't as popular. If we are looking to expand the consciousness about our sport, then we should look into that."
The tournament was originally called the Masters and changed venues every year until 1977 when it began a 13-year stint in New York after which it went back around the world as the ATP World Championship and later the Tennis Masters Cup.
London was initially given the event for four years starting in 2009 when it was renamed the ATP World Tour Finals but so successful has the 02 venue been in terms of crowds and revenue that the tournament will remain there until 2015.
That does not augur well for world number one Rafael Nadal who feels his chances of filling the only big gap on his glittering CV by winning a first Tour Finals title are hindered by the choice of an indoor court for the season-ender.
The Spaniard has rarely hit the heights at the tournament, regarded by some as a fifth major, and has reached the final only once, in London in 2010 when he lost to Roger Federer.

UNFAVOURABLE CONDITIONS

After missing last year's event during a seven-month injury lay-off, Nadal is delighted to be back, although he still believes the conditions do not favour him, even if the blue surface offers plenty of bounce and is not particularly slick.
Asked to explain his struggles at the tournament, in which he lost all three round-robin matches in 2009, 13-times grand slam champion Nadal said it was his "bad luck" that the ATP played the tournament indoors year after year.
"I can't think of a better venue because the stadium is one of the best in the world," Nadal, who begins in Group A against David Ferrer on Tuesday, told reporters.
"But from 2005 to 2013, during these nine years, all the Masters (finals) were indoors which is not the best for me so probably I was a bit unlucky because in the past we had the Masters outdoors too. It's something that I think is unfair."
"The atmosphere is great here but that doesn't meant the ATP shouldn't be a little bit more fair to all the players. We qualify (for the tournament) on all the surfaces.
"I think to play it on different surfaces it would be something a bit more fair for the players and interesting for the fans too," he added.
"Specialists on clay, the good players, will have four of five chances to qualify for Masters in his career so if during that time it was on different surfaces at least one time he would get to play on his favourite surface."
Nadal's argument may be borne out of frustration but it is a reasonable one, seeing as three of the ATP's elite Masters Series events are played on clay and five on outdoor hardcourts while only one, last week's Paris Masters, takes place indoors.
The Mallorcan, however, is not expecting a change of heart by the ATP when a new venue is chosen to take over from London.
"It won't be for my generation," he said.

 

[Smallville22]

Stan's the man on opening day

Stanislas Wawrinka stepped out of the shadows at London's 02 Arena to make a dazzling debut in the ATP World Tour Finals on Monday and said taking the spotlight from fellow Swiss Roger Federer takes some getting used to.
The world number eight, who has spent his entire career looking up to 17-times grand slam champion Federer, enjoyed his best year so far to qualify for the year-ending showcase involving the top eight in the rankings for the first time.
The way he played in a 6-3 6-7(0) 6-3 Group A win over world number six Tomas Berdych on Monday was further proof the self-effacing Wawrinka belongs among the cream of the crop but he was typically modest after two hours 25 minutes on court.
"They wanted Roger and they had me," the 28-year-old, known as Stan, said of the noisy support he received from a large Swiss contingent in the stands, many of whom were hoping to watch six-times Tour Finals champion Federer in action when they bought their tickets for the opening day of the event.
What they got instead was another scintillating display from Wawrinka, widely thought of as Switzerland's 'other' tennis player, whose run to the U.S. Open semi-finals this year almost took him past Federer in the world rankings.
The tournament's first-day schedule lacked a blockbuster match involving Federer, Novak Djokovic or Rafael Nadal, but Wawrinka gave the 17,000 crowd plenty to remember in a confident performance laden with flair as well as power.
Few players are as easy on the eye as Wawrinka in full flow and, apart from a lapse in the second set tiebreak which he lost 7-0, he outshone the one-dimensional Berdych for long periods, beating the Czech for the third time in succession this year.
Having got a taste of the atmosphere, Wawrinka is hungry for more and not just here for the ride as Federer's deputy.
"I saw this tournament so many times on TV. To play was something different. For sure, special to win it, my first match here, was something really special for me," said Wawrinka, who partnered Federer to doubles gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
"It's more about myself and my career. I feel really proud to be here. That means I'm playing amazing tennis, especially all the year. I had a great year. That's the most important thing," he told reporters.
"I'm not trying to compare myself to Roger. To try to be closer than him in the rankings. You know, that's my goal. But I'm really, really happy we are both in the tournament. I think it's something really special for Switzerland."
Federer begins his 12th consecutive World Tour Finals on Tuesday when he takes on Serbia's Novak Djokovic and Wawrinka will no doubt be sat in the 32-year-old's corner.
"He's a really close friend. We're not in the same group, so we can really enjoy playing here together," Wawrinka said.

 

[Smallville22]

Being number one is not the goal anymore, says Nadal

Barring an unlikely set of circumstances over the next fortnight, Rafael Nadal will end a year as the world's top-ranked player for the third time but it will cut no ice with the Spaniard.
"Yes, I would rather be number one than not," the 27-year-old told reporters at the ATP World Tour Finals in London on Monday. "(But) it's not the goal any more."
This time last year Nadal was holed up in Mallorca recovering from a debilitating left knee injury that sidelined him for seven months and prompted many to doubt his longevity at the top of the sport.
Since returning in February, however, Nadal has soared to new heights, reaching the final of 13 of the 16 tournaments he entered, winning 10 of them including the French Open and the U.S. Open to take his grand slam haul to 13, just four behind the total of Roger Federer.
His dominance took him back above Novak Djokovic at the top of the world rankings on Oct. 7 and, for the record, he will become the first player to twice regain the year-end No.1 spot after losing it should he win two matches here this week.
Even if Nadal flops on what he says is his least favoured surface, Djokovic would still have to regain his title here and win his singles rubbers at next week's Davis Cup final against Czech Republic to stand any chance of overtaking the Spaniard.
Whatever happens, Nadal will not be losing any sleep over it.
"It was (a goal) to end the year as number one in 2008 because you want to have it so you can say you had a great career. It would be sad not to be," Nadal, wearing a white "Vamos Rafa" T-shirt, said at the giant Thames-side O2 Arena.
"Now the goal is to be competitive. It makes me more happy to go to a tournament and win it. Being number one doesn't make me feel more special when I'm playing a big tournament."
Returning from his seven-month lay-off has been one of Nadal's biggest challenges and he said there had been plenty of doubts along the way.
"It's the most difficult thing I did in my career to get back," Nadal, who begins his Group A campaign against fellow Spaniard David Ferrer on Tuesday, said.
"I've already ended the year twice as number one and if it happens again, great, but it won't affect how I look back on my career.
"I know you like the history of the number one ranking but for me the history of the year is my history after seven months not having the chance to compete and in a very short period of time being competitive again.
"Sure I doubted it, even today I have doubts," he added. "The doubts are part of life. The person who doesn't have doubts is either stupid or arrogant and I don't consider myself like this."

 

[Smallville22]

Del Potro opens with comeback win against Gasquet

Juan Martin del Potro came from a set down to eventually subdue French stylist Richard Gasquet 6-7(4) 6-3 7-5 to open Group B.
Gasquet, appearing at the season finale for the first time since 2007 after winning three ATP titles this year, dipped into his box of tricks in the first set tiebreak against Del Potro.
A swish of his racket sent a backhand winner darting past the flat-footed Argentine for a 5-3 lead and a rifled forehand return gave him a set point which he clinched with a rolled forehand that angled away into the courtside shadows.
World number five Del Potro, at 25 the youngest in the draw, gradually found his range and the match swung his way in the fourth game of the second set when Gasquet lost a 40-0 lead to drop serve after the Argentine fired two pile-driving forehands.
Gasquet threatened to break back when Del Potro served at 5-3 but, faced with an easy smash which would have put him up 15-40, the Frenchman dumped the ball into the bottom of the net.
Gasquet will probably need to beat either Djokovic or Federer to keep alive his hopes of making the semi-finals, but even in defeat he said there were reasons to be cheerful.
"Yeah, I think I took a little confidence after this match," he told reporters. "Of course, I'm a little bit disappointed because I could have won that match. I was really close to winning.
"Now I need to play two big players again, so it's very difficult. Masters Cup, the level is very high. So every match is a final for me."

 

[Smallville22]

Troicki says his dream is over after CAS ruling

Serbia's Viktor Troicki said his dream of being a "top player" had been taken away after his ban for violating the ITF's doping regulations was reduced to 12 months from 18 on Tuesday.
The 27-year-old former world No.12 was suspended by the ITF in July for failing to provide a blood sample at the Monte Carlo Masters in April but appealed to have the decision reversed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Troicki, who denied any wrongdoing, said he had been told at the time by a doping official that he had been excused from providing a blood sample as he was feeling unwell.
While the CAS tribunal found that Troicki's fault was "not significant" it only reduced the ban by six months, meaning he will not be able to compete again on the ATP Tour until July 15, ruling him out of three grand slam tournaments.
"I hoped that the most difficult period of my career and of my life would be over, and I really trusted the judges I met in Lausanne," Troicki said in a statement.
"I had the feeling that they were really looking for the truth and that they had found it during the hearing.
"Now this decision puts an end to my dreams of being a top player, of reaching the ATP finals and fighting against the best in the world.
"I worked my entire life for it, and it has been taken away from me in one afternoon by a doctor I didn't know."
Troicki, a member of the Serbia team which won the Davis Cup in 2010, was ranked 53rd when the ITF announced his ban.
He received strong support from his Serbia team mates including Novak Djokovic and had hoped that the ban might be overturned so that he could compete in next week's Davis Cup final against the Czech Republic in Belgrade.
"I am shocked with the verdict," Serbia's Davis Cup captain Bogdan Obradovic said on the B92 website (www.b92.net).
"I am shocked because it amounts to destroying the career of a young athlete, an exceptional tennis player and a good lad.
"I think he deserved nothing of the sort, especially given the fact that some of his peers have got away with more serious offences.
"Some of them had their bans drastically reduced and (Croatian Marin) Cilic is the latest example, while Viktor didn't even take illegal substances."
Outlining its decision in a statement CAS accepted that there had been confusion between the doping control officer (DOC) and Troicki.
"The CAS panel considered that the DCO should have informed the player in clearer terms of the risks caused by his refusal to undergo a blood test, but that, despite the misunderstanding between the player and the DCO, there was no suggestion that Mr Troicki intended to evade the detection of a banned substance in his system."
Troicki now faces the prospect of a long drop down the rankings and a huge drop in income.
"Regarding the CAS I can only say that they are humans, and they probably didn't have the courage to go against the ITF releasing me and putting ITF in a bad situation," he said.
"I am sure they feel bad about it, but in the end they will all go back to their jobs tomorrow, including Doctor Gorodilova, and I won't. This is what remains from this case."
"I have no idea about what to do now or where to go. I hope somehow I will be able to fight back."

 

[Smallville22]

Nadal secures revenge win over Ferrer

Rafael Nadal put fellow Spaniard David Ferrer firmly in his place as he opened his ATP World Tour Finals challenge with a crushing 6-3 6-2 victory at the O2 Arena on Tuesday.
Ferrer had beaten the world number one three days previously in the semi-finals of the Paris Masters but normal service was resumed as Nadal profited from an error-strewn display by his weary-looking opponent.
Nadal joins Stanislas Wawrinka on top of Group A with one win and he now needs one more victory at the season-ending tournament to finish 2013 on top of the ATP rankings.
Ferrer, ranked third in the world, briefly rallied after slipping 5-0 behind in the second set, snatching a couple more games, but he succumbed meekly when he dragged a forehand into the net.
Later on Tuesday defending Novak Djokovic, who still has a slim chance of overtaking Nadal in the rankings, begins his Group B matches with a repeat of last year's final against six-times winner Roger Federer.

 

[Smallville22]

Improving Dimitrov sets sights on grand slam title

Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, who won his maiden ATP tour title two weeks ago, has set his sights on capturing his first grand slam crown next year.
"This was a great season for me, the best in my career, the 22-year-old, who finished the year as number 23 in the world, told a news conference in Sofia on Tuesday.
"I won some big matches as well as my first major title but I have not achieved what I want," added Dimitrov, who became the first Bulgarian man to win a tour title when he beat David Ferrer in the final of the Stockholm Open last month.
"My next big goal is a grand slam title. If this is Wimbledon, it will be incredible, but any of the other tournaments will be a huge achievement too."
Dimitrov, dubbed "Baby Federer", became hugely popular in Bulgaria after winning junior titles at Wimbledon and the US Open in 2008.
"I have fun with these (Roger Federer) comparisons but I hope that people have already seen that I want to have my own style," the Bulgarian said.
Dimitrov turned to Australian Roger Rasheed as his coach in October and said the man who helped players such as Lleyton Hewitt, Gael Monfils and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, could be his secret weapon.
"We have worked out areas that need improvement, and will concentrate on them," he said. "I need to increase my stamina, in order be able to endure five-set matches. Consistency will be a key component as well."
"I work very hard because I want to improve my game, I don't go out of the gym. I can tell you that I went straight to the gym right after winning the final in Stockholm."

 

[Smallville22]

Nadal resumes normal service against compatriot Ferrer

David Ferrer won the first match he played against fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal in 2004 and got the better of him again three days before their clash at the ATP World Tour Finals on Tuesday.
In between, Nadal has prevailed 20 times and normal service was resumed on Tuesday as Nadal made up for his shock defeat by Ferrer at the Paris Masters to thump the world number three 6-3 6-2 in little more than an hour.
The 27-year-old world number one did not even have to be anywhere near his best as Ferrer capitulated in a display littered with 33 unforced errors and half the points Nadal took to begin his Group A schedule with a victory.
No wonder Nadal was not too concerned about having to face Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka 24 hours later at the 02 Arena - a setting Nadal describes as one of his favourites.
"Physically it's no problem, I didn't have a very demanding match today," Nadal, who needs one more win here to confirm the year-end number one ranking, told reporters. "I'll be 100 percent for tomorrow physically."
Nadal missed the London showpiece last year while he recovered from a left knee condition that sidelined him for seven months and the tournament has never been a happy hunting ground for the Mallorcan who has yet to win it.
On Monday, he called for the ATP to vary the surfaces on which the finals are played, saying claycourt specialists were at a disadvantage.
However, after a remarkable year in which he has won 10 titles since returning in February, it would not be a surprise if Nadal claimed the only big prize missing from his impressive CV.
"For some reasons you have places that the conditions are a little bit worse for you," Nadal said. "But every time I am able to play in the World Tour Finals it is a special feeling.
"It's a positive start for me and I'm going to try and play a good match tomorrow and create another chance to be in the semi-finals again."
The two players swapped early breaks of serve before Nadal took charge of the first set, winning 12 of 13 points at one stage to knock the stuffing out of Ferrer.
Ferrer held on grimly to snatch two games from 5-0 down in the second set but he succumbed meekly when he dragged a forehand into the net on Nadal's second match point.
"It was not a good day," said the 31-year-old French Open runner-up, who played the Bercy final against Novak Djokovic on Sunday. "I didn't have a good feeling.
"I was not good in my fitness, my mentality, my shots.
Another loss against Tomas Berdych on Wednesday would mean Ferrer was unlikely to reach the semi-finals but there is still something left in the tank of the ferocious competitor.
"I had a bad day but it's good that it's round-robin because I have one more chance tomorrow. I think I will play better than today. I think so; I hope so."

 

[Smallville22]

Djokovic beats Federer for second time in four days

Novak Djokovic ground down Roger Federer 6-4 6-7(2) 6-2 in his opening match at the ATP World Tour Finals on Tuesday to preserve his slim hopes of ending the year on top of the rankings.
Serbian Djokovic, who beat Federer in last year's final, must win at least two of his Group B matches to have any chance of toppling Rafael Nadal who opened his Group A challenge with an easy victory over David Ferrer earlier in the day.
World number seven Federer, bidding for a seventh title at the year-ender, fired a forehand wide to give Djokovic the opening set after 37 minutes of an eagerly-awaited contest in front of a sell-out crowd at the 02 Arena.
The 17-times grand-slam champion produced some vintage play in the second set but squandered a set point at 5-4 as the crowd willed the 32-year-old to go the distance.
They got their wish as Federer dominated the tiebreak against an opponent looking weary under the lights.
Just when Federer appeared to have given himself a fighting chance of an increasingly rare victory over one of the big guns, however, Djokovic slammed the door in his face.
The Serbian broke the Federer serve to love at the start of the third set and then fought off a break point to open up a two-game lead he never looked like relinquishing.
Another break condemned Federer to his first opening-match defeat at the Tour Finals since 2008 when he failed to survive the group stage and defeat by Frenchman Richard Gasquet on Thursday would leave him staring at a similar fate.
Djokovic, whose winning now spans 18 matches since he lost to Nadal in the U.S. Open final, joins Argentine Juan Martin del Potro, whom he plays on Thursday, at the top of the group.

 

[Smallville22]

Djokovic loses trust in anti-doping programme

Novak Djokovic says he has lost all trust in the anti-doping programme in tennis and fears he could become a victim of its "negligence" after fellow Serb Victor Troicki failed to have his doping ban overturned on Tuesday.
Djokovic beat Roger Federer in his opening match at the ATP World Tour Finals but his joy was overshadowed by news that Troicki's appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against an 18-month ban handed out by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) in July had only been partly successful.
Troicki, who was banned after failing to provide a blood sample at the Monte Carlo Masters in April, had his sanction reduced to 12 months by CAS, ruling him out until next July.
After a few questions about Tuesday's Group B victory, the world number two was asked for his thoughts on Troicki and produced a stinging monologue lasting several minutes.
"First of all, Viktor is a very good friend of mine," an emotional Djokovic told a late-night news conference at London's O2 Arena. "It's very bad news that we got for him, and for me, for all of us who are close to him.
"But I think it's just not bad news for him, it proves again that this system of WADA and anti-doping agency does not work.
"I don't have trust in them anymore. I don't have trust in what's going on.
"I don't know if tomorrow the representative, the DCOs (doping control officer) who are representatives of WADA there at the tournaments, because of their unprofessionalism, because of their negligence, because of their inability to explain the rules in a proper way, I don't know if they're going to misplace the test that I have or anything worse than that."
Troicki has denied any wrongdoing and based his appeal on his belief that he had been told by a doping control officer at the Monte Carlo tournament he would not be committing a doping violation if he did not provide a blood sample, providing he contacted the ITF to explain the situation.
The 27-year-old told an ITF independent tribunal that he had felt unwell on the day of the test following his early defeat and that his phobia about needles would make him feel even worse. He subsequently wrote a letter to the ITF's anti-doping department to explain his reasons for refusing to give a sample.
The CAS hearing agreed that former world number 12 Troicki, who won the decisive rubber for Serbia in the 2010 Davis Cup final, was not "significantly" at fault and accepted there had been "confusion" between the doping control officer and Troicki over whether he could be excused the blood test.
Elena Gorodilova, the doping control officer at the centre of the case, disputes Troicki's version of events in evidence supplied to CAS, saying whether or not he was entitled to skip the blood test was "not her decision to make".
In a statement, Troicki said his dream of being a top player had been taken away and Djokovic was full of sympathy for his compatriot.
"So first of all he's not positive on any banned substance," Djokovic, who initially brought a prepared script to the news conference, said.
"I'm not saying that it's completely not his fault, but the way it was is that he had a medical pass where he was fainting, if he feels bad when he provides the blood test.
"He asked if it's possible to avoid providing blood test that day and he would come the next day - not because he wanted to hide anything, he just felt bad.
"She did not clearly present him all the severe consequences that he will have if he avoids that. She told him that he needs to write a report and that he will be just fine.
"And because of her negligence and because of her unprofessionalism, he is now off the tour for one year.
"And now it makes me nervous as a player, you know, to do any kind of test."
ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti said his organisation was committed to protecting "the integrity of the game of tennis" and defended the doping control officers.
"We respect the ruling of the Court of Arbitration for Sport, who confirmed the decision of the Independent Tribunal that Viktor Troicki is guilty of an anti-doping violation, although they reduced the penalty to one year," he said.
"What is harder to accept is criticism of Doping Control Officers who perform a difficult role.
"Finally, separate from this decision, we should all remember that exactly one year ago anti-doping programmes around the world were under scrutiny.
"This reinforced the need to be vigilant and apply the rules strictly, something that we and our partners in the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme strive to do to keep our sport clean."

 

[Smallville22]

Nadal to end year as number one after win

Rafael Nadal fought off a ferocious challenge from Stanislas Wawrinka to earn his second Group A victory at the ATP World Tour Finals on Wednesday and guarantee ending 2013 as world number one.
The Spaniard arrived in London needing a minimum of two victories at the year-ending showpiece and, after breezing past David Ferrer on Tuesday, he was stretched to the limit by Swiss Wawrinka in his second round-robin match before coming through 7-6(5) 7-6(6).
His straight-sets victory means 13-times grand-slam champion Nadal is assured of a semi-final spot at the event which he has never won, while tournament debutant Wawrinka can also still make the last four if he beats Ferrer on Friday.
Nadal served for the first set at 5-4 but Wawrinka broke with some dazzling attacking play and then went toe to toe with the top seed in the tiebreak before an unfortunate stumble as he approached the net at 5-6 down allowed Nadal to crunch a forehand winner away and pocket the opener.
Wawrinka delighted the crowd as he battled back from 4-1 down in the second set and seemed poised to take it to a decider when he held a set point in another tense tiebreak only to succumb to Nadal for the 12th time in their 12 meetings, during which he has never won a set.

 

[Smallville22]

Berdych powers past Ferrer to boost semi-final hopes

Tomas Berdych claimed his first win at this year’s ATP World Tour Finals with a 6-4 6-4 victory over David Ferrer.
Berdych broke at 4-4 in both sets as Ferrer’s serve fell apart in the crucial moments with the Czech player hitting a series of ruthless cross-court forehands in response.
The defeat all but eliminated Ferrer, who is yet to win a set at this year’s event, with Berdych and Wawrinka sitting on a win apiece behind the dominant Rafael Nadal.

 

[Smallville22]

Immovable Nadal digs deep to seal No.1 ranking

The year dawned with a cloud hanging over Rafael Nadal's career but will end with him on top of the world after a win over Stanislas Wawrinka at the ATP World Tour Finals on Wednesday that illustrated why he is in the pantheon of tennis greats.
He has certainly played better during a sensational season that began in February after a seven-month injury layoff, but the way he soaked up everything the Swiss could muster to complete a 7-6(5) 7-6(6) victory on Wednesday underlined Nadal's almost fanatical refusal to be beaten.
Wawrinka walked off the cavernous showcourt wondering how he is yet to take a set off Nadal in 12 meetings, but it would be a harsh judge who criticised the world No.8 for failing to convert the fleeting chance that came and went in the second-set tiebreak.
He was within a whisker of taking a high-calibre opener too, but Nadal, as he has in winning 74 matches in a spectacular season of almost total dominance on all surfaces, proved armour-plated in defence and ruthless when invited to attack.
Nadal arrived in London for the glitzy season-ender needing two wins to fend off Novak Djokovic in his bid to end a year as world No.1 for the third time in his career.
After dismantling compatriot David Ferrer on Tuesday, he was stretched to the limit by Wawrinka in his second Group A match, digging deep to notch up another milestone.
By winning in straight sets he also assured himself of a place in the semi-finals here, and few would bet against the 13-times grand slam champion going on to claim the only significant title still missing from his CV.
Nadal also finished 2008 and 2010 as world No.1 but this time his achievement seems more impressive considering where he was in February.
After sitting out the second half of 2012 because of the knee injury that has dogged his career, Nadal missed the start of this season with a virus, and even when he re-surfaced on south American claycourts he was still wincing through the pain on occasions.
The outlook looked gloomy, but nine months on he has arrived in London with 10 titles from 16 tournaments, reaching the final of three more, and while he has gone to great lengths to insist rankings are no longer his goal, the way he celebrated when Wawrinka struck a forehand into the net after two hours, 12 minutes spoke volumes.

ONLY BLEMISH

"Today was more important to secure the number one (ranking)," Nadal, whose only blemish so far in London was a warning for slow play, told reporters.
"I think after all that happened last year, I felt I deserved to be there at the end of the season. And today I did," Nadal added after proudly reeling off his 2013 achievements, which included five Masters 1000 Series titles, an eighth French Open crown, and the U.S. Open.
"This is one of the best things that I did in my career, to come back to number one after three seasons. That's very difficult in our sport, and after a very important injury.
"Now I can really be focused only on the tournament because the year end is over."
Much has been made of Nadal's shift in emphasis to a more attacking style this year - a tweak designed to lessen the load on his knee and that brought him unprecedented success on the U.S. hardcourts that used to furrow his brow.
Against Wawrinka, however, it was his trademark defensive skills that proved decisive.
Wawrinka hit twice as many winners as Nadal and won more points, but when it mattered most, Nadal proved why he is one of the hardest men to put away.
When the Swiss broke Nadal's serve with an exquisite forehand winner to level the first set at 5-5 and then nosed 6-5 ahead, the momentum had shifted his way.
At 5-5 in the tiebreak Wawrinka had his foe pinned against the ropes, but somehow the Spaniard extricated himself with a desperate lob that forced a rash error from his opponent. When Wawrinka stumbled on the next point, Nadal darted in to swat away a forehand.
Losing a 25th consecutive set to Nadal left Wawrinka staring at the equivalent of a sheer Swiss rock face, but he launched a stirring fightback from 4-1 down in the second only to see Nadal save a set point with a powerful smash.
All is not lost for Wawrinka, who can still qualify for the semi-finals if he beats David Ferrer on Friday, providing Tomas Berdych does not beat Nadal in the final group games.
"It's all about me for the next one," Wawrinka, who beat Berdych on Monday, told reporters. "I showed today that I'm playing my best tennis, that I can really, really fight."
Berdych kept his hopes of a semi-final spot alive with a solid 6-4 6-4 defeat of Ferrer, who looked weary after seven consecutive weeks on the road.

 

[Smallville22]

Beaten Wawrinka takes it to Nadal, on and off court

He won 83 points to Rafael Nadal's 80, hit 30 winners to the Spaniard's 14, struck more aces and generally played the more inspiring tennis, yet it all ended in familiar fashion for Stanislas Wawrinka at the ATP World Tour Finals on Wednesday.
The 28-year-old came close to beating the world number one for the first time in 12 attempts, losing 7-6(5) 7-6(6) in the most enthralling contest of the season-ending tournament so far.
If there was any consolation after losing his 26th consecutive set to the Spaniard, it was that it was his best display against Nadal, and his challenge is far from over.
Should he beat David Ferrer in his final Group A match on Friday he can still reach the semi-finals on his first appearance in the elite field - and could even set up another chance to end his Nadal hoodoo here at the O2.
Wawrinka has come a long way this year from the talented but inconsistent player of old, scoring eight wins against top-10 opponents - the third-best total on the ATP Tour - and reaching his first grand slam semi-final at the U.S. Open, where he pushed Novak Djokovic into a fifth set.
There is a swagger about the man they call "Stan", and he even had the confidence to have a dig at Nadal afterwards, saying the umpire had failed to stop the Mallorcan receiving coaching from his uncle Toni.
"It's nothing personal against Rafa or against Toni, we know that Toni is always trying to help Rafa," Wawrinka told reporters. "That's normal. That's part of the game. But when it's too much, it's too much.
"Today I didn't agree with the umpire that he didn't tell him something or he didn't give him a second warning just because it was Rafa. We all see. I was there. Before every point, he was trying to coach him."
Nadal was warned for taking too long between points as he tried to fend off a Wawrinka onslaught at the end of a high-quality opening set - a compliment to the way his opponent was playing.
After a sluggish start Wawrinka roared back and broke Nadal to level at 5-5, held serve in the blink of an eye, then looked poised to edge ahead at 5-5 in the tiebreaker only to find some meaty blows repelled as only Nadal can.
On set point down he again looked in control of the point but stumbled as he followed in a thundering forehand, and his volley allowed Nadal to execute a routine pass.
The second set was a similar story, with Wawrinka even closer to taking it when he led the tiebreak 6-5 - only for Nadal to snuff out the danger with a smash.
Two points later it was all over, but Wawrinka walked off with his chest puffed out and cheers ringing in his ears from a London crowd that has taken a shine to the world number eight.
"For me, today I think was really close, but I think I played the right tennis," Wawrinka said.
"So far I didn't win any sets against him. But I need to still look on the positive side, you know. I think today was my best match against him. I think I'm still improving."

 

[Smallville22]

Australian Stosur hires former Murray coach Maclagan

Former US Open champion Sam Stosur has turned to Andy Murray's former coach Miles Maclagan to help reverse her slide down the world rankings, Tennis Australia have announced.
The 29-year-old Australian, who has dropped to 18th in the world from fourth in 2011, failed to get beyond the third round at any of the year's grand slams and split with her long-time coach David Taylor shortly before this year's US Open.
Briton Maclagan joined Murray's camp in 2007 and helped the Scot develop into a grand slam contender before parting ways in 2010. He recently split with British women's number Laura Robson after a four-month stint.
After the hard-hitting Queenslander made the semi-finals at Roland Garros in 2009 she broke through for her maiden grand slam title at Flushing Meadows when she humbled Serena Williams in the 2011 final.
However, she has struggled for consistency since and plunged to her lowest ranking in three years after being dumped out of the first round of this year's US Open by a qualifier.

 

[Smallville22]

Classy Federer dismisses Gasquet

A razor-sharp Roger Federer got back to winning ways at the ATP World Tour Finals with a 6-4 6-3 defeat of Frenchman Richard Gasquet to keep his last-four chances alive.
Under pressure after losing to favourite Novak Djokovic in his opening Group B match, the six-times former champion looked much more like his old, majestic self.
There were some nerves at the end when Gasquet saved five match points but Federer wrapped up victory and will face Juan Martin del Potro on Saturday with high hopes.
"Richard has an incredible playing style and is a dangerous shot-maker," Federer, who qualified for the year-ending showdown for the 12th consecutive year, said on court.
"There was pressure today after losing my first one. It was a big win for me and I hope now to keep it up against Juan Martin."
Should Del Potro lose to defending champion Djokovic in Thursday's late match, Federer's meeting with the Argentine would effectively become a straight shoot-out for a semi-final spot - a scenario Federer said he would prefer.
"That would certainly make things clearer, otherwise the arithmetic gets complicated like it did here in 2009 when nobody knew who was going through."
Despite losing the opening six points of the match, 17-times grand-slam champion Federer quickly found his stride and forged ahead with the first break in the third game when Gasquet misfired a forehand into the net.
Treating the large Swiss contingent in the sell-out crowd to some silky drop shots and his usual array of flowing passes, the 32-year-old world number seven toyed with Gasquet at times yet lost his focus when the Frenchman hit back to level at 4-4.
Gasquet was quickly put back in his place as Federer broke again to lead 5-4 and served out the set. Gasquet, who also lost his opening match to Del Potro, surrendered his serve at the start of the second set as the high-tempo match threatened to race away from him.
To his credit, the U.S. Open semi-finalist began to assert himself and Federer had to dig himself out of trouble in three successive service game as Gasquet began to unload some ferocious backhands.
Gasquet looked poised to level at 4-4 when a blistering return had Federer scrabbling at the baseline but he could only watch in admiration as a backhand top-spin lob arched over him as yet another break point went begging.
That proved to be his last chance as Federer pounced in the following game, breaking some dogged French resistance to convert his sixth match point.

 

[Smallville22]

Roger Federer calls for more drugs testing in tennis

Roger Federer said he trusts the anti-doping procedures in tennis despite rival Novak Djokovic's claim that fellow Serb's Victor Troicki's one-year ban was the result of negligence by the authorities.
The 17-times grand slam champion still thinks that players are not tested regularly enough, however, even if the International Tennis Federation (ITF) has taken steps to bolster its stance against doping.
Troicki learned this week that his appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against an 18-month ITF ban for refusing to give a blood sample at the Monte Carlo Masters in April had been only partially successful with his sanction reduced to 12 months.
That prompted a furious response from Djokovic at the ATP World Tour Finals this week with the world number two declaring he no longer trusted the sport's anti-doping controls.
Federer offered a more measured view on Thursday after beating Richard Gasquet 6-4 6-3 to stay on course for the semi-finals at the season-ending tournament.
"Overall I trust the system," the 32-year-old told a news conference. "I think they're all very professional.
"I just think it's very important that they treat us like normal human beings, not criminals. It's fine to treat a guy bad if the guy tested positive, the guy needs to feel the pain, but not if you haven't done anything yet."
Troicki blamed his ban on a Doping Control Officer (DCO) at Monte Carlo, insisting that the official told him he could delay giving a blood sample until the following day because he had felt unwell and had a phobia for needles.
He subsequently provided a blood sample that was negative, as was his urine sample, but was punished after the ITF's independent tribunal in July found he had broken the rules.
A CAS panel confirmed Troicki had committed an Anti-Doping Rule Violation under Article 2.3 of the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme, but said his "fault was not significant" and that the rules had not been communicated to Troicki clearly enough.
Federer, however, said rules were rules.
"I don't know the conversation, the situation, exactly what happened," he said. "I guess, the chaperone, the guy who comes and is next to you like a shadow (during the doping test), sometimes you don't know who that guy is.
"Sometimes they're a little hesitant because you just lost a match and you look extremely angry, so they don't dare to talk to you. They should probably just introduce themselves.
"It just becomes really complicated. But I do believe that when you are requested for a sample, you have to give the sample. It doesn't matter how bad you feel. I'm sorry."
The ITF earlier this year said it was introducing the biological passport system, following calls for more anti-doping measures.
However, Federer believes there is still not enough testing, with only 187 blood tests carried out in 2012.
"I didn't get tested in Basel, I don't think. I didn't get tested in Paris, I don't think. I got tested here after the first match," Federer said.
"I just feel like there needs to be more testing done. I think I was tested 25 times in 2003, 2004. Ever since, I think it's been clearly going down this season.
"You just show up and test a guy that's winning everything. That's sometimes what I struggle with."

 

[Smallville22]

Djokovic battles past Del Potro

Novak Djokovic joined Rafa Nadal as a guaranteed semi-finalist at the ATP World Tour Finals with a 6-3 3-6 6-3 victory over Argentine Juan Martin del Potro.
Djokovic's elastic limbs propelled the Serb to the Group B victory that leaves Del Potro to fight it out with Roger Federer for runner-up spot.
Federer, beaten by defending champion Djokovic in straight sets on Tuesday, got back on track with a morale-boosting 6-4 6-3 victory over Frenchman Richard Gasquet who can no longer reach the semi-finals even if he beats Djokovic on Saturday.
The six-times former champion lost the opening six points and needed six match points to finish off Gasquet but looked more like his old majestic self as he produced some champagne moments for his legion of fans - one topspin lob to avert a break in the second set the shot of the day.
"I guess those are the kind of matches I need right now. You know, straight sets against a good player. It clearly came at the right time right now," Federer, who has only one title this year but scooped the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of the Year award, as well as the ATP fans' favourite and Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship awards this week, told reporters.
"There was pressure after losing my first one. It was a big win for me and I hope now to keep it up against Juan Martin."
He had better strap on some heavy armour when he meets Del Potro on Saturday because the Argentine world number five was striking forehands and serves with fearsome force against Djokovic, even if he did blow himself out in the end.
It would have overwhelmed almost any other player in the world but only rarely did he manage to blast through Djokovic's defences as he took the second set of a high-octane duel.
The last time Djokovic and Del Potro locked horns in London back in July they produced the longest Wimbledon semi-final ever - a near five-hour match of relentless baseline savagery.
They were at it again at the o2 on Thursday and although Djokovic won for the 11th time in their 14 encounters there was plenty of evidence to suggest Del Potro will be pushing the Serb and world number one Rafael Nadal for the majors in 2014.
For the moment, however, it is all about Djokovic, who has won 19 consecutive matches since the U.S. Open, and Nadal who got the better of him that day in New York.
Thursday's match was the 78th of Djokovic's season but kitted out like an assassin in all black he bristled with energy, oozed confidence and was clinical on the big points.
It is almost as if he does not want the season to end.
"I had a great start to the season and a great ending," the Australian Open champions told reporters. "I would pick these two parts of the year as the best for me.
"I just feel well at this particular part of the year. I know most of the players are exhausted physically, mentally, emotionally, after a long season.
"But, you know, I try to find that as an opportunity for me to get extra motivated to kind of push myself to the limit and deliver the goods when needed."
Del Potro, still only 25, has also been on a hot streak since the U.S. Open, winning titles in Tokyo and in Basel where he beat Federer in his own backyard, and after beating Gasquet on Monday, looked in the mood from the start against Djokovic.
However, he paid for failing to convert break points in the opening game and Djokovic struck first blood in the sixth game with a succession of laser-guided groundstrokes that eventually proved beyond even the condor-like reach of Del Potro.
One break was sufficient to wrap up the first set but Del Potro was not finished and hammered away in the second, earning a decisive break in the sixth game with a netcord.
Del Potro piled on the pressure at the start of the third as he cranked up the power on his forehand wing.
Two break points arrived at 1-1 but once Djokovic had wriggled out of danger he did not look back.
Having beaten Federer and Del Potro so far here, the Serb was asked who he thought would win their showdown.
It was about his only moment of doubt all night.
"Roger is definitely playing better than he was throughout the whole year," he said. "He loves these conditions.
"But on the other hand, Del Potro has big serve. I can expect a three-set battle. I can't pick the winner."