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Thursday, March 22, 2012

Victoria Azarenka: Looks Like the Real Deal

World #1 Victoria Azarenka's latest win in Indian Wells against world #2 Maria Sharapova with a score of 61 62 shows that she might be the real deal after all.  I mean, the real #1 player in the world, after all that revolving door action we've had in the women's rankings for years, where the world #1 player does not even figure out well in the Slams.  Victoria just won the Australian Open and looks like she might have a good chance in Paris in May.  Let's see how she performs in the clay season!
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Journeyman Success for Marinko Matosevic




This is actually the first time I've heard of Marinko Matosevic of Australia, currently ranked at #122 and a surprise finalist in the Delray Beach Open.  He lost to South African Kevin Anderson in the final.  Marinko, already 26 years old, should be one of those journeymen in the tennis world, who play week in week out, looking for that big chance to bring their rankings up.  He does just that in Delray Beach where he defeated players ranked much higher than him.  They included Dudi Sela (#61) in the semi's, Ernests Gulbis (#79) in the quarters and Alex Bogomolov Jr. (#39) in the second round.
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Kevin Anderson: Puts South Africa in the Tennis Map


Kevin Anderson (#28) has been rising steadily in the ATP rankings these past six months, due largely to the two ATP titles he has won, the first one in South Africa, and the second one in Delray Beach this year.  He had victories over veterans Xavier Malisse and Andy Roddick, top seed John Isner and had an unknown to fight in the finals, Marinko Matosevic of Australia, currently ranked #122.  He won it 64 76(2).  

David Ferrer: Decimocuarto Titulo en Acapulco


David Ferrer ganó su decimocuarto titulo en Acapulco, su tercero este año.  El otro dos vinieron de Buenos Aires y Auckland.  El era el superior sembrado en el torneo y mostró todo el mundo que lo mereció.  Venció Santiago Giraldo (#57) de Colombia en la semifinal 75 36 64 y commpatriota Fernando Verdasco (#20) en la final, 61 62.  Está clasificado quinto en el mundo ahora.

Adios Fernando Gonzalez





Acabo de enterarme hoy que uno de mis favoritos jugadores de tennis, Fernando Gonzalez de Chile, se ha retirado del juego a la edad de 31.  Según él, ya estaba cansado de levantarse en la mañana para entrenar y los viajes.  Su ultimo jeugo era entre el y "El Hombre de Maratón", Nicolas Mahut de Francia.


Su mejor actuación era su medalla de oro en los dobles masculinos en las Olimpíadas en Atenas en 2004.  Tambien, ganó la medalla bronce en los individuales masculinos.  En las Olimpiadas en Beijing en 2008, ganó la medalla plata en la misma prueba. En el Open de Australia en 2007, terminó subcampeón a Roger Federer, su mejor actuación en un Grand Slam.

Lo echo de menos mucho! Adios Fernando y buenas suerte en tu futuro!

Roger Federer: Still A Threat


The Indian Wells 2012 tournament shows that if Roger just gets a chance in the draw, he still has the shots to overcome most of the players in the ATP Tour.  It happened in Dubai earlier this year, it happened again here.  Roger was drawn on the same side as Rafa Nadal, which he promptly defeated in their semi-final, 63 64.  And by a strange twist of fate, John Isner took out this year's hotshot player, Novak Djokovic in their semi's, which gave Roger a golden opportunity to win the title!  And win he did, but not easily.  John took him to a first set tiebreaker before he subdued him there and in the second set as well.  This also means that Roger is still playing at that high level which could give him yet another Grand Slam title.  Let's see if the opportunity presents itself in any of this year's Slams.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

John Isner: Rising to New Heights in Indian Wells


When Andy Murray was eliminated in the second round by Guillermo Garcia Lopez, 64 62, it opened up his side of the draw and allowed John Isner a slot in the semifinals.  You have to remember that the Top 4 male players were all here in Indian Wells, and a slot in the semifinals was a difficult task.  And so everyone thought that it would end there, but John took it a notch higher by, well, defeating today's hottest player Novak Djokovic in the semi's in a very tight three set match, with John winning a close tiebreaker in the third set.  And so he proceeded to the finals, but came short in defeating another legend, Roger Federer.  But that was fine.  He also took Roger to a first set tiebreak but was not lucky this time and lost it.  Anyway, his performance here should give him the confidence he needs.  I hope it helps him in one of the Grand Slams this year.

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Women's World Cup Tennis 2011: Quarterfinal 3 - Belgium vs. Serbia

This is the third quarterfinal.

BELGIUM - 5

Kim Clijsters
Yanina Wickmayer
Kirsten Flipkens

vs.

SERBIA -1

Jelena Jankovic
Ana Ivanovic
Bojana Jovanovski

******************************************************************************

Belgium goes into the semifinals.
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Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Timea Babos: Breakout Hungarian Player


Before this week, the only Hungarian female player I knew was Greta Arn, who incidentally, was also here in Monterrey competing.  Instead an unknown player Timea Babos came out and grabbed the title. This is actually the first time I've ever heard of her, and because of her victory, she is already ranked #68.  Such a huge leap!  She won over another breakout player from Romania, Alexandra Cadantu.  On the way to the final, Timea won over Sara Errani (#35) in the semifinals, and Sorana Cirstea (#49) in the second round.
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