Monday 13 February 2012
we are back!
I have decided to start posting again, I won't be posting as much as the old days but will get at least weekly updates and if I have time even some more of the statistics I never finished. This maybe limited atm with exams coming up but I will do my best.
Sunday 29 January 2012
Lucky Djokovic beats Nadal
Djokovic takes his fifth grand slam title and the first of the year with a 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7(5), 7-5 victory over Nadal.
The first set was close and neither player was at their best but Nadal broke at 5-5 to take the set. In the next 2 sets Djokovic stepped his game up and dominated many rallies and took advantage of some slow Nadal serves.
The fourth set was very close. Neck and neck until Djokovic gets 3 break points at 4-3 up and the match looks over but Nadal fights hard and uses his serve well to take the next 5 points and level the set. Then after over 4 hours of play there is a 10 minute rain delay, right as Nadal is starting to play at his best and Djokovic seems to start becoming slightly tired, he is given a rest. They came back on court and both held their next 2 games, taking the fourth set into a tie breaker. Nadal first took the mini-break and went 3-1 up but then Djokovic fought back to 5-3, then Nadal took the next 4 points in style to take the set and take us into a decider. At this point Djokovic is extremely tired and Nadal is starting to get momentum.
Djokovic now introduces us to his drama queen abilities on court and makes it look like he is close to collapsing as we reach 2-2 and delays as long as possible between points. He does eventually collapse and his dramatic abilities gets him a long break and a lot of support from the crowd, who think he is out of energy and is only fighting on determination. Then comes the crucial Nadal break and he is 4-2 up, looking like he can't lose. Djokovic now suddenly switches from looking like he is about to die to running down around the court on unreachable drop shots and not making it there. Nadal goes 40-15 up but a lucky challenge going his way and a devastatingly unlucky shot by Nadal that clicks the net and goes out allows Djokovic an opportunity and he moves on for a break back and takes it, then holds to reach 4-4. Now Nadal saves a break point to hold and Djokovic holds serve and it is 5-5. By now Djokovic is starting to become actually tired but so is Nadal. Now Djokovic breaks on Nadal's service game and moves on to serve for the match. He goes 30-0 up but Nadal fights back up to 30-30 and then wins another point to get a break point. Here he is again agonisingly unlucky and his shot hits the net cord and goes out, giving Djokovic deuce. Now Djokovic wins a long point when Nadal slices a back hand that clicks the top of the net cord but doesn't go over and finally Djokovic takes the match with a great first serve down the line, which Nadal only just reaches and finishes it with a forehand.
Was Djokovic very lucky? You decide. But one thing is for sure this shows that Nadal can beat Djokovic with many Djokovic shots just catching the tip of the line and many Nadal shots just failing to clip the line. Also I believe with the confidence from this match Nadal can go on to win Roland Garos.
The first set was close and neither player was at their best but Nadal broke at 5-5 to take the set. In the next 2 sets Djokovic stepped his game up and dominated many rallies and took advantage of some slow Nadal serves.
The fourth set was very close. Neck and neck until Djokovic gets 3 break points at 4-3 up and the match looks over but Nadal fights hard and uses his serve well to take the next 5 points and level the set. Then after over 4 hours of play there is a 10 minute rain delay, right as Nadal is starting to play at his best and Djokovic seems to start becoming slightly tired, he is given a rest. They came back on court and both held their next 2 games, taking the fourth set into a tie breaker. Nadal first took the mini-break and went 3-1 up but then Djokovic fought back to 5-3, then Nadal took the next 4 points in style to take the set and take us into a decider. At this point Djokovic is extremely tired and Nadal is starting to get momentum.
Djokovic now introduces us to his drama queen abilities on court and makes it look like he is close to collapsing as we reach 2-2 and delays as long as possible between points. He does eventually collapse and his dramatic abilities gets him a long break and a lot of support from the crowd, who think he is out of energy and is only fighting on determination. Then comes the crucial Nadal break and he is 4-2 up, looking like he can't lose. Djokovic now suddenly switches from looking like he is about to die to running down around the court on unreachable drop shots and not making it there. Nadal goes 40-15 up but a lucky challenge going his way and a devastatingly unlucky shot by Nadal that clicks the net and goes out allows Djokovic an opportunity and he moves on for a break back and takes it, then holds to reach 4-4. Now Nadal saves a break point to hold and Djokovic holds serve and it is 5-5. By now Djokovic is starting to become actually tired but so is Nadal. Now Djokovic breaks on Nadal's service game and moves on to serve for the match. He goes 30-0 up but Nadal fights back up to 30-30 and then wins another point to get a break point. Here he is again agonisingly unlucky and his shot hits the net cord and goes out, giving Djokovic deuce. Now Djokovic wins a long point when Nadal slices a back hand that clicks the top of the net cord but doesn't go over and finally Djokovic takes the match with a great first serve down the line, which Nadal only just reaches and finishes it with a forehand.
Was Djokovic very lucky? You decide. But one thing is for sure this shows that Nadal can beat Djokovic with many Djokovic shots just catching the tip of the line and many Nadal shots just failing to clip the line. Also I believe with the confidence from this match Nadal can go on to win Roland Garos.
Tuesday 27 September 2011
Round up of last few weeks of tennis
Davis Cup Semi Finals
Spain beat France 4-1
Nadal (Spain) beat Gasquet (France) 6-3, 6-0, 6-1.
Ferrer (Spain) beat Simon (France) 6-1, 6-4, 6-1.
Llodra and Tsonga (France) beat Lopez and Verdasco (Spain) 6-1, 6-2, 6-0.
Nadal (Spain) beat Tsonga (France) 6-0, 6-2, 6-4.
Verdasco (Spain) beat Gasquet (France) 6-2, 6-1 ret.
Argentina beat Serbia 3-2
Nalbandian (Argentina) beat Troicki (Serbia) 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3.
Del Potro (Argentina) beat Tipsarevic (Serbia) 7-5, 6-3, 6-4.
Troicki and Zimonjic (Serbia) beat Chela and Monaco (Argentina) 7-6(4), 6-4, 6-2.
Del Potro (Argentina) beat Djokovic 7-6(5), 3-0 ret.
Tipsarevic (Serbia) beat Monaco (Argentina) 6-2 ret.
ATP Moselle Open
Top seed, Tsonga, goes all the way and wins the final against 4th seed, Ljubicic.
Fellow compatriot and second seed, Gasquet, went out in the 3rd round to 8th seed, Muller.
The third seed, Dolgopolov, performed well and made the Semis before being beaten by Tsonga.
BRD Nastase Tiriac Trophy
The Romanian trophy named after Romanian legend, Ilie Nastase is won by second seed Mayer, who won the final against the 4th seed in straight sets, winning the first title in his career.
The top seed lost in the semi-finals against the 4th seed in straight sets and the third seed didn't win a match, losing in the second round in straight sets to Volandri.
WTA Tashkent Open
The top seed, Pervak, eases to the trophy in straight sets, having beaten Birneova.
The second seed, Jovanovski, lost in the first round to Cirstea in straight sets and the third seed joined her out of the tournament in the first round, losing to Danilidou(Greek) in straight sets.
The 4th seed performed slightly better, however, still only making the second round, losing to Savinykh in 3 sets.
WTA Bell challenge
The sixth seed goes all the way, beating Erakovic in the final in 3 sets.
The top seed lost to Erakovic in the third round in straight sets, joining here out of the tournament in the 3rd round was 4th seed, Marino, who was beaten by Krajicek.
The 3rd seed loses in the Quarter Finals to Erakovic in 3 sets.
WTA Wanlima Guangzhou International Women's Open
The seventh seed defeats the eighth seed in the finals to win the tournament.
The top seed loses in the Semi-Finals to Scheepers in 3 sets.
The second seed makes it to the third round, before losing to the 8th seed.
The 3rd seed, Pervak, on the back of winning a trophy, loses in the first round to Chan.
The 4th seed loses in the 3rd round to Zheng in 3 sets.
WTA Hansol Korea Open
The sixth seed, Martinez Sanchez, goes on to win the trophy, beating Voskoboeva in straight sets.
The top seed, Schiavone, loses in the first round to Dushevina in straight sets.
The second seed, Bartoli, lost to King in the second round in straight sets.
The third seed makes the third round before losing to the eventual champion, Martinez Sanchez, in straight sets.
The fourth seed loses in the third round as well to the 5th seed in straight sets.
These are the results from previous weeks.
Spain beat France 4-1
Nadal (Spain) beat Gasquet (France) 6-3, 6-0, 6-1.
Ferrer (Spain) beat Simon (France) 6-1, 6-4, 6-1.
Llodra and Tsonga (France) beat Lopez and Verdasco (Spain) 6-1, 6-2, 6-0.
Nadal (Spain) beat Tsonga (France) 6-0, 6-2, 6-4.
Verdasco (Spain) beat Gasquet (France) 6-2, 6-1 ret.
Argentina beat Serbia 3-2
Nalbandian (Argentina) beat Troicki (Serbia) 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3.
Del Potro (Argentina) beat Tipsarevic (Serbia) 7-5, 6-3, 6-4.
Troicki and Zimonjic (Serbia) beat Chela and Monaco (Argentina) 7-6(4), 6-4, 6-2.
Del Potro (Argentina) beat Djokovic 7-6(5), 3-0 ret.
Tipsarevic (Serbia) beat Monaco (Argentina) 6-2 ret.
ATP Moselle Open
Top seed, Tsonga, goes all the way and wins the final against 4th seed, Ljubicic.
Fellow compatriot and second seed, Gasquet, went out in the 3rd round to 8th seed, Muller.
The third seed, Dolgopolov, performed well and made the Semis before being beaten by Tsonga.
BRD Nastase Tiriac Trophy
The Romanian trophy named after Romanian legend, Ilie Nastase is won by second seed Mayer, who won the final against the 4th seed in straight sets, winning the first title in his career.
The top seed lost in the semi-finals against the 4th seed in straight sets and the third seed didn't win a match, losing in the second round in straight sets to Volandri.
WTA Tashkent Open
The top seed, Pervak, eases to the trophy in straight sets, having beaten Birneova.
The second seed, Jovanovski, lost in the first round to Cirstea in straight sets and the third seed joined her out of the tournament in the first round, losing to Danilidou(Greek) in straight sets.
The 4th seed performed slightly better, however, still only making the second round, losing to Savinykh in 3 sets.
WTA Bell challenge
The sixth seed goes all the way, beating Erakovic in the final in 3 sets.
The top seed lost to Erakovic in the third round in straight sets, joining here out of the tournament in the 3rd round was 4th seed, Marino, who was beaten by Krajicek.
The 3rd seed loses in the Quarter Finals to Erakovic in 3 sets.
WTA Wanlima Guangzhou International Women's Open
The seventh seed defeats the eighth seed in the finals to win the tournament.
The top seed loses in the Semi-Finals to Scheepers in 3 sets.
The second seed makes it to the third round, before losing to the 8th seed.
The 3rd seed, Pervak, on the back of winning a trophy, loses in the first round to Chan.
The 4th seed loses in the 3rd round to Zheng in 3 sets.
WTA Hansol Korea Open
The sixth seed, Martinez Sanchez, goes on to win the trophy, beating Voskoboeva in straight sets.
The top seed, Schiavone, loses in the first round to Dushevina in straight sets.
The second seed, Bartoli, lost to King in the second round in straight sets.
The third seed makes the third round before losing to the eventual champion, Martinez Sanchez, in straight sets.
The fourth seed loses in the third round as well to the 5th seed in straight sets.
These are the results from previous weeks.
Reasons for no posting
If you read this blog you may have noticed I haven't posted for a while now. This is because of Nadal's loss to Djokovic and I wanted a bit of a break from tennis for a while but posting will begin again as usual from today.
To add this is 1 year since I first posted.
To add this is 1 year since I first posted.
Tuesday 13 September 2011
US Open Men's results day 15
US Open Men's results day 15
Djokovic beat Nadal 6-2, 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-1. The world number 1 wins his first US Open against the second seed. Personally I believe there is some controversy, when an obviously tired Djokovic takes an injury time out almost just after losing the 3rd set, which I think was for a rest, but that is in my opinion. Also not happy about the crowd making noise on Nadal's serve, which probably cost him his service game at 2-0 in the 2nd set. But in the end of the day Djokovic won and nothing can change that.
Monday 12 September 2011
US Open Women's results day 14
US Open Women's results day 14
Stosur beat Williams 6-2, 6-3. The ninth seed eases past the 28th seed to take her first Grand Slam. The match included some controversy when Williams had a row with the umpire when she shouted come on, while Stosur was running down the ball.
Sunday 11 September 2011
Finals Women's US Open 2011 predictions
The Finals of the Women's US Open is today and here are my predictions.
Final - Sam Stosur vs Serena Williams
 |
| Sam Stosur |
 |
| Serena Williams |
VS
Serena Williams
Ranking - 27
YTD record - 16-2
Best US Open - Winner, 1999, 2002, 2008
Previous matches
Round 1 vs Jovanovski - 6-1, 6-1
Round 2 vs Krajicek - 6-0, 6-1
Round 3 vs Azarenka - 6-1, 7-6(5)
Round 4 vs Ivanovic 6-3, 6-4
Quarter Finals vs Pavlychenkova - 7-5, 6-1
Semi Finals vs Wozniacki 6-2, 6-4
Sam Stosur
Ranking - 10
YTD record - 31-18
Best US Open - Finals, 2011
Previous matches
Round 1 vs Arvidsson - 6-2, 6-3
Round 2 vs Vandweghe - 6-3, 6-4
Round 3 vs Petrova - 7-6(5), 6-7(5), 7-5
Round 4 vs Kirilenko - 6-2, 6-7(15), 6-3
Quarter Finals vs Zvonareva - 6-3, 6-3
Semi Finals vs Kerber - 6-3, 2-6, 6-2
Head to Head
S Williams leads 4-2
Williams has won their only meeting this year in straight sets at Toronto. Their previous match before that was a French Open Quarter Finals, which Stosur won in 3 sets.
Predictions Final
Stosur is probably a surprise finalist here, beating 3 seeds, including 2nd seed, Zvonareva. She may be a bit tired after having 3 set matches in 3 of the last 4 matches, including yesterday. Williams has been unbeatable all tournament yet to drop a set and only playing in 1 tie breaker.
Conclusion - You'd have to be a brave person to bet against Williams winning here for a 4th time. She is definitely favourite and I think she will win in 2 sets here.
Today we will find out the results for these matches.
Finals Men's US Open 2011 predictions
The Finals of the men's US Open is tomorrow and here are my predictions.
Final - Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal
 |
| Rafael Nadal |
 |
| Novak Djokovic |
VS
Rafael Nadal
Ranking - 2
YTD record - 53-10
Best US Open - Winner, 2011
Previous matches
Round 1 vs Golubev - 6-3, 7-6(1), 7-5
Round 2 vs Mahut - 6-2, 6-2 ret
Round 3 vs Nalbandian - 7-6(5), 6-1, 7-5
Round 4 vs Muller - 7-6(1), 6-1, 6-2
Quarter Finals vs Roddick - 6-2, 6-1, 6-3
Semi Finals vs Murray - 6-4, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2
Novak Djokovic
Ranking - 1
YTD record - 57-2
Best US Open - Final, 2007, 2010, 2011
Previous matches
Round 1 vs Niland - 6-0, 5-1 ret
Round 2 vs Berlocq - 6-0, 6-0, 6-2
Round 3 vs Davydenko - 6-3, 6-4, 6-2
Round 4 vs Dolgopolov - 7-6(14), 6-4, 6-2
Quarter Finals vs Tipsarevic - 7-6(2), 6-7(3), 6-0, 3-0 ret
Semi Finals vs Federer - 6-7(7), 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-5
Head to Head
Nadal leads 16-12
Djokovic, however, has won the last 5 meetings, all this year. On the other hand Nadal beat Djokovic at last year's US Open final.
Predictions Final
The world number 1 has played brilliantly this year as well as at this tournament. Last round he saved two match points on the way to overcoming Federer from 2 sets down. He has dropped 3 sets all tournament, 2 in the last round. Nadal has been in amazing form at this year's US Open, dropping just 1 set to Murray in the last round. His shots have been almost perfect and he looks like a man on a mission.
Conclusion - This is a hard match to decide, however, I think Nadal will win in 4 sets, winning the first 2 sets then losing the 3rd and winning the 4th to finish the match.
Tomorrow we will find out who wins these matches
Saturday 10 September 2011
US Open Men's and Women's results day 13
US Open Men's results day 13
Djokovic beat Federer 6-7(7), 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-5. The top seed comes back from 2 sets down for the second time in his career to overcome the third seed. For the second year running Federer loses 2 match points on the way to losing in 5 sets, losing 4 games in a row at 5-3 up in the last set.
Nadal beat Murray 6-4, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2. The 2nd seed needs 4 sets to overcome the 4th seed and advance to the finals.
Nadal beat Murray 6-4, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2. The 2nd seed needs 4 sets to overcome the 4th seed and advance to the finals.
US Open Women's results day 13
Williams beat Wozniacki 6-2, 6-4. The 28th seed eases past the top seed to advance to the final.
Stosur beat Kerber 6-3, 2-6, 6-2. The ninth seed needs 3 sets to overcome Kerber.
Semi Finals Men's US Open 2011 predictions
The Semi Finals of the men's US Open is today and here are my predictions.
Match 1 - Novak Djokovic vs Roger Federer
Roger Federer
Ranking - 3
YTD record - 42-11
Best US Open - Winner, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Previous matches
Round 1 vs Giraldo - 6-4, 6-3, 6-2
Round 2 vs Sela - 6-3, 6-2, 6-2
Round 3 vs Cilic - 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2
Round 4 vs Monaco - 6-1, 6-2, 6-0
Quarter Finals vs Tsonga - 6-4, 6-3, 6-3
Novak Djokovic
Ranking - 1
YTD record - 57-2
Best US Open - Final, 2007, 2010
Previous matches
Round 1 vs Niland - 6-0, 5-1 ret
Round 2 vs Berlocq - 6-0, 6-0, 6-2
Round 3 vs Davydenko - 6-3, 6-4, 6-2
Round 4 vs Dolgopolov - 7-6(14), 6-4, 6-2
Quarter Finals vs Tipsarevic - 7-6(2), 6-7(3), 6-0, 3-0 ret
Quarter Finals vs Tipsarevic - 7-6(2), 6-7(3), 6-0, 3-0 ret
Head to Head
Federer leads 14-9
Federer won their last match, the first match Djokovic this year, at the French Open, but 3 other times this year Djokovic has prevailed, including once at the Australian Open.
Predictions match 1
The world number 1 has played brilliantly this year as well as at this tournament. Last round he held back tough competition against Tipsarevic and dropped his first set in a tie breaker. He will now face a tough match against the world number 3. Federer routed Tsonga in a potentially tough match and has only dropped one set all tournament against Cilic. He will try to get confidence from his last match against Djokovic, at the French Open.
Conclusion - This is an incredibly hard match to predict but I just have a feeling that Federer can overcome Djokovic in 5 sets.
Conclusion - This is an incredibly hard match to predict but I just have a feeling that Federer can overcome Djokovic in 5 sets.
Match 2 - Rafael Nadal vs Andy Murray
Rafael Nadal
Ranking - 2
YTD record - 53-10
Best US Open - Winner, 2011
Previous matches
Round 1 vs Golubev - 6-3, 7-6(1), 7-5
Round 2 vs Mahut - 6-2, 6-2 ret
Round 3 vs Nalbandian - 7-6(5), 6-1, 7-5
Round 4 vs Muller - 7-6(1), 6-1, 6-2
Quarter Finals vs Roddick - 6-2, 6-1, 6-3
Andy Murray
Ranking - 4
YTD record - 34-10
Best US Open - Final, 2008
Previous matches
Round 1 vs Devvarman - 7-6(5), 6-2, 6-3
Round 2 vs Haase - 6-7(5), 2-6, 6-2, 6-0, 6-4
Round 3 vs Lopez - 6-1, 6-4, 6-2
Round 4 vs Young - 6-2, 6-3, 6-3
Quarter Finals vs Isner - 7-5, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(2)
Quarter Finals vs Isner - 7-5, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(2)
Head to Head
Nadal leads 12-4
Nadal has won his last 4 meetings against Murray, 3 of which were this year.
Predictions match 2
The 4th seed has been in quite good form this tournament. He has dropped 3 sets, the most of any semi-finalist, and has had the easiest draw, only facing 2 seeds, neither being highly ranked, however, Isner has been in form recently. Nadal has been in imperious form and is looking unbeatable at the moment, being the only player yet to drop a set. He destroyed Roddick with an incredible display of tennis.
Conclusion - I can't see Nadal losing more than a set in this match. Murray is just not good enough and can't match up to Nadal's form.
Conclusion - I can't see Nadal losing more than a set in this match. Murray is just not good enough and can't match up to Nadal's form.
Today we will find out who wins these matches
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