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.

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.

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.

Click here to see the Men's draw

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

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

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.

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)

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.

Today we will find out who wins these matches

Quarter Finals Men's US Open 2011 predictions

The Quarter Final's of the men's US Open is today and here are my predictions.

Match 1 -  Novak Djokovic   vs   Janko Tipsarevic

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

Janko Tipsarevic

Ranking - 20

YTD record - 35-18

Best US Open - Quarter Finals, 2011

Previous matches

Round 1 vs Gensse - 6-2, 7-5, 6-0

Round 2 vs Petzschner - 6-0, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3

Round 3 vs Berdych - 6-4, 5-0 ret

Round 4 vs Ferrero - 7-5, 6-7(3), 7-5, 6-2

Head to Head

Novak Djokovic leads 2-0

Djokovic won both their matches, one in 2009 and another in 2008.

Predictions match 1

The world number 1 has played brilliantly this year as well as at this tournament. He is yet to drop a set and won a hard match against seeded Dolgopolov as well as an easier match against unseeded Davydenko. Tipsarevic has also played well and has overcome Ferrero in the previous round in 4 sets as well as taking advantage of Berdych's retirement. 

Conclusion - I can't see Tipsarevic matching Djokovic in rallies or taking a set off him, it should be a straight sets victory for Djokovic.

Match 2 - Roger Federer   vs   Jo-Wilfred Tsonga

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

Jo-Wilfred Tsonga

Ranking - 11

YTD record - 33-16

Best US Open - 4th round, 2009, 2011

Previous matches

Round 1 vs Lu - 6-4, 6-4, 6-4

Round 2 vs Bubka - 6-3, 7-5, 6-2

Round 3 vs Verdasco - 6-3, 7-5, 6-4

Round 4 vs Fish - 6-4, 6-7(5), 3-6, 6-4, 6-2

Head to Head

Federer leads 4-3

Tsonga, however, has won the last 2 matches, once at Wimbledon, from 2 sets to love down and once at

Predictions match 2

Federer was in great form in his previous match, dropping just 3 games and has dropped just 1 set all tournament against the only seeded player he has played with. Federer will probably still be feeling the shock of his 5 set loss to Tsonga. Tsonga has played well this tournament, beating in form Fish last round in 5 sets. 

Conclusion - If Federer wins the first set I think he will go on to win the next set and go a break up in the 3rd. Then he will lose the 3rd set from a break up and should recover to win in 4 or 5 sets. If Federer loses the 1st set I think he will win the next 3 and win in 4. Either way I think Federer should win unless Tsonga can wear Federer down to win in 5.

Match 3 - John Isner   vs   Andy Murray

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

John Isner

Ranking - 22

YTD record - 28-18

Best US Open - Quarter Finals, 2011

Previous matches

Round 1 vs Baghdatis - 7-6(2), 7-6(11), 2-6, 6-4

Round 2 vs Ginepri - 6-4, 6-3, 6-4

Round 3 vs Bogomolov - 7-6(9), 6-4, 6-4

Round 4 vs Simon 7-6(2), 3-6, 7-6(2), 7-6(4)

Head to Head

Murray leads 1-0

Murray won the only match they have played at the Australian Open in 2010, where Murray won in straight sets.

Predictions match 3

The 28th has had some tough matches and has beaten the strong 12th seed, Simon in 4 sets, dropping just 2 sets in the tournament so far and winning all 6 of the tie breakers he has played. The 4th seed has had a quite easy run through to this stage other than a 5 set match against Haase. The big serving american will definitely try to use his serve as an advantage.

Conclusion - I think that Isner can get the first set in a tie breaker but then Murray will come back and take the other 3.

Match 4 - Rafael Nadal   vs   Andy Roddick

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 Mahit - 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

Andy Roddick

Ranking - 21

YTD record - 24-11

Best US Open - Winner, 2003

Previous matches

Round 1 vs Russell - 6-2, 6-4, 4-6, 7-5

Round 2 vs Sock - 6-3, 6-3, 6-4

Round 3 vs Benneteau - 6-1, 6-4, 7-6(5)

Round 4 vs Ferrer 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3

Head to Head

Nadal leads 6-3

Nadal won their last match at the ATP World Tour Finals in 3 sets last year.

Predictions match 4

Roddick is not the same player that he was 8 years ago when he won the US Open and has not had a very good year, losing his american number 1 ranking. On the other hand Roddick has played quite well at this year's US Open, beating some competition, including the strong Ferrer. Nadal has been in great form here and is the only player yet to drop a set here, however, this will be his first match vs a seed.

Conclusion - Nadal is favourite and I think he will get another straight sets win but if Roddick can turn back the clock and play at his best from the year he won the US Open then he could win a set.

Today and tomorrow we will find out who wins these matches