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Nadal Wins an Unprecedented Eighth French Open Crown

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Nadal Wins an Unprecedented Eighth French Open Crown



At the French Open, there is no doubt who reigns supreme. With a 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 victory over countryman David Ferrer, Rafael Nadal pocketed his eighth title at Roland Garros becoming the first man in history to capture the same major that many times.

In route to his maiden major final, 31 year old Ferrer dispatched all comers in three sets. The world number five even thumped hometown favorite Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the semifinals after the latter dismissed Roger Federer.

To the contrary, Nadal needed 4 hours and 37 minutes to overcome world number one Novak Djokovic in the semifinals in a five set thriller where Djokovic led 4-2 in the last set.

The first final since 2004 to feature two men from the same nation, when Gaston Gaudio tussled with fellow Argentine Guillermo Coria, debuted promisingly with Ferrer opening the proceedings with a love hold.

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Still at Home in Monte Carlo: Nadal Records Seventh Straight Title

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Still at Home in Monte Carlo: Nadal Records Seventh Straight Title



After six time defending champion Rafael Nadal was pushed in the semifinals by Andy Murray to three sets lasting two hours and fifty-eight minutes, the question was whether the world number one would have enough left in the tank to get over the finish line.

In today’s final at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters, compatriot David Ferrer made sure the “king of clay” did it the old fashion way. Nadal prevailed 6-4, 7-5 over Ferrer to earn his seventh successive trophy.

For the second year in a row, two Spaniards clashed in the final at this event. Last year, Nadal destroyed Fernando Verdasco 6-0, 6-1. Consequently, it was imperative for Ferrer to make his presence felt early on in the competition.

Subsequent to a forehand up the line winner to hold in the opening game, Ferrer produced a backhand crosscourt return winner for double break point. However, Nadal eventually overcame the deficit to guard serve.

Next, with Ferrer netting a backhand crosscourt, Nadal had double break point. On a second consecutive backhand miscue by Ferrer, Nadal seized the break for 2-1. Yet, with Nadal attempting to consolidate at 40-15, Ferrer provoked a few mistakes and got to deuce. Later, with a dropshot forehand winner, Ferrer broke to level the first set.

But, with a forehand down the line winner, Nadal had triple break point. On his third break opportunity, Nadal struck a forehand crosscourt winner to bag the break for 3-2.

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Roddick Bumps Off Nadal in 2010 Sony Ericsson Open Semifinal

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Roddick Bumps Off Nadal in 2010 Sony Ericsson Open Semifinal


In their semifinal encounter at the Sony Ericsson Open, Andy Roddick defeated Rafael Nadal 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 to reach his second straight final this year at an ATP 1000 Masters event.

Following a game where Roddick allowed Nadal to touch the ball only once, his next time up, the American dropped serve.  Although Nadal had to salvage break point, he consolidated and got his nose in front 3-1. The balance of the set, Roddick put on a service clinic.  However, the single break was sufficient for Nadal to grab the first set.

In the second set, Roddick upped the ante by being more aggressive.  Although Roddick failed to capitalize on his second break point, with Nadal serving at 3-4, Roddick baited him into two miscues. In addition, with a forehand up the line winner, Roddick obtained triple break point.  Then by sticking a crosscourt forehand winner, Roddick gained the break for 5-3.  Next, with a love game, Roddick held to send the match to a third set.

In the decisive set, after Nadal guarded serve at love, he forced an error from Roddick to procure break point.  But, with a big serve, Roddick provoked a backhand return error for deuce.  Later on, with two huge volley winners, Roddick equalized the set at 1 all.  Soon, by zeroing in on a volley by Nadal, Roddick made a sensational lob.  Despite Nadal tracking that shot down, his only option, the tweener traveled long resulting in double break point.  When Nadal netted a forehand, Roddick went up a break 2-1.  Whilst Nadal did his utmost to make a push on Roddick’s service games, he was unable to find the key.  Serving at 3-5, Nadal sliced a backhand volley into the net, handing Roddick match point. With the Spaniard’s forehand landing wide, Roddick placed a period on the match.

Afterwards, MiamiTennisNews.com asked Nadal this question:

Q.  What do you think made the difference out there in today’s match?

NADAL:  Well, I think I started the match playing pretty well in the beginning.  Later, I had the match well under control in the first set with my serve. . . in the second set Andy was serving well . . . I didn’t have a lot of chances on the return.  He play[s] very aggressive game and started to play more aggressive[ly] in the game where he did . . . break.  It was a change and it was [a] surprise for me.  After that, in the third, you know, he put more pressure on my serve, attacking more.  He was serving very regular, pretty well the third, second.  Just congratulate him.  He’s playing really well.

Despite the disappointing result today, Nadal is pleased with his performance the last couple of weeks. The Spaniard hopes that success in terms of the titles is around the corner.

After coming up short at Indian Wells, for the second tournament in a row, Roddick attempts to collect his fifth career Masters’ shield.  Roddick’s last one was in Cincinnati in 2006.  This is the American’s second time in the finals in Miami.  In 2004, he beat Guillermo Coria in the title bout.  On Sunday, Roddick will meet either Robin Soderling or Tomas Berdych.  These two have their semifinal encounter tonight.

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WTA Aussie Open Mid Tournament Recap

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WTA Aussie Open Mid Tournament Recap


img_3627_jhAfter eight days, the Australian Open field has been narrowed.  Here’s a synopsis of the early round stumbles, near misses and a crack at determining a champion.

Maria Kirilenko rocked Rod Laver Arena with a first day, first round, first match upset of 14th seed Maria Sharapova.  With a suspect serve, will and grit could not pull Sharapova through her first competitive match of the season.  Not resting on her laurels, Kirilenko progressed to the round of 16 where she received an early Easter gift from Dinara Safina.  Nine games into the first set, Safina threw in the towel because of a back injury.  As a result, Kirilenko reaches her initial major quarterfinal and will play Jie Zheng, the 2008 Wimbledon semifinalist.  Zheng ousted 11th seed Marion Bartoli in the third round, then took care of Alona Bondarenko. Now, one of these women has the opportunity to advance to her first Aussie Open semifinal.

Waiting in the wing for Kirilenko and Zheng is perhaps Justine Henin.  The 2004 Australian champion had to work tirelessly to book a quarterfinal spot.  Henin’s second round meeting with Elena Dementieva lived up to the hype with top-notch groundstrokes by both players.  Upon surviving that encounter, Henin came close to saying cheerio in the third round.  Alisa Kleybenova demanded  Henin’s best before going down in three sets.  A similar performance was required by Henin in the round of 16 with U.S. Open semifinalist Yanina Wickmayer proving a tough kill.  Again, Henin needed to go the distance to seal the win and a date with Nadia Petrova in the quarters.

Petrova was probably regarded as the Russian least likely to succeed at the start of the Open.  However, after dismantling U.S. Open champ Kim Clijsters in the third round and ushering out French Open champ Svetlana Kuznetsova in round four, Petrova is no doubt a formidable adversary. Therefore, if Petrova continues along the same lines, Henin may be in for a colossal surprise.

Defending champion Serena Williams has been impressive in marching to the round of 16.  Serena has yet to drop serve nor a set.  Her toughest test will be Aussie hopeful Sam Stosur in the upcoming round.  With a big serve and a win over Serena in Stanford last year, Stosur has the tools to upstage the world number one.

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