Djokovic tops Murray in straights

Novak Djokovic hit passing shots and looping lobs with equal perfection to overwhelm Andy Murray 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 Sunday, winning his second Australian Open title and extending Britain's near 75-year drought in men's Grand Slam singles.
Djokovic's 2008 Australian title is his other Grand Slam victory. Murray has lost three Grand Slam finals, also falling to Roger Federer in the 2008 U.S. Open and 2010 Australian Open.
The statistics underlined Djokovic's domination. He won 11 of his 14 service games, while Murray only won six of 13, and the Serb pounded Murray's second serve, with the Scot winning just 16 of 51 points (31 percent) on his second serve.

 

Clijsters defeats Li for first Australian Open title

Clijsters believes she's now earned the nickname she had for years in Australia.

"I finally feel like you guys can call me 'Aussie Kim' because I won the title," a teary Clijsters said after beating China's Li Na 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 Saturday night to capture her first Australian Open. "It's nice to finally get it this year."

Clijsters lost the 2004 Australian Open final to Justine Henin and lost four times in the semifinals. This was Clijsters' fourth Grand Slam tournament championship, but the first apart from the U.S. Open.

Federer out played by Dojokvic

Federer, the 16-time Grand Slam winner, was knocked out of the Australian Open 7-6 (3), 7-5, 6-4 on Thursday by 2008 champion Novak Djokovic.
Before the tournament Nadal was going for his fourth straight Grand Slam win and Federer was aiming for his fifth Australian title.
Instead, Nadal was eliminated by fellow Spaniard David Ferrer and Federer is heading home. Djokovic will face Andy Murray or Ferrer in the final—they play on Friday.
“I’m looking forward to watching that match tomorrow from my bed with some popcorn,” Djokovic said. “David played a fantastic match against Rafa even though Rafa was struggling obviously with injuries.
“They are in top shape. Andy has been in top shape on this court. It’s a Grand Slam final, anything can happen. I believe in myself.”

History Made By Li Na Beats Wozniacki

Li Na looked like she should be the world number one at this match . After loosing the first set and down a break in the second set she came back to win 3-6 7-5 6-3 saving 4 match points along the way .
Wozniacki need to work on her stamina and mental toughness you don`t win a grand slam if your not tough mentally for the simple fact that it will not be handed to you and if you get lucky one match grantee you won`t be the next one so you have to be prepared to stick it out and mange through the points.
Li Na is the first to make it into a grand slam final from china . It means a lot to tennis in china and it means more to Li Na she is now a national hero.

Australian Open: Nadal Losses to Ferrer

The world number one had his left thigh strapped in the first set but struggled as Ferrer won 6-4 6-2 6-3 to set up a semi-final with Andy Murray on Friday.
"I can say nothing about the injury. Seriously, I would would prefer not to talk about it," said the 24-year-old.
"For respect to the winner and a friend I'd prefer to talk about the match."
The defeat ended Nadal's hopes of holding all four Grand Slam titles at the same time - the so-called 'Rafa Slam'.
Ferrer goes on to play Britain's world number five Murray and Nadal believes that although his compatriot is the underdog, he can still emerge victorious.
"He's playing fantastic. But I think he's not the favourite," he added. "But if he keep playing like this, hopefully he can have a good chance to be in the final or win the tournament. I would love that.
"David is a fantastic person and is a close friend of mine so I wish him all the best.
"I think that Andy is playing very good, too, but David is playing at high level, no? If he's able to keeps playing like this, I think he is going have a good chance."

Wozniacki survived Francesca Schiavone Gets Li Na

 Wozniacki overcame a tiring Francesca Schiavone 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 to reach the semi-finals, a result which also ensures she stays as number one when the new rankings are published next week.
Wozniacki clawed her way back from losing the first set against Schiavone, who had battled through a Grand Slam record 4hr 44min epic with Svetlana Kuznetsova on Sunday, to clinch victory on a Hawkeye challenge.
"My game is to win. If sometimes I have to run the balls down, I can do that. If sometimes I need to step it up, I try to do that," Wozniacki said.
"I can still improve in many areas, but I'm on the right track."
In Thursday's semis, Wozniacki will meet Li Na, who lifted Chinese hopes to fever pitch after she weathered an early storm from Germany's Andrea Petkovic to reach her second straight Australian Open semi-final.
A day after compatriot Peng Shuai fell by the wayside, Li weathered a blistering start by Petkovic in both sets to wrap it up 6-2, 6-4 in 80 minutes.
Li said she had no intention of repeating last year's disappointment, when she was bundled out of the last four by eventual winner Serena Williams, who is out this year with a foot injury.
"I played really well in Sydney and I hope I can do better here this year. I don't want to lose in the semis again," said Li.

Federer, Djokovic set up rematch Australian Open 2011

Djokovic, dismissed Berdych in just over two-and-a-half hours by popping 10 aces among his 34 winners and breaking his Czech counterpart's serve fives times, compared to only one break for Berdych, who succumbed to Nadal in last year's Wimbledon finale.
Last year's U.S. Open runner-up Djokovic titled here in Melbourne in 2008, including a straight-set upset of Federer in the semis. The Serbian star also toppled Federer in last year's U.S. Open semifinals in a five-set classic.
Federer is 13-6 lifetime against Djokovic, including a 1-1 mark here in Melbourne. The Swiss beat the Serb in straight sets in the fourth round here back in 2007.

Nadal will meet Ferrer for a 15th time, as the nine-time Grand Slam champ is 11-3 lifetime against his countrymate. They've split two Grand Slam matchups, with Nadal winning in the quarters at Roland Garros back in 2005 and Ferrer prevailing in the fourth round at the U.S. Open in 2007.

Roger Federer on Stolen Towels At Australian Open 2011

At Melbourne Park, Australia, Roger Federer and Wawrinka both Swiss, fights head to head for the Grand Slam Championships 2011 semi-finals, Men's Singles.
Wawrinka, displays a number of irregularities; bad returns for a professional to commit. It is not a very good game for him. A bad day. He did some impressive cross-court returns during the game but he lost his main vision being there.
The genius player, Federer by nature has accurate big shots and well-focused to win the game. Federer wins his second set in only 43 minutes. Set points to set points, Federer brushes aside Wawrinka with a solid, gorgeous exhibition styles.
Final game result of 6 -1, 6 - 3, 6 - 3 victory Federer! Congratulations.
Wawrinka suffers defeat from Federer, drops his racket on the ground to his own disappointments.
Some more hilarity ensued during the post-match on court interview involving Roger Federer and Jim Courier. As televised on ESPN2, Courier asked Federer how many tournament towels the Swiss stuffs in his bags after each match. An embarrassed Federer replied, “Four”.

Federer victory over Robredo 27th straight Slam quarterfinal

The swiss wins over Tommy Robredo was anything but easy 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 the spanierd did`t just handed to Federer he had to earn it. That`s why I think Federer have a tougher side of the draw this year .
Federer try his new plan of being more aggressive witch mint more unforced error even on the forehand but to his credit Roger stuck to his game plan and mange to do enough damge to win. That to me is a sing of a grand slam winner . If you up against Federer or Rafa that`s what they do to you their mind set is" I will play my game and will knock you off the court " Even if they make mistake it does not seems to effect the mind set.
Next Federer will get  Andy Roddick or 19th-seeded Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland in the quarterfinals. Roddick and Wawrinka play their fourth-round match Sunday night.
Berdych playes Dojkovic next after beatting Verdasco in one the best matches he ever played on a hard court . I mean the guy is plying LIGHTS OUT tennis he stays in that zone and no one can stop him ! yes including Rafa & Federer . but he need to get by Djokovic first he has one win against him on grass and for losses on the hard courts.
On the women side after a marathon match full of drama Francesca Schiavone needed a women’s Grand Slam-record of four hours, 44 minutes to beat Svetlana Kuznetsova and advance to the Australian Open quarterfinals for the first time in 11 meeting.
Saving 6 match points along the way and playing 30 games in the 3rd to win

Novak Djokovic wins as Troicki retires

Djokovic, number three seed, won the opening set 6-2 in 39 minutes before his Serbian Davis Cup team-mate had to announce his withdrawal.
"It's not the way you want to win a match, especially against one of your best friends," Djokovic said.
The 2008 champion will next play Nicolas Almagro or Ivan Ljubicic.
Djokovic did not fail to reach the quarter-finals in all four Grand Slams last year and will be pushing the top two seeds Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer for glory in Melbourne this time round.
The 29th-seeded Troicki suffered breaks of serve against Djokovic in the second, fourth and eight games to lose the opener on Friday on Hisense Arena.
Troicki, who racked up 17 unforced errors, had already called for the trainer at the third changeover and did not receive treatment on the court initially before deciding after eight games he was unable to continue.
Next Djokovic will get Almagro who beat Ljubicic in 3 sets but never the less it should be another easy win for Djokovic. it`s getting interesting.!!!!!

Tennis Players to Watch in 2011 Robin Soderling

The 26-year-old was runner-up at the past two French Opens -- notching a pair of historic victories over Rafael Nadal in 2009 and Roger Federer in '10 -- but he's still hunting for that first Grand Slam title.
Here is a very bold prediction the final this year will be Roger Federer V Robin Soderling . Why you ask will we all know by now that the king is not willing to gave up his throne yet and still playing the best tennis of his career so that`s Roger side of the story.

On the the other side history teach us that always their is someone waiting for a chance to become the new king remember Sampers vs Federer . When you factor that Soderling already beat Rafa & Roger in 2010 so he is over that hump . At least in his mind . that would make a great final.

Tomas Berdych vs Marco Crugnola Australian Open 2011

The first Grand Slam tournament of the year has already started.
Tomas is seeded on position 6 and had to play against M. Crugnola in the first round.
Initially, Tomas could not show what he is able to play and that is why the first set was almost balanced. However, one break was enough for Tomas to win the set 6-4.
Afterwards, he got better and better, in the following hour, he won the sets two and three with 6-0 and 6-2.
In the next round, the German P. Kohlschreiber is waiting for Tomas.

Vera Zvonareva third time is a charm !!!!!!!

MELBOURNE, Australia - Hoping a third time will be luckier, Vera Zvonareva began her bid to reach a third consecutive Grand Slam final with a commanding 6-2, 6-1 win over Sybille Bammer in the first round of the Australian Open on Tuesday.

Zvonareva, who lost to Serena Williams in the Wimbledon final and to Kim Clijsters in the U.S. Open final last year, dominated the first set against the 30-year-old Bammer and tightened her grip on the match in the second. She conceded only four points in the first four games of the second set and didn't allow the Austrian to hold until the sixth game.

The 26-year-old Zvonareva reached the semifinals at Melbourne Park two years ago, her best run at a major until Wimbledon.

Red Rider: Roddick’s New Shoes

The 2011 Australian Open quarterfinalist will carry a familiar friend along for the ride—the Michelin Man. Born in 1894, the Michelin Man is one of the world’s oldest trademarks, but he hasn’t slowed a step. The image of the running Michelin Man appears on the heel of the Propulse 3, signifying the shoe’s Michelin OCS sole.The changes to the Propulse aren’t merely cosmetic. Babolat touts two new technological enhancements—a “kompressor system,” for high-performance heel cushioning, and “cell shield”, a high-tech upper designed to offer both durability and comfort. The cell shield also lightens the load of the shoe: This year’s model weighs in at about 15.1 ounces, compared to the heftier 16.7-ounce Babolat Propulse 2 Titanium.
“Andy’s new Propulse shoe is very different from what we’ve seen from other Babolat shoes such as the V-Pro,” says Dr. David G. Sharnoff, TENNIS footwear adviser. “It’s designed more for his needs. He’s a big guy who prefers a low-cut shoe rather than a mid-cut shoe. The Velcro foot-belt is intended to try to lock his foot into the shoe and minimize the potential for rolling his ankle. It’s a performance shoe intended for aggressive, explosive movers.”

Sharapova showcases her latest Nike dress...

It wouldn't go down very well at Wimbledon, but Maria Sharapova's 2011 Australian Open dress is already a huge improvement on what she wore in Melbourne last year.
The tennis ace signed an eight year contract with Nike worth 50 million in January, 2010 making her the world's most lucratively endorsed sportswoman.
This grey and orange dress with a racing back and adjustable straps, is one of the outfits from her 2011 Nike collection - which she helps to design.

 

Australian Open 2011 - Roger Federer

Roger Federer is much better form than any other player on the ATP tour . not only that he send a clear massage wining the Barclay Masters in London against non other than Nadal which in my opinion should count as a grand slam . Anyone who beats a fit Nadal at a final should have a grand slam points.
So king Roger is showing that he is hungry than ever to win more grand slams my predictions this season 2011 Federer will win Australian & US open and Nadal will once again prove that he is the King of clay at French Open and will win one more at Wimbledon denying Andy Murray a chance to win a major sorry Andy as good a player as you are but with Federer & Rafa around you need some magic to win one.

Doha: Federer d. Davydenko perfect start to 2011

Federer needed about 80 minutes to record a 6-3, 6-4 victory at Khalifa Tennis Complex. Federer did not face a break point, winning 40-of-51 service points overall.
Davydenko saved 6-of-8 break points, but the second-seeded Swiss was too much in capturing his 67th career title. Federer also won this event in 2005 and 2006, and said he thought the victory was "huge" because Davydenko was playing at a high level.
"I was very happy with, from my side, I was almost flawless, and I was able to play offensive when I needed to, and when I wanted to it all worked out," Federer said. "So I'm really pleased with such a great final."

"Today he was tough. Really played fast," Davydenko said. "He gave me no chance on the return, and also he was returning good. His first serve was very good. My tennis is okay, really. I don't want to say I played bad today."
One of Davydenko's wins against Federer came in the semifinals here last year, though Federer went on to win the 2010 Australian Open

Davydenko beats Nadal to reach Qatar Open final

Rafael Nadal was upset by Nikolay Davydenko 6-3, 6-2 in a Qatar Open semifinals.

Davydenko will play against Roger Federer for the title in Doha.

Moments before the start of the second set, Nadal called for medical assistance and said: “I don’t have my game; I feel much more tired.”

At 5-0 down in the second set, the Spaniard demonstrated his renowned fighting qualities as he saved two match points and recovered one of the service breaks. He earned four break point chances in the final game, but Davydenko held strong to seal victory


Davydenko leads the Spaniard 6-4 in head-to-head meetings on the ATP tour.

“I always play semis or quarters [against Federer], but the final I play always against Nadal. That was for me much easier to win. I don't know why. Now it's [a] different situation. I think it will be much tougher.” Said Davydenko.

“I think I have good chance,” acknowledged Davydenko. “Beating Top 10 players in tournaments, it's confidence coming back, and for sure it's helping me so much to come back. [My] tennis level is also coming and [so I’m] automatically coming on physically. Just only problem I am not a Top 16 seeded player. That's already a different situation. I can play against Nadal, Djokovic, or Federer already in the fourth round. I just need to see against who I play and how I play.”

Roger Federer - Tweener (Between the legs), Doha (HD)

Elliot Carnello the next Bjorn Borg

Rafael Nadal Beats Roger Federer in Abu Dhabi

Rafael Nadal has defeated Roger Federer in the Mubadala World Tennis Championship, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (3). Neither of the two best players currently in men’s tennis were able to break one another’s serves, but Nadal was able to clinch the tie-break points and finish out what ended up being a very close match.

The match was a good precursor to what will undoubtedly be a competitive 2011 year in men’s tennis. With Nadal well on his way to getting a non-calendar Grand Slam (2010’s French Open, Wimbledon, US Open and 2011’s Australian Open) with four Slam titles in a row, this could be the year where Nadal proves himself to be of legendary status.

Nadal & Federer New Year Gift To Tennis Fans

By now if they were not good friends Nadal and Federer would be sick to see one another across the net. but lucky for us tennis fans and fanatics they don`t . and they seems to enjoy every meetting even more than us watching.
By that we start the 2011 tennis year on a high note with the  Mubadala World Tennis Championship
In Friday's semifinals, Nadal defeated Berdych 6-4, 6-4. And Fed faced off again with his pal Soderling, beating him 6-7, 6-3, 6-3.
So it's Rafa vs. Roger Saturday in Abu Dhabi (8 a.m. Montreal time), before they both head off to Doha, Qatar and perhaps kick off the 2011 season with a true-blue final against each other.
We think next time they meet Nike should consider coordinating colors !!!