Miami Match Point: Djokovic Beats Nadal To Win 2014 Sony Open

Serena Williams beats Li Na for Sony Open title

The celebration began with a series of happy hops that propelled Serena Williams across the court. Soon she was twirling, waving, laughing and mugging for the cameras — a familiar ritual by a perennial champion.

Williams won a record seventh Key Biscayne title Saturday when she overcame a slow start and a set point to beat Li Na 7-5, 6-1 at the Sony Open. She surpassed the tournament record of six titles she shared with Andre Agassi.

"I was actually super excited at the end," Williams said, "because I remember sitting here last year trying to get to six, thinking, 'OK, obviously I want seven, but I don't want to put the pressure on myself to get to seven.' Obviously I wanted to have the most titles here."

The No. 1-ranked Williams looked tense at the outset and served poorly, and she was broken twice to fall behind 5-2.

Federer fades at the Sony Open 2014

That vast edge in experience would seem to suggest a Federer victory, but tennis has a way of consistently delivering these May-October encounters in which the outcome is never certain.

And this one wasn't, not until the very end.

One day after beating No. 4-ranked David Ferrer in a match that went longer than three hours, Nishikori backed it up with a win against the man many feel is the greatest player ever.Nishikori, who was down a set and break in the second, came back to stun Federer 3-6, 7-5, 6-4.

Federer's backhand failed him down the stretch and he finished with 39 unforced errors versus only 29 winners. Nishikori was more efficient, with 24 winners and 31 errors. In the end, the highest-ranked Japanese man (at No. 21) carved out one more break of serve (five) than Federer, who at 32 is eight years older.

Miami: S. Williams d. Sharapova

Trailing 1-4 at the outset of today's Sony Open semifinal, Williams showed respect for Sharapova`s passing shot by giving her rival a hand.

The world No. 1 spent the rest of the match throwing down the hammer.

Finding the range on her imposing serve, Williams reeled off five straight games to spark a 6-4, 6-3 victory and roll into the Miami final for the ninth time. It was Williams' 15th consecutive victory over the woman she's treated as her personal punching bag for almost a decade, and her 14th straight win against a Top 10 opponent.

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Ideal Finals Matchups for Each Remaining 2014 Grand Slam

Tennis has a lot to look forward to with three more Grand Slam opportunities in 2014. Stars like Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic look to get back to the winner's circle in the ATP. Serena Williams and plenty of other WTA stars should provide excellent matchups.

But if we could choose the most compelling matchups for each of the Grand Slam finals, what would they be?

There is one important rule here in order to set up the best variety of great matches. Each star may only be used one time for the three venues. We are not going to pencil in Djokovic three times, even though he is very capable.

We will choose our finalists, but not declare a winner. This will examine both the women and men at the French Open, Wimbledon and U.S. Open.

Be sure to write in your own vote for the finals matches you would most prefer to see.

Miami Masters 2014, Rafael Nadal Easy Win Over Lleyton Hewitt

World No.1 Rafael Nadal has ended Lleyton Hewitt’s Sony Open campaign with a straight-sets second-round win in Miami.

Hewitt had joined Nadal and Roger Federer as only the third active player to notch 600 career match wins with his first-round victory over Robin Haase at the prestigious hardcourt event.

But the former world No.1 was no match for the current top dog on Saturday, falling 6-1 6-3 in 69 minutes.

The top-seeded Spaniard and his veteran Australian opponent took to the court two and a half hours late due to long matches that preceeded them.

But Nadal, who received a first-round bye, ripped through the opening set in 27 minutes and eventually dispatched double Grand Slam winner in barely an hour.

“It’s great for me to be back after not playing since 2012. I really enjoy it here,” Nadal said.

“There was no better way to start my return than with a win like this.”

Nadal next faces Denis Istomin, who beat Dmitry Tursunov 6-7(8) 6-0 6-3.

Miami 2014 Friday Hot Shot Federer

Roger, Novak Win Debuts Sony Open 2014

Friday afternoon rush hour in Key Biscayne can be a bit testy for anybody behind the wheel – especially with an afternoon session crowd of more than 17,000 crammed into Stadium Court at the 2014 Sony Open tennis in the Crandon Park Tennis Center.

But leave it to Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic to make it a smooth ride with straight-set victories during their opening matches at the Sony Open. Federer and Djokovic made impressive starts to their campaigns with back-to-back victories as the all-time Grand Slam leader overcame big-serving Croatian Ivo Karlovic 6-4, 7-6(4), while three-time champ and No. 2 seed swept past France's Jeremy Chardy 6-4, 6-3.

FILA ORIGINAL TENNIS “SONY OPEN”

Fila has enjoyed a long and fruitful history with the sport of tennis, and as the supplier of the Sony Open tournament — going on now in Miami, Florida — the heritage sportswear brand goes back to its roots, releasing a special edition of the Original Tennis court shoe. Dressed in a combination of mesh and leather, the low profile silhouette features a white base and complementary hits of blue and orange, the official colors of the Sony Open. The sock liner is finished in a neon green hue reminiscent of a tennis ball, and “Sony Open Tennis” print adorns the heel. Officials and lines persons will wear the shoes, plus matching jackets, throughout the tournament. While the apparel isn’t available for retail, the kicks are in stock now at Fila’s online store.

BIG FOUR FEATURE IN STAR-STUDDED MIAMI FIELD

World No. 1 Rafael Nadal leads the 96-man field at the Sony Open Tennis, where 19 of the Top 20 players in the Emirates ATP Rankings are competing, including last week’s Indian Wells champion Novak Djokovic, runner-up Roger Federer and defending Miami champion Andy Murray. 

Nadal is looking to add the elusive Miami crown to his collection of a record 26 ATP World Tour Masters 1000 trophies. He is a three-time runner-up at the Crandon Park Tennis Center, most recently in 2011 (l. to Djokovic).

Nadal is set to open his campaign against either Robin Haase or Lleyton Hewitt, who is chasing his 600th tour-level victory. The 33-year-old Australian, who won the Brisbane International title in January, is bidding to become the third active player, behind Nadal and Roger Federer, to achieve the career milestone. 

Novak Djokovic Wins Indian wells 2014

Novak Djokovic thwarted Roger Federer 3-6 6-3 7-6(3) in a thrilling final at Indian Wells to clinch the title for a third time.

Federer rallied from a break down and a 5-3 deficit in the third set to force the tiebreaker on Sunday, but he made a slew of mistakes to lose the 33rd meeting between the two rivals.

Federer still leads the series 17-16, having beaten recently Djokovic in three sets in the semi-finals at Dubai. Djokovic will remain No.2 in the world, while Federer will rise three spots to No.5 on Monday in the ATP Tour rankings.

It was the Swiss who started brighter as he took the opening set in little over half an hour on court.

Djokovic hit back to take the break in the eighth game of the second set as he capitalised on a poor Federer forehand.

The Serb rallied in the deciding set and took the advantage with an early break; Federer again collapsing with two consecutive forehand errors to hand his opponent the momentum.

Like his semi-final against John Isner on Saturday, Djokovic failed to serve out for the match as Federer hit back from 5-3 down to lead 6-5. However, Djokovic held on to force a tie-break.

Djokovic proved too strong in the breaker as he established a 5-1 lead before sealing victory with his second championship point, inflicting a first Indian Wells final defeat on Federer.

Federer and Djokovic to meet in Indian Wells final

Federer ended the giant-killing run of Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov when he cruised to a 6-3 6-1 victory in a one-sided semi-final that lasted just a tick over an hour.

Then Djokovic succeeded in blunting the booming serve of John Isner to beat the American 7-5 6-7(2) 6-1 and join Federer in Sunday's championship match.

It will be the 33rd time overall and the ninth time in a final that the pair have locked horns. Federer holds a 17-15 lead in their head-to head matches and they are tied 4-4 in finals.

The Swiss master has already won the Indian Wells title four times and made it through to a fifth final without dropping a set in the California desert this week.

Relaxed and super confident after winning his 78th singles title in Dubai earlier this month, Federer pounced on Dolgopolov from the outset, breaking him once to snatch the opening set.

"I was ready physically, mentally," said Dolgopolov.

"I wasn't nervous much, but I wasn't sharp enough. My concentration was going away for maybe one, two points every game, and you can't afford to have that in these matches."

The Ukrainian had beaten three higher ranked players, including world number one Rafa Nadal, to reach the semis but was powerless to stop the 32-year-old Federer, who fired down seven aces in a brilliant serving performance.

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BNP Paribas Open Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic win

Australian Open champion Stanislas Wawrinka is out of the BNP Paribas Open after a shock three-set loss to Kevin Anderson.

It was also Wawrinka’s first loss in 14 matches this year and his first defeat to the South African 17th seed, who will now go on to face Roger Federer in the quarter-final.Wawrinka, seeded three in Indian Wells, was beaten 7-6 (7-1) 4-6 6-1 in his first tournament since his Grand Slam success in Melbourne.

"I knew it's going to happen," Wawrinka said. "I'm not going to keep winning every tournament.

"It took me a lot of energy to come back here, to practice well, to win the first two matches, especially against (Ivo) Karlovic.     

"Today I felt that my energy was a little bit down. Mentally, I wasn't ready."

Roger Federer defeats Tomas Berdych to win Dubai Championships 2014

The 17-time Grand Slam champion proved this week that he still has elite tennis left in him when he defeated No. 2 NovakDjokovic and No. 6 Tomas Berdych to win the Dubai Tennis Championships. It was his sixth title in Dubai and his 78th title overall.

As most things are this late in his legendary career, this victory was very significant for Federer. It broke the tie that he had with John McEnroe to put him alone in third place overall for the most ATP titles in history, behind only Jimmy Connors and Ivan Lendl.  It also marked the 14th straight year that he has won at least one title.

Beyond the numbers, this title was important for Federer and his morale. Even though Dubai was just an ATP 500 event—a third-tier tournament in the tennis hierarchy—it was Federer's biggest title in nearly two years.

He did it all with moments of pure brilliance and a newfoundcombination of grit and patience that has allowed him to get passed the inevitable late-career rough patches. 

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