It’s Andy Murray vs. Juan Martin del Potro for the Rogers Cup title in Montreal. It’s the first time that Andy and Juan Martin, who are aged 22 and 20, respectively, will meet in an ATP final – it certainly won’t be the last. (Murray enjoys a 3-1 advantage in their head-to-head.) FYI: Del Potro is a Man Without a Master – Sunday will mark his first appearance in a Masters 1000 final. Murray’s appeared in four Masters finals and won three of them – all on hard court.
Saturday’s big news came when Andy Murray beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the semis, securing his official place as the No. 2 player in the world. Do you feel a dull ache, watching the still Slamless Scot overtake a six-time Grand Slam Champ for the second-best spot? Don’t worry – it’s just growing pains. Four years have passed since someone other than Roger or Rafa has ranked in the top two. Change is tough. But the sport’s been evolving, the contenders multiplying, and the sea change has crested at the top of the game.
Loading ...In Cincinnati, Dinara Safina – the real World No. 1 a.k.a. the “real” World No. 1 – is playing in her eighth tour final of the year. Have any of the three titles she’s won this season come in Slams? No. Does this bother you for some reason? Send an email to the WTA and BCC Serena. Or just get over it.
Dinara takes on former “real” No. 1, Jelena Jankovic, in Sunday’s final. (Dinara has the 3-2 edge in the head-to-head.) It’s great to see JJ climbing out of her slump. She played a three-set semifinal against Elena Dementieva on Saturday night, winning 7-6(2), 0-6, 7-6(6). She flubbed three match points at 5-4 in the final set, and was down 2-6 in the tiebreak, before finally coming out the winner. This is the kind of match JJ needed to win. It might not help her win the title in Cincy, but it will bolster her confidence going into NYC.
Speaking of rankings, congrats to Flavia Pennetta! She lost to Safina in the Cincy semis, but still made history. She’s now the first Italian woman to ever make it into the Top 10.
Both finals will be broadcast Sunday on ESPN: 1:30pm for Rogers and 4:00 pm for Cincy
Tags: ATP, Cincy Tennis, DelPotro, Jankovic, Murray, Nadal, Pennetta, rogers cup, Safina, tennis, Tsonga, US Open Series
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Great post as always.
In my best efforts – well done to Andy Murray, he’s been by far the most consistent player out there this year.
On the other hand, Djoko may lament the era he was born in, but I’ve certainly loved every minute of the Fedal era. I’m still cautious about this “sea change” though. Federer and Nadal aren’t going anywhere. It’s perfectly possible for Rafa to regain No 2 by the end of the year.
Or we could go the other way – Federer could go down by the end of the year too. It’s interesting, in a “nails-as-chewing-gum” kinda way.
YES. I do believe I’m getting my frazzles back!
I’m totally relaxed now that Roger has won the French Open and collected his 15th major title. For me, anything else is just gravy. Maybe I’ll finally be able to watch a big Federer’s match without wreaking havoc on my nerves.
Ok, who am I kidding? I still won’t be able to watch a big Federer match without my nerves getting shot. Less important matches, definitely yes though.
Hi Alista and Dootsiez!
I blame the frazzles on Andy Murray’s rise. As a Fed Fan, Murray freaks me out the most. Definitely more than Rafa or Novak.
I cannot believe what I’m seeing. I am happy for Andy, but is this true? Is this happening?
I am a Roger fan, not much a fan of Nadal, but definitely not a fan of Andy. Congratulations, but it’s really hard to take. I’m like crying here. This is devastating. I don’t wanna see a Nadal slump, now that my Djokovic already is on his way, Safin exiting, oh, Del Potro, you deserve this but Jo-Willy!! Jo needs a break! Huhu. I am crying my heart out for the ’09 season. These are the things that get to your nerves!
The US Open is murder. Absolute murder. They’re gonna fight tooth and nail for it. Now that Nadal’s 3, he’s gonna have to keep up, and if Del Potro wins this, there’s little chance that Djoko’s gonna hang for the 4, and Murray! Lanky Andy. I gotta give it to you, but… Well Fed better keep the 1 or I’ll….
freakyfrites, I’m really falling off my seat here.
On the other hand, Safina deserves credit for once in a while. It’s a Masters 1000. Dina’s really working. We know she isn’t a Slam winner, but she’s getting to the finals of GS. And we know that she has 1/4 of Marat’s talent, the hard work’s just paved the way for her ranking. I disliked Jelena ever since she said she’s got a pretty good H2H with the Williams sisters. Everyone’s aware of Rodge’s H2H with Rafa. And yet everyone considers Federer GOAT.
Number one is about consistency too. The Williams sisters exert their effort on Grand Slams. Only on Grand Slams. If they’re too whiny about the ‘real’ number one, then they should better fight for it, in the courts, not by quacks. And we all know they’re secured already in the Hall of Fame. They just have to show they want it, and play, and show Dina what they’re made of…
With the ATP, Rafa was injured, so there was no way he could fight for his ranking in a fair way…
Keep the posts coming! I’m sorry I ranted too long.
Glad to hear somebody giving Safina some credit.
Slams are the most important but lets require our pro tennis players to stay consistent all year round.
Thats what Dinara hss done.
I think Murray is slightly fortunate since Nadal has been out for so long.
There is plenty of debate on the ranking system and what Roger should do now? — what do you think?
HAHA! I love this phrase, Momo: The US Open is murder. I feel the same way. Of course I want Roger to win, but I think this is the slam where we get a new champ (i.e. not Rafa, Roger, Djokovic or even Roddick) So who’s left. . . Jo-Wilfried! (Okay, Andy Murray has a good chance, too.)
Think of this: I started this site writing about Roger Federer and later, the great Federer/Nadal rivalry. Am I going to have enough material if Del Po and Murray are the next big thing?
If Nadal wins cincy and suppose that murray loses in the early rounds by not defending his title, then Nadal could regain the no.2 spot no? Also does anybody want to see roger and rafa in U.S Open Semifinal!!!? I want delpotro to win because murray just has not have the charisma to be no.2 as rafa and roger. Thanks ff, for the posts.
I’m not really a big fan of Nadal, the player (his playing style really bores me sometimes) – but I like Rafa, the person. He seems nice. So to see Murray, who I probably dislike the most on the tour, take over Rafa’s ranking… askjgf. And so soon, too! He took the no. 3 ranking from Novak just months ago, and now Rafa?! I know everything’s just the icing on the cake after all the things Roger’s accomplished in the past few months, but honestly, if Roger gives up that no. 1 ranking to Murray, I’ll just… )’:
Sigh.
Byebye, Fedal duopoly. Hello era-in-which-Fedal-play-in-semifinals.
I’m totally rooting for Juan Martin “bumblebee” Del Potro today! Go for it, Delpo!
Also, I really hope Dinara crushes Jankovic. I kind of dislike her since she recently questioned Safina’s ranking because of the slamless thing. I mean, Jankovic questioning Safina’s ranking? Really? And her mentioning of her H2H with the Williams sisters… totally unnecessary. Safina’ll win a GS one day. She’s still young, she can do it. Plus, people have been bitching about her having no slams as though she’s been no. 1 for years without winning a major… seriously, she’s only been no. 1 for a few months now. And there are only four Grand Slams. Give her a break.
Del Po looked strong during the tournament but apparently his duration is limited. It was kind of surprising to see him fall apart in the last set. He always looks like he is about to die; but usually he pulls through it seems. Anyway, Andy M is now #2. The points are the points. I actually like Murray. However I don’t think Rafa is gone, but recovering. Novak is getting new coaching soon. Roger is looking a bit vulnerable lately, so that is unknown. So I think it will get interesting.
I feel for Rafa, I know this is how the sport works but its seems so cruel doesn’t it. Murray needs to win a slam to earn his right I feel. I don;t know, watching the final today against Del potro was a poor comparison compared to the great rivalry of Fed and Nadal. These two have given me the greatest moments I have ever witnessed in tennis, and it would take something really special to fill their shoes, I just haven’t seen anyone as special as Fed and Nadal, can anyone dominate like they have up until now? has any two before? not to mention the charisma and aura they bring to a tennis court! If it would all come to an end for these two I would feel short changed. The last 5 years have been wonderful!
If Murray doesn’t make it to the final in Cincy he’s back to #3.
and that’s what im hoping for.I cant stomach a slamless nos 2…hate his oncourt and offcourt demeanor….what a total meltdown if he ever become No 1…am puking at the mere thought of it.If he ever becomes nos 1 then bye bye tennis for me and hello golf
Hopefully Delpo will score a big win against the master of master events…lol!
Correction. Nadal has to win Cincy and not face Murray in the final. Or Nadal makes it to the final and Murray loses 2nd round.
Thanks for the info JFK! Really interesting. It will add a little spice to Murray’s second round.
As a Fed Fan, there’s one reason I like Murray at No. 2. I think he’s Roger’s biggest threat on hardcourts and I’d rather have him on the other side of the draw than a still-recovering Rafa. But in any other case, I like the Roger/Rafa synergy at the top.
Frivolous comment: Andy has a huge Adam’s Apple. I’m a woman, so I don’t have one, BUT:
Although I’m old enough to be Andy’s mother, I’m of Scots descent, have frizzy auburn hair and troublesome teeth. I should love Andy as if he were me bro.
But although I respect his game I feel about him the way I felt about Ivan Lendl. Respect, but no love. I’m open to change, however, and as someone who hates driving I love that Andy doesn’t have a driver’s licence.
Ah – he passed his drivers licence test after Wimbledon, or so I heard.
Love Murray. Period.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/8206215.stm
Roger’s take on the ranking no.2…