Swedish police detained two tennis players before the Stockholm Open on Sunday for allegedly soliciting prostitutes (via AP):

The two men were identified only as foreign citizens. Investigation leader Jonas Trolle told The Associated Press on Monday that they were detained as they entered a hotel in Stockholm early Sunday with their escorts. He said both players were set to compete in the tournament, which started Monday. . .

. . .Trolle said a prosecutor in the case had issued a so-called summary punishment, which allows someone suspected of a minor offense to avoid a trial by signing a confession. It wasn’t immediately clear whether the players had signed the document.

The players’ identities have not been officially released, though the Swedish press reports that one of the players was fined 2,500 Swedish krona (less than $400 USD), while the other player was not charged. So if this was his “summary punishment” I say the player got off easy, considering sex solicitation is punishable in Sweden with up to six months in prison.

Thanks to the Italian media for not dropping the ball on this one. According to various reports, Latvian star Ernests Gulbis is the top suspect.

Via Yahoo, Italia (Google translated)

This week in Stockholm is scheduled ATP 250 and between the players involved in the tournament the news of the escapade of the two young men did not go unnoticed.Actually, there have been some rumors and gossip as tennis lovers will want to know the names of those who were caught red-handed (so to speak …), immediately reveal that the main suspect is Ernests Gulbis: That he failed to appear for a Sunday workout could be considered a clue …

Once again, nothing official, but the gossip puts the naughty button on Gulbis. Swedish comeback kid Joachim Johansson (a.k.a. “Pim-Pim”) also blabbed about it on his blog (google translated from Swedish):

Immediately after yesterday’s match it was a different press conference when I received many tricky questions. Here are some of the questions and answers: If you could get hurt again in two years, would you continue? Probably (. . .) Can you imagine playing DC? I want to always. What are you playing next? I Have applied for WC everywhere. What do you think about what Gulbis has done? No comment.

Pim-Pim also talks about the identity of the second suspect, who evidently is not Juan Monaco:

Now I have made against Juan Monaco in the second round, which suits me as a glove. Monaco late last night found out that he had been accused in the Argentine press that he was the guilty player who bought sex during the weekend even though he was not involved. He will probably have a hard days before the match on Wednesday. I’ll try to take advantage of it early in the match.

It seems, via Men’s Tennis Forums and  HC Foo, that Pim-Pim originally wrote something on his blog like “Gulbis already acknowledged (the charge)” but this has since been changed. If any of you end up playing on the ATP tour, you now know who NOT to tell your deepest darkest secrets to!

Matt Cronin at tennisreporters.net offers this perspective: “According to some rich tennis lore, they aren’t the first players to engage in such an activity in Stockholm.”

Ernie Gulbis is 21-years-old and currently ranked 93 in the world. He reached a career high of 38 last summer, before injury and perhaps the pressures of the tour sent him into rankings free fall. If he is the culprit in the case, let’s hope it’s a wake-up call for the struggling star. Gulbis plays Feliciano Lopez on Wednesday in his first round match at the Stockholm Open.

REUTERS/Lee Jae-Won (SOUTH KOREA SPORT TENNIS)

The big news this weekend? Kimiko Date Krumm won the Korean Open, beating second-seeded Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain 6-3, 6-3.

Here are just a few reasons why this may be the most amazing comeback story in a year of amazing comeback stories:

1. At 39 years-old (on Monday) Date Krumm is the second oldest female player to ever win a singles title on tour. (Billie Jean King was 39 years, 7 months, 23 days when she won at Birmingham, England in 1983.)
2. This is her first title on the WTA tour since August of 1996, when she beat Spain’s Arantxa Sanchez Vicario at San Diego.
3. Date Krumm retired from professional tennis at the end of 1996. She returned last year, after nearly 12 years away from the game. Now that’s a real retirement!
4. Before this week’s Seoul tournament, Date Krumm hadn’t won a main draw singles match at the Tour Level since Monica Seles retired against her in the first round of the Year End Championships in November, 1996.

“Yeah, of course, very happy,” Date Krumm said after her big win. “I realized one more time after this game that we don’t know about tennis unless we actually play it.”

Tashkent Open final. (AP Photo/Anvar Ilyasov)

Shahar Peer also has her groove back, following up last week’s title win in Guangzhou, China with another one in Tashkent, Uzbekistan beating Akgul Amanmuradova in straight sets in the final. These are Peer’s fourth and fifth career titles, her last one coming over three years ago. She’s now gone 10 matches without dropping a set. After seeing her play some great tennis at the US Open this year (where she lost in the third round to Kuznetsova), I’m glad to see her building on her improving form and fitness. Keep an eye on her in 2010.

On the men’s side, Gael Monfils won the second title of his career this weekend in Metz, France, beating second seed Philipp Kohlschreiber 7-6 3-6 6-2. His first title came in Sopot, Poland all the way back in 2005. Since then, he’s been in six finals and has lost all of them. That’s a nice streak to break.

In Bucharest, Spain’s Albert Montanes beat Juan Monaco for the last ATP clay court title of the season (and his second of the year): 7-6 (7-2), 7-6 (8-6). By the way, do you know who has won the most matches on clay this year? Juan Monaco. (Click here for the stats) That would be impressive, except he hasn’t won a single title, clay court or otherwise, since 2007. Oh well, he can always look to Kimiko for inspiration.

This coming week the WTA sees Premier-level action in Tokyo at the Toray Pan Pacific Open. The ATP has two 250-level hard court tournaments, the PTT Thailand Open in Bangkok and Proton Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur.

Juan Monaco got some practice in before his doubles match on Thursday at the US Open. His shirtless session seemed to do the trick – he and partner Maximo Gonzalez beat the American pairing of Daniel Nguyen and J.T. Sundling and are into the second round.

 

The men put in a good day’s work on Day Four of the US Open on Thursday, including some solid wins by Tommy Haas, Fernando Verdasco, Novak Djokovic and Tommy Robredo. Here are some of our snapshots.

*fellow bloggers are more than welcome to use our photos, please link us if you do.

 

Davis Cup is the most emotional event in tennis. The pressures of playing for team and country either lift players up to the heights of glory or push them deep into dank pits of shame and despair. Which from a fan perspective, makes Davis Cup damn entertaining, even if you’re watching a fuzzy broadcast of Mardy Fish vs. Marin Cilic in the fifth set on clay.

Here are the highs and lows of this weekend’s Davis Cup Quarterfinals:

CZECH REPUBLIC DEFEATS ARGENTINA 3-2 in Czech Republic

You know it’s a good tie when there’s a live 5th rubber. Radek “The Worm” Stepanek steamrolled Juan Monaco in the penultimate match, inventing yet another diabolical victory dance:

“Stepanek collapsed in a heap and then, while seated, grabbed hold of an imaginary steering wheel: there had never been much doubt who was in the driving seat, although apparently there had been the night before when Stepanek’s knee condition was giving serious cause for concern.” (via daviscup.com)

Poor Juan, no wonder he was driven to tears:

CZECH REPUBLIC vs. ARGENTINA scores:

R1 – T.BERDYCH (CZE) def. J.MONACO (ARG): 6-4  2-6  2-6  6-3  6-2
R2 – J.DEL POTRO (ARG) def. I.MINAR (CZE): 6-1  6-3  6-3
R3 – R.STEPANEK / T.BERDYCH (CZE) def. L.MAYER / J.ACASUSO (ARG): 6-1  6-4  6-3
R4 – J.DEL POTRO (ARG) def. T.BERDYCH (CZE): 6-4  6-4  6-4
R5 – R.STEPANEK (CZE) def. J.MONACO (ARG): 7-6(5)  6-3  6-2

CROATIA DEFEATS USA 3-2 in Croatia

James Blake took the No. 1 spot when an injured Andy Roddick pulled from DC this weekend, and unfortunately, he couldn’t make good. Both he and Mardy Fish lost excruciating five setters on Friday, which – at over 8 hours of play – became one of the longest days in Davis Cup history. The Bryan Brothers’ victory on Saturday only served to give Blake another crushing memory as he lost the fourth rubber to a scary-good Marin Cilic.

James Blake indicated that he couldn’t handle the pressure when he complained about the “hostile” behavior of the Croatian crowd on Friday:

“To boo our fans is something I find unacceptable. . . To clap when I miss a first serve and things like that on a pretty consistent basis seems pretty hostile to me.” (via daviscup.com)

Uh, James, you did realize you were playing Davis Cup, right?

Bob Bryan scored the second point for Team USA in the dead fifth rubber.

CROATIA vs USA scores:

R1 – I.KARLOVIC (CRO) def. J.BLAKE (USA): 6-7(5)  4-6  6-3  7-6(3)  7-5
R2 – M.CILIC (CRO) def. M.FISH (USA): 4-6  6-3  6-7(3)  6-1  8-6
R3 – B.BRYAN / M.BRYAN (USA) def. R.KARANUSIC / L.ZOVKO (CRO): 6-3  6-1  6-3
R4 – M.CILIC (CRO) def. J.BLAKE (USA): 6-3  6-3  4-6  6-2
R5 – B.BRYAN (USA) def. R.KARANUSIC (CRO): 5-7  6-3  7-6(4)

ISRAEL DEFEATS RUSSIA 4-1 in Israel

Andy Ram and Jonathan Erlich secured the third crucial point in their doubles match against Marat Safin and Igor Kunitsyn on Saturday, taking Israel into the Davis Cup semis for the first time in history.

From Israel’s team captain Eyal Ran:

“I actually can’t describe how I feel. I am so proud to be an Israeli today, to be a part of this team, so proud to be part of this sport and Davis Cup tennis.” (via JTA)

This is yet another disappointing pre-retirement result for Marat Safin, who helped usher Team Russia to Davis Cup glory in 2002 and 2006. Not that losing makes him any less photogenic:

ISRAEL vs. RUSSIA scores:

R1 – H.LEVY (ISR) def. I.ANDREEV (RUS): 6-4  6-2  4-6  6-2
R2 – D.SELA (ISR) def. M.YOUZHNY (RUS): 3-6  6-1  6-0  7-5
R3 – J.ERLICH / A.RAM (ISR) def. I.KUNITSYN / M.SAFIN (RUS): 6-3  6-4  6-7(3)  4-6  6-4
R4 – I.ANDREEV (RUS) def. D.SELA (ISR): 4-3 – Retired
R5 – H.LEVY (ISR) def. I.KUNITSYN (RUS): 6-4  4-6  7-6(2)

SPAIN DEFEATS GERMANY 3-2 in Spain

We learned a few things from this tie in Marbella, Spain. First of all, Spain knows how to fill a tennis stadium:

Second, Philipp Kohlschreiber is having a great year. After beating Novak Djokovic in the French and taking Roger to four sets at Wimbledon, the German won both his rubbers on clay in Spain. His second match was a must-win five set victory over Fernando Verdasco on Sunday to even the tie 2-all.

But 29-year-old Juan Carlos Ferrero is having an even better 2009. He last played Davis Cup in 2005 and was subbed in for Tommy Robredo at the last minute on Sunday, but he proved that he’s still player enough to win live fifth rubbers: “It’s amazing what I felt on court today,” he said after taking out Andreas Beck in straights.

Also amazing, how well the Spanish do group celebrations. Even without Rafael Nadal, they pull off sexy-crows’ feet and tussled, sweaty hair better than any other team:

Speaking of sexy Spaniards, Antonio Banderas is a fan:

SPAIN vs. GERMANY scores:

R1 – F.VERDASCO (ESP) def. A.BECK (GER): 6-0  3-6  6-7(4)  6-2  6-1
R2 – P.KOHLSCHREIBER (GER) def. T.ROBREDO (ESP): 6-3  6-4  6-4
R3 – F.LOPEZ / F.VERDASCO (ESP) def. N.KIEFER / M.ZVEREV (GER): 6-3  7-6(1)  6-7(6)  6-3
R4 – P.KOHLSCHREIBER (GER) def. F.VERDASCO (ESP): 6-4  6-2  1-6  2-6  8-6
R5 – J.FERRERO (ESP) def. A.BECK (GER): 6-4  6-4  6-4

The Davis Cup excitement continues in September’s semifinals. Spain will host Israel and Croatia will host the Czech Republic.

All photos via Daylife

Stepanek in the driver’s seat: SAMUEL KUBANI/AFP/Getty Images

Juan Monaco cries: AP Photo/Petr David Josek

Blake talks to the towel: AP Photo/Darko Bandic

Marin Cilic celebration: HRVOJE POLAN/AFP/Getty Images

Hostile Mohawk: HRVOJE POLAN/AFP/Getty Images

Ehrlich and Ram make history: REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun

Woe is Safin: AP Photo/Ariel Schalit

Kissy face Safin: REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun

Passionate Safin: AP Photo/Ariel Schalit

Rockin’ stadium: REUTERS/Jon Nazca

Kohlscreiber’s glory: DIEGO TUSON/AFP/Getty Images

Verdasco blames his brain: REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo

Crows feet confidential: REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo

Antonio Banderas fan and fans: AP Photo/Sergio Torres

The drama’s building at Roland Garros, with a Day 5 filled with tears, triumphs and flop sweat.

Roger Federer’s four set victory over Jose Acasuso was an epic drama in itself. Roger pulled a Houdini, admitting afterwards that “(Acasuso) should have won a few sets.” I’m pretty sure that means Jose would have won the match, but anyway – champions get lucky. Acasuso’s rolled ankle/uncontrollable choke reflex in the third got Roger back on track from 1-5 down. (As John McEnroe quipped: “There’s a challenger next week – Jose Acasuso vs. Potito Starache”) Click here to read what Roger had to say about it.

Venus Williams also had destiny on her side – fighting off a fierce challenge and match point down from Lucie “the slugger” Safarova.  This little gal has a game face:

This was yet another three setter for Venus, in a season where over 50% of her matches have gone the distance. Not that it’s a problem for the No. 3 seed – Venus has won nearly 80% of her three-set matches in 2009. Venus explained her dog-fight dominance:

“Once I get to the third set, I’m like, you know, I feel a new level coming. So it’s good for me.”

Serena Williams preferred to keep that third set attitude in the drawer, losing only 2 games against Virginia Ruano Pascual: 6-2, 6-0.

Gosh darn it, why did one of these dreamboats have to knock the other out? (Glad it was Jo, tho’, who came through in four!) From what I could tell, it was a spectacular match – too bad neither ESPN nor TC showed much of it. But enough bellyaching, let’s just enjoy this moment:

(Sometimes I wish there was an alternate tour, where guys like Monaco and Tsonga dominated. That way I wouldn’t have to worry about Roger and Rafa.)

Marion Bartoli didn’t get a chance for a third set, going out to Italian Tathiana Garbin in straights:

You’d think that photo would say it all, but Marion, who has admitted to being “stressed” at the French Open, had a lot more to say about it in her post-match press conference:

On her annoying opponent: “When I made unforced errors, her team would shout. It’s not sportslike. They’re Italians.” (When reminded that she’s of Italian descent, Bartoli corrected the interviewer: “I’m Corsican.”)

On why her opponent made her lose: “Her game was not good enough. There was no pace in her game, so I had to hit more strongly, more strongly, and this is it. I was off‑pace.” (I think I’ve made that same argument, when losing a match in my YMCA league!)

On the terre battue: “It was the slowest surface on earth. It was so cold, freezing out there. The balls were stuck on the strings of the racket.”

“There was a lot of clay under my feet. The court was really heavy. The balls were heavy. I couldn’t hit the balls correctly either.”

And the sore throat didn’t help: “I was a bit tired. A bit sick, I think, as well. So it was not easy. It was so cold out there. Really cold on the court. . .It’s like a bit of a sore throat, and my nose is running. It was very warm on Monday when I played, and then cold for two days in a row.”

On every street corner of Paris, the world’s tiniest violins are playing. . .Alize Cornet is also out in straights to Cirstea.

Some tears were more deserved than others. Australian Jelena Dokic deserves a symphony of sympathy after her match against Elena Dementieva today:

Dokic, whose father is facing prison time for making terrorist threats, was leading 4th seeded Elena Dementieva, 6-2, 3-4 when she was forced to retire with a back injury. Her back went out in the fifth game of the second set, and after a lengthy time out she came back to break the Russian. But it became clear, as tears rolled down her face, that she could not continue. This was her first French Open since 2004. Hope it’s not her last.

In other results of note, Andy “I had a blast (on court)!” Roddick, Gael Monfils, Kolya Davydenko and Juan Martin del Potro are through on the men’s side. Novak Djokovic is up two sets in a suspended match. Jankovic, Kuznetsova, Wozniacki, and Radwanska are through on the women’s side.

There are TONS of great matches on for tomorrow: Gonzalez vs. Ouanna, Nadal vs. Hewitt, Benesova vs. Ivanovic, Williams vs. Szavay, Murray vs. Tipsarevic, Almagro vs. Verdasco, Azarenka vs. Suarez Navarro, Soderling vs. Ferrer, Safina vs. Pavlyuchenkova, and the Williams sisters taking on Dulko/Szavay in doubles. Also in doubles, Tsonga/Ouanna take on Bupathi/Knowles. Oh, you lucky Direct TV subscribers!

I’ll post Thursday’s results as soon as a more together blogger than I puts them up.

Mighty mouse Lucie Safarova roars like a lion: JACQUES DEMARTHON/AFP/Getty Images via Daylife

Droooooool: photo by AFP PHOTO / LIONEL BONAVENTURE via Daylife

Bartoli blows her nose/match: photo by REUTERS/Vincent Kessler (FRANCE SPORT TENNIS) via Daylife

Gotta love the videos coming out of this week’s Estoril Open combined tennis tournament in Portugal.

There’s something oddly entrancing in the pairing of Sabine Lisicki and Nikolay Davydenko:

Equally entrancing - South Americans in wetsuits and Juan Monaco speaking English:

If you are curious about more than beefcake and sweetcakes at the Estoril Open (a combined ATP 250 and WTA International tournament) – you can check out the website here.

The bottom line – on the ATP side, Gilles Simon and Kolya Davydenko are the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds, respectively, and Iveta Benesova and Maria Kirilenko head up the women’s draw (Lisicki is seeded No. 4 after Sorana Cirstea.)