Yes! The ATP World Tour Finals can’t start before the requisite Men in Suits photo session. Along with the British press, another overlooked benefit of hosting the ATP World Tour Finals in London is seeing Federer, Nadal and the rest of the top guys in bespoke tailoring (at least I’ll pretend it is.) Here are some photos from Class Picture Day – I mean ATP World Tour Media Day at the County Hall Marriot Hotel.

These school assemblies are always so boring. . .

AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth via Daylife

Really, how lucky are we to have three ATP Top Models in the final 8?  Federer, Djokovic and Verdasco are obviously engaged in a heated pose-off in the photo below. While I love Roger’s masculine bearing, Nole takes it with his casual Gene Kelly elegance. Verdasco gets points for coaching del Po and Soderling has an honorable mention for his Swedish Sears catalogue look. Davydenko is obviously in character for the starving P.O.W. role he’s playing next week in the West End.

How the heck did Andy Murray get Dr. Ivo’s pants?

Who will be head of the class?

Nice trophy, right? It was made in England by expert silversmiths. You can check out the video on the ATP website.

Some year book photos:

Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images via Daylife

Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images via Daylife

Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images via Daylife

Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images via Daylife

AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth via Daylife

Candids! This one’s begging for a caption:

And thanks to “Tem” for passing along the Bryan Bro’s snapshot:

I’m a little concerned about Rafa’s hair:

I think Roger is, too:

Yes, Roger is deep in thought about it.

CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images via Daylife

CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images via Daylife

Rafa’s like “awkward!”

CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images via Daylife

What ho! Is that Halley’s Comet or ATP CEO Adam Helfant? The players record this momentous occasion:

Andy Murray and the Bryan Brothers took part in the draw ceremony for the ATP World Tour Finals on Wednesday in a pod of the London Eye Ferris wheel. Here are the round robin groups for the singles and doubles competitions, which run from November 22 – 29:

2009 ATP World Tour Finals Singles Draw:

Group A
Roger Federer
Andy Murray
Juan Martin del Potro
Fernando Verdasco

Group B
Rafael Nadal
Novak Djokovic
Nikolay Davydenko
Robin Soderling

Group A: Based on head-to-heads, Murray rules Group A. He holds a winning record over everyone else, for a combined win-loss tally of 17-5.  Roger has a 12-7 win-loss record over Group A, with 6 of those 7 losses coming to Andy Murray. All the players in this group have struggled with injury since the US Open, with Murray winning the group’s only title a couple weeks ago in Valencia. Based on the head-to-heads, recent form, and home-crowd advantage, Murray’s a shoe-in for the semis. And Roger Federer (apart from being Roger Federer) has the extra motivation of playing for the year-end No. 1. Group A matches up badly for Verdasco and del Potro is likely too gimpy to get through. But you never know – the tournament can’t be called the WTF for nothin’.

Your predictions:

Group B: This is where the Mojo’s at! Based on their form, Nole and Kolya (the 2008 WTF finalists) are the guys to beat – not only in the Group but in the entire tournament. Nole, the defending champ, has been on a tear this fall, winning 3 titles: over Cilic in Beijing, Roger Federer in Basel and Gael Monfils in Paris (where he also took out Rafael Nadal in straights in the semis.) His only loss in the past months has been to Nikolay Davydenko in the semis of the Shanghai Masters. Kolya went on to win the title, beating Rafael Nadal in straight sets in the finals. Speaking of Rafa – he’s lost to all of the Group B players in their most recent meetings. The most painful loss was to Robin Soderling in the round of 16 at the French. Besides the possibility of retaking the no. 1 ranking from Roger, revenge may be the major motivator as the Spaniard progresses through Group B.

Your predictions:

2009 ATP World Tour Finals Doubles Draw – Nestor and Zimonjic and the Bryan Bros are battling for the year-end No. 1 ranking.

Group A
Daniel Nestor – Nenad Zimonjic
Mahesh Bhupathi – Mark Knowles
Frantisek Cermak – Michal Mertinak
Mariusz Fyrstenberg – Marcin Matkowski

Group B
Bob Bryan – Mike Bryan
Lukas Dlouhy – Leander Paes
Lukasz Kubot – Oliver Marach
Max Mirnyi – Andy Ram

In disappointing news for tennis fans everywhere, the London Times is reporting that Andy Roddick has withdrawn from the ATP’s year-ending championships in London next week:

The American world No.6 has withdrawn from the eight-man extravaganza – which starts on Sunday at the 02 Arena in south-east London – having been unable to overcome the knee injury that forced him to pull up lame against Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland in his opening round of the Shanghai Masters last month. It had been feared for some days that the 27-year-old would not have enough time to recover sufficiently to give his all and he had to bow to the inevitable today.

Andy Roddick will reportedly stop by the O2 Arena to say hello to some of the British fans who fell in love with him during this year’s Wimbledon final vs. Roger Federer.

Robin Soderling will fill in for the ailing Roddick and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga will become first alternate. At least the Sod is sure to add a little drama to the affair – especially if he’s in Rafael Nadal’s round robin group. The two have avoided playing each other since the Sod took Rafa out of this year’s French Open.

The World Tour Finals draw will be held tomorrow morning at the London Eye. Click here for the WTF website.

(BTW: Andy Roddick’s foundation fundraiser with Elton John is scheduled for November 30, the day after the WTF final. Click here for more info.)

Whenever I get excited for quarterfinals day, the matches never live up to my expectations. Friday at the Paris Masters was no exception. I was pulling for either a Nadal vs. Soderling grudge match in the semis or a chance for Tsonga to defend his title. Instead we get Novak Djokovic out-scrapping the Sod and Tsonga choking break points against Nadal. I won’t even get into Del Potro’s poop-out against Stepanek. At least Gael Monfils kept things interesting:

Saturday’s semifinals line-up in Paris will be: Djokovic vs. Nadal and Stepanek vs. Monfils. I’d say I’m excited, but I don’t want to jinx it.

Here are Friday’s highlights:

The biggest stories coming out of Bercy on Friday had more to do with the World Tour Finals than the Paris Masters. Rafael Nadal continues to chip his way closer to the year end No. 1 ranking, which could be within his reach by London. Rafa’s win over Tsonga also guaranteed his countryman, Fernando Verdasco, the final spot at the WTF. (Personally, I’ve found this week’s tournament to be a big WTF.)

Here’s the ATP’s World Tour Finals line-up:

If you’re curious as to who Robin Soderling’s girlfriend is, well her she is. Jenni Mostrom. Don’t know too much information about her, but apparently she has a swedish blog you can follow.
http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/536657/rss—advantage-jenni-med-jenni-mostr

 

Whoa, Roger Federer almost needed 5 sets to get past Robin Soderling on Wednesday night!  Fed already had the first two in the bag, 6-0, 6-3, when, suddenly, Soderling went bombs away. The next two sets  went to tiebreaks, with Soderling up 6 points to 5 in the final breaker before Fed squeaked by. A little too close, but Fed fans can take comfort: Roger wasn’t broken for the entire match and he hit 28 aces. Not counting those amazing and amazingly well-timed serves, Roger hit 38 winners to 26 unforced errors. Really, that ain’t bad.

Being the Federer Freak that I am, I was actually worrying that Roger was winning too easily during the second set, a la the 6-3, 6-0, 6-0 quarterfinal he won against Del Potro at the Australian. Ever since that tournament, I’ve been superstitious about Roger serving up the double bagel before a final. Yes, I know that’s ridiculous, but it’s true.

Here’s Fed’s take on what happened:

“I had dream tennis there for a while in the beginning. I was able to dominate like I’ve never done that before against him. Then, you know, he started to get better, started to serve better. He got — you know, he got better, sort of more confidence from the baseline, and then it was more difficult to stay with him.”

As for Soderling, you have to admire his mental fortitude. He’s steely -  doesn’t whoop, or flex, or thump or bump or do anything at all to pump himself up – but something cold and treacherous still swirls below the surface.

Or maybe you buy Soderling’s simpler explanation: “After the first two sets I was thinking, you know, I can’t do worse than this. “

But Federer found a way to do better, and is through to his 22nd consecutive major semifinal. This figure is so mind-boggling, so untouchable, that I’m starting to value it more than the Great #15.

Roger tried not to be too impressed with himself:

“It’s not important (the record 22 straight major semifinals), but it’s nice to have, let’s put it that way. It’s something I never ever aimed for, that’s clear, but it’s probably one of the greatest records that I’ve created in my own personal career.”

Yeah, you know, it’s one of the greatest things he’s ever done, but geeze, it’s not that big a deal. Like the time I beat one of my really smart friends at Scrabble. Yep, just like that.

Novak Djokovic also needed four sets in his quarterfinal match against Fernando Verdasco. Nole lost the second set but found his game as the match went on (and Nando’s strained belly began to ache.) Nole’s earned his first appearance in a major semifinal since last year’s US Open, where he lost to Roger Federer. Rematch!

The biggest story of the US Open is over, now that Melanie Oudin lost to Caroline Wozniacki on Wednesday night: 2-6, 2-6. All credit goes to the 19 year-old Caroline for playing the veteran to Oudin’s ingenue, even though it was the first major quarterfinal of her career, too.

There’s no shame in losing to the No. 9 seed, but young Melanie was still disappointed:

“For me, I wanted to win more than anything. Losing isn’t good enough. But then, I mean, that was right after I had come off the court. I really think about it, and I really have had an incredible two weeks I should be proud of myself.”

You should be Melanie – you done good. And personally, I’m a little relieved that Oudin didn’t make it any further for the very selfish reason that I can’t take another “Cinderella story” reference. (Honestly what’s the connection? It’s not like she’s holed up with some evil step sisters. And Adidas, not singing mice, supply her with plenty of tennis clothes.)

Caroline Wozniacki was asked a Dumb Press Conference Question! And she had a smart answer:

Q. And real boyfriends, how many do you have?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I don’t have any real boyfriends right now, so ‑‑ and usually I keep to one.

She’ll face Yanina Wickmayer next, who beat Kateryna Bondarenko to become the second unseeded Belgian semifinalist in the women’s draw, along with Kim Clijsters. Sheesh, tennis is weird.

In the good news/bad news category, ESPN2 is showing doubles and it’s really entertaining. Unfortunately for the US Open, the Bryan Brothers lost to Paes/Dlouhy on Wednesday. But the 4th-seeded Williams sisters did get through and will play in the semis on Thursday.

If the weather cooperates, the men will finish up their quarterfinals on Thursday: Del Potro vs. Cilic and Nadal vs. Gonzalez. But the forecast is not looking too hot (or dry.)

So Roger Federer played second fiddle today, taking the court against Tommy Robredo after Melanie Oudin’s big win over Nadia Petrova. He did his best to wow the crowd in his own way, coming back from a tight first set to dominate the Spaniard in vintage Fed style: 7-5, 6-2, 6-2.

I loved what Roger had to say about finding motivation, even against players like Robredo who he’s now beaten all nine times they’ve played (via usopen.org):

“It’s not like even trying to beat him again; it’s just about having fun out there, playing a good match, playing good tennis, enjoying the moment, playing in packed stadiums. It’s something not many people get an opportunity to do. I think everybody would love to be in my shoes. Why should I give away my spot, really, because I enjoy too much and people love to come see me play? So this is motivation alone for me. It’s plenty.”

No. 6 seed Svetlana Kuznetsova lost a nail biter to Caroline Wozniacki: 6-2, 6-7, 6-7. And she wasn’t too happy with either of their performances afterwards:

“I don’t think she (Wozniacki) did something too well, you know. I just did unforced errors all the time. And you don’t have to do much. You just have to put the ball back. I was creating the point or I was losing it. This was it.

Robin Soderling advanced to meet Roger Federer in the quarterfinals after Nikolay Davydenko retired down two sets to one.  This is the second time this tournament that a player has retired against Soderling – Marcel Granollers lasted all of two games against him in the second round.

Side note – Venus, Vera and Melanie are sporting mummy-wrapped legs, Acasuso and Simon retired in the third round and Davydenko tapped out in the Round of 16, Nadal and Almagro were both splayed out on court getting treatment on Sunday. This isn’t hard court season, this is injury season.

Fernando Verdasco, who is nursing his own abdominal injury, edged out the lone American left in the men’s draw, John Isner, in four sets. I’m so missing Andy Roddick right now.

Novak Djokovic worked the crowd after dominating Radek Stepanek 6-1, 6-3, 6-3 on Monday night. He thanked the crowd for staying, challenged Todd Martin and John McEnroe to a hit (guess who accepted) and did a Johnny Mac impression (click here for the video.) Personally, I love seeing Nole up to his old antics. And I also love knowing that he’ll probably piss off everyone again before the tournament is over.

The women’s quarterfinals are set:

Yanina Wickmayer vs. Kateryna Bondarenko (Say wha?)

Melanie Oudin vs. Caroline Wozniacki

Li Na vs. Kim Clijsters

Flavia Pennetta vs. Serena Williams

The men are still working on the Round of 16:

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga vs. Fernando Gonzalez

Gael Monfils vs. Rafael Nadal

del Potro vs. Ferrero in the battle of the Juans

Marin Cilic vs. Andy Murray

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.

 

Roger Federer beat big-serving Robin Soderling in three tight sets today: 6-4, 7-6, 7-6. It was good practice for his quarterfinal against Ivo “Ace Machine” Karlovic, who beat Fernando Verdasco today in four.

Federer chatted with the BBC after the match. Roger says he’s happy that his pregnant wife is not being a pain in the ass right now:

Yep, somehow Roger made that sound sweet instead of douchey! Good luck in the quarters, Rog!

“He served well, and that’s it.” That’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga after losing today to Ivo Karlovic, who served 46 aces. Sh*t.

Dr. Ivo tells the press he doesn’t mind being called a one trick pony:

Q. Are you getting angry about persons who are saying you can just serve and that’s all?

IVO KARLOVIC: No. It’s actually, I mean, I like it, because if I can win with only one shot, I’m, I don’t know, a genius, so I like it (smiling).

And then Ivo gets a Dumb Press Conference Question:

Q. Can you name any player who gave you a compliment, a player we would know who said something?

IVO KARLOVIC: I don’t remember now.

Roger Federer, never short on accolades, is now the subject of a poem by poet Niall O’Sullivan, called “The Boredom of the Gods.” Not sure if it’s ridiculous or deep – here are the final stanzas:

The second set falls
and Federer calls the ball girl
to bring his towel,
the laws of physics
and spatial temporality
put up even less of a challenge.

As both men settle on chairs
and stare deep into a place
that most of us will never know,
the Umpire calls out the name of the ultimate victor.

Time.

Oooh, shivers – click here to read O’Sullivan’s full creation and click here for my review of Roger’s exciting four-setter against Philipp Kohlschreiber today.

Federer’s Rd. of 16 opponent, Robin Soderling, has never beaten Roger in 10 tries. Will the Sod make good on his Roland Garros joke: “Nobody beats me eleven times in a row”? Here’s his take:

Q. Do you have any reason to think that you could get closer to Roger should Roger win on the grass here rather than the clay of France?

ROBIN SODERLING: No. (Laughter.)

Novak Djokovic played an almost perfect match against Mardy Fish today, winning 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.

In a very random connection with current events,  it turns out that Novak has a Michael Jackson impression in his repertoire. Here he is (I think) at the Monte Carlo players’ party a couple years back:

Djokovic’s surprise Rd. of 16 opponent, Israel’s Dudi Sela, scored the upset today against Tommy Robredo in 4 sets. His press conference was filled with Dumb Questions, but this exchange might be the winner for the fortnight. Really, people:

Q. Are you the king of Israel, or is it David? I didn’t get that straight.

DUDI SELA: David, David.

Q. We were both listening and trying to hear, were they saying, “Dudi, king of Israel”?

DUDI SELA: Yeah.

Q. Did you know that the chair umpire’s name is Mohamed?

DUDI SELA: Yes, of course, I know, Swedish. (Dudi went on to say “Mohamed’s great.”)

Ugh.

In other men’s results, Verdasco is through over Montanes in four.  Haas and Cilic are embroiled in a real thriller – tied 6-6 in the 5th set – that was suspended due to darkness.  Haas had 2 match points in the fourth set on Cilic’s serve. Will Tommy Haas conquer the Bad Luck Bug or is he destined for another soul-wrenching defeat? Seppi vs. Andreev is also unfinished. Click here for more scores.

On the ladies’ side, Serena Williams beat Roberta Vinci fairly easily today but I’d  just like to say “Roberta Vinci, I like your game.” She has a great one-handed slice backhand and she serves and volleys. Can’t we have a separate tour for the gals who don’t play Big Babe tennis? I’d watch.

The Williams sisters also won their doubles match against Lisicki/Wozniak in straights.

Speaking of Big Babes, Victoria Azarenka beat fellow young gunnette, Sorana Cirstea, 7-6, 6-3. I’m looking forward to her driving Nadia Petrova crazy in the Round of 16. And hopefully she’ll do more of this:

How’s this for a WTF scoreline? Schiavone beats Bartoli 7-6, 6-0.

In other ladies’ results, Dementieva destroyed fellow Russian, Regina Kulikova, 6-1, 6-2, Vesnina beat Cibulkova in three, Hantuchova came through over her dubs partner, Ai Sugiyama, and Virginie Razzano got the walkover from the ankle-addled Vera Zvonareva. Click here for more.