Nikolay Davydenko beat Rafael Nadal 7-6 (3), 6-3 in the final of the Shanghai Masters on Sunday.  This is Davydenko’s fourth title of the season and his third career Masters title. Watching him hit those crisp ground strokes and perform his soft-shoe scamper around the court, I remembered: I like watching Kolya play. [...]

Another tournament, another excuse to play “tennis” somewhere where tennis should not be played. This time Fernando Verdasco and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga played the “tennis” on Shanghai’s maglev train, the world’s fastest commercial train, which reaches a top speed of 268 miles per hour.
We got video, folks. This is what I really love about Verdasco – [...]

Novak Djokovic and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga were the ATP’s champs this weekend, with wins at the China and Japan Opens, respectively. Here are some video highlights and post match interviews from the finals.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga beat Mikhail Youzhny in just over an hour in Tokyo:

An interview with a happy Jo-Dubs:

Novak Djokovic beat Marin Cilic 6-2. 7-6 (4) [...]

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga won the Japan Open title on Sunday, beating Mikhail Youzhny 6-3, 6-3 in just over an hour. It wasn’t the most dramatic match, but it’s always nice to see the top seed make good, especially when that top seed is the gallant Jo-Wilfried. And we were treated to a snazzy trophy, too – [...]

World No. 15, Marin Cilic, steamrolled Rafael Nadal in Beijing, winning 6-1, 6-3. Here’s an interesting post-match comment from Rafa:
“I can accept to win and I can accept to lose but mentally probably I wasn’t there. If you’re losing 6-1, 6-3 then there’s something wrong.”
It is very rare for Rafa not to be “there” in [...]

Gael Monfils, Juan Martin Del Potro, Lleyton Hewitt and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga cracked some sake barrels at the Japan Open’s welcome reception on Tuesday. It was a konnichiwa/sayonara moment del Potro, who was booted out of the tournament in the first round.
What is Tsonga so giddy about? And where are Lleyton Hewitt’s arms?

Hair twins! Just like [...]

You know those recordings of dolphin squeaks and wind chimes that you can listen to while you fall asleep?  I’d buy the one called “Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Speaks.” Sweet dreams!

ZZZZZZZZZ. . . .(in a good way!)

He’s going to Disneyland. . .or somewhere. Photo by: Angelo Tonelli
Though both semifinals were decided on Saturday, with Spain and the Czech Republic destined to meet in the finals, some Davis Cup drama still remained on Day 3.
After winning the doubles rubber against Team Suisse on Saturday, hope remained for the Italians at home. That [...]

Czech it out! Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek took care of business on Saturday, pairing up after their epic five setters the day before to beat  Marin Cilic/Lovro Zovko in the doubles: 6-1 6-3 6-4. The Czech team is now 3-0 over the Croatians, and is guaranteed a spot in the Davis Cup [...]

Photographer: Angelo Tonelli
A 6 hour five setter in Croatia, a Frenchman gets upset, Roger Federer wins – sometimes Davis Cup Drama is a little. . . predictable.
Here’s a quick summary of the action.
THE SEMIFINALS

Peek-a -boo, I see you! Photographer: Sergio Carmona

Spain vs. Israel: Spain is up 2-0 against Israel going into day 2, with David [...]

Photo: EFE
Another round of Davis Cup, another round of men in matching tracksuits! Here is my down and dirty preview and some photos of our favorite players.
THE SEMIFINALS:
The Defending Champs play Israel in Murcia, Spain where David Ferrer and Juan Carlos Ferrero will play the singles vs. Harel Levy and Dudi Sela and Erlich/Ram will [...]

Sorry for the delay on the Day 9 Wrap – I had internet problems last night. We learned two interesting things on Tuesday:
1. Serena Williams will become No. 1 if she wins the US Open. And with her straight-set quarterfinal win over Flavia Pennetta on Tuesday she’s only two wins away. But [...]