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:

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. He’s like a hamburger – I don’t have one very often, but I always enjoy it when I do.

Of course, the big story in Shanghai was the high number of player retirements. 9 players tapped out of their matches last week – that’s 16% of the draw. Here’s the hit list: Stan Wawrinka (abs), Gael Monfils (back), Ivan Ljubicic (thigh), Feliciano Lopez (ankle), Andy Roddick (knee – now confirmed to be a slight sprain needing 2-3 weeks recovery time), Tommy Haas (shoulder), Juan Martin del Potro (wrist), and Mischa Zverev (hand – sustained during his match.)

Unlike Andy Roddick and Rafael Nadal, Davydenko says he sees nothing wrong with this injury-ridden part of the season:

“It’s good for me if everybody gets injured at the end of the year, because I didn’t play the first three months of the year and everybody played already.”

“Maybe I have more chance coming to [qualify for the year-end event in] London. Maybe everybody will retire in London and I can win London!“

Oh Kolya, you are a quirky one. But kudos to him for surviving a three hour, three set marathon against Novak Djokovic on Saturday and finding a way to come back strong the next day. At least right now, he’s the fittest man on the ATP tour.

Rafael Nadal benefited from two retirements (Ljubicic and Lopez) on his way to the final, making it hard to read too much into this result. But no matter Rafa’s current form, he’s only 23 years old and only two Masters titles shy of Andre Agassi’s all-time record of 17 (Roger, of course is at 16, but he’s ancient!) So I’m putting this into the “win some/lose some” category and will refrain from reading Rafa’s tea leaves until next year’s Australian Open.

On the women’s side, the wait is finally over! French Open semifinalist Samantha Stosur won her first career title in six final appearances by beating Francesca Schiavone 7-5, 6-1 in the finals of Osaka. This win will take her to No. 13 in the rankings – next stop, Top 10! (Sorry the above photo is not from Osaka – but I think it gets the point across, right?)

US Open semi-finalist, Yanina Wickmayer won her second career WTA tour title at the Generali Ladies Linz, beating Petra Kvitova in the final. She’ll now be in the top 20 for the first time in her career.

Oh and props to my favorite Frenchman, who teamed up with my not-so-favorite Frenchman to win the doubles title in Shanghai against Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski of Poland.

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 – give him a topic and he’ll just go with it.

Some silly quotes from Tsonga (via ATP):

“It was a very special experience. I made a few more errors than normal, but at least I was not driving the train because if I made errors then we would all be dead.”

“It was great for us to do this activity. It is very different than playing tennis in a normal court. The speed of the train is two times faster than my serve, so it was pretty fast.”

The story of the photo shoot: Verdasco knows how to pose. Tsonga’s more of a natural.

Nando, your Zoolander is showing:

Am I crazy, or does Verdasco look like Darren Cahill in this one?

Nando teaches Jo-Willie how to stare soulfully into the middle-distance:

Tsonga learns fast:

Tsonga practices his new smoldering skills on his own:

Tsonga and Verdasco are in the same half of the Shanghai draw. Tsonga could play Juan Martin Del Potro in the quarters and Verdasco could meet Rafael Nadal.

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) in Beijing:

Djokovic’s post-match interview:

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 – I call this one Mr. Roboto:

After the match, I realized that Tsonga and Youzhny perform my two favorite post-victory routines:

There’s Tsonga’s  exultant victory dance:

And Youzhny’s racquet salute:

Not to be confused with Youzhny’s racquet self-flagellation routine:

Side note – I also like Paradorn’s:

This one’s good, too:

Now, back to this weekend’s winners. . .

Novak Djokovic continued his perfect record against Marin Cilic, bringing the head-to-head to 4-0 after beating him 6-2, 7-6 (4) in the China Open final. It’s a nice win for Nole, who has now won three titles out of the eight finals he’s played this season.

After the match, Nole gave some smart answers to some Dumb Press Conference Questions:

Q: As a Serbian is there a special feeling to play against a Croatian?
DJOKOVIC: It doesn’t make any difference to be honest if I’m playing Croatian or whoever I’m playing. He’s one of my best friends, and I have always had best relations on the Tour with Serbian and Croatian guys, so it doesn’t make any difference to me.

Q: It seems Chinese women are delighted by your charms. How do you feel about Chinese women?
DJOKOVIC: I don’t want to talk about too much details about what do I like in Chinese women or not. Certainly it’s flattering when I hear that I have so many fans in China, and it’s been a great experience for me participating in the tournaments here in Asia and in China especially where I’ve had the most amazing presence and situations that I’ve ever faced with a fan. Last year in Shanghai I got a letter from one fan that said she was waiting for 32 hours to see me and she got a hug, and that was the best moment of her life. When somebody tells you something like that, you must be very fulfilled. It’s a pleasure for me to win the title in front of those people.

Svetlana Kuznetsova beat Agnieszka Radwanska for the women’s China Open title: 6-2, 6-4. Sveta is already guaranteed a spot in the Year End Championships, but the $775,500 in prize money was likely reward enough. Though she admitted after the match “I didn’t realize that it (China Open) was such a high category and the amount of prize money until this morning.” Well, at least I’m not the only one who’s confused by the WTA’s tournament ranking system.

This photo really confused me:

In doubles action, the Bryan Brothers won their sixth title of the year with a dominant 6-4, 6-2 victory over the first-time pairing of Mark Knowles and Andy Roddick. But it’s nice to see a little friendly body bumping between opponents. (It’s hand’s down, belly out, Andy!)

In Tokyo,  Austrians Julian Knowle and Jurgen Melzer won their second doubles title of the season after edging Ross Hutchins and Jordan Kerr 6-2, 5-7, 10-8.

Next up for the guys is the Shanghai Masters (actually, it’s already started!) and the WTA plays on in Linz and Osaka.

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 a match and even rarer for him to admit it. But with Shanghai coming up next week, he may welcome the extra day or two of rest.

Cilic, who shocked tournament favorite Andy Murray at the US Open this year, said today’s key was confidence:

“From the beginning of the match to end I didn’t let my level of play drop. With more confidence and not giving him too much time to adjust. And I was aggressive when I had to be. In the second set when he came back the match wasn’t easy but I think I kept with what I did in the first set and the best thing was that I didn’t back off and I was just stubborn with my style of play.”

Marin will play Novak Djokovic for the title, after Nole beat Robin Soderling 6-3, 6-3 in the other semi. There was more on the line for Nole than a place in the finals. Today’s win also puts him back at No. 3, a spot he lost to Murray in May of this year. He’s happy to be back:

“I’m very pleased obviously (with retaking No. 3). You know I’ve been No.3 for a while and Murray played well last eight months and got 2nd in the world. What makes best for me is that I deserve it. For this sport it’s always best to have players switching spots at the top- makes it interesting and gives crowd something to cheer about.”

Novak Djokovic has beaten Cilic all three times they’ve played.

Agnieszka Radwanska is back in the top 10 after beating Marion Bartoli in the women’s semis, and will face Svetlana Kuznetsova (who beat Petrova) in the China Open final.

Sveta leads their head-to-head, 5-3.

In cool doubles news from the China Open, the home crowd had something to cheer about as the Chinese team of Peng Shuai and Hsieh Su-Wei beat Alla Kudryavtseva and Ekaterina Makarova in the women’s doubles final. Awesome trophy, China Open! I’m voting it best non-slam trophy of the year (It’s right up there with Queen’s Club, which never changes, anyway.)

Andy Roddick and his partner, Mark Knowles, beat Dlouhy/Kohlschreiber in the men’s doubles semi-finals (4-6, 6-4, 10-7) and will take on the Bryan Brothers for the title. Nice to see Andy Roddick making the most of his time in Beijing. Love the photo above because you can read Andy Roddick’s thoughts: “Dude, it’s just doubles.”

In Tokyo, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga will play Mikhail Youzhny in the final of the Japan Open. Tsonga leads the head-to-head 1-0 and is looking to become the third French player to win an ATP title in as many weeks (Monfils won Metz and Simon won Bangkok.) Now will on of the French guys step it up next year and win a Major already? That mean’s you, Jo-Willy.

All photos by OSportsAgency.

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 Rafa and Roger:

Please clue me in on Monfils’s tee:

I prefer Tsonga’s white jeans and wrinkly shirt look to Hewitt’s tired Ed Hardy tee.

Lleyton’s angling for a lucrative sake campaign:

Awww. . .big man, little cup! Love it.

This is Juan Martin’s: “Whatever, I just won the US Open” face:

Good times:

Click here to visit the very uninformative (at least in English) Rakuten Japan Open website.

And since we’re already playing fashion police, what do you think of Rafael Nadal’s China Open outfit? (He beat Marcos Baghdatis in the second round on Tuesday: 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.)

It took me a few minutes, but I think I like it:

Click here for Rafa’s post match presser from Beijing.

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 hope ran out fast on Sunday, despite the two hour rain delay that interrupted Roger Federer’s straight set victory over Potito Starace (subbing for Seppi) in the fourth rubber.

Along with the dropshot, Roger seems to have added the between the legs shot into his regular bag of tricks, using it to good effect in his match against Starace on Sunday (sorry the quality is poor, but you get the idea):

The best news for hot doggin’ Roger Federer? He doesn’t have to play tennis for a while. He revealed after his match that he is suffering from a leg injury and general fatigue:

“I’m very happy to have won the point for Switzerland so that we can play in the World Group again. I’ m very happy with the quality of my game today, as I definitely didn’t feel the best and had a problem on my leg, which has troubled me a bit since the final of the US Open.” (via Daviscup.com)

A few more quotes from Roger Federer on the injury front:

“I took a chance with my fitness because I was not feeling great coming in. I’m happy I kind of survived, but I definitely need a rest right now because my leg is hurting quite a bit.” (via Daviscup.com)

“I have to go on holiday badly. I have a problem with my leg, I have a problem with my arm — everything is hurting. And I’ve got to do some baby-sitting. I’ve been spending a lot of time on the tennis court the last few weeks.” (via the AP)

Federer’s next tournament is the Japan Open, starting on October 5.

Tsonga gives his oh all all. Photo: Virginie Bouyer

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga continues to be a Davis Cup stalwart, clinching the tie for France vs. the Netherlands in Sunday’s fourth rubber. Tsonga won all three of his live rubbers for his team this weekend, saying afterwards that the DC atmosphere inspires him:

“I think it (Davis Cup) raises my game because you give everything. It’s very different because everything is more. You have more sentiment. You have more crowd. You have more pressure. . .I enjoy this because it’s different when you win, you win more and more. It’s good.” (via Daviscup.com)

And we enjoy you, too, Jo-Dubs!

Murray mopes for the dopes. Photo: GETTY IMAGES via the Telegraph.

In Zonal Tie news, the controversy grows after Team Britain failed to save themselves despite having a Top 3 player, Andy Murray, a top flight coach, Paul Annacone, and a home crowd advantage against their Polish opponents.

Here’s the Telegraph’s withering summary:

The 3-2 defeat by Poland at Liverpool’s Echo Arena on Sunday, sealed when Dan Evans, the world No 302, got blown off court by a player ranked 376 places below him on the computer, all felt so familiar, a Davis Cup Sunday roast replete with all the old trimmings of mediocrity, embarrassment and humiliation.

All credit goes to Andy Murray – playing for the third day despite an ongoing wrist injury – for winning Sunday’s fourth rubber and evening things at  2-2. Of course, that just made it more torturous for the home crowd, when Britain’s 19-year-old Dan Evans lost the deciding rubber in straight sets to Michal Przysiezny, a guy ranked #678 to Evans’s #302.

Andy Murray was blunt in his appraisal of Team Britain, now bumped down to the “Davis Cup wasteland” of third division play (via the Telegraph):

“I think now, at last, we are where we deserve to be. We clearly are not good enough to be playing against these teams. With or without me, we are struggling to win matches.”

“Everybody who’s involved – and I am one of them – needs to be honest about how we are doing and that we need to get better. This could be the best thing that happens.“

Poor Murray – he’s too young to sound like a disappointed Daddy, but I think he speaks the truth. And like Poppa Fed, he could use a nice, long vacation from tennis.

Click here for more Davis Cup news and results.

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 finals this December.

Czech mates! Photographer: Paul Zimmer

Though the Czechs were playing in Croatia, they still enjoyed significant support from the stands. Here’s the on-the-ground report via daviscup.com:

The Zatika Arena was reminiscent of a heavy metal rock concert. The cheering, chanting, and jumping up and down courtside would have been more at home at a Pearl Jam performance. An entire section of men with all body shapes removed their shirts and started to swing them in the air while singing. They were celebrating.

In Spain, the Defending Champions also pulled off the 3-0 lead against their semifinal rivals, with Tommy Robredo and Feliciano Lopez taking out the slight favorites, Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram of Israel, in four sets: 7-6(6) 6-7(7) 6-4 6-2.

Team Spain. Photographer: Sergio Carmona

Both Rafael Nadal and Fernando Verdasco were sidelined with injury, but were literally on the sidelines to support the team (they joined in the victory lap, above). The final against the Czech Republic will be played in Spain, and if Rafa and ‘Nando are both healthy, a couple members of the current team will likely be left out (no F-LO? Adios JCF?) Talk about a problem most teams would like to have.

WORLD GROUP PLAYOFFS

Roger is not amused. Photographer: Angelo Tonelli

There’s some drama in Italy, where the Italian team of Bolelli/Starace snagged the crucial doubles point from Wawrinka/Chiudinelli on Satuday, bringing things to 2-1, Switzerland. Roger Federer, who was taken out of the doubles rubber for a  rest, will try to wrap things up in the fourth rubber vs. Seppi on Sunday.

The (Nole-less) Serbs are the only playoff team already guranteed a spot in the World Group. They beat the Uzbeks 3-0.

The dreamy team. Photographer: Virginie Bouyer

Jo Wilfried Tsonga and Michael Llodra pulled France ahead, 2-1, vs. the Netherlands.

Click here for more World Group Playoff results.

In ZONAL TIE news, things are looking bad for team Britain, down 1-2 to Poland after Marcin Matkowski and Mariusz Fyrstenberg defeated Andy Murray and Ross Hutchins in the doubles on Saturday. It’s unlikely that Murray will play again on Sunday, due to wrist tendinitis that he says is not improving. Where’s Tiger Tim when you need him?