Serena Williams is giving the U.S. someone to root for but not so her male counterparts. Since American men went 0-9 in the first round of the French Open - the WOIRST showing in the open era - it's not anti-American by any stretch to root for some of the more exciting foreign players who actually showed up in Paris prepared and ready to guts out some long matches. I mean, if Rafael Nadal can make it to the final of Wimbledon on just his second try, you'd think top-tenners Andy Roddick or James Blake could make it to the second round of the French Open - one of the greatest championships in their sport.
OK, so that's off my chest.
How 'bout that Lleyton Hewitt?
The fiery Aussie, who treats any match on any surface as do or die, rallied from two sets down for the fourth time in his career Thursday and beat 2004 champion Gaston Gaudio 4-6, 3-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 in the second round. In my French preview last week, I picked Hewitt as one of my dark horses so I'm glad to see him pull that match out after missing two months because of a back injury before returning at the Rome Masters in early May.
Two-time defending champion Nadal also advanced, extending his record at Roland Garros to 16-0 while the women's game's top two marquee draws, Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams, both won in straight sets. Serena and her sister Venus are the only Americans left in the singles draws of either the men or women.
The eighth-seeded Serena Williams, the reigning Australian Open champion, raced through the first set but was stretched in the second against Milagros Sequera, finally winning 6-0, 7-6 (3). Serena won the tournament in 2002 and is a threat to win any tournament she enters this year - even though she has entered very few of them due to nagging injuries.
Sharapova, who missed nearly two months of the season because of an injured right shoulder, easily beat Jill Craybas of the United States 6-2, 6-1. She returned to the tour last week in the warm-up event in Istanbul but lost in the quarterfinals.
She and Serena may be injured a lot, but when they show up, anything can happen because they WANT it and have tremendous self-confidence. It will be for the good of the game if both make ot to the later rounds and at least one of them is in the final.
OK, back to the guys: No. 6 Novak Djokovic, who I think is a real multi-surface threat to the players ranked above him, reached the third round by beating Laurent Recouderc of France 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-1. The 1998 French champ, Carlos Moya, also won. He is seeded 23rd this year but is always a threat on clay.
"Everybody now expects me to be the guy who can hurt the best two players in the world," said Djokovic, who has won three titles this year -- including one on clay.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 12:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Roger Federer usually has a calm and serene way about him. But in pictures from his second round match against France's Thierry Ascione at the French Open on Wednesday, he looked focused and fierce. Federer wants this title badly and, I think, for the first time really believes he can win it. He won the match 6-1, 6-2, 7-6. Other males seeds who won second round matches were Nikolay Davydenko (4), Mikhail Youzkney (13), Juan Carlos Ferrero (17) while second round losers included Marat Saifn (22) and Richard Gasquet (11). On the women's side, top-seed and three-time chap Justine Henin won in straight sets and charged into the third round along with Jelena Jankovic, Nicole Vaidisova, Dinara Safinia (Marat's sister), Elena Dementievca, Na Li and 2002 runner-up Venus Williams. One noteable loss was the 6-1, 6-0 thrashing 6Meghann Shaughnessy gave to 2004 French Open champ Anastasia Myskina who conitnues to slide from the elite to early-round loser.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 3:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It's rare that I've missed a French Open final in the last 23 years or so and with the tournament beginning today in Paris, I wanted to share what my favorite championship matches have been over the years. These are the matches that had me just jumping around the house or the bar or wherever screaming at the television. The women's finals have been so lackluster since Jennifer Capriati and Kim Clisters chokefest in 2001 which Capriati finally won 1-6, 6-4, 12-10. Hopefully this year, we can witness an epic between Justine Henin and Serena Williams...

Women's matches:
1. Steffi Graf def. Martina Hinigs 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 (1999 Final)
2. Steffi Graf def. Arantxa Sanchez Vicario 6-4, 6-7, 10-8 (1996 Final)
3. Monica Seles def. Steffi Graf 6-2, 3-6, 10-8 (1992 Final)
4. Steffi Graf def. Martina Navratilova 6-2, 3-6, 8-6 (1987 Final)
5. Chris Evert def. Martina Navratilova 6-3, 6-7, 7-5 (1985 final)

NOTE: It should come as no surprise that Graf figured into most of my picks. She won six French Open titles in all (second only to Evert's seven) and appeared in three other finals, losing to Seles twice and Sanchez-Vicario once. Seles and Sanchex Vicario won three French crowns apiece. So between 1987 and 1999, the only woman other than Graf, Seles or Sanchex-Vicario to win the French Open was Iva Majoli in 1997 when she somehow upset Martina Hingis in the final. Hingis has never won the French and won't be playing this year.

A lot of the men's finals have been long, grinding affairs but fortunately for us, the two-time defending champ Rafael Nadal is always a joy to watch as was three-time champion Gustavo Kuerten. I remember Kuerten's second title being such a routine affair then suddenly getting riveting in that fourth set when Magnus Norman refused to fold. It was great stuff. And yes, the McEnroe loss in '84 pains me to this day.

Men's matches
1. Gustavo Kuerten def. Magnus Norman 6-2, 6-3,2-6, 7-6 (2000 final)
2. Andre Agassi def. Andrei Medvedev (1999 final) 1-6,2-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4
3. Jim Courier def. Andre Agassi (1991 final) 3-6, 6-4, 2-6, 6-1, 6-4
4. Michael Chang def. Stefan Edverg (1989 final) 6-1, 3-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2
5. Ivan Lendl def. John McEnroe (1994 final) 3-6, 2-6, 6-4, 7-5,7-5

I so hope we can add Roger Federer to the list of champions this year! Please reply with what your favorite French Open matches have been!!!

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

At 31, Mark Philippoussis' best tennis days are most likely behind him, especially as his injiuries continue to mount. But the 31-year-old former Wimbledon and U.S. Open finalist still has the matinee idol looks that earned him the nickname Scud Stud (his tremendoius serve had a little something to do with it too!
Mark will be featured on NBC's upcoming reality dating series "Age of Love," premiering on Monday, June 18. More than just a dating competition, it's a social experiment based on the question: When it comes to falling in love, does age really matter?
Philippoussis will attempt to find true love among women ranging in age from 21-48 in this unique series based on the current phenomenon of younger men dating older women. He will date 13 women from two very different groups -- the "Kittens," six fun, enthusiastic women in their 20's, and the "Cougars," seven beautiful, sophisticated women in their 40's.
Who will win Mark's heart? The twist is that he is initially unaware of the concept: As he meets the women one by one, their ages increase. The series takes a dramatic turn when Mark learns there's a second group of much younger women -- the "Kittens" -- who will also be attempting to vie for his affections.
The tennis court sounds a lot safer than this set-up!

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 11:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tommy Haas, who has withdrawn from the French Open with an injury, had some fun last week with buddy Marat Safin at the German Open. The tournament celebrated its 100th edition and the two champs played a nostalgic exhibition match on a grass court near the Hamburger Aussenalster using wooden rackets and authentic tennis outfits.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 4:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The red-hot rivalry between two-time defending French Open champ RAFAEL NADAL and world number one ROGER FEDERER really gives this year's tournament an epic storyline. Will Federer, who finally beat Nadal on clay last week in Hamburg, be able to finally win the only grand slam title to have eluded him? The win in Germany - a decisive 2-6,6-2,6-0 victory, snapped Nadal's historic 81-match winning streak on clay. It wasn't just another tournament win for Federer: it was a pyschological breakthrough that came along at the time he needed it the most. He's lost to Nadal the last two years in Paris is the semis and in the final, respectively, and is too proud a champion to let Rafael complete a hat trick of French titles at his expense.
But this has been a strange year for Federer. The highs have included a third Australian Open crown and the victory in Hamburg. But he suffered to unexpected losses to Guillermo Canas in both Indian Wells and Miami then a really puzzling defeat to a qualifier in Rome. His fourth loss was to Nadal in the final at Monte Carlo on clay. So Federer is strong, but certainly not unbeatable.
As for Nadal, the Spaniard will be keen to avenge the loss to Federer, a player he has beaten in seven of their 11 matches. He goes into Paris without the pressure of the clay streak and is clearly the very best player on the surface. Nadal is just 21, he's not afraid to win and he wants it. He has won four tournaments this year - three on clay - and I think is a shoo-in to beat anyone but Federer. That is, unless he is inujured or too tired from a grueling clay season that had him playing in a final virtually every weekend.
If Federer and/or Nadal stumble, who might slide their way into the semis or final?
I'm looking at LLEYTON HEWITT of all people! He seems really hungry right now, is healthy finally, and has had some strong results on the clay including a semifinal appearance in Hamburg where he took Nadal to 7-5 in the third before losing. Hewitt is a former number one and winner of Wimbledon and the US Open so he's not afraid to go the distance. I'd love to see him cause some trouble.
The field has plenty of former French champs including JUAN CARLOS FERERRO (#19), CARLOS MOYA (#36) and GASTON GAUDIO (#63) but none of them seem likely to make it past the quarterfinals. I like the chances of others in the top 10 like FERNANDO GONZALEZ (#5) who made it to the final in Rome, NOVAK DJOKOVIC (#6) who is having a breakthrough year on several surfaces, TOMMY ROBREDO (#7) and DAVID FERRER (#14) who are always a threat on clay.
Things don't look so promising for the Americans in Paris despite both ANDY RODDICK and JAMES BLAKE in the top 10. Just isn't gonna happen. Meanwhile, both TOMMY HAAS and ANDY MURRAY have withdrawn from the tournament.
And so, I think (and hope!) it comes down to Federer and Nadal in the final. If it does, I'm gonna pick Federer to win in five sets.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 3:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The French Open starts Sunday at Roland Garros. I think the men's game is where the most excitement will be this year with the women's tournament sure to suffer from the retirement of 2001 and 2003 runner-up Kim Clisters, the inactivity of Amelie Mauresmo, the chronic injuries to 1997 and 1999 runner-up Martina Hingis, Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams, the erratic results of 2003 runner-up Venus Williams. While Clisters and Hingis will not play, I do not think any of the other women mentioned above will win the 2007 French Open either.
So who will win?
It is JUSTINE HENIN'S tournament to lose. She is the two-time defending champion and going after her fourth title in Paris in the last five years. Getting to the finish line of a grand slam tournament does not scare Henin who in addition to playing three French finals, has made it to the Wimbledon final twice (lost both), the Australian Open final twice (1-1) and the U.S. Open final twice (1-1). She also won the 2004 Olympic gold medal. So, she's my pick. I think SERENA WILLIAMS, the 2003 French champ, will shine on the grass of Wimbledon but with her sketchy preparation, I don't see her making it past the quarters at Roland Garros.
So who might Henin face if she makes it to her expected place in the finals? Depending on the draw, she could face third-seed SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA who she beat in the finals last year. Svetlana is the 2004 U.S. Open champion and is playing well on the clay this season making it to the finals of both the Italian Open and the German Open. But she is prone to mental lapses too so I don't see her going all the way unless Henin somehow loses early.
Then there is fifth-ranked JELENA JANKOVIC who beat Svetlana in Rome last week and is poised for a major breakthrough at the age of 18. She could take the title if she doesn't get nervous and things fall her way a bit. She's got the game.
I hope the tournament on the women's side proves me wrong and gets interesting. That will only happen ifd the big names like the Williams sisters, Sharapova and Mauresmo make it to the later rounds and get some momentum going. You really can't put anything behind reigning Australian Open champ Williams once she gets on a roll.
I pick Henin to win her fourth French crown...

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 2:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

When Andy Roddick appeared to be too buff to be true on the new cover of Men's Fitness magazine, many eyebrows were raised...including Andy's!!!
The 2003 U.S. Open champion, currently ranked third in the world, said on his blog:
"I spent the last few weeks in Austin really focused on my training and getting back into shape…but pretty sure I’m not as fit as the Men’s Fitness cover suggests…little did I know I have 22 inch guns and a disappearing birth mark on my right arm. I saw the cover for the first time when I landed after Rome…it was pretty funny…I walked by the newsstand in the airport and did a total double take …I can barely figure out how to work the red-eye tool on my digital camera…whoever did this has mad skills…maybe Rafael Nadal (pictured below) wants his arms back?…if you can manage to stop laughing at the cover long enough, check out the article inside, the photo shoot on the boat was pretty cool..and I recognize the person in those photos…"

Earlier post:
Is Andy Roddick TOO buff on the Men's Fitness cover?

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 5:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It's yet another title for the world's top doubles team Bob and Mike Bryan who won in Hamburg, Germany on Sunday against Paul Hanley of Australia and Kevin Ullyett of Zimbabwe. They are in terrific form to win the French Open which begins Sunday. The Bryan twins have already won each of tennis' four grand slam tournaments at least once. Now, it's just a matter of immortality and racking up as many multple wins as they can!

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 12:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

{AP} Pete Sampras capped his first-ever visit to Greece Sunday defeating Todd Martin 6-3, 1-6, 10-6 (Match Tie-Break) in the final of the Champions Cup – Athens at the Olympic Tennis Centre. In a match that – including rain delays – lasted more than four hours, Sampras defeated Martin for the second consecutive time in a Champions Series final to remain undefeated in his return to competitive tournament tennis with two tournament titles and eight consecutive match victories. Sampras also defeated Martin in a decisive Match-Tie-Break two weeks ago in the final of the Champions Cup Boston, the first tournament Sampras played since he won the 2002 US Open.
“For me it is really special to win the title in a tournament played in Greece,”” said Sampras, a Greek-American visiting the homeland of his parents for the first time in his life.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 12:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I'm not one to toot my own horn (ha!) but if you saw yesterday's post, I DID predict this result: Roger Federer beat Rafael Nadal 2-6, 6-2, 6-0 Sunday to win his fourth Hamburg Masters title and end Nadal's record winning streak on clay at 81 matches.
This is an epic win for the world's number one who had NEVER before beaten Nadal on clay and who only has to win the French Open to be proclaimed the greatest of all time (well, at least on his way). This win is as much of a pyschological breaKthrough as Chris Evert's win over Martina Navratilova in the 1985 French Open final after more than two years of losing to her rival in majors.
It is Federer's fourth title in Hamburg, his first tournament win since February. He won the Australian Open in January and three titles overall in 2007. He is now my pick to win the French because I think Nadal overplayed and is physically and mentally spent. On the other hand, this loss could relieve the pressure of the streak from Nadal so if he has the energy, he can swing freely and go for his third title in a row.
Nadal's streak dated back to April 2005, a run that included 13 titles.
"If I have to lose against anyone, then he is the man," Nadal said after the match. "I am not sad to lose to the best in the world. Now I have to start another (streak)."
Nadal still leads the overall series 7-4.
"It was an incredible performance from my side," Federer said. "I had a great day, it's nice to be playing well again. It's my first title on clay in a couple of years...Eighty-one matches is an amazing series. I have a lot of respect for him."
Said Nadal: "I congratulate Roger and wish him good luck at the French Open," said Nadal, who has won at Paris the last two years.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 10:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

They made it there the hard way with three-set victories over a pair of former number one-ranked players at the Hamburg Masters Championships, but Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer are, once again, the last two standing.
Top-ranked Federer has been in something of a slump over the past three months and a win on Sunday would be a terrific way for him to end his doldrums and go after his first French Open title with a lift in confidence. Federer, a three-time winner in Hamburg, beat 1998 French Open champion Carlos Moya 4-6, 6-4, 6-2. in his semifinal match on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Nadal defeated Lleyton Hewitt 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 to extend his clay-court winning streak to 81 matches. Nadal, No. 2 in the world, has a 7-3 career record against Federer, including 5-0 on clay. Nadal beat Federer in the final of the Monte Carlo Masters this year and is looking for his fifth title of the year.
Here's my thinking: Nadal is ripe for an upset and Federer has got to be really motivated to win tomorrow.
I'm gonna pick Federer to win in three sets!

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 3:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

AP: Rafael Nadal extended his record winning streak on clay to 80 matches by defeating Fernando Gonzalez 6-4, 6-4 Friday to reach the semifinals of the Hamburg Masters. Roger Federer also reached the semis, but struggled to beat David Ferrer 6-3, 4-6, 6-3. The world No. 1 is aiming for his fourth title at the Hamburg Masters, a tuneup for the French Open. His next opponent is Carlos Moya, who upset fourth-seeded Novak Djokovic 7-6 (4), 4-6, 7-5.
Nadal is undefeated on clay since April 2005. His run includes 13 titles on the surface. Nadal also beat Gonzalez on Sunday for his third Rome Masters title and evened his career record against him at 3-3.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 2:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Maria Sharapova has not been sitting around as she rehabilitates a shoulder that has kept her off the courts during the claycourt season. The glamorous but gritty world number two appeared at the Four Seasons Hotel in West Hollywood last week for a press event announcing her support for Russia's bid to host its first-ever Winter Olympic Games. Her hometown of Sochi is one of the three finalists in the running. The decision will be announced on July 4 in Guatemala.
NBC.com reporter Alan Abrahamson and I were the only two print reporters present and we were granted a joint sit-down interview with the 2004 Wimbledon champion and reigning U.S. Open champion who hopes to rejoin the tennis tour next week in Istanbul in order to prepare for the French Open.
"I lived in Sochi for five years," Maria told us. "I had to leave at seven [years old] because especially in the winter time, there were no facilities to train in. I remember hitting against the wall in winter, [wearing] fur and people would be thinking I was absolutely crazy but that was the only thing I could do to be able to train. I think having the Winter Games 2014 in Sochi, for aspiring young athletes, I think this will open up a whole new [world] for younger people who will be able to stay in Sochi and train."
Sharapova was born in Siberia and moved to Sochi when she was two years old and says that "is where my heart lies. It's an incredible city, I still have a lot of family there - my grandparents." Her role, she says, is raising awareness of the city and letting people know "how wonderful it is."
Sharapova did not play in the 2004 Olympics (won by Justine Henin) despite being the reigning Wimbledon champion. But she is hopeful about participating in the 2008 games: "As a young kid, I watched all the Olympics. I'd see all the athletes competing and I'd see the parade and all the athletes holding the flags and i would dream of being there with all the athletes, representing your country and representing your sport. That is definitely one of my goals, to be an Olympic athlete."

Sharapova made it to the final of the Australian Open this year and was ranked number one for a stretch. But a resurgent Serena Williams beat her badly Down Under then again in March at the Sony Ericcson tournament in Miami. But she is undaunted: "Tennis-wise, I've had a few injuries but I'm looking forward to starting again in a few weeks. The French Open and Wimbledon are always the main ones and at the U.S. Open, I'll be defending my title and hope that I'll be as successful as last year."
The tennis champ seems to have a good perspective on her sport and a self-belief that allows her to remain calm and focused despite all the hubbub around her and the expectatons: "I won my first grand slam at a very young age and my second one came two years later after everyone was asking when that was going to come. I was telling everyone to slow down, that it was going to take time but that I'm gonna get there. It was a very proud moment for my family and I."
But it's not all about tennis. This spring, sharapova donated $100,000 to start UN projects in Belarus, Ukraine and some parts of Russia and Siberia and will check the progress personally this summer because "I definitely want to see things with my own eyes.
'I get amazing opportunities in my life. I'm a U.N. ambassador and started my own foundation in August 2006 because I always wanted to work with kids and help them realize that are able to achieve their dreams. I had this crazy dream of winning Wimbledon when I young and who would have thought that it would be possible and at 17 years old, I won it. The kids who don't have the great opportunies in life, I want to tell them that it's possible."
"This is one of the most incredible careers I could have ever asked for," she adds. "To be a tennis player, to travel around the world, to do these things that I love but also be able to support the world and support my country where I came from, I don't think a lot of kids who are 20 years old have done that. I'm thrilled and definitely honored to be a part of such a cool thing."

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 12:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I think they might sell a few extra copies of the new issue of Men's Fitness featuring Andy Roddick. He might not be dominating men's tennis right now but at number three in the world, I give him a solid chance at winning at Wimbledon - especially with Roger Federer's struggling. As far as the French Open, I think Justine Henin or Serena Williams would have a better chance of winning the men's title than Andy. The red clay is like quicksand to this talented champion who has excelled on faster surfaces winning the U.S. Open in 2003 and making it to the final again last year. He's also a two-time Wimbledon finalist.
And ya know, if Andy never wins another major title, he could always be a model!

Photos courtesy of Kennethinthe212.com

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 4:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I love when the game moves on to European clay. It slows things down, we can appreciate the beauty and artistry of tennis just a bit more. It's also good to see Roger Federer playing some doubles this season! He has paired with hitting partner Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland for a few tournaments and on Tuesday, they faced off against Mardy Fish’ and James Blake of the USA at the Tennis Masters Series tournament in Hamburg.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 3:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I'm pretty surprised that Pete Sampras, with all the world travel he has done playing tournaments, had never been to Greece - his ancestoral homeland.
But hey, the only reason I've been to Mexico so many times is because I went to San Diego State University and we were just minutes away from cheap beer and food.
Sampras is in Athens this week to play in a tennis tournament but also has some personal reasons. He told the Associated Presson Tuesday that "this is about sharing some time with my folks in my mom's homeland. I'm going to go out and enjoy it. It's a personal trip and obviously a professional trip, and I didn't want to lose sight of either one. I'm here to explore my heritage more. I'm proud to be here for the first time."
Sampras' mother, Georgia, left Greece with her six siblings when she was 25 and moved to Canada and then to the United States. His father, Sam, was born in the United States to a Greek immigrant father.
"Very much a big Greek family," Sampras said.
Sampras will be playing in a seniors tournament in Athens this week. He won his first tournament on the tour earlier this month - his first professional match since 2002 when he beat Andre Agassi in the U.S. Open final. He will be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island, on July 14.
"I kind of regret stopping," he said. "It is flattering knowing ... that I can still be competitive."

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 3:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Serena Williams may be a former French Open champ but I would be surprised if it is her lifting the trophy at Roland Garros early next month. I'd expect Justine Henin to be the one doing that. But the women's game is so depleted right now with Kim Clisters retired, Amelie Mauresmo coming back from injury and struggling, Martina Hingis out with injury as well as Maria Sharapova.
So maybe Serena, IF she can not get injured, can somehow prevail. She certainly has the grit and the guts. Serena did manage to make it to Europe and play her first match at Rome's Foro. She won 6-4,6-1 over Michaella Krajicek and improved to 17-2 in 2007.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 3:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The French Open is a grueling two-week event where the men's winner must prevail in seven best-of-five matches to become champion. So I'm surprised to see Rafael Nadal playing this week in Hamburg after winning the Masters Rome event on Sunday in addition to two other claycourt events within the three weeks prior.
Nadal's mammoth clay streak now stands at 77th straight matches but if he loses early in the French Open due to fatigue or injury, I bet he'd gladly exchange his titles in Rome, Monte Carlo and Spain for another at Roland Garros. He has not lost on clay since April 2005.
I do hope he will be taking the week before the French Open - which starts May 27 - off.
Roger Federer retaine the world's top ranking for a 172nd straight week despite a troubling slump this spring. While clay is probably his weakest surface, Federer has won the Hamburg tournament three times in the past including back-to-back wins in 2004 and 2005. He didn't play last year.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 1:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

After losing in four consecutive tournaments, Roger Federer saiod Monday that he has left coach Tony Roche and will compete the French Open and Wimbledon without a replacement.
"I'm definitely not going to take a coach for the French Open and Wimbledon because I know what it takes and I don't want anybody interfering with my preparation and with my tournaments," Federer said at the Hamburg Masters where he will attempt to win his first title since February. "Maybe down the road I'm going to look again for someone who's going to be able to help me out for practicing."
Federer insists that his shocking straight-set loss to Italian wild card Filippo Volandri in the third round of the Rome Masters last week is not the reason for his split from Roche.
"It's something that's been inside myself for a few months," he said. "It was a decision that wasn't easy, of course, because we're good friends and get along very well and he's helped me a lot over the last couple of years. (But) in the end he was a part-time coach. We only were together for 15 weeks and distances were also not so easy ... I just thought the communication kind of changed and it was not going much further."
Federer said his recent string of losses don't have him worried: "In Monaco, I reached the finals. I'm very happy the way I played there from the quarters on. Last week was obviously disappointing, and I wasn't happy with my performance there. But it's basically one tournament, because at Indian Wells I had a bit of a blister and then in Miami I think I played well but ended up losing. So nothing really happened in my point of view."

That's a good attitude. But it seems like something DID happen. His progess in Hamburg will be closely watched by the rest of the field....

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 11:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

OK, this clay court streak is stretching far longer than I expected. Does this add more pressure to Rafael Nadal as he tries to win a third-straight French Open title next month? I'm starting to think nothing and no one can stop this man on clay! He won his 77th consecutive match on the red dirt Sunday to win his third consecutive Rome Masters title, beating sixth-seeded Fernando Gonzalez 6-2, 6-2 in the final.
The win gave Nadal his 13th consecutive claycourt title and was his fourth tournament win of 2007. With Roger Federer experiencing a strange slump this spring, I think the sky is the limit for Nadal until the grasscourt season begins.
At courtside Nadal said: 'It's incredible. To win here for a third time is a dream. Fernando made far more mistakes than usual and I took advantage of that.'

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 9:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Sorry John McEnroe. But your 22-year-old record of most consecutive match wins on one surface is now history. Rafael Nadal extended his winning streak on clay Saturday to 76 matches in the semifinals of the Rome Masters. He had to earn this win the hard way defeating Nikolay Davydenko 7-6 (3), 6-7 (8), 6-4 in a marathon match that lasted three hours and 38 minutes.
McEnroe had a 75-match winning streak on indoor carpet between September 1983 and April 1985.
“The guy seems like he's unbeatable right now,” McEnroe, who was at the Foro Italico for a seniors tournament, told reporters. “Doesn't he ever have a bad day or a headache once in a while or something? His intensity and quality level is just amazing.”
Nadal said simply: “It's nice to have these records but the important thing for me is to be in the final right now.”
Nadal will meet sixth-ranked Fernando Gonzalez who beat him earlier this year in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open and who wons a 3-1 career record over the world number 2.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 4:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Rafael Nadal beat Novak Djokovic 6-2, 6-3 Friday for his 75th consecutive win on clay and in the process, matched John McEnroe's streak for most victories on one surface. McEnroe, who according to AP, watched Nadal's latest win at the Rome Masters from a courtside seat, had a 75-match winning streak on indoor carpet between September 1983 and April 1985.
Nadal can break the record in Saturday's semifinals when he faces off against fourth-seeded Nikolay Davydenko.
Nadal hasn't lost a set in 13 matches on clay this season. He is attempting to become the first player to win this French Open warmup three consecutive times.
I wouldn't bet against him!

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 11:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

When she was the number one player in the world for much of 1997-2001, there was no player I rooted harder against than Martina Hingis. That goofy grin, the lack of respect toward opponents like Steffi Graf, and her overall cockiness. But after Graf beat her in the epic French Open final of 1999, the Hingis mystique was forever shattered and less than three years later, she was out of the game.
But when Hingis returned last year after a three-year hiatus, she was more thoughtful and humble and I have been rooting for her ever since. We all love a comeback. Her winning the Italian Open a year ago seemed to signal and inevitable return to the top three (she is currently sixth in the world) but she has mostly faltered since then on big occasions and now her body is betraying her again.
On Thursday in the third round of the German Open, Hingis played with an injured hip and lost 6-4, 6-0 to fellow Swiss Patty Schnyder. It was her first event back after a six-week layoff for various ailments and casts doubt on whether Hingis will be able to defend her title next week at Rome or play in the French Open, the one grand slam tournament she has never won.
"Definitely that's on my mind not to play Rome," Hingis is quoted as saying in an AP story. "I have two weeks to get ready for the French Open. It was a learning experience here -- I shouldn't play unless I am 100 percent...I'd like to make a decision soon what to do about my future."
Hingis had admitted earlier this week that she wasn't physically ready to rejoin the tour, but didn't want to wait any longer.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 6:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

What a hoot!
I never watch "CSI: New York" but tuned in last night to see how John McEnroe fared as a murder suspect. What a surreal thing.A guy gets killed inside of a New York club inside the men's room when someone slams him up against a condom machine and the coin deposit goes through the guy's throat - killing him (when they pull him off the machine, bloody quarters start falling out of his mouth! Ewwwwww!
So the cops says it has to be done by "an enraged person with a lot of upper-body strength." (another mentions McEnroe's '140 mph serve").
When McEnroe is intervierwed by investigators, he is incredulous: "I may have threatened a few line judges but I never killed anybody!"
OK, then I fell alseep. Sorry.
CBS describes the episode this way: the CSIs are puzzled when evidence and witnesses point to John McEnroe as their murder suspect despite his air-tight alibi, and as Mac's investigation causes a political firestorm, the team worries he'll be dismissed when they are asked to testify, on CSI: NY.
Then good news is the episode can be viewed for free on CBS.com!

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 3:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Nothing will stop this man on the red dirt! Spain's Rafael Nadal went to the hospital this morning after a dizzy spell but apparently is just fine. He returned and gave a clay court clinic to Russian Mikhail Youzhny at the Rome's Italian Open winning 6-2, 6-2.

AFP PHOTO / CHRISTOPHE SIMON

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 2:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

World number three Andy Roddick has never fared well on European red clay but after he routined former French Open champ Gaston Gaudio yesterday, I thought he might have a good run at the Masters Series tournament in Rome. But today, he exited in straight sets, a 6-0, 6-4 victim of claycourt specialist Juan Ignacio Chela.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 12:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

All great champions have slumps after a sustained run of brilliance and so this appears to be happening to Roger Federer who on Thursday suffered his fourth loss of the season. But this was the worst: he was humbled 6-2, 6-4 by Italian wildcard Filippo Volandri in the Rome Masters. Losing to Rafael Nadal in the final in Monte Carlo a few weeks ago is one thing, and even the two losses to Giullermo Canas in California and Florida this spring are somewhat reasonable given that Canas has re-established himself as an elite player.
But FiLIPPO VOLANDRI? This is a man who is ranked No. 93 in the world and had won just five of his 14 matches this year. Clay might not be his best surface but Federer finished runner-up in Rome in 2003 and 2006 and was runner-up at the French Open last year.
I'm tempted to encourge Federer to skip the rest of the clay season and head straight to grass - a surface he has not lost on since 2003!

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 9:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

You CANNOT be serious! John McEnroe, winner of four U.S. Opens and three Wimbledons, is used to being on television screens as one of the best commentators in the game. But guest-starring as a murder suspect on a prime-time crime drama?
I dunno.
John is going to play himself on "CSI: New York" which airs tonight on CBS at 10 p.m. This should either be really fun, or the PITS OF THE WORLD!

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 4:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Steffi Graf, mother of two and winner of 22 grand slam titles, makes for a stunning centerfold in the new issue of Glamour magazine. I think hubby Andre Agassi is pleased...

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 4:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Lucky me. I got to meet and chat with Maria Sharapova today. She is so poised, so lovely. She came to the Four Seasons Hotel in LA thgis afternoon to do interviews connected tgo Russia's Olympic Winter Games bid for 2014. I will share that interview with you tomorrow.
He manager told me that Maria hopes to next play in the clay tournament in Istanbul which is the week before the French Open. A nagging right shoulder injury has plagued her this season and is the reason it was announced today that the world number two will miss the Internazionali d'Italia tournament in Rome. She has not played since she lost to American Serena Williams at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami in April. She withdrew from last year's Rome event wiith a foot problem.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 4:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Roger Federer of Switzerland visits the young village for questions and hitting session with kids during the ATP Masters Series at the Foro Italico Tuesday in Rome, Italy.He had the day off from competition.

Spain's Rafael Nadal serves the ball to Italy's Daniele Bracciali at the Rome Masters tennis tournament at Rome's Foro Italico clay-court, Wednesday. It was Nadal's 73 consecutive match win on clay..

American third seed Andy Roddick returns a backhand to his opponent Gaston Gaudio of Argentina during his first round of the tennis Masters Series in Rome. Roddick won 6-1, 7-6. This is a solid win on clay for Roddick since Gaudio was the French Open champion in 2004.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 2:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Roger Federer told reporters in Rome on Tuesday that he stepped up his clay-court training in preparing for the Italian Open and his work was apparent in a straight set victory over Spain's Nicolas Almagro who he struggled to beat in three tough sets a year ago.
"I wasn't too happy when I saw the draw come out because he's a great clay-courter and a very dangerous player on any surface," Federer during a post-match press conference. "So to come through convincingly in two sets, not being broken and both times racing away with the lead with an early break, was perfect."
According to the AP, after losing the Monte Carlo Masters final to Rafael Nadal in April, Federer took just one day off before resuming training at home in Switzerland with hitting partner Jonathan Eysseric who is the top-ranked junior in France. Federer arrived in Rome more than a week ago for more clay-court training, and said he has worked out four to five hours per day.
"I'm trying to get into the best possible shape," he said. "I've been practicing a bit harder this year than last year."

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 2:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The great Rod Laver writes about current world number one Roger Federer in the new issue of Tiome Magazine featuring "The Time 100: The Most Influential People in the World."
Here is what Rocket Rod had to say:
"The most impressive aspect of Roger Federer's ascendancy to the top of the tennis world is the way he carries himself as a champion. It's quite unusual. He just lets his racquet do the talking. There's no entourage at his beck and call. He doesn't have a bunch of coaches and trainers micromanaging everything he does. Roger has so much natural talent, they would just disrupt it if they muddled his mind. He exudes energy, and you just know he enjoys the camaraderie of all his competitors. Tennis had lost that positive vibe over the years. His game is so spectacular and graceful—I can't tell you how many times I've asked friends, "Did you see Roger's shot last week, the crosscourt winner he hit a zillion miles per hour?" He has this amazing knack for raising his game just a notch more than an opponent. He never gets rattled if he's down. You can only marvel.
Every time I speak to Roger, I sense no ego on his part. He asks me questions about how I prepared for big matches—Roger has a clear appreciation for the history of tennis. (Plus, these days, I should be the one peppering him with questions. He's the big star!) When you're talking to Roger, he makes you feel important—whether you're a fan, an opposing player or an old geezer like me. People often ask me if Roger, 25, is the greatest player of all time. Let's wait until the end of his career before making the "best ever" judgment. He should definitely be in every conversation. One thing is for sure: he's the best player of his time and one of the most admirable champions on the planet. That's certainly something worth crowing over. The beauty is, Roger Federer won't."

On his web site, Federer reacted to his inclusion in The Time 100:"Being able to promote tennis with my efforts on an off court is of great importance to me. For this reason, it is a great honour to appear in Time magazine’s list. It is once again proof that I am moving into the right direction. It fills me with joy to be a role model for others as I can inspire other people with my actions. This is one of the reasons why my Foundation is so important to me: it gives me the opportunity to influence the lives of others in a positive way and share my success with them. Also, I would like to point out that there are many other personalities who would deserve to be mentioned in this list.”

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 2:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Roger Federer is not having any luck in his matches against Rafael Nadal this year - in any format! Nadal and doubles partner Carlos Moya scored a 6-4, 7-6 victory Monday over Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka at the Rome Masters tennis tournament at Rome's Foro Italico clay-court.
Last week, Nadal edged Federer 7-6 in the third in a hybrid court exhibition in Spain that was played on court that was half grass and half clay. In singles competition, Nadal beat Federer in straight sets in the final of the Monte Carlo Masters a few weeks ago. Nadal may be a distant number two to Federer, but he has won seven of their 10 matches and Federer has never beaten him on clay. If they meet in the Italian final, it could be a preview of what might happen at the French Open.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 1:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Belgian Justine Henin smiles as she holds the trophy of the WTA J&S Cup on Monday after beating Ukrainian Alona Bondarenko 6-1, 6-3 in the final. The final match was one day late because of rain.
I'm gonna go ahead and make an early prediction that isn't going too far out on a limb since Henin has won in Paris three times already, but I think she will easily win her fourth French Open crown next month. She has the work ethic, focus and the desire to prevail on the red clay once again. Henin, ranked No. 1, has reached the final in four of her five tournaments this year and won three.
I was hopeful that Serena Williams might be ready to do some damage but I'm looking for her to do well at Wimbledon instead.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 12:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

No, you're not reading a headline from 1997. This is 2007 and former world number one Pete Sampras survived three match points to beat Todd Martin Sunday in the championship match of the $142,000 Champions Cup Boston, the second tournament of the 2007 Outback Champions Series.
In his debut on the tour for retired ATP players, Sampras picked up right where he left off adter his last competitive match back in 2002 when he defeated Andre Agassi to win his fifth U.S. Open crown. The final score against Martin was 6-3, 5-7, 11-9 (Match Tie-Break).
I can't say I'm too surprised. i watched Sampras play Andy Roddick in a charity exhibition last fall and he BEAT Roddick which Andy did not seem happy about.
In the third-place playoff also on Sunday, John McEnroe beat Outback Champions Series co-founder Jim Courier 6-2, 6-3.

The tournament featured an eight-man round-robin format with the winner of each four-player division meeting in the title match and the second-place finishers from each division playing in the third-place match. To be eligible to compete in the Outback Champions Series, players must have reached at least a Grand Slam singles final, been ranked in the top five in the world or played singles on a championship Davis Cup team.
Can you imagine how popular these events would be if Andre Agassi gets hungry to compete again? Let's hope he does!

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 8:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Novak Djokovic of Serbia is my pick to finish the year as the number three player of the year. Andy Roddick may have that spot right now but this 19 year old with a terrific all-court game and a big heart is breathing down Andy's neck at number five. On Sunday, Djokovic captured his third ATP title of the year at the Estoril Open, defeating Richard Gasquet of France 7-6(7), 0-6, 6-1.
It was the fifth tournament win of his young career and Djokovic now leads the ATP circuit with a 31-6 match record this year. His other 2007 titles came in Adelaide and ATP Masters Series Miami. Djokovic was also runner-up at ATP Masters Series Indian Wells where he lost to Nadal who he beat a few weeks later in Miami.
Said Djokovic: “I’m really happy to win another title in a very close match. I hope the crowd enjoyed it because there was a really nice atmosphere.”

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 8:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This doesn't come as too much of a surprise since she hasn't seemed very interested in her tennis this season: Kim Clijsters has announced her immediate retirement from tennis on her website. We already knew this would be the last season for the 23-year-old former world number one who will be getting married in July and had planned to play at Wimbledon. But now, Clisters has pulled out of that after previously withdrawing from the French and US Open where she had reached the finals twice each.
Cilsters has struggled with injury over the last few years with the most serious being a wrist injury that threatened to derail her career even earlier. But she came back from the layoff from the wrist with newfound focus in 2005 and dominated the women's tour for awhile.
"It has been more than great. The rackets will be hung up," Clijsters told her web diary. "Stopping aged almost 24 is pretty young but it has been wonderful. It would be easy to go on for a few more months and take in the four big earners in tennis," Clijsters wrote, referring to the remaining grand slams and the end-of-season Masters.
In addition to her U.S. Open title, Clisters also the won the season-ending tournament twice in a 10-year professional career.
"Money is important, but not the most important thing in my life. Health and a private life are more important."
Clisters is considered one of the nicer players on tour and had previously been engaged to Australian Lleyton Hewitt, also a former number one and U.S. and Wimbledon champion.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 8:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Rafael Nadal of Spain and Roger Federer of Switzerland share a joke after the The Battle of the Surfaces between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer at The Palma Arena on Wednesday in Mallorca, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 11:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Does this girl stretch before she practices? It is just insane that a 25year-old athlete would injure her body this much! Serena Williams has pulled out of next week's German Open due to a groin injury. She has played just four tournaments this year and won the two biggies: the Australian Open and the Sony Ericcson Open.
Already this year, Serena withdrew from the Charleston event with a strained groin, and then pulled out April 22 from the Fed Cup match against Belgium with a right knee injury.
I don't think this bodes well for her French Open preparations but with Serena Williams, you never know. Her body might break down too much, but her fighting spirit is unbreakable!

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 10:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Is this cool or WHAT? It's Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal playing an exhibition in Spain on a half-grass, half-clay court. Nadal is on a 71 match win streak on clay while Federer, four-time defending Wimbledon champ, has not lost on grass since 2003!

Here is AP's account of the match: The King of Clay ruled in this oddest of matches between the two best players in tennis. Rafael Nadal beat Roger Federer 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (10) in an exhibition Wednesday on a half-grass, half-clay court when the top-ranked Swiss failed to reach a forehand that took a funny bounce across the green side.
"We're used to playing long, hard games with a lot of tension involved," Federer said. "So it's fun to play on this half-grass, half-clay surface."
Nadal came into the match with a record 72 straight wins on clay. Federer hasn't lost on grass in four years -- a 48-match run that includes four straight Wimbledon titles.
"It was a long match, with many changes of pace and with little time to adapt," Nadal said. "My feet are suffering as a price of having to adapt to the grass."
Federer was leading 4-1 in the tiebreaker before Nadal rallied. After the Spaniard double-faulted while ahead 6-5, the players traded match points. Nadal then hit three of the final four winners from the clay side before a sellout crowd of about 7,000.
The grass caused some tricky bounces, especially as the match progressed. But both players showed little difficulty in switching surfaces, as they changed shoes at changeovers. The grounds crew on Wednesday morning had to rip up and relay the grass court, which cost $1.63 million and had taken 19 days to prepare.
After the players split the first two sets, the jokes dissipated and both players went for the win. Nadal displayed his trademark fist-pump for the first time after Federer's forehand landed long on the clay for a 4-3 lead. Both players held serve to force the tiebreaker, with Nadal dominating the baseline and Federer the net.
Nadal, who has won three straight titles at Monte Carlo and Barcelona, held a 4-0 lead over Federer on clay. Federer is 1-0 against the Spaniard on grass. Nadal leads the series with Federer 7-3.
Nadal, serving from clay to start, won the first point of the match after a rally of groundstrokes ended with Federer hitting his forehand into the net. Another Federer shot into the net, a backhand, gave the Spaniard the first game.
Nadal broke first in the fourth game on grass then watched Federer net a forehand as the Spaniard held from the clay for a 4-1 lead. Federer rallied to 4-4 after a break of his own before Nadal lashed a crosscourt forehand winner for a 5-4 advantage before breaking Federer again in the 12th game for the set.
Federer bounced back in the second, breaking Nadal on his second try from the green side. Federer's one break while returning on grass was enough for the 10-time Grand Slam champion to prevail in the second.
Both players were eager to do this again next year.
"It was a fun way to pass 2 1/2 hours," Nadal said.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 5:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)