2013 Tennis Thread

[Smallville22]

Mirnyi closing in on US Open mixed doubles hat-trick

Belarus veteran Max Mirnyi will attempt to win his third US Open mixed doubles title 15-years after his first at Flushing Meadows.
Mirnyi and Czech Andrea Hlavackova will meet American Abigail Spears and Mexican Santiago Gonzalez on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The seventh-seeded Mirnyi and Hlavackova reached the final by defeating Wimbledon mixed doubles champions Kristina Mladenovic of France and Daniel Nestor of Canada 7-5 6-7 12-10.
The 36-year-old Mirnyi is chasing the 10th major doubles title of his career.
He partnered with Serena Williams to win the US Open mixed doubles crown in 1998 and was triumphant again in 2007 with Victoria Azarenka.
Mirnyi's impressive resume also includes an mixed doubles Olympic gold medal he won with Azarenka in London last year.
Spears and Gonzalez defeated fifth seeds Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain and Bruno Soares of Brazil 6-3, 6-1.
Spears, 32, will contest her first Grand Slam final in 63 attempts.

 

[Smallville22]

Wawrinka steps out of Federer shadow into semi-finals

Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka stepped out of compatriot Roger Federer's shadow and into the US Open semi-finals with a 6-4 6-3 6-2 upset of defending champion Andy Murray.
Wawrinka even received a congratulatory text message upon reaching his first US semi-final from five-time US Open champion Federer, who left the stage to Wawrinka after an early dismissal from Flushing Meadows.
After Federer's shock loss to Spain's Tommy Robredo in the fourth round, Wawrinka continued his breakout year with a display of supreme ball-striking to dominate Murray in two hours and 15 minutes on Arthur Ashe Stadium court.
Wawrinka started the year with a bang, pushing world number one Novak Djokovic to 12-10 in the fifth set at the Australian Open. He has since pushed his world ranking to number 10.
Another jump is guaranteed after he lasted longer than Federer at a US for the first time in his career.
"It's my moment and I'm enjoying it a lot," said Wawrinka, who added that he never resented Federer's tremendous success.
"I'm really thankful for him because he has helped me a lot. But today, for sure it's my moment. Roger texted me straight after the match. He told me congrats."
Wawrinka beat Murray without facing a break point on serve.
He said the most pleasing aspect was controlling the nerves that have gotten the better of him in the past.
"I was dealing with the pressure," the 28-year-old said.
"Normally I can be a little bit nervous and I can lose a few games because of that, but today I was just focused on my game.
"It's amazing for me to be in my first semi-final of a US, especially after beating Andy Murray, the defending champion. He won Wimbledon, too. To beat him in three sets, the way I was playing today, is quite good for me."
Wawrinka, who has developed one of the most stylish single-handed backhands in tennis, hit 45 winners to Murray's 15 to leave the Scotsman scrambling in defence.
"I'm quite happy with my backhand," said Wawrinka, who abandoned the two-hand backhand when he was 11. "Sometimes it's not that easy, especially to return the serve."
Wawrinka will play either Serbia's world number one Novak Djokovic, the Australian Open winner, or Russia's Mikhail Youzhny in Saturday's semi-finals.

 

[Smallville22]

Djokovic swats aside Youzhny to reach semi-finals

Top seed Novak Djokovic rode a third set blip to breeze past Mikhail Youzhny 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-0 and reach the semi-finals of the US Open.
The Serb polished off his Russian opponent in two hours and 34 minutes on Arthur Ashe Stadium to set up a last four meeting with Stanislas Wawrinka, who earlier stunned defending champion Andy Murray.
"I've been always trying to play my best tennis in the Grand Slams," said Djokovic, who has now reached the semi-finals at 14 successive Majors.
"I had a tough hard court season coming into the US Open but I'm really working on my game. I'm going to try to play my best in every match."
At two sets up, Djokovic looked to be forging an even quicker path to the last four but Youzhny burst into life to become the first player to take a set off the world number one at Flushing Meadows this year.
The New York crowd swung behind the underdog but Djokovic recovered momentum by breaking the Russian's opening service game of the fourth set.
With entrepreneur Richard Branson cheering him on from his supporters' box, Djokovic broke again in the fourth and sixth games to put the issue beyond doubt.
"After I lost the third set I definitely tried to regroup and focus on every point individually," said the 26-year-old, who hit 32 winners and an unusually high 45 unforced errors.
"It suddenly changed. For some reason I allowed him to come back into the match, started to push the ball, being more passive and allowing him to step into the court.
"It was important to get the early break in the fourth. I really felt a big relief and just went for my shots and played great."
The clash between Djokovic and ninth seeded Swiss Wawrinka will be their first since an epic battle at this year's Australian Open, which the Serbian won 12-10 in the fifth set before going on to win the title.
"That was played on a very, very high level," Djokovic said.
"In the past we all knew (Stan) had the quality to play that well, but not on a consistent basis. I think he has worked on his movement a lot, and some variety of shots in his game.
"He's a very complete player. He's had one of the best seasons of his life. Today he won in straight sets against the defending champion on Arthur Ashe. That's quite impressive."
Murray complained about an emotional letdown from his Wimbledon victory and Djokovic said he understood.
"It's never easy after you win a Grand Slam to motivate yourself again to play smaller tournaments," the six-times Grand Slam champion said.
"And then prepare yourself again to be mentally, physically and emotionally 100 per cent committed to another Grand Slam that is basically just a month and a half after the biggest win in his career, which is Wimbledon.
"I have been in this particular situation. I know how it feels. But this is tennis. In order to be in the mix for number one in the world or a contender for a Major title, you have to be giving everything that you have."

 

[Smallville22]

Tomic sentenced to eight months, but no jail, over ******

John Tomic, ****** and coach of Australian world number 52 Bernard, has been sentenced to eight months in prison after he beat up his ***'s practice partner in a Madrid street in May, a court said on Friday.
But the 49-year-old, who said he acted in self-defence when he butted Thomas Drouet in the face and broke his nose, will not have to serve jail time as his sentence is less than two years, a court official said.
"In Spain nobody goes to jail unless their sentence is at least two years," the official told Reuters, adding that Tomic, who was also ordered to pay costs, had five days in which to appeal against the ruling.
A burly former taxi driver born in Bosnia, Tomic tangled with Drouet on the central Paseo de la Castellana during the Madrid Masters in which Bernard was competing and the incident led to the older Tomic being suspended from ATP events.
Australia's Herald Sun newspaper quoted Drouet as saying that Tomic had treated him like a "dog" for years.
Shortly before the head-butting incident, Tomic had told him he was sacked and would not be getting paid.
"I thought he was going to say sorry for the verbal *****, but no," Drouet told the paper.
"He spat in my face, then walked away and said he wouldn't pay me any more.
"I said, 'Okay, John, you are a real man. That's fine. Bernard will pay me'. And he head-butted me."
Tomic's Spanish lawyer, Carmen Dieguez, told reporters that while her client did not dispute that he had caused Drouet's injuries, he had no choice but to head-butt him as Drouet had grabbed him by the arms.
Tension between the pair had been rising for some weeks and it was not the first time they had clashed, she added.

 

[RexKantor]

So does Stan the Man jump Roger in the rankings after the US Open? Is Roger in danger of not qualifying for the year end tournament because of his US open showing?

Wawrinka steps out of Federer shadow into semi-finals

Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka stepped out of compatriot Roger Federer's shadow and into the US Open semi-finals with a 6-4 6-3 6-2 upset of defending champion Andy Murray.
Wawrinka even received a congratulatory text message upon reaching his first US semi-final from five-time US Open champion Federer, who left the stage to Wawrinka after an early dismissal from Flushing Meadows.
After Federer's shock loss to Spain's Tommy Robredo in the fourth round, Wawrinka continued his breakout year with a display of supreme ball-striking to dominate Murray in two hours and 15 minutes on Arthur Ashe Stadium court.
Wawrinka started the year with a bang, pushing world number one Novak Djokovic to 12-10 in the fifth set at the Australian Open. He has since pushed his world ranking to number 10.
Another jump is guaranteed after he lasted longer than Federer at a US for the first time in his career.
"It's my moment and I'm enjoying it a lot," said Wawrinka, who added that he never resented Federer's tremendous success.
"I'm really thankful for him because he has helped me a lot. But today, for sure it's my moment. Roger texted me straight after the match. He told me congrats."
Wawrinka beat Murray without facing a break point on serve.
He said the most pleasing aspect was controlling the nerves that have gotten the better of him in the past.
"I was dealing with the pressure," the 28-year-old said.
"Normally I can be a little bit nervous and I can lose a few games because of that, but today I was just focused on my game.
"It's amazing for me to be in my first semi-final of a US, especially after beating Andy Murray, the defending champion. He won Wimbledon, too. To beat him in three sets, the way I was playing today, is quite good for me."
Wawrinka, who has developed one of the most stylish single-handed backhands in tennis, hit 45 winners to Murray's 15 to leave the Scotsman scrambling in defence.
"I'm quite happy with my backhand," said Wawrinka, who abandoned the two-hand backhand when he was 11. "Sometimes it's not that easy, especially to return the serve."
Wawrinka will play either Serbia's world number one Novak Djokovic, the Australian Open winner, or Russia's Mikhail Youzhny in Saturday's semi-finals.

 

[Smallville22]

Mirnyi completes mixed doubles hat-trick

Belarussian veteran Max Mirnyi captured his third US Open mixed doubles title on Friday when he and Czech Andrea Hlavackova beat American Abigail Spears and Mexican Santiago Gonzalez 7-6 (5) 6-3.
The 36-year-old Mirnyi's hat trick of wins in the event, each with different partners, was completed 15 years after his first at Flushing Meadows and was the 10th major doubles title of his career.
He partnered with Serena Williams to win the US Open mixed doubles crown in 1998 and then triumphed with Victoria Azarenka in 2007.
Mirnyi's successes in the format also includes a mixed doubles Olympic gold medal that he won with Azarenka in London last year.
"Max was unbelievable, he covered 80 percent of the court and made it easy for me to make some great returns," said Hlavackova.
Hlavackova is back on court later on Friday in the women's doubles semi-finals where she and fellow Czech Lucie Hradecka face the Williams sisters.

 

[Smallville22]

Azarenka ends Pennetta's ***** to reach final

Second seed Victoria Azarenka overcame an at-times erratic serve to beat unseeded Italian Flavia Pennetta 6-4 6-2 and reach the US Open final.
Second seed Azarenka, who lost to Serena Williams in last year's final, could get a chance for revenge if top-seeded Williams beats China's Li Na in the Friday's other semi-final.
"I'm so excited. It's been a long road to the final. It's an amazing feeling, to fight for the trophy," said Azarenka, a former US Open junior champion and mixed doubles winner.
Both players struggled to keep their serve on centre court with 13 breaks of serve in the 18 games but Azarenka's power was too much for the enterprising Pennetta, who returned from a serious wrist injury to reach her first Grand Slam semi-final.
There were five service breaks in a row before Azarenka, the Australian Open winner, held to win the set after an intense battle where the unseeded, 31-year-old Pennetta saved five set points.
The second set followed a similar pattern, with three broken serves before Azarenka turned up the power, holding to go up 3-1 in the set and then breaking Pennetta, ranked 83rd in the world, with a powerful backhand winner.
Azarenka, 24, also struggled to make her serve count though, offering a glimmer of hope to the 31-year-old Italian when she went wide with a return on break point.
But once again Pennetta was unable to hold, twice finding the net to hand Azarenka the chance to serve for the game and despite a brave effort from the Italian, who produced a sizzling return down the line in the final game, Azarenka sealed the win with a well-placed forehand.

 

[Smallville22]

Williams sets up Azarenka re-match in New York

Defending champion Serena Williams slugged her way to a US Open title rematch against Victoria Azarenka with a 6-0 6-3 victory over Li Na in the semi-finals.
World number one Williams thrashed a rattled Li, overcoming some staunch resistance at the end, while Azarenka returned to the Flushing Meadows final with a 6-4 6-2 win over unseeded Italian Flavia Pennetta.
"Just to be able to defend a title for once would be really awesome," said French Open winner Williams, who will get her chance on Sunday after failing to go back-to-back following her 1999, 2002 and 2008 titles in New York.
Although overpowered in the opening set, Li battled valiantly in the second, saving six match points to hold serve before the top seed finally closed the deal on a seventh with an unreturned serve.
"It was a good match. It was tough at the end," Williams said. "I got a little nervous but I was able to close it out."
Former French Open champion Li, China's first semi-finalist at the US Open, admitted that she experienced a bout of nerves when she hit the Arthur Ashe Stadium court.
"I should not be, like, nervous because (it was) not (the) first time to play semis," said Li, twice an Australian Open finalist. "But when I walked to the court I was feeling the court (was) so big. I mean, even my side, it was feeling like a football court.
"In the end, finally, I can play tennis," she added with a smile.
Williams, hot off a 6-0 6-0 quarter-final win against Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro, had won 24 consecutive games before Li held serve in the second game of the second set.
"To hear constantly, 'go Serena, go Serena,' it is really a pleasure. I hear young voices and older voices and it really makes me feel so special," said Williams.
Williams and Azarenka's final will be the first back-to-back title clash at the US Open since Serena and her older ****** Venus battled for the crown in 2002.
Belarusian Azarenka trails 12-3 head-to-head against Williams, but has won two of their last three matches, hardcourt finals in Doha and Cincinnati.
"When you play against Serena, you have to play your best," said Azarenka. "She makes me play my best."
Williams is bidding for a fifth US Open title and her 17th in Grand Slams.
At 31, she would become the oldest women's winner at Flushing Meadows since tennis turned professional in 1968, supplanting Australia's Margaret Court who won in 1973.

 

[Smallville22]

Azarenka relishes chance to face Serena

A confident Victoria Azarenka will get a chance to avenge last year's US Open final defeat to Serena Williams after the pair came through their semi-finals to set up a re-match.
Second-seed Azarenka beat Italy's Flavia Pennetta 6-4 6-2 and will now face an opponent she has beaten just three times in 15 meetings.
Two of those wins have come this year, on hard courts in Doha and Cincinnati, but Azarenka isn't reading too much into those results.
"It's not that I don't care what happened in the past, but I don't think there is a need to pay so much attention to what happened," said the Belarusian. "It's always a new story.
"I don't even think that it's going to be close to the same as it was last year.
"We know each other pretty well. I know her strengths; she knows my strengths."
Last year's final went to three sets with Williams edging the final set 7-5 but Azarenka believes her game has improved in the past 12 months.
"It hasn't changed tremendously but there are aspects that got better physically," said Azarenka, who will be trying to add the US Open crown to her two Australian Open grand slam titles. "Mentally I felt like (this year) was a great turning point for me on some level for my career.
"I feel like I'm a better player. I'm a more complete player."
Azarenka didn't sparkle against Pennetta, grinding out a win in a match which saw her serve broken five times and she conceded that she struggled to find momentum.
"There are always things that can be better. I felt like the first set was a little bit tricky - the momentum wasn't there," she said.
"Just being able to pick up and raise the level in the important moments, that's what it's all about, to be able to do that."

 

[Smallville22]

Pennetta bows out after exceeding expectations

Flavia Pennetta's ***** of a first Grand Slam final was crushed by Victoria Azarenka's straight sets semi-final win but the Italian left the US Open still proud of her unexpected run to the last four.
Three times previously Pennetta has been beaten at the quarter-final stage at Flushing Meadows and few had anticipated doing better just a year after a serious wrist injury.
"It wouldn't be right to leave here feeling regrets. It has been a great tournament for me," the Italian said after her 6-4 6-2 loss.
"Sure, there is a little bit of a bitter taste in my mouth about losing but this has been a super and positive week.
"I played the number two in the world and I had my chances," added the 31-year-old from Puglia.
Having returned from injury slowly, with some poor results in the first half of the year, Pennetta showed throughout the tournament a wide range of shots and an ability to mix them up.
But while her best ever performance in a Grand Slam comes just 12 months after missing the US Open while she sat at home recovering from wrist surgery, Pennetta rejected the notion that she was enjoying a second career.
"I don't think so. There are ups and downs in every career and each game only lasts for one day and you have to move on to the next one," she said.
"I really didn't expect to arrive at this level this year to be honest."
In the past Pennetta has had a tendency to be over-adventurous but she said against Azarenka she had reined in her attacking instincts.
"To beat these kind of players you have to play very aggressively, you have to try to find more winners and in that case you're going to miss more also.
"But actually today I think I didn't do it too much. I didn't go for a big, big winners all the time.
"She's stronger than me and in the end she was winning more points than me."

 

[Smallville22]

China's Li laments stage fright in semi-final loss

A disappointed Li Na admitted to an ****** of stage fright in her humbling US Open semi-final loss to Serena Williams and said she would have lost to any opponent she faced on Friday.
The first Chinese to reach the last four at Flushing Meadows, a shell-shocked Li crumbled to a 6-0 6-3 loss in 87 minutes on Arthur Ashe Stadium's centre court.
The 31-year-old has long been accustomed to the glare of the Grand Slam spotlight, winning a French Open two years ago and reaching her second Australian Open final this year, but was already overwhelmed by the occasion before hitting a ball.
"It's not about the technique," Li said. "It's about the problem with myself.
"First time in the semis, I was thinking about the situation. Today, it doesn't matter who the opponent is. The problem is myself."
Asia's first Grand Slam singles winner, Li lost the first set in 29 minutes and despite taking an early break in the second set, slumped to 5-2 and the brink of defeat.
Only then did she produce her best and most aggressive tennis, saving six match points and ******* the defending champion Williams to serve out the match.
A sometimes reluctant standard-bearer for Chinese tennis, the world number six has blown hot and cold throughout her career, her seven WTA singles titles often bookended by wretched form slumps when her confidence deserts her.
"Even if today I was playing against (a player with) the ranking of 100, (there would) still (be) the same problem," she said.
"When I walked to the court, I was feeling like the court was so big. My side was feeling like a football court.
"I cannot focus. In the end, finally I can play tennis."
Williams will face Belarusian second seed Victoria Azarenka in Sunday's final, a mouthwatering re-match of last year's title-decider.

 

[Smallville22]

Djokovic, Nadal aiming for US Open showdown

Novak Djokovic and Rafa Nadal can set up a delectable US Open final between the top two players in the world with 2013 Grand Slam bragging rights at stake by posting victories in Saturday's semi-finals.
Australian Open champion Djokovic and French Open winner Nadal have designs on adding a second Grand Slam to their honours this year but first must get past familiar foes in Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka and France's Richard Gasquet, respectively.
Top-seeded Djokovic, who advanced to his 14th successive Grand Slam semi-final with a four-set victory over Mikhail Youzhny, and Nadal, a straight-sets winner over fellow-Spaniard Tommy Robredo, have both lost only one set in the tournament.
The darkhorse challengers, however, are at the top of their games, both wielding lethal one-handed backhands as a key part of their arsenal.
Nadal said there was no danger of him looking past longtime friend Gasquet and at a possible marquee clash with Djokovic.
"I hope to be ready to play a good match against Richard. If not, I will not have the chance to play the final," the second-seeded Spaniard said.
"If I don't play great match against Richard, I will see the final on TV. I am focused only to play great match in semi-finals against Richard."
The eighth-seeded Gasquet went five sets to beat big-serving Milos Raonic of Canada in the fourth round, and went the distance again to eliminate fourth-seeded Spaniard David Ferrer in the quarters.
Wawrinka caused an even bigger splash as he improved his 2013 record to 41-15 by ousting Wimbledon winner and defending US Open champion Andy Murray of Britain in three breezy sets in his quarter-finals tilt.
The Swiss said he was most proud of how he dealt with the pressure of playing against Murray, since in the past he has often been plagued by nerves.
"My level of tennis right now is quite good. I'm really confident with myself, with my game," said 28-year-old Wawrinka, whose victory over third seed Murray lifted him to his first Grand Slam semi-final.
Djokovic knows first-hand how dangerous Wawrinka can be, having gone through a titanic five-set struggle against him in the fourth round at the Australian Open that he clinched 12-10 in the final set of a superb contest.
"It's definitely one of the most exciting matches I have played in my life on this surface, that was played on a very, very high level," the Serb said about that hard court encounter in Melbourne on his way to winning a third straight Australian crown.
"In the past we all knew that he has the quality to play that well, but not in a consistent basis.
"He's a very complete player. He can play equally well on any surface. He had one of the best seasons in his life."
Wawrinka said the contest against Djokovic was a turning point for him.
"It's one of the keys of the season, for sure," the Swiss said. "That was a really tough moment, but at the end, I was really positive with that match because all Australian Open my level was quite good and was better than ever."
Djokovic said he was bracing for Wawrinka's best after his impressive performance against Murray.
"That was quite impressive," he said. "I'm sure he's very confident and he has nothing to lose now. He's going to go for the win."
Djokovic leads their head-to-head series 12-2, with wins in their last 11 meetings.
Nadal is a perfect 10-0 against Gasquet, who he has competed against since their junior days.
The Spaniard said he had great respect for his opponent and was pleased to see him make it to the last four at Flushing Meadows.
"He's a nice guy, very nice person, one of the players on the tour that I feel closer (to) because we are from the same age. We always had a good feeling," said Nadal.
"So it's great, no? When you see a player like Richard that we grow up in similar ways and we played when we were ****. We have the chance to be in the semi-finals of the US Open, so is great."
Even Djokovic felt good about Gasquet's advance to his second Grand Slam semi-final following his maiden journey six years ago at Wimbledon.
"Richard was always one of the most talented players that played the game with one of the most beautiful and also most efficient backhands that we have seen," said Djokovic.

 

[Smallville22]

Djokovic downs Wawrinka in thriller to reach final

World number one Novak Djokovic beat Stanislas Wawrinka in epic five-set clash to reach the final of the US Open in New York.
Djokovic recovered from a two-sets-to-one deficit to beat Wawrinka 2-6 7-6(4) 3-6 6-3 6-4 in front of a packed house on Arthur Ashe Stadium at Flushing Meadows.
"These matches are what we live for, what we practice for," Djokovic said. "I want to congratulate my opponent, he played a great match."
The Serb's supreme fitness levels were crucial as the ninth-seeded Wawrinka became fatigued during the final two sets.
"Stan played aggressive. He played the better tennis. I was just trying to hang in there. I was fortunate to play my best tennis when I needed to," Djokovic added.
An incredible 21-minute, 30-point game at 1-1 in the fifth set went Wawrinka's way, but he dropped serve at 2-2 as Djokovic assumed control.
Wawrinka cracked 57 winners to Djokovic's 38 but a first-serve percentage of 50 proved costly for the Swiss.
Djokovic served out the match to 15 to win in four hours and nine minutes.
Djokovic will clash with second seed Rafael Nadal inMonday's final, after the Spaniard comfortably beat eighth-seeded Frenchman Richard Gasquet 6-4 7-6(1) 6-2.
"It was a great tournament for me," Wawrinka said. "Tough match, tough loss. I gave everything. I fought until the end. With this crowd, it was an amazing experience."
Wawrinka played the more aggressive tennis from the outset, holding a service break in the second set before Djokovic's comeback began.
The Serb received a caution for ******* courtside coaching at 2-4. Clearly displeased, he broke Wawrinka's next service game and went on to control the tiebreaker.
The final set took an hour and three minutes before Djokovic and Wawrinka embraced at the net.
Both players earlier had raised their arms to the crowd after the 21-minute game, resulting in a loud standing ovation.
Djokovic had five break points in that game, without being able to convert. He held his service quickly, and broke Wawrinka to lead 3-2 in the decisive break.
"I guess everyone was thinking whoever wins this game, wins the match," Djokovic said. "I told myself I was going to have to fight again."

 

[Smallville22]

Nadal to face Djokovic in New York final

Rafael Nadal comfortably dealt with France's Richard Gasquet 6-4 7-6(1) 6-2 on Saturday to move into the final of the US Open final where he will face world number one Novak Djokovic.
After Djokovic needed five sets to deal with a determined Stanislas Wawrinka in the earlier semi-final, Nadal's task seemed almost routine against an opponent he has now beaten in all 11 meetings between the pair.
Nadal swiftly broke Gasquet's first serve of the match, when the Frenchman found the net and held his serve with relative ease to take the first set in 43 minutes.
But the second-seed was pushed hard by the astute Frenchman in the second set.
After Nadal again started by breaking Gasquet in the first game, the Frenchman fought back, breaking to go 2-2 and eventually ******* a tiebreak.
But that decider was a one-sided affair which Gasquet started and ended with a double-fault as Nadal ran out 7-1 winner.
Nadal then broke in the second game of the third, with a magnificent forehand down the line, set to take full command of the match which he secured when Gasquet ended the third set with two double faults on the final two points.

 

[Smallville22]

Paes and Stepanek chase U.S. Open doubles title

India's Leander Paes and Czech Radek Stepanek will attempt to follow their victory over the Bryan brothers by toppling the Austria-Brazil pairing of Alexander Peya and Bruno Soares in the U.S. Open men's doubles final on Sunday.
Paes and Stepanek ended Bob and Mike Bryan's chances of winning the calendar-year grand slam with their three-set win in the semi-finals.
Paes, 40, who is chasing his third U.S. Open doubles title and the eighth major of his career, said the achievement would be unforgettable in a city he had previously made his home.
"I played the junior singles final in 1990," he said. "I remember Wilt Chamberlain was watching. My ****** was out there. There was a packed stadium. I was a young little Indian *** from Calcutta who was trying to see if I could make it on the pro tour.
"I took the train from Grand Central into Queen's. My ****** was trying to make a man out of me."
Paes was so taken by New York that he lived there for four years before making Mumbai his base.
"New York is a great city," he said. "The culture, the melting pot of society, what New York stands for. The resilience that the people have in this city is phenomenal.
"I was actually in the Twin Towers, the basement, the night before it went down. I was there literally less than twelve hours before it happened.
"The resilience New Yorkers show is the reason I love this city."
Stepanek is chasing his second major doubles title after winning the 2012 Australian Open with Paes.
Peya and Soares are appearing in their first final.

 

[Smallville22]

Djokovic finds a way to set date with Nadal in final

Novak Djokovic was not at his best, but the world number one relied on experience, self-confidence and fitness to overcome an in-form Stanislas Wawrinka on Saturday and reach the U.S. Open final.
"Wawrinka was a better player for most of the better part of the match because he was aggressive and played better tennis," the world number one Serb said after the 2-6 7-6(4) 3-6 6-3 6-4 victory that set up a blockbuster final with Rafa Nadal.
"I just tried to hang on and fight, and be mentally tough and believe all the way through I can actually win.
"I sincerely believed that as the match progresses and longer it goes, I have maybe that physical edge over him, and ... playing on a big stage in semi-finals, maybe that experience could give me a little bit more confidence."
Djokovic, who committed an uncharacteristic 14 unforced errors in the first set, said he was nervous about facing Wawrinka, who has enjoyed a banner 2013 and was coming off a straight-sets upset of 2012 U.S. Open winner Andy Murray.
"I still feel the big excitement before the match, and I knew that he was playing well. He had a tremendous performance against Murray.
"I knew that he's gonna come out with big backhands and be aggressive, so I tried to be close to the line. But I wasn't managing to find my rhythm. That's what frustrated me. I wasn't hitting the ball well. A lot of unforced errors.
"But it was one of those days where even if you don't feel well on the court you have to be tough and believe that you can win. And I have done so."
The Serb turned the tide after a marathon third game of the fifth set in which Swiss Wawrinka fought off five breakpoints to hold serve in a 21-minute game. Djokovic went on to win five of the next seven games to claim his victory in just over four hours.
Djokovic, who had lost only one set in his march to a 14th successive grand slam semi-final, said having a tough test before his Monday final against second seed Nadal could be a positive.
"I managed to find my way through, to adjust, and to win," he said. "That's what counts.
"Mentally it's going to help me, and physically I'm fine. I haven't been spending much time on court before this match today."

 

[Smallville22]

Gasquet blows U.S. Open chance, eyes World Tour final

Frenchman Richard Gasquet set his sights on reaching the ATP World Tour Finals after being blown away by Spain's Rafa Nadal in the semi-finals of the U.S. Open on Saturday.
Gasquet conceded his 6-4 7-6(1) 6-2 defeat with two straight double faults.
He showed fight in the second set, breaking Nadal after the Spaniard had won 88 consecutive games on his own serve.
But needing two more victories to become the first Frenchman to win the U.S. Open since Henri Cochet in 1928, Gasquet was overcome in two hours, 21 minutes inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Gasquet, 10th on the rankings for the race to the tour finals in London, will rise after his first major semi-final appearance since Wimbledon in 2007.
The top eight players at the end of the year will qualify for what used to be known as the Masters Cup.
"This year, when I started the year, I wanted to play the Masters Cup," Gasquet said.
"I think I'm in the top 10 for the race, so for sure it's a big achievement for me. I'm still in the race to do that, and I will try to play London this year.
It's a good year for me to play semis here. It's a big result for me."
Gasquet said Nadal, who now meets world number one Novak Djokovic in the final on Monday, was simply the superior player.
"I was close to winning the second set," he said.
"If I could win the tie-break, you never know what could have happened in the third. But I think he was a little bit better than me. No problem with that."
Nadal's serving streak owed more to accuracy than speed. His quickest delivery against Gasquet was 123mph, but he landed 71 per cent of his first serves.
"I don't know if it's a victory to win his serve," Gasquet said.
"I'm not sure about that. I think it's better to win one set or more.
"In a grand slam it's even tougher to play against him because it's three sets to win. I did not play a bad match but it was three sets to love and he was the best on the court.
"It's Nadal. That's why he's the best player. I'm happy with the tournament I did."
Gasquet's deflating finish, with the consecutive double faults, could not dent his pride at having beaten Canada's Milos Raonic and Spain's David Ferrer in order to make the last four.
"I can take a lot of confidence from this tournament because I played five sets twice, and I won them," Gasquet said.
"Physically I played well. Mentally I was tough, too. I did two big matches against Raonic and Ferrer. So for sure it's very nice. I know I can play long matches.
"I know I'm ready to win this fight, and that's big for me."

 

[Smallville22]

Czech pair win U.S. Open women's doubles title

Czech duo Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka won the U.S. Open women's doubles title on Saturday with a 7-6(4) 6-1 6-4 win over Australia's Ashleigh Barty and Casey Dellacqua.
Hlavackova and Hradecka, who upset Serena and Venus Williams in the semi-finals, overcame a swift start from the Australians and finished strongly to claim their second major doubles title following their 2011 French Open triumph.
It was also a second title for Hlavackova at this year's U.S. Open after she teamed up with Belarusian veteran Max Mirnyi to win the mixed doubles on Friday.
"It's been amazing," Hlavackova said. "I can't believe I have won two grand slams this week. "I want to thank Lucie. She helped me as much as Max did."
It was third-time unlucky for Barty and Dellacqua, who lost both of their previous grand slam finals at the Australian Open and Wimbledon this year.

 

[Smallville22]

Djokovic, Nadal set up blockbuster U.S. Open final

World number one Novak Djokovic and number two Rafa Nadal set up a mouthwatering men's singles final at the U.S. Open with victories in the semi-finals at Flushing Meadows on Saturday.
Monday's U.S. Open championship showdown will be the third in four years for Djokovic and Nadal at the U.S. National Tennis Center after they advanced in contrasting fashion.
Top seed Djokovic sealed his berth first by overtaking gutsy ninth seed Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland in a heart-pounding 2-6 7-6(4) 3-6 6-3 6-4 victory over four hours.
Nadal conserved his energy, dismissing eighth-seeded Richard Gasquet 6-4 7-6(1) 6-2 to improve his career record to 11-0 against the Frenchman and his 2013 hardcourt record to 21-0.
The Spaniard, winner of 12 grand slam titles, won his only U.S. Open crown in 2010 against Djokovic, who claimed his Flushing Meadows title the following year against Nadal. Last year Djokovic was runnerup to Briton Andy Murray.
"Last year I didn't have the chance to play on this court," said Nadal, who was sidelined seven months due to a knee injury.
"To have the chance to play in the final Monday is just a ***** for me. It has been two amazing weeks for me."

TOUGH FINAL

Djokovic and Nadal are the most familiar of rivals and will be playing against each other for a tour record 37th time. Nadal leads their series 21-15.
"Novak is an amazing competitor," said the reigning French Open champion. "His results say he is probably one of the best players I have ever seen. He's a great champion and will be a tough final for me, but I hope to be ready for that."
While Nadal took apart Gasquet in his semi-final, Djokovic got off to a slow start against an inspired Wawrinka and relied on his stamina to wear down the Swiss.
The tumultuous match included a warning for courtside coaching from Djokovic's box, the mangling of a racket by a frustrated Wawrinka and a medical timeout for the Swiss for a strained thigh muscle.
It reached a crescendo at 1-1 in the fifth set on Wawrinka's serve.
The combatants locked into a marathon duel that lasted 21 minutes and featured a series of fierce rallies and brilliant shot-making.
Wawrinka fought off five break points among 12 deuces before closing out the game on the 30th point with a service winner, and players earned warm ovations for their desire and skill.
"These matches are what we live for, what we practise for," Djokovic said after reaching his fourth successive U.S. Open final.
"All the credit to (Wawrinka) for being so aggressive and playing so well. I'm just fortunate to play my best tennis when I needed to."

HERCULEAN EFFORT

Djokovic said he had to regroup after that epic game.
"Twenty-one minutes. Wow," said the Serb. "I was thinking whoever wins this game is going to win the match. I told myself I was going to have to fight again."
The Herculean effort seemed to sap the last bit of energy from Wawrinka, who had earlier left the court for treatment of a thigh strain during the changeover when trailing 4-1 in the fourth set.
Djokovic held serve, then broke Wawrinka in the next game for a 3-2 lead and served out to win another classic encounter between the pair following their five-set struggle in the fourth round of the Australian Open, where the Serb closed out the decisive set 12-10.
"It was a great tournament for me," said Wawrinka after his first grand slam semi-final. "Tough match, tough loss. I gave everything. I fought until the end. With this crowd, it was an amazing experience."

Czech pair Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka capped off Saturday's programme by winning the women's doubles title with a 7-6(4) 6-1 6-4 win over Australians Ashleigh Barty and Casey Dellacqua.
World number one Serena Williams will take on number two Victoria Azarenka for the women's singles title on Sunday in a tantalising rematch of last year's championship decider.
That will follow the men's doubles final with Austria's Alexander Peya and Brazilian Bruno Soares facing Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic and India's Leander Paes.

 

[Smallville22]

Paes and Stepanek easily claim US Open doubles title

Leander Paes and Radek Stepanek were convincing winners over Alexander Peya and Bruno Soares in the men's doubles final at the US Open on Sunday.
The India-Czech pairing dominated the championship match to record a 6-1 6-3 victory over their Austria-Brazil rivals in one hour and 12 minutes on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
India's Paes, 40, won his third U.S. Open doubles title and the eighth major title of his career. It was Stepanek's second major doubles title after winning the 2012 Australian Open with Paes.
Peya and Soares had only two break points for the match and failed to convert either in their first final of a major championship.