Autograph session: Reason why you should come on weekdays

This was how the crowd looked like yesterday evening. However, in the end, no autograph session took place.

The best time for tennis fans to meet their favourite players and get their signatures is during the weekdays.

Due to assignment on other places, I only get to attend two autograph sessions organised for Richard Gasquet and Mikhail Youzhny.

Youzhny signs autograph after he wins the match against Marcos Baghdatis

Gasquet during autograph session after he beat Pim Pim in the second round.

(Images by HSFoo/hcfoo.com)

Mo: I'm so adorable

You may have read the title and seen the picture in twitpic which I tweeted earlier while at the Putra Stadium.

Mohamed Lahyani again proved to be the most celebrated chair umpire.

He receives celebrity treatment from Malaysian tennis fans who ask him for autographs and photographs everywhere he goes.

(Photo credit to HSFoo/hcfoo.com)

Proton Malaysian Open: Results and OOP for Day 6

How to meet Fernando Verdasco - the little boy was crying when he wasn’t able to catch a shirt that Verdasco had thrown into the stands. So he was brought on court to meet the tennis star.

RESULTS - FRIDAY, 2 OCTOBER, 2009

Singles - Quarterfinals
[3] R Soderling (SWE) d [6] T Berdych (CZE) 62 62
[1] N Davydenko (RUS) d [5] G Monfils (FRA) 63 63
[4] F Gonzalez (CHI) d M Youzhny (RUS) 63 64
[2] F Verdasco (ESP) d R Gasquet (FRA) 75 64


ORDER OF PLAY - SATURDAY, 3 OCTOBER, 2009

Semifinals
CENTER COURT start 2:30 PM
[1] N Davydenko (RUS) vs [3] R Soderling (SWE)
I Kunitsyn (RUS) / J Levinsky (CZE) vs S Huss (AUS) / S Lipsky (USA)

Not Before 7:00 PM
[4] F Gonzalez (CHI) vs [2] F Verdasco (ESP)
[1] M Fyrstenberg (POL) / M Matkowski (POL) vs [3] M Damm (CZE) / R Lindstedt (SWE)

(Image by Proton Malaysian Open)

Malaysia must have one of the best hairstylists in the world

I had to give Richard Gasquet presser a miss to take these gems.

I knew Feliciano Lopez had a new haircut on Tuesday so I headed to court 1 to see him practice with Fernando Verdasco hoping to snap some pictures of his famous blond locks.

How do you like his short hair?


(Photo credit to HSFoo/hcfoo.com)

Proton Malaysian Open: Results and OOP for Day 5

Insider source said that Gonzalez requested for a golf session yesterday.

RESULTS - THURSDAY, 1 OCTOBER, 2009

Singles - Second Round
[2] F Verdasco (ESP) d K Beck (SVK) 64 60
[4] F Gonzalez (CHI) d [Q] R Bopanna (IND) 64 36 64
[5] G Monfils (FRA) d M Vassallo Arguello (ARG) 64 62
[6] T Berdych (CZE) d S Greul (GER) 63 46 63
R Gasquet (FRA) d [WC] J Johansson (SWE) 46 76(1) 62

Doubles - Quarterfinals
[1] M Fyrstenberg (POL) / M Matkowski (POL) d A Golubev (KAZ) / D Istomin (UZB) 57 64 10-1
[3] M Damm (CZE) / R Lindstedt (SWE) d M Melo (BRA) / A Sa (BRA) 64 62
S Huss (AUS) / S Lipsky (USA) d M Elgin (RUS) / F Moser (GER) 63 62


ORDER OF PLAY - FRIDAY, 2 OCTOBER, 2009

CENTER COURT start 12:00 noon
[3] R Soderling (SWE) vs [6] T Berdych (CZE)
Not Before 2:30 PM
[1] N Davydenko (RUS) vs [5] G Monfils (FRA)
Not Before 5:45 PM
M Youzhny (RUS) vs [4] F Gonzalez (CHI)
Not Before 8:00 PM
R Gasquet (FRA) vs [2] F Verdasco (ESP)

(Image by Proton Malaysian Open)

Mr Congeniality goes to... Joachim Johansson

The ATP 250 PROTON Malaysian Open hasn't end but HCFoo's Tennis Blog has officially named Joachim "Pim Pim" Johansson, Mr Congeniality for the year 2009.

Not only that I've seen him practice with Rendy Lu Yen-hsun earlier this week, the Swede wild card recipient and former top 10 player also partnered with Malaysian wild card Si Yew Ming in the doubles event yesterday.

However, his bids in the singles and doubles events came to an end after he was defeated by Richard Gasquet 6-4, 6-7, 2-6 and by Brazilians Marcelo Melo-Andre Sa 1-6, 7-5, 3-10.

I managed to chase Pim Pim down after his practice. I've got to say that he's the most humble (the other player is Rafael Nadal) and nicest guy I've met on tour.

(Photo credit to HSFoo/hcfoo.com)

Simon, Ginepri, Isner go barefoot & shirtless for Muay Thai fun

I've been neglecting other tournaments lately to provide exclusive coverage on the Malaysian Open.

So here's a little bit of updates regarding the PTT Thailand Open.

Gilles Simon, Robby Ginepri and John Isner attended a promotional/traditional event for the tournament yesterday.

They did a Muay Thai (Thai kickboxing) demonstration guided by Thai Olympian Somjit Jongjorhor.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga did the same thing last year.

I hope the other guys take good care of Simon. He and his 'chicken legs' look too fragile for this sport :P

Here are more pictures at the event.

By the way, if you haven't know yet, Sam Querrey had a freak accident earlier this week while practicing for the Thailand Open.

Querrey was said to have sat on a glass table after practice on Monday and fell through, cutting his right forearm. The injury required immediate emergency surgery.

(Photo by Mark Dadswell/Getty Images)

Proton Malaysian Open: Results and OOP for Day 4

Monfils said he wasn't comfortable with the new hairdo so he had to put the cap on. Hope that solves the mystery.

RESULTS - WEDNESDAY, 30 SEPTEMBER, 2009

Singles - Second Round
[1] N Davydenko (RUS) d [WC] T Dent (USA) 63 76(4)
[3] R Soderling (SWE) d [Q] B Evans (USA) 61 61
M Youzhny (RUS) d [WC] M Baghdatis (CYP) 62 63

Singles - First Round
[5] G Monfils (FRA) d D Istomin (UZB) 76(3) 76(2)
S Greul (GER) d C Rochus (BEL) 64 36 62
R Gasquet (FRA) d V Crivoi (ROU) 61 62

Doubles - Quarter-finals
I Kunitsyn (RUS) / J Levinsky (CZE) d [WC] R Bopanna (IND) / A Qureshi (PAK) 26 76(4) 13-11

Doubles - First Round
M Elgin (RUS) / F Moser (GER) d [2] F Cermak (CZE) / M Mertinak (SVK) 64 46 10-8
[3] M Damm (CZE) / R Lindstedt (SWE) d J Brunstrom (SWE) / J Rojer (AHO) 76(6) 64
M Melo (BRA) / A Sa (BRA) d [WC] J Johansson (SWE) / Y Si (MAS) 61 57 10-3


ORDER OF PLAY - THURSDAY, 1 OCTOBER, 2009

CENTER COURT start 11:30 am
[1] M Fyrstenberg (POL) / M Matkowski (POL) vs A Golubev (KAZ) / D Istomin (UZB)
S Greul (GER) vs [6] T Berdych (CZE)
M Vassallo Arguello (ARG) vs [5] G Monfils (FRA)
[WC] J Johansson (SWE) vs R Gasquet (FRA)

Not Before 5:45 PM
[Q] R Bopanna (IND) vs [4] F Gonzalez (CHI)
K Beck (SVK) vs [2] F Verdasco (ESP)

COURT 1 start 4:00 pm
S Huss (AUS) / S Lipsky (USA) vs M Elgin (RUS) / F Moser (GER)
[3] M Damm (CZE) / R Lindstedt (SWE) vs M Melo (BRA) / A Sa (BRA)

(Image by Proton Malaysian Open)

You choose: Watch LIVE matches on Astro SuperSports or get tickets from HCFoo

A lot of tennis fans have been asking about this since Monday.

Finally the schedule for Proton Malaysian Open, Kuala Lumpur 2009 on Astro SuperSports Channel 816 is out!

01/10 (Thurs) - Men’s Singles Round 2 & Doubles Quarter Finals at 1130 Live
01/10 (Thurs) - Men’s Singles Round 2 & Doubles Quarter Finals at 1730 Live
02/10 (Thurs) - Men’s Singles & Doubles Quarter Finals at 1200 Live
02/10 (Thurs) - Men’s Singles Quarter Finals at 1700 Live
03/10 (Thurs) - Men’s Singles & Doubles Semi Finals at 1430 Live
03/10 (Thurs) - Men’s Singles & Doubles Semi Finals at 1900 Live
04/10 (Thurs) - Men’s Singles & Doubles Finals at 1430 Live

If you want to experience LIVE tennis, I have some Friday evening session tickets to giveaway.

I just need you to write down ANY comment and leave your email address so that I can contact you. Limited tickets available, so be fast. You could be walking away with a Proton Satria Neo that night too!

You need to collect the tickets from me at the stadium on Friday before the matches.

Thanks to the organiser of the Malaysian Open for reserving those tickets for us as tickets are almost sold out for Friday and weekend matches.

For those outside of Malaysia, you can watch live streaming at atdhe.net.

Fernando Verdasco makes Malaysian Batik shirt look Spanish

The title isn't from me... I took it from @candelifera :D

Richard Gasquet, Robin Soderling, Nikolay Davydenko and Fernando Verdasco attended the player party at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel wearing traditional Malaysian Batik shirts for the evening function.

The Prime Minister of Malaysia Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, his wife First Lady Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor and Sports Minister Datu Ahmed Shabery Cheek also attended the event.

(Image by IMG/Proton Malaysian Open)

Proton Malaysian Open: Results and OOP for Day 3

RESULTS - SEPTEMBER 28, 2009
Singles - First Round
[6] T Berdych (CZE) d I Kunitsyn (RUS) 61 36 62
M Youzhny (RUS) d [7] D Ferrer (ESP) 76(3) 62
[WC] J Johansson (SWE) d [8] L Hewitt (AUS) 76(7) 63
M Vassallo Arguello (ARG) d F Lopez (ESP) 63 63
[Q] R Bopanna (IND) d J Acasuso (ARG) 46 63 64
K Beck (SVK) d [Q] M Kukushkin (KAZ) 16 76(4) 63

Doubles - First Round
[1] M Fyrstenberg (POL) / M Matkowski (POL) d J Cerretani (USA) / R Wassen (NED) 75 75
A Golubev (KAZ) / D Istomin (UZB) d J Acasuso (ARG) / F Gonzalez (CHI) 63 61
I Kunitsyn (RUS) / J Levinsky (CZE) d K Beck (SVK) / J Kerr (AUS) 62 64


ORDER OF PLAY - WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2009
CENTER COURT start 11:30 am
R Gasquet (FRA) vs V Crivoi (ROU)

Not Before 12:30 PM
D Istomin (UZB) vs [5] G Monfils (FRA)
M Youzhny (RUS) vs [WC] M Baghdatis (CYP)

Not Before 5:30 PM
[3] R Soderling (SWE) vs [Q] B Evans (USA)
[1] N Davydenko (RUS) vs [WC] T Dent (USA)
M Melo (BRA) / A Sa (BRA) vs [WC] J Johansson (SWE) / Y Si (MAS)

COURT 1 start 1:30 pm
[3] M Damm (CZE) / R Lindstedt (SWE) vs J Brunstrom (SWE) / J Rojer (AHO)
S Greul (GER) vs C Rochus (BEL)

Not Before 4:30 PM
K Beck (SVK) / J Kerr (AUS) or I Kunitsyn (RUS) / J Levinsky (CZE) vs [WC] R Bopanna (IND) / A Qureshi (PAK) - Possible Court Change
M Elgin (RUS) / F Moser (GER) vs [2] F Cermak (CZE) / M Mertinak (SVK)
[1] M Fyrstenberg (POL) / M Matkowski (POL) vs A Golubev (KAZ) / D Istomin (UZB) or J Acasuso (ARG) / F Gonzalez (CHI) - To Be Arranged

Feliciano Lopez, Fernando Verdasco & text messaging

Both Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco seem to share a common habit. They like to send text messages in between photo shoots.

During his photo shoot at KLCC, Verdasco also took pictures of the magnificent-looking twin towers with his cell phone.

(Photo credit to HSFoo/hcfoo.com)

Davydenko, Verdasco, Gonzalez, Soderling at KLCC

Kuala Lumpur has some very identifiable landmarks but none compare to the iconic Petronas Towers in the heart of the city.

Top seeds Nikolay Davydenko, Fernando Verdasco, Fernando Gonzalez and Robin Soderling paid a visit to the KLCC this morning.

“It’s incredible looking building. Very nice. Incredible how they make this bridge across two building like this," Davydenko said.

Verdasco said: “It’s incredible, these two buildings. You can see it from all over. It is amazing to see the buildings from my room at the hotel which is next door.”

After the photo shoot, the guys went back to Mandarin Oriental Hotel for round table interview. You can watch my exclusive interview with Verdasco here.

Here are some of the pictures at the events.

(Photo credit to HSFoo/hcfoo.com)

Uncut Exclusive Interview with Fernando Verdasco in Kuala Lumpur

If you have been following my tweet, you would definitely know how I screw up my first meeting with Fernando Verdasco.

I was so starstruck upon seeing the Madrid twins (Verdasco and Feliciano Lopez) at the airport and I mistakenly called Verdasco 'Feli'!

You have no idea how embarrassing that was!

Today I had the opportunity to apologise to Verdasco and even get to interview him personally.

Thanks to @piratesswoop for providing a couple of questions.

In this interview, you will get the answers directly from Verdasco regarding his delayed foot surgery, his abs injury, FeVer clothing line, long-awaited official website, etc.

Enjoy!

(Image by HSFoo/hcfoo.com)

Proton Malaysian Open: Results and OOP for Day 2

Wild card Marcos Baghdatis pumped his fist with relief as he scores a two hour 49 minute 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(5) victory over Rendy Lu Yen-Hsun at the PROTON Malaysian Open.

Baghdatis has been struggling with confidence lately and he said the win was an important boost for him.

Earlier, Taylor Dent, also a wild card recipient, fought hard to come back in his match against Andrey Golubev of Kazakhstan 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(4).

I did not follow the earlier session but here's the complete results and OOP for Day 2.

RESULTS - SEPTEMBER 28, 2009
Singles - First Round
[WC] T Dent (USA) d A Golubev (KAZ) 46 63 76(4)
[Q] B Evans (USA) d [Q] M Yani (USA) 63 64
[WC] M Baghdatis (CYP) d Y Lu (TPE) 46 63 76(5)

Doubles - First Round
[WC] R Bopanna (IND) / A Qureshi (PAK) d [4] S Aspelin (SWE) / P Hanley (AUS) 63 64
S Huss (AUS) / S Lipsky (USA) d C Rochus (BEL) / M Vassallo Arguello (ARG) 64 63

ORDER OF PLAY - TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2009
CENTER COURT start 11:30 am
F Lopez (ESP) vs M Vassallo Arguello (ARG)
J Acasuso (ARG) vs [Q] R Bopanna (IND)

Not Before 3:30 PM
I Kunitsyn (RUS) vs [6] T Berdych (CZE)

Not Before 5:30 PM
[7] D Ferrer (ESP) vs M Youzhny (RUS)
[8] L Hewitt (AUS) vs [WC] J Johansson (SWE)
A Golubev (KAZ) / D Istomin (UZB) vs J Acasuso (ARG) / F Gonzalez (CHI)

COURT 1 start 2:30 pm
[1] M Fyrstenberg (POL) / M Matkowski (POL) vs J Cerretani (USA) / R Wassen (NED)
[Q] M Kukushkin (KAZ) vs K Beck (SVK)
K Beck (SVK) / J Kerr (AUS) vs I Kunitsyn (RUS) / J Levinsky (CZE) - After Suitable Rest

(Image by IMG)

Rooting for Rendy Lu Yen-hsun at the Malaysian Open

I'll be attending the evening session matches at the PROTON Malaysian Open tonight.

I'm extremely excited about this as the tournament has one of the fastest tennis court surface.

Wild cards recipients Taylor Dent and Marcos Baghdatis will begin their first round match at 5PM.

Dent will face Andrey Golubev first and followed by Baghdatis against Rendy Lu Yen-hsun.

I attended the pressers held for Dent and Baghdatis yesterday. Dent was super confident of his chance and said he was 100% fit.

Meanwhile, it didn't look too good for Baghdatis who refused to think much about his opponent.

Earlier I was at the practice court and saw Rendy practicing with another wild card Joachim "Pim Pim" Johansson.

I asked Rendy to comment about his first round match against Baghdatis (they never play each other before) after his practice. So check out this video.

(Photo credit to HSFoo/hcfoo.com)

Gael Monfils heading to Kuala Lumpur for a title streak

Gael Monfils the fifth seed at the Proton Malaysian Open Kuala Lumpur 2009 is heading here soon after having just won his first tournament of the year.

Monfils ended a four-year title drought by defeating Philip Kohlschreiber 7-6, 3-6, 6-2 in the final of the Open de Moselle in Metz, France.

“I am very happy about winning this second title; I've been waiting for it for a long time. Being in France, this title is even more special to me, as I won it here in front of my family and friends.

“I am now flying to Kuala Lumpur and getting ready to play there as soon as I arrive. I hope I will be able to get some rest during the flight.”

(Via IMG; Image via Yahoo! Sports)

VIDEO: Ferrer, Lopez meet a wild friend at KL Tower (updated)

David Ferrer and Feliciano Lopez were at the top of the KL Tower this morning for a photo shoot session to promote the PROTON Malaysian Open tennis tournament.

It was kind of hazy so the photos that we've got weren't that impressive.

Then, we came down for another photo shoot session, this time the Armada boys posed with a parrot.

It was kind of fun. Here's the pictures and video.

(Photo credit to HSFoo/hcfoo.com)

PROTON Malaysian Open: Qualifying results & OOP for Day 1

Qureshi may have lost in the qualie but he won with that smile!

Brendan Evans, Mikhail Kukushkin, Michael Yani and Rohan Bopanna made it into the Main Draw at the PROTON Malaysian Open today.

Here' the complete results and OOP for tomorrow.

RESULTS - SEPTEMBER 27, 2009

Qualifying Singles - Quarterfinals
Qualifying - B Evans (USA) d W Jun (KOR) 46 64 63
Qualifying - M Kukushkin (KAZ) d A Qureshi (PAK) 76(3) 62
Qualifying - M Yani (USA) d S Lipsky (USA) 46 63 63
Qualifying - R Bopanna (IND) d M Fyrstenberg (POL) 75 61

Click on image to enlarge

ORDER OF PLAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2009
CENTER COURT start 11:30 am
[Q] M Yani (USA) vs [Q] B Evans (USA)
C Rochus (BEL) / M Vassallo Arguello (ARG) vs S Huss (AUS) / S Lipsky (USA)
[WC] R Bopanna (IND) / A Qureshi (PAK) vs [4] S Aspelin (SWE) / P Hanley (AUS)

Not Before 5:00 PM
A Golubev (KAZ) vs [WC] T Dent (USA)
Y Lu (TPE) vs [WC] M Baghdatis (CYP)

Updated draw for singles and doubles events - click image to enlarge

(Photo credit to HSFoo/hcfoo.com)

Fernando Verdasco, Feliciano Lopez and LV bags (updated)

The FeVer is officially on!

Fernando Verdasco and Feliciano Lopez are in Kuala Lumpur right now together with their family members (Papa and Mama Verdasco, plus another two unknown older ladies).

We heard from some of the passengers who came out earlier that Verdasco was busy taking pictures with fans who recognised him at the immigration counter. Poor Lopez because nobody seems to know him. It's their loss.

There are no better words that I can use to describe these drop dead gorgeous duo. So, I'll just let the pictures do the talking.

For the latest updates, I advise you to follow my Tweet at http://twitter.com/hcfoo

(Picture credit to HSFoo/hcfoo.com)