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)

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)

Taylor Dent, Marcos Baghdatis in 'Baju Melayu' minus the 'sarong'

Check this out! Finally there are two players in traditional Malay clothing!

Nice shirts guys, but where are the sarongs?

Now click here to see the correct way to wear a fully dressed 'Baju Melayu'. LOL

(Image by IMG)

Spanish Armada ready to invade Malaysia

One third of the Spanish Armada has landed in Malaysia and the other two will follow soon.

I was at the airport tryingy to catch the first glimpse of David Ferrer as he touched down this country with his fellow 'entourage'.

Fernando Verdasco and Feliciano Lopez are expected to arrive very soon.

While waiting for them, hope you'll enjoy these pictures. I have to tell you that I totally underestimated Ferrer's awesomeness!

To follow my Twitter update, go to http://twitter.com/hcfoo

(Photo credit to HSFoo/hcfoo.com)

Wiped out!

All Malaysian players were wiped out from the qualifying round today.

I'm not surprised.

The only thing that surprised me was the poor line-up chosen by the national coach. Yeah, that's it. I'm not going to comment further.

Now check out the final scores here as well as the OOP for tomorrow.

Qualifying Singles - First Round Results
Qualifying - B Evans (USA) d [WC] M Bin Othman (MAS) 6-0, 6-0
Qualifying - M Kukushkin (KAZ) d [WC] A Bin Zainuddin (MAS) 6-2, 6-2
Qualifying - M Yani (USA) d S Huss (AUS) 6-2, 6-2
Qualifying - R Bopanna (IND) d [WC] K Balakrishnan (MAS) 6-2, 6-0
Qualifying - W Jun (KOR) d [WC] N Khan (MAL) 7-5, 6-2
Qualifying - A Qureshi (PAK) d [WC] K Somasundram (MAL) 6-1, 6-1
Qualifying - M Fyrstenberg (POL) d Y Si (MAS) 6-4, 5-7, 7-6(1)
Qualifying - S Lipsky (USA) d A Jaya (MAS) 6-2, 6-2

ORDER OF PLAY - SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2009
CENTER COURT start 10:00 am
Qualifying - B Evans (USA) vs W Jun (KOR)
Qualifying - M Kukushkin (KAZ) vs A Qureshi (PAK)
Qualifying - R Bopanna (IND) vs M Fyrstenberg (POL)
Qualifying - M Yani (USA) vs S Lipsky (USA)

Click image to enlarge

Tough draw at the Malaysian Open

I was at the Main Draw Ceremony and it was a great honour to see Tomas Berdych there for the first time since he landed this country on Thursday.

To cut the story short (need to run for another assignment later), here's the draw story.

The top four seeds at the new Proton Malaysian Open Kuala Lumpur 2009, Nikolay Davydenko, Fernando Verdasco, Robin Soderling and Fernando Gonzalez have gained the benefit of first round byes.

Eighth seed Lleyton Hewitt will start against his sister’s former boyfriend, wild card recipient Joachim "Pim Pim" Johansson.

Fifth seed Gael Monfils who will be on a late arrival in KL will take on Denis Istomin.

Sixth seed Tomas Berdych who was on hand to help with the draw, is feeling confident having come off a very successful Davis Cup campaign last weekend that saw his team, the Czech Republic, reach the final of the event by defeating Croatia. Berdych will face Russian Igor Kunitsyn.

Wild cards Taylor Dent and Marcos Baghdatis have drawn Andrey Golubev and Rendy Lu Yen-hsun respectively.

Here's the complete main draw for singles doubles events.

Click image to enlarge

(Photo credit to HSFoo/hcfoo.com)

Welcoming Rendy Lu Yen-hsun to Malaysia (updated)

I was at the airport today to welcome Asia's no.1 player Rendy Lu Yen-hsun to Malaysia.

This is the first time in 8 years that Rendy visits Malaysia, the last time was for the Davis Cup tournament.

I'm going to conduct a casual interview with him and watch him practice tomorrow. So, do stay tune.

In the meanwhile, hope you'll enjoy these pictures.

(Photo credit to HSFoo/hcfoo.com)

Pim Pim receives Wild Card to play at the Malaysian Open

Pim Pim during his prime years

Former top 10 player, Joachim "Pim Pim" Johansson has been awarded a singles and doubles wild card into the Proton Malaysian Open, which begins today.

The Swedish joins Taylor Dent and Marcos Baghdatis as wild cards recipients.

In addition to receiving the singles main draw wild card, Johansson has also been given a main draw doubles wild card slot and he will be teaming up with a Malaysian player, possibly Si Yew Ming, who gains wild card entry to play in the singles qualifying round.

Due to his injuries and the surgeries he underwent, Johansson, who briefly retired from tennis only to launch a comeback in 2008, saw his ranking drop to No. 774 in January. He has brought his ranking up to 451 this week.

(Via tennisweek.com)

Tweet moment at Robin Soderling's practice?

Together with my sis, we headed to the Putra Stadium to pick up press kit yesterday.

The security was very tight and the IMG staff, contractors and volunteers were as busy as bees getting ready for the biggest tennis tournament in this country.

I didn't expect to see any players at the centre court, so I wasn't prepared (not equipped with camera).

I managed to Tweet a bit before my phone battery went flat.

• http://twitpic.com/j1uva - I can't believe @RSoderling's the first player i met here. He said 'hi' to me...

• fuck. Low batt. Didn't expect to watch practice.
• Magnus hitting with Soderling.. I think Magnus is better looking on tv
• http://twitpic.com/j1wd9 - Here's Magnus Norman warming up

• i don't know why i'm feeling guilty watching Soderling practice for almost an hour
• @tennislust @RD_Tennistalk I hate to admit this but I think I'll forgive @RSoderling for beating Rafa at FO
• @RD_Tennistalk it was his smile and 'hi'... he gave me a good impression I almost forgot he's the evil one

If you're interested to follow my experience at the Malaysian Open, you can follow my tweet at http://twitter.com/hcfoo

PROTON Malaysian Open: Here's the Qualifying Draw

The singles qualifying draw has been announced and surprisingly Malaysia has seven (7) players in it!

They are Nazim Khan, Azli Zainudin, Raj Kanagar, Faizal Osmann, K Somasundram, Si Yew Ming and Adam Jaya.

If you look at the line-up in a positive way, you can call it one of the easiest to qualify for the main draw!

Good luck to fellow Malaysians!

ORDER OF PLAY - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2009
CENTER COURT start 10:00 am
Qualifying - B Evans (USA) vs [WC] M Bin Othman (MAS)
Qualifying - [WC] K Somasundram (MAL) vs A Qureshi (PAK)
Qualifying - R Bopanna (IND) vs [WC] K Balakrishnan (MAS)
Qualifying - M Yani (USA) vs S Huss (AUS)

COURT 1 start 10:00 am
Qualifying - M Kukushkin (KAZ) vs [WC] A Bin Zainuddin (MAS)
Qualifying - [WC] N Khan (MAL) vs W Jun (KOR)
Qualifying - M Fyrstenberg (POL) vs Y Si (MAS)
Qualifying - S Lipsky (USA) vs A Jaya (MAS)

Click image to enlarge

(Via IMG)

Meet Fernando Gonzalez at Starbucks KLCC

Starbucks Coffee, a partner of the PROTON Malaysian Open Tennis will host a “Meet the Fans Session” with Fernando Gonzalez on next Monday.

WHO: 2009 US Open Quarterfinalist, Fernando Gonzalez

WHAT: Meet the Fans Session

WHEN: Monday, Sept. 28, 2009 (6:00 pm)

WHERE: Starbucks, KLCC (ground floor), Kuala Lumpur

Not only that you'll have a chance to meet the tennis star and get his autograph, Starbucks will also pick a receipt from a lucky customer in the lucky draw contest and the winner will receive an autographed (should be Babolat) tennis racquet!

Here's how you can participate: Customers write their name and I.C. on their Starbucks receipt for beverage or food purchased throughout the day from 9 am to 5.45 pm on 28 September 2009 and drop it in the lucky draw box at Starbucks KLCC (ground floor).

Winning customer has to be present during the event to receive their prize.

Hope to see you there 'cause I'm not going to miss this!

For the latest on court and off court updates, follow me at: http://twitter.com/hcfoo

(Via Starbucks Malaysia facebook page)

Marcos Baghdatis, Taylor Dent wild cards recipients for PROTON Malaysian Open

Marcos Baghdatis and Taylor Dent, ranked outside the top 100, have been given wild cards into the PROTON Malaysian Open main draw.

Marcos Baghdatis

Taylor Dent

According to the tournament director, Nick Freyer, the third and final wild card will be decided in the next few days.

If this article published in the Malay Mail is true, the wild card could go to Malaysian player, Si Yew Ming.

However, based information that I've gathered at press conferences, Yew Ming would probably get a wild card to play in the qualifying rounds, which I think is fair and fine.

There's also a considerable buzz on the Internet that a particular player has accepted the third wild card, but I won't mention his name here. I'll just leave it to the tournament director to announce it later this week.

The tournament will kick off this weekend from Sept 26 to Oct 4 and will see a strong line-up of marquee players including Nikolay Davydenko, Fernando Verdasco, Lleyton Hewitt, Robin Soderling, Fernando Gonzalez, Gael Monfils, Tomas Berdych, and David Ferrer.

For the latest on court and off court updates, follow me at: http://twitter.com/hcfoo

(Via Bernama)

Rafael Nadal set to play in Krabi (read: vacation) then Bangkok

Rafael Nadal attended Spain's Davis Cup tie against Israel to support his Spanish Armada's team mates yesterday.

Later he told television crews that he is recovering from his abdominal injury "little by little."

Despite his injury, Nadal is still scheduled to compete at the PTT Thailand Open in Bangkok end of this month, with organisers saying the world no. 2 has confirmed his participation

Nadal is scheduled to arrive in Bangkok on September 23 for his Thailand Open debut.

Nadal will be heading to Krabi Island for retreat

However, he will fly to Krabi for a vacation before returning to Bangkok on September 29 (Tuesday).

At first I was tempted to go to Bangkok during that weekend but looking at his schedule, I decided to cancel the plan and concentrate on covering the PROTON Malaysian Open instead.

Defending champion Jo-Wilfried Tsonga will arrive in the morning on September 26 (Saturday) and the draw will be made in the afternoon.

The PTT Thailand Open will be held at Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani from September 26 to Oct 4.

While Nadal playing in Thailand, his team mates including Fernando Verdasco, David Ferrer and Feliciano Lopez will be playing in the neighbouring country at the PROTON Malaysian Open during the same week.

(Via bangkokpost.com)

PROTON Malaysian Open Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian Tennis Classic

Here are some updates on the ATP and WTA events in my country.

PROTON Malaysian Open secured it's first ever title sponsor after the country's first national car maker Proton Holdings Bhd came on board to support the inaugural tennis tournament from September 26 - October 4.

Not only that the marquee players will be chauffeured in Proton Perdana, a fan will get a chance to drive away a Proton Satria Neo in the "Catch the Signed Ball Challenges" during the tournament week.

Other attractive prizes waiting to be given away are Philips televisions, 5-star Mandarin Oriental hotel stays, Wilson tennis gear which add up to a staggering RM150,000 (USD$43,000)!

Now, here's a little bit update on Fernando Verdasco...

Despite his abdominal muscles injury and foot surgery plan (mentioned during the US Open interview), the tournament organiser has confirmed that Verdasco WILL participate in the US$947,750 PROTON Malaysian Open, which will also feature another top 10 player, Nikolay Davydenko, and five from the top 15 and seven of the top 20.

By the way, if you're a fan of chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani, he'll be here too.

For insider's information regarding the PROTON Malaysian Open, you can read Giri's blog on the tournament's official website.

Players will start arriving in Kuala Lumpur from Wednesday onwards (as mentioned by Giri in his blog). So don't be surprised if you see any of the players in this country by middle of next week!

*******

Earlier this week, I attended the official launch of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Malaysian Tennis Classic scheduled to take place at the Bukit Kiara Equestrian and Country Resort from February 22-28, 2010.

From left to right - Kevin Livesey (a Member of the Board of Director, Sony Ericsson WTA), Datuk Abdul Razak Latiff (President of the Lawn Tennis Association of Malaysia), Dato' Ahmad Shabery Cheek (Minister of Youth and Sports), Valen Goh (Director of Berjaya Clubs), Keld Kristiansen ( Executive Chairman of Carbon Media Management)

Launch gimmick

Malaysian players (the Boeys and Jawariah Noordin) - Jawariah could get a direct entry into the Main Draw.

Not much info was given at the event simply because it was too early to mention who are the players who have confirmed their participation, sponsors, etc.

However the USD$220,000 (tentative) tournament will be guaranteed of the presence of at least two players from the top 20.

Besides a 32-player singles event, the tournament will also have a doubles event featuring 16 pairs.

This event will be a permanent fixture in the WTA calendar for two years.

By the way, thumbs up for the event venue. The resort already has quite a number of tennis courts and surrounded by beautiful greenery. A makeshift centre court will be built for the tournament.

Although it is not as easily accessible as the ATP tournament which is located at Stadium Putra Bukit Jalil, fans would still be able to reach there by public transport like bus and cab.

Thanks to the tournament organiser Carbon Media Management for giving me the opportunity to attend this event.

Congratulations to the winners of the "We Love Malaysian Open" contest

Here are the winners for the "We Love Malaysian Open" contest. Judges' decisions are final. Winners will be contacted via e-mail.

Grand Prize #1
Gold Semifinals Seat (Day session) x 2
Winner: Joash Wee
Rafa: I hear you're heading to South East Asia for a tournament! So am I! Is it the Thailand Open?
Richard: Unfertunetely i enters zee Maleesien Open.
Rafa: Oh.
Rafa/Richard: Anyways...

Grand Prize #2
Gold Semifinals Seat (Evening session) x 2
Winner: Freddy Kwa, Puchong, Malaysia
Richard: So, how's Xisca?
Rafa: She's HOT, no? Hehhe... so, how's Pamela*?
Richard: Hmmmppphhh!
Rafa: Ooops....
(*the chick who kissed Richard and landed him in drug controversy)

Second prize
Australian Open "mini tennis ball" keychain x 1
Malaysian Open notebook x 1 (not laptop, okay)
Official Guide To Professional Tennis x 1
ATP World Tour 2009 season book x 1
Malaysian Open car sticker x 1
Wilson socks x 1
Wilson cap x 1
Winner: Pt, Ampang, Malaysia
Seeking to break the monotony that is training, Rafa and Richard resort to a fun game of mirroring each other's movements and expressions, and soon come to realise that in the event of the relentless pursuing of a certain Mr Tendinitis or Miss Pamela, they could very well retire into mime.

Third prize
Malaysian Open notebook x 1 (not laptop, okay)
ATP World Tour 2009 season book x 1
Malaysian Open car sticker x 1
Wilson socks x 1
Wilson cap x 1
Winner: ReliableRaf, Philippines
Rafa: Did you watch my game against Fed last week? I totally butchered him. I'm quite shock but great hahaha
Richard: Yeah i saw that match, i was surprise how helpless he was on that match.
Rafa: shhhhhhhhhh....quiet Fed's coming. He might hear us, pretend to wonder hehe
Richard: oh ok...as you say ;-)

Consolation prize
Malaysian Open poster x 1
Malaysian Open car sticker x 1
Winner: arvy harahap, Cyberjaya, Malaysia
RQ: Hey Rafa, how's your knee man?
RN: It's holding up pretty well..haha
RQ: Good! then i can't wait to play against you in the Malaysian Open!
RN: HAHAHAHA...same here...if its possible
Q: What? I thought that you are playing in the tournament
RN: Hmm...hmm....nope, i am going to Thailand.
RQ: What! but you said you gonna go, that's why i entered the tournament!
RN: hmmph..sorry...
RQ: SHUT UP!

Thank you for all your entries.

I know some said this contest was hard. So I'm amazed by a few entries which I think are pretty creative.

To those who won, congrats... and to those who didn't win, don't give up as I'll be organising more contests in the near future.

Thanks again to the tournament director of the Malaysian Open for sponsoring 4 tickets to the semifinals!

Have a good weekend!

TENNIS WATCH: Malaysian Tennis Classic, Serena living On The Line, Oudin & Querrey at NASDAQ, Uncle Toni lookalike

Great news for fellow Malaysians!

Next year, we'll be having both ATP and WTA events! What a dream come true!

Officially announced in the Sony Ericsson WTA website, the Malaysian Tennis Classic sanctioned by LTAM will begin on February 22, 2010, right after the Chinese New Year :D

Thanks to Hamdan for the tips!

*******

Serena Williams memoir already hit the bookstore.

For more info regarding the content of the autobiography, read it from Black Tennis Pro's.

*******

No... giant-killer Melanie Oudin did not get arrested for defeating Elena Dementieva and Maria Sharapova.

Together with fellow American Sam Querrey they were at the NASDAQ earlier this week to ring the opening bell at the stock exchange.

Check out Querrey's nerdy look...

*******

Am I the only one who think Jesse Witten look like Uncle Toni?

By the way, I enjoyed Witten's performance at the US Open. He proves chubby guys can play good tennis too :D