US Open: Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams serve up double bagel each

We are already in Day 10 at the US Open. The men's quarterfinalists and women's semifinalists are on line-up, battling for the weekend's finals.

Earlier today, World no.1s Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams both powered through the next round by serving double bagel each. If you think that's a heavy meal to take on, you might need some weight loss tips.

Djokovic eliminated Spaniard Marcel Granollers 63 60 60 in just 79 minutes while Williams shut another Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro 60 60 at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Meanwhile Wimbledon and US Open defending champion Andy Murray dropped the first set but eventually came back to beat Denis Istomin in the first New York night session of his US Open title defence. He will face Stanislas Wawrinka on Thursday's quarterfinal match.

Djokovic is set to play against Mikhail Youzhny next, Richard Gasquet to meet Ferrer and Tommy Robredo and Rafael Nadal will battle it out in an all Spanish showdown.

In the women's category, Williams will play against Li Na in the first semifinal after the Chinese player defeated Ekaterina Makarova in three sets.

Roberta Vinci will play against Flavia Pennetta while Daniella Hantuchova will compete with Victoria Azarenka for places in the semifinals.

(Images via zimbio.com)

Rafael Nadal on sushi diet prior to his debut at Roland Garros

Rafael Nadal was spotted having some sushi for dinner yesterday along with fellow Spaniard Marcel Granollers and some friends.

Nadal will kick off his French Open campaign today in his bid for an historic seventh title!

(Image via Rafael Nadal's Facebook Fan page)

Novak Djokovic roars in Paris

The final match could have ended earlier.

When Novak Djokovic won the fourth game in the second set, I switched channel believing that the Serbian would have win it easily. I managed to catch the third set tie-breaker though.

Djokovic walked away with a 6-2, 5-7, 7-6 (3) victory over Frenchman Gael Monfils to win the Paris Masters for the first time.

The victory gave Djokovic back-to-back ATP Tour titles after his win over top-ranked Roger Federer in Basel last Sunday.

Looks like Djokovic will be a strong favorite when he’ll try to defend his title at the eight-man ATP World Tour Finals from November 22-29 in London next week.

In the doubles final, Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic beat Spain’s Marcel Granollers and Tommy Robredo with a 6-3, 6-4 win.

Feliciano Lopez, the sloucher that stands out from the crowd

Feliciano Lopez attended the presentation ceremony of 2009 Open Castilla y Leon, which was held in El Espinar (Segovia).

Lopez and Marcel Granollers were among to play in this tournament from August 1 to 9.


(Images via menstennisforums.com)

Kei Nishikori in Miami but not hitting the court

Kei Nishikori paid a visit to Baptist Children's Hospital in Miami yesterday.

However the Japanese tennis star is not playing at the Sony Ericsson Open due to an elbow injury.

According to nikkansports.com, Kei saw an elbow specialist in New York after losing in Indian Wells. At the doctor's recommendation, he decided to take at least weeks off to focus on rest and rehabilitation.

Now bad news aside, Kei's appearance in Miami could mean something good.

He is one of the five candidates for the ATP Newcomer of the Year Award alongside Jeremy Chardy, Marcel Granollers, Philipp Petzschner and Eduardo Schwank.

The winner will be announced today. Kei has a good chance of grabbing this award!

Updates: As predicted, Kei has won the ATP Newcomer of the Year Award. Congrats!

(Via bunny@menstennisforums.com; Images via Sony Ericsson Open website)

Somdev Devvarman to meet Marin Cilic in Chennai Open final

Somdev Devvarman got a walkover into the final of the Chennai Open after his semi-final opponent Rainer Schuettler withdrew from the tournament due to a wrist injury.

Somdev will face Marin Cilic who has beaten Marcel Granollers in another semifinal match 6-4, 6-3.

After withdrawing from the tournament, a dejected Rainer Schuettler said, "During yesterday's doubles match I started feeling pain in my left wrist. As I warmed up for the semifinal I wasn't able to hit a double handed backhanded, I felt a strong pain. I would only be able to slice and I'm also afraid that the injury would get worse. I had the same a few years ago but it wasn't as bad as now."

"I also have to pull out of Sydney. I will now fly to Melbourne and see if I can be ready in time for the Australian Open."

"I feel sorry for the crowd and the tournament. It is a very disappointing moment for me", added Schuettler.

Somdev now becomes the first Indian to make it to the Chennai Open final and also the second Indian after Leander Paes to reach the semifinals of the 14-year old prestigious event.

He had a great run in front of his home crowd after beating former world no.1 and two-time champion Carlos Moya on Thursday and continued his giant killing act and upped his game by several notches to beat fourth seeded Ivo Karlovic of Croatia 7-6(4), 6-4 and storm into the semifinals.

I'm crossing my fingers and hope Somdev will get his first ATP title here tomorrow.

(Via NDTV.com)

Davis Cup champion Spain returns to home

Spain’s winning Davis Cup team returned home on Tuesday looking worn out from a night of celebrations followed by a long flight from Argentina.

Fernando Verdasco, Feliciano Lopez, David Ferrer, Marcel Granollers and captain Emilio Sanchez Vicario (photos in sequence) arrived at Madrid’s international airport at 5 a.m. local time.

Due to the early hour, there was little fanfare to greet them.

The Davis Cup trophy wasn’t on the flight but will arrive at the Spanish tennis federation’s headquarters in Barcelona next week.

The trophy’s nationwide tour begins next year at tournaments in Barcelona, Madrid and Valencia.

(Via AP; Images via sportsya.com)