I'm not sure if it's only me. I thought Roger Federer look pale. Hope he's not sick or experiencing fatigue still.
Last night, Federer returned from a 5-week break to beat Radek Stepanek 6-3, 7-6 (6) in the second round of the Madrid Masters.“Happy to be back on tour,” Federer said.
“Happy with this first round. it was always going to be tough against Radek and he played a great second set.”
Federer, playing his first ATP event since winning the U.S. Open last month, will face Australian Open finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. “I’m excited. He’s had a rocky season with injuries this year, so I feel for the guy,” Federer said of his French opponent.
“He’s probably one of the guys you wanna be playing out there.”
In an earlier match, Novak Djokovic advanced after Victor Hanescu retired because of an apparent groin injury while trailing 6-7 (8), 7-6 (8), 3-1. “It’s a big relief to win … this is a big boost up for upcoming matches,” Djokovic said.
“He used his biggest weapon which was his serve. I couldn’t find any rhythm in return, so he used that wisely.”
Top-ranked Rafael Nadal pulled out of doubles with Carlos Moya on Tuesday because of a slight upper leg injury. “Every match is important, including doubles, but I’ve got priorities,” said Nadal, who will face Richard Gasquet of France in singles tonight.
“You can’t win everything.”
American qualifier Robby Ginepri had the biggest upset of the day, beating fifth-ranked Nikolay Davydenko 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.
Andy Roddick had little trouble getting past Spain’s Tommy Robredo, 6-3, 6-4.
The 8th-ranked American’s booming serve was never seriously challenged by Robredo and Roddick used breaks in each of the sets to pace out his win.
David Nalbandian won his sixth straight match by defeating Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic 6-2, 6-7 (5), 6-1.
Updates:
6th seed Ferrer suffered a shock defeat to fellow Spaniard Feliciano Lopez in straight sets, recording a 6-4 7-6 triumph.
There will be an all-Argentinean clash in the next round when Nalbandian will meet his Davis Cup team-mate Juan Martin del Potro, who was 6-4 6-2 ahead when his Finnish opponent, Jarrko Nieminen, retired.
(Via AP, Images via Yahoo! Sport)
Ernests Gulbis did not survive the grueling match against Rafael Nadal.
Rafael Nadal is just two wins shy of clinching the year-end No. 1 ranking, defeating Ernests Gulbis 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 last night to reach the third round of the Madrid Masters.
Nadal was forced to work his ass off to win in the second round.
Gasquet overcame 23 aces by Mardy Fish to win 6-7 (3), 6-4, 6-3.
Back in Wimbledon, Nadal was taken to four sets by Gulbis, and last night's match was similarly tricky for the Spaniard.
Nadal has never been a fan of the Spanish capital’s high altitude and the extra speed it brings to the hard court.
He had a difficult time keeping up with the Latvian before ended the match in 2 hours and 22 minutes.
The Hugo Boss ball girl dropped a ball during the Nadal vs Gulbis match.
In other second-round matches, U.S. Open finalist Andy Murray advanced while 11th-seeded James Blake and 13th-seeded Fernando Verdasco lost.
Murray moved on when Simone Bolelli of Italy retired with an apparent shoulder injury while trailing 6-0, 2-1.
Murray will next play Croatia’s Marin Cilic, who beat Verdasco 6-2, 6-3.
“I’ve been playing really, really well in practice the last few weeks, better than I was playing throughout the summer,” said Murray, who won his first Masters Series title in Cincinnati in August.
“I’m probably mentally fresher now than the U.S. Open.”
(Images via Yahoo! Sport)
James Blake becomes the first seed to lost in Madrid after lost to Gilles Simon 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 in the second round of the $3 million Mutua Madrilena Masters (Madrid Masters).
Simon will face either 5th-seeded Russian Nikolay Davydenko or American qualifier Robby Ginepri in the third round.Headlining today's five 2nd-round matches is top-seeded Rafael Nadal, who will clash with unseeded Latvian Ernests Gulbis.
This is the first single match for Nadal since claiming a pair of singles victories in Spain’s Davis Cup win over the U.S..
The world no.1 is now leading the ATP with eight titles and a 77-9 record this season.
The world No. 1 and 2005 champion of this hardcourt event, Nadal faced Gulbis for the first time at Wimbledon earlier this year, dropping the first set before taking the second-round encounter, 5-7, 6-2, 7-6 (7-2), 6-3, en route to the championship.
Also slated for second-round play is U.S. Open runner-up Andy Murray, the 4th seed, and world no. 15 Richard Gasquet.
That pair will try to avoid the same fate as no. 13 Fernando Verdasco, who suffered a 6-2, 6-3 second-round loss to Marin Cilic of Croatia.
Phillip Kohlschreiber, Gael Monfils, Jarkko Nieminen and Marcel Granollers-Pujol claimed first-round victories Tuesday.
Photos:
Madrid Masters is probably famous for its hot Hugo Boss ball girls. These are the ball girl on the Andy Murray vs Simone Bolelli match. Murray was leading the match with 6-0, 2-1 when Bolelli retired due to an injury.
And here are more off-court photos.
Feliciano Lopez signing autograph for young fans.
Agustin Calleri signing autograph in Diadora's stand.
Marin Cilic was in Air Europa's stand.
Carlos Moya in front of a Mercedes.
The no. 1 trophy is finally presented to Rafael Nadal today in the Pista Central (central court) of the Masters Series of Madrid.
The tennis player from Majorca reached the first place in the ranking on 18th August. "Rafa's achievement of the no. 1 place in the South African Airways ATP Ranking is the reward for a fantastic career in a complicated year."
"His great season on clay, where he was undefeated, and his good results on grass this year have confirmed him as a great player on all surfaces."
"Putting an end to Federer's reign has been a small great deed but, now, the best player in the world and all tennis fans hope that both players keep competing with each other in one of the strongest rivalries in the sports world," commented Etienne de Villiers, ATP's CEO who presented the award to Nadal.
The Masters Series of Madrid will be the first ATP tournament Nadal plays in Spain as no. 1.
"We are delighted that the ATP has chosen our court to hand over the trophy. Rafa is loved in every country, but here specially. Tennis public in Madrid has always supported him," commented Manuel Santana, tournament director.
The ceremony will be accompanied by the acrobatic show of "Dream2".
Today, the matches of the tournament's final draw start as well. If the draw is favourable chances are good that Nadal will make his debut in the singles draw on Tuesday 14th October at 8 p.m.
He will also play in the doubles draw with Carlos Moya.
(Image by PEDRO ARMESTRE/AFP/Getty Images)
Former France soccer player Zinedine Zidane attended the quarterfinal match between Rafael Nadal and compatriot Feliciano Lopez at the Madrid Masters Series tennis tournament in Madrid yesterday.
Wonder what the dad and son giggling about?
Perhaps they find Nadal's reaction here rather funny?
