Rafael Nadal to miss Thailand Open for the third time

It's third time unlucky for the Thai fans.

The PTT Thailand Open announced in their website late yesterday that Rafael Nadal has been forced to withdraw from the tournament due to injury.

Rafael Nadal with team mates Tommy Robredo and Feliciano Lopez at the Davis Cup semifinal last weekend.

This is the third time Nadal has pulled out from the tournament, the last two times were back in 2006 and 2007.

In the medical certificate provided to the tournament yesterday, Dr. Angel Ruiz Cotorro, Medical Services Chief for the Royal Spanish Tennis Federation said that Nadal was suffering from an acute rupture of his right abdominal muscle, which was confirmed by an ultrasound.

The doctor added that Nadal would require, “… medical treatment consisting of physiotherapy, rest, and medication …” for a period of two to three weeks.

Nadal expressed his disappointment at not being able to participate in the PTT Thailand Open.

"I am very disappointed not to be able to play in Bangkok."

"I was looking forward to this tournament but the injury I have been suffering during the North American summer swing needs to be taken care of."

"I am really looking forward to playing next year in Thailand where I have a very loyal and big fan base."

(Via PTT Thailand Open website)

The Fab Five in the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals

Newly crowned US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro has become the fifth men's singles player to qualify for the prestigious Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, scheduled to take place at the O2 in London from 22-29 November.

He will join Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic.

Three spots remain open for the eight-player event.

Meanwhile, players who have qualified for the Sony Ericsson WTA year-ending championships in Doha are Dinara Safina, Serena Williams, Elena Dementieva and Caroline Wozniacki.

Four slots are still open for the eight-player event.

(Image via ATP World Tour website)

Spain to meet Czech Republic in Davis Cup final

Spain will host Czech Republic in the December's Davis Cup final after the two teams recorded 3-0 victories in the semifinals.

Feliciano Lopez and Tommy Robredo clinched the tie for Spain, defeating Israel's doubles specialist Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram 7-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2.

Spain, winners in 2000, 2004 and 2008, play without Rafael Nadal and Fernando Verdasco who were watching from the sidelines.

David Ferrer and Juan Carlos Ferrero filled in for their injured team mates and recorded straight-set wins in both matches on Day 1.

Ferrer defeated Harel Levy 6-1, 6-4, 6-3 and Ferrero ground down Dudi Sela 6-4, 6-2, 6-0.

Meanwhile, Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic defeated Croatia's Marin Cilic and Lovro Zovko 6-1, 6-3, 6-4 yesterday.

The first day of play stretched to almost 10 hours as the Czechs narrowly win two five-setters to go up 2-0.

Stepanek withstood 78 aces for almost six hours to edge past big server Ivo Karlovic 6-7(5), 7-6(5), 7-6(6), 6-7(2), 16-14, while Berdych held firm after losing a two-set lead to defeat Marin Cilic 6-3, 6-3, 3-6, 4-6, 6-3.

It will be the Czechs’ first final since their only Davis Cup triumph in 1980, led by Ivan Lendl.

(Via AP, tennis.com)

TENNIS WATCH: Ernests Gulbis hires Marat Safin's coach

• Latvian press reported that Ernests Gulbis has hired Hernan Gumy as his coach. Looks like Gumy will not be out of job after Marat Safin retires at the end of the season.

• Roger Federer was slapped with a $1,500 fine for using profanity while arguing with a chair umpire during the US Open final. A total of $31,500 is being collected by the season ending grand slam for audible obscenity, including a large portion of $10,500 from Serena Williams.

• Anna Kournikova was reportedly two months pregnant with Enrique Iglesias’ baby after pulled out from the Malibu Triathlon last weekend.

• More endorsement deal for American Melanie Oudin. She has just signed a deal with Air-Tran Airways Limited, which is based in her home state of Georgia.

• Rumours have been circulating that the French Open may be considering a move to Disneyland Paris. However this have been downplayed but not dismissed by French Open tournament director Gilbert Ysern.

• Hot-looking player Nicolas Lapentti could put his retirement on hold if Ecuador wins its Davis Cup tie against Brazil this weekend and secures a place in next year's World Group.

• Kim Clijsters will begin next season at the WTA event in Brisbane a tune-up tournament before the Australian Open.

(Image via bbs.tennis.com.cn)