Novak Djokovic, Tommy Haas reach Halle final

Tommy Haas who once ranked no. 2 back in 2002 (currently no. 41), will be playing his first final since winning the 2007 Morgan Keegan Tennis Championshps in Memphis.

After a great run at the French Open, which he eventually lost to champion Roger Federer in the quarterfinals, Haas will have a chance to stop Novak Djokovic who is bidding to win his first grass court title.

Haas beat fellow compatriot Philipp Kohlschreiber 2-6, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (3) in an all-German semifinal at the Gerry Weber Open yesterday.

In another semifinals, Novak Djokovic defeated qualifier Olivier Rochus 7-6 (7), 6-4 at this Wimbledon tuneup.

“I had to work hard for my points, especially on his serve,” Djokovic said.

“He has a great touch; he rarely makes mistakes from the baseline. I served well and I tried to change the pace.”

This is Djokovic’s second final on grass, after Queen’s Club last year, which he lost to 2008 Wimbledon champion Rafael Nadal.

Numbers wise, Djokovic has the advantage as he has beaten Haas twice in their last two matches.

The 31-year-old Haas has been slowed by injuries. He had his third shoulder operation in 2007.

Haas said the sunshine after wet, cloudy days created shadows on the court that bothered him at the start.

“I was really irritated,” he said. “I was thinking of too many things.”

(Via AP; Images by Philipp Guelland/AFP/Getty Images)

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga's worst magazine cover ever

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is featured in the June issue of French L'Optimum magazine.

Surely this is the worst taste magazine cover ever.

I hope the media can stop comparing Tsonga with Muhammad Ali from now on.


(Images via menstennisforums.com)

Li Na ends Maria Sharapova's run at Aegon Classic

Maria Sharapova crashed out of the AEGON Classic at Edgbaston, going down 6-4, 6-4 in the semifinals to Li Na.

Sharapova will now spend next week practising at Wimbledon SW19 as she continues to rebuild her career following a serious shoulder injury.

"After such a long layoff, every match and every situation is a different test to the body," said Sharapova, the 2004 Wimbledon champion.

"I still felt like I had many chances in this match, but I have played five matches in the last six days and after that you just hope you wake up with that intensity you need. Against her you need that."

Li will play Magdalena Rybarikova at the final after defeated Sania Mirza 3-6, 6-0, 6-3.

(Images by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)

Andy Roddick retires; James Blake to meet Andy Murray in final at Queen's

Andy Roddick suffered a huge blow after he was forced to retire with an ankle injury during the first set of his Queen's Club semifinal against compatriot James Blake.

He called for treatment three games into the match and resumed after having his ankle and foot heavily bandaged.

However, Roddick was clearly still in some discomfort as he served in the next game and decided to take the safety-first option with Wimbledon starting in just nine days.

Blake, who was a finalist here back in the 2006, admitted he did not take much pleasure from this victory.

"It was unfortunate but Andy is such a great player and he doesn't want to endanger the injury anymore," Blake said.

"He normally moves so well and you could tell this wasn't the same Andy Roddick."

The American will now try to stop Andy Murray who is bidding to become the first Briton to win the pre-Wimbledon warm-up event since 1938.

Earlier, Murray completed a ruthless 6-2, 6-4 win over Juan Carlos Ferrero.

"I felt it was a good match. I started well but the second set was very close," Murray said.

"I'm obviously happy to win in two sets. I was very happy with the way I played all round."

"I didn't have the easiest draw so it's been a good week all around and hopefully I can finish it off on Sunday."

(Via cnn.com; Images by Julian Finney/Getty Images)