Let the 2009 ATP World Tour begins!

Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer launched the 2009 ATP World Tour in spectacular fashion on Sunday with a unique game of tennis aboard a traditional Arabian Dhow in Doha Bay.

On a specially designed onboard court floating in the Persian Gulf, the special match, between the world's two best players, also marked the start of the year-long race to crown the official 2009 ATP World Tour Champion. It was the pair's first meeting since the Wimbledon final in July last year.



Nadal and Federer are the top two seeds at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2009 played in Doha from January 5-10.


(Via atpworldtour.com; Images via Yahoo! Sport)

Andy Murray beats Rafael Nadal in Abu Dhabi exho final

Did Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal get the right trophies?

Nadal looks like a winner to me, no?

Alright, in reality Andy Murray is the winner and he must be sending alarming statement to the big players now that he had beaten Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal at the Abu Dhabi exho last week.

Murray defeated Nadal 6-4, 5-7, 6-3 on Saturday to take the Capitala World Tennis Championship exhibition and walked away with $250,000 a winner-take-all prize.

A day earlier in the semifinals, he topped the No. 2-ranked Federer 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 (6).

“This victory was good before I go to Australia,” said Murray, who is now in Doha to defend his Qatar Open title.

“I have never been past the fourth round there. I trained hard over the break and the victories over the past three days have given me confidence.”

Murray’s last and only victory over Nadal was at the U.S. Open semifinals back in September.

“He has carried his form over the last four months and he has a good chance to win in Australia,” Nadal said.

“For me it was a very good test,” he said.

“Playing 2 hours, 45 minutes at the best level is good. I forgot about my knee and my injury. I am looking forward to the year.”

(Images via Yahoo! Sport)

Fernando Verdasco still not seen with Ana Ivanovic at the Brisbane International

Fernando Verdasco attended the Brisbane International tennis tournament draw.

Here he is pictured together with Amelie Mauresmo.

Ana Ivanovic is also in Bisbane for the same tournament. Here are some photos of her at photo call and press conference.

So far there are no photos of Ivanovic and Nando together in Australia.

After being photographed together with Australian golfer Adam Scott at the beach, and now without the usual practice photos, we're still asking the question, is it off between Ana and Nando?

(Images via menstennisforums.com, zimbio.com)

Gilles Simon & Alize Cornet too hot for Rendy Lu & Hsieh Su-wei to handle

I watched the Hopman Cup, the match between France and Taiwan today. I honestly thought Taiwan had a chance. Well, I hope but it didn't happen.

It was a disappointing lost for Taiwan who can't handlehot favourite, France.

Alize Cornet beat Hsieh Su-wei 6-4, 6-4 and Gilles Simon defeated Rendy Lu Yen-hsun 6-3, 7-6 (8).

Rendy should have lend his shirt to Gilles.

The pair then combined to beat Hsieh and Rendy 6-4, 7-6 (9) in mixed doubles to complete France’s 3-0 win, saving five set points in the tiebreaker.

The duo will play Italy's Flavia Pennetta and Simone Bolelli next up on Tuesday.

(Images via Yahoo! Sport)