Second seed Danai Udomchoke of Thailand successfully captured his first ATP challenger title this year in the US$75,000 Busan Open in Busan, Korea on last weekend.
The Thai 27-year-old avenged his Bangkok challenger final defeat to Florian Mayer with a 6-1, 6-1 victory over the German third seed in the semifinals, then defeated Slovenia's Blaz Kavcic(ATP-243) in straight sets 6-2, 6-2, to win the title.
Danai, who recently quit his national team, received US$10,800 and 90 ATP entry points for singles champion.
In the men's doubles, twin brothers Sonchat and Sanchai Ratiwatana took home the title after defeating Japanese pair of Toshihide Matsui and Tasuku Iwami in straight sets 6-4, 6-2.
It was twin brothers' fifth ATP challenger title this year and the seventeenth in their career.
The 26-year-old Ratiwatanas who won two ATP titles in Bangkok 2007 and Chennai in 2008, awarded US$4,650 and 90 ATP entry points.
(By Jirobkk via menstennisforums.com)
Kei Nishikori who went back to court for practices earlier this month after a series of injury.
However the latest updates confirmed that Kei is pulling out from the French Open next week due to an injured right elbow.
Kei has not played since losing in the first round at Indian Wells in March.
Once ranked as high as No. 56, Kei is currently 117th.
(Via AP; Image by IMG via keinishikori.com)
These are unseen before photos of Roger Federer and Mirka who attended Lenny Kravitz concert in Madrid recently.
Isn't she lovely?
Someone in the forum suggested that she still has strong legs especially for a heavily pregnant woman.
(Images via menstennisforums.com)
It was a perfect day to showcase the new retractable roof at Wimbledon's Center Court yesterday.
The roof was closed when it started to rain.
The event kicked off with the performance by British crossover opera singers Faryl Smith and Katherine Jenkins who sang “Amazing Grace” in the center of the court.
Katherine Jenkins with 13-year old Faryl Smith.
Katherine Jenkins making the O face.
Il Divo wannabe, Blake.
The players praised the new retractable roof.
“The conditions were really good,” Clijsters said.
“And I love the sound. Wimbledon already had that, where you feel like when (the crowd is) really into the match, the sound really comes down to the players."
“And now even more so with the roof. For the players, it just feels like they’re right there next to you.”
Agassi also said the closed surrounding will take the atmosphere to a new level.
“The sound was magnificent,” he said.
“I think when you get two people out there who can really play, and move and hit the ball, I think you’re going to feel a level of titanic battle that you haven’t seen yet. … That’s an environment that lends itself to some spectacular tennis.”
The roof was built to limit the frequent rain delays that occur at the Wimbledon Championships each season.
Steffi Graf should keep that at home.
The couple drew a large cheer by exchanging a good-luck kiss on the court before the doubles match.
Kim Clijsters can consider a career change to a footballer if tennis doesn't work for her anymore.
Everybody's a winner.
Henman and Clijsters won the one-set match 7-6 (6).
Agassi then beat Henman 6-4 in singles and Clijsters defeated Graf by the same score.
Andy Murray and girlfriend Kim Sears.
Andy Murray who attended the event with his girlfriend also praised the new structure.
“It’s beautiful,” said Andy Murray, who hopes to become the first Briton since Fred Perry in 1936 to win Wimbledon.
“It looks very nice, compared to most roofs.”
The roof takes about 10 minutes to close, and the Centre Court’s ventilation system then needs about 30 minutes to get moisture out of the air and create the right conditions.
During short rain showers, organizers still plan on using the traditional covers on the court to create shorter breaks. Once the roof is up, it will not open up until a match is over.
(Via AP, operachic; Images by Hamish Blair/Neal Simpson/AFP/Getty Images)
Second seed Danai Udomchoke of Thailand successfully captured his first ATP challenger title this year in the US$75,000 Busan Open in Busan, Korea on last weekend.
