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Verdasco shook off a minor foot injury to play in Las Vegas Verdasco allowed Udomchoke to level after a blistering start, before serving out a 6-1 5-7 6-2 win to become the first player into the last eight.The win was Verdasco’s second in the round-robin stages.Former world number one Gustavo Kuerten may struggle to qualify, though, after losing 6-4 6-3 to Benjamin Becker.The Brazilian, who came through an elimination match to make the round-robin stage, must now beat Czech
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Nadal rides his luck From correspondents in Dubai
Former Australian Captain March 01, 2007

ROGER Federer and Rafael Nadal came closer to their first meeting in more than three months, reaching the quarter-finals of the Dubai Open today (AEDT).

But while top seed Federer cruised through 7-5 6-3 over Italy’s Daniele Bracchiali, title holder Nadal needed all his fight, and a a little luck, to survive 6-2 3-6 7-6 (7-2) against Russia’s Igor Andreev.

This was a startling
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Fernando on right foot From correspondents in Las Vegas
Former Australian Captain March 01, 2007

FIFTH seed, Spain’s Fernando Verdasco clinched a quarter-final berth at the Channel Open with a 6-1 5-7 6-2 win over Thailand’s Danai Udomchoke today (AEDT).

The victory lifted Verdasco to 2-0 in round-robin play, the event’s unique method of deciding qualifiers for Saturday’s (AEDT) knockout quarter-finals. The move is being tested as it ensures multiple matches for big-name players.

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Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Three-time champion Roger Federer was a straight-set second-round winner, while reigning titlist Rafael Nadal went the distance to advance on Day 3 at the $1.5 million Dubai Tennis Championships.The top-seeded/world No. 1 Federer got past Italian Daniele Bracciali 7-5, 6-3 to record his personal-best 38th straight match victory.Federer was last year’s Dubai runner-up to Nadal and captured this lucrative hardcourt event back-to-back-to-back from 2003-05.Federer’s quarterfinal opponent here on Thursday will be seventh-seeded
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Sleepless Haas wide awake From Barry Wood in Dubai
Former Australian Captain March 01, 2007

GERMANY’S Tommy Haas showed little sign of his gruelling schedule, reaching the Dubai Open quarter-finals with a 7-6 6-3 win over Frances’s Florent Serra overnight.

The fifth seed flew from Memphis, after beating Andy Roddick on Sunday to win his 11th career title, taking the court 18 hours after arriving here to defeat Radek Stepanek.

Haas and Serra struggled to settle
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Dubai is Federer’s first event since his Australian Open win Federer saved break points in the third and fifth games of the first set before crucially breaking in game 12.He raced to a 3-0 lead in the second, but wasted eight break points in game four before sealing a 7-5 6-3 victory.The Swiss player now faces fifth seed Novak Djorkovic of Serbia, who beat German Rainer Schuettler 7-6 (7-5) 6-3.Russian third seed Nikolay Davydenko will not be in the last eight though after
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Molik lets Henin off hook From correspondents in Doha
Former Australian Captain March 01, 2007

TOP seed Justine Henin shrugged off a determined challenge from Alicia Molik to reach the quarter-finals of the Qatar Open overnight.

World No.2 Henin, bidding for a “Gulf double” after her win in Dubai last week, easily took the first set, but inexplicably lost her focus in the second and it was only thanks to Molik’s unforced errors that the Belgian managed to wrap up the 90 minute-match 6-2 7-6 (11-9).

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Evergreen Santoro sees off Simon From correspondents in Dubai, UAE
Former Australian Captain March 01, 2007

FABRICE Santoro, who caused a huge upset when he won the Dubai Open five years ago, has produced a lesser one when by reaching the quarter-finals at the age of 34.

The Tahiti-born, Geneva-based Frenchman did that with an unexpectedly one-sided 6-4 6-2 win over his compatriot, Gilles Simon, an opponent who gained the first ATP Tour title of his career a fortnight ago at Marseille.

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Blake stunned by Russian From correspondents in Las Vegas
Former Australian Captain February 28, 2007

WORLD No.6 James Blake suffered a shock 6-2 6-4 defeat by Evgeny Korolev from Russia in his first round-robin match at the ATP Tennis Channel Open at Las Vegas today. The defending champion got off to a superb start this season, capturing his ninth career title at Sydney before reaching the round of 16 at the Australian Open, but he has fallen on hard times since losing the final in Delray Beach.
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Calleri, Almagro first up winners From correspondents in Acapulco
Former Australian Captain February 28, 2007

AGUSTIN Calleri and Nicolas Almagro were among seeded winners at the $1 million ATP and WTA Abierto Mexicano Telcel tournament in Acapulco.

The No.2 seed Calleri advanced to the second round with a 6-3 6-2 victory over Alberto Martin of Spain.

Almagro, the No.3 seed, eliminated wildcard Mariano Zabaleta of Argentina, 6-3 6-4.

Almagro reached the semi-finals of last week’s claycourt event at Buenos Aires, losing to local favourite Juan Monaco.

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Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Reigning champion Rafael Nadal and last week’s Memphis titlist Tommy Haas were among Tuesday’s first- round winners at the $1.5 million Dubai Tennis Championships.The second-seeded Nadal won his sixth straight match at this event by overcoming Cyprus’ Marcos Baghdatis 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 at Dubai Tennis Stadium. The two-time French Open champion Nadal, of Spain, upset world No. 1 superstar Roger Federer in last year’s Dubai finale.The world No. 2 Nadal’s second-round opponent on Wednesday will be dangerous Russian Igor
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Henman makes triumphant return From correspondents in Las Vegas, Nevada
Former Australian Captain February 28, 2007

GREAT Britain’s Tim Henman, sidelined by knee problems since last October, made a triumphant return today with a 6-1 6-2 victory over France’s Nicolas Mahut at the ATP Tennis Channel Open.

The No.7 seed will ensure a berth in Saturday’s quarter-finals with a victory over Spaniard Feliciano Lopez at the event which features a unique round-robin format.

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Nadal downs Baghdatis in desert From Barry Wood in Dubai
Former Australian Captain February 28, 2007

WORLD No.2 Rafael Nadal claimed a thrilling 3-6 6-2 6-3 victory over Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis to reach the second round of the Dubai Open overnight.

In a match worthy of the final, both players produced some spectacular tennis as Baghdatis threatened to take advantage of the Spaniard’s recent lack of matches.

While defending champion Nadal has not played since the Australian Open, Baghdatis has won a title in Zagreb and reached the Marseille final.

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Molik succeeds after Sugiyama injury From correspondents in Doha
Former Australian Captain February 28, 2007

AUSTRALIA’S Alicia Molik took advantage of an unfortunate injury to Japan’s Ai Sugiyama to move into the second round of the Qatar Open overnight.

Sugiyama was forced to retire with a foot injury when trailing 3-1 in the deciding third set.

Molik, runner-up in this event in 2005, did well to get back into the match after dropping the first set 6-0, recovering to take the second 6-2.

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Davydenko slipped from third to fourth in this week’s rankings The Russian let a 3-0 lead slip in the final set before seeing the off 35-year-old 6-7 (2-7) 7-5 7-5.Eighth seed David Ferrer was an early loser, going down 7-6 (15-13) 6-1 to Sweden’s Robin Soderling.Rafael Nadal, the world number two, opens his campaign against Marcos Baghdatis later on Tuesday.

Las Vegas, NV - Fifth-seeded Spaniard Fernando Verdasco was among Monday’s round-robin winners at the $416,000 Tennis Channel Open.Verdasco came from behind to beat Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 at Darling Tennis Center.In other round-robin matches, American Paul Goldstein defeated sixth-seeded Frenchman Julien Benneteau, 6-1, 6-0; and Argentine Juan Martin del Potro downed Russian Evgeny Korolev, 6-3, 6-2.In Day-2 main-draw elimination action, 2002 Australian Open champion Thomas Johansson of Sweden overcame German Bjorn Phau 4-6,
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Acapulco, Mexico - Top-seeded Spaniard Juan Carlos Ferrero moved into the second round at the $690,000 Abierto Mexicano Telcel event with a 7-6 (7-3), 4-6, 6-3 victory over Italian Potito Starace.Fourth seed Juan Ignacio Chela of Argentina also moved into round two by defeating fellow countryman Sergio Roitman, 6-3, 6-2. The 2000 Acapulco titlist Chela was last year’s runner-up here to Peru’s Luis Horna.Also Monday, Argentine qualifier Juan-Pablo Guzman downed American Kevin Kim, 6-4, 6-2; Frenchman Nicolas Devilder got past Italian qualifier
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Simple for Simon in Dubai From Richard Eaton in Dubai, UAE
Former Australian Captain February 28, 2007

GILLES Simon, on a career-high world ranking of No.42 since winning his first ATP title this month, achieved a morale-boosting revenge win to reach the second round of the Dubai Open.

The 22 year old had been forced to retire while a set and 3-1 down against Philipp Kohlschreiber at last week’s indoor tournament in Rotterdam, but he raised his standard well to overcame the German 6-4 6-4.

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Agassi shares his wisdom with Gilbert, Murray and Lloyd Las Vegas native Andre Agassi, his former coach Brad Gilbert, Andy Murray and John Lloyd watched as Querrey advanced to the 24-player round robin.Agassi insisted on buying his own US$30 ticket, refusing free entrance.As well as working with Murray, Gilbert has a wider coaching role with the LTA, while Lloyd is GB Davis Cup captain.Elsewhere, Gustavo Kuerten saw off South Africa’s Wesley Moodie 6-4 7-5.

Kuerten claims round-robin berth From Simon Cambers in Las Vegas
Former Australian Captain February 27, 2007

FORMER world No.1 Gustavo Kuerten has claimed his first hardcourt victory for 18 months to book a place in the round-robin section of the Channel Open in Las Vegas.

The Brazilian defeated Wesley Moodie from South Africa 6-4 7-5 today.

Australia’s No.2 Chris Guccione failed to progress, however.

Guccione who advanced to the main draw elimination round
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Loser Guccione gets lucky From correspondents in Las Vegas
Former Australian Captain February 27, 2007

CHRIS Guccione has moved into the main draw elimination round of the Channel Open, despite losing his final round of qualifying.

Guccione lost 7-5 5-7 7-6 (7-4) to South Africa’s Wesley Moodie but advanced as a lucky loser.

Australia’s No.2 will play Spain’s Feliciano Lopez for a berth in the round-robin draw at the $US416,000 ($525,000) hybrid tournament.

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Murray has enjoyed a remarkable rise up the rankings this year The Scot has already won in San Jose and finished runner-up in Doha this season, either side of reaching the fourth round at the Australian Open.And McEnroe told BBC Five Live: “You don’t see many guys with this natural ability to make it look so easy.”I’ll be surprised if he’s not in the top five in the world by Wimbledon.”

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Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Playing for the first time since capturing the Australian Open title last month, Swiss superstar Roger Federer was a hard-fought first-round winner at the $1.5 million Dubai Tennis Championships. Federer also set a new record for consecutive weeks (161) at No. 1 on Monday.A rusty Federer, who extended his career-high winning streak to 37 matches, barely got past Dane Kristian Pless 7-6 (7-2), 3-6, 6-3, but the mighty Swiss may have been distracted by his latest accomplishment, as he dropped his first set of 2007.Last
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Belgium loses big two From staff writers
Former Australian Captain February 27, 2007

JUSTINE Henin and Kim Clijsters will not play for Belgium in the Fed Cup world group match with the United States at Delray Beach, Florida, on April 21-22..

Both second-ranked Henin and No.4 Clijsters cited a busy schedule, the Belgian tennis federation said overnight.

Caroline Maes, ranked 229t, and teens Yanina Wickmayer and Tamaryn Hendler are also in the four-member squad.

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Demolition job by Daniela From correspondents in Doha, Qatar
Former Australian Captain February 27, 2007

SIXTH seed Daniela Hantuchova and eighth seed Francesca Schiavone marched into the second round of the $1.3 million ($1.7 million) Qatar Open today (AEDT).

World No.18, Slovakia’s Hantuchova breezed past Columbia’s Catalina Castano 6-1 6-0 in 53 minutes, while Italy’s Schiavone, ranked 25, defeated Bulgaria’s Tsvetana Pironkova 6-2 6-4 in 1hr 26min.

India pin-up girl Sania Mirza and Italy’s Mara Santangelo were the other first-round winners.

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Federer will face Igor Andreev in round two in Dubai The Swiss master struggled to get into his stride in the first round of the Dubai Open, and only won the opening set on a tie-break.Denmark’s Pless fought back to level, but Federer gained his only break in the third to win 7-6 (7-2) 3-6 6-3.Number four seed Tommy Robredo lost 6-7 (6-8) 4-6 to France’s Fabrice Santoro.However, unlike the Spaniard, Federer was able to dig deep as he celebrated beating Jimmy Connors’ 30-year-old
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Jolly Roger defies distractions From Richard Eaton in Dubai
Former Australian Captain February 27, 2007

ROGER Federer’s first match since winning the Australian Open produced a minor scare and the loss of a set before he reached the second round of the Dubai Open overnight.

Federer won in Melbourne without losing a set in seven matches, but there were moments during his 7-6 (7-2) 3-6 6-3 victory over Denmark’s Kristian Pless here when the crowd began to wonder if a major upset was possible.

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Sania delights her fans From correspondents in Doha
Former Australian Captain February 27, 2007

INDIA heartthrob Sania Mirza stormed into the second round of the Qatar Open with a 6-4 6-3 win over Italy’s Romina Oprandi overnight.

Backed by a strong crowd of expatriate Indians, Mirza, who was trailing 3-0 in the second set, won six consecutive games to complete her second victory over Oprandi this year after a win in Australia.

Both players carried niggling knee
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Justine hails ‘unique’ Federer From correspondents in Doha
Former Australian Captain February 27, 2007

JUSTIN Henin, Belgium’s world No. 2, has paid a glowing tribute to Swiss maestro Roger Federer, calling him an “amazing human being”.

Henin, here for the 1.34 million (41.7 million) Qatar Open, was responding to a question on whether she has come across any young player with the potential to match the world’s top-ranked player.

“Federer is a unique player, a genius,” said Henin, who will be playing in only her third tournament since the break-up of her marriage.

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Henman is currently the world number 37 The 32-year-old has not played since October because of a knee injury and his planned comeback in Rotterdam last week was delayed by a bout of flu.Henman, who faces Nicolas Mahut in his opening match in the round-robin stage, admits he is still not 100% fit.”I’ve only just stepped on court for the first time as I suffered a relapse with the flu,” Henman told his website.”I spent the first 24 hours in bed when I arrived but I seem to
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JP and John McEnroe share a drink in Belfast

JP still follows his son on the Seniors Tour and was supporting him at the BlackRock Masters in Belfast last week.

BBC Radio Five Live’s tennis correspondent Jonathan Overend caught up with the duo in Northern Ireland:

Listen to the full interview on Five Live Sport from 1900 GMT on Monday.

John McEnroe: He was one of these guys who worked two jobs to get us into the schools he wanted to give us the best possible
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Buenos Aires, Argentina - Argentina’s Juan Monaco cruised to the title of the clay-court $445,000 Copa Telmex tennis event on Sunday, beating Alessio Di Mauro in straight sets.Monaco wasn’t challenged at all by his Italian counterpart, earning a 6-1, 6-2 decision.Monaco takes home $66,450 for his first ATP title.© 2007 The Sports Network

Memphis, TN - Tommy Haas downed top seed Andy Roddick in easy fashion to capture his second straight title at the $665,000 Regions Morgan Keegan Championships on Sunday.The second-seeded Haas, fresh off a straight-set semifinal win over Mardy Fish on Saturday, routed Roddick 6-3, 6-2 to win his first tournament of the season.With the victory, Haas becomes just the second player ever to win this event three times, joining Jimmy Connors.The German standout receives $156,550 for the victory, while the American Roddick walks away with $77,750.Haas’
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Tennis courts are standard in dimension, but vary widely in surface material. Tennis rules dictate the length, width, and placement of the lines on a tennis court. Tennis courts have a variety of surfaces and can be either outdoors or indoors. In this article, we will introduce the basic dimensions and aspects of the tennis courts and discuss the different types of tennis court surfaces.

The rules of tennis dictate that tennis courts be 78 feet long from baseline to baseline. A net, 3 feet high in the middle, divides the court into two equal
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Hewitt slips out of top 20 By Leo Schlink
Former Australian Captain February 27, 2007

LLEYTON Hewitt yesterday dropped out of the top 20 for the first time in seven years as nemesis Roger Federer added another garnish to his record.

Hewitt, who spent 80 weeks at No.1 until he was overtaken by Federer in 2004, last held a ranking lower than 20 on January 10, 2000.

Troubled by a hamstring injury, Hewitt slipped to No.21 as Federer was hailed for his monumental effort to retain the No.1 mantle for a record 161 successive weeks.

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Vinci won her first WTA title after nine years of trying Vinci beat her fellow Italian Tathiana Garbin, when the world number 29 had to withdraw because of sickness.Garbin, the tournament’s runner-up in 2000, was leading 3-0 in the final set and appeared to be cruising to victory.”I achieved my first title in the WTA, but with what happened to Tathiana, it is not something I can fully enjoy,” said Vinci.

Monaco moves up to 58 in the world rankings after his win The 22-year-old Argentine trounced Alessio Di Mauro of Italy 6-1 6-2 in the final of the clay-court event.Left-hander Di Mauro, playing his first ATP Tour final, began nervously and lost the first set in just 25 minutes.World number 66 Monaco broke again at the start of the second and again at 4-2 before serving out for a comprehensive win in 63 minutes.Monaco had beaten defending champion Carlos Moya on his way to
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Hewitt ‘fit’ for The Strip From Simon Cambers in Las Vegas
Former Australian Captain February 26, 2007

LLEYTON Hewitt expects to return to action this week, saying he has recovered from the hamstring tear that forced him to miss the Rotterdam Open last week. The Australian has slipped outside the world top 20 but he says he’s ready to improve his record in Las Vegas, where he lost to James Blake in the final last year.

Hewitt believes his game is in a solid state despite his injury-interrupted campaign this year.
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Weary Andy calls time out From Simon Cambers in Memphis
Former Australian Captain February 26, 2007

ANDY Roddick said he is looking forward to recharging his batteries, after being demolished 6-3 6-2 by Germany’s Tommy Haas in the final of the Memphis International today (AEDT).

The American, who will rise to No.3 when the new rankings are released tomorrow (AEDT), was distinctly second best against an inspired Haas, who picked up his third title here.

After
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Jamie Murray has just started to make his mark on the world scene He teamed up with Eric Butorac to win the doubles at the Memphis International to add to last week’s success at the SAP Open in San Jose.Murray, 21, and Butorac beat Julien Knowle and Jurgen Melzer 7-5 6-3.On Saturday, Andy Murray, 19, who successfully defended his singles title in San Jose, lost in the semi-finals of the Memphis singles to Andy Roddick.