Sportmaster International

Novak reveals other passion From Scott Williams in Estoril, Portugal
Former Australian Captain May 01, 2007

SERBIA’S Novak Djokovic evoked a chorus of football-inspired jeers when he donned the crimson shirt of Portugal powerhouse Benfica after scraping a 6-2 4-6 7-6 (7-5) first-round Estoril Open win overnight.

The No.3 seed had to work to overcome Russia’s Igor Andreev, taking 2hr 42min to advance.

“This match was really difficult, I knew that before the start.
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Munich, Germany - Third-seeded Russian Mikhail Youzhny and fourth-seeded Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis were among Monday’s first-round winners at the clay-court BMW Open.Youzhny got past Austrian Stefan Koubek 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, while Baghdatis handled Argentine Diego Hartfield 7-6 (7-5), 6-3 at this French Open tune-up.Eighth-seeded Austrian Jurgen Melzer took out last year’s Munich runner-up Olivier Rochus 6-2, 6-4. Rochus topped his countryman Kristof Vliegen in last year’s rare all-Belgian final.Other Day-1 wins came for Argentine Martin Vassallo
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Petrova struggled to get to grips with the clay surface The 24-year-old Russian, who won three clay-court titles last season before injury saw her miss the French Open and Wimbledon, won 6-3 7-5.”I was playing against two opponents,” said world number nine Petrova. “One was on the other side of the net and one was on the same side as I was. “I really had a difficult time because last week I didn’t do much practising.”She added: “The previous week I played Fed Cup and that
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Djokovic was relieved to reach the second round The world number five, who is making a stuttering start to the clay season, finally prevailed 6-2 4-6 7-6 (7-5) after two hours and 42 minutes.Russian Andreev is currently ranked 177 in the world but he was the last man to beat Rafael Nadal on clay back in 2005.”I’m not so pleased with my form, but I have to look on the positive side,” said 19-year-old Serbian Djokovic.”It was good to get through such a tough match as this one.
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Cahill, Hewitt join forces By Leo Schlink
Former Australian Captain May 01, 2007

LLEYTON Hewitt is on course to resume at the Rome Masters next week after a training partnership with former coach Darren Cahill.

Ranked 20th in the world, Hewitt has not played in almost two months because of knee and back problems.

The former world No.1 will travel to Italy late this week in preparation for his first tilt on European clay this season.

He will then contest events in Hamburg and Portschach, Austria, before the May 27-June 10 French Open in Paris.

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GB coach John Lloyd gives some advice to Andy Murray The tie will take place from 21-23 September, with the winners going through to the competition’s top tier.”It is a tough draw but I’m delighted that it is going to be played at Wimbledon,” said captain John Lloyd.”It is a fantastic venue and will help give us the edge against what is sure to be a very talented Croatian side.” 606: DEBATE How will GB
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Sam scores clay first From correspondents in Estoril, Portugal
Former Australian Captain April 30, 2007

AMERICAN teen Sam Querrey claimed his maiden ATP match victory on European clay overnight, stunning Peru’s Luis Horna 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 at the Estoril Open.

Querrey, 19, ranked No.66, got his (northern) spring campaign back on track after losing to Potito Starace in the first round at Barcelona last week.

Russia’s Igor Kunitsyn dispatched another young pretender, moving into the second round with a 6-1 6-2 demolition of Portugal’s Pedro Sousa.

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Casablanca, Morocco - Paul-Henri Mathieu of France rolled to a straight-set victory over Spain’s Albert Montanes to capture the Grand Prix Hassan II title.The eighth-seeded Mathieu needed just 62 minutes to notch a 6-1, 6-1 victory, earning his third career ATP crown. He had not won a tournament since capturing his only two titles in back-to-back weeks at Moscow and Lyon in 2002.Mathieu became the first Frenchman to win in Casablanca since Julien Boutter in 2003 and also became the second native of France to win an ATP crown this year, joining
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Nadal streaks to hat-trick From correspondents in Barcelona
Former Australian Captain April 30, 2007

SPAIN’S Rafael Nadal overpowered Guillermo Canas 6-3 6-4 to win the Barcelona Open for a record-equalling third time and extend his winning streak on clay to 72 matches overnight.

Nadal kept the Real club trophy safely in home hands for the fifth successive year, and became only the second man, after Sweden’s Mats Wilander (1982-1984), to win a title hat-trick.

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Nadal has matched Mats Wilander’s Barcelona achievement One break in each set was enough to give Nadal victory and help the Spaniard emulate the achievements of former world number one Mats Wilander.Victory over Argentine Canas also extended Nadal’s record-winning streak on clay to 72 matches.The world number two has now won 20 career titles, 15 of them on clay.Canas came into the final with a 21-4 record for the season, including a title in Brazil and a final in Miami, but
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Dulko claimed victory in her third WTA final More to follow.

Canas cast as party-pooper From Scott Williams in Barcelona
Former Australian Captain April 29, 2007

SPAIN’S Rafael Nadal passed another test on clay, beating compatriot David Ferrer 7-5 6-1 to stretch his winning streak to 71 matches in the semi-final of the Barcelona Open today (AEST).

In tonight’s (AEST) final, Nadal will face Argentina’s Guillermo Canas, who took another step down the road to rehabilitation, following a drugs ban, by defeating Agustin Calleri 7-6 (7-1) 6-7 (5-7) 6-2.

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Barcelona - Rafael Nadal won an all-Spanish battle 7-5, 6-1 over fifth seed David Ferrer on Saturday to claim his 71st straight match on clay and a trip into the final of the Barcelona Open. The 20-year-old two-time French Open champion will play Argentine Guillermo Canas on Sunday. The 12th seed Canas won his third straight match against Argentine compatriot Agustin Calleri 7-6 (7-1), 6-7 (5-7), 6-2 in their semi- final. Nadal, the world number 2 who completed a Monte Carlo trophy hat- trick last weekend, is bidding to keep the trophy at the
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Canas has risen up the rankings after an impressive season so far The 12th seed did have chances to claim victory in the second set but double-faulted on his second match point when serving.And although Calleri recovered from 3-0 down to 3-2 in the decider, Canas then reeled off three games in a row.He will now meet either top seed Rafael Nadal or David Ferrer in the final.Nadal is aiming to become only the second man, after Swede Mats Wilander, to win the Barcelona Open three
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Barcelona, Spain - Rafael Nadal extended his record clay-court winning streak to 70 matches on Friday, while second-seeded Russian Nikolay Davydenko pulled out due to an injury at the $1 million Open Seat 2007 tennis event.The top-seeded Nadal, fresh off his title last week at the Monte Carlo Masters, handled Italian Potito Starace 6-2, 7-5 to set-up a semifinal clash with his fellow Spaniard David Ferrer. Nadal was solid in his first two matches this week, but he faced four break points in the second set on Day 5 and was broken while serving
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Casablanca, Morocco - Top seeds Dominik Hrbaty of Slovakia and Argentine Jose Acasuso were a pair of quarterfinal upset victims Friday at the $400,000 Grand Prix Hassan II tennis event.The top-seeded Hrbaty, a finalist here in 2004, gave way to Spaniard Albert Montanes 7-6 (7-5), 6-3, while a second-seeded Acasuso was erased by eighth- seeded Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu 7-6 (7-5), 6-4 on the red clay at Complexe Sportif al Amal.In other quarterfinal action, a fifth-seeded Gicquel cut down his third-seeded fellow Frenchman Julien Benneteau 3-6,
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Wind ensures chore for Nadal From correspondents in Barcelona
Former Australian Captain April 28, 2007

RAFAEL Nadal struggled with a swirling wind and a tenacious opponent, but held on for his 70th straight clay court win to reach the semi-finals of the Barcelona Open overnight.

The world No.2 finally overcame Italy’s persistent Potito Starace 6-2 7-5 in the quarter-final, setring up a semi-final with No.5 seed David Ferrer, after his compatriot’s 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 defeat of Argentina’s David Nalbandian.

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Barcelona - Rafael Nadal battled to keep his record clay- court win streak alive as he shrugged off a missed chance to post a 6-2, 7-5 quarter-final win over Potito Starace at the Barcelona Open on Friday. The world number 2 got out of jail against the Italian after failing to serve out victory up a set and 5-4. Swirling wind didn’t help Nadal’s cause as he failed to recover from 0-30 and put a backhand out to give the 72nd-ranked Starace a late chance. But home favourite Nadal quickly broke back for 5-all and overcame 18 unforced errors as
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British number one Andy Murray has been forced to pull out of the Estoril Open in Portugal because of his ongoing back injury.The 19-year-old Scot retired from his last tournament in Monte Carlo after he picked up the injury competing in the doubles tournament with older brother Jamie.And despite expressing optimism that he would be fit enough to return in time for the Iberian tournament he has been forced to confirm his withdrawal in order to be sure of his fitness ahead of the French Open and its related warm-up events.’I've had to do [core
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Canas won the Brazil Open on clay earlier this year The Russian second seed withdrew before their quarter-final, giving the Argentine 12th seed a walkover.Canas will now face Spanish top seed Rafael Nadal, who beat Potito Starace of Italy 6-2 7-5.David Ferrer reached the final four in Barcelona for the first time with a 7-6 6-2 win over David Nalbandian.The Spanish fifth seed edged a tight first set against the Argentine fifth seed Argentine before cruising through the second
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Murray has just broken into the world’s top 10 players The Scot, who turns 20 on 15 May, told his own website he wanted to come back stronger to prevent a reoccurence.”I started hitting again too soon to see if I’d be OK for Estoril. It looks like I’ll have to miss it,” he said.”Rome and Hamburg are the big ones before the French Open and I want to make sure I’m ready for them.”Murray has just broken in the world’s top 10 for the first time before he was hit by back spasms
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Finding the right tennis shoe to wear is important-nothing is worse than injuring yourself or just have aches and pains because of poorly constructed and bad fitting ones. Like anything else, you have to shop around and through trial and error find out what works best for you.

There are shoes especially designed to be worn when playing tennis—whether the court is made from clay or grass, each different surface may require a different pair of shoes. So, how many do you have to buy? That will depend on you and where you play and if you wear these shoes outside of the court.

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Veteran makes Nadal work From correspondents in Barcelona
Former Australian Captain April 27, 2007

SPAIN’S Rafael Nadal extended his record run on clay to 69 matches overnight, as he moved a step closer to a Barcelona Open hat-trick.

The No.1 seed beat former Australian Open champion Thomas Johansson 6-1 6-4 in 69 minutes, but not without a spirited comeback from the veteran Swede in a combatative second set of the third-round contest.

After riding roughshod over the No.73 in a 21-minute opener, Nadal looked like having things all his own way.

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Casablanca, Morocco - Former runner-up Dominik Hrbaty posted a second-round win on Thursday, while last year’s finalist Nicolas Massu was sent packing at the $400,000 Grand Prix Hassan II tennis event.The top-seeded Hrbaty, a finalist here three years ago, snuck past Algerian wild card Slimane Saoudi 7-5, 7-6 (7-2), while a seventh-seeded Massu succumbed to Spaniard Albert Montanes 6-1, 2-1 on the red clay at Complexe Sportif al Amal. The Chilean Massu, who lost to Italian Daniele Bracciali in last year’s finale here, retired on Day 4 due to
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Nadal had far too much power for Johansson The defending champion and top seed lost just five points on his own serve as he cruised into the quarter-finals.The Spaniard, who also won the title in 2005, now plays Potito Starace after the Italian upset eighth seed Juan Ignacio Chela of Argentina 6-4 7-6.Fifth seed David Ferrer beat Serbian qualifier Boris Pashanski 6-2 7-5.The Spaniard will meet the winner of the match between Argentine fourth seed David Nalbandian and former
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Aussies at home to Ukraine By staff writers
Former Australian Captain April 26, 2007

AUSTRALIA was drawn overnight to host Ukraine in the Fed Cup World Group II play-offs from July 14 to 15.

The two countries have not played each other before, and Tennis Australia must notify the International Tennis Federation of the tie’s venue by May 11.

Australia last played a home tie in July 2003, when it defeated Colombia 3-2 in Wollongong.

The current team of Alicia Molik, Nicole Pratt, Samantha Stosur and Rennae Stubbs also represented Australia in that tie.

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Barcelona - Rafael Nadal led Spain’s clay-court tennis Armada to second-round victories on Wednesday, but former champion Juan Carlos Ferrero was unable to finish his match. Nadal pounded Belgian Kristof Vliegen for the second week in a row, securing a 6-1, 6-2 win an an hour. The number 1 also extended his clay-court winning run to 68 straight matches. ‘It was tough for him after losing to me last week in Monte Carlo,’ said Nadal. ‘I didn’t have to do so much today to win. ‘I’m glad I was able to extend my streak, but I also know that it cannot
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Often considered to be a particularly contentious and, at times, unreliable electronic line-call assistant utilised by the All England Club during the world famous Wimbledon fortnight, the infamous beeping Cyclops system will be duly abandoned on the Wimbledon show courts this year, while new Hawk-Eye technology looks to extend its steely gaze by way of replacement. Cyclops, which has been in use at the historic All England Club since the tournament of 1980, will now be forced to make way for Hawk-Eye, which is a high-speed multi-camera technology
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Nadal’s last defeat on clay came in 2005 The top seed won in an hour, giving up one more game than he did when beating the Belgian in Monte Carlo last week.”Maybe he came out with a bit of a negative attitude after last week,” said Nadal, the world number two.”In Monte Carlo, he fought to the end but today it was quite easy, I did not have to play at that high a level.”Seventh seed Juan Carlos Ferrero quit with an injury at 2-1 down in the first set to fellow Spaniard Pablo
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Nadal remains on course From Scott Williams in Barcelona, Spain
Former Australian Captain April 26, 2007

RAFAEL Nadal has battered Kristof Vliegen for the second time in six days, the Spaniard’s 6-1 6-2 victory at the Barcelona Open overnight stretching his unbeaten clay streak to 68 matches.

Nadal, the No.1 seed, is bidding to complete a trophy hat-trick at the Real club just days after completing a title treble in Monte Carlo.

The world No.2, who defeated Vliegen
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Serena plans French surprise From Larry Fine in New York
Former Australian Captain April 25, 2007

SERENA Williams likes proving people wrong and intends to surprise the sceptics at next month’s French Open.

Williams stormed to victory in the year’s opening grand slam, thrashing Maria Sharapova in the final of the Australian Open despite finishing 2006 ranked No.95 after battling injuries and appearing to critics to be in less than top condition.

“Everybody had
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Casablanca, Morocco - Top seeds Dominik Hrbaty and Jose Acasuso were among Tuesday’s first-round winners at the $400,000 Grand Prix Hassan II tennis event.The Slovakian Hrbaty held off Austrian Alexander Peya 7-6 (9-7), 6-4, while the Argentine Acasuso handled Frenchman Nicolas Devilder 6-4, 6-4 on the red clay at Complexe Sportif al Amal. Hrbaty, who reached the final here in 2004, will face Algerian wild card Slimane Saoudi in the second round.Third-seeded Frenchman Julien Benneteau moved on by outlasting Portuguese qualifier Frederico Gil
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Barcelona, Spain - Third-seeded Spaniard Tommy Robredo and fourth-seeded Argentine David Nalbandian were among Tuesday’s second-round winners at the $1 million Open Seat 2007 tennis event.The 2006 runner-up and 2004 champion Robredo rolled past his fellow Spaniard Feliciano Lopez 6-2, 6-2, while Nalbandian routed Spaniard Alberto Martin 6-2, 6-0 on the red clay at Real Club de Tenis Barcelona. Robredo lost to Rafael Nadal in last year’s all-Spanish Barcelona finale.Fifteenth-seeded Argentine Agustin Calleri also landed in the third round by
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Robredo through, Safin out From Simon Cambers in Barcelona
Former Australian Captain April 25, 2007

NO.3 seed Tommy Robredo demolished fellow Spaniard Feliciano Lopez 6-2 6-2 overnight to cruise into the third round of the Barcelona Open.

Robredo, runner-up to Rafael Nadal last year and the winner in 2004, needed just 69 minutes to advance to a clash with No.15 seed Agustin Calleri from Argentina or Italian qualifier Paolo Lorenzi in the last 16.

After cruising
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Wimbledon, England - Wimbledon has raised its total purse from a year ago by 8.7 percent, as the men’s and women’s singles champions will take home the same paycheck for the first time in the history of tennis’ most prestigious event.Back in February, Wimbledon announced that both the men and women would receive equal prize money, and the 2007 singles champions will collect $1.4 million apiece. The total purse at the lone grass Grand Slam event will be just over $22.57 million.’No tennis tournament has ever offered higher prize money than Wimbledon
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Roland Garros … Hewitt’s first grand slam without his parents. Pic: AP Hewitt ‘loses’ parental support By Leo Schlink
Former Australian Captain April 25, 2007

LLEYTON Hewitt will spot wife Bec and daughter Mia, and possibly Darren Cahill when he looks to his support box over the next two months - but not parents Glynn and Cherilyn.

Hewitt, who made his debut at the Australian Open in 1997, this year will tackle a major for the first time without his parents present.

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Wimbledon considers Hawk-Eye By Leo Schlink
Former Australian Captain April 25, 2007

WIMBLEDON will soon decide if it will follow Tennis Australia’s lead to use Hawk-Eye electronic line-calling.

The All England Club was due to reveal its revamped pay scale overnight - it is belatedly offering equal pay for men and women - as it considers the merits of Hawk-Eye.

The US Open pioneered Hawk-Eye in August before the system was successfully adopted at the Australian Open in January.

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Wimbledon 2006 winners Amelie Mauresmo and Roger Federer The overall fund for the 25 June-8 July tournament will be £11,282,710 - 8.7% up on last year’s figure.”No tennis tournament has ever offered higher prize money than Wimbledon in 2007,” claimed Tim Phillips, chairman of organisers the All England Club.Equal rewards for men and women at Wimbledon were announced in February.Subject to final testing, Hawk-eye technology will be used on Centre Court and Court One at this
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Gaudio is becoming increasingly frustrated The Argentine, who won at Roland Garros in 2004, is down to 69th in the world rankings and has a 4-9 record in 2007.Gaudio admitted: “I don’t know where my game has gone, I just can’t seem to play at the top level anymore.”Kristof Vliegen will face top seed Rafael Nadal in the second round after beating Davide Sanguinetti 6-2 6-4.Nadal, riding a 67-match winning streak on clay, beat the Belgian last week in the third round on the
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Wimbledon wants to put more emphasis on consistent results Wimbledon will pick its wildcards from a list of eight men and eight women chosen by British tennis’ governing body the LTA based on world rankings.The shortlisted players who miss out will enter a qualifying competition for places in Wimbledon’s main draw.The LTA has made the changes to put more emphasis on consistent results as the basis for a coveted wildcard spot.The wildcard play-off tournament was introduced
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