Sportmaster International

Henman hopes of a hardcourt revival were swiftly ended The British number two hit five double faults as he lost 4-6 6-4 7-6 (7-4) in Washington to the 22-year-old who is ranked a lowly 416th in the world. Henman saved two match points in the 10th game of the final set but found himself 6-3 down in the tie-break.He clawed another point back but then double faulted to end the match after just over two hours on court.Henman, 32, who won the Washington title in 2003, said: “To
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The two most significant Grand Slams in tennis, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, are ones that every tennis player wants to win. The commercial influence of both events can shoot a person straight into the fast life of sponsorship deals and advertising campaigns. However during the events itself the two tournaments could not be more different.

Today Wimbledon is known as �The Player�s Championship�, and its associates try to keep it intact with the old traditions of the game. On court players have to wear white, logos have to be of a certain size,
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Bali, Indonesia - Former world No. 1 star Lindsay Davenport will return to singles tennis in September, just three months after giving birth to her first child.

The 31-year-old Davenport hasn’t played singles on the WTA Tour since last September, when she reached a quarterfinal in Beijing. She’ll return to the court for some singles action at the Commonwealth Bank Tennis Classic in Bali, where she titled back in 2005.

Last week, the powerful American announced that she would return to play doubles alongside her countrywoman Lisa Raymond in New Haven next month.

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Davenport will return to action playing doubles next month “I’ve enjoyed the tournament in the past and feel it’s the perfect place to begin playing singles again,” she said.Davenport, 31, who has won three Grand Slams and an Olympic gold medal, quit the tour last year with back trouble and has since had her first child.She recently announced she will play doubles with Lisa Raymond in August. 606: DEBATE
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Johansson edges past Grosjean From correspondents in Washington, USA
Former Australian Captain July 31, 2007

THOMAS Johansson and Russian Igor Kunitsyn took the long way into the second round of the ATP Washington Classic with marathon three-set triumphs today (AEST).

Sweden’s Johansson booked a second-round date with defending champion and No.4 seed Arnaud Clement of France by defeating Colombian Santiago Giraldo 7-6 6-7 6-4 in two hours and 40 minutes.

Clement,
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Venus stretches win streak From correspondents in Carlsbad
Former Australian Captain July 31, 2007

WIMBLEDON champion Venus Williams returned to the WTA San Diego Classic for the first time in five years, picking up where she left off with a victory.

The No.10 seed, who dominated the event from 2000 through 2002 with three trophies on the trot, began her eighth campaign with a 6-3 6-0 first-round victory over Russian Anastasia Rodionova in just 50 minutes.

Williams
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Wildcard outclasses Volandri From correspondents in Sopot, Poland
Former Australian Captain July 31, 2007

POLISH wildcard Michael Przysiezny gave the home crowd something to cheer when he knocked out No.4 seed Filippo Volandri in the first round of the Polish Open.

Volandri, ranked 28th in the world and who beat world No/1 Roger Federer in Rome in May, crashed out to the 23-year-old Pole, ranked 207th, with Przysiezny winning 6-4 2-6 7-5.

Volandri was the second seed to exit on the opening day of the tournament after the defeat of Spaniard Nicolas Almagro earlier.

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Davenport to return in Bali From correspondents in Singapore
Former Australian Captain July 31, 2007

FORMER world No.1 Lindsay Davenport will return to professional singles action at the WTA Tour Wismilak International in Bali in September.

Davenport, 31, quit the tour at the end of 2006, having missed much of the year with a back injury, and she has since given birth to a son, Jagger.

The three-time grand slam winner said last year that she could not imagine playing professional tennis again, but the lure of the tour has proved too great.

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Argie pair in upsets From correspondents in Sopot, Poland
Former Australian Captain July 31, 2007

ARGENTINA’S unseeded Mariano Zabaleta beat Spain’s Nicolas Almagro, the No.6 seed, 6-3 7-5 in a first-round, Polish Open upset overnight.

But comaptriot Gaston Gaudio, the 2004 French Open champion, was the victim of another surprise, slumping to a 6-2 6-0 defeat by Belgium’s Steve Darcis.

Zabaleta, 29, No.85 in the ATP rankings, was too good for the 21-year-old, ranked 54 places above him, on the clay of northern Poland.

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Henman has won just five of his 14 matches so far in 2007 The Briton, ranked 73, will meet eighth seed Benjamin Becker in round two if he sees off Isner, the world number 416.Andy Murray had been scheduled to return from a wrist injury in Washington but has delayed his comeback until next week’s Montreal Masters.British number three Bogdanovic takes on Dutchman Robin Haase on Monday. 606: DEBATE How will
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Juan seals Argie treble From correspondents in Kitzbuhel, Austria
Former Australian Captain July 30, 2007

ARGENTINA’S Juan Monaco defeated Italy’s Potito Starace 5-7 6-3 6-4 to win the 646,250 euros ($1 million) Austria Open today (AEST). Monaco, 23, won in 2Ѕ hours, his third ATP title and his second in Austria, following victories at Buenos Aires in February and Poertschach in May.

The No.5 seed, from Buenos Aires, is the third successive Argentinean to win at Kitzbuehel, following Agustin Calleri last year and Gaston Gaudio in 2005.

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Classic double to Anna From correspondents in Stanford, California
Former Australian Captain July 30, 2007

RUSSIA’S Anna Chakvetadze cruised past India’s Sania Mirza 6-3 6-2 to claim her second WTA Tour title, the Stanford Classic, in two weeks today (AEST).

The No.1 seed had earned a three-set, semi-final victory over the same opponent on her way to the Cincinnati title last week, and Mirza was unable to improve on that in the $US600,000 ($707,000) hard court tournament.

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Chakvetadze has won all six tournament finals she has reached The Russian’s sixth career title win takes her up to a career-best ranking of sixth in the world.The 20-year-old Russian dominated from the outset, with her effective groundstrokes sending Mirza running all over the court.The pair also met in Cincinnati last week, where Chakvetadze won the title.Afterwards, Chakvetadze said she had been pleasantly surprised to wrap up the win so quickly.”I didn’t expect to win in
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Dmitry spoils the fairytale From correspondents in Indianapolis
Former Australian Captain July 30, 2007

RUSSIA’s Dmitry Tursunov denied Frank Dancevic a fairytale ending at the Indianapolis championships, beat the unheralded Canadian 6-4 7-5 to win the title.

Tursunov, who added the title to his other trophy, won last (northern) autumn in India, said: “At least this shows that wasn’t a fluke.”

The No.3 seed, based in California, never faced a break point and
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Tursunov is ranked 27th in the world and was in his third final Dancevic caused an upset in the semi-final as he beat top seed Andy Roddick but his luck ran out against the Russian.It was only the Russian’s second career win, having won in Mumbai last year.Tursunov broke serve twice, in the third game of the first set and the 11th of the second, to set up his win.Tursunov said he was pleased to “get the job done.”"A few years ago I would have lost it and probably walked away
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Moya has an impressive record in Croatia The 30-year-old sixth seed needed eight set points and had to save four break points to take the first set.Moya broke Pavel twice in the second set, leaving the player ranked 132 in the world little chance to respond.”The event’s strong and I didn’t expect to win. I’m very happy,” said Moya after claiming his 20th tour title.Pavel, the oldest player in the tournament, knew it had been a great chance to win in Umag, with the three top
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Carlos best of ‘oldies’ From correspondents in Umag, Croatia
Former Australian Captain July 30, 2007

SPAIN’S Carlos Moya won his fifth Croatia Open, beating fellow veteran, Romania’s Andrei Pavel, 6-4 6-2 in today’s (AEST).

Moya had the upper hand in the first set and Pavel saved seven set points before succumbing.

In the second, Moya took advantage of two breaks of serves to clinch the match.

“Honestly, when I arrived in Umag I did not believe I could make it again with so many good players, but I had a good week,” said Moya.

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Monaco made it a hat-trick of tournament wins this year Monaco was a break up in the first set but let his lead and two set points slip away as Starace took first blood.The Argentinian fifth seed levelled at one-set all after breaking at 4-3 in the second set, and he edged a nervy decider to seal victory.Only Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal have won more titles than Monaco this year.”I never thought I could win three titles this year,” said Monaco.”I’ve been working really hard
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Schiavone recently beat France’s Amelie Mauresmo in the Fed Cup The 27-year-old had lost eight previous tour finals heading into the match.But the top seed broke three times in the first set and after Meusburger double-faulted at 4-3 in the second, Schiavone was able to wrap up victory.Schiavone said: “It’s a great relief, but I didn’t put pressure on myself. I just went out to enjoy it.”Schiavone, ranked number 31 in the world, controlled the first set with accurate high
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Mirza looked fully recovered from her recent knee injury Mirza topped Austrian number eight seed Bammer - her third seeded victim in a row - 6-2 5-7 6-3.In the final she will face top-seeded Russian Anna Chakvetadze, who beat Daniela Hantuchova 6-7 (6/8) 6-3 6-2.Mirza had already passed Patty Schnyder and Tatiana Golovin and equalled her best ranking of 31 by making the final.Mirza, who seemed fully recovered from a knee injury that sidelined her for two months earlier this
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Maria makes another comeback From Scott Williams in Carlsbad, California
Former Australian Captain July 29, 2007

DEFENDING champion Maria Sharapova makes her first appearance since Wimbledon at the San Diego Classic this week, once again testing a long-standing shoulder injury.

The world No.2, who beat Kim Clijsters in the 2006 hard court final, has been dogged by the injury problem since the (northern) spring.

But a pain-killing injection helped her to the French Open semi-finals and a Wimbledon fourth-round loss to Venus Williams.

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Cory, 15, mimmicks Tiger From correspondents in Dallas, Texas
Former Australian Captain July 29, 2007

AMERICAN teen Cory Whitsett followed in the footsteps of Tiger Woods by winning the US junior title, aged 15, in Augusta, Missouri, today (AEST).

In an all-Texas final at Boone Valley Golf Club, Houston resident Whitsett crushed Dallas-based Anthony Paolucci 8 and 7.

Left hander Whitsett became the fifth 15-year-old to clinch the prestigious title after Woods (1991), Sihwan Kim (2004), Henry Liaw (2001) and Mike Brannan (1971).

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Veterans fight out final From correspondents in Umag, Croatia
Former Australian Captain July 29, 2007

SPAIN’S Carlos Moya beat beating Argentinean Guillermo Canas 6-3 6-2 in a semi-final to stay on course for his fifth Croatian title today (AEST).

In a final of veterans, Moya, 30, will play Romania’s Andrei Pavel, 33, who had little trouble in beating Serbia qualifier Viktor Troicki 6-3 6-3 in the other semi.

Moya, chasing his 20th career title, took 90 minutes
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Ambitious Mirza shocks seed From Mattew Cronin in Stanford, California
Former Australian Captain July 29, 2007

INDIA’S Sania Mirza upset No.8 seed Sybille Bammer 6-2 5-7 6-3 to reach the final of the Stanford Classic today (AEST).

The unseeded 20-year-old, whose only Tour title came in Hyderabad in 2005, outfought the Austrian under the hot sun in 2hrs 14mins.

While left hander Bammer did a good job hooking her forehand into Mirza’s backhand and punishing her second serve, the Indian was the more ambitious and complete player on the day.

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Washington - Andy Murray has again delayed his return from a spring wrist injury after withdrawing on Saturday from next week’s Legg Mason Classic tournament. The Scot, ranked 14th, has not played since May 15. If he returns at the Montreal Masters starting August 4, he will be pushing his absence to the three-month mark. Murray, who rose to the Top ten for the first time before sliding back due to lack of play, missed the French Open and Wimbledon. He has been testing the injury this week at the Bollettieri academy in Florida. His website made
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‘Miracle’ upset disgusts Roddick From correspondents in Indianapolis
Former Australian Captain July 29, 2007

CANADA’S Frank Dancevic toppled No.1 Andy Roddick 6-4 7-6 (7-1) as the two top seeds crashed out of the Indianapolis hard court championships today (AEST).

Roddick, bidding for a third title in five years at the venue, went down in a hail of 15 aces from the 109th-ranked player in the world, who had never even played an ATP quarter-final before today.

Earlier,
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One more Argie for Potito From Mark Ledsom in Kitzbuehel, Austria
Former Australian Captain July 29, 2007

ITALY’S Potito Starace beat Agustin Calleri 6-4 7-5 overnight to set up an Austrian Open final with another Argentinean, Juan Monaco.

Monaco, the No.5 seed, booked his place with a 7-5 7-5 win over Spain’s Fernando Verdasco.

Holder Calleri had not dropped a set on his way to the semis, but was out of sorts against the No.10 seed, who is chasing his first ATP title.

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34 aces silence Blake’s queries From correspondents in Indianapolis
Former Australian Captain July 29, 2007

CALIFORNIA teen Sam Querrey stunned holder James Blake 7-6 (10-8) 6-7 (4-7) 7-6 (7-4) to reach the semi-finals of the Indianapolis ATP hard court tournament today (AEST).

The 19-year-old, who had suffered a run of seven straight defeats before this breakthrough week, sent down of 34 aces - including nine in a row over three games of the second set - to leave little doubt that his star is rising just in time for next month’s US Open.

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Roddick struggled in sweltering conditions In sweltering heat, Roddick made 28 unforced errors as the Canadian won 6-4 7-6 to reach his first ATP tour final.Dancevic’s opponent in Sunday’s final will be either Sam Querrey or third seed Dmitry Tursunov.Querrey beat defending champion and second seed James Blake 7-6 (10-8) 6-7 (4-7) 7-6 (7-4) to reach the last four.”I didn’t have much to give out there today, I don’t know why. I wasn’t feeling that well,” said Roddick. “I served
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Moya has a hugely impressive record in Croatia Sixth seed Moya, who has won the tournament four times before, saw off fifth seed Guillermo Canas 6-3 6-2.He looked in ominously good form for a fifth title, only allowing himself to be broken once, in the opening game of the second set.Pavel beat Viktor Troicki, who had earlier knocked out top seed and fellow Serb Novak Djokovic, 6-3 6-3.

Mirza reaches Stanford semis From correspondents in Stanford, California
Former Australian Captain July 28, 2007

UNSEEDED Sania Mirza of India punched her semi-final ticket at this US Open tune-up today with a straight-sets victory over fourth-seeded Patty Schnyder. Mirza downed her Swiss opponent 7-6 (7-2) 6-1 for her second straight upset this week. She bounced sixth-seeded Tatiana Golovin of France in the second round.

Mirza’s victory over world No.19 Golovin was her first over a top-20 player since she was sidelined by a knee injury in March.
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Cloud ‘juice’ means stalemate From correspondents in Indianapolis
Former Australian Captain July 28, 2007

STEADY rain wreaked havoc at the ATP Indianapolis Championships today (AEST), with only one of the scheduled day-session matches making it on court.

Canada’s Frank Dancevic, playing in the first ATP quarter-final of his career, won a 6-4 first set with Russia’s Igor Kunitsun, which was interrupted in the ninth game for nearly four hours.

After two more walk offs due to conditions, Kunitysn led 4-1 in the second when there was yet another delay.

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Five-game rushes stun Robredo From Mark Ledsom in Kitzbuehel, Austria
Former Australian Captain July 28, 2007

ARGENTINA’S Juan Monaco upset Spain’s No.1 seed, Tommy Robredo, 6-2 2-6 6-2 to reach the semi-finals of the Austrian Open today (AEST).

Robredo began strongly, breaking the No.5 seed in the first set to go 2-1 up with serve.

But he lost the next five games as the Argentine world No.32 rallied impressively with a series of strong returns and aggressive ground strokes.

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Carlos crushes compatriot again From correspondents in Umag, Croatia
Former Australian Captain July 28, 2007

SPAIN’S CARLOS Moya battled to a 7-5 6-4 quarter-final win over compatriot, No.4 seed David Ferrer today (AEST), to stay on course for his fifth Croatia Open title.

It was the former world No.1’s eighth career victory over Ferrer, who had won their two previous meetings.

 Moya, the No.6 seed, will meet Guillermo Canas (No.5) in the semi-finals, after the Argentinean crushed France’s uninspired Simon Gilles 6-2 6-1.

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Monaco has already won two tournaments this year World number seven Robredo began well, breaking Monaco early to go 2-1 up but then lost five games in a row as he struggled with Monaco’s array of shots.Robredo dominated the second set but another five-game winning streak put Monaco back in the driving seat.The Spaniard tried to cling on but there was no time to salvage the match.Monaco, who has already won two tournaments this season, said he deliberately took the fight to
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Vergeer last lost a match in February 2003 Vergeer, who defeated compatriot Jiske Griffioen 6-2 6-0, will face another Dutchwoman Korie Homan in the final. Homan, the world number five, beat Florence Gravellier of France 6-3 6-4.Saturday’s men’s semi-finals see top seed Shingo Kunieda take on Ronald Vink and second seed Robin Ammerlaan up against Satoshi Saida.Kunieda, from Japan, had a comprehensive 6-1 6-1 win over Tadeusz Kruszelnicki of Poland while Dutchman Vink was a
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Hewitt to go it alone at US open By Bruce Matthews
Former Australian Captain July 28, 2007

A FAMILY commitment will prevent new coach Tony Roche from joining Lleyton Hewitt at the US Open next month. Roche will remain in Sydney to await the birth of his youngest daughter’s third child.

Tennis Australia has arranged for Darren Cahill to work with Hewitt and the other Australians at the championships in New York from August 27 to September 9.

Cahill,
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Murray and Butorac have won three tournaments this year Murray and American Butorac were second seeds but lost 6-3 3-6 10-6 in the quarter-finals to American wildcards Scott Lipsky and David Martin.Murray and Butorac were beaten in straight sets by Lipsky and Martin at last week’s event in Los Angeles.In the singles, defending champion James Blake reached the last eight.Blake eased past Brazilian Ricardo Mello 6-4 6-2 and will now play fellow American . (more…)

Indianapolis, Indiana - Holder James Blake revved up his game to power into the quarter-finals of the Indianapolis tennis championships 6-4, 6-2 Thursday over Brazil’s Ricardo Mello. The number 149 challenger had few chances against the second seed, who is looking for his second title of 2006. Blake lost Sunday in the Los Angeles final to start his tune-up campaign for next month’s US Open. The American number nine said that he began slowly Thursday before building up for victory. ‘It was a tentative start. We were feeling each other out,’ Blake
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Philippoussis tipped to return By Melissa Woods
Former Australian Captain July 27, 2007

MARK Philippoussis is tipped to finally return to competitive tennis next month after being put through his paces on the training court by former world No.1 Andre Agassi.

But his former Davis Cup captain John Fitzgerald and teammate Lleyton Hewitt today warned he faced a tough road ahead after seven months out of the game.

Philippoussis was expected to be sidelined for four to six weeks after undergoing knee surgery in January.

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