Lleyton Hewitt: It's Not Over Till It's Over

As Lleyton Hewitt spends the evening in the quaint seaside town of Newport, south of Boston, he has every reason to smile.

In a feat rarely seen on the professional circuit, the Australian’s triumph in both the singles and doubles with fellow Aussie Chris Guccione took his career tally to an incredible 30 singles and 3 doubles titles. The feat places him alongside elite company, joining Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic as the only active players to have amassed over 30 singles titles. 

The South Australian’s 6-3, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (3) win over second seed Ivo Karlovic in the Newport final will also send the top ranked Aussie to no. 41 in the world.  This feat holds even more significance when it is considered that Hewitt has long since considered his ranking irrelevant, expressing his desire to play primarily for the Majors and the Davis Cup.

Just weeks ago, after a second round exit at Wimbledon, Hewitt was once again subject to illogical calls for retirement.  “I’ve been asked that question for 5 or 6 years now”  stated Hewitt post Wimbledon.  In 2001, the gutsy Australian led the charge and the fact that he remains the No. 1 Aussie today is a testament to Hewitt’s incredible vitality and determination.

While there are extremely encouraging signs from the emerging wave of juniors, led by 19 year old Nick Kyrgios, there are no signs that Lleyton Hewitt will hang up the racquets any time soon.  

Yet when he finally does, he has rightfully earnt his place amongst the immortals of the game.

All Swiss Final In Monte Carlo

You'd have had very long odds for an all Swiss final at the Monte Carlo Country Club this year, but an all Swiss affair it will be, with both Stanislas Wawrinka and Roger Federer through to the final in the Principality of Monaco!

2014 Monte Carlo Masters Final: Stan v Roger

Ferrer v Wawrinka:

What a difference a day makes. After stunning Rafael Nadal yesterday, Ferrer was simply blown away by a rampaging Wawrinka who hit 40 winners in a 6-1, 7-6(3) win.

The 11 time ATP clay court champion Ferrer, was no match for Wawrinka's accurate firepower, despite his fairly dominant head to head record against the current Swiss No. 1.

"He started playing unbelievable," stated Ferrer. "I didn't have any option to stop him. I didn't return serve very well. In the second set, he made a few more mistakes. I played with more power on my forehand. But, anyway, Stan was better. All the time he moved the ball better than me."

After a drop in form in Indian Wells/ Miami, it seems the 'Stanimal' has returned.

Djokovic v Federer:

Chasing an unprecedented 5th consecutive Masters 1000 title, Djokovic's reign was ended overnight by the 32-year-old Federer  with a 7-5, 6-2 victory in 75 minutes.

Hampered by an injured right wrist, which was heavily strapped, Federer took full advantage of a struggling Djokovic and broke the Serb twice.

"Of course, I did see that Novak was struggling at one point," said Federer. "For me it was more just making sure that from my side I was playing a good, solid, tough match with some good defensive play sometimes, but mostly trying to stay on the offensive as much as I could. I think I was able to deliver from my side, which is key."  He lost just five points on serve in the second set.

Djokovic may be sidelined for multiple weeks following the injury, which places doubts on his return to World Number 1.

Highlights:

The semifinals wins mean it will be the first all-Swiss ATP World Tour final since 2000 Marseille.
Who will you be cheering for?

Nadal Into 7th On The All Time Career Titles List

Yesterday, World Number 1 Rafael Nadal claimed his 62nd tour level title after taking out the Rio Open against Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-3, 7-6 (3).

His victory leaves him undefeated in Brazil and places him equal 7th on the All Time Career Titles List, just two titles below Pete Sampras and Bjorn Borg.

 All Time ATP Titles

1. Jimmy Connors - 110
2. Ivan Lendl - 94
3. John McEnroe - 77
3. Roger Federer - 77
5. Bjorn Borg - 64
5. Pete Sampras - 64
7. Guillermo Vilas - 62
7. Rafael Nadal -62
9. Andre Agassi - 60
10. Ilie Nastase - 58


On Saturday, the Spaniard was tested to the limit by country man Pablo Andular in the Rio Semifinals.  Pablo, playing out of his skin, stormed to take the first set, before losing to Nadal  6-2, 3-6, 6-7(10) in close to 3 hours.

Some absolutely incredible clay-court tennis was on show from the Spaniards...

Pablo's offensive game forced Nadal deep into the court, placing him in uncomfortable positions. Yet, Nadal took an early lead in the third. Composed and determined, Pablo broke back level and in the ensuing tiebreak, he came to within inches of taking the match, saving one match point with a sublime drop shot half volley on the run. Yet Nadal once again showed why he is the king of clay, holding his nerve to finish the match 12-10 in the tiebreak.

Rafa Wins In Rio

It's Over?

As the stands get cleaned, the stalls removed and the gates closed, we've come to the end of another Aus Open. But it certainly wasn't without its stories.

Stanislas Wawrinka proved to be the big one.

The Swiss press on Monday hailed the "impossible exploit" of newly-crowned Australian Open champion Stanislas Wawrinka, who has finally come out of the shadows of more illustrious compatriot Roger Federer. Anyone who would have said 13 months ago that Wawrinka would shortly win a grand slam title, would probably have been classified as insane, yet Stan's victory served to demonstrate the triumph of work, courage and humility.

However, Wawrinka may now need to focus on shaking off his nicknames, Stan the Man, or Fed's crazy creation - the Stanimal...

On the other side of the net that night, was a man who proved himself once again as a champion.

But during Sunday night's men's final, why did such a large part of the crowd boo world number one, Rafael Nadal, after he took an injury timeout? This group decided, without evidence, that one of the most competitive sportspeople ever to bounce a ball, was resorting to blatant gamesmanship when a set down in a major championship watched by millions.

Yes, Nadal pushes the rules to the brink in terms of time-wasting, but he is a fighter, an admirable role model, renowned for his tenacity. Nadal refused to blame his injury for his loss, and understood the visceral reaction of the crowd. "I tried to finish the match as good as I can, for the crowd, for the opponent, for me, Nadal said at game's end.  (Will Brodie, The Age)

Nadal defends the crowd that booed him. That shows you the measure of this man.
But it was gut wrenching to see the crowd boo a character who is one of the most humble, gracious, sincere players to have ever stepped on court.

This weekend the Davis Cup kicks off around the globe.
Australia will take on France for a spot in the round of 8.
Stay tuned. The year has only just begun.

Super Saturday

Match Of The Day

Gael Monfils;  boring, uninspiring, clumsy, fragile.  These are words that are not in Gael’s dictionary. In fact, he probably doesn’t know that these words even exist. The vibrant Frenchman is an entertainer and it would be a fair bet to say there is no more dynamic a performer in men’s tennis, then this flexible showman. 

Tonight he comes up against the world number one on the biggest stage.  When asked in French if he would prefer afternoon or night, the playful Monfils answered emphatically, “le soir, le soir.” He gets his wish, prime-time under lights at Rod Laver Arena.

Men’s Round 3 Picks

Teymuraz Gabashvilli v Roger Federer [6]

Teymuraz has beaten some quality (Stakhovsky & Verdasco) on his way to a third round class with the Swiss Maestro.  But is another upset on the cards? Unlikely. Federer in 3 against the world number 79.

Milos Raonic [11] v Grigor Dimitrov [22]

Raonic is aiming to reach his fifth Grand Slam round of 16, Dimitrov his first. Every bit of experience helps. Raonic in four.

Donald Young v Kei Nishikori [16]

Nishikori in 4.

Rafael Nadal [1] v Gael Monfils [25]

Monfils can play like a rockstar, but he hasn’t got a back-up band – and Nadal is all about long solo performances. Nadal in four.

Roberto Bautista Agut v Benoit Paire [27]

After taking out Canberra's Nick Kyrgios in 5 sets, Paire is in for another marathon.

Paire in 5. 

   

Andy Murray [4] v Feliciano Lopez [26]

Murray's record against Lopez speaks for itself.

Murray in 3.

Jo-Wilfred Tsonga [10] v Gilles Simon [18]

Tsonga is playing a weary and worn-out opponent after Simon, sore ankle and all, went five sets in each of his first two rounds. Tsonga in four.

The Action So Far:

A week with heatwaves, epic 5 setters, the emergence of new Aussie stars and the ever present Henri Leconte... Melbourne is having a blast.

But it's fair to say that the weather has been a little weird…

There has also been plenty of action on the courts. Cramping has been a constant throughout the week, but Robredo thought he'd pretend to be hurt in an altogether different way...

The Big Questions for 2014 (Part 1) - A. Lark

2013 proved to be another year of high drama and scintillating tennis on the men’s tour.  The theatrics were led by a stunning return to the pinnacle of the game by the humble Majorcan, a first Wimbledon title for the feisty Scotsman, an uncharacteristically trying season for the Swiss superstar, and a brutal run of wins to close out the year by the Djoker.  But as is always the case in sport, what is done fades quickly into the annals of our collective memory and thoughts turn to what is next.  And with the Australian Open kicking off tomorrow, its time to have a look at some of the big questions that will be answered throughout the 2014 season.

Question 1: Who will prevail in the battle for world number 1?

2013 saw a two horse race for the number one position.  The dominance of Nadal and Djokovic throughout last year, coupled with injury concerns for Murray, and big questions over Federer’s form, suggests that the major battle of 2014 will again be one fought between Majorcan and the Serb.  The Djokovic-Nadal rivalry is fast becoming one of the game’s greatest, exemplified by some brutal encounters across a range of surfaces such as their epic (6hr) clash in the final of the 2012 Australian Open and their semi-final at Roland Garros last year that ended 9-7 in the fifth.  Add to that an increased aggressiveness to Nadal’s baseline play, and a greater willingness from Djokavic’s to come to net, and we’re bound to see more enthralling duels between two of the game’s greats.  So sit back and enjoy the next instalment of this battle for the supremacy in the men’s game.

Question 2: Will Federer be a force to be reckoned with in 2014?

 

It’s almost hard to believe just in October of 2012 Roger had just logged his 300^th week at number one in the world.  But what a difference a year can make, with Roger now sitting somewhat unnaturally at number 6 in the rankings.  And, after a tumultuous year by his standards many have suggested his days as a serious competitor in Grand Slams are over.  Whilst one can imaging 2013 was a hard pill to swallow for the Swiss Maestro, it remains to be seen whether the great man still maintains the drive and the physical conditioning required to return to his more familiar hunting ground at the top of the game.  However, a stronger finish to 2013, a new coach, and some more fiery rhetoric at the start of the year suggests that the Maestro isn’t ready to sit back and enjoy the glow of his 17 major trophies just yet. 

Question 3: Will Murray continue his rise?

After climbing the Wimbledon mountain in 2013, it seemed as though Murray had finally proven his worthiness as a member of the games big four.  However, just when it looked like the Scot may be gaining the ascendancy over Djokavic, injury thwarted his run, and in the process any serious chance of defending his US open crown.  Having played precious little in the way of matches since last year’s US open quarter-final loss to Wawrinka, and having undergone back surgery late last year, serious questions hover over Murray’s conditioning leading into the Australian Open.  Whilst the Australian summer will pose a significant challenge for the gritty Scot, he’ll no doubt be looking to add to his two majors by the time Wimbledon rolls around.

Stay tuned for Aus Open updates & Part 2 of The Big Questions for 2014.