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?

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.

Nadal & Djokovic Undertake Glacier Challenge

The tennis world never really sleeps.
Despite it being the off season, the tours leading players have once again been on the move, launching the 2014 season with a series of exhibition matches throughout South America.

The event organized by the Argentine Ministry of Tourism held at the Perto Moreno Glacier.

 The best two players had a hit on Saturday to promote one of the most visited South American destinations, the Perto Moreno glacier in the southern Argentinian province of Rio Gallegos. Aptly named  "Tennis in the Ice Ages" the mock match took place on board a ferry which had a tennis court specially built to allow the two tennis greats the chance to show their skills.

Both players have also been involved in a series of exhibition matches used as a farewell for the tennis great David Nalbandian who retired this year.  Earlier on thursday in Buenos Aires, Nalbandian, considered one of the greatest players never to win a grand slam, defeated Nadal in straight sets in the friendly match-up.

Andy Murray (returning from surgery) has also been involved in recent charity exhibitions. Last Saturday he returned to the court on Neckar Island, owned by Richard Branson. The Virgin billionaire sponsored the exhibition matchup which saw leading players face off against other celebrities.

Federer however has yet to resurface since his ATP world tour finals semifinal loss. Skipping the South American run of exhibition matches, his plans to concentrate on his form to the 2014 season should see him pose a strong start when he returns to Australia in late December for the Brisbane International.

Top 3: Matches Of 2013

With the Australian summer of tennis just around the corner, we look back on the highlights of the incredible season that has just been. Here is the best of the best; the top 3 matches of 2013.

3.  Novak Djokovic Defeated Juan Martin Del-Potro 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(2), 6-7(6), 6-3 - Wimbledon Semifinal

 Leading into the Wimbledon semi final of 2013, the only previous grass court encounter between these two heavyweights of tennis had been at the London 2012 Olympics. With the previous encounter going the way of the Argentine, the stage was set for a match which could go in anyone's favor.  In the longest Wimbledon semifinal in history, Djokovic won 6-3 in the fifth in four hours and 43 minutes. "It was one of the best matches that I've been a part of, one of the most exciting definitely" Djokovic said.

2. Rafael Nadal Defeats Novak Djokovic 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 6-7(3), 9-7, Roland Garros Semifinals

Highlights: http://eurosport.yahoo.com/video/highlights-djokovic-v-nadal-160620584.html

With Djokovic seeking to become the first male to win the first two Grand Slams of a calendar year in over 20 years and Nadal searching for a record eighth Roland Garros title, the stakes were incredibly high for this semi-final match-up.  The match itself did not disappoint. Going toe to toe for nearly five hours, the Serbian jumped out to an early fifth set lead. Yet the will and spirit of Nadal (as well as Djokovic's net touch at a crucial moment) allowed Nadal to eventually close out the match 9-7 in the deciding set. Afterwards John McEnroe stated this was the highest quality clay court match he had ever witnessed.

1. Novak Djokovic Defeats Stanislas Wawrinka 1-6, 7-5, 6-4, 6-7, 12-10 - Australian Open Fourth Round

 Considered by most as the match of the tournament, the fourth round encounter between once again Novak Djokovic and the Swiss number two Stanislas Wawrinka  even outshone the Federer v Murray match in the semifinals. Incredibly even Djokovic clinching his third Aussie Open crown provided merely the footnote to this encounter.  With blistering shot making and grueling rallies, this match had it all. Ending at 1:41am on Monday morning, the Sunday night blockbuster lasted five hours and two minutes.

“Especially I was dealing with myself all the five hours, trying to always find solutions, trying to always fight against me and against him to stay with him. At the end I was really, really close. For sure I'm really sad. But I think there is more positive than negative.” - Wawrinka reflecting on his loss to the then world number 1.

Davis Cup World Group Final Preview – Serbia V Czech Republic

 The Key Stats: Serbia v Czech Republic

Country	Serbia	Czech Republic
Current Ranking	2nd	1st
All Time Head To Head	5	6
Leading Player	Novak Djokovic	Thomas Berdych
Last Tie	Serbia defeated Canada (3-2)	Czech Republic defeated Argentina (3-0)
Best Result	2010 Champions	1980, 2012 Champions
Davis Cup Ties Played	51 (37W – 14L)	198 (122W – 76L)

This year’s showpiece final will be held from the 15^th – 17^th of November at the Belgrade Arena as Serbia hosts Czech Republic.  Defending champions Czech Republic will be competing in their third final in five years, whilst Serbia returns to the ground of their triumph in 2010.

 

Left: Thomas Berdych From the Czech Republic

Right: Novak Djokovic from Serbia

Despite the Czech team returning to their favored indoor hard-courts, Novak Djokovic is undefeated in Serbian colours this year and will pose a tough test to beat. The key match may come down to the likely doubles match up between experienced Serbian pair Bozoljac & Zimonjic vs  the Czech pair of Berdych & Stepanek. 

Prediction:

Day 1: As the team’s number 1 players face off against their opponent’s number 2 players on the opening day, Djokovic & Berdych each should record wins against their less fancied opponents Stepanek & Tipsarevic respectively. Leading into day 2 the teams should be tied at 1-1.

Day 2: As in Czech’s semifinal match, the lack of depth in the team should see Berdych and Stepanek again return to the court in the doubles. I see the Czech team coming out on top against the Serbian doubles pairing Bozoljac & Zimonjic  in a close match. Czech‘s lead 2-1.

Alternatively, Berdych and Stepanek may be rested for play on day 3 however, the inexperienced pair of Rosol and Vesely will have trouble pulling out a win against the experienced Serbian doubles specialists.

Day 3: The final day of play sees the teams' number ones face off followed by the teams' number two players. We will likely see Djokovic and Tipsarevic return to the court to defeat Berdych and  Stepanek respectively. Having played three matches in three days, Berdych and Stepanek will be less fresh than their Serbian counterparts and both will have trouble pulling out a win against their higher ranked opponents.

Prediction From The Tennis Forecast: Serbia defeat the Czech Republic 3 -2