A Winner in Isner?

After dealing with a disappointing loss to Kevin Anderson in the semi final of Del Ray Beach, John Isner stormed back in Indian Wells. 

He came to full attention in the semi final against the world number one, Novak Djokovic.  Isner came through in a thrilling encounter that went to three sets and lasted two hours and 45 minutes, where Isner was able to take his chances to win 7-6(7), 3-6, 7-6(5).  Isner used his height to his advantage firing down 20 aces.  His forehand backed his phenomenal serve up and he was able to finish the points quickly against the relentless Djokovic.  This win takes Isner up to a career high of number 10 in the rankings. 



American John Isner

Isner then faced Roger Federer in the finals of the Masters 1000 event which would see him become the American number one, going into eighth place above Mardy Fish if he was to win.  This was not to be as the master that is Federer beat him 7-6(7), 3-6.  The American fought gallantly earning a set point and saving a few of Federer’s own opportunities. 

Isner had beaten Federer in the Davis Cup a few weeks ago, but Federer made sure that he would take revenge.   The Swiss world number three exploited his movement, although much improved was not going to get him to some of the brilliant drop shots that Federer was displaying.  Federer also showed off his own serving skills serving down the tee on the deuce side making Isner feel uncomfortable when trying to run round it to play a forehand. 

Clearly there are things that Isner needs to work on to stay in the top 10 and beat the top players more consistently, but at 26 he has the desire to improve and become a more complete player and challenge the top four guys regularly on the tour. 

Azarenka and Sharapova to meet in Aussie Final

Victoria Azarenka reached her first Grand Slam final, by coming through her 3 set match against Australian favourite Kim Clijsters, 6-4, 1-6, 6-3.  A nervous looking Clijsters could not take her chances in the first set and was dominated by Azarenka.  However she fought her way back in the second set hitting huge ground strokes to secure a break in just the second game.  In the final set momentum swung as both players struggled with their nerves as they both lost their service games.  But Azarenka kept her cool and won the match with a smash winner.  Kim Clijsters walked off court to affectionate applause to what could be her last appearance on the Rod Laver Arena. 

Victoria Azarenka will be joined by the Russian Maria Sharapova in the final after she defeated Petra Kvitova in another three set victory, 6-2, 3-6, 6-4.  After losing the first set Kvitova relaxed in the second putting constant pressure on her opponent making fantastic winners.  The Czech also had lots of opportunities to take the final set due to Sharapova being 15-40 or love-30 on her serve but could not take them thanks to the Russian being able to find her first serve when it mattered.   

Rafael Nadal came from behind in what was an eagerly awaited semi-final clash against Roger Federer.  Federer made the better start cruising into a 3-0 lead, taking the ball early and hitting some unbelievable winners.  But Nadal battled back with some more super shot making, but went onto lose the first set on a tiebreak.  Nadal then stormed through the next set but looked a bit nervous in the third with them both making unusual errors.  This ultimately led to Federer’s demise as Nadal was able to get through this and continue to make fabulous winners to take the match, 6-7(5), 6-2, 7-6(5), 6-4.  He will now face either Novak Djokovic or Andy Murray in the final.   

Federer and Clijsters through to Quarters

When Roger Federer was 19 years of age, the up and coming player, he had to face Pete Sampras at Wimbledon, he won.  Now there is a new kid on the block, Bernard Tomic, the story of this year’s Australian Open, it was questioned whether history was going to repeat itself, but there was no such luck for the home favourite as he succumbed to the class that is Roger Federer, 6-4, 6-2, 6-2.  Federer used his drop shot superbly and Tomic could not come up with an answer to Federer’s skill and expertise this time round.  Del Potro will be Federer’s next opponent as he dispatched Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-4, 6-2, 6-1 as he continued his quest to get back to the form that won him the US Open in 2009. 

Nadal also had an easy way through to the quarters against fellow Spaniard Feliciano Lopez 6-4, 6-4, 6-2.  He will now play Tomas Berdych who had an epic encounter against Nicolas Almagro, winning 4-6, 7-6(5), 7-6(3), 7-6(2) in what was a thrilling match which saw the Czech hold his nerve far better than his opponent.   

Agnieszka Radwanska won her 4^th round match incredibly easily against Julia Gorges 6-1, 6-1 in 54 minutes with the German only winning 22points.  Her opponent will now be Victoria Azarenka who again stormed through her match making light work of her opponent winning 6-2, 6-2. 

Wozniacki at Wimbledon

Things were a lot tighter in the match between Kim Clijsters and Li Na.  After Clijsters fell over on her ankle in the first set which saw have to have an injury time out she managed to fight back to gain a 3 set win, 4-6, 7-6(8), 6-4.  Li Na had four match points in the second set tiebreak but squandered them all and the Belgian took the match in what was a repeat of last year’s final.  Clijsters now plays Caroline Wozniacki in what was a very nervy second set, but she managed to come through it with a 6-0, 7-5 win over Jelena Jankovic.     

Cruise control for top seeds

It was a very straightforward day at the office for the women with none of the top seeds really struggling.  Caroline Wozniacki, the world number 1, looks to be having no trouble as she dispatched Niculescu, 6-2, 6-2 in 1hr and 15 minutes.  Jelena Jankovic continues her run of form beating American Mchale6-2, 6-0; the nerves that she has suffered from in the past don’t be affecting her ability to close out matches this year.  The ever consistent Agnieszka Radwanska went through her match easily with a 6-2, 6-2.  Azarenka also went through in 2 sets, 6-2, 6-4, although it was tough against the inform Mona Barthel who won the title in Hobart the week before the Open.  Kim Clijsters also won in straight serves, 6-3, 6-2 against Daniela Hantuchova, in what could have been a tough match if the Hantuchova hadn’t been injured. 

The top seeds in the men also went through in straight sets, with Rafael Nadal coming through against Lacko, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2.  The Spaniard looks in imperious form with no sign of an injury to hamper his progress so far in the Australian Open.  Federer continued his run against the big serving Croatian, Ivo Karlovic, 7-6, 6-5, 6-3.  Federer managed to get the crucial breaks when needed and always looked comfortable when serving.  Thomas Berdych set up a fourth round clash against Nicolas Almagro, after conserving his  energy to just a 3 set match against South African Kevin Anderson winning 7-6, 7-6, 6-1.    

A-Tomic Win

The 3^rd day was completed at Melbourne Park with easy wins for the top seeds.  Roger Federer will be thankful to Andreas Beck who gave him a walkover after withdrawing from injury.  He will now face the big serving Croatian Ivo Karlovic.  Rafael Nadal had to battle a bit harder than Federer to get through to the 3^rd round, but ultimately eased through with a straight set victory over Germany’s Tommy Haas, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2. 

The Australian flag is still flying due to the young Bernard Tomic beating the American Sam Querry, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6, 6-3.  Tomic will have another battle on his hands against Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov.  The German born Queenslander will be hoping the Ukrainian will be struggling after his 5 set match and with the injury he sustained after losing the final to Andy Murray in Brisbane 2 weeks before. 

The Americans kept struggling on day 3 with 8^th seed Mardy Fish losing 7-6, 6-3, 7-6 to Alejandro Falla, in a match that left Fish uncharacteristically bad tempered after he questioned the rules of injury time outs when his opponent took an injury time out for cramping.  Things got slightly better for the Americans when John Isner emerged victorious over David Nalbandian winning, 4-6, 6-3, 2-6, 7-6, 10-8 in an encounter that lasted 4hrs and 14 minutes. 

On the women’s side, Clijsters strolled past France’s Stephanie Foretz Gacon, 6-0, 6-1 along with Li Na who does not appear to be suffering with the nerves that came after her French open win, as she got through to the 3^rd round closing out the match against Olivia Rogowska 6-2, 6-2.  The Number 1 in the world Caroline Wozniacki had to dig deep against Tatishvili after finding herself 4-1 down in the second set.  The Dane eventually managed to win 6-1, 7-6 after her opponent lost her nerve along with her forehand.  Victoria Azarenka looked sharp after winning her second match to set up a meeting with Anne Keothavong’s victor Mona Barthel. 

Finally it may just be down to Andy Murray to represent Great Britain in the singles, but as the doubles tournament started, Ross Hutchins & Colin Fleming won 6-4, 6-4 over the American duo Ryan Harrison & Ryan Sweeting.   

6 Year end Championships for Federer

Roger Federer wins the final tournament of the season with a 6-3, 6-7(6), 6-3, win over Jo Wilfred Tsonga.  Federer always looked the better player displaying his stylish shot making to the packed crowed at the O2 arena. 

Tsonga showed his own impressive shot making keeping the 1^st set close up until he provided a poor service game to let the former world No.1 break him and then ease to a first set lead of 6-3. 

In the second set Tsonga made some poor shot selections to let Federer back into the points.  Although Tsonga managed to break the Swiss man when he was 5-4 up with some mighty return of serves, it appeared to be too much for him as he went match point down in the tie break, but with some ferocious forehands he saved it and created a set point for himself.  He took it and stormed off to his chair with the momentum. 

The third and final set started in the same fashion with both players holding their service games.  Tsonga looked the edgier of the two again making some poor shot selections and a few double faults but still managed to keep in contention with pure power. 

Classic Federer was produced at the right time as he broke the Frenchmen for a 5-3 lead.  Then 40 minutes after his previous match point he created 3 more.  He took it with a volley and won his 70^th career title in his 100^th career final.  It was as good as it gets from Mr Federer and his celebrations were jubilant as he took the title along with a nice sum of money. 

Flawless Federer

The audience at the O2 have been anticipating an epic match between Federer and Nadal.  Although it wasn’t the close encounter they had been expecting Federer produced a master class and won 6-3, 6-0.  Federer made some amazing shots whereas Nadal looked a step to slow, but Federer played too well for the World No.2 tonight.  He is now the first person to qualify for the Semi Finals even though he still has to play against Mardy Fish.  Nadal also has another chance to go through against Tsonga. 

Federer Starts Title Defence

Reigning champion Roger Federer dispatched Jo Wilfred Tsonga in 89 minutes to win 6-2, 2-6, 6-4.  Federer made light work of the first set as he made his 10^th straight appearance at the ATP Tour finale, winning it in 21 minutes. 



There was lots of support for Roger Federer

It looked as though Federer was going to ease away with the match, but the Frenchmen came back strongly, swinging freely and making some stunning returns to level the match in another quick time of 30 minutes. 

The pair remained level with some great points in the deciding set and the atmosphere lifted inside the O2 as the two players kept the set with serve until Tsonga fell 0-40, 4-5 down.  The game suddenly shifted Federer’s way after Tsonga made a double fault and a backhand error to give Federer 3 match points.  Although Tsonga managed to save 1 match point he could not hold off the supreme Swiss man any longer and so Federer finished off the match to gain his first win at the tournament.    

 



Federer made light work of the Frenchmen. 



London's Calling

The top 8 players and teams have been finalised and they are heading to London for the ATP Tour World Finals and today the groups were announced. 

Group A                                                                                                                       Group B

Novak Djokovic                                                                                                             Rafael Nadal

Andy Murray                                                                                                                 Roger Federer

David Ferrer                                                                                                                  Jo Wilfred Tsonga

Thomas Berdych                                                                                                           Mardy Fish

I think the two that make it out of each group will depend on injuries.  It has been a long hard season for all 8 with Djokovic, Nadal and Fish all pulling out of last week’s Paris Masters so we will have to wait and see how ready they will be.  This is why I think Murray has a real chance to win this year as he has had a fantastic end to the season.  Even though he lost to Berdych in the Semis in Paris this will fire up his determination and remind him that he can be beaten by everybody in this final 8.  Tsonga could be the dark horse of the competition, he made it to the final in Paris with the help of the French crowed; but the English love him to with his magnificent showing at Queens adn Wimbledon this summer.  But again his progress through Group B could depend on any injuries that the players have sustained in the past few weeks.