Tennis FanHouse

Freestylin' Federer Should Stick to Tennis

Chris Sesno — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:54:00 EST

There are a lot of professional athletes these days who try their luck in Hollywood -- as an actor, fashion designer or other form of entertainer outside the realm of sports. After seeing his attempted freestyle improvisation of 'We are the Swiss', Roger Federer should quickly abandon any hopes of becoming tennis' next John Riggins and really focus on tennis.

Federer -- the No. 1 men's tennis player in the world -- was gathered at a celebration with the Swiss Davis Cup team and members of the French media when he was encouraged to break out in song. It is fair to say, hilarity ensues.

Check out the video after the jump.

Although he fell to Juan Martin del Potro in the U.S. Open finals in September, Federer still has plenty left to give to the sport of tennis. And I would strongly encourage him to do so, and stay away from singing.

Freestylin' Federer Should Stick to Tennis originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:54:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Doctors Clear Rafael Nadal to Play

FanHouse Newswire — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:31:00 EST

Filed under: Davis Cup, ATP

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) -- Rafael Nadal has recovered from an abdominal injury and made himself available for Spain's Davis Cup final against the Czech Republic in December.

Nadal said in an e-mail that medical tests he had in Barcelona on Wednesday showed his stomach muscle had healed. He hasn't played since losing in the U.S. Open semifinals to eventual champion Juan Martin del Potro.

Nadal plans to resume playing at next week's China Open, before traveling to the Shanghai Masters, the Paris Masters and the ATP World Tour finals in London.

Defending champion Spain hosts the Czechs from Dec. 4-6.

Nadal also voiced his support for Madrid's 2016 Summer Olympics bid, which is being voted on Friday with Rio de Janeiro, Chicago and Tokyo the other contenders.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

Doctors Clear Rafael Nadal to Play originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:31:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tennis Star Maria Kirilenko Clarifies Relationship with Andre

Elie Seckbach — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: U.S. Open, Australian Open, Davis Cup, WTA, FanHouse Exclusive

Elie Seckbach, the Embedded Correspondent, brings his exclusive video reporting to FanHouse. Check back regularly for more videos.

22-year-old tennis hottie Maria Kirilenko has been ranked as high as No. 18 in the world, but she's getting a lot of attention for her looks instead of her tennis ability. In fact Kirilenko has been on the cover of many magazines and was selected in 2006 to be the face of Adidas. In this video we talk to Maria about her game and her name -- her connection to Utah Jazz star Andrei Kirilenko.

Check out the video after the jump.

Tennis Star Maria Kirilenko Clarifies Relationship with Andre originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Sat, 26 Sep 2009 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rain Won't Keep Federer, Swiss From 2010 Davis Cup World Group

FanHouse Newswire — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 17:10:00 EST

Filed under: Davis Cup, ATP

GENOA, Italy (AP) -- Roger Federer gave Switzerland a spot in next year's Davis Cup world group by beating Potito Starace for an insurmountable 3-1 lead Sunday against Italy.

The top-ranked Federer kept his focus through a two-hour rain delay before completing a 6-3, 6-0, 6-4 win to clinch the best-of-five playoff series.

Federer defeated Simone Bolelli in his opening singles Friday and posted two points for Switzerland less than a week after his five-set loss to Juan Martin del Potro in the U.S. Open final.

"It was a tough weekend for us and I'm happy I could help Switzerland win," Federer said. "I was able to play very well."

With Federer sitting out, Italy's team of Starace and Bolelli beat Stanislas Wawrinka and Marco Chiudinelli in the doubles Saturday.

Fabio Fognini of Italy beat Michael Lammer 7-5, 7-6 (4) in the final singles match Sunday to make the final score 3-2.

Federer was looking forward to some more rest over the next two weeks.

"I have to go on holiday badly. I have a problem with my leg, I have a problem with my arm-everything is hurting," he said. "And I've got to do some baby-sitting. I've been spending a lot of time on the tennis court the last few weeks."

Federer's wife, Mirka, gave birth to twin girls in July.

The Federer-Starace match was suspended due to rain with Federer ahead 6-3, 4-0 on the red clay courts at the Valletta Cambiaso club.

Federer responded well to an array of drop shots from Starace before the rain delay, then resumed after the break as sharp as before, finishing off a streak of nine games won in a row.

Starace, the lowest-ranked player on Italy's team at No. 90, replaced Andreas Seppi against Federer. It was Starace's first loss in 11 Davis Cup singles matches.

"I tried everything, but he was particularly good today," Starace said.

While it didn't quite match his stunning shot against Novak Djokovic at the U.S. Open a week ago, Federer again won a point with a shot through his legs after chasing down a lob. Starace replied but missed a volley wide, setting off a loud round of cheers for Federer.

Federer stretched his winning streak in Davis Cup singles matches to 12, dating back to his five-set loss to Lleyton Hewitt of Australia in the 2003 semifinals.

Winning the Davis Cup is one of the few achievements missing from Federer's long list of accomplishments.

Rain Won't Keep Federer, Swiss From 2010 Davis Cup World Group originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Sun, 20 Sep 2009 17:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spain Will Defend Title in Second Straight Davis Cup Finals

FanHouse Newswire — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 16:53:00 EST

Filed under: Davis Cup, ATP

TORRE PACHECO, Spain (AP) -- Defending champion Spain advanced to the Davis Cup finals by defeating Israel 3-0 on Saturday.

Feliciano Lopez and Tommy Robredo beat Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram 7-6 (6), 6-7 (7), 6-4, 6-2. Spain won all three of its opening matches to secure a place in its seventh final overall.

Spain will play the Czech Republic in the December final.

"To be in the finals two years running is incredible," Robredo said.

With injured Rafael Nadal and Fernando Verdasco cheering them on, Lopez and Robredo won in front of a large crowd at the Torre Pacheco tennis club.

Israel reached the semifinals in March after an emotional victory over Sweden, when Malmo officials didn't allow spectators against a backdrop of anti-Israel protests.

The Czechs beat Croatia 3-0 in the other semifinal on Saturday.

Last year, Spain defeated Argentina to win the Davis Cup title.

Spain Will Defend Title in Second Straight Davis Cup Finals originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Sat, 19 Sep 2009 16:53:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Record 78 Aces Not Enough for Karlovic

FanHouse Newswire — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:57:00 EST

Filed under: Davis Cup, ATP

POREC, Croatia (AP) -- Radek Stepanek overcame a record 78 aces to defeat Ivo Karlovic in five sets in one of the longest matches in tennis history, giving the Czech Republic a 1-0 lead over Croatia in the Davis Cup semifinals Friday.

Stepanek won 6-7 (5), 7-6 (5), 7-6 (6), 6-7 (2), 16-14 in a grueling match that lasted 5 hours, 59 minutes. The longest known Davis Cup match was 6 hours, 22 minutes between John McEnroe and Mats Wilander in 1982.

"I feel like I was in a 10-round boxing match," Karlovic said. "Everything hurts."

The 82 games equaled the Davis Cup record since tiebreakers were introduced in 1989.

Karlovic wasted four match points in the final set. Stepanek won when the 6-foot-10 Croat sent a smash wide. The were only five break-point chances in the match.

"I fought for my country," Stepanek said. "It was an amazing game."

This marathon equaled the number of games from a 1991 Americas Zone Group II match when Richard Ashby of Barbados beat Jose Medrano of Bolivia.

Karlovic obliterated both the men's record and Davis Cup record for aces- marks he held. He had 55 aces in a loss to Lleyton Hewitt at the French Open in May. His previous Davis Cup mark was 47 when he defeated James Blake at the World Group quarterfinals this year.

Croatia's Marin Cilic plays Tomas Berdych in the second singles on Friday. The winner of the best-of-five series will face Spain or Israel in the final.

Croatia, the 2005 champion, has lost only once at home in its past 12 Davis Cup series. The Czechs, who won in 1980 when the nation competed as Czechoslovakia, are playing their first Davis Cup semifinal in 13 years.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

Record 78 Aces Not Enough for Karlovic originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:57:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Federer Sets Sights on Davis Cup

FanHouse Newswire — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 19:19:00 EST

Filed under: Davis Cup, ATP

GENOA, Italy (AP) -- Coming off a five-set loss in the U.S. Open final, Roger Federer will play every day when Switzerland faces Italy in the Davis Cup playoffs.

The top-ranked Federer, who reached all four Grand Slam finals this year, believes his form can hold up after losing to Juan Martin del Potro in New York on Monday.

"I've had to do this before once after the Australian Open. I went to play Romania on clay and I was able to win all three points," Federer said, recalling his performance in Switzerland's 3-2 win in the first round of the 2004 World Group. "I'm hoping I can do it again."

In Thursday's draw, Federer was picked to play Simone Bolelli in Friday's singles. Stanislas Wawrinka will open the best-of-five series for Switzerland against Andreas Seppi.

In Saturday's doubles, Federer and Wawrinka will team against Fabio Fognini and Potito Starace. The reverse singles are set for Sunday on the red clay courts at the Valletta Cambiaso club.

The winner team will play in next year's World Group, potentially giving 15-time Grand Slam champion Federer a chance to finally win a Davis Cup title.
"It's definitely one of the goals (to win the Davis Cup). I've tried for many years."
-Roger Federer
"It's definitely one of the goals. I've tried for many years. I've been on the team since '98. I started as a sparring partner and alternate, then I made my debut in '99 against Italy. In 2003, we had a good chance but Australia was very tough," Federer said, recalling Switzerland's loss in the 2003 semifinals.

Federer missed the first round of this year's Davis Cup in March with a back injury, and the Swiss team lost to the United States 4-1.

Federer returned from the injury layoff and won the French Open for the first time in his career, equaling Pete Sampras' record of 14 career major titles. A few weeks later at Wimbledon, the Swiss star broke the mark by defeating Andy Roddick 16-14 in the fifth set.

Federer was on another roll at the U.S. Open, but his level appeared to drop in the fifth set against Del Potro.

"I think he played well. Unfortunately I didn't play my best at the end," Federer said. "Of course, everyone is tired at the end of a Grand Slam, but I don't think that's why I lost."

With the U.S. Open final played on Monday because of rain delays over the weekend, Federer only arrived in Italy on Wednesday.

"As a tennis player, you get used to traveling and jet lag, surface changes and ball changes. It's part of our everyday life," he said. "I've done it for many years, but this is definitely tough because New York finished late and we are on clay.

"It would be nice to have a week of holiday, but it's not possible right now."

Italy probably wishes Federer would have gone on vacation, with captain Corrado Barazzutti nearly conceding Bolelli's match.

Federer won 6-2, 6-3 in his only meeting against Bolelli at his home tournament in Basel last year.

"Seppi has to keep us alive against Wawrinka," Barazzutti said.

Bolelli is returning to the Italian team after a 10-month suspension for skipping the match against Latvia last year. The player said he told Barazzutti in advance that he preferred to work on his hardcourt game in Asia.

"The most important thing about this tie-beyond the result-is that we're together again as a team," Barazzutti said.

Federer Sets Sights on Davis Cup originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 19:19:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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United States Bounced From Davis Cup

FanHouse Newswire — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 15:56:00 EST

Filed under: Davis Cup

POREC, Croatia (AP) -- The United States was ousted from the Davis Cup, and left to wonder how it might have gone had Andy Roddick been around to pelt opponents with his laser serve.

James Blake was unable to keep the Americans alive in the quarterfinals Sunday, losing to Marin Cilic of Croatia 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 in the opening match of reverse singles.

Cilic's victory on indoor clay put Croatia ahead 3-1 in the best-of-five format, sending the country to its first semifinal since winning the Davis Cup in 2005. The final score was 3-2 after American doubles specialist Bob Bryan beat Roko Karanusic 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 (4) in the concluding match.

Roddick was unavailable because of a hip injury after losing a five-set final to Roger Federer at Wimbledon. That left Blake as the Americans' No. 1 singles player.

"It shows how important Andy is for the team,'' Blake said. ``Being on the No. 2 spot is less pressure than playing on the No. 1 spot.''

U.S. captain Patrick McEnroe acknowledged that without Roddick the Americans faced a "better team.''

"Cilic had a great match. I'm very impressed by his maturity,'' McEnroe said. ``His serve was definitely better than Blake's today.''

The Americans, the 32-time champions, have lost all three meetings against Croatia in the Davis Cup, including defeats in 2003 and 2005. The U.S. won the competition two years ago and was bidding to reach the semifinals for the fourth straight year.

"I played well, trying to attack, but I missed too many opportunities,'' Blake said. "That's what happens when you play someone like Cilic.''

Croatia will play the Czech Republic at home in September. The Czechs beat Argentina 3-2 on Sunday.

"We have a great chance against the Czechs at home,'' Cilic said. "It's much better than playing Argentina away.''

Added McEnroe: "Croatia has a great chance in the semifinals, and if they get (Mario) Ancic and (Ivan) Ljubicic, they will be even a better team.''

Ancic missed the quarterfinals because of an illness, and Ljubicic had tentatively announced his retirement from the Croatian team.

In other quarterfinals, Spain advanced 3-2 at home against Germany and will meet Israel in the semifinals. Israel clinched its series against Russia on Saturday and completed a 4-1 victory Sunday.

Croatia took a 2-0 lead after Ivo Karlovic rallied past Blake and Cilic outlasted Mardy Fish in five sets in Friday's opening singles. Twins Bob and Mike Bryan beat Croatia's Roko Karanusic and Lovro Zovko in Saturday's doubles.

Cilic started tentatively and had to save two break points in his first service game, but then broke Blake twice in the opening set. In the second set, Blake made repeated unforced errors on his backhand and double-faulted on Cilic's set point.

Cilic then wasted five break points at 4-3 in the third and Blake broke for a 5-4 lead. But Cilic broke in the second game of the fourth and held on to win with a crosscourt forehand, prompting standing ovations from the boisterous crowd.

"I think I played a perfect match against Blake,'' the 20-year-old Cilic said. "This is one of the most important victories in my career.''

By DUSAN STOJANOVIC, Associated Press Writer

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

United States Bounced From Davis Cup originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Sun, 12 Jul 2009 15:56:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rafael Nadal Out for Davis Cup Too

Mark Hasty — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Davis Cup

Just how hurt is Rafael Nadal, anyway? He's not defending his Wimbledon title because his knees weren't at 100 percent. Now Nadal has been left off of Spain's Davis Cup team for next month's matches.

Spanish coach Albert Costa says Nadal "is not well." This was obvious to anyone who watched his exhibition match with Stanislas Wawrinka, a match which Nadal lost. There is no real shame in losing to Warwrinka, who just gave Andy Murray all he could handle in one of Wimbledon's best matches this year. Nadal, however, is (as of now) the world's No. 1 ranked player and thus isn't supposed to lose to anybody.

Nadal is suffering from tendinitis of the knees. As anyone with tendinitis knows, it's slow to get better, and that's assuming it ever does, said the writer, three seconds before he shook out his aching hand. Will Nadal ever get better? And what if he doesn't?

Obviously, if he doesn't improve, it would be a shame, because Rafa is a singular talent. Nadal's rivalry with Roger Federer has reinvigorated men's tennis as well, which was in danger of falling into a chasm of flat personalities and foregone conclusions before Rafa came along.

Nadal's continued absence from competition will almost certainly return Federer to the top spot in the rankings. Cue the asterisks, I suppose, but let's not forget that Federer has been playing extremely well in recent weeks. Federer may have reclaimed the top ranking anyway.

Still, just like Batman was nothing without the Joker, and vice versa, Federer and Nadal need each other, and tennis needs them both. If it takes a few more weeks for Nadal to feel like he's back in competition shape, so be it. It's better than him coming back too soon and risking an injury which might keep him out even longer.

When Nadal does get back, tennis will have a compelling story line again as we watch him lob and volley his way back to the inevitable first match with Federer. It'll be just like pro wrestling, except, of course, that this is real.

Rafael Nadal Out for Davis Cup Too originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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