2010 in review

Another tennis year is over. And which is more, the new season is so close! We had everything in 2010. Tears of joy, screams, broken racquets, injuries, trophies... Now everyone is on vacation, preparing for 2011. I'm sure it will be an interesting year.

2010 IN REVIEW

TOURNAMENTS

MEN

AUSTRALIAN OPEN

Roger Federer (SUI) d. Andy Murray (GBR) 6-3, 6-4, 7-6

FRENCH OPEN

Rafael Nadal (ESP) d. Robin Soderling (SWE) 6-4, 6-2, 6-4

WIMBLEDON

Rafael Nadal (ESP) d. Tomas Berdych (CZE) 6-3, 7-5, 6-4

Without forgetting about the longest match in tennis history.
Match duration: 11h5min
Decisive set duration: 8h11min
183 games
216 aces (113 Isner, 103 Mahut)

John Isner (USA) d. Nicolas Mahut (FRA) 6–4, 3–6, 6–7, 7–6, 70–68

US OPEN

Rafael Nadal (ESP) d. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2

WORLD TOUR FINALS

Roger Federer (SUI) d. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 6-3, 3-6, 6-1

DAVIS CUP

Serbia d. France 3-2


WOMEN

AUSTRALIAN OPEN

Serena Williams (USA) d. Justine Henin (BEL) 6-4, 3-6, 6-2

FRENCH OPEN

Francesca Schiavone (ITA) d. Samantha Stosur (AUS) 6-4, 7-6

WIMBLEDON

Serena Williams (USA) d. Vera Zvonareva (RUS) 6-3, 6-2

US OPEN

Kim Clijsters (BEL) d. Vera Zvonareva (RUS) 6-2, 6-1

WTA Championship

Kim Clijsters (BEL) d. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 6-3, 5-7, 6-3

FED CUP

Italy d. USA 3-1

RANKINGS

ATP

NO.1

Rafael Nadal (ESP)

BEST ROMANIAN SINGLES PLAYER

51. Victor Hanescu

BEST RUSSIAN SINGLES PLAYER


10. Mikhail Youzhny

BEST ROMANIAN DOUBLES PLAYER

19. Horia Tecau

BEST RUSSIAN DOUBLES PLAYER

69. Mikhail Youzhny

WTA

No.1

Caroline Wozniacki (DEN)

BEST ROMANIAN SINGLES PLAYER

29. Alexandra Dulgheru

BEST RUSSIAN SINGLES PLAYER

2. Vera Zvonareva

BEST ROMANIAN DOUBLES PLAYER

30. Monica Niculescu

BEST RUSSIAN DOUBLES PLAYER

8. Nadia Petrova


Until 2011, have a nice holiday and a Merry Christmas near the ones you love!

WTF : Group A in review

It's not going to be a looong article, because in a very short time the first singles semifinal will start and I can't lose anymore tennis. Yesterday was the last Round Robin day, when Group A chose its semifinalists. Surprises, emotions, nerves, we had it all...

The leaders were, since the beginning, Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic. And, by the end of the RR, they prooved they were the strongest players in the group. Nadal won all his matches, which is a big performance, three matches of three, against the top eight players of the world, on the surface he doesn't like, as he said. He lost a set though, against Andy Roddick, in maybe the most interesting match of the tournament by now. The hardest reaction at an umpire's decision didn't came from Roddick, as many of the fans expected, but from him, Rafa, the fair-play in person (no, it's no sarcasm here). After he said he won't play anymore, he returned on the court and gave Berdych only one game for the rest of the match. Hmm, it's not that bad to annoy him, no? With a little luck against Djokovic, who had a pretty serious problem with his contact lens, his right eye getting irritated, Rafa powered into the semifinals, where he will face Andy Murray.

I think Novak could have won all of his matches, even the one against Nadal. If he was healthy, and he wouldn't have had the eye problem, I really believe he could've beat him. Anyway, he played a very good tennis against Berdych and Roddick. Next he will face Federer.

Tomas Berdych, in my opinion, played a quality game, did his best and didn't wait for anybody else's mistake. Unfortunatelly, his group was maybe a little too difficult for him, a newcomer at the World Tour Finals. However, he beat Andy Roddick, which is another good victory for the young Czech. Next year, Tomas. Next year will be even better. :)

Andy Roddick was one of the biggest surprises of the tournament. And it wasn't a nice surprise. He wasn't able to win any match. Actually, he won only one set in three matches. Against Nadal, the toughest opponent, that's true, but I'm sure everybody waited much more from him. Anyway, the fact that he qualified for the WTF for the 8th year in a row, being one of the two most experienced players from there (along with Roger Federer) is still amazing and he deserves all the respect and admiration.

WTF: Group B in review

We are getting closer and closer of the big final of the champions. Four of the players have said everything they needed to say, have played everything they needed to play in Round Robin. Yesterday, Group B chose its leaders.

Winner and King of Group B... Roger Federer!

This year, once again, Roger powers into the semifinals, just like he did in eight of his nine years of brilliance on the five different courts that have hosted the Masters Cup. He started his winning campaign in the first day, against David Ferrer. His debut wasn't very difficult. He won, 6-1 6-4. Next, a tougher opponent was waiting for him. It was the fifth player of the world and the crowd's favourite Andy Murray. But with his talent, calm and experience, Federer did it again. 6-4 6-2. In the last match of the group, the one who hoped to cause a surprise was Robin Soderling, the man who ended Federer's streak of reaching the semifinals in 23 consecutive Grand Slam events. And how would a real champion finish this? By remaining undefeated. Only two sets, 6 and 3, were enough.

No.2... Andy Murray!

Murray probably remembers last year at the WTF very very well. He wasn't beaten by Federer or Del Potro, but maths. He missed the semifinals for just one game. This year, he made sure it won't happen again. In the first match of the tournament, he beat easily Robin Soderling, 6-2 6-4. In the second match he had to face maybe the most constant player in this competition, Roger Federer. He wasn't able to pull at least a set. In the final match, he had to make sure there won't be any chance to lose his place in the semifinals. He won over David Ferrer, 6-2 6-2.

Robin Soderling. The third...

...and probably the biggest disappointment. Some tennis legends picked him to win the whole tournament. He was coming here like the newest and lattest Masters winner. But the fact that he couldn't find his rhythm was obvious, since the start of the week. He had a weak start against Andy Murray, without being able to pull a set. Then he did what he should have done. He won his second match, against David Ferrer in two sets. Two close sets, though. 7-5 7-5. And the end, the match that could've send him into the second WTF semifinal came, maybe too fast. Federer didn't forgive anything this time. It was 7-6 6-3.

And the fourth, the nervous and adorable... David Ferrer!

I know he is already 28 and he had been to the World Tour Finals before, but he's still like a newcomer for me. In the good way. He's always able to impress, he made a Masters final this year and beat lots of important players. He made his way back to Top 10 and I find impressing his year. Unfortunatelly, the atmosphere of the tournament destabilized him a little. He didn't win any match, any set actually, but I think he has a good chance for 2011.

This was Group B. Who will win Group A? Is Nadal invincible? Will Roddick find his rhythm now, in the last match? Watch the World Tour Finals. You don't want to miss the action! ;)

Tennis legends made their picks!

The World Tour Finals are amazing to watch for every real tennis fan, that's for sure. But not just for the fans. Some tennis legends made their picks for the 2010 year-end championship.

John McEnroe: "I would pick Rafael Nadal if this were the Australian Open because I think he's much tougher to beat in longer matches. If he remains healthy he's the guy I would pick for every major right now until proven otherwise. But in the best of three it remains to be seen; I would give Roger Federer more of a chance in a shorter match, and then I'd have to see how it pans out with the guys who are there. But it would be nice to see one of the other guys, whether it's Novak Djokovic or Andy Murray or somebody else, really step up and make an impact... but then be able to follow it up into the next year and go and win some majors. I think that would be important for tennis. But I would still pick those two guys, leaning towards Roger in shorter matches and Nadal in longer ones."

Goran Ivanisevic: "I would go for Nadal. He's had a great year, he hasn't played for the last couple of weeks but I think he is preparing himself and he wants to do well. He has put a lot of things that he has never won before in his basket this year. It doesn't matter what surface it is as long as he is fit and playing well. You also can't count out Andy Murray because he can beat anyone, anywhere, any time."

Patrick Rafter: "I'm going with Robin Soderling. He's playing really well, he's coming off a great week in Paris, he's serving well and winning the tight matches. I like to go for dark horses - I think it's going to be really tight and he's playing well."

Mats Wilander: "You maybe have to go with Roger Federer to win. I think Federer is on to something. He's playing better now, since the US Open this year, than he has in the last three or four years. He's just not winning - although he won the Australian Open, he made the quarters of the French Open, he made the semis at Wimbledon, it's not like he had a horrible year. And I think he wants to cap it off winning the ATP Tour finals."

Stefan Edberg: "Rafa, the way he's playing, is going to be the favourite. There's probably a few players you can't count out - Roger is probably one of the ones who could win it, and I think Robin Soderling actually could also be a winner at the o2 Arena. I think he has the potential, and I think it might be a good one for him to win in order to (go on and) win a Grand Slam. So maybe I'll go for a surprise pick: Robin Soderling winning."

Yannick Noah: "Nadal is in great shape. When this kid is healthy he's unbeatable because mentally he's so strong. It's amazing to watch. Would I say the same for the Australian Open? I would say the same forever - anywhere."

Who will be the new Champion?

It has been a long beautiful year in the ATP tour, with smiles and tears, with short and long matches, a year full of emotions and nerves. But everything has an end, and the World Tour Finals are just a day away. The players have been fighting all year, in all kind of competitions, to make it to this tournament, which is, in my opinion, the toughest and the most spectacular event of the year. In my eyes, they are all champions for being here.

The players who will compete for the title are: Rafael Nadal (ESP), Roger Federer (SUI), Novak Djokovic (SRB), Andy Murray (GBR), Robin Soderling (SWE), Tomas Berdych (CZE), David Ferrer (ESP) and Andy Roddick (USA).

Name: Andrew Stephen "Andy" Roddick

Age: 28
Ranking: No.8
Year in Review: WON - Brisbane, Miami
FINAL - San Jose, Indian Wells
SEMIFINAL - Atlanta, Cincinnati, Basel

Name: David Ferrer Ern
Age: 28
Ranking: No.7
Year in Review: WON - Acapulco, Valencia
FINAL - Buenos Aires, Rome, Beijing
SEMIFINAL - Johannesburg, Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Madrid, Bastad, Kuala Lumpur

Name: Tomas Berdych
Age: 25
Ranking: No.6
Year in Review: FINAL - Miami, Wimbledon
SEMIFINAL - Brisbane, Roland Garros

Name: Robin Bo Carl Soderling
Age: 26
Ranking: No.4

Year in Review: WON - Rotterdam, Paris

FINAL - Barcelona, Roland Garros, Bastad
SEMIFINAL - Indian Wells, Miami

Name: Andrew "Andy" Murray
Age: 23
Ranking: No.5
Year in Review: WON - Toronto, Shanghai
FINAL - Australian Open, Los Angeles
SEMIFINAL - Wimbledon

Name: Novak Djokovic
Age: 23
Ranking: No.3
Year in Review: WON - Dubai, Beijing
FINAL - US Open, Basel
SEMIFINAL - Rotterdam, Monte Carlo, Wimbledon, Toronto

Name: Roger Federer
Age: 29
Ranking: No.2
Year in Review: WON - Australian Open, Cincinnati, Stockholm, Basel
FINAL - Madrid, Toronto, Halle, Shanghai
SEMIFINAL - US Open, Paris

Name: Rafael Nadal Parera
Age: 24

Ranking: No. 1
Year in Review: WON - Monte Carlo, Rome, Madrid, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, US Open, Tokyo
FINAL - Doha
SEMIFINAL - Indian Wells, Toronto, Bangkok

On who's CV will stay writen "2010 Champion"? Don't miss the action! The World Tour Finals are here!

A Diary : WTA players as kids

Hi again! After the cute article with tennis parents and their kids, it's the time for another cute article. Here are some of my favourite tennis players when they were younger.

Amelie Mauresmo, waiting to take a piece of cake on her birthday.

Tatiana Golovin. Adorable as always.

The VIP. The camera has always loved Maria Sharapova.

Everybody knows this kid, now grown-up. One of the biggest names in tennis history, Martina Hingis.

Wasn't she cute? Marion Bartoli, enjoying her winter holiday.

Just a word: ANGELIC. Recently-retired Elena Dementieva, pretty since she was born.

Maria Kirilenko

Fancy. Jelena Jankovic, showing she has always been in fashion.

Dinara Safina hasn't changed too much. She has always been so cute!
*Note: Just take a look at the second picture. So adorable!

Caroline Wozniacki

I'm sure you've recognized this tennis star, even without looking at the second pic. The always-beautiful Ana Ivanovic.

I hope you like them as I do. Who do you think is the cutest? :)

Shocking tennis retirement : Elena Dementieva

I'm sure it has been a shock for most of the tennis fans, when, after the Dementieva-Schiavone match in Doha, the best WTA players of the world stepped on the court and surrounded the Russian star with tears in their eyes. "This year in Doha was very special for me because it was my last tournament," Dementieva told the crowd. The reaction was the expected one. No one could believe the ninth player of the world was leaving the tour, right in this good moment of her career.

"I'd first like to thank Stacey Allaster. We're very lucky to have you as the leader of the tour. You do so much to make our tour better, trying to take women's tennis to a different level. It has been a big honor to be a part of the tour for such a long time. I'd like to thank all the people from the WTA - it was so nice to get to know all of you and work with you for so many years. I'm going to miss you so much. Thanks to all the players for the amazing experiences, all the years I spent on the court with you. And thanks to all the people around the world for supporting me, and my fan club, I could feel your support no matter where I was in the world. Thank you for your devotion.

"Most importantly, thanks to my family, especially my mom. You've been very supportive, encouraging, inspiring... you were always there for me. It was a long way and we did it together. I love you mom.

"It's so emotional. It's hard to say goodbye. I'm going to miss you so much."

"Russia is proud to have you. You've been a great inspiration and role model for kids," Vera Zvonareva said on court. "You've done so much, not just for Russian tennis but for Russian sport. The whole country is proud of you."

"We kind of grew up together. I've been playing with her since the juniors," Kim Clijsters said. "It's nice to see her look forward to something new in her life. She's been one of the most professional, nicest girls on tour.

"It will be rare to see another player like her."


__________________________________________________________
Altough Elena didn't won a Grand Slam title, she had a big career. Here are some of her most important tennis moments.

Dementieva reached her first Grand Slam semi at the 2000 US Open, the first Russian ever to make it that far in New York.

Dementieva won her first Olympic medal at Sydney in 2000, making it to the final and collecting silver.

Dementieva was a fixture among the upper echelon, qualifying for the WTA Championships 10 of 11 years.

Dementieva reached her first Grand Slam final at the French Open in 2004, beating French star Amelie Mauresmo en route. It was the first all-Russian Grand Slam final. Elena was the runner-up to Anastasia Myskina.

Dementieva reached her second Grand Slam final at the 2004 US Open, finishing runner-up to Svetlana Kuznetsova.

Eight years after the silver in Sydney, Dementieva beat Dinara Safina for the Olympic gold medal at Beijing in 2008. Elena considers the Olympic gold medal in Beijing in 2008 her greatest career achievement as a tennis player.

Dementieva made the semis or better at Grand Slams nine times, including the thrilling 2009 Wimbledon semifinal.

Dementieva's 16th and final WTA title came in Paris in February 2010, where she beat Lucie Safarova in the final.

Everything has an ending. After her last match at the WTA Championships - Doha 2010, Elena Dementieva announced her retirement on court.

GOOD LUCK IN YOUR LIFE AFTER TENNIS, LENA!

Source: www.wtatour.com