BNP Paribas Open

There are only two tournaments scheduled for March, but don't worry there are plenty for April!

The first of these tournaments is the BNP Paribas Open , more commonly know as Indian Wells!

While one finalist from the Dubai duty free tennis championship crashed out in the first round the other added to his trophy haul, Roger Federer won his fourth BNP Paribas Open title!

In the semi-finals Federer overcame possibly his greatest rival, Rafa Nadal, however it wasn't all bad news for Nadal as he won the doubles for the second time in Indian Wells, along with his partner Marc Lopez.

In the final Roger Federer overcame John Isner (who reached a career high of No.10 this week) 6-7(7) 6-3.

In doing this Roger Federer equalled Rafael Nadal's record of 19 ATP World Tour Masters 1000 titles, is this the second-coming of the Swiss Maestro?!

Murray Watch Monday

On the 6th of April the GB Davis cup team will take on Belgium in Glasgow for the chance to go through to the September play-offs for the World Group. As you may remember Andy Murray did not play in the last Davis Cup tie and it seems he has still not decided if he will play this time.

He said - “It depends on how Miami goes. It’s a bit like Indian Wells – I wasn’t planning on having that sort of week. You always plan for the best-case scenario and that’s finishing on Sunday evening with a win and then you go from there. I’ll have a chat with Leon next week – he’s coming over to Miami – about [the] Davis Cup and I’ll speak to the guys next week about it because obviously the Indian Wells week changes things a little bit because I didn’t play as many matches as I would have hoped. So, I’ll see how Miami goes.”

GB captain, Leon Smith has to name his team a week tomorrow and if Murray was to play there would be another issue - who would be GB's doubles team? It would be a lovely predicament to have for once, to many players! As if Andy wants to play with brother Jamie the were would that leave Colin Fleming and Ross Hutchins, Britains latest go-to team?

 

Fleming and Hutchins are ranked 8th in the race to London but it was the Murray brothers who recently beat them at Indian Wells and Jamie has been successful as a doubles player for a long time now, Hutchins explained how he felt about the issue; “We’ve been quite successful since we’ve started together,” Hutchins said, “but Andy can light up a court like probably only three other players in the world and Jamie’s been top 50 for the last I-don’t-know-how-many years. If Andy plays Davis Cup and wants to play with Jamie, I think it would be wrong to be, like, ‘no; these guys are our team’. It’s a discussion that should happen amongst the captain and the coaches and Andy and do what is best for the team.” 

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Andy Murray will also be supporting Malaria No More in their latest campaign, he will be giving away a signed tennis racket, t-shirt and tickets to watch him play this summer to whoever brings in the most sponsorship money taking part in the charity's Live Below the Line! campaign where you get by on £1 a day for food and drink between 7-11 May.

 He said "It asks people across the UK, US, New Zealand and Australia to live on £1 a day for all food and drink for five days in May. Why? You might well ask. "Well, it's to raise awareness about 1.4 billion people who live on this budget everyday, for everything, so food, drink, education, transport, healthcare, the lot. Surviving on that budget is pretty incomprehensible for most of us which is why this is such a powerful campaign". 

If you want to get involved sign up here:  www.livebelowtheline.com/uk-mnmuk

And to read all of Andy's blog on the subject check here: http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/andy-murray/could-you-live-on-5-for-five-days

David Beckham has teamed up with Murray to support the use of Malaria nets.

WTA Wednesday

You have been getting a lot of Murray news so now it's time for your weekly fix of women's tennis!

A few weeks back we looked at the 4 German women in the top 20 so I thought it was only fair to mention the 3 Russian women in the top 20! Russia has been churning out top female tennis players for a while now and many of them are within the top 100, while the top Russian ATP player is number 35 Mikhail Youzhny, a Russian women claims the top spot - yes you've all heard of her - Maria Sharapova!

But she is joined by 2 other women on the top of their game (in the top 20):

2) Maria Sharapova

  9) Vera Zvonareva

 20) Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova

In Russia tennis is definitely a women's sport, I bet they fancy their chances in the Fed Cup and Olympics this year! A very glamorous set of women with a fantastic ability, certainly they would all make the perfect poster girls for the 'strong is beautiful' campaign!

Murray Watch

He may be down and out of the singles in Indian Wells (exhausted after Djokovic?) but it seems his PR machine just will not stop! (You have 'HEAD' to thank for that!)

So while we wait and see how he does in the doubles enjoy a clip of a new 'HEAD' advert for their racquet's:

Murray Watch Monday (On a Saturday)

After getting his revenge on Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals unfortunately for the hopeful British, Murray lost out in the Dubai final to Roger Federer!

But it seems Murray is looking forward to Indian Wells were it has been commented that he is much more relaxed than he has been in the future, many are saying that if anyone could surpass Djokovic this year it is most likely to Murray!

Andy Murray has been seen out and about a lot, he attended the Indian Wells players party, his mother has been with him throughout this tournament and posted a picture on Twitter along with small comments. Colin Flemming and Ross Hutchins have been seen with him, it's great to see the Brits getting along! I have compiled a few pictures to sum up the past week or so:

During his time at Indian Wells Andy has been answering some questions put to him by fans, for 'HEAD'. In the second video Andy reveals something about his 'relationship' with Rafa Nadal. ;)

A last bit for all tennis fans, not just Murray fans, at the Indian Wells player party the players were asked who their favourite Hollywood actor and actress were and then who they would like to portray them in a movie:

 Hopefully next weeks Murray Watch Monday won't be so late!

WTA Wednesday

Rory Mcllroy makes a surprise appearance in this weeks WTA Wednesday!

Caroline Wozniacki and Maria Sharapova were playing an exhibition match in Madison Square garden, Wozniacki may have lost 6-3, 6-4 but I think she enjoyed herself, particularly when her boyfriend joined her on court!

 

Mcllory pretended to play the best way he knows how but once he got into the swing of it he managed to win a point from Sharapova, although it wasn't enough to bring Wozniacki back into the game. Earlier in the match Sharapova danced with a fan, I think the crowd certainly got the show they wanted!

Watch all the action in the video below.

 

 

Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship, Delray Beach International Tennis Championships, Abierto Mexicano Telcal

Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship 

Going in to this tournament the world number 1, Novak Djokovic was probably feeling confident after winning it the last three years in a row! However he did not count on on running into an in-form Murray looking for revenge (more on that soon!), and Murray did not count on running into an in-form Roger Federer! 

Yes Roger Federer won this mini face-off between some of the top players in the world (minus Nadal) and claimed his 5th crown in Dubai, is this the start of another lease of life for Federer? Time will tell.

Federer df. Andy Murray 7-5, 6-4

The seedings show the impressive line up the Dubai tournament boasted:

 

The doubles title was won by Bhupathi/Bopanna.

Delray Beach International Tennis Championships

Former world number 1 Andy Roddick headlined this tournament but it was the number 7 seed and a qualifier who reached the final!

Kevin Anderson bt. Marinko Matosevic 6-4, 7-6(2)

It is Andersons second career title.

Some tough competition:

 

*BRIT WATCH* British doubles team Ross Hutchins and Colin Fleming won in the doubles, this is surely a positive sign for the British Davies Cup hopes!

Abierto Mexican Telcal

Once again a tournament that seems to have been dominated by the Spanish! Top seeds David Ferrer and Nicolas Almagro have both been playing well recently but it was Fernando Verdasco who joined Ferrer in the final, only to be beaten.

It was an easily won match, the score line read 6-1, 6-2

Ferrer has now won three ATP World Tour 500 titles in a row!

The Spanish sent and armada of top players:

Verdasco did win a consolation prize in the form of the doubles title along with partner David Marrero of, you guessed it, Spain!

I leave you with a picture of David Ferrer in a sombrero!

Open 13, Regions Morgan Keegan Championship, Copa Claro

Open 13

Juan Martin Del Potro beat former Marseilles champion Michael Llodra 6-4 6-4 to win his first tournament of the season, 10th in his career. Del Potro is slowly working his way up the rankings and I'm sure he will be a serious contender in Grand Slams again.

The seeds; as you can see Del Potro was only the third seed:

Doubles winners were Mahut/Roger-Vasselin.

 Regions Morgan Keegan Championship

 

Our favourite 'future winner' from Future Winners Friday didn't win the final as he did in his last tournament. It was Jurgen Melzer who toppled Milos Raonic 7-5, 7-6(4) meaning Raonic will have to be content with being runner up in Memphis for the second year running. Melzer is first 30 year old to clinch the title since Ivan Lendl in 1991. 

As you can see from the seedings above first seeds Mirnyi/Nestor won the doubles.

Copa Claro

David Ferrer beat fellow Spaniard Nicolas Almagro 6-3, 6-2 in the final in Argentina, this bought Almagro's ten match winning streak to an end, Ferrer has beaten Almagro 9 times out of 9! Ferrer was also the runner in 2010.

Seeds:

The doubles winners were Marrero/Verdasco, two more Spaniards - this tournament has shown Spain wealth of talent even without Nadal playing!

So I am now up-to-date with tournament results, but if like me you are most looking forward to see the results of the Doha final tomorrow stay tuned!

Future Winners Friday

Robin Haase

He may be a little older than the usual 'future winner' I would usually pick but he has been making a splash and it is said 24 is the average age when a player makes his breakthrough nowadays!  

Robin Haase is currently ranked 55 in the world and is the highest ranked Dutch player with a career high of No. 40 in  2011.

Professional Life

He was a promising junior, reaching No. 3 and just lost out in 2005 final of the Wimbledon junior championship.

He made his Grand Slam debut in the 2007 US Open but lost in the first round to Novak Djokovic. Since then he has done reasonably well and upset a few top 20 players along the way:

Australian Open - 3rd Round (2011)

French Open - 2nd Round (2011)

Wimbledon - 3rd Round (2011)

US Open -  2nd Round (2011)

He won his first ATP tournament in Austria on the 6th August 2011.

Personal Life

He began playing tennis at 2 1/2 years old and, like Nadal, plays tennis right-handed but is actually left-handed. Father, Axel and mother, Annie, are both retired he has one older brother, Eric, who worked for General Electric and Nike, and one older sister, Inga, who teaches German.

He enjoys reading, movies and hanging with friends when he is not travelling. Also loves all sorts of sports including basketball and ice hockey. His idol growing up was Andre Agassi.

Has no preference on surface but would consider clay his favourite surface, where he won is first ATP tournament. He is coached by countryman Dennis Schenk, who travels with him.

I believe he has a girlfriend but cannot be sure or find a picture.

ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament, Brasil Open, SAP Open

ABN AMRO Tennis Tournament

With out any of the other top 4 in the tournament the path was safe for Roger Federer to win his 71st title and has extended his streak of winning one ATP tournament a year to 12 years. Roger Federer defeated Juan Martin Del Potro 6-1 6-4 in the final. The doubles winners were Llodra and Zimonjic.

Roger Federer and Juan Martin Del Potro

seedings for this tournament:

Brasil Open

Nicolas Almagro

Proving he deserved his world number 11 ranking Nicolas Almagro won the Brasil title, all 11 of his titles have come on clay courts and this is the third time he has won here! The Spaniard beat Filippo Volandri 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, Volandri reached his first ATP world tour final in six years! The doubles was won by the top seeds Butorac and Soares.

Seedings:

SAP Open 

It seems one of the 'Future Winners' from 'Future Winners Friday' has won another tournament quicker than expected! Milos Raonic, the defending champion, won in San Jose, ahead of the number 1 and 2 seeds Gael Monfils and Andy Roddick. To read my profile on Milos Raonic click here. He defeated Denis Istomin 7-6(3), 6-2. Another  from my 'Future Winners Friday' feature did very well, Ryan Harrison reached the semi-finals, losing to Milos Raonic, Harrison was not seeded to read his profile check here.

 Doubles was won by Knowles and Malisse.

The seeds:

Ah I have now caught up with the tournaments starting on 13/02/12 and I will post the results of the tournament starting 20/02/12 before the results of the tournaments starting 27/02/12 on Sunday, meaning I will have caught up!

The tournament to look out for is definitely the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship!

WTA Wednesday

It's not everyday that the women of tennis get to be glammed up but the Academy Awards provided three of the biggest fashionistas on court with an opportunity to do just that.

Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams and Venus Williams all made appearances at the Vanity Fair Oscars party and I must say they all looked pretty good!

Serena and Venus obviously felt the more colourful the better! It's lovely to see Venus again and of course Serena who has been expressing doubt over her future as a player claiming she isn't enjoying it as much.

While the Williams' sisters dominance of the game is beginning to dwindle, Maria Sharapova seems to be near reaching the best form of her career, we will all be watching to see if she can get her hands on another Grand Slam! She looks Wimbledon ready here and certainly very radiant.

Murray Watch Monday

Andy Murray is in Dubai at the moment, preparing for his next tournament, the Dubai duty free championship. Whilst there he climbed the world tallest building, the Buri Khalifi. 

 'The view was unbelievable,' the Scot said. 'It's a long way and my ears popped on the way up. It started on something like the 20th floor and there's still six times as much to go. We stopped at the 124th floor. It was really high.'

He is confident he can build on his performance at the Australian Open where he was edged out by world No 1 Novak Djokovic.

He said he preferred being in Miami practising on outdoor courts as to avoid the transaction from indoor to outdoor, Murray is much more happier than he was this time last year and preparing for the coming year.

 

Murray said he played well and improved a lot of things whilst in Australia, 'It wasn't like after I lost to Novak last year, when I was thinking, "What could I have done better? Are there things that I should change in my game?"'.

 

 'I think there's no real big difference on hard courts,' he said. 'On the clay I definitely think I still need to improve a lot. On grass I just need a little bit of consistency.

 

Murray said it was taking time to adjust to the conditions. 'It's so fast here,' he said. 'For me the conditions are some of the quickest that we play in during the year. Here and Indian Wells are similar, though I think the courts are bit slower in Indian Wells. It's taken a few days to get used to the speed, but if I adjust well I think the courts should be good for me.'

P.s. I was ill from Friday and completly forgot to do a Future Winners Friday, and I will be updating the winners of the last few tournaments over the week.

WTA Wednesday

This week I wanted to mention the rise of German tennis, particularly in the woman's! 4 women from Germany are now in the top 20 this is the first time since July 17 1988! 

These women are:

10) Andrea Petkovic

13) Sabine Lisicki

19) Julia Goerges

20) Angelique Kerber

Kerber was not even in the top 100 last August and has risen high extremely quickly!

These players will hopefully help to revive the state of tennis in Germany and trigger a response from other nations to beat these young, talented Germans. Many seem to believe women's tennis is no longer anything to be excited about but I believe when one nation can produce such talent, all competing to be the number one in their country (and in the world of course) it proves that the game is still competitive and has a lot to offer!

News Bite

Abit of news about what the top 2 players have been up to in their time off!

Rafael Nadal has been continuing his modelling career on the side and recently posed for an issue of Sports Illustrated called 'Bar and the boys' along with Bar Refaeli.

 Check here if you want to see the rest!

Novak Djokovic has been awarded the highest Serbian honour, president Boris Tadic has decorated him with the Karadjordjeva Star Medal, the highest Honor in the country. Tadic said Djokovic deserves the medal for "special merits in representing Serbia."

Djokovic has also been busy winning another award, the Laureus sportsman of the year. Djokovic talking about his win: