Azarenka Collapses With Mild Concussion
By CHRISTOPHER CLAREY @ NyTimes Up went her service toss at the United States Open on Wednesday, and Victoria Azarenka, already wobbly on her feet and down in the first set of her second-round match, 0-4, took a swing and missed completely, the ball bouncing off her back before landing on the steamy surface of the grandstand court. It was the clearest sign yet that something was seriously amiss with Azarenka, the big-hitting No. 10 seed from Belarus, and though she somehow managed to...
The Women Most Likely To Lift The US Open
With both Justine Henin and Serena Williams out of this year’s US Open, the draw has opened up in a big way. Defending champion Kim Clijsters remains huge threat but the number one seed, Caroline Wozniacki, has never won a Slam. Who are the women most likely to be celebrating at the end of a week? It’s not an easy pick but these are the five I think have the best shot. 1. Kim Clijsters: The bookies favourite, mother of one Clijsters rolls into New York as the defending champion. Not...
Ultimate US Open Preview
2010 US Open - Flushing Meadows, New York After the back to back Masters 1000 tournaments in Toronto and Cincinnati, the focus shifts to the fourth and final Grand Slam of the 2010 season. Unfortunately, 2009 US Open champion Juan Martin Del Potro won't be defending his crown as he's still recovering from a wrist injury he's been plagued by for most of the 2010 season. It's only the third time the defending champion in the Men's Draw has failed to be able to defend his crown.So, whose...
Nadal hoping to avoid Bjorg's list
The US Open is fast approaching and world number 1 Rafael Nadal has one target in his sights; a career Gand Slam. After victory in Melbourne at the Australian Open in January this year, the US championship at Flushing Meadows remains the only Slam not in the Spainard's trophy cabinet.In the opinion of many, fans and experts alike, the US Open is probably the toughest of the Grand Slam tournaments to win. The surface is unforgiving and the weather can be hot and humid in New York in early...
Fan favourite pulls out of US Open
World number one Serena Williams has withdrawn from the US Open. Williams had surgery after cutting her foot on glass post-Wimbledon. Williams confirmed the news originally broken by ESPN2 In a statement released by her publicist. "It is with much frustration and deep sadness that I am having to pull out of the U.S. Open. My doctors have advised against my playing so that my foot can heal." Much speculation surrounded Williams's decision to withdraw from all tournaments leading up to the year's...
Cincinnati Masters a walk in the park for Federer
By Reuters from abc.net.au World number two Roger Federer, fourth-ranked Briton Andy Murray and Serbian second seed Novak Djokovic have all advanced to the ATP Cincinnati Masters quarter-finals. Defending champion Federer had the easiest day, reaching the final eight by walkover when Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber pulled out of their scheduled third-round match with a right shoulder injury. The 16-time grand slam champion from Switzerland has not yet finished a set in the hard court event...
Soderling power too much for Hewitt
By AFP from abc.net.au Lleyton Hewitt's run to the US Open has been interrupted by a three-set loss to towering Swede Robin Soderling in the second round of the Cincinnati Masters. While he had never lost to Soderling previously, Hewitt was slowly overpowered by the world number five, who won 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, clinching the match with a series of crunching ground strokes at the pointy end of the third set. Hewitt is yet to complete a tour victory since his fourth round appearance at Wimbledon,...
Top Tips for Cincinnati Day 2
The ATP World Tour continues in Cincinnati this week with the Western & Southern Financial 1000 Masters taking place. Here are TennisMan’s selections for Day 2 action.$2.08 Denis Istomin (UZB) v James Blake (USA) $1.86A first career meeting between the pair and a very tough one to call. Istomin has improved this season and should not be taken lightly, but I think Blake is still good enough to win this. His results this year have been well below par but the conditions are quick and if his...
Fresh players with the advantage at Cincinnati Masters 1000
This week's Tournament is the Masters 1000: Western & Southern Financial Group Masters in Cincinnati.It's the second Masters 1000 tournament in a row after the Rogers Cup in Toronto last week. Roger Federer returns to Cincinnati after his 2009 triumph to be greated by a very strong field, with the top 8 ranked players all playing. Hopefully the tennis is as good this week as it was in Toronto, where we saw some fantastic matches.Predictions: First Quarter - Rafael Nadal ($4.70 for...
Best Bets for Cincinnati Day 1
The ATP World Tour moves onto Cincinnati this week with the Western & Southern Financial 1000 Masters taking place. Here are TennisMan’s selections for Day 1:Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) v Nicolas Almagro (ESP)A tricky match to start the tournament. They have played twice on a hardcourt with one win apiece, but I will side with Wawrinka. The Swiss No. 2 has been travelling better in recent times whereas Almagro has looked patchy away from his beloved clay. It may go the distance, but look for...
