Novak Djokovic administered another excruciating defeat onto the former king of Clay Rafael Nadal today in the Rome quarterfinals 75 76. This was was different because it the pattern of the match was altered by Nadal who instead of falling behind early and fighting back fiercely opened up positively in both sets by taking break leads on Djokovic in each set. Nadal seemed to know that despite holding the lead he still did not have control of Djokovic and he played with a sense of fear and expectation that Djokovic was surely going to raise his level. And of course Djokovic did fight back and win both sets. Nadal knows Djokovic better than anyone - this was their 49th meeting Continue to read full article...

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[caption id="attachment_7643" align="alignright" width="169"] Dimitrov unleashes a serve.[/caption]Certain single losses are so devastating they can destroy a player's career. Guillermo Coria never recovered from the loss to Gaston Gaudio in the final of Roland Garros despite being up two sets to love and having a match point. Paul Henri Mathieu blew the Davis Cup final in France despite a two sets to love lead on Mikhail Youzhny in the fifth rubber and has never been the same. Grigor Dimitrov suffered a similar shattering defeat in the Istanbul final two weeks ago to Diego Schwartzman. Continue to read full article...

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By Scoop Malinowski Status: Winner of 2006 Australian Open and Wimbledon singles titles along with 21 other WTA career singles titles. DOB: July 5, 1979 In: St. Germaines En Laye, France Childhood Heroes: "I liked, I watched Yannick Noah. That's why I started to play tennis. And then, while I was a little bit older I think I liked to watch Sabatini and Graf. This period was a good inspiration for me." Hobbies/Interests: "I like to ski. I like to surf. I like red wine [smiles]. I like many different things, you know, I like go-carts, horseback riding. I like to enjoy nice dinner with my friends and family. Card games with Sebastien Grosjean and Arnaud Clement. They can last for hours, in a really tense atmosphere. We tease each other a lot and we all try to cheat [laughs]. I enjoy playing Scrabble too." Continue to read full article...

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The illusion that the Rafa Nadal King of Clay was back has been shattered by Andy Murray's straight set win in Madrid. Yes Rafa did look very good the previous weeks as he won titles in Monte Carlo and Barcelona but we still didn't know if Rafa would be able to handle Djokovic. Today we learned Rafa can't even handle Andy Murray. Continue to read full article...

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Novak Djokovic: "I think challenges, big challenges that I had in my career changed me in a positive way as a player. Because of Rafa and because of Roger I am what I am today, you know, in a way, because when I reached the No. 3 in the world and won the first Grand Slam title in 2008, the years after that I struggled a lot mentally to overcome the doubts that I had. And all the big matches I lost to these guys was consistent but not winning the big matches, and then they made me understand what I need to do on the court. I worked hard, and, you know, it's paying dividends, I guess, in the last couple of years. You know, obviously it's not easy when you're playing a top rival at the finals of any tournament, but if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best, you know. You have to win against the best players in the world. That's the biggest challenge you can have." Continue to read full article...

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NK Rising takes the first set tiebreaker with a lethal display of Kyrgios tennis - Stan fought out of a 1-4 deficit in the tiebreaker to go up 5-4 but Nick was up to the challenge and saved a set point on a second serve serve and volley play that provoked a Stan backhand return way long - the set point ended on a neutral return down the middle which Stan backhanded long - Both Yonex players Continue to read full article...

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Eric won his 18th ATP doubles title yesterday in Estoril with Scott Lipsky – This Biofile was done with Eric in 2008 — By Scoop Malinowski Ht: 6-3  Wt:  180 pounds. DOB: May 22, 1981 in Rochester, Minnesota Tennis Inspirations: “My dad and my college coach, Steve Wilkinson – who also coached my father and […] Continue to read full article...

Biofile · Bryan Brothers · Eric Butorac · Roger Federer

Diego Schwartzman achievd one of the great ATP final wins of the decade - at the expense of a devastated Grigor Dimitrov. The diminutive Argentine showed extraordinary resilience in battling back from 67 25 to astonish the struggling Dimitrov who was bidding for his much needed fifth ATP singles title (and first since Queens two years ago). Schwartzman was an iron man today showing rock wall qualites and getting every ball back and ultimately breaking the will and body of the super fit Bulgarian. Continue to read full article...

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