Federer hits between-the-legs shot in Open victory

NEW YORK (AP)—Roger Federer delivered another YouTube-worthy, between-the-legs shot at the U.S. Open. The five-time champion at Flushing Meadows hit 18 aces in his 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 victory over 96th-ranked Brian Dabul of Argentina in the first round, part of Federer’s remarkable 46-4 advantage in winners Monday night.
 
“There’s nothing you can do when he has those days,” Dabul said. “He’s perfect.” No shot was more spectacular than the one Federer came up with while leading 5-3 in the second set. He was at the net when Dabul sailed a lob high overhead. Federer turned and sprinted toward the baseline.
 
A few steps from the wall behind the court in Arthur Ashe Stadium, and with his back to the net, Federer smacked the ball through his legs. Article by Howard Fendrich-AP Tennis Writer/Photo by Emmanuel Dunand/AFP/Getty Images & Reuters

Lleyton Hewit lost in 1st Round to Paul-Henri Mathieu

NEW YORK (AP)—Lleyton Hewitt, the 2001 U.S. Open champion, lost in the first round Monday to aggressive-playing Paul-Henri Mathieu of France in five sets. Mathieu beat the 32nd-seeded Australian 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 4-6, 6-1. Mathieu had 72 winners and 65 unforced errors.

Mathieu, ranked 109th, was 4-8 at Flushing Meadows before Monday. After Hewitt rallied from two sets down, Mathieu promptly broke his serve twice to go up 3-0 in the fifth set. Mathieu broke him again on Hewitt’s 12th double-fault of the match to clinch the upset. Hewitt had never lost in the first round at the U.S. Open.

(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Venus Advance in the US Open

Venus Williams pumps her fist after defeating Roberta Vinci of Italy 6-4, 6-1 to advance at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Monday Aug. 30, 2010. Photo by The Canadian Press / 30/8/2010

Kim Clijsters won straight sets in 1st Round of US Open

Kim Clijsters of Belgium serves to Greta Arn of Hungary during the first round of the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Monday, Aug. 30, 2010. Clijsters won the match 6-0, 7-5. Photo by The Canadian Presson on 30/8/2010

Soderling through 1st Round in US Open Match

NEW YORK - AUGUST 30: Robin Soderling of Sweden serves against Andreas Haider-Maurer of Austria during the Men's Singles first round match on day one of the 2010 U.S. Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 30, 2010 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Soderling defeated Haider-Maurer 7-5, 6-3, 6-7(2), 5-7, 6-4.

(Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Roddick through 1st Round of the Match

NEW YORK - AUGUST 30: Andy Roddick of the United States (R) shakes hands with Stephane Robert of France after the Men's Singles first round match on day one of the 2010 U.S. Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 30, 2010 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Roddick defeated Robert 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.

(Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

Event before US Open 2010

Roger Federer of Switzerland hits a forehand as Kim Clijsters (Left) of Belgium and Rafael Nadal from Spain watch during the Arthur Ashe Kids Day at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, New York on August 28,. The 2010 US Open will begin on August 30.

Nadal's Obsession for the US Open Title

NEW YORK (AP) - Rafael Nadal wants a U.S. Open title, of course. It is, after all, the only Grand Slam trophy he has yet to win. Still, the No. 1-ranked and No. 1-seeded Nadal insists he is not consumed by thoughts of needing to leave Flushing Meadows with a championship two weeks from now.
 
“I hope I have another chance to play well here and to have the chance to win - but without obsession, no?” Nadal said. “I am more than happy (with) what I have at home, all the tournaments that I won. More than I dreamt five or six years ago.” Only 24 years old, Nadal already owns eight major titles: five at the French Open, two at Wimbledon and one at the Australian Open.
 
But he never has been past the semifinals at the U.S. Open, losing in that round each of the past two years. “If you can make it to the semis, you can make it to the finals. That’s pretty clear.”

Federer's Video : What do they think ?

FEDERER’S VIDEO: Roger Federer is not giving much away about how real that video is of him knocking a metal bottle off a man’s head with a serve—twice in a row. The clip has drawn more than 5 million views on YouTube. “I couldn’t believe the amount of hits I got,” Federer said Saturday.

“I’m happy, then, that so many people have seen it, liked it, and debated about it. I was shocked.” He said it took “one or two takes … five, 10 minutes, and that was it. It was at one of the shoots I did after Wimbledon in Zurich, and we had a fun time doing it.” Andy Murray, twice a runner-up to Federer in Grand Slam finals, was asked about the clip’s authenticity.

“You think it was real? Is that right?” Murray replied, smiling. Then Murray noted that he liked the video, before adding: “There’s not a chance it’s real, though.” Defending U.S. Open champion Kim Clijsters also was asked Saturday whether she thinks it’s legit.

“Let me just say that I would not hold that thing on my head even if it was Roger Federer,” Clijsters said. “There’s your answer.” HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Andy Roddick turns 28 on Monday, which happens to be Day 1 of the U.S. Open.

He won the hard-court Grand Slam tournament in 2003, but hasn’t added a second major title, losing in four finals. Asked Saturday about his sense of urgency when it comes to claiming another Grand Slam trophy as he gets older, the ninth-seeded Roddick said: “Well, it’s always there. Birthday or no birthday, you come in to try to win one. To be honest, I don’t think too much about age, number, whatever.

“I’ll play till I can, until I feel like I shouldn’t anymore,” Roddick continued. “But, you know, the urgency is always there.”

(Photo by Jaime L. Mikle/Getty Images)

McEnroe thinks women should play fewer tournaments

NEW YORK (AP)—John McEnroe says women aren’t cut out to play as many tournaments as they’re asked to by their tour. “There should be less events for women,” McEnroe said in a conference call this week to preview CBS’ coverage of the U.S. Open, which starts Monday. “You need an actual meltdown on court or someone to quit the game altogether before they realize you need to change the schedule.” The same day that McEnroe was voicing his opinion, the Women’s Tennis Association released an update on initiatives it’s taking to make the season less of a grind. By shortening and streamlining the season, the WTA said withdrawals were down 35 percent and participation by top players was up 57 percent in the tour’s top nine events over the first eight months of 2010 compared to 2008.

Federer agreed Coach Annacone to be permanent

Roger Federer has agreed to hire Paul Annacone as his new coach after the pair hit it off during a one-month trial. Federer said Annacone would join forces with Swiss Davis Cup captain Severin Luthi in coaching him.
 
"We've moved it from a test trial to integrating him into the team now, so that's going ahead," Federer said at Flushing Meadows. American Annacone, best known as the former coach of Pete Sampras and Tim Henman, joined Federer's camp earlier this month and the pair enjoyed instant success when the Swiss won the Cincinnati Masters. Reuters on 28/8/2010 - Photo bt Timothy A. Clary

Tennis star Wozniacki plans to apply to Yale

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP)—U.S. Open top seed Caroline Wozniacki is in New Haven this week to play tennis, but she’d like to spend more time in the city, going to school. The two-time defending champion of the Pilot Pen said Thursday she wants to take a class or two at Yale.

She said she had planned to apply this year, but things got busy as she ascended the tennis rankings to become the No. 2 player in the world. The Danish tennis player says she would like to study business or management, perhaps online, and that college would give her something to think about other than tennis.

Wozniacki and the Yale football team bonded last year after she was invited to give a speech to them on mental toughness. The team attended her first match this year.

Serena and Venus could be near end of reign

NEW YORK (AFP) - Serena and Venus Williams dominated women's tennis with skillful shotmaking and flamboyant personalities, but injuries and improving rivals could be ending their reign as the US Open looms. Neither Williams sister has played in a tournament since Wimbledon and only third-seeded Venus will be in the field when the year's final Grand Slam tournament starts Monday on the Flushing Meadows hardcourts.
 
World number one Serena has withdrawn from more events than she has played this year, even though she boosted her Grand Slam singles title total to 13 by defending her Australian Open and Wimbledon crowns.

Free Download : Federer vs Davydenko US Open 2006 highlight

Free Download : Federer vs Davydenko US Open 2006 match highlight.
To download, click on the download icon below.

Federer is ready for the US Open 2010

NEW YORK, Aug 25 (Reuters) - Roger Federer already has it all. The Swiss master has nothing left to prove and hardly anything to lose. In casino parlance, he is now playing with the house’s money. It has been that way for more than a year after he won the French Open for the first time last season then broke Pete Sampras’s record of grand slam men’s singles titles.
 
Inevitable questions about his motivation arose when he lost last year’s U.S. Open final to Argentina’s Juan Martin Del Potro but he answered those in emphatic fashion when he won this year’s Australian Open.
 
By his own standards, the rest of this year has been a flop, he has failed to add to his tally of 16 grand slam titles and lost his grip on the number one ranking.

Wallpaper of Novak Djokovic

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Lesson : Roger Federer's Forehand Swing

Biography of Andy Roddick

 
Andrew Stephen "Andy" Roddick (born August 30, 1982) is an American professional tennis player and a former World No. 1. He is the top-ranked American player and the only American inside the ATP top 10. As of July 5, 2010, he is ranked World No. 9 by the ATP rankings.
 
He became a Grand Slam singles champion when he won the title at the 2003 US Open, defeating Juan Carlos Ferrero in the finals. Roddick has reached four other Grand Slam finals (Wimbledon three times and the US Open once), losing to Roger Federer each time.

Lesson : Learning to Serve Curve Ball ( Slice Serve )

Developing an effective stroke takes practice and hard work—most of the time. But follow these six steps and in 15 minutes you’ll be on the road to unleashing a wicked slice serve.

1. ADJUST TO A SLICE GRIP To hit an effective slice, you’ve got to start with the right grip. For many players, holding the racquet with a Continental grip allows them to put adequate slice on the ball. If this works for you, then stick with it. However, if you have trouble generating enough spin this way, I recommend adjusting your hand slightly beyond the Continental toward a backhand grip.

This “slice grip” makes it easier for the edge of the racquet to lead the way toward contact, creating more brushing action against the side of the ball, and consequently extra slice.

2009 champion del Potro withdraws from US Open

Defending champion Juan Martin del Potro withdrew from the U.S. Open on Saturday, saying he “cannot compete at the top level yet” after having an operation on his right wrist in May. He becomes only the third U.S. Open men’s champion in the 42-year Open era who didn’t defend the title. And del Potro’s announcement arrives a day after Serena Williams became the first No. 1 in the 35-year history of the women’s rankings to miss the U.S. Open. She still is recovering from surgery for cuts on her right foot.

Equipment : Wilson Pro Tour BLX

2009 US Open Champion, Juan Martin del Potro's racquet of choice, the Pro Tour BLX is the ideal compliment to the player who likes to take a big cut at the ball. With a unique 96sq. inch headsize and an 11.6-ounce strung weight, this one blends stability with control for confident hitting. The dense 18x20 string pattern further enhances control so players can stay on the gas without fear of over-hitting.

At net the head light balance helps keep the racquet feeling maneuverable and provides a traditional feel purist volleyers will love. Wilson has include Basalt fibers which are designed to improve the feel of the racquet so players can stay connected to their shots regardless if hitting with power or touch. All in all an impressive offering that brings a unique feel and performance to this popular racquet category.

Head Size : 96 Sq inch

Lenghth : 27 inches

Strung Weight : 11.6 oz

Composition : Karophite Black & Basalt

Power Level : Low

Swing Speed : Fast

String Tension : 50 – 60 pounds

Pro’s using this racquet : Juan Martin del Potro’s

Federer beat Fish in Cincinnati Final 2010

CINCINNATI - AUGUST 22: Mardy Fish and Roger Federer of Switzerland after the finals, Federer beat Fish (6-7, 7-6, 6-4) on Day 7 of the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 22, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Roger Federer raised his game at just the right moments to beat Marcos Baghdatis

Roger Federer raised his game at just the right moments to beat Marcos Baghdatis 6-4 6-3 in the semi-final of the Cincinnati Masters. The Swiss star reached his 90th career final in the process, where he will meet the American Mardy Fish.

Fish had earlier pulled off a surprise turnaround win over fellow American Andy Roddick to claim a 4-6 7-6 6-1 victory and advance to his third Masters series final. Federer had had an easy route to the last four after a bye, a retirement and a walkover allowed him into the last eight without a full set of tennis.

But the Swiss, the defending champion and a finalist in Toronto last week, looked in good form, playing with the ease and flow for which he is noted. Federer's serve was particularly impressive, winning 90 percent of his first service points, which is exactly the part of the game that Fish has been thriving upon this week - setting up a fascinating final.

Eurosport / Reuters / (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Federer to Reach Final After Defeating Baghdatis

CINCINNATI - AUGUST 21: Roger Federer of Switzerland reacts after defeating Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus (6-4, 6-3) during the semifinals on Day 6 of the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 21, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Fish down Roddick to reach Final

CINCINNATI - AUGUST 21: Mardy Fish reacts after defeating Andy Roddick (4-6, 7-6, 6-1) during Day 6 of the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 21, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Baghdatis cruise to semifinal after defeating Nadal

CINCINNATI - AUGUST 20: Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus reacts after defeating Rafael Nadal of Spain (6-4, 4-6, 6-4) during Day 5 of the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 20, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Malaysian player to pair Tennis Ace Davydenko at Malaysia Open

KUALA LUMPUR Aug 19 — World number six Nikolay Davydenko has agreed to play alongside a Malaysian player as part of a wild card pairing in the main draw of the doubles in the upcoming Malaysian Open ATP Tennis World Tour.

"This probably marks the first time in Malaysia”s sporting history that a Malaysian tennis player has joined forces with a current top ten ranked ATP singles player to play an ATP main draw doubles match,” tournament director Nick Freyer told a news conference here today.

The Malaysian player would be chosen by the Lawn Tennis Association of Malaysia and to be announced later, he added. The tournament will be held from Sept 25 to Oct 3 at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil.

Freyer said four world top ten singles players would be battling in the tournament including Davydenko of Russia, world number five Robin Soderling of Sweden, world number seven Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic and world number 10 David Ferer of Spain. He said so far 19 players from 15 countries had received direct entry into the tournament based on ranking.

"In addition to the 19 now confirmed players, there will be four qualifiers as a result of the qualifying tournament and three main-draw wild cards to be announced later,” he said. The entry cut-off for this year is 71 compared to 64 last year. BERNAMA

Davydenko lost straight set to Federer in Quaterfinal

CINCINNATI - AUGUST 20: Nikolay Davydenko of Russia reacts after losing to Roger Federer of Switzerland (6-4, 7-5) during Day 5 of the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 20, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Roddick beat Djokovic in Quaterfinal Cincinnati Open

CINCINNATI - AUGUST 20: Andy Roddick reacts after winning against Novak Djokovic of Serbia (6-4, 7-5) during Day 5 of the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 20, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Murray lost to Fish in Quarterfinal Cincinnati Open

CINCINNATI - AUGUST 20: Mardy Fish reacts after defeating Andy Murray of Great Britain (6-7, 6-1, 7-6) during Day 5 of the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 20, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)