Federer beat Nadal in 3 sets of the ATP Barclays World Tour Final

London, November 28 : Roger Federer clinched his fifth season-ending championship with a 6-3 3-6 6-1 victory over world number one Rafael Nadal at the World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena in London. The 29-year-old won the opening set after sealing a single and decisive break, before Nadal hit back to level the match as he took the second set by the same margin.

But it was Federer who had the edge, and the Swiss broke his opponent's serve twice to sail serenely through the final set 6-1 and clinch a thrilling victory to end this year's campaign in the perfect fashion. Federer triumphed in one hour, 37 minutes when he looped a forehand on to the baseline. It was his 32nd winner of the match and the 16-times Grand Slam champion walked off with the £1 million jackpot.

Both players received rousing support from a capacity crowd, and the quality was typically high early on as each held serve under immense pressure. Federer seized his opportunity in clinical fashion at 4-3 to seal what proved a decisive break as Nadal faltered fractionally on serve, and two stunning backhand passes saw the Swiss assume a 5-3 advantage. The world number two closed out the opening set in just 32 minutes with an unerring service hold to stamp his authority on the encounter.

But Nadal was not denied for long, and the Spaniard slammed two sensational forehand winners to breach his opponent's defence and seize the initiative with a break at 3-1 in the second set. Federer could not muster a response despite throwing everything at the world number one, and Nadal held his composure to close out the second set in 34 minutes and set up a seemingly inevitable decider.

The final set was absorbing as the pair traded blows in breathtaking extended rallies, and it took until the fourth game for either play to force a breakthrough. Federer took control in the fourth game when he unleashed a staggering array of attacking shots from the back of the court to break at 3-1. The world number two consolidated his break of serve at 4-1, before moving to within a game of the match with a second assault on Nadal's serve .

Federer was utterly relentless and unwavering in his pursuit of victory, and a final service hold with a forehand which landed inside the baseline saw the Swiss end his season on a high.

Article by Dan Quarrell / Eurosport / Photo by Gettys Image

My Comment : congratulation to Roger Federer for a splendid game.

Federer down Soderling in straight sets

LONDON, November 25: Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates after winning his men's singles match against Robin Soderling of Sweden during ATP World Tour Finals at O2 Arena. Federer beat Soderling 7-6, 6-3. Federer will join Murray in the Semi final of the ATP World Tour.

Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Murray celebrates winning against Ferrer

London, November 25 : Scotland's Andy Murray celebrates winning the first set while playing against David Ferrer of Spain in a singles match during the Barclays ATP World Tour Tennis Finals in London. Murray stormed into the semi-finals of the ATP World Tour Finals with a crushing 6-2, 6-2 win.

Photo by Glyn Kirk/AFP/Getty Images

Roddick frustrated over light and early exit

LONDON, November 24 : The advertising lights behind the baseline flashed and flickered, even while play was going on, and each time it made Andy Roddick more and more frustrated. Finally, after being broken for the second time in the match, Roddick snapped.

Or, actually, the rim of his racket snapped when he smashed it against his foot. “I was angry with myself and there wasn’t anybody else to talk to at that moment,” Roddick said wryly after losing to Tomas Berdych 7-5, 6-3 Wednesday at the ATP World Tour Finals. Roddick had been playing well through the first set, but shortly after wasting a pair of set points on Berdych’s serve while leading 5-4, the eighth-ranked American was broken and eventually dropped the set. In the second, Roddick held his first two service games relatively easily.

Then, at 2-2, the neon lights on the front of the boxes where the line judges stand started to change, flickering red sometimes and then back to the light blue that they’re supposed to be. With Roddick growing increasingly frustrated, Berdych took a 15-30 lead with a forehand winner. Roddick then dumped a forehand wide on the next shot and lost his replay challenge, giving Berdych two break points.

After saving one when Berdych sent a forehand return long, Roddick tried an overhead smash from the baseline but the ball landed out, giving Berdych a 3-2 lead. That’s when he let it all out. First, he whacked a ball high into the rafters—it eventually landed only three rows from the top of the lower section of the O2 Arena.

Then, when he was walking back to his chair for the changeover, he smashed his racket against his foot and drew a code violation from the chair umpire. “The neons in the back weren’t quite to the settled position. They were still advertising fun stuff,” said Roddick, who dropped to 0-2 at the round-robin tournament for the top eight players in the world.

“When you’re trying to track a ball, it’s kind of neon lights and stuff. Then Tomas noticed it. A couple of them just went out before we played a point.” The match finished with the lights off.

By CHRIS LEHOURITES :Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images

Nadal defeat Djokovic with troubled eye

LONDON, November 24 : World number one Rafael Nadal defeated Novak Djokovic 7-5 6-2 at the ATP World Tour Finals on Wednesday after the Serb suffered eye trouble. What had been an intense battle for more than hour in front of a sell-out O2 Arena suddenly became a stroll for Nadal after the world number three (Djokovic) began to struggle with his vision.

He left the court at 4-4 in the first set after a problem with his contact lenses and was still rubbing his eyes when he dropped serve at 5-5, giving Nadal the chance to serve out an opening set which lasted 76 minutes. Djokovic, who was beaten by Nadal in the U.S. Open final this year, had treatment on his eyes before the start of the second set, slapping his thigh in frustration as a physio shone lights into his eyes.

Nadal prowled the baseline waiting for his opponent to continue and showed no mercy as he seized two breaks in an anti-climactic second set which sped by in 36 minutes. The Spaniard closed out victory when Djokovic wafted a return out and now leads Group A with two victories.

Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images

Soderling down Ferrer in straight sets

ENGLAND, NOVEMBER 23: Robin Soderling of Sweden reacts to a playduring his men's singles match against David Ferrer of Spain during the ATP World Tour Finals at O2 Arena. Sodeling won ( 7-5, 7-5 ) in straight sets against Ferrer.

(Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Federer dismantle Murray in O2 Arena

England, November 23 : Roger Federer dismantled Andy Murray 6-4 6-2 at the ATP World Tour Finals in London to move a step closer to a place in the semi-finals. With two straight sets wins under his belt, Federer is firmly in the driving seat in Group B although Murray and Robin Soderling both have one win and one loss apeice and can still progress with wins in their final group games on Thursday.

Federer was on imperious form as he raced through the match in less than 90 minutes, sealing the win when Murray dumped a forehand return of serve into the bottom of the net. "I think if you play many times against each other, you can't go the distance every single time," a charitable Federer said after improving his career record against Murray to six wins in 14 meetings.

"Tennis is not rocket science. It's pretty straightforward. I think he's going to turn around and come back and play a real good match in the next round." Murray had beaten Federer in similarly easy straight sets in the Shanghai final just over a month ago, but rarely looked likely to trouble the world number two in London as he struggled to replicate the heights of his form against Soderling on Sunday.

Federer quickly made his dominance tell as he broke to love in the third game, when he drilled a forehand passing shot down the centre of the court, over the top of Murray's racquet. The Swiss 29-year-old came out on to court with a clear game plan of rushing the net at every available opportunity on the slow courts, and it paid dividends throughout as Murray was pushed onto the back foot.

Although the Scot started to find some rhythm as the opening set progressed, Federer was already in control and won his first set point when Murray sent a cross court forehand wide. The second set was even more one-sided as Federer raced out to a 4-0, double-break lead before Murray could even get himself on the scoreboard.

Once again the Scot did manage to find some form towards the end, but it was far too little too late and Federer comfortably wrapped up the win on his first match point. "I got off to a bad start in both sets, which doesn't help," a glum Murray said just minutes after walking off court.

"I returned poorly, served poorly. Against him, that's not going to win you the match." With one win and one loss to his name, both in straight sets, Murray will now have to beat Ferrer on Thursday and hope that the result in the Federer-Soderling clash goes his way as well.

Article by Pippa Davis / Eurosport / photo by Gettys image

Djokovic cruise easily against Berdych

London, November 22 : Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates his winning match against Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic. Djokovic won an easily straight sets of 6-3, 6-3. Great match there Djokovic, I'm not sure either Berdych is even putting up a fight there, hmmm ...

(Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Nadal throught first around after bumpy start against Roddick

London, November 22 : Rafael Nadal reaction after beating Andy Roddick 3-6, 7-6, 6-4, in an awesome comeback by Nadal after losing first set to Roddick during ATP Barclays World Tour Final. Can Nadal really get throught the whole match after this heated match against Roddick in the first round match ?

(Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Murray dump Soderling straight sets in first round match

Andy Murray made a solid start to the ATP World Tour Finals in London as he thumped Robin Solderling 6-2 6-4 in his opening match at the imposing O2 Arena. Murray, the world number five, came into the match a spot below Soderling in the world rankings after the Swedish player's success in winning the Paris Masters last week, but he made a mockery of those standings in the opening set.

Soderling could not live with Murray's court coverage, movement, pace of shot or, indeed, the consistency of his serving as the opening set turned into what could be described as a 'tennis clinic' on how a Tour professional should play the game. "I think tactically it was a great match.

I think I played very smart tennis today," commented Murray, who completed his win in one hour and 20 minutes. "Obviously it was getting tough in the second set with a lot of long rallies, but I stuck to my tactics well and managed to come through.

" He broke to move 2-1 ahead with a lovely backhand winner down the line before letting out a huge yell of "c'mon".

(Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Federer beat Ferrer straight sets in Barcleys ATP World Tour Opener

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 21: Roger Federer of Switzerland (R) and David Ferrer of Spain pose for press on court after their men's singles first round match during the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at O2 Arena on November 21, 2010 in London, England. Federer won 6-1,6-4 against David Ferrer.

(Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Biography of Mikhail Youzhny

Mikhail Mikhailovich Youzhny born 25 June 1982, in Moscow, USSR (now Russia), is a professional Russian tennis player, noted for his consistency and all-court play style. He has been coached by Boris Sobkin for 17 years.

The highest singles world ranking of his career was number seven, achieved on 18 October 2010.

Playing style and equipment :

Youzhny has a unique backhand, in which he mainly hits one-handed, but also has somewhat of a hybrid reminiscent to that of Björn Borg. Youzhny at times will follow through his backhand with both hands, but with only his right hand on his racket. Even so, many consider his backhand to be his best shot. From both sides, Youzhny hits the ball on the rise, achieving a flatter trajectory. He has a good court sense and often makes use of dropshots.

Youzhny has a reputation for engaging the crowd, subsequently taking inspiration from it to attempt high-risk winners, especially when facing matchpoints. After each big victory Youzhny gives a military style salute to the spectators. He does it by holding the tennis racquet above his head with his left hand and saluting with his right hand. The racquet imitates a hat, since according to Russian military tradition one must wear a hat to give proper salute.

As for his equipment, he wears adidas clothing and Barricade V shoes and uses a Head Youtek Extreme Pro racquet.

Federer calls to shorten tennis calender

Roger Federer has backed calls to shorten the tennis calendar to protect players from burnout by creating a six week off-season. World number one Rafael Nadal, who has also said the season is too long, and top French player Jo-Wilfried Tsonga are among the high-profile absentees due to injury at the Paris Masters this week.

"I think it's time we shifted back a bit and we get a proper off-season really," Federer, who has never got further than the quarter-finals, told reporters. The ATP is to finalise its proposed calendars for the 2012 and 2013 seasons at a series of board meetings in London during the World Tour Finals in November.

The governing body has said it was looking at a "meaningful way" to reduce a punishing schedule. "Four weeks is just not enough off-season really," Federer said. "Six weeks I think is much better as already you can take two weeks off...practise three, four weeks which is a lot for us in our world."

Several top players are behind the appeal for a tour overhaul including world number three Novak Djokovic, who sits with Nadal on the Players' Council. Federer, who meets Frenchman Richard Gasquet in the second round on Wednesday, said it was in the "best interests" of tournaments which are often hit with a series of withdrawals towards the end of the tennis calendar year.

World number nine Fernando Verdasco attributed his recent poor form to the heavy schedule. The Spaniard, who came through a tough three-setter against veteran Frenchman Arnaud Clement on Tuesday, had only won one match since the U.S. Open in September.

"Yes, maybe I am a little tired," the sixth seed said. "The year is very long and for me personally it's been an extremely long three years. "In 2008, there was the Davis Cup final ... I had just three days holiday and last year we were again in the Davis Cup final."

Becker said Andy Murray need to be Mature

Boris Becker has said that one of the reasons Andy Murray has not won a Grand Slam yet is down to his close relationship with his mother. Judy Murray, a tennis coach herself, is regularly seen with Murray at events, and Becker believes it shows a lack of maturity on the Scot's part.

"In many ways, Murray seems younger than 23," Becker is quoted as saying in the Mirror. "Like how close he still is to his mother, Judy. He has also been pretty much with the same girlfriend for the past three or four years. "That is something you don't usually do when you're 23, it's what you do when you're 19 or 20.

Maybe he is maturing a bit slower and that shows on the court. "On a tennis court, you are by yourself. You cannot ask anybody on important points what to do. "You have to be convinced yourself what is the right thing to do. That is called maturity.

I find he still hasn't matured enough to be able to make the right decisions in a Grand Slam." Becker won Wimbledon when he was just 17 but the German legend said there is still plenty of time for Murray to win one of the big prizes in tennis. "I think he is awfully close and one of these days he will break through," said Becker.

"He is like Arsenal because they look pretty and play good but haven't won trophies and their fans get impatient. But stick with the tactics and Wenger and Murray will do it!"

Nadal will be back in London for ATP World Tour Final

PARIS (AP)—Top-ranked Rafael Nadal said Monday the shoulder injury that forced him out of the Paris Masters won’t prevent him from playing at the ATP World Tour finals later this month. Nadal told a news conference he has a small case of tendinitis in his left shoulder and that he withdrew from the final Masters tournament of the season to avoid risking a serious injury before the London event and next year’s Australian Open.

Nadal said he will need one week of full training to be ready for the ATP Finals, which run from Nov. 21-28. “I’m fine. I went to the doctor and he told me the injury could worsen if I was playing,” Nadal said. “This is the end of the season and all those matches took a toll on my shoulder.”

After winning the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open this season, Nadal is guaranteed to finish the year at No. 1. He has played in 33 of the past 35 Masters 1000 tournaments. “It’s disappointing not to be able to play here,” said Nadal, who reached the finals in Paris three years ago.

“It’s the last Masters 1000 of the year and for sure one of my favorites in the world. It was not an easy decision but I played all others Masters 1000 and all Grand Slams this season.” The Spaniard added he is determined to “play well in London on the most difficult surface for me, where it will be difficult for me to win.”

Nadal was eliminated in the round robin phase at last year’s ATP Finals after losing his three matches without winning a single set. “I will have a special motivation, and I’m going to give everything I can to play well here,” Nadal said. “I want to improve the image of last year. I’ll try to win.”

“Playing less is almost impossible if you want to stay on top,” Nadal said. “After that, I think you can change a few things, but not many. It worked well for me in 2010 and I will more or less try to stick to the same program next year.”

By SAMUEL PETREQUIN, AP Sports Writer

Federer reclaim his home title from Djokovic

BASEL, Switzerland (AP)—Roger Federer reclaimed his hometown title from Novak Djokovic, beating the defending champion 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 in the Swiss Indoors final on Sunday.

The top-seeded Federer broke the Serb’s serve early in the first, and twice in the deciding set to cruise to victory in under two hours. Federer’s 65th career singles title moved him past Pete Sampras into sole possession of fourth on the list in the modern era. Jimmy Connors leads with 109.

The Basel-born Federer was watched courtside by his parents, his wife, Mirka, and their 15-month-old twin daughters, Myla and Charlene. “It’s very emotional winning at home, it makes it extra special. Because I live here and because the fans are behind me,” Federer said.

A former ballboy at the tournament, Federer won three straight Swiss Indoors titles from 2006-08 before Djokovic broke the streak when they met in last year’s final. “It’s great to have won it after losing last year. It reminded me of last year’s match, but (this time) I got off to a great start in the third set,” he said.

Djokovic said he lost “a little bit of balance and focus” in the decider. “You don’t get many chances against Roger when he is on top of you. There was no way back,” Djokovic said. The 29-year-old Swiss improved to 12-6 lifetime against Djokovic, and 3-1 this year.

His only loss to the 23-year-old Serb this season came in a five-set U.S. Open semifinal in which he wasted two match points. “Results-wise, Roger is the best player ever to play the game,” Djokovic said in an on-court interview.

Federer will take a 57-12 season mark—and No. 1 seeding in the absence with a shoulder injury of top-ranked Rafael Nadal—into the Paris Masters, which began Sunday. It’s the last event before the eight-man ATP World Tour Finals being held Nov. 21-28 in London.

Djokovic dropped to 2-2 in 2010 title matches, with wins in Dubai and Beijing and a U.S. Open final loss to Nadal.

Federer oust Roddick to meet Djokovic in final ATP Basel Swiss Indoor

BASEL, Switzerland (AP)—Roger Federer made short work of Andy Roddick this time, winning 6-2, 6-4 in the Swiss Indoors semifinals on Saturday in their first rematch since the epic 2009 Wimbledon final.

Federer broke Roddick’s serve twice in each set and fired 13 aces to the American’s four to win in 69 minutes. “He couldn’t serve an ace for a long time, and that’s always a good sign you’re getting a decent read on his serve,” Federer said.

“It’s unfortunate my bad serving day came today,” Roddick said. “I was just a little bit out of rhythm. You can’t afford to do that against Roger.” The top-seeded Swiss improved his career record to 20-2 against Roddick. “For some reason it always kind of works well for me against Andy,” Federer said.

Federer will face defending champion Novak Djokovic in the final on Sunday. Djokovic beat his Serbian Davis Cup teammate Viktor Troicki 7-6 (4), 6-4. “It’s obviously a difficult final,” said Federer, whose streak of three Basel titles was ended by Djokovic. “It’s as tough as they come on a quick indoor court.”

“Looking back over this week, there’s more positives than negatives,” said Roddick, who will play in the Paris Masters next week. The second-seeded Djokovic was pushed harder for his victory. He saved three set points in the first trailing 6-5, 40-0 on Troicki’s serve.

“I was very lucky to get out of the first set and I regained my confidence,” said Djokovic, who forced a tiebreaker after starting a run of winners with a blistering forehand return. “I closed my eyes and hit it as hard as I could. That’s what we were joking about.”

Longtime friends, Djokovic and Troicki walked off the court laughing with an arm around each other’s shoulders. They’ll likely play singles for Serbia when it hosts the Davis Cup final against France on Dec. 3-5.

photo by AFP / FABRICE COFFRINI

Equipment : Wilson K Factor KPro Staff 88

A racquet so hefty it makes the ProStaff Original 6.0 85 and KSix-One Tour 90 feel light and maneuverable in comparison, the KPro Staff 88 was designed especially for Pete Sampras and features his signature on the frame.

Although now playing only senior tour and exhibition tennis, Sampras is striking the ball as well as ever. The KPro Staff 88 has replaced his trusted ProStaff Original 6.0 85 and brings with it a higher swingweight and a less head light balance in stock form. Offering a tremendous amount of follow through, the KPro Staff 88 provides rock solid stability on every shot.

Players will need to have good technique and some strength to get the most out of this stick. Long, smooth and fast swings result in a very heavy and penetrating ball. There's lots of bite from the stringbed, allowing plenty of spin production. Thanks to the weight of the racquet, hitting with depth comes easily.

Once in motion, the weight of the racquet pushes the ball deep into the opposing court. At net, the KPro Staff 88 offers pinpoint precision. The control oriented response and excellent stability combine to allow the player to dominate the ball, even when up against heavy passing attempts. Well-timed serves come off the racquet with lots of pace and weight.

Stronger players will find good access to spin and enough mass to hit with plenty of heat. Although this is a demanding player's racquet, in the right hands (NTRP 5.0+) this stick combines axe like power with scalpel like precision.

Head Size: 88 sq. in. / 568 sq. cm.
Length: 27 inches / 69 cm
Strung Weight: 12.8oz / 363g
Balance: 6pts Head Light
Composition: 100%[K]arophite Black
Power Level: Low
Swing Speed: Fast
String Tension: 50-60 pounds
Player Using This Racquet : Pete Sampras

Federer demolish Stepanek to meet Roddick in ATP Basel semifinal

BASEL, Switzerland - Roger Federer will face Andy Roddick for the first time since their epic 2009 Wimbledon final after both advanced to the semifinals of the Swiss Indoors.
 
The top-seeded Swiss and No. 4 Roddick set up the rematch by sweeping through their quarterfinals in straight sets on Friday. Federer eased past Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic 6-3, 6-2 in an hour and the American rode his big serve in a 6-4, 6-4 victory against Argentina’s David Nalbandian.
 
More than 16 months after a classic, 4-hour, 16-minute encounter ended with Federer taking the fifth set 16-14, Roddick pretended to have forgotten all about it. “What final?” he deadpanned to reporters, before acknowledging he relished the fresh challenge.
 
“I always look forward to playing (Roger),” said Roddick, who hit 11 aces in his win. “You want to play the best if you are an athlete and a competitor. You want to get out there and give it a go.” Federer said his 19-2 career record against Roddick was not a fair reflection of their rivalry.
 
“He is much better than the head-to-head record shows. We’ve had a lot of close matches,” Federer said.

Rafael Nadal got himself injured again

PARIS - Top-ranked Rafael Nadal withdrew from the Paris Masters on Friday because of a shoulder injury that will keep him sidelined for at least a week. Nadal said in an e-mail sent out by his management team that he was suffering from “a small case of tendinitis in my left shoulder which came about through forcing my serve too much during training this week.”

“I am very sorry not to be able to play the Paris-Bercy tournament this year,” Nadal said. The Spaniard said the injury wasn’t serious, but he had been advised by doctors that he needed six or seven days rest with intensive rehabilitation treatment.

Nadal is scheduled to play in the season-ending ATP World Tour Finals in London from Nov. 21-28. The ATP tour said Nadal would still make an appearance at the Paris tournament and would discuss his injury further at a news conference Sunday or Monday.

“It’s always a blow for a tournament to lose Nadal,” event director Jean-Francois Caujolle said. “We still have nine of the 10 best players in the world and I don’t think the tournament has been hampered by his withdrawal, even though it would have been better to have him.”

Nadal recently said he was feeling some fatigue from a successful season in which he won the French Open, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. Nadal has not played since a third-round defeat to Jurgen Melzer at the Shanghai Masters on Oct 14.

With Nadal’s withdrawal, Roger Federer has been given the No. 1 seed and will start against the winner between Nicolas Mahut and Richard Gasquet.

Defending Champion Djokovic beat Nieminen in ATP Basel

BASEL, SWITZERLAND - NOVEMBER 04: Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates at match point after defeating Jarkko Nieminen of Finland (6-4, 7-6) in straight sets during Day Four of the Davidoff Swiss Indoors Tennis in Basel, Switzerland. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

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