09:46 - INTERVIEW
The man that brought tennis back to the Garden
TENNIS – Our Vanni Gibertini had the chance to talk to Jerry Solomon, the man responsible for bringing tennis back to the Madison Square Garden with the BNP Showdown. Lendl's former coach and chairman of Stargames, was in Montreal to present a 'legends' tournament starring Lendl, Connors, Agassi and Chang to be played on the 2nd of March in Montreal. “Putting great stars in iconic venues is normally a recipe for a successful event.” According to him three ingredients are necessary for a successful event, “The venue, the athletes and the marketing activity.” From Montreal Vanni Gibertini
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16:25 - WTA Tour
Maria
Sharapova really “sparkles”!
TENNIS – Finally Maria Sharapova makes her debut in the tournament and she is the first player to qualify for the third round. Julia Goerges also qualified to the third round as she defeated Cetkovska. Roberta Vinci, Yannina Wickmayer and Mattek-Sands won their first round matches. Article and Photographs by Monique Filippella translated by Paul Sassoon
09:46 - ATP TOUR
What kind of a year will 2012 be for Federer?
TENNIS – The first Slam of the season has confirmed Djokovic as the dominant force on the mens tour and Nadal as his deputy. What is Federer's role this season? A lot will depend on Roger's patriotic dreams of winning the Davis Cup and the Olympic gold medal. Giacomo Fazio translated by Paul Sassoon
16:54 - WTA Tour
Finally It was Maria Sharapova's day in Paris
TENNIS – Despite some peoples doubts, Maria Sharapova's press conference took place a year late at the Stade de Coubertin. Na Li and Marion Bartoli also gave interviews. Even if it was Monday, there were no matches from the main draw due to the Fed Cup weekend, so the qualifying tournament was completed. Article and pictures by Monique Filippella from Paris, translated by Paul Sassoon
12:42 - WTA Tour
Celebrating 20 years of womens tennis in Paris
TENNIS – It was the twentieth birthday for the women's Paris tournament on Sunday. Whilst the second qualifying round was being played, the main draw was being compiled. Italian Alberta Brianti qualified to the main draw along with the Americans Mattek-Sands and Craybas. Article and photographs by Monique Filippella from Paris, translated by Paul Sassoon
FED CUP 2012
Kvitova is enough for the Czech Republic
TENNIS – The first singles match of the day was enough for the Czech Republic to win the tie against Germany. Kvitova won against Lisicki (6-7, 6-4, 6-1) making it three wins out of three. Petrova lost to Suarez Navarro (6-0. 6-3), but Russia qualified for the semifinal when Kuznetsova defeated Soler Espinosa. Serbia and Italy had to go all the way to the doubles to defeat Belgium and Ukraine. AGF and Stefano Tarantino translated by Paul Sassoon
ATP TOUR
Berdych in Montpellier Youzhny in Zagreb
TENNIS – The Czech defeated defending champion Gael Monfils 6-2 4-6 6-3 for the Open Sud de France title in Montpellier. Monfils played well and attacked more often, but it wasn't enough against the top seed who is in sparkling form. In Zagreb, Mikhail Youzhny won his eighth career title defeating Lukas Lacko who made his first appearance in an ATP final. From Montpellier Christian Turba and Karim Nafea translated by Paul Sassoon
WTA Tour
How long
can Vika
hold on?
TENNIS - Can Viktoria Azarenka hold on to her throne? Alessio Morra analysies the current state of affairs in the WTA, where the draw is as open as ever. What will the Byelorussian have to do to keep top spot? Who are her rivals? How long will she reamin at the number one spot? Translated by Edoardo Dalmonte
Fed Cup
Sharapova and Kuznetsova sparkle
TENNIS - Russia are 2-0 up in their first round Fed Cup tie against Spain, after Maria Sharapova and Svetlana Kuznetsova quickly got rid of Silvia Soler-Espinosa and Carla Suarez-Navarro. It was the worst start imaginable for Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario's captaincy, as neither of Spain's players ever looked like winning. Russia are set to book their place in the second round, where they'll meet either Serbia or Belgium. Daniele Vallotto, translated by Edoardo Dalmonte
Australian Open
Enzo Cherici's Aussie Open Report Card
TENNIS – Enzo Cherici’s puts down his cane to mark some of the recent Open’s pupils, from the class geeks to their lazier contemporaries. Will his spectacular bran of tennis be enough to get Dolgopolov a good mark? Murray's close to getting top marks, whilst Tsonga, Gasquet and Tipsarevic have been sent to detention. From Jonty Rhodes and RoboNole to Goodfellas and Kei Nishikori, we’ve just about got it all covered…Translated by Edoardo Dalmonte
Australian Open
Novak may soon join the greatest player list
TENNIS - The debate is over. Both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are among the greatest tennis players ever. And Novak Djokovic may be joining the group soon if he has a few more periods like his last 54 weeks. With four titles in his last five Grand Slam tournaments, even the most avid Nadal fans surely admired Djokovic's will to win and ability to pick himself up off the canvas and overcome their hero. James Beck
AUSTRALIAN OPEN
Nole's lethal weapon? His service returning
TENNIS - It has been evident for more than a year now how Novak Djokovic's return game has elevated from merely brilliant to unsurpassed magnificence. We saw it when he shattered Roger Federer's nerve in the semifinal of last year's U.S. Open, we saw during last two weeks: Nole played 231 total games in seven Aussie Open matches, winning 46 percent of his return games. Charles Bricker
AUSTRALIAN OPEN
Djokovic wins a record final in 6 hours
TENNIS – The 100th edition of the Australian Open ended with the longest ever match in Australian Open history and the longest Grand Slam final ever. Djokovic defeated Nadal for the seventh time in a row and for the third in a Slam final. In Paris he could complete his “personal Slam”. Its the fourth ever defeat for Rafa in a five set match. Alessandro Mastroluca translated by Paul Sassoon
Bud Collins on UbiTennis
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09 Feb 2012 13:37
Davis Cup GB v Slovakia draw
09 Feb 2012 12:27
WTA Pattaya Open results
08 Feb 2012 19:06
WTA Paris results (2)
26/01/2012 10:59
Encouraging results for British juniors
23/01/2012 13:14
Wozniacki's Crown at Risk
23/01/2012 09:57
Record number of retirements in Melbourne
Some Tommy highlights for the Haas addicts out there...
- Ann Liguori's column each week as she covers the world of sports
For more information, visit www.annliguori.com
"I've got £10m in prize money but I'd pay it all back to win at Wimbledon"
Andy Murray before the Championships
January 20, 1920
Rebound Ace, the controversial court surface of the Australian Open since 1988, is thrown under microscope and criticized as two players, Gabriela Sabatini and Mark Woodforde,suffer ankle injuries that force them to leave the court in wheelchairs in third-round matches.
From "On this day in Tennis History" by Randy Walker
