Roger Federer has equaled Rafael Nadal’s record of 21 Masters 1000 titles after comfortably handling Novak Djokovic 6-0, 7-6. This is Federer’s fifth title in Cincinnati.
Djokovic struggled on serve, handing over a break with a double fault to give Federer an early 3-0 lead. When the Serb eventually held serve in the second set the crowd loudly supported what they hoped would be a comeback for a more competitive match. Read more
Posted in Cincinnati Masters, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, US Open
The issues Rafael Nadal has had with his knees, and his treatments and injury time outs, have been well documented over the years. It seems with each injury period the media starts talking retirement – but I have to say it is an unusual situation and even Federer has said it’s “big surprise, these two pullouts. I’m sad for him. I hope he’ll be back for the Open.”
Nadal made no secret that his goals for the 2012 season were Roland Garros and the Olympics. Ultimately, after losing early at Wimbledon, Rafa went home for some R&R – and apparently another PRP injection. Read more
Posted in Body Watch, Cincinnati Masters, Injury, Media, Olympics, Rafael Nadal, Roland Garros, Toronto, US Open, Wimbledon, Xisca Perello
There is something about the Indian Wells-Miami hard court swing that seems to consistently destroy Rafa Nadal’s troubled knees. Today Rafa announced that he would not continue with the tournament by withdrawing from his semifinal match against Andy Murray.
There are two ways you can look at this latest set back:
1) It’s about self preservation.
Nadal’s been having trouble with his knees since the Australian Open (and years before that). His right knee locked up and he could barely move it when he stood up from a chair.
He stood up from a chair.
He wasn’t sprinting, twisting or changing directions he was just standing up after sitting down. To say this is unusual is an understatement. Since then, despite six weeks of training and rehab, Rafa hasn’t been right. Read more
I’ve just arrived back in my temporary NYC apartment after all day and night at the US Open. The main question I’ve come back with (apart from why do I have a hand shaped white patch on my very burnt shins) is what is going on with Novak Djokovic.
Djokovic recently complained that he was forced to retire from Cincinnati with a right shoulder injury that made it difficult for him to hit forehands and serves and his performance tonight makes me wonder if he has fully recovered. Read more
Posted in Cincinnati Masters, Injury, Nikolay Davydenko, Novak Djokovic, US Open
Maria Sharapova is working herself into form ahead of the US Open and has won the title she should have won last year. In 2010 in Cincinnati, Maria failed to convert three match points in a final against Kim Clijsters. This year, with Clijsters out injured, Maria battled Jelena Jankovic who’s form has fluctuated this season.
Sharapova won 4-6, 7-6, 6-3 eventually but let go of a 4-1 lead in the first set. Despite 11 double faults in the match Sharapova worked hard to stay in the match, earning her second title this season.
Posted in Cincinnati Masters, Injury, Jelena Jankovic, Kim Clijsters, Maria Sharapova
It was only yesterday Novak Djokovic was saying Tomas Berdych’s shoulder injury was more serious than his own. Now Nole has been forced to retire from the Cincinnati finals because of his shoulder allowing Andy Murray, who was leading 6-4, 3-0, to lift the trophy, ending Djokovic’s unbeaten run in tour finals this year.
It is the second title of the year for Murray and also his second in Cincinnati and the world number four as delighted with his change in fortunes after disappointment at the Rogers Cup. “It was really a good week after I struggled last week. I didn’t drop a set and beat some very good players from pretty much the first round onwards. Against Nalbandian who I started off against it was tough, and then Mardy was playing really good tennis going into the semis. Read more
Posted in Andy Murray, Cincinnati Masters, David Nalbandian, Injury, Novak Djokovic, Rogers Cup, US Open
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ndy Murray has quietly moved through the Cincinnati draw and now faces Novak Djokovic for the title after he topped the in form Mardy Fish 6-3, 7-6. Murray will be looking for his second title of the season.
Fish desperately wanted to win, throwing himself on the ground and skinning his knees in the process. Read more
Posted in Andy Murray, Cincinnati Masters, Mardy Fish, Rafael Nadal
Well another player has rolled over and played dead, freeing the path for Novak Djokovic to another title. OK I’m being a bit unfair to Tomas Berdych who pulled out of his doubles match after he beat Federer yesterday with a shoulder problem but seriously I’m getting absolutely sick of seeing Novak in finals. Sure Andy Murray might beat him but a lot of other people had chances and didn’t.
What Novak has done, and continues to do, is downright incredible but I think it’s starting to make tennis less interesting because it’s almost not even worth watching now… the outcome is inevitable, repetitious and… well if I’m honest, I’m bored. Read more
Posted in Andy Murray, Cincinnati Masters, Injury, Novak Djokovic, Tomas Berdych
With his burnt finger becoming more thickened and blistered, Rafael Nadal has bowed out of Cincinnati, falling easily to the in form Mardy Fish. Fish, who won 6-3, 6-4, later said “It’s gonna be cool to tell my kids one day that I beat Rafael Nadal.” Read more
Posted in Andy Murray, Cincinnati Masters, Injury, Mardy Fish, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal
It was Tomas Berdych that drew first blood in his quarterfinal match against Roger Federer and ultimately came out on top 6-2, 7-6 after just over an hour and a half.
The enormous wingspan of Berdych and his power ultimately pushed Federer out. Berdych has now beaten Federer in three of their last four meetings and will face the winner of Gael Monfils V Novak Djokovic.
Posted in Cincinnati Masters, Gael Monfils, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Tomas Berdych
