STARS
Venus Williams beat Victoria Azarenka 6-3 7-5 to win the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Sam Querrey beat John Isner 6-4 6-3 to win the men’s singles at the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships in Memphis, Tennessee, USA
Michael Llodra beat Julien Benneteau 6-3 6-4 to win the Open 13 in Marseille, France
Juan Carlos Ferrero defeated David Ferrer 5-7 6-4 6-3 to win the Copa Telmex in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Maria Sharapova beat Sofia Avidsson 6-2 6-1 to win the women’s singles at the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships & the Cellular South Cup in Memphis, Tennessee, USA
Mariana Duque Marino beat Angelique Kerber 6-4 6-3 to win the XVII Copa BBVA Colsanitas in Bogota, Colombia
Karol Beck beat Ilia Bozoljac 7-5 7-6 (4) to win the Gemax Open 2010 in Belgrade, Serbia
SAYINGS
“It’s not the most comfortable feeling to beat the best friend you have on the circuit.” – Juan Carlos Ferrero, after beating top-seeded David Ferrer in the final at Buenos Aires, Argentina
“Coming in here I asked for matches and I got five of them and I got the win, so I’m certainly happy. I felt like I played consistent tennis throughout the week and did the right things against all my opponents. I guess that’s a good week.” – Maria Sharapova, after winning the women’s singles at Memphis, Tennessee.
“Obviously we had issues with everyone getting included. But this year it was great to show a spirit of inclusion and equality. I definitely think her playing has an influence on things outside the tennis. We need government to do the right thing like they did here and people of courage to come here and play, to play so well with focus.” – Venus Williams, on Shahar Peer playing in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
“Unfortunately I couldn’t manage to win it, which will be my dream. But there will be no complaints. I achieved a lot in this tournament, professionally and mentally and for myself.” – Shahar Peer, after losing to Venus Williams in the semifinals at Dubai one year after she was refused entry into the country.
“I couldn’t lose that game because I was supposed to take part in a Chateau-Latour tasting today with friends, including Amelie Mauresmo, and I was really upset to miss that one. Maybe that’s the reason why I played an almost perfect match.” – Michael Llodra, who made up for missing a wine-tasting evening by upsetting top-seeded Robin Soderling.
“I just played more relaxed. I had nothing to lose.” – Ernests Gulbis, after rallying from a 3-5 third-set deficit to defeat Tomas Berdych 3-6 6-3 7-6 (3) in a quarterfinal match at Memphis, Tennessee, winning the final four points of the tiebreak.
“Yes, you can say that I have had the best of two worlds. But with all honesty I love to play here because this is a Muslim country and I can identify with the place and its people and feel at home.” – Aravane Rezai, a dual citizen of France and Iran, while playing in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
“My game may not be as consistent as the best players’, but except for (world number one Roger) Federer none of them can say: `Great, I’m going to play Llodra.’” – Michael Llodra.
“Today I played one sloppy game in the third set, and that was it. Sometimes at this level there’s not much in between it.” – Andy Roddick, after losing to John Isner in Memphis.
“Our next goal is to win a Grand Slam. Doesn’t matter which one.” – Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez, who teamed with Nuria Llagostera Vives to win the doubles in Dubai.
“Between tennis and blackjack, I just hope to break even.” – Andy Roddick, announcing that he will take part in a tennis event at a casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA
“I didn’t play for 14 years because my back was terrible. The arthritis, the torn disc, the torn ligament – it was all in the same area. Walking was difficult. Even standing was difficult. But it’s getting better. It’s not 100 percent, but it’s a lot better than it was. I play three to four times a week, 60 to 90 minutes at a time. And I can train now and not get sore. So I’m getting in better shape, too, and that helps.” – Ivan Lendl, on playing tennis again.
SOUTH AMERICAN SWEEP
Once ranked number one in the world, Juan Carlos Ferrero continued on the comeback trail by winning his second straight South American clay court tournament, this time the Copa Telmex in Buenos Aires, Argentina. A week ago he won the Brasil Open. “This is an amazing feeling,” said Ferrero, the 2003 French Open winner. “When I left home I never imagined I’d have two weeks like these and beat such good players at David (Ferrer).” With the 14th title of his career, the 30-year-old Ferrero has moved back into the world’s top 20.
SECURED SITE
It’s been awhile since Venus Williams played on a remote outside court, and never before in a semifinal match. But when her opponent was Israel’s Shahar Peer, organizers sent the players to a court where security could be tightened. ‘I guess I just want what is best for everyone,” Williams said before the match. “And if this is the best decision, then I support it.” Peer’s semifinal appearance – she lost to the eventual champion 6-1 6-4 – was in contrast to last year when the United Arab Emirates refused to give her a visa to play in the Dubai event. And shortly before the tournament began this year there were allegations that Israel may have been involved in the assassination of a Hamas founding member in a nearby hotel. Only about 1,200 people could watch the match, with some of those having only partial views of the action. And despite the heat, spectators were not allowed to take bottles of water into the stands.
STOPPED BY INFECTION
A lung infection he developed last week has sidelined Roger Federer. The world’s top player withdrew from this week’s Dubai Open due to the infection. Stephen Duckitt, ATP senior manager for Asia and Pacific, said of Federer: “He saw a doctor and he was advised not to play for a fortnight.” It is the second straight year Federer has missed the Dubai event. The Swiss star withdrew from last year’s tournament because of a back injury. Tommy Robredo of Spain replaced Federer in the Dubai tournament. Federer, who has won the Dubai title four times in his career, is expected to return to the ATP Tour in Indian Wells, California, USA, which begins March 11.
SUCCESS
With her win at the Dubai Open, Venus Williams has moved to the top of active players with her 42nd career title. Justine Henin has won 41 tournaments. Venus also joined her sister Serena as being the only two women to have earned more than USD $25 million in prize money in their careers. Next up for Venus is Martina Hingis, who won 43 titles in her career. Martina Navratilova is the all-time leader with 167 singles championships.
STARS FOR HAITI
Four of the best-known tennis players will raise money for the Haiti earthquake relief effort in a special doubles match next month. Roger Federer will team up with Pete Sampras to play Rafael Nadal and Andre Agassi in a “Hit for Haiti” match March 12 during the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, USA. Tournament director Steve Simon says he expects a minimum of USD $1 million to be raised. Net proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the American Red Cross, and fans will be able to donate through text messages and onsite contributions.
SWISH
At 6-foot-10 (2.08m), Ivo Karlovic is the tallest player on the ATP tour and known for his huge serve. In his first-round victory over Benjamin Becker at the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships in Memphis, Tennessee, Karlovic slammed 32 aces. ATP officials said their research found that the 32 aces was a record for a two-set match. “I had a feeling like I could not miss,” Karlovic said. Becker agreed.
SET TO PLAY
As a former champion, Kei Nishikori has received a wild card entry into this Delray Beach International Tennis Championship. The 20-year-old Japanese star will be playing for the first time since he underwent surgery on his right elbow last year. Nishikori was the youngest player to ever win the International Tennis Championships and was one of four players to capture the title after having to play qualifying.
SENSATION FROM HAITI
Ronald Agenor, known as “The Haitian Sensation” during his 19-year career, will replace Argentina’s Guillermo Vilas in an ATP Champions Tour event at Delray Beach, Florida. Agenor, the best player ever to represent Haiti, reached the French Open quarterfinals in 1989 where he lost to eventual champion Michal Chang.
STRANGE TWEET
The Israeli embassy turned to Twitter to comment on Shahar Peer semifinal run at the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Or did it? A tweet issued by the embassy read: “You heard it here first: Israeli tennis player carries out hit on Dubai target.” The tweet linked to a story about Peer’s victory over top-seeded Caroline Wozniacki at the Dubai Championships. But the tweet also raised eyebrows because there were two men disguised as tennis players in the group that assassinated Mahmoud al-Mabhouh, a senior figure from the militant group Hamas, at a hotel near the tennis tournament.
SKIPPING TOURNAMENT
In order to rest up for France’s first-round Davis Cup tie against Germany next month, Gael Monfils will skip the Acapulco, Mexico, tournament. “My coach and I have decided I should not go to Mexico even though I was a finalist there last year. I’ve played many games this year and need some rest,” Monfils said.
STRUCK DOWN AGAIN
David Nalbandian’s return to tennis was cut short when he injured his leg during a second-round victory at the Buenos Aires Open. It was Nalbandian’s first tournament since he underwent hip surgery nine months ago. After beating Potito Starace of Italy in the opening round, Nalbandian eliminated Daniel Gimeno Traver of Spain in a hard-fought 6-7 (5) 6-4 7-6 (7) win. But he suffered a three-millimeter tear in the abductor muscle of his right leg, according to tournament doctor Walter Mira. Nalbandian, once ranked as high as number three in the world, withdrew from the tournament and will need seven to 10 days of complete rest.
SHOES TO FILL
When hometown favorite Mariana Duque Marino won the XVIII Copa BBVA Colsanitas in Bogota, she became the first Colombian to win a WTA Tour singles title since Fabiola Zuluaga captured five crowns from 1999 to 2004, including four in Bogota. “Coming into this season I didn’t think I would win a WTA Tour title, so this has been incredible,” Duque Marino said. “I ran so much. The hard work paid off.” Duque Marino won the last three games of the first set and five of the last six games of the second. “Playing a final is never easy for every reason – physically, mentally. So I’m proud I won today,” she said.
STEPPING UP
For the first time since 2000, the United States Davis Cup team will not be led by Andy Roddick and James Black. Instead, US captain Patrick McEnroe selected John Isner and Sam Querrey to play singles in the first-round tie against Serbia. Doubles specialists Bob and Mike Bryan are also on the team. Roddick and Blake made themselves unavailable for Davis Cup this year. Both Querrey and Isner are currently ranked higher than Blake.
SPAT
Stefan Koubek won’t be playing Davis Cup in Austria’s first-round tie against Slovakia next month, and it’s not of his choosing. The 33-year-old Koubek said the Austrian tennis federation failed to tell him they had decided to go with Jurgen Melzer and Daniel Koellerer in the Europe/Africa Group I tie. Although Koubek has represented his country for the past 12 years, he is currently ranked behind both Melzer and Koellerer.
SHOWTIME
Andy Roddick and Venus Williams are the latest stars to be added to the Caesars Tennis Classic, which will be held April 10 in Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA. Also in the lineup are Ivan Lendl, Mats Wilander and Marat Safin. Roddick will face off against Safin in the exhibition, while Wilander will play Lendl. While Venus Williams will participate in the event as hostess, it has not been determined if she will also play.
STARING AT JAIL TIME
Alla Kournikova, mother of tennis star Anna Kournikova, has been charged with felony child neglect and could face up to five years in prison. Police in Palm Beach, Florida, USA, said the 46-year-old mother left her 5-year-old son home alone while she ran errands. The boy told police he jumped out a second-story window. He was not seriously injured and was found by a passer-by. Alla Kournikova was released from the Palm Beach County Jail after posting a bond of USD $3,000.
SHARED PERFORMANCES
Belgrade: Ilija Bozoljac and Jamie Delgado beat Dustin Brown and Martin Slanar 6-3 6-3
Bogota: Gisela Dulko and Edina Gallovits beat Olga Savchuk and Anastasiya Yakimova 6-2 7-6 (6)
Buenos Aires: Sebastian Prieto and Horacio Zeballos beat Simon Greul and Peter Luczak 7-6 (4) 6-3
Dubai: Nuria Llagostera Vives and Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez beat Kveta Peschke and Katarina Srebotnik 7-6 (5) 6-4
Marseille: Julien Benneteau and Michael Llodra beat Mark Knowles and Robert Lindstedt 6-4 6-3
Memphis (men): Sam Querrey and John Isner beat Ross Hutchins and Jordan Kerr 6-4 6-4
Memphis (women): Vania King and Michaella Krajicek beat Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Meghann Shaughnessy 7-5 6-2
SITES TO SURF
Dubai: www.barclaysdubaitennischampionshps.com
Acapulco: http://abiertomextenis.com.mx/
Delray Beach: www.yellowtennisball.com/online/
Kuala Lumpur: www.malaysianwomensopen.com/
Champions Tour: www.atpchampionstour.com/
Davis Cup: www.daviscup.com
Monterrey: www.abiertodetenismonterrey.com/portal/
Ronald Agenor: www.ronaldagenor.com.
TOURNAMENTS THIS WEEK
(All money in USD)
ATP
$1,619,500 Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, hard
$955,000 Abierto Mexicano Telcel, Acapulco, Mexico, clay
$442,500 Delray Beach International Tennis Championships, Delray Beach, Florida, USA, hard
WTA
$220, 000 Abierto Mexicano Telcel, Acapulco, Mexico, clay
$220,000 Malaysia Open, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, hard
SENIORS
Delray Beach International Tennis Championships, Delray Beach, Florida, USA, hard
TOURNAMENTS NEXT WEEK
WTA
$220,000 Monterrey Open, Monterrey, Mexico, hard
DAVIS CUP
World Group
(First Round)
Spain vs. Switzerland at Logrono, Spain
France vs. Germany at Toulon, France
Russia vs. India at Moscow, Russia
Sweden vs. Argentina at Stockholm, Sweden
Croatia vs. Ecuador at Varazdin, Croatia
Serbia vs. United States at Belgrade, Serbia
Chile vs. Israel at Cuquimbo, Chile
Belgium vs. Czech Republic at Bree, Belgium
Americas Group I
(First Round)
Dominican Republic vs. Uruguay at Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
(Second Round)
Colombia vs. Canada at Bogota, Colombia
Americas Group II
(First Round)
Peru vs. El Salvador at Lima, Peru; Bolivia vs. Venezuela at La Paz, Bolivia; Paraguay vs. Netherlands Antilles at Lambare, Paraguay; Mexico vs. Guatemala at Mexico City, Mexico
Asia-Oceania Group I
(First Round)
Australia vs. Chinese Taipei at Melbourne, Australia; Japan vs. Philippines at Osaka, Japan; China vs. Uzbekistan at Guangdong, China; Kazakhstan vs. Korea at Astana, Kazakhstan
Asia-Oceania Group II
(First Round)
Thailand vs. Pacific Oceania at Nonthaburi, Thailand; Malaysia vs. Indonesia at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Pakistan at Hong Kong China; Sri Lanka vs. New Zealand at Colombo, Sri Lanka
Europe-Africa Group I
(First Round)
Italy vs. Belarus at Taranto, Italy; Poland vs. Finland at Sopot, Poland; Ukraine vs. Latvia at Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine
(Second Round)
Austria vs. Slovak Republic at Gleichenberg, Austria
Europe-Africa Group II
Lithuania vs. Great Britain at Vilnius, Lithuania; Ireland vs. Turkey at Dublin, Ireland; Bulgaria vs. Monaco at Sofia, Bulgaria; Norway vs. Slovenia at Oslo, Norway; Portugal vs. Denmark at Maia, Portugal; Cyprus vs. Egypt at Limassol, Cyprus; Estonia vs. Hungary at Tallinn, Estonia; FYR Macedonia vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina at Veles, FYR Macedonia