International Business Times

VIDEO Nadal Vs. Federer Highlights: Rafael Nadal Wins 2013 Italian Open In Straight Sets

gregprice — Sun, 19 May 2013 20:09:06 GMT

In his final tune-up before the French Open, Rafael Nadal may have scared every other competitor left on the ATP tour.

Nadal sailed easily past Swiss rival Roger Federer 6-1, 6-3 at the men’s final in the Italian Open in Rome on Sunday, and appears poised to carry that performance to Roland Garros later this month.

It was the 26-year-old’s seventh Italian Open title, and he was dominant from start to finish. At times Nadal would force Federer’s shot long or into the net, always in control, but he downplayed his performance.

Rafael Nadal Vs. Roger Federer: Where To Watch Live Online, 2013 Italian Open Final

gregprice — Sun, 19 May 2013 14:43:57 GMT

Old rivals meet again in Sunday’s final of the Italian Open, as hot streaking Rafael Nadal faces Roger Federer in at center court in Rome.

It will be the 30th match between the two champions, but No. 5 ranked Nadal currently holds the edge with a 13-match winning streak. The Spaniard ousted Tomas Berdych in the semifinals 6-2, 6-4 to continue his incredible run in the 2013.

Rafael Nadal News: Is His Knee Injury Bothering Him At Italian Open? Will He Dominate At French Open 2013?

gregprice — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:01:22 GMT

No. 5 Rafael Nadal’s incredible return from injury may have hit its first wall.

The 26-year-old has won five tournaments already in 2013, but his last two matches have tested the knee that kept him out for seven months last year.

Nadal reached the semifinals of the Italian Open Friday after beating No. 4 David Ferrer 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, extending his winning streak to 12 straight matches.

Italian Open 2013: Where To Watch Live Online; Rafa Nadal Vs. David Ferrer, Novak Djokovic Vs. Tomas Berdych, And Roger Federer Vs. Jerzy Janowicz, Schedule And Preview [Men's Tennis Quarterfinals]

gregprice — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:05:27 GMT

With the quarterfinals of the Italian Open beginning Friday, the question has become who can or will stop Rafael Nadal.

No. 5 Nadal will take center court versus No. 4 David Ferrer in a battle for Spanish bragging rights. Since returning from a knee injury that kept him out seven months last year, Nadal has been on a tear, winning 12 straight and 32 of his 34 matches this year.

The majority of those wins have come on clay, and there have been questions as to whether Nadal’s knee will hold up after such a blistering start to the year.

VIDEO Tennis Meltdown: Viktor Troicki Argues With Umpire At Italian Open

gregprice — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:56:04 GMT

For a solid four minutes at the Italian Open, Viktor Troicki channeled his inner John McEnroe, and may have topped the former tirade king.

After already losing the first set 6-1, and facing a break point in the first game of the second in his second round match with Ernests Gulbis, the 27-year-old Serb struck a backhand that chair umpire Cedric Mourier called out.

Mourier even came down from his chair to inspect the line and to re-confirm his call.

Rafael Nadal News: Reasons Rafa May Have 2013 French Open Already Wrapped Up [ATP Tour]

gregprice — Wed, 15 May 2013 20:59:29 GMT

Two weeks before the start of the French Open, and No. 5-ranked Rafael Nadal may already have his eighth-career slam on clay locked up.

The reasoning is simple: Even factoring in the knee injury that kept him out for seven months last year, no one can attack the clay court quite like Nadal.

The 26-year-old has won seven of the last eight French Opens, and this year has captured five singles titles alone, making him the hottest player in the world.

Murray Doubtful For French Open With Back Injury

BobbyIlich — Wed, 15 May 2013 17:29:51 GMT

Andy Murray is a doubt for the French Open after suffering a lower back problem that forced the world number two to retire from the Italian Open on his 26th birthday on Wednesday.

Murray retired from the contest against Spain's Marcel Granollers moments after leveling the second-round match by winning the second set having already had treatment on court.

Djokovic Bounces Back From Madrid Setback

BobbyIlich — Tue, 14 May 2013 20:11:50 GMT

World number one Novak Djokovic bounced back from last week's shock defeat in Madrid to ease past Albert Montanes 6-2 6-3 in the second round of the Rome Masters on Tuesday.

Djokovic lost in three sets to Grigor Dimitrov at the same stage on the Madrid clay but a repeat was not on the cards in Rome once the Serb recovered from losing an early service game.

Rafael Nadal News: Tennis Star Looks Prime For Another French Open Title

BobbyIlich — Sun, 12 May 2013 23:26:35 GMT

Clay king Rafael Nadal sent another reminder he is not about to surrender his Roland Garros crown without a fight when he crushed Swiss 15th seed Stanislas Wawrinka 6-2 6-4 to win the Madrid Open on Sunday.

It was the Spanish world number five's fifth title since he returned from a seven-month injury layoff in February and was more evidence that his troublesome knees are not about to bring his career to a premature end.

Roger Federer News: Swiss Star Comes Up Short In Madrid Open

BobbyIlich — Thu, 09 May 2013 21:47:34 GMT

Roger Federer's hopes of claiming a second straight Madrid Open title after a layoff were dashed when the world number two suffered a surprise 6-4 1-6 6-2 third round defeat to Japanese young gun Kei Nishikori on Thursday.

Playing his first tournament since taking a break after his quarter-final exit at Indian Wells in March, Federer became the second high-profile casualty at the clay Masters event following Tuesday's shock second-round defeat for world number one Novak Djokovic to unseeded Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov.

Nadal News: French Open Looks Promising After Barcelona Title

BobbyIlich — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 18:32:43 GMT

Rafael Nadal appears ready for another title run at the French Open, as the fifth-ranked player in the world rolled by fellow Spaniard Nicolas Almagro under a light drizzle at the Barcelona Open on Sunday, 6-4 6-3.

Nadal Advances In Barcelona

BobbyIlich — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 16:17:44 GMT

Rafael Nadal overcame another hurdle on his way to a possible eighth Barcelona Open title in nine years when he recovered from a poor start to beat Benoit Paire 7-6 6-2 in their delayed third-round match on Friday.

Nadal had been set to meet the 13th-seeded Frenchman on Thursday before rain washed out the day's play and he is due to play his quarter-final against Spanish compatriot Albert Ramos later on Friday, the first time he will play two matches in one day since the Monte Carlo Masters in 2009.

Monte Carlo Masters Final: Where To Watch Live Stream Online Of Nadal Vs. Djokovic

jasonlemiere — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 04:04:12 GMT

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic will meet for the first time since last year’s French Open final when they compete for the Monte Carlo Masters title on Sunday.

It was Nadal that came out on top Roland Garros almost 11 months ago, while the Spaniard also vanquished Djokovic in the final in Monaco last year. In fact, Nadal is incredibly chasing a ninth straight title in the principality. He has not lost since his debut in the event 10 years ago, when he was aged just 16.

Girl, 9, Steals The Show At Tennis Match, Plays With Rafael Nadal, Juan Martín del Potro, Ben Stiller [VIDEO]

JR Tungol — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 16:30:33 GMT

It wasn’t tennis champions Rafael Nadal and Juan Martín del Potro -- or actor Ben Stiller -- who stole the show at the BNP Paribas Showdown last month at Madison Square Garden. It was 9-year-old Rebecca Suarez.

During a brief break from the match, the crowd was treated to an entertaining set of points, where the pros got some doubles partners from the stands.

Nadal got Stiller, and del Potro got Rebecca, who was waiving her hands high up to get the players' attention.

Gutsy Djokovic Guides Serbia Past U.S. In Davis Cup

BobbyIlich — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 04:25:18 GMT

Novak Djokovic overcame a painful ankle injury to beat Sam Querrey on Sunday and provide Serbia with an unassailable lead over the United States in their Davis Cup quarter-final in Idaho.

Djokovic reeled off the last nine games in a row to win the match 7-5 6-7 6-1 6-0, sealing a 3-1 win for his team and a place in the semi-finals against Canada.

Djokovic Eyes Return To Form In Davis Cup Tie Versus U.S

BobbyIlich — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 16:27:53 GMT

Novak Djokovic believes he has left his recent poor form behind and will be in top shape when he leads Serbia in this weekend's Davis Cup quarter-final tie against the United States.

The world number one, who was upset last month in the semi-finals at Indian Wells by Juan Martin Del Potro and then in the third round at Miami by Tommy Haas, will open Friday's play against American number two John Isner.

Murray Vaults To No. 2 With Miami Tie-break Win Over Ferrer

BobbyIlich — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 20:49:05 GMT

Britain's Andy Murray defeated Spain's David Ferrer 2-6 6-4 7-6 in a grueling and enthralling Sony Open final on Sunday to move above Roger Federer to second in the world rankings.

Murray was far from at his best against a dogged Ferrer but won the tie-break 7-1 after surviving a scare when the Spaniard had match point at 6-5 up, with Murray serving, in the third.

Williams Sinks Sharapova For Record Sixth Miami Title

BobbyIlich — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 21:37:09 GMT

World number one Serena Williams fought back from a set down to beat Maria Sharapova 4-6 6-3 6-0 and win the Sony Open for a record sixth time on Saturday as she continued her dominance over her closest rival.

With the win, Williams, who struggled with her serve in the first two sets, becomes only the fourth woman in the Open era to win the same WTA tournament six times, joining Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert and Steffi Graf.

Sharapova Into Sony Open Final, Murray To Semis

BobbyIlich — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 22:49:51 GMT

Russia's Maria Sharapova demolished Serbia's Jelena Jankovic 6-2 6-1 on Thursday to book her place in the final of the Sony Open, one of the few titles missing from her CV.

Britain's Andy Murray was also in great form, defeating Croatia's Marin Cilic 6-4 6-3 to reach the semi-finals of the men's draw.

Sharapova, an impressive winner at this month's Indian Wells event in California, extended her winning streak to 11 matches with a lopsided win in just over an hour against Jankovic, a former world number struggling to regain her best.

Miami Tennis: Where To Watch Live Stream Online Of Murray, Sharapova And Williams In Thursday’s Action At The Sony Open

jasonlemiere — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 16:56:09 GMT

The women’s semifinals highlight Thursday’s play at the Sony Open in Miami, with Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova looking to set up a dream final clash between the tournament’s top two seeds.

Standing in the way of Sharapova in the first match of the day will be former world No. 1 Jelena Jankovic. Despite that elevated billing, Jankovic’s run to the last four in Miami is certainly a surprise after her struggles in recent years.

Tennis: Djokovic's Streak Snapped By Haas

BobbyIlich — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 18:41:15 GMT

Germany's Tommy Haas recorded the upset of the tournament when he stunned two-time defending champion Novak Djokovic 6-2 6-4 in the fourth round of the Sony Open at Miami on Tuesday.

Haas, who turns 35 next week, needed just 80 minutes to end Djokovic's 14-match winning streak at the tournament and consign the world number one Serb to just his second loss of the season.

Djokovic And Sharapova Advance In Miami

BobbyIlich — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 06:41:42 GMT

World number one Novak Djokovic and Russian Maria Sharapova shook off windy conditions to move into the fourth round of the Sony Open at Miami on Sunday.

Serb Djokovic posted a 6-2 6-4 victory over India's Somdev Devvarman and Sharapova turned back fellow Russian Elena Vesnina 6-4 6-2.

Djokovic's win set up a clash with German Tommy Haas, who beat Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-3 6-2.

Rafael Nadal News: Can The King Of Clay Win The French Open Again?

BobbyIlich — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 16:12:00 GMT

The fist pump was back, along with the crunching forehand crosscourt winners, energetic movement and the never-say-say-die attitude.

Most significantly, the 'W' was there as Rafael Nadal on Sunday won his third title in just four events since making his long-awaited return to the ATP Tour after seven months out with an injured left knee.

Nadal Withdraws From Sony Open In Miami

BobbyIlich — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 04:09:59 GMT

Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from next week's Sony Open in Miami to strengthen his left leg over the next few weeks before beginning his build-up for the French Open.

The Spanish left-hander, who returned to the ATP circuit only last month after seven months out with a left knee injury, has played four tournaments in the last five weeks, winning three of them.

Comeback Maestro Nadal Wins At Indian Wells

BobbyIlich — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 01:54:10 GMT

Rafael Nadal added another triumphant chapter to his remarkable comeback when he came from a set and 0-2 down to beat Juan Martin Del Potro ofArgentina 4-6 6-3 6-4 in the BNP Paribas Open final on Sunday.