The King is Done

I think it's safe to say that he won't ever wear a pink shirt again.


Hi everyone...hopefully you've all been checking out my Twitter Page during the French. I've been updating as much as possible, but figured I'd write a new blog now because one of the biggest upsets in sports this year has just happened.

Soderling DEFEATS Nadal 6-2, 6-7(2), 6-4, 7-6(2)

Unreal. Thanks to a brilliant embargo by NBC, I haven't seen the match yet ans therefore can't say much about it...but what a shock.

Soderling hates Nadal...we all knew that since there epic encounter at Wimbledon a few years ago that seemed to go on over 16 days because of rain, and went 5. Soderling would play mind games with Rafa, and even made fun of his trademark wedgie pick.

Of all the guys in the draw, all the dangerous dirt ballers...a predominately indoor player beats Nadal.

Again, I haven't seen the match so can't say much but that it is a shocking defeat, and makes you appreciate just how much pressure a number 1 seed has.

Keep checking Twitter, and this French just became much more open.

Roger Beats The King

Step One Back To Number One.


In a pretty poorly played encounter (compared to the classics they usually have) Roger Federer defeated Rafael Nadal on Sunday to win his first title of '09, and get rid of a few of the demons that have been haunting him, and taking his first real step towards getting back his beloved number one world ranking.

Isn't this how tennis always goes? Everyone writes Fed off, he stinks, he can't play on hard court even anymore, Nadal has surpassed him in every way...and then BOOM. He beats him in straight sets, routinely.

6-4, 6-4 was the score after about an hour and a half.

First, let's go over what happened.

FIRST SET: Nadal came out and had break points in a few service games early, but wasn't his usual rock-solid self. He let a few opportunities slip away, and at 4 all, he blinked to give Fed to break and the set.

SECOND SET: Fed came out and got the break fairly early thanks to Rafa's out of character backhand errors. Rafa's movement looked off, and Fed's aggressive style made him look like the better player for most of the match. At 5-4 serving, Fed found himself down 15-40...and just when you could see Fed starting to say, "Please God, NO."...Rafa gave him a few points and Fed finished with an ace. As he walked up to the net he pointed his index finger in the air (I guess to signify number one?) Well, Rog, let's not go crazy...you're CLEARLY the second best player so far in '09. Yes, you did beat Rafa on clay, in Spain, but here's a few reasons why...

Reasons why Fed won the match(that he controlled):

-He played more aggressively than usual, taking big cuts at the ball and chances on his return games.
-He moved well, and kept Rafa out of the middle of the court.
-He believed
-He worked his way in to the net when needed, and also used the drop shot.

Reasons why Fed won the match (that he didn't control):
-Rafa was obviously exhausted on court.
-Djokovic's 4 hour battle with him in the semis took more out of him than anyone thought.
-His movement looked much worse than usual (knee?)
-It was a best of 3 set match, not best of 5.
-It wasn't the French Open.

All that said, give Fed some credit, he played a great match and showed he can still be a realistic factor at Roland Garros. This match certainly made the French more interesting next week. However, something tells me Rafa is going to put that match in his memory bank if he does play Roger in the final, and I don't think an extra chippy Nadal isn't something that Roger would like to deal with.


Stay tuned to my blog for some French Open Preview editions, and during the Slam for extended coverage. Don't forget to check out, and sign up for my Twitter page, where I'll be updating you on what's going on, by the moment, during the French as best as I can.


Talk soon

Rafa/Roger...again.

It took a Herculean effort from Rafa against Djokovic saving four match points, but he is safely into the finals.

Fed's road was a bit easier, to say the least, downing Del Potro in 2 relatively comfortable sets.

So we are where we have been countless times before: Going into Sunday's final with a pretty well rested Fed is going to play a beat up Nadal. Rafa's 4 hour marathon with Novak HAD to have taken something out of him. BUT, like i said, we've been here before. Remember the Aussie? Rafa played a 20 hour match with Verdasco in the semis and was supposed to be too tired. Well, that was wrong, and anyone who thinks Rafa won't come out tomorrow the same as he always does is also wrong.

I can't wait for the next chapter of this classic rivalry. Fed has as good of a chance as he's ever going to have. Rafa is a little tired, and it's best out of three sets.

Rafa is going to come out and do what he always does...fight for his life. Kick balls high up to the Fed backhand, make a huge amount of first serves in, play within himself, run down balls, and open up the court with angles.

Fed will have to try something different. His normal game simply won't work. I have heard people say that he should serve and volley, and I agree with this to an extent, but he doesn't want to become a bulls eye for the Raging Spanish Bull. He needs to play insanely aggressive. Go for outright winner, come in, drop shot, serve big...play high risk clay-court tennis.

That all said, i still think that tomorrow's match will end the same way Rafa's match ended today...with the Spanish crowd chanting, "RA-FA, RA-FA."

Enjoy and tune in. Anyone who doesn't have the tennis channel, I will do my best to follow the match live on my Twitter page.

Early Madrid Results

Hey everyone...since it's a Masters event, I figured I'd update you guys on what has been going on.


Firstly, Tennis Channel is actually covering the tournament well...it is pretty much on 6 am to midnight every night. For those of us lucky enough to have it (me) we get the pleasure of listening to heavily accented commentators who know their stuff.

Rafa opened up his tournament today like a bull, wiping the clay with Jurgen Melzer 3 and 1. My Twitter placed the over under on games Rafa will lose this entire tournament at 15.

Verdasco is through to the third round comfortably along with Fed, Djokovic, and Murray.

No huge upsets yet, but it's still early. Fed has a close second set with Soderling, but was never in doubt.

Best story so far? To me it's Ivan Ljubicic. If I remember correctly I featured him as one of the players that is done this year, but he has proven me wrong. He beat Tsonga yesterday in a slug fest and looks rejuvenated. If he's mentally into it and serving well, Ivan is very tough to beat on any surface.

Later today Florent Serra takes on Davydenko and Andy Roddick takes on Tommy Haas. Check out my Twitter page for my take on those matches.

Take Care

-Tiebreak

Blake reaches Estoril Semis

Hi all,



As promised, lets get into this weeks action. The first tournament going on is the Estoril Open.

[7] A Montanes (ESP) d [1] [WC] G Simon (FRA) 57 64 76(4) - saved 1 M.P. --Simon is really slipping.
[2] N Davydenko (RUS) d [6] M Fish (USA) 64 63: Good to see Nikolay back after his injury.
[4] J Blake (USA) d [8] F Serra (FRA) 64 61: Good effort for Blake.
P Capdeville (CHI) d O Hernandez (ESP) 46 61 64 : Dirt war.

I must say, even though I'm not a huge fan of Blake (and think he is overrated, and a terrible clay courter) I have to give him a lot of credit. A lot of the Americans don't even bother playing warm-ups for the French, and try to make their European clay swing as short as humanly possible. Blake is playing on the red stuff this year, and I have to commend him. He knows he has no chance of winning the French, or even making it to the quarters(I think)...but then again did Martin Verkerk have a chance a few years ago?

Another tournament going on is the BMW Open, which doesn't really have that much going on. Berdych beat Hewitt today in a third set breaker, and that's about all that is interesting.

The last tournament is the first ever Serbian Open...Serbia has to win the award for the most flashy players, whether it's doing impressions or wearing Oakley's...they seem to have some personality.

[2] I Karlovic (CRO) d [Q] F Cipolla (ITA) 63 63 Big serving Croat keeps rolling
[4] A Seppi (ITA) d M Daniel (BRA) 64 75 Seppi is an underrated Clay courter
[LL] L Kubot (POL) d K Vliegen (BEL) 76(6) 63 Polish lucky loser making it to an ATP semi...good for him.
[1] N Djokovic (SRB) d [5] V Troicki (SRB) 63 62 Djokovic moves a step closer to his home title.

Take care...don't forget to check out the TiebreakTennis Twitter!

17 Days...

Hey everyone and welcome to the beginning of the Slam season. My college season is over, along with my classes and that means I'm going to launch the blog again.
So, my last post was Feb. 8, and nothing has really changed since. Fed keeps losing (a lot it seems) and Rafa is in the clay season, which means that his opponents are struggling to win games against him.

Perhaps the most interesting storyline in tennis that is starting to develop is the battle for 2,3, and 4 in the world. Fed, Djokovic, and Murray are in a real dogfight for those positions, and are all close enough that a big result in a Slam can change it. As it is, Murray just took the 3 spot from Novak after Novak's loss to Rafa in Rome.

Murray hasn't had a great year on clay so far, but I'm looking for him to have a pretty big result in France. As for Novak, I think he has the best chance to beat Rafa at the French, and that's a zero percent chance (OK, 0.01%).

The question I have is, with 17 days to go until Roland Garros, are they even going to play the tournament, or are they going to give the trophy to Nadal now. He is arguably playing the best ever on clay right now, and after last year (or the past 4) is that possible?

Poor Fed...Fed's struggles continue. I mean he still is getting to semis for the most part, but every time he plays a top 5 guy, it seems like he is losing. I'm still going to stand strong and say that I am not going to write him off until he loses before the quarters in a Slam. The scary thing is that could be this year at the French.

Check the bottom of my blog for some more tennis news and scores.

I'll pick up this weeks tournaments, as usual, in the quarterfinals.

** I'm also excited to tell you guys about a new aspect to Tiebreak.

I've just made a Twitter account for the blog, which is going to focus mostly on the Slams. During the French, Wimbledon, and US Open, I'll be posting throughout the day live scores, thoughts, and more as I'm watching all the action.
Until the Slams, I'll post a thought or tip every once in a while.

The website is Http://Twitter.com/TiebreakTennis
Check it out. Sign up and follow if you like. During the Slam's the site is going to be updated a lot.

Talk to you soon.

-Tiebreak

Roger Cries, Rafa's Reign Survives.

2 Is the Loneliest Number.
Hello everyone.  Welcome to my first post since the latest installment of the Rafa/Roger rivalry that silenced the few who still doubted Rafa.  Now, to add to his Wimbledon and French crowns, he has a hard court Slam.  With the win Rafa showed a few things...

1- He is, by far, the fittest person in tennis in the entire universe.

2- He owns Roger.

3.  If he stays healthy, he might end up being better than Fed when it's all said and done.  

What did i just say?  I know, I can't believe it either.  It's time for us to legitimately start to consider Rafael as a possible greatest of all time.  He stand at 6 Slams right now, and you have to figure he's going to win at least 2 more French Opens guaranteed.  The sky is the limit for Nadal now, obviously the question is will he hold up...personally I think he's going to be winning Slams until about 28...that still gives him quite a bit of time.  

As far as Roger goes, another Slam final, another disappointing step backwards away from Rafa and the #1 ranking.  His crying during the awards ceremony was heartbreaking to tennis fans.  Personally I think it took a little away from Rafa's win...but not intentionally.  Also who am I to judge, I am inconsolable after a college match loss, forget about what I'd be like losing a Slam final to my nemesis attempting to tie the greatest record in pro tennis. 

It should be fun to see how Roger handles this, especially going into the French Open, where Rafa looks like a lock.  

Talk to you all soon.

If you can't take the heat...

I ask all of you to forgive my laziness over the past 3+ weeks.  

I'm sure you were all checking this blog hourly looking for insights and predictions during the Aussie wondering what on earth I could be doing.

Well, in short, I have begun my own tennis season and have been staying up until 4 every night watching the tennis.  

Anyway, enough apologies we have a lot to get caught up on.  

The Australian is almost over...we're halfway into the semis, with the last two quarters playing tonight.  

Without wasting too much time on the past, lets see....Monfils retired again, Nalbandian lost a 5 setter that he never loses, Blake couldn't make a move, Tsonga is on fire, Fed survived a scare, Rafa looks unbeatable, Murray felt the favorite jitters, Roddick lost 15 pounds, Simon keeps winning, and Novak switched rackets.  

Now to the meat of the Slam...the quarters.  Yesterday featured the blockbuster showdown between Roddick and Djokovic.  I must say this match inspired me to get back on the blog wagon again because I had so much to say about it.  

First some history...we all remember at the Open when Roddick was making fun of Novak saying he has 15 different injuries...and Novak retaliated by beating A-rod in front of his home crowd.  

Yesterday Roddick would have the last laugh as the over 140 degree on court temp drained Novak of everything he had, forcing him to retire in the 4Th set, down 2 sets to 1 and a break.  

Roddick looked like he was playing in a 60 degree breeze.  This match also solidly placed Roddick back in the mix, and might prove to be his last best chance to win a Major.  

The bad news is Roddick plays Fed after his 3, 0, 0 massacre of Del Potro last night.  I'm sure Roddick is praying for another heat wave.

Tonight showcases Verdasco VS Tsonga and Nadal VS Simon.  

Verdasco is one of the hottest players on tour right now, and looked like he had a new found consistency, maturity, and faux hawk, in his win over Murray last round.  Tsonga is Tsonga and will be ripping impossible winners and errors all day.  This should be a good match to watch.

My Prediction: Verdasco in 4 tough ones.

Nadal's outfit this tournament gets a C-(what is that pink stripe?) from me, but his game is beyond an A.  He is hammering the ball off both sides, and looks like he is on a mission.  I think Simon has the the game that can give him trouble, and has beat him before...but this time I think he is in for a beating.  

My Prediction:  Rafa in straights.

I hope you all are enjoying the Aussie, and managing to get some sleep.  Take Care, see you tomorrow with results and a preview of the semis.  

Best Performance of '08

Hello everyone, welcome to the last post before the new year.

The Australian is about 2 weeks away, it seems like the off-season flew by.  I can't wait to have tennis scores to check daily again.

Now for the final post of  "Tiebreak's '08"

The Best Performance in '08.

To be honest, this one is a no-brainer.  I think anyone who watched a minute of tennis this year knows that Rafael Nadal put together one of the great years in tennis history.  1 Gold Medal, his fourth straight French Open, his amazing first Wimbledon title, few Masters Series titles along the way...oh yea and he took over the 1 ranking from arguably the greatest player of all time.  He took the step this year to the next level of tennis.  

For the most part Rafa has been in the shadow of Roger Federer...until this year.  He stole Roger's thunder this year and proved that he is a lot more than a beefy grinder from Spain who can't lose on clay.  

Now for the hard part.  As amazing as his year was, just think what it's going to take to keep his No. 1 ranking.  His results at the Slams last year were Semi, Win, Win, Semi.  Rafa has no room to breathe next year, and Federer will be as hungry as ever trying to regain that spot.  It should make for some great drama during the tennis season, but the most important thing is that he stays healthy. 

Congratulations to Rafa on his incredible '08, and good luck to him next year.

Until then, I hope you all enjoy the last few weeks of your off-season.

Have a safe and happy new year.

Happy Holidays!....AND The Best Slam of '08.

Hello everyone, Happy Holidays. Whatever you celebrated, or have already celebrated, I hope it was great.


Oh, and before I forget....--->

POLL RESULTS: It seems you are undecided on whether Querrey will break into the top 20...with 42% of you saying YES and 42% saying NO.
The new year is quickly approaching, which means everyone is gearing up for competition. For college players, this is the mini-off season...which is about a 4 week period when you scramble to get into the best shape you can be in for the Spring season. For ATP pros, it is the period between the Master's Cup (for those who made it) and the Aussie Open. The pros have a short amount of time to prepare their bodies for 11 months of mental and physical punishment. It's also a time where players try and work on their games and beef up in the weight room. It's also exciting to see who is going to come out the most improved in January...

So now for my second to last installment of "Tiebreak's '08"...The Best Slam of '08.

This is tough because I think that it is widely accepted that the Rafa/Roger Wimbledon Final was the best match in '08(maybe ever)...but does that make Wimbledon the best Slam? Well Wimbledon had it's moments...Safin's miracle run to the semis...the epic final in the twilight of Centre Court...Murray's comeback moment against Gasquet...but I still don't think it was the best Slam overall.

The French also had its moments...Rafa proving to be immortal on clay with his embarrassment of Roger in the final...and Monfils electrifying the crowd.
The US Open also saw a king regain his crown and the rise of Andy Murray to his first Slam final.
There is only one Slam left...and my choice for the Slam of '08..The Australian Open.

The Aussie Open seemed to have an amazing match every time I turned on the TV.
First the main story lines....Novak Djokovic beats Fed in the semis and goes on to win his first Slam solidifying his emergence as one of the best in the world. This was also the beginning of the "he's done" talk about Fed as he looked vulnerable along the way to his semifinal loss. This was also the birth of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga as a star. Tsonga made a run to the finals, and crushed Rafa in the semis.

Along with those story lines...there were also some incredible matches. Three of those come to mind right away....Janko Tipsarevic equipped with his futuristic sunglasses gave Fed all he could handle in the the third round. The match turned back and forth, ending with a gutsy 10-8 in the fifth victory for Fed.

Andy Roddick also played an incredible match with the German Kohlschreiber. Roddick wouldn't go down until the German finally put a stake in his heart ...going on to win 8-6 in the fifth.

Perhaps the most captivating match of the tournament ended at 4:33 am local time. Hewitt/Baghdatis took court late because of the Fed/Janko match and was an emotional roller coaster which saw Hewitt win the battle 6-3 in the fifth.
The Aussie Open was amazing, and was quite a way to begin '08, which was a year filled with great matches and intriguing story lines.

The 2009 Australian Open will have quite a pair of shoes to fill.

Take Care...see you soon for the finale of "Tiebreak's '08"