• Home
• About
• Beijing Olympics info

• AFL
• American football
• Athletics
• basketball
• Beijing scenes
• China Olympics
• cricket
• Cycling
• Davis Cup
• english premier league
• EPL scores
• EURO 2008
• FIFA 2010 World Cup qualifying
• Fitness
• Football
• golf
• Health & Fitness
• Jumping Training
• motorsport
• NFL
• Olympics
• Recreation and Sports
• Rugby League
• Rugby Union
• Sports
• Sports products
• Swimming
• Tennis
• UEFA champions league
• Volleyball
• volleyball beijing olympics

Subscribe

Asia Oceania Zone Davis Cup Tennis

Australia has a proud history of Davis Cup and it was not that long ago that they collected the trophy. Since then things have not gone so well.

Australia now finds themselves in the Asia/Oceania group battling to reach the World zone.

After taking an unbeatable 3-0 lead in their home tie against Chinese Tapei they have edged closer to that objective.

Australia started day 1 with Bernard Tomic making his Davis Cup debut. He easily defeated Yang Tsung-Hua 6-2, 6-1, 6-1. The next match saw Peter Luczak made to work a bit harder as he defeated Yi Chu-Huan 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-3.

On Saturday Australia wrapped up the tie with a 7-6, 7-6, 6-2 win when Carsten Ball team up with Paul Hanley against the Chinese Taipei singles players.

The win came without Australia’s top ranked player Lleyton Hewitt.

Australia will play Japan in the next round on 7-9 May. Japan defeated Philippines.

In the other half of the draw China is looking to turn a 2-1 advantage into a win over Uzbekistan while Kazakhstan has an unbeatable 3-0 lead over South Korea.

The teams that win the 2nd round playoffs will contest the World Group playoffs.

Related Sports Blogs

• 17 year old Bernard Tomic is youngest ever to represent Australia in Davis Cup. – TENNIS in DEPTH.
• Hewitt To Play First Atlanta Tennis Championships | Tennis Live News

King Roger Fights Off Murray Challenge

Roger Federer has overcome a strong challenge from Andy Murray to win his fourth Australian Open tennis title. He won the match 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(11). The Australian Open title takes Federer to 16 grand slam singles titles, the most in men’s tennis.

After the match Federer admitted he is playing his best tennis for some time. After watching him over the past two weeks I would have to agree. He looked a little off his game early in the quarter-final match against Nikolay Davydenko, but apart from that he was at the top of his game.

Federer got off to an ideal start breaking early for a 2-0 lead. Murray then came back to make it 2-2 and had further break points soon after. Some well time aces fought off that challenge. A pin-point accurate backhand winner on a break point saw Federer take a 5-3 lead and from there he served it out.

In the first set Federer was serving at 65% to Murray at a lowly 45%. Federer hit 12 winners but had 13 unforced errors. Murray had 11 unforced errors to 5 winners.

The second set saw Federer step it up. He produced 7 break point opportunities but was only able to convert on one. One was enough as Murray did not see one break point on the Federer serve in the second set. Federer got the crucial break in the third game of the set and thanks to many spectacular winners kept the pressure on Murray despite his improved play.

The stats for the second set saw Federer serve at 68% to 59%, winners were 16 for Federer and 7 for Murray and Federer had 11 unforced errors to 7.

In the third set it looked as though Murray was going to at least take the match to a fourth set. He was serving with a better rythym and fired down 8 aces. He also got 60% of first serves in. With some great attacking tennis Murray was able to break Federer to take a 4-2 lead. This went out to 5-2 before Federer mounted a comeback.

Federer got a crucial break as Murray failed to serve out the third set and the players found themselves in a tie-break. The crowd was thrilled by some great shotmaking as the players battled it out. Murray had four set points come and go before in the end it was Federer who could throw up his arms in triumph.

During the presentation Andy Murray had to fight back the tears as he spoke to the crowd, in the end he had to cut his speech short as he was overcome by emotion.

Before ending his speech Murray said, “I’d like to congratulate Roger, his achievements in tennis are incredible. To keep doing it year after year is pretty special. He was much better than me tonight so well done to him for that.”

Federer responded: “Andy, well done for your incredible tournament. You’re too good a player not to win a Grand Slam so don’t worry about it.

Unfortunately for British tennis fans the wait continues to have a men’s grand slam champion. Fred Perry was the last British man to win grand slam singles title when he won the 1936 US Open.

Serena Grabs Australian Open Singles Title Number Five

In a final that pretty much lived up to expectations Serena Williams has finally been able to claim back-to-back Australian Open title. She ends her run of four titles that were all won in odd years which started with the 2003 title. Serena is the first female player to win back-to-back titles since Jennifer Capriati in the early 2000’s.

Serena took the match by defeating the 2004 champion Justine Henin 6-4, 3-6, 6-2. The aspect of her game that probably got Serena the title was her serve. She sent down 12 aces to four and only served three doubles faults compared to six from Henin. A huge serve on a break point quite often prevented Henin breaking early in the match.

Serena fought off break points in the first two games and also got an early break to lead 4-1. Henin won the next three games to level things up at 4-4 before Serena broke again to take the first set.

A key stat for the match was that Serena converted six of her 11 break-point opportunities, while the Henin was 5-for-16 on break point chances. As mentioned earlier the serve was a big factor in the match. Henin only served at 50% compared to 64%.

The shotmaking was quite impressive at times although both players were guilty of too many unforced errors. Quite often they came just from regulation back and forth stroke play and are not what you would expect from the best players in the game.

Henin was playing in her second tournament since making her comeback to tennis and as she did in the Brisbane event she fell one match short of the perfect comeback. In Brisbane she was runner-up to Kim Clijsters. You still have to give Henin credit for making the final in just her first grand slam since the return to tennis.

With the French Open up next on the grand slam calendar you would have to give Henin a good shot at grabbing that title. She dominated the clay at Roland Garros before her shock retirement in 2008 having won three titles in four years.

Serena has now won 12 grand slam singles titles to join Billie Jean King on the all-time win list. The Williams sisters also teamed up to win the doubles title.

Federer Blitzes Tsonga to Setup Final Showdown with Murray

The Australian Open tennis second semi-final in the men’s event turned out to be a flop. That is at least how it was if you look at the scoreboard. Roger Federer eased his way past Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.

The highlight of the night was the way that Federer despatched his younger opponent. His hitting was a class above Tsonga and was a joy to watch. It was Federer of old.

He now will have a shot at yet another grand slam title. Just Andy Murray stands in his way. The pair met at the 2008 US Open at the same stage and Federer came out on top.

Murray has a nation watching his every move. Britain has been crying out for a grand slam champion for more than 70 years. Can Murray step up to the plate and hit the home run everyone has been waiting for?

The final will be played at 6.30pm Sunday night at Melbourne Park.

Murray Marches into Australian Open Tennis Final

Going into his first Australian Open semi-final against Marin Cilic, Andy Murray would have had at the back of his mind his loss to the towering Croation player at the 2009 US Open. That loss came in the fourth round. Overall Murray was 3-1 going into the match but the hard court result at the US Open was most telling.

Cilic is obviously in good form having defeating Juan Martin Del Potro and Andy Murray, both 6-3 in the fifth set. He had also defeated Australia’s Bernard Tomic in five sets in the second round.

Murray reached the semi-final without dropping a set including a win over the defending champion Rafael Nadal. He was pushed to tie-breaks twice, once against John Isner and in the match against Nadal.

Cilic who was playing in his first grand slam semi-final started the match well and took the opening set 6-3. Cilic got the decisive break 2-2 in the first set. Murray tried to hit back straight away but failed to convert three break points in the following game. Cilic extended his lead to 4-2. Cilic broke for the second time at 5-3 to take the set.

In the after match press conference Murray said, “A lot of nerves and stuff in the first set.” to explain his slow start.

Murray was pressured early in the second set and fought back from 0-30 in the second game before a momentum changing point when at 2-2 and 03-40 with Cilic serving Murray played perhaps the point of the tournament to break.

Murray showed just how fast he is when he chased down a ball that clipped the net and fell short. After pushing the ball back, Cilic then hit the next shot, Murray volleyed short and then Cilic cleverly lobbed only to see Murray sprint to the baseline and then hit an amazing forehand while running the wrong way. He showed obvious delight letting out a huge war cry.

A pumped up Murray then pushed on to win the second set 6-4. He started hitting returns hard and deep to the feet of Cilic and the 198cm Croat had trouble handling some of these shots. Murray was also pounding some of the second serves and hitting winners.

In the third set Cilic was able to break Murray once however gave up his serve twice to see the Scot take it 6-4.

In the fourth set Cilic was serving at just 52% compared with 57 in the second and 61 in the third. That along with Murray now having a sniff of an Australian Open tennis final berth saw Murray take control of the match. He took both break point opportunities to close out the match 6-2.

The final score was 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-2. Before the match was completed Murray played another shot which is sure to make the highlight reel. He was to sprint to his right and from way out wide he hit a winner around the post.

Murray now has the luxury of two full days off before the Sunday final where he will play the winner of the Roger Federer and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga semi-final which is played Friday night in Melbourne.

After the match Murray said he would put in a long practice on Friday, close to two hours and 30-40 minutes Saturday as he prepares for the final. He also commented about the size of his mouth when shown the replay of his amazing shot following the Cilic lob. He did not know it was so big.

If Federer can advance to the final, Murray will have a chance to avenge his 2008 final loss to Federer at the US Open.

Henin Thrashes Zheng to Setup Final Showdown with Serena

Playing in her first grand slam since the 2008 Australian Open Justine Henin has almost pulled off the perfect comeback. As for Kim Clijsters at the US Open she will have to get past defending champion Serena Williams.  Clijsters took out Williams in the semis at the US before claiming the title in her grand slam comeback.

Henin was just way too good for Zheng Jie who was playing in her second grand slam semi-final. Zheng won the first game of the match and that was it as Henin powered her way to a 6-1, 6-0 victory in 51 minutes.

Henin will be playing her 12th grand slam final and will be attempting to win grand slam title no. eight. Henin won the title in 2004. This was bookmarked by title wins by Serena.

The last time Henin won a grand slam singles title was at the 2007 US Open.

Serena Advances to Australian Open TennisFinal

Serena Williams has had to work hard to earn her spot in the Australian Open tennis final. She defeated China’s Li Na 7-6(4), 7-6(1).

Li was playing in her first grand slam singles semi-final and could have taken the match if she played a few points a bit better. Li had six double faults to Serena’s two. The key stat was 45 winners for Serena and just 22 for Li, to contrast this Li had 38 unforced errors to Serena’s 24.

Both players pounded the ball. Serena had 12 aces to pickup some easy points. That perhaps was the difference. Li always had to battle hard to win a point.

Serena will be looking to win back-to-back titles for the first time and become the first person to do so since Jennifer Capriati did it back in 2001-2002.

If Serena can win the 2010 Australian Open title she will add to her titles won in 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2009.

The interesting thing to come from the appearance of Li Na and Zheng Jie in the Australian Open semi-finals will be just what impact it has back in China.

Toilet Break Gives Federer New Life

Roger Federer was struggling against Russia’s Nikolay Davydenko when nature called. He had lost the first set 6-2 and memories of recent losses to Davydenko would have been on his mind.

Davydenko was playing at the top of his game and Federer was struggling with the sun. Off he went for his “comfort break”. After the match Jim Courier mentioned how the cameras followed him into the bowels of the stadium and he appeared not at all in a hurry.

There was a strategy behind this. Federer knew the sun was soon to dissapear behind the stadium roof and conditions would improve. It seemed to work for the great man. From 3-1 down in the second set he went on a blitz to win 13 games straight and take control of the match. At the end of his run he was 2-0 up in the fourth set.

Davydenko now took it to Federer and was able to break back. The match was again up for grabs with the score at 5-5 in the fourth set. In the end it was the world no. 1 and winner of 15 grand slam singles title who stepped up for the win. Federer beat the Russian 2-6 6-3 6-0 7-5.

With the win Federer continued his amazing record or reaching consecutive grand slam semi-finals. The streak now stands at 23. You have to go all the way back to the 2004 French Open when Federer only made the third round to see him not at least reach a semi-final.

The last time Federer did not advance to a final from the semi was at the 2008 Australian Open when Novak Djokovic got the better of him. Before that it was the 2005 French Open and the 2005 Australian Open when he lost to Marat Safin in a memorable match.

Federer will play Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the semi after Tsonga defeated the player he lost to in the 2008 final. The score was 7-6, 6-7, 1-6, 6-3, 6-1. The match was just the second time Tsonga had gone to five sets in his career.

Here is the tennis racquet used by Roger Federer. You can buy it now from Holabird Sports. If you do I receive a commission as an affiliate. For that and many other tennis related items click on the photo of the Wilson SixOne Tour 90 BLX Tennis racquet at left.

I must warn you that simply by buying the tennis racquet you will not hit like Roger Federer. I have actually used this racquet and it takes a perfect hit to feel the power that it offers. My crappy old racquet I normally use is a lot more forgiving.

The Rise of Chinese Tennis – Li and Zheng reach Aussie Open Semis

Yesterday at the Australian Open tennis we saw China’s Zheng Jie reach her second semi-final at a grand slam event. Her first was at Wimbledon in 2008. Zheng defeated Maria Kirilenko 6-1, 6-3 and dominated the match through great movement around the court and solid hitting.

Today for the first time we saw China have two players reach the semi-finals at a grand slam singles event after Li Na defeated Venus Williams 2-6, 7-6(4), 7-5 to reach her first grand slam semi. Li had previously reach the quarter-finals at the 2006 Wimbledon tournament and the US Open in 2009.

Chinese tennis has steadily made ground since the influx of foreign coaches around 2000. The Olympics held in Beijing also gave tennis a boost in China. There are currently three Chinese women in the top 100 rankings. Li Na is 17, Zheng 35 and Peng Shuai sits at 43.

China has claimed grand slam success in doubles however still awaits a singles champion. Zheng partnered Yan to win both the Australian Open and Wimbledon doubles in 2006 for China’s first Grand Slam titles.

The match between Venus Williams and Li Na was the second meeting. They played once before at the 2008 Beijing Olympics when Li won 7-5, 7-5 in the quarterfinals. I was with my daughter in the crowd on that occasion so I remember it well. Knowing of that result I thought Li had a good chance to defeat Williams.

After the first set you would not have thought so but Li fought back well to win the second in a tie-break. The third set look like going to Williams after she got an early break however she had trouble holding her serve and both players looked as though they did not want to win.

Eventually Li got her nose in front and was serving for the match at 5-4. Once again a break took place and the match was back on level ground. Just to keep things going Williams dropped her serve to again give Li the chance to serve it out. Li setup several match points before perhaps nerves got the better of her, but this time she completed the job to grab a historic win.

There is now the possibility of an all-Chinese final but you would get long odds to see that. Zheng Jie meets Justine Henin in one semi while Li awaits the winner of the Victoria Azarenka v Venus Williams quarter-final match.

At least my wife is happy as she is from China. I am also excited to see two Chinese players in the semis as there are no Australians left to follow. C’mon China.

Nadal Out of Australian Open Tennis

Rafael Nadal has limped out of the Australian Open. He was forced to retire from his match against Scotland’s Andy Murray. At the time of his retirement, due to a knee problem, the score was 6-3, 7-6(2), 3-0 to Murray.

Nadal was the defending champion at the Australian Open, for Murray he moves to the semifinals for the very first time at the Australian Open. He will meet Marin Cilic who defeated Andy Roddick 7-6(4), 6-3, 3-6, 2-6, 6-3.

Murray was playing a great match and was mixing up his shots to great effect. He even started to serve and volley, this is something he said he worked on during the off-season.

On the other side of the draw we will see the quarterfinals played on Wednesday. Federer will play Nikolay Davydenko and Novak Djokovic will play Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

In the women’s tournament Justine Henin advanced past Nadia Petrova 7-6(3), 7-5 and Zheng Jie defeated Maria Kirilenko 6-1, 6-3 to reach her second grand slam semi-final after having reached that stage at Wimbledon in 2008.

Next Page »

Copyright © 2010 onemansportsnetwork.com · Revolution Sports theme by Brian Gardner · Log in

Click here to view more details