TENNIS HOT SHOTS

NADAL SHOWS PROMISE IN MADRID OPENER

noreply@blogger.com (TENNIS HOT SHOTS) — Wed, 13 May 2009 16:01:00 +0000

By Marty Etheridge

World number one and 6-time Grand Slam Champion Rafael Nadal has opened his ATP Mutua Madrid Masters account with a straight forward second round win against Austrian World number 27 Jurgen Melzer.

Nadal entered the match following a bye in the first round but having once again captured the ATP titles in Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Rome. Melzer, on the other hand had made the second round encounter having fought hard to victory in a three set tussle against Spanish racket Albert Montanes in the opening round.

The first set started slowly as both players tried to hit their groove; it went with serve until Nadal found his range on his groove of shot and produced a spectacular cross court inside-out backhand return winner to break serve to lead 4-3. It was the shot that put paid to any hope of Melzer staying with Nadal on his beloved clay court surface. At 3-5, the World number 27 and 1-time ATP singles titlist’s game collapsed under the pressure of not having ‘a game’ to compete against Nadal. The Austrian ultimately served three double-faults and lost his serve to 15 and the set on one of those double faults. The reigning Australian, French and Wimbledon Champion had taken the opening set 6-3.

The second set continued in the same vain as how the opening set had finished. The World number one pummelled the ball from the baseline constantly increasing the topspin and power which left Melzer both defenceless and out of ideas.

Rafael Nadal put Jurgen Melzer out of his misery by taking the second set with full of destruction - 6-1. The World number one’s form had been imperious – hitting 16 winners whilst only committing 3 unforced errors. Melzer had not stood a chance on court.

The World number one marched confidently into the third round to play German Philip Kohlschreiber. Few will bet against Nadal in this mood for victory.

©TENNIS HOT SHOTS.

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BAD WEEK CONTINUES FOR FRENCH TENNIS

noreply@blogger.com (TENNIS HOT SHOTS) — Tue, 12 May 2009 17:46:00 +0000

By Marty Etheridge

Former top ten racket and Croatian Hot Shot Ivan Ljubicic made sure that French Tennis continued its ‘bad’ week following the drug allegations made against Richard Gasquet.

The current World number 54 and 8-time ATP titlist Ivan Ljubicic caused a shock in the second round of the ATP Madrid Mutua 1000 Masters by beating World number nine and former Australian Open finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in straight sets 6-4, 7-5.

The reigning ATP Paris Masters Champion entered the match having beaten Ljubicic in the second round of this season’s Australian Open. Tsonga’s defeat could mean that a top 8 seeding at the French Open is now out of his grasp. However for Ljubicic, the victory could be a step in the right direction and a change in fortune following a quick demise in form over the last 12 months. The Croatian has already proved on tour that his game can match many of those in the top 10, but that his lack of consistency can both hurt and damage his ranking and form.

This victory will signal that although ranked outside the top 50 in the world – he enters a prolific part of the season where two Grand Slams are to be played as a very dangerous floater capable of the highest of upsets in the draw.

Spanish Australian Open semi-finalist Fernando Verdasco made sure that the Spanish new guard continued to overthrow their Kings of tennis by beating former World number one and Former French Open Champion Juan Carlos Ferrero 6-3, 6-2. Verdasco is a dangerous contender for the title but will have to be at his best if he is to beat six-time Grand Slam Champion and World number one Rafael Nadal in a potential quarter-final clash.

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GASQUET PROVISIONALLY SUSPENDED FROM ATP TOURNAMENT PLAY

noreply@blogger.com (TENNIS HOT SHOTS) — Mon, 11 May 2009 17:22:00 +0000

By Marty Etheridge

Former French Open mixed doubles Champion Richard Gasquet has been formally provisionally suspended from picking up a tennis racket and participating in an International Tennis Federation sanctioned event.

The suspension was announced when the ITF confirmed that both A and B samples provided by the player at the ATP Miami Masters showed traces of cocaine. The ITF stated that it was obliged to provisionally suspend Gasquet whilst the investigation continued as to whether or not the French Ace knowingly took the banned substance.

The ITF added that a decision in the case would be decided in approximately 60 days. Two-time Australian Open doubles Champion Fabrice Santoro, who has known Gasquet since he was a young boy has stated on French radio ‘that this behaviour would be very out of character for the former French Top Ten racket.’

Only time will tell if Richard Gasquet can prove his innocence and although he faces a two year suspension if found guilty; the financial consequences and his reputation amongst his colleagues could far outweigh the suspension. This is one battle that the former Wimbledon semi-finalist must win.

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COCAINE SHOCK HITS FRENCH TENNIS

noreply@blogger.com (TENNIS HOT SHOTS) — Sun, 10 May 2009 09:26:00 +0000

By Marty Etheridge

French Sports newspaper L’Equipe has reported that World number 23 and former top ten racket Richard Gasquet has tested positive for cocaine. The alleged test occurred following the ATP 1000 Miami Masters in March 2009 where the former World number 7 pulled out of his opening match against Albert Montanes.

It is alleged by the French newspaper that his ‘A’ sample has tested positive for the recreational drug and should his ‘B’ sample test for the very same – then he could face a 2 year suspension from the sport.

A French Open mixed doubles Grand Slam Champion, Gasquet, is very much one of the ATP stars of the future that could see his career ruined by such an allegation and ultimately should his samples prove to be positive in result for cocaine.

The five time ATP Tour titlist could also face losing his financially lucrative sponsorship deals with LACOSTE CLOTHING and HEAD rackets. His association with the French Tennis Association could also be under threat as they could prove difficult in their future dealings with the star over various tournament entries, coaching facilities and associating with other French Tennis Stars.

Following semi-final appearances this season in Brisbane, Sydney and Dubai; Gasquet looked to be making a serious assault on the ATP Tour in 2009 and would have surely been a dangerous outsider for most titles contended. Only time will now tell if Richard Gasquet is guilty of drug offences or whether a valued explanation can prove his innocence.

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DAVID NALBANDIAN TO MISS NEXT FOUR MONTHS OF TOUR ACTION

noreply@blogger.com (TENNIS HOT SHOTS) — Sat, 09 May 2009 16:54:00 +0000

By Marty Etheridge

Former ATP Tour Finals Champion and former Wimbledon finalist David Nalbandian has released via a statement that he will have to undergo surgery on the broken labrum in his hip. The injury is somewhat serious and necessary in that the cartilage cushions the movement of his femur. Surgery will take place in Spain on Wednesday 13th May 2009 and his recuperation will take him away from the tour for at least four months.

The injury was first diagnosed during the clay court tournament in Barcelona where he made the quarter-final stage and was unable to play World number one Rafael Nadal for a place in the semi-finals of the event.

Even though the World number 19 is unlikely to compete at the remaining three Grand Slam tournaments this season; his ranking should not suffer too drastically following a poor mid season in 2008 where his main accumulation of ranking points occurred at Queens in London.

Although away from the courts – it will be imperative that the 10-time ATP Tour titlist works hard on fitness during his time away from the courts as his much anticipated return will happen during the indoor season, which has been happy hunting ground in previous seasons and it has always aided his ranking and his place amongst the elite in the world.

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TENNIS HOT SHOTS WELCOMES ANY COMMENTS FROM ITS READERS…

WELCOME TO TENNIS HOT SHOTS!!!

noreply@blogger.com (TENNIS HOT SHOTS) — Fri, 08 May 2009 20:02:00 +0000

Hello everybody...

Welcome to TENNIS HOT SHOTS!! A blog written by a passionate Tennis fan who lives and breathes the sport. TENNIS HOT SHOTS welcomes comments from any of its readers expressing any opinion about the article they choose to discuss...

TENNIS HOT SHOTS only asks its commentators to not leave any comment that may insult, discriminate or incite any kind of hatred to its viewing public.

Please ENJOY the blog and I look forward to hearing from you all...

Marty ETHERIDGE