TENNISVISTA

05/17/2013
by luciahoffman Leave a comment

It is all about believing

Tomas Berdych – photo by EFE

Tomas Berdych seats on his chair after his victory and enjoys the moment. A very special one indeed, as he had just defeated world’s No. 1, Novak Djokovic, 2-6,7-5,6-4 at Internazionali BNL D’Italia.

Beating a top player is not something new for Berdych, as he has defeated a few of them before. Today was a match that Berdych must feel proud of all he played, saving two match points in the second set and hitting 45 winners against the world’s No 1. Berdych played with confidence, believing he could win the match.

In the first set, Novak played really well, and was great at dominating Berdych, controlling the point, being agressive, and even coming to the net a few times.He got an early break in the first set and closed it out 6-2. In the second set, serving at 5-3 for the match, Novak, perhaps, got more of a fight than he expected as he is forced to serve at 30-40. Berdych hit an amazing back hand down the line, getting the break back and continues to put pressure on Djokovic. And again,Berdych gets another break at 5-5 and a chance to serve for the second set, which he does, and closed it at 7-5.

What started as a rotine match for Djokovic, became even more difficult with the windy conditions in the third and final set. Berdych seemed to adjust to it better. He was able to hit through the ball more and was not allowing Novak back into the match. At 1-1, Berdych gets a break and holds to it tightly until the end of the match. Djokovic kept fighting and getting closer to get the break back but Berdych continued playing solid. Serving at 5-4, deuce, Berdych hits a great wide serve to Novak’s forehand and gets the point. And at match point Berdych, serves again, wide and closes out the set 6-4.

Great performance by Tomas Berdych who will face the winner of Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer in the next round.

Lucia Hoffman
Tennisvista

05/15/2013
by luciahoffman Leave a comment

Maria Sharapova looking good in Rome

Maria Sharapova

Maria Sharapova is looking good to defend her title at the Internazionali BNZ d’Italia. She wins 6-2, 6-2 over Garbine Muguruza.

Sharapova comes into the event with an impressive resume on clay this season. She defended her title in Stuttgart, and got to the finals at the Mutua Madrid open for the first time on her career.

It seemed like a routine match today in Rome, for Sharapova. She looked focused, and confident as she closed the first set against Muguruza, 6–2. Maria converted 2 out of 4 break points, had 3 aces, 9 unforced errors and 10 winners. She hit powerful ground strokes and solid service games in the set.

At the second set, under windy conditions, Maria gets an early break. But Muguruza, still tried to be positive and played a solid game for 2-3. But Maria was just too strong for her opponent, and gets another break to serve for the set, which she closed at 6-2.

Its been said that first round matches are not that easy, but it didnt seem to bother Maria today. She advances to the next round after hitting 21 winners in this match. She will face the winner of Sloane Stephens, USA and Kiki Bertens, Ned.

Lucia Hoffman
tennisvista

05/14/2013
by luciahoffman Leave a comment

Novak Djokovic is ready for Rome

Novak Djokovic

World’s No. 1, Serbian, Novak Djokovic is ready to play at the Internazionale BNL d’Italia, in Rome. He will play against spanish qualifier Albert Montanes.

Novak says he is trying to makeup for lost time Rome. “I think I’m ready and will be able to perform my best tennis.” Djokovic won the title in 2009 and 2011 and considers this one of his favorite events on the Tour.

Djokovic got to Rome earlier than he expected, after losing early at Mutua Madrid Open.

“I came here Wednesday, so I’ve been here almost a week working hard on my game and fitness in order to prepare well to Rome. I hadn’t had a lot of practice before Madrid.”

In Madrid, last week, classy, Novak Djokovic gave credit to Grigor Dimitrov for winning their three set match. And on this interview in Rome, Novak continued to praise the Bulgarian player. Dimitrov had already showed signs of greatness on their previous match, in Indian Wells in March, which Novak won after Dimitrov succumbed to the pressure. “Dimitrov showed his mental strength against me (in Madrid). He managed to play three hours as a high level. It’s good for tennis to see this generation coming up,” says Djokovic.

He also added that: “It was a strange week for me in Madrid. I look at it as a valuable experience. Every defeat is equally as important as a victory, so I try to analyse the things I went through.”

As for Italy, Novak says : “I enjoy Italy very. much. I love this country and the culture. It’s close to Serbia, ” said Djokovic. “I’ve had lots of support in the past and it’s always felt like home.”

Lucia Hoffman
Tennisvista

05/02/2013
by luciahoffman Leave a comment

Tommy Haas gets tough in the third set, and defeats Ernest Gulbis in Munich

Tommy Haas

Last two matches that Ernest Gulbis and Tommy Haas played, went in favor of the talented Latvian player in tight decisive last sets. But today, in Munich, in front of a supportive crowd, his team, family and friends, Tommy Haas, from Germany/USA, kept his focus, winning the match 6-4,7-6,6-1.

Haas won the first set 6-4, but in the second set, Gulbis kept a good fight and won the tie breaker, losing only 3 points. But in the third set, serving at 1-2, Gulbis had trouble keeping his first serve in, and allowed Haas to control the points. Gulbis forehand was also erratic and he got very frustrated, and threw his racquet on the ground after losing the game with a forehand at the net.

Haas served at 3-1, and it became a very difficult game for both players. At 40-30, Gulbis started defending really well, being patient and staying in the point longer, looking for an opportunity to attack. But the opening happened to Haas, who goes for a inside out forehand, and misses it. The game goes to deuce, and Gulbis showing signs of maturity, constructed a really good point, moving Haas left and right, until he got a short backhand shot to put it away. But Haas, continue playing solid, and erases the ad point with a great first serve. He held for a 4-1 lead after he hits a short crosscourt backhand for a winner on the open court.

The match was going away very quickly from Gulbis, with Haas serving at 5-1. Gulbis didn’t seem to find his focus, foot work and game plan at that stage of the match. His first serves, have deserted him in the crucial third set, allowing haas to be agressive on second serve returns, and to control the points. At 0-30, Gulbis attempted to hit a backhand volley at the net, but misses it. And at 0-40 a forehand error from Gulbis, gave Haas a chance to serve for the set and the match. He does it successfully, using good serves, great ball placement and solid strokes.

Haas showed a level of maturity, patience and skills that delighted the crowd and understandably got his opponent very frustrated at the end.

Lucia Hoffman

04/30/2013
by luciahoffman Leave a comment

Gilles Simon has a new coach

Gilles Simon by lexpress.fr

A few months ago, Gilles Simon announced he would no longer be working with his long time coach, Thierry Tuslane. Perhaps following a trend started by Jo-Wilfred Tsonga the year before when Tsonga decided to be on his own for a while. Tsonga recently started working with Roger Rasheed from Australia. Rasheed had successfully worked with another french player in the past, Gael Monfils.

Gilles Simon told the media in Monte Carlo that he would like to have a new coach soon, before Roland Garros. So, it came as no surprise, his choice of Jan de Witt, from Germany, who works with No 1 player from Finland, Jarkko Nieminen.

According to L’Equipe, Jan de Witt said that he has a clear vision on how to improve Simon’s game. They realized after they met that they both like discussing all aspects of the game. Simon feels that with de Witt he will be able to be more confident and still be able to play his game.

Gilles Simon is part of a group of elite players from France, including Jo-Wilfred Tsonga, Richard Gasquet, Gaels Monfils, Michael Llodra and Benoit Paire and has said in the past that his dream would be winning Roland Garros. And, he admitted in Monte Carlo that he wasn’t happy being on his own and that he needed guidance, and a new coach.

It is a good move by the french player, ranked no 17, who is talented, hard working and mature. He has a chance to do well, on his favorite surface and favorite tournament, Roland Garros.