CHEECH SMOKES RAFA

 

 

Ivan Ljubicic posted a surprise semifinal victory on Saturday at the $4.5 million BNP Paribas Open.

The 20th-seeded Croat downed favored third-seeded Spaniard Rafael Nadal, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-1) to gain a berth in Sunday's final.

Nadal -- who won here in 2007 and 2009 -- breezed through the first set in a half hour, but Ljubicic roared back with four straight points in the second to win the set. The 31-year-old then toughed out a final set which took nearly an hour to complete to earn the victory.

It will be Ljubicic's first appearance in an ATP Masters Series final since bowing to Roger Federer in Miami four years ago. His opponent will be either seventh-seeded American Andy Roddick .

TSN

INDIAN WELLS AND KEY BICAYNE ON TSN

Things Get Ugly Between Two Legends At Charity Event "Agassi/Sampras"

Agassi, in his book, "Open", asks a car valet how much Pete tipped him. The valet reluctantly says, "One dollar."
This revelation has lead to some hard feelings between Pete and Andre.

ANCIC AND MONO

Another former Top 10 player, Croatian Mario Ancic, won his first ATP World Tour match in more than year as he rallied from down a set and break to claim a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory over American qualifier Bobby Reynolds.

Returning to Indian Wells held extra significance for the 25 year old, who had retired against countryman Ivan Lubicic after six games in his 2009 opener. “This week is so special for me because last year this was the last match, and then I haven’t played for almost a year,” said Ancic.

The Croat had reached a career-high No. 7 in 2006, but suffered a series of setbacks over the past couple years – largely caused by recurrences of mononucleosis. After receiving a clean bill of health in November, he tested out his match fitness at ATP Challengers and Futures events this season, and reached the final last week at a Futures tournament in Texas.

“The more matches I play, the better I will feel on the court definitely,” said Ancic.

NADAL'S RANKING

There will be a lot at stake for Rafael Nadal at the BNP Paribas Open from the Indian Wells Tennis Center at Indian Wells, California.  Nadal is the defending champion from 2009 and as a result he has 1000 points to defend, points that are scheduled to drop from his total on March 22nd, 2010.

Currently Nadal is ranked 3rd on the ATP tour with 7520 points and he could quite easily drop below 7000 points after Indian Wells.  Depending on how Andy Murray does at Indian Wells (he was a finalist last year) we might see Nadal slip back down to 4th on tour.

While nothing major will happen to Nadal's ranking in March, April and May of 2010 could be a different story.

Those two months will see a lot of tour ranking points at risk for Nadal.  On April 19th 1000 points are scheduled to drop from Nadal's total from his win at Monte Carlo in 2009.  On April 26th 500 points from his Barcelona title are scheduled to drop off as well.  On May 3rd his 1000 points from winning Rome last year are scheduled to drop and finally on May 17th 600 more points from his finals appearance at Madrid last year will be at risk.

There's also 180 points from his quarterfinals appearance in Miami last year that will be at risk soon but Nadal could defend those.

However a large chunk of the other 4100 points for the five other tournaments (Indian Wells, Monte Carlo, Rome, Madrid, and Barcelona) are in serious jeopardy of going undefended as Nadal's form is not the same now as it was at this time last year due to his nagging injuries.

CRUNCH SPORTS

INDIAN WELLS -TSN AND TSN2

HIP REPLACEMENT PROBLEMS

Some of the nation’s leading orthopedic surgeons have reduced or stopped use of a popular category of artificial hips amid concerns that the devices are causing severe tissue and bone damage in some patients, often requiring replacement surgery within a year or two.

In recent years, such devices, known as “metal on metal” implants, have been used in about one-third of the approximately 250,000 hip replacements performed annually in this country. They are used in conventional hip replacements and in a popular alternative procedure known as resurfacing.

The devices, whose ball-and-socket joints are made from metals like cobalt and chromium, became widely used in the belief that they would be more durable than previous types of implants.

The cause and the scope of the problem are not clear. But studies in recent years indicate that in some cases the devices can quickly begin to wear, generating high volumes of metallic debris that is absorbed into a patient’s body. That situation can touch off inflammatory reactions that cause pain in the groin, death of tissue in the hip joint and loss of surrounding bone.

WHOLE ARTICLE FROM NYTIMES

HOLOGRAPHIC ARCHITECTURAL IMAGING

Holographic Architectural Imaging by Zebra from Core77 on Vimeo.

NESTOR IN NETHERLANDS

Toronto's Daniel Nestor and his Serbian partner Nenad Zimonjic won their second straight ABN Amro doubles title Sunday.

The pair defeated Australian Paul Hanley and Simon Aspelin of Sweden 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (10-7 match tiebreak).

"Nenad and I played well," said Nestor, 37, who will head back across the Atlantic for a brief break before returning to play in the Dubai tournament starting Feb. 22.

"We're showing what we can do so far this season, I hope we can keep up this good form. It was a difference of just a few points today."

Nestor also won the ABN Amro title in 2002 when he was paired with Mark Knowles of the Bahamas.

Sunday's victory gave Nestor and Zimonjic their second trophy from three events so far in 2010 and they had won 10 of their 11 finals going into Rotterdam. The pair have now claimed 16 titles since 2008.

Nestor booked the 65th trophy of his career, including the last two honours at Wimbledon with Zimonjic.

They're ranked No. 1 in the world but American brothers Bob and Mike Bryan are hot on their heels.

They lost to the Bryan brothers two weeks ago at the Australian Open final.

TSN

CATS DO BARK - NADAL #4!!!!

SWEET SIXTEEN

Roger Federer experienced quite a range of emotions these past two Australian Opens.

A year ago, he sobbed on court after losing a thrilling final in five sets.

Federer was all smiles Sunday after rather easily beating Andy Murray 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (11) for a fourth championship in Melbourne and 16th Grand Slam title overall.

While Murray missed a chance to end a drought for British men at Grand Slam tournaments that stretches all the way to 1936, Federer became the first Dad to win a major singles title since 2003. He also now can aim at a true, calendar-year Grand Slam, something no man has accomplished since 1969.

"I'm over the moon winning this again," the 28-year-old Swiss star said. "I played some of my best tennis in my life these last two weeks. It's also very special -- the first Grand Slam as a father."

Federer had only recently discovered he was to become the father of twins when he lost the Australian Open final in five wrenching sets against rival Rafael Nadal last year, then broke down during the presentation.

This time, Federer was in control of the action pretty much throughout against Murray, and afterward, it was the 22-year-old from Scotland whose voice was breaking and who was choking back tears.

"I can cry like Roger," Murray said. "It's just a shame I can't play like him."

OZ ON TSN

NADAL'S KNEE

Rafael Nadal will miss up to four weeks of competition with a knee injury that forced him to quit in the third set of his Australian Open quarterfinal against Andy Murray.

The second-ranked Nadal had his right knee assessed in Spain and was advised to get rest and treatment for four weeks before returning to tournament play.

Nadal said it was not the recurrence of the tendinitis that sidelined the six-time Grand Slam singles champion for periods of 2009.

He was unable to defend his Wimbledon title last year because of the tendinitis and has not reached another Grand Slam final since his five-set win over Roger Federer at last year's Australian Open.

MRI and ultrasound tests showed a small tear at the back part of Nadal's right knee, which can be treated with physiotherapy and anti-inflammatory treatment, Dr. Angel Ruiz-Cotorro said in the statement.

THE CANADIAN PRESS

DEEP-SIX

On Wednesday, Roger Federer  fired a warning shot at his potential challengers in the Australian Open final four after a ruthless deconstruction of sixth seed Nikolay Davydenko in their quarter-final on Wednesday.

Despite a poor start that saw Federer lose the first set and face a double break in the second, the world No. 1 surged back into the match and finished off the Russian 2-6 6-3 6-0 7-5 in two hours and 36 minutes at Rod Laver Arena.

Davydenko stands near the baseline and as soon as Federer began to hit with greater depth, Davydenko lost some power, placement, and spin - all as a result of hitting the ball slightly late.

SLEEP-DEPRIVED - FRI 3:30 AM

MURRAY GRINDS DOWN CILIC

Marathon man Marin Cilic bowed out of his first Australian Open semi-final on Thursday disappointed and exhausted but will take away a top 10 ranking and more confidence to beat the game's best players.

The towering Croat, who upset quarter-final opponent Andy Roddick in his third five-set match of the tournament, appeared to have a chance of securing another shock with a win over a sluggish Andy Murray after taking the first set.

The match turned on one shot, however, when the fifth-seeded Briton broke Cilic, the number 14 seed, at 2-2 in the second set with a spectacular passing shot, then powered home to win 3-6 6-4 6-4 6-2 at Rod Laver Arena.

Eventho' , Cilic was running on fumes, Murray had to play superb tennis to win. In that sense, Cilic was beaten in the previous rounds.

REUTERS

CHINESE BREAK THRU

On Tuesday, Zheng Jie became the first Chinese woman to ever make the semifinals at the Australian Open. Twenty-four hours later, countrywoman Li Na became the second. Though the eyes of the tennis world are looking ahead to a potential Serena Williams-Justine Henin final in Melbourne, we'll today celebrate the historic achievements of China's two emerging tennis stars.

Love -- Though the Aussie Open schedule lists them as Jie Zheng and Na Li, their names are Zheng Jie and Li Na, respectively. The Chinese naming system puts the family name first (which is why Yao Ming has "YAO" written on the back of his jersey instead of "MING").

15 -- China's state-sponsored sports program used to keep Zheng Jie and Li Na from having much, if any, control over their careers. The players couldn't play many international tournaments and were assigned coaches, doctors, nutrionists and psychologists. But a post-Olympics reform gave the players more freedom and the results have been striking. New coaches, schedules and regimens have played an integral role in the emergence of the two women. Also key: Instead of forking over 60 percent of earnings to the Chinese government, the women now have to give just 12 percent.

30 -- In China the pair are nicknamed "The Golden Flowers."

40 -- Despite being linked by the court, the pair couldn't be more different off of it. Li Na is the rebel with the tattooed chest and fiery attitude who often clashes with the oppressive Chinese government. Conversely, Zheng Jie has been called "the darling of the Chinese media" and is fiercely loyal to the Communist party.

Game -- Regardless of what happens Thursday in Melbourne, Li Na will become the first Chiense woman ever to enter the top 10. 

On Tuesday, Zheng Jie became the first Chinese woman to ever make the semifinals at the Australian Open. Twenty-four hours later, countrywoman Li Na became the second. Though the eyes of the tennis world are looking ahead to a potential Serena Williams-Justine Henin final in Melbourne, we'll today celebrate the historic achievements of China's two emerging tennis stars.

Love -- Though the Aussie Open schedule lists them as Jie Zheng and Na Li, their names are Zheng Jie and Li Na, respectively. The Chinese naming system puts the family name first (which is why Yao Ming has "YAO" written on the back of his jersey instead of "MING").

15 -- China's state-sponsored sports program used to keep Zheng Jie and Li Na from having much, if any, control over their careers. The players couldn't play many international tournaments and were assigned coaches, doctors, nutrionists and psychologists. But a post-Olympics reform gave the players more freedom and the results have been striking. New coaches, schedules and regimens have played an integral role in the emergence of the two women. Also key: Instead of forking over 60 percent of earnings to the Chinese government, the women now have to give just 12 percent.

30 -- In China the pair are nicknamed "The Golden Flowers."

40 -- Despite being linked by the court, the pair couldn't be more different off of it. Li Na is the rebel with the tattooed chest and fiery attitude who often clashes with the oppressive Chinese government. Conversely, Zheng Jie has been called "the darling of the Chinese media" and is fiercely loyal to the Communist party.

Game -- Regardless of what happens Thursday in Melbourne, Li Na will become the first Chiense woman ever to enter the top 10. 

On Tuesday, Zheng Jie became the first Chinese woman to ever make the semifinals at the Australian Open. Twenty-four hours later, countrywoman Li Na became the second. Though the eyes of the tennis world are looking ahead to a potential Serena Williams-Justine Henin final in Melbourne, we'll today celebrate the historic achievements of China's two emerging tennis stars.

Love -- Though the Aussie Open schedule lists them as Jie Zheng and Na Li, their names are Zheng Jie and Li Na, respectively. The Chinese naming system puts the family name first (which is why Yao Ming has "YAO" written on the back of his jersey instead of "MING").

15 -- China's state-sponsored sports program used to keep Zheng Jie and Li Na from having much, if any, control over their careers. The players couldn't play many international tournaments and were assigned coaches, doctors, nutrionists and psychologists. But a post-Olympics reform gave the players more freedom and the results have been striking. New coaches, schedules and regimens have played an integral role in the emergence of the two women. Also key: Instead of forking over 60 percent of earnings to the Chinese government, the women now have to give just 12 percent.

30 -- In China the pair are nicknamed "The Golden Flowers."

40 -- Despite being linked by the court, the pair couldn't be more different off of it. Li Na is the rebel with the tattooed chest and fiery attitude who often clashes with the oppressive Chinese government. Conversely, Zheng Jie has been called "the darling of the Chinese media" and is fiercely loyal to the Communist party.

Game -- Regardless of what happens Thursday in Melbourne, Li Na will become the first Chiense woman ever to enter the top 10. 

THE GUARDIAN

FED AND TSONGA MEET IN SEMI

 

World number one Roger Federer overcame a sluggish start before advancing to the Australian Open semi-finals with a 2-6 6-3 6-0 7-5 victory over in-form Russian Nikolay Davydenko Wednesday.

Tsonga beat Djokovic 7-6 (8), 6-7 (5), 1-6, 6-3, 6-1 in a near four-hour match and will play Federer in a semifinal Friday. Djokovic appeared to be affected by breathing difficulties and stomach problems during part of the match and took a medical timeout trailing 2-0 in the fourth set.

REUTERS - AP

WEDNSDAY MATCHES

CILIC AND MURRAY WIN

 

Fifth seed Andy Murray booked his place in the semi-finals of the Australian Open when Rafa Nadal, the Spanish second seed and defending champion, retired with an injured knee when trailing 6-3 7-6 3-0 on Tuesday.

A downcast Andy Roddick blamed a shoulder injury for robbing him of the "full deal" during his five-set quarter-final loss to Croatia's Marin Cilic on Tuesday.

The seventh-seeded American struggled with the injury from the first set and took medical treatment in the second, but after battling back to square the match, he went down 7-6 6-3 3-6 2-6 6-3 at Rod Laver Arena.

REUTERS