Monte-Carlo Masters Tournament

Rafael Nadal/AP Images

The Monte-Carlo Masters Tournament is underway…how are the ATP men doing on the first clay court Masters of the year?


By Allie Leogrande


Rafael Nadal has won the last seven consecutive Monte-Carlo tournaments. But coming into this year’s Masters in Monaco, the Spaniard is still recovering from a left knee injury. However, this didn’t stop him from defeating Jarkko Nieminen of Finland 6-4, 6-3 on Wednesday in the second round of the tournament. This was Nadal’s first match since the Sony Ericsson Open quarterfinals against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in late March. Nadal withdrew from the semifinal against Andy Murray to nurse and treat his knee. 


Despite the setback, tennis experts still expect Nadal to win early on in the tournament. ESPN.com’s Ravi Ubha wrote Monday, “If the knee continues to bother him, but only slightly, and the match fitness isn't there, Nadal should still be able to cope in the first few rounds. This is clay, where he's been so dominant, after all.” Ubha predicts Nadal will play No.1 Novak Djokovic in the finals, but foresees Djokovic will come out on top. Nadal doesn’t have much time to rest, as he will play Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan on Thursday.

Novak Djokovic had a fairly easy win on Wednesday. The Serb defeated Italy’s Andreas Seppi 6-1, 6-4. Djokovic won the first 4 games in just 19 minutes, but struggled against Seppi in the second set, though he was never in real danger of playing a third set. In the end, Djokovic’s service game helped secure the victory. Djokovic will play the unpredictable, Ukranian Alexandr Dolgopolov on Thursday. Djokovic says to “expect the unexpected” with Dolgopolov. 

“He’s a very talented player, comes up with some shots that are not really typical for a tennis player,” Djokovic said. “He comes up with some drop shots, changes the pace very much. That’s why he’s very dangerous on clay.”

Englishman Andy Murray, will play in the third round on Thursday as well. Some notables to be eliminated already are No. 5 David Ferrer of Spain, who played in the finals at Monte-Carlo last season, and Argentina’s Juan Monaco, who defeated American John Isner in the finals of the U.S. Clay Court Championship Sunday. Monaco played in the first round in Monte-Carlo Tuesday, but retired due to a right ankle injury. The only American singles player in the tournament, 22-year old Donald Young, lost in the first round Monday.  

The Monte-Carlo Masters concludes on Sunday, April 22.

Updates on the Sony Ericsson Open

Caroline Wozniacki/AP Images

The tennis buzz today is all about Tuesday night.

By Allie Leogrande

Caroline Wozniacki impressed and surprised many as she defeated veteran Serena Williams in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4. Wozniacki showed a strong performance, which is even being said as her career-best. This victory might have been a combination of a great performance by Wozniacki and Williams not playing her best. Williams said after the match that her game was at “20 percent.” Still, Wozniacki kept Williams on her toes – by surprising her and not giving her much help in terms of unforced errors.

Wozniacki now advances to the semifinals where she’ll play Maria Sharapova on Thursday. After her win, Wozniacki tweeted,

“Won my match today 6-4 6-4! Excited to be in the semis on Thursday against Sharapova..”

On the men’s side, Rafael Nadal defeated Kei Nishikori Tuesday, 6-4, 6-4. The Spaniard’s win, however, was not as easy as it appeared on paper. The first set alone lasted just over an hour, in which Nadal overcame seven break points and a visit from a trainer for a look at his left knee. Nadal injured his knee earlier this month at Indian Wells.

“I am not probably at perfect conditions today with the left knee, but important thing is try to win as many matches as possible," Nadal said. "For me here is important tournament, and every victory have very, very big value for me, especially without being perfect."

Nadal advanced to the quarterfinals, where he played Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. The match was last night (March 28).

Novak Djokovic defeated No. 17 Richard Gasquet 7-5, 6-3 in the 4th round. The Serbian tweeted after his most recent match,

“Tough match today.Happy to be through. Next up @davidferrer87 one of the nicest guys on tour. It will be tough one.Thx guys!”

David Ferrer is from Spain and ranked at number 5. Depending on the way Djokovic plays in this match, Ferrer could become a dark horse in this tournament.

Again, television coverage of the Sony Ericsson Open quarterfinals and semifinals will air on ESPN2 from Wednesday, March 28 to Friday, March 30. The Women’s Final will air on CBS Saturday, March 31, and the Men’s Final will air on CBS Sunday, April 1.