Dubai Tennis Championship 2009: Novak Djokovic will face Gilles Simon on semi-final

It seems that injury is the big reason to loss the attraction of Dubai Tennis Championship. Due to injury, top ranked Rafael Nadal and No. 2 Roger Federer could not attend the tournament. The another big reason is that some players withdrew their name to show protest against UAE after Israeli player Shahar Peer being rejected to enter the country due to visa problem. However, Andy Murray has become another player who withdrew the tournament after falling into injury before the start of his match. Dubai Tennis Championship is lucrative for big amount of prize money. It is worth $2.23 million. Novak Djokovic made his place in the semi-final round after defeating Marin Cilic. Djokovic will face Simon next match. Third-seeded Gilles Simon got victory against compatriot Fabrice Santoro.

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chron.com

Andy Ram lost the first round in Dubai Tennis

Israeli player Andy Ram lost his first round in doubles at the Dubai Tennis Championships. He made pair with Zimbabwe’s Kevin Ullyett. They were beaten by 6-3, 2-6, 10-8. This pair played against Marat Safin of Russia and Spain's David Ferrer. This match was arranged under tight security. He was allowed to play in the Dubai Tennis Championship after his compatriot Shahar Peer rejected by the UAE to enter the country to take part in the WTA Championship tournament. To show their protest against UAE some super star withdrew their name from this tournament. However, it lost to attract many fans due to lack of super stars who could not attend because of many reasons.

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AP

Andy Murray Starts With A Victory at Dubai Tennis Championships

Andy Murray has started the Dubai Tennis Championships with a victory. His victory came against Sergiy Stakhovsky on Monday. During the match, both players were bothered by ankle injury. Then, they continued their struggle to snatch the win and gave a closely fought game to the fans. At last, the fourth-ranked Andy Murray took a 30-0 lead in the ninth game and win the first game of this tournament.
Dubai Tennis Championships has lost its attraction as many top players are missing due to many reasons. Andy Roddick omitted his name to show his protest the UAE decision not to allow Israeli player Shahar Peer to visit to compete in last week’s women's event. Two top payers Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer are now out of the competition due to injury and some other players reluctant to play in this championship.
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THE CANADIAN PRESS

Venus Williams won her 40th ony Ericsson WTA Tour singles title

Venus Williams won the WTA title in Dubai. It was her 40^th career Sony Ericsson WTA Tour singles title. After defeating Virginie Razzano in the final round by 6-4, 6-2, she has become the 12^th player ever to reach the milestone. It was seventh victory in her last eight Tour singles finals. She secured her place in the final round after getting an easy win against her sister Serena Williams in the semi-final clash.
Venus Williams made me surprise to show her ability of playing tennis at the age of twenty-eight. She is still dominating tennis court. The result of this match told us that this match was less competitive. Virginie Razzano failed to make any strong challenge against Venus. Can anyone tell me how long Venus Williams will take her record?
These are the players who won 40^th WTA tour singles title- Navratilova, Evert, Graf, Court, Goolagong, King, Wade, Davenport, Seles, Hingis and Henin.
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Tennis News

Sania Mirza ranked 87 in the latest WTA rankings

Sania Mirza is the sensation of Indian tennis. It is thought that this beautiful lady has made this game more popular in India. Many Indian are now following her footsteps and involving into tennis game. If you are supporter of Sania Mirza then you will be happy to hear that she has made his return to top 100 in the WTA rankings. With her impressive performance at the Pattaya Open last week, she has improved her rankings and moved to 87 from 126 in the latest WTA rankings. She jumps 39 steps in her career. It is obviously unbelievable.

I have to admit that year 2008 was not a good year for her because she had to stay out side the tennis court due to a wrist injury. It is clear that she will go higher in the WTA rankings. Rohan Bopanna is taking seven spot in the rankings. On the other hand, Mahesh Bhupathi remained same rank still now.

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Hindustan Times

Venus Williams will face Virginie Razzano in the WTA final round

Venus Williams has ensured his place in the final round after beating his younger sister Serena Williams. Today he is going to face Virginie Razzano in the final round of Dubai Tennis Championships. Fifth seed Venus Williams defeated her younger sister by 6-1, 2-6, 7-6 (3). Despite of her lingering knee injury, Serena Williams made strong challenge against Venus but top seed Serena failed to make dominance over her sister. You already know that it was the 19^th time both sisters face each other in the tennis ring. Before the start of this match, both were leveled by 9-9. Now, only one victory put Venus into a leading position.

Virginie Razzano is the only opponent player in front of him. She needs to overtake her to claim the title. Virginie Razzano defeated 16^th seeded Kaia Kanepi by 6-1, 6-2. Now, tennis fans are eagerly waiting to see a competitive fight between Venus and Virginie in the WTA final. Who do you think can win this title?

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Los Angeles Times

Dubai Tennis Championships 2009: Williams sisters in semi-final

Fighting between two sisters is always something special to the tennis fans. Both Serena and Venus Williams are going to face each other in the semi-final of Dubai Tennis Champions on Thursday. You may know that this will be the 19^th time both sisters will face each other in the tennis court. To come in this position, Venus Williams had to struggle hard and defeated defending champion Elena Dementieva with the margin of 6-3 6-3. On the other hand, Serena got a tough win against Serbian Ana Ivanovic by 6-4 6-4. Compared to her sister, Serena had to face more difficulty to get win to advance into the semi-final round despite being world number one tennis player. This match is very important for both Serena and Venue because a victory for either player in the match would give them a lead in their record against each other. At this moment both sisters are leveled by 9-9. Top seed Serena Williams was beaten by her sister last time during the 2008 WTA Champions. Who do you think can win the match: Serena and Venus Williams?

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REUTERS

Andy Murray Clinched World Tennis Tournament Title, Defeating Rafael Nadal

British tennis star Andy Murray has won the World Tennis Tournament title, defeating world no. 1 Rafael Nadal in straight sets 6-3 4-6 6-0 in the final of the tournament. Nadal took a blow to his knee at the beginning of the second set and that is why, he was not at his best during the match. Andy Murray was happy, but he also even revealed his disappointment at the injury of Nadal during the match.

Though it has been third successive victory for Andy Murray over Rafael Nadal, the British youngster wants to improve his performance. He said that he had expected to do better in Australian open, where he got out of fourth round, and now he wants to continue his current form.

Andy Murray has had a very successful season in 2008 and his excellent form of last season has increased the expectation of British tennis fans from him. In fact, he is now pitted to be the first Briton to win a grand slam title after Fred Parry won it last time in 1936. However, Murray lost his first chance to achieve the distinction at Australian Open, but he seems to have returned to good form with this victory. So, British fans can now hope for a grand slam title from Andy Murray at French Open tournament.

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Star News

Roger Federer: Beginning of the End?

Roger Federer is perhaps our living legend in world tennis. Very few players have been able to achieve the things he had got until now. He is going to become 28 years old just after a few months and many of his supporters believe that he has the best to come yet. Well, I have to agree with them for at least one reason- there have been hardly any tennis player who could challenge him in the last few years except Nadal.

Now, the form of Roger Federer is still not bad but he is losing continuously to Rafael Nadal. So, Federer has started to feel frustrated and his frustration has increased because of two reasons. The first thing is that he recently lost to Nadal in the final of the Australian Open. Secondly, Federer recently lost the number 1 ranking to Nadal. So, it is all Nadal now and this matter has caused a lot of mental pressure for Federer.

 Today, I felt that it is the beginning of the end for Roger Federer. You may wonder that 28 years of age is not a big deal. However, I like to remind you of Ivan Lendl. Do you remember him? He was the top ranked tennis player during the time 1985-1990. Ivan Lendl could not win Wimbledon but he demolished almost every player of that time. Then, came Pete Sampras. Pete Sampras even became a bigger name than Lendl.

I feel that the same history is being repeated in our time. Federer dominated international tennis totally in the last few years and most people thought that this kind of domination will continue for another 3-5 years. However, his domination suffered a major shocked at the final of Wimbledon 2008. Nadal won the title of Wimble for the first time and showed everyone that he can play very well in grass court too.

I know that it is very hard for anyone to accept the idea of retiring or even thinking that he will not be able to remain number 1 player. It is better for Federer does not get frustrated anymore but think of life after tennis.

Mahesh Bhupathi: Winning Mixed Doubles with Sania Mirza is Special

You already know that Mahesh Bhupathi and Sania Mirza won the mixed doubles title at the Australian Open 2009. Mahesh Bhupathi has recently said that he is very happy to have won the title with Sania Mirza. He feels that the victory was something special because he has won it along with an Indian partner. Here, it is noteworthy that Bhupathi won mixed doubles titles with Indian partners Leander Paes on several occasions in the past, but this has been the first time Bhupathi won mixed doubles title at a Grand Slam tournament. Naturally, he is now very happy and he believes that young players like Yuki Bhambri and Somdev Devvarman have bright futures ahead of them.

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THE TIMES OF INDIA

Rafael Nadal: The Next Roger Federer?

If you are a fan of Roger Federer, then you should not read this article of Sandra Harwitt: Federer still trying to break the Rafa code. In this article, Sandra Harwitt listed 10 things that Rafael Nadal has achieved at the age of 22, but Federer has not got most of them. For example, Federer is yet to win an Olympic Singles gold medal, has not won the trophy of French Open or has failed to inspire his country to win the championship of Davis Cup. Nadal has got all of them at a very early age and if Nadal can continue his performance then he will surely become even a bigger legend than Federer. You know that it is the time of global economic recession and many people are afraid of their future and job security. I guess the tireless effort and amazing success of Nadal will inspire them.

Why Roger Federer Cried after Losing to Rafael Nadal at Australian Open 2009 Final?

Tennis world was stunned when former no. 1 Roger Federer cried while taking the runner up plate at the end of his loss to current no. 1 Rafael Nadal in a five-set final at the Australian Open 2009. Seeing Federer crying on the court was something that no tennis fan even experienced it in his wildest dream. Well, it was really unusual for a 27-year-old tennis star to break down after a loss. Tennis psychologist Jim Loehr, however, brings out some positives out of his emotional failure on the court. Jim Loehr thinks his crying on the court proves his great commitment for the game. Mr. Loehr believes that Federer was feeling a kind of emptiness as he failed to win the title, even after employing every bit of his effort given to the match.

Well, I think, there could not another reason behind his emotional break down. He struggled to get back his lost dominance over tennis world throughout last year, and was looking to start the New Year with a major title in what would place him alongside Pete Sampras in terms of number of grand slam titles. Having lost the first chance to equal the record hold by Sampras, Federer broke down, considering the fact that grand slam titles were not coming to him in a flurry anymore. So, it was a big disappointment for the Swiss tennis star. Specially, Federer might have felt that he did everything to defeat Nadal, but still he failed to prevail and this caused him a feeling of helplessness. However, the good news for the Roger Federer fans is that the star player has not given up as he has vowed to come back.

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Tennis News

Rafael Nadal Set his Sight on Davis Cup

World no. 1 Rafael Nadal has just won his first ever Australian Open title this week, defeating rival Roger Federer in a five-set final. After the Australian Open triumph, the Spaniard has now set his sight on Davis Cup. Last year, Nadal missed the Davis Cup final due to his knee injury, but Spain could successfully clinch the Davis Cup 2008 title defeating Argentina 3-1 in the final. Nadal said that winning Davis Cup for Spain was a dream for him. To him, it is a dream more than an objective. Well, the Spaniard has been in excellent form after winning his first ever Australian Open tile. Now, Nadal has success in three different grand slam tournaments, leaving US Open as the only grand slam title which he could not win yet.

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seattletimes

Sania Mirza and Mahesh Bhupathi Crowned Australian Open Mixed Doubles Title 2009

Indian pair Sania Mirza and Mahesh Bhupathi has crowned the mixed doubles title of Australian Open 2009, defeating the Nathalie Dechy and Andy Ram pair in straight sets 6-3, 6-1. Indian fans are now very happy with the success of Sania Mirza and Mahesh Bhupathi. French woman Nathalie Dechy and Israeli player Andy Ram showed some level of resistance against the Indian pair, but the second set was totally a one-sided affair. Meanwhile, Mahesh Bhupathi along with Mark Knowles failed to capture the men’s doubles title as they were beaten by American brothers Bob and Mike Bryan in final of the tournament. Sania Mirza earlier disappointed the Indian fans as the Indian tennis star was crushed out of the women’s singles event at the second round of Australian Open 2009.