Casablanca, Houston, Marbella, and Ponte Vedra Beach Results.

Stanislas Wawrinka won his 2nd career title today when he beat Victor Hanescu 6-2, 6-3 in the final of the Grand Prix Hassan II in Casablanca, Morocco.  This was the first time a player from Switzerland has ever won this event.  Wawrinka commented on his win:  "I'm very happy with my win today, I've lost 5 finals in a row and now finally I have the trophy in my hands.  I felt great during the whole match, and never allowed Victor to get into the game.  I think this was my best match of the week."

Playing in his first tournament final in over 3 years, Juan Ignacio Chela of Argentina fought back to beat American, Sam Querrey 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 to claim the US Men's Clay Court Championship in Houston, Texas.  This is what Chela had to say after the win: "I’ve always said that as long as I’m enjoying the competition and I’m getting this adrenaline from the matches, I’m going to keep playing as long as I’m happy and especially after this win.”

Flavia Pennetta won her 9th tour title today,  beating Carla Suarez Navarro 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 to win the Andalucia Tennis Experience in Marbella, Spain.  These were Flavia's comments after the match:  "I just got the better of her at the end," Pennetta said. "I started well then got a bit tired, and Carla started playing more aggressively. I could have won it in two sets; I had to start all over again in the third, but from 3-all I played very well. I think Carla will have many chances to win this tournament though.

"People were telling me how good this tournament is, and they were right. The organization was perfect and you feel very relaxed here. I will definitely try to return next year. It's one of the best tournaments on the circuit."

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

#2 world ranked Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark was able to beat Belarussian, Olga Govortsova in straight sets 6-2, 7-5 to win the MPS Group Championships in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.  I was unable to find any comments about the win from Wozniacki, she was probably too busy "banging" Verdasco...or something.

Marbella, Casablanca, Ponte Vedra Beach, and Houston Finals Preview.

The Andalucia Tennis Experience in Marbella, Spain has its final matchup.  The winner will win $37,000

(#8 seed) Carla Suarez Navarro  vs.  (#2) Flavia Pennetta

Pennetta is the more talented, and higher ranked player, but Suarez Navarro has been playing well the last couple months.  Pennetta on the other hand has struggled in early rounds and has been an upset victim to players she should beat.  Suarez Navarro will pull the upset in her home country.

Pick:  Carla Suarez Navarro

RESULT - Flavia Pennetta 6-2, 4-6, 6-3.

The finals are set at the MPS Group Championships in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, United States.  The champion will receive $37,000.

(#1) Caroline Wozniacki  vs.  (unseeded) Olga Govortsova
I must admit, I do not know a whole lot about Olga Govortsova or her game.  I do know that she defeated Alona Bondarenko, Anna Tatishvili, Varvara Lepchenko, and Dominika Cibulkova to get to todays final.  Bondarenko and Cibulkova are good players, so to beat them, you have to be solid.  But today she will not be solid enough.  Wozniacki will take this one with ease.
Pick:  Caroline Wozniacki
RESULT - Caroline Wozniacki 6-2, 7-5.

Stanislas Wawrinka and Victor Hanescu meet in tondays final of the Grand Prix Hassan II in Casablanca, Morocco.

(#1) Stanislas Wawrinka  vs.  (#3) Victor Hanescu

Hanescu holds a 2-0 lead over Wawrinka in their two head-to-head matches.  So it looks like the edge may go to Hanescu, but Hanescu the last 8 months has been very inconsistent, and not playing at his highest level.  Wawrinka is a good "gate keeper"  he will beat the players he is supposed to, and lose the players who are suppose to beat him, and this is a match he should win.  If he doesn't well he will be able to get his revenge as both of these guys are scheduled to face eachother in the first round at next weeks Masters Series event in Monte Carlo.

Pick:  Stanislas Wawrinka

RESULT - Stanislas Wawrinka 6-2, 6-3.

The US Men's Clay Court Championships in Houston, TX, United States concludes today.  One of these players will get $79,900 for a  fine week of play.

(unseeded) Juan Ignacio Chela  vs.  (#3) Sam Querrey

"Cha cha" Chela was at one time a excellent clay court player and a top 20 world ranked player.  He has been hindered by injuries the last couple of years, and is now starting to look like he may be getting closer to his old form.  Querrey is the best American player on the clay.  Querrey should win this match, but "Cha cha" Chela will not make it easy for him.

Pick:  Sam Querrey

RESULT - Juan Ignacio Chela 5-7, 6-4, 6-3.

This Weeks Tournaments Semifinal Update and Picks

Semifinal Matchups for Andalucia Tennis Experience in Marbella, Spain.

Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez  vs.  Carla Suarez Navarro - My Pick:  Navarro

Sara Errani  vs.  Flavia Pennetta - My Pick:  Errani

Semifinal Matchups for the MPS Group Championships in Ponte Vedra, FL, United States.

Caroline Wozniacki  vs.  Elena Vesnina - My Pick:  Wozniacki
Dominika Cibulkova  vs.  Olga Govortsova - My Pick:  Cibulkova

Semifinal Matchups for the Grand Prix Hassan II in Casablanca, Morocco.

Stanislas Wawrinka  vs.  Potito Starace - My Pick:  Wawrinka

Victor Hanescu  vs.  Florent Serra - My Pick:  Serra

Semifinal Matchups for the US Men's Clay Court Championships in Houston, TX, United States.

Horacio Zeballos  vs.  Juan Ignacio "cha cha" Chela - My Pick:  Zeballos

Sam Querrey  vs.  "Mr. HGH" Wayne Odesnik - My Pick:  Querrey

Quarterfinal Matchups

Quarterfinal Matchups in Marbella, Spain:

Victoria Azarenka  vs.  Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez - My Pick: Azarenka

Tatjuana Malek  vs.  Carla Suarez Navarro - My Pick:  Suarez Navarro

Sara Errani  vs.  Beatriz Garcia Vidagany - My Pick:  Errani

Simona Halep  vs.  Flavia Pennetta - My Pick:  Pennetta

Quarterfinal matchups for the MPS Group Championships in Ponte Vedra, FL, United States.
Caroline Wozniacki  vs.  Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova - My Pick:  Pavlyuchenkova in an upset.
Elena Vesnina  vs.  Melanie Oudin - My Pick:  Vesnina
Aleksandra Wozniak  vs.  Dominika Cibulkova - My Pick:  Cibulkova
Varvara Lepchenko  vs.  Olgo Govortsova - My Pick:  Govortsova

Quarterfinal matchups for the Grand Prix Hassan II in Casablanca, Morocco

Stanislas Wawrinka  vs.  Reda El Amrani - My Pick:  Wawrinka

Lukasz Kubot  vs.  Potito Starace - My Pick:  Kubot

Richard Gasquet  vs.  Victor Hanescu - My Pick:  Hanescu

Florent Serra  vs.  Guillermo Garcia-Lopez - My Pick:  Serra

Quarterfinal matchups for the US Men's Clay Court Championships in Houston, TX, United States

Fernando Gonzalez  vs.  Horacio Zeballos - My Pick:  Gonzalez

Lleyton Hewitt  vs.  Juan Ignacio Chela - My Pick:  Chela

Nicolas Massu  vs.  Sam Querrey - My Pick:  Querrey

Wayne Odesnik  vs.  Xavier Malisse - My Pick:  Malisse wins "battle of the dopers".

Preview of This Weeks Tournaments (April 5-11)

Few days late, and most of these tournaments are getting to the quarterfinal stages.  Here we go anyways with the clay court season beginning this week.

Lets start with the ladies:

The Andalucia Tennis Experience is a clay court tournament taking place in Marbella, Spain.  Last years winner Jelena Jankovic will not be back to defend her title.  The winner of this event will take a check home worth $37,000 American dollars.

Top 4 Seeds:

1. Victoria Azarenka (#7 world ranking)

2. Flavia Pennetta (#13)

3. Kim Clijsters (#16)

4. Aravane Rezai (#21)

Other notables in the field:  Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez, Maria Kirilenko, Anabel Medina Garrigues, Carla Suarez Navarro, Polona "Boss" Hercog, Sara Errani, and Simona Halep who is most famous for having huge boobs and then getting a breast reduction.

Midland Jobber in the field:  Arantxa Rus

The MPS Group Championships is the other WTA Tournament this week.  It takes place on the clay courts of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, USA.  Caroline Wozniacki is back to defend the title she won last year.  The winner also walks away with $37,000

Top 4 Seeds:

1. Caroline Wozniacki (#2 world ranking)

2. Alona Bondarenko (#24)

3. Dominika Cibulkova (#28)

4. Elena Vesnina (#34)

Other notables in the field:  Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Aleksandra Wozniak, Melanie Oudin, and Bethany Mattek-Sands.

"Midland jobbers" in the field:  Sofia Arvidsson, and Vania King.

Now the men...

The Grand Prix Hassan II is a ATP clay court tournament in Casablanca, Morrocco.  Juan Carlos Ferrero won this event last year, but has decided to not return and defend his title.  Winner of this event receives a payment of  72, 150 euros.

Top 4 Seeds:

1. Stanislas Wawrinka (#23 world ranked)

2. Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (#41)

3. Victor Hanescu (#42)

4. Lukasz Kubot (#43)

Other notables in the field:  Paul Henri-Mathieu, Simon Greul, Olivier Rochus, Florent Serra, Richard Gasquet, and Jarkko Nieminen.

The U.S. Mens Clay Court Championships in Houston, Texas, USA has the stronger field of the two ATP tournaments this week.  Last years winner Lleyton Hewitt returns this week from injury to defend his title, in hopes of going home with the check of $79,900 once again.

Top 4 Seeds:

1. Fernando Gonzalez (#11 world ranking)

2. John Isner (#21)

3. Sam Querrey (#25)

4. Lleyton Hewitt (#27)

Other notables in the field:  Taylor Dent, Dudi Sela, Horacio Zeballos, Rajeev Ram, Juan Ignacio "cha cha" Chela, Eduardo Schwank, Evgeny Korolev, Michael Russell, "Mr. HGH" Wayne Odesnik, and fellow doper Xavier Malisse.

Look for the Quarterfinals blog tomorrow.

Results for Miami.

I'm sure most of you know who won the matches, and I'm a tad behind.  So this is going to be simple and short.

Womens Final:

Kim Clijsters "rag dolled" Venus Williams all over the court.  It was a beatdown that I thoroughly enjoyed.  Ass kicking of epic proportions.  Watching Oracene Williams face as Venus got pummelled was a beautiful thing.  Clijsters is the new "Williams Killer".  Final score of the match was a one-sided 6-2, 6-1.

Venus on left,  "Williams killer" Clijsters on right.

Mens Final:

D-bag Andy Roddick was able to edge past a rejuvenated Tomas Berdych on Easter Sunday.  Berdych had a great week and a half, but came up a tad short to Roddick who showed off some good skills at net to win the match 7-5, 6-4.

dipshit Roddick showing which thumb he shoves up his ass.

Miami Preview: Mens Final

The Sony Ericsson Open in Miami, Florida concludes today with the mens final at 1 p.m. local time (CBS TV in the U.S.) between Andy Roddick of the United States and Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic.

(#6) Andy Roddick  vs.  (#16) Tomas Berdych
Berdych has been playing awesome of late.  Taking down Federer, Verdasco, and crushing Robin Soderling easily to reach the final, will it continue with a win today over Roddick?  Will Roddick lose in his 2nd straight Masters Series final?  Lets just say, I hope so.  I would love to see Berdych kick the shit out of Roddick like Kim Clijsters did yesterday, but it just doesn't seem like its a possibility to me.  I felt the same way a couple weeks ago and Ljubicic was able to pull the win out of his ass, so why not a more talented Berdych?  Roddick has the grit and mental toughness to put the pressure on Berdych.  Normally Berdych wouldn't react well in matches and just mentally "give up", but this week has been different.  He has shown maturity and a new attitude that has helped him get to the final today.  Will he keep this new "perspective"?  Possibly, but even if he hangs mentally with Roddick he still has to do it physically as well.  That is a little to much to ask.  Unfortunately Roddick will win in straight sets.
Pick:  Roddick
RESULT:  Andy Roddick 7-5, 6-4.

Miami Preview: Womens Final

Today is the Womens final beginning in about 45 minutes. (12:30 local time)

(#3) Venus Williams  vs.  (#14) Kim Clijsters

Just like when Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs in the "battle of the sexes", Kim Clijsters will continue as the new "Williams killer" and win the "battle of the sexes Part 2".... Whoa, Whoa here she comes Clijsters is a 'man eater'.

Pick:  Clijsters

RESULT:  Kim Clijsters 6-2, 6-1.

Miami Preview for April 2, 2010

Only 2 singles matches today.  Its mens semifinals day at the SE Open in Miami, Florida.  The first mens semifinal will be at 1 p.m., with the other being a 7 p.m. evening match.

(#4) Rafael Nadal  vs.  (#6) Andy Roddick

Both of these guys have been squeaking by in their previous matches.  Nadal looked excellent in taking out Tsonga in the last round, and Roddick put a beating on Nicolas Almagro, so both seem to be in good form.  Nadal I believe will have a little too much for Roddick today, and advance in 2 close sets.

Pick:  Nadal

RESULT:  Andy Roddick 4-6, 6-3, 6-3.

And now the 2nd mens semifinal starting at about 7 p.m.

(#16) Tomas Berdych  vs.  (#5) Robin Soderling

Both men have been playing surprisingly great.  Berdych took out Federer and Verdasco in tough 3 set matches, while Soderling stomped Youzhny and Fernando Gonzalez.  I'm rooting for Nadal and Soderling to rekindle their rivalry this weekend, so I have to pick him.  WAR SODERLING!!

Pick:  Soderling

RESULT:  Tomas Berdych 6-2, 6-2.

Miami Preview for April Fools Day.

Today the womens semifinal matches and the two remaining mens quarterfinal matches will be the highlight in Miami.  All singles matches will be on Stadium court and begin play at 1 p.m. local time.

(#13) Marion Bartoli  vs.  (#3) Venus Williams

Dude looks like a lady.

Pick:  Williams

RESULT:  Venus Williams 6-3, 6-4.

(#16) Tomas Berdych  vs.  (#10) Fernando Verdasco

This is a tough one to pick.  Both players are the types that will beat the lesser player, but then get blitzed or choke against the more elite players.  Berdych is coming off a upset victory over Roger Federer, and Verdasco had a nice win against Marin Cilic.  Verdasco is the more consistent player of the two so I am slightly leaning towards him.  This match could easily go either way.

Pick:  Verdasco

RESULT:  Tomas Berdych 4-6, 7-6, 6-4.

The first match of the night session will feature the second mens quarterfinal of the day.  Play will get underway at about 7 p.m.

(#13) Mikhail Youzhny  vs.  (#5) Robin Soderling

Like the other mens quarterfinal, you just never know what you will get out of these two guys.  Youzhny likes to retire and will sometimes mail in a match, where he doesn't play his best.  Soderling is the same way.  He will look awesome and unbeatable one day and like a turd the next.  I like Youzhny to pull the minor upset in this one.

Pick:  Youzhny

RESULT:  Robin Soderling 6-1, 6-4.

and the last match of the day will be the 2nd womens semifinal between the "comeback Belgians."

(#14) Kim Clijsters  vs.  Justine Henin

Henin in her last match against Wozniacki needed a medical timeout and was complaining about a pulled back/glute muscle.  Knowing she won't be 100% for this match, and that I really haven't been that impressed with her play of late, Clijsters is my choice.

Pick:  Clijsters

RESULT:  Kim Clijsters 6-2, 6-7, 7-6.