Gstaad 2013: Is Roger Federer Set to Dominate?

The biggest coup for the organisers of the 2013 Credit Agricole Suisse Open in Gstaad must have been the acquisition of Roger Federer, 17-time major champion, among the ranks of its tennis warriors. Among the most picturesque of tournaments on the ATP World Tour, Gstaad, flanked by majestic Swiss mountains, could well be among the last places in the world one would imagine rough tennis combat. Yet... 

Sizing Up Rafael Nadal’s First-Round Wimbledon Loss

Rafael Nadal outdid expectations again on Wimbledon’s opening day—this time in an ironic and more bitter way. In falling to the Belgian and 135th-ranked Steve Darcis in straight sets at the first hurdle, he suffered yet another stunning early exit from the grass court tournament a year after being felled by Lukas Rosol in the second round last year. Darcis‘ victory over Nadal surely... 

Was Novak Djokovic’s Victory over Rafael Nadal at Monte Carlo Unsurprising?

An interesting reaction that seemed to emerge in the wake of Novak Djokovic‘s commanding victory over Rafael Nadal at the Monte Carlo Masters was the sense that it was an uneventful one. Even, daresay, one that was expected. The human mind never fails to surprise, and for those with a vivid memory, it will only be too clear how outrageous, even blasphemous such thinking might have been even just... 

Djokovic Faces Murray for the Australian Open Title: The Stakes

The Australian Open final is set. No, it won’t be a showdown between the No. 1 and No. 2, as it was last year. Instead, it will be a remake of the 2011 final, between the current No. 1 and No. 3, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray. Men’s tennis has now reached a point, in this current generation at least, where every Grand Slam final becomes historic. If for only the most basic of reasons,... 

Azarenka vs. Li Na in the Australian Open Final: The Stakes

Maybe the final lineup did not turn out as many had hoped. With a tournament with three hot favourites—Victoria Azarenka, Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova—the 2013 Australian Open draw has at least turned out half as expected. Victoria Azarenka, the defending champion, will face off against the seventh seed Li Na for the title on Saturday. For both women this will be, as Grand Slam finals... 

Is Novak Djokovic Ready for History at the Australian Open?

Little remained to be said after the last victory of Novak Djokovic at Rod Laver Arena because it was so reminiscent of the last such great win he had had there—his five-hour, five-set marathon par excellence against Stanislas Wawrinka. That match, which ended 12-10 in the final set, reminded him later of the five-and-a-half hour epic he had played in the 2012 final against Rafael Nadal. Only... 

Why Roger Federer’s Grand Slam Record May Never Be Surpassed

This might come across as another redundant article on another cliched and overly discussed theme. But it is not ever an irrelevant one, especially in this day when younger challengers to the establishment are emerging—Bernard Tomic, Ryan Harrison, Grigor Dimitrov—and when such phrases as “Baby Federer” are bandied about (this relating especially to Dimitrov). It might be time... 

Debriefing the Top 5 Defining Events of Men’s Tennis in 2012

It has been a hectic year for men’s tennis. Yes, it ended with the same guy on top as it had begun, Novak Djokovic, but the rungs just beneath him shifted quite dramatically over 2012, with Nadal, the second-ranked player in January now fourth-ranked, Federer having moved up to his place and Andy Murray ending the year one rank higher than he did 2011, at world No. 3. It was perhaps the story... 

Roger Federer and Serena Williams Set for Titles at Basel and Istanbul

Two marquee matches are lined up for the tennis viewing today—and both finals: on the men’s tour the Basel final between Roger Federer and Juan Martin Del Potro, and on the women’s side the final of WTA, championships between Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova at Istanbul. It needs no mentioning that the Basel final will be of lesser interest, but if only for the tournament’s... 

Federer Seeks Title and Ranking Defense Against Djokovic and Murray

This week sees the start of what has been named by Roger Federer a “crazy three weeks.” It certainly will be, at least for him. While his closest rivals for the closing moments of 2012, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, lie exhausted after their epic close at the Shanghai Masters, they must also lie contented with the knowledge that they are primed for the indoor offensive. Djokovic, the... 

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