Finals day at Estoril

Roger Federer has defeated Nikolay Davydenko 7-6 1-2 (Davydnko retired hurt).

The match looked to be producing the blockbuster finish to an exciting weeks tennis, but Davydenko was struck down untimely with a strain in his left leg at the end of the first set. The Russian tried to continue playing, and even managed to break Federer, but then decided that the pain was not worth the gain.

Whilst this is a relatively small title, it will mean a lot more to Federer, seeing as it his first of a troubled year so far. He did not play anywhere near his best tennis, but in truth never looked in any real danger of losing in Estoril.

In winning his 54th ATP title, Federer extended his record to 12-0 over his Russian counterpart, and should solidfy his slightly shaky grasp on the world No.1 spot.

In the doubles final, Brit Jamie Murray and Zimbabwean Kevin Ullyett went down fighting to top seedsWesley Moodie and Jeff Coetzee 6-2 4-6 10-8. The South African pair exploited Ullyett’s serve, breaking it twice in the first set to take it easily. However Murray and Ullyett fought back in the second, breaking Coetzee’s serve at 4-3 and forcing the match into a nailbiting champions tie break. But it was Coetzee’s quick reflexes which would seal the win, some excellent net play at 8-8 was truly gutsy.

It’s back to regular partner Max Mirnyi for Murray at the Monte Carlo Masters Series, where he will be hoping to add to his already impressive record this season.

Murray’s make a mess of Miami

Yesterday was a day to forget to British tennis, as both Murray brothers crashed out in their opening matches.

I had always believed Andy’s chances of beating Mario Ancic to be slim after his lacklustre American hardcourt season so far. The Croatian has been in fantastic form since making his comeback from glandular fever, and it was not a huge shock to see him come through 6-2 2-6 7-6.

Murray was apathy itself in the first set and it was painful to watch such a talented player descend into childish sulking. However one thing Murray will never lose is his will to win, and despite all the mutterings under his breath, the Scot stepped up his game to take the second set. Unfortunately he levelled off again in the third set, and whilst he made a fight of it, Ancic deserved the win that came his way.

It was no better for older brother Jamie, who’s first round loss with Max Mirnyi comes as a much greater surprise, given that they have been in excellent form of late, notching up two wins over the Bryan brothers. The pair went out rather tamely to Frenchmen Marc Gicqeul and Fabrice Santoro 6-4 6-4, a team unlikely to progress far in the tournament.

Maybe now that Jamie has some time off he might be able to find a barbers to cut his ever inflating hair!

Indian Wells Masters Series preview

So we come to the first Masters Series event of the year, always an exciting time, and this year even more so, now that it appears Roger Federer is human after all.

The world No.1 has not made his usual perfect start to the year, losing to Novak Djokovic at the Austrailian Open, and then being dumped out of the Dubai Open unceremoniously by our own Andy Murray.

Some believe this will spark the decline of Federer, but there are those (myself included) who believe that he will come back stronger than ever, and that is why he is my pick for the tournament. I just cant see that his pride will let him be beaten once again.

Elsewhere in the exceptionally strong draw, which can be viewed here, Novak Djokovic and defending champion Rafael Nadal will both fancy their chances, and could find themselves up against one another if they make it to the semi’s. If that happens, I would fancy Nadal to edge it; the courts have a high bounce, and the Spaniard’s extravagant topspin forehand will simply be too high for Djokovic to handle.

Flamboyant Frenchman Richard Gasquet has said that he likes the courts at Indian Wells, and with his explosive backhand, he could be a force this week. Gasquet has a relatively easy path to the quarter finals, where he could meet Nadal, who he has not beaten in four meetings.

Andy Murray has been playing well by and large this year, but the Scot has a tough draw. He is likely to face the huge serving Ivo Karlovic in the third round, and then the equally huge serving and in form Andy Roddick in the next. Then if the British number 1 can make it through all of that, he will probably find himself up against Roger Federer. No problem then Andy.

Elsewhere his older brother Jamie is in doubles action with the Beast from Belarus, Max Mirnyi. The pair have played well since coming together at the start of this season, and could be an outside shout for the title this week.

Let play commence!

Bad news for the Brits

Katie O’Brien, Anne Keothavong, Jamie Baker and Alex Bogdanovic have all crashed out of the qualifying for the Indian Wells Masters Series event.

All four Britons were in action in the build up to the main tournament but none could make it through to the main draw to join Andy Murray. O’Brien went out to Czech Barbora Zahlavova Strycova 4-6 4-6 in her second round match, while Keothavong lost to No 10 seed in the qualifying draw, Russian Galina Voskoboeva, 5-7 6-0 1-6.

It was even worse for Bogdanovic and Baker who both lost in their first round matches. ‘A-Bog’ lost against the world No 126, Japanese Kel Nishikori , 4-6 6-4 5-7, while Baker lost against the world No 97, Frenchman Florent Serra, 6-7(7) 1-6.

All British interest is not lost yet however, as both Murray brothers are in action, with Jamie partnering Max Mirnyi once again in the doubles.

The qualifying draw can be viewed here.

Mens Singles

Womens Singles