February 2007

Henman happy to be back

Editor / 28 February 2007 / Leave a comment

admitted he was surprised to play so well on his comeback from injury after beating Nicolas Mahut in straight sets in Las Vegas. The British number two has been out of action since late last year with a knee...Read more »

Henman ready to rock in Vegas

Editor / 27 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Tim Henman will finally get his 2007 season up and running on Tuesday despite admitting he is not match fit. The British number two faces Nicolas Mahut in the first round of the Tennis Challenge Open in Las Vegas -...Read more »

Federer recovers to edge past Pless

Editor / 27 February 2007 / Leave a comment

withstood an early scare before beating Kristian Pless in the first round of the Dubai Open. The unstoppable Swiss star, playing in his first match since the Australian Open final, was forced into a tie-break in the first set...Read more »

Novak Djokovic profile

Editor / 26 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Although Roger Federer is the talk of the town this week as he enjoys a record-breaking stay in the world number one spot, the new kids on the block are still capable of getting the pulse racing. Last year Rafael...Read more »

Federer eyes another record

Editor / 26 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Roger Federer has broken a 30-year-old record to become the longest reigning world number one player. The Swiss ace has held the top spot now for 161 consecutive weeks, beating the previous best held by American legend Jimmy Connors. Connors'...Read more »

Roddick ranking goes up despite defeat

Editor / 26 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Andy Roddick has moved up to third in the ATP rankings despite losing the Memphis International final. The American number one was beaten 6-3 6-2 by Tommy Haas, who became only the second player - along with Jimmy Connors -...Read more »

Venus makes Memphis final

Editor / 26 February 2007 / Leave a comment

took just 71 minutes to see off Ioana Raluca Olaru and book her place in the final of the Memphis International. Former world number one, Williams, playing in her first event in over four months because of injury, showed no...Read more »

Williams Peer-less in Memphis

Editor / 25 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Venus Williams has targeted a place in world's top 16 after easily beating Shahar Peer in the final of the Memphis International. The 26-year-old has only just returned to action after a lengthy absence due to a wrist injury, but...Read more »

The American dream turns into a nightmare

Editor / 25 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Jimmy Connors' record of 160 consecutive weeks at World No 1 comes to an end on Monday when Roger Federer clocks up 161 weeks at the top as he heads for the Middle East in a bid to win back...Read more »

Murray out in Memphis

Editor / 25 February 2007 / Leave a comment

rued a number of missed chances after losing in straight sets to Andy Roddick in the semi-finals of the Memphis International. The British number one was looking to make it back-to-back victories over the big-serving American, following his semi-final...Read more »

Murray makes last four

Editor / 24 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Andy Murray brushed past Stefan Koubek to set up a semi-final showdown with Andy Roddick at the Memphis International. The progressive 19-year-old beat Austria's Koubek 6-3 6-2 to set up a repeat of last week's last-four meeting in San Jose...Read more »

Henin fights back to reach Dubai final

Editor / 23 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Justine Henin has made it through to the final of the Dubai Open, after coming from a set down to beat Svetlana Kuznetsova 1-6 6-4 6-0. The top seed lost the first seven points of the match and looked out...Read more »

The wonder of Murray in Memphis

Editor / 23 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Andy Murray enjoyed a comfortable path to the quarter-finals of the Memphis International, defeating Denmark's Kristian Pless in straight sets. The British number one beat Pless on his way to winning the San Jose event last week and defeated him...Read more »

Rotterdam quarter-final preview

Editor / 23 February 2007 / Leave a comment

After a first round stretching across the first three days and a scramble to complete the second round, the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament now moves into the business end in Rotterdam as the quarter-final action gets under way on...Read more »

Scotland can compete - Haq

Editor / 22 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Majid Haq has joked that Scotland beating Australia would be on a par with 'the Faroes beating Brazil at football'. Peter Drinnen's men, the new top ranked one-day side in world cricket, have also been pitted against South Africa and...Read more »

Henin edges past Paszek

Editor / 22 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Justine Henin admitted she was lucky to make it through to the quarter-finals of the Dubai Open after scraping past Tamira Paszek. The top seed lost the first set but eventually turned the game on its head to win 4-6...Read more »

Murray digs deep in Memphis

Editor / 22 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Andy Murray survived a last-set scare to beat Frank Dancevic 6-3 4-6 6-4 in the first round of the Memphis International. The 19-year-old Scot, fresh from his San Jose Open success, was in inspired form as he took the first...Read more »

Haas serves notice of intent

Editor / 21 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Tommy Haas served notice of his intention to successfully defend his title with a comfortable straight sets victory over Vince Spadea in the first round of the Morgan Keegan Championships in Memphis. The German was in fine form as he...Read more »

Experience the key - Murray

Editor / 21 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Andy Murray believes the experience he has gained over the last year or so will help him become more consistent this season. Fresh from retaining his SAP Open title in San Jose, the British number one is preparing to face...Read more »

Hewitt out of Rotterdam tournament

Editor / 20 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Lleyton Hewitt has withdrawn from the World Indoor Tournament in Rotterdam as he has still to recover from a damaged hamstring. The former world number one picked up the injury when losing to Gilles Simon in the second round of...Read more »

Murray retains his SAP title

Editor / 19 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Andy Murray came from a set down to defeat Croatia's Ivo Karlovic and retain his SAP Open title in San Jose. The British number one lost the opening set tie-break but then highlighted his battling credentials with an impressive fight-back...Read more »

Federer equals number one record

Editor / 19 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Roger Federer has matched Jimmy Connors' record for the longest spell as world number one - 160 weeks. The Swiss ace first reached the top of the rankings in February 2004 and has since won nine Grand Slam titles. Federer...Read more »

Player Profile - Gael Monfils

Editor / 19 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Gael Monfils caused an early surprise at the Australian Open in Melbourne last month, when he knocked out 2006 runner-up Marcos Baghdatis in the second round. It wasn't just that he won, it was the manner of the win. The...Read more »

Laporta closes door on bad week for Barca

Editor / 19 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has moved to deny rumours of internal squabbling at the club after the Spanish champions' lead in La Liga was wiped out at the weekend. Laporta says last week's bust-up between leading lights Samuel Eto'o and...Read more »

Mauresmo the top Diamond

Editor / 18 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Top seed Amelie Mauresmo ruined home favourite Kim Clijsters' final competitive appearance on Belgian soil to win the Diamond Games. Mauresmo, currently ranked third in the world, became the first player to win a hat-trick of Antwerp titles after a...Read more »

Murray books San Jose final date

Editor / 17 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Defending champion Andy Murray got the better of Andy Roddick again to book his place in the final of the SAP Open in San Jose. British number one Murray, who beat Roddick at the same semi-finals stage last year, overcame...Read more »

Maursemo has eyes on diamond-studded prize

Editor / 17 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Amelie Mauresmo has her eyes on the prize after cutting down Anna Chakvetadze in three sets to reach the final of the Proximus Diamond title in Antwerp. The French top seed struggled though with a leg injury to record a...Read more »

California dream alive for Murray

Editor / 17 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Reigning champion Andy Murray came back from a set down to overpower Korea's Hyung-Taik Lee in the quarter-finals of the Sap Open in San Jose. Murray's defence of the title looked to be in trouble when he struggled to find...Read more »

Murray wants extra strength

Editor / 16 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Andy Murray admits he is trying to add more power to his game as he prepares to face Hyung-Taik Lee in the last eight of the SAP Open. The British number one faces the South Korean for a place in...Read more »

Karlovic upsets Blake in San Jose

Editor / 16 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Ivo Karlovic caused a massive upset at the San Jose Open by emerging from a tough battle with second seed James Blake to book his place in the quarter-finals. The world number 103 had to fight back from the brink...Read more »

Betfair preview - Marseille quarter-finals

Editor / 16 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Betfair preview - Marseille quarter-finals Just two seeds remain as the Open 13 indoor tournament in Marseille enters today's quarter-final stages. Marcos Baghdatis, the seventh seed, is aiming to follow up his win in Zagreb two weeks ago with another...Read more »

Murray shows the way in San Jose

Editor / 15 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Betfair punters who backed Andy Murray to retain his San Jose Open title will have been impressed by the Scot's battling performance as he overcame Kristian Pless in the third round. Murray was pushed all the way by the Dane,...Read more »

Kuerten finds winning touch

Editor / 14 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Gustavo Kuerten has won his first competitive match in almost two years after beating Filippo Volandri in straight sets at the Brasil Open. The three-time French Open champion has been badly hampered by a hip problem since 2004 and his...Read more »

Murray makes winning return

Editor / 14 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Andy Murray cruised to victory in his return to the ATP Tour, beating Kevin Kim in straight sets at the San Jose Open. The British number one claimed a 6-3 6-1 success over his American opponent, to set up a...Read more »

Nadal eyes Dubai return

Editor / 13 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Rafael Nadal has targeted a return to action at the Dubai Open on February 26 after pulling out of the Open 13 tournament in Marseille. The 20-year-old came through an epic fourth-round clash with Britain's Andy Murray at the Australian...Read more »

Clijsters firm over quit decision

Editor / 13 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Kim Clijsters has made it clear that this will definitely be her last season on the professional tennis circuit despite the riches up for grabs. The Belgian star is set to play in front of her home fans at the...Read more »

Serena out of Bangalore event

Editor / 12 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Australian Open champion Serena Williams has pulled out of next week's Bangalore International because of flu. The American was set to make her first visit to India and first appearance since winning her eighth grand slam last month, but tournament...Read more »

A-Rod happy to break the clay mould

Editor / 12 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Andy Roddick was delighted to overcome difficult conditions and a hostile crowd to lead the USA to Davis Cup victory over the Czech Republic. The Americans had not won a World Group clash on clay in the prestigious event for...Read more »

BETFAIR PROFILE....RICHARD GASQUET

Editor / 12 February 2007 / Leave a comment

French ace Richard Gasquet goes into the Open 13 in Marseille with a glowing tribute ringing in his ears after his Davis Cup exploits at the weekend. The 20-year-old rugby fanatic from Beziers won both his singles matches in straight...Read more »

Murray set for first defence

Editor / 12 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Andy Murray begins the defence of his SAP Open title in San Jose on Tuesday looking to preserve his status in the world's top 20. The 19-year-old shocked the tennis world 12 months ago by beating Andy Roddick in the...Read more »

Davis Cup final day preview - Germany v Croatia

Editor / 11 February 2007 / Leave a comment

While holders Russia and beaten finalists Argentina have put themselves in strong positions on this opening weekend of 2007 Davis Cup action, Germany's tie with Croatia is finely balanced. Russia won both opening singles to lead 2-0 in Chile going...Read more »

Safarova targets Paris glory

Editor / 11 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Tournament outsider Lucie Safarova set her sights on Paris Open glory after upsetting the form book to beat Justine Henin. The unseeded Czech star fought back from a break down in both sets to claim a shock 7-6 (7-5) 6-4...Read more »

Clijsters drops Roland Garros hint

Editor / 10 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Kim Clijsters has revealed that she may withdraw from the French Open in order to concentrate on her preparations for Wimbledon. The 23-year-old, who plans to retire at the end of the season, has been struggling with a hip injury...Read more »

O'Neill focused on Villa role

Editor / 10 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Martin O'Neill says that mounting pressure on England boss Steve McClaren won't distract him from his work with Aston Villa. It's no secret that O'Neill was high on the FA's list of candidates when McClaren was appointed after the World...Read more »

ICC reject Pakistan appeal

Editor / 10 February 2007 / Leave a comment

The International Cricket Council have snubbed a second appeal from the Pakistan Cricket Board to delay the announcement of their World Cup squad. Pakistan have been hit by a string of injuries in recent months, with the likes of Shoaib...Read more »

Murray set for return

Editor / 10 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Andy Murray has been drawn to face America's Kevin Kim when he makes his return to the ATP Tour next week. The British number one has not played a competitive tournament since the Australian Open, but has now fully recovered...Read more »

US handed Williams boost

Editor / 09 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Serena Williams has confirmed that she will play for the United States in this year's Fed Cup, which will be her first appearance in the event since 2003. The Australian Open winner has been hampered by injuries in recent years,...Read more »

Home favourite makes Paris progress

Editor / 09 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Amelie Mauresmo is through to the quarter-finals of the Paris Indoor Open, as the French ace looks to retain her title. The Wimbledon champion defeated compatriot Nathalie Dechy in straight sets, 6-3 6-3, setting up a last-eight encounter with Russia's...Read more »

Henin marches on at Paris Open

Editor / 08 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Justin Henin was forced to come from a set down to beat Emilie Loit and book her place in the second round of the Paris Open on Wednesday. Playing her first match since November because of personal reasons, top seed...Read more »

Henman targets Rotterdam Open

Editor / 08 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Tim Henman's comeback from a knee injury has been put on hold after he pulled out of next week's Open 13 in Marseille. The British number two has been out of action since appearing in the south of France in...Read more »

Nadal set for Swiss role

Editor / 07 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Rafael Nadal says he is fully fit and raring to go as Spain take on Switzerland in the Davis Cup at the weekend. The world number two picked up a leg injury in his Australian Open straight sets quarter-final defeat...Read more »

Hewitt prepared for clay court outing

Editor / 07 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Lleyton Hewitt is ready to lead Australia in their Davis Cup clash in Belgium and is not worried by the prospect of playing on clay. The Aussies suffered a 5-0 whitewash at the semi-final stage last year at Parque Roca...Read more »

Henin raring to go

Editor / 06 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Justin Henin has revealed her desire to get back on court helped overcome the heartache of her marriage break-up. The Belgian star made the final of all four Grand Slams last year, winning the French Open for the third time...Read more »

Chile coach fears burn-out

Editor / 06 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Chile coach Hans Gildemeister feels fatigue might play a part when his side takes on Russia in the first round of the Davis Cup at the weekend. The Russians travel to South America to begin their defence of the title...Read more »

Betfair Davis Cup first-round preview

Editor / 06 February 2007 / Leave a comment

The tennis focus switches this week from the quest for individual success to the pursuit of team glory as the 2007 Davis Cup gets under way. This weekend's action centres on the big guns in the eight ties in the...Read more »

CHINA'S ASPIRING ACES SERVING UP GOLDEN ERA

Editor / 06 February 2007 / Leave a comment

China may be recognised as one of the world's oldest civilisations, but it is now also building a reputation as an emerging force in women's tennis. Over recent years there has been an explosion of talented female tennis starlets bursting...Read more »

Davis Cup Preview

Editor / 05 February 2007 / Leave a comment

- featuring Czech Republic v USA Last month the Australian Open was the main attraction but this first full week in February, the focus switches to team action in the shape of the Davis Cup. Russia are the holders...Read more »

Profile - Fernando Gonzalez

Editor / 05 February 2007 / Leave a comment

For two weeks in January he was the talk of tennis, the hot property eager to test the mighty Roger Federer. It didn't quite end how he would have wanted at the Australian Open in Melbourne, but Chile's Fernando Gonzalez...Read more »

Russian ace withdraws from French event

Editor / 05 February 2007 / Leave a comment

World number eight Elena Dementieva has been forced to pull out of this week's WTA Open Gaz de France tournament in Paris. The Russian has been struggling with a groin problem and is the latest big name to withdraw from...Read more »

Federer fires warning

Editor / 05 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Roger Federer has issued a warning to his rivals that he plans to continue his domination of the sport for at least another five years. The world number one showed his intent at keeping his position as the best player...Read more »

Hingis targets big year

Editor / 04 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Supporters of Martina Hingis will be encouraged to hear the Swiss star is targeting a successful season after she defeated Serbia's Ana Ivanovic 6-4 6-2 to secure a record fifth Pan Pacific Open title on Sunday. The 26-year-old former world...Read more »

Ivanovic to take on Hingis in Tokyo final

Editor / 03 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Maria Sharapova was forced to retire from her semi-final at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo with a hamstring injury. The World number one was down a set to Serbia's Ana Ivanovic at the time she complained of a sharp...Read more »

Baghdatis bounces back to reach Zagreb final

Editor / 03 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Marcos Baghdatis beat qualifier Aleksander Peya 6-4 6-3 and will face Ivan Ljubicic in Sunday's final of the Zagreb Open. The Cypriot, who suffered an embarrassing early exit at the Australian Open, took the opening set after breaking at 5-4...Read more »

Big two reach Tokyo semis

Editor / 02 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Maria Sharapova and Martina Hingis are through to the Pan Pacific Open semi-finals after differing displays in the last eight. Top seed Sharapova lost the first set to Japanese player Ai Sugiyama, but eventually ran out a 4-6 6-0 6-1...Read more »

Blake picks up 200th win

Editor / 02 February 2007 / Leave a comment

James Blake claimed a straight-sets victory over fellow American Scoville Jenkins to pick up his 200th ATP Tour success and earn a place in the Delray Beach International quarter finals. The top seed cruised to a 6-1 6-3 win to...Read more »

Sharapova heeds advice

Editor / 01 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Maria Sharapova needed some words of advice from her coach before seeing off Francesca Schiavone in her opening match at the Pan Pacific Open. On-court coaching is allowed at the Tokyo event and the Russian star was thankful to coach...Read more »