Red-hot Roger Downs Djokovic in Shanghai
Locker Room
October 11, 2014
Sometimes tennis is almost too beautiful for words. Simply awe-inspiring…deliciously surprising…nothing can do justice to what just happened in Shanghai. Could Roger Federer even end the year as world number one? After this, anything seems possible. We thought we’d seen perfection from Novak Djokovic in the Far East. Then Roger Federer reminded us what sporting […]
Nadal To Battle On Despite Shanghai Defeat, Federer Saves FIVE Match Points!
Locker Room
October 8, 2014
Rafa Nadal has vowed to play on until the end of the year, despite crashing out of the Shanghai Rolex Masters to Feliciano Lopez, still troubled by his appendix. Lopez took his chance 6-3, 7-6 (6), even though Nadal seemed to have battled his way back into the match. Nadal led 5-3 in the second […]
Perfect Djokovic Destroys Doubting Tomas
Locker Room
October 5, 2014
Novak Djokovic almost served up a dreaded “double bagel” for Tomas Berdych in a ridiculously one-sided China Open final. ‘Something from above came into me,’ Djokovic claimed later, struggling to explain his own brilliance. No wonder the Serb suggested his tennis had been Heaven-sent. The quality of his game was quite mind-blowing. And then, as […]
Marvellous Maria Wins China Open
Locker Room
Maria Sharapova defeated Petra Kvitova 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 to claim the China Open title with a typical display of stamina and determination. In doing so, she leap-frogged Kvitova and Simona Halep to become the world number two, behind her nemesis Serena Williams. Although this was her fourth title of the season, Sharapova hadn’t won a […]
Tearful Nishikori Makes Tokyo History
Locker Room
A tearful Kei Nishikori made history when he became the first man ever to retain the Tokyo title. His second Japan Open was sealed 7-6 (7-5), 4-6, 6-4 and cemented Nishikori’s impressive rise in the sport. The win gave the Far East further confirmation that the region is now a major force in tennis, with […]
Stunning Novak Too Strong For Murray
Locker Room
October 4, 2014
Novak Djokovic thwarted a brave comeback from Andy Murray to register an amazing 23rd successive win in Beijing, where he has never been beaten. The world number one was in imperious form as he brushed Murray aside 6-3,6-4 to show why he is virtually untouchable in the Far East. One more win, against either Tomas […]
Fiery Murray Crushes US Open Champion Cilic
Locker Room
October 3, 2014
With beautifully crafted points and a self-assurance rarely seen in recent times, Andy Murray destroyed Marin Cilic 6-1, 6-4 to set up a mouth-watering semi-final clash against Novak Djokovic. It was one of Murray’s best performances since winning Wimbledon in 2013, although he did lose his head when a straight sets victory appeared momentarily to […]
Rafa’s Back In Style!
Locker Room
September 30, 2014
Rafael Nadal made an impressive return to action at the China Open in Beijing by beating the flamboyant Richard Gasquet 6-4, 6-0. It was the ever-popular Spaniard’s first match since Wimbledon, after problems with an injury to his right wrist. Looking a little heavier but proving as aggressive as ever, Nadal broke early in the […]
Murray Wins A Title At Last!
Locker Room
September 29, 2014
When you’ve gone 14 months without winning a tournament it doesn’t matter when, where or how you finally break your barren run. As it happened, this long-awaited triumph was born out of seemingly insurmountable adversity at the Shenzhen Open, in the form of five match points brilliantly saved, the turning point in a thrilling tie-break […]
Did Sachin Twist Federer’s Arm?
Locker Room
September 23, 2014
Is it just a coincidence that Roger Federer has been persuaded to join a tennis team hosted by cricket-crazy India, home to his friend and fellow legend, Sachin Tendulkar? If you had been walking through the Competitors’ Lounge at Wimbledon a couple of years ago, you would have been astonished to see Federer taking tea […]