Thursday, 5 April 2012
Libertad comeback seals qualification
Paraguay's Libertad are the latest team to book their spot in the Copa Libertadores last 16 after a 2-1 comeback win against Uruguay's Nacional, while Bolivia's The Strongest were dealt a blow after defeat against Juan Aurich.
Valencia rebound to rout AZ
Two goals in as many first-half minutes from Adil Rami sent Valencia on their way to the UEFA Europa League semi-finals as they overturned a first-leg deficit to see off AZ Alkmaar 4-0.
Copenhagen clear, Lyngby fight for survival
FC Copenhagen defeated Brondby 3-1 to go six points clear at the top of the Superligaen, while Nordsjaelland suffered a 1-0 loss at Sonderjyske, and Lyngby beat Koge to keep their survival hopes alive.
Weekly Snapshot: Americans Look To Repeat Success
In this latest Weekly Snapshot, we look at the week ahead, featuring the four Davis Cup World Group quarter-final ties and past week in review at Miami.
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Worcs take slender lead after Jones' six
It is never wise to pronounce judgment on the performance of one batting line-up, however dismal, until their opponents have responded. Yet Worcestershire's dismissal for 130, giving them an advantage of 12, made Nottinghamshire's paltry effort look no be
Manchester duo poised for key weekend
Manchester City face a potentially pivotal weekend in the hunt for their maiden Premier League title with Roberto Mancini's side trailing by five points and set for a tough trip to Arsenal, while leaders Manchester United host QPR.
Metalist miss sees Sporting go through
Sporting Lisbon claimed their place in the UEFA Europa League semi-finals as they clung on for a 1-1 draw to seal a 3-2 aggregate win against Metalist Kharkiv, who paid dearly for a second-half miss from the spot.
Metalist miss sees Sporting advance
Sporting Lisbon claimed their place in the UEFA Europa League semi-finals as they clung on for a 1-1 draw to seal a 3-2 aggregate win over Metalist Kharkiv, who paid dearly for a second-half miss from the spot.
Juve hand Milan historic defeat
Fifteen years ago to the day, leaders Juventus headed to the San Siro under pressure in the Scudetto race. However, not only did Marcello Lippi’s side emerge victors, they handed AC Milan a historic defeat in the process.
Nalbandian to meet Cilic in Davis Cup opener
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP)â€"David Nalbandian of Argentina will face Marin Cilic of Croatia in Friday’s opening singles match of their Davis Cup quarterfinal on clay in Buenos Aires.
In Thursday’s draw, Juan Martin del Potro was picked to play Ivo Karlovic of Croatia in Friday’s second singles match.
Doubles are set for Saturday with reverse singles on Sunday.
Argentina has been the losing finalist four times, including last year against Spain. Croatia won the Davis Cup in 2005.
In Thursday’s draw, Juan Martin del Potro was picked to play Ivo Karlovic of Croatia in Friday’s second singles match.
Doubles are set for Saturday with reverse singles on Sunday.
Argentina has been the losing finalist four times, including last year against Spain. Croatia won the Davis Cup in 2005.
Jankovic felt like "Bambi on ice" on clay
Former No. 1 Jelena Jankovic’s minor slump continued at the Family Circle Cup in Charleston when she fell 7-5, 6-0 to Venus Williams. Jankovic who won the tournament in 2007, has not reached a final since last August. "I was in the past one of the best movers on clay, and today I was falling all over the place," she told reporters. "I felt like Bambi on ice."
Venus joins Serena in Charleston quarterfinals
CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP)â€"Venus Williams kept up with sister Serena by winning a third-round match at the Family Circle Cup, moving one step closer to an all-Williams semifinal.
Venus Williams defeated Anastasia Rodionova 7-5, 6-2 Thursday, continuing her strong comeback from an autoimmune disease that kept her sidelined for more than six months.
Serena Williams also advanced to the quarterfinals, ousting Marina Erakovic 6-2, 6-2.
Venus Williams reached the final eight for the second straight tournament. She returned to action at the Sony Ericsson Open last week, winning four times before falling to eventual champion Agnieszka Radwanska.
Venus won her third match at her first clay-court tournament since 2010. She will take on second-seeded Samantha Stosur or Galina Voskoboeva on Friday. Stosur, the U.S. Open champion, and Voskoboeva play Thursday night.
Serena Williams isn’t ready to look ahead to the semifinals and what could be the latest showdown with her older sister.
“I hope we both get there,†Serena said. “I mean, I have to win another match.â€
Then again, Serena wasn’t afraid to look ahead a couple of months to Roland Garros, where she’s hoping to win a second French Open title.
“I’m always ready to win the French Open,†she said, “and I never do.â€
This year could be different for Williams, who is off to a nice start in her first clay-court tournament the season.
She cruised to an easy victory over Erackovic, showing off some big serves and laser-like groundstrokes while advancing in a tournament title she won once before in 2008.
Williams said she was more comfortable in her second match on clay, moving better and reacting more crisply during the longer points that come with the slower surface.
“So I felt good,†Williams said. “I love the clay.â€
It doesn’t always love her back, especially at Roland Garros. Williams, a 13-time grand slam titlist, won her only French Open crown in 2002. She lost in the semifinals the next year, and hasn’t made it past the quarterfinals in five trips since. Paris is “my favorite city in the world,†Williams said. “I hate leaving there.â€
So imagine how much it must gall the ultra-competitive Williams when she leaves without the victory.
First things first, though.
Serena Williams and Erakovic traded ground strokes early on, with the 24-year-old New Zealander prevailing in a game that took nearly 15 minutes to play and left the first set tied at 2.
Williams, annoyed she played through seven deuces and still lost, then cranked it up and won the final four games of the set.
Erakovic was overmatched the rest of the way, often watching from the baseline as Williams’ shots flew past for winners. At one point, Williams swung and missed as Erackovic’s lob shot flew over, yet caught up with the ball moments later on the bounce and flipped it over the net for a winner. Williams switched sides with a huge grin on her face.
“I’m really excited to be playing some matches here because it really gives you confidence in the things that you want to work on, not just for today and tomorrow, but the rest of the clay-court season,†Williams said.
Williams had aces clocked at 120 and 121 mph in the final set. Erakovic double faulted to end the match.
Williams won 10 of the last 12 games to advance.
Third-seeded Marion Bartoli wasn’t so fortunate. She gave up a 4-2 lead in the third set to lose to No. 14 seed Polona Hercog.
Ninth-seeded Lucie Safarova defeated Alexsandra Wozniak and 13th-seeded Nadia Petrova, the 2006 winner here, ousted Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
Radwanska withdrew on Sunday.
Venus Williams defeated Anastasia Rodionova 7-5, 6-2 Thursday, continuing her strong comeback from an autoimmune disease that kept her sidelined for more than six months.
Serena Williams also advanced to the quarterfinals, ousting Marina Erakovic 6-2, 6-2.
Venus Williams reached the final eight for the second straight tournament. She returned to action at the Sony Ericsson Open last week, winning four times before falling to eventual champion Agnieszka Radwanska.
Venus won her third match at her first clay-court tournament since 2010. She will take on second-seeded Samantha Stosur or Galina Voskoboeva on Friday. Stosur, the U.S. Open champion, and Voskoboeva play Thursday night.
Serena Williams isn’t ready to look ahead to the semifinals and what could be the latest showdown with her older sister.
“I hope we both get there,†Serena said. “I mean, I have to win another match.â€
Then again, Serena wasn’t afraid to look ahead a couple of months to Roland Garros, where she’s hoping to win a second French Open title.
“I’m always ready to win the French Open,†she said, “and I never do.â€
This year could be different for Williams, who is off to a nice start in her first clay-court tournament the season.
She cruised to an easy victory over Erackovic, showing off some big serves and laser-like groundstrokes while advancing in a tournament title she won once before in 2008.
Williams said she was more comfortable in her second match on clay, moving better and reacting more crisply during the longer points that come with the slower surface.
“So I felt good,†Williams said. “I love the clay.â€
It doesn’t always love her back, especially at Roland Garros. Williams, a 13-time grand slam titlist, won her only French Open crown in 2002. She lost in the semifinals the next year, and hasn’t made it past the quarterfinals in five trips since. Paris is “my favorite city in the world,†Williams said. “I hate leaving there.â€
So imagine how much it must gall the ultra-competitive Williams when she leaves without the victory.
First things first, though.
Serena Williams and Erakovic traded ground strokes early on, with the 24-year-old New Zealander prevailing in a game that took nearly 15 minutes to play and left the first set tied at 2.
Williams, annoyed she played through seven deuces and still lost, then cranked it up and won the final four games of the set.
Erakovic was overmatched the rest of the way, often watching from the baseline as Williams’ shots flew past for winners. At one point, Williams swung and missed as Erackovic’s lob shot flew over, yet caught up with the ball moments later on the bounce and flipped it over the net for a winner. Williams switched sides with a huge grin on her face.
“I’m really excited to be playing some matches here because it really gives you confidence in the things that you want to work on, not just for today and tomorrow, but the rest of the clay-court season,†Williams said.
Williams had aces clocked at 120 and 121 mph in the final set. Erakovic double faulted to end the match.
Williams won 10 of the last 12 games to advance.
Third-seeded Marion Bartoli wasn’t so fortunate. She gave up a 4-2 lead in the third set to lose to No. 14 seed Polona Hercog.
Ninth-seeded Lucie Safarova defeated Alexsandra Wozniak and 13th-seeded Nadia Petrova, the 2006 winner here, ousted Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
Radwanska withdrew on Sunday.
Latest look inside F1 driver’s life: Heikki Kovalainen
The latest “Inside Line” is up at the official Formula 1 site and it is with the best driver in the worst car in the world: Heikki Kovalainen. I’m a big Heikki fan. I think he’s a tidy driver who is doing wonders in the Caterham. But… I have to wonder what the first version
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• Facebook • Twitter • Delicious • Digg • StumbleUpon • Add to favorites • Email • RSS • LinkedInJankovc felt like "Bambi on ice" on clay
Former No. 1 Jelena Jankovic’s minor slump continued at the Family Circle Cup in Charleston when she fell 7-5, 6-0 to Venus Williams. Jankovic who won the tournament in 2007, has not reached a final since last August. "I was in the past one of the best movers on clay, and today I was falling all over the place," she told reporters. "I felt like Bambi on ice."
Fish may be healthy enough for Houston
Mardy Fish is feeling better after the minor health scare he faced the night after his quarterfinal loss to Juan Monaco in Miami and plans to travel to Houston for the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championships this coming weekend, The Houston Chronicle reports. The top-seeded Fish, who was forced to skip this weekend's Davis Cup due to his illness, wouldn't have to play his first match in Houston before Thursday.
Federer Leads Five Top 10 Players In Davis Cup Action
This week ATP World Tour stars focus on national service in four Davis Cup by BNP Paribas quarter-finals ties. ATPWorldTour.com previews the ties.
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Notable Improvers Of The Year
ATPWorldTour.com reviews five storylines from the first quarter of the 2012 season. In the fourth installment, we take a look at some of the most improved players in recent months.
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Serena cruises into Charleston quarterfinals
CHARLESTON, South Carolina (AP)â€"Serena Williams had a solid showing on clay at the Family Circle Cup. Her focus, though, was an ocean away and the grand slam title she’d love to once again add to her Hall-of-Fame legacy.
“I’m always ready to win the French Open,†she said Thursday, “and I never do.â€
This year could be different if Williams keeps playing this well on clay. She reached the quarterfinals of her first event on the surface this season with a steady, 6-2, 6-2 victory over Marina Erackovic. Williams showed off some big serves and laser-like ground strokes as she attempts to capture a tournament title she won once before in 2008.
Williams said she was more comfortable in her second match on clay, moving better and reacting more crisply during the longer points that come with the slower surface.
“So I felt good,†Williams said. “I love the clay.â€
It doesn’t always love her back, especially at Roland Garros. Williams, a 13-time grand slam titlist, won her only French Open crown in 2002. She lost in the semifinals the next year, then has not gotten past the quarterfinals in five trips since. Paris is “my favorite city in the world,†Williams said. “I hate leaving there.â€
So imagine how much it must gall the ultra-competitive Williams when she leaves without the victory.
First things first, though.
Williams will face either 2009 Family Circle champ Sabine Lisicki or Yaroslava Shvedova on Friday. Should the 30-year-old American prevail, older sister Venus Williams could be waiting in the semifinals.
Venus took on Anastasia Rodionova in a third-round match later Wednesday.
“I hope we both get there,†Serena said of Saturday sibling showdown. “I mean, I have to win another match.â€
If Serena Williams continues progressing that should be a problem.
Williams and Erakovic traded ground strokes early on with the 24-year-old New Zealander prevailing in a game to tie the opening set at 2-all that took nearly 15 minutes to play.
Williams, annoyed she played through seven deuces and still lost, cranked it up after that to take control, winning the final four games to capture the set.
Erakovic was overmatched the rest of the way, often watching from the baseline as Williams’ shots flew past for winners. At one point, Williams swung and missed as Erackovic’s lob shot flew over, yet caught up with the ball moments later on the bounce and flipped it over the net for a winner. Williams switched sides with a huge grin on her face.
“I’m really excited to be playing some matches here because it really gives you confidence in the things that you want to work on, not just for today and tomorrow, but the rest of the clay-court season,†Williams said.
Williams had aces clocked at 120 and 121 mph in the final set. Erakovic double faulted to end the match.
Williams won 10 of the last 12 games to advance.
Third-seeded Marion Bartoli wasn’t so fortunate. She gave up a 4-2 lead in the third set to lose to No. 14 seed Polona Hercog.
Ninth seed Lucie Safarova defeated Alexsandra Wozniak and 13th-seeded Nadia Petrova, the 2006 winner here, ousted Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
Samantha Sour, the 2010 Family Circle winner and highest seed left here at No. 2, meets Galina Voskoboeva on Thursday night.
Top seed Angieszka Radwanska withdrew on Sunday. She won the Sony Ericsson Open last week.
“I’m always ready to win the French Open,†she said Thursday, “and I never do.â€
This year could be different if Williams keeps playing this well on clay. She reached the quarterfinals of her first event on the surface this season with a steady, 6-2, 6-2 victory over Marina Erackovic. Williams showed off some big serves and laser-like ground strokes as she attempts to capture a tournament title she won once before in 2008.
Williams said she was more comfortable in her second match on clay, moving better and reacting more crisply during the longer points that come with the slower surface.
“So I felt good,†Williams said. “I love the clay.â€
It doesn’t always love her back, especially at Roland Garros. Williams, a 13-time grand slam titlist, won her only French Open crown in 2002. She lost in the semifinals the next year, then has not gotten past the quarterfinals in five trips since. Paris is “my favorite city in the world,†Williams said. “I hate leaving there.â€
So imagine how much it must gall the ultra-competitive Williams when she leaves without the victory.
First things first, though.
Williams will face either 2009 Family Circle champ Sabine Lisicki or Yaroslava Shvedova on Friday. Should the 30-year-old American prevail, older sister Venus Williams could be waiting in the semifinals.
Venus took on Anastasia Rodionova in a third-round match later Wednesday.
“I hope we both get there,†Serena said of Saturday sibling showdown. “I mean, I have to win another match.â€
If Serena Williams continues progressing that should be a problem.
Williams and Erakovic traded ground strokes early on with the 24-year-old New Zealander prevailing in a game to tie the opening set at 2-all that took nearly 15 minutes to play.
Williams, annoyed she played through seven deuces and still lost, cranked it up after that to take control, winning the final four games to capture the set.
Erakovic was overmatched the rest of the way, often watching from the baseline as Williams’ shots flew past for winners. At one point, Williams swung and missed as Erackovic’s lob shot flew over, yet caught up with the ball moments later on the bounce and flipped it over the net for a winner. Williams switched sides with a huge grin on her face.
“I’m really excited to be playing some matches here because it really gives you confidence in the things that you want to work on, not just for today and tomorrow, but the rest of the clay-court season,†Williams said.
Williams had aces clocked at 120 and 121 mph in the final set. Erakovic double faulted to end the match.
Williams won 10 of the last 12 games to advance.
Third-seeded Marion Bartoli wasn’t so fortunate. She gave up a 4-2 lead in the third set to lose to No. 14 seed Polona Hercog.
Ninth seed Lucie Safarova defeated Alexsandra Wozniak and 13th-seeded Nadia Petrova, the 2006 winner here, ousted Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
Samantha Sour, the 2010 Family Circle winner and highest seed left here at No. 2, meets Galina Voskoboeva on Thursday night.
Top seed Angieszka Radwanska withdrew on Sunday. She won the Sony Ericsson Open last week.
Tsonga, Berdych, Tipsarevic del Potro On National Service In Davis Cup Ties
This week, ATP World Tour stars focus on national service in four Davis Cup by BNP Paribas quarter-finals ties. ATPWorldTour.com previews the ties.
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Courier: Bryans are a 'Self-sufficient organism'
U.S. Davis Cup captain Jim Courier says that it’s a luxury to have the world No. 1 doubles team of Bob and Mike Bryan on his team set to face France in Monte Carlo in this weekend's Davis Cup quarterfinals. Rookie Ryan Harrison will open against top French No. 1 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and then American John Isner will face Gilles Simon. The Bryans are scheduled to play Michael Llodra and Julien Benneteau. The Bryans have won 19 of their 21 matches together in Davis Cup play with one of those two losses coming to Llodra and Arnaud Clement in 2008. "Their record is extremely strong," Courier told reporters. "I have the utmost confidence in them. As a captain, having them on your side, it feels like you're almost cheating, so it's great to have them on board. I'll explain: I don't have to do anything. They're a very selfâ€'sufficient organism."
Taylor Townsend, 15, weighing pro options
Fifteen-year-old American Taylor Townsend is weighing her options as to whether to turn pro. Currently ranked No. 2 in the ITF juniors, Townsend is playing the USTA International Spring Championships in Carson, California, then will play the Easter Bowl, the French Open, Wimbledon, and the U.S. Open juniors before going pro. Townsend is the reigning Australian Open girls’ champion.
"This was just all part of the plan,†said Townsend of her reason for playing the Spring Championships and Easter Bowl back-to-back. “They are in States and I can get the ITF points I need to be No. 1. Plus, these are my last few junior tournaments so I want to go out and enjoy it."
Townsend trains at USTA headquarters in Boca Raton, Fla., and has been working out near her home at the Racquet Club of the South in Norcross, Ga. She is also planning on playing some USTA Pro Circuit events, but also wants to keep her options open regarding possibly going to college.
Serbian captain: No Davis Cup for Djokovic
Ahead of Serbia’s Davis Cup tie against the Czech Republic, captain Bogdan Obradovic saod that world No. 1 Novak Djokovic has no plans to play in the competition this year. Serbia is led by singles players Viktor Troicki and Janko Tipsarevic, while Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek head the Czech squad.
"There is no Davis Cup is his schedule for this season," Obradovic told DavisCup.com. "The main reason for that is he wants to hold the No. 1 in the world and of course he has the Olympics. Whenever he wants to be back in team, he is going to be back. [But] we still have a very competitive team without Novak."
Tipsarevic said that Djokovic told him earlier in the year that he would not be available for the first two ties.
Stepanek said that Djokovic’s absence will give the Czechs a better chance of winning. "Without Djoko they are much hurt-able team for us and with him," he said.
Mercedes GP: Qualifying pace is not main goal…race pace is
If you read Paul Charsley’s story about tires (Tyres), you’ll have a little better understanding of Mercedes AMG Petronas boss Ross Brawn’s comments as relayed by the erudite James Allen (check out James’s take on it right here). Brawn says the team isn’t going to focus solely on qualifying pace at the risk of race pace. “In both
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• Facebook • Twitter • Delicious • Digg • StumbleUpon • Add to favorites • Email • RSS • LinkedInMercedes wing system isn’t easy to copy, Brawn says
OK, before jumping into the news, I need to vent: Crap! I just drilled a series of holes in my MINI, apparently for nothing. Dang it. Ross Brawn and I will be having words at the U.S. Grand Prix.* My upset is due to the fact that Ross is saying today that the Mercedes rear
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• Facebook • Twitter • Delicious • Digg • StumbleUpon • Add to favorites • Email • RSS • LinkedInHard work ahead - Ford
Sri Lanka coach Graham Ford said they have a lot of hard work to do in the next two days of the second test after England built a first innings lead of 185 and put the pressure back on the home team.
China preview quotes - Sauber, Lotus, McLaren & more
The Shanghai International Circuit's stunning architecture, high-speed straights and winding turns, mean the teams are more than happy to journey back to Asia to enjoy the chance to race in China. Here senior team personnel and the drivers contemplate their hopes for the event and explain why they count this track as one of their favouritesÂ…
Deputy technical director Tokunaga leaves Lotus
Lotus deputy technical director Naoki Tokunaga is to bid farewell to the team and will join Renault Sport F1 as the technical director of their New Generation Power Unit. Tokunaga's role at Lotus will remain vacant for the foreseeable future. Â"While we are sad on a personal level to see Naoki leave Enstone, we believe this move will be overall positive for Renault Sport F1's customers,Â" said Lotus technical director James Allison. Â"We would like to thank Naoki for the tremendous contribution he has made to our team during the 12 years he has been with us and we look forward to the performance he will bring us (and all of Renault Sport F1's client teams) in his new role.Â"
Forget picks Simon for singles against USA
MONACO (AP)â€"France captain Guy Forget has chosen Gilles Simon to play singles against the United States in their Davis Cup quarterfinal on Friday.
Even though the 13th-ranked Simon is nursing a sore back and has had little practice, Forget selected him Thursday ahead of lower ranked Julien Benneteau and Michael Llodra.
Sixth-ranked Jo-Wilfried Tsonga will be first on court at the Monte Carlo Country Club when he takes on the inexperienced 19-year-old Ryan Harrison.
Simon, who replaced the injured Gael Monfils, then plays No. 11 John Isner.
American captain Jim Courier was also dealt a blow when Mardy Fish pulled out with fatigue this week.
Even though the 13th-ranked Simon is nursing a sore back and has had little practice, Forget selected him Thursday ahead of lower ranked Julien Benneteau and Michael Llodra.
Sixth-ranked Jo-Wilfried Tsonga will be first on court at the Monte Carlo Country Club when he takes on the inexperienced 19-year-old Ryan Harrison.
Simon, who replaced the injured Gael Monfils, then plays No. 11 John Isner.
American captain Jim Courier was also dealt a blow when Mardy Fish pulled out with fatigue this week.
Isner v. Simon for Davis Cup singles in Monaco
MONACO (AP)â€"France captain Guy Forget has chosen Gilles Simon to play singles against the United States in their Davis Cup quarterfinal Friday on clay.
Even though the 13th-ranked Simon is nursing a sore back and practiced little, Forget selected him Thursday ahead of lower-ranked Julien Benneteau and Michael Llodra.
Sixth-ranked Jo-Wilfried Tsonga will open against 19-year-old American Ryan Harrison at the Monte Carlo Country Club. Simon, who replaced the injured Gael Monfils, will play No. 11 John Isner.
American captain Jim Courier is without Mardy Fish, who pulled out with fatigue this week.
“We’re very prepared. We have a great team, a great coach and captain,†said Harrison, whose only Davis Cup appearance came in the meaningless reverse singles during the 5-0 sweep of Switzerland in February. “I think we’re as prepared as can be.â€
Brothers Bob and Mike Bryan will play Benneteau and Llodra in the doubles on Saturday. In reverse singles on Sunday, Isner opens against Tsonga and Harrison faces Simon.
Isner recently beat Simon at Indian Wells, but feels that win will count for little.
“I don’t think it’s going to make that much of a difference,†Isner said. “It’s Davis Cup. It’s a whole different animal than a regular tournament. (Simon’s) going to take to the court very confident.â€
Even though the 13th-ranked Simon is nursing a sore back and practiced little, Forget selected him Thursday ahead of lower-ranked Julien Benneteau and Michael Llodra.
Sixth-ranked Jo-Wilfried Tsonga will open against 19-year-old American Ryan Harrison at the Monte Carlo Country Club. Simon, who replaced the injured Gael Monfils, will play No. 11 John Isner.
American captain Jim Courier is without Mardy Fish, who pulled out with fatigue this week.
“We’re very prepared. We have a great team, a great coach and captain,†said Harrison, whose only Davis Cup appearance came in the meaningless reverse singles during the 5-0 sweep of Switzerland in February. “I think we’re as prepared as can be.â€
Brothers Bob and Mike Bryan will play Benneteau and Llodra in the doubles on Saturday. In reverse singles on Sunday, Isner opens against Tsonga and Harrison faces Simon.
Isner recently beat Simon at Indian Wells, but feels that win will count for little.
“I don’t think it’s going to make that much of a difference,†Isner said. “It’s Davis Cup. It’s a whole different animal than a regular tournament. (Simon’s) going to take to the court very confident.â€
HRT gets ready for Chinese Grand Prix with new Chinese driver
You have to applaud HRT for capitalizing on the Chinese GP marketing opportunity with the appointment of Ma Qing Hua. While I think it is  a great move for both HRT and China, I can’t help but wonder if Mr. Bernard Ecclestone wasn’t involved in this one to help drum up interest in his Chinese
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• Facebook • Twitter • Delicious • Digg • StumbleUpon • Add to favorites • Email • RSS • LinkedInBerdych to open Davis Cup quarters against Troicki
PRAGUE (AP)â€"Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic will play Viktor Troicki of Serbia in the opening singles match of the Davis Cup quarterfinals.
Radek Stepanek will face Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia in the second singles match on Friday on the indoor clay-court at O2 Arena.
Czech pair Frantisek Cermak and Lukas Rosol have been selected to play Ilija Bozoljac and Nenad Zimonjic in Saturday’s doubles, but captain Jaroslav Navratil is expected to bring in Berdych and Stepanek. Changes are also possible for the Serbian pair.
The winner of the best-of-five series will face Argentina or Croatia in September’s semifinals.
The Serbian team is missing top-ranked Novak Djokovic
Radek Stepanek will face Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia in the second singles match on Friday on the indoor clay-court at O2 Arena.
Czech pair Frantisek Cermak and Lukas Rosol have been selected to play Ilija Bozoljac and Nenad Zimonjic in Saturday’s doubles, but captain Jaroslav Navratil is expected to bring in Berdych and Stepanek. Changes are also possible for the Serbian pair.
The winner of the best-of-five series will face Argentina or Croatia in September’s semifinals.
The Serbian team is missing top-ranked Novak Djokovic
First big chunk of China GP preview quotes
In my mind, Tony Fernandes sums things up. It’s about “achieving our goals.” Kamui Kobayashi, Sauber 2011 Qualifying – 13th, 2010 Race – 10th “I always have a good feeling for this Grand Prix. I really like the circuit near Shanghai because I enjoy its high speed corners very much, and as well as that
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• Facebook • Twitter • Delicious • Digg • StumbleUpon • Add to favorites • Email • RSS • LinkedInJurgen Melzer: Switching Surfaces
In February, Jurgen Melzer captured his first ATP World Tour 500 trophy in Memphis, cooling off a red-hot Milos Raonic in the final. With the European clay-court swing fast approaching, ATPWorldTour.com sat down with Melzer to discuss what players need to do in order to successfully transition from hard courts to the dirt.
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Almagro opens against Melzer in Davis Cup
CASTELLON, Spain (AP)â€"Defending champion Spain will attempt to beat Austria in the first Davis Cup for the first time in 33 years when Nicolas Almagro opens Friday against Jurgen Melzer in the first singles match of the quarterfinals.
Fifth-ranked David Ferrer, who was on all three of Spain’s title-winning teams in the past four years, was drawn on Thursday to play Andreas Haider-Maurer in the second singles match on outdoor clay.
Spanish pair Marc Lopez and Marcel Granollers play Alexander Peya and Oliver Marach in Saturday’s doubles, with reverse singles scheduled for Sunday.
The winner will face either the United States or France in the semifinals.
Five-time champion Spain can pass Germany with a 23rd straight win at homeâ€" where it hasn’t slipped up since 1999â€"for the second longest run in the competition.
Spain has won all 24 series on clay since losing to Brazil 13 years ago and is in pursuit of Italy’s record 28 home wins from 1949-1964.
In the quarterfinals for the first time in 17 years, Austria is looking to reach the semifinals for only the second time. The team has won three of four meetings with Spain, which is again without Rafael Nadal. The last Spanish triumph came in 1979.
Ferrer, who is 12-0 in singles matches on clay, returns after missing the first-round victory over Kazakhstan. He had initially made himself unavailable due to this year’s busy calendar due to the addition of the Olympics.
Last year, Ferrer swept aside the 139th-ranked Haider-Maurer 6-1, 6-1 on clay in their only previous meeting.
“I feel well both physically and mentally. It’s true I started this season with a lot of matches, but this also helps your confidence,†said Ferrer, who has already won three titles this season. “I arrive here in a good moment.â€
Spain captain Alex Corretja is wary of any overconfidence with the 21st-ranked Melzer holding a 2-1 overall record against Almagro.
“Melzer is a player who has already beaten David Ferrer, Nicolas Almagro and Marcel Granollers. He’s a player who knows how to win on clay. He was a French Open semifinalist,†Corretja said. “But I think we only have to worry about ourselves in this series.â€
Rain risks disrupting Friday’s play on the outdoor court.
Fifth-ranked David Ferrer, who was on all three of Spain’s title-winning teams in the past four years, was drawn on Thursday to play Andreas Haider-Maurer in the second singles match on outdoor clay.
Spanish pair Marc Lopez and Marcel Granollers play Alexander Peya and Oliver Marach in Saturday’s doubles, with reverse singles scheduled for Sunday.
The winner will face either the United States or France in the semifinals.
Five-time champion Spain can pass Germany with a 23rd straight win at homeâ€" where it hasn’t slipped up since 1999â€"for the second longest run in the competition.
Spain has won all 24 series on clay since losing to Brazil 13 years ago and is in pursuit of Italy’s record 28 home wins from 1949-1964.
In the quarterfinals for the first time in 17 years, Austria is looking to reach the semifinals for only the second time. The team has won three of four meetings with Spain, which is again without Rafael Nadal. The last Spanish triumph came in 1979.
Ferrer, who is 12-0 in singles matches on clay, returns after missing the first-round victory over Kazakhstan. He had initially made himself unavailable due to this year’s busy calendar due to the addition of the Olympics.
Last year, Ferrer swept aside the 139th-ranked Haider-Maurer 6-1, 6-1 on clay in their only previous meeting.
“I feel well both physically and mentally. It’s true I started this season with a lot of matches, but this also helps your confidence,†said Ferrer, who has already won three titles this season. “I arrive here in a good moment.â€
Spain captain Alex Corretja is wary of any overconfidence with the 21st-ranked Melzer holding a 2-1 overall record against Almagro.
“Melzer is a player who has already beaten David Ferrer, Nicolas Almagro and Marcel Granollers. He’s a player who knows how to win on clay. He was a French Open semifinalist,†Corretja said. “But I think we only have to worry about ourselves in this series.â€
Rain risks disrupting Friday’s play on the outdoor court.
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