We’ve been waiting for the ATP tour to heat up after Wimbledon, and it finally has at the Rogers Cup in Montreal. (And I’m not just talking Novak’s strip tease – click here for that.)
It rained on the first day of the Rogers Cup Masters event, but that didn’t stop Gael Monfils from taking his own on-court shower:
Photo by Allen McInnis
Monfils fought past Marat Safin in three sets in Monday’s first round action. . .Sorry, Safin fans, but it’s time to give up all hope. I did long ago and so has Marat, who said after Monday’s match: “I’m realistic. I know I am not going to win (another title). There is no way.” (via Reuters.)
Rafael Nadal made his post-Roland Garros ATP debut on Monday – on the doubles court. He partnered with his defacto (when Uncle Toni isn’t around) coach Francisco Roig, who is 41 years old and won his last doubles title in 1996 (he’s won 9 career ATP doubles titles and no singles titles.) I thought this was a joke, but the two Spaniards beat a decent team in the first round: Novak Djokovic and Dusan Vemic (Vemic is ranked #49 in the world in doubles and last won a title in 2008.) Nice for Rafa, his coach and his fans, no? But I have no idea what this means in terms of Nadal’s comeback. Rafa and Roig have a legitimately difficult match on Tuesday when they take on doubles A-Team Max Mirnyi/Andy Ram. Rafa will play his first singles match on Wednesday.
Funny moment in a recent interview with Rafa in Montreal, when asked if he has any superstitions on court: “No. Nothing special.” (via the Montreal Gazette)
Photo by Allen McInnis
Yeah, you know that water bottle is returning to a very specific place on court, Fiji label turned outwards at a precise angle. Also, he’s back to his pre-No. 1 sleeveless shirts. Hey, whatever works.
Roger Federer debuted a startling practice tee on Monday. He likely won’t need many intimidation tactics on Tuesday night, when he faces Canadian World No. 487 (and fellow father) Frédéric Niemeyer.
AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Graham Hughes via Daylife
And speaking of Roger’s fashion-forward choices, here’s the definitive answer on The Dreaded “15″ Jacket:
“I actually didn’t have the jacket with me. I didn’t even know Nike did one. I won and a guy walks out and says ‘look, if you want to wear this jacket, it’s got a 15 on it.’ I was like ‘that’s kind of cool.’ So I look at the jacket and I can’t find it, it’s so small. Then I look and it’s on the back at the side. If it would have been a huge 15 on the back like in Paris, I wouldn’t have worn it for the trophy ceremony.
“It would never have occurred to people that I wore it except that [BBC interviewer] Sue Barker asked me about it on Centre Court. She made a big deal out of it and I think that’s why people then thought it was classless or and a bit arrogant, especially towards Andy [Roddick]. But it’s got nothing to do with that. I was just very proud to have won the tournament.”
Now can we all get over this, already? Sheesh.
In other results of note: Gilles Simon beat Canadian star Frank Dancevic, Stan Wawrinka beat Nicolas Kiefer, Mikhail Youzhny beat Marin Cilic, and Petzschner beat Samurai Querrey.
Tuesday’s matches of note include: Hewitt vs. Ferrero, F-Lo vs. Verdasco, Andy Murray vs. Jeremy Chardy, and Haas vs. Karolovic. Novak Djokovic will take on Canadian Pete Polansky and Roger will play Niemeyer at night. Rafa/Roig vs. Mirnyi/Ram in dubs.
Tuesday’s Rogers Cup action WILL be televised in the States on Tennis Channel! Click here for the schedule.
Click here for Rogers Cup website.
U.S. residents, don’t forget to enter our Wilson Racket Giveaway! (Click here)
Loading ...
