Roger Federer reached 20 Slam semifinals

On Wednesday, Roger Federer reached the semifinal stage of Roland Garros by beating Gaël Monfils in straight sets.

Federer has now reached a record 20 consecutive Grand Slam semifinals. The Swiss tennis player had shared the record with Martina Navrátilová.

Federer has now qualified for the semifinals of Roland Garros five times. Only Björn Borg and Mats Wilander have a better record in the Open Era. They reached the last four in Paris six times.

However, Federer is the first to reach the semifinals five years in a row, according to Infostrada.

Most consecutive Grand Slam semifinals – Women’s and Men’s Singles – Open Era

# Name Nation Years

20 Roger Federer SUI 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009

19 Martina Navrátilová USA 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988

15 Steffi Graf FRG 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990

11 Chris Evert USA 1984, 1985, 1986

11 Martina Hingis SWI 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999

10 Ivan Lendl TCH 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988

9 Margaret Court AUS 1969, 1970, 1971

9 Chris Evert USA 1981, 1982, 1983

7 Chris Evert USA 1973, 1974

6 Ann Jones GBR 1968, 1969

6 Ivan Lendl TCH 1983, 1984

6 Monica Seles YUG 1991, 1992, 1993

6 Steffi Graf GER 1993, 1994

6 Jennifer Capriati USA 2001, 2002

6 Serena Williams USA 2002, 2003

Most semifinal appearances Roland Garros – Men’s Singles in Open Era

# Name Nation Years

6 Björn Borg SWE 1974, 1975, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981

6 Mats Wilander SWE 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988

5 Ivan Lendl TCH 1981, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987

5 Andre Agassi USA 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1999

5 Roger Federer SUI 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009

4 Guillermo Vilas ARG 1975, 1977, 1978, 1982

4 Jimmy Connors USA 1979, 1980, 1984, 1985

4 Jim Courier USA 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994

4 Sergi Bruguera ESP 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997

4 Juan Carlos Ferrero ESP 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003

4 Rafael Nadal ESP 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008

Very lucky loser

As part of the Sony Ericsson Open 2009, the German Bjorn Phau have won 45 points and $20,400. Why? Here we have the equation:

Qualifying Draw

(5)Bjorn Phau d. (WC)Michael McClune (459º USA) 4-6 6-0 6-1
John Isner d. (5)Bjorn Phau 2-6 7-5 6-3

Main Draw Singles - Second Round
[LL] B Phau * d A Montañes (ESP) 6-4 2-0 and ret. (hamstring)
* Replaces [24] R Gasquet (FRA) – shoulder

Easy? Not sure. But it seems that Bjorn is a very very lucky loser...

More info: http://www.sonyericssonopen.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucky_loser

Rafael Nadal goes for Roger Federer again!

The second tournament of the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 began in Miami. Rafael Nadal, winner in Indian Wells, is looking to become the seventh player to win the first two tournaments in the Masters Series since its introduction in 1990.

Roger Federer is the only player to win the first two tournaments twice (2005 and 2006). Make a note of the first two tournaments of the Masters Series have always been in Indian Wells and Key Biscayne/Miami. Nadal can equal Federer for second most wins in Masters Series tournaments with a win in Miami, trailing only Andre Agassi (17).

Winning first two tournaments in Masters Series – Men’s Tennis
Year Player Nation
2006 Roger Federer SUI
2005 Roger Federer SUI
2001 Andre Agassi USA
1998 Marcelo Ríos CHI
1994 Pete Sampras USA
1992 Michael Chang USA
1991 Jim Courier USA

Most tournament wins in Masters Series – Men’s Tennis
# Player Nation
17 Andre Agassi USA
14 Roger Federer SUI
13 Rafael Nadal ESP
11 Pete Sampras USA
8 Thomas Muster AUT
7 Michael Chang USA

Confirmed: Federer is going to be a father

Roger Federer announced on his website that his girlfriend Mirka Vavrinec is pregnant and they are expecting their first child this summer.



"This is a dream come true for us," Federer said. "We love children and we are looking forward to being parents for the first time. Mirka is feeling great and everything is going well."



More info: Seattle Post-Intelligencer

It is Rafael Nadal time in Indian Wells desert

The ATP Masters Series has been renamed the ATP World Masters 1000 for the 2009 series and begins with the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.

This tournament has been the one most frequently won by the world number one but a win by top ranked Rafael Nadal would go against recent form in this series. No world number one has won one of these tournaments since Roger Federer triumphed in Cincinnati in August 2007.

Current world number one Rafael Nadal has now won 12 of these tournaments, two fewer than Roger Federer and five fewer than Andre Agassi.

ATP Masters Series tournaments won by World number one (since series began in 1990)

# Tournament Champions who were World number one at the time

8 Indian Wells Jim Courier (1993), Pete Sampras (1994, 1995), Lleyton Hewitt (2002, 2003), Roger Federer (2004, 2005, 2006)
6 Cincinnati Andre Agassi (1995), Pete Sampras (1997, 1999), Gustavo Kuerten (2001), Roger Federer (2005, 2007)
3 Paris Stefan Edberg (1990), Pete Sampras (1997), Andre Agassi (1999)
3 Miami Pete Sampras (1994), Roger Federer (2005, 2006)
3 Canada Andre Agassi (1995), Roger Federer (2004, 2006)
3 Hamburg Roger Federer (2004, 2005, 2007)
2 Rome Jim Courier (1992), Pete Sampras (1994)
2 Madrid Juan Carlos Ferrero (2003), Roger Federer (2006)
0 Monte Carlo -

Note: The Masters Series tournament currently hosted by Madrid was previously held by Stuttgart, Essen and Stockholm. None of the champions of those tournaments were ranked world number one at the time of their victory.

In 2009, the Madrid tournament moves to May and replaces the tournament in Hamburg. The Beijing Masters replaces Cincinnati and the Shanghai Masters takes the slot previously occupied by Madrid.


Winners Men’s Singles Indian Wells since 1990
Year Winner Nation World ranking

2008 Novak Djokovic SER 3
2007 Rafael Nadal ESP 2
2006 Roger Federer SUI 1
2005 Roger Federer SUI 1
2004 Roger Federer SUI 1
2003 Lleyton Hewitt AUS 1
2002 Lleyton Hewitt AUS 1
2001 Andre Agassi USA 4
2000 Alex Corretja ESP 26
1999 Mark Philippoussis AUS 16
1998 Marcelo Rios CHI 7
1997 Michael Chang USA 3
1996 Michael Chang USA 5
1995 Pete Sampras USA 1
1994 Pete Sampras USA 1
1993 Jim Courier USA 1
1992 Michael Chang USA 15
1991 Jim Courier USA 26
1990 Stefan Edberg SWE 3

There isn´t Grand Slam semifinal without Roger Federer

Roger Federer will play his 19th consecutive Grand Slam semifinal when he faces Andy Roddick at the Australian Open, equalling a Grand Slam singles record set more than 20 years ago by Martina Navrátilová.

The last Grand Slam in which Federer failed to reach at least the last four was at Roland Garros in 2004 when he lost a third round match in straight sets against Gustavo Kuerten.

Most consecutive semifinals in Grand Slams - Open Era
# Name Country Editions

19 Roger Federer SUI 2004 – 2009
19 Martina Navrátilová USA 1983 – 1988
15 Steffi Graf GER 1987 – 1990
11 Chris Evert USA 1984 – 1986
11 Martina Hingis SUI 1996 – 1999
10 Ivan Lendl CZE 1985 – 1988
9 Margaret Court AUS 1969 – 1971
9 Chris Evert USA 1981 – 1983
7 Chris Evert USA 1973 – 1974

Roger Federer goes for 14th Grand Slam tournament

On Monday, 19 January, the tennis season traditionally starts with the first Grand Slam tournament of the year, the 2009 Australian Open. For the first time, Roger Federer will try to equal the all-time record of 14 Grand Slam wins which is held by Pete Sampras.

Last September, Roger Federer won his 13th career Grand Slam title at the 2008 US Open. Federer could win his fourth Australian Open Men’s Singles title, which would make him the joint second most successful player in the “Down Under” Grand Slam.

He would then only trail Roy Emerson, who won the Australian Open on six occasions between 1961 and 1967.

Most Grand Slam Titles Men’s Singles – All-time
# Name Nation AO RG WIM US Finals First win Last win

14 Pete Sampras USA 2 7 5 18 1990 2002
13 Roger Federer SUI 3 5 5 17 2003 2008
12 Roy Emerson AUS 6 2 2 2 15 1961 1967
11 Rod Laver AUS 3 2 4 2 17 1960 1969
11 Björn Borg SWE 6 5 16 1974 1981
10 Bill Tilden USA 3 7 15 1920 1930
8 Fred Perry GBR 1 1 3 3 10 1933 1936
8 Andre Agassi USA 4 1 1 2 15 1992 2003
8 Ivan Lendl TCH 2 3 3 19 1984 1990
8 Ken Rosewall AUS 4 2 2 16 1953 1972
8 Jimmy Connors USA 1 2 5 15 1974 1983

Most Australian Open Titles Men’s Singles – All-time
# Name Nation Years

6 Roy Emerson AUS 1961, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967
4 Jack Crawford AUS 1931, 1932, 1933, 1935
4 Ken Rosewall AUS 1953, 1955, 1971, 1972
4 Andre Agassi USA 1995, 2000, 2001, 2003
3 Roger Federer SUI 2004, 2006, 2007
3 James Anderson AUS 1922, 1924, 1925
3 Adrian Quist AUS 1936, 1940, 1948
3 Rod Laver AUS 1960, 1962, 1969
3 Mats Wilander SWE 1983, 1984, 1988

Spain – Russia go for Fed Cup Final at Madrid

This weekend, Spain and Russia meet in the Fed Cup final. Russia have been the most dominating country in the Fed Cup in recent years winning in 2004, 2005 and 2007.

No other country has won the Fed Cup multiple times since the turn of the century. USA are the all-time record holder with 17 wins.

Spain are ranked fourth with five Fed Cup trophies. Their last win was ten years ago when they beat Switzerland in 1998.

Most wins Fed Cup since 2000
# Country Years

3 Russia 2004, 2005, 2007
1 USA 2000
1 Belgium 2001
1 Slovakia 2002
1 France 2003
1 Italy 2006

Overview of Fed Cup winners
# Nation Year(s)
17 USA 1963, 1966, 1967, 1969, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1996, 1999, 2000
7 Australia 1964, 1965, 1968, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1974
5 Czechoslovakia 1975, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1988
5 Spain 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998
3 Russia 2004, 2005, 2007
2 Germany 1987, 1992
2 France 1997, 2003
1 South Africa 1972
1 Belgium 2001
1 Slovakia 2002
1 Italy 2006

Rafael Nadal: Grand Slam semifinalist again

Rafael Nadal will play Andy Murray for a place in the Men’s Singles Final of the US Open tomorrow. According to Infostrada, The Spanish world number one became the fifth player in the Open era to reach the semifinals of all four Grand Slams in a single year.

Nadal can win his third Grand Slam tournament in 2008 if he wins the US Open.
Including 2008, Roger Federer has reached the semifinals of all four Grand Slams for the fourth straight year.
Rod Laver is the only player to have won all four Grand Slams in one year.

Reaching semifinals of all Grand Slams in single year
Name NOC Year Australian Open Roland Garros Wimbledon US Open

Rafael Nadal ESP 2008 Semifinal Won Won TBD
Roger Federer SUI 2008 Semifinal Runner up Runner up TBD
Roger Federer SUI 2007 Won Runner up Won Won
Roger Federer SUI 2006 Won Runner up Won Won
Roger Federer SUI 2005 Semifinal Semifinal Won Won
Ivan Lendl TCH 1987 Semifinal Won Runner up Won
Rod Laver AUS 1969 Won Won Won Won
Tony Roche AUS 1969 Semifinal Semifinal Semifinal Runner up

Novak Djokovic - Leryn Franco: Olympic romance

Novak Djokovic arrives at Beijing 2008 alone. But it seems that he found good friendship in the Olympic Village: Leryn Franco.

Franco is a 26 year-old javelin athlete and is the Paraguayan record woman (55, 34 mts). But also is a top model: in 2006, she was awarded as First Princess in the Miss Bikini Universe.

Leryn is competing in her second Olympics, thanks to a burgeoning modeling career that gave her the financial support to continue competing in javelin competitions. Since finishing 42nd in Athens, Franco has balanced her athletic career with both the modeling and pageant work. Well done, Nole!

Rafael Nadal is the new number one of the world

On monday, or few weeks later, Nadal will be the number one of the world. Here we have the youngest tennis player to reach the ATP Tour first position.

Player / Date / Age
Lleyton Hewitt November 19th 2001 20 years old, 8 months
Marat Safin November 20th 2000 20, 9 months
John Mc Enroe Mach 3rd 1980 21, 15 days
Bjorn Borg August 23rd 1977 21, 2 months
Andy Roddick November 3rd 2003 21, 2 months
Rafael Nadal ? 22, 2 months

Gilles Simon made history

Before the arrival to semifinals, Gilles Simon was the 14th French player to defeat an ATP number one, since 1973. Here we have the previous players:

Yannick Noah (Lendl 1986 and 1990)
Guy Forget (Edberg and Becker 1991)
Sebastien Grosjean (Moya 1999 and Hewitt 2003).
Henri Leconte (Lendl 1983)
Christophe Roger-Vasselin (Connors 1983)
Cedric Pioline (Courier 1993)
Jerome Golmard (Agassi 2000)
Arnaud Clément (Agassi 2000)
Arnaud Di Pasquale (Safin 2001)
Julien Boutter (Kuerten 2001)
Nicolas Escudé (Hewitt 2001)
Richard Gasquet (Federer 2005)

Wimbledon: Low-Ranked Semifinalists

Rainer Schuettler, at No. 94 in the South African Airways ATP Rankings, became the third-lowest ranked player to reach the semifinals (or better) at Wimbledon in this decade:

Rank / Result

Vladimir Voltchkov No. 237 2000 SF - l. to Sampras
Goran Ivanisevic No. 125 2001 Winner - d. Rafter
Rainer Schuettler No. 94 2008 SF - l. to Nadal
Marat Safin No. 75 2008 SF - l. to Federer
Jonas Bjorkman No. 59 2006 SF - l. to Federer
Mark Philippoussis No. 48 2003 Finalist - l. to Federer
Xavier Malisse No. 35 2002 SF - l. to Nalbandian
David Nalbandian No. 22 2002 Finalist - l. to Hewitt