|
|
Post by Helene on Dec 20, 2009 18:15:35 GMT -8
Federer, Nadal already keen to get into 2010 tennis
12/17/09 2:30 PM | Johan LindahlRoger Federer and Rafael Nadal will celebrate the New Year on court in Abu Dhabi as both make returns at the high-profile exhibition where they appeared in the inaugural edition a year ago, the Capitala World Tennis Championship. In addition to the top pair in the world, the six-man field is also comprised of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, year-end finals champion Nikolay Davydenko, Swede Robin Söderling and Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka, who may be on pins and needles with his first child due around that very time. With earning power for Federer and Nadal huge in the Gulf, the elite duo will not even have to front up for the first round. That will be played among the rest of the field, with the pair of Grand Slam champion awaiting opponents in the semi-finals. Federer will play winner of match Söderling v Wawrinka while Nadal will face either Tsonga or Davydenko. The Swiss has something to prove after losing to Andy Murray at the event last January. "I was really disappointed to have lost in the semi-finals. The atmosphere in the stadium and the overall response and support from the public was wonderful and I would truly love to go a step further this time round and win the title," said Federer. Nadal, who will have had a sparse three weeks off after winning Davis Cup for Spain, appears keen to get back quickly into harness. "It all starts in Abu Dhabi and I can't wait to return to the event and compete against what is another strong line-up of the world's best players." Both Federer and Nadal will stay in the area, playing Doha to start the official ATP 2010 season. www.tennistalk.com/en/news/20...to_2010_tennis
|
|
|
|
Post by Helene on Dec 20, 2009 18:35:09 GMT -8
DATES
Event Dates: Thursday 31st December 2009 – Saturday 2nd January 2010
Gates Open: 12pm
Matches start: 3pm (2 matches per day)
Gates Close: One hour after the completion of the last match
THE VENUE
Abu Dhabi International Tennis Complex at Zayed Sports City
THE FORMAT
Six of the world’s top men’s players will compete in a single elimination series of matches with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer being granted the top two seeds and therefore being given a bye from Thursday’s first day matches. Semi-Final matches will take place on day 2 with the final and consolation (3rd & 4th place) matches taking place on Saturday.
THE PLAYERS
Player Country World Ranking
Roger Federer Switzerland 1
Rafael Nadal Spain 2
Nikolay Devydenko Russia 7
Robin Soderling Sweden 9
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga France 10
Stanislas Wawrinka Switzerland 21
|
|
|
|
Post by Helene on Dec 20, 2009 18:40:55 GMT -8
DAILY SCHEDULE
December 31:
Roger Federer - Bye
Robin Soderling vs Stan Wawrinka - 3PM
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga vs Nikolay Davydenko - to follow
Rafael Nadal - Bye
January 1:
Rafael Nadal vs Tsonga or Davydenko - 3PM
Roger Federer vs Soderling or Wawrinka - to follow
January 2:
The Final 5PM
|
|
|
|
Post by Helene on Dec 28, 2009 17:18:57 GMT -8
Countdown is almost over
28 Dec, 2009 Countdown is almost over as Abu Dhabi prepares to welcome six of the world’s best for the Capitala World Tennis Championship Abu Dhabi, UAE : With only days to go until the second Capitala World Tennis Championship returns to Abu Dhabi, the finishing touches have been made to the world-class stadium where all the action will take place. The recently repaved court at the Abu Dhabi International Tennis Complex is ready to host six of the world’s top players in Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Nikolay Davydenko, Robin Soderling, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Stanislas Wawrinka for three days of spectacular tennis. The court is paved with Plexipave, the same surface used at the Australian Open, which will provide the players with the perfect build- up for the season’s first Grand Slam in Melbourne in January. As well as all the action on court, the Tennis Village is gearing up to provide a host of entertainment for all the family, including a Speed Serve Challenge, Batak machine, player autograph signings, tennis clinics and some great give-aways. The village is open from 10:00am daily and free to non-ticket holders. The Capitala World Tennis Championship will be held from 31st December 2009 – 2nd January 2010 at the Abu Dhabi International Tennis Complex, Zayed Sports City. Tickets are still available for Day 1 only and priced at just AED 65; buy now from www.boxofficeme.com and at selected Spinneys outlets. One lucky spectator on day one will also have the opportunity to walk away with an all-expenses-paid trip for two to Wimbledon courtesy of Etihad Airways.
|
|
|
|
Post by Helene on Dec 30, 2009 10:24:54 GMT -8
29 Dec, 2009
Tsonga withdraws from the event following an injury sustained during training
Abu Dhabi, UAE: Organizers of the Capitala World Tennis Championship have announced David Ferrer, the world number 17 who helped Spain to a stunning second Davis Cup title earlier this month, will replace Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at this week's tournament.
The stylish Spaniard will make his first appearance in Abu Dhabi and joins fellow countryman Rafael Nadal, the world number two, in a star-studded line-up of the world's top players for the season opener starting on Thursday (December 31).
Ferrer will open his account on day one when he will meet the in-form Nikolay Davydenko.
"It's great to have the opportunity to play in Abu Dhabi and I am very much looking forward to getting the season underway and joining some of the best players in the world for this tournament," said Ferrer.
"Davydenko is always a tough opponent, particularly considering how well he has been playing lately, and I'm looking forward to playing him again."
Should Ferrer beat Davydenko on the opening day, it sets up a thrilling all Spanish semi-final showdown with Nadal who will be ready and waiting for his Davis Cup winning compatriot.
"Rafa and I are great friends it would be fantastic to meet him in the semi-final. Rafa said the stadium atmosphere in Abu Dhabi last year was very exciting and he received a lot of support from the Spanish fans. It's something I'm looking forward to experiencing."
Tsonga, who injured himself during a training session earlier this week, is disappointed he will not be making his first appearance in Abu Dhabi. The French number one has been advised by his coaching staff to rest ahead of the Australian Open after suffering the injury.
Only 13 hrs 37 minutes to go!
|
|
|
|
Post by Helene on Dec 31, 2009 13:32:02 GMT -8
RESULTS
Thurs Dec 31
David Ferrer d Nikolay Davydenko 26 62 64
Robin Soderling d Stanislas Wawrinka 76 76
|
|
|
|
Post by Helene on Dec 31, 2009 13:36:55 GMT -8
Abu Dhabi, UAE – December 31, 2009:
Robin Söderling and David Ferrer advanced through to the semi-finals of the Capitala World Tennis Championship today to set up a stunning day two at the Abu Dhabi International Tennis Complex in Zayed Sports City.
Söderling, playing in the tournament for the first time, overcame a spirited Stanislas Wawrinka 7-6 7-6 while Ferrer upset Nikolay Davydenko (2-6 6-2 6-4) to set up an all Spanish semi-final with Rafael Nadal.
Ferrer’s win was made all the more special considering he was a late replacement for the injured Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and now moves through to play his compatriot and close friend Nadal.
“It will be a very tough fight,” said Ferrer. “But I’m looking forward to it.”
Ferrer pulled the match back after looking down and out early in the second set.
Ferrer said:
“He made a few mistakes in the second set and I had my chance there. It’s the first match of the season so it’s nice to beat a world top ten.
“At 4-3 he made some mistakes and I was playing very well.”
Söderling, meanwhile, sets up a re-match of the 2009 French Open final with Roger Federer.
|
|
|
|
Post by Helene on Jan 1, 2010 10:06:55 GMT -8
RESULTS
January 1 2010
Semifinals
Rafael Nadal d David Ferrer 7-6(3) 6-3
Robin Soderling d Roger Federer 6-7 (8) 7-6(1) 6-2
|
|
|
|
Post by Helene on Jan 1, 2010 10:12:11 GMT -8
Nadal and Söderling advance through to the final of the Capitala World Tennis Championship 2010
01 Jan, 2010
Rafael Nadal will make his second consecutive appearance in the Capitala World Championship final where he will square up against Robin Söderling, the in-form Swede who stunned world number one Roger Federer today.
Nadal, who lost in the final to Andy Murray last year, looked in fine early season touch against David Ferrer to sweep through to the final, winning 7-6 6-3 in front of a packed Abu Dhabi International Tennis Complex.
The world number two has lost his last two encounters against Söderling, who also ended the big hitting Spaniard’s record 31 match winning streak at the French Open last year, but Nadal says he is ready turn things around.
Nadal said:
“Robin is a really tough opponent. He’s playing really well with powerful shots. He’s coming with confidence and he finished the season very well and right now he’s one of the best players in the world. I’m looking forward to taking him on again.”
“We are playing against the top players in the world. Sure, it’s good for preparation but at the same time, it’s good for your confidence to play good matches against the best players.”
Nadal’s win was overshadowed by the Federer defeat, as he struggled to overcome Söderling’s committed fightback which eventually saw him win 6-7 7-6 6-2.
Federer said:
“I started to struggle a little bit in the third set. I thought he really found his range well. I tried to play a bit more aggressive, try out a few things and change it up, but it didn’t work.”
“It’s about getting in to the rhythm, finding your form, trying out a few things and obviously you do make the wrong decisions at times, especially on a quick court like today.”
Federer will now face Ferrer in a third / fourth play-off beginning at 3pm.
“I’m happy that I’m going to have another chance to play again tomorrow,” he said.
“The crowds really are great here; they love coming out and it’s a lot of fun playing in front of them - they seem like very knowledgeable fans.”
“For the last two years it seems like people love coming out here to watch us play and it seems like a very good date – just look at the field we have.”
It was the first time Söderling had beaten the Swiss Master in 13 attempts.
Söderling said:
“For me, the best way to learn is to play matches against the best.”
“This gives me a lot of confidence for the whole year. I’ve been beating all the top guys so I feel like I really belong up there now.”
“I couldn’t ask for a better start.”
|
|
|
|
Post by Helene on Jan 2, 2010 9:20:25 GMT -8
Saturday January 2
3rd/4th place playoff:
Roger Federer d David Ferrer 61 75
Final:
Rafael Nadal d Robin Soderling 76 (3) 75
|
|
|
|
Post by Helene on Jan 2, 2010 10:26:56 GMT -8
Nadal overcomes Söderling to win the 2010 Capitala World Tennis Championship 02 Jan, 2010
Rafael Nadal, the world number two, overcame a spirited Robin Söderling to win the Capitala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi today.
In front of a sold-out Abu Dhabi International Tennis Complex, Nadal looked in command from the beginning to win 7-6 (7-3) 7-5 and secure the showpiece event for the first time.
|
|
