All-Chinese Final In Warsaw?

WARSAW, Poland - Caroline Wozniacki saw her Polsat Warsaw Open dreams come to an end on Thursday, losing the first set of her quarterfinal match against Zheng Jie before retiring due to a right ankle injury.

Watch Video --> Live Matches from Warsaw on TennisTV!

Wozniacki, who had actually lost two of her three previous meetings with Zheng, got broken in the sixth game of the match and couldn't recover, losing a lengthy 56-minute set, 6-3, then calling it quits in the pair's fourth meeting.

"I knew she had a problem with her ankle yesterday. My coach told me I should forget about it, though, and just concentrate on myself," Zheng said. "I feel lucky to make the semifinals here, but I wish we could have finished our match today."

View Photos --> Gallery: Zheng's Best Moments

Nadal Achieves Historic Triumph With Victory Over Federer

At the age of 23 years and 11 months, Rafael Nadal won a record-breaking 18th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title as he defeated rival Roger Federer 6-4, 7-6(5), in a No. 1 vs. No. 2 final Sunday at the Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open.

Watched by Queen Sofia of Spain, Nadal also became the first player to win all three ATP World Tour Masters 1000 clay court tournaments in the same year, having triumphed at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters (d. Verdasco) and the Internazionali BNL d’Italia (d. Ferrer) last month.

In their first clash for a year, Nadal and Federer, who had both come through three-set tussles in the semi-finals, struggled to find their form in the opening exchanges of their 21st meeting. Breaks were exchanged in the third and fourth games before Nadal broke decisively in the seventh game as Federer paid the price for a game littered with unforced errors. The second-seeded Nadal then saved four break points as he served out the set, finishing with a hooked forehand passing shot past the stranded Federer.

Federer Avenges Rome Defeat To Gulbis

World No. 1 Roger Federer, the 2006 and 2009 Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open champion, avenged his recent Rome defeat to fast-rising Ernests Gulbis on Friday, with a 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 victory for a place in the semi-finals at the Caja Magica, venue of the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament.

The 28-year-old Swiss superstar, who will meet Spaniard David Ferrer Saturday, is attempting to clinch his 17th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title, tying him with his rival Rafael Nadal and Andre Agassi.

Watch Video --> Federer's Friday Hot Shot

Federer On Course For Wawrinka Clash

After a surprise semi-final loss to Albert Montanes in Estoril last week, World No. 1 Roger Federer insisted he was not worried about his form going into Roland Garros and backed up his statement with a 6-2, 7-6(4) win over Benjamin Becker in his opening match at the Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open Tuesday.

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Federer, who is the defending champion at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 clay-court tournament after defeating Rafael Nadal in the final last year, is this week looking to reach his first final since capturing his 16th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open (d. Murray).

The Swiss broke twice in the second and eighth games to seal a one-set lead, but could not find a way through Becker’s defences in the second set and was denied on a match point in the 12th game before the German forced a tie-break. Federer improved to a 7-4 record in tie-breaks this year, though, as he sealed victory in one hour and 21 minutes.

Watch Video --> Tuesday Day Highlights

Querrey Saves Match Point To Win All-American Final

Sam Querrey became the first American since 2003 to win a European clay-court title Sunday when he saved one match point to defeat countryman John Isner 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-4 in the final of the Serbia Open 2010, an ATP World Tour 250 tennis tournament in Belgrade.

Querrey’s triumph earned him 250 South African Airways 2010 ATP Ranking points and €67,430.

The 22-year-old Querrey has made great strides on clay in 2010. He reached his first ATP World Tour clay-court final last month in Houston (l. to Chela) and, together with Isner, advanced to the doubles final in Rome (l. to Bryan-Bryan).

“I hope I can continue to play well and my next step is to go deep in an [ATP World Tour] Masters 1000 event, hopefully try to win one of those,” said Querrey, who will play at the Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open next week.

Watch Video --> ATP World Tour Uncovered Sam Querrey

Federer Passes Clement Test

Former champion Roger Federer saved one set point in the first-set tie-break against former Top 10 Frenchman Arnaud Clement in a 7-6(7), 6-2 victory on Friday for a place in the Estoril Open semi-finals.

Federer, who is six weeks shy of breaking Pete Sampras’ all-time record of 286 weeks at No. 1 in the South African Airways ATP Rankings, triumphed 7-6(7), 6-2 in one hour and 38 minutes.

“I got off to a bad start in the first game, falling to 0/30 then he played a great passing shot,” said Federer. “I missed a couple of chances at 3-3.

“I didn’t play beautiful tennis. I had to play safe, which isn’t something I’m used to doing. I have always struggled against him and today you could see that.”

Federer will next challenge defending champion and fourth-seeded Spaniard Albert Montanes, who knocked out eighth seed Pablo Cuevas of Uruguay 6-4, 6-3 in 90 minutes.

Watch Video --> Roger Federer Interview: Estoril Open 05-08-10

The Effects of Digital Media

Digital media has greatly affected my life, especially in the last decade. Websites have been around since I was in elementary school, but they looked pretty primitive and outdated. Now, websites are extremely practical, efficient and designed to look very professional. I know that website technology will only continue to improve, and it's amazing to me that now there are programs available that allow a typical person to create a great website of their own, even without any prior training or experience with HTML or website design. For example, artcodeinc and iWeb are both very user-friendly applications. I appreciate this since I don't really have the time or interest to learn the complicated HTML codes myself. I know that my (limited) knowledge of website design will only help me in the future, as in my future career, I may need to help develop and improve our company's website, for example. Even if I am not designing websites, it is still extremely useful to know how to navigate and search around a particular website in doing research or preparing for interviews,. Websites are so useful but in a way, they also represent the dying out of other forms of research like hard-copy books, newspapers and even visiting in person.

Other types of digital media programs like Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign have been a great blessing to me. I discovered the programs a few years ago and loved trying them out and creating new designs. I have never thought of myself as much of an artist so to be able to create digital art with these extremely simple programs was such a great way for me to explore my artistic creativity. I am so appreciative of these programs and I know my experience with the programs will definitely help me in the future. Even though I don't plan to be designing or creating artwork for a living, it's still a hobby I would like to continue to pursue and I will be able to put it to good use with designing posters and editing photos, for example.

She's Back: Serena Wins Rome Opener

World No.1 Serena Williams made a triumphant return to the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour in Rome on Tuesday, coming back from a slow start to beat Timea Bacsinszky in straight sets, 7-6(2), 6-1.

Williams, who hadn't played a match since winning her 12th Grand Slam title in Australia earlier this season, found herself down a double break in the first set at 1-4 and even faced three set points at 4-5 before gaining control of the first set, racing out to a 5-0 lead in the tie-break and never looking back until she won.

"I went in there thinking I can win or I can lose. You never know what can happen and I didn't put too much pressure on myself," Williams said. "I got off to a slow start but I was able to fight it off. I thought she played excellently to be honest. I just had to pick up the level of my game."

Nadal Captures Record-Equalling 17th Masters 1000 Trophy

World No. 3 Rafael Nadal won a record-equalling 17th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title Sunday when he overcame fellow Spaniard David Ferrer 7-5, 6-2 in a rain-hit final at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome.

At the age of just 23, Nadal has drawn level with the retired Andre Agassi, who has held the record of 17 ATP World Tour Masters 1000 titles since winning his last of the coveted shields in Cincinnati in 2004, aged 34. Roger Federer is in second place with 16 ATP World Tour Masters 1000 titles.

"I am 23 and sure 17 is a very important number for me," said Nadal. "There are some tournaments coming up – Madrid is coming up soon – and so I'm going to try to keep winning, but these tournaments are very difficult and some of the best players in the world are there."

Watch Video --> Rafael Nadal Post-Win Interview

Nadal Moves Closer to 17th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 shield

World No. 3 Rafael Nadal appears nigh on unstoppable in his pursuit of a fifth title at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia and a record-equalling 17th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 shield. Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka played a high level of tennis that would have troubled most players, but was allowed just five games as Nadal raced to a 6-4, 6-1 victory Friday in the quarter-finals in Rome.

The Spaniard was held on serve until the 10th game of his clash with Wawrinka, when he engineered a way through the Swiss player’s defences to snatch a one-set lead. The second set was a more comfortable affair for Nadal, who broke serve in the second and sixth games to seal victory in 90 minutes. Nadal is unbroken in three matches this week, saving eight break points in total.

American Duo Ousts Federer-Allegro

Roger Federer failed in his bid to reach the doubles semi-finals of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia Friday as he and partner Yves Allegro were beaten by towering American duo John Isner and Sam Querrey 6-4, 6-4 at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 clay-court tennis tournament in Rome.

Isner and Querrey broke serve three times from five opportunities and saved two of the three break points they faced to defeat their Swiss opponents in 65 minutes. The Americans are through to their third ATP World Tour semi-final of the season; they went on to clinch their first title together in Memphis (d. Hutchins-Kerr).

For a place in the final Isner and Querrey will face South American pairing Pablo Cuevas and Juan Monaco.

Nadal Reaches Rome QF's

World No. 3 Rafael Nadal stayed on course for a fifth title at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia as he defeated Romanian Victor Hanescu 6-3, 6-2 on Thursday to reach the quarter-finals at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament in Rome.

Nadal capitalised on his fifth break point to go up 3-1 in the opening set, and cushioned his lead as he went two for two on his opportunities in the second set. Though Hanescu put pressure on Nadal’s serve towards the end of the match, the Spaniard fought off five break point chances before serving out the victory in one hour and 22 minutes.

Americans Oust Fourth Seeds

Americans John Isner and Sam Querrey teamed Thursday to defeat fourth seeds and 2004 champions Max Mirnyi and Mahesh Bhupathi 6-2, 6-7(5), 10-6 and reach the quarter-finals of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia, an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 clay-court tennis tournament in Rome.

Isner and Querrey did not face a break point throughout the 89-minute encounter and capitalised on two of the four opportunities they created. The Memphis champions go on to face Swiss pairing Yves Allegro and Roger Federer for a semi-final berth.

Djokovic Races into Third Round

Second seed Novak Djokovic, who captured the 2008 Internazionali BNL d'Italia title, required just one hour to beat Jeremy Chardy of France 6-1, 6-1 to become the first player into the third round at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 clay-court tennis tournament.

"The sooner you finish the happier you are," said Djokovic. "I've played in this tournament many times so you don't need many hours to get used to the court.

"Always in your first match [at] a tournament you don't know what to expect, especially [when you] play against a player with such a hard serve. It can be difficult but I was very focused right from the first moment.

"I think [my return] was one of the keys today. I knew he was going to serve well, so I needed to return well to be in control of the match."

Gulbis Upsets Federer For Biggest Win Of Career

Latvian Ermests Gulbis, the World No. 40, knocked out top seed and two-time runner-up Roger Federer of Switzerland 2-6, 6-1, 7-5 for a place in the Internazionali BNL d'Italia third round.

It is the first time since 2002 that Federer has lost before the quarter-finals in three straight ATP World Tour tournaments. In his past two tournaments, Federer has lost to Marcos Baghdatis in the BNP Paribas Open third round at Indian Wells and to Tomas Berdych at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami.

It also represents Federer's first opening-round loss at the Foro Italico, venue of the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament, since 2002.

ATP Rankings - Men's Singles

1. Roger Federer (SUI)
Roger Federer is a Swiss tennis player whose amazing achievements helped rank him along the best tennis professionals of all time. As of today, Roger Federer is the world’s number 1 tennis player. Many tennis observers, including even many of his peers, believe that Federer can be the greatest tennis player ever.