R.I.P. Robin Williams :(

July 21,1951- August 11, 2014

Thank you for the timeless childhood memories, I will cherish them always.

R.I.P. Robin Williams :(.

Roger Federer feeling good for Cincinnati Open despite Toronto loss

Roger Federer, like everyone else, has his share of ‘off’ days.

“I was not playing good enough,” he said following his loss to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the Rogers Cup final on Sunday in Toronto. “If you can't hit forehands or whatever, it’s just… it wasn't my day.”

Federer and Tsonga each hit 26 winners during the one hour, 47-minute match, but the Swiss finished with 37 unforced errors to Tsonga’s count of 18. He was also unable to create a break point chance against the Frenchman, who won 94 per cent of his first-service points. 

“I definitely felt much further away from victory than he did,” said Federer. “Naturally because of the scoreline – I mean, he was in the lead – but I just didn't feel like I was playing good enough to win today. It was just really frustrating the way I felt out there.

“I fought. I mixed it up, and I was hoping to sort of sneak in a set and then maybe he would get a bit nervous or maybe would play a bad game. But I just couldn't create enough opportunities. So I think he deserved to win at the end of the day.”

Entering Sunday afternoon’s final, Federer had played three straight matches in the night session, including a pair of battling wins against Marin Cilic in the Round of 16 and David Ferrer in the quarter-finals. Though he was quick to give credit to Tsonga, he also called it a difficult transition.

“I think it was the overall day conditions that were tough for me,” he said. “It was faster than in the night, all my previous matches, so I think the turnaround was tough.

“I didn't start poorly,” Federer added. “I think actually the beginning of the match was actually my best part of the match.  So from that standpoint I was happy how I was feeling and playing. But then that it actually start to drop off rather than get better, that's what disappointed me the most today.”

Despite the loss, the Swiss drew positives from his performance in his first tournament since a runner-up finish at Wimbledon.

“I'm overall pretty happy that I made the final in my first tournament back on hard courts,” he said. “Had a few tough matches which clearly gave me a lot of information. I know what I need to work on the next few days and next few weeks, which is good to know what I need to do other than feeling lost. I don't feel that way…

“There were things I could have done better, but overall it was a positive week. I go away from this feeling good about my chances next week and also at the US Open and for the rest of the season. It's another good tournament for me, which I'm happy about.”

Federer will continue his Emirates Airline US Open Series campaign next week at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati, where he is a five-time champion.

atpworldtour.com

Rogers Cup Montreal has a new champion Agnieszka Radwanska!

Since Roger Federer lost to Tsonga who simply played better on Sunday.


I'm posting this because it's not something that happens often, and being a Polish-Canadian I couldn't be more proud :).










MONTREAL—Agnieszka Radwanska was the best, most consistent player all week, and that’s what made her the women’s Rogers Cup champion.


The third-seeded Radwanska, the first Rogers Cup champion from Poland, defeated Venus Williams 6-4, 6-2 to pick up her first tournament win of the year at the $2.44-million hardcourt event and the $441,000 winner’s prize. The 34-year-old Williams earned $220,000.


The 25-year-old Radwanska used her relentless baseline game to dominate a tired and impatient Williams on Sunday, who was coming off an emotional, three-set victoryover her top-ranked sister Serena Williams in a semifinal on Saturday.


“I think I was playing much better every match,” said Radwanska. “I didn’t start that well from my first match, but every match was much better.


“That’s why I think I sitting right here now with you (reporters). I was feeling the balls much better.”


The Krakow, Poland, native shot off to a 4-1 lead, but Venus Williams answered with a break that had the centre court crowd on its feet as Radwanska hit a drop shot, Williams dropped back, Radwanska hit a lob and Williams got back in time to win the point with a cross-court smash.


Radwanska settled back in to finish the set and opened the second with a service break. After Williams broke to tie it at 2-2, she gave the break to Radwanska with a pair of double faults. Radwanska cruised the rest of the way, punctuating her victory with an ace on match point.


Radwanska, ranked fifth in the world to Williams’ 26th, posted her first Rogers Cup win after twice reaching the semifinals. It was her first tournament victory since 2013 at Seoul.


Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam winner, had an excellent week that will put her back into the world top-20 starting Monday. It included wins over sixth-seeded Angelique Kerber and 14th-seeded Carla Suarez Navarro.


She fell short in her bid to become the event’s oldest champion after Martina Navratilova, who won 52 days short of her 33rd birthday in 1989.


“It’s been a really long week,” said Williams. “I played like six matches in a row.


“Against her, you really have to be patient. Today I just didn’t have everything to be patient and really work the point. I wanted to give more, but I just didn’t have it. It felt great to play so well this week. I really would like to think under circumstances where I could give everything I have, that the results could have been a little different.”


Organizers announced the tournament drew 181,996 spectators, topping the previous high of 175,000. Sales were boosted by the recent success of Eugenie Bouchard, but the Westmont, Que., native lost her first match on Tuesday to Shelby Rogers.


torontostar.com


I've always enjoyed the way Aga Radwanska plays, she truely is one of the most consistent players on tour, (reminds me of Martina Hingis in that respect) but often falls short where it counts.


Today was not the case and that was nice to see. She played her game throughout and didn't let up. I hope she can keep it up.


I will definitely start watching more of Aga's matches for the rest of this year. Onward to Western Southern Open in Cincinnati! :)

Roger Federer easily through to Rogers Cup final in Toronto faces Tsonga next

menstennisforums.com


Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has taken down three top-10 players this week on his way to the Rogers Cup final.


It won't get any easier in the championship match.


The Frenchman will take on Roger Federer after both players posted straight-set semifinal victories on Saturday at Rexall Centre. Tsonga beat Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria 6-4, 6-3 in the afternoon while Federer topped Spain's Feliciano Lopez 6-3, 6-4 in the evening.


Tsonga, who is 4-11 lifetime against Federer, said after his win that he would prefer to play the Swiss star for the title.


"When you play against Roger, it's always special," Tsonga said. "First, because you play in a big area, in a big stadium anyway. And every time the crowd is for him, so it's quite a good sensation.


"It's quite a good feeling when you win against 10,000 people," he added with a smile.


It's always a tall order to knock off the second-seeded Federer, but Tsonga is one of a handful of players to have done it a few times. He has beaten him in Canada too — with wins at Montreal in 2009 and 2011.


Federer has been challenged at times this week and was pushed in a couple of three-set matches ahead of the semifinal. However, he was in top form against Lopez.


"I think I served well, I was aggressive and I was able to really play the way I wanted to play tonight," Federer said. "I'm very happy."


The 13th-seeded Tsonga, meanwhile, is also brimming with confidence. He dispatched top-seeded Novak Djokovic in the third round, eighth-seeded Andy Murray in the quarter-finals and then the seventh-seeded Dimitrov.


"This week I'm more consistent and it's good because it (helped) me beat three guys in the top 10," Tsonga said. "I didn't do that (for a) couple of years now and it gives me hope for the rest of the year."


It will be a clash of styles when the two veterans meet on the stadium showcourt at the $3.78-million US Masters 1000 Series event.


Tsonga, 29, plays with an edge, is as demonstrative as they come and his emotions always on full display. The elegant Federer, 33, plays with a steadiness and poise that few can match.


"I just think he can overpower guys," Federer said of Tsonga. "Serve up a storm and then play really aggressive with his forehand and also be solid on his backhand.


"You think you're in a safe place sometimes in the rally and he takes one step and just hits it and the point is over."


On Saturday, Tsonga improved to 4-0 in head-to-head matchups against Dimitrov while Federer remained perfect against Lopez at 11-0.


Tsonga needed a few games to get his legs going but his powerful serve helped him stay on serve against the young Bulgarian, who is enjoying a breakout season. Tsonga picked up the lone break of the set by taking advantage of his raw power from the backcourt.
Enthusiastic crowd


Heavy topspin strokes forced Dimitrov from side to side and he came up short on two straight returns. Tsonga, buoyed by the enthusiastic near-capacity crowd, skipped and pumped his fist when he converted the break point for a 5-4 lead.


He fought off four break point opportunities in the next game to take the opening set.


"You have your chances," Dimitrov said. "Today things were just not leaning on my side."


Perhaps a little tired after his three-hour quarter-final a day earlier, Dimitrov appeared a tad sluggish in the second set and was unable to dictate the play.


Tsonga won on his second match point when Dimitrov's lob bounced just long. The Frenchman extended his arms in the air after the victory and shadow-boxed on the court in celebration.


In the other semifinal, Federer was in control from the start on a clear, comfortable evening. He took the opening game at love and dropped only five points on his serve in the first set.


Lopez turned in a game effort against the two-time Rogers Cup champ but couldn't match Federer's consistency. The Swiss star was his usual smooth self and never appeared threatened.


Sunday's match will be Tsonga's second final appearance of the season. He lost to Latvia's Ernests Gulbis in Marseille last February.


Federer will be appearing in his seventh final this year. He has a 2-4 record with victories at Dubai and Halle.


Tsonga has won 10 career titles and will be looking for his first Rogers Cup crown.


It will be his first appearance in a Masters 1000 final since he lost to Federer three years ago at the BNP Paribas Masters. Tsonga's only Masters 1000 title came in Paris back in 2008.


Federer, meanwhile, has won 79 career titles and is a 17-time Grand Slam champion.


In men's doubles semifinal play, third-seeded Daniel Nestor of Toronto and Nenad Zimonjic of Serbia dropped a 6-4, 7-6 (8) decision to No. 2 Alexander Peya of Austria and Bruno Soares of Brazil.


Earlier, the fourth-seeded duo of Brazil's Marcelo Melo and Croatia's Ivan Dodig defeated Santiago Gonzalez of Mexico and Croatia's Marin Cilic 6-3, 6-2.


cbc.ca

Roger Federer celebrates a Happy Birthday with a place in the semis at Rogers Cup in Toronto

Toronto: Second-seeded Roger Federer and Feliciano Lopez reached the semi-finals of the Rogers Cup with hard-fought victories in their quarter-finals matches.


It's icing on the cake for Federer, who earned his fourth birthday win by 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 against Ferrer in a one-hour 41-minute match Friday, reports Xinhua.


Besides getting to advance to the semis though, the Swiss also got a show of love from fans who spontaneously belted out a "Happy Birthday" song during a changeover.


"I think Canadians in particular are very open with their emotions. They make me feel very welcome here," he said.


And having that kind of support during an intense match is always a good thing, he said.


"It's nice to have crowd support for either player. It creates sort of an electric atmosphere," said Federer.


"Clearly you tend to get more nervous sometimes, but you can also really strive with those positive emotions."


The now 33-year-old player dominated the first set and won it easily in just 35 minutes. The second set started off in the same way as Federer took an early 2-0 lead after Ferrer sent the ball too wide at breakpoint.


But the birthday boy couldn't close and started giving away points. Committing 21 unforced errors in the set compared to Ferrer's seven, he gave the Spaniard a chance to get back into play to tie the set at 4-4, and then won it to force a third set.


"He played it tough. Getting back on even terms was something I could accept, but it was just more the end towards the second set I wasn't feeling it so much anymore in my racquet," explained Federer. "I was just not hitting the shots like I wanted them to be hit. Then my serve let me down a little bit."


Some birthday luck may have helped the Swiss out a little though at one point in the final set. During a game point, Federer lost his advantage after he double-faulted to put the game back at deuce, but stole the game with a bit of luck after the ball hit the net and toppled into Ferrer's court.


He ran away with the three-point lead and clinched his semis match after smashing a volley at match-point.


Many of the top seeds were ousted early on in the tournament this week, and Federer is now the last of the Top 3 to survive.


He is set to play against Lopez, who upset the sixth-seeded Milos Raonic, a Rogers Cup finalist last year, with a 6-4, 6(5)-7, 6-3 victory.


ibnlive.in.com

Roger Federer's birthday celebrations in Canada over the years

Rafael Nadal gets the French Open. Ivan Ljubicic used to get Indian Wells.


But if it's Roger Federer's birthday, this must be Canada.








The above photo was in Montreal in 2003 when a 22-year-old Federer, still with the rebel ponytail, was on the cusp of becoming No. 1 for the first time.


He could have done it there if he had beaten Andy Roddick in the semi-finals that year, but it would be for another day.


A few years later, here he is celebrating his 25th in Toronto in 2006. (And he ate some of that cake).








Next, he turns 26, also in Toronto.








Federer turned 29 in Toronto in 2010.








Today in Toronto, Federer turns 33. The ponytail is long gone. There are little Federers galore. But he's still bringing it.









The ATP turned this into a social media opportunity, inviting fans to send in greetings and artwork and that sort of thing with the hashtag #Roger33. They poured in.


Friday night, the sellout crowd in Toronto spontaneously sang Happy Birthday to him at the 1-0 changeover at the beginning of the second set. No problem: a smile, a few waves to the crowd, a wave of apology to opponent David Ferrer for holding things up, and carry on.


He's 3-0 in Canada when he plays on his actual birthday, going into Friday night.


How many more will Federer have in Canada? We shall see.


He celebrated it in Beijing in 2008 at the Olympics, and it's likely he will do the same in 2016 in Rio (which sort of beats out Toronto - no offense to Toronto).


sports.yahoo.com

Roger Federer survives battle to reach Rogers Cup quarter-finals in Toronto

On the eve of his 33rd birthday, Roger Federer exuded vitality and endured growing pains. Marin Cilic fought off six match points in the second set and threatened to push the party to midnight.


Then Federer unleashed a series of forehand strikes to pull the plug on the Croatian's comeback bid. Blasting a forehand winner down the line to secure the lone break of the match in the ninth game of the decider, Federer served out a demanding, 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 6-4 triumph to reach the Rogers Cup quarterfinals for the seventh time.


On a chaotic day in which three of the top four seeds—No. 1 Novak Djokovic, No. 3 Stan Wawrinka, and No. 4 Tomas Berdych—all bit the dust, Federer moved crisply and struck cleanly for much of the match. But he struggled to create closure against a defiant opponent, who saved nine of 10 break points.


The third-ranked Swiss had imposed his advantage on the forehand side, winning nine of 10 prior sets against Cilic, who hits a wristy forehand and can flat-line that shot under pressure. When Cilic netted successive forehands to face another break point in the ninth game, it looked like familiar cracks could come back to haunt him. But the world No. 18 stood firm, zapping a 125 M.P.H. ace to fend it off and eventually hold for 5-4.


Neither man gained separation in the opening tiebreaker until Cilic blinked. Federer stepped forward to greet a second serve, startling Cilic and eliciting a netted backhand for the first mini-break and a 5-4 lead. A serve winner gave him double set point. Two points later, Federer stretched Cilic, slashing successive drives down opposite sidelines to draw the error and seize a quality 51-minute first set.


Throughout the match, Cilic was effective lashing the first serve down the middle to Federer's backhand in the deuce court. Serving to extend the match at 4-5 in the second, Cilic showed stubborn strength, fighting off six match points in a grueling 19-minute game. He played some of his best tennis on several of the match points, but got a couple of gifts from Federer. The second seed, who won 21 of 28 trips to net, was in prime position to end it on the fifth match point when he netted a routine backhand volley. Wife Mirka tried to smile off the miscue, while coach Stefan Edberg shifted slightly nervously in his seat.


Cilic saved a sixth match point when Federer sailed a forehand wide, holding with an ace for 5-5. That struggle strengthened Cilic, who opened the tiebreaker attacking to earn the mini break. Federer's forehand, which had been sharp for much of the night, failed him in the breaker, as successive forehand errors gave Cilic set point at 6-2. He banged a body serve, looking revitalized in snatching the 64-minute second set.


Cilic, who pushed Djokovic to five sets in the Wimbledon quarterfinals last month, earned the first break point of the decider, only to see Federer fend it off in a tremendous running rally. The seven-time Wimbledon champion held for 1-1.


The set stayed on serve until the ninth game. By that point, Mirka, coach Edberg, and Federer's support box were wrapped in red blankets to ward off the late evening chill. Cilic saved a ninth break point, but on the 10th, Federer hit a heavy topspin backhand return down the line to create space, then cracked a forehand for the crucial break. Crunching a diagonal forehand winner punctuated by a firm "Allez!" he earned a seventh match point 57 minutes after his last one. This time, there was no waiting game as Cilic's return missed the mark, ending an entertaining two hour, 39-minute test just a half hour shy of Federer's birthday.

tennis.com


This match went on and on. I really thought we were headed for a 3rd set tie-break. Glad Roger put an end to it. Hope tonight is filled with less drama.

One really good thing we can take away from this match? Roger did not lose his serve once all 3 sets. Not bad for a 33 year old!. Happy Birthday Roger, good luck tonight!.