Kim Clijsters to play one last farewell match in December

BRUSSELS — Kim Clijsters will play a ceremonial farewell match on Dec. 12 against Venus Williams.

Clijsters retired from tennis after the U.S. Open in August but announced on her website on Monday that she will face her longtime rival in the Kim’s Thank You Games at the Antwerp Sports Palace.

The 29-year-old Belgian, a four-time Grand Slam winner, initially retired in 2007 only to make a return to the sport two years later. This time, she insists her retirement is for good.

bostonherald.com

Roger Federer Swiss Indoors after party in Basel

rogerfedererfans.com

Joss Whedon on Romney :D

Roger Federer in the finals of Swiss Indoor

BASEL, Switzerland — Roger Federer and Juan Martin del Potro advanced to the Swiss Indoors final on Saturday, setting up a rematch of their epic semifinal at the London Olympics.

Top-ranked Federer brushed aside Paul-Henri Mathieu of France 7-5, 6-4 in the semifinals after Del Potro eased to a 6-2, 6-2 win over third-seeded Frenchman Richard Gasquet.

Federer has beaten Del Potro all six times they have met this season, though he was pushed to his limits on Centre Court at Wimbledon in August. Federer won 19-17 in the decisive third set.

“I’m excited to see how he is going to come out and play,” Federer said of Sunday’s final. “We have had a couple of tough ones, at the French Open and particularly at the Olympics. I had a really hard time breaking his serve. The margins are extremely small.”

Del Potro let a two-set lead slip in their quarterfinal at Roland Garros, and took the first set at the Olympics before losing the second on a tiebreaker.

“I was close in the Olympics and French Open but I never beat him this year,” said the eight-ranked Del Potro, who rebounded from the tough Olympics loss to win his bronze-medal match. “He has all the shots. He’s a very, very complete player.”

Federer, chasing his sixth title in seven years at his hometown event, fired 10 aces and never allowed 101st-ranked Mathieu a break-point chance.

Excellent anticipation at the net put Federer into position to hit a volleyed winner to create two set points in the first. He clinched with a forehand winner.

Federer moved his opponent around the court in the final game before putting away an overhead to earn match point, and sealed victory when Mathieu netted a two-handed backhand.

Federer has a 13-2 career record against Del Potro, though one of the Argentinian’s victories came in the 2009 U.S Open final. A wrist injury then wrecked his 2010 season.

“Now he is finally back to his real self again,” Federer said. “He looked really impressive today.”

Del Potro, who won the Vienna title last week, said his play against Gasquet was “almost perfection. Now I have to play better tomorrow if I want to win this tournament.”

His eighth ace sealed his 61st victory of the season, a career best. Del Potro improved to 16-1 on indoor hard courts in 2012, with his only loss coming against Federer in the Rotterdam final in February.

washingtonpost

Roger Federer reaches semis in Basel

Roger Federer breezed into the Swiss Indoors semi-finals on Friday, beating Benoit Paire of France 6-2, 6-2.

The top-ranked Swiss dominated with his service in his first match against the 46th-ranked Paire, and lifted his record to 65-9 this season.

Federer next faces another Frenchman, Paul-Henri Mathieu, who beat Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria, 7-6 (2), 7-6 (4).

The other semi-final pairs the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds, Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina and Richard Gasquet of France.

Del Potro, the Vienna title winner last weekend, overcame a one-set deficit and 20 aces from South Africa’s Kevin Anderson to win 3-6, 7-6 (3), 6-2.

Gasquet, who is still hoping to qualify for the season-ending ATP World Tour Finals in London, beat sixth-seeded Mikhail Youzhny of Russia, 6-2, 7-6 (5).

the globe and mail

Roger Federer survives tough Bellucci moves on in Basel

BASEL, Switzerland — Roger Federer edged Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil 6-3, 6-7 (6), 7-5 Wednesday to advance to the quarterfinals of his hometown Swiss Indoors tournament.

The top-ranked Federer saved four consecutive set points in the second-set tiebreaker before the 34th-ranked Bellucci tied the second-round match.

It was not until match point that Federer, who held serve throughout, had the decisive breakpoint chance in the decider.

Federer will face either Benoit Paire of France or Lukasz Kubot of Poland in the final eight Friday. Paire beat fifth-seeded Andreas Seppi of Italy, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3.

In other first-round action, second-seeded Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina eased past Alejandro Falla of Colombia 6-4, 6-1, and Marinko Matosevic of Australia upset seventh-seeded Florian Mayer of Germany 6-2, 6-3.

the washington post

Roger Federer opens with a win in Basel

Roger Federer began his bid for a sixth title at the Swiss Indoors by beating substitute opponent Benjamin Becker 7-5, 6-3 on Monday to reach the second round.

The German ranked 83rd with one career title had replaced injured Frenchman Jeremy Chardy as the first opponent for the Swiss home hero and world number one.

Federer, who has won five of the last six editions at the St Jakobshalle where he got his start in tennis as a ballboy at the tournament almost two decades ago, needed to work to get past the persistent Becker, whom he beat in their last two meetings, the last in 2010.

“I was well-prepared to play Becker instead of Chardy,” said Federer, bidding for his 77th career title this week and after more than 300 weeks spent as the ATP number one.

“You have to keep the game of these guys in mind, You don’t play them that much but you need to know how they play,”

The winner advanced in just under 90 minutes after a first set which took an hour and fired 10 aces in victory.

But the Swiss didn’t have it all his own way, missing on six break points in the opening set and going down a break in the second before finally settling in, taking charge and running out the winner.

“I don’t know exactly how I changed it around,” said Federer, playing his first match since losing a Shanghai semi-final nine days ago to Andy Murray, sitting out this tournament with a back injury.

“He broke me at 2-3 but I was able to get it straight back. It all went so fast at the end, but the first set was really tough.”

Federer’s win was his 65th of the season against nine losses. He owns an ATP-leading six titles in 2012.

“It is just so great to play at home as world number one after the season I’ve had,” said Federer. “It’s a wonderful feeling to be here playing at the top of my game.

”Sometimes things just all come together.“ Federer is making his 13th appearance in his hometown tournament and now stands 44-7 at the event. Besides his five titles he also played finals in 2000-01 and 2009.

The winner will await an opponent from Brazilian Tomaz Bellucci, finalist at the weekend in Moscow, and Japan’s Go Soeda.

the globe and mail

Roger Federer new Lindt Chocolates ad

Police mistakenly taser a blind man

A blind man from Lancashire, England, was Tasered by police last Friday after law enforcement officers mistook his white cane for a samurai sword, reports say.

According to Sky News, stroke victim Colin Farmer was hit in the back with a 50,000 volt Taser gun after police had received reports that a man was spotted walking through the town brandishing a samurai sword.

Farmer reportedly cried out "I'm blind! I'm blind!" while collapsing, but was still handcuffed by one of the officers, Sky News adds.

"The whole thing was like being trapped in a nightmare," the man told the Chorley Guardian, adding that he had initially thought that he was being "attacked by some hooligans."

Farmer was taken to the hospital for treatment and was later released.

“I was absolutely terrified. I thought any second I’m going to have another stroke and this one will kill me,” he said.

According to the Associated Press, Lancashire police have expressed "deep regrets" over the horrible mishap.

"We have clearly put this man through a traumatic experience and we are extremely sorry for that," Chief Superintendent Stuart Williams told the BBC. "We have launched an urgent investigation to understand what lessons can be learned."

The AP writes that a different man carrying a samurai sword was later arrested.

Farmer, who says the experience left his "shaking like a leaf and scared to go outside," is reportedly considering taking legal action against the police force, Sky News adds.

huffingtonpost.com

This is exactly why I'm against using tasers for any reason.  

And also how exactly do you mistake a blind man's cane for a samurai sword?.  0_O.  I hope he does sue them!.

Kim Clijsters will participate in some 2013 tennis events

Belgium's Kristen Flipkens is having the best run of her career and it could better with the help of an old friend and a former world no. 1.

Flipkens, who has won 24 of her last 26 matches, revealed that good friend and countrywoman Kim Clijsters will be joining her at some events next year. 

Clijsters retired from the sport at the US Open in August.

"She's not my coach, but she knows how to help me and what I need before and after a match, and she's going to come to some tournaments with me," Flipkens told the press in Luxembourg where she beat Sabine Lisicki on Tuesday. "Her family comes first, so we'll see where it's possible and where it's not, but I'm happy she'll be helping me wherever she can. I've known her for 20 years - she has always been a little bit like my bigger sister, always taking care of me and trying to help me/ We grew up in the same tennis school when we were younger. I was six or seven years old when I met her. Our moms are very good friends too, and I also grew up with her sister, Elke. It's amazing - I'm glad our friendship lasted this long. To everyone else she's Kim the tennis player, but to me she's Kim."

Flipkens has risen from outside the top 250 in June to her current ranking of no. 58 in just 4 months thanks to her successful run.

tennisworldusa.org

Nice, I'll be keeping my eye on this player.

Song of the Moment: Ingrid Michaelson-Somebody That I Used to Know

My new favourite cover :).  It's kind of sad that the covers of this song are almost better then the original :D

Roger Federer set for Murray semi in Shanghai

SHANGHAI, China — For the first time in the four-year existence of the Shanghai Masters, the top four seeds have reached the semi-finals.

Top-seeded Roger Federer, No. 2 Novak Djokovic, No. 3 Andy Murray, and No. 4 Tomas Berdych succeeded in meeting the expectations of their seedings on Friday.

The top four men’s seeds have also reached the semi-finals at four other tournaments this year: Australian Open; Doha, Qatar; Estoril, Portugal; and Umag, Croatia.

Federer turned out Marin Cilic of Croatia 6-3, 6-4 to set a semi-final date with Murray, the two-time defending Shanghai champion.

“I assume he’s very confident right now and probably playing with a little bit less pressure,” Federer said of Murray. “Then again, that can go either way. It’s been a long year for all of us.

“I’m looking forward to the match. It’s always great playing the best players.”

Murray won their last match in the London Olympics final to lead their matchups 9-8. Murray also beat Federer in the 2010 Shanghai final.

Murray improved his Shanghai record to 11-0 by overcoming a tenacious Radek Stepanek 4-6, 6-2, 6-3.

Djokovic advanced to the semi-finals by pasting unseeded Tommy Haas of Germany 6-3, 6-3. He’ll face Berdych, who outlasted Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-3, 7-6 (4) in the first match of the day. Berdych has beaten Djokovic only once in 10 matches.

Federer was merely solid, managing to save five of seven break point opportunities he offered to Cilic. He was broken in the fourth game of the first set and when serving for the match at 5-3 in the second.

nationalpost

Roger Federer moves into quarters at Shanghai insures year end #1 ranking

Roger Federer assured himself the No. 1 ranking for the 300th week of his career by beating Davis Cup teammate Stanislas Wawrinka 4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-0 Thursday in the third round of the Shanghai Masters.

"It's obviously an amazing number and I never thought of anything like this when I was a little kid," Federer said. "I just thought one day my dream would come true to play on the tour. So here I am at 300 weeks, and it's probably one of my biggest accomplishments and something I'm very proud of. No doubt about it."

The Swiss star will play 10th-seeded Marin Cilic in the quarter-finals after the Croat beat Fernando Verdasco of Spain 4-6, 6-1, 6-4. Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray also reached the quarters. Djokovic defeated Feliciano Lopez of Spain 6-3, 6-3, and Murray beat Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine 6-2, 6-2.

"I'm trying to enjoy the efficiency of my serve," said Djokovic, who had three aces in one game in the first set. "I'm not very well known around the tour for big serving. 

But so far in this tournament, and also in Beijing, it has been working very well for me. It has been giving me a lot of free points, a lot of confidence into the matches."

Djokovic will play Tommy Haas of Germany, who defeated Djokovic's countryman, Janko Tipsarevic, 6-2, 6-1.

Murray will play unseeded Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic. Stepanek upset eighth-seeded John Isner 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-3.

Federer struggled with his backhand for much of the first two sets before recovering.

"I just keep on trying," he said. "I knew I had a chance going into the breaker and I was just a little lucky. But I never stopped believing. But he was the better player for two sets. It was great finding a way out."

Fourth-seeded Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic defeated Sam Querrey of the United States 6-2, 6-7 (3), 6-4, and fifth-seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga beat Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus 6-2, 7-6 (2).

Berdych will play fifth-seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. The Frenchman downed Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus 6-2, 7-6 (2).

cbc.ca

Amateurs will get chance to play with tennis legends

When the ever popular Legends Tennis tournament comes around again, two lucky amateur tennis players will get a chance to get on court with former world No.1 Martina Hingis.  

The 2012 Legends Tennis will be played at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman from 30 October-3 November and some of the greatest players ever will compete, including Hingis and Stefan Edberg - who is another former world No.1 - and former top 10 players and Grand Slam champions Wayne Ferreira, Murphy Jensen, Iva Majoli and Jimmy Arias. 

For the last couple of years Legends Tennis has included an option for local amateurs to play in the main draw. The response for the 2012 local position has been so popular that a qualifying tournament will be held at The Courts at The Ritz-Carlton this weekend.  

Legend Tennis Tournament director Dan Kneipp said: “Working with the Ritz-Carlton tennis programme and their tennis director Thomas Neuert we are offering a chance for any amateur to play in the main draw, with the expected opponent being the team of Martina Hingis and Murphy Jensen. Any players can enter the qualifying tournament, the team that wins will go into the Legends main draw.” 

The qualifying tournament will be held over two dates. The first event will be the 13-14 October at The Ritz-Carlton and will be a knockout draw. Each match will be one pro set (first to 8). 

The last two teams remaining will play in the final qualifying match on the first night of the Legends Tennis on 30 October. The winning team will go into the main draw the next day.  

The tournament is open to any players, including all male team, all female teams and mixed teams. The cost is $50 per team with registration closing this Thursday 11 October. 

For the last couple of years Legends Tennis has included an option for local amateurs to play in the main draw.  

compasscayman.com

Roger Federer moves on in Shanghai Masters

rogerfedererfans.com

SHANGHAI — Roger Federer ignored recent death threats from a Chinese blogger and won his opening match at the Shanghai Masters on Wednesday, beating qualifier Lu Yen-Hsun 6-3, 7-5 in the second round.

Federer said he was aware that the blogger had recently issued an apology.

The 17-time Grand Slam champion has had heavy security surrounding him at all times since arriving in Shanghai.

“I felt fine” Federer said. “There was maybe one quick thought. I saw one of the bodyguards outside of the court. I thought, still around, obviously. I have bodyguards every time I play a match on a center court, which is normal.

“Once the match started, got underway, I never thought about it again.”

Federer saved the one break point he faced and broke serve once in each set to secure his path to the third round. He’ll next face 13th-seeded Stanislas Wawrinka.

“I thought it was a good match for me,” Federer said. “Obviously, not having been broken is a good thing early on in a tournament. You hope it sets a trend for more to come.”

washingtonpost.com

Roger Federer unfazed by Shanghai Masters death threat

In what brought back memories of the 1993 attack on Monica Seles, where she was stabbed in the back during a quarterfinal match in Hamburg, Germany by a crazed fan, top-ranked Roger Federer heads to the Shanghai Masters in the face of a death threat of his own.

Late last month on the Chinese website baidu.com, a user who goes by the screen name "Blue Cat Polytheistic Religion Founder O7" posted this chilling message:

"On October 6, I plan to assassinate Federer for the purpose of tennis extermination," adding a doctored photo of a decapitated Federer kneeling on the tennis court and someone holding an axe standing nearby (h/t CNN).

Tournament organizers are taking the threat very seriously and explained to reporters that they have taken precautions to ensure that no harm comes to the No. 1 men's player in the world:

The Shanghai Rolex Masters has security in place for our players and every precaution is taken to make sure players are kept safe and comfortable and allowed to do the job they are here for; to play tennis and provide their fans with the thrill of watching them in action.

Federer, who has not played since leading Switzerland in the Davis Cup playoffs last month, has surprisingly been able to brush the threat aside, making no mention of it upon his arrival.

bleacherreport.com

Roger Federer ready for Shanghai

After all the crazy happenings that transpired before the tournament, Roger Federer is ready for this year’s Shanghai Masters challenge.

“Important is that the body is okay, that the mind is fresh and ready to travel, willing to do the sacrifices and all those things. I felt like I can handle it. I’m actually kind of fine, but not injured or not tired. So that’s why I decided in the end to come here, because I love playing here in China. I’ve had some amazing weeks here in my life.”

Prior to reports that Federer will be coming to China with his wife, Mirka, and their twins, the Swiss Maestro decided to travel alone.

“Five days ago, my wife finally agreed that my body heals enough, and released me to attend the Shanghai Masters. Since I have come to Shanghai for the competition, I might as well bring the most satisfying result back home for my wife.

Everyone are highly anticipating which tennis player will end this year’s ATP race and he admits that he has high hopes to finish as world no. 1 n the South African Airways ATP Rankings.

“I hope I will finish World No. 1 at the end of the year,” said Federer, who is competing for the first time since the US Open. ”For me it’s about trying to play well here in Shanghai and go from there. If everything would have been totally focused on World No. 1, I would have gone to Tokyo or Beijing, most likely, and all those things.

With both Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray present on tour, anything is possible. But as for the Swiss Champ, he already reached his goal for the year.

“I’ve already reached my goal by getting back to World No. 1 in the summer. That was for me the goal, getting back there and winning a Grand Slam, particularly Wimbledon, plus the Olympic medal is a big thing for me as well.”

This week, Roger Federer is aiming for his 22nd ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title, and is on track for his record 300th week as World no.1. Roger Federer will have to wait and set a match with whoever wins between a Chinese wildcard Zhe Zhang or qualifier Lu in the second round.

“I love playing here in China,” he said.

“I’ve had some amazing weeks here in my life. I do appreciate all the support I get here. I didn’t want to miss it. I really tried to keep my schedule as flexible as I could so I could come to Shanghai. I’m very relieved and happy now that I’m here. I want to play well and go deep into the tournament. The focus is clearly on the first round, making sure I find my way into the tournament first.”

rogerfedererfans.com

Roger Federer Shanghai Masters draw photos

RogerFedererfans.com

Roger Federer talking about Barclay's ATP World Tour Finals in November

Taylor Hanson and wife welcome 2nd baby girl!

There’s a new baby girl in the Hanson family!

“Natalie and I are thrilled to announce the arrival of our newest family member, Wilhelmina Jane Hanson,” Taylor tells PEOPLE exclusively. “She arrived on Tuesday, Oct. 2, and was welcomed by more love than could fit in the room.”

Taylor, 29 — who is one third of the band Hanson with his brothers Isaac and Zac — and Natalie, 28, told PEOPLE in April that they were expecting again, and announced in July that baby on the way was a girl.

Wilhelmina joins siblings Ezra, who turns 10 on Oct. 31,Penelope, 7; River, 6; and Viggo, 3½.

And in a family of unique names, choosing one for her new baby girl was of the utmost importance to Natalie.

“Thinking back on all the children’s names has helped to give me a fresh perspective in choosing the name for the baby girl we are expecting in the fall,” Natalie blogged over the summer.

“It has helped to remind me how the right name seems to come at the right time and how, no matter how ‘perfect’ the choice, it will only be a part of all this little person will become.”

Hanson just completed a world tour for their album Shout It Out, with sold-out dates throughout Australia. They are now working on their sixth studio album, set for release in 2013.

People.com

Tennis legend Martina Hingis visits Kazakhstan

Tennis legend Martina Hingis visits Kazakhstan

Australian Open raises grand slam prize money for next year

The Australian Open will offer a record AUD$30 million prize money next January, Tennis Australia CEO Steve Woodannounced at the Australian Open 2013 launch at Melbourne Park Tuesday. Additionally, Wood said that Tennis Australia officials would seek further input from players regarding a more equitable distribution of prize money to help ensure financial viability for lower ranked players.

“We are proud to announce this major increase in prize money. We have led the world in prize money for these incredible athletes and we want to ensure that the Australian Open continues to make a major contribution to the financial wellbeing of professional tennis players,” Wood explained.

In response to Tennis Australia's announcement regarding 2013Australian Open prize money, Brad Drewett, ATP Executive Chairman and President, said: “We welcome the increase in prize money for the 2013Australian Open and acknowledge the ongoing efforts of Tennis Australia to recognise the role of the players in the success of the tournament. We also look forward with confidence to continuing these successful discussions with a view to a longer-term understanding.”

The $4 million prize money boost is the biggest increase in the history of the event and was one of a raft of initiatives announced for Australian Open 2013 including:

• Retired tennis superstar Andre Agassi to play in a special feature match in the Men’s Legends Event
• Hawk-Eye to be introduced on Show Courts 2 and 3
• New practice and recovery facilities for players, including eight new clay courts in the new National Tennis Centre
• Expanded Australian Open Trophy Tour throughout Australia, China and Japan
• The inaugural Asia-Pacific Australian Open Wildcard Play-off to be held in China
• The new Edwin Flack footbridge connecting the MCG with Melbourne Park and AAMI Park
• An expanded Women’s Legends event, including former AO champs Amelie Mauresmo and Lindsay Davenport along with Martina Hingis and Martina Navratilova
• A special Legends Lunch on the final Saturday to honour six-timeAustralian Open winner Roy Emerson

Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley also said he was confident Spanish superstar and Australian Open 2012 finalist Rafael Nadal will have overcome a leg injury in time to prepare for a major assault on the event in 2013.

“Expect Rafa to be one of many great stories in January, including a formidable title defence from our brilliant reigning men’s champion, Novak Djokovic, and some major challenges from the great Roger Federer, US Open 2012 champion Andy Murray and any one of a group of Ferrer, Del Potro, Berdych and Tsonga,” said Tiley.

Series tickets for Australian Open 2013 go on sale through Ticketek from 9:00 am on Wednesday 3 October to 5:00 pm Sunday 7 October (AEDST).Rod Laver Arena and Hisense Arena single session tickets and Australian Open grounds passes are on sale from 9:00 am (AEDST) Monday 8 October.

The $34 Australian Open grounds pass gives fans access to all the outside courts and free entertainment on Grand Slam Oval and in Garden Square. Fans are encouraged to pre-purchase and save on tickets forAustralian Open 2013. Tournament pricing applies to all tickets purchased from Monday 14 January.

atpworldtour.com

Happy (belated) Birthday Martina Hingis!

Happy 32nd Birthday to retired tennis star and my fave female sports idol Martina Hingis! :)

It's actually a day late (Sept. 30) no matter how much time goes by I still miss her on the tour.