Novak Djokovic three-peats at Dubai Duty Free Championships

In his first tournament back since winning the Australian Open, Novak Djokovic wins the Dubai Duty Free Championship for a third straight year.  Not only winning, but beating Roger Federer in straight sets 6-3, 6-3. He broke Federer early in the first set to go ahead 2-1.  His serve, which is much improved from last year, was key to remaining in control of the match.  With Federer serving 3-5 late in the first, Nole broke again to take the set.  

Federer started to make a match of things at the beginning of the second set, getting an early break and going up 3-1, but then Djokovic recovered the break to even the set up.  Roger Federer didn't win another game in the match, Nole winning the championship with one of Federer's many wild forehands.

Federer looked like a broken man throughout the match, even though he had not lost a set while moving towards the finals.  Djokovic looked like a man on a mission, a man who has clearly put the hierarchy of mens tennis on notice.  Nole won't yet overtake Federer for the number two ranking position even with this win because Roger has no points to defend from this time last year, but soon - he still remains just 85 points behind.  

 

Farewell and good luck Mario Ancic

Mario Ancic, a Croatian born professional tennis player, turned pro in 2001, and on February 21, 2011 he announced his untimely retirement due to recurring bouts of illness and injuries.  He stated that; "Heart wanted, but body couldn't, this is the toughest moment of my life. I have never ran away from responsibility. I've always stroved for perfection, and when I realized that my body can not provide the kind of tennis I can play, there was no other solution".  He was born in Split, Croatia on March 30, 1984 to a father who owned a supermarket chain & a mother who was a financial advisor.

During his career he won 3 ATP singles titles, and 5 in doubles - overall he had 208 wins/135 losses.  Mario is known as the last player to beat Roger Federer at the 2002 Wimbledon in the first round (before Rafael Nadal did it in the '08 finals).  His highest ranking came back in 2006 when he reached number 7 in the world.  One year later in '07 he was diagnosed for the first time with mononucleosis, which would come back often, and along with back injuries caused his early retirement.  Here's he is spotlighted on ATP Tour Uncovered in 2010 just as he was trying to make another comeback.

He's best performance in a major was at the 2004 Wimbledon championships where he reached the semifinals.  Outside of his other 3 singles titles, his career highlights were winning the Bronze medal (w/Ivan Ljubicic) at the 2004 Athens Olympics, and helping Croatia win the 2005 Davis Cup. 

Ivan Ljubicic (left) Mario Ancic (right) celebrating their Bronze medal win at the 2004 Athens Olympics

He studied law from 2002-2008 at the University of Split, and graduated with a law degree on April 14, 2008.  After graduation, Ancic began his residency at the Law Offices of Turudic in Zagreb in 2009 having missed most of the tennis season due to illness.  He put his law residency on hold to continue his tennis career.

Mario Ancic (left); Ralph Macchio (right)

I liked this guy from the first time I saw him - he reminded me of my childhood crush (one of them at least), Ralph Macchio - the original Karate Kid.

I will miss seeing him on the tennis court, his fire was fun to watch and it was obvious that he loved playing the game, but I wish him the best w/his legal career and his life in general.

 

Mario Ancic will be this week's Hottie.

Juan Martin Del Potro, Milos Raonic, Alexandr Dolgopolov

With a lot of hard work and some steady play, Juan Martin Del Potro, Milos Raonic, and Alexandr Dolgopolov are moving quickly up the ATP rankings.  

Juan Martin Del Potro

Juan Martin was once ranked as high as number 5 in the world, and the 2009 US Open champion.  He had some bad luck with a wrist injury that kept him out of the game for the better part of 2010.  Now, DelPo is back, and slowing making his presence known in the men's tennis scene.   With two semi final showings (SAP Open, losing to Fernando Verdasco 4-6 4-6 & Regions Morgan Keegan, losing to Andy Roddick 3-6 4-6) he has climbed up to 166, up from 298 this time last week.  He's beginning to look again like the guy who will break up the Top 3 dominance of Rafa, Roger & Nole - the will is there, he just needs a little more match toughness.  This guy will be a very dangerous floater to any of the top players.

Andy Roddick (left), Milos Raonic (right)

Milos Raonic has followed up on his Aussie Open success with a  championship at the SAP Open beating Fernando Verdaso 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5), and then another final at the Regions Morgan Open - losing to American, Andy Roddick 6-7 (6), 7 (11)-6, 7-5.  He moves up from 59 to 37 in the rankings.  At 20 years old, he is looking like a player who can and will do big things in tennis.

Dolgopolov (left), Almagro (right)

The hard hitting Ukrainian, Alexandr Dolgopolov has moved up a respectful six spots in the rankings to number 26 in the world.  He recently made the final of the Brasil Open, and lost to Nicolas Almagro 6-3, 7-6 (3). This happy go lucky guy a has big game, sweet ground strokes, and no fear - a perfect combination for a successful tennis career.


It's on February and these 3 guys are heating things up.  This year will be good year for them, and us the die hard tennis fans!  Until next time...

Milos Raonioc UPDATE - ATP - Six players to look out for in 2011

Milos Raonic

I blogged before about six players to look out for this year, and Milos Raonic was one of them.  Mr. Raonic is definitely on the come up, starting 2011 ranked at 156, then by the end of the Australian Open, he was in the Top 100.  He entered the SAP Open in San Jose ranked number 84, and by the time rankings came out on today, February 14th, he's ranked number 59. That's a 97 rankings jump is less than two months. 

At the SAP Open he defeated Spaniard, Fernando Verdasco, 7-6 (8-6), 7-6 (7-5) in the final - becoming the first Canadian to win an ATP Tour level event since Greg Rusedski won the Seoul Open back in 1995, and the youngest player since Marin Cilic won New Haven at 19 back in 2008.

Milos Raonic right after his when at the SAP Open

Congratulations to Milos!   

Raonic with his SAP Open trophy

Which one of my six players to watch will make the next big move?

Hottie of the Day/Week - Wayne Rooney

Today's hottie is none other than the sexy, block-headed, striker for Manchester United, Wayne Rooney.  I don't care that he allegedly had sex with a prostitute, or that he's pale as a ghost.  I don't care that he's kinda funny looking, that he's going bald, or that he's not the norm when it comes to the hot factor...he's British & he looks like he can split the wood - that's good enough for me!  Wayne Rooney is a man's man & a bad ass - period.  I'm not saying at all that he is the greatest footballer on the planet, but just know this...Wayne Rooney is sex on wheels.


Check out this video of Wayne Rooney bicycle kick from Manchester United's game Saturday Vs Manchester City. 

 Now, enough of the appetizer, let's move on to the entree, the obligatory pictures...

End note...good grief!

ATP Tennis - Six players to look out for in 2011

Men's tennis in the past 6 years or so has had it's usual suspects, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.  I give to you six players I think will make some noise on the scene - #484 Juan Martin Del Potro, # 84 Milos Raonic, #32 Alexandr Dolgopolov, #7 Tomas Berdych, #5 Andy Murray, and #3 Novak Djokovic.  Djokovic and Del Potro have already been in the winners circle at the majors, Berdych and Murray have the game to break through, and Raonic & Dolgopolov just need a little bit of belief.  They may not all win majors this year, but remember these names, you're going to hear a lot about each of them.

Juan Martin Del Potro

Juan Martin w/2009 US Open trophy

Juan Martin Del Potro's ranking is a little misleading.  At the 2009 US Open, he beat Roger Federer in a thrilling five set final, winning his first major.  He was the guy everyone expected to break up the Rafa/Roger dominance in the sport.  Before having to miss most of 2010 (only playing in 3 tournaments) with a wrist injury & subsuquent wrist surgery, he made it up to number 5 in the world.  He's 2-2 so far in 2011, losing in the round of 64 at the 2011 Australian Open to Marcos Baghdatis, and in the round of 16 at the Medibank International Syndey to Florian Mayer.  I believe that once he gets healthy, he can return to 2009 US Open form in a matter of six months - the rankings will come & he will remain a dangerous unseeded player in any tournament he enters.  Check out the ATP Tour Uncovered video about his comeback, also, here's a ATP Tour Uncovered video from just after the 2009 US Open & just before his wrist problems began.  


Milos Raonic

 Canadian (born in Yugoslavia) Milos Raonic jumped onto the scene with his monsterous serve, and a fourth round run in the 2011 Australian Open, before being taken out by the Energizer Bunny, David Ferrer.  Of all the new upcomers, this dude has the attitude I think will take him the farther than the others - like Australia's Bernard Tomic -  he's head just seems more into the game & less into the hype around him.  Everything about this kid's game is big, included the nerve he showed before having to exit the Aussie Open. 

Alexandr Dolgopolov

Robin Soderling

Alexandr Dolgopolov made it to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, being taken out by Andy Murray 5-7, 3-6, 7-6 (7-3), 3-6 in the quarterfinals.  He did however look impressive in defeating Robin Soderling in the fourth round 1-6, 6-3, 6-1, 4-6, 6-2.  He has a very efficient game, good stamina, effortless movement around the court & a good variety of ground strokes.  A little more match play and confidence, this kid should move up the rankings quickly. 

Tomas Berdych

The next two guys have been in the top 10 for a while, and they both have the game to defeat the top guys - they've done it, but both of them have the same problem - their heads.  First head case, Tomas Berdych.  He's been in the final of one major, 2010 Wimbledon & lost to Rafael Nadal 6-3, 7-5, 6-4.  He did however take out defending champ, Roger Federer in the quarterfinals 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 that year.  I don't believe that he'll make another final in a major this year, but he may very well upset one of the higher ranked guys deep into a major.

Andy Murray

Head case number two should be well known to most tennis fans, Andy Murray.  He's made it to three major finals, the 2008 US Open, 2010 & 2011 Australian Opens.  He lost the first 2 major finals to Roger Federer,   and the last one to Novak Djokovic - not winning a set in any of his appearances.  I think this last loss will take a while for him to get over - in his first match since the '11 Aussie Open, he lost in the first round to Marcos Baghdatis.  He has beaten Nadal, Federer, and Djokovic on more than one occasion, but when he makes to the final of a major, it's like a deer in headlights - his feet become glued to the court & he forgets everything that got him to the final.  Do I think he will make another final in a major, definitely.  Do I think he will ever win a final,  maybe at some point.

Novak Djokovic

Nole w/2011 Australian Open trophy

Next up is Novak Djokovic, a two time Australian Open champion - 2008 & 2011.  Nole has been around for a while, reaching a career high of number two in February 2010, but has been the number 3 player for a while.  Like most, he's been unable to crack that Rafa/Roger stranglehold on the number one/two positions, but he has his confidence & serve back, his health is in check, the mind is right, and if he continues on this path he has the game to break through.  With Rafa's body failing, and Roger just not being as sharp & not having the fear factor he once had over players on the tour, look for Nole to play up to the expectations.  He should definitely challange for at LEAST one more major, probably the US Open, later this year.  A really good sign is that he has said winning Wimbledon will be a priority this year. 

All in all, 2011 should be a great year for Men's tennis - lots of new names to look out for, of course the old guard to watch.

Hottie - Richard Wolffe (of Newsweek)



Richard Wolffe - Sex on Wheels


I think there is nothing sexier than a good looking, smart man with a British accent (or any accent for that matter) - Mr. Richard Wolffe fits the bill - perfect combination of an English father and Moroccan mother.  Yes, some may think he is a 'scrawny Lil pipsqueak', but what's not hot about that!  I can't pinpoint what it is about him that attracts me to him - maybe it's the lips, or the bright, wide eyes - whatever it is, I'd put it on a plate & sop it up with a biscuit!  No need to define it, let's just give a shout to Richard Wolffe for representin' all the sexy dorks/geeks of the world.

Richard Wolffe



The Lips




The Eyes




Booyah

Too f'in cute!

He's happy b/c he knows he's the ish



Rafael Nadal - How long will his body hold up?



Rafael Nadal



Rafael Nadal Parera, who began his professional tennis career in 2001, is a player known for his will to win.  He is primarily an aggressive, behind the baseline player, but is also an excellent volleyer.  He's extremely athletic, and his court coverage is one of his best defensive aspects.  Rafa hits his ground strokes with a heavy lefty topspin - the topspin causes the ball to fall into the court when it looks as if it will go well long/wide & also bounces high enough to keep his opponents on the defensive.
He has said that he gives 100% during matches, during practice, and even if he is playing five on five football (soccer for us Americans) with his friends - that is where his problem lays.  Every year since 2004 when he began to make his way up the rankings, he has had to take time off because of injuries - injuries that could have been avoided had he taken things a little easier off the court, and adjusted his tour schedule to give his body more rest.  The guy is hardcore, and we admire him for it, but at some point if he wants to be around the sport for an extended period of time, he'll need to change alter his work ehtic. 
April 2004, while playing Frenchman, Richard Gasquet in a quarter final match in the Estoril event, Rafa suffered a stress fracture in his left ankle.  This is the first of his many injuries, causing him to miss the French Open and Wimbledon.  Then in October 2005, he injured his foot again while playing in the Madrid Masters tournament.  This injury forced him to miss the year end Tennis Masters Cup, as well as the 2006 Australian Open.  June 2006, he suffered an injured shoulder in the quarterfinals of the Artois Championships.  He did go on to play Wimbledon, but lost in the final 6-0, 7-6 (7-5), 6-7 (7-2), 6-3 to Roger Federer.  During the second half of 2007, Nadal had to deal with a knee injury he suffered during the Wimbledon final against Roger Federer.  Towards the end of 2007, rumors swirled that the foot injuury he suffered in 2005 caused long-term damage.  His uncle/coach, Toni Nadal added to the rumor, saying the injury was serious.  Rafa denied it was true.
October 2008, he received treatment from the trainer while down 4-1, then retired from his quarter final match against Nikolay Davydenko after losing the first set 6-1 at the Paris Masters.  He also had to pull out of Spanish Davis Cup play as well as the 2008 year end Tennis Masters Cup - the second time he had to pull out of the year end Masters due to injury (first time was in 2005).  His injury was diagnosed as tendinitis.  February 2009, he had to pull of the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships, again with knee injuries.  After his defeat to Robin Söderling at the 2009 French Open, he announced that he now had tendinitis in both knees.  He had to withdraw from the 2009 Wimbledon and was unable to defend his title.  Rafa had to pull out of his quarter final match against Andy Murray at the 2010 Australian Open again because of his knees.  Then later in the year, he had to withdraw from the 2010 Paris Masters with left shoulder tendinitis.

Already this year, Rafa suffered a hamstring injury while playing David Ferrer in the 2011 Australian Open quarter finals.  He hurt himself in the third game of the match, but continued to play, losing 4-6, 2-6, 3-6.



Rafael & his ankle

Rafa & his knee



I really and truly hope that Rafa is able to stay healthy enough to have a long, successful tennis career, but with his history of injuries - mostly the knee, I pose the question to you - how long will his body hold up?

Hottie of Day/Week/Everyday - Anderson Cooper

Today's (everyday's) hottie is none other than CNN's Silver Fox, Anderson Cooper.  This man is funny, smart, entertaining, pale as a ghost, & absolutely gorgeous - I love him, I really, really love him.


Anderson Cooper



AC looking oh so dapper in black & white.

You can  lust after watch him on AC360 on CNN at 10p Monday thru Friday. 
You can follow him on twitter or facebook - I suggest that you do both!  He makes watching the news worth switching the channel from one of the many mindless shows on the networks.  He's dedicated to keeping them honest.  He often leaves the comfort of his New York studio to go to war torn or other areas of the world going through some type of strife.  Last January, he traveled to Haiti to cover the earthquake's aftermath - at one point becoming part of the story by carrying a bloody child to safety.  Right now, he's currently in Egypt covering the anti-Mubarak protesting & taking some hits, literally, in the process.

On a lighter note, here is a funnier video of the Silver Fox talking about some drunk girls he encountered one night while going to the ATM machine - the story ends w/a John McEnroe comparison, which AC didn't seem to like, but I think Johnny Mac is a hot piece too.  Also, a video of Planet in Peril outtakes.





AC in Haiti

AC doing 'Planet in Peril' documentary w/Jeff Corwin

AC Yummy!

AC on location in New Orleans

AC ... no words

And of course, more pictures of his Silver Hotness.  It's also worth mentioning that his tight black t-shirt won an award at the Rally to Restore Sanity!

Look at those guns!

OMG