Madrid boss blasts ATP over blue clay ban

Updated June 26, 2012 23:00:51

Madrid Masters supremo Ion Tiriac blasted the ATP on Tuesday for slapping a ban on the controversial blue clay used at his tournament, insisting that the "future is blue".

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal both said that they would not return to the Spanish capital in 2013 if the surface did not revert to traditional red clay at the event, a key warm-up for the French Open.

"I am very disappointed by the decision taken by the ATP," Tiriac said.

"The blue colour is one thing and the quality of the court in 2012 in the Caja Magica is a different one.

"Due to the fact that for the past three years our contract stipulated we could only arrange the courts six weeks before the event, it was impossible for the organiser to do a proper court."

Tiriac insists that television chiefs preferred the blue surface, pointing to the colour of the hard courts used by the Australian and US Opens.

"The various studies and feedback from broadcasters show that between the blue colour and the yellow ball the contrast is greater than any other combination," he said.

"I believe the field hockey at the Olympic Games in London is going to be played on blue grass (artificial). Then why not blue clay? In my opinion the future is blue, but for this the players have to be convinced and the governing bodies of our sport as well."

AFP

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First posted June 26, 2012 23:00:51

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Serena humbles Azarenka in Madrid final

Updated May 14, 2012 07:31:10

A fired-up Serena Williams sent out a warning to the young pretenders of women's tennis when she powered to a crushing 6-1, 6-3 victory over world number one Victoria Azarenka to win the Madrid Open.

The 30-year-old former number one, seeded ninth at the premier clay event in the Spanish capital, extended her winning streak to 13 matches and looks to be coming into top form right on time for the French Open starting later this month.

With the sliding roof of the futuristic Magic Box arena open to the baking Madrid sun, Williams made the most of Azarenka's error-strewn start on the blue dirt of the Manolo Santana show court to race into a 4-0 lead.

After breaking the Belarussian's serve for a third time to clinch the first set, Williams turned the screw with another break early in the second and clinched victory on her first match point when Azarenka, also runner-up last year, completely missed an attempted return.

It was the American's second title of the year after her success on the clay at Charleston last month and her 41st singles crown overall, putting her in joint 13th on the all-time list with Belgian Kim Clijsters.

"My whole thing is just to play consistent and that is what I have been doing the past couple of weeks," Williams told reporters.

"I belong on a tennis court and that's where I feel amazing."

A 13-times grand slam singles champion who was last number one in October 2010, Williams is projected to rise to number six when the rankings are updated and said she had her eye on extending her overall tally of 123 weeks at the top.

"I don't play to be number two, I don't think Victoria plays to be number two," she said.

"We all play to be the best."

Serena beat her sister Venus in the French Open final in her sole triumph at Roland Garros in 2002 but has not been past the quarter-finals since 2004, leading to a perception she is less comfortable on the dirt than grass or hardcourt.

"It's a big myth because I actually love the clay, I grew up on clay," Williams said.

"My results haven't been stellar but I have won the French Open, the ultimate claycourt tournament.

"Actually I like it more than the grass which is weird."

It was only Azarenka's third defeat in a year in which the 22-year-old won her first grand slam singles title at the Australian Open, which lifted her to the top of the rankings, and has earned more than $4 million in prize money.

Williams clubbed 26 winners to Azarenka's six and smashed down 14 aces, while her opponent did not manage a single one and offered up six double faults.

"She was just so much better than me today," Azarenka said.

"I do need to return a bit better and definitely improve my serve which today was just a disaster.

"These kinds of matches make you realize you have to take a moment and look at what you can do better."

Novak Djokovic, Rafa Nadal and others who have complained about the blue clay at the Madrid Open are "weenies", Williams.

Asked about criticism from Djokovic and Nadal over the slippery surface on the Manolo Santana show court, Williams told a news conference that women were simply tougher than their male counterparts.

"Women are way tougher than men. That's why we have the babies, you guys could never handle kids," Williams said.

"We ladies don't complain we just do our best. On the WTA (tour) we are real performers, we are not about going out there and being weenies."

Reuters

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First posted May 14, 2012 06:36:33

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Federer goes second after Madrid win

Updated May 14, 2012 06:40:32

Roger Federer put his best fighting tennis on display to produce a 3-6, 7-5, 7-5 victory over Tomas Berdych to capture a third Madrid Masters title and depose Rafael Nadal as world number two.

The Swiss, with 16 grand slam titles, will now stand behind Novak Djokovic on Monday on the ATP list after sending Nadal back to third with his winning performance on the controversial blue clay laid down at the Caja Magica.

"I feel amazing," said Federer, who came through on his fourth match point as Berdych ploughed a forehand into the net.

"This is a tough tournament and a brutal draw. I'm playing well and I'm so happy to win this once again."

The 30-year-old went level with Nadal on 20 career titles at Masters 1000 level, with both men sharing the overall record.

Federer, playing in his 104th ATP final, won his 74th title and fourth of the season.

He now stands 11-4 in head-to-head encounters with Berdych, who had beaten him in three of their five most recent matches.

But Federer was having no more of that scenario as he turned in victory in just over two and a half hours with a dozen aces, 44 winners and 30 unforced errors.

Berdych saved three match points in the final game before going down.

"We both played a nice match, but Roger showed why he's the star," the Czech said.

"He was able to win in the conditions, it was well done."

Berdych claimed the first set as he dominated with 14 winners and two unforced errors, only to quickly find himself on the other end of a Federer fightback in the second.

The Swiss third seed missed on a set point while serving at 5-3 to level, but stayed in the chase, finally taking the set 7-5 as Berdych double-faulted on set point.

In the third, Federer rallied from 0-30 in his first three service games, then moved into position with a break for 5-3, which was finally achieved after Berdych saved three break points with consecutive aces but then sent over two double-faults in a row to give away the game

Federer still could not close as he was broken in the next game, 5-4.

The Swiss hung tough through the next two games on serve before finally putting away the win on his fourth match point.

"It's a great feeling to win any event, but especially another here in Madrid," Federer added.

"This is a tough tournament. It was tough to move on the clay but you just get on with it and try to make the best of the situation.

"The level of play was good this week and I'm looking forward to the next few weeks."

In an unexpected post-match ceremony, American film star Will Smith came down from his spectator position to present the winner with the suit he wore in his latest Men in Black film.

The American also said a few words to the delighted crowd in Spanish.

AFP

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First posted May 14, 2012 05:41:38

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Federer to face Berdych in Madrid final

Updated May 13, 2012 07:36:59

Roger Federer put on a blue clay master class to move to within one win of a return to the world number two ranking as he hammered Janko Tipsarevic 6-2, 6-3 for a place in the Madrid Masters final.

The Swiss, who owns a record 16 Grand Slam titles, will replace Rafael Nadal on Monday in the standings if he beats Tomas Berdych for the title.

Czech sixth seed Berdych, who toppled Argentine Juan Martin del Potro 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (8-6), trails Federer 6-10 in their career series, but has won three of their last five meetings dating to 2010.

Federer was flawless on the same slick blue clay surface which had angered world number one Novak Djokovic and number two Nadal, both men vowing never to return if the surface does not change.

The Swiss improved his record over Tipsarevic, who put out Djokovic in the quarter-finals, to 5-0.

Another title on Sunday would pull Federer level on the all-time mark of 20 Masters trophies alongside Nadal.

The record-setting Federer is into his 104th ATP final as he aims for a 74th trophy. It will be his 32nd Masters final (19-12).

Federer, whose graceful game has allowed him to practically glide along the clay which has tripped up many of his rivals, turned in a typically picture-perfect performance.

He swept the opening set, concluding with a break of Tipsarevic and quickly ran out to a 4-1 lead in the second.

Federer put the one-way contest away on his second match point, ending with 25 winners and 13 unforced errors in just 67 minutes.

Berdych fired down 15 aces in a contest lasting just over two and a quarter hours at the Caja Magica.

"He was my toughest match of the week," Berdych said.

"I had that feeling from the start. But I was confident going in. I had my belief.

"I'm definitely happy with my the game that I've played here all week."

The Czech won only his second match out of five against Del Potro, who captured the Estoril title last weekend, as he began his campaign for the French Open later than most of his rivals after resting at home.

Coming to the court, Berdych had won 26 service games this week and got one more before finally being broken in the third game of the opening set.

But he took it back in the 10th game for 5-5 as Del Potro was broken while serving for the set.

The distraught Argentine rallied from 1-5 down in the tiebreaker but still lost it after 68 minutes.

Berdych began the second with a break, was broken back for 3-3, but again showed his nerve with a winning tiebreak effort to advance into the title match on a second match point after Del Potro saved the first with an ace.

Del Potro dropped to 10-1 on clay this season and 22-2 on sets after defeating Berdych in their last three meetings without losing a set.

"I lost because Berdych played better, and that's the only reason," said Del Potro, who disputed several line calls and did not shake hands with the chair umpire at the end of the match.

Berdych will be playing in his 14th ATP World Tour final and third Masters final, having won in Paris seven years ago before losing in Miami in 2010.

AFP

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First posted May 13, 2012 07:13:06

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Stosur through in Madrid

Updated May 08, 2012 12:07:13

Samantha Stosur survived an early scare before winning her second round clash with American Christina McHale at the WTA's Madrid Open in Spain.

Stosur dropped the first set against teenager McHale before hitting back to win 2-6, 6-4, 6-0 in just under two hours on the blue clay.

She will meet Petra Cetkovska in the third round after the Czech enjoyed a comfortable straight sets win over Spaniard Lourdes Dominguez Lino, winning 6-4, 7-5 to advance.

Serena Williams marked her first European appearance of the season with victory on the Madrid Open's striking blue clay courts but it was not such good news for sister Venus, who crashed out.

Serena, who reached the third round the last time she played in Madrid in 2010, powered past last week's Budapest Grand Prix runner-up Elena Vesnina of Russia 6-3, 6-1.

The ninth seed delivered some powerful serves, hitting 14 aces to set up a meeting with another Russian, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, in the next round.

"I was feeling good," Williams told reporters.

"It's my first tournament in Europe this year and I just hope I can keep up the good form," added the American who has yet to lose in eight clay outings this season.

"I haven't noticed a difference between the blue and the red clay. I think it's the same, it's just you don't get as dirty," Williams said.

Venus entered Madrid on a wildcard as she started her third tournament after seven months out suffering with Sjogren's Syndrome, an auto-immune disease which causes fatigue and joint soreness.

The former world number one struggled past Romania's Simona Halep in three sets on Saturday, but crumpled against stronger opposition on Monday falling 6-4, 6-1 to 12th seed Angelique Kerber of Germany.

Kerber, 24, is in the midst of her breakout season with both her career titles coming in 2012.

China's Li Na, the eighth seed, joined Kerber in the last 16 with a straightforward victory over Spanish wildcard Silvia Soler-Espinosa 6-3, 6-1.

Holder Petra Kvitova started well as the third seed defeated New Zealander Marina Erakovic 6-2, 6-3.

Towering Czech Kvitova beat Victoria Azarenka in the final last year before going on to win the Wimbledon title.

The only seeded player to fall was number 15 Jelena Jankovic who went out to Spanish wildcard Carla Suarez 4-6, 7-6, 6-4.

Czech qualifier Andrea Hlavackova and compatriot Lucie Hradecka, Italian Sara Errani, Russia's Ekaterina Makarova, and Estonia's Kaia Kanepi also made it through to the second round.

ABC/Reuters

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First posted May 08, 2012 12:07:13

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Stosur starts with win in Madrid

Updated May 06, 2012 09:31:39

US Open champion Samantha Stosur got off to a winning start at the Madrid Masters Saturday, the Australian advancing to the second round with a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (7-5) defeat of Croatian Petra Martic.

Stosur was joined by Romanian Sorana Cirstea, who upset French seventh seed Marion Bartoli 6-7 (6-8), 6-4, 6-3.

French Open winner Li Na, the eighth seed, also made it through after dominating her opener against teenaged Madrid debutante Garbine Muguruza Blanco of Spain, who saved two match points before finally falling 6-2, 6-4.

Unseeded Mona Barthel won an all-German battle, eliminating 2011 semi-finalist Julia Goerges 6-4, 6-1.

"This time last year I was ranked around 200 and now I'm close to being seeded," said Barthel, making her Madrid debut. "It feel strange, but I worked hard for it.

"I'm serving well and moving better on the clay and I'm obviously benefitting from confidence right now."

Venus Williams, the losing finalist two years ago, was pushed hard by Romanian Simona Halep before winning 6-1, 4-6, 7-6 (8/6), while Spain's Silvia Soler-Espinosa beat Austrian Tamira Paszek 6-7 (2/7), 6-2, 6-2.

The men begin play later on Sunday, with the top eight seeds given a bye.

Rafael Nadal, seeded two, will get his first test on the unorthodox and experimental blue clay courts which have drawn the Spaniard's anger when he plays the winner from the match between Croatian Ivo Karlovic and Russian Nikolay Davydenko on Sunday.

AFP

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First posted May 06, 2012 09:31:39

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Kvitova wins Madrid Open

Petra Kvitova celebrates match point over Victoria Azarenka in the final of the Madrid Open Spain on May 8, 2011.

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Kvitova upsets Azarenka for Madrid title

Posted May 9, 2011 07:20:00

Petra Kvitova claimed the biggest win of her career and a third title of the season when she upset fourth seed Victoria Azarenka 7-6 (7-3), 6-4 in the final of the Madrid Open.

The left-handed Czech 16th seed, who will break into the top 10 for the first time on Monday, overpowered Belarussian Azarenka with some booming groundstrokes to add to her successes in Brisbane and Paris.

The 21-year-old squandered a match point on the Azarenka serve at 5-3 in the second set but made no mistake a game later before raising both arms aloft in triumph.

"I played some of my best tennis today and this has been an amazing tournament for me," she said in a television interview beside the red clay court.

Kvitova, like Azarenka a tall, aggressive player who likes to dominate opponents, made much the faster start on the sun-bathed court and opened a 3-0 lead after breaking her opponent's serve in the second game.

Azarenka claimed a break of her own to get the first set back on serve before Kvitova upped her game to take the tie-break 7-3 and a one-set lead.

She carried her momentum into the second set, breaking again in the opening game but both struggled to hold serve from then on until Kvitova confidently served out for her first win in one of the four premier mandatory events on the WTA Tour.

Azarenka, who won the doubles title with Maria Kirilenko on Saturday, will rise one place above French Open champion Francesca Schiavone to number four when the rankings are updated.

The only left-hander in the top 30 and a semi-finalist at Wimbledon last year, Kvitova will climb to 10th from 18th.

Azarenka, also 21, broke down at the awards ceremony before wishing her opponent luck for the rest of the year.

"I would like to congratulate Petra," she said. "She had a great week and fully deserved to win today."

The next stop on the Tour is in Rome before the French Open gets under way on May 22.

-Reuters

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