Tennis

TENNIS

Davis Cup

The Davis Cup is the biggest annual international team competition in men’s tennis. Sixteen national teams participate in the World Group and  more than one hundred other take part in different regional groups. The 2009 Davis Cup was the 98th edition of the event. Spain became champion for the second consecutive year beating Czech Republic 5-0 in the final, played between December 4 and 6 in Barcelona. Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer won their first two singles matches against Thomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek respectively, giving Spain a 2-0 lead. The  team moved into a 3-0 lead after doubles victory for Fernando Verdasco and Feliciano Lopez. Later, Nadal and Ferrer once again outplayed their opponents Jan Hajek and Lukas Dlouhy, finishing off with a 5-0 whitewash. 

Fed Cup

The Fed Cup is the premier team competition in women’s tennis, launched in 1963 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the International Tennis Federation (ITF). It is equivalent to the men’s Davis Cup. The 2009 Fed Cup was the 47th edition of the Cup. The final took place between November 7 and 8 in Italy. The host nation defeated 17-time champion United States of America 4-0. Italy clinched its second title in four years. The experienced Italians made a 4-0 clean sweep over the young US team in the best of five series. The US was without both Serena and Venus Williams. Initially, Italy took a 2-0 lead after Flavia Pennetta and Francesca Schiavone scored straight-set singles victories in their respective matches. In the reverse singles, Italy secured its win after Pennetta comfortably defeated Melanie Oudin 7-5, 6-2, giving an invincible 3-0 lead. A doubles match between both teams also won by Italy.

Chennai Open

Croatia’s Marin Cilic beat Somdev Devvarman to clinch the Chennai Open singles title. Cilic defeated the Somdev 6-4, 7-6. In the doubles category, Rajeev Ram and Eric Butorac of US bagged the title. The duo beat Switzerland’s Jean-Claude Scherrer and Stanislas Wawrinka 6-3, 6-4.

Indian Wells Masters

Spain’s Rafael Nadal won the Indian Wells Masters singles title beating England’s Andy Murry 6-1, 6-2. The American Andy Roddick teamed  up with Mardy Fish clinched doubles title. They defeated Max Mirnyi of Belarus and Andy Ram of Israel. In women’s section, Russian Vera Zvonareva came over Serbia’s Ana Ivanovic in singles. Zvonareva teamed up with Victoria Azarenka of Belarus also clinched the doubles title.
They beat Argentina’s Gisela Dulko and Israel’s Shahar Peer.

Miami Masters

Andy Murray of England beat Serbian Novak Djokovic to be the champion. Women’s singles title was clinched by Victoria Azarenka who scored a straight set victory over defending champion Serena Williams of US in the final. Max Mirnyi and Andy Ram won in the men’s doubles category defeating Australia’s Ashley Fisher and Stephen Huss. While, Russia’s Svetlana Kuznetsova with her French teammate Amelie Mauresmo became champion  beating Kveta Peschke of Czech Republic and Lisa Raymond of US.

Monte Carlo
Spain’s Rafael Nadal won the  men’s singles title for the fifth consecutive year. He beat Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the final with a score of 6-3, 2-6, 6-1. Another Serbian Nenad Zimonjic clinched the doubles title with partner Canadian Daniel Nestor. The duo defeated Mike and Bob Bryan of US 6-4, 6-1.

Rome Masters
 
Rafael Nadal became champion in the Rome Masters. This was his fourth title at Rome. He beat Novak Djokovic in the singles final. In doubles, Daniel Nestor of Canada and Serbian Nenad Zimonjic clinched the title. They defeated Bryan brothers. In women’s category, Russian Dinara Safina outplayed compatriot Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-3, 6-2. The doubles title went to Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-wei and her Chinese partner Peng Shuai. They beat Slovakia’s Daniela Hantuchova and Japan’s Ai Sugiyama.

Madrid Masters

In 2009, the surface for Madrid Masters tennis tournament became clay courts. The tournament was also expanded to include WTA professionals. Roger Federer of Switzerland beat Rafael Nadal to win his second title. In the doubles group, Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic clinched the title. They defeated Simon Aspelin of Sweden and Wesley Moodie of South Africa. The women’s singles championship was won by Russia’s Dinara Safina. She beat Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark. Zimbabwean Cara Black with his partner Liezel Huber of US grabbed the doubles title. They overcame Kveta Peschke and Lisa Raymond.

Canada Masters

Andy Murray of England and Elena Dementieva of Russia emerged victorious in the men’s and women’s singles respectively.Andy outplayed Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro while Dementieva beat compatriot Maria Sharapova. In the doubles group, India’s Mahesh Bhupathi and his partner Mark Knowles of Bahamas became champion as they defeated Max Mirnyi and Andy Ram. In women’s, Spanish pair of Nuria Llagostera Vives and  Maria Jose Martinez defeated Australian Samantha Stosur and Rennae Stubbs to win the title.

Cincinnati Masters

Roger Federer won his third Cincinnati Masters title. Federer defeated Novak Djokovic of Serbia in final with a score of 6-1, 7-5. In the women’s category, Serbia’s Jelena Jankovic beat Russia’s Dinara Safina 6-4, 6-2 to win the title. Men’s doubles championship was clinched by Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic. They overcame defending champion Bryan brothers of US, while women’s title went to Cara Black and Liezel Huber.

Shanghai Masters

Russia’s Nikoaly Devydenko won Shanghai Masters beating Spaniard Rafael Nadal 7-6, 6-3. French duo of Julien Benneteau and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga  clinched the doubles title. They won Polish pair of Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski 6-2, 6-4.

Paris Masters

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic defeated France’s Gael Monfils 6-2, 5-7, 7- 6 to clinch singles title. The doubles title went to Daniel Nestor and his teammate Nenad Zimonjic. They beat Spain’s Marcel Granollers and Tommy Robredo 6-3, 6-4.

ATP World Tour Finals

The ATP World Tour Finals is a tournament played at the end of each year, involving the top eight players in the men's tennis world rankings. The 2009 tournament was held in London in the month of November. Russia’s Nikolay Davydenko won the title. He beat Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina 6-3, 6-4 in the final. The doubles title was clinched by America’s Bob and Mike Bryan. They defeated Belarus’ Max Mirnyi and Israel’s Andy Ram 7-6, 6-3.

2009 ITF World Champions

The International Tennis Federation declared Roger Federer and Serena Williams, as its world champions of 2009. Federer, received the award for the fifth time while Serena for the second time. Switzerland’s Roger completed a career Grand Slam and captured his record 15th major title this year. He also regained his No.1 ranking which he had lost in 2008. Serena, on the other hand won Australian Open and Wimbledon this year, to bring her career  toral of Grand Slam titles to 11.

India in Davis Cup after 11 years

India qualified to Davis Cup World Group after a period of 11 years. India beat South Africa 4-1 in the play-off tie. The matches were played from 18 to 20 September in South Africa. India will play among the top 16 nations of the World  Group in 2010 Davis Cup. Somdev Devvarman, Rohan Bopanna, Yuki Bhambri and Mahesh Bhupathi were the team members under the captaincy of Shiv Prakash Misra.