Check out all the latest news by our top writers, as we head to covering Tennis action in Rome. Things are starting to get heavy as Nadal and Federer show off their best tennis abilities, so stay with us to keep updated.
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Roger Federer Dances to the Final; Thin Skin Fells Del Potro
When two of the biggest men at the top of the pro game, 6′ 5″ Tomas Berdych and 6′ 6″ Juan Martin Del Potro squared off today in the semifinals of the Mutua Madrid Open, few would have expected that the match would be decided by the thinnest of margins. No I don’t mean the number of points because in the end there was no difference, they each won 79 points. No I don’t mean the 3% superior first serve percentage or the 2% better service points won percentage, both for Del Potro. No I don’t mean the 3 fewer break points that Juan Martin allowed Berdych; they both broke twice. [READ MORE].
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Roma Here We Come
Vittorio get the guest room ready. I’m packing. Writing and watching semis from Madrid. The slippery blue blur now looks weirder and weirder. Roger Federer is looking great he just got an early break to lead 3-1.
I’m also checking qualies in Rome. Lots of great matches. Lots.
Robin Haase won his first round against Stakhovsky 6-4, 7-6
10sBalls.com patch wearing player THE X MAN. Xavier Malisse beat Viloa with a pair of 4′s .
[READ MORE].
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WTA COVERAGE M.I.A. IN MADRID
Is anyone else besides us here at 10sballs.com upset and confused about the fact that there is no television coverage of the woman in Madrid? Like Indian Wells and Miami, the Mutua Madrid Open is a combined ATP/WTA event, but you’d never know it. Fans of the WTA have been forced to follow live scoring online via Twitter, Facebook, or the official tournament website in order to find out how their favorite players are doing. Sure the men are often more exciting to watch, and the loud and persistent grunting from some of the women is enough to turn even the biggest fan away, but that doesn’t mean coverage should be eliminated all together. [READ MORE].
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Floris Minnaert’s Postcard from Rome Open
In just a couple of days tennis will be leaving the Spanish capital, Madrid and heading towards Rome, Italy. Some coaches, trainers, and players are already there – working and training hard. Floris Minnaert, one of the best tennis trainers sent greetings from Rome, to all the 10sBalls.com readers and tennis fans.
(Above) The photo postcard shows Darren and Floris at Nastia’s practice….
The grounds at the site of Internazionale BNL D’italia
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Feeling Blue? Federer Finds Form on Blue Clay
Tomas Berdych, Juan Martin Del Potro, Janko Tipsarevic, and Roger Federer have booked their spots in the Mutua Madrid semifinals. While Berdych has been lighting up his opponents, needing about two hours total to dispatch his last two opponents, Del Po has deftly orchestrated a dominant performance so far this week after winning Estoril last week. Tipsarevic knocked off world #1 Novak Djokovic, providing the second biggest stir this week after Fernando Verdasco edged Rafael Nadal in the round of 16. And Roger Federer, who was pretty much a point away from losing in his second round match to Milos Raonic, has found his form and put together two more solid wins over Richard Gasquet and David Ferrer. This is Federer’s first tournament since March and after shaking off a bit of rust against Raonic, it appears like he is enjoying his time on court and firing on all cylinders. [READ MORE].
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