Men Tennis Update – Los Angeles and New York

Written by: Staff on 5th March 2013

Men Tennis Update - Los Angeles and New York

epa03609881 Rafael Nadal of the Spain hits a return shot to Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina during the BNP Paribas Showdown at Madison Square Garden New York, New York, USA, 04 March 2013. EPA/ANDREW GOMBERT |

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal produced their top tennis – exhibition style – at opposite ends of the US as the countdown begins for this week’s start of the Indian Wells Masters. Djokovic, the world No. 1, was feted as a hero on his first playing visit to Los Angeles at the LA Tennis Challenge, whole Nadal put all of his effort into another hit-and-giggle in New York on World Tennis Day.

Djokovic, who arrived on the West coast after winning his second title of the year in Dubai at the weekend to remain undefeated on the ATP this season, earlier met with Kobe Bryan at an LA Lakers basketball game. On court at the Pauley pavilion at UCLA, the Serb defeated Mardy Fish in a tiebreak set before the Bryan brothers defeated him and partner Pete Sampras in doubles. Tommy Haas, also pat of the show along with James Blake, somehow broke the newly hung net with a serve, delaying his own match by almost half an hour.

In New York, Nadal put his flaky knees to the test on hardcourt for the first time in almost a year, with the Spaniard giving 100 per cent effort in his comeback to the demanding surface. Though the No. 5 lost 7-6(4), 6-4, to Juan Del Potro, the Argentine was impressed with the form of his rival. “It is a good thing for everybody that Rafa is back,” Del Potro said. “It is amazing how great he is playing

He is going to be fighting for No. 1 very soon.”

©Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: James Blake, Juan Martin Del Potro, LA Tennis Challenge, LA tennis news, New York tennis news, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Sports, Tennis News, Tommy Haas, World Tennis Day