RP Cuppers drop opening singles

MANILA, Philippines - Fil-Ams Cecil Mamiit and Treat Conrad Huey dropped a pair of heartbreakers to their fancied Japanese rivals yesterday as the Philippines faced early ouster in their Asia-Oceania Zone Group I Davis Cup tie at the Namihaya Dome in Osaka, Japan.

Huey, 24, held his own against Japan No. 1 Tatsuma Ito but succumbed to pressure in a nerve-wracking 6-3, 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 4-6 decision in the first singles match.

Mamiit outlasted Japan No. 2 Go Soeda in a tightly-fought opening set but failed to sustain his charge and lost the next three sets, 7-6 (4), 3-6, 3-6, 4-6, as the Filipinos found themselves in a 0-2 hole.

“It was a pair of close games, really tough,” said RP Davis Cup administrator Randy Villanueva in a text message from Osaka.

“But if you can see how our players played, you would be really proud of them,” he said.


Playing his first elite Group I match since taking over fellow Fil-Am Eric Taino last year, Huey lost his touch in the fifth set, enabling Ito to pound out the victory.

Leading at 5-4 in the decider, Ito, ranked 203rd in the ATP singles list, broke Huey serve to give the hosts an early 1-0 lead.

Soeda, meanwhile, dealt the 33-year-old Mamiit his first loss since stringing seven victories in Davis Cup matches against rivals from Hong Kong, Pakistan and New Zealand that carried the Philippines back to Group I.

It was also Mamiit’s second defeat to Soeda, the other half of Japan’s doubles team that beat the former and Taino, 5-0, in their Davis Cup Group I tie two years ago at the Rizal Tennis Center.

The Philippines hopes to avert a Japanese sweep as Mamiit and Taino see action again in the doubles match today in favor of Francis Casey Alcantara and Johnny Arcilla, facing Suzuki Takao and Tishihide Matsui.

Source: Author Unknown  | Philstar.com

Pinoy Davis Cuppers out to shock Japan

Filipino Davis Cuppers are poised to shock host Japan when they tangle in the first round of the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Zone Group on Mar. 5-7 at the Namihaya Dome in Osaka, Japan.

The Philippines and Japan have faced each other in 25 Davis Cup ties overall, with the latter prevailing 16 times.

The Japanese team has also scored victories in the last two meetings, including a 5-0 sweep in 2008 at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

But despite the unfavorable head-to-head results, Filipino tennis officials see the brighter side in the country’s drive for a possible return trip to the World Group Playoffs.

“We got swept by Japan in 2008 but we gave them a tough fight in the first three singles. We also competed against them with Eric Taino sick," aid RP Davis Cup administrator Randy Villanueva.

"But this time we are fielding a solid team which is also coming off a strong showing in the last SEA Games," added Villanueva, who along with national coach Cris Cuarto and Danny Francisco from Cebuana Lhuillier graced Tuesday’s PSA Forum.

Fil-Am Cecil Mamiit will be back to anchor the team along with Fil-Am Treat Huey, Johnny Arcilla and Francis Casey Alcantara.

“Cecil has matured a lot and his experience will surely help this team. He also has defeated Go, 6-4, 6-4, last November in an ATP Tour in the US and this is a good sign," said Villanueva, referring to Japan’s ace Go Soeda, who won all his three assignments against the Philippines in 2008.

Huey is actively competing in the US and has been playing very well in doubles competitions while the veteran Arcilla and junior standout Alcantara are honing their skills by competing in tournaments in Mindanao.

“Huey have been playing very well and in the last SEA Games, he defeated the top Southeast Asian player Danai Udomchoke. So we really have a strong team to Japan," said Cuarto.

Japan has yet to announce its team but Cuarto believes it will be made up of Go, Takao Suzuki and Satoshi Iwabuchi, who all saw action in 2008.

Kei Nishikori, who was ranked 56th in the world last year and has competed in the US Open, Wimbledon and Australian Open, might also join the team.

“But he suffered injuries and is not that active," Cuarto said.

Fast surface

“Our main concern is the playing court which is a carpet surface, making it a fast court. But Mamiit and Huey are exposed to many international tournaments and have played in similar venues," the RP team mentor said.

"Besides, we plan to go to Japan a week before the tournament to get used to the playing condition and the cold weather," added Cuarto.

Mamiit and Huey are expected to arrive in the country next week, with the team eyeing to leave on the 28th.

Opening singles will be held on March 5 while the doubles action will take place next day followed by the reversed singles on March 7.

Winner of the tie will arrange a second-round meeting on May 7-9 with the victor of the Australia-Chinese Taipei. Winner here will advancing to the World Group Playoffs.

The country is bidding to make it back to the World Group Playoff after the team of Felix Barrientos and Roland So brought then to the elite bracket in 1991.

Source: Author Unknown  | GMANews.TV

Federer beats Murray for 16th Grand Slam crown

Swiss great Roger Federer won his fourth Australian Open and 16th Grand Slam title to deny Andy Murray's quest for British tennis history on Sunday.

Federer's remarkable level of consistency continued when he mastered the Scottish fifth seed in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (13/11) in two hours 41 minutes on Rod Laver Arena.

The world number one clinched victory in a gripping tie-breaker, 13 points to 11, when Murray frittered five set points and the Swiss claimed it on his third match point.

The victory came when Murray netted a forehand to climax a draining match.

It was Murray's second Grand Slam loss to Federer following his defeat to the him in the 2008 US Open final and continued Britain's frustrating chase for a first male Grand Slam winner since Fred Perry last won 74 years ago.

It is now 279 Grand Slam tournaments since Perry beat American Donald Budge in the 1936 US Open final.

Federer has now won 16 Grand Slams in the span of 27 majors and has lost only six finals in that time.

He became the fifth man in history to win four Australian Open titles with the last man to do so American Andre Agassi in 2003.

A shaky Murray was broken in his opening service with Federer hitting a forehand winner, but the Scot broke back straight away with a forehand on double break point.

Federer fought off three break points in the fifth game as Murray got into more of a rhythm, but the Swiss top seed broke again when it counted in the eighth and served out for the set in 43 minutes.

Murray came more under attack in the second set as Federer turned up the heat and broke the Scot in the third game when he netted a forehand.

Murray fought off break points in his next two service games as Federer dictated more of the play and the world number one cruised to three set points and won it on his second point with a forehand.

The young Scot threw down the challenge, breaking Federer in the sixth game but was broken back while serving for the third set.

The set went into a dramatic 24-point tie-breaker with Murray having five chances to take the match into a fourth set and stay alive, and Federer having three match points.

In the end, the cool Swiss prevailed under incredible tension to take the championship when Murray, who winced from a hip injury, netted a forehand.

Source: Author Unknown  | Agence France-Presse

Federers career far from over

World No. 1 Roger Federer, the newly-crowned Wimbledon champion, is clearly pleased with his record of being the only tennis player with 15 grand slam titles. But he revealed that he struggled to clinch the 2009 Wimbledon title on Sunday, as it took him five sets to beat Andy Roddick of the United States, 5-7, 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (7/5), 3-6, 16-14. “You know, I mean, it's frustrating at times because I couldn't break Andy till the very, very end,” Federer said in an interview posted on Wimbledon.org. “So satisfaction is maybe bigger this time around to come through, because I couldn't control the match at all.” The 27-year-old sports star from Switzerland also said, “I really thought I had to play my very, very best to come through.” He added that his second set win was crucial to his sixth Wimbledon final victory. He then praised his opponent, saying that Roddick played well. “He's not going to let his head hang down. I think he's gonna come back strong and play great in the States.” “I think it's one of the best matches we played against each other,” remarked the Swiss. “It's hard. Sports or tennis is cruel sometimes.” Full circle Federer also commented about the legend tag other people have placed on him. “I don't know if you're a legend as long as you're still playing the sport. So let's wait and see,” he said. “I mean, it's staggering, you know, that I've been able to play so well for, you know, so many years now and stay injury-free. Happy what I'm doing,” he went on. “I'm happy I broke the record here in some ways, you know, because this is always the tournament that's meant the most to me.” Federer’s win last Sunday exceeded the 14 grand slam titles record held by American Pete Sampras. “I know how much the record meant to him and he knows how much the record means to me. In a way, I still feel like we share it, you know, just because he was such a wonderful champion,” he added. “He still has one up against me here at Wimbledon,” added Federer, who is one championship short of matching Sampras’ seven Wimbledon titles. The Swiss Maestro captured his first grand slam in Wimbledon in 2003. “It definitely feels like it's come full circle for me, you know, starting it here and ending it here.” He, however, was quick to point out, “Of course, my career is far from over.” “It's crazy that I've been able to win so many in such a short period of time, I think,” he mentioned. Top spot Federer also commented on talks that he achieved his recent success without getting past former World No. 1 Rafael Nadal, who pulled out of Wimbledon due to a knee injury. “You never know how he would have played, but it's sad he couldn't even give it a fair chance, Rafa. He had the injury. Tennis moves very quickly, you know.” He continued, “I'm happy at least that I became No. 1 in the world by winning the tournament, not just by him not playing at all, or me playing decent or someone else playing decent and getting to No. 1.” “It's supposed to be that you win big matches, big tournaments. That's how you get back to it,” he proclaimed.

Federer vows to keep breaking records

Roger Federer has vowed to continue rewriting tennis history, but admitted he feels he still shares Pete Sampras's Grand Slam record rather than having eclipsed his great American friend.

Federer clinched a sixth Wimbledon title on Sunday after an epic confrontation with Andy Roddick, a victory which gave him a record 15th Grand Slam, surpassing Sampras's mark that he had equalled at the French Open in June.

Still only 27, Federer has played 39 successive Grand Slams and has amassed his collection of majors in the space of just six years.

Sampras was 31 when he won the last of his 14 Grand Slams at the 2002 US Open.

But with Sampras predicting the Swiss star could easily win at least 19 majors, Federer was quick to recognise the debt he owes to the American who returned to the All England Club for the first time in seven years on Sunday to see history made.

"I definitely feel like it's come full circle for me, starting here and ending it here," said Federer who won his first major at Wimbledon in 2003.

"Of course, my career is far from over. But I know how much the record meant to Pete and he knows how much the record means to me.

"In a way, I still feel like we share it just because he was such a wonderful champion. He still has one up against me here at Wimbledon (Sampras won seven Wimbledons)."

Federer appeared at his post-final news conference wearing a shirt with the legend "There is no finish line" emblazoned across the front.

However, his next engagement is a personal one with wife Mirka expected to give birth to their first child later this summer.

"I'm very happy. I don't know if I'm the happiest person in the world. I don't think so. I think there's many happy people out there. Tennis doesn't do it all for me. There's more to life than just tennis. But I feel great," said the champion.

Despite all of his records, fame and considerable fortune Federer said he is still amazed by his achievements in the sport.

"I never thought I could be this consistent, that great a player with so many qualities," he said.

Federer also insisted that his historic 15th Grand Slam title has not been diminished by the injury-enforced absence of old rival Rafael Nadal whom he will supplant at the top of the world rankings on Monday.

"I don't think it should. In tennis, that's the way it goes. Everybody expected Andy Murray to be in the final. He wasn't. It's not the mistake of the one who wins at the end," said Federer.

"Of course, I would have loved to play Rafa again. But, then again, I've also played Andy Roddick now in three great Wimbledon finals and I think he deserves credit, too, for playing so well.

"You never know how Rafa would have played, but it's sad he couldn't even give it a fair chance.

"I'm happy at least that I became No. 1 in the world by winning the tournament, not just by him not playing at all, or me playing decent or someone else playing decent and getting to No. 1. That's not the way it's supposed to be."

Fans hail Roddick in test of will, skill

Andy Roddick slumped forward in his changeover chair, hands covering his grass-stained baseball cap, stung by his third loss in a Wimbledon final, all to Roger Federer.

This one was quite unlike the others, in 2004 and 2005: This one ended 16-14 in the fifth set, a test of will as much as skill.

A chant rose from the Centre Court crowd of about 15,000 as Roddick sat there, alone in thought, moments after Federer had claimed his sixth Wimbledon title and record 15th Grand Slam championship in a 5-7, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5), 3-6, 16-14 epic Sunday.

“Rodd-ick! Rodd-ick! Rodd-ick!”

How often does the loser of a match earn such a serenade? Hearing that chorus, Roddick rose to stand and applaud the fans.

“It showed that they appreciated, I guess, what we did out there today,” a subdued Roddick said later. “It was definitely a nice and appreciated gesture.”

Federer felt for his foe on this day.

“Sports, or tennis, is cruel sometimes,” Federer said. “We know it.”

A year ago, Roddick lost in the second round at the All England Club, prompting some soul-searching – and, eventually, revamping. He hired a new coach, Larry Stefanki. Changed his eating habits, dropping seven kilograms. And he worked and worked and worked, as much or more than ever, to improve his game, focusing with particular zeal on his backhand, his volleys, his returns.

All of those pieces allowed him to come quite close to adding a second Grand Slam title to his resume, alongside his 2003 US Open title.

He broke Federer in the last game of the first set with a backhand down the line that forced an error. Roddick then took a 6-2 lead in the second-set tiebreaker. But he failed to convert any of those four set points, badly missing a backhand volley with a wide-open court on the last one.

“There was a pretty significant wind behind him at that side. It was gusting pretty good at that time. When he first hit it, I thought I wasn’t going to play it,” Roddick said. “Last minute, it looked like it started dropping. I couldn’t get my racket around on it.”

Federer won the last six points of that tiebreaker, and Roddick might have been expected to fold there.

(AP)

Roger Federer wins 2009 Wimbledon

Switzerland’s Roger Federer beat Andy Roddick in one of the most extraordinary finals ever seen at Wimbledon on Sunday, holding off an incredible challenge from the American to win 5-7 7-6 7-6 3-6 16-14.

The final set alone of an unforgettable Centre Court duel lasted 95 minutes before Roddick’s mishit forehand gave Federer his sixth Wimbledon title and the record of 15 grand slam titles he so cherished.

Fittingly, Pete Sampras, the only other man to have previously won 14 slams, was sat in the Royal Box as a match of unrelenting drama stretched into a fifth hour.

“Andy I want to say you’re going to come back and win one, I’m sure,” Federer said on court as a shattered Roddick contemplated his third defeat to Federer in a Wimbledon final.

“Today I was on the lucky side. It feels funny to have the trophy back. It feels great. It was a crazy match, my head’s still spinning. It’s an unbelievable moment in my career.”

Few imagined that Federer’s seventh consecutive Wimbledon final could come anywhere near close to emulating last year’s epic when he lost his crown to Rafael Nadal—a five-set thriller that ended in near darkness.

The Swiss, who claimed his first French Open title last month to complete his career grand slam, dropped just one set in reaching the final and had won 18 of his previous 20 matches against the American who is still waiting for a second career grand slam title after winning the U.S. Open in 2003.

Roddick has reinvented his game though in the last 12 months after his career began to slide and after stunning British hope Andy Murray in the semifinal he came agonizingly close to another shock.

Federer beats Haas to reach 7th Wimbledon final

Five-time champion Roger Federer delivered a masterful grass-court performance Friday to beat Tommy Haas in straight sets and reach his seventh straight Wimbledon final, putting him within one win of a record 15th Grand Slam title.

Seeming to get stronger with every match, Federer put on a serving clinic and took advantage of his break-point chances to subdue the 31-year-old German 7-6 (3), 7-5, 6-3 in just over two hours.

Federer never faced a break point as he beat Haas for the ninth straight time to reach his record 20th Grand Slam final, pulling out of a tie with Ivan Lendl.

“I’m very happy with my performance and it’s unbelievable to back into another Wimbledon final," Federer said. “I’ve had a lot of pressure over all the years, so this is just another great match, great opportunity for me to get into the history books."

Federer is the first man to make it to seven consecutive Wimbledon finals in the history of a tournament that began in 1877.

Federer, who will meet the winner of the second semifinal between Andy Murray and Andy Roddick, has won 18 straight matches as he closes in on his 15th major title. He is currently tied with Pete Sampras with 14.

If Federer wins Sunday, he will be the third player to win six or more Wimbledon titles. William Renshaw and Sampras both won seven.

“It’s not the only reason why I’m playing tennis, because mostly because I love it and I enjoy playing tennis, but sure going for something that big this coming Sunday, it’s quite extraordinary," Federer said.

Federer said he would be happy if Sampras came to Wimbledon to watch him try to break his record. Sampras is currently at home in California looking after his two young sons.

“He might come around, he might not," Federer said. “It’s his choice. I’d love to see him because he’s a good friend of mine. Very honored of course that I share the record of 14 with him."

The 34th-ranked Haas, winner of a Wimbledon grass-court tuneup in Halle, Germany, served superbly and held his own against Federer but couldn’t break through. Federer, as cool and calm as ever, made it look effortless. He seemed to bide his time, winning all his service games easily and just waiting for the moment to break.

Federer, who had 11 aces, was never even taken to deuce on serve and won 22 out of 24 points on serve in one stretch. He won 89 percent of the points on his first serve and 81 percent on second. Federer had 49 winners to only 15 unforced errors, while Haas had more errors than winners — 31 to 28.

With no breaks in the first set, the tide turned in the tiebreaker when Federer hit a reflex backhand service return winner to go up 5-3. Haas then made a forehand error and Federer won the next point on serve to take the set.

Haas saved two set points on serve at 4-5 in the second set, but sent a forehand long on another break point two games later to hand Federer a two-sets-to-love lead.

The third set was decided when Haas double-faulted to set up a third break point of the eighth game, then sliced a backhand approach into the net. Federer served out the match at love and finished with a flourish — leaping high into the air for a smash reminiscent of Sampras in his heyday at Wimbledon.

The women’s final is Saturday, with a Williams assured of lifting the trophy for the eighth time in 10 years.

The Williams sisters are back in the final again — Venus for the eighth time and Serena for the fifth. And it’s the fourth Williams-vs.-Williams final at the All England Club and eighth in a Grand Slam title match.

Fittingly, the show will take place on the Fourth of July, Independence Day in the United States.

“The more we play, the better it gets," Serena said. “When we play our match on Saturday, it’s for everything. This is what we dreamed of when we were growing up in Compton (California) 20-something years ago. This is what we worked for, and this is what we want."

Venus is bidding to become the first woman since Steffi Graf in 1991-93 to win Wimbledon three years in a row. – AP

Alcantara stumbles in Wimbledon juniors

Filipino tennis star Francis Casey Alcantara forced a decider set in his opening match at The Junior Championships, Wimbledon 2009. But it was not enough for him to continue his singles bid at the All England Club.

Alcantara was beaten by Austrian Maximilian Neuchrist, 2-6, 6-4, 3-6, in London Saturday (Sunday in Manila).

Neuchrist had 26 unforced errors while Alcantara committed 22, as reported in a match summary on Wimbledon.org.

The Filipino netter made seven double faults while the Austrian had four. Alcantara’s first serve percentage was down at 46 percent while Neuchrist’s was at 60 percent.

Neuchrist won a total of 89 points, eleven points higher than Alcantara’s 78 points.