Rafael Nadal wins his seventh Barcelona Open men’s tennis title by defeating Spanish compatriot David Ferrer 7-6(1), 7-5. On the clay court of Barcelona, it was Nadal’s 34th successive match victory and his triumph came a week after he secured an eighth Monte Carlo Masters crown.

In the final of this ATP World Tour clay-court tennis tournament, it is the fourth time that Nadal has beaten Ferrer. He lifted the trophies from 2005-2009 and 2011-2012. After the win, Nadal said that it is almost unimaginable to win here seven times. He added that it is special tournament for him, at home in my club. He said that it is always more special to win at home in front of the people you know.

The world No. 2 becomes the only man to win two ATP events more than seven times each. He now has 48 career titles. He became the first player in the open era to win two tournaments seven times, after the thrilling win at Barcelona Open final.

Nadal came out on peak in a clay court slugfest between the nation’s two finest players that wowed the capacity crowd in the Catalan capital, in a repeat of last year’s title match and 10 years to the day since he made his World Tour debut. It was the 25-year-old French Open champion’s 48th career title and his 34th triumph on his beloved clay.

In a closely fought first set, sixth-ranked Ferrer went toe to toe with his Davis Cup teammate but failed to convert five set points on his opponent’s serve when leading 6-5. He faded poorly to lose the tiebreak 7-1.

He looked spent at that stage but after losing his serve to fall 3-1 behind managed to conjure the energy to break back, meeting Nadal for a fourth time in the Barcelona final and chasing an ATP-best fourth title this year.

He again failed to convert when it counted and Nadal produced perhaps the shot of the tournament to help break the Ferrer serve and level at 5-5, although he drew on all his famed stamina and persistence to carve out a 5-4 lead.

On a Ferrer drive to lift the ball high over the net, he just managed to get a racket before anticipating his rival’s smash and playing a phenomenal return that astonished his opponent into proffering up a simple volley. For Ferrer, that appeared to be the final straw and Nadal reeled off the next three games. Nadal sealed victory with a backhand winner before soaring into the air to rejoice.

ATP World Tour · Barcelona Open · David Ferrer · Rafael Nadal

Every tennis fan has geared up to watch the French Open 2011, which commenced on May 22 to June 5. Enthusiasts, for their favorite players, are rooting religiously. The 110th edition of the Grand Slam is currently taking place at the Stade Roland Garros in Paris, France and it is played on clay courts. Aficionados are eager to see if Rafael Nadal, five-time French Open champion will clinch the title again. Last year, in the women’s category an Italian player, Francesca Schiavone emerged victorious.

In 2011, Novak Djokovic took his unbeaten record to 38 wins. In the first round, he enjoyed a 6-2, 6-1, 6-3 dismissal of hapless Dutchman Thiemo De Bakker. To break John McEnroe’s Open era record of 42 for the best-unbeaten start, Djokovic needs five more wins and a sixth victory will make him the first man to win the Australian and French Opens back-to-back since Jim Courier in 1992.

At this year’s French Open, Roger Federer was all about the serve in the opening match and his strategy served him well. Without facing a single break point in beating Feliciano Lopez of Spain 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (3), the 16-time Grand Slam champion advanced to the second round.

Federer said that from his side, the important thing was to be solid in his own serve. He added that he thought he played a good match.

For the women, defending champion Francesca Schiavone and top-ranked Caroline Wozniacki made it through.

Tennis betting

lines have received a ton of action these last few weeks for 2011 French Open. The odds are Roger Federer (1/100), Maxime Teixeira (22), Novak Djokovic (1/100), Victor Hanescu (22), Caroline Wozniacki (1/25) and Aleksandra Wozniak (11).

French Open · Novak Djokovic · Rafael Nadal · Roland Garros

After news broke that Alberto Contador may have taken drugs, Rafael Nadal has hit out at the number of doping scandals in sports such as cycling. For doping, the three-time Tour de France champion is under investigation and he faces a two-year ban.

After winning the Tour de France, Contador was regarded as, one of cycling’s all-time greats and is a hero in Spain but he is to be investigated for performance enhancing drugs abuse. In recent years, it is the latest of many drugs scandals, which have tarnished cycling almost beyond repair, and when speaking to Spanish radio, Nadal made his feelings clear.

Rafael Nadal said that he hopes the “tremendous damage” caused to all sports stop and Alberto Contador’s doping case clears up soon.

In recent years, Tennis has had relatively few drugs scandals although earlier this year, American player Wayne Odesnik received a two-year ban for smuggling Human Growth Hormone into Australia.

Cycling, as a sport is most affected by doping where such cases arise constantly, cites world’s top-ranked tennis player. Nadal says that this causes tremendous amount of damage and casts doubts over other athletes.

After Spanish sports was rocked by Contador’s positive for Clenbuterol at the Tour de France, Alejandro Blanco has taken strong stance against doping and the arrest of track runner Marta Dominguez, coaches and sports doctor Eufemiano Fuentes, who was also implicated in Operacion Puerto in 2006. Blanco told Associated Press news agency that in the case of Contador and any other athletes, if they are found guilty then maximum ban should be appropriate for them. He added that when it is proven an athlete has doped, there should arise a debate whether authorities need to act or not.

Contador’s defense is currently being considered by the Spanish Cycling Federation and the verdict is expected in the New Year. During Contador’s disciplinary hearing, Blanco insisted that he will not receive any preferential treatment.

Alberto Contador · Marta Dominguez · Rafael Nadal · Tennis · Tour de France

This past week, by defeating his top rival Rafael Nadal at the ATP World Tour Finals in London, Roger Federer finished the tennis season on a high note.

By winning all four between them both players dominated men’s tennis major tournaments this year. With Federer making it 16 major titles by winning the Australian Open title, Nadal won the French Open, U.S. open and Wimbledon. In order to win 21 of the last 23 majors, both competitors have combined together.

Federer who has lost 14 of 22 matches played against Nadal, the victory in the ATP provides some sense of payback for him. Rafael now holds the top position to Federer’s number two spot, as he has also ended Roger’s long time dominance of the number one ranking in men’s tennis.

By Federer winning all three, they have met three times in this season-ending tournament. By only dropping 13 points in the entire match which was won in three sets by a score of 6-3, 3-6, 6-1, he dominated his service points on Sunday. Federer appeared to upset the Spaniard by keeping the points short and staying on the offensive throughout the match as Nadal could only manage one break of server in the second set.

As he appeared to tire late in the match, a three-hour semifinal against Andy Murray the previous day may have contributed to Nadal’s loss. Nadal, to his credit praised Federer for the way he played all week and did not mention this as the reason.

ATP · French Open · Rafael Nadal · Roger Federer · U.S. Open

To the third round of the Paris Finals with a 6-4, 6-4 win against Richard Gasquet, Roger Federer booked his ticket.

Gasquet, who is fresh off winning his 65th title at the Swiss Indoors, proved little trouble for the Swiss phenom. Federer is now 7-1 all time against Gasquet, Despite losing their first meeting five years ago.

Novak Djokovic the defending champion, Britain’s Andy Murray, and Sweden’s Robin Soderling will be Joining Federer in the next round of action. All of these players have currently secured a spot in the ATP World Tour Finals; along with the worlds number 1 player Rafael Nadal.

American Andy Roddick, who dispatched Jarkko Nieminen in simple fashion with a 6-1, 6-4 victory, is currently holding the 8th ranking, and the final qualifier spot for the Tours Finals. To Roddick every game is of importance, with only the top eight players qualifying for the Tour Finals. He could still be derailed while his prospects look good.

Despite a slow start, Djokovic also won his match in Paris. Djokovic managed to stop 7 out of 8 break points on his way to winning the match despite a shaky first serve. With 6-4, 6-3 he topped Juan Monaco. Soderling demolished Gilles Simon, of France in his match.

To a win over a tough David Nalbandian, Andy Murray struggled. Murray seemed to suffer a wrist injury during the match however he would go on to take the match 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 after a short visit with the trainer.

Andy Murray · Andy Roddick · Novak Djokovic · Rafael Nadal · Roger Federer

On Thursday, Rafael Nadal dispatched qualifier Ruben Bemelmans 6-1, 6-4 in his Thailand Open debut.

According to ESPN.com, the top-ranked Nadal lost only eight points on serve, in his first match since winning the U.S. Open.

When Nadal landed in Bangkok nine days ago, he got a hero’s welcome from government and sports officials. Nadal will meet either Olivier Rochus or Mikhail Kukushkin, in Friday’s quarterfinals.

Benjamin Becker won over second-seeded Fernando Verdasco 6-4, 6-4. Verdasco fell behind 4-0 in the first set. He accepted a wild card to play.

Becker held serve with an impressive volley to close the match and Verdasco lost the ninth game of the second set on a double-fault.

Verdasco said, “It was tough. I was practicing well but the match was different. He played better than me. He adapted better than me, he served well and didn’t make many unforced errors. He deserved the victory more than me.”

Nadal spent time in the beach town of Hua Hin and a first-round bye, planted a tree to support King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s campaign against global warming and also taking part in a Buddhist ceremony with monks.

To practice, he delayed a visit with Parliament and Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, in Bangkok.

Mikhail Kukushkin · Olivier Rochus · Rafael Nadal · Ruben Bemelmans

The wind was once again a major factor that significantly influenced the level of play and perhaps some of the outcomes. For most of the day, there were wind gusts between 25 and 30 miles per hour. The wind was also the strongest on Arthur Ashe Stadium, where all of the important singles matches were played.

The first singles match on Ashe Stadium was a quarterfinal between Russian Vera Zvonareva and Estonian Kaia Kanepi. Looking for a first time appearance in the semifinals, both players faced not just the wind but also nerves. The big hitting Estonian struggled with the wind and had 60 unforced errors while the Russian only had 28 unforced errors. Zvonareva was more steady and eventually won the match 6-3 7-5, with a very tough second set that lasted for more than 70 minutes.

Novak Djokovic comfortably defeated the struggling Frenchman Gael Monfils 7-6(2) 6-1 6-2 in the first men’s quarterfinal match of the day.

In the evening session, first seed Caroline Wozniacki took out Dominika Cibulkova 6-2 7-5 in the second women’s quarterfinal match of the day. Standing barely 5’3” tall, Cibulkova packed quite a big punch for her small stature, and it seemed that the match would go to three sets after she had chances to take the second set to a tiebreak. The wind was really strong as both players often had to toss and catch the ball several times before finally serving it. Flying paper, towels, and other debris also interrupted play several times throughout the match.

Roger Federer closed out the evening session in a highly anticipated match that ended rather routinely. Federer took out Robin Soderling 6-4 6-4 7-5 to advanced to the semifinal. Surprisingly, Federer’s serve was much more effective than serve of the big swinging Swede. In fact, Federer hit 43 unreturned serves while Soderling served 22 unreturned serves.

Day 11

The first quarterfinal match between Mikhail Youzhny and Stanislas Wawrinka was a real battle that tested each player’s mental and physical toughness. The match was dead even, as both players each won 154 points. However, after four intense hours, the Russian Youzhny celebrated with a 3-6 7-6(7) 3-6 6-3 6-3 victory to advance to his second career U.S. Open semifinal.

In the second men’s quarterfinal match, Rafael Nadal defeated fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco 7-5 6-3 6-4 in a match that never seemed like a close contest.

Day 12

This day only featured the women’s semifinal matches. Vera Zvonareva upset last year’s runner up Caroline Wozniacki 6-4 6-3. Wozniacki made careless and uncharacteristic mistakes on important points, which eventually cost her the match. Zvonareva advanced to her second consecutive Grand Slam final, after reaching Wimbledon back in July.

Defending champion Kim Clijsters, sports betting fans favorite, defeated Venus Williams in a close encounter that ended with a 4-6 7-6(2) 6-4 score. Clijsters showed some real clutch in the third set with a lob winner to take a 5-4 lead and then a backhand winner on match point.

Novak Djokovic · Rafael Nadal · Robin Soderling · sports betting

When the U.S. Open starts next week, Rafael Nadal will be the top-seeded man, while Roger Federer will come to Flushing Meadows seeded second, seeking to complete the career Grand Slam.

At the U.S. Open, Nadal is seeded first for the second time in three years. This year, he won the French Open and Wimbledon. Never has he made past the semifinals.

In Montreal, because of a rainout of Sunday’s final at the Rogers Cup, the women’s seedings have been delayed one day. On Monday, world No. 2 Caroline Wozniacki defeated Vera Zvonareva, to win that tournament. Because Serena Williams has withdrawn, it appears Wozniacki will get the top seed at the U.S. Open. Serena is recovering from surgery to repair cuts on her right foot. She is the world’s top-ranked player and she was a big threat.

Juan Martin del Potro, defending men’s champion will also miss the U.S. Open. With a lingering wrist injury, he remains sidelined. Del Potro defeated Federer and ended his string of five straight U.S. Open titles, in last year’s final. This year, Federer is seeking his 17th Grand Slam tournament title and he has won the Australian Open.

Novak Djokovic is seeded third for the men in the U.S. Open, followed by Andy Murray at No. 4. Robin Soderling, Nikolay Davydenko, Tomas Berdych and Fernando Verdasco round out the top eight. At No. 9, Andy Roddick is the highest seeded American man.

Flushing Meadows · Rafael Nadal · Roger Federer · U.S. Open

June 30 featured the men’s quarterfinal matches of the 2010 Wimbledon. All of the attention was focused on the four singles matches on Centre Court and Court 1.

The big swinging Czech Tomas Berdych defeated six time champion Roger Federer 6-4 3-6 6-1 6-4. This was without a doubt the biggest upset of the tournament. Berdych played aggressively throughout the entire match and produced 51 winners. He also won more than 80% of his first serves. On paper, it was shocking to see the king of grass knocked out early at Wimbledon. In reality, Federer has been suffering from minor injuries throughout the entire tournament. Overall, Berdych simply outplayed Federer in this match and full credit should be given to the young Czech.

The second quarterfinal match on Centre Court was between Andy Murray and Jo Wilfried Tsonga. Murray lost the first set in a tiebreak. The second set also came down to a critical tiebreak, which Murray won 7-5. After taking the second set, the young Scot was pumped up and used the home crowd to his advantage to easily win the next two sets 6-2 6-2.

The easiest quarterfinal win was by Novak Djokovic, who took out Yen-Hsun Lu 6-3 6-2 6-2 in less than two hours. Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal was challenged by Robin Soderling. This was a rematch of the French Open final, but it was a more competitive match. Nadal lost the first set 6-3 and then won the second set 6-3. Nadal then claimed the critical third set tiebreak and used the momentum to win the fourth set comfortably 6-1.

The elimination of Roger Federer makes this year’s Wimbledon title up for grabs by anyone. In the semifinals, Berdych will face Djokovic and Murray will take on Nadal.

Novak Djokovic · Rafael Nadal · Wimbledon

The level of play and court drama heats up, as the first week of the 2010 Wimbledon comes to an end. However, there were very few headlines about the men’s and women’s singles match on June 26 and June 27. First of all, at this stage of the tournament, most of the courts are scheduled with doubles, mixed doubles, and juniors’ matches. Additionally, the traditional Wimbledon rest day, Sunday June 27, as all of the players had the day off.

Most of the focus was on Centre Court, Court 2, and Court 1, on June 26 (day 6). On Centre Court, women’s defending champion and world number 1 Serena Williams kicked off the action, as she comfortably defeated Dominika Cibulkova 6-0 7-5 in the third round.

The next match featured number 33 seed Philipp Petzschner of Germany and sportsbook betting favorite, Rafael Nadal. By 6-4 4-6 6-7(5) 6-2 6-3, Rafael Nadal won the match. However, Nadal was physically hurting in this tough match that lasted nearly 4 hours. In fact, throughout the match, he called out the physio trainer several times to treat his elbow and knees. After playing two consecutive five set matches, it seems that Nadal may be the most fatigued player heading into the second week of Wimbledon. Frenchman Paul Henri Mathieu, who won his third round match in a tough four set battle that, featured 3 tiebreaks, faces Nadal, next.

A third round clash between Andy Murray and Gilles Simon was the last featured match on Centre Court. Murray, the British hope, easily took out the Frenchman 6-1, 6-4 and 6-4. Murray’s fourth round opponent will be American Sam Querrey, who won his third round 9-7 in the fifth set on Court 1. Other winners on Court 1 included 2004 women’s champion Maria Sharapova and French Open finalist Robin Soderling. Both of them won their third round matches in straight sets.

2010 Wimbledon · Philipp Petzschner · Rafael Nadal