Novak Djokovic | GlobalPost

Nadal celebrates his birthday with big win at French Open

Agencia EFEJune 5, 2013 16:39

Paris, Jun 3 (EFE).- Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrated his 27th birthday on Monday in style, defeating Japan's Kei Nishikori 6-4, 6-1, 6-3 to advance to the quarterfinals of the French Open. "Two days ago, I could only have dreamed of playing like this," the seven-time French Open champ said. Nadal's next opponent will be Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka, who came back to beat France's Richard Gasquet 6-7 (5-7), 4-6, 6-4, 7-5, 8-6 in a match that went four hours and 16 minutes.

Tennis: Djokovic beats Haas to reach French Open semis

Agence France-PresseJune 5, 2013 14:40

World number one Novak Djokovic reached his 12th consecutive Grand Slam semi-final Wednesday when he defeated gutsy German Tommy Haas 6-3, 7-6 (7/5), 7-5 in the French Open last-eight. Top seed Djokovic, who needs a Roland Garros title to become just the eighth man to complete a career Grand Slam, will tackle defending champion Rafael Nadal for a place in Sunday's final. "Tommy is a very dangerous opponent with lots of quality, plenty of experience and is very aggressive," said Djokovic.

Tennis: Djokovic, Nadal close in on semi-final showdown

Agence France-PresseJune 3, 2013 20:35

World number one Novak Djokovic reached his 16th consecutive Grand Slam quarter-final while seven-time champion Rafael Nadal marked his 27th birthday by also reaching the French Open last eight Monday. Top seed Djokovic carved out a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 win over 16th seed Philipp Kohlschreiber with the German paying a high price for converting just two of 13 break points. World number one Djokovic goes on to face German 35-year-old Tommy Haas, who became the third oldest man to reach the last-eight with a comfortable 6-1, 6-1, 6-3 win over volatile Russian Mikhail Youzhny.

Tennis: Djokovic sets up French Open duel with evergreen Haas

Agence France-PresseJune 3, 2013 12:13

World number one Novak Djokovic reached his 16th consecutive Grand Slam quarter-final on Monday to set-up a French Open quarter-final clash against evergreen Tommy Haas. Top seed Djokovic carved out a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 win over 16th seed Philipp Kohlschreiber with the German paying a high price for converting just two of 13 break points. German 12th seed Haas, meanwhile, became the third oldest man to reach the last-eight with a comfortable 6-1, 6-1, 6-3 win over volatile Russian Mikhail Youzhny.

Azarenka, Haas and Youzhny grab French Open limelight

Thomson ReutersJune 3, 2013 11:36

By Pritha Sarkar PARIS (Reuters) - There are no trophies on offer for reaching the second Monday of the French Open but if there were, Victoria Azarenka would have been declared the 'best wailer', Tommy Haas the 'best golden oldie' and Mikhail Youzhny the 'best racket basher'. Australian Open champion Azarenka's clash with 2010 Roland Garros winner Francesca Schiavone had been billed as the pick of the women's fourth round showdowns but it failed to draw in the crowds.

Tennis: Golden oldie Haas into French Open quarters

Agence France-PresseJune 3, 2013 09:22

Tommy Haas became the third oldest man, and the first German in 17 years, to reach the French Open quarter-finals on Monday when he swept past racquet-smashing Russian Mikhail Youzhny. Haas, 35, is also the oldest man to make a last eight at any Grand Slam since Andre Agassi at the 2005 US Open. The 12th seed, who made history in the third round when he needed a record 13 match points to beat John Isner, eased past Youzhny, 6-1, 6-1, 6-3 in just 84 minutes.

Veteran Haas outclasses Youzhny in Paris

Thomson ReutersJune 3, 2013 08:17

PARIS (Reuters) - Tommy Haas became the oldest man to reach a grand slam quarter-final since 2005 with a 6-1 6-1 6-3 thrashing of Russia Mikhail Youzhny at the French Open on Monday. The 35-year-old former world number two, enjoying an Indian summer to his injury-hit career, left Youzhny smashing rackets in frustration as he cruised to victory in 84 minutes. Andre Agassi was the last 35-year-old to reach a grand slam quarter-final at the 2005 U.S. Open.

Tennis: Birthday boy Nadal, Djokovic eye last-eight

Agence France-PresseJune 2, 2013 20:00

Seven-time champion Rafael Nadal looks to celebrate his 27th birthday on Monday by reaching the French Open quarter-finals, while world number one Novak Djokovic faces up to a ghost of the past. Nadal, bidding to be the first man to win the same Grand Slam title eight times, plays Kei Nishikori who is trying to become just the second Japanese man to reach the last eight after Jiro Satoh, who made the quarter-finals in 1931 and 1933.

Tennis: Raging Spanish bull Nadal eyes last 16

Agence France-PresseMay 31, 2013 23:15

Rafael Nadal hopes to use his anger over French Open scheduling to fire him into the last 16 on Saturday while world number one Novak Djokovic takes on Grigor Dimitrov in a mouth-watering clash. Defending champion Nadal, bidding to become the first man to win the same Grand Slam title eight times, faces colourful Italian 27th seed Fabio Fognini who he beat in straight sets in Rome two weeks ago. The Spaniard will be playing for the second successive day while Fognini, who made the quarter-finals in 2011, had the luxury of a day off on Friday.

Vulnerable Nadal needs to find form against flashy Fognini

Thomson ReutersMay 31, 2013 22:00

By Toby Davis PARIS (Reuters) - After two lacklustre performances and an out-of-character rant at organizers all eyes will be on Rafa Nadal to see if the claycourt matador or this week's vulnerable impostor shows up to face Fabio Fognini on Saturday. Seven-times champion Nadal let his feelings be known after Parisian downpours and lop-sided scheduling left him with only one day's rest before facing the showman Italian, who has had an extra 24 hours recuperation.