HS- Duclos poursuit sur sa lancée à Dakar.

Duclos poursuit sur sa lancée à Dakar Dimanche 03 août 2008 Sportcom

Pierre-Ludovic Duclos-Lasnier (Photo Getty) MONTRÉAL – Pierre-Ludovic Duclos-Lasnier a décroché son deuxième titre en trois semaines dans un tournoi de la Fédération internationale de tennis (ITF) dimanche dans le cadre du Future de Dakar, au Sénégal.

Le Québécois, 394e joueur mondial et favori de la compétition, a pour ce faire battu le Belge Niels Desein, 423e au monde et 2e tête de série, en deux manches de 6-3 et 7-5.

Le 13 juillet dernier, Duclos-Lasnier avait gagné le premier des deux tournois Future de Damas, en Syrie.

« Mon service a été la clé aujourd'hui. Au cours du premier set, j'ai servi une moyenne de premier service très élevée ce qui m'a permis de gagner plusieurs points. Au début du deuxième set, j'ai eu une petite baisse d'énergie et je tirais de l'arrière 0-3. Malgré tout, j'ai continué à me battre pour tous les points et puis j'ai joué les points importants avec beaucoup d'acharnement. »

En demi-finale, samedi, l’athlète originaire de Sainte-Foy avait vaincu le Monégasque Benjamin Balleret, classé 453e par l’ATP et 3e tête de série, 7-6 (5) et 6-3.

Duclos-Lasnier a aussi remporté le titre en double à Dakar en compagnie de celui qu’il a défait en simple. Le joueur de la Belle Province et Desein, favoris du tournoi, sont venus à bout de Balleret et du Français Philippe De Bonnevie en trois manches de 7-5, 6-7 (3) et 10-5.

« Je crois qu’une des choses que j'ai beaucoup améliorée depuis quelques semaines est ma perspective face aux points importants, a mentionné l’athlète de 22 ans. C'est la raison pour laquelle je gagne maintenant des matchs que j'aurais perdus auparavant. »

Reuters - lundi 4 aou, 05 h 23

Tennis: Roger Federer en sursis, Rafael Nadal jeune premier

lundi 4 aou, 04 h 48

PARIS (Reuters) - Le Suisse Roger Federer conserve la tête du classement ATP mais l'Espagnol Rafael Nadal, grâce à sa demi-finale au Masters Series de Cincinnati, est assuré de devenir numéro un mondial dans deux semaines.

Nadal prendra officiellement les commandes du tennis mondial après le tournoi olympique, le lundi 18 août.

Vainqueur de son premier Masters Series à Cincinnati, le Britannique Andy Murray gagne trois places et pointe désormais au 6e rang mondial.

Richard Gasquet, 11e mondial, reste le numéro un français devant Gilles Simon, qui obtient son meilleur classement en grappillant une place (13e).

Le classement ATP:

1. (1) Roger Federer (Sui) 6680 points

2. (2) Rafael Nadal (Esp) 6455

3. (3) Novak Djokovic (Ser) 5390

4. (5) Nikolay Davydenko (Rus) 2795

5. (4) David Ferrer (Esp) 2775

6. (9) Andy Murray (G-B) 2135

7. (7) David Nalbandian (Arg) 1980

8. (8) James Blake (E-U) 1955

9. (6) Andy Roddick (E-U) 1865

10. (10) Stanislas Wawrinka (Sui) 1610

11. (11) Richard Gasquet (Fra) 1525

12. (12) Fernando Verdasco (Esp) 1385

13. (14) Gilles Simon (Fra) 1350

14. (13) Nicolas Almagro (Esp) 1320

15. (15) Fernando Gonzalez (Chili) 1285

16. (18) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (Fra) 1265

17. (17) Mikhail Youzhny (Rus) 1245

18. (22) Ivo Karlovic (Cro) 1225

19. (19) Nicolas Kiefer (All) 1205

20. (20) Radek Stepanek (Tch) 1185

Version française Clément Dossin

Cincinatti, une entrevue de...

August 2, 2008

N. DJOKOVIC/R. Nadal

6 1, 7 5

An interview with:

RAFAEL NADAL

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.


Q. Looks like Novak doesn't like you to stay too long in the No. 1 position.
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, I think he wants to be No. 1, too, no? But right now, first of all, I am not yet No. 1. Second, I played a very good tournament here in Cincinnati, no? Semifinal, and after winning in Toronto is almost perfect, no?
So I play my best summer hard season in my life, so very happy for that. Today he played unbelievable in the first set. In the second, I felt well, in some moment I felt I was playing better than him.
Finally, he beat me. He have the break in the 5 All, no? So just congratulate him because he's playing well. You know how is the tennis. Probably I wasn't at my 100% condition. During all this tournament I didn't play my best much.
Today I think in the second set I played better than the days before, so happy for that because I end the tournaments with good feelings.
But it's very tough, the calendar, no?


Q. Was the first set more because of fatigue? You've been playing well. Looked like the first set was very different than what you had been playing before. Was it just him playing better, or...
RAFAEL NADAL: No, he plays unbelievable the first set, no? Nothing to say, no? He touch the ball unbelievable. Every time he touch the ball always very close to the line.
So just right now difficult win set when other guy is playing like this. I try to fight for the rest of the match; I did. I have my chances in the second set, and today wasn't day for me.
He played better than me, but that's it. We don't have to find no one excuse. We are playing against the best players of the world, and in these matches if another one is feeling a little bit better than the other is a little bit easier, no?
Probably he's a little bit more fresh than the others because, well, he lost in Wimbledon in second round, so he has one month for prepare this hard season. One month preparing is easier. Probably he's in better condition than the rest right now, no?


Q. When you know that you will become world No. 1 quite soon, is it more difficult to focus than just on the next match?
RAFAEL NADAL: No. The true, no, because it's not the only chance, this tournament or the Olympics, for be No. 1, no, in case if I wouldn't be No. 1 here. So nothing extra pression, no disconcentrate (sic) because I know I have more chances.
I am in a good position, still in a very good position. The goal is only continuing playing like this and continuing improve my tennis for have chances for continuing winning important tournaments on this surface.


Q. But now that it's happened, do you not feel excited?
RAFAEL NADAL: What's excited, no? It's difficult. I feel happy because for sure be No. 1 is hard work from a long, long time ago, so very happy for that. But no time for be excited and be happy and enjoy. I have Olympics in one week. You know, I won Wimbledon and I won Toronto. I was playing in Cincinnati on Wednesday, so no time for enjoy nothing.
Only for try to continuing practicing and for try to continuing enjoying playing, but at the same time, being very focus all the time, no?
Maybe after the semifinals of Davis Cup I going to have some days for enjoy. I don't know if I going to be No. 1 there, but if I play well I going to have my chance. But after Davis Cup I gonna have chance for enjoy a little bit.


Q. With all the matches that you've played, is this going to be difficult on you physically to play the Olympics and then the US Open?
RAFAEL NADAL: Going to be difficult for me because I am the player who play most matches in this year. But that's good news, too, no? Going to be difficult, yes. Going to be difficult.
But right now I have one week for prepare Olympics; later I going to go back, two days at home. So I think it's only two more important tournaments. The last effort, important effort, so I will try my best for do well these two tournaments, no?
Later I play semifinals of Davis Cup, but this is at home so it's easier. Later I have three weeks at home, and later all the time playing in Europe, so going to be fine.


Q. When do you leave for the Olympics?
RAFAEL NADAL: When? Tomorrow I think.


Q. Are you excited?
RAFAEL NADAL: Excited? Right now not excited. I going to be excited when I am there, no? But right now it's tough after only be one week at home and I play in Toronto and Cincinnati, go directly to Beijing. Is long time to be outside the home. Some people don't how tough is it.


Q. As you look back on this tournament, what are some of the positives that you take out of it? I mean, the fact that you became No. 1, or at least you will be in a couple of weeks partially because of this tournament, what are some of positive that you take from this match?
RAFAEL NADAL: (Through translation.) The positive things from this match is easy, no? Positive thing is when I was playing better the level wasn't was very similar, no? In the second set was very close, the match.
The other thing is when he was playing unbelievable I didn't have any chance. I think the level of what he played the first set is very almost impossible to arrive, no?


Q. So much of the attention this week has been about you and Roger and the No. 1 spot. Is Djokovic almost like the forgotten man?
RAFAEL NADAL: Forgotten? Maybe for you. Not for us, no? He's the No. 3 of the world, doing an unbelievable season, winning a Grand Slam. If he wins tomorrow going to be the third Masters Series, so he's playing unbelievable, no?
No one forgets Djokovic in no one moment, because he always is, well, he's in a very good position for try to be No. 1 at the end this season. Hopefully not, but he has his chance, and he has his chance for win Olympics and US Open, too.


Q. You came to this tournament with a lot of confidence because you won the French Open and Wimbledon. But he beat you also in Indian Wells. How can you compare those two matches?
RAFAEL NADAL: Both matches are completely different, no? Completely different situations. I arrived to Indian Wells, and it was my first tournament when I started to play better. After I played very well in Miami, and after I started to play unbelievable on clay and later on grass, no?
So I arrived in semifinals against Djokovic playing against Blake a very tough match and Tsonga too a very tough match.
No conserved (sic) for be in the semifinal, but very happy for be there, because I won two very important matches for me before. This time it's different, no?
I arrived here with probably my best moment in my careera. But at the same time, always is very tough play a good tournament here after win Toronto, no?


Q. In Beijing you'll stay in a hotel or in the Village?
RAFAEL NADAL: Village.


Q. Will Cincinnati always be special to you because you earned the No. 1 ranking here?
RAFAEL NADAL: Maybe.


Q. How does the Olympics compare to other tournaments like a Grand Slam or something? How is it different and how do you appreciate it?
RAFAEL NADAL: The difference I don't know, because last time when I played Olympics I only spend one day there.
So right now maybe after Grand Slam this year is the most important tournament, no?


FastScripts by ASAP Sports

Djokovic et Murray en finale Samedi 02 août 2008 RDS.ca, ASSOCIATED PRESS

Novak Djokovic a éliminé Nadal en deux manches. (Photo Getty) MASON, Ohio - Le Serbe Novak Djokovic a éliminé le futur numéro un mondial Rafael Nadal, samedi, l'emportant 6-1 et 7-5 à Cincinnati, sur une surface dure.

Djokovic affrontera en finale le Britannique Andy Murray. Ce dernier a atteint une première finale en série Masters en disposant du Croate Ivo Karlovic 6-4 et 6-4.

Nadal, qui a subi une première défaite après 32 victoires consécutives, détrônera tout de même Federer en tant que numéro un au plus tard le 18 août.

Nadal, 22 ans, deviendra le troisième Espagnol à dominer le classement, après Carlos Moya (1999) et Juan Carlos Ferrero (2003).

Federer a été le numéro un pour la durée record de 235 semaines consécutifs. Lui et Nadal occupent les premier et deuxième rangs depuis le 25 juillet 2005.

Karlovic a rendu possible le changement au sommet en battant Federer en trois manches, jeudi. Samedi, il a commis 32 fautes directes, contre neuf pour Murray.

Karlovic a été brisé deux fois au premier set, et il n'a signé que quatre as dans le match. Lors de ses quatre premiers matches du tournoi, Karlovic a conservé son service lors de 49 jeux sur 50, le seul faux pas étant commis contre Federer.

Murray, 21 ans, a atteint cette année à Wimbledon un quart de finale de Grand chelem pour la première fois de sa carrière. A Toronto, la semaine dernière, il a été vaincu par Nadal en demi-finale

Sa plus grande inquiétude a été son genou droit. Une rotule irrégulière peut amener de l'enflure et de la douleur, et ses récents matches sur surface dure lui ont pesé lourd. Il a subi une scanographie, lundi, pour s'assurer qu'il n'y ait pas de réel dommage.

Nadal, la patience récompensée Samedi 02 août 2008 AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Rafael Nadal (Photo PC) PARIS - Assuré de devenir le prochain numéro un mondial, Rafael Nadal s'empare d'un fauteuil qu'il aurait occupé depuis longtemps déjà s'il n'était pas le contemporain de Roger Federer.

Jamais personne n'avait patienté aussi longtemps dans l'antichambre du roi. Et jamais aucun joueur vainqueur d'autant de titres n'avait dû se contenter du rôle de dauphin.

Vainqueur de trente tournois, Nadal, à peine 22 ans, possède déjà un palmarès que certains ex-numéro un peuvent lui envier. Mais il n'a longtemps pu espérer mieux que cette étiquette de numéro deux qu'il porte sans interruption depuis le 25 juillet 2005, un record.

Car devant lui il y avait un extraterrestre, qui alignait des saisons de rêve pour pulvériser un autre record, celui du nombre de semaines successives dans la peau du grand manitou (235 cette semaine).

"Avec tous les points que j'ai gagnés, j'aurais dû être numéro un depuis longtemps dans une configuration normale. Mais il y a Roger, le meilleur joueur de l'histoire...", répétait inlassablement l'Espagnol.

Il fallait attendre un fléchissement du roi pour que celui qui s'est autoproclamé "meilleur numéro deux de l'histoire" puisse enfin prétendre à l'étage supérieur.

Alors que jusque-là, le monde du tennis était partagé en deux - à Nadal les tournois sur terre battue, à Federer les titres sur surfaces rapides - le gaucher majorquin a définitivement élargi son registre cet été pour gagner sur tous les terrains.

Le chef d'oeuvre de Wimbledon

A Cincinnati, il reste en course pour un sixième titre consécutif en tournoi, sur trois surfaces différentes. Le plus beau, son chef d'oeuvre, a eu lieu sur le gazon de Wimbledon, au terme d'une finale sublime face à Federer aux airs de passation de pouvoir.


Qu'elle intervienne finalement lundi, le 11 ou le 18 août, en fonction de sa fin de tournoi à Cincinnati, Nadal sera donc le 24e chef de meute depuis 1973 et sans doute l'un de ceux qui l'aura le plus mérité.

Cette prise de pouvoir consacre l'ascension fulgurante d'un gamin de Manacor, bourgade des Baléares, neveu de l'ancien défenseur du FC Barcelone Miguel Angel. Qui, à son arrivée sur le circuit en 2001, a explosé tous les standards de précocité, remportant son premier match professionnel avant même d'avoir 16 ans.

En 2005, il a tout juste 19 ans lorsqu'il remporte à son premier essai le tournoi de Roland-Garros, où il est toujours invaincu en quatre participations. Sa victime cette année-là en finale, l'Argentin Mariano Puerta, dit alors: "Il va marquer l'histoire, il va devenir une légende." Prémonitoire.

Car depuis Nadal a confirmé en étoffant son jeu, toujours bâti sur un énorme coup droit qui a, au fil du temps, reçu le renfort d'un revers et d'un service en nets progrès.

Quant à la hargne et les jambes, tout va bien, merci! Vu l'énorme débauche d'énergie qu'il développe sur un court, Nadal est certes régulièrement annoncé à bout de souffle.
L'hiver dernier, des rumeurs alarmantes laissaient même entendre qu'il était sur le point d'arrêter sa carrière à cause de douleurs aux pieds. En guise de réponse, il est en train de réussir la meilleure saison de sa carrière pour intégrer définitivement le cénacle des plus grands.

Cincinatti, une entrevue de...

August 1, 2008

R. NADAL/N. Lapentti

7 6, 6 1

An interview with:

RAFAEL NADAL

THE MODERATOR: Just like to confirm with the win tonight Rafael Nadal will move to No. 1 on the South African Airways ATP rankings on the 18th of August. Should he win the tournament on Sunday, he will move to No. 1 on Monday.
I'd like to open it up for questions, please.
RAFAEL NADAL: And if I win tomorrow and I lose th final?

THE MODERATOR: You'll be on the 11th of August.


Q. Given all the hard work that you put in to get to No. 1, what was more satisfying accomplishment: Getting on your 32 match winning streak, getting the No. 1, or winning Roland Garros, the first one, in '05?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, so many different things, no, so difficult to compare. But when you win Roland Garros it's in the moment, no? It's, I don't know, very emotional.
Right now I know I going to be No. 1 and I'm very, very happy for be No. 1. Be No. 1 always is, I think, is a present for a lot of work in the past, no? So that's satisfying me a lot, no?
But for be No. 1 you only can be No. 1 winning Roland Garros, Wimbledon, so...


Q. Did you feel like your serve was stronger tonight than last, and how do you feel going into tomorrow?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, I was a little bit tired, no? I have a lot of matched in my shoulders in the last few months. I am a little bit tired. Probably the movement are a little bit slowly than usually.
But at the same time, very happy for be in the semifinals, no? I hope for tomorrow play my best match here in Cincinnati. Only like this I going to have chances for win, so I gonna try.


Q. What do you have to do specifically to avoid a letdown tomorrow? For instance, you're 9 3 against Djokovic head to head. He beat you at Indian Wells this year and you beat him the other two times.
RAFAEL NADAL: I have to play more aggressive than today, that's for sure. I have to play a very solid match, very important serve well, and when I have the chance try to do it, no?
I know Djokovic is playing well. He's the first or second player of the world on this surface, so I have to play very well if I want to win.


Q. With so much riding on this match for you personally, if you win your No. 1, did that weigh on you at all during the match? Did you think about that at all?
RAFAEL NADAL: A little bit, but important thing is continuing play good, no, continuing win. So if I continuing playing like I did the last months, I know don't gonna be the last chance for be No. 1 this year, no?
I am in very good position in the race and having good distance to the second in the race, so I hope if I lost today have more chances, no? For that reason I was with calm, no?


Q. It seems every year you get better and better. In the last couple years your backhand has just become this awesome weapon and you're serving so much better. Can you talk a little bit about how that happened. Did it just evolve, or did you work specifically to make that happen?
RAFAEL NADAL: Working, I don't know. Always Without being satisfied with my game, no? Always want to be better and better. But it's important always have one player in front of you. When you watch Federer play, you always see you can be much better, no?


Q. What goals have you set for the rest of the year now that you're the No. 1 at least?
RAFAEL NADAL: The goal only is try to play a good match tomorrow, first of all. Later try to play a good Olympics and later try to play a good US Open and later try to beat United States in the semifinals and later continuing playing well in Madrid and Paris.


Q. It was harder to get to No. 1 than you thought it would be when you started playing tennis, or did you have any idea what it would take to get here?
RAFAEL NADAL: I can't say if it's harder or not right now than what I thought in the past, because I never thought about be No. 1, no? So just when you start, when you are a kid start playing tennis, your dream is be professional tennis player, play Wimbledon, play Roland Garros, play US Open, Australia, but you don't think but ranking, no? I, myself.


Q. Do you feel a greater sense of responsibility to be an ambassador for the sport overall as the No. 1 player in the world versus someone chasing No. 1?
RAFAEL NADAL: (Through translation.) I don't feel more responsibility right now than before, no? I always try to do the best for the sport. I always work hard for try to improve the sport of the tennis. If I can do everything for improve I always gonna do, no?


Q. How much of a concern is the fatigue? Going into the match tomorrow, I mean, are you worried about your fatigue?
RAFAEL NADAL: A little bit. For sure a little bit, no? I play a lot of matches. I know how tough is play Toronto and play later here in Cincinnati with the humidity. The weather doesn't help a lot, so gonna be difficult be 100%. But I hope I will try to do the last push hard.


Q. How excited are you now that you've reached this goal to be No. 1?
RAFAEL NADAL: Very happy. But at the same time, my goal is continuing be there, no? So my goal is continuing be there Olympics and US Open, so no time for enjoy.
For sure it's, well, it's a big satisfaction be the No. 1, but we can celebrate when the season is done, no, or after Davis Cup in Madrid.


Q. Is there a present you're going to give yourself?
RAFAEL NADAL: No. No. My present is be here. All my family is in good condition, so it's no problems. Everything is perfect, no? I just can say thank you very much everybody in the life, because without you have the help of the family, of my team, it's impossible to be there, no?


Q. Have you received any phone calls or massages congratulating you?
RAFAEL NADAL: I didn't see the phone.


Q. Was there any aspect of your performance tonight that you were not happy with?
RAFAEL NADAL: I served better a little bit today than yesterday. Well, yesterday in the final of second set I have three very good games with my serve, a lot of aces. But during all the match I have a lot of mistakes.
Today I served better. I still have to continuing still improve a little bit the aggressivity for tomorrow, the backhand a little bit, and the movements.


FastScripts by ASAP Sports

Cincinatti, c'est parti!

Cincinatti, OH

Samedi 2 aout, 2008

Court Central, commence à 1h00 p.m.
[16] I Karlovic (CRO) vs [8] A Murray (GBR)
[1] B Bryan (USA) / M Bryan (USA) vs [4] M Bhupathi (IND) / M Knowles (BAH)

Pas avant 7h00 p.m.
[3] N Djokovic (SRB) vs [2] R Nadal (ESP)
[3] J Erlich (ISR) / A Ram (ISR) vs [2] D Nestor (CAN) / N Zimonjic (SRB)

Rafael Nadal assuré d'etre N.1 mondial.

Le vendredi 01 août 2008

Rafael Nadal assuré d'être N.1 mondial

Photo AP

Agence France-Presse

Cincinnati

Qualifié vendredi pour les demi-finales du tournoi ATP Masters Series de Cincinnati, l'Espagnol Rafael Nadal est officiellement assuré de succéder au Suisse Roger Federer, en place depuis le 4 février 2004, au sommet de la hiérarchie mondiale.

Cette passation de pouvoir, attendue depuis des semaines tant le Majorquin de 22 ans domine le circuit, aura lieu en août.

Et l'enjeu de ce week-end, après son succès sur l'Equatorien Nicolas Lapentti en quart de finale (7-6, 6-1), est simplement de savoir quand.

En cas de défaite en demi-finale samedi contre le Serbe Novak Djokovic, il deviendra le 24e N.1 mondial le 18 août.

S'il se qualifie pour la finale, son accession au sommet de la hiérarchie aura lieu le 11 août, soit le lendemain du début du tournoi olympique. Et s'il remporte le titre dimanche, cela se fera dès lundi et mettra fin à 235 semaines de domination de Federer, auteur de sa pire saison depuis quatre ans.

«Je suis si heureux d'être N.1. J'ai travaillé fort pour en arriver là», s'est réjoui Nadal, vainqueur de 30 titres dans sa carrière, dont 7 déjà cette année (Monte Carlo, Barcelone, Hambourg, Roland-Garros, Queen's, Wimbledon, Toronto).

Concurrence écrasée

Depuis le printemps, Nadal, troisième Espagnol après Carlos Moya et Juan Carlos Ferrero à atteindre le rang de N.1 mondial, écrase la concurrence.

Il vient de remporter les cinq derniers tournois auxquels il a participé, dont Toronto dimanche dernier et est sur une série de 32 victoires consécutives. Sa dernière défaite remonte à début mai au 2e tour du tournoi de Rome battu par... Ferrero.

Pour une place en finale, Nadal, inquiété par Lapentti dans la première manche uniquement, affrontera Djokovic, le N.3 mondial lui aussi membre de la jeune génération des surdoués (21 ans).

Djokovic, qui a un temps cru pouvoir devenir le dauphin de Federer après son titre à l'Open d'Australie, a dominé le Letton Ernests Gulbis (6-3, 6-4).

L'autre demi-finale opposera le Britannique Andy Murray, vainqueur de l'Espagnol Carlos Moya (2-6, 6-3, 6-1) au Croate Ivo Karlovic, victorieux de l'Allemand Philipp Kohlschreiber (7-6, 7-6).

Jeudi, Karlovic avait précipité la «chute» de Federer, en le battant au troisième tour.

Si Federer a été le joueur de l'histoire qui a passé le plus de semaines consécutives au sommet de la hiérarchie, Nadal est celui qui a passé le plus de semaines consécutives comme... N.2, après avoir été sacré dauphin du Suisse le 25 juillet 2005.

Tennis à Cincinnati: Federer éliminé, Nadal proche de la place de numéro 1 mondial

Il y a 19 heures

CINCINNATI(AFP) (AFP) — Battu par le Croate Ivo Karlovic (7-6, 4-6, 7-6) jeudi au 3e tour du tournoi ATP Masters Series de Cincinnati, le Suisse Roger Federer est à la merci de l'Espagnol Rafael Nadal pour la place de N.1 mondial.

L'enjeu est dorénavant clair pour cette fin de semaine dans l'Ohio: si Nadal remporte le titre dimanche, il détrônera Federer, N.1 mondial depuis 235 semaines consécutives (janvier 2004).

Et contrairement à son rival, qui vit sa pire saison depuis son accession au sommet, l'Espagnol de 22 ans domine largement le plateau depuis ce printemps. Tommy Haas a ainsi été sa 31e victime de rang (6-4, 7-6). L'Allemand a notamment explosé dans le jeu décisif en ne remportant pas le moindre point. Invaincu depuis début mai et sa défaite à Rome face à son compatriote Juan Carlos Ferrero, le gaucher a remporté les cinq derniers tournois auxquels il a participé.

De son côté, Federer a encore montré ses limites actuelles face à l'un des plus grands serveurs du circuit (2,08 m). Karlovic (N.22 mondial) n'a certes concrétisé aucune des deux balles de break qu'il s'est procuré, mais après avoir subi un break dans la seconde manche, il a bénéficié des qualités de son grand service pour s'imposer. A l'image de la balle de match. Menant 6 points à 3 dans le jeu décisif du troisième set, le Croate a patienté jusqu'à sa mise en jeu (6 pts à 5) pour claquer une deuxième balle que Federer a retourné en dehors des limites du terrain.

"C'est décevant de perdre sans avoir été breaké, mais ce n'est pas la première fois que cela arrive. Surtout contre de grands serveurs. Mais bon, ce n'est ni les JO, ni l'US Open, je peux m'en passer", a affirmé le joueur suisse, refusant d'évoquer une quelconque perte de confiance.

Avant cela, le N.3 mondial, le Serbe Novak Djokovic a connu moins de soucis que la veille en balayant son second Italien de suite, Andreas Seppi (6-1, 6-2).

A noter aussi que l'Espagnol Carlos Moya a gagné deux matches dans la journée. Il a d'abord dû finir son match du 2e tour contre le Russe Nikolay Davydenko (N.4), interrompu mercredi par la pluie pour revenir quelques minutes plus tard pour se débarrasser d'un autre Russe Igor Andreev (6-4, 7-6).

Une entrevue de...

July 31, 2008

R. NADAL/T. Haas

6 4, 7 6

An interview with:

RAFAEL NADAL

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.


Q. Was there anything about your performance tonight that made you unhappy?
RAFAEL NADAL: Yes. Well, probably I didn't play my best match, no, today. I had some mistakes. The movement was so so, so I have to improve the movements if I want to play better tomorrow, no?
Happy because important thing is win in these moments, no? Very important win matches when you didn't play when you don't play your best. It was an important match for the situation.


Q. Looked like your breakpoint conversion went down a little bit. Was that something of a concern, or not?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, because that's happen when you are not feeling 100% well, no? Sometimes your percentage is going a little bit down.
But for the rest, happy, because anyway I was focus all the time, concentrate, and I know how important it was, this match.
I happy be in quarterfinals for second time in my careera here in Cincinnati. Tommy Haas is a very good player, too. He's a very complete player and always difficult playing him.


Q. Roger lost today, which opens the way for you to finally move ahead of him in the rankings. Will that be in the back of your mind the rest of the week?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, right now I know I'm in a good position, no, because Roger have to win everything from here, from Olympics to US Open.
I think if I win tomorrow I going to be No. 1, no? If I win tomorrow, in two weeks I going to be the No. 1. So doesn't matter if I lost in Olympics in first round and Roger win, no? So tomorrow going to be important match.


Q. So what's that like for you to finally be there?
RAFAEL NADAL: The true, I didn't think too much right now. I only think about try to improve my game for tomorrow. I know Lapentti is playing well, so I have to play good if I want to win tomorrow, no?
But right now, I said, I'm happy because I'm in a very good position on the ranking. I'm very in good position in the race, so I want to continuing being in the good position on the race, no?
Not only thinking about the No. 1, no?


Q. How does your uncle Toni influence you both on and off the court?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, I spent a lot of time in my life with my uncle, so for sure for that reason the influence of my uncle is important, no?


Q. Is the running forehand a shot that you've been working on? You've had a great forehand, but, I mean, the running aspect of it, is that a new shot that you kind of added to your game?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, I think I had this forehand always, no? It's nothing new for sure.


Q. What part of your game is better now than it was a year ago?
RAFAEL NADAL: Normally the serve. Today wasn't. I had two double faults in important moments. I improved the serve, the slice, the backhand, too.
So I improve, in my opinion, the position on the court, so that's what I continuing working always, no?


Q. What do you think of the crowds here in Cincinnati and the fans?
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, the crowd always was very nice with me here, no, supporting me all the time. I just can say thanks to the crowd here.
Anyway, when you go to practice and when I'm on the court always supporting me, and that's a very good feeling. So thank you very much.


Q. Can you talk about the difficulty in winning two hard court Masters Series compared to winning the US Open? You know, if you win here it's ten matches in two weeks versus seven at the US Open in the same amount of time.
RAFAEL NADAL: Than win US Open?


Q. Than a Grand Slam.
RAFAEL NADAL: You never know, no? It's depends of the draw and depends of a lot of things. I think it's impossible to compare, no? Both things are very difficult, no, but probably more difficult to win two Masters Series back to back than one Grand Slam.
Because in the Masters Series all the players are here, the best players of the world are here, you play three sets. Always easy to lose if you lose first set or something like this.
So, you know, my opinion, for example, Roger today has a lot of unlucky in the third set. He only lost two games on two points on the last set, so that's terrible for the tennis, no?
So that wasn't best of luck today for Roger, and I think in five set match that doesn't happen, no? So for that reason I think it's a little bit more difficult to win here, because you play against the same players and only three sets.


Q. And no days off between your matches.
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, but you play three sets only.


FastScripts by ASAP Sports

Nadal au premier rang Vendredi 01 août 2008 AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Rafael Nadal est maintenant assuré de détrôner Roger Federer au sommet de l'ATP. (Photo Getty) CINCINNATI - L'Espagnol Rafael Nadal est assuré de devenir numéro un mondial, à la place du Suisse Roger Federer, en place depuis février 2004, après sa qualification vendredi pour les demi-finales du tournoi ATP Masters Series de Cincinnati.

Après sa victoire sur l'Equatorien Nicolas Lapentti en quart de finale (7-6, 6-1), le Majorquin a l'assurance de devenir le 24e N.1 mondial du classement ATP, depuis 1973, le 18 aôut au plus tard.

S'il se qualifie pour la finale, son accession au sommet de la hiérarchie aura lieu le 11 août et s'il remporte le titre dimanche, cela se fera dès lundi et mettra fin à 235 semaines de domination de Federer.

L'Espagnol, qui sera le troisième Espagnol après Carlos Moya et Juan Carlos Ferrero à atteindre le rang de N.1 mondial, a remporté cette année 7 tournois dont les 5 derniers auxquels il a participé (Hambourg, Roland-Garros, Queen's, Wimbledon, Toronto). Il est sur une série de 32 victoires consécutives.

Pour une place en finale, Nadal, 22 ans, affrontera le Serbe Novak Djokovic, N.3 mondial, vainqueur du Letton Ernests Gulbis (6-3, 6-4).

L'autre demi-finale opposera le Britannique Andy Murray, vainqueur de l'Espagnol Carlos Moya (2-6, 6-3, 6-1) au Croate Ivo Karlovic, victorieux de l'Allemand Philipp Kohlschreiber (7-6, 7-6).

Jeudi, Karlovic avait précipité la "chute" de Federer, en le battant au troisième tour.

Murray et Djokovic en demi-finales Vendredi 01 août 2008 RDS.ca

Andy Murray affrontera Ivo Karlovic en demi-finale. (Photo PC) Andy Murray a dû effectuer une belle remontée afin d'obtenir son billet pour les demi-finales du Masters de Cincinnati.

Après avoir perdu la première manche, le Britannique s'est réveillé pour finalement vaincre l'Espagnol Carlos Moya en trois manches de 2-6, 6-3 et 6-1.

En demi-finale, la huitième tête de série sera opposée au Croate Ivo Karlovic. Le tombeur de Roger Federer a disposé de l'Allemand Philipp Kohlschreiber en deux manches identiques de 7-6.

Le troisième joueur mondial, le Serbe Novak Djokovic, a lui aussi atteint la demi-finale. Il a disposé du Letton Ernsts Gulbis en deux manches de 6-4, 6-3. Djokovic a réussi 6 aces dans la rencontre et a sauvé les trois balles de bris auxquelles il a fait face.

L'Espagnol Rafael Nadal sera opposé à Nicolas Lapentti dans l'autre quart de finale qui sera disputée en soirée. Rappelons que si Nadal remporte ce tournoi, il prendra la tête du classement de l'ATP. Le gagnant de cet affrontement se mesurera à Djokovic en demi-finale.

Nouvelles photos des joueurs, ATP.

Rafael Nadal


Mario Ancic


Fernando Gonzalez


Nikolay Davydenko


James Blake


Fernando Verdasco

Cincinatti, c'est parti!

Rafa vs T Haas
31 juillet, 2008

Cincinatti, c'est parti!

Vendredi 1 aout, 2008

Court Central commence à 12h00 p.m.
C Moya (ESP) vs [8] A Murray (GBR)
[16] I Karlovic (CRO) vs P Kohlschreiber (GER)
E Gulbis (LAT) vs [3] N Djokovic (SRB)

Not Before 7:00 PM
N Lapentti (ECU) vs [2] R Nadal (ESP)
[6] L Dlouhy (CZE) / L Paes (IND) vs [2] D Nestor (CAN) / N Zimonjic (SRB)

GRANDSTAND commence à 11h00 a.m.
S Aspelin (SWE) / J Murray (GBR) vs [3] J Erlich (ISR) / A Ram (ISR)

Cincinatti,c'est parti! Une entrevue de...

Player Interviews

July 30, 2008

RAFAEL NADAL

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Does a quick match like this do more harm than good in terms of preparing you for this tournament since you don't have a chance to work on all your shots under game conditions?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, very happy for win, for be in third round. Happy because, well, not long match. It's important always you are playing a lot of the matches to have one match like this. But, well, for the other reason and for find the best feelings is not the good match, no?

Q. But because it's so tough usually for whoever wins Canada to come here and play well, including you in '05, it's probably a good thing to get of the court as soon as possible.
RAFAEL NADAL: I said, no? It's important not only for Canada, no, because I played a lot of matches in the lasts months. Too much I think. For that reason it's very important win one match like this.

Q. How hard is it to go from winning Canada and coming down here and doing well? Traditionally the last ten years it hasn't gone well for the Canada champion.
RAFAEL NADAL: It's always difficult. It's always tough. But, you know, I mean, in a good performance I am with confidence and I am playing well for the last few months. I'm playing very well, no? So just I going to trying my best for continuing play well in this tournament, no? If I play a good tournament here I going to have a very good chance for be in a good position on the race, no?

Q. How much more confident are you this year during the hard court season compared to a year ago?
RAFAEL NADAL: I don't know, no? I don't want to compare the years, no? So this year I'm playing my best season, not on hard, on every surface, so I'm confident for that reason. I feel a little bit better player. I don't know, I did very well in Toronto this year, but hard season continuing.

Q. Are you thinking about becoming No. 1? Is that inevitable, or that doesn't weigh much on your mind?
RAFAEL NADAL: Be No. 1?

Q. Yes.
RAFAEL NADAL: Everyone wants to be No. 1, no? Right now I'm focused on this tournament in Cincinnati. It's a very important tournament, no? My only goal is continuing playing like what I did in the last four, five months. If I continue like this I going to have a lot of chances for be No. 1? If not, I don't want to be No. 1 because my opponents are very good.

Q. Prior to tonight you had a 3 and 4 record here in four previous appearances. Why has this tournament been so difficult for you to play well historically?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, sometimes because I arrived late from Canada, and other times because I wasn't in my best moment of the season, no? That's the reason.

Q. How tough is it on the body to play on this surface? Because grass is nice, is...
RAFAEL NADAL: Softer, yes.

Q. Yeah, and clay is also better. But is it really hard? It's hard on the joints?
RAFAEL NADAL: You know, the top management of ATP are, well, always think about continuing playing more and more tournaments in this kind of surface. I think it's not a good way, because if I look the locker room and you look in the trainers' room, everybody have problems, no? On the knees on the foot, every play, no, here (pointing to the hip.). So I think it's not the good way. It's the hardest surface for the body, that's for sure.

Q. Am I right, because Federer said it's the hard court season from now until Monaco. What do you do? Do you have clay court tournaments in between?
RAFAEL NADAL: I don't have.

Q. There's nothing.
RAFAEL NADAL: I don't play clay tournaments, no? I play the same clay tournaments than Roger. Less one year. This year. One less tournament on clay I played this year than Roger.

Q. So the longest season is on the hardest surface. You can confirm?
RAFAEL NADAL: I said always same, no? That's a big mistake, in my opinion, for the tour. That's one of the biggest mistakes, no? Because if you saw the players, injuries, how many injuries the players have in the last months, you know, you have to think if we are going in the good way, good direction or not.
For that reason it's happen.

Q. Looking at the locker room it's what, ankles, knees, and hips?
RAFAEL NADAL: I think everything, no? Not everyone have the same, but I saw a lot of player with problems in the knees and the foots, too. Everybody is tape. You have to tape. You know, it's very tough, this surface.

Q. You always say there's no easy matches in tennis. Seems like if there ever was one today was it. Was there any difficulty in your game or his that you found tonight at all?
RAFAEL NADAL: Never easy match, no? But today he did a ﷓﷓ well, he didn't play, no? I think he was a little bit nervous and he play very bad today, no?

Q. With the win at Wimbledon to go with the four French, do you place more of an emphasis, if at all, on the hard court season?
RAFAEL NADAL: (Through translation.) I always did the same, with same emphasis, no? My opinion have the same importance this tournament right now than the last year or the US Open this year than last year. Nothing change, no?

Q. How has winning Wimbledon this year changed your life? Does it give you a lot more confidence on the faster surfaces? You did pretty well before.
RAFAEL NADAL: Sometimes the people who are not following the tennis every week always think I am only clay court player, no? But if you were following the tennis every week and see the results you're going to see I am not only clay court player, no? I have semifinals in Australia, semifinals in Indian Wells, final in Miami, final in Chennai. I won in Madrid and I won in Canada two times and I won Indian Wells, in Dubai. So a lot of...China, too. I played two finals in Wimbledon and I won Queen's and I win another time in Wimbledon. So some very, very good results without play on clay, no? Because I am No. 2 of the world with unbelievable points, and I only play four or five tournaments on clay every season, no, you know.

Q. Sure. So going into the US Open on hard court, it's a pretty nice run you're on. Are you feeling pretty confident this could be your year?
RAFAEL NADAL: I don't know. My goal right now is play in Cincinnati. Later I going to play in Olympics. That will be a very nice experience with me. Later I going to think about US Open, no? It can be me year, yes or not. I don't know, no? You never know.

Q. I think you said before you feel like you've played too many matches. Is there anything you can do about that?
RAFAEL NADAL: You know the calendar is like this and I don't have any election, no? I can't do nothing.

Q. You can't play less?
RAFAEL NADAL: I can't do nothing less. The calendar a terrible this year.

FastScripts by ASAP Sports.

Nadal veut moins de dur Jeudi 31 juillet 2008 AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Nadal trouve que trop de tournois sont joués sur surface dure. (Photo Getty) CINCINNATI - L'Espagnol Rafael Nadal, numéro deux mondial, a reproché à l'ATP d'intégrer trop de tournois sur dur dans son calendrier, surface à ses yeux la plus éprouvante.

"Les responsables de l'ATP veulent qu'on joue toujours plus de tournois sur ce genre de surface. Mais elle est vraiment difficile pour le corps. Tout le monde joue avec des bandages. Nous n'avons pas tous les mêmes blessures mais on en voit beaucoup avec des problèmes de genoux ou de pieds", s'est plaint le Majorquin, membre du comité des joueurs de l'ATP.

"C'est une grosse erreur, à mon avis, de la part de l'ATP, a ajouté Nadal, qui lorgne sur la place de no 1 mondial de Roger Federer. Il suffit de voir combien de joueurs ont été blessés ces derniers mois. Il faut savoir si on va dans la bonne direction ou pas."

En plus de l'Omnium d'Australie et des Internationaux d'Australie, quatre des huit tournois Masters Series, la catégorie juste en-dessous des Grands Chelems - se déroulent sur dur : Indian Wells, Miami, Canada (Toronto ou Montréal) et Cincinnati.

Et l'ATP veut déclasser du tournoi sur terre battue d'Hambourg, comptant pour les Masters Series, ce qui a suscité une vive réaction des meilleurs joueurs (Federer, Nadal et Djokovic) et vaut à l'ATP un procès de la part des organisateurs allemands qui réclament 75 millions de dollars de dédommagement.

Nadal est actuellement sur une période faste, avec cinq titres remportés de rang (Hambourg, Roland-Garros, Queen's, Wimbledon et Toronto).

HS- Duclos-Lasnier en quarts de finale.

Duclos-Lasnier en quarts de finale Jeudi 31 juillet 2008 Sportcom

Le joueur de tennis Pierre-Ludovic Duclos-Lasnier a atteint les quarts de finale, jeudi, au Future de Dakar, un tournoi octroyant 15000 $ en bourses disputé dans la capitale sénégalaise.

Affecté par l’humidité, le favori du tournoi a dû s’y prendre en trois manches pour vaincre l’Israélien Saar Steele, classé au 1202e rang mondial. « C’était extrêmement humide aujourd’hui et j’ai eu beaucoup de difficulté physiquement, a raconté le Duclos-Lasnier. Je ne me sentais pas bien sur le court et je n’avais pas d’énergie. J’avais de la difficulté à respirer et à trouver mon air entre les points. »

Après avoir remporté la première manche 7-5, l’athlète de Sainte-Foy s’est ensuite incliné en 5-7 en deuxième manche. Il a cependant retrouvé sa touche pour remporter la manche ultime en 6-4. « Je suis quand même fier d'être passé à travers ce match », a-t-il poursuivi.

Duclos-Lasnier, pointant au 394e rang mondial, affrontera, dans son match de quart de finale, le Français Philippe de Bonnevie, cinquième tête de série et 626e au monde.

En double, le Québécois et son partenaire belge Niels Desein se mesureront, en quart de finale, au duo composé du Britannique Christopher Harfield et de l’Américain James Ludlow. Mardi dernier, les deux joueurs avaient d’abord vaincu au premier tour la paire formée du Français Simon Cauvard et du Sénégalais Daouda Ndiaye en 6-2 et 7-6(3).

Yann Mathieu rentre à la maison bredouille

Après avoir été défait en simple mardi, au Mercedes Open (Utrecht, Pays-Bas), le joueur de tennis en fauteuil roulant Yann Mathieu a connu le même sort en double, jeudi.

Le Trifluvien et son coéquipier manitobain Lee Carter ont baissé pavillon au premier tour devant les deuxièmes têtes de série, les Néerlandais Maikel Sheffers et Ronald Vink, en deux manches de 6-1 et 6-2.

Mathieu sera du OAC Capital City Classic 2008 disputé à Ottawa à compter de jeudi prochain.

Federer ouvre la porte à Nadal Jeudi 31 juillet 2008 RDS.ca, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Roger Federer perdra-t-il son titre de numéro un mondial? (Photo PC) CINCINNATI - Le Suisse Roger Federer, no un mondial, a été battu par le Croate Ivo Karlovic en trois manches de 7-6 (8/6), 4-6 et7-6 (7/5), jeudi, au 3e tour du tournoi ATP Masters Series de Cincinnati.

Cette 11e défaite de la saison place Federer en position de perdre la place de no1 mondial, qu'il occupe depuis 235 semaines consécutives - record absolu dans l'histoire de l'ATP.

L'Espagnol Rafael Nadal, qui reste sur cinq titres consécutifs, deviendra le nouveau no mondial, s'il remporte le titre dimanche.

Vainqueur de Federer pour la première fois en sept confrontations, Karlovic (22e joueur mondial) affrontera l'Allemand Philipp Kohlschreiber en quarts de finale.

Djokovic passe, Blake non

Dans les autres matchs de troisième tour, le numéro trois mondial Novak Djokovic a été expéditif alors que le numéro sept James Blake a mordu la poussière.

Djokovic a complètement dominé l'Italien Andreas Seppi 6-1, 6-2 grâce entre autre à huit aces et 83% de premières balles sur son service. Il n'a fait face qu'à une balle de bris dans la rencontre, point qu'il a perdu par ailleurs.

Cincinatti, c'est parti!

Jeudi 31 juillet,2008

Court Central/ 11h00 a.m.
[7] J Blake (USA) vs E Gulbis (LAT)
Pas avant 1h00 p.m.
A Seppi (ITA) vs [3] N Djokovic (SRB)
[1] R Federer (SUI) vs [16] I Karlovic (CRO)
Pas avant 7h00 p.m.
T Haas (GER) vs [2] R Nadal (ESP)
[1] B Bryan (USA) / M Bryan (USA) vs [8] M Fyrstenberg (POL) / M Matkowski (POL)

GRANDSTAND/ 12h15 p.m.
[4] N Davydenko (RUS) vs C Moya (ESP) 67(8) 01 - To Be Finished
D Tursunov (RUS) vs [8] A Murray (GBR)
[4] N Davydenko (RUS) or C Moya (ESP) vs I Andreev (RUS)
N Lapentti (ECU) vs [10] F Verdasco (ESP)

Pas avant 7h00 p.m.
[4] M Bhupathi (IND) / M Knowles (BAH) vs [WC] M Fish (USA) / J Isner (USA) or [5] J Bjorkman (SWE) / K Ullyett (ZIM)

COURT 3/ 12h00 p.m.
R Soderling (SWE) vs P Kohlschreiber (GER)
[WC] M Fish (USA) / J Isner (USA) vs [5] J Bjorkman (SWE) / K Ullyett (ZIM) 76(4) 00 - To Be Finished
R Lindstedt (SWE) / J Nieminen (FIN) vs [3] J Erlich (ISR) / A Ram (ISR) 01 - To Be Finished