Injury Update: Victoria Azarenka and Tommy Robredo

Photo: Reuters

Let's just say that today was not a good day for the tournament director or the ticketed fans at the BNP Paribas Open.  First, Victoria Azarenka retired from her quarter-final match against Caroline Wozniacki due to a hip injury that she sustained in the 3rd game of the opening set after stretching to return a shot.  She took a prolonged medical time out, played two more points, but then retired after consulting with her team.  She also had to withdraw from her upcoming doubles match with partner Maria Kirilenko. 

About 30 minutes later Tommy Robredo pulled out of his quarter-final match giving Juan Martin del Potro a walkover, due to a left abductor injury that happened during his previous match against Sam Querrey. 

Victoria is still slated to play in the upcoming Sony Ericsson Open later this month, but unfortunately, Robredo has pulled out of Miami due to the strain.

Caroline's next opponent will be the winner of Shuai Peng/Maria Sharapova, and Del Potro will play the winner of Rafael Nadal/Ivo Karlovic.

Pete Sampras Got Into Donald Young's Kitchen

Donald Young, the promising junior talent touted by John McEnroe who failed to live up to the hype when he turned pro in 2004, finally managed to deliver on that promise, defeating world number five Andy Murray 7-6 (4), 6-3, in the 2nd round of the BNP Paribas Open.  Prior to this win, the highest ranked player he had defeated was Felicano Lopez in 2008. 

So what caused the turn-around for the 21 year-old player who on his Twitter account recently used the hashtag #secondcoming?"  (If you aren't familiar with Twitter lingo and therefore don't know what a hashtag is click here.)

Pete Sampras got into his kitchen.

Young, who has recently been working with the USTA coaches on his fitness as well as hitting with Mardy Fish and Sam Querrey, had the opportunity to hit with his idol Pete Sampras in the off-season.  And Pete apparently enjoys a bit of gamesmanship. 

In his post-match press conference Donald said:

It was great . He beat me in a groundstroke game. He gave me a lot of crap for it. He was talking a lot of trash. He calls me princess and he talks a lot of stuff. He says it's all in jest. It was a different side. First of all, I didn't know whether to take it serious or not. I was kind of psyched out. He still plays well. He told me he expected to see good things from me and for me to get better. I took it to heart. He calls it getting in my kitchen. He is obviously a great player. I look up to him. He's my favorite player. Amazing to be on the same court.

Up next for Donald Young is Tommy Robredo, who in their last meeting back in 2009, won in 4 sets.  So Pete, please stay in his kitchen, and while you're there can you grab me some popcorn?  Because I'm entertained.

Post-match quotes via Tennis.com

Photo via Getty Images

Video: Fabio Fognini and Tommy Robredo Smackdown

I'm not sure what exactly happened here, but in the semi-finals of the Movistar Open, words were apparantly exchanged over the net between Fabio Fognini and Tommy Robredo.  After Robredo defeated Fognini, he refused to shake his hand, and then Fognini called Robredo a "piece of shit."  The crowd was clearly in Fognini's corner as they booed Robredo off the court.  The best part.....they meet at the Brazil Open next week in the first round.  Drama.

And Then There Were Two

My heart broke a little yesterday, but it was unavoidable.  La Armada Invencible is now only reduced to 2 players at the 2010 US Open.  Last night Fernando Verdasco eliminated his good friend David Ferrer in a tight 5 set match winning 5-7, 6-7, 6-3, 6-3, 7-6, and likewise, Rafael Nadal dispatched fellow Spaniard Feliciano Lopez in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.

Click to read more ...

La Armada Out in Force, Simone a Happy Loser, and Mopey Murray Returns

Updated on Sunday, September 5, 2010 at 11:34PM by [OnTheGoTennis]

Andy Murray is out of the US Open, but I haven't completely dealt with that yet, so let's talk about the good first.

Outside of the above statement, everything so far has gone as expected today in Flushing Meadows and La Armada Invencible is out in full force.  Rafael Nadal, Fernando Verdasco, David Ferrer, Feliciano Lopez, and Tommy Robredo all won their 3rd round matches today.

Click to read more ...