Djokovic Still Soaring To Record Heights

By JAMES HENRY
OnTheGoTennis

CINCINNATI – Novak Djokovic’s nearly perfect season continues Sunday with his chance to claim an incredible 10th title of the year.

He will face Andy Murray at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati, a rematch of the tournament’s final in 2008, when the Scot won in two tiebreakers.

Potentially, it could be the Serbian’s 11th Masters 1000 trophy of his career – the sixth just this season. The winner of this year’s Australian Open and Wimbledon, he currently boasts 27 ATP World Tour singles titles.

In 2011, Djokovic has won an astonishing 57 matches, only losing to Roger Federer in the semifinals of the French Open, which snapped a 43-match winning streak that went all the way back to last year’s Davis Cup final.

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Verdasco Still Seeking Big Win Against Nadal

By JAMES HENRY
OnTheGoTennis

CINCINNATI – Fernando Verdasco beat Rafael Nadal – but only on paper.

He won 128 points in his third-round match Thursday at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati. His opponent had 123.

But, according to when those points were played across three sets, each decided by tiebreakers, Nadal gets credited as the victor: 7-6 (5), 6-7 (4), 7-6 (9).

He is the winner, yet again, improving to a perfect 12-0 against his countryman.

Verdasco is the loser. Yet again.

Somber after the match, but still willing to talk about it, he shared it hurts to come so close to achieving something so big, but ultimately falling short.

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Serbians Playing to Win in Cincinnati

By JAMES HENRY
OnTheGoTennis

CINCINNATI – He’s already won nine titles this year, more than double any other tennis player in the world, and Novak Djokovic wants even more.

Also, just because the U.S. Open is quickly approaching, don’t think he is going to limit his efforts at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati. He’s in it to win it.

“Performing the best tennis is the priority in New York. But still I will not, you know, play matches on this tournament just to get some practice,” he vowed. “I don’t do that. I go to every match to win.”

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Despite Car Trouble, Janković Cruises Into Second Round

By JAMES HENRY
OnTheGoTennis

CINCINNATI – If you saw Jelena Janković stranded alongside the road, would you stop and help?

On her way Tuesday to practice at the Lindner Family Tennis Center, site of the Western & Southern Open, the Serbian star’s car quit.

“My mom was like, ‘Oh, this car is not working.’ We were like, ‘What do you mean it’s not working?’ It just stopped. It’s not working. Something is wrong with it,” she recalled.

“We looked, and it was zero gas inside the car. I was like, ‘Oh my God. Great. I have 20 minutes before my practice session.’”

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Photos: Rafael Nadal Practice Sessions In Cincy

To the delight of the crowd, Rafael Nadal pulled double duty on Sunday at the Western & Southern Open with two practice sessions.  According to @olerafa, Rafa was coughing during practice, but otherwise he was hitting the ball much better than earlier in the weekend. Rafa plays his first round match against either Guillermo García-López or Julien Benneteau on Wednesday.

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