Davis Cup Overview: Israel joins the fun as surprise semifinalist

20 Jul 2009 by Matthew Zemek in Davis Cup

In Israel, a land attuned to the ancient texts of the world’s monotheistic faiths, the words “my cup overflows” possess a considerable amount of historical weight and meaning. That phrasing comes from scripture, of course–it’s no small thing in the Holy Land to encounter a lavish and abundant blessing.
Now, 108 years [...]


Sizing up the semifinals: Three heavyweights and a Swiss guy

18 Apr 2009 by Matthew Zemek in Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters

As the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters heads toward a pair of Saturday semifinals, it’s just as the oddsmakers predicted heading into the tournament: Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray join a Swiss tennis player in the final four.
Oh, wait: Stanislas Wawrinka, not Roger Federer, is the man representing Switzerland as the year’s first clay [...]


Stan the Man: Wawrinka tops Federer to shake up Monte Carlo

17 Apr 2009 by Matthew Zemek in Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters

No champion tennis player ever wants to lose a match, but if a man of Roger Federer’s stature could ever accept defeat between the painted lines, he would want to bow out of a non-Grand Slam tournament against a close friend and countryman.
On Thursday, that very scenario unfolded at the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters, as [...]


French Frailty: Simon, Monfils crash out of Monte Carlo

16 Apr 2009 by Matthew Zemek in Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters

As the claycourt season begins on the ATP Tour, Rafael Nadal can be relied on to deliver the goods. Outside of the King of Clay, however, the world of men’s tennis faces numerous uncertainties on the red dirt of Europe, and the early rounds of the Monte Carlo Masters 1000 event showed why.
Two talented Frenchmen, [...]