An update on what’s been going on in the tennis world since the Australian Open finished.
Davis Cup
First Round – World Group
Eight World Group matches took place between 1-3 February.
- Canada d Spain 3-2
- Italy d Croatia 3-2
- Serbia d Belgium 3-2
- USA d Brazil 3-2
- France d Israel 5-0
- Argentina d Germany 5-0
- Kazakhstan d Austria 3-1
- Czech Republic d Switzerland 3-2
Interesting observations
- Only 2 matches were won by the visiting team. Serbia winning in Belgium and Czech Republic in Switzerland.
- 5 matches went all the way to the fifth rubber. The exceptions being both France defeating Israel and Argentina defeating Germany 5-0 and Kazakhstan defeating Austria 3-1.
- 2 seeded teams lost. Spain were defeated by Canada and Croatia were defeated by Italy.
Quarter-finals to be played 5-7 April
- Canada v Italy
- USA v Serbia
- Argentina v France
- Kazahkstan v Czech Republic
Davis Cup News
Davis Cup World Group First Round Preview
Longest Davis Cup match, second longest match ever after Isner v Mahut.
ATP World Tour
3 ATP 250 tournaments began on 4 February.
Open Sud de France in Montpellier, France
Prize money €410,200
Semi-finals
- Gasquet d Nieminen
- Paire d Llodra
Gasquet plays Paire in Sunday’s final.
PBZ Zagreb Indoors in Zagreb, Croatia
Prize money €410,200
Semi-finals
- Cilic d Youzhny
- Melzer d Haase
Cilic plays Melzer in the final on Sunday.
VTR Open in Vina del Mar, Chile
Prize money $410,200
Semi-finals
- Nadal d Chardy
- Zeballos d Berlocq
Nadal plays Zeballos in the final on Sunday.
It’s so great to see Rafa back on a tennis court again. Visit Nadal News for updates, pics and videos on Rafa in Vina del Mar.
WTA
2 events were played during the week beginning 28 January.
PTT Pattaya Open, Pattaya, Thailand
Prize money $235,000
Kirilenko defeated Lisicki 5-7, 6-1, 7-6
Open GDF Suez, Paris, France
Prize money $690,000
Barthel defeated Errani 7-5, 7-6
Fed Cup
First round of Fed Cup matches being played this weekend are:
- Czech Republic v Australia (currently 2-0 to Czech)
- Italy v USA (currently 1-1)
- Russia v Japan (currently 1-1)
- Serbia v Slovak Republic (currently 1-1)
Read more on the Fed Cup website.
Australian Open
Both Victoria Azarenka and Novak Djokovic came into the tournament reigning champions and seeded No. 1 and finished the same way.
A few AO follow up articles:
Tennis star Tomic booked for speeding
Tennis Australia is hoping to avoid fireworks fireworks
Australian Open 2013 – the final word
Other News
ATP Players Council Takes Aim at US Open Percentage of Revenue
Until next time
Grand Slam Gal