Originally posted on Any Given Surface:
This is late. Blame Easter. It seems a long time since Maria Sharapova flirted with the idea of smashing her racket and instead settled for a frustrated tap. Of course, it was barely a week ago, but most Sharapova fans have long moved on, putting yet another crushing loss…

Originally posted on Bring Your Racquet:
This takes some practice, and you want to start gently, because sliding the wrong way can easily turn an ankle. One important tip is to keep your front foot pointed somewhat into the direction of your slide. It’s the one that’s likely to catch in the clay and suffer…

Originally posted on mariposaxprs:
Fue Buena listed their “2011: Photos of the Year.”  Most of the year’s memorable moments feature, including Rafa’s DC victory, Fed’s finger wag at Roland Garros and Djokovic’s victory at Wimbledon. I was scrolling through their page, when this photograph caught my eye: Photo: Nicola Costantino The photo is a recreation of…

Originally posted on mariposaxprs:
del Potro d. Cilic, 6-1 6-2 6-1 Argentina are through to the SF, after taking the tie 4-1. **Update: DelPo also confirmed he will make himself available for the SF tie against the Czech Republic in September. Photo: Reuters A smiling El Rey is a hug machine this weekend. Photo: Davis Cup…

Originally posted on mariposaxprs:
Nalbandian-Schwank d. Cilic-Karlovic,  3-6, 7-6, 6-3, 6-7 8-6 Photo: Getty Given the drama from the first day of the tie, I had been hoping for a slightly less topsy-turvy doubles rubber, in which Argentina emerged the victor. It wasn’t easy, but Schwalbandian won the crucial doubles rubber.  After a 5 hours match,…

Originally posted on mariposaxprs:
Cilic d. Nalbandian, 5-7 6-4 4-6 7-6(2) 6-3 Altogether, it was a mixed bag for Team Argentina on Friday.  El Rey played the opening rubber against Cilic, in a match that lasted over 5 hours.  It was not a pretty match, by any means (with a combined 241 UFEs), and both…

Originally posted on mariposaxprs:
Del Potro d. Cilic, 6-3 7-6 Photo: Getty He has such a strangely elegant service motion.  It’s all in the left hand. Photo: AP Photo Both Cilic and DelPo got sassy with the umpire during the match.  Cilic, because DelPo took eons to challenge on a serve (the crowd was boo-ing…

Originally posted on Tennis & Tourism:
Miami (United States) –  After defeating American Ryan Harrison 6-2, 7-6(3) on Saturday, Roger Federer was given the opportunity to talk about the new tennis generation. The Swiss Maestro made a few comparison between the upcoming tennis stars. Q. You talked before about how you liked having the opportunity to play players from…