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French Players Dominate for Aggie Tennis

HOLGAMA TENNIS ACADEMY — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 19:50:00 GMT

LAS CRUCES - The New Mexico State men’s and women’s teams are predominantly made up of international players. Laura Bouget, Jim Brouleau, Gustave Diep, Stephanie Eusebe and Arthur Surreaux all call France their home. "Our team is primarily international out of necessity,” head coach Don Ball said.

The international players are heard of through word of mouth and by former players. Marc Legris is a former player at NM State and he now works in Europe to place players in America. Legris is the only men’s player in school history to earn three first team all-conference selections. Ball stays in constant communication with Legris and other people in Europe.

“Marc gave me information about the university and presented me to Don,” Brouleau said. Brouleau is a sophomore from Poltiers, France. He made the 2008 Academic All-WAC Freshman Team. This season he got his second WAC Player of the Week award, Jan. 26- Feb. 1. He is majoring in international business. “I liked that there was a French guy (Diep) already on the team and I heard great things about NMSU,” Brouleau said. The team spends a lot of time together and they build good relationships with one another.

“Our coaching staff is in tune with their needs like school and housing,” Ball said. “The team is like a family,” Bouget said. She is from Annecy Le Vieux, France and is a junior at NM State. Students in France are unable to study and play sports at the collegiate level. Tennis is one of the most popular sports in Europe, especially for women. “I wanted to be able to travel, practice and study,” Eusebe said. Eusebe is a senior from Champs sur Marne, France. She was named to the All-WAC second team in singles play in the 2008 spring dual match season. Eusebe is majoring in individualized studies.

“Individualized studies allows you to study a little bit of everything,” Eusebe said. A degree in individualized studies makes it easier to transfer credits from international schools. “I really like the English classes,” Boguet said. “I didn’t know the language well when I moved here so it helped me a lot.” “The university has a really good English program and the classes count towards their degree,” Ball said. “The players were shocked by how friendly the teachers are,” Ball said. Several Aggie tennis players have made the Academic All-WAC teams. In 2008, Eusebe, Diep and Brouleau got the honor. Past French players, Anne Fagegaltier, Isabelle Mignot, Violaine Rollet and Brice Magnanou made the Academic All-WAC team.

The Aggies travel a lot during their season and have to complete a lot of homework on the road. “We travel more than most schools and they get to see a lot of the U.S.,” Ball said. The New Mexico weather is a huge advantage to these French players. “I like the weather and surroundings in Las Cruces,” Diep said. “The school is good too, I really like it here.” Diep is a junior and is studying biochemistry/pre-medicine with a 4.0 G.P.A. He is just the fifth Aggie ever to earn all-conference accolades in back-to-back seasons. Diep was named the 2007 ITA Mountain Region Rookie of the Year. “Some of the best players we’ve had are from Europe,” Ball said. “Jim and Gustave are both exceptional and Arthur will be at that level shortly.

“Our girls are really solid tennis players,” Ball added. The women’s team has been struggling with injuries this year. Boguet is 2-2 in singles and 4-1 in doubles this spring; meanwhile, Eusebe is 5-3 in singles and 5-3 in doubles. Brouleau has been playing the one position in singles and has a record of 9-3. He is 6-4 in doubles. Diep has an outstanding record of 9-3 in singles and 5-4 in doubles. Surreaux is 11-1 in singles and has won his last seven matches. The French players look to continue their success and lead the Aggies through the remainder of the season.

Dudi Delivers, Sela Leads Israel in Davis Cup Win; France Upset

HOLGAMA TENNIS ACADEMY — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 19:47:00 GMT

This will probably be the first and last time I lead off a post with Dudi Sela. That’s right, the Dudi Sela, the same guy who helped his Israel team pull off the upset of the weekend beating home team Sweden in Davis Cup first round play. Was there a better story or bigger performance by anyone else? I don’t think so.

The diminutive Sela and compatriot Harel Levy went the distance in all four singles rubbers, going five sets in each to finally turn away the floundering Swedes.

Sela won both his matches defeating the long-lost Andreas Vinciguerra 11-9 in the fifth Friday, then former Australian Open champ Thomas Johansson in five Sunday to set up Levy’s heroic 8-6 clincher in the final rubber. Great effort by both guys.

Of course the tie was played in front of as many fans as I play for – none - that due to Sweden’s inability to guarantee the safety of the Israeli team amid the backdrop of protests and violence in Malmo.

A pretty incredible outcome for Israel given the political climate. And yet further evidence of the decline of the once great tennis power Sweden. Israel now gets thrown to the wolves as they host Russia in July.

As for the other ties, everything went fairly according to form except France! I had France beating the Czechs and then winning the entire Davis Cup (woops!), but credit to Tomas Berdych and Stepanek who clutched-up when needed to secure the win. Despite their depth, France I felt made the right moves putting Gilles Simon and Jo Tsonga out there in singles, but I counted on the French to win the doubles which didn’t happen.

No surprise for the U.S. as Andy Roddick held firm leading his team into the quarterfinals against Croatia. Argentina crushed the Netherlands, they now get the Czechs.

In the marquee matchup of the weekend, Spain had its way with Serbia as Ferrer and Nadal won three singles matches without dropping a single set to Novak Djokovic and Janko. In fact, Nadal lost just a total of 12 games in six sets – can we give him the French trophy now? As I said going in, no shame in losing to Rafa on clay but I would have expected a bigger fight from Novak Friday against Ferrer, a guy he beat to win Dubai a week earlier. Spain next hosts Germany, a winner over Austria.

Of note in the oft-entertaining, oft-crazy lower group ties, the Brothers Lapentti took care of business in Toronto, stunning Canada 3-2. Down 2-1 and 2-1 in sets Sunday, Nicolas Lapentti charged back to overcome Frank Dancevic to force a fifth rubber, which younger brother Giovanni promptly cashed in for Ecuador.

In Asia, after Lleyton Hewitt fell in five sets to Dania Udomchoke, Chris Guccione saved the day for Australia by winning the decisive fifth rubber over Thailand.

And that brings me to Britain. How much money do they pump into that system? How many different coaches, tournaments, etc, do they have set up? From where I sit it seems like a lot compared to other countries, but unfortunately without Andy Murray their tennis program is in absolute shambles. With Murray sidelined with a virus, the Brits were hammered at home by the Ukraine losing all four live rubbers. That’s an outright failure.

And with that as a backdrop, Murray is now on a flight to the California to get away from it all. How perfect.

Of course the Indian Wells tournament starts tennis’ own version of March Madness later this week. I believe first round play for the men is Thursday with the seeds taking the court on Saturday. So ample rest for the Davis Cup guys. Let’s hope everyone’s is well.

Spain qualifies for quarter-finals of tennis' Davis Cup

HOLGAMA TENNIS ACADEMY — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 19:43:00 GMT

MADRID, March. 8 (Xinhua) -- Spain qualified for the last eight of the men's international tennis knockout tournament, the Davis Cup, on Sunday. The reigning champion began the campaign to defend their title, by beating Serbiaby 3-1 in Benidorm.

Spain's title defence had got off to a slow start after high winds had caused damage to the temporary stands and court erected in Benidorm, causing Friday's two singles matches to be postponed until Saturday.

When they were finally played, the Spanish romped to a 2-0 lead after David Ferrer beat Serbia's best player Novak Djokovic 6-3, 6-3, 7-6 and World number one Rafael Nadal raced past Janko Tipsarevic 6-1, 6-0. 6-2. A win in the doubles gave the Serbs a glimmer of hope for Sunday's remaining singles matches, but Nadal ended their hopes with a straight sets win over Djokovic 6-4, 6-4, 6-1.

Spain will now play Germany in the last eight.

Tim Henman, Andre Agassi, Kim Clijsters and Steffi Graf to mark Wimbledon roof opening

HOLGAMA TENNIS ACADEMY — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 18:15:00 GMT

Tim Henman and Kim Clijsters will face Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi in an exhibition event to celebrate the completion of Wimbledon's Centre Court roof.

The match, which will take place on May 17, will feature a men's singles, a ladies' singles and a mixed doubles match.

Ian Ritchie, the chief Executive of the All England Club, said: "We set out to make Wimbledon the world's premier tennis event.

"The new retractable Centre Court roof, and air management system, is another important part of The Championships' progression and will guarantee the play that today's audiences expect.

"With players of the calibre of Agassi, Graf, Clijsters and Henman this test event promises to be hugely entertaining."

Graf, the seven-time Wimbledon champion, added: "There is no tennis venue more special to me than Centre Court at Wimbledon. It just doesn't get any better.

"I couldn't be more honoured to play there again with my husband Andre, and tennis greats Kim and Tim. It will mean so much to return to Wimbledon and see so many familiar places, relive so many wonderful memories."

Henman said: "Wimbledon's Centre Court was always a special place for me and it's just great to have the chance to play there again with the likes of Andre, Steffi and Kim.

"I think it will be a really fun day for everyone and the new roof is going to make it a fascinating experience."

Clijsters added: "I am very honoured. I faced Steffi Graf 10 years ago, it was my first and only match against her. And what a match: I was so nervous to play with my idol but the game was delayed two days because of the rain. This kind of mishap will not happen to us any more."

Clijsters has been training regularly with her former sparring partner Wim Fissette and physical coach Sam Verslegers to prepare for the Wimbledon event.

Troublesome ankle and loss of first set fail to overcome Murray

HOLGAMA TENNIS ACADEMY — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 18:07:00 GMT

Andy Murray survived a scare by coming from a set and a break down against the unseeded Sergiy Stakhovsky to progress to the second round of the Dubai Tennis Championships.

Four-and-a-half years after he beat the Ukrainian to win the US Open boys' title, the second seed looked like he might be heading for an early exit, yet Stakhovsky, who needed lengthy treatment for an injury to his ankle in the first set, retired a game from defeat, as Murray led 6-7 (3-7), 6-3, 5-3.

Murray himself had appeared to be struggling with an ankle injury of his own late in the contest, but he was still able to grind out the win in two hours and two minutes. He was quick to gain the ascendancy, bringing up three break points in the third game and taking the second of them when his opponent put a backhand into the net.

The Scot had two more break points in game five for a 4-1 lead as he looked like racing away with the set, but Stakhovsky saved both and then broke back to level at 3-3, but the Ukrainian was not on level terms for long as the British No1 broke straight back, but he was made to pay for his carelessness as he again dropped his serve.

Stakhovsky, on break point, worked his opponent from one side of the court to the other before cracking a forehand winner to make it 4-4. There was a lengthy delay in the ninth game as Stakhovsky had to have his ankle iced and heavily strapped after appearing to turn it.

He returned to the court 40-15 up, winning the next point to end a run of three successive breaks of serve and go 5-4 ahead, and proved just as strong in the tie-break to take it 7-3. Worse was to come for a clearly frustrated Murray as he dropped his serve in the opening game of the second set, but he kept his emotions under control to earn an instant break back.

Three more games followed in a row for Murray as he moved up a gear to establish a 4-1 lead on the way to taking the set. Murray, however, was hobbling when he went back to his chair, his ankle causing him pain.

Yet the knock did not stop him from breaking in the opening game of the deciding set, Stakhovsky gifting him the game by pulling a forehand wide, a game which proved decisive as the Ukrainian threw in the towel at 5-3 down. Murray will now face either Rainer Schuettler or Arnaud Clement, who play tomorrow afternoon, in the second round.

Victoria Azarenka dominates Caroline Wozniacki for Memphis title

HOLGAMA TENNIS ACADEMY — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 17:53:00 GMT

Second seed Victoria Azarenka of Belarus eased to her second title of the year with a 6-1 6-3 win over top seed Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark in the final of the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships & the Cellular South Cup.

The 19-year-old Azarenka won her first WTA Tour singles title earlier this year by winning the Brisbane International.

The world No.14 Belorussian is now 13-1 this season. That only loss this year was against Serena Williams at the Australian Open, when Azarenka disappointingly had to retire from the fourth-round match due to dizziness and illness.

Interestingly, after the singles final, Azarenka and Wozniacki teamed up in the doubles final and defeated Yuliana Fedak and Michaela Krajicek.

Victoria Azarenka is projected to reach a career-best ranking of No.11. (photo via RMK Championships)

Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez wins Bogota for maiden WTA title

HOLGAMA TENNIS ACADEMY — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 17:52:00 GMT

Seventh-seeded Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez defeated third-seeded Gisela Dulko in the Copa Sony Ericsson Colsanitas final to capture her first WTA singles title.

Spain’s world No.66 Martinez Sanchez won the first career meeting with the Argentinean, ranked 46th in the world, 6-2 6-3. Dulko’s wayward serve cost her a fourth career singles title. She committed 13 double-faults and was broken four times.

The Bogota title match was Martinez Sanchez’ second finals appearance. Last year she was a runner-up in Barcelona, falling to Maria Kirilenko 6-0 6-2. (photo via Yahoo)

Kim Clijsters, Steffi Graf to test the new Wimbledon roof

HOLGAMA TENNIS ACADEMY — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 17:50:00 GMT

Kim Clijsters and Steffi Graf, together with Andre Agassi and Tim Henman, are to participate in A Centre Court Celebration to test the new retractable roof at Wimbledon.

The crowd of 15,000 will have an opportunity to watch the men’s singles, ladies singles and mixed doubles exhibition matches on May 17. Tickets will cost £35.00 and will go on general sale March 12.

The construction of the multi-million pound roof, aimed at preventing annoying rain delays, began in 2006. The roof is translucent, so as to allow natural light in, and takes 10 minutes to shut.

As part of the redevelopment, the capacity of Centre Court was expanded from 13,800. (source: BBC, photo: ucayman)

Closed-door Davis Cup decision defies logic

HOLGAMA TENNIS ACADEMY — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 17:32:00 GMT

Posted by Tom Perrotta, TENNIS.com

It's been a political, and difficult, week in the world of tennis. First, the United Arab Emirates denied a visa to Shahar Peer, an Israeli who had hoped to play in Dubai this week. Then the UAE, which has no diplomatic relations with Israel, seemed on the verge of denying a visa to doubles player Andy Ram (also from Israel), until an outcry forced the government to change course. The Dubai tournament still faces sanctions and might lose its tournaments altogether without adequate assurances that there won't be a repeat of this fiasco next year.

Peer and Ram have attracted the most attention this week, but still another injustice has befallen Israeli tennis, this time in Sweden. The Israeli team, which has qualified for its second World Group tie in 15 years, will travel to Malmo, Sweden, next month. Only a few journalists, and fellow players, will watch now that the local government in Malmo, Sweden's third-largest city, has decided that security concerns are too great to allow fans into the arena.

Malmo has a substantial immigrant population, including many Muslims, and its citizens plan to protest against Israel during the match (you can learn more here, even if your only language is English -- you'll get the idea). While I question the effectiveness of picketing an Israeli tennis team to bring attention to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the folks in Malmo can do as they please. But are they so dangerous that not one of them can be allowed into the stadium? How is it that local authorities can ensure the safe arrival and departure of the Israeli players, yet not ensure that dangerous fans, or fans carrying weapons of some kind, don't enter the building?

Perhaps I'm naïve about Sweden or the Malmo locals, but I can't imagine that a significant percentage of protesters would have any interest in harming the players. It shouldn't be difficult to secure the court and the players from those few protesters who might be dangerous. The Malmo arena holds a mere 4,000 fans. We're not talking about a World Cup soccer match or the Super Bowl. If I'm one of the Israeli players, I'm wondering if I should attend this tie at all. How is that I'll be safe in Malmo, but the government can't guarantee my safety in a 4,000-seat arena? It defies all logic.

The International Tennis Federation has "reluctantly," to quote the organization's statement, gone along with the determination of the local government, calling it "very unfortunate" and saying the decision is "not in the long-term interests of Davis Cup." The ITF is correct, this decision goes against everything Davis Cup stands for. It's supposed to be an open competition between nations, an event that promotes healthy nationalism, rather than gives into fear, bigotry or anti-nationalism. Only one time in the past has a Davis Cup tie been played behind closed doors, and that also happened in Sweden (when the Swedes took on Chile in Bastad in 1975). If Malmo officials don't believe they can police this event, then fine, that's their decision. But the ITF doesn't have to go along with it. It would have done better to postpone the tie, demand that it be played in another city, or cancel it altogether and force Sweden to forfeit the match. For Davis Cup, one closed-door match is enough.