Paris Masters "Jinx" Lives On

None of the Big 4 in men's tennis has ever won the Paris Masters, and the trend continues at this year's tournament. While world no. 3 Novak Djokovic lost in the round of 16 against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and world no. 4 Andy Murray all bowed out in the quarterfinals.

Murray was beaten by defending champion David Nalbandian, while Federer withdrew due to a stiff back ahead of his quarterfinal match-up against James Blake. Down one set, Nadal retired from his match against former champion Nikolay Davydenko. Rafa was a finalist here last year.

When the rankings are updated on Monday, Nov. 3, Nadal will have 6,675 points compared to Federer's 5,205:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=p7B6JwEslHXq3EGdmd205aw

Federer Wins Third Straight Swiss Davidoff Indoors Title

Basel native Roger Federer successfully defended his title at the Swiss Davidoff Indoors on Sunday, beating David Nalbandian in the final. When Roger won his first trophy at Basel in 2006, he started a "tradition" of throwing a pizza party for the ball boys and girls. He was a former ball boy here.

Here are Federer's results at his hometown tournament since he turned pro:

2008 - W (d. Nalbandian)
2007 - W (d. Nieminen)
2006 - W (d. Gonzalez)
2005 - DNP (foot injury)
2004 - DNP (thigh strain)
2003 - R16 (l. to Ljubicic)
2002 - SF (l. to Nalbandian)
2001 - F (l. to Henman)
2000 - F (l. to Enqvist)
1999 - QF (l. to Henman)
1998 - R32 (l. to Agassi)

With Roger's victory, he maintains his ranking points at 5,805, compared to 7,100 for Rafael Nadal, who did not play this week.

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=p7B6JwEslHXoHPWC-D5hhEg

Nadal Clinches Year-end Number One Ranking

It's official - Rafael Nadal will finish the year as the world's number one player. Both Nadal and Roger Federer lost in the semifinals in Madrid. Rafa lost to Gilles Simon, while Roger was beaten by Andy Murray.

Here is a list of year-end number one ranked players in the last fifteen years:
Rafael Nadal (ESP) - 2008
Roger Federer (SUI) - 2004 to 2007
Andy Roddick (USA) - 2003
Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) - 2001 to 2002
Gustavo Kuerten (BRA) - 2000
Andre Agassi (USA) - 1999
Pete Sampras (USA) - 1993 to 1998 (record)

When the ranking points are updated on Monday, October 20th, Nadal will have 7,100 ranking points compared to Federer's 5,805:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=p7B6JwEslHXo8r5QK3JdmQA

Rafa-Roger Rivalry Reloaded

After a record 237 consecutive weeks at No. 1, Roger Federer relinquished the top spot to Rafael Nadal on August 18, 2008. With a little over a month left in the season, Federer's streak of four consecutive year-end No. 1's is about to end as well. In Madrid, Nadal is two wins away from reaching the final and clinching the ATP year-end No. 1 ranking in the process.

Before the Madrid Masters, Rafa leads Roger by 1,070 ranking points: http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=p7B6JwEslHXonHQ96gFjbcQ

Even if Federer wins all of his remaining tournaments this year and Nadal loses in the finals at Madrid, loses his first match in Paris Masters, and doesn't win a match in Shanghai (Masters Cup), Nadal would still end up with a 75-point lead: http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=p7B6JwEslHXreysuXVWNDDg

Can Roger reclaim the top spot in 2009? Or can Rafa hold on to being world No. 1 until the end of next year? Suffice it to say that whoever dominates the Slams will be No. 1. The most exciting scenario is for the rivals to switch places several times next year.

What about the other two players in the so-called "Big 4"? Can either Novak Djokovic or Andy Murray step up in 2009 and be No. 2 or even No. 1? Now that will add even more fun to the Rafa-Roger rivalry many tennis fans have come to admire.

Welcome

Welcome to Tennis Fun!