Djokovic, Federer in race to be first $100m man

NOVAK Djokovic and Roger Federer are poised to become the first $100 million men in tennis in 2016, in a gripping sub-plot to the new Grand Slam season.
No player in the history of the sport has broken through the $100 million on-court earnings barrier but world number one Djokovic and Federer, the number three, should reach the landmark next year.
Djokovic, 28, has just over $94 million in prize money while Federer, six years the Serb’s senior, has banked $97.3 million.

Nigeria’s Paul floors Uganda’s Mugabe, hits quarterfinal

Tennis- image source driverlayer

Nigeria’s Christian Paul yesterday at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan, floored Uganda’s Duncan Mugabe in the second round to book a place in the quarterfinal of the on-going 15th Lagos Governor’s Cup Tennis Championship.
The Nigerian, who is ranked number 2130 in the World, shocked Mugabe, who is on number 1186 in straight sets of 6-4, 6-4. Mugabe was runners-up in the men’ singles of the Governor’s Cup last year.
An elated Paul told journalists after the game that his victory over the Ugandan star had boosted his confidence going into today’s quarterfinal match against Llyod Harris of South Africa.

‘Lagos Governor’s Cup Tennis Is Nigeria’s Biggest Tourist Attraction’

Nina, one of the players in town for the competition

• USA, Germany, Pakistan Players In Town, As Tourney Begins
As the 15th Lagos Governor’s Cup Tennis Championship serves off today, President of Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF), Engr. Sani Ndanusa, has declared that the championship is the biggest tourism attraction in Nigeria.
Players from the United States, Germany, United Kingdom, Pakistan and South Africa are among those already in Lagos for the championship. The 15th Governor’s Cup will serve off today and run till December 19 at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan.

Andy Murray: Great Britain must take Davis Cup final chance

 

Great Britain must grab their chance when they take on Belgium in their first Davis Cup final for 37 years, says Andy Murray.

Britain will try to win the competition for the first time since 1936 when they face Belgium in Ghent from Friday.
The draw for the best-of-five format will take place at Flanders Expo at 13:00 GMT on Thursday.
"It means a lot to everyone to be in this position," the British number one told BBC Sport.
"Five years ago we were way, way behind in this competition - I think it was the lowest position we'd ever been in, so five years later to be playing and competing in the final is a great opportunity."

Novak Djokovic beats Roger Federer to win ATP World Tour title

Novak Djokovic capped a remarkable season with victory over Roger Federer to claim a record fourth straight ATP World Tour Finals title.

The world number one from Serbia broke serve three times to win 6-3 6-4 in 80 minutes at London's O2 Arena.
Djokovic also made amends for defeat by six-time champion Federer in the group stage on Tuesday.
"I am enjoying every moment on the court, I cherish every moment after dreaming of it as a kid," he said.
He ends the year with 11 titles including three Grand Slams, taking his total to 10 majors.
The 28-year-old has now won the season finale five times and surpasses Ivan Lendl's 1987 achievement, when he won his third straight Tour Finals title in New York.
Federer said: "It is never fun on the not winning side, but it is better than not playing at all like last year. This week was great, there were some crazy points tonight, but like plenty of times this year Novak deserved it."

Roger Federer beats Wawrinka to set up Novak Djokovic final

Roger Federer will take on Novak Djokovic for the title after beating fellow Swiss Stan Wawrinka at the ATP World Tour FinalThe six-time champion saw off his compatriot 7-5 6-3 at London's O2 Arena to reach the final for the 10th time.

Djokovic earlier beat Rafael Nadal 6-3 6-3 and remains on track for a fourth straight season-ending title.
Federer and Djokovic were due to play in last year's final but the Swiss pulled out with a back injury.
"Novak should be knocked out by now. No, I am joking," said Federer, who beat Djokovic in the group stage on Tuesday.
"He played a great match against Rafael Nadal earlier today and I'm sure it will be a fantastic meeting."

Novak Djokovic joins Roger Federer in ATP semi-finals

Novak Djokovic joined Roger Federer in the last four at the ATP World Tour Finals with victory over Tomas Berdych in London.

The world number one required just one set to qualify and won his final group match 6-3 7-5.
Federer had already won the group but earlier maintained his 100% record with a 7-5 4-6 6-4 win over Kei Nishikori.
Djokovic will face Rafael Nadal in Saturday's semi-final, before Federer takes on Andy Murray or Stan Wawrinka.
The British number one and the Swiss number two will play for the remaining semi-final place at 20:00 GMT on Friday.

Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal win opening ATP World Tour Finals matches

Andy Murray began his ATP World Tour Finals campaign with a convincing win over Spain's David Ferrer in London.

The Briton, 28, won 6-4 6-4 at the O2 Arena and will next play Rafael Nadal, who brushed aside Stan Wawrinka 6-3 6-2 in the day's second round-robin match.
Another victory on Wednesday would ensure Murray ends the year as world number two for the first time.
The Scot's season will continue next week as Great Britain take on Belgium in the Davis Cup final.
"It was a tough match with a lot of long rallies," said Murray. "He fought hard right to the end and made it extremely difficult.
"He didn't serve as well as he can and I played a bit better at the end of both sets, and that got me the win."

Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer win at 2015 World Tour Finals

Novak Djokovic began his bid for a record fourth straight end-of-season title with victory over Japan's Kei Nishikori at the ATP World Tour Finals.

The Serb won 6-1 6-1 in 65 minutes to seal his 15th consecutive win at the O2 Arena, a run stretching back to 2011.
Roger Federer beat Tomas Berdych 6-4 6-2 in 69 minutes, in the opening day's other round-robin match in London.
Britain's Jamie Murray won on his debut as he and doubles partner John Peers beat Simone Bolelli and Fabio Fognini.
All the players wore black ribbons on their shirts as a mark of respect to the victims of Friday's deadly attacks in Paris.
"All my heart goes out to the families of the lost ones, it's really devastating to see those images and that footage," said Djokovic.

Fed Cup: Czech Republic beat Russia to retain title

Defending champions the Czech Republic won a dramatic decisive doubles rubber against Russia to secure a fourth Fed Cup title in five years.

Resuming at 1-1, Maria Sharapova put Russia 2-1 up with a 3-6 6-4 6-2 win over Petra Kvitova.
Karolina Pliskova beat Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-3 6-4 to level things.
In the decider, Pliskova and Barbora Strycova beat Elena Vesnina and Pavlyuchenkova 4-6 6-3 6-2 to secure a 3-2 win for the Czechs.

Sterling Bank supports LLTC 2015 Quadrangular Games

Tennis- Image source leisureglen

As part of its continuous support for the country’s sports development, Sterling Bank Plc has teamed up with the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club (LLTC) in the organisation of the 21st Quadrangular Games, which the club will host from November 15 to 21.

While assuring of his bank’s commitment to Nigerian sports at the weekend, Sterling Bank’s Managing Director, Mr. Yemi Adeola, announced the commencement of the various activities lined up for the 2015 Quadrangular Games, which will feature four of the top sports clubs in Lagos, including Apapa Club, Ikoyi Club 1938, Lagos Country Club and Lagos Lawn Tennis Club.

Andy Murray beats Gasquet to reach Paris Masters semi-final

 

It has taken Murray six attempts to reach the last four of the Paris Masters

Britain's Andy Murray reached the Paris Masters semi-finals for the first time with a three-set victory over French 10th seed Richard Gasquet.

Second seed Murray came from a break down in the final set to win 7-6 (9-7) 3-6 6-3 in two hours and 38 minutes.
"It was a tough match," said the Scot, 28, who plays David Ferrer in his semi-final after the Spaniard beat American John Isner 6-3 6-7 (6-8) 6-2.
World number one Novak Djokovic saw off Tomas Berdych 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (10-8).
Murray faces a challenging end to the season, with the ATP Finals in London only nine days away, followed by Britain's first Davis Cup final since 1978, which gets under way in Belgium in three weeks' time.

Agnieszka Radwanska wins first WTA Finals title in Singapore

Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska beat former Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova in three sets to win her first WTA Finals title in Singapore.

The world number six came from a break down in the deciding set against her 25-year-old Czech opponent to win 6-2 4-6 6-3 in two hours and five minutes.
It was the 26-year-old's first final at the event in her seventh appearance.
World number five Kvitova had knocked out five-time Grand Slam winner Maria Sharapova in Saturday's semi-final.

Rogers Federer retains Basel title

Roger Federer.

ROGER Federer has retained his title at the ATP 500 Basel after defeating Rafael Nadal in an entertaining three-set final. The Swiss star had lost his five previous matches against Nadal and appeared in danger of another defeat when he dropped the second set, but took a decisive break in the third to seal a 6-3 5-7 6-3 win on home soil.

Nadal has shown new-found confidence throughout the week and quickly scrutinised the Federer serve, bringing up an early break point which was repelled by his long-time rival.
Federer was far more clinical with his next break point opportunity as a pinpoint forehand allowed him to move 4-2 up in the opener.

Swiss Indoors: Nadal and Federer to meet in final

Rafael Nadal will meet top seed Roger Federer in the final of the ATP Swiss Indoors event in Basel on Sunday.

Nadal, the third seed. came through a tight semi-final with France's Richard Gasquet 6-4 7-6 (9-7) in two hours and five minutes.
Federer is on course for his seventh title at his home event beating American Jack Sock 6-3 6-4 in an hour.
Earlier, Britain's Jamie Murray and Australian partner John Peers reached the men's Doubles final.
They progressed with victory over Britain's Dominic Inglot and Sweden's Robert Lindstedt 7-5 1-6 12-10.

WTA Finals: Petra Kvitova to face Agnieszka Radwanska in final

Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic will meet Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska in the final of the WTA Finals in Singapore on Sunday.

World number five Kvitova, 25, beat five-time Grand Slam winner Maria Sharapova 6-3 7-6 (7-3) in Saturday's second semi-final.
Earlier, Radwanska, 26, overcame Spain's world number three Garbine Muguruza 6-7 (5-7) 6-3 7-5.
It will be Radwanska's first final at the event in her seventh appearance.
The world number six made the decisive break in the 12th game of the third set to finally break the Spaniard's resistance.

Nick Kyrgios fined for Shanghai Masters foul-mouthed outburst

Nick Kyrgios has been fined for a foul-mouthed outburst at the Shanghai Masters, pushing the Australian closer to a potential four-week ban.

According to reports, Kyrgios was heard calling the tournament a "circus" and complaining about the ball kids during his win over Andreas Haider-Maurer.

The 20-year-old was fined $1,500 (£984) and could trigger a 28-day ban if he incurs $5,000 in fines before February.
It was his second code violation warning in a week.
The world number 32 will face a one-month ban if he receives another fine for verbal or physical misconduct, with the penalty stemming from the suspended ban he received for a sexual comment about Stan Wawrinka's girlfriend during a match in August.

Timibra wins NNPC/Chevron Tennis Masters

FOR 17 year-old Godsgift  Timibra , it was a befitting climax as the top seed, emerged champion of the 2015 NNPC/Chevron Junior Tennis Masters, which ended weekend at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club (LLTC), Onikan.

RETURN……Godsgift Timibra hits a backhand during the NNPC/Chevron Masters final match against John Dickson at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club on October 11. Timibra won 6-2, 2-6, 7-6.

After five days of action at the National Stadium, Lagos, it was the turn of the LLTC to host the most eagerly anticipated match of the 16th edition of the tournament, which is unarguably the longest-running and most prestigious junior event in the country and after over three and half hours tennis, punctuated by rain break, the heavens finally smiled on the top seed,Timibra as he defeated John Dickson from Kaduna State in three thrilling sets of 6-2, 2-6, 7-6.

Novak Djokovic thrashes Rafael Nadal in China Open final

World number one Novak Djokovic beat Rafael Nadal 6-2 6-2 to win his sixth ATP China Open  title.

Nadal, 29, in his sixth singles final of 2015, missed a chance to break Djokovic at 3-2 in the opening set to level the match in Beijing.
With a fightback not materialising and the Spaniard requiring treatment on his right foot at 1-1 in the second set, the 28-year-old Serb won comfortably.
Wimbledon runner-up Garbine Muguruza beat Timea Bacsinszky in the WTA final.
Djokovic, who won his eighth title of the year in 90 minutes, said Beijing had "definitely been the most successful tournament so far in my career".

Rafael Nadal beats Fabio Fognini to reach China Open final

Rafael Nadal reached the final of the China Open with a 7-5 6-3 win over Italy's Fabio Fognini.

Fognini had beaten Nadal three times this year, including in the US Open third round, but the Spaniard held his nerve to set up a meeting with either Novak Djokovic or David Ferrer.
The 14-time Grand Slam winner crucially broke Fognini as the Italian served to stay in the opening set at 5-6.