Rafael Nadal says he will play in the Shanghai Masters this week, despite having appendicitis. After feeling pain in his abdomen late Saturday night, Nadal went to the doctor where they confirmed that he had the early stages of appendicitis. Instead of having the surgery right away, the second-ranked Spaniard will take antibiotics to treat it while he…
Legendary tennis instructor Vic Braden passed away Monday from a heart attack at the age of 85. Braden was famous for his “Laugh and Win” style of teaching which brought a number of people to pick up the game of tennis. “His great big heart just finally gave out,” said his wife, Melody Braden. Braden…
Andy Murray was the lone seeded player not to lose at the Shanghai Masters on Tuesday as the Scot defeated Russian qualifier Teymuraz Gabashvili 6-1, 7-5. After cruising through the opening frame, Murray met a little resistance from Gabashvili who held a 5-3 advantage and was one game away from forcing a deciding third-set. Murray…
James McGee is finding his way in the world of professional tennis. With recent success on the Challenger Circuit, which acts as a second tier for those trying to either break onto the big stage or cling to a career, he has risen to a career high in the rankings, breaking into the top-200 in…
Maria Sharapova won yet another three-set battle on Sunday, defeating the Czech Republic’s Petra Kvitova 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 to capture the China Open title. The Russian reached the final without dropping a set, and seemed to be on the way to another straight-setter as she took the opening set 6-4. Kvitova responded very nicely though, ripping…
Kei Nishikori continued his excellent play on the Asian swing as he defeated fourth-seeded Milos Raonic 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-4 to win the Japan Open on Sunday. The victory comes on the heels of his title at the Malaysian Open the week prior, and is his fourth title on the tour this season. In a rematch…
Novak Djokovic simply does not lose in Beijing. The top-ranked Serb won his fifth China Open title on Sunday, rolling past Tomas Berdych 6-0, 6-2 to capture the championship and improve to 24-0 in his career at the tournament. He did not drop a set all week on his way to the crown which culminated with an…
Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray will meet for the 23rd time when the two battle it out in the China Open semifinals on Saturday. Both players notched victories in their respective quarterfinal matches Friday to add one more chapter to the already stories rivalry between the Scot and the Serb. Top-seeded and top-ranked Djokovic had…
A knee injury forced Serena Williams out of the China Open on Friday, just before she was set to take on Australia’s Samantha Stosur. The withdrawal sends Stosur into the semifinals as Serena has withdrawn for the second straight tournament after leaving Wuhan with a viral illness. “It’s really frustrating, especially having to retire from…
Entering Thursday, there were four spots still available in the WTA Finals in Singapore. Those spots have since been filled, as Eugenie Bouchard, Agnieszka Radwanska, Caroline Wozniacki and Ana Ivanovic all qualified for the WTA’s crown jewel event because of Angelque Kerber and Ekaterina Makarova’s early exits at the China Open. Kerber and Makarova needed…