Federer d. Baghdatis, Murray d. Nadal Federer d. Murray 6-4, 7-6, 2-6, 7-5 Zvonareva d. Wozniacki, Venus d. Serena Venus d. Zvonareva 6-1, 4-6, 7-5   -Josh

DMan,  One of your suspicions about the USTA has already come to pass. This was written in the December 22 USTA.com Newsletter: ''Tickets for this event will go on sale in mid-January and will be sold as a three-day series.''  I've already booked my flight because I have a cousin who goes to University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa (an ...

This comes very, very late, but here goes.   I saw this diminutive Italian go from a qualifier to one set away from the 4th round at the US Open. He's my height, so I like him. He drove Stanislas Wawrinka nuts with sharp-angled slices followed by deep moonballs. I'm going with No. 126 Flavio Cipolla.   And along those same US Open ...

Barbara and everyone,   Sorry to have disappeared. I went back home to Miami for three weeks and let my cares and worries slip away into the Ocean. But they have since returned. If it's not too late, I'll throw in my two players later today. If I recall, my Nishikori pick came very late in the entry process last year so I'm not discouraged ...

The thrill of it all was I got to see Kei live along the way -- saving 4 match points against Querrey in the Delray semis, upsetting Blake in the Delray final, outlasting Ferrer to reach the Round of 16 at the Open. Fun, fun, fun. Had he not struggled with injuries throughout the season, he would be ranked even higher. Should be a great 2009 for ...

RP,   Not looking good for me. I'd have wake up by 8 AM to get to New Haven train station by 9:29 AM to get to Grand Central Terminal by 11:13 AM and then the tennis courts by 12 PM. Getting home after 2 AM tonight. My apologies but have a good time and hopefully one of these days it will work out.   -Josh

If someone pulls out and you need an alternate, let me know. I'm going to NYC Friday for a concert at 8 pm. Work until 2 am the night before so it would be tough for me to be down there by Noon, but if given the green light I can make things happen. If not, have fun!   -Josh

She'll always get criticized for the Serena incident in Paris and the retirement against Mauresmo in Melbourne. But she was one of a kind on the women's tour. Her heart and determination are unparalleled. As much as some will remember the bad times, I'll remember her never-yielding will power to defeat Jennifer Capriati at the 2003 US Open. I'll ...

What is it about this year's clay-court season that is making the men of the ATP Tour look like such pansies? These guys are playing at some of the biggest tournaments of the year, for major money, ranking points and bragging rights. And they are quitting midway through quarters, semis and finals! I can't remember a retirement rash this bad since ...

Nadal keeps criticizing the calendar but he did not have to play Barcelona. It's widely known that a VAST majority of Nadal's ranking points come from his performances on clay. He's won just 1 of his last 30 tournaments on other surfaces! He did not have to play Barcelona but did so to defend his title. I understand he hasn't had to ...