Solving the puzzle

 Leander Paes and Lukas  Dlouhy face a tough match in SF.

They scored quite an easy victory over the Israelis. Didn’t expect that one. Lee is in good form and he is fast at the nets, as he always has been.

Nestor and Zimonjic will next No. 9 seeds CzechLukas Dlouhy and Leander Paesof India, after the recent Halle finalists defeated Israeli third seeds and 2006 semifinalists Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 in one hour and 46 minutes.

Dlouhy and Paes won 83 per cent of points on first serve, won 45 of 70 net approaches – as opposed to 25 from 66 for Erlich and Ram – and converted four of six break point opportunities. The pair improved to 9-2 on the season.

Erlich and Ram, who captured the Australian Open (d. Clement-Llodra) and ATP Masters Series Indian Wells (d. Nestor-Zimonjic) this year, drop to 24-12 on the season.

The 35-year-old Paes, who turned professional in 1991, will be looking to win his second Wimbledon doubles trophy this week. In 1999, he partnered compatriot Mahesh Bhupathi to the title (d. Haarhuis-Palmer). He has won four Grand Slams. Dlouhy finished runner-up at 2007 Roland Garros, with compatriot Pavel Vizner. He had previously reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals in 2006 and 2007 (w/ Vizner).

	Lukas Dlouhy CZE (9)/   Leander Paes IND (9)					6		6		6
	Jonathan Erlich ISR (3)/   Andy Ram ISR (3)					3		3		3

Match Statistics

WATCH MATCH

Rafa nadal seems to be ok for a tough match today against Andy murray. His knee should hold up. Murray is highly motivated, and all of a sudden he is an Englishman once gain.

This was taken during his practise yesterday. His blogs says he is doing just fine. Lets hope he reaches final.

Leander paes and Lukas dlouhy came through a tough 3rd round match to march into the Qtrs where they will face the israelis Elrich and Ram.

The partnership has been doing great since Lee parted ways with Paul hanley and Lukas parting ways with pavel vizner.

	Travis Parrott USA /   Filip Polasek SVK					62		66		4
	Lukas Dlouhy CZE (9)/   Leander Paes IND (9)					77		78		6

Match Statistics

Also making the Qtrs is Sania mirza and Mattek , they’ll take on the William sisters.

Bethanie Mattek (USA)[13]/
Sania Mirza (IND)[13]
defeated

Akgul Amanmuradova (UZB)/
Darya Kustova (BLR)

4-6 6-4 2-0 Ret.

 Nadal made It through as well after an injury scare. News is yet to come of how his knees holds up today. Its Just 3:30 Am in UK. He said he had a crack behind his knees!!!! Crack?  Well he is still improving his English and ofcourse his tennis on Grass and hard courts.

So im keeping my fingers crossed, and hope he is all right. he has touch Qtr Final againt Scotsman Andy Murray Who came through a thriller against French Gasquet.

Nadal will take Wimby this year and will win some bet.

Event : USA F15
Location: Rochester, New York, USA
Type: $10K
Surface: clay (outdoor) Har-Tru

Singles

1st Round

Somdev DEV VARMAN (IND) (8) defeated Adolfo GOMEZ-PINTER (ESP) 6-0 6-0

2nd Round

Somdev DEV VARMAN (IND) (8) defeated Justin KRONAUGE (USA) 6-0 6-0

Quarterfinal

Somdev DEV VARMAN (IND) (8) defeated Artem SITAK (RUS) (1) 6-2 6-2

Semifinal

Somdev DEV VARMAN (IND) (8) defeated Bryan KONIECKO (USA) 7-5 6-3
 

Final

Somdev DEV VARMAN (IND) (8) defeated Alexander DOMIJAN (USA) 6-2 6-2

Doubles

First round

 DEV VARMAN (IND) / HUEY (USA) defeated FUGATE (USA) / HEALEY (AUS) (1) 6-4 6-2

Quarterfinal

DEV VARMAN (IND) / HUEY (USA) defeated OUELLETTE (USA) / WILLIAMS (USA) 6-1 6-4

Semifinal

DEV VARMAN, Somdev/HUEY, Treat d. AUBONE, Jean-Yves/BOWLES, Clint  6-1,6-1

Final

DEV VARMAN (IND) / HUEY (USA) defeated KONIECKO (USA) / KRONAUGE (USA) (4) 6-1 4-6 [12-10]

More of this Story can be found here

Roland garros Record still intact. Took out the high flying Roger four times. Three in the last three finals.

Rafael Nadal with the Roland Garros 2006 trophy

Rafa with Guga and fed and his winning trophy. Fed in unfamiliar territory for the 2nd year running.

Rafa this time made light work of the swissman in staright sets only giving away a meagre 4 games and handed over a bagel in the final set.

Something very interresting from ATP tennis website. Its already the legendary rivalry between these two greatest.

Rivalry on ATP

Note : All Images copyrighted by their respective owners. The Image not used for commercial purpose.

Leander paes is pairing for the first time, with Aussie Paul Hanley for the 2008 season.

They debuted as a pair at the Adelaide ATP, and it was a tough start to the season losing to Alternates Benjamin Becker and Oliver Marach , in the first round of the Next Generation Adelaide International on Wednesday.

Having replaced Mario Ancic and Radek Stepanek hours before the match, Becker and Marach managed to hold their nerve to win 7-6(0), 7-5 in one hour and 41 minutes. The pair saved eight of nine break points they faced.

This pair looks good on paper with both, hanley parting ways with kevin ullyet, and paes with Martin Damm.

Peas along with martin made a formidable pair last two sasons, winning US open in 2006 and winning a masters series in 2007.

Paul hanley had a very good two seasons with Kevin ullyett, winning quite a lot in 2006.

Not many aussie tennis fans are too keen about this partnership, they don’t seem to like paes, as per few comments I read on menstennisforums.com

Mahesh will be pairing with the long time doubles partner of Daniel Nestor, Mark Knowles!!

Mahesh had a quite season last year. I definitely miss him at the season ending masters. A player of his caliber should be there.

This partnership however looks good to make it to top 5 and eventually play at the masters.

I’m quite sad, that neither of the two have played at the Chennai open last two years. It’s a huge disappointment to millions of tennis fans in India.

Im really exited of them pairing for one last time for the glory of the country. A gold there, will close the chapters of one of the most productive, unfortunately disturbed tennis pairing the world has ever witnessed in the modern game. Things that could have been, if they stuck together.

Here’s Wishing Lee and Hesh a very happy and prosperous new year ahead.

Indian Express will roll one last time at the Beijing Olympics. Good Luck guys.