Теннис

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Coria Clinches Final

Defending champion Guillermo Coria broke serve five times en route to his 6-2, 7-5 victory over two-time champion ('02-'03) Juan Carlos Ferrero to reach the final match of the Masters Series Monte Carlo on Saturday. On Sunday's final, he will face the winner of the teenage semifinal battle between Gasquet vs. and Nadal.

On Friday, 18-year-old French qualifier Richard Gasquet ended World No. 1 Roger Federer's 25-match winning streak and bid for three straight Masters Series titles in a rousing quarterfinal. Gasquet saved three match points and withstood a third-set comeback from Federer, who rallied from 2-5 down, to win 6-7(1), 6-2, 7-6(. Gasquet is playing in his first ATP-level event this year and now plays teen sensation Rafael Nadal, who needed just over an hour to defeat Roland Garros champion Gaston Gaudio 6-3, 6-0. Gasquet vs Nadal H-T-H

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Final Four Standing

Teen sensation Tatiana Golovin scored another upset win at the Family Circle Cup, this time over No.7 seed Nadia Petrova. The 17-year-old rising star is through to her first Tier I semifinal and must face former world No.1 Justine Henin-Hardenne who advanced after current world No.1 Lindsay Davenport retired in the third set of a much-anticipated quarterfinal match-up.

Also through to the semis are No.2 seed Elena Dementieva, who endured a tough three-setter against Katarina Srebotnik, and No.8 seed Patty Schnyder, who ended 15-year-old Nicole Vaidisova's impressive run in Charleston

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April 15, 2005

CHARLESTON, S.C. - Rising teen sensation Tatiana Golovin continued her impressive run at the Family Circle Cup in Charleston on Friday.

The 17-year-old Frenchwoman toppled her second seed in as many days, knocking off world No.12 Nadia Petrova, 75 63. The win came on the heels of her dramatic victory over defending champion Venus Williams on Thursday and propelled Golovin into a semifinal showdown with former world No.1 Justine Henin-Hardenne.

Henin-Hardenne gained her spot in the semis when top seed Lindsay Davenport retired one game into the third set of their much-anticipated quarterfinal match due to a right hip flexor strain.

“It’s not the way I like to win, but you have to take it”, said Henin-Hardenne, who is playing in only her second event since the 2004 US Open after recovering from illness and injury. “I’m happy I’m in the semis, but I would for sure prefer it another way.”

The Belgian is not about to relax against Golovin in the semis despite knocking off world No.1 Davenport.

“I’ve never played (Golovin), but she’s playing unbelievable... . She’s really talented, she’s a fighter. She hits a lot of winners, big forehand, and I know I’ll have to play a good game if I want to win.”

Golovin, who faced the media with her five-year-old Yorkshire Terrier, Belle, on her lap, was enjoying the moment.

“This really has been a great tournament for me. I’m really excited. I think I played a solid match out there,” said Golovin, who will now make her first semifinal appearance in a Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Tier I event.

In other quarterfinal action, second-seeded Elena Dementieva earned her spot in the semis with a hard-fought three-set victory over Katarina Srebotnik.

"I think that was the most difficult condition that I have ever played, and it was a great fight for both of us," Dementieva said. "With all this cold weather and wind, I was like, 'Is it a tournament or is it the "Survivor" show because you really had to survive on the court today."

This will be Dementieva’s third semifinal of 2005, having reached the final four at Sydney and Indian Wells. She's looking for her first final this year but has to get by crafty left-hander Patty Schnyder, who advanced to her fourth Family Circle Cup semifinal with a 63 62 win over another teenaged up-and-comer, 15-year-old Nicole Vaidisova.

On facing Schnyder, Dementieva said, "I think she's the toughest player on the clay courts. She's so unpredictable, and it's very difficult because she has a great feeling here with all the slice and drop shots that she can make. But I'm waiting for this match because last time we played, I lost. I had a great opportunity in the second (set) during the Australian Open (in January). So I would love to take revenge."

Unbeknownst to Dementieva, Schnyder also looks forward to Saturday's semifinal clash.

"I love playing (Dementieva)," she said. "We had some great matches already this year, a really unbelievable good match at the Australian Open. It was a big fight and she's a great fighter. You really have to wear her down from the baseline, and I guess I'm ready...let's see tomorrow."

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Friday, April 15, 2005

Singles - Quarterfinals

(13) Tatiana Golovin (FRA) d. (7) Nadia Petrova (RUS) 75 63

Justine Henin-Hardenne (BEL) d. (1) Lindsay Davenport (USA) 36 63 10 ret. (right hip flexor strain)

(2) Elena Dementieva (RUS) d. Katarina Srebotnik (SLO) 63 57 64

( Patty Schnyder (SUI) d. Nicole Vaidisova (CZE) 63 62

Doubles - Quarterfinals

Dominguez Lino/Medina Garrigues (ESP/ESP) d. (5) Stewart/Stosur (AUS/AUS) 46 62 64

(2) Martinez/Ruano Pascual (ESP/ESP) d. ( Morariu/Pierce (USA/FRA) 62 67(5) 62

(1) Raymond/Stubbs (USA/AUS) d. (6) Asagoe/Srebotnik (JPN/SLO) 63 76(4)

Benesova/Peschke (CZE/CZE) d. Hopkins/Washington (USA/USA) 62 75

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Nadal vs. Coria in Final!

Rafael Nadal reached his second consecutive final in a Masters Series event with a grueling 6-7(6), 6-4, 6-3 victory over qualifier Richard Gasquet to advance to the final of the Masters Series Monte Carlo on Saturday. The 18-year-old Spaniard broke serve at 4-3 in the third set and closed out with his serve to post his 22nd victory in his last 24 matches.

In what promises to be an exciting best of five sets final, Nadal will face defending champion Guillermo Coria, who broke serve five times en route to his 6-2, 7-5 victory over two-time champion ('02-'03) Juan Carlos Ferrero. The Argentine will take an outstanding 20-3 record in the tournament and a 1-0 lead in the series against Nadal (7-6, 6-2 in Monte Carlo 2003) to the championship match

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Final Showdown

On Sunday, two Sony Ericsson WTA Tour stars will battle for their first title of 2005. In fact, it's the first final for both this year. Justine Henin-Hardenne continued her remarkable Family Circle Cup win-streak with a hard-fought semifinal win over teen sensation Tatiana Golovin.

The former world No.1 now faces Elena Dementieva, who dispatched Patty Schnyder in three sets. The fight for the Family Circle Cup title starts at 1 p.m. EST.

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Я буду за Елену болеть!

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Saturday, April 16, 2005

Singles - Semifinals

Justine Henin-Hardenne (BEL) d. (13) Tatiana Golovin (FRA) 76(4) 75

(2) Elena Dementieva (RUS) d. ( Patty Schnyder (SUI) 36 64 60

Doubles - Semifinals

(2) Martinez/Ruano Pascual (ESP/ESP) d. Dominguez Lino/Medina Garrigues (ESP/ESP) 61 62

Benesova/Peschke (CZE/CZE) d. (1) Raymond/Stubbs (USA/AUS) 06 64 61

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Результаты полу-финалов!

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Justine Wins Charleston

Former world No.1 Justine Henin-Hardenne captured her first title of 2005 on Sunday at the Family Circle Cup, defeating No.2 seed Elena Dementieva, 75 64. After battling illness and injury over the last 12 months, the win in Charleston is her first title since winning the Olympic Gold medal last year in Athens.

Dating back to her title in Charleston in 2003, Henin-Hardenne now has an 11-0 record at the event. She is also now projected to move up to No.22 on Monday's new Sony Ericsson WTA Rankings.

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Fed Cup - First Round

April 23 & 24

Group I

ITA vs. RUS

USA vs. BEL

ESP vs. ARG

AUS vs. FRA

Group II

SUI vs. SVK

GER vs. INA

THA vs. CRO

CZE vs. JPN

Next Up:

J & S Cup

Warsaw-POL

Estoril Open

Estoril-POR

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Nadal Wins First Shield

Appearing in his second consecutive ATP Masters Series final, No. 11 seed Rafael Nadal prevailed in 3 hours, 9 minutes over defending champion Guillermo Coria in Monte-Carlo on Sunday. The Spanish teenager claimed his first ATP Masters Series title with a hard-fought 6-3, 6-1, 0-6, 7-5 victory, leveling his career head to head with the Argentine at 1-1.

With the win, the 18-year-old Mallorca native became the second-youngest ATP Masters Series champion. He now holds an impressive 20-2 record on clay this season and has won his last 23 of 25 matches.

Meanwhile, No. 5 seeds Leander Paes and Nenad Zimonjic clinched the doubles championship with a walk over win over American brothers Bob and Mike Bryan (shoulder injury.)

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Edited April 18, 2005 by Vartanchik

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Chinese Fans Vote Federer 'Most Popular Player'

© Getty Images

World No. 1 Roger Federer has been voted ‘Most Popular Player’ by Chinese Tennis Magazine. Federer finished ahead of Marat Safin and Andy Roddick in the poll that attracted more than 50,000 votes, cast via the internet and magazine and newspaper polls.

Federer thanked Asian fans for their support through a video message at the China Tennis Summit and Tennis Billboard Awards Ceremony. "Thank you very much for this award. It’s a big honor for me to receive this award from all the Chinese people. I’m looking forward to coming to China later this year."

Federer, who earlier in the year also won the ATPtennis.com Fans’ Favorite Award presented by RICOH, has endeared himself to Asian fans. Last year he devoted a day to media interviews in Hong Kong en route to the Thailand Open, where he ultimately claimed his 10th title of the 2004 season. Federer reached the semifinals of Tennis Masters Cup Shanghai in 2002 and, as the leader of the INDESIT ATP 2005 Race, looks likely to return to Shanghai in November for the 2005 Tennis Masters Cup.

[Samwelino]

Edited April 19, 2005 by Samwelino