TUESDAY, MAY 13– Nikolay Davydenko can't afford
to rest on his Miami laurels and TMS Hamburg is a perfect place to add
more sizzle to his reputation. The world No. 4 busted up the declining
Croat veteran Ivan Ljubicic 6-4, 6-1 on a day that also saw outside contenders
David Ferrer and Tommy Robredo score
wins.
Davydenko, who took out Andy Roddick and Rafael
Nadal in Miami, hasn't racked up any big wins on clay this year,
but is in almost everyone's top four contenders at Roland Garros. "Playing
in Miami was much easier for me than playing on clay but maybe winning
that tournament has helped mentally," Davydenko said. "My tennis
is still the same but when you feel good you try to make more winners."
Ferrer, who also needs a good week, irked Ivo Minar 6-3, 6-3, while Robredo
came back from near dead and broke down Philipp Kohlschreiber 2-6, 7-6,
6-3. Joining a long list of injured players this spring, Luis
Horna of Peru and Kristof Vliegen of Belgium
pulled out. "Maybe it's the ATP we have to thank for giving us a
calendar like this," Nadal said.
Rome was mostly ruined by rain, but rising Slovak teen Dominika
Cibulkova earned herself a match up with Maria Sharapova
with a 7-6(1), 6-4 win over Fes winner Gisela Dulko. Victoria
Azarenka continued her excellent form with a 6-1, 6-3 route of
the punchless Sybille Bammer. Wednesday's attractive matches include Serena
Williams vs. Alona Bondarenko, Venus Williams
vs. Samantha Stosur and Marion Bartoli vs. Virginie Razzano.
Take the sisters and Bartoli to bust out of her slump.
BREAKING NEWS: As long expected, ESPN and Tennis
Channel will take over the cable broadcast of the US
Open in 2009, pushing USA Network out of the sport. CBS will
still continue broadcasting during Labor Day weekend and the final weekend.
The deal completed a Grand Slam for ESPN and Tennis Channel, which already
team up for the other three majors. While some may the lament the demise
of the USA, which featured the much-liked tandem of Ted Robinson and John
McEnroe, as well as outstanding contributions from Tracy Austin and Jim
Courier, among others, the Sports Business Journal reported that six-year,
$140 million deal will be the first time that the other 10 tournaments
in the Olympus US Open Series will not have to buy their way onto TV.
The USTA said the deal will result in 400 national TV hours for the US Open and
the US Open Series – an increase of nearly 100 hours. The US Open will receive
200 hours of total coverage, an increase of over 50 hours with ESPN2 carrying
much of the broadcast. USOpen.org will retain all rights to live streaming
of US Open matches. "This completes a five-year process of reinventing the
television and digital landscape for the sport of tennis in North America," said
Arlen Kantarian, CEO Pro Tennis, USTA. "Tennis will now be prominently featured
for eight straight weeks on ESPN - the premiere destination in sports; Tennis
Channel - our sport's namesake network; and CBS - our longtime network partner.
This new partnership will provide more tennis, to more people, in more ways
than ever before."
The SBJ also reported that USA Network had put in a bid, but less than the $22-million-per-year
level that had been paying previously. USA averaged a 0.73 cable rating over
the last three years. Versus, which broadcasts the Davis Cup, was also to put
in a substantial bid competitive with ESPN.
During the first week of the tournament, ESPN2's coverage will go from 1 to 11 p.m. EST, or after the conclusion of play. Tennis Channel will broadcast 60 hours of live US Open matches, including live matches during the first week between 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. as well as other day matches from the outer courts.
SUBSCRIBERS:
CLICK FOR FULL STORY
