Rafael Nadal News

Nadal was rarely at his best but still eased past Volandri World number two Rafael Nadal eased into round three of the Paris Masters with victory over Filippo Volandri despite an uneven display. via BBC Sports

“Paris is a tough event and I have an incredibly tough draw. I hope I can get through the first one and find my form, get used to the new conditions. “I haven’t played here for a long time.”

Federer…makes his first appearance after four years PARIS: Roger Federer will begin making amends to the French tennis public as he appears at the Paris Masters for the first time in four years. via Gulf Times

“I was playing aggressively but making lots of mistakes. It was not easy to regain the confidence during the match. Andy likes to play against players who attack him. He is very good in defending and today he didn’t give me many chances.”

Scot Andy Murray kept alive his hopes of securing a berth for the year-ending Masters Cup Sunday as the No. via Tennis Articles

“It’s been my best season ever and it is going to be great to compete in Shanghai.”

David Ferrer became the second Spaniard into next month’s Masters Cup after qualifying into the eight-man field, the ATP confirmed. via Bangkok Post

“I had a good season last year, but I couldn’t win against the best players. “But I’ve got my confidence back this week. It’s the end of the season, but I just want to keep playing. I’ll take a good feeling into 2008.”

Roger Federer, seen here in action on 25 October 2007, beat Nicolas Kiefer for the ninth time in succession on Friday, his 6-3, 6-2 victory earning him a semi-final spot in the Swiss Indoors tournament. via TurkishPress.com

BASEL, Switzerland * American fourth seed James Blake could not find a way past towering Croatian Ivo Karlovic at the Swiss Indoors yesterday, losing their second round encounter 4-6, 7-6, 6-4. Blake began … via The Peninsula

“The depth of the game in Asia has definitely improved as compared to before.”

Rafael Nadal watches as Sergio Garcia of Spain lines his shot up on the third green during the Pro-Am round of the Mallorca Classic in Son Servera, yesterday. via The Peninsula

David Nalbandian lost to Stanislas Wawrinka in the first round of the Swiss Indoors on Wednesday, three days after winning the Madrid Masters by ousting the top three players in the world. via PR-inside.com

Andy Murray cruised into the second round of the St Petersburg Open with a straight-sets win over Max Mirnyi.

Murray’s hopes of success at last week’s Madrid Masters were dashed by home favourite Rafael Nadal at the third-round stage, and the Scot vowed to continue his climb back up the world rankings.

Murray took control from the outset, breaking his opponent’s serve four times to clinch a 6-2 6-2 success. Read more

Bet now on tennis with Sky Bet! Click here for latest tennis results Click here for ATP Tour calendar Click here for WTA Tour calendar Click here for latest ATP Tour rankings Click here for latest WTA Tour … via SportingLife.com

“I lost in the semifinals last time and I hope to win my first Chennai Open title this year. I had some injuries this year, but I am confident that I would make a good start to the New Year and improve my performance, playing in this tournament”

Nadal confirms participation in Chennai Open World number two and French Open Champion Rafael Nadal of Spain has set his eyes on the elusive Chennai Open ATP title to start the 2008 season on a winning note. via Hindustan Times

SOCCER EUROPEAN ROUNDUP: England among several countries looking to clinch qualification for Euro 2008 LONDON _ England, Greece, Czech Republic and Sweden can clinch a place in next year’s European Championship … via PR-inside.com

“It’s hard to say if this is the best I’ve played. I feel like new.”

MADRID, Spain : After beating No. 2 and No. 3, David Nalbandian’s next hurdle is No. via International Herald Tribune

Golfer Mark Hensby of Australia. Photo: Getty Images Mark Hensby has fired a stunning nine-under-par second round of 61 to take a share of second place at the Arizona Open in the US. via The Age

Unseeded David Nalbandian inflicted a 6-1, 6-2 defeat on world No 2 Rafael Nadal in the Madrid Masters yesterday to earn a semi-final against Serb Novak Djokovic. via This Is London