Roger's Back on the Podium, Caro's the Iron Woman

In Cincinatti,

Roger Federer (SUI) def. Mardy Fish (USA) 6-7(5), 7-6(1), 6-4

Federer finally wins a non-slam title, correct me if I'm wrong but I think you'd have to go back to Cincinatti last year to find his last non-slam title.  It is Federer's second title of the year and 63rd in his career.  This certainly puts him in the favorite's role for the US Open when coupled with Nadal's struggles.  And what a breakout tournament for Fish, beating three top 10 players on his way to the final.  He secures a seed for the US Open and could be a spoiler.  Federer takes back the #2 ranking from Djokovic and gets his own half of the draw.  Murray with his QF appearance keeps his hold on the #4 ranking, meaning he rather than Soderling gets his own quarter.  Federer was the only player to successfully defend quarterfinal or better points in Cincinatti since Djokovic (final), Murray and Nadal (SFs) lost in the quarters.  You also have to tip your cap to Marcos Baghdatis and have to feel he could also be a spoiler.


In Montreal,

Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) def. Vera Zvonareva (RUS) 6-3, 6-2

Caro wins the Iron Woman award by winning four sets in less than five hours, despatching Kuznetsova and Zvonareva, in back-to-back matches.  She also won her third title of the year (ties Clijsters for the most on the WTA) and 9th in her young career.  She is beginning to play good tennis going into the US Open, and can't be discounted in a wide open field.  Now she goes to defend her title in New Haven.  Kuznetsova, Azarenka, and Zvonareva also showed good form and will move up in the rankings and could also be threats in New York.


I will likely have a post covering the rankings (seeds) going into the US Open, and I will for sure have a US Open preview post.  I will also try for the virtual rankings again though I did come across another site that has them for the men.

The upcoming tournament in New Haven is a joint venture, and is a little blah for the men.  Fernando Verdasco is the defending champion but he won't defend his title, neither will finalist Sam Querrey.  Marcos Baghdatis is the top seed.  For the women, Wozniacki is the defending champ (def. Elena Vesnina).  Mauresmo (now retired) and Pennetta were semifinalists but no quarterfinalists are in the main draw.  However, it is a loaded field with 25 of the top 41 women entered plus Safina as a wild card.