It was exciting weekend of tennis with quite a few intriguing stories. Five more champions were crowned, here are the raw numbers and then some discussion.
ATP 500 - Dubai: 2) Novak Djokovic (SRB) def. 1) Roger Federer (SUI) 6-3, 6-3
ATP 500 - Acapulco: 1) David Ferrer (ESP) def. 3) Nicolas Almagro (ESP) 7-6, 6-7, 6-2
WTA Premier - Doha: 2) Vera Zvonareva (RUS) def. 1) Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 6-4, 6-4
ATP 250 - Delray Beach: Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) def. 6) Janko Tipsarevic (SRB) 6-4, 6-4
WTA International - Acapulco: 4) Gisela Dulko (ARG) def. 6) Arantxa Parra Santonja (ESP) 6-3, 7-6
The biggest story was probably Novak Djokovic clinically dismantling Federer in Dubai (I actually saw most of this match). The world #3 has yet to lose in 2011 and has now won 15 straight in Dubai as he completed a 3-peat. It was his 20th career title and his 2nd title of this year. After the results at the AO and Dubai, I think we now have a Big 3 at the forefront of men's tennis: Nadal, Djokovic, and Federer, in that order. Federer and Djokovic have tangled 6 times since Wimbledon and split their meetings but the Djoker won on the biggest stages. It will interesting to what happens the next time he plays Nadal.
Another player defending a title was David Ferrer by knocking off the red hot Nicolas Almagro in an all-Spanish final in Acapulco. Almagro was trying to his third title in as any many weeks. I'm looking forward to see if either of these players can threaten Nadal on clay this year. For the Spanish #2, it was his 11th career title and 2nd of 2011.
In Delray Beach, Juan Martin Del Potro wins his first title since the 2009 US Open after missing all of last year with injury. He is rapidly regaining he form and will be interesting how he matches up against the top players in Indian Wells, Miami, and the clay season. Remember while making three straight semis, he has lost to top 10 players Verdasco and Roddick. It was the Argentine's 8th career title.
In WTA action, Vera Zvonareva gets a HUGE win, defeating Caroline Wozniacki in the Doha final. After her pitiful record in finals for 2010, it is good to see Vera on the podium as she wins her first final of 2011. Wozniacki-Zvonareva is becoming a rivalry at these tournaments where Clijsters and Williams don't play. This win should greatly improve her confidence going forward. Interestingly enough, she is the first Russian to win a title in 2011, which was her 11th career title.
Finally, Gisela Dulko outlasted Arantxa Parra Santonja at the WTA event in Acapulco, which had been won by Venus Williams the past 2 seasons. For Dulko it is her 4th career title.
That's all for now. I plan to post a Davis Cup preview in a couple days, and then in a week or so have some thoughts on Indian Wells and Miami and their effects on the rankings, etc.
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