Tecau Fulfils the Romanian Dream

After the retirement of Andrei Pavel and the struggles and poor form Victor Hanescu has been passing lately, Romania's only hope of crowning a local champion in Bucharest rested on Horia Tecau's shoulders. Tecau, who alongside Swede Robert Linstedt forms one of the hottest doubles teams on the ATP tour, has been in ominous form this season. He started the year superbly by collecting his first Grand Slam crown at the Australian Open, where he teamed-up with American Bethanie Mattek-Sands for the mixed-doubles title. Nevertheless, his past experiences in Bucharest did not leave up to the expectations. In all his previous participations, he has never passed the quarterfinals. This also happened last year, when he and Linstedt were top seeds. 

Horia was determined to turn his faith around though in 2012 and after some excruciating wins earlier in the week, he finally saw his dream come true. The toughest challenge came in the semifinals, when the Swedish-Romanian duo had to recover from a 5-7,0-3 deficit against Australians Paul Hanley and Jordan Kerr to ultimately secure their berth in the final. In the grand finale, Tecau and Linstedt sealed a 7-6,6-3 victory over Jeremy Chardy and Lukasz Kubot, making Tecau the first Romanian winner on home soil since Andrei Pavel and Gabriel Trifu collected the doubles title in 1996. The Romanian was delighted by the triumph which makes this day one of the most beautiful of his life.

Tecau and Linstedt have now won seven titles together, but for the Romanian this surely is the sweetest triumph of them all.

photos: Raed Krishan

Petkovic's Comeback Short Lived

Sadly, it looks as though Tennis Moods jinxed Petkovic's brave comeback, as the popular German tore ankle ligaments during her second round clash with world number 1, Victoria Azarenka, in Stuttgart. The injury means she will miss both Roland Garros and Wimbledon, a huge setback in a season that was already rued by major injuries. Unfortunately, she is also doubtful for the London Olympics.

After an easy first round win over compatriot Kristina Barrois, Andrea looked poised to challenge Azarenka, as she won two straight games to level the second set at 4 all. Nevertheless, that was the moment the misery struck and she twisted her ankle. Stuttgart was Petkovic's third tournament of 2012. She played Brisbane and Sydney, but missed the Australian Open and the months after due to a lower back stress fracture.

Let's wish her the best of luck and the fastest of recoveries. I look forward to seeing her back on the court as soon as possible.

Petkovic looked set to challenge world number 1, Victoria Azarenka, as she leveled the match in the second set. She was down 2-6,4-4 when she twisted her ankle, an injury that rues her out of the biggest prizes of the season (i.e. Rolland Garros and Wimbledon, possibly also the London Olympics).

photos: GETTY IMAGES

Petkovic Back With A BANG

Sidelined since the beginning of the year with a lower back injury, the German number 1 made a much anticipated return with a Fed Cup appearance this past weekend, as Germany tackled Australia in the World Group Play-Off. 

Although she lost her singles round rubber to Sam Stosur, Andrea Petkovic made sure everyone took notice of her comeback by creating another 'Petko' moment. During the doubles match where she teamed up with compatriot Julia Goerges, she was asked to change her top as it was too different from her partner's. Slightly embarrassed by the odd request, she turned things around in true Petkovic fashion, making the delight of the crowd who witnessed her strip. The 'Petko Strip' made headlines around the world, becoming the German's second hit, after the now infamous 'Petko Dance'.

After the Fed Cup disappointment, the Germans being beaten 2-3 by Australia, Andrea has experienced a successful return to the tour, following a 6-1,6-4 first round victory over compatriot Kristina Barrois in Stuttgart. Next up for the popular Petkovic is a clash with world number 1, Victoria Azarenka. "I didn't watch a lot of tennis while I was out but I saw her winning streak and rise to No.1," she said. "I really think she's the best right now. She deserves to be No.1, and as a character and personality she's a proper No.1. It's a tough challenge, but as I said, this is why I play tennis."

photos (right-left): Reuters, AP

Serbia Books First Fed Cup Final Berth

It may seem surprising that although they can count on two top players, Serbia has never quite experienced much Fed Cup success. There was a time when Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic were ranked 1 and 2 in the world, but busy schedules, distortions within the team, or sheer unluck prevented them to fulfill their potential in the teams' competition. 

While Djokovic's squad accomplished its mission by winning the 2010 Davis Cup final against France, the women seemed unable to match the feat. Nevertheless, this year, in a rather surprising moment, as both are struggling to recapture the form that took them atop of the rankings, Jankovic and Ivanovic have finally teamed up to do their nation justice. After a tight victory over Belgium in the quarterfinals, the Serbs took on Russia in the last four. The end of the first day saw the teams tied up at one all, after Jankovic cruised past Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, while Kuznetsova obtained a hard fought victory over Ivanovic. When the play resumed on Sunday though, it was Serbia that draw first blood, as Ana Ivanovic found the strength to recover from a horrible start to eventually overcome an erratic Pavlyuchenkova and put the visiting nation in front. With Russia being a huge favourite to win the doubles tie, it basically came down to the last singles clash and Jelena Jankovic was up for the challenge. She was untouchable against Kuznetsova who seemed unable to prevent a tough loss for her country. The Serb won 6-1,6-4 to book a final showdown with defending champion, the Czech Republic. The latter came through an easy encounter with Italy, Petra Kvitova proving once more the decisive force behind her country's success as she won both singles matches. The tie will be held in early November in the Czech Republic.

Jelena Jankovic proved Serbia's biggest asset as she won both singles ties and sealed her nation's first Fed Cup final berth.

Although she lost her first match to Kuznetsova, Ivanovic brought in a decisive point, as she regrouped after falling 0-5 behind in the first set to eventually destroy Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 3-6,6-0,6-3.

photos: AFP

Oh, Father!

The world's leading doubles team, American twins Mike and Bob Bryan, wrote another piece of history this past weekend in Monte Carlo, claiming their 20th ATP Master 1000 crown, their third at the event. The victory was even sweeter as it was the first for father Bob, his wife Michelle giving birth to their daughter, Micaela, in the last day January, earlier this year.

Inspired by their Davis Cup success over France on the same claycourts of Monaco just a few days ago, the duo has been in cruising form throughout the week, winning the title without concealing a set. The highlight of their week must have been the commanding 6-2,6-0 triumph over Leander Paes and Radek Stepanek, a pair that had previously beaten them twice this season, in the final of the Australian Open and in the semifinals of Miami. In the final showdown, the Bryans posed another impressive display, defeating arch-rivals Max Mirnyi and Daniel Nestor 6-2,6-3.

With a 77-42 record in finals, 20 Masters titles and 11 Grand Slam crowns to their name, the American twins are without a doubt the most prodigious men's doubles team of all time. They will look to add to their impressive resume at next month's French Open, where their sole trophy came nine years ago, in 2003.

photos: GETTY IMAGES

Kerber Crashes the Danish Party

With all eyes on home star Caroline Wozniacki, it was Angelique Kerber who had the final say at last week's third edition of the Copenhagen EBooks Open, crashing thus the perfect Danish party Wozniacki has put on for her fans.

After some topsy-turvy encounters in the first two rounds and a sensational comeback in the quarterfinals, fast rising German caught fire at the perfect moment. The turning point of her tournament was the clash against compatriot Mona Barthel, when she had to recover from a 5-2 deficit in the decider and to save two match points before prevailing 6-2,0-6,7-5. Having barely escaping defeat, Angelique knew she has to lift her game if she wants to have a shot at the title. She did just that and the results were impressive as she destroyed former world number 1 Jelena Jankovic in their semifinals meeting. The German was rarely troubled by her Serbian opponent, losing just three games in what was a comprehensive 6-1,6-2 victory.

Facing Danish darling Caroline Wozniacki in the final, Angelique managed to take full advantage of her big game, ending Wozniacki's perfect record at her home event with a straight sets victory. "It was amazing to play in front of this crowd, even though most of them supported Caroline," said Kerber. "It was a great atmosphere and it was good fun to play. And I felt like I had nothing to lose. If I lost the match, it's okay against her. It made me take more chances and I'm glad it worked out." 

The win marks her fourth success against a top 10 player this year, the previous ones being against Sharapova and Bartoli in Paris, respectively Li at Indian Wells. Consequently, she is now 4-1 against top 10 players (her sole loss coming at the hands of Victoria Azarenka in the semis at Indian Wells) and with two titles to her name already this season she is quickly emerging as a force to be reckoned with in women's tennis.

Wozniacki on the other hand is now left facing another setback in the attempt to reclaim her reign over the WTA tour. After being deprived of the number 1 status, she has witnessed while another piece of her crown was taking away from her. Although she is threatening to return to the winning circle for some time now, so far she wasn't be able to keep her promise. Moreover, with Serena Williams back to her best, Azarenka's flawless display, Kvitova and Sharapova hitting harder than ever and the rise of the Germans, her task looks harder than ever before.

Having compiled a 14-0 record before her encounter with Kerber,  home star Wozniacki was denied a hat-trick in Copenhagen falling to the fast rising German in straight sets, 6-4,6-4

photos (top-down): GETTY IMAGES, AP

Giant Isner Carries US Through

The US team has beat all the odds as it achieved a surprising qualification into the Davis Cup semifinals and it was one particular player who has done the damage, namely the Giant John Isner. Facing Roger Federer's Switzerland on their home claycourts in Fribourg, the Americans started as the underdogs. However, an inspired Isner produced the shocker, bringing in the decisive point after surprisingly beating Federer in four sets. 

The victory rekindled an old flame in Isner and, when their next opponents chose the claycourts of Monte Carlo as the venue for their clash, the crush evolved into a genuine love affair. In a time when the red dirt has allegedly become faster than grass, it should come as no surprise that big servers like Isner feel more at ease on this surface. He showed just how well his game suits the clay when dealing with the French. Being once more the star of the American squad he recorded a straight sets success over Gilles Simon in the first day, to then score decisively after succumbing home nation's number 1, the exuberant Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, in four acts. Courtesy of his wins, Jim Courier's team got an unexpected date with defending champions Spain in the last four. With the tie being held abroad, it is expected that the Spanish will pick their favourite surface, giving John another chance to shine on clay. It remains to be seems how will the American respond to the challenge, the Spaniard being renowned for their claycourt mastership. 

Nevertheless, with an impressive tally of big wins under his belt, Isner's season is starting to catch momentum. He is definitely building a strong reputation on clay that indicates him as a fierce contestant for next month's Roland Garros crown.

photo: GETTY IMAGES

Slaughterhouse Serena

Serena Williams has finally put together a winning run, collecting the Charleston title in commanding fashion. The American was in cruise control throughout the week, destroying her opponents at the expense of only 15th games, the least a champion has lost this year. This success is even more special for her as it marks her 40th WTA tour title. She also became only the third active player to have achieved the feat after her sister Venus, who has 45, and Kim Clijsters, who has 41 crowns.

Even though she won the 2002 French Open, Serena's history on clay is not that impressive. Nevertheless, in a time when clay has become faster than grass, the American is quickly emerging as a force to be reckoned with even on her least favourite surface. In Charleston, she started off with solid wins over Russian Elena Vesnina and New Zealander Marina Erakovic before taking advantage of Sabine Lisicki's twisted ankle to book her place in the semifinals. What followed were two of the best matches she's ever played in her career. This is how she described her incredible 6-1,6-1 victory over Sam Stosur in the last four and her even more astonishing 6-1,6-0 triumph over Czech Lucie Safarova in the grand finale. In these two encounters Serena was untouchable. After compiling a +14 differential against the Aussie (29 winners to 15 errors), Williams went even better against Safarova, hitting 27 winners and making just eight errors (a +19 differential).

Courtesy of the win, the American is projected to climb up a place, up to 9, when the new rankings will be released on Monday. And with no points to defends until the North American hardcourt summer, she looks set to regain the throne she lost because of the foot injury that kept her out of contention for a year.

photos: AP

Stop Singing Your Heart Out

Although her form has dropped in the last few months, Caroline Wozniacki remains as positive as ever and determined to enjoy her life to the fullest. The former world number 1 is definitely not shy of getting all the attention. Thus, after some impersonalisations of fellow players, endless endorsement deals and a love affair lived on the front page of every newspaper around the world, she now targeted pop success. Relying on her pocketful of 'talents', the upbeat Dane agreed to record a charity single. Unfortunately for her though, the result was not at all convincing, Wozniacki's "Oxygen" being immediately mocked by music critics. The heavily auto-tuned track makes it almost impossible to clearly distinguish her voice, though the lyrics hint a reference to her golf superstar boyfriend, Irish Rory McIlroy.

Although she put her singing 'talents' solely into raising money for the Danish and Polish Paralympic teams, I hope Caroline will stick to what she does best and continue to 'sing' her heart out only on the tennis court.

Video taken from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=5_dbcPMsK_Q#!.