Black Tennis Pros

I have NEVER seen Russian Nikolay Davydenko this emotion filled at the end of winning any match that I've ever seen him play. You know Davydenko, he's pretty low key. When he wins he's pleased, and when he loses he pleased...comme si, comme ca, it's all good, right on.

Well, at least that's how he was before he was so brutally saddled with being the face of illegal betting inside of tennis. COME ON! Davydenko? I know that looks can be deceiving, but Davydenko?

In the wake of that pitiful investigation, Davydenko's game went south quick, fast and in a hurry. He had become one of my favorites on the tour, especially for being so nonchalant in scraping the court with his opponents behinds so unsuspectingly. The guy was just masterful at maintaining the most even temperament I'd ever seen on court.

Now that he's been cleared, looks like Davydenko has his groove back and this time with a passion! After defeating Britain's Andy Murray in straight sets 7-5, 6-2 in the semifinal of the Tennis Masters Cup Shanghai yesterday, Davydenko got his tennis yell on. I for one am glad to see it. I am glad that he's recovering his game, and this time putting some feeling into it... in yo face!

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The Tennis Masters Cup Shanghai began a bit rough for France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. You remember, the whole "towelgate" thing? Then there was the very tight loss to Spanaird Juan Martin del Potro 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/5). After having just won the Paris Masters, the tables turned dramatically on Tsonga. All of that drama ended today.

Tsonga, who was already eliminated from competition and having lost the first set, came swinging back and stopped a potential clean sweep of the Gold Group by Serbian Novak Djokovic. Tsonga defeated Djokovic 1-6, 7-5, 6-1. The Frenchman fought back in the second set and was a man on fire in the third. It was poetry in motion.

It seems as if ever since his loss in the Australian Open final this year, Tsonga has pretty much had Djokovic's number. This defeat gives Tsonga three wins in a row over the Djokovic after his victories in Bangkok and Paris.

"He was better than me in the first two sets, but I took the second one. It was daylight robbery!" Tsonga said.

Djokovic's status wasn't harmed by the loss, he will still win the Gold Group and moves on to the semifinals. However, judging from his "crowd" comment, he's feeling a bit funky about the loss.

"It's not easy. This is the tournament for the best eight players in the world. Every match is difficult and you've got to give your best to win," Djokovic said.

"He had more support from the crowd, but I don't blame them. He's a good player, an interesting player, plays with a lot of emotion. He deserved to win today."

Shanghai is hosting the 4.45-million-dollar Tennis Masters Cup for the last time before it moves to London as the World Tour Final. It will hold Asia's only tournament of the new Masters 1000 series from next October.

Photos By Getty Images

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Oh my...Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga was a tad po'd at the ball kids for his opening loss at the Masters Cup. Tsonga's catching a bit of flack and being called a "debutante" for getting frustrated at the towel service today.

Tsonga said that he "lost energy" waiting for ball kids to bring him his towel between points as he was defeated by Nikolay Davydenko in three sets, 6-7(6), 6-4, 7-6(0).

"When I ask for my towel, my towel didn't come, when I ask for a ball, the ball didn't come. That's it."

"You are here and you want your towel. You say one time, two times, three times, and then you ask the other guy," said Tsonga. "The other guy looks around, so you have to say one time, two times, three times, and the towel comes."

Tsonga claimed that he paced an extra kilometre going for his towels. "Sometimes I have to take my towel alone. So for me it's maybe 10 meters more. But if you count at the end of the match, it's like one kilometre."

Well, quite frankly I think it's a refreshing excuse, most of the players blame the racquet as they beat it to death. I'm glad to see him try something new...BWAAAAHAHAHAHA!!

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Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France poses for a portrait at a media availability session at the Hilton Hotel.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga signs autographs for fans at the opening ceremony.

Photos by Getty Images

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Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has roared back and secured his first tour title today in Bangkok, Thailand by defeating Serbian Novak Djokovic 7-6, 6-4. In a rematch of the 2008 Australian Open final, 23-year-old Tsonga turned the tables and took the trophy.

"It came down to maybe a couple of points. The last game was very hard and I was just saying in my head “Go On! Do It!” so it was incredible. I was not nervous, I was just a little bit nervous about Novak because he has played just unbelievably and, for me, it’s difficult to play against him because I have a really good serve and I think one of the best parts of his game is the return."


After spending the summer recooperating from knee surgery, Tsonga has blasted back onto the tour with an obvious determination. He could very well play his way into qualifying for the Tennis Masters Cup Shanghai for the first time.

"I feel great, it’s got to be one of the best moments of my life," said Tsonga. "I just played unbelievable tennis against Novak and it was just my dream so I’m really happy."


“This win is very special, I’ve wanted this since I was young,” Tsonga told reporters. “This is a dream come true. I’m happy to win, Novak is a great player.

“In tennis, you have to enjoy the moment. It’s great to win at last and I want to win more and more.”

Way to Go Tsonga!!

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