Maria Sharapova defeats Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-2 6-1
Maria Sharapova drops only 3 games and cruises into third round. Sharapova’s road to an eventual second Australian title will be a tough one, as she could face Serena Williams in the quarterfinals, a player she hasn’t beaten since 2004!
I spent a few days in Paris last week for the BNP Paribas Masters, the ninth and final Masters 1000 event of the season. Novak Djokovic captured the title, dispatching Andy Murray 6-2 6-4 in the final. Enjoy my pictures and recaps of day 1 to day 4.
David Ferrer defeats Alexandr Dolgopolov
No struggle for the 2012 champion David Ferrer who beats Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-2 6-2 in just an hour!
I’m in Paris until Thursday for the BNP Paribas Masters (aka Bercy Masters). There’s usually plenty at stake in the ninth and final Masters 1000 event of the year: the race for world number one ranking or the battle for a place in the season-ending London finals. But this year, the eight players who have secured their spots are already known: Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Roger Federer, Stan Wawrinka, Rafael Nadal, Tomas Berdych, David Ferrer and Kei Nishikori.
I have however big expectations for this tournament:
– I’m eager to see the “new” Bercy arena: the POPB that hosts the Bercy Masters has been completely renovated (read more about the modernization project)
– I didn’t manage to get tickets for the Davis Cup final, so I would like to see the clash between Andy Murray and David Goffin in the third round. I also would like to see Rafa Nadal and Kei Nishikori.
My first impressions about the renovated arena: everything looks so … grey: the court, the seats, the hallway. It’s quite depressing! The food is expensive, as usual: €8 for a pizza slice, €4 for a 50cl Coke bottle! If you plan to attend the Bercy Masters next year, bring your own food. There’s also a bakery just in front of the arena where you can buy good sandwiches. On the plus side: free wifi is now available in the arena, and the seats are much more comfortable!
Andy Murray, who has won the title at The Queen’s Club in 2009, 2011, 2013 and now 2015, defeated South African Kevin Anderson 6-3, 6-4 in one hour and four minutes. He joins John McEnroe, Lleyton Hewitt, Boris Becker and Andy Roddick in the elite group of four time Queen’s champion.
The last player to win both Queen’s and Wimbledon the same year was … Andy Murray two years ago. Will he do it again this year?
A really good week nonetheless for Kevin Anderson who beat Hewitt, recent Roland Garros champion Wawrinka, Garcia Lopez and Simon to reach the final:
