Tennis

Here’s the full match video from today’s victory over Berdych: Posted by TennisOnlineHD. Highlights: Part 1; Part 2.

Rafael Nadal stayed on course for a seventh title in the Italian capital thanks to a stunning semi-final victory against Tomas Berdych.

Serena Williams extended her career-best winning streak to 23 matches, improved to 32-1 on clay since the start of 2012 and is now looking for her fourth consecutive title, after Miami, Charleston and Madrid. Her last obstacle is Victoria Azarenka, who does trail 2-11 in their head-to-head statistics, but she was the one who won their last meeting, the final of Doha in February 2013. It was a quick semifinal victory for world No.1 Serena Williams over the upsetter of the tournament, Simona Halep, as the American finished the match 6-3 6-0, the only resistance coming from Halep early on when she broke for a 2-1 lead in the first set. In the second semifinal, the third-seeded Azarenka defeated seventh seed Sara Errani, who will join the Top 5 in the rankings on Monday thus becoming only the second Italian ever to achieve that feat. After storming through the first set, allowing her opponent just a handful of points, Azarenka was made to work in the second set and even had Errani serving for the set at 5-4, but eventually the Belarusian managed to close it out in straights 6-0 7-5. (via WTA Tour, photos: sr_cranks)

Rafael Nadal wins for the 13th time in his last 13 matches against Tomas Berdych as the Spaniard books a spot in the Rome final on Saturday. Next up for Nadal is either Roger Federer or Benoit Paire.

Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images In the first of the Italian Open’s semifinals, Rafa played #6 Tomas Berdych. At first, it looked like Rafa had an appointment to get to – he was on fire and took the first set in just 31 minutes. The second set was much more competative as Rafa’s level dropped and Berdych’s went up. Neither of these changed enough to cause the upset, though. Rafa scores his 13th win in a row over Berdych: 6-2, 6-4. Despite having the kind of game that can trouble him, Rafa clearly has Berdych’s number. Stats: Nadal Berdych Statistics on Serve Aces 0 5 Double Faults 0 0 1st Serve % 77% 62% 1st Serve Points Won 27/35 (77%) 18/30 (60%) 2nd Serve Points Won 10/10 (100%) 10/18 (56%) Break Points Saved 1/1 (100%) 1/4 (25%) Service Games Played 9 9 Statistics on Return 1st Return Points Won 12/30 (40%) 8/35 (23%) Second Return Points Won 8/18 (44%) 0/10 (0%) Break Points Won 3/4 (75%) 0/1 (%) Return Games Played 9 9 Statistics on Points Total Service Points Won 37/45 (82%) 28/48 (58%) Total Return Points Won 20/48 (42%) 8/45 (18%) Total Points Won 57/93 (61%) 36/93 (39%) Other Stats Winners 20 12 Unforced errors 11 15 Net Approaches 5/6 (83%) 3/11 (27%) [View the story "Rome: Nadal vs. Berdych" on Storify]

Follow American Irina Falconi in this “Quest to Qualify” player blog as she journeys through Europe, playing warm-up events on red clay in preparation for French Open qualifying. Currently ranked No. 156 in singles and 76 in doubles, she  is 10-2 in her career in Grand Slam qualifying and looking for another main draw berth in Paris this month. (Catch Part 1, Part 2 and follow her on Twitter @IrinaFalconi) It’s Friday right? Wow, when I tell you that I lose track of time whilst on the road, I’m not exaggerating one bit. I’m to the point where I need to have a calendar as the background on my phone — not joking! I’ve been in Prague for what seems like two months already, but alas, it’s only been a wonderful … umm … ten days? I think? Maybe … But hey, I don’t mind, because I’m pretty much loving Prague! Irina Falconi around the grounds prior to her match Today was another good day at the office. I got a victory in singles over Maria Sanchez, booking my spot in the semifinals against Alexandra Cadantu. It was definitely a war today as we battled for three hours, went 7-5 in the third, and in the middle of the day with the crazy wind.  Then there was shade and plenty of clouds. Then a little drizzling. Pretty much, it was relentless European weather. But if you’re a tennis player — or an aspiring one — you will hear this from your coach pretty much 100 percent of the time when you start complaining about conditions outside: “Your opponent is facing them as well. Are you tougher than they are?” And it’s so true. I mean, today all those different and unique weather variables affected both my opponent and I. So, it’s a matter of being able to handle adversity. At the end of the day, that’s pretty much life, isn’t it? Already back on court a couple of hours after my singles, my girl Eva Hrdinova and I played in the doubles finals. We didn’t get the title, but hey, we got an awesome piece of hardware, a super-sized bottle of champagne, and a bouquet of flowers. (Which, coincidentally, is pretty much the recipe for a man trying to please a girl in his life. You would just need to add the chocolates as well FYI.) Irina Falconi and doubles partner Eva Hrdinova Anyway, tomorrow is semifinals day. I had originally planned my Europe trip to include another tournament before the French Open qualifying, a WTA Tour Event in Brussels, but hey, I’m going to have to miss it. Prague just doesn’t want me to leave it seems! The funny thing about this situation is that I had told my sister to book a flight to Brussels so we would meet up before Paris. So … I’m in Prague … while my sister is in Brussels without me … OH HOW AWESOME TENNIS IS SOMETIMES! Ciao friends. Ya’ll have been way too kind. -IF

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal close in a final clash in Rome.

Serena Williams is one win away from her fourth straight title after seeing off Simona Halep 6-3 6-0 in the semi-final of the Italian Open.

The Roger Federer vs Benoit Paire Rome Masters 2013 semifinal takes place on Saturday, May 18. Federer is seeking his first title of the 2013 season and he is just two matches away from realizing this goal. Standing on his way to the final is France’s Benoit Paire. Federer will be the overwhelming favorite at The post Federer vs Paire Rome Masters 2013 Semifinal Live Online Video Stream appeared first on Tennis Guru.

While Novak Djokovic feels that his ankle injury from last month is finally over, the hard work is just beginning for injured rival Andy Murray.