The Withdrawal Method: Youzhny Out

Australian Open radio is reporting that Mikhail Youzhny has been forced to withdraw with a wrist injury, giving a walkover to his opponent.

That means Lukasz Kubot is in the last sixteen of the Australian Open.

He just won’t die.

Sunday Champs: Djokovic, Berdych, Montanes

Albert Montanes d. James Blake, 57 76(6) 60

Congratulations to Albert Montanes, who rallied from match point down to claim his second ATP title over James Blake.

It was a tough ask for Blake, who had already done well earlier in the day to finish his match against Davydenko and come out with the win. Incidentally, is he still working with Barker? I didn’t see him around this week.

Tomas Berdych d. Mikhail Youzhny 64 46 76(5)

Great result for Berdych. He’s making a fricking habit of beating guys I like in finals. I might bold his name on my hate list. And that’s serious business.

Priss.

Novak Djokovic d. Lukas Kubot 63 76(0)

Did anyone really expect a different result? Surprised how close the scoreline was, anyway. But well done to Nole on winning the inaugural Nole Open. And I’m not being THAT sarcastic. Look how happy he is.

BRAAAAAAAAAAAINS.

Seriously, he’s dead behind the eyes.

Is that trophy a mirror or a gateway to another dimension?

Estoril, Munich, Belgrade Finals

First up, congratulations to Yanine Wickmayer of Belgium (a.k.a. the Belgian Sharapova … apparently), who won her first WTA singles title in Estoril when she defeated Ekaterina Makarova 75 62.

She played a solid, focussed match and seeing someone get their first title is always lovely. Well done, Yanine.

Unfortunately rain messed up the rest of the day’s play in Estoril. The first ATP finalist is Albert Montanes, who beat Capdeville 3 and 4. The second semifinal was rained off with Blake a set down but a break up on Davydenko, so it’s all still to be decided.

In Munich, both semifinals went to 3 sets, but Youzhny and Berdych – somewhat predictably – managed it in the end over local wildcard and hitherto total unknown Brands, and Chardy respectively.

And at the Nole Open, all our worst fears have come true.

HE WILL EAT YOUR BRAINS.

NB: All the above was crafted while massively drunk and is probably not true.