Let me get right down to business because there is an awful lot to talk about! As you saw in my headline, I will be talking about the very badly missed Taylor Dent, and the first part of a 7 series , “Why I have always  Tennis to Professional Road Cycling.”

Taylor Dent happens to be one of my favorite players to watch and to be around.  He’s very laid back, extremely talented, and his game is like a venomous cobra, it’s starts very slow and still, but in less that a blink of an eye, it can attack and bite you!

The only time that I have ever had to coach against him was back in 2005 at the Indianapolis RCA Finals.  I was working with Ginepri and I remembered waking up in the morning and getting on my computer and looking at www.drudgreport.com, and seeing a huge black headline in the middle of the page, “Chicago 111 degrees!”

You have to know that it was hot pretty much all week in Indy…REALLY hot, and this was going to be the hottest day.  This is one of the things that I will point out in Part 2.  In order to win a tennis tournament, or even go deep in a tourny, you need to win many matches, in a row.  And that takes stamina, that takes endurance, and that takes the ability to not have a bad day.

In cycling, there is an event known as a Stage Race. All of you have heard of the Stage Race called Le Tour de France. Well, a Stage Race, is where you have to race day in and day out, and if you have 1 bad day, you are done.  This was the end of the week in Indy, and if one of the boy’s was going to have a bad day, it would be today.

So I read the DrudgeReport, and quickly I develop an ear to ear grin, and then proceed to do  few  back flips in the middle of our hotel room. Ok, that may sound mean and sadistic, but the bottom line is, tennis in the heat, especially THAT kind of heat, is much more of a physical battle, and I knew that would favor Robby in a very big, and shall I say, EVIL way….MUHAUHAUHAUHAUHAUH!!!!!!!

Ok, I have to write about this now, because it is all coming back to me…get this!!!…get this, ok, so Taylor wins the first set, 6-4.  Not a routine 6-4 by any means. It was a hard fought 6-4…Robby begins the second set and just starts steam rolling over T, 6-0 …like in NO time! I think it was the beginning of the 3rd set and Taylor looks up at his coach and starts asking for some candy bars! :)  I’m not going to say that I couldn’t believe it, because I know these kids were just naive, but I was definitely a little shocked.

So after scurrying all over the stadium, Tommy Floyd, manages to wrangle T up a snickers bar or something. Ok folks, it’s not rocket science to know that you don’t want anything like that when it’s that hot and humid and you have another set to play!  I would go into details as to WHY but I will say this, and this is something that I would even tell my players, “Do you think Lance Armstrong would eat a cookie before he attacked Alp D’Huez in the Tour de France!?!?!?!?!?!!”

Ok so back to the title, The RETURN of TD. I was very excited to see that Taylor was back in action at the Challenger last week in Champaign, IL.  Ironically enough, it was Taylor who beat last weeks cover boy, Robert Kendrick, 7-6, 7-6 in a second round thriller.  Boy, I tell you, that Challenger should really appreciate the talent they have in it, because that could be a great night match at the USOpen baby!

Unfortunately, Taylor had to retire from his next match with an injury.  Hopefully Taylor can find someone that can really take care of that body for him and get him in really “Taylor Dent specific shape” because we desperately need him back in the game….

Part 1 : Tennis to Cycling: A comparison

Endurance - There are a few parts to Endurance that I will cover
1. Length of time during a match endurance
2. Day in and Day out recovery

In cycling, everyone starts the race together, but not everyone finishes together!  Sometimes you have to play a 3 hour match and you don’t want to fatigue late in the last set.  You have to train for time.  A good way to do this is to schedule your off court training immediately after your tennis match or practice.  For instance, say you have a match that takes you 90 mins, have a small snack, like a Powerbar, not a Snickers Bar, and go into the gym, for a interval workout on the bike and then hit the weights hard.

Ok, Maximus is now awake and it is time for Gladiator training! VAMOS!

Jarryd is fresh off his best career Outback Champions Series showing two weeks ago in Surprise, Ariz., where he defeated Jim Courier en route to a fourth-place finish. The 47-year-old Jarryd, a former world No. 5 and a Wimbledon semifinalist in 1985, suffered through a barrage of Ferreira forehands to lose the opening set 6-1. The Swede, however, changed the pace of the match by taking his South African opponent out of his rhythm with drop shots and slice backhands to even the match by winning the second set as easily as he lost the first. In the Champions Tie-Breaker, a 10-point tie-breaker played in lieu of a third set, Jarryd implemented an attacking style of play to jump out to a 9-6 lead. However, Ferreira charged back to save three consecutive match points, before Jarryd was able to hold on and win the next two points to close out the Champions Tie-breaker by an 11-9 margin.

Haarhuis, who beat Jim Courier to win his first Outback Champions Series event last year in Dubai, used his penetrating ground strokes and strong fitness to edge Bruguera. Haarhuis broke Bruguera at 5-5 before serving out the first set 7-5 and broke again in the sixth game of the second set before closing out the match four games later.

Thursday’s play will be highlighted by the Outback Champions Series debut of Stefan Edberg, who takes on Wayne Ferreira at 5 pm local time in Dubai. Edberg, 42, is one of 15 men in the history of tennis to play in all four major singles finals during his career. He won singles titles at Wimbledon in 1988 and 1990, at the U.S. Open in 1991 and 1992 and at the Australian Open in 1985 and 1987. At the French Open in 1989, Edberg fell one set shy of capturing the singles title, losing to Michael Chang in a five-set final. Edberg won 42 singles titles and 18 doubles titles in his career and held the No. 1 singles ranking for 72 weeks. He guided Sweden to victories in the Davis Cup in 1984, 1985, 1987 and 1994 and won the bronze medal in singles and doubles at the 1988 Olympic Games.

Also on Thursday’s schedule will be Haarhuis taking on Courier in a re-match of the 2007 Dubai final.

The Outback Champions Series features eight events on its 2008 schedule with each event featuring a round-robin match format. The winner of each division meets in the title match while second place finishers in each division play in the third-place match. Each event features $150,000 in prize money with an undefeated winner taking home $54,000 as well as Champions Series ranking points that will determine the year-end Stanford Champions Rankings No. 1. Beginning in 2008, the year-end champion will receive a $100,000 bonus courtesy of Stanford Financial Group, the official rankings sponsor of the Outback Champions Series.

The 2008 Outback Champions Series kicked off March 12-16 in Naples, Fla., at The Oliver Group Champions Cup where Todd Martin defeated John McEnroe in the final. Courier won the second event of the season at The Residences at The Ritz Carlton Grand Cayman Legends Championships April 16-20, defeating Ferreira in the final, while McEnroe won his first career Outback Champions Series event in Boston April 30- May 4, defeating Aaron Krickstein in the final. Pat Cash won his first Outback Champions Series title in Newport, R.I., in August, defeating Courier in the final, while Courier won his second and third titles of the season in September in Charlotte and in October in Dallas, defeating Martin and Thomas Enqvist in the final, respectively. In November, McEnroe won his second title of the 2008 season in Surprise, Ariz., defeating Martin in the final.

Founded in 2005, the Outback Champions Series features some of the biggest names in tennis over the last 25 years, including Pete Sampras, McEnroe, Courier and many others. To be eligible to compete on the Outback Champions Series, players must have reached at least a major singles final, been ranked in the top five in the world or played singles on a championship Davis Cup team. Each event also has the right to choose a “wild card” entrant. More information on the Outback Champions Series can be obtained by visiting www.ChampionsSeriesTennis.com.

InsideOut Sports & Entertainment is a New York City-based independent producer of proprietary events and promotions founded in 2004 by former world No. 1 and Hall of Fame tennis player Jim Courier and former SFX and Clear Channel executive Jon Venison. In 2005, InsideOut launched its signature property, the Outback Champions Series, a collection of tennis events featuring the greatest names in tennis over the age of 30. In addition, InsideOut produces many other successful events including one-night “Legendary Night” exhibitions as well as charity events and tennis fantasy camps, including the annual Ultimate Fantasy Camp. For more information, please log on to www.InsideOutSE.com or www.ChampionsSeriesTennis.com

Results
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Anders Jarryd, Sweden, def. Wayne Ferreira, South Africa, 1-6, 6-1, 11-9 (Champions Tie-Breaker)
Paul Haarhuis, Netherlands, def. Sergi Bruguera, Spain, 7-5, 6-4

Schedule of Play
Thursday, November 20
Starting at 5 pm
Stefan Edberg, Sweden, vs. Wayne Ferreira, South Africa
Paul Haarhuis, Netherlands, vs. Jim Courier, United States

Friday, November 21
Starting at 3 pm
Stefan Edberg, Sweden, vs. Anders Jarryd, Sweden
Jim Courier, United States, vs. Sergi Bruguera, Spain

Saturday
Starting at 3 pm
Third-place match
Followed by
Championship match

ROUND ROBIN STANDINGS
Group A
Anders Jarryd    1-0
Stefan Edberg    0-0
Wayne Ferreira    0-1

Group B
Paul Haarhuis    0-1
Jim Courier    0-0
Sergi Bruguera    0-1

Stanford Financial Group, the official rankings sponsor of the Outback Champions Series, will present Courier with a $100,000 cash bonus and the year-end No. 1 trophy on Friday, November 21 after his match at the Emirates NBD Legends “Rock” Dubai Championships in Dubai, U.A.E., the eighth and final Outback Champions Series event of 2008.

Suzanne Hamm, Chief Marketing Office for North America for Stanford, said, “Stanford is proud to underwrite the Stanford Champions Rankings and we extend our heartfelt congratulations to Jim Courier for his first place finish this season. We applaud his success both on and off the court.”

Courier consistently has been the dominant player on the 2008 circuit, posting a 23-4 win-loss record over seven events with three titles, one runner-up finish and two third-place finishes. With the $100,000 year end bonus, Courier has earned $350,000 on the Outback Champions Series in 2008 entering this week’s event in Dubai. His first title of the 2008 season came in the Cayman Islands in April, where he defeated Wayne Ferreira in the final. After a runner-up showing to Pat Cash at the Hall of Fame Champions Cup in Newport, R.I., in August, Courier won back-to-back titles this fall in Charlotte and Dallas, defeating Todd Martin and Thomas Enqvist, respectively, in the finals.

“My goal each year is to win as many tournaments as possible, but my long-term goal for this season was to regain the year-end No. 1 on the Stanford Champions Rankings after losing it in 2007,” said Courier. “It is very gratifying to get back to the top of the mountain when your competition is as strong as it is out here. Stanford Financial is one of the original supporters of the Outback Champions Series and I take great pride in receiving this award from them.”

Outback Champions Series players earn ranking points based on each match victory in round-robin play and bonus points based on finishing in the top four at each event. Players earn 100 points for competing in each Outback Champions Series event and 100 points per round-robin match victory. The winner of each event receives 400 bonus points, while the runner-up earns 200 bonus points. Third-place finishers earn 100 bonus points while the fourth-place finisher receives 50 bonus points.

Entering this week’s event in Dubai, Courier has 3800 Stanford Champions Ranking points, followed by John McEnroe with 2500 points and Todd Martin with 2200 points. The current rankings list is as follows;

2008 STANFORD CHAMPIONS RANKINGS (as of November 19)
1. Jim Courier (USA) 3800 points
2. John McEnroe (USA) 2500 points
3. Todd Martin (USA) 2200 points
4. Wayne Ferreira (RSA) 2000 points
5. Aaron Krickstein (USA) 1650 points
6. Magnus Larsson (SWE) 1000 points
Jimmy Arias (USA) 1000 points
8. Thomas Enqvist (SWE) 900 points
9. Pat Cash (AUS) 800 points
10. Mikael Pernfors (SWE) 750 points
11. Karel Novacek (CZE) 500 points
12. Anders Jarryd (SWE) 450 points
MaliVai Washington (USA) 450 points
14. Paul Haarhuis (NED) 350 points
15. Goran Ivanisevic (CRO) 200 points
Pete Sampras (USA) 200 points
17. Mats Wilander (SWE) 100 points
Justin Gimelstob (USA) 100 points

Courier also finished the 2006 season as the Outback Champions Series year-end points champion with tournament victories in Naples, Fla., and Charlotte and third-place finishes in both Boston and Houston. Todd Martin concluded the 2007 year as the top-ranked player on the Series, paced by winning the Hall of Fame Champions Cup in Newport, R.I. and runner-up showings in Boston, Charlotte and Athens, Greece.

The Outback Champions Series features eight events on its 2008 schedule with each event featuring a round-robin match format. The winner of each division meets in the title match while second place finishers in each division play in the third-place match. Each event features $150,000 in prize money with an undefeated winner taking home $54,000, as well as Champions Series ranking points that will determine the year-end Stanford Champions Rankings No. 1 player.

The 2008 Outback Champions Series kicked off March 12-16 in Naples, Fla., at The Oliver Group Champions Cup where Todd Martin defeated John McEnroe in the final. Courier won the second event of the season at The Residences at The Ritz Carlton Grand Cayman Legends Championships April 16-20, defeating Ferreira in the final, while McEnroe won his first career Outback Champions Series event in Boston April 30- May 4, defeating Aaron Krickstein in the final. Pat Cash won his first Outback Champions Series title in Newport, R.I., in August, defeating Courier in the final, while Courier won his second and third titles of the season in September in Charlotte and in October in Dallas, defeating Martin and Thomas Enqvist in the final, respectively. In November, McEnroe won his second title of the 2008 season in Surprise, Ariz., defeating Martin in the final.

About Outback Champions Series
Founded in 2005, the Outback Champions Series features some of the biggest names in tennis from the last 25 years, including Pete Sampras, McEnroe, Courier and many others. To be eligible to compete on the Outback Champions Series, players must have reached at least a major singles final, been ranked in the top five in the world or played singles on a championship Davis Cup team. Each event also has the right to choose a “wild card” entrant. More information on the Outback Champions Series can be obtained by visiting www.ChampionsSeriesTennis.com.

About InsideOut Sports & Entertainment
InsideOut Sports & Entertainment is a New York City-based independent producer of proprietary events and promotions founded in 2004 by former world No. 1 and Hall of Fame tennis player Jim Courier and former SFX and Clear Channel executive Jon Venison. In 2005, InsideOut launched its signature property, the Outback Champions Series, a collection of tennis events featuring the greatest names in tennis over the age of 30. In addition, InsideOut produces many other successful events including one-night “Legendary Night” exhibitions as well as charity events and tennis fantasy camps, including the annual Ultimate Fantasy Camp. For more information, please log on to www.InsideOutSE.com or www.ChampionsSeriesTennis.com

About Stanford Financial Group
Stanford Financial Group is a privately held global network of independent, affiliated financial services companies led by Chairman of the Board Sir Allen Stanford.  The first Stanford company was founded by his grandfather, Lodis B. Stanford in 1932. Stanford’s core businesses are private wealth management and investment banking for institutions and emerging growth companies.

The Stanford Financial Group of companies provides private and institutional investors with global expertise in asset allocation strategies, investment advisory services, award-winning policy and equity research, international private banking and trust administration, commercial banking, investment banking, merchant banking, institutional sales and trading, real estate investment and insurance. Stanford has more than $50 billion in assets under management or advisement.

Stanford Financial has made it a priority to invest in the communities in which it operates across the globe through signature corporate philanthropy initiatives with nonprofit organizations such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and countless local and national charities that strengthen communities.

Securities products and services are offered in the United States through Stanford Group Company, member FINRA/SIPC. Stanford Financial Group is not a legal entity, but a registered trademark that encompasses the global network of independent, but affiliated, privately held and wholly owned entities. More information can be found at www.stanfordfinancial.com.

Novak Djokovic beat Nikolay Davydenko 6-1 7-5 to win the Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai, China

Fabrice Santoro won the PEOPLEnet Cup by beating Victor Hanescu 6-2 6-3 in Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine

SAYINGS

“I would put it in the same league as a Grand Slam because the best eight players in the world are participating here. I feel very happy. End up the season the way I started it, with a win in a big event.” - Novak Djokovic, the Australian Open champion who beat Nikolay Davydenko to win the season-ending Tennis Masters Cup.

“Against Djokovic you need to be perfect, also play very fast and very good. That’s what he did, and I didn’t.” - Nikolay Davydenko.

“At the moment it’s Rafa and myself. I really still feel it’s that way because … we’ve played big events on so many occasions. I mean, we still have to play a few more Grand Slam finals. If that’s the case, I’m very happy from my side.” - Roger Federer, after being ousted from the Tennis Masters Cup and failing to reach the semifinals.

“I didn’t feel like I could go out and try to compete and win a tennis match. It’s definitely a tough prospect trying to beat Roger (Federer) with no serve and not being able to move much.” - Andy Roddick, after pulling out of the Tennis Masters Cup with a right ankle injury.

“I don’t know if the injury (resulted) from my fight to be number one because in reality, I didn’t play in any extra tournaments, I only played what I had to for the ranking and I don’t think you can reproach me for that. I didn’t do anything crazy to be No. 1.” - Rafael Nadal.

“Rafa comes in off a very tough year and his body has been warning him for weeks. It’s an acute injury that needs time to recuperate. If he played in Argentina, it could become worse.” - Angel Ruiz-Cotorro, Spanish Davis Cup team doctor, saying Nadal would not play in the Cup final against Argentina.

“It’s disappointing (Rafael) Nadal cannot be with us but we shouldn’t talk about him any more from now on.” - Emilio Sanchez-Vicario, Spain’s Davis Cup captain, as he replaced the world’s top-ranked player with little-known Marcel Granollers.

“It’s always hard to win against Federer. I know that I have to play my best tennis. But in another way, it’s easier for me because I have no question in any head. I just want to give everything, every point to my best tennis to win. It’s easier to play in that way.” - Gilles Simon, after beating Roger Federer in the first match at the Tennis Masters Cup.

“The better you play, the better he plays. He’s quite a unique player and he makes you work hard and runs very well. He’s unusual to play against.” - Roger Federer, about Gilles Simon, who won their opening-round round-robin match at Shanghai.

“I think the umpires are not going to miss me. I’ve been quite tough on those guys.” - Jonas Bjorkman, who retired after 17 years on the ATP tour.

“She will laugh at herself, cry over sad memories, swear if she is angry, be shy about intimate details, and that is why she is a perfect movie hero.” - Film critic Dubravka Lakic, on his documentary on Jelena Jankovic.

“For the first time in my career I feel sad that the season is over.” - Elena Dementieva.

SLICED

After celebrating his Tennis Masters Cup victory by joining his coach, family and a former Miss University in the stands, Novak Djokovic realized he had cut his left hand. He had the trainer apply a bandage before accepting the trophy for capturing the season-ending tournament. Following his victory over Nikolay Davydenko, Djokovic celebrated by tossing two racquets, his wristbands and sweat-soaked shirt into the crowd at Shanghai’s Qi Zhong Stadium. Then he went to the player’s box where he hugged everyone in his entourage. That’s when he noticed his bloody hand. “You don’t feel the pain in the moments of happiness,” Djokovic said.

STRICKENED

After losing his first round-robin match, Andy Roddick pulled out of the Tennis Masters Cup with a right ankle injury. The 26-year-old American said he rolled the ankle during a warm-up drill in practice. He initially hoped treatment would allow him to play his second match, against Roger Federer, but realized during his pre-match warm-up that he couldn’t run or serve well enough. Roddick, who also missed the 2005 Tennis Masters Cup because of an injury, was replaced in the elite eight-man field by Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic.

SEPARATED

When Rafael Nadal was forced to pull out of the Davis Cup final between Spain and Argentina, he was replaced by little-known Marcel Granollers, who will be making his Davis Cup debut. Granollers, who is ranked 56^th in the world, will join David Ferrer, Fernando Verdasco and Feliciano Lopez as Spain attempts to win the famed international Cup for the first time since 2004. Also taking himself out of contention for the Spanish squad was Tommy Robredo.

STRAIGHT TO THE BANK

There’s a whole new look to the career money leaders in women’s tennis. Lindsay Davenport took over the top spot when she won USD $295,412 in 2008, boosting her career total to USD $22,144,715. Although she won both Wimbledon and the season-ending Sony Ericsson Championships in Doha, Qatar, Venus Williams slipped behind her sister Serena, the US Open winner. But Serena and Venus are now second and third on the WTA Tour career earnings list. Serena has pocketed USD $21,961,407, with Venus right behind at USD $21,921,346. For 2008, Serena earned USD $3,852,173 and Venus USD $3,747,565. Steffi Graf dropped from first to fourth on the career earnings list with USD $21,895,277, followed by Martina Navratilova at USD $21,626,089.

SIMON SURPRISE

It didn’t take long for this year’s Tennis Masters Cup to pull off a surprise. Gilles Simon made his debut by shocking four-time champion Roger Federer 4-6 6-4 6-3. It was Simon’s 50^th ATP match win of the season, a year that saw the Frenchman break into the Top 10 of the South African Airways ATP Rankings for the first time. Simon has also shown that the opening set is only the beginning of a match. The 23-year-old leads the ATP with 14 match wins after losing the first set. Against Federer, he also was a break down in the second set. “I defeated him once in Toronto, so it was easier to finish the match,” Simon said. “For sure it was one of the best victories of my career.”

SWEDE GOING

Jonas Bjorkman has hung up his racquets. The Swede finished his 17-year tennis career when he and partner Kevin Ullyett failed to qualify for the doubles semifinals at the year-ending Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai, China. A Wimbledon singles semifinalist two years ago, Bjorkman won more than USD $14 million over his career as well as three Davis Cup titles with his country in 1994, 1997 and 1998. Although his playing career is over, Bjorkman isn’t leaving the sport. He will be editing a Swedish tennis magazine.

SWEDE COMING

Stefan Edberg is making his Outback Champions Series debut at the Emirates NBD’s The Legends “Rock” Dubai this week. The six-time Grand Slam tournament winner is joining the six-player round-robin field that includes Jim Courier, Sergi Bruguera, Anders Jarryd, Wayne Ferreira and defending champion Paul Haarhuis. Edberg is one of 15 men in the history of tennis to play in all four major singles finals during his career, winning twice at Wimbledon, the US Open and the Australian Open. The stoic Swede lost the 1989 French Open final to Michael Chang in a five-set thriller.

SLOVAKIAN ADDED

Daniel Hantuchova will play in next year’s inaugural Brisbane International tennis tournament. Organizers said the Slovakian star will join French Open champion Ana Ivanovic and reigning Australian Women’s Hardcourt champion Li Na in the field. The Brisbane International will be played at a new tennis center in the Queensland capital from January 4-11 and replaces both the men’s and women’s Australian Hardcourt championships. The Brisbane International men’s draw will feature Novak Djokovic, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Marcos Baghdatis, Gael Monfils, Richard Gasquet and Mardy Fish.

SPOTLIGHT

A documentary film about Jelena Jankovic has opened in movie theaters in Serbia. The 80-minute film, titled “Jelena’s World,” follows the world’s number one-ranked women’s player during tournaments in Madrid and Berlin, as well as her frequent but brief visits to her hometown Belgrade. The movie’s makers, Talas Film, hope to distribute the film world-wide. Director Tanja Brzakovic said the documentary was borne out of her fascination with Jankovic.

SERENA’s SCHOOL

There’s a school in Kenya named for Serena Williams. The tennis ace was on hand when the Serena Williams Secondary school in the Eastern province district of Makueni was opened. The school was constructed through funds provided by Serena, computer company Hewlett Packard and The Build African Schools Organization, which funds and supports construction of schools in marginalized areas. Since the area does not have electricity, the school’s state-of-the-art computer laboratory runs on solar power supplied by Hewlett Packard. Following the ceremony, Williams paid a courtesy call on Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

SERVING STILL

Andy Roddick is upset over plans to make players turn up for more tournaments next year. However, the hard-serving American refused to blame the rigorous tennis schedule for the ankle injury that forced him to pull out of the Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai. “I think too much is asked of us as far as playing eleven months of the year, and now they’re imposing more mandatory tournaments,” Roddick said. “It doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.” The ATP tour has revealed a 2009 schedule that calls for top players to attend eight of the nine Masters events plus four lower-tier tournaments. That, of course, doesn’t include the four Grand Slam tournaments.

STOPPING STILL

There will be an ATP tournament in Hamburg, Germany, in 2009, despite the legal battle over the future of the event. The German tennis federation (DTB) said the tournament would be held in late July. At the same time, the DTB is appealing a United States court decision that upheld the ATP’s right to downgrade the Hamburg tournament from one in which all of the top players had to compete.

SHOES, ETC.

Lacoste has extended its partnership with the ATP and will be the official apparel and footwear partner of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals until 2013. As part of the restructuring of men’s tennis in 2009, the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals will replace the Tennis Masters Cup as the season-ending tournament with the top eight singles players and top eight top doubles teams. As the exclusive provider of apparel and footwear for the tournament, Lacoste will also continue to dress the lines people and ball kids.

SIGNED UP

Tom Gorman has signed on as the new director of tennis at La Quinta Resort & PGA West in the Palm Springs, California, area. A two-time NCAA All-American Gorman reached the semifinals at the US Open, Wimbledon and the French Open during his long career. He was on the winning American Davis Cup team in 1972 and coached the US women’s Wightman Cup and Federation Cup teams in 1984 and 1985. In 1986, he was named the US men’s Davis Cup coach, a position he held for eight years. Gorman was coach with the Americans won the Davis Cup in 1990 and 1992.

SHARED PERFORMANCES

Shanghai: Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic beat Bob and Mike Bryan 7-6 (3) 6-2

Dnepropetrovsk: Guillermo Canas and Dmitry Tursunov beat Lukasz Kubot and Oliver Marach 6-3 7-6 (5)

SITES TO SURF

Davis Cup: www.daviscup.com

Odense: www.nordeadanishopen.dk/

Helsinki: www.ippopen.net

Macao: www.blackrocktourofchampions.com/3/events/2008/macao.asp

TOURNAMENTS THIS WEEK

(All money in USD)

DAVIS CUP

(Final)

(Nov. 21-23)

Argentina vs. Spain at Mar Del Plata, Argentina, hard

ATP

$125,000 IPP Open, Helsinki, Finland, hard

WOMEN’S TOUR

$100,000 Nordea Danish Open, Odense, Denmark, carpet

SENIORS

Blackrock Tour of Champions, Macao, China

In the final met two players who had played against each other in the group stage. On Tuesaday Novak Djokovic had defeated Nikolay Davydenko 7-6 0-6 7-5, five days later the Serb won much more easier, beating the Russian 6-1 7-5 to notch his first Masters Cup title (for the sixth time in the last 10 years in Masters Cup, two players met twice within one week, and for the third time in that period, one of them won both meetings, previously Roger Federer beat Andre Agassi twice in 2003). Djokovic won the first five games of the final and was two points away from taking the first set 6-0. In the second set Djokovic was close to gain a double break lead at 3:1. At 3:5 Davydenko saved double match point and in the next game broke opponent’s serve for the first time in the match after Djokovic’s double fault. Djokovic found himself in a very similar situation the day before playing against Simon and again didn’t panic in tense situation.

“It’s not easy, you know,” Djokovic said about that moment.

“There is a lot of pressure involved. It’s very important after not closing out the match to hold your nerves, and that’s what I did.”

In the 11th game Davydenko lost his serve netted a forehand on break-point. Djokovic didn’t waste second chance to close out the match and converted third match point with service winner. 21-year-old Djokovic obtained $625,000, Mercedes SUV and finished the season just two points behind No. 2 Roger Federer in the Champions Race.

“The secrets of the recovery, I think I’m going to keep more myself,” said Djokovic about his tight match against Simon and quick recovery. “But, yes, I was surprised in a way that I could move so well on the court today. I was a bit skeptical after a long match yesterday and a late finish.”

(2)Novak Djokovic (SRB) d. (4)Nikolay Davydenko 6-1 7-5

Semifinals

Gilles Simon won first encounter against Novak Djokovic, earlier this year in Marseille and started very well their semifinal in Shanghai. Simon broke Djokovic’s serve in the 3rd game and held his serve to the end of the set (could have won first set one game earlier but wasted 4 setpoints at 5:3). From the beginning of the second set, Djokovic was playing much more better, athough broke Simon’s serve just once - it was enough to level at one set a piece. In the third set Djokovic was 3:1 (40-0) up on Simon’s serve when felt pain in the left calf. Simon saved triple break point, won fifth game, and Djokovic took a medical time-out. After that Djokovic had been struggling with his baseline game but won reliably two service games and was serving for match at 5:4 - Simon ribroke after Djokovic’s double fault. In the next game at 30-30 Djokovic played good combination at the net with volley winner and it was decisive moment of the match. The Serb converted his second chance to close out the match which lasted 2 hours 51 minutes.

“Final is something special,” said Djokovic. “Every player has a motive more to do well and to win the title. I didn’t win a title for a long time already, since Rome, so I would like to end up my season in a good way.”

Murray’s game in the second semifinal, was infected by the marathon match against Roger Federer the day before. The Scot was even 4:3 (30-0) in the first set against Nikolay Davydenko but his physical tiredness was very visible. Davydenko won 7-5 6-2 in a very convincing style, reeled off five straight games, to advance for the first time to Masters Cup final in 4 appearances.

“Naturally I was going to be tired, I played a long match last night but he played a lot better than me in the circumstances. I think Davydenko will win the final” said Murray. “Djokovic had a long match today. Davydenko’s probably going to be fresher. I think that should make a big difference.”

Davydenko said: “Djokovic will have more confidence in the final”.

(2)Novak Djokovic (SRB) d. (8)Gilles Simon (FRA) 4-6 6-3 7-5
(4)Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) d. (3)Andy Murray (GBR) 7-5 6-2

Match between this year’s Australian Open finalists, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Novak Djokovic, was completely irrelevant for the rest of the tournament, because Djokovic had secured 1st place in the group on Tuesday and Tsonga hadn’t had any chance to qualify to the semifinals. After winning first set easily, Djokovic had chances in two Tsonga’s service games to take a decisive break: 2:2 (40-15), 3:3 (30-0). Tsonga escaped troubles and in the 12th game broke Djokovic’s serve for the first time in the match to win the second set. Djokovic apparently wanted to save much energy before the semifinals, and in the third set, lost two service games without special involvement. Tsonga notched third win over Djokovic this autumn and gained 20 ranking points to move one place above Andy Roddick in the Champions Race.

In the second match of the day, Nikolay Davydenko and Juan Martin del Potro were fighting for a third spot in the semifinal. Unfortunately their match has been the most one-sided duel in Shanghai so far. Since 4:3 in the first set Davydenko’s advantage wasn’t questionable. The Russian won 8 out of the last 10 games of the match and joined to Murray and Djokovic as a third semifinalist. “Today, I played so good, I feel great” Davydenko said. He advanced to the Masters Cup semifinal second time in four appearances. Del Potro about his first Masters Cup appearance said: “I know these tournaments are very complicated for every player. That’s a good experience for me, for my career. I just need more experience to play better the next Masters Cup.”

(6)Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) d. (2)Novak Djokovic (SRB) 1-6 7-5 6-1
(4)Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) d. (7)Juan Martin del Potro (ARG) 6-3 6-2

Red Group

Gilles Simon found himself in paradoxical situation: he could have won his match against Stepanek and didn’t walk out from the group or lose that match and play in the semifinal, because his fate depended upon the Murray-Federer match. Simon won easily against Radek Stepanek 6-1 6-4 never facing break point and was hoping that Murray would beat Federer.

The last match in the group stage between Andy Murray and Roger Federer was the longest, the most dramatic and the best (given the quality of play) this year in Shanghai. Murray won 4-6 7-6(3) 7-5, for the third time this season rallied from a set down against Federer. The Swiss had been complaining of back and stomach problems this week but in the first set played his best tennis. Had break points in 4 Murray’s service games, notched 2 breaks of serve (lost own service once, in the 6th game). In the second set Murray led comfortably 5:2 (40-15) on serve but Federer won 4 games in a row, breaking Murray’s serve twice! In the intense tie-break Murray won 7 points, lost 3, and the match went to the deciding set. At the beginning of the third set, Federer had the trainer come out and massage his lower left back. Murray led 3:0 (30-15), but Federer playing unusually many dropshots, had later 4:3 (40-15) on serve - Murray broke back and had double match point at 5:4. That 10th game of the final set was amazing, Murray did two simple errors on first two match points, then both were playing for quite a while on the highest level, there were 10 deuces, Murray had another 5 match points but finally Federer converted 4th gamepoint to level up at 5:5. It was all what the 4-time Masters Cup champion could have done that day, fighting with the opponent and the back pain. Last two games Murray won without too much trouble, converting 8th match point after Federer’s forehand error. The match lasted 3 hours, 1 minute. “A win over Roger Federer means almost as much as winning the Masters Cup to me,” said Murray “He’s the best player of all time.” Federer won’t play in the Masters Cup semifinal for the first time in 7 appearances (4 triumphs, 1 final, 1 semifinal). He said: “I almost made a miracle happen, you know. I can’t believe how close I got, to be honest. So I’m actually very happy.”

(8)Gilles Simon (FRA) d. (alt.)Radek Stepanek (CZE) 6-1 6-4
(3)Andy Murray (GBR) d. (1)Roger Federer (SUI) 4-6 7-6(3) 7-5

Simon defeated Radek Stepanek 6-1, 6-4 and Federer lost to Andy Murray 4-6, 7-6(3), 7-5 on Friday in Shanghai. That leaves Simon at 2-1, Federer at 1-2, and Stepanek 0-2 behind red group leader Murray. So Simon is in and Federer is out. No ties. No tiebreakers necessary. Simple.

Simon’s match, as already discussed, was irrelevant to the outcome of the red group, but his victory at least rendered the tie-breaking rules unnecessary and left fans with no need to try to understand why a certain player reached the semifinals. Simon made it simple, and his win over Stepanek was quite simple as well. Stepanek should get a break, however, since he was on vacation in Thailand and had no ideas whatsoever of participating in the prestigious year-end tournament. Of course, that was before Andy Roddick pulled out of the event with an ankle injury sustained during practice in between his first and second round-robin matches. After all the possible alternates ranked ahead of the Czech declined invitations to fill in, Stepanek jumped at the opportunity and literally borrowed Murray’s shoes and Novak Djokovic’s rackets in order to play.

The loans were not enough, however, to take down Simon, who had stunned Roger Federer in three sets on Monday. Simon went down to Murray in his second match, but he righted the ship by easing past Stepanek in two.

That quickly set the stage for Murray, who had already secured a place in the semifinals, and Federer, who needed a victory to advance and knock Simon out.

For a while, things looked good for the second-ranked Swiss. He broke Murray at 5-4 in the opener to take the first set 6-4. Federer even had a chance to finish the match off in straights as the second set featured four breaks of serve en route to a tiebreaker. Clutch play from the Scot and several scorching backhands leveled the match and forced a decisive third. Federer came out following treatment for his bad lower back and at first it did not cooperate. Murray sprinted to a 3-0 lead and a lame Federer appeared done. Yet somehow, Federer won the next four games to go up a break 4-3. In a final set that featured more twins and turns than you can possibly imagine, it was then Murray’s turn to regain momentum. The world No. 4 broke right back and held for 5-4, forcing Federer to serve to stay in the match-and the tournament. Federer did, but not before saving an incredible seven match points in dramatic fashion.

In the almost-inevitable end, however, Federer’s back ultimately failed him in the crucial moments. Murray won the final two games easily for the 7-5 win, finishing off Federer’s 2008 season and setting the stage for the semifinals….

…Which will pit Murray (red group winner) against Nikolay Davydenko (gold group runner-up) and Djokovic (gold group winner) against Simon (red group runner-up).

In the match between two young guns who participate in Masters Cup for the first time, Juan Martin del Potro ousted Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in two tie-break sets (7:4, 7:5) after 1 hour 51 minutes. Both sets had very similar process - Del Potro was leading 2:0, Tsonga got back on level terms at 2:2. In the first tie-break Tsonga was leading 3:1 but hit forehand wide from comfortable position and moment later Del Potro was 5:3 up and finished the set with two service winners. The second tie-break was mainly decided by stunning Del Potro’s backhand passing-shot which landed on the line and gave him leading 4:2. At 5:2 Del Potro served double fault, Tsonga saved with great serves (17 aces in the match, 12 in the first set) two match points but on the third match point, Del Potro hit strong first serve and forced Tsonga to an error after aggressive forehand. Del Potro has won third match this year 7-6 7-6 (previously against R.Schuettler and M.Fischer) and keeps alive his chances of qualifying for the semifinals, Tsonga lost his own chances after next match in that group between Djokovic and Davydenko. I’m very happy,” said Del Potro. “I beat the winner of Paris. He’s playing with a lot of confidence, like me. I played a great match. I played very good on the important points in the second set, and that was the key to beat him.”

Novak Djokovic as a first player this year secured a place in the semifinal after 7-6 0-6 7-5 win over Nikolay Davydeko. The Russian was 5:3 up in the first set and was two points away from taking the first set at 5:4 (30-30) on serve. Djokovic after winning first set tie-break easily, completely lost concentration what almost cost him losing 8 games in a row - Davydenko won second set 6-0 in just 18 minutes and had double break point at 1:0 in the third. Later Davydenko had gamepoint for a 6:5 lead but did an abysmal volley error and lost his serve. In the next game Djokovic quickly jumped to 40-0 and converted second match point with forehand winner. This outcome means Tsonga is eliminated from the tournament (he had theoretical chance to go to the semifinal if Davydenko would win against Djokovic). “It’s a great achievement for me, going through the semifinals, which kind of gives me a relief of the upcoming match,” said Djokovic. Davydenko has lost for the first time in ATP a match when he won a set 6-0. After the match he said about his next match against Del Potro: “You know it’s your last chance. If I win, I can qualify. If not, then I go on holiday.”

(7)Juan Martin del Potro (ARG) d. (6)Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) 7-6(4) 7-6(5)
(2)Novak Djokovic (SRB) d. (4)Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) 7-6(3) 0-6 7-5

Red Group

In the battle of very long rallies, Andy Murray overcame Gilles Simon 6-4 6-2 and advanced to the semifinals. Murray has beaten Simon in straight sets for the third time this year. The Scott began the match with a 4:0 lead but Simon with his “never say die” attitude had break point to level up to 4:4 - did a return error. At the beginning of the second set Simon had three break points at 1:0 but couldn’t convert his chances and quickly found himself being 1:5 down. “The more I got him moving, the more I changed the pace of the ball and he started to make more mistakes,” said Murray.

Andy Roddick withdrew from the tournament because of injury (sprained ankle in the practise session). Before the tournament started, many players had refused to go to Shanghai as the altenates. The invitation accepted Radek Stepanek (26th in Champions Race) and Nicolas Kiefer (35th), therefore after Roddick’s withdrawal, Stepanek was playing against Roger Federer, becoming the lowest ranked player who has participated in Masters Cup history. Federer won 7-6(4) 6-4 but his form was far from his best, lost a break advantage in both sets and won match point after Stepanek’s double fault. Stepanek, who was on holiday in Thailand before arriving in Shanghai, said: “I had a racquet from Novak Djokovic, and I got socks from Andy Murray. But he’s using the same ones as I do, so I asked him if I could borrow one.” Federer has to beat Murray to qualify to the semifinals, Stepanek after losing first match, hasn’t any chance to play in the semifinal.

(3)Andy Murray (GBR) d. (8)Gilles Simon (FRA) 6-4 6-2
(1)Roger Federer (SUI) d. (alt.)Radek Stepanek (CZE) 7-6(4) 6-4

Here’s the deal: Simon is 1-1 in matches and 2-3 in sets (he beat Roger Federer in three and lost to Andy Murray in two). Federer is 1-1 in matches and 3-2 in sets (he lost to Simon in three and beat Radek Stepanek in two). Stepanek is 0-1 in matches and 0-2 in sets.

With Federer playing Murray and Simon playing Stepanek, three men (actually four since the Masters Cup standings somehow show Stepanek and Andy Roddick as essentially the same person! Stepanek subbed in when Roddick pulled out of the tournament with an ankle injury shortly before his scheduled showdown against Federer) can finish round-robin action with a 1-2 record behind Murray’s 3-0 mark. That would be the case if Murray upends Federer and Stepanek downs Simon.

In that scenario, Stepanek (who is eliminated regardless of the two outcomes) would be out due to the fact that he has played fewer matches than Federer and Simon. Number of matches played is the key tiebreaker and renders replacements almost irrelevant (Roddick played one match, losing to Murray, before his withdrawal). So it would come down to Federer and Simon. Now that it’s no longer a three-way tie (with Stepanek history), Simon would get the semifinal nod over Federer due to his head-to-head victory over the Swiss. So, as we see, Federer is done if he loses to Murray, even if Simon loses to Stepanek.

There’s also a chance three men could finish with a 2-1 record ahead of Stepanek’s (slash Roddick’s) 0-3 clip. That would be the case if Federer takes out Murray and Simon gets past Stepanek. With a three-way tie, a head-to-head ‘breaker is inconceivable since Murray beat Simon, Simon beat Federer, and Federer beat Murray (under this scenario). So it would come down to percentage of sets won. The worst Murray could end up with is winning 4 of 6 sets (if he loses to Federer in straights). The worst Federer could end up with is winning 5 of 8 eights sets (if he beats Murray in three, and remember he MUST beat Murray in for this scenario to be relevant). The best Simon could end up with is winning 4 of 7 sets (if he beats Stepanek in straights). So, as we see, it is impossible for Simon to advance if three men finish 2-1. That means Federer must lose in order for Simon to advance.

If you followed all that, you now know that Simon’s match is absolutely meaningless in determining the semifinalists. It all comes down to Federer and Murray. If Federer wins, he is in and Simon is out. If Federer loses, he is out and Simon is in.

To put it in simple terms: Simon could win 6-0, 6-0 and still be out. He could lose 6-0, 6-0 and still be in!

Got it?

Last week in Nashville, Deverman took out super talented and feisty, Jesse Levine.  A convincing 7-6, 6-2 win showed that Somdev will certainly be a force to reckon with no matter who he plays.  Using a “never miss a ball” type of strategy, the chilly Indian, can give guys on the other side of the net fits.

Winning his second Challenger in as many weeks was Robert Kendrick.  Robert continues to roll and show the country that he is the best on the Challenger circuit this year and is now the 8th ranked American.  “Kendo” finally took out Deverman, 7-5 , 6-2 .  This was his first win against the NCAA Champ in 3 tries.  One more week in Illinois and Kendrick will be training for the Australian Open in January.

I am looking forward to working with a long time client and friend in Orlando.  Some time on the bike and on the golf course will keep Robert fresh and body healthy.  I plan on a solid strength training program which will incorporate a lot of cable machines and dumbells. The goal will be to get the big guy to crank out a dozen pullups in a row by the time January 1 comes along,  Due to persistant knee problems, Robert will have to the agility training on level grass, and incorporate massage and stretching in his everyday routine.  Kendrick has a very live arm and a tenacious fighting spirit that is a privledge to be around.