Jo-Wilfried Tsonga wins in Paris Masters

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga beats Julien Benneteau in his first match of the Paris Masters

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga wins his first match in
the Paris Masters

French tennis star Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has begun his quest for qualifying for the ATP World Tour Finals with a first win at the Paris Masters. Tsonga struggled in the middle of the match but pulled out a win against Julien Benneteau 6-2 4-6 7-6to advance to the third round and edge that little bit closer towards qualifying for the end of season tournament at the O2 Arena in London.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga had an impressive start dominating the first set winning 6-2 and showing why he should and probably will qualify for the ATP World Tour Finals. However, Tsonga allowed Benneteau to break decisively in the fifth game and serve out the rest of the set to level the match and need a third set to be the decider.

Tsonga served for the match after breaking in the eighth game of the deciding third set, only for Benneteau to break back and force a tiebreak, though he promptly lost five points in a row as Tsonga claimed it 7-2 and advanced into the third round. If Tsonga can secure a victory in the third round of the Paris Masters he will certainly secure a spot in the ATP World Tour Finals. Last year in the Paris Masters, Tsonga was able to reach the final where he lost to Federer and similarly in the ATP World Tour Finals last year, he reached the final but again lost to the Swiss tennis magician, Roger Federer.

There are 2 places left in the ATP World Tour Finals and Tsonga is looking towards grabbing one of those places if he can defeat either Spain's Nicolas Almagro or Albert Ramos in the next round. Tsonga will be competing against Djokovic, Federer, Murray, Ferrer, Berdych and del Potro if he does qualify with the final place possibly being filled by either Tipsarevic, Gasquet or Almagro with it most likely going to be filled by Tipsarevic.

Author Daniel Foster.
You can see Jo-Wilfried Tsonga play his final tournament of the year when he plays against seven of the world’s best tennis players at the Barclays ATP World Tour Tennis Finals at the O2 Arena in London. He will also play at Wimbledon 2013, Boodles 2013, Aegon Championships 2013 and the US Open 2013 and you can get hospitality and tickets through our sister company Eventality. Call us on 0844 293 2350 or +44 (0)208 166 5102 or request a call back via e-mail.

You can book your Wimbledon 2013 tickets & hospitality packages today. Call us on 0844 293 2350 or +44 (0)208 166 5102, request a call back via e-mail or go online www.wimbledonhospitalityonline.co.uk

Serena Williams wins the WTA Championships

Serena Williams beats Maria Sharapova in the WTA Championships final

 Serena Williams wins the WTA Championhsips title

Serena Williams has won her third WTA Championships this weekend against Maria Sharapova with a dominant 6-4 6-3 showing at Istanbul. It was doubtful that Sharapova was going to defeat Williams in this final as she had not yet dropped a single set all tournament and as first thought before the game, Sharapova made no impact on Williams’ fine form. Williams said, “Maria won the last time we played in the Championships final (in 2004) and she's ranked ahead of me so I had nothing to lose.”

World number three Williams has won seven titles in 2012, including the US Open, Wimbledon and the Olympics. The 15-time major winner leads Russian world number two Sharapova 10-2 in head-to-heads and has won her last 13 matches against top-four players. She is certainly on form and hopes that she can carry her form into next season now that this season has finished for the women.

Williams carried on to say, “It feels great to have achieved my dream. The Turkish crowd were fantastic. I have never seen so many signs with my name on them before.”  She continued, “It's awesome. To come back after being in the hospital, I feel so happy whether I win or lose,” Serena commented after her career-threatening injury and illness in 2010 and 2011.

Sharapova said after the game, “She had another great serving day against me. I don't think I even had a break point. Maybe it was partly me not doing enough on the returns and partly she was serving well, but that's one of the reasons she's such a great champion and has had a tremendous amount of success in her career.”

This tennis season may be over but you can start planning your trips to the major tennis events today.

Author Daniel Foster.
You can book your Wimbledon 2013 tickets & hospitality packages today. Call us on 0844 293 2350 or +44 (0)208 166 5102, request a call back via e-mail or go online www.wimbledonticketsonline.co.uk. For all other tennis events please see our sister site, Eventality.

David Ferrer wins Valencia Open

David Ferrer captures his third Valencia Open trophy in his home country

Juan Carlos Ferrero alongside David Ferrer

David Ferrer won the Valencia Open at the weekend and he dedicated his victory to his good friend and former world number one Juan Carlos Ferrero who retired in the same tournament. The Spaniard has won the Valencia Open twice before in 2008 and in 2010 and he retains his title this year yet again by defeating Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-1 3-6 6-4 in one hour and 49 minutes. Ferrer celebrated by hugging his friend Juan Carlos Ferrero, who he partnered to the doubles semi-finals this week.

David Ferrer has said, “It's always very difficult to play at home. I knew it would be more difficult to win the title again. He's a very talented opponent. I played aggressively and it went well for me. I want to dedicate the victory to Juan Carlos Ferrero on his farewell. He has given me the opportunity to grow as a person and as a player.” Ferrero, who had trained Ferrer in his younger years, wanted to celebrate his win with his friend for all the happy years they have known each other.

Ferrer received €342,850 in prize money and 500 South African Airways ATP Ranking points, while Dolgopolov picked up €154,570 and 300 points. These South African Airways ATP Ranking Points go towards the seaon total and ultimately qualifying for the ATP World Tour Finals. Ferrer doesn’t need to worry about qualifying for the Finals as he’s already racked up enough points to compete as one of the top 8 men this year. He is going to play against 7 of the world’s best players including Djokovic, Federer, Murray, Berdych and del Potro at the O2 Arena on 5th November.

Author Daniel Foster.
You can see David Ferrer play his final tournament of the year when he plays against seven of the world’s best tennis players at the Barclays ATP World Tour Tennis Finals at the O2 Arena in London. He will also play at Wimbledon 2013, Boodles 2013, Aegon Championships 2013 and the US Open 2013 and you can get hospitality and tickets through our sister company Eventality. Call us on 0844 293 2350 or +44 (0)208 166 5102 or request a call back via e-mail.

You can book your Wimbledon 2013 tickets & hospitality packages today. Call us on 0844 293 2350 or +44 (0)208 166 5102, request a call back via e-mail or go online www.wimbledonhospitalityonline.co.uk 

Williams defeats Azarenka in WTA Championships

Serena Williams threatens Victoria Azarenka’s world number one spot with victory over her

Serena Williams defeated Victoria Azarenka at the
WTA Championships

Serena Williams has a very impressive head-to-head tennis record against the world number one Victoria Azarenka now holding 11 wins to 1 loss thanks to another victory over her on Thursday. She triumphed 6-4 6-4 in the final tennis tournament of the season for the women players, the WTA Championships. Williams showed her class and why she is world number 3 against Azarenka winning the first set comfortably 6-4, but she did struggle at the start of the next set going 3-0 down in games. However, Williams picked up her form, came back and won that final set to claim another match against Azarenka.

This victory means that Williams tops her table in the WTA Championships and has secured a place in the semi-final. China’s number one Li Na defeated German Angelique Kerber 6-4 6-3 meaning that she has a chance of advancing into the semi-final but if Azarenka can beat Li Na on Friday then Azarenka will join Williams in the other semi-final spot where she will play whoever finishes top of the other table.

Williams has played all of her games against Azarenka, Na and Kerber and won each one meaning Kerber is out of the tournament finishing bottom of the table. Williams said, “I've been struggling with my serve in the first two rounds and I knew I could do much better. I knew I needed to play better to win against Victoria, who has had a stellar year.”

Azarenka must beat Li Na on Friday to secure her place in the semi-finals of the season-ending event in Istanbul, Turkey. The Belarusian commented on her match against Williams saying, “I have been practising hard and expected to play better. When I did the right things I was in control much of the time, but I didn't have the consistency today.” She continues to talk about her upcoming match against Li Na stating, “I will give everything to win tomorrow. I will give 200%. I have another opportunity to stay in the tournament and to keep the dream alive.”

Author Daniel Foster.
You can book your Wimbledon 2013 tickets & hospitality packages today. Call us on 0844 293 2350 or +44 (0)208 166 5102, request a call back via e-mail or go online www.wimbledonhospitalityonline.co.uk

Roger Federer wins in his home town

Roger Federer advances to the quarter-final in the Swiss Indoors Basel

Roger Federer scrapes a win at the
Swiss Indoors Basel

Roger Federer has entered the Swiss Indoors Basel in his home country, Switzerland, a tournament close to his heart as he has entered it every year since he became a competing professional player. Despite Federer having the advantage of playing in his home country with the fans largely in his favour, he struggled against Thomaz Bellucci in order to reach the quarter-final however, he did beat him 6-3 6-7 7-5, but it was a close run match.

Top seed and defending five-time tennis Champion of the Swiss Indoors Basel got off to a good start against Bellucci winning the first set with ease; it was the second set where he started to struggle. The second set was close between Federer and Bellucci with neither player dropping their serve making the set go all the way to 6-6 and into a tie-break. Federer could only capture 2 of the first seven points putting himself 5-2 down, but he clawed his way back to 6-6 where he could have finished the match but Belllucci grabbed the next 2 points winning the second set. Similarly to the previous set, the final one was quite close with both players holding their serves until 6-5 in Federer’s favour where he then broke Bellucci’s serve to reign victorious in the match advancing into the quarter-final.

Federer has had an exceptional season so far grabbing his 17th Grand Slam at Wimbledon, and ATP World Tour Masters 1000 crowns in Indian Wells, Madrid and Cincinnati. However, despite him doing well this year, his world number one title is under pressure with Djokovic coming in close behind him lacking by only 195 points. If Djokovic wins a tournament worth 200 points or more and Federer does not enter or win any matches in the remaining tournaments, then Djokovic could take the world number place from him. Federer needs to have a replay of last year to secure his number one spot and win the final 3 tournaments of the year in a row when he won the Swiss Indoors Basel, the BNP Paribas Masters and Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, to finish the 2011 season with a 17-match win streak.

Author Daniel Foster.
You can book your Wimbledon 2013 tickets & hospitality packages today. Call us on 0844 293 2350 or +44 (0)208 166 5102, request a call back via e-mail or go online www.wimbledonhospitalityonline.co.uk

Juan Carlos Ferrero retires

Juan Carlos Ferrero emotionally retires from tennis after Valencia Open

Juan Carlos Ferrero retires

Former world number one and French Open 2003 Grand Slam winner, Juan Carlos Ferrero has retired after 14 glorious years as a professional tennis player playing in ATP World tour tournaments. Ferrero announced last month that he was going to retire from professional tennis at his home tournament, the Valencia Open even if he lost in the first round, which unfortunately happened. The match-up was Ferrero against his good friend and fellow Spaniard Nicolas Almagro in the first round and Ferrero was not expected to defeat the sixth seed.

The tennis match ended 7-5 6-3 in Almagro’s favour despite him having a slight discomfort in his shoulder late in the second set, which he shrugged off and sealed the victory. The match between two Spanish friends was an entertaining battle in which the pair exchanged smiles and jokes throughout. When the match ended, the two players embraced at the net with the tears brewing in Ferrero’s eyes whilst the crowd gave him an emotional ovation before he threw his racquet, shirt and some personal items into the crowd to thank them for supporting him on his journey as a professional tennis player.

Ferrero said after the match, “This is a very special week, a very emotional week. Today on court it was very emotional, but it’s been very emotional since the tournament started. When I first saw the draw, I was really not happy because he was one of the few players I didn’t want to play. We’re best friends, we practise together, and Nico is also trying to qualify for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals. I was really not happy, but then, the nice side of it is that I played my last match against a very important person for me, a great friend.”

Ferrero has retired now from his singles career, but he will play in the doubles part of the Valencia Open alongside Ferrer on Wednesday afternoon and after that match, there will be an official send-off for Ferrero with the likes of Rafael Nadal, Alex Corretja, Carlos Moya, Albert Costa and golfer Sergio Garcia all attending.

Author Daniel Foster.
You can book your Wimbledon 2013 tickets & hospitality packages today. Call us on 0844 293 2350 or +44 (0)208 166 5102, request a call back via e-mail or go online www.wimbledonhospitalityonline.co.uk

Watson disappointed with Murray Olympics choice

Heather Watson was disappointed that Andy Murray chose Laura Robson over her in the Olympics

Heather Watson looks to improve even more

Andy Murray had a choice to make in the Summer when the Olympics came to Great Britain to play the mixed doubles tennis with Laura Robson or Heather Watson. He chose Robson. The Murray Robson partnership did very well with them winning Silver but Heather Watson said that she was disappointed that he didn’t choose her. However, Watson said that Murray not choosing her, made her stronger for the Japan Open and it helped her raise the trophy.

Watson commented on the Olympics incident saying, “Honestly, yeah. I wanted to play. It was the Olympics. I think anyone in my position would have wanted that opportunity. But it was his decision. It's made me stronger.” Although Watson was not chosen by Murray, she was still happy for them winning Silver, “It's fine. They ended up with a Silver medal. That's brilliant.”

Heather Watson achieved the best result of her career so far recently winning the Japan Open, and by doing that she got into the world’s top 50 and regained her British number one title from Laura Robson. Since this success, she has revealed that she wants to improve even more, “My ambition is to get to number one in the world and win one of the grand slams,” Watson stated, “You have to be selfish to win. You can't be sympathetic to your opponent.” Watson has got her eyes on the big prize but can she do so well as winning a Grand Slam? Either way, with Watson and Robson in women’s tennis, the future for British women’s tennis certainly looks bright.

Author Daniel Foster.
For your chance to see Heather Watson, Laura Robson and other world class tennis players in action, you can book your Wimbledon 2013 tickets & hospitality packages today. Call us on 0844 293 2350 or +44 (0)208 166 5102, request a call back via e-mail or go online www.wimbledonticketsonline.co.uk

Heather Watson could be tennis world number one

Heather Watson says she could become tennis world number one after her Japan Open victory

Heather Watson says she could be world number one

Heather Watson has become the first British woman to win a WTA singles title since 1988 after beating Chang Kai-chen 7-5 5-7 7-6 (7-4) in the Japan Open final and now Watson says she could become world number one. The Japan Open triumph saw the 20-year-old rise 21 places to 50th in the world rankings, replacing Laura Robson as British number one. Watson said, “I definitely believe in myself. I wouldn't be in the game if I didn't. I have the mental toughness and the capability. You know all these girls think the same thing, so it's just who can do it, and I'm just going to do whatever it takes.”

Before her title win at the Japan Open Watson had never progressed beyond the quarter-finals. By winning the Japan Open, Watson repeated Sara Gomer who was the last British female to win on the tour. Her triumph in the Northern California Open in 1988 came four years before Watson was even born. Watson has now overtaken previous British number one Laura Robson who has had a very successful season and sits 2 places behind Watson in 52nd place in the world.

New British number one Heather Watson had this to say about herself and Laura Robson, “I think we have been starving a little bit for a female player to come through. At the moment me and Laura are coming through at the beginning stages of our career and it's exciting.” These 2 young women players could grow up to be British tennis superstars and legends.

Author Daniel Foster.
For your chance to see Heather Watson and other world class tennis players in action, you can book your Wimbledon 2013 tickets & hospitality packages today. Call us on 0844 293 2350 or +44 (0)208 166 5102, request a call back via e-mail or go online www.wimbledonhospitalityonline.co.uk