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Novak Djokovic defeated Gilles Simon of France 3-6, 7-5, 7-5 on Friday (February 27) and has advanced to the finals at the Dubai Championships.
This is the third ranked Djokovic first final of the season. He will play David Ferrer of Spain, who defeated Richard Gasquet of France 6-2, 6-2.
Djokovic didn’t start the match off real well and was broken in the first set, but came back for a victory.
“I feel a bit lucky, but I think you have to work for luck,” Djokovic said. “It doesn’t just fall through the sky. I think I fought my …read more

On Wednesday, February 25th, Andy Ram became the first Israeli tennis player to play in the United Arab Emirates. He was escorted onto the court by two bodyguards. Unfortunately, he lost the doubles match.
Even despite all of the controversy, he appeared relaxed and focused on the match with his fellow tennis partner Kevin Ullyett of Zimbabwe.
In a statement, Ram said, "It was obviously something big, history here, what’s been done, the first Israeli coming to play sport in Dubai”.
Ram took to the court just a week after Israeli women’s player Shahar Peer was denied a visa. I was …read more

Third seed Andy Murray was forced to pull out of the Dubai Championships due to illness. He admitted that he has been hindered with an illness since the Australian Open.
Murray started to feel worse after he won the match against Arnaud Clement on Wednesday.
"I woke up in the middle of the night sweating," he said. "I went to the doctor and started taking antibiotics, but I have felt very tired all week. I have felt cold and shivery and had a sore throat, I feel that my temperature is up, and my body feels bad."
What is in …read more

Venus Williams took the title for the Women’s Dubai Championships, making this her 40th career title. Who will take home the title for the men?
The Men’s 2009 Dubai Championship is in full swing. There are several big names missing due to injuries (Nadal) and disagreements with the Visa controversy (Roddick).
Here are some highlights from Day 1 of the Men’s Dubai Championships:

See below for a post-match interview with Andy Murray.

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Congratulations to Venus Williams for winning her 40th career title in Dubai on Saturday, February 21st. Williams defeated Virginie Razzano 6-4, 6-2.
The 2009 Dubai Championship has definitely been overshadowed by the controversy surrounding Israel’s Shahar Peer’s visa, which she wasn’t granted.
Williams said, “Despite a very challenging week for everyone, we got a positive result in the end. We all worked together. Shahar was very brave and paved the way for what happened this week with the men’s event, and hopefully all the right things will be in place when we come back.”
See below for pictures …read more

The WTA has fined Dubai Championships organizers a record-breaking $300,000 on Friday after they denied Israeli player Shahar Peer a visa.
They did compensate Peer and have ensured that her and other Israeli players will not be shut out of any future tournaments in the federation. Their reasoning behind this whole ordeal was the fear that because of the anger against Israel’s recent military offensive in the Gaza Strip, riots would happen during her match.
Part of the $300,000 will go to Peer and her doubles partner Anna-Lena Groenefeld of Germany. This is to make up for the $2 million dollar …read more

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Venus Williams defeated her sister Serena Williams at the Dubai Championships, 6-1, 2-6, 7-6 (7-3), on Friday, February 20th. This win pushed Venus ahead into the finals. I really enjoy watching these sisters play each other. The power they both have always amazes me and although I know Serena was disappointed, I also know that she supports her sister 100%.
Serena struggled with her serves quite a bit in the first set, while Venus dominated.
"I loved the way the first set went," said Venus.
Who’s she facing in the finals? Frenchwoman Virginie Razzano and Venus will play today, …read more

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Yesterday, I shared with you the statement made by the Tennis Channel regarding the Israeli player, Shahar Peer, who was barred from playing in the Dubai Championships.
The tournament organizer made a statement regarding the decision saying “Peer’s ‘presence would have antagonized our fans’ because of the attacks in Gaza, which left about 1,300 Palestinians dead, at least half of them civilians, according to Gaza health officials.”
Another Israeli player is stuck in France hoping to make it in the Sunday draw. Andy Ram is in Marseilles, France, and awaiting word if he will be allowed into Dubai. …read more

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Injuries. They are a part of sports and can come at the most inconvenient times. There’s no way around them except to do what you can to heal and that is exactly what Switzerland’s Roger Federer is having to do.
Federer announced that he is pulling out of a tournament in Dubai next week, as well as the Davis Cup, which is being held on March 6-8 in Birmingham, AL. The reason for this decision is because of a back injury that has bothered him since last year.
This would have been the first time since 2004 that …read more

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Venus Williams has made her way to the quarter-finals of the Dubai Championships with a 6-3 6-2 victory over Frenchwoman Alize Cornet on Wednesday, February 18th.
Williams was in control of the match the entire time and was very dominant in the second set. She only gave up 2 points in four games.
"I missed a few shots long (today) and was a little upset about that but I managed to rein it in," said Williams. "She is obviously a really good player with a lot of potential.
"I’m sure she didn’t play the way she wanted but …read more