Nicolas Colsaerts is na de tweede ronde van
vrijdag op het World Tour Championship (EPGA/6.247.560 euro) golf in
Dubai van de elfde naar een gedeelde achtste plaats gestegen.
De 30-jarige Brusselaar zette op
de Jumeirah golfbaan net als donderdag een ronde neer in 68 slagen, vier
onder par. Colsaerts lukte net als tijdens de eerste ronde zes birdies
waartegen hij twee bogeys moest incasseren.
Met zijn totaalscore van 136 slagen telt hij nu drie slagen meer dan de
verrassende Schot Marc Warren en de nummers één en twee van de wereld,
de Noord-Ier Rory McIlroy en de Engelsman Luke Donald.
Stand na tweede ronde:
1. Rory McIlroy (NIe) 133=66-67 -13
. Marc Warren (Sch) 133=66-67
. Luke Donald (Eng) 133=65-68
4. Branden Grace (ZAf) 134=69-65
. Louis Oosthuizen (ZAf) 134=67-67
6. Charl Schwartzel (ZAf) 135=68-67
. Richie Ramsey (Sch) 135=67-68
8. Nicolas Colsaerts (Bel) 136=68-68
. Thomas Aiken (ZAf) 136=70-66
. Peter Hanson (Zwe) 136=69-67
. Justin Rose (Eng) 136=68-68
. Hernrik Stenson (Zwe) 136=68-68
Nicolas Colsaerts en de Amerikaan Bill Haas delen
de leiding in de Nedbank Golf Challenge. In moeilijke omstandigheden met
veel wind en een veeleisend parcours kon niemand al een kloof slaan in
de eerste ronde in het Zuid-Afrikaanse Sun City.
De 30-jarige Brusselaar had
donderdag 70 slagen nodig (2 onder par) op het met 3,85 miljoen euro
gedoteerde invitatietoernooi. Colsaerts en Haas hebben één slag voor op
de Schot Paul Lawrie, de Zuid-Afrikaan Louis Oosthuizen en de Engelsman
Lee Westwood, de rest volgt op amper twee slagen.
Door hevige regen ligt de rough er zwaarder bij dan
gewoonlijk, de spelers worden dus stevig getest. Colsaerts kon in de
aanvangsfase het verschil niet maken. 'Normaal gezien begin ik meteen
met een verre slag, maar hier koos ik voor een minder agressieve
strategie', aldus de Belg. 'Ik speelde hetzelfde spelletje als iedereen:
de wind was moeilijk te lezen, en kwam ook steeds van dezelfde kant. Ik
had er moeilijkheden mee.'
Nicolas Colsaerts staat maandag 35e op de nieuwe wereldranglijst van
het golf, dat is 1 plaats minder goed dan vorige week. De Brusselaar
werd zondag 22e op de Phoenix Open in het Japanse Miyazaki.
De Engelsman Luke Donald won dat
toernooi en wordt tweede in de stand ten koste van de Amerikaan Tiger
Woods, die zakt naar 3. De Noord-Ier Rory McIlroy blijft de lijst
aanvoeren.
.
Stand op 19/11 (tussen haakjes stand op 13/11):
1. (1) Rory McIlroy (NIe) 12,587 punten
2. (3) Luke Donald (England) 9,058
3. (2) Tiger Woods (VSt) 9,001
4. (4) Lee Westwood (England) 6,601
5. (5) Adam Scott (Australien) 6,593
6. (6) Louis Oosthuizen (ZAf) 6,150
7. (7) Justin Rose (England) 6,083
8. (8) Jason Dufner (VSt) 5,825
9. (10) Webb Simpson (VSt) 5,711
10.(9) Brandt Snedeker (VSt) 5,637
...
35.(34) Nicolas Colsaerts (Bel) 3,289 . (belga)
ATP World Tour final - Novak Djokovic 7-6(6) 7-5 Roger Federer
10.40pmDjokovic:
"It's an extreme honour for me to be here. It's one of the best
tournaments that we have around. It's been a fantastic season and I
cannot thank enough my team. Without them it wouldn't be possible."
10.37pmFederer:
"Congratulations Novak on an amazing year - you're the best. For me it
has been a great season as well. I cannot play much better than I have
today. I'm hopeful that I will be able to come back next year. I'm proud
to take part in this tournament."
10.32pmStay tuned because we are hoping to catch some reaction from both players...
10.30pmWhat
a wonderful backhand stroke from Djokovic to secure the title. He's
ranked number one in the standings and proved that right tonight. Spare a
thought for Federer though - he spurned big points that normally he
would have taken. What a match!
Djokovic 7-6(6) 7-5 FedererGAME, SET AND THE CHAMPIONSHIP NOVAK DJOKOVIC!
10.28pmChampionship point Djokovic...
10.27pmThe players are currently locked at 30-30 in this crucial game...
Djokovic 7-6(6) 6-5* FedererFederer
pushes hard to try and atone for his error in the last game but it's
not enough - Djokovic holds. The Serb is now incredibly just one game
away from the title.
Djokovic 7-6(6) *5-5 FedererBREAK!
That is why Djokovic is regarded as the world's best. He was off
balance during that point but somehow steadied himself to win a crucial
break. Federer will be gutted. Two set points fell by the wayside.
10.19pmWhat a turn of events this is. Break point Djokovic...
10.18pmBut he spurns both. Two unforced errors! What a time to produce those. Deuce.
10.17pmTwo set points Federer...
Djokovic 7-6(6) 4-5* FedererIf
truth be told Federer did not look too concerned with trying to break
in that game. He seemed to be conserving his energy for his upcoming
service game. Hold here and we are going the distance.
Djokovic 7-6(6) *3-5 FedererThat
was a huge test for Federer and he passes with flying colours in the
end. Djokovic looks a confused man right now. He had several chances
during that game but lost the big points.
10.09pmACE!
Incredible reply from Federer, who bombs an ace straight past Djokovic
to bring up deuce. If you're going to lose a break point, that's the
best way to do it I suppose!
10.08pmBig moment in this match. Djokovic has a break point...
Djokovic 7-6(6) 3-4* FedererBut
there is no charity from Djokovic as the Serb records a comfortable
hold. Unlike earlier in this match, these two are currently rattling
through their respective service games.
Djokovic 7-6(6) *2-4 FedererImportant hold for Federer, who has kept his nose ahead. A break of serve now would set him up nicely to force a decider.
Djokovic 7-6(6) 2-3* FedererAnd
just like that Djokovic gets the hold as Federer sends the ball wide.
It was around this point in the first set where Djokovic broke back.
9.56pmBut his forehand shot finds the top of the net and drops down on his side. Deuce.
9.56pmBig chance for Federer now. He has a break point...
Djokovic 7-6(6) *1-3 FedererACE! A stinging serve from Federer brings up the hold. Djokovic pushed him hard there and took the game all the way to deuce.
Djokovic 7-6(6) 1-2* FedererAnd
there is the response. Djokovic holds comfortably and puts some
pressure on the Federer serve. He buckled during the first set. Can he
hold his nerve this time around?
Djokovic 7-6(6) *0-2 FedererThe
perfect hold for Federer - a love one. He's now two games to the good
at the start of this second set. Expecting a response from Djokovic now
though.
Djokovic 7-6(6) 0-1* FedererBREAK! It took over 10 minutes, but Federer eventually got the break. Remember though, this happened at the start of the first set.
9.39pmHere's another chance though! Break point Federer...
9.39pmBut another chance bites the dust for Federer. He may end up regretting those missed opportunities.
9.38pmAnd now Federer has another break point...
9.36pmWe're still going in this game. Djokovic has had three game points, but Federer keeps pegging him back. It's deuce once again.
9.33pmHe goes wide again though. That was a poor backhand from Federer, who is usually so reliable down that wing. Deuce.
9.33pmA wide shot from Djokovic brings up another break point for Federer though...
9.32pmBut he just drifts the ball wide. There was inches in that. Deuce.
9.31pmInteresting start to this second set. Federer has a break point...
Djokovic 7-6(6) FedererSET!
At the third time of asking Djokovic takes the set with a flat forehand
across the court. That tie-break summed up the match so far -
fantastic. Either player could have won it. As it was, Djokovic came out
on top. The opening set was always going to be important and he has
sent out a message to Federer.
TIE-BREAK:Djokovic *7-6 Federer - Set point Djokovic
TIE-BREAK:Djokovic 6-6* Federer
TIE-BREAK:Djokovic 6-5* Federer - Set point Djokovic
TIE-BREAK:Djokovic *5-5 Federer
TIE-BREAK:Djokovic *5-4 Federer
TIE-BREAK:Djokovic 4-4* Federer
TIE-BREAK:Djokovic 4-3* Federer
TIE-BREAK:Djokovic *3-3 Federer
TIE-BREAK:Djokovic *2-3 Federer
TIE-BREAK:Djokovic 2-2* Federer
TIE-BREAK:Djokovic 2-1* Federer
TIE-BREAK:Djokovic *2-0 Federer
TIE-BREAK:Djokovic *1-0 Federer
Djokovic 6-6 FedererBig, big hold for Djokovic. He was 0-30 down there, but he battled back to take the game. It's tie-break time.
9.12pmBut he's back up now and serving to take this set into a tie-break...
9.11pmThere
is actually a break in play for Djokovic, who is receiving treatment on
his wounds. There's actually quite a bit of blood on his arm there.
Let's just hope it doesn't hamper his performance.
Djokovic *5-6 FedererThat
is brilliant tennis from Federer. Having just broke when he looked to
be losing the set, the Swiss keeps up the pressure with a string of
winners - one of which forced Djokovic to dive. His landing was heavy
and he has taken a knock to his knee and elbow. Hopefully he will be
okay.
Djokovic 5-*5 FedererBREAK!
Djokovic can only hit the net and Federer lives to fight another day.
Djoko was 30-0 up in that game. That has got to sting. What a set of
tennis this has been.
9.05pmNow it's break point to Federer as Djokovic goes too long. This is crazy!
9.04pmBut
the world number one drives the ball into the net from the back of the
court. Federer is still alive in this set, just! Deuce.
9.03pmSet point for Djokovic...
9.00pmGoing
back to how Djoko earned his third break point in the game. His body
weight was going the other way to where Federer had planted the ball,
but he somehow readjusted himself to send a backhand stroke across the
court and beyond Federer. Best shot of the tournament, no doubt.
Djokovic *5-4 FedererBREAK! Third time lucky for Djokovic. He forces the mistake from Federer and he will now serve for the opening set.
8.57pmThird break point for Djokovic for coming up...
8.56pmOnce again though Djokovic is wasteful and he fires the ball long. Back to deuce.
8.56pmFederer fires long and as a result Djokovic has another break point. This game has lasted longer than seven minutes.
8.53pmBut a great second serve from Federer keeps him alive in this game. A wasted chance for Djokovic.
8.52pmWow. Break point for Djokovic, who has advantage thanks to some neat net play...
Djokovic 4-4* FedererAnd
there is the easy hold. Fair play Federer got up to 30, but there never
looked to be any other outcome than a Djokovic hold. We've now got a
final on our hands.
Djokovic *3-4 FedererVery,
very good hold from Federer. He sends Djokovic all over the court and
only allows his opponent the one point. Djokovic is yet to produce a
service game like that.
Djokovic 3-3* FedererAgain
Federer takes Djokovic to deuce but once again the Serb holds. Both
players have now found their range and are beginning to land some
impossible-looking shots!
Djokovic *2-3 FedererBREAK!
Got him! That is smash and grab tennis from Djokovic. I did not see
that coming at all but the Serb has dug deep and got the break back. He
forced Federer to commit errors for the first time so far. We're now on
serve.
8.35pmNow it's Djokovic's turn to have a break point...
Djokovic 1-3* FedererHe
was taken all the way to deuce, but Djokovic finally gets a score on
the board. The winning point was a stunning one from Novak, who sent the
ball down the line with such power that Federer had no time to respond.
Djokovic *0-3 FedererThere
was bit more fight from Djokovic there, but Federer gets the hold in
the end. One point in particular included a 20+-shot rally that had both
players scampering all over the court. Brilliant stuff from Fed so far.
Djokovic 0-2* FedererBREAK!
When Federer went to bed last night, he couldn't have dreamt that his
start would be this good. Djokovic looked incredibly uncomfortable and
opened up with a double fault. He's yet to get a point.
8.17pmWell, well. It could get even better for Federer here. He has three break points...
Djokovic *0-1 FedererStunning start from Federer. He added another ace there on his way to producing a love hold. Over to you Djokovic.
8.14pmACE! What a way for Federer to start this final. He sends an ace down the inside which leaves Djokovic stranded.
8.13pmNot
long now until we are off and running. The players have just taken
their seats for the final time. Warm-ups done. Here we go. Federer will
serve.
8.08pmFirst
big moment of the night goes the way of Federer. He has won the toss
and opts to serve. It seems as though he is keen to get himself in front
early and put pressure on his Serbian opponent.
8.04pmRight,
here come the players. After yesterday's meeting with Murray, there's
no doubt regarding how big Federer's support will be!
8.03pm"This
is the last match of the season and I'm sure we want to give our best.
It's a big challenge. Whenever we play it is a very close match," adds
Djokovic.
8.01pm"I
feel fine. It's been a long week but I'm going to try my best one last
time before I can rest. I'm going to try and play my game and use what
has worked," Federer has just said his pre-match interview.
7.57pmDjokovic's coach Marian Vajda has just been speaking to Sky Sports News:
Here's some of what he had to say: "Practice was very relaxed. This is a
special moment and he has worked very hard. It's also special to play
Roger, it cannot be better. They are both excellent players."
7.50pmWhile
we wait for the players to emerge, take a look at this footage of
Djokovic vs. Federer at the 2010 US Open. With the semi-final locked a
two sets apiece, the pair produced one of the most memorable final sets
in recent memory. Here are some of the best bits:
7.44pmWith
the doubles now completed and the presentation due to take place
shortly, Djokovic and Federer are expected to be on court at around 8pm.
Can't wait!
7.43pmAnd
Granollers/Lopez are the champions in what is their debut outing at the
tournament. That is some achievement! Both of these players are
expected to be part of the Spanish Davis Cup team for next weekend's
World Cup final against the Czech Republic. Will it be the start of a
memorable week for them?
7.39pmBy
the way, just to keep you in the loop. The doubles final between
Bhupathi/Bopanna and Granollers/Lopez has gone into a final-set
tie-break. The Spaniards currently lead 8-3 (first to 10).
7.38pmThe
same can't be said about Djokovic's semi-final. Although, a lot of
credit has to go to Del Potro. For a set and a half he was simply too
powerful for Djokovic - that's something you don't say too often!
However, Djoko held in there like a true champion and eventually pulled
himself through. He was on court a lot longer than Federer though.
Perhaps that may play a part this evening.
7.34pmJust
seen video footage of Federer heading to his dressing room in the
bowels of the O2. Have to say he looks extremely composed. Mind you,
that's not surprising given the number of times that he has been in this
position. He will also no doubt have taken a lot of confidence from the
way he disposed of Murray last night. On paper it looked a tricky tie
for Federer, but he made light work of the world number three.
7.29pmMeanwhile, Federer began his stint in London with a comfortable triumph over Janko Tipsarevic. He then booked his place in the semi-finals with a match to spare courtesy of a 6-4 7-6(5) win over David Ferrer. It was just as well that he beat Ferrer, because in his final group encounter he was defeated
by Del Potro in three sets. Nevertheless, he still topped the group and
as result met Murray for a place in tonight's final. Federer was broken
early on, but from then on it was all one-way traffic in his favour.
The 31-year-old eventually knocked the Scot out 7-6(5) 6-2.
7.23pmThe Serbian was drawn alongside Andy Murray, Tomas Berdych and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at the O2. He opened his campaign up with a straightforward success over Tsonga, before eventually seeing off the threat of Murray in three. Those wins booked his place in the semi-final, but that did not stop him defeating
Berdych in his final group fixture. As group leader, he was pitted
against Juan Martin del Potro in the semis. It looked as though Djoko
was heading for the exit when he lost the first set and was broken early
in the second. His response was brutal though and he eventually advanced at the expense of the Argentine.
7.17pmAnyway,
enough of throwing statistics at you for a few minutes! Let's take a
look at how both players reached this point, starting with Djokovic...
7.14pmWorld
number one Djokovic is the favourite with the majority of bookmakers to
win through, despite Federer being regarded as the best indoor player.
That probably has something to do with the last 10 matches overall.
While there is nothing to separate them over the last four encounters,
Djokovic has won seven of the last 10.
7.14pmWorld
number one Djokovic is the favourite with the majority of bookmakers to
win through, despite Federer being regarded as the best indoor player.
That probably has something to do with the last 10 matches overall.
While there is nothing to separate them over the last four encounters,
Djokovic has won seven of the last 10.
7.11pmThe
rankings show that there is very little to separate these two. Their
main matches this year also highlight that point. From four outings, the
outcome stands at two wins apiece. Djokovic won on the clay of Rome and
the French Open, while Federer came out on top at Wimbledon and
Cincinnati. That's why it is so hard to pick a winner from this match.
Flip a coin would be the best bet!
7.06pmIt's
fair to say that these two are not strangers. They've met 28 times on
the circuit, with Federer currently leading the way with 16 wins to 12.
That's pretty impressive from a Djokovic point of view. There are not
many players out there that have beaten Federer that often. In fact,
only Rafael Nadal has a more positive record against the Swiss star.
7.03pmEvening
all. Well here we are then - the end of the men's tennis season is upon
us. To be honest, I don't think that there is a better way for the
curtain to come down on the year than seeing the world's top two players
battle it out for the trophy.
