Rafael Nadal beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-0, 6-2, 6-4 and Spain are through to the Davis Cup finals against Argentina!
Earlier, on day one, Rafa had beaten Richard Gasquet 6-3, 6-0, 6-1 to help Spain to a 2-1 lead over France, while Roger Federer brought Switzerland back to even in their tie against Australia by beating Lleyton Hewitt, 5-7 7-6 (5) 6-2 6-3
On Sunday, Spain lost the doubles, bringing the score to 2-1 – now Rafael Nadal is playing the reverse singles against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
Roger Federer also joined Stanislas Wawrinka for the doubles rubber which was played Friday overnight European time, losing 2-6, 6-4 6-2, 7-6(5). He then went on to beat young Bernard Tomic to bring the tie to a cliff-hanging 2-2. With the final match tipped 5-3 in the fifth and final set, darkness led to the match being carried over to Monday morning Australian time.
Below are the best links for free TV streams over internet that we could find in our wide scan and evaluation of various sources. We do our best to check these and update these as the games start, so do hit refresh in your browser from time to time.
Davis Cup Tie – Spain vs France – Live TV Streams (Free)
Rafael Nadal vs Jo-Wilfred Tsonga, 12 midday (10am GMT)
Roger and Rafa in training already on grass for Wimbledon warm up events in London and Halle.
Fresh from an epic final at the French Open, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer have moved on to the grass season where they have already arrived in London and Halle (Germany) respectively to warm up for Wimbledon.
Rafael Nadal will have a chance to extend his tiny 45 point lead over Novak Djokovic, who has pulled out of the tournament due to “patellar tendinitis”, which affects the tendon connecting the kneecap to the shinbone.
With a bye in the first round, his first match will be against either Somdev Devvarman or Matthew Ebden, on Wednesday if I am not mistaken.
Roger Federer on the other hand has chosen as per usual to play in the Gerry Weber Open in Halle, Germany.
He will face Lleyton Hewitt in the first round, a strange time to repeat last year’s final, but reflective of the Australian’s slow slide down the rankings (now 73rd). Hewitt will be hoping to repeat last year’s win to get him back in to the groove on his strongest surface, on which he has won 7 titles including Wimbledon (2002).
The Wimbledon 2010 draw has just been held, and of our two Number One’s, Roger Federer was given the tougher draw.
Roger’s going to have to get past some really hard grass court players if he is to achieve a record-equaling seventh Wimbledon title.
The biggest three obstacles for Federer are:
- Andy Roddick (last year’s finalist)
- Novak Djokovic (world number three)
- Lleyton Hewitt (former world number one, Wimbledon champion, and victor over Federer in last week’s Halle final.
Rafael Nadal has probably two serious contenders if he is to reach a final and challenge to repeat his 2008 title:
- Andy Murray – world number four and home crowd favourite
- Robin Soderling – in form Roland Garros finalist
Federer will start on Monday against Colombia’s 65th-ranked Alejandro Falla. He has never lost a set in the four previous occasions he has played Falla, the most recent win being last week at Halle.
Nadal will plays Kei Nishikori first up – they have met only once before, at Queens in 2008, when Nadal managed to win, despite dropping a set against the young Japanese promise.
So who is your pick for the Wimbledon Championships 2010?
I’m going to be gunning for a Federer vs Nadal final (surprise!).
If both make it that far, I seriously believe it will come down to determination, endurance and that Rafa will take it out 3 sets to 1.
Suspect I might regret being so brave before the tourney even starts .
SEE FREE LIVE TENNIS OVER INTERNET LINKS AT END OF THIS POST
Having seen off Horazio Zeballos, Nadal plays his second match in two days against his old rival Lleyton Hewitt.
Lleyton Hewitt ATP Profile
There was a time when the Aussie had a big winning head to head record over Rafa, but Nadal has won the last 4 matches between the two and pulled it back to lead 5-4.
On clay, the Spaniard should have few problems.
My pick is Rafa in three, just like last year at the same stage in Roland Garros.
Here are the best links for free TV coverage over internet. We’ll check and update these when the match starts.
Also refer to this post for more information on watching TV over the internet, or feel free to leave a comment to report good or bad links (no registration required).
Roland Garros 2010 – Live Tennis on TV Streams (Free)
Rafael Nadal vs Lleyton Hewitt
Philippe Chatrier – fourth match of the day, perhaps 4-5pm start local time, 2-3pm GMT.
Option 1 - French Open Tennis Live TV- RECOMMENDED – English, Use Internet Explorer and allow installation of small software when requested
Option 2 - French Open Tennis Live TV- UPDATED Excellent, Dutch. Free Sopcast software needed, channel 94910 – download here
Option 3 - French Open Tennis Live TV – Good
Option 4 – French Open Tennis Live TV- Follow instructions at link to create a free account at Bet365.com and see free tennis video.
Free Live TV over internet – links at end of this post
Well Rafa got past Karlovic, now it is time to see whether Roger can join him in the quarter finals.
His opponent – no less than local hero, Lleyton Hewitt. Maybe the Aussie isn’t at the same level that took him to ATP number one back in 2001, but he’ll fight tooth and nail to the end.
Hewitt is well rested after getting through the last stage with an easy win over Bagdhatis after the Cypriot was forced to retire.
I pick Fed to win in four.
Good news for Europeans is that the match is first of the evening session- 7:30pm local time or 8:30am Monday morning GMT, somewhat more civilised than the all nighters!
Here are the best links for free TV coverage over internet – we’ll check and update these when the match starts.
If none of these are working, try the listings at Myp2p, RojaDirecta, Atdhe, Fromsport , Channelsurfing. Also refer to this post for more information on watching TV over the internet, or feel free to leave a comment to report good or bad links (no registration required).
Australian Open 2010 – Live TV Streams (Free) – Roger Federer vs Lleyton Hewitt
7:30pm local time Monday evening, 8:30am Monday morning GMT
Option 1: Australian Open Live TV – Recommended, English. Veetle software installs with your permission, use Internet Explorer.
Roger was able to comfortably cruise past the Spaniard Albert Montanes to go into the last sixteen.
Although Fed certainly made it look easy, Roger was quick to claim in the press conference that it was anything but:
“Victories don’t come easy. If you look at today’s match … it looks straightforward. If you’re on the other side of the planet you think, okay, no problems whatsoever.”
“But it was a tough match. I had to battle through, and there was tough moments and frustrating moments out there. They don’t come easy, those victories.”
Federer will play local favourite Lleyton Hewitt for a place in the quarters. Although he’ll be the clear favourite with a 16-7 all time head to head record (and Roger on an incredible 14 match streak against the veteran Aussie), we all know that Hewitt will leave absolutely nothing on the court.
Day Seven (Saturday, May 30th, 2009) at the French Open and Roger Federer will play local hope, Paul-Henri Mathieu.
Rafael Nadal steam-rolled Aussie Lleyton Hewitt yesterday, 6-1, 6-3, 6-1 and will have a rest day to prepare for his next match against Robin Soderling on Sunday.
Roger Federer goes into Satrurday’s match with the confidence of a 3-0 winning history, though they last played back in 2006 – happier times for the Swiss – and 2009 on clay could be a closer match. My pick is for Roger to take it out, but not without dropping at least one set.
Here are the best links for free TV coverage over internet -we’ll check and update these when the match starts, at around 5 or 6pm local time. See full Roland Garros schedule of play here to check on progress.
Option 5:French Open Live TV – Sopcast software needed - Channel 66861 (Romanian) or 71301 (both currently showing Djokovic vs Kohlschreber- may switch later)
Day Six (Friday, May 29th, 2009) at the French Open and Rafael Nadal will play Australian veteran Lleyton Hewitt. It is the third match of the day, so start time will depend upon length of previous ones – probably should be after 2pm local time (midday GMT).
Having overcome a tougher-than-expected Teimuraz Gabashvili yesterday, 7-6 (8), 5-7, 7-6 (2), 6-2, Roger Federer earnt himself a rest day today, and a chance to prepare for his next match on Saturday against Paul-Henri Mathieu.
See below our selection of links for free TV coverage over internet, which will be tested and updated as the match starts.
If none of these are working, try checking Myp2p, RojaDirecta, Atdhe, Fromsport and Channelsurfing. You can find more info on watching free live tennis over internet here, or leave a comment for me or others if you have a good or bad experience with any streams, or can suggest a better one.
For the best range of viewing options, take the time now to install Sopcast and TV Ants software – these are reliable, safe from Spyware and will allow you to have more and better channels than with just web based (“no software”) links.
Roland Garros- Live TV Streams (Free)
Rafael Nadal vs Lleyton Hewitt - Starting at about 3:30pm local time (1:30pm GMT)
Option 1: French Open Live TV – English, recommended (works on Internet Explorer, not Google Chrome – others not tested)
“Darren Cahill’s voluntary departure from coaching Australia’s Davis Cup team inspired speculation that he was set to be hired as coach by Roger Federer. “
Roger has of course not had a regular coach since the part time arrangements with Tony Roche (2005) and José Higueras (2008) ended. Darren Cahill is best known for his coaching of two other former number ones, Lleyton Hewitt and Andre Agassi. Cahill retains a close relationship with Agassi, and he and Gil Reyes, Agassi’s conditioner, are currently helping Spain’s Fernando Verdasco in his preparation for the forthcoming US hardcourt and European claycourt seasons.
Could there be any truth to this rumour, and more importantly, could it help to break Fed’s losing streak against Nadal?
Melbourne Time
Rafael Nadal beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-0, 6-2, 6-4 and Spain are through to the Davis Cup finals against Argentina!
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