Viva La España!

A Rafael Nadal-less Spanish Davis Cup team upset the heavily favored Argentine team at the final tie of this year’s Davis Cup. Fernando Verdasco clinched the win last Sunday with a 6-3 6-7 4-6 6-3 6-1 victory over Jose Acasuso. Juan Martin del Potro pulled out of this rubber due to a thigh injury and he was probably sick of David Nalbandian’s leadership tactics or lack thereof. This is Spain’s third Davis Cup title in the last eight years winning it in 2000 and 2004.

“These are unforgettable moments,” Nadal, winner of a fourth straight French Open trophy and his first Wimbledon title earlier this year, told Spanish state television.

“We need to stress that they’ve made history. It’s an unforgettable victory. I don’t think it’s possible to be any happier.”

Source

Rafa’s withdrawal encouraged this Spanish team to work even harder. It showed and paid off in the end. Maybe Argentina can learn a thing or two about team work from these guys.

Image via Getty.

Maria Sharapova sexes it up for GQ

Maria Sharapova will be featured in next month’s Spanish GQ Magazine. I don’t have too much details on the shoot but I’m pretty sure it was done during her US Open/NYC trip. It’s very very sexy to say the least. She has definitely come of age. I’m quite excited, I’m sure all you boys are.

Click here to see some footage.

Images and video via tennisforum

The final stretch

Sorry I have been missing in action since mid last week. I’ve been quite busy, traveling to Arizona and job hunting. Sending out resumes has kind of taken over my life these past few days and yet I am still unemployed and broke. Oh well, enough about me. Let’s catch up on some tennis.

Novak Djokovic won the Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai after beating surprise finalist, Nikolay Davydenko in a quick two-set affair. I did not see the match as I was busy being in Arizona but from what I have read, it was kind of a disappointing way to close out the year. A year which included, relatively of course, the greatest match of all-time at Wimbledon. Although I am sure Novak feels the exact opposite from everybody else. He started this year on a high, winning his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open and then closed it with this. He should be feeling good going into the next season.

The Davis Cup finals will be underway tomorrow with Argentina hosting a Nadal-less Spain. David Nalbandian of Argentina will face David Ferrer of Spain in the opening match. Then Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina will take on Feliciano Lopez of Spain in the second singles match. This is a tough one to call with both teams having amazing clay court players (oh, it’s not going to be played on clay). I think I’ll give Argentina a little edge because they are playing at home and Juan Martin del Potro and David Nalbandian had great runs at the end of the season.

Djokovic image via AP, Davis Cup image via Getty

Andy Roddick withdraws from Shanghai

Andy Roddick withdrew from the Tennis Master Cup in Shangai earlier, citing an ankle injury. I was really looking forward to see him take on Roger Federer in what was supposed to be a must-win match for both to stay alive in the tournament. Andy has had a hot and cold year. Early on he beat Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal to win the Dubai title and he also finally beat Roger Federer in Miami. Then, as we moved on to clay and grass, his game took a backseat as his injuries came front and center. He never really recovered from them and I was hoping to see him make somewhat of a push before closing his ‘08 season. Well, now that that has come to an abrupt end the only thing left is to look forward to a healthier 2009. I’ll always be rooting for you, Andrew!

Image via Getty

Trophy case: November 9, 2008

Venus Williams won the year-end championships in Doha, Qatar. She beat surprise finalist, Vera Zvonareva, 6-7 6-0 6-2. On the way to the title, Venus was undefeated during round robin play and beat World No. 1, Jelena Jankovic, in the semi-finals. Although at times she was far from playing her best tennis, she found ways to hang in there and win the match. The mark of a true champion.

I am excited to see what will unfold in 2009. Serena and Venus are playing at a high level again, each winning a slam this year and Maria Sharapova will be gracing us with her much-missed presence. If these three keep from being injured then I think they will be the forces to be reckoned with in ’09. This will be discussed in detail when we officially close out 2008.

Image via Getty