Marat Safin played his last ATP World Tour match today at the BNP Paribas Masters in Paris, France. He lost to US Open Champion, Juan Martin del Potro, 4-6, 7-5, 4-6.

After the match, the tournament had a ceremony to honor the 2-time Grand Slam champion for all his achievements and for being an all-around awesome man. He was also given a key to the city by the French Tennis Federation President, Jean Gachassin.

We’ll miss you, Marat!

Images via AP

Richard Gasquet was seen outside the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland today. He was there looking mighty fine for his cocaine/Pamela hearing. A verdict for his case is expected in early December.

Images via FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty ImagesM

Maria Sharapova and current squeeze Sasha Vujacic of the Los Angeles Lakers were out and about in LA today. Holding freaking hands! What has Sasha done with Masha that she now shows affection in public? Jesus. He better not screw this up. I mean, if he dated Paris Hilton then… just don’t screw this up dude.

Wonder what happened to my favorite Masha boyfriend.

Anyway, stay happy, kiddos.

Image via TMZ

Since this is Marat Safin’s last hoorah on the ATP World Tour, I thought we all should take a moment and reflect on… all of his hotness.

Marat lived to fight, or in his case suffer, another day. He fought off 3 match points in his first round match against Thierry Ascione and won it 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(3). He will take on Juan Martin del Potro in the second round that no one is looking forward to.

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Shows you how much I followed this tournament. Very irresponsible blogger/tennis fan, I am. Apologies. But honestly speaking, who wouldn’t forget this?

Aravane Rezai won the all-French final at the Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions. She got a retirement from Marion Bartoli in the finals 7-5, dead ret.

Oh, you so predictable, WTA. And Marion. That’s the way to end a season!

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Andy Murray won his 6th title of the year and 14th of his career at the Valencia Open in Spain. He defeated Mikhail Youzhny 6-3, 6-2 in the finals. Great win for Muzz in his first tournament back since the US Open. This guy doesn’t rust.

Novak Djokovic won his 4th title of the year and 15th of his career at the Roger Federer Open Davidoff Swiss Indoors Basel in Switzerland. He defeated the homeboy, Roger Federer, in the finals 6-4, 4-6, 6-2. Good boy, Nole. Now, you’re all set to win another Grand Slam in 2010, no? Do it.

Someone get RF a wildcard for the Serbia Open next year.

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I thought you were Kim Sears for a quick second there, Jelena. You look good without those ugly 2000 and late sunglasses. I hope you got rid of those forever.

Her man, Novak Djokovic, is into the semifinals at the Davidoff Swiss Indoors Basel in Switzerland after defeating Stanislas Wawrinka 3-6, 7-6(5), 6-2.

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I haven’t really expressed my delight of having party boy back on tour but now consider it expressed. Excuse the 2-month delay.

Richard Gasquet scored a nice win over John Isner at the Davidoff Swiss Indoors Basel in Switzerland 4-6, 7-6(9!), 6-2. He will next face RF’s BFF, Marco Chiudinelli, in the quarterfinals.

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According to the SEWTA Tour, US Open semifinalist, Yanina Wickmayer, has voluntarily withdrawn from the Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions (read: ladies who won random tournaments this year) in Bali, Indonesia. The “voluntary” part is in question.

This withdrawal is following news of Yanina facing a year long suspension due to whereabouts issues. She allegedly failed to provide her “whereabouts” three times in an 18-month span hence the suspension. She is allowed to appeal the case and reports say she will be.

“The password you gave me is no bueno, damnit.”

Image via AP

Andy Murray is back on the tour with the rest of the ATP. He joined the likes of Nikolay Davydenko, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Fernando Verdasco at the Valencia Open in Spain.

Muzz played and won his opening round match against wildcard, Daniel Gimeno-Traver, 6-3, 6-1. He showed no signs of rust after not playing for 2 months.

But the real news coming from this guy is that he is leaving Fred Perry for adidas in 2010.

adidas has a new addition to its tennis line-up in 2010 with Andy Murray joining the global sportswear brand.  The 22-year-old Briton will sport the iconic 3-Stripes from January onwards joining a list of illustrious athletic names including Muhammad Ali, David Beckham, Rod Laver and Stan Smith.  Andy will wear the adidas apparel Competition line and the world’s biggest selling tennis shoe, the Barricade.

Source

From the sound of this press release and rumors going around, Muzz will be replacing Novak Djokovic as adidas’ super tennis star. If so, where the heck is Nole going? And why can’t adidas just have them both ala Nike with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal? Oh you corporate people, I will never get.

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