Djokovic extends streak, advances to French

PARIS - Novak Djokovic's perfect season is still intact and his clay-court form still looks devastating after he reached the third round of the French Open when Victor Hanescu retired Wednesday because of injury.

A comparison of the season-opening winning streaks of John McEnroe in 1984 and Novak Djokovic in 2011.

The second-seeded Serb, who joined 2009 champion Roger Federer in the third round at Roland Garros, improved to 39-0 in 2011 after Hanescu retired while trailing 6 - 4, 6 - 1, 2-3. Djokovic has won 41 straight matches dating to last year's Davis Cup final.

"I keep on thinking only about the winning." "I'm taking one match at a time," Djokovic said. "Really, I'm not thinking about when this - this amazing streak--streak will end." "So I guess that's the right mental approach."

Asked what he needs to do to continue his current run, Djokovic replied: "Stay focused, dedicated, motivated." I am still only 24. I have many more years to come. It's been the best five, six months of my career. "and I m very happy with the way I m playing."

As well he should be.

Only three men in the Open era won more matches in a row, topped by Guillermo Vilas' 46 in 1977. And only one started a season better: John McEnroe began 42-0 in 1984.

If he makes the final, Djokovic will be assured of the No.. 1 ranking in men's tennis for the first time.

No.. David Ferrer of Spain, no. 7. 9 Gael Monfils of France and former U.S. Open champion Juan Martin del Potro also made it through.

Djokovic, who won three clay-court tournaments leading up to Roland Garros and beat top-ranked Rafael Nadal in two of them, won seven straight games at one point and didn't face any trouble from his Romanian opponent.

Hanescu called for a trainer to look at his left leg after losing the second set. The trainer came back out after Hanescu held to make it 3-2 in the third.

Djokovic then won the next two points before Hanescu called it quits.

In the next round, Djokovic will face del Potro, who defeated Blaz Kavcic of Slovenia-3, 6-2, 6 6-4.

Dating from December, when he won two Davis Cup matches, Novak Djokovic has won 41 consecutive ATP matches, tying the fourth-longest win streak in the Open era.

"Well, it's a big challenge for both of us," Djokovic said. "He's a fantastic player who always deserved to be in the top five in the world, and I'm sure he's going to come back very quickly there, because he has amazing groundstrokes and a big serve."

Del Potro missed most of last season after having surgery on his right wrist and more recently has been bothered by a bad hip.

"knowing that djokovic is the best player this season, that he's trying to beat a record, is one thing," said the 6-foot-6, big-hitting del Potro, who lost all three past meetings with Djokovic, "but I need to stop thinking about it to avoid any additional pressure."

The two are buddies and were prompted at their news conferences to discuss the idea of making things more interesting by putting a friendly wager on the line.

Del Potro's response, delivered with a wink: "of course not." "He's much richer than I am."

Djokovic laughed when told about that.

"I will accept any bet." Why not? "we can have fun," Djokovic said. "If the bet is a dinner, I will do my best to earn the dinner."

Djokovic, who won the Australian Open in 2008 and this January, and del Potro are the only men other than Federer (12) and Nadal (nine) to collect any of the most recent 24 Grand Slam titles.

Federer defeated French wild card Maxime Teixeira 6-3, 6-0, 6-2 to reach the third round. Teixeira is 1-1 at the French Open after winning his first tour-level match on Sunday.

The 16-time Grand Slam champion, despite being broken early in the match, made it look easy by winning 13 straight games from the first set to the third.

"He fought hard, and afterwards he was trying to get the best score," Federer said of his 22-year-old opponent. "the score was balanced for 1? sets, but even then he fought hard."

Federer didn't face a single break point in his opening match, and managed only one Teixeira on Wednesday - and he converted it. After the Frenchman held to go to 3-3, Federer dominated and didn't lose another game until Teixeira made it 4-1 in the third set.

"During 1? sets you're really well focused, and after this you can relax a little at the end of the match." "and it was a bit simpler as well at the end," Federer said. "Now I'm very happy with these types of matches." "I can practice more and so on, but now I'm really in the tournament, which is a good thing."

Teixeira had beaten another French wild card, Vincent Millot, in the first round.

"I gave it all I did what I could," Teixeira said. "To play against Roger is an incredible experience." "I'll never forget it and it will be great memories."

Federer knows what it's like to be the inexperienced examiner kid across the net from one of the game's greats. Back on Oct. 6, 1998, Federer played his sixth career match against Andre Agassi at Basel, Switzerland, and lost 6 - 3, 6-2.

"You know, on the one hand, that you can't win," said Federer, who went on a 41-match unbeaten run from August 2006 to March 2007. "And if you win, it's like a miracle."

Federer will face 29th-seeded Janko Tipsarevic, who beat Pere Riba of Spain 6-1, 6-3, 6-0. Tipsarevic took Federer to five sets in the third round of the 2008 Australian Open, eventually losing 10-8.

"I think he's a dangerous player on the big short against the big players." "He played really well against these players, so let's be careful," Federer said. "Let's be ready in advance, because he can vary his game on hard courts, on clay as well." "He can do all sorts of things."

Federer's record of 23 consecutive Grand Slam semifinals ended with a loss in the French Open quarterfinals a year ago. If he makes it to the semifinals this time, he could meet Djokovic.

"He has had a lot of streaks and a lot of records that he's broken." I mean, look, he has won the most Grand Slams. He's the most successful tennis player ever. "there is not much to say about that," said Djokovic, who beat Federer in the semifinals at the last two major tournaments. "I mean, it's just amazing what he has done throughout his career."

Ferrer advanced by stopping Julien Benneteau 6-3, 6-4, 6-2. The Spaniard has twice reached the quarterfinals at Roland Garros, in 2005 and ' 08.

No.. Mikhail Youzhny of Russia, no. 12. Richard Gasquet of France, no. 13. Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland, no. 14. 17 Jo - Wilfried Tsonga of France, no.. Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil, no. 23. 30 Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain and no.. 31 Sergiy Stakhovsky of Ukraine also advanced.

Djokovic at the head of Nadal, pushes streak 2011 to 37

ROME - Novak Djokovic began to make an impact, it takes on tennis with his recent domination of Rafael Nadal - and everyone in the game, too.

Djokovic beaten Nadal 6-4, 6-4 lead in the Italian Open final Sunday to stretch its unbeaten start this year in 37 matches.

Djokovic trails only the beginning of 42-0 John McEnroe in 1984. Overall, the Serb has won 39 consecutive matches stretching to the triumph of the Serbia of Davis Cup in December, sixth best in the era Open, seven behind Guillermo Vilas record established in 1977.

Hey, Novak Djokovic détracteurs, that it can win French open now? Thirty - nine victories and counting means something, writes Ravi Ubha. "It is an incredible honour to be part of the history of the tennis sort and a part of a group of elite players - Federer, Nadal, McEnroe, Lendl [Ivan], the guys have won so many in a row," said Djokovic. "I don't know how good it brings tennis, but it is good that someone else is able to win other than just Federer and Nadal." It makes it more interesting. ?

Second Djokovic beaten Nadal in all four finals they played this year and beat the Spanish for the first time on clay last week at the Madrid Open final.

This is victory, Djokovic the first player to beat Nadal on clay twice in the same year, a feat which comes exactly a week before the start of the France Open.

"I'm just happy about the game, I have this year on clay - the way the ball and how I am that I am typing so confident," Djokovic said. "I always knew I could beat the best players, but now I have the confidence to do so.".

Edge of Djokovic on Nadal could enable him to overcome his rival for the No. 1 ranking of the week after the France Open.

"He made amazing things." "Every game it is very hard physically and mentally," said Nadal. "I do everything I can." I do not wonder anymore. I do very well, but a player is better than me. I look forward each week to try solutions, so we'll see. ?

Novak Djokovic won his 37th consecutive to start the 2011 season, a mark reached by four other players - male or female - in the open era (since 1968).

Nadal said it is "impossible" inoculate Djokovic to eternity.

"I have to wait for my time to win and I know that," said Spanish.

Also Sunday, Maria Sharapova stormed to victory 6 - 2, 6-4 on the Sam Stosur in the final of the women for the biggest title of his career clay-court.

After a delay of three hours of rain, the seventh seed Sharapova won the opening four games, then crosses from there to its victory over the head of Caroline Wozniacki in the semi-finals.

Sharapova is a winner of Grand Slam three times and Roland Garros remains the only major title she has not won. It will now be among the Favorites in Paris.

"It's just the beginning of lots of things to come." "Sharapova, is that the beginning of everything," said at the trophy ceremony.

Nadal had won this tournament five of the last six years and came to the final with a 31-1 career record in Rome. His only previous loss came to compatriot Juan Carlos Ferrero in the opening round, three years ago.

Djokovic attributed his victory in Madrid in part to altitude and faster conditions. Conditions at the Foro Italico are more similar to those of Paris, perhaps to make this more significant victory.

"Whatever the conditions I needed to enter the Court and to take risks and be aggressive, said Djokovic, who also won this title in 2008." "It's really the only way against Nadal on clay."

Novak Djokovic joined Gaston Gaudio and Roger Federer as the only players with multiple victories against Rafael Nadal on clay. Djokovic is the only player with several victories of clay to Nadal in the same season.

Djokovic also had to recover for the victory of semi-finals of three hours on Andy Murray, which ended around midnight Saturday. Fortunately for Djokovic, the delay of rain before the final of the women gives more time to rest.

"Everything is possible." This is the explanation, "said Djokovic. "If you believe that you can retrieve if do you the work well with the team around you and try to focus on your goal and physically ready." ... We have the great work. Today I was able to get the maximum of my abilities to the Court. ?

Despite the delay, almost all 10,500 ticket holders were on hand for the game with the Italy and Djokovic-Nadal located geographically in between the Spain and the Serbia both players received the same support.

Nadal was using several loopy topspin shots to keep the ball in the Court, Djokovic flattened his blows most often, skimming balls just above the net.

Djokovic also intervened in the Court, in addition, while Nadal has mostly remained a good distance behind the base line.

"I was happy in the way which I today [played].". "I was not hitting the ball [evil], but it seems that it is always in a better position", said Nadal. "I played more aggressive that a week ago." "I did not play as any defensive in Madrid".

At one point in the second series, Nadal began hitting high balls, almost like the visible Moon balls on the circuit women's year.

"I tried a moment, it's true," said Nadal. "I lost to Madrid so I tried different things today." ... I have a lot of things [try] next time. ?

After Exchange breaks early in the second set, Djokovic began shouting for himself and blowing himself after each winning as the game drew more closely at the end. He had also stretch his muscles sore points.

With drops of rain began to fall again, Djokovic dénouée the match with a break after a netcord Nadal led to control of his fourth match point, then fell to clay on his back and sprayed champagne on the Court after the trophy presentation.

"I will certainly not touch the racket during the four days," said Djokovic. "Rest is right very important from time to time, getting ready for Roland Garros.".

 

S Ethier Streak ends at 30 games in the loss of Dodgers

 Now that it's over, Andre Ethier is ready to put his consecutive hitting 30 behind him.

He said "I compare this to a rupture of the bad". "It was a pleasure ride shortly."

Ethier went 0-4 with a run of first step Saturday night and the Los Angeles Dodgers lost their fourth straight game, 4-2 for the New York Mets.

His last chance for success came in the eighth round, but he struck out swinging to a terrain well off the coast of the plate with a runner on first. He was most upset by his poor y that the end of the sequence.

"The latter there was a tough, at chase, said Ethier." "Maybe I can start focusing on the conduct of the ball more."

Ethier fell one game shy of the Dodgers record set by Willie Davis, who had a 31-game hitting in 1969 stripe.

The migration major previous three with 30-game hitting streaks also omitted reach 31: Ryan Zimmerman (2009), Moises Alou (2007) and Willy Taveras (2006). The last player to exceed 30 was Chase Utley (35) in 2006.

The Mets snap a tie eighth round when drive lecturers of bases of Justin Turner remplaceant in the Centre of the deep thrown out of the glove fielder Matt Kemp and went for a single long run into two. Kemp came to the wall down and tried to make an over-the-shoulder shot, but was unable to do so.

The Dodgers have lost nine of their last 13, falling a season worst four games below. 500 to 15-19.

"We are better than this," said manager Don Mattingly. "We continue to improve in all areas."

Then there is the off-field problems.

The Dodgers had need of a loan of 30 million of Fox, their television partner, earlier this year and may not have enough cash to pay at the end of the month. Commissioner Bud Selig has appointed a monitor which must approve any expenditure by Los Angeles of $5,000 or more and Selig may try to force a sale of the team.

Ethier hit streak was a nice distraction. Now who went, too.

"(Late) would be reached much easier if we found a way to turn this around," said Ethier.

Startup of emergency Dillon Gee launched effectively in the sixth and Jason Pridie had a career high three hits - one night after his three-run homer sent the Mets to a 6-3 win in the first game.

Jason Bay began the eighth with a walk against Mike MacDougal (0-1) before that Hong-Chih Kuo came in and Ike Davis to retire on a popup. Pridie dropped in a sacrifice bunt, but Kuo thrown the ball at the head of first player goal James Loney for an error that left runners at first and second.

Matt Guerrier was walking remplaceant Ronny Paulino to load the bases for Turner, whose drive to the Centre of the deep was almost caught on the run by Kemp.

Paulino seems to have an obstructed view and withdrew to first base before Turner shoved him to prevent him passing on the bases. Which held Turner in a single, and Paulino stopped in the second.

Tim Byrdak (1-0) pitched a score no channel for his first victory with the Mets and Francisco Rodriguez got three quick outs for his third save in three days. It was his ninth save 10 chances - and his first 1-2-3 round this season.

The dishes themselves missed a scoring chance in the seventh on second runner blunder Jose Reyes of the night.

The Dodgers have been a waste, too. They left 14 on base and 1 for 13 with runners in scoring position.

The Dodgers Ethier extends hitting Streak to 30 games

 Andre Ethier not lost time becoming the first player in major league in two years with a sequence of 30 consecutive hitting.

Ethier referred to Jonathon Niese offshore, in the first inning Friday night, and then added singles in the fifth and seventh loss of 6-3 to the Los Angeles Dodgers to the New York Mets.

Ethier has hits 31 of 32 games he played this season and comes to 397 (46 to 116) in the series.

"I really think about it that another of that, there is a lot of sports teammates, fans at home," said Ethier. "I even had fans on the road me.". It's like: "I you to obtain a success, but are not too.". Just get one, and she in a nonkey place. "You don't want to let them down when they're cheering for you like that. ?

Niese fell behind 3-0 and Ethier with the height of your next to center field. The previous player with a drag hitting this length was Ryan Zimmerman of Washington, which hit in 30 matches from April 8 to May 12, 2009.

"He sees the ball real well, and he puts good swings on them" Niese said. "This first, I fell behind 3-0 and throw a right in the Middle, and he has tilted away." And I ran a good cutter in the fifth) away and broke his bat and who blooped on the shortstop. As I have said, when you're hot, you are hot. ?

The 29-year-old Ethier was struck out of the range for the first time this season on Wednesday because of an inflamed left elbow. Not one for the treatment room, he started pre-game heat and ice evaluated Friday.

"I like it much better when he gets it at the beginning." "You feel like you're just rolling through the game at this time there," said Dodgers manager Don Mattingly. "Even if we talk about, and he is not worried about it - said it - when you need to answer the questions...". This is. You may not really push that totally out of your mind. ?

Ethier was the 45th streak single season of 30 or more games, the 38th 1900, according to STATS LLC. It is a game shy of the record Dodgers, enunciated by Willie Davis from August 1 to September 3, 1969. Ethier exceeded consecutive 29 Zack wheat for the second longest in the history of the club. Wheat streak was from 20 August to 16 September 1916, when the team played in Brooklyn.

"Someone asked me who was Zack wheat," said Ethier. "I thought that it was another minor minor, that we have." I thought it was called. ?

The last player with a drag more of 30 games was Chase Utley Philadelphia, which hit in 35 in a row from June 23 to August 3, 2006.

"I not lose a wink of sleep about it," said Ethier.

This summer marks the 70th anniversary of the record of Joe DiMaggio 56-game hitting streak for the New York Yankees.

Fifty - six - it's a long way away "Ethier said" ".

The reeling (15-18) Dodgers lost for the fifth time in six games and matched their season low of three games sous.500 (6-9). Juan Uribe has led to a green light for a 3-2 lead in the fifth, but Hiroki Kuroda (3-3) allowed a three-run homer in the sixth to Jason Pridie following an intentional walk Ike Davis, who went deep in the second. Jason Bay was added an RBI single in the seventh against Blake Hawksworth after another intentional walk, this time to Carlos Beltran.

"You always think you are an idiot when you walk Davis and get him, and he does that," said Mattingly, management for the first time in the city where he became a star with the Yankees. "Kind of your last thought is a three-run homer, once again, especially in this stage." He y a few balls that have been crushed and which did not go out tonight. ?