Today was Group B’s final day in the round robin stage and, for some, the last chance to make a run for the semifinals. First up was Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski who defeated Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi and Rohan Bopanna 6-2, 6-1 in a quick 49 minutes. Polish Power later learned that they qualified for the semifinals, while the Indo-Pak Express (who played their last tour match together as it was announced the pair would be parting ways) ended the Finals at 0-3.
Up next, Roger Federer earned a turkey by defeating Mardy Fish 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 and ending the round robin stage at a perfect 3-0. Although Fish ended at 0-3, he’s only taking the positives away from London, saying ”I enjoyed the gala, I enjoyed being a part of the picture that the eight guys are in. I enjoyed, like you said, sort of the treatment that you get. I enjoyed still playing at this time of the year when no one else is. We get our own locker rooms back there, our names on our towels. For me, that doesn’t happen every year. A lot of guys have made this a lot of times, but I haven’t, and I can appreciate it a lot more. I know there’s a chance I won’t ever come back to this event, so I wanted to take it all in.”
Today, the ATP handed out awards to Alex Bogomolov Jr (Most Improved Player of the Year) and Bob and Mike Bryan (ATP World Tour No. 1 Doubles Team). Later, in the afternoon session, Max Mirnyi and Daniel Nestor defeated Michael Llodra and Nenad Zimonjic earning them a spot in the semifinals and the day’s second turkey for a perfect 3-0 standing in their round robin group.
Afterward, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga became the first Frenchman in three years to qualify for the semifinals with a 7-6, 4-6, 6-3 win over Rafael Nadal.
“Tonight, I just played amazing tennis,” he said.
Maybe, but is there really anything more amazing than Xisca’s straightened hair?
Celebrities in attendance today included Tsonga’s compatriot Richard Gasquet, Andre Arshavin, Robert Pires, Thierry Henry, English goalkeeper Joe Hart, Arsenal’s Robin Van Persie and Chelsea’s Juan Mata.
(Photos: Getty Images)
