Tennis News Blog

Spain awaits Argentina in Davis final (AP)
Rafael Nadal isn’t too worried about having to play the Davis Cup final against Argentina on a fast indoor court. Nadal swept Andy Roddick in straight sets on clay Sunday, sending Spain past the reigning champion United States 4-1 and into its sixth final and third in eight years. Argentina defeated Russia 3-2 in Buenos Aires in the other semifinal.

Little holiday joy in Gaza, but tunnelers thrive
GAZA (Reuters) - There was little joy in the Gaza Strip on Monday as the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan drew to a close and 1.5 million Palestinians scraped together their meager resources to celebrate the feast of Eid al-Fitr.

Spain beats defending champs, into Davis Cup final
The Americans’ run as Davis Cup champs came to an end on the Spanish clay. Fittingly, Rafael Nadal ended it.

US to open 2009 Davis Cup against Swiss (AP)

The United States’ chase for a 33rd Davis Cup title will start against Switzerland, while Spain and Argentina will both play their first matches at home following this year’s final. Tuesday’s 2009 World Group draw handed the U.S. a tough opener at home against Switzerland, though it’s not certain whether Roger Federer will play in the March 6-8 matches.

Italy bans Bolelli for skipping Davis Cup
Italian tennis player Simone Bolelli was banned by his federation from national team events for skipping last weekend’s Davis Cup matches with Latvia. The 45th-ranked Bolelli instead chose to play tour events in Bangkok, Thailand, and Tokyo this week and next. Monday’s ban prevents Bolelli from playing in the Davis Cup and the Olympics and getting wild cards from his federation for certain tournaments.

Roddick and Jankovic win titles in China
Andy Roddick claimed his third ATP title of the season, beating unseeded Dudi Sela of Israel 6-4, 6-7 (6) 6-3 on Sunday in the final of the China Open. No. 2 Roddick struggled all the way against Sela, who reached the final by beating top-seeded David Ferrer, fellow Spaniard Tommy Robredo and Rainer Schuettler of Germany. It was the first ATP final of Sela’s career. Sela is only No. 92 in the ATP rankings and is the first Israeli to reach an ATP final since Harel Levy in 2000.

Sharapova to ’shut it down’ for season
Maria Sharapova announced on her Web site Friday that she will not play again this season, ending speculation that she might come back for the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Championships Nov. 4-9 in Doha, Qatar.