The good looking Dmitry Tursunov

Probably since he started writing the ATP blog a few months ago, Dmitry Tursunov became sort of an instant hit among tennis fans. Here is a transcript of a response to one of his fans.

"I agree that I’m much better looking than Latin-Hispanic guys. That is one of the reasons I became a resident blogger. I wanted the world to know that you don’t have to hop around the stage like a mountain goat, the way Ricky Martin does, to be hot. Together you and I can do that. Keep the flattery coming! I don’t mind reading millions of emails like this at all. It’s the ones, “Why doesn’t anyone use sawdust like Lendl anymore?” that I find mind-numbing and tedious. In fact, I print these emails and read them before I go to bed to remind myself how cute I really am".

As you can see, after tennis Dmitry could easily have a career in comedy! Lets see how funny he behaves when he faces Argentina's red hot Juan Martin del Potro new week during Davis Cup play.

"Argetina will win pretty easily"

Guess who said that? The great Guillermo Vilas. The most successful player in the history of Argentine tennis believes that the team lead by Luli Mancini can bring home the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas trophy for the first time “if they can play all their matches at home, then it will happen sooner or later.”

Argentina will play Russia on the 19th and will try to avenge their 2006 loss during the finals. Back then, the Argentines lost in a close rubber that was decided only when Marat Safin took Jose Acasuso down in four sets.

Argentina has won their last 12 Davis Cup matches at home. Their last loss was in 1998 against the Slovak Republic. The then unknown Dominik Hrbaty won all three points and made Argentina wait for a little longer until they could play again in the World Group.

Vilas then said that with the addition of Juan Martin del Potro "Argentina is favourite for this match. He is very good and has been called to the team for the Davis Cup, Nalbandian took two tournaments off to prepare for Davis Cup and for the Olympic Games. (Juan) Monaco did the same and the whole team did that, so they are really preparing for this match and I think Argentina will win pretty easily.”

Sabes quien lo dijo? El Gran Guillermo Vilas. El tenista argentino mas exitoso de la historia cree que el equipo liderado por Luli Mancini puede ganar la Copa Davis por primera vez "si pueden jugar todos los partidos en casa, entonces va a pasar tarde o temprano".

Argentina jugara contra Rusia el 19 del corriente y tratara de vengarse de la derrota durante la final de 2006. Los argentinos perdieron en una serie muy pareja que se dicidio cuando Marat Safin derroto a Jose Acasuso en cuatro sets.

Argentina gano las ultimas 12 series de Copa Davis que jugo en casa. La ultima derrota fue frente a Republica Eslovaca. El hasta ese momento desconocido Dominik Hrbaty gano sus tres partidos e hizo esperar un par de años mas a que la Argentina regresara al Grupo Mundial.

Vilas tambien dijo que con la incorporacion de Juan Martin del Potro "Argentina es favorita para esta serie. El es muy bueno y por eso ha sido llamado al equipo de Copa Davis, Nalbandian se tomo dos torneos de descanso para prepararse para la Copa Davis y los Juegos Olimpicos. (Juan) Monaco hizo lo mismo y el equipo entero tambien, por eso se estan preparando para esta serie y creo que Argentina va a ganar facil".

Back on top!

Just in case we weren't sure, Roger Federer showed everyone that he is still at the top of the world! Check out his pics from yesterday's in the Big Apple. For the ones who thought that his girfiend Mirka was going to have a long night celebrating the victory with Roger... you guys are wrong. He was up early to visit with the "Today Show."

Por si no estaban seguros, Roger Federer le mostro a todos que todavia esta en lo mas alto del mundo! Miren las fotos que se saco ayer en la Gran Manzana. Los que presagiaban que su novia Mirka iba a tener una larga noche celebrando la victoria con Roger... se equivocaron. Roger se levanto tempranito y fue a charlar con la gente del "Today Show".

Who is the best... #2 player in history?

Until a few weeks ago, Rafael Nadal was considered the best number 2 player in the history of tennis. Apparently, Roger Federer just took his over that "title." The Swiss has kept one amazing streak intact through what has been his "disappointing" 2008: Roger has made a record 18 consecutive Grand Slam semifinals! Just in case you didn't know, no other player ever made more than 10 in a row.
Hasta hace un par de semanas, a Rafael Nadal se lo consideraba como el mejor numero 2 en la historia del tenis. Aparentemente, Roger Federer le saco el "titulo". El suizo mantuvo una impresionante seguidilla a lo largo de lo que ha sido un 2008 "decepcionante": Roger consiguio un record de 18 semifinales de Grand Slam! Por si no sabias, ningun otro jugador llego a mas de 10 semifinales de manera consecutiva.

What's with his outfits?

Have you seen Nole at the US Open? The Aussie Champ was recently featured in GQ Magazine for his sense of style. It seems like Novak sort of lost his cool fashion looks somewhere in New York!

Lo vieron a Nole en el Abierto de los Estados Unidos? El campeon del Abierto de Australia salio hace poco en la revista GQ por su estilo para vertirse. Parece que Novak perdio la facha que tenia en algun lugar en Nueva York!

The music is just too loud!

Last week another Argentine fell to Andy Murray at the US Open, Escopeta Roitman lost in three sets. During the first set, Sergio kept the match pretty close and guess what Murray was complaining about? The music coming from Arthur Ashe Stadium... and it was The Beatles! There is a DJ who plays music when players switch sides, kind of weird, uh!

La semana pasada otro tenista argentino cayo ante Andy Murray en el Abierto de los Estados Unidos, Escopeta Roitman perdio en tres sets. Durante el primer set, Sergio mantuvo el partido bastante parejo pero adivinen de que se quejaba Murray? De la musica que venia del estadio Arthur Ashe... y eran los Beatles! Habia un disc jockey que ponia musica cada vez que los jugadores cambiaban de lado, medio raro, no?

Big time hard court player

Did you know that Maximo Gonzalez is playing in his first hard court tournament ever at the 2008 US Open? This Argentine who curently ranks 118 in the world, debuted at Ashe Stadium against Roger Federer. He managed to get a few games. The funny thing is that Machi is still in the doubles draw, semifinals now and who knows if he and Juan Monaco can bring the big trophy back to Tandil.

Sabian que el Abierto de los Estados Unidos es el primer torneo de canchas duras que Maximo Gonzalez jugo en su carrera? El tenista argentino, que actualmente esta 118 en el ranking mundial, debuto en el estadio Arthur Ashe nada menos que contra Roger Federer. Se las rebusco para ganar un par de games. Lo curioso es que Machi todavia sigue en carrera en dobles, esta en la semifinal y quien sabe si junto a Juan Monaco pueden llevar el trofeo a Tandil.

Last Night at the Open

Unlike many South Americans, Juan Martin Del Potro likes playing on hard courts. Guess in what else Delpo differs from players from south of the border? He speaks English! After his victory over Kei Nishikori, Delpo spoke to Malivai Washington during the on court interview and he did a great!

Al contrario de muchos tenistas sudamericanos, a Juan Martin del Potro le gusta jugar en canchas duras. Adivinen en que mas Delpo se diferencia de jugadores que hablan castellano? Que el puede hablar en Ingles! Despues de su victoria ante Kei Nishikori, Delpo le dio una entrevista a Malivai Washington en el medio de la cancha y la rompio hablando en Ingles!