Beijing finals set for today
Source: Agencies |
October 11, 2010, Monday
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Print Edition
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THE singles finals at the China Open will be completed today after heavy rain halted play in a smoggy Olympic tennis center in Beijing yesterday, with champion Novak Djokovic leading Spain's David Ferrer 3-1 in the men's showdown.
New world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki did not even make it to court and the Dane will have to wait another 24 hours before she can face Russian second seed Vera Zvonareva in the women's showpiece.
Djokovic and Ferrer stepped on court 4 1/2 hours later than scheduled after the dense smog that has blighted the tournament gave way to a heavy downpour.
When the rain finally relented, stewards hastily wiped down the hardcourt before the players were called on to Lotus Center Court.
Less than 20 minutes later, Djokovic and Ferrer were hastily packing their bags and running back into the locker room after the heavens opened again, wiping out the rest of the day's play.
The latest weather setback comes after players complained about the smoggy conditions in the Chinese capital, leading Djokovic to suggest earlier in the week that players should have access to oxygen cylinders on court to help them breathe.
Unfortunately for Djokovic, the rain failed to disperse the toxic haze that has described as "hazardous" by air quality monitors for five days running.
Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal will seek to win an eighth title in a stellar year at the Shanghai Rolex Masters this week, but he may have to get past the man he defeated in the US Open final to do so, the in-form Djokovic.
They head a quality field at the US$3.24 million Shanghai tournament that includes the top 20 players in the world, among them Roger Federer, returning from a four-week break after losing to Djokovic in the semifinals of the US Open, Andy Murray, Robin Soderling, Andy Roddick, and defending champion Nikolay Davydenko.
The sole notable player missing is Juan Martin del Potro, who has struggled in his comeback from wrist surgery, losing first-round matches in Bangkok and Tokyo the past two weeks.
Del Potro said last Thursday he is likely to sit out the remainder of the season to deal with "physical problems" not related to his wrist.
Davydenko will be hoping to see a return to the form that swept him to victory over Nadal in the Shanghai final last year.
"For sure, I played very good last year," Davydenko said.
The Russian added that he has the confidence to do well again this year, saying if he wins the "first couple of matches, maybe it can be possible to win the tournament."
New world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki did not even make it to court and the Dane will have to wait another 24 hours before she can face Russian second seed Vera Zvonareva in the women's showpiece.
Djokovic and Ferrer stepped on court 4 1/2 hours later than scheduled after the dense smog that has blighted the tournament gave way to a heavy downpour.
When the rain finally relented, stewards hastily wiped down the hardcourt before the players were called on to Lotus Center Court.
Less than 20 minutes later, Djokovic and Ferrer were hastily packing their bags and running back into the locker room after the heavens opened again, wiping out the rest of the day's play.
The latest weather setback comes after players complained about the smoggy conditions in the Chinese capital, leading Djokovic to suggest earlier in the week that players should have access to oxygen cylinders on court to help them breathe.
Unfortunately for Djokovic, the rain failed to disperse the toxic haze that has described as "hazardous" by air quality monitors for five days running.
Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal will seek to win an eighth title in a stellar year at the Shanghai Rolex Masters this week, but he may have to get past the man he defeated in the US Open final to do so, the in-form Djokovic.
They head a quality field at the US$3.24 million Shanghai tournament that includes the top 20 players in the world, among them Roger Federer, returning from a four-week break after losing to Djokovic in the semifinals of the US Open, Andy Murray, Robin Soderling, Andy Roddick, and defending champion Nikolay Davydenko.
The sole notable player missing is Juan Martin del Potro, who has struggled in his comeback from wrist surgery, losing first-round matches in Bangkok and Tokyo the past two weeks.
Del Potro said last Thursday he is likely to sit out the remainder of the season to deal with "physical problems" not related to his wrist.
Davydenko will be hoping to see a return to the form that swept him to victory over Nadal in the Shanghai final last year.
"For sure, I played very good last year," Davydenko said.
The Russian added that he has the confidence to do well again this year, saying if he wins the "first couple of matches, maybe it can be possible to win the tournament."
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