Toronto TMS, July 19-27

[choupi]

The North American outdoor hard events will start with Toronto for Marcos.

Official site of the event: www.rogerscupmen.com/1/en/home/Default.asp

Hope Marcos will keep on getting rewarded for working hard with Peter.

[getta]

www.rogerscupmen.com/3/en/news/2008/playerarrivals.asp


July 18, 2008

With main draw action for the Rogers Cup set to get underway in just a couple of days, players from the ATP Tour have touched down in Toronto and made their way to Rexall Centre for practice.

Many of the sport's biggest stars have already been spotted around the grounds making last minute preparations before main draw play begins on Monday.

The biggest names seen so far are reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion Rafael Nadal of Spain and defending Rogers Cup champion Novak Djokovic of Serbia. Djokovic arrived in Toronto on Thursday evening and spent his Friday working on his game on centre court with both countryman Janko Tipsarevic and Croatia's Mario Ancic. Meanwhile, 2005 Rogers Cup winner Nadal landed at Pearson International Airport early on Friday and showed up at Rexall Centre in the evening for his first practice of the week.

Several other top players have also been on site in the past couple of days. Russia's Marat Safin, the 2000 Rogers Cup champion who received a wildcard into the main draw after his stunning semifinal run at Wimbledon, was around on Thursday practicing with Spain's Tommy Robredo. In addition, players like No. 4 Nikolay Davydenko, No. 10 Stanislas Wawrinka (Switzerland), Richard Gasquet (France), Tomas Berdych (Czech Republic), Mikhail Youzhny (Russia), Marcos Baghdatis (Cyprus) and Philipp Kohlschreiber (Germany) are currently in Toronto warming up for the tournament.

Qualifying action begins Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m. and the official main draw will take place on the Stage of Champions at 2:00 p.m.

[getta]

Main Draw has been released.

Marcos' half:

[8] Andy MURRAY (GBR) vs. BYE
QUALIFIER vs. QUALIFIER
Marat SAFIN (RUS) vs. Sam QUERREY (USA)
Simone BOLELLI (ITA) vs. [10] Stanislas WAWRINKA (SUI)

[13] Fernando VERDASCO (ESP) vs. Thomaz BELLUCCI (BRA)
Guillermo CANAS (ARG) vs. Robin SODERLING (SWE)
[WC] Frank DANCEVIC (CAN) vs. Mario ANCIC (CRO)
BYE vs. [3] Novak DJOKOVIC (SER)

[5] David FERRER (ESP) vs. BYE
Robby GINEPRI (USA) vs. Paul-Henri MATHIEU (FRA)
QUALIFIER vs. Philipp KOHLSCHREIBER (GER)
Michael LLODRA (FRA) vs. [10] Richard GASQUET (FRA)

[16] Tomas BERDYCH (CZE) vs. Jarkko NIEMINEN (FIN)
Gael MONFILS (FRA) vs. Igor ANDREEV (RUS)
[WC] Peter POLANSKY (CAN) vs. Marcos BAGHDATIS (CYP)
BYE vs. [2] Rafael NADAL (ESP)

[getta]

Marcos will be in action, playing against Polansky, on Tuesday.

[getta]

Oh, no! According to the article below:

"Baghdatis was forced to withdraw before play began, meaning Polansky will play a lucky loser from the qualifying draw".

www.tenniscanada.ca/tennis_canada/Pub/DisplayNewsStory.aspx?NavID=43&ContentID=7637


Don't know the reasons why.

[getta]

To Marcos' "fans" who are obsessed with his ranking I should paraphrase what a prominent member of another tennis message board said on a similar case:

"Stop f***ing b****ing about the rankings, it's useless.
(Marcos') health is a lot more important than anything else".

[choupi]

Well, I hope it's nothing too serious for Marcos and that he hasn't injured himself. Can't find more info on the Toronto site but Marcos's name has already been replaced in the main draw.

[getta]

According to the Cypriot newspaper POLITIS, Marcos has a wrist problem. He will be examined by his personal physician in France today. He will miss Cincy and Olympic Games as well. His participation in US Open is also in danger.

The journalist is whining about the hope lost for an Olympic medal and the upcoming dive in world rankings. Oh my.

www.politis-sports.com/cgibin/hweb?-A=26909&-V=onlinenews

[getta]

Take care of yourself, Marcos.

We look forward to seeing you back on courts whenever that may be.

[choupi]

That's very sad news indeed Getta. Marcos being away from the courts for quite a long time....hope he rests and gets the best treatment possible so that he can come back totally healed.

Get well soon Marcos.