Novak Djokovic books semi-final berth in Miami Sony Ericsson Open

Novak Djokovic books semi-final berth in Miami Sony Ericsson Open

Novak Djokovic scored a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and made it into the Sony Ericsson semifinals where he will face the winner of the match between Roger Federer and Andy Roddick.

Djokovic was able to take the win even after receiving treatment for apparent heat-related symptoms in the second set.

Tsonga had two chances to break Djokovic in the eighth game of the second set, but couldn't capitalize on either and the Serbian closed out the match in just under two hours.

Djokovic, who said he had been battling a stomach ailment, said that the heat and the pressure of the match all affected him. But he still displayed precise, powerful groundstrokes that had Tsonga on the defensive from the start.

"I have to be very happy with today's performance, because I have been struggling to find a way to win against him in the last four encounters. I just knew that I needed to stick in and try to wait for my chances and be aggressive.
Today I think I tried to be closer to the line, more in control, and just put the pressure on him. So I think that's what I did." said Djokovic.



Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images

Miami Sony Ericsson Open Wednesday 4/1 Results

Miami Sony Ericsson Open Wednesday 4/1 Results

ATP Main Draw Singles - Quarterfinals

[3] N Djokovic (SRB) d [10] J Tsonga (FRA) 63 64
[2] R Federer (SUI) d [5] A Roddick (USA) 63 46 64

ATP Main Draw Doubles - Quarterfinals

[1] B Bryan (USA) / M Bryan (USA) d [6] B Soares (BRA) / K Ullyett (ZIM) 76(1) 64
A Fisher (AUS) / S Huss (AUS) d F Cermak (CZE) / M Mertinak (SVK) 64 36 10-6
J Knowle (AUT) / J Melzer (AUT) d R Hutchins (GBR) / J Kerr (AUS) 63 61
M Mirnyi (BLR) / A Ram (ISR) d J Benneteau (FRA) / J Tsonga (FRA) 76(1) 76(5)

Rafael Nadal reaches Key Biscayne quarterfinals

Rafael Nadal reaches Key Biscayne quarterfinals

Rafael Nadal beat Stanislas Wawrinka 7-6 (2), 7-6 (4) to reach the quarterfinals of the Sony Ericsson Open.

Nadal won despite converting only one of 12 break-point chances. He had four match points at 5-4 in the second set, but the Wawrinka hit a succession of big serves to stay alive.

The two grueling sets lasted 2 hours, 42 minutes before Nadal closed out the victory with a backhand crosscourt passing shot at 12:20 a.m.

His opponent in the quarterfinals will be Juan Martin del Potro.

Photo AP

Rafael Nadal Miami Sony Ericsson Open Interview - March 31

Rafael Nadal Miami Sony Ericsson Open Interview - March 31

R. NADAL/S. Wawrinka 7-6, 7-6

Q. How would you describe that match?
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, important win for me here. Very important. To be in quarterfinals is always a good result. So after winning in Indian Wells, being in quarterfinals is very good news. Yeah, today was good match. Yeah. I had a lot of breakpoints and I didn't convert not one -- only one in the second set after a lot of
chances.
So maybe if I won a little bit more breakpoints the match seems like I was playing
better, no? But I think, yeah, it was very important win. Wasn't a bad match.

Q. Were you surprised by the level of Wawrinka?
RAFAEL NADAL: No. Wawrinka is a very good player.

Q. What about your level? Are you where you expect to be right now, or are you
unhappy about your level? You feel good about it?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, I played much better today than yesterday. I am very happy
about my match today, yeah. I didn't practice my best the last days, and yesterday I played terrible match. So I improved a lot today in the match. I was very focused and I played two good tiebreakers, so that's very good. No, I am really happy right now. Sure, I can play better, yeah. You can't play always at 100%, but today, yes, I
am happy.

Q. Does a match like yesterday's match where you feel you played terrible help you get your attention, and did it help you play better today?
RAFAEL NADAL: No.

Q. You played bad and you turned it around because you played bad?
RAFAEL NADAL: No.

Q. Nothing?
RAFAEL NADAL: Didn't help in nothing, no? These kind of matches only help to lose
confidence, no? Don't help improve nothing.

Q. Did you feel you could raise your level in the tiebreaks?
RAFAEL NADAL: I don't know. I think I was there. I was there all the time and playing
very focused on the important points. He had some mistakes, but I played aggressive and I go to the net sometimes. Yeah, I'm happy.

Q. The tiebreakers, were you disappointed? Frustrated? Because a lot of
times he was coming up with the big serve in those situations. How did you feel you played on the breakpoints overall?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, I can do nothing, no? I have Love-40 in the 5-4, 0-40, and I didn't
have any chance. He played all the serves inside. First serves, very hard first serves. So I didn't have chances. Nothing. Just wait and try to be focus all the time to have more opportunities.

Q. There are almost the same players in the quarterfinals as in Indian Wells and in
Melbourne.
RAFAEL NADAL: Exactly the same?

Q. Almost. What is your explanation? Like the top 10 has set apart from the rest?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, I think that's good for tennis, and I think we are in one moment of the tennis history that the best players are winning always, no?
For that reason, win titles, everything, be there is almost very -- almost more difficult than ever, no? Because all the time you have to play against the best. You don't have -- if you are in quarterfinals, you are going to play against the best players of the world. You're gonna have -- never is easy but you don't of a normal match.


Interview from Sony Ericsson

Watch Tennis Online Live ATP Miami Sony Ericsson Open Online Free Video Streaming

Watch Tennis Online Live ATP Miami Sony Ericsson Open Online Free Video Streaming

Wednesday 4/1
ATP Miami Sony Ericsson Open

14:45 ET- Link 1 - Link 2 - Link 3

20:45 ET- Link 1

Roger Federer Sony Ericsson Open Interview - March 31

Roger Federer Sony Ericsson Open Interview - March 31

R. FEDERER/T. Dent 6-3, 6-2

Q. Was that fifth game one of the more interesting of your career?
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I don't know how many times it happened that I had to save so many breakpoints over and over again after already saving it. So it was definitely a big game for me, you know, to stay ahead.
I was serving against the wind, so I was struggling with my first serve there a bit. He did well to keep coming at me and creating opportunities for himself. I thought he played really well, and he made it difficult for me today.

Q. Talk about the difference of playing his style. He has kind of a different style of play. What's that like to be across the court from him?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, I mean, I like playing that kind of style. It reminds how -- me when I came on tour, this is how many guys were playing, even myself. You know, coming to the net, forcing the issue, keeping the points short.
I think that's been a big change because of the strings, the way we're able to cover the court now and hit through the ball and still keep the ball in play.
Before we were all playing with natural gut, and by having that it was just hard to control the ball. You didn't want to rally forever. We used to break a lot of strings.
It was so different today. It was really a lot of fun playing against Taylor today. I think he was playing well. Like I said, I had to come up with some good passing shots to be able to make a difference.
He might have got a bit tired towards the end, but I still think it was a great effort from his side to win that many matches here.

Q. When you see the pressure he puts on you and how he wins points at the net and also inducing errors, does that make you reconsider how often you want to come in, do you think?
ROGER FEDERER: You think it should make me want to come in more? Honestly, I'm so used to this kind of play that I don't feel pressure when a guy is coming into the net, even when I'm missing some shots.
It's maybe a touch uncomfortable, but I've played so many guys playing like that, Henman and Mirnyi and all these guys, and Pete. You name it. This is how I grew up. This is normally how points are being played.
Today it's different. You rally and you only come to the net when you have a forehand that's like right here and maybe an overhead. If you're lucky, you get it back.
I like the sense of having to hit a passing shot. That's why I don't think, even though how great he does it, he's not going to make me chip and charge and serve and volley a whole a lot more.

Q. Sort of like Back to Future or something like that?
ROGER FEDERER: I guess.

Q. Next match will be against Andy Roddick. You have played against him many times. What do you expect this time?
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, rematch of last year, isn't it? Quarterfinal match. Look, I love playing against him. We've had some big matches over the years, US Open, Wimbledon.
So, yeah, I don't know. It's going to be for sure a fun match to play against him. I played him at the Australian Open and played well against him there. He's seems like he's changed a couple of thing in his game, so should be a good match, I'm sure.

Q. Have you got a chance to see any of Andy's games? Obviously you played him earlier this year. Do you think it's benefitting his playing style? Is he playing better because of how he's changed his game? More competitive?
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I mean, look, he's only changed a few things. I don't think we're seeing a different Andy Roddick. It's just a bit of shot placement that seems different. He's tried many things over the years: to play aggressive and to play really defensive. Remember when he was really far back on the returns?
In the beginning of the career, every forehand he had was just going outright winners. He's always been dangerous. It never really changed, you know, from this aspect just because he's got that massive serve.
I think you just don't break it that easily, no matter how he plays from the baseline. That's why Andy Roddick is one of those guys who can really try out a few things from the baseline.
But he seems like he's playing quite safe at the moment. It's paying off. He's played well at the beginning of the season. But I'm happy I already played him this season so I get a sense of how he's playing.

Q. On the subject him having changed his game over the years, do you think you'll have to change your game as the years advance and you get more challengers and more tough players?
ROGER FEDERER: I've adjusted too over the years. I had to. I used to chip and charge and serve and volley when I was not feeling well from the baseline. I used to serve and volley against Nalbandian, against Agassi, a against the greats, you know, of the returning passing shots.
You know, I almost came close. And Hewitt as well. Until I realized I had to get my baseline game into great shape. Once I got that going, the whole thing followed. My mental strength got so much better. My the footwork was incredible. That then allowed me to have so many more options.
It's just now a matter for me of when do I play aggressive and when do I let the other guy play and make mistakes, as well. Right now I feel I found again the right tactics against the right players, you know.
All I needed was a few matches, and I got those in Indian Wells. I feel like I'm playing well, and I'm excited about what's to come.

Q. Obviously for years you were the hunted, No. 1. Do you enjoy the hunting, being on the opposite side of that? Does it entail a change of mind or attitude in any way?
ROGER FEDERER: Umm, not a whole a lot. You know, I mean, I had more of an issue with myself, you know, getting myself back in shape for the last year. That's been my problem, not really Rafa or Andy or Djokovic, or you name it. Those comes naturally if I play well that I can beat these guys.
So for me, it was a matter of getting back in shape. I feel like I'm about to turn the corner. Mentally I'm really fresh again after taking a rest in December and February. So I feel like I'm getting better, whereas I couldn't concentrate that much on tennis. It was more about getting actually back in shape.

Q. When you've had so much success against one player like Andy Roddick, does it give you the confidence that when you're in a tight game that you have what it takes to beat that player? You have a mental edge?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, I mean, it helps having a great record. Then again, you saw last year. Doesn't really help you that much sometimes. I think on the big occasions I just have that extra gear that not many players have.
So I feel like that's an advantage, because of my talent, because of my experience. But in a match, best-of-three, you know, against a guy like Andy, it's all to play for really.
He's always been dangerous. I've always respected him a huge amount. You know, I like watching the guys and I also like playing the guy. It's going to be a fun match, I'm sure.
But I don't feel like now at deuce at 5-All in the second that I have an advantage over him just because I've beaten him. That's not the case. You always have to create it for yourself again, over and over again.

Q. At this stage in your career, what do you consider to be more important to you: being No. 1 in the world again or accumulating as many Grand Slams as possible?
ROGER FEDERER: Goes hand in hand, doesn't it? I guess it's slams right now, because I'm that close with Pete's record. I know if I win a Slam, a No. 1 ranking will follow.


Interview from Sony Ericsson

Miami Sony Ericsson Open Tuesday 4/1 Order of Play

Miami Sony Ericsson Open Tuesday 4/1 Order of Play

STADIUM start 11:00am
C Chuang (TPE) / S Mirza (IND) vs [2] A Medina Garrigues (ESP) / V Ruano Pascual (ESP) - WTA
Not Before 1:00 PM
[1] S Williams (USA) vs N Li (CHN) - WTA
Not Before 3:00 PM
[10] J Tsonga (FRA) vs [3] N Djokovic (SRB) - ATP
Not Before 7:00 PM
[26] I Benesova (CZE) vs [5] V Williams (USA) - WTA
Not Before 9:00 PM
[5] A Roddick (USA) vs [2] R Federer (SUI) - ATP

GRANDSTAND start 1:30 pm
R Hutchins (GBR) / J Kerr (AUS) vs J Knowle (AUT) / J Melzer (AUT) - ATP
Not Before 4:00 PM
[1] B Bryan (USA) / M Bryan (USA) vs [6] B Soares (BRA) / K Ullyett (ZIM) - ATP
Not Before 6:00 PM
M Mirnyi (BLR) / A Ram (ISR) vs J Benneteau (FRA) / J Tsonga (FRA) - ATP

COURT 2 start 12:00 noon
F Cermak (CZE) / M Mertinak (SVK) vs A Fisher (AUS) / S Huss (AUS) - ATP
Not Before 1:30 PM
[WC] S Kuznetsova (RUS) / A Mauresmo (FRA) vs [6] N Llagostera Vives (ESP) / M Martinez Sanchez (ESP) - WTA
Not Before 3:00 PM
[4] S Stosur (AUS) / R Stubbs (AUS) vs A Groenefeld (GER) / P Schnyder (SUI) - WTA

Video: Miami 2009 - Federer Tuesday Interview

Miami 2009 - Federer Tuesday Interview

Roger Federer talks about his fourth-round match against Taylor Dent and looks ahead to playing Andy Roddick next at the Sony Ericsson Open.

Video: Miami 2009 - Fan & Player Favourite

Miami 2009 - Fan & Player Favourite

Fans at the Sony Ericsson Open share their opinions on why the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament in Miami ranks among the best.

Andy Roddick Miami Sony Ericsson Interview - March 31

Andy Roddick Miami Sony Ericsson Interview - March 31

A. RODDICK/G. Monfils 7-6, 6-4

Q. How did you feel out there?
ANDY RODDICK: Better than you after you finished that race. No, I felt all right. You know, even when I got down that break, I kind of felt like I was playing the way I wanted to and executed -- I just didn't execute that game that I got broken.
Still felt like I was doing the right things. Fortunately for me he gave me another look. From the breaker on I felt like I was in control.

Q. Is that something you're consciously trying to do?
ANDY RODDICK: No, I mean, I think he gives you ample opportunity, because he likes to do the rope-a-dope a little bit. He likes to invite you in.
Then if you don't come in, he beats you with length on the next ball. He's quick enough to be able to pass a lot, so I just tried to at least make my approach shots firm if I did it.

Q. Specifically, how has losing that 15 pounds impacted your game the most?
ANDY RODDICK: I don't know. I go into matches knowing I can play the points and play long points and not really have to worry about it and maybe force it too much. It just helps that I'm there on every ball. I feel like I'm in control.
And also, I think the biggest difference is after I hit the return, that first ball, if they become aggressive on it I can get it back to neutral quicker, because I'm able to scramble after that first one.

Q. How did you feel about all the French support?
ANDY RODDICK: It's fine.

Q. Yeah. Do you enjoy the atmosphere?
ANDY RODDICK: That's one of the things that make this tournament real cool, is that there is -- kind of maybe similar to New York sometimes on the outside courts.
Miami is such a melting pot of culture. I mean, it seems like it attracts a lot of foreign residents, you know, from South America. I mean, it's definitely got a little flavor to it. That kind of represents itself in the crowd here.

Q. Do you like that? Do you enjoy playing in that?
ANDY RODDICK: Yeah, it's fine. I think it's cool.

Q. Who tested your patience more, Kuznetsova or Monfils? Must have been tough.
ANDY RODDICK: Yeah, it was. You know, you're ready to play, and then all of a sudden you're not, and then all of a sudden you figure it's going to -- she's gonna be hard press to finish -- I mean, Doug came in and said he saw her in the hallway during the ten-minute break, and it looked like she was having trouble walking.
So I'm sitting there going, Okay, this is gonna be a little bit longer. All of a sudden, 6-1. It was a little bit different, and it was tough to really predict what was going on. But, you know, it is what it is. It's the same for both of us.

Q. He's a tricky player, and as you said he does the rope-a-dope. You seemed really self-possessed today. Did you feel that way today?
ANDY RODDICK: I don't feel possessed.

Q. Self-possessed.
ANDY RODDICK: No, I mean, I was just going to go about my business. Basically, he was going to give you a chance. When you got that chance, make sure you -- I was trying to execute with authority.
If he passed me of the bat, then fine. But I didn't want to come in and give him tons of time to set up and give him too many options. If he beat me when he was doing that, then, you know, you could probably live with that.
I was going to try to make him do it for the better part of the afternoon.

Q. You have to be pleased with your consistency. Seems like match in and match out, you're really getting the job done and not letting your level slip too far.
ANDY RODDICK: Yeah, I feel all right. I mean, it's just -- I feel good and I feel confident. I think the big difference is you get to those 30-All points, and I just feel calm and like I'm going to play my point the way I want to.
I feel like I'm able to plan out more what I'm gonna do. I have maybe some more options now. Yeah, I just feel calm on the court.
It's nice, but I think can still be improved. It's only been a couple months that I've been playing a little bit better, so...

Q. Given how raw and emotional you were, especially in the younger years, what kind of a journey has it been to get to this point where you can be out there so contained and so focused? Was that a tough thing to do?
ANDY RODDICK: No, I think it's not something that I think has been über-conscious. I mean, I kind of grew up in front of you guys. You've probably seen the best of me, and unfortunately the worst of me at times. So you know I'm definitely not there yet.
But I think it's improved. You know, I just feel comfortable playing right now at this moment. So you know, who knows. Hopefully it'll continue that way.

Q. What is it like at the moment? The quarterfinal lineup is looking like a Slam. It was the same at Indian Wells. You had a great Australian Open. What's it like to be in the mix currently at such an exciting time? People are saying it's a very exciting time for men's tennis.
ANDY RODDICK: Yeah, I think it is. You know, you've probably had Roger and Rafa there, and then Djokovic kind of had his go where he was playing really well at the beginning of last year. Now you have Murray who's playing well, and kind of a couple of us are trying to get into that mix a little bit.
But it is good. I think there are a lot of guys playing a good level of tennis, which is great. On a day like today, there was just a ton of intriguing matchups. You look at the schedule for today, and it's a bunch of guys who have been playing real well this year, and who also have a little bit of character and some personality going on out there, also.

So I think it is a really good time for tennis.
Q. How about Taylor Dent out there. They was on the eighth breakpoint when we walked in here. From what he's been through, are you surprised to see him out there?
ANDY RODDICK: Yes. Yeah, I think -- you know, personally, I didn't know if he -- I hadn't really thought that he would play again. A lot of people you hear, Oh, they're going to try to come back. You think, Oh, that's great. But it rarely happens.
For him to do it is great. Taylor has always been one of the real nice guys. He's gone about his business the right way. Always just happy.
So it's nice to see something good happen for him after kind of years of what seems like, you know, unfortunate news. It's nice to see something nice happen for him.

Q. On the other side the of draw: Roger. It's always been a tough matchup. Talk about that a little bit.
ANDY RODDICK: Yeah, I mean, it is what it is. This press conference hasn't changed for years. It's going to be tough. I feel like I'm playing well. Now Larry has seen me play him once in person, also.
The things that Roger seems to do really well against me is serve really well. Hopefully I'll be able to get a couple more looks on his serve. In Australia, the first set was a little bit of a runaway. The second two sets, I think the main difference was he served in the mid 70s, and mine might've slipped a little bit. He was getting more looks. I thought that was the difference in the last two sets.
But, you know, obviously it'll be tough. But I'm going to go out there and just go after it.

Q. How about the fact that you beat him here last year on the same court and everything. Does that factor in at all? Can you remember that and bring that in, or not really?
ANDY RODDICK: I'd love to be able to sit here and center my chi and focus all those good vibes and do all that. At the end of the day, it's about executing. You know, what's done is done.
If I can channel that one match, then he'll be able to channel 15 or 17, whatever the hell it is. He's got more channelling.

Q. Are you doing yoga or something like that?
ANDY RODDICK: No. Are you?

Q. What do you think of Alonzo's ceremony?
ANDY RODDICK: It was great. You know, I knew that I was the afternoon match, so I didn't stay for the second half of the game. I definitely wanted to check out that ceremony, just because when I was in high school I used to come down to ten games a year. I was and still am a big Heat fan.
Then I would always come down and see him and Hardaway and all those guys. Used to sneak into the playoff games with the Knicks and stuff.
I've gotten to know Zo a little bit over the years. Our foundations have done some work together, so to see him recognized and see how emotional he got is cool. He's not exactly viewed as an über softy in a public setting. It was nice, and I feel like it was well-deserved.

Q. So you would have bet against him?
ANDY RODDICK: I don't know. I know there was a big thing, I guess. No, I said I thought he would. I mean, it's tough not to. There's a lot of stuff to look at and a lot going on, and I think with the presence of who all came to support him on that night was pretty cool.
You know, I think you would have to be a cyborg not to get emotional.

Q. This tournament is a place where a lot of famous people come, Shakira, celebrities. Do you think that's fun for fans? I know sometimes they come to see you guys play. Do you like that, too? Have you met anybody that was kind of interesting or fun?
ANDY RODDICK: I have never met an interesting person in my life. No, I'm joking. It is great. I think it just adds to the event. You know, I think here, and definitely at the US Open, it's probably more than just a tennis tournament or a sporting event. It's almost like the thing to do or to go see the tennis.
Even if you, you know, don't really know a forehand from a backhand, there's still enough going on here it's pretty cool. It's a good event. I think they have done a really good job promoting this event and keeping it relevant in the streams of pop culture, as well as just kind of the sporting world.

Q. Like with Brooklyn, do a lot of people notice her? Is that kind of a pain to her?
ANDY RODDICK: You have to ask her.


Interview from Sony ericsson

Video: Miami 2009 - Tuesday Highlights

Miami 2009 - Tuesday Highlights

Eight of the Top 10 seeds, including Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, booked their spots in the quarter-finals Tuesday at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami.

Andy Murray Miami Sony Ericsson Open Interview - March 31

Andy Murray Miami Sony Ericsson Open Interview - March 31

A. MURRAY/V. Troiki 6-1, 6-0

Q. Would you have rather had a really quick one like that than anything else?
ANDY MURRAY: Yeah, obviously of it hot today. You know, my first couple of the matches were long, you know, so I have spent quite a decent amount of time on court.
Yeah, especially nice when the weather is like this to get in relatively quickly.

Q. You talked about playing well and playing smart. It was just that today, wasn't it? Fifty eight minutes of playing well and playing smart.
ANDY MURRAY: Yeah, didn't make a lot of mistakes. High percentage of first serves. Used my slice well. Just kept thinking all the way through the match.
Right from the start, to get a break early, kind of set the tone for the rest of the match. He didn't really recover from that.

Q. I think you've got to go back to Hamburg now for the last time that you didn't
reach at least the quarters of a Masters Series. Is that consistency the thing that pleases you most, the fact that there seems to be no letdowns these days?
ANDY MURRAY: Yeah, well, it does happen sometimes. First round match here was
tough. You know, in Dubai I had a tough match there against Stakhovsky. You know, was down a set and a break, and could have easily been down a set and a break against Monaco. It can happen. But, yeah, lately I've been finding ways to win when I've not been playing my best. I guess that's all you can do.
But like I said, at the end of last year consistency was great, and started this year really great. I need to make sure I keep it going in the next few months.

Q. When your opponent is imploding a little bit, is it difficult to sustain the levels of concentration that you need to do to keep him in that position?
ANDY MURRAY: No, I mean, I guess sometimes, you know, like I said yesterday after I
played Massu, you lose concentration sometimes. But today I didn't. I didn't give him -- I don't think he had a breakpoint on my serve. I didn't give him
any chances. I was up 3-Love and 40-Love and played a couple of sloppy points. I served a double fault, maybe a couple of double faults in this game and
gave him a slight chance.
But apart from that, I played really solid and didn't give him any opportunities.

Q. When you see somebody getting down on themselves like he was and missing a
fair bit, does that alter the way you approach the match? Do you find yourself changing the way you deal with it?
ANDY MURRAY: No. Well, because I feel, you know, the reason he's missing is because
where I was hitting the ball isn't -- he's normally very solid from the baseline. I put the ball in position where he obviously didn't like it, and just kept doing that.
You know, each time I did it he made more and more errors. By the end of the match, I didn't feel like he believed he could come back.

Q. Is Hawk-Eye sort of so much a part of the game now, do you ever find yourself sort
of reaching or asking for it on a court where it isn't available?
ANDY MURRAY: Yeah, it's tough I think for the umpires as well it's difficult, because -- and the lines judges. Because when Hawk-Eye is there there's a lot less -- there's no pressure on them really to make calls. Even if they make a mistake, you can always get the right outcome with Haw-Eye; whereas when you play on the outside courts -- I've seen a few matches on the TV this week on that court, and guys have been getting pretty disappointed with some of the calling.
It's just, you know, the umpires and lines judges are not maybe as sharp as they used to be because they have Hawk-Eye most weeks now. But I don't think they're ever going to have Hawk-Eye on all the courts.

Q. Do you feel they're so integrated you find yourself going for it when it's not
there?
ANDY MURRAY: No.

Q. Why do you think guys are so poor in their success rate?
ANDY MURRAY: I mean, I think if you give a guy one challenge a set and, you know,
their life depended on it, I think they would be very good at the calls a lot of times. They don't challenge thinking the ball is definitely in. I mean, a lot of times at the end of sets or in tiebreaks guys will challenge balls that they
normally wouldn't do. It happens a lot in set points, match points, and what have you. I think if the players, you know, had one challenge a set or whatever, I think they would be very good.

Q. For quarterfinals, which player you prefer, Verdasco or Stepanek?
ANDY MURRAY: Both have started this year very well. Verdasco obviously played well in
the Australian Open. And Stepanek, I think he's won a couple tournaments maybe already this year.
So either is going to be difficult. I don't mind.

Q. Laura Robson today has become World Junior Girl's No. 1. Probably not
someone you see an awful lot of, but...
ANDY MURRAY: I see her a fair amount.

Q. Oh, okay. Even better then. How good an effort is that at 15? Does it kind of
excite you that there's another British player possibly on the way up?
ANDY MURRAY: I mean, I said from the first time I watched her at Wimbledon, I saw her
play, and I watched her on the interactive channels on BBC when she was in like the quarters of the juniors at Wimbledon. I think she's very good. I
think she will for sure get into the top 50.
But, you know, after that, you know, you don't know. Anything can happen. I know she's had a few problems here and there with injuries because she's been growing a lot, which is normal around that age.
But, I mean, she's going to be good. It's just you can never say how good someone is
going to be. To be No. 1 in the world I think, yeah, it's an awesome achievement. You know, definitely for sure in the guys if you get to No. 1 in the world in the juniors you're going to be a top player pretty much.
And the girls, if you do it when you're 18 it's not quite the same. She's doing it so young it shows she's going to be good.

Q. Do you mind being on an outside court like that?
ANDY MURRAY: Not at all. Doesn't -- Neal was saying yesterday I don't play well on that court. I think my performance today showed that I don't mind playing on the outside courts that much (smiling.)

Q. Indifferent.
ANDY MURRAY: Yeah, indifferent.


Interview Sony Ericsson Open

Novak Djokovic Miami Sony Ericsson Interview - March 31

Novak Djokovic Miami Sony Ericsson Interview - March 31

N. DJOKOVIC/T. Berdych 6-3, 6-2

Q. Was it as easy as it looked, or not?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No, look, nothing is easy in these stages of the tournament. I'm playing top 20 player, and a player who won against basically all top players in this moment, so it's never easy to play, on this surface especially.
So I was trying to stick with him all the time, because I knew he's very aggressive, but not really consistent from the baseline. He makes a lot of unforced errors, especially from the forehand side, so I changed the pace and I played a really good tennis today.

Q. Is that what separates the top 10 from maybe the top 20, 25, the consistency? They all have the strokes, but it's just the consistency.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, it's just the details, I think. It's just maybe mental calmness and confidence in certain moments, important moments in the match.

Q. The other day you were saying that you were looking for confidence, in fact, this year. Did you find it back, or you still need some more wins to be sure?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, wins are necessary to get the confidence, and this is what I'm getting lately. Luckily for me, I'm winning more matches then I'm losing. Winning the Dubai event and a couple matches at Indian Wells and here again, so far it's going well.
Hopefully I can continue this way.

Q. The next two, Simon or Tsonga, you've had great matches with both. They're two entirely different players. Talk about the challenge each match would present.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, big challenge for me. Certainly not a favorite in both of the matches I play, because they're great players. Simon has improved incredibly in the last five or six months. He's been playing very solid tennis from all sides. He's a very tricky player, because he makes you always play another extra shot.
On the other hand, I lost to Tsonga four times in a row, so he has a little advantage probably there. But, again, I think all the matches we played was very close. So if I play him, it's going to be a challenge for me to win.

Q. Have you found this a little bit of a strange year? Because a lot of people are talking about obviously Roger and Rafa, and then there's almost an assumption that one day soon Murray will be maybe No. 3, No, 2, No 1. Does that stiffen your resolve a little bit?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Look, I'm really happy that the people don't talk too much about me now. It releases pressure, and then I can really perform my best tennis. So I think it goes to my favor.

Q. You've kind of grown up with electronic line calling the last three years. Is it something you sort of take for granted now?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I think I've been quite successful with that.

Q. You've been more successful than any other top player.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Really?

Q. Yeah.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: That's good. It's not that I have, I don't know, eye of the falcon or something. I just get that feeling. You know, probably I have a good eye, okay, good feeling for the ball.

Q. But does it seem like it's just part of the game now, it's integrated?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah. I support it. Some players do; some don't. But I'm on the side of the players who really like it. I think it brings out entertainment for fans, and it's interesting.
On the other side, for the players, it gives them chance to overcome -- to overrule the first call, which is good.

Q. Are you going to bring it to the Serbian Open?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Hopefully -- yeah, well, money, money. We have clay, so that's a little bit different.

Q. The new racquet you have, you have mastered the feelings with the racquet, or you still have something to improve in the feelings you have with it?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: We're working on it, but I think we're -- it's not really 100%, but it's very close. I mean, I was working a lot on the racquet in last eight, nine months.
And it was hard decision for me to switch, but I did, and I suffered a little bit in the start of the season. More mentally than the real racquet because it's a hard switch, but now I'm really starting to get used to it much more.

Q. Can you explain the difference between the two?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Head racquet has a lot more I think swing weight and it's really fast. It's really fast.

Q. You've got the same amount of prize money as the women's event here, but it's configured in different ways. If you were to win, you're actually going to earn less than the women because the distribution is different. Are you happy with the way that the men's prize money is being distributed?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I don't want to go too deep about that. There's been a lot of talks about that. Look, I'm not paying attention on the women's tennis. This is something that's not in our hands.
What is in our hands you have to be concerned about, and that is to increase the prize money and really work on some things that we really deserve. I don't think it's fair to have equal prize money, that's for sure.

Q. I understand that a lot of players did like you, which is to have their early training outside of Serbia. Is that the current trend? If so, why?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: It's because of the lack of professional conditions in our country. We didn't have any tradition and any conditions which - or facilities - which would bring us and develop us to the professional waters of tennis. That's why we had to go different ways abroad.

Q. And now it's changing, or...
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: It's changing.

Q. Are you confident that everything will be ready on time for your tournament? I saw some pictures, and...
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No, no, no, don't worry. Everything will be on time. They are working on it since the start of this year. I mean, already two months working, and we gonna make a good impression.

Q. Talk Viktor Troiki, your countryman. We don't know much about him.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, he's playing fantastic in the last two events. He's a physically very strong guy. He's always been like that, even in juniors. He had a little issues with the groundstrokes, with the technique, but now he is improved. His forehand is much better, and his movement has always been very powerful for his height. So we can expect him to do well in the future.

Q. Have you helped him or mentored him in any way?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: He's older. He knows.


Interview from Sony Ericsson

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Miami Sony Ericsson Open Interview - March 31

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Miami Sony Ericsson Open Interview - March 31

J. TSONGA/G. Simon 6-7, 6-3, 6-2

Q. Obviously your serve was dominant today: 85% on your first serve. Is it tough to lose when you're serving like that?
JO-WILFRIED TSONGA: Yeah, it's tough to lose when I play like that, when I serve like that. Yeah, I did a great job today on my serve, and yeah.

Q. Is it tough to play I imagine a friend and countryman?
JO-WILFRIED TSONGA: Yeah, of course it's tough all the time to play against a friend. You have to separate, you know, your sentiment. You know, like when you are on the court you have to see your friend like as another player.

Q. And Djokovic is maybe not such a close friend. He beat you in the Australian Open, but since then, and he told us today, you've been tough. You've beaten him like four times in a row. What do you have to do to beat him again?
JO-WILFRIED TSONGA: Yeah, I have to stay really concentrate and play my game, like I did all the -- the last time. We will see what's happen.

Q. A lot of people say, and I see it too, you look like Muhammad Ali a lot in so many ways, from the way you smile and wink. Have you ever met him? Do you feel like you do look like him?
JO-WILFRIED TSONGA: No, no, no. I don't feel like this. I don't know, I just look like him, but maybe I don't have the same thing in my mind. I don't know.
That's it.

Q. He's not a bad guy to copy though, one of the great athletes of all-time.
JO-WILFRIED TSONGA: Yeah, he's a really good athlete, and if I can look like him, I will look like him.


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