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Post by TennisHack on Sept 24, 2003 16:11:14 GMT -5
Yeah, yeah, really original with the title, but it's time we had one for the darling Swedes First, some good news -- pictures of Magnus Norman in Shanghai! He's in the quarterfinals now. Magnus Norman of Sweden returns a shot to Fernando verdasco of Spain during their second round match at the ATP Shanghai Open tennis tournament in China's financial capital September 24, 2003. Norman won in straight sets 7-5 7-6. REUTERS/Claro Cortes IV Magnus Norman of Sweden returns a shot to Fernando Verdasco of Spain during their second round match at the ATP Shanghai Open tennis tournament in China's financial capital September 24, 2003. Norman won in straight sets 7-5 7-6. REUTERS/Claro Cortes IV REUTERS Magnus Norman of Sweden returns a shot to Fernando Verdasco of Spain during their second round match at the ATP Shanghai Open tennis tournament in China's financial capital September 24, 2003. Norman won in straight sets 7-5 7-6. REUTERS/Claro Cortes IV
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Post by TennisHack on Sept 24, 2003 16:12:48 GMT -5
And now for the not-so-good news Thomas Johansson could miss the rest of the year2003-09-24 11:51:21 GMT (Reuters) STOCKHOLM, Sept 24 (Reuters) - Thomas Johansson could miss the rest of the year because of a knee injury that has kept him out of competitive play since the Masters in Shanghai last November. The 2002 Australian Open champion has postponed his comeback several times this year and has now pulled out of tournaments in Moscow next week and Lyon, France the week after. "Things don't look too bright," Johansson's coach Magnus Tideman told Reuters on Wednesday. "He is likely to miss out on most of the year." "We haven't given up on this year, though... We're still aiming at the Stockholm Open," he added. The Stockholm Open, which Johansson won in 2000, runs from October 20 to 26. "He is still at the gym most of the time," Tideman said of Johansson, who underwent surgery in February and has since been training to regain strength in the muscles around the knee.
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Post by TennisHack on Sept 24, 2003 16:15:07 GMT -5
Andreas Vinciguerra of Sweden misses a return shot to Mark Philippoussis of Australia during the first round of the ATP Shanghai Open tennis tournament in China's financial capital September 24, 2003. Third seed Philippoussis won in straight sets 6-4 7-6. REUTERS/Claro Cortes IV Andreas Vinciguerra of Sweden returns a shot to Mark Philippoussis of Australia during the first round of the ATP Shanghai Open tennis tournament in China's financial capital September 24, 2003. Third seed Philippoussis won in straight sets 6-4 7-6. REUTERS/Claro Cortes IV
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Post by TennisHack on Sept 24, 2003 16:16:39 GMT -5
Thomas Enqvist of Sweden returns a shot to Nicolas Kiefer of Germany during the first round of the ATP Shanghai Open tennis tournament in China's financial capital September 24, 2003. Kiefer won in three sets 1-6 6-3 6-3. REUTERS/Claro Cortes IV
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Post by The Chloe on Sept 24, 2003 17:29:39 GMT -5
ANDREAS He lost, but at least it was close-ish
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Post by Layla on Sept 24, 2003 17:46:01 GMT -5
Did I hear my name called? My darling Swedes! (well, some) Best of luck to my number one Swede, Magnus! So great to see him back in the QF. Tears of frustration for my second Swede, Thomas Johansson. I really hope he'll be as good as new come next year. Get well, dear! And too bad Vinci's already departed from the tournament, but those are cool pics. ;D Great thread!
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Post by Layla on Sept 24, 2003 17:47:50 GMT -5
Becca and TH, maybe you should have named this forum Looking for a Few Good-Looking Men.
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Post by TennisHack on Sept 24, 2003 18:58:24 GMT -5
Hehe, welcome aboard, Layla. I figured you might need a place especially for your boys (well, boy ). It's so nice to see Norman playing well again. If only Enqvist could do the same
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Post by TennisHack on Sept 26, 2003 9:50:10 GMT -5
Magnus Norman of Sweden gets a massage during his quarterfinal match against Jiri Novak of the Czech Republic at the ATP Shanghai Open tennis tournament in China's financial capital September 26, 2003. Novak won 2-1 after Norman retired due to thigh muscle problem. REUTERS/Claro Cortes IV
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Post by TennisHack on Sept 26, 2003 9:52:21 GMT -5
Brighter news from Shanghai: Soderling is in the semis! Robin Soderling of Sweden returns a shot during his quarter-final match against Scott Draper of Australia at the ATP Shanghai Open tennis tournament in China's financial capital September 26, 2003. Soderling won in three sets 6-7 7-6 7-6 and will meet Mark Philippoussis of Australia in the semifinals on Saturday. REUTERS/Claro Cortes IV
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Post by The Chloe on Sept 26, 2003 13:36:35 GMT -5
Yay Solderling! His first semi? I only started following his results mid year, and might have missed one before that *scratches head* Hopefully Vincy can get (a good draw ) back on track soon too. The US Open was promising I should scan my pics sometime... i have some Thomas, Vincy...and that might be it. But eh, better than nothing! I'm debating resizing the first Vincy picture and making it my avatar on mens tennis. It's an interesting picture.
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Post by TennisHack on Sept 26, 2003 14:31:14 GMT -5
Yes, this is Soderling's first ATP semi. He had a very strong Challenger season on the hard this summer, so it's not so surprising. He seems to be one of the Swedes that likes fast courts
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Post by The Chloe on Sept 26, 2003 14:47:00 GMT -5
Thanks for the info. I've never seen him play - I meant to at the USO, when he played Dent, but that was on the same time as something else that was on an outercourt I guess this is his first full year on tour, eh? Maybe he can pull a Paul Henri Mattieu and rip up a couple titles at the years end to pip Nadal for newcomer of the year
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Post by TennisHack on Sept 26, 2003 15:21:05 GMT -5
I saw Soderling at Wimbly, what was it, third round? When he played Henman. I wasn't paying all that much attention to the match but I think I have it on tape. His game is quite conducive to fast surfaces, but I don't think he'll pull a PHM unless he gets some really lucky draws. Outdoor hard appears to be his surface of choice right now; don't think carpet is all that great for him. Guess we'll have to wait and see
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Post by TennisHack on Sept 26, 2003 16:24:27 GMT -5
More pictures from Soderling's QF win Robin Soderling of Sweden serves the ball during his quarter-final match against Scott Draper of Australia at the ATP Shanghai Open tennis tournament in China's financial capital September 26, 2003. Soderling won in three sets 6-7 7-6 7-6 and will meet Mark Philippoussis of Australia in the semifinals on Saturday. REUTERS/Claro Cortes IV Robin Soderling of Sweden pumps his fist after scoring a point during his quarter-final match against Scott Draper of Australia at the ATP Shanghai Open tennis tournament in China's financial capital September 26, 2003. Soderling won in three sets 6-7 7-6 7-6. REUTERS/Claro Cortes IV
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Post by The Chloe on Sept 27, 2003 3:17:02 GMT -5
I dont' actually think he'll get out of the semis here, but thought I'd make the PHM crack anyways. Thanks for the bit though, seeing as I know nothing of his game or surface preferences. He's got a bit of Hingis Forehead going on here, don't ya think?
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Post by TennisHack on Sept 27, 2003 12:37:34 GMT -5
Robin Soderling of Sweden returns a shot during his semifinal match against Mark Philippoussis of Australia at the ATP Shanghai Open tennis tournament in China's financial capital September 27, 2003. Philippoussis won in straight sets 6-4 6-4 and will meet Jiri Novak in the final on Sunday. REUTERS/Claro Cortes IV Robin Soderling of Sweden returns a shot during his semifinal match against Mark Philippoussis of Australia at the ATP Shanghai Open tennis tournament in China's financial capital September 27, 2003. Philippoussis won in straight sets 6-4 6-4 and will meet Jiri Novak in the final on Sunday. REUTERS/Claro Cortes IV
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Post by TennisHack on Oct 14, 2003 11:22:27 GMT -5
Some pics of Jonas in Madrid Swedish Jonas Bjorkman returns a backhand to Russian Marat Safin during their first round tennis match at Madrid's Tennis Master tournament October 14, 2003. Bjorkman won 4-6 7-5 6-4. REUTERS/Sergio Perez Swedish Jonas Bjorkman celebrates victory over Russian Marat Safin during their first round tennis match at Madrid's Tennis Master tournament October 14, 2003. Bjorkman won 4-6 7-5 6-4. REUTERS/Sergio Perez
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Post by TennisHack on Oct 14, 2003 18:49:33 GMT -5
TMS Madrid: Sweden's Thomas Enqvist returns a backhand to Russian Yevgeny Kafelnikov during their first round tennis match at Madrid's Tennis Master tournament October 14, 2003. Enqvist won the match after Kafelnikov's withdrew with a foot injury. REUTERS/Sergio Perez Jonas Bjorkman, of Sweden, returns the ball to Marat Safin, of Russia, during a Tennis Masters match in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday Oct. 14, 2003. Bjorkman won the match 4-6, 7-5, 6-4. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano) Jonas Bjorkman, of Sweden, celebrates his 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 victory against Marat Safin, of Russia, at the Tennis Masters tournament in Madrid, Spain Tuesday Oct. 14, 2003. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
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Post by TennisHack on Oct 17, 2003 9:53:12 GMT -5
INJURY UPDATE…Sweden's MAGNUS NORMAN underwent left knee and left hip surgery in Gothenburg at the beginning of October. He is expected back on the practice courts some time next week.
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Post by Kiro on Oct 17, 2003 10:30:31 GMT -5
INJURY UPDATE…Sweden's MAGNUS NORMAN underwent left knee and left hip surgery in Gothenburg at the beginning of October. He is expected back on the practice courts some time next week. :'(So the injury he suffered here was serious Poor Magnus! Get well soon!
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Post by Lee on Oct 17, 2003 11:10:08 GMT -5
Magnus
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Post by TennisHack on Oct 17, 2003 11:39:29 GMT -5
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Post by TennisHack on Oct 19, 2003 12:53:08 GMT -5
Norman Recovering From Surgery By Tennis Week 10/17/2003
Magnus Norman hopes to launch another comeback on the court — the practice court — next week. The former second-ranked Swede underwent surgery on his left knee and left hip in Gothenburg at the start of the month, according to the ATP. Norman is hoping to return to the practice court next week.
The 2000 Roland Garros runner-up has been plagued by hip problems that have curtailed his career. Norman underwent his first hip surgery on August 21st, 2001 and returned to the ATP Tour after a six-month absence. But he he struggled to regain the form he showed in capturing five tournament titles and reaching the Roland Garros final and Australian Open final four in 2000.
The 27-year-old Swede advanced to the quarterfinals in Shanghai last month before the injury forced him to retire while trailing Jiri Novak. Currently ranked No. 113, Norman has produced a 10-19 record this season after finishing 2002 with a 12-19 record.
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Post by Kiro on Oct 21, 2003 0:31:59 GMT -5
20/10/2003 Comeback Win for SöderlingRobin Söderling experienced a difficult start in his first round match against Wesley Moodie. The South African constantly attacked the net with great success and Söderling had a hard time finding any rhythm in his game. Moodie took advantage of the lone break point opportunity that he was given in the first set, and won the set 6-4. - I had a lot of opportunities in the beginning of the match so it was a little bit frustrating to lose the set, Söderling said at the post-match press conference. Söderling did, however, fight back in the second. A few unforced errors by Moodie and some great passing shots by Söderling gave him the crucial break of serve at 3-2. After this, he dominated the match and pleased the crowd with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 win. Söderling has frequently been mentioned in Swedish newspapers during the year and is not a rookie on the tour anymore. - It’s a little bit different to not be an underdog. But I try not to have any expectations on myself, Söderling says. Söderling has played in the main draw of if… Stockholm Open during the past two years. As a 17-year old, he won against Ramon Delgado in the first round before falling to Thomas Enqvist. Last year, he was unfortunate to face the eventual champion Paradorn Srichaphan already in round one. In the next round, he will take on the winner of Wayne Ferrerira and Juan Ignacio Chela, who are up against each other in the first match tomorrow. - I know that I can beat many players when I play well, but at the same time, you have to play very well to win matches on this level, comments the young Swede. From: Stockholm if... Open official site
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Post by Kiro on Oct 24, 2003 9:17:27 GMT -5
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Post by Kiro on Oct 25, 2003 9:19:15 GMT -5
Robin's in the final! Swedish youngster Soderling reaches first ATP final2003-10-25 12:29:47 GMT (Reuters) STOCKHOLM, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Swedish teenager Robin Soderling reached his first ATP final on Saturday, beating Italian Davide Sanguinetti 7-6 7-6 at the Stockholm Open. Neither player dropped serve throughout the match, but Soderling proved the stronger in the tiebreaks, winning the first one 7-2 and the second one 7-5. With his thunderous forehand and strong serve Soderling dictated most of the rallies but was guilty of unforced errors against his defensive opponent. He wasted two match points on his serve at 6-3 in the second set tiebreak but wrapped up victory with an inside out forehand. Soderling will face either his compatriot Thomas Enqvist or American fifth seed Mardy Fish in the final. www.gotennis.com
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Post by The Chloe on Oct 26, 2003 1:10:59 GMT -5
GO ROBIN! Decapitate the fish! ;D
Where is he going to be ranked after this?
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Post by TennisHack on Oct 26, 2003 13:03:54 GMT -5
Robin lost in 3 sets Since when did this become a 3-set final is my question? Two years ago Jarkko lost in 5 . . .
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Post by TennisHack on Dec 4, 2003 19:55:38 GMT -5
www.sportsmediainc.com/tennisweek/index.cfm?func=showarticle&newsid=10042&bannerregion=Johansson Sets Sights On ReturnBy Ronald Green 12/04/2003 Thomas Johansson reached his professional peak by winning his first career Grand Slam title at the 2002 Australian Open. After sitting out the entire 2003 season while recovering from knee surgery, Johansson is prepared to commence his climb back up the rankings when he returns to tournament tennis next month. The 28-year-old Swede, who has not played a match since falling to Roger Federer, 6-3, 7-5 at the Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai in November of 2002, has set his sights on returning to the ATP Tour at either Adelaide or Doha next month. In an interview with Reuters writer Oliver Grassman, Johansson said he's prepared to confront the challenges his comeback presents. "I'll be starting from zero; with the exception of the eight tournaments that I'll be able to enter with a protected ranking (23rd), I'll have to hope for a (main draw) wild card or a wild card for the qualifying rounds," Johansson told Reuters. "I never got a decent chance to prove myself last year because the injury came so early." Two years ago, the 16th-seeded Johansson upset ninth-seeded Marat Safin 3-6, 6-4, 6 4, 7-6 (7-4) to become the first Swede since Mats Wilander in 1988 to win the Australian Open men's singles title. He was the second-lowest seeded player in tournament history to claim the crown. Johansson was slowed by injuries during the second half of the 2002 season. He sustained an injury to his serving shoulder during the Tennis Masters Series-Canada tournament in July and the injury forced him to withdraw from the U.S. Open in August. The 5-foot-11 Johansson returned to the Tour in the fall of 2002, but in an effort to compensate for his sore shoulder he began using his legs more in launching into his service motion, which put increased stress on his knee as a result. He underwent knee surgery in February and the ensuing rehab caused him to miss the season. Johansson concedes he considered retirement during his time away from tennis. "Of course there have been days when I've wondered what I'm doing — Should I retire? Do I have the strength to invest all the time needed to get back? — but at the same time I think I've stayed pretty positive," Johansson said. "They set an approximate date for when I was supposed to be back and the talk went that it would be in time for the Swedish Open, but that turned out to be nowhere near. That's when you get a little depressed, when specialists have said 'another two months and it will be okay'." Though Johansson admits regaining his form will require time, the owner of seven tournament titles hopes to win another championship before he calls it quits. "I'm fully aware it's going to be really tough to get back. It's not about just walking in and winning matches," Johansson said. "One of my big goals is to win another tournament. Whether that will be a challenger or an ATP tournament, we'll see." Time on the sidelines has given Johansson the opportunity to observe several top players and he believes second-ranked Swiss Roger Federer is second to none. "I think Federer is two notches better (than Roddick)," Johansson said. "I'd rather face Roddick than Federer and I'd rather face Roddick than (Andre) Agassi."
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