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The week has already come to an end and only two players from each of the three tournaments are left standing to contest the title this weekend.
ATP Baclays Dubai Tennis Championships
With the absence of world’s top two players, Serbian sensation and tournament top seed Novak Djokovic became the overwhelming favorite to cruise to the finals and the world number three did not disappoint. On Friday, Djokovic defeated third seed Gilles Simon of France (3-6, 7-5, 7-5).
Meeting him in the finals is fourth seed Spaniard David Ferrer after the latter defeated another Frenchman Richard Gasquet (6-2, 6-2). Djokovic had a harder time dispatching his opponent, taking him nearly three hours while Ferrer cruised to the finals in about 75 minutes.
Djokovic is contesting his first title of the season after failing to defend the Australian Open title last month.
Abierto Mexicano TELCEL (WTA)
World number 5 and tournament top seed Venus Williams continued her winning streak after defeating Czech player Barbora Zahlavova Strycova in two sets (6–0, 6-3) and marched her way to the finals and a possible 41st career title.
This served as Williams’ second straight final after winning the Dubai Championships last week. However, it wasn’t an easy road for the American as she had to battle out the first three matches in tight three-setters despite the fact that the opponents are ranked beyond 25.
The title match is definitely not going to be easy for Williams since she’s going to battle it out with Italian second seed Flavia Pennetta.
Pennetta has been a consistent finalist in this tournament and won twice. She also has an upper hand in terms of head-to-head matches against Williams for the past five meetings (3-2). The last time they met, the American won at the Zurich Open final late last year.
Abierto Mexicano TELCEL (ATP)
Defending champion Nicolas Almagro of Spain is just a win away from clinching the title once again this year. The fourth seed Spaniard defeated Argentinian player Martin Vassallo Arguello in two tight sets (6-4, 6-4).
The next match is by no means easy for Almagro since he’ll be facing second seed Gael Monfils of France in the championship match. The 23-year old player has to play his best tennis after struggling during the latter parts of 2008 following his hand surgery.
The winner of this tournament will receive $300,000.
