Our weekly guide to who’s hot and who’s not in tennis:
WHO’S HOT:
Andy Murray Just under a week after winning his first grand slam singles title, Andy Murray was received by 15,000 fans in his hometown of Dunblane, many of whom had travelled from far and wide to see the 25-year-old they had followed ever since he was a wee bairn. In what was supposed to be a brief 75-minute appearance, Murray spent four hours chatting, laughing, even getting up close and personal with peoples’ dogs and visiting the local sweet shop.
Laura Robson The newly-invested British No 1 built on her run to the fourth round of the US Open earlier this month by claiming another big scalp in Guangzhou, China, as she upturned second seed Zheng Jie to reach the quarter-finals. Robson followed up with a three-hour-plus 7-5, 5-7, 6-2 win over Peng Shuai to reach the semi-finals, her eighth win over a top 50 player since Birmingham this June. One of four teenage girls in the top 100 (alongside Timea Babos (No.60), Sloane Stephens (No.37) and Kristina Mladenovic (No.95), Brad Gilbert has predicted that Robson, currently ranked No.75, could break the world’s top 40 by the end of the year.
Maria Sharapova The Russian star as been honoured by the Manhattan Beach community, the little part of paradise she lives in in Los Angeles. Making a rare appearance at the Manhattan Beach City Council meeting, Sharapova was bestowed with the ‘I Heart MB‘ award, in recognition of her contribution to the community.
Tomas Berdych Indisputably the hero of Davis Cup weekend, Berdych won three rubbers to send the Czech Republic into the Davis Cup final (joining their female counterparts in the Fed Cup final), producing a comeback win over Juan Monaco, a doubles win with Radek Stepanek, and a seal-the-deal victory over Carlos Berlocq, all on clay too.
David Ferrer The Spaniard moved to 16-0 on Spanish soil by winning his two singles rubbers against the USA to ensure Spain moved into their second consecutive Davis Cup final. And on the back of a US Open semi-final appearance, too. Nicolas Almagro brought out his A game too to defeat John Isner.
Donna Vekic
The 16-year-old, coached by Tim Henman’s former mentor David Felgate, became the youngest woman to reach a WTA final since then 15-year-old Tamira Paszek won the Portoroz event in 2006.
Venus Williams
Who despite her ongoing health battles, her disappointment at not winning a title in New York, still turned out for her World Team Tennis team the Washington Kastles, helping them extend their unbeaten streak to 32-0 and win their second straight title.
WHO’S NOT:
Injuries A stomach bug in Guangzhou that felled Marion Bartoli and others, a back injury for Maria Kirilenko in Seoul… it’s injury season on tour. Gael Monfils is back though.
Juan Martin Del Potro The big friendly Argentine was heavily criticised for firstly ignoring doctors’ orders and playing in the opening rubber of his country’s Davis Cup semi-final against the Czech Republic last weekend, and then listening to doctors’ orders and withdrawing ahead of the crucial clash with Tomas Berdych. But reports suggest that he did it for valid reasons, and will be off the court for a month as he aims to let his frail right wrist recuperate.
Bernard Tomic After his less than convincing display against Andy Roddick in New York, Tomic had the prime opportunity to make himself a hero back home as Australia led 2-1 against Germany with Tomic to play Florian Mayer for the glory. But the youngster was downed in straight sets.
The Indian Tennis Federation The AITA has banned Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna from Davis Cup play for the next two years. Bhupathi issued a furious statement in response.