Notable Results:
- Beijing R1: Pablo Andujar d. Julien Benneteau 6-4, 6-1
- Beijing R1: Andy Murray d. Jerzy Janowicz 7-6(9), 6-4, 6-2
- Beijing R1: Rafael Nadal d. Richard Gasquet 6-4, 6-0
- Beijing R2: Roberta Vinci d. Agnieszka Radwanska 6-4, 6-4
- Beijing R2: Sabine Lisicki d. Genie Bouchard 6-2, 6-4
- Beijing R2: Andrea Petkovic d. Madison Keys 6-2, 6-3
- Tokyo R1: Tatsuma Ito d. Stan Wawrinka 7-5, 6-2
- Tokyo R1: Michal Przysiezny 4-6, 7-5, 7-6(9)
News and Analysis:
Neil Harman, who admitted to plagiarizing other tennis writers’ work, has been fired from The Times, per 10sBalls.com:
More than two months after Neil Harman, the long standing Tennis Correspondent of The Times of London was suspended on charges of plagiarism, Daily Tennis News understands his employment with the newspaper has been formally terminated.
Harman is believed to have been informed of the decision but has been advised by his legal representatives to make no comment on the outcome of the protracted internal investigation into his work.
According to sources within News UK, owners of The Times, there is no evidence of Harman ever committing plagiarism in his work for the newspaper. However the 57 year-old has admitted guilt to using the work of other writers and then failing to attribute in several editions of the Official Wimbledon Annual, which he wrote from 2004 until last year.
Many WTA players attended a send-off for Li Na at the China Open. It sounds like it was a lovely ceremony:
Wearing a black pantsuit and her hair pulled back in a low bun, the two-time major winner fought back tears as she walked onto center court to a rapturous applause and a giant red banner proclaiming in English, “Yes, This is Li Na’s Motherland–China.”
With some 40 women’s players standing behind her, she then watched as highlights of her biggest tennis moments played on the stadium’s giant screens, and listened to tributes from tennis officials and one of her closest friends on tour, two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova.
“The most important thing I want to say tonight is thank you for being our opponent, thank you for being our inspiration, and thank you for being our friend,” Kvitova said before giving Li a hug. “We will miss you, champion.”
Federer’s physio, Stephane Vivier, is now working with Grigor Dimitrov:
Federer’s official website has released an announcement saying, “After five great years, Stéphane Vivier and I have decided to stop working together. He was a great member of my team and we will always remain close friends. I wish him all the best in the future.”
Andy Murray is reportedly interested in moving on from Adidas to find a smaller, niche brand clothing sponsor, a la Tomas Berdych’s clothing sponsorship with H&M. Hopefully he can do better than the weird/unappealing outfits H&M has come up with for Berdych.
Nick Kygrios’ brother said some stuff on Facebook.
Tennis on Twitter:
It's murder on the dancefloor……… pic.twitter.com/HfkeXpl6Mj
— judy murray (@JudyMurray) September 30, 2014
Delpo at a polo match yesterday – nice selfie Delpo! “@c8polo: C8 POLO – yo te sigo @delpotrojuan pic.twitter.com/IgWu2RKc8A”
— Vamos Delpo Fans (@vamosdelpofans) September 30, 2014
Such an emotional ceremony tonight for Li Na! I'll miss her! pic.twitter.com/lhveZ6ilRO
— Caroline Wozniacki (@CaroWozniacki) September 30, 2014
It was an honour to speak tonight for my great friend Li Na. I will miss her too much 🙁 pic.twitter.com/hZA90EmUkO
— Petra Kvitova (@Petra_Kvitova) September 30, 2014
farewell li na, the ceremony (on the wta website) was v nice
A reporter told Murray at a presser in Shenzhen that Nadal said that he always comes back stronger after an injury. It was kind of an awkward moment for Murray because he’s still trying to regain his pre-surgery form. I don’t think he was too impressed… But yay! Rafa!