WEEKEND WINNERS: Rafa, Jelena

Hamburg - Rafael Nadal

So Rafa defeats Roger Federer 7-5, 6-7 (3), 6-3 in an epic Hamburg final to win the only major clay-court title he had yet to own and improves his head-to-head with the world no. 1 to 10-6. Oh yeah, he also beat the best baller this year in Novak Djokovic to keep the no. 2 ranking. Not that he needed much more confidence on the dirt, but do you think he's feeling a fourth Roland Garros title now?

Rome - Jelena Jankovic

Jelena defended her Rome title and solidified her chances for Roland Garros by demolishing Frenchwoman Alize Cornet 6-2, 6-2. With nemesis Justine Henin out of the way (she never defeated the Belgian in 9 tries), don't be surprised to see the Serb in the final weekend of next week's Grand Slam.

(images via Getty)

THE LOW DOWN: Rafa + Nole to battle for no. 2 ranking - who wants it more?

Okay tennis heads, the stage is set for a blockbuster showdown in Hamburg! Rafael Nadal will face Novak Djokovic in the semifinals with nothing on the line but the no. 2 ranking - that's all folks.

Rafa, who recently acknowledged he could lose his position sooner than later, crushed his old friend and mentor Carlos Moya 6-1, 6-3 and hasn't shown any signs of the Barcelona blisters. Nole was almost as dominating in his 6-2, 6-3 dismissal of Albert Montanes and has looked determined to make his move towards the top.

I don't think we'll see a retirement from Nole after his Monte Carlo fiasco; he's also been very clear that the no. 2 spot is a bump on the road to his ultimate goal of world no. 1. But Rafa has held the spot for a record 147 weeks and he's not giving it up without an epic fight. And to top it all off, the on-court tension between these "card-playing pals" is pretty palpable - which will only add to the drama.

Who will seize the moment and take it?

(images via Getty)

PHOTO OP: Kiefer returns to form, shares joy (and abs) with the world

Nicolas Kiefer continued his renaissance (not to mention his disrobing) in Hamburg today.

The German giant-killer earned his second top-10 scalp of the week taking out world no. 4 Nikolay Davydenko 7-5, 6-3 and making the quarterfinals for the first time this year. Nicolas also took out world no. 10 Stanislas Wawrinka earlier in the week.

Doesn't he seem like a man possessed, enjoying every moment and sharing his joy (and body) with the world? I say "onward man"!


(image via AP)