VIDEO VAULT: Proceed with caution!

If you missed its main tour debut at Queen's Club don't worry: Here's the new trick move performed by Andy Murray which is something like a reverse tweener. He busted it out again during his 6-4, 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (4) win over Ivan Ljubicic in the Wimbledon third round today.

I wouldn't try this at the park courts boys, but if you're foolish enough to try DON'T SWING TOO HARD IF YOU PLAN TO HAVE KIDS. Just a thought.

[Via: MrSportswatcher]

Ugly incident mars Croatia-Serbia Davis Cup tie

Something wicked this way came. And it happened during the opening rubber of the Davis Cup tie today pitting former Yugoslav republics Croatia + Serbia against each other. Novak Djokovic defeated Ivan Ljubicic 7-6 (3), 6-4, 6-1 in that match.

According to the AP (via Djangoo),

Croatia's fans booed and jeered and refused to stand when Serbia's national anthem was played, and some chanted "Kill the Serb" and other abuse at Djokovic.

"We had expected the heated atmosphere before we came here, but I'm sorry that some fans behaved the way they did at the start of the match," Djokovic said. "As the match progressed, things got a bit cooler probably because I was leading."

Ljubicic, a good friend of Djokovic, said he was also annoyed by the chants from the crowd. "They affected my concentration just as they did his," he said.

Just awful.

[Photo(s): Reuters]

VIDEO VAULT: Top ballers reminisce about Rafa

Here's an interesting, albeit short, video featuring Roger Federer, Ivan Ljubicic, Carlos Moya, Andy Murray and James Blake all speaking about year-end world no. 1 Rafael Nadal.

It's interesting to hear Roger + Ivan discuss the first time they started hearing about the Spanish steamroller and their first battles with Rafa. They always knew he had a special quality and they couldn't have been more right.

Check it:

Viva la France! Host country sends five ballers into men's round of 16 of Roland Garros

In an incredible effort by the host country, France can boast five players in the round of 16 at Roland Garros going one better than Spain who sit at four.

Julien Benneteau has the unenviable task of taking on Roger Federer, Gael Monfils goes up against Ivan Ljubicic, Michael Llodra battles up-and-comer Ernests Gulbis, Paul-Henri Mathieu faces Aussie Open champ Novak Djokovic, and Jeremy Chardy gets Nicolas Almagro.

Mouthwatering much?

(image via google)

THE LOW DOWN: Firestorm of criticism engulfs Andy Murray, retracks comments on website

The firestorm surrounding Andy Murray and his recent match-fixing comments is building, and some of the top players are speaking out. Rafael Nadal became the first high-profile player to dispute the Scot's claims.

And on the heels of Rafa's remarks, Russian Nikolay Davydenko, who is at the center of the biggest match-fixing allegations, took a swipe at Andy's comments:

“If Murray says that he knows, that means that he gambles himself,” said the Russian. “Because people who start talking out loud have their fears disappear. And they know that if they speak out loud, it means that they are free, they have not done it. Since Murray was describing in detail how it goes on, it means he went deep into it. As if he was never involved, but he knows how it works in detail. It was folly of him to say this.”

The usually soft-spoken Ivan Ljubicic also spoke out and had this to say about Andy's remarks:

"I think Andy Murray talked more about what he heard than about what he knows," [...] "I am absolutely sure that none of the top players is involved in betting or match-fixing."

And today comes news that Andy, speaking through his website, has back-tracked on his claims:

"The comments that I made with regard to betting in tennis have been taken out of context and I would like to clarify them," [...] "When I said 'everyone knows that it's going on,' I meant that everyone has probably heard that three or four players have spoken out about being offered money to lose matches -- which they refused."

As World No. 1, we believe Roger Federer has a responsibility to speak out on these allegations to protect the integrity of tennis. Roger, where are you these days???

The China Open begins, Ivan Ljubicic and wife enjoy festivites

While the US Open was winding down this weekend, the China Open was gearing up for some tennis action. The Chinese went all out to celebrate the start of the tournament, with dancers working tennis rackets as props and giant-size blow ups of some of our favorite players.

Croatia's Ivan Ljubicic and his wife, Aida, hold candles before making wishes and releasing them onto the water during a boat cruise at Shishahai Lake in Beijing, China. Ivan is the No. 3 seed at the tournament.

+ Weekend Winners

Eastbourne - Henin d. Mauresmo 7-5, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (2). Foreshadowing? In a repeat of last year's Wimby final, the Belgian comes out on top this time over her French rival. This is great preperation for Henin to complete the career Grand Slam, beating the Wimby defending champion on arguably her best surface. Now can she pull out a third set tie-break, or even get to one, against ReRe Williams, her potential quarterfinal challenger and greatest rival.

Ordina Open - Ivan "Lubi" Ljubicic beat unseeded Peter Wessels of the Netherlands 7-6 (5), 4-6, 7-6 (4), and the third-seeded Anna Chakvetadze beat top-seeded Jelena Jankovic of Serbia 7-6 (2), 3-6, 6-3. It was the second title of the year for both Ljubicic and Chakvetadze. Lubi is an enigma but when he's on a hot streak, he can be dangerous. He won't do much of anything at The Big W but it's a nice win for the Croatian veteran. Weird Al loses some steam in the final and loses to up-n-coming Russian Chaka, who made it into the Top 10 this year. Chaka is a bit of an emoticon, having her latest tantrum at last month's French Open, losing easily to Shriekapova. But, this win should give Chaka some confidence go into Wimby and she could, at the very least, live up to her seeding (#8).

Nottingham - "Dr. Ivo" Karolvic d. Arnaud Clement 3-6, 6-4, 6-4. Dr. Ivo is always a dangerous opponent on a grass court for anyone in the draw, so look for him to have a few wins but nothing more this week.