FASHION FIX: Yellow fever hits Indian Wells, Federer springs into action

Spring has sprung: Roger Federer has been hit by the bug - again.

The yellow fever moment that overcame the ladies in Dubai has made its way to Indian Wells where the World No. 1 was spotted practicing in our favorite spring hue - though I'm not quite sure about the design on the shirt (is it Nike and are those eyeballs peeping out?) I'm def loving the white Nike Global Control Short with contrasting stripe on the back - nice touch.

Anyway, after a slow start to the season due to illness, the Swiss Stylist will look to get his ethereal game on track at the year's first Masters Series. Will his win over legend Pete Sampras this week give him any confidence?

(image via AP Photo/Mark Avery)

THE LOW DOWN: Andy Murray enters Madrid Masters with tail between his legs

Call me 'stupid': Andy Murray is trying to calm the waters after being severely criticized for his match-fixing comments by numerous top players on the ATP Tour, most notably Rafael Nadal. As a result, the Scot retracted his remarks via his website saying they "were taken out of context."

Both players are competing at this week's Madrid Masters, and this provided an opportunity for Andy to speak with Rafa directly. Here's what he had to say:

"I spoke to Rafa," [...] We were joking about it. I explained the whole situation. He understands. He has been around the press a long time and it's easy for them to change words and not report the questions that have been put to you and just put the answers in. He thought that maybe I was annoyed with him because he had called me 'stupid', but it's fine."

Really? It's fine?? We suppose Andy has that British stiff upper lip down pat - because letting someone call you stupid is, uh, stupid.

Moments from Madrid: Masters Series underway, Rafa returns

Return to action: After pulling out of the Bangkok Open to rest his aching knees, Rafael Nadal returns to action this week at the Madrid Masters, a title he won in 2005. Prior to the start of the tournament, Rafa was awarded Madrid's Medal of Gold by the mayor of Madrid Alberto Ruiz Gallardon.

And how is Rafa doing these days? Well, the World No. 2 said via his website:

"I've done all I can to ensure I'm in top shape, but I've had a month and a half when I haven't been able to do anything, and it's here in Madrid where I will be able to see whether or not I'm in condition to compete at 100 percent."

Army of (terracotta) soldiers: The terracotta statues of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic were unveiled during the Madrid Masters draw ceremony. All three players are competing in this Masters Series event.

PREVIEW: US Open Men's Final

Roger Federer vs. Novak Djokovic
Head-to-head: Federer 4, Djokovic 1
Last meeting: Montreal Masters Series, Djokovic 7-6(2) 2-6 7-6(2)

Here we have what will hopefully become a great rivalry between a living legend and dynamic up-and-comer. No. 1 seed Roger Federer will be going for his 12th Grand Slam title in 5 years (and tying Roy Emerson on the all-time Grand Slam title list) when he takes on rising star and No. 3 seed Novak Djokovic for the US Open title. Fed battled a very game Nikolay Davydenko but came out with a 7-5, 6-1, 7-5 semifinal victory. Nole finally got his explosive game on track and defeated Spaniard David Ferrer easily 6-4, 6-4, 6-3. The last time these two players met was last month at the Montreal Masters Series where the sexy Serb shocked the tennis world by defeating the No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 players in the world in succession.

Here's what Fed had to say about Nole:

"Well, I mean, he's been now playing the tour for one and a half years. I mean, the players know him. I've played him already five times, so it's not like it's totally new, you know, for all of us. But, yeah, I mean, he's done an incredible job, because I remember the first time I played him in Monaco. I beat him in three sets. Everybody was wondering, What do you think? I was like, Not crazy impressed. But he's had a great run and he's really improved his game. Yeah, I mean, he's done a great job the last six months or one year now."

Nole had this to say about playing Fed:

"Well, a lot of people ask me what it takes to win against him. But I think one of the crucial things is you got to be mentally very steady and very consistent and you just have to believe in yourself and believe in the victory. Now everything else is a matter of, of course, mental condition, physical condition. You have to be a hundred percent ready physically to challenge him, especially if you play him in the finals of any tournament and a Grand Slam where he performs his best tennis. But, you know, I'm gonna try, if I play him, to be myself, be aggressive, try to be in the control of the match, which is going to be difficult, and just believe in the victory."

Outlook: Nole was brilliant, focused, and confident in Montreal and he'll need to be all that and more to defeat the legendary Swiss in a Grand Slam final. Matt Cronin for USOpen.org says look out for a battle, but he gives the edge and a 12th Grand Slam to Fed, but Bud Collins for MSNBC.com is giving Nole the title. We're picking Nole - if for nothing else but to see him celebrate a first Grand Slam by taking it ALL off!

PREVIEW: US Open Men's Semifinal Showdowns

The final four men at the US Open have been decided and are set for the Men's Semifinal Showdowns. Here's a preview:

Roger Federer vs. Nikolay Davydenko

Head-to-head: Federer 9, Davydenko 0
Last meeting: French Open '07 (clay), Federer 7-5 7-6(5) 7-6(7)

Destroying American hopes of a US Open upset with his usual flair, World No. 1 Fed handled the best No. 5 seed Andy Roddick could muster and delivered a 7-6 (5), 7-6 (4), 6-2 quarterfinal victory. Speedy Russian Niko made quick work of Germany's No. 10 seed Tommy Haas with a 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 win. The last time these two met was at this year's French Open where Niko pushed Fed hard for 3 sets before succumbing to the Swiss' superior game.

Here's what Fed had to say about Niko:

"[...] I think he's a fantastic player. Totally underrated still sometimes from the media. Even though I have a great record against him, I'm aware of his ability. It was a very close match we did at the French Open this year in the semis. Last year I played out of my head in the semis, I remember. Looking forward to a tough match. He's a great player."

Here's what Niko said about playing Fed:

"You know, I always try, always try to come to [the level I played Haas] against Federer or like against Nadal, you know. [...] That's was to come to this level, it like Djokovic now try to come, you know, to this level, like beating Federer in Montréal. That's was for me also very important."

Outlook: We actually think Niko will play Fed tough here as he did in Paris. He won't win, but he'll push the Swiss hard and maybe even squeak out a tie-break set.

Novak Djokovic vs. David Ferrer

Head-to-head: Djokovic 1, Ferrer 2

Last meeting: Monte Carlo Masters Series, Ferrer 7-5, 6-4

Nole reached his 3rd consecutive Grand Slam semifinal, and first at the US Open, by defeating Spain's sexy No. 17 seed Carlos Moya 6-4, 7-6 (7), 6-1. David, who earlier defeated compatriot Rafael Nadal, continued his New York success by reaching his first Grand Slam semifinal by taking out No. 20 seed Juan Ignacio Chela 6-2, 6-3, 7-5. David has a winning edge in his head-to-head with Nole and won their last meeting on clay in Monte Carlo, so expect the Spaniard to come in with confidence as he's done all tournament.

Here's Nole's take on playing David in the semifinals:

"Well, he's a great competitor. Obviously he's performing his best tennis this year. He had an impressive year, especially here in US Open he's been playing some great tennis. He beat Nadal, so he plays every point, you know, he's running and he doesn't give you a lot of unforced errors, so you've got to earn every point if you want to be in control of the match.So that's what I'm going to try to do. I'm going to try to be aggressive and patient at the same time."

Here's what David said about Nole's game:

"Djokovic is unbelievable player. Very young player and he plays really very well. For me, he can move to No. 1 of the world five or six years. Depends of Rafa or Roger, no? But it's another generation.He serve well, he has a very good backhand, forehand. He do all. A really good player."

Outlook: Nole may be ranked higher the David, but this will be a tough match. Nole will have to serve a high percentage of first serves since the Spaniard is returning extremely well - so well that a certain Swiss called him "the best returner in the game." Nole will need to be aggressive and control the points or else the Spaniard could run him ragged and steal the match. A slight edge to Nole on this one.

Tell us who your picks are for the Men's Semifinal Showdowns!

(Images courtesy of AP Photos)

+ THURSDAY NETCORDS: Amelie, Ivan, Rafa answers...NYC needs courts, no love for US Open Series and more

(image courtesy of James Gilbody)

- Rafa news: Readers of TIME magazine ask Spain's Rafael Nadal 10 Questions - including one about the whole wedgey thing. Also, when media at the Cincinnati Masters ask the Spaniard about besting Roger Federer for World No. 1, he says, "I am not thinking about number one," [...] "I will play the two Masters Series in Madrid and Paris, and also in Bangkok, (but) I don't want to go to another place to try to be number one.”

- No surprise here: Frenchie Amelie Mauresmo pulls out of the US Open

- American Express will be offering, among many other benefits, personal TV's at the US Open which will enable fans to tune into multiple matches on different courts, watch CBS/USA Network coverage, view instant replays and access draws without leaving their seats

- No love: Bruce Jenkins of The San Francisco Chronicle, commenting about the US Open Series, said, "We're in the middle of what is known as the "U.S. Open Series," and the concept remains as pointless and off-putting as ever. Essentially, it means nothing and leads to nothing." The USTA, in response, says, "Ouch."

- New York tennis players, be damned: Though interest in tennis has increased in NYC, the availability of tennis courts is shrinking. Blame the "bowling alley" effect - courts require a lot of space, and the cost to operate them versus their potential revenues don't match. We New Yorkers blame greed and the overdevelopment that is pervading the entire city. Down with the man!

- Okay, not the prettiest picture of "Shriek"apova...

- Daily Racquet reports that legend Ivan Lendl is the new spokesperson for Trion:Z bracelets, which when worn counteract the positive ion build-up which leads to excess fatigue, heightened sensitivity to pain, and reduced focus and concentration. Our order is already in for the cute blue & yellow version...

+ WEDNESDAY NETCORDS: Justine & Jelena, Venus & Serena...Bjorn's undies, tennis blogs and more

(image courtesy of dean armstrong)

- Tennis Diary is keeping track of the continuing saga around the Masters Series musical chairs.

- Ted Robinson gives his opinion on the US Open Series so far and so does Tennis-X.

- World No. 1 Justine Henin and World No. 3 Jelena Jankovic have secured their spots in the season-ending WTA Championships in Madrid.

- On the Baseline discusses the champion mettle of Venus and Serena

- Fill in the blank: ________ is the key to success at the elite tennis level

- Legendary Bjorn Borg not only influences sneaker design, he makes underwear too!

- PHOTO OP: Boys will be boys (via TennisPlanet)