Mats Wilander
  • How to play smart

    Seven-times Grand Slam winner and Eurosport expert analyst Mats Wilander takes to the road to give his tennis tips.

    The Swede shows how to pick the right shot when an opponent fires a ball straight at you on the baseline.

    "If you're like me - old, weak and slow, but smart - and the ball comes straight at you, you have to think two shots ahead," he explains.

    "When I was younger and stronger I would choose to run around the ball and hit a forehand, leaving my forehand corner open, but I was in control of the point.

    "Now, if the ball comes at me, I'm going to choose to hit a two-handed backhand,

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  • Sharapova can dominate tennis

    Every night at the end of play at Roland Garros, Eurosport's resident expert and seven-times Grand Slam winner Mats Wilander will take an in-depth look at the big issues of the day.

    In the latest edition he talks about how Maria Sharapova could go on and dominate the women's game.

    He also discusses how Li Na has come completely under the radar to surprise him; while sticking with the women, Barbara Schett meets up with Martina Hingis and asks her how married life is treating her.

    Mats also reveals why he thinks Rafael Nadal had it so easy against Robin Soderling and we also have some fun

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  • One on one with Pete Sampras: Nadal will bounce back

    Seven-times
    Grand Slam champion turned Eurosport pundit Mats Wilander speaks to 14-times
    major champion Pete Sampras.

    Sampras
    believes Rafael Nadal will still be a major threat for the US Open despite
    losing the world number one ranking to Novak Djokovic.

    The American
    believes the French Open champion will bounce back from the disappointment of
    losing six straight finals to Djokovic and will still be the man to beat in New York.

    Sampras is
    also convinced that Roger Federer is still as hungry for titles as ever, insisting
    the Swiss player loves both the lifestyle and the travel that being a

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  • Stosur can inspire Nadal

    Mats Wilander was impressed with the manner of Sam Stosur's victory in the US Open final at Flushing Meadows on Sunday.

    The Australian was a massive underdog against Serena Williams, a three-times champion in New York, but won in straight sets. Mats says the American believed her own hype and did not even seem to try.

    And he reckons the result will give hope to Rafael Nadal as he looks to overcome favourite Novak Djokovic in the men's singles final on Monday.

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  • Rain getting players down

    Mats Wilander gives us his insight into the latest rain
    delays at the US Open, which he says have produced a sombre atmosphere in the
    locker rooms at Flushing Meadows.

    Persistent rain caused the postponement of all men's matches
    on Wednesday after somewhat of a player revolt, led by Rafael Nadal, Andy
    Murray and Andy Roddick.

    The players considered the conditions too dangerous and here,
    Mats looks at the reasons why - and the effect the situation has had on those
    involved.

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  • One on one with Rafa Nadal

    In the latest edition of Game, Set and Mats, former world number one Mats Wilander has a frank, one-to-one chat with defending US Open champion Rafael Nadal.

    Having won at Flushing Meadows last season, Nadal completed a career Grand Slam, won his third consecutive Grand Slam title, and had the tennis world at his feet.

    Though he defended his French Open crown this year, Nadal has had to cope with injuries and the inexorable rise of Serbia's Novak Djokovic in 2011.

    He concedes that Djokovic has done something sensational to win the number one ranking - "I didn't lose it," Nadal insists, "he

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  • Serena, Novak brimming with confidence

    Mats Wilander brings us the latest thoughts from Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams after they progressed at the US Open.

    World No.1 Nole saved four set points in a marathon first-set tiebreak before rolling past Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov 7-6 6-4 6-2 to reach the quarter-finals

    Women's favourite Williams meanwhile triumphed 6-3 6-4 over Ana Ivanovic.

    Mats says that both players are brimming with confidence as Djokovic seeks a first Flushing Meadows crown and Serena looks for a fourth in her home Grand Slam.

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  • Injured players should finish

    Mats Wilander has criticised the spate of retirements at the US Open, saying players owe it to the fans and their opponent to finish their matches.

    While serious injuries make occasional withdrawals inevitable, the seven-time Grand Slam champion Wilander fears it is becoming an easy option for players who find themselves behind in a match.

    The Swede said the record 18 walkovers, withdrawals and retirements showed players are not fulfilling their obligations.

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  • Superb Pennetta deserves credit

    Mats Wilander pays tribute to Flavia Pennetta following her US Open victory over Maria Sharapova.

    Sharapova, who won at Flushing Meadows in 2006 but has not won a Grand Slam title since the 2008 Australian Open, was one of the favourites to win the crown after winning a lead-up event in Cincinnati.
    But the Russian made a whopping 60 unforced errors and served 12 double faults, including two in the final game which she needed to hold to stay alive.

    Pennetta, seeded 26th, raced to a 4-0 lead en route to winning the opening set. But Sharapova, who made 60 unforced errors and served 12 double

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  • A very poor day for France

    Mats Wilander rues a poor day for French tennis at the US Open while lauding the efforts of Spain's Juan Carlos Ferrero.

    Gael Monfils and Richard Gasquet were among the French players dumped out of the tournament.

    Seventh seed Monfils was knocked out by Ferrero 7-6(5) 5-7 6-7(5) 6-4 6-4 after an enthralling match lasting nearly five hours.

    Meanwhile, giant Croat Ivo Karlovic put out 13th seeded Frenchman Gasquet 6-4 6-2 2-6 7-6(4).

    Wilander bemoans the lack of progress made by the French players, while hailing the performance of Ferrero in beating Monfils.

    Watch the videos here:

    Part two:

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Pagination

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About Mats Wilander

Swedish tennis legend Mats Wilander is one of the greatest players ever to pick up a racquet. The seven-times Grand Slam champion rose to the very top of the game in the late 1980s, and has now become one of tennis"s pithiest commentators. Edgy, opinionated and never less than brutally honest, Wilander exclusively offers Eurosport the benefit of his frankly brilliant chat.

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