The Rodney Dangerfield of men’s tennis has struck again!

Nikolay Davydenko, the 5-foot-10′, 154 pound middleweight mows down the field, dropping one set for the tournament, in a three-and-a-half hour + epic semi with the Djoker and then comfortably dispatched Rafa in the final, denying him of his first title since May — and its the second time he has beaten Rafa in a Masters Series final (Miami ‘08).

I hate to admit it, but the first time I saw Davy play in ‘01 I didn’t think that at his size and playing style he would ever be a top 20 player, and obviously he has proved me wrong and then some. He has put together quite an amazing career and almost all of it under the radar.

Now at 28, he is playing as offensive-minded as I have ever seen him and he is one of the biggest hitters off of both sides on tour, which is even more extraordinary considering he is so slightly built. With this win it puts him almost in a locked position to make the year-end championship, which will be the fifth year in a row he qualifies for the season-ending event. The only other active players to accomplish this are Fed, Nadal and Roddick.

The most disappointing thing out of Shanghai was the nine retirements, one of the largest totals I have seen in an ATP event. And I think this goes back to the argument that the season is too long, as you see many of the players breaking down around this time of year. We have been talking about shortening the season for the last 25 years; I would really like to see the season cut back by at least a month, and it’s up to the players to make something happen.

And my game ball for the week goes to Sam Stosur, who finally got her first career title in Tokyo and that must have felt extremely satisfying to top off what has already been a break out year for her.

On another note I was down at Bollettieri’s last week, and there is no place I have ever seen that is a better spot to train young tennis players, and it has expanded to five other sports as well. The energy and passion that Nick brings everyday is truly commendable — he is one of the finalists for the Hall of Fame and he absolutely deserves that honor.

Two absolutely step up performances on the Asian Swing for the men by Marin Cilic and  Jo Willie Tsonga today. 

 Tsonga rolled countryman Gael Monfils in a surprisingly easy semifinal victory in Tokyo.  He’ll now play Mikhail Youzhny in the final.  This is a huge opportunity for Tsonga to earn some much-needed points in his race to the year- end ATP World Tour Final in London.  I feel like Tsonga should roll in this match tomorrow. He seems to thrive at the end of year as he did last year, winning the Paris Indoors. 

Cilic, the 21-year-old Croatian coming off of his great US Open quarterfinal performance, absolutely takes Rafael Nadal to the woodshed with a 6-1, 6-3 victory.  This is the second big result for him in the last month against a top 3 player: he beat third-ranked Andy Murray at the Open and now hammers Nadal. These two wins for Cilic have got me re-thinking that the big Croatian is actually on his way to big things in 2010. Cilic now plays a very in-form Novak Djokovic, aka, the Joker, in the Beijing final.  He’s got his swagger back and is playing as good right now as he has all year.  Djokovic won six of the last seven games in a 6-3, 6-3 win over Robin Soderling today. 

I like Djokovic in straight sets to win the title. He’s locked and loaded, aiming to close out the year in the top 3.

Nice to see Nadal playing, in supposedly good health, but this is a troubling score. We’re barely used to seeing Rafa lose, much less take two back-to-back poundings from younger players.  He’s going to be eager to get back on the court this coming week when he will be the top seed in Shanghai. 

Shanghai is next week for the men.  A new tournament boasting the most money of any ATP event, has 13 of the top 15, only missing a fatigued and new father Roger Federer, deciding to spend more time with the twins.  Good for you buddy.  You earned the break.

Also, the injured Murray will skip Shanghai, to rest the wrist, probably a smart move not to rush back.

There are seven players locked in a battle for two remaining spots for the London Masters: Joe Willie Tsonga, Fernando Verdasco, Soderling, Nikolay Davydenko, Cilic, Monfils, and Gonzo.

That’s what makes this week and all the remaining matches from here on out so big.

We’re in the salary stretch.  Should be some good viewing to see who makes the cut.

I think this is a big week for both Del Po who lost first round in Tokyo last week, and Andy Roddick, who suffered a first-round loss in Beijing to 143rd-ranked Polish qualifier Lukasz Kubot.  I think both these players have the ability to brush off the losses and step up this week. 

My money is still on Djokovic as the player to beat…but I’m keeping a close eye on Joe Willie Tsonga to make a big run this week.

It has been an incredibly interesting month in the women’s game.

The fairy tale win for Kim Clijsters at the US Open is in the books.

I knew she was going to come good, but I never thought that much good would come that quick. Very admirable that she’s putting family first, with only one tournament on her itinerary for the fall schedule.  I hope Kim keeps up her momentum and ends the year on a solid note.

Now the rumors are true, Justine Henin is on the comeback trail.

Judging by how quickly Clijsters reclaimed her throne, it seems like a perfect time for the 27-year-old Henin to get back in the mix and restore order in the women’s game.  I’m glad she’s doing it now, as opposed to waiting another three or four years — if ever — and spending retirement with regret.

I am inclined to compare Henin’s sudden retirement to that of Bjorn Borg’s.  If you remember, Borg chose to wait 10 years for his attempt at a comeback which proved too little too late.  I like Justine’s odds.  It‘s a good window of opportunity for her. The top ladies really aren’t playing at their best and maybe this time away from the game has given her a time to recharge and re-motivate.  I’m surprised she’s waiting until the new year to launch her comeback, but for fans, the wait will be worth it.

I’m seeing a major on Justine’s docket for 2010.

Like I predicted for Clijsters that she would be back in the top 5 in no time, I feel the same for Henin.  2010 should be a big year for the Belgians.

It was a crazy week in Tokyo last week as the top six seeds crashed out in the first round.

Dinara Safina continues to play poorly and will now lose the top ranking to Serena Williams —  justice does exist.

It was a massive week in Japan for Maria Sharapova as she steps up and wins her first tournament of 2009.  She seems to be regaining her form from pre-shoulder surgery and the double faults seem to be on the mend as well.  She’s off to a great start in China with an upset over Victoria Azarenka.

If Shaza can finish the year strong, I think she has a good chance to get back in the top eight.  Considering she missed the first 5 1/2 months of the season, making the WTA Tour’s season-ending Sony Ericsson Championships would be an amazing achievement.  We need our stars to shine.

Nice to see the loaded field again in China lead by Serena Williams, hopefully regaining the number one ranking will inspire Serena and let everyone forget and forgive.

I know the ITF is still looking into the Serena situation from the US Open.  I think a suspension would be a travesty.  Let’s put the event behind us and move forward.  It only hurts the tournaments and the fans.

In my book, 2010 could be one of the most interesting years in women’s tennis ever. All eyes will be on the Aussie Open.  You’ve got three months to get your tickets.