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Monday, June 22, 2009

Hot news in 73 years

The promise of clear sunny skies and a chance to be the first British male singles winner since 1936 has marked today hundreds of tennis fans flocked to the All England Club.

Hundreds of campers emerge from their tents today to get their hands on tickets for the main courts at Wimbledon

Rising at dawn: Hundreds of campers from their tents to tickets for the main courts at Wimbledon

Joanne Burke was among the eager fans to join tent city at Wimbledon, clearly showing her allegiance to Britain

English fan

On the front of the queue Southend Brounos couple George and Julie waters which arrived Friday evening.

"We here at 10:30 and thought we had made a big mistake", Mr Brounos told the Evening Standard.

"There was nobody else here. But a few others came soon after and I think it paid off, because we are in the foreground."

He said that the vote was' fantastic 'fans to play cricket on Saturday night.

However, Mr Brounos said the mood was dampened when the fans who came into the weekend was threatened with expulsion.

They were told were premature and should be abandoned because a breach of health and safety.

Fans from as far afield as Australia and Saudia Arabia will pitch tents each night

First in line: Fans from as far afield as Australia and Saudia Arabia will pitch tents each night

Some fans started camping out on Friday night with the reward of getting tickets onto one of the All England Club's show courts

First served: Some fans started camping out on Friday night with the reward of getting tickets onto one of the All England Club's show courts

Strictly Come Dancing star Alesha Dixon was warming Wimbledon crowd by challenging people in the queue for a game of tennis.

The singer gave her full support to the British tennis hope.

"I'm behind Andy Murray," she said. "He had his greatest opportunity, and it feels like it could be years.
Singer Alesha Dixon warmed up the crowds at Wimbledon with a fun game of tennis

Singer Alesha Dixon

"He is under great pressure from the media, but if he can withstand the pressure he can perform very well."

She said the Swiss champion Roger Federer was always a good aim, "and adds:" It's about the regular gamers, people with experience to perform under pressure. "

She continued: "I would like to see Laura Robson is good.

"But I am a huge fan Venus and Serena Williams. If they do not play it would not be the same."

Wimbledon is the only Grand Slam tournament to sell tickets on the day.

The camp was last year to more comfortable for fans. Around 1500 people from as far away as Australia, the U.S. and Saudi Arabia camp each night for the 500 tickets available for each of the three show courts.

Some will camp in Wimbledon Park for the whole two weeks of tennis.

This year's competition is one of the highest expectations with Andy Murray as the highest placed British man since 1973. The last British man to win a singles title was Fred Perry, 73 years ago.

The 22-year-old from Dunblane had a run of success, including a win at Queen's Club last week.

British teenager Laura Robson gives more reason for a vocal home crowd after the 15-year-old was given a wildcard to attract senior women.

Week, is expected to the hottest weather so far this year with blue skies, brilliant sunshine and light breeze to the summer weekend.
Sisters Jessica, 19, Samantha, 25 and Carrie, 21, Buckley secure their place among the tents

Sister act: Jessica, 19, Samantha, 25 and Carrie, 21, Buckley secure their place among the tents

The coveted No 1 queue card

Worth the wait: The coveted No 1 queue card

Met Office national roll prescribing Dean Snowden said: "There will be a good deal of fine, dry weather. It would be easy, the hottest weather we have seen so far this year.

"The middle part of the week is the sunniest, with the remaining hot and humid, there is a risk of showers at the end of the week.

In tournament tennis fans will eat 25,000 kilograms of strawberries and 7,000 liters room.

About 1800 catering staff will also prepare and serve up to 12,000 kilograms stolen and smoked salmon, 32,000 portions of fish and chips, 22,000 slices of pizza, sandwiches 190,000, 135,000 and 300,000 cups of ice tea and coffee.
Britain's Andy Murray arrives for a training session at Wimbledon in London June 21, 2009
Great Britain's Laura Robson practices at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon, London

Great expectations: Andy Murray and Laura Robson

Spectators will also drink glasses of Pimm 200,000, 100,000 glasses of beer and lager and 17,000 bottles of champagne.

At Wimbledon Shop will be in total for the sale of branded luxury towels to sunglasses, jewelry and giant tennis balls.

Last year, the championships raised £ 25.6million for the development of the game, more than the previous two years, but at a record of more than £ 33million in 1998.

Roger Federer will kick start the procedure on center court play Taiwanese Yen-Hsun Lu from 1PM.

Others in action in the main arena is Serena Williams against Neuza Silva from Portugual and Serbian Novak Djokovic plays France Julien Benneteau.

About the right number one tennis glamor girl Maria Sharapova against Viktoriya Kutuzova of Ukraine, the United Kingdom James Ward with men against Fernando Verdasco of Spain.

source: mailonline

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Venus Williams

























Name :Venus Williams

Date of Birth : June 17, 1980

Place of Birth : Lynwood, California, USA

Height : 6'1

Weight : 160lbs (72kg) lbs.

Profession : Tennis Player

Plays : Right-handed

Career Titles : 25

Serena Williams


























Name :Serena Williams

Date of Birth : 26th September, 1981

Place of Birth : Saginaw, Michigan, USA

Height : 5' 9''

Profession : Sportsperson (Tennis)

Dinara Safina



Name :Dinara Safina

Date of birth : Sunday, April 27, 1986

Place of birth : Moscow, Russia

Birth Name : Dinara Mikhailovna Safina

Ethnicity : Tatar

Religion : Muslim, never practicing

Height : 5'11 1/2'' (1m 82)

Weight : 154 lbs (70 kg)

Status : Turned pro 2001

Trained : Valencia, Spain

Plays : Right-handed

Sponsored : Adidas & Babolat

Anna Ivanovic
















































Birthdate:November 6, 1987
Birthplace:Belgrade, Serbia
Residence:Basel, Switzerland
Height:6'1" (1.85 m)
Weight:152 lbs (69 kg)
Plays:Right-handed

Sania Mirza hot pics




































































Birth Date: 15 Nov 1986
Birth Place: Mumbai, India
Residence: Hydrabad, India
Nationality: INDIA
Height: 5'7 1/2" (1.53m)
Weight: 130 lbs. (59kg)
Plays: Right Handed (Double Handed Backhand)
Favourite Surface: Hard
Coach: C.G.K. Bhupathi
Age Began Tennis: 6
Personal Interests: Swimming, Music
Other Information: Ambition in tennis: To be in the Top 20 of the World.
Favourite player: Steffi Graf

Nadal withdraws from Wimbledon


Rafael Nadal became only the fourth Wimbledon champion to defend his title as a Spaniard to his arm injured knee and withdrew from the event on Friday.

The non-unexpected message came after the world number one tested joints suffer from tendinitis in an exhibition over the past two days in London.

He was beaten by both Lleyton Hewitt on Thursday and the loss of Stan Wawrinka just hours before the decision not to play.

"Unfortunately this year I can not play at Wimbledon," said the man with the title of Roger Federer a year ago.

"I'm not 100 percent, I am better than a few weeks ago, but I'm not ready.

"The decision is that I will try to get ready for the next events. I am not prepared to go to a game as important as this.

"It is very painful for me, but I can not play this year."

Nadal said the tests showed that he suffers from fluid on both knees and an indefinite period of rest.

Nadal is the first since Goran Ivanišević in 2002 to defend his title.

Friday, June 19, 2009

Wimbledon 2009 schedule

Wimbledon 2009 Schedule Of Play

Wimbledon : Uncovered

Wimbledon Tickets 2009

Wimbledon

Wimbledon 2009 Ticket Prices

Wimbledon 2009 Schedule Of Play

Queuing Overnight For Tickets

Wimbledon Street Map

This chart can only provisional because the weather at Wimbledon is never predictable and of course the schedule can change in the event of rain delays.

Play is scheduled to begin at 1.00 p.m. on Centre and No. 1 Courts on all days except for the final Saturday and Sunday where play will begin at 2.00 p.m. Play will begin at 12.00 p.m. on all other courts.

No tickets, including final Sunday, are valid except for the date shown, they are not valid for any other day for any reason whatsoever.

Monday 22 June - Sunday 5 July

Date

Description

Monday 22 June

Reigning Men's Singles Champion opens play on Centre Court *
First round matches - Men's and Ladies' Singles

Tuesday 23 June

Reigning Ladies' Singles Champion opens play on Centre Court *
First round matches - Men's and Ladies' Singles

Wednesday 24 June

Second round matches - Men's and Ladies' Singles
First round matches - Men's and Ladies' Doubles

Thursday 25 June

Second round matches - Men's and Ladies' Singles
First round matches - Mixed Doubles

Friday 26 June

Third round matches - Men's and Ladies' Singles
Second round matches - Men's and Ladies' Doubles
First round matches - Mixed Doubles

Saturday 27 June

Third round matches - Men's and Ladies' Singles
Second round matches - Men's and Ladies' Doubles
First round matches - Mixed Doubles
Boys' and Girls' Championships begin
Men's and Ladies' over 35's & over 45's Championships begin

Sunday 28 June

Rest Day - No Tennis Played

Monday 29 June

Fourth round matches - Men's and Ladies' Singles
Third round matches - Men's and Ladies' Doubles
Second round matches - Mixed Doubles

Tuesday 30 July

Quarter-Finals - Ladies' Singles
Fourth round matches - Men's Singles
Third round matches - Men's and Ladies' Doubles
Third round matches - Mixed Doubles

Wednesday 1 July

Quarter-Finals - Men's Singles
Quarter-Finals - Men's and Ladies' Doubles
Third round matches - Mixed Doubles

Thursday 2 July

Semi-Finals - Ladies' Singles *
Semi-Finals - Men's and Ladies' Doubles
Quarter-Finals - Mixed Doubles

Friday 3 July

Semi-Finals - Men's Singles *
Semi-Finals - Men's and Ladies' Doubles
Quarter-Finals - Mixed Doubles

Saturday 4 July

Final - Ladies' Singles *
Final - Men's Doubles
Final - Mixed Doubles

Sunday 5 July

Final - Men's Singles *
Final - Ladies' Doubles

source:british tennis

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Maria Sharapova

BIO DATA
  • Nickname(s) Masha
  • Country Russia
  • Residence Bradenton, Florida, U.S.
  • Date of birth April 19, 1987 (1987-04-19) (age 21)
  • Place of birth Nyagan, Soviet Union
  • Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
  • Weight 59.1 kg (130 lb/9.31 st)
  • Turned pro April 19, 2001
  • retired Active Plays Right-handed; two-handed backhand
  • Career prize money US$12,169,281



















































































































U.S. Open 2009 match schedule




source: U.S. Open tennis Official site

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Up close and personal with Nikolay Davydenko

Nikolay Davydenko
Here at Rolandgarros.com we know you love to get an insight into the real person behind the tennis star facade. Here, in the fifth of a series of quick-fire lifestyle interviews, two-time French Open semi-finalist Nikolay Davydenko reveals his admiration for two Ivans, Lendl and Andreev.

Who is your sporting idol?
Ivan Lendl. He was the best.

What’s your favourite sport outside tennis?

Fishing. Some people think it’s just a hobby, but for me it’s a sport. I’ve caught 10kg barracudas off Mauritius before. It was fantastic.

What’s your least favourite training exercise?
Jogging. It’s a necessary evil, but I hate it.

Who’s your best friend on the circuit?
Igor Andreev. He was my doubles partner in the Davis Cup. He’s a great guy.

Which part of your game would you like to improve?
I’d like to get stronger and have more stamina. Like Nadal!

What’s the last thing you do before you go to sleep?
I watch TV, preferably Russian programmes.

What’s the best concert you’ve seen?

It was in Abu Dhabi on New Year’s Eve. I took part in an exhibition and then went to a Shakira concert in a 7 star hotel. It was the most amazing show I’ve ever seen.

What do you have on your iPod?
Scorpions, Beck…I also like house music and remixes of cult songs.

Who would be your ideal partner for mixed doubles?
My wife. We play together during the holidays. She’s not very good, but if I chose anyone else I’d be in trouble!

When was your first kiss?
There have been so many I can’t remember!

What was your favourite film in 2008?
The Transporter.

Which actor would you choose to play you on screen?
Jason Statham, the lead actor in The Transporter.

When did you last spend big with your prize money?
I don’t – my wife spends it. That’s why I’m still on the tour [laughs].

Who’s the nicest guy on tour?
They’re all really nice: Federer, Nadal. All of the guys in the top 100 are cool. But if you asked me which one was the best looking I’d say Feliciano Lopez. Everyone thinks he’s gorgeous, with his blue eyes and curly hair

source: http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/news/articles/2009-05-31/200905311243768804078.html

Sunday 31 May – As it happens

Ana at the net
The fourth round begins, with top seeds Rafael Nadal and Dinara Safina some of the big names on court today. Follow all the action from around the courts right here.

1.30 pm: Dinara breaks again with a huuuuuuuge forehand winner onto the sideline. If this woman doesn't make the final, I'm a Dutchman. Cilic holds to 3-2. Talking about hard-hitters, when the Croatian 13 seed swings through the ball, it fairly fizzes. Murray is going to need all his canny defensive tactics here. That said, Cilic makes three unforced errors and Murray holds to 3-3. Oh and that's the first set to Dinara, 6-1.

1.25 pm: Dinara nets an easy one and shrugs her shoulders, as if to say “I simply cannot understand how I made such a basic error”. She adjusts her hair grips and immediately wins the next point – maybe that was it. There is then a delay in play as someone takes an entire minute to find his seat in one of the loges, much to the crowd’s amusement. Whistles and cat-calls abound.

Murray holds comfortably. 2-2.

see details: http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/news/articles/2009-05-31/200905311243757717843.html

Djokovic out; Federer forced to rally

PARIS -- Novak Djokovic became the first big-name player to be eliminated from the men's tournament at the French Open, losing to No. 29 Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 on Saturday.

Roger Federer made it through to the fourth round despite losing another set, beating Paul-Henri Mathieu of France 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-4.

No. 6 Andy Roddick managed to stick around, too, reaching the French Open's fourth round for the first time by beating Marc Gicquel of France 6-1, 6-4, 6-4.

Andy Roddick
Ryan Pierse/Getty ImagesAndy Roddick advanced to the fourth round of the French Open for the first time Saturday, beating France's Marc Gicquel in three sets.

The fourth-seeded Djokovic reached the semifinals at Roland Garros in each of the last two years, but could do little against Kohlschreiber while playing for the third time in three days.

"What is disappointing was that I couldn't find the rhythm throughout the whole match," said Djokovic, who on Friday completed a suspended three-set win from the previous round. "I was trying not to be frustrated with a lot of unforced errors. Tried to be positive and just wait for the chances."

The Serbian finished the match with 38 unforced errors, 16 more than Kohlschreiber.

Federer again started slow but got his forehand working as the match progressed.

The three-time finalist from Switzerland has lost to Rafael Nadal in each of the last three French Open finals. Federer only needs a title at Roland Garros to complete a career Grand Slam.

The Swiss star said the loss of Djokovic wasn't a big deal for him. The two were in the same side of the draw and could have met in the semifinals.

Dementieva ousted; Serena perseveres

PARIS -- Russian fourth seed Elena Dementieva was eliminated Saturday in the third round of the French Open with a 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 defeat by Australian Samantha Stosur.

Serena Williams rallied to escape the same fate, beating Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez of Spain 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, but after the match accused Martinez Sanchez of "cheating."

The Olympic champion Dementieva, who benefited from Jelena Dokic's retirement in the previous round while she was one set down, bowed out after 2 hours, 12 minutes.

Elena Dementieva
Lionel Bonaventure/AFP/Getty ImagesRussian Elena Dementieva was eliminated Saturday with a 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 loss to Samantha Stosur.

"I just feel I'm far away from being in good shape. I feel like I couldn't perform any better," Dementieva told a news conference.

"She was playing very solid, very good first serve. Just too many unforced errors and not enough power from me. I did what I could."

The second-seeded Williams seemed to have trouble dealing with her opponent's serve-and-volley tactics, and piled up plenty of unforced errors.

But she managed to avoid the fate of her sister Venus, who lost on Friday. Both lost in the third round last year.

Williams also struggled in the first round, but she easily advanced from the second after losing only two games.

Williams was broken once in the first set, but she complained about the final point, which she believed hit her opponent's arm.

"The ball did touch her 100 percent on her arm," Williams said. "The rules of tennis is when the ball hits your body, then it's out of play. You lose a point automatically. So the ball hit her body, and therefore, she should have lost the point instead of cheating."


see details: http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/french09/news/story?id=4217169

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Nadal, Murray, Djokovic advance

PARIS -- Four-time defending champion Rafael Nadal moved into the fourth round of the French Open by defeating Lleyton Hewitt 6-1, 6-3, 6-1 on Friday.

The top-seeded Nadal stretched his record at Roland Garros to 31-0. The Spaniard is trying to become the first person to win five straight French Open titles.


see details: http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/french09/news/story?id=4214260

Nalbandian recovering from hip surgery

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina -- David Nalbandian has begun to recover from recent hip surgery with the goal of returning to top-level tennis.

The 15th-ranked Argentine had surgery on his right hip two weeks ago in Barcelona, Spain, and is recovering in his hometown of Unquillo, which is northwest of Buenos Aires.............


details: http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/news/story?id=4215276

Nadal: Drug testers 'harass' players

PARIS -- Rafael Nadal accused anti-doping controllers of "harassing" tennis players on Friday and defended his suspended friend Richard Gasquet.

Gasquet, of France, confirmed almost three weeks ago that he had tested positive for cocaine during last month's Miami event and is provisionally banned as he tries to clear his name.

"I support him. I'm certain that he's not taking anything," Nadal said after reaching the fourth round of the French Open..........


see details: http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/news/story?id=4215398

Friday, May 29, 2009

live french open now

all are live go on http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/scores/index.html


R.Nadal ESP (1)
L.Hewitt AUS

V.Hanescu ROU (30)
G.Simon FRA (7)

R.Stepanek CZE (18)
M.Cilic CRO (13)


C.Chuang TPE (14)
S.Mirza IND (14)
A.Radwanska POL
U.Radwanska POL


L.Dlouhy CZE (3)
L.Paes IND (3)
J.Cerretani USA
S.Stakhovsky UKR


N.Davydenko RUS (10)
S.Wawrinka SUI (17)


F.Pennetta ITA
D.Vemic SRB
K.Peschke CZE
F.Cermak CZE


M.Kohlmann GE
A.Waske GER
L.Kubot POL (9)
O.Marach AUT (9)

Djokovic finishes off second-round win

PARIS -- Novak Djokovic quickly completed his suspended match at the French Open on Friday, easily winning the final set to beat Sergiy Stakhovsky of Ukraine 6-3, 6-4, 6-1 and advance to the third round.

The fourth-seeded Djokovic won the first two sets Thursday, but the match was stopped because of darkness. He broke Stakhovsky to open the third set and had little trouble the rest of the way.


see details: http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/french09/news/story?id=4214260

Venus loses to Szavay at French

PARIS -- Venus Williams lost in the third round of the French Open for the third straight year, falling to Agnes Szavay of Hungary 6-0, 6-4 Friday.

The third-seeded Williams was playing for the third straight day at Roland Garros. She completed a three-set match Thursday that had been suspended by darkness the night before.


see details: http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/french09/news/story?id=4214243

Venus survives, Jankovic flies

Five-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams may be known for her high-octane offence, but it was her steely defence that pulled her through in a remarkable 6-7(2) 6-2 7-5 victory over Czech Lucie Safarova on Thursday.

Down 4-5 in the final set of a match that had been suspended for darkness the previous evening, Williams fought off a match point with a clean backhand winner down the line and from there, put up a wall from the baseline.

While Williams can rip the ball off both wings and owns the world’s hardest women’s serve, Safarova matched her firepower inside the baseline, frequently wrong-footing her with forehand blasts and stepping gamely into her two-handed backhand...............


see details: http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/news/articles/2009-05-28/200905281243516930531.html

Friday 29 May – As it happens

Follow all the action involving Nadal, Hewitt, Murray, Simon and Verdasco in the men’s, Safina, Ivanovic, Sharapova and Venus Williams in the women’s.

12.01 pm: Verdasco breaks early in the second, Ana is trying to break Iveta, and Aravane has broken Michelle to lead 6-5. John Dolan of the WTA is down there courtside as well – no doubt to try to avert any incidents between the two young ladies.

11.56 am: Aravane’s having another word about the noises that Larcher de Brit is emitting. The grunt-age seems to be less long now, but it’s no less remarkable. Nothing between the two players otherwise – 5-5, 30-30 on the Portu-geezer’s serve.

11.54 am: ML de B saves a break point, Aravane pings her racquet and the Portuguese prodigy holds. These two won’t send each other any Christmas cards, or “go on holiday together”, as the French say, i.e. there’s no love lost. Ana meanwhile has held to make it 3-2. Benesova is giving a far better account of herself in this second stanza. David mentioned earlier that she was interestingly attired. It’s a black strappy showing a lot of flesh-y number. The weather’s reasonably warm so she’s not going to catch cold.

Verdasco has taken the opener 6-2 on the back of a second break. He seems to face Nadal in every tournament he plays in of late, which shows two things: rotten luck, and great skill in that he goes deep enough to meet the Raf-ster every time.

11.47 am: Verdasco has hit eight winners so far while Almagro has yet to open his account. The lefty leads 5-2 and is whipping up a sinister (in the original sense of the word) storm.........


see details: http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/news/articles/2009-05-29/200905291243585915015.html

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Jankovic, Kuznetsova winners in Paris

PARIS -- Jelena Jankovic moved a step closer to her third straight semifinal appearance at the French Open, beating Magdalena Rybarikova of Slovakia 6-1, 6-2 Thursday in the second round.

The fifth-seeded Jankovic won 15 of the first 17 points, and then broke her opponent in the final game of the first set. In the second, she recovered from an early break to win four straight games, and closed out the match with her sixth break of service.

Jankovic lost in the semifinals at Roland Garros in each of the last two years. She made her first Grand Slam final at the 2008 U.S. Open.

Seventh-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia also advanced, beating Galina Voskoboeva of Kazakhstan 6-0, 6-2. No. 24 Aleksandra Wozniak of Canada also won.

source: http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/french09/news/story?id=4211446

One-on-one with Caroline Wozniacki

Caroline Wozniacki was already a star in her native Denmark before entering the WTA top 10 two weeks ago.

So is tennis the most popular sport in her home country? “Not yet,” says the smiling 18 year-old. Blessed with beauty and talent, Caroline Wozniacki is a popular figure in her home country, regularly gracing the covers of women’s magazines. Friendly and always willing to give of her time, it is easy to see why Wozniacki is so admired.

The young Dane is also about to launch her own line of cosmetics and even writes a popular blog for a television channel. “Caroline is a unique role-model for female athletes in Denmark. Just ask anyone in the street, young or old, and they’ll know who she is. She has made a name for herself fast and become a fantastic ambassador for our country,” comments a Danish journalist. “It’s thanks to her that we were able to have the new WTA tour event in Odense last November.”


All in the family

With a mother and father active in football and volleyball, the Wozniacki family is no stranger to sports. Nonetheless, Caroline had to work at convincing her father that she was worthy of the tennis courts.

“I was so bad when I started that I had to spend three years practicing against a wall for three hours a day before my father would let me play in a club,” the Madrid finalist confesses. The fairytale that followed could have been written by Hans Christian Andersen himself.

“I’ve always set my sights on one goal at a time. At first I just concentrated on beating my parents, then my brother. Then I aimed at being champion of Denmark. Once I had won everything at national level, it was time to move on to the international circuit,” explains the 2005 Orange Bowl champion.

First TV appearance at 10 years old

At the age of ten, Caroline appeared on television for the first time. She has had time, then, to get used to being in the spotlight.

“I love my life, it’s important to do all that I can to promote tennis in Denmark. I worked hard to get where I am. Years of hard work are paying off now and I like to share it with people. Recently I took a three day break from tennis when I went home, but I spent those three days doing interviews and photo shoots.”

The 2006 Australian Open Juniors finalist shared with us the secret to her permanent smile, “I’m positive. If I lose a match it’s not the end of the world.” That realistic outlook does not mean she does not harbour big dreams. “I want to be world No1 and a Grand Slam winner,” she asserts.

Wozniacki intends to draw inspiration from the game of former stars Steffi Graf and Martina Hingis. “They played with their head. That’s how I want to play as well.” A solid baseline player with a good service, Caroline is able to change rhythm both in terms of speed and placement of the ball.

This season’s victories at Ponte Vedra the finals at Charleston and Madrid and a first-round win over Russia’s Vera Duschevina bear witness to her progress. The spectators at Roland Garros should be in for a treat on Thursday when she takes on Jill Craybas.

Sharapova stuns Petrova in thriller

Maria Sharapova edged past fellow Russian Nadia Petrova on Suzanne Lenglen court, hanging tough in a nail-biting third set before seizing her opportunity to clinch a 6-2 1-6 8-6 triumph in 2 hours 12 minutes.

Sharapaova may be diminished by her recuperating shoulder, but the former world No1 has clearly lost none of her legendary will to win. Trailing 4-2 in the third set and seemingly for the count against No11 seed Petrova, she hauled herself back into the match by sheer force of will.

The first two sets were contrasting affairs, as the score-line suggests. Sharapova found her groove quickly, and a mixture of powerful winners and unforced errors on the part of her opponent saw the statuesque Siberian wrap up the opener 6-2 in just 32 minutes.

Petrova refused to crumble however, and knocked Maria off her stride in the second set when it was her turn to find the lines and force the error. In just 29 minutes she was level.

Then began an epic third set which saw Petrova make the first break to lead 3-2, then 4-2 and even miss a break point at 30-40 for a 5-2 lead. Had she broken then, Sharapova would surely have found no way back, but as it was the 22-year-old former Wimbledon, US Open and Australian Open champion held on, and broke back to 4-4.

Petrova carved out further break points that would have seen her lead 5-4, but could not take them, and then at 6-7 30-all, the 2003 and 2005 semi-finalist cracked. She double-faulted, disputing the first serve and losing her concentration, then hit an unforced forehand wide on match point to hand victory to her thrilled compatriot.

On the tentative road to full fitness, Sharapova will be delighted at showing such resilience in the face of an onslaught. Petrova, not for the first time against Maria in a Grand Slam, is left with regrets at what might have been.

source: http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/news/articles/2009-05-27/200905271243441970531.html

Have your say - Is Rafa beatable?

Novak Djokovic came close to downing the four-time French Open champion in an epic semi-final recently in Madrid. Roger Federer then went one better and handed the Spaniard a first defeat in 34 matches on clay in the final of the same tournament. So is there hope for the world numbers 2 and 3? Can anyone else challenge the clay-court giant, who has never been beaten here in Paris? Have your say….















source from: http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/news/articles/2009-05-28/200905281243503833375.html

Thursday 28 May - As it happens

Roger, Serena, Novak, Jelena, Jo-Wilfried, Elena, Tommy, Svetlana and Andy are all in action today… Follow all the ups and down of the second round right here throughout the day..............








see details
: http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/news/articles/2009-05-28/200905281243499989468.html

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Tuesday 26 May – As it happens

Jankovic, Djokovic, Tsonga, Monfils, Kuznetsova, Serena, Del Potro, Dementieva and Blake are just some of the big names out on court today… Follow all the action right here throughout the day.

see details: http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/news/articles/2009-05-26/200905261243325935515.html

Nadal & Federer through in Paris

Defending champion Rafael Nadal saw off a spirited challenge from Brazil's Marcos Daniel to reach round two of the French Open with a 7-5 6-4 6-3 win.

Daniel matched Nadal stride for stride before the world number one broke at 5-5 and served out the first set.

Nadal found it difficult to shake off his 97th-ranked opponent but edged the second set and eased through the third.

Roger Federer was next on Court Philippe Chatrier and he eased past Spain's Albert Martin 6-4 6-3 6-2.

Sixth seed Andy Roddick won a match at the French Open for the first time since 2005, serving impressively as he swept past France's Romain Jouan 6-2 6-4 6-2.

And in two late thrillers, Italy's Simone Bolelli beat 19th seed Tomas Berdych 6-4 6-4 5-7 4-6 6-3, and 28th seed Feliciano Lopez of Spain saw off Franco Ferreiro 6-7 (3-7) 4-6 7-6 (7-4) 7-5 6-2.

Nadal's victory extends his unbeaten run at Roland Garros to 29 matches, and his quest to claim an unprecedented fifth successive French Open title remains on track.

I wasn't at my best level but it's been like that for the last four years (in the first round) and I've won in three sets, so that's a positive
"Rafael Nadal"

He passes the record of 28 straight wins set by Bjorn Borg between 1978-81, and equals the overall tournament record set by Chris Evert.


The 22-year-old Spaniard, who arrived in Paris having lost his 33-match winning streak on clay to Roger Federer in Madrid, did not appear to be moving as well as he usually does on the red dirt and he was given a thorough workout by Daniel.

Nadal created the first break point of the match in the third game but Daniel pulled out a big serve to see off the threat.

The 30-year-old was attacking his more illustrious opponent with some fierce winners and deft touches but he was finally broken in the ninth game.

Rather than going on to take the set, Nadal was broken back immediately - but it was a different story two games later as Nadal cemented his advantage at the second time of asking.

The six-time Grand Slam winner was not his usual sprightly self and faced break points in the fourth game of the second set.

Daniel finally prevailed on his fourth opening to take a 3-1 lead, which he promptly relinquished as Nadal showed his fighting spirit.

Going behind seemed to have fired up Nadal and he made it three games in a row with a break to love before wrapping up the set.

Daniel, by now, seemed resigned to his fate and he was broken again at the start of the third set.

Nadal, wearing a bright pink shirt, had been on the back foot for much of the first half of the match but at last he took the initiative and Daniel could not deal with the precision of the Spaniard's forehand.

The Brazilian managed one last hurrah as he broke Nadal when serving for the match but he let slip three points to pull the match back to 4-5 and a volley that drifted wide sealed his fate.

"It was difficult," said Nadal. "I was expecting a hard-fought match but I obviously wasn't at my best level.

"But it's been like that for the last four years (in the first round). And I have won in three sets, that's a positive.

"I started to play better in the third set and I hope to continue improving in the next match."

Federer is bidding for a first French Open title, which would see him equal Pete Sampras' record of 14 Grand Slam triumphs.

Against Martin, who has missed the last two French Opens through injury and then a failure to qualify, Federer showed flashes of brilliance in a fine display that saw him take victory in one hour and 43 minutes.

"I didn't have much trouble on my service games," said the Swiss. "I mixed up my shots well to finish it off."

Federer's fellow Swiss and 17th seed, Stanislas Wawrinka, recovered from a double-break down in the fourth set to beat Frenchman Nicolas Devilder 6-3 5-7 2-6 6-4 6-4.

Russian 10th seed Nikolay Davydenko, twice a semi-finalist, eased past Austria's Stefan Koubek 6-2 6-1 6-4 and Fernando Gonzalez, the 12th seed from Chile, also advanced with a straight-sets win over Jiri Vanek of the Czech Republic.

British number one Andy Murray will play Potito Starace in the second round after the Italian benefited from Mischa Zverev retiring at one set all.

Roger Federer

see details: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/8067054.stm

French Open men's singles

Round 1

Court 1

Tuesday, 26 May 2009


COUNTRY SEED SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5
Del Potro Arg 5 6 5


v




Llodra Fra
3 3


Tie-break Scores





Court 3

Tuesday, 26 May 2009


COUNTRY SEED SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5
Gicquel Fra
6 6 2

v




Schuettler Ger 27 0 0 0

Tie-break Scores





Court 8

Tuesday, 26 May 2009


COUNTRY SEED SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5
Navarro Spa
6



v




Beck Ger
6



Tie-break Scores





Court 10

Tuesday, 26 May 2009


COUNTRY SEED SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5
Troicki Ser
3 1


v




Kubot Pol
6 0


Tie-break Scores





Court 14

Tuesday, 26 May 2009


COUNTRY SEED SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5
Crivoi Rom
6 2


v




Greul Ger
1 2

Safina, Venus, Sharapova advance at french open

PARIS -- Top-seeded Dinara Safina quickly worked her way into the second round of the French Open on Monday, routing Anne Keothavong of Britain 6-0, 6-0.

The Russian favorite sprayed shots to all parts of the court at Roland Garros, giving her opponent few chances on Day 2 of the tournament.

"I was just playing point by point, game by game, and it ended up like this," said Safina, half of the only brother-sister combination alongside Marat Safin to have served as the No. 1-ranked players in the world.

Third-seeded Venus Williams also advanced, surviving a sudden second-set slump to beat Bethanie Mattek-Sands 6-1, 4-6, 6-2.

Maria Sharapova's bandaged right shoulder held up despite a shaky start, sending her into the second round with a 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 win over Anastasiya Yakimova of Belarus.

Keothavong had a couple chances against Safina on center court, but she wasted two break points in the third game of the first set and led 40-0 in the fourth game of the second but couldn't hold on.

"When that's happening to you all you want to do is get on the scoreboard, but I wasn't able to do that," Keothavong said. "It just kept getting harder and harder."

During the changeover for the final game, Keothavong sat in her chair with a French Open towel draped over her head. She emerged from the short break and quickly trailed 0-40, giving Safina three match points.

But Keothavong saved them all, on unforced errors from Safina, and even held two game points.

Safina wasted a fourth match point by hitting long and converted the fifth with a forehand winner down the line.

"After I [shook] her hand, she said: 'At least you could give me one game,'" Safina said. "I could imagine it's not nice to feel [like that] on the court, but I was just so into myself."

Victoria Azarenka and Ana Ivanovic won 6-0, 6-0 at the French Open last year, and Serena Williams did it in 2003.

see details: http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/french09/news/story?id=4203923

Safina takes every game of first round

PARIS -- Top-seeded Dinara Safina quickly worked her way into the second round of the French Open on Monday, routing Anne Keothavong of Britain 6-0, 6-0.

The Russian favorite sprayed shots to all parts of the court at Roland Garros, giving her opponent few chances on Day 2 of the tournament.

"I was just playing point by point, game by game, and it ended up like this," said Safina, half of the only brother-sister combination alongside Marat Safin to have served as the No. 1-ranked players in the world.

Third-seeded Venus Williams also advanced, surviving a sudden second-set slump to beat Bethanie Mattek-Sands 6-1, 4-6, 6-2.

Dinara Safina
AP Photo/Christophe EnaDinara Safina took over the women's top ranking in April but has yet to win a Grand Slam.

Maria Sharapova's bandaged right shoulder held up despite a shaky start, sending her into the second round with a 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 win over Anastasiya Yakimova of Belarus.

Keothavong had a couple chances against Safina on center court, but she wasted two break points in the third game of the first set and led 40-0 in the fourth game of the second but couldn't hold on.

"When that's happening to you all you want to do is get on the scoreboard, but I wasn't able to do that," Keothavong said. "It just kept getting harder and harder."

more details: http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/french09/news/story?id=4203923