Black, Paes Win Mixed Doubles Title Sep 5, 2008
They captured the French Open in 2006. Copyright 2008 Courtesy of The Sports Network. (Click2Houston, TX)
Murray overcomes Del Potro test Sep 4, 2008
The lanky 21-year-old Scotsman booked a Saturday date against the winner of the later match between American Mardy Fish and world No.1 Rafael Nadal, the Spaniard who owns the Wimbledon, French Open and Olympic titles. Nadal is 5-0 head-to-head against Murray, who owns a 2-1 career edge against Fish. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Back on track Sep 4, 2008
Federer suffered from mononucleosis at the start of the season and has won just two small titles while enduring confidence-damaging defeats to Rafael Nadal of Spain at the French Open and Wimbledon finals. Nadal also took over the No. 1 ranking the Swiss held for 237 weeks. (USA Today -- Sports)
Nadal Filets Fish To Reach First U.S. Open Semifinal Sep 4, 2008
The top-ranked Spaniard won 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 with the match ending after 2 a.m. "This court was always very difficult for me, but I'm very happy," said Nadal, who was put to the test early, but pulled through in his quest for a third Grand Slam title this year after triumphs at the French Open and Wimbledon. In fact, Nadal has now reached the semifinals at all four Grand Slams this year. (ABC 7 News, DC)
Playing, And Even Watching, Sports Improves Brain Function Sep 4, 2008
(June 13, 2008) Tennis Grand Slam season is upon us once again with the French Open already over, and Wimbledon hot on its heels later in the month. Researchers have found that tennis players are often better than. (Science Daily)
Murray, Nadal, Serena Williams Prevail During Long Day at U.S. Open Tennis Sep 4, 2008
The French Open runner-up had 25 winners to Pennetta's 13. The sister of 2000 U.S. Open men's champion , Safina's previous best at the tournament was a quarterfinal appearance in 2006. (Bloomberg -- UK)
Hantuchova, Schiavone relish Bali challenge Sep 4, 2008
Later this year, she reached the French Open doubles final with Australian Casey Dellacqua. "I'm just happy they're looking forward to my match in Bali and I hope I can give my best performance for all my fans," she said. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- Sports)
Nadal comes back to beat Fish Sep 4, 2008
Nadal will meet British sixth seed Andy Murray in the semi-finals after seeing off Fish, who started strongly but just couldnt stay with the reigning reigning Wimbledon, French Open and Olympic champion. Nadal took the match 3-6 6-1 6-4 6-2. (LIVENEWS.com.au)
Serena stuns Venus Sep 4, 2008
" Russian sixth seed Safina, who reached her first Grand Slam final earlier this year at the French Open, says winning the US Open would put a fitting exclamation point on her season. "It's great," Safina said. "I'm getting closer to reaching the same thing as my brother. I just hope that one day I can have the same title. (iAfrica.com)
Serena Defeats Venus At US Open Sep 4, 2008
She's already won three titles this year and was the runner-up at the French Open and Olympic Games in Beijing. Safina has won 37 of her last 41 matches and beaten three different world No. 1 players during that span. (Click2Houston, TX)
Federer and Djokovic survive U.S. Open scares Sep 3, 2008
Still, it's one thing to lose to Rafael Nadal, the man who walloped Federer in the French Open final and edged him in a five-set thrill ride of a Wimbledon final ... He knocked off Andy Roddick at the French Open last year. (CNN -- International)
Murray makes short work of (the other) Swiss ace Sep 3, 2008
The Sydney Morning Herald: national, world, business, entertainment, sport and technology news from Australia's leading newspaper. Britain's Andy Murray. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Fitzgerald throws rookies into Cup deep end Sep 3, 2008
Fitzgerald is desperately hoping claycourt specialist and regular squad member Peter Luczak, who hasn't played since a first-round French Open loss in May, will be sufficiently fit to take on the Fernando Gonzalez-led Chileans. Even if Luczak plays, Fitzgerald still must blood at least two debutants after today naming Cup novices Carsten Ball, 21, Brydan Klein, 19, Sam Groth, 20, and 15-year-old wonderkid Bernard Tomic in his bare-bones squad. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Jankovic, Dementieva book US Open semi-final showdown Sep 3, 2008
She also lost her only other slam final at the 2004 French Open ... Dementieva, who has won 11 matches in a row and 16 of her past 18, also hungers to raise her game despite reaching the French Open quarter-finals and Wimbledon semi-finals and taking Beijing gold. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
U.S. OPEN: Williams Sisters Face Off Sep 3, 2008
Nadal owns four titles from the French Open and one from Wimbledon, but he's never been as far as the U.S. Open semifinals. He'll try to take care of that gap on his resume when he meets another unseeded American, Mardy Fish, in the quarterfinals. (Fox News)
REJUVINATED: Fish rolls into quarterfinals Sep 3, 2008
"I desperately wanted to play well and desperately wanted to do well, and this is certainly sweet for sure," Fish said Monday after dispatching French Open semifinalist Gael Monfils of France 7-5, 6-2, 6-2 to reach the quarterfinals in New York three rounds better than his previous best finish in eight attempts. Fish has a formidable task Wednesday: No. 1 Rafael Nadal, who held off American Sam Querrey 6-2, 5-7, 7-6 (7-2), 6-3. (USA Today -- Sports)
High-flying Dementieva Soars Into U.S. Open Semis Sep 3, 2008
The two-time major finalist Dementieva was last month's gold medal winner at the Beijing Games, reached the quarterfinals at the French Open in June, and was a semifinalist at Wimbledon in July. The other quarters will pit fourth-seeded Serena Williams against seventh- seeded Venus Williams and sixth-seeded Russian Dinara Safina versus 16th- seeded Italian Flavia Pennetta on Wednesday at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. (ABC 7 News, DC)
Williams sisters to meet in quarterfinals at Open Sep 3, 2008
Nadal owns four titles from the French Open and one from Wimbledon, but he s never been as far as the U.S. Open semifinals. He ll try to take care of that when he meets another unseeded American, Mardy Fish, in the quarterfinals. (Coos Bay-North Bend The World, OR)
Federer-Nadal, Yankees-Red Sox Matter the Most: Scott Soshnick Sep 3, 2008
The halo now sits atop the mane of Nadal, who arrived in New York with not only the No. 1 seed but the momentum of an Olympic gold medal to go along with titles at the French Open and Wimbledon, where in an epic final he ended Federer's bid for a sixth consecutive celebration on grass. Great Expectations. (Bloomberg -- Columnists)
Golden memories for Dementieva Sep 3, 2008
It was for thousands of pizzas on the biggest day, the French Open final of 2004, which Myskina won. Russians have been in Dementieva's way: Svetlana Kuznetsova defeated her for the US Open title, also in 2004. (Boston Globe -- Sports)
Should Pro Sports Replace Human Umps With Computers? Sep 3, 2008
(It's not necessary at the French Open because the ball leaves a visible mark on the red clay. Since 2006, there have been more than 550 Hawk-Eye challenges at the U.S. Open, and. (Slate)
Murray storms into quarters, Rafa struggles Sep 2, 2008
The reigning Wimbledon, French Open and Olympic champion is trying to become only the fourth man to win three Slam singles crowns in a row, joining Pete Sampras, Rod Laver and the man he dethroned atop the rankings, Roger Federer. But Nadal struggled in the face of an epic effort from lanky US 20-year-old Querrey, who nearly made his fourth-round Slam debut a shocker for the ages and cast major doubt upon whether or not Nadal has what it takes to win a US Open. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
The invincible: After a barren year, Federer says victory would bethe perfect tonic Sep 2, 2008
Federer lost to top-ranked Rafael Nadal in the Wimbledon and French Open finals and was dethroned from the rankings summit two weeks ago after a record 237-week reign. But the Swiss superstar says he's one slam title away from getting back on track. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Wimbledon confirm move to prize money equality Sep 2, 2008
The US and Australian Opens have treated both sexes equally for several years now, while the French Open paid both singles champions the same sum for the first time last year, but the All England Club has previously refused to back down on the issue. Chief among their arguments has been the fact men play best-of-five-set contests, while women only play best-of-three, but outgoing chairman Tim Phillips has also cited club polls indicating that men's tennis gave better value for money. (Yahoo News -- Women's Issues)
Tennis briefs Sep 2, 2008
The issue arose at the US Open where, as it is, spectators traditionally are louder than at Wimbledon or the French Open because the chair umpire warned a group of fans for being disruptive during James Blake's loss to Mardy Fish. It's sports. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Sports)
Federer, Jankovic advance Sep 2, 2008
Those honors belong to Rafael Nadal, who beat Federer in the lopsided French Open and epic Wimbledon finals and last week ended his record 237-week stay at the top. Federer harbors no doubts that he can re-establish his ranking and his reputation among opponents, both built on the strength of 12 career major singles titles, two shy of Pete Sampras' record. (News & Observer -- Sports)
The Rough Business Of Coaching Sep 2, 2008
They are the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. These are the premier events of our profession and the platforms to becoming a legend. (Forbes)
Tennis | U.S. Open: Nadal pushed, but able to resist Sep 2, 2008
Down 6-5 in the third set, Nadal suddenly flashed the form that won at Wimbledon, the French Open and the Olympics ... Safina reached the final at the French Open and later won 15 straight matches before losing the Elena Dementieva in the gold-medal match at the Olympics. (International Herald Tribune)
Williams sisters to meet, but not for the title Sep 2, 2008
As had been the case at the French Open and Wimbledon that year, Serena prevailed over her sister, securing her second Open title with a 6-4, 6-3 victory. It seems unfathomable that neither sister has been back to the final since. (International Herald Tribune -- Sports)
Roddick has a skip in his step Sep 1, 2008
But the best way to truly erase the disappointment of losing in the finals of the French Open and Wimbledon, and losing the No. 1 ranking to Rafael Nadal, is to win here. That would go a long way toward restoring confidence. (Boston Globe)
Federer breezes through to next round Sep 1, 2008
He has not fallen short of the fourth round at a Slam since the 2004 French Open. Second seed Federer was bumped from the world number one ranking by Spain's Rafael Nadal two weeks ago after the Spaniard had beaten Federer in the French Open and Wimbledon finals earlier this year. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Venus, Serena poised for final Sep 1, 2008
Wimbledon and French Open champion Nadal raised his game when challenged, showing the form he needs to win his first US Open crown in beating 71st-ranked Serbian Viktor Troicki 6-4 6-3 6-0 for his 41st triumph in 42 starts. Nishikori shocked Spanish fourth seed David Ferrer 6-4 6-4 3-6 2-6 7-5 to become the first Japanese man to reach the fourth round of a US Open. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Roddick OK with rowdy fans at U.S. Open Sep 1, 2008
The issue arose at the U.S. Open where, as it is, spectators traditionally are louder than at Wimbledon or the French Open because the chair umpire warned a group of fans for being disruptive during James Blake's loss to Mardy Fish. "It's sports. You're supposed to go after someone. There's supposed to be tense moments. You're supposed to yell," the eighth-seeded Roddick said Sunday after beating No. 31 Andreas Seppi 6-2, 7-5, 7-6 (4) to reach the fourth round. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Federer, Davydenko, Roddick Reach Fourth Round In Flushing Sep 1, 2008
Federer had been ranked No. 1 in the world since February 2004 before being supplanted at the top by reigning Wimbledon, four-time French Open and Olympic titlist Rafael Nadal on August 18. The last set of the day saw Serbia's Novak Djokovic, the third seed, bounced back from a first set loss to knock off Marin Cilic of Croatia, 6-7 (7-9), 7-5, 6-4, 7-6 (7-0). (ABC 7 News, DC)
Serena, Venus Stroll Into Round Of 16 At The Open Sep 1, 2008
Safina was the French Open and Olympic runner-up and has reached the final in six of her last seven events. Other seeds that advanced on Saturday included ninth-seeded Pole Agnieszka Radwanska, who had no problems in a 6-0, 6-3 win over Slovakia's Dominika Cibulkova, the 18th seed, and 16th-seeded Italian Flavia Pennetta knocked off 19th-seeded Russian Nadia Petrova 4-6, 6-4, 6-3. (ABC 7 News, DC)
* US OPEN 2008 : Nishikori stuns fourth seed Ferrer Sep 1, 2008
Wimbledon and French Open champion Nadal raised his game when challenged, winning his final 11 games to answer a fightback and defeat 71st-ranked Serbian Viktor Troicki 6-4, 6-3, 6-0, for his 41st triumph in 42 starts. I have started playing better, Nadal said. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Williams sisters eye quarter-final showdown Sep 1, 2008
Russian sixth seed Dinara Safina, runner-up at the French Open and Olympics, faces German qualifier Anna-Lena Groenefeld, while former world number one Amelie Mauresmo meets Italian 16th seed Flavia Pennetta. In the men's draw, top seed Rafael Nadal continues his quest for a first U.S. Open title when he plays American Sam Querrey in the third round. (International Herald Tribune)
Federer hits top gear as Bartoli wilts Sep 1, 2008
"At the end of the day, what counts is winning the tournament. You forget all the unforced errors you made," said Federer, whose cloak of invincibility has been looking rather threadbare recently following his defeats in the French Open and Wimbledon finals by Rafael Nadal. "If I were to win one of those slams right away, I have the invincibility factor again. I don't try to impress anybody in the early rounds," said the 27-year-old, who has also surrendered his number one status to Nadal. (International Herald Tribune)
Federer continues good run Sep 1, 2008
" Federer lost to top-ranked Rafael Nadal in the Wimbledon and French Open finals and was dethroned from the rankings summit by the Spaniard two weeks ago after a record 237-week reign. But the Swiss superstar responded Sunday with a powerful performance to subdue Stepanek. "I returned well, didn't allow him to have many options," Federer said. "I was good off the baseline. I moved well and hit some great shots when I needed them. (iAfrica.com)
Querrey tops Karlovic, to face Nadal next Aug 31, 2008
A far tougher test follows, of course: Wimbledon, French Open and Olympic champion Nadal, who won for the 41st time in his last 42 matches by brushing aside Viktor Troicki 6-4, 6-3, 6-0 ... Fish now meets French Open semifinalist Gael Monfils, who beat No. 7 David Nalbandian in straight sets, then showed off some club-worthy dance moves to mark a victory he called gorgeous. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Nadal, Murray Reach Fourth Round In Flushing; Ferrer Upset Aug 31, 2008
Nadal has now won his last 17 Grand Slam matches, including titles at Wimbledon and the French Open, where he beat former top-ranked star Roger Federer in both finals ... The talented Murray is a quality 17-3 since the French Open, including a Masters Series title in Cincinnati, and will meet 10th-seeded Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka in the round of 16 here ... Monfils reached the French Open semis back in June. (ABC 7 News, DC)
Federer easily advances to third round in Open Aug 31, 2008
After beating Serena Williams in the French Open this year, the 28th-ranked Slovenian had another reason to celebrate, having gone further than ever before at Flushing Meadows. Second-seeded Jankovic won another sneaker squeaker, playing 28 points in the last game to finish off Zheng Jie 7-5, 7-5. (Coos Bay-North Bend The World, OR)
Federer gunning for revenge Aug 31, 2008
That was one of several surprising losses the Swiss has suffered in 2008, a year that began with a bout of mononucleosis and has seen him lose to Rafael Nadal in the finals at the French Open and Wimbledon. He lost his world number one ranking to the Spaniard earlier this month, but his doubles victory at the Olympics, with Stanislas Wawrinka, boosted his spirits and he said he is beginning to feel good. (International Herald Tribune)
Fish is best man on this night Aug 31, 2008
Whether it was the difficulty of playing a close friend for a spot in the Open's last 16 or the culmination of a tough summer in which he lost early at the French Open and Wimbledon and then upset top-seeded Roger Federer at the Olympics only to lose to Chilean Francisco Gonzalez and finish just out of medal contention, Blake seemed completely spent. Even the enthusiastic nighttime crowd, which did everything it could to distract Fish, couldn't lift Blake. (Boston Globe -- Sports)
Stunned Ivanovic tossed by screaming Coin Aug 30, 2008
"I was nervous going onto the court because I never saw her play before, so I didn't know what to expect," said the French Open champion. "I thought I can slowly get into the match. She played completely different than I expected, serving extremely well and hitting very powerful shots. "I made too many unforced errors, and my serve was not working really well. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Venus, Serena on a collision course Aug 30, 2008
If the match were on clay, Id give Serena the edge because she has won on the red dirt at the French Open and Venus has not. On grass, my nod would go to Venus, who has won Wimbledon five times. (MSNBC -- Politics)
2004 champion Kuznetsova upset in Open's 3rd round Aug 30, 2008
Srebotnik now will try to reach the fourth round of singles for only the third time in 37 career Grand Slam tournaments but also for the second time this year: She did it at the French Open by knocking off Serena Williams. Against Kuznetsova, Srebotnik won the point 22 of 32 times she went to the net. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Federer, Djokovic, Roddick Move On To Third Round At Open Aug 30, 2008
The Wimbledon and French Open runner-up Federer beat reigning Australian Open titlist Djokovic in last year's U.S. Open finale. Federer had been ranked No. 1 in the world since February 2004 before being supplanted at the top by reigning Wimbledon, four-time French Open and Olympic titlist Rafael Nadal on August 18. (ABC 7 News, DC)
* US OPEN 2008 : Coin makes nervous Ivanovic pay Aug 30, 2008
More so than Ivanovic, the French Open champ. I thought she was maybe nervous more than I was, Coin said. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Ana blames lack of practice for shock loss Aug 30, 2008
The 20-year-old Serbian withdrew from the Olympics because of the injury and has played little since her third-round exit at Wimbledon, struggling to retain the form that won her the French Open in June. I really struggled and made too many unforced errors and my serve was not working really well, said Ivanovic. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Sports)
Passing shots Aug 30, 2008
Former French Open winner Andres Gimeno and tennis leaders Donald Dell, Dr Robert Johnson and Eiichi Kawatei also were put on the ballot on Thursday ... The 34-year-old Seles won four Australian Opens, three French Opens and twice at the US Open. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Sports)
One day, an anonymous face; the next, a giant killer Aug 30, 2008
When Ivanovic won the French Open in June, she took home $1. 39 million. (International Herald Tribune -- Sports)
Federer Advances At U.S. Open Aug 30, 2008
The Wimbledon and French Open runner-up Federer beat reigning Australian Open titlist Novak Djokovic in last year's U.S. Open finale. Federer had been ranked No. 1 in the world since February 2004 before being supplanted at the top by reigning Wimbledon, four-time French Open and Olympic titlist Rafael Nadal on Aug. 18. (Click2Houston, TX)
Coin says upsetofIvanovic'just like perfect' Aug 29, 2008
More so than Ivanovic, the French Open champ. "I thought she was maybe nervous more than I was,'' Coin said.It wasn't until match point that the enormity of the situation weighed down on her.Back in France, her parents were only able to watch part of the third set on TV; countrywoman Amelie Mauresmo's match had been shown instead. Mauresmo, the No. 32 seed, will be Coin's third-round opponent.Coin's parents were elite team handball players who wished they could have advanced farther in their... (MSNBC -- Sports)
* US OPEN 2008 : Taiwanese duo crash out of US Open Aug 29, 2008
There have been rumors circulating in the media that Chan and Chuang, who in addition to the US Open were runners up at last years Australian Open and made it to the quarter finals at the French Open both this year and last, will end their successful doubles partnership this year ... The 23-year-old Jankovic has reached two semi-finals in Grand Slams this year (French Open and Australian Open) but has never made it to a final in 20 career major appearances. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Wimbledon confirm move to prize money equality Aug 29, 2008
The US and Australian Opens have treated both sexes equally for several years now, while the French Open paid both singles champions the same sum for the first time last year, but the All England Club has previously refused to back down on the issue. Chief among their arguments has been the fact men play best-of-five-set contests, while women only play best-of-three, but outgoing chairman Tim Phillips has also cited club polls indicating that men's tennis gave better value for money. (Yahoo News -- Women's Issues)
Joanne Schaeffer, 64, loved people, gift baskets Aug 29, 2008
Ms. Schaeffer, formerly a tennis player, combined her sport and travel, journeying to such places as the Ukraine and Prague to England for Wimbledon and to the French Open, her sister said. She traveled to food shows to find the latest gourmet items for her gift baskets, and one show gave her a particular thrill, Ms. Clarkson said. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Coin Dumps Ivanovic Out of U.S. Open After Contemplating Quitting Tennis Aug 29, 2008
The French qualifier, ranked 188th in the world, dumped the top seed and French Open champion out of the final Grand Slam of the year ... Billie Jean King's retirement from a third-round match at the 1973 U.S. Open was the previous earliest exit for a top seed, while the last No. 1 to lose so early in a Grand Slam was Justine Henin of Belgium, in the second round of the French Open in 2004. (Bloomberg -- UK)
Underdog Federer continues title defence Aug 29, 2008
Having lost to Nadal in both the French Open and Wimbledon finals, Federer is a rare underdog, something the crowd appears to be responding to. "The change I feel is fans are really supporting me and telling me I'm still number one and the best -- 'you're going to be there again' and stuff," Federer said. (International Herald Tribune)
Preparing the best to play their best Aug 29, 2008
" The dream came true in May 2007. He was working for a tennis organization in Munich when Williams came to town. She needed a new hitting partner because her old partner was looking to get off the tour. Bajin answered the call. He spent a week practicing with her in Munich. Then she asked him to practice with her for the French Open. He has been working for and traveling with Williams ever since. The physical grind of providing a challenging game to one of the world's top players has Bajin "in... (International Herald Tribune)
No. 1 seed Ana Ivanovic falls in second round Aug 29, 2008
The French Open champion seemed to be rallying in the third set when Coin suddenly recovered to win 10 straight points. The 25-year-old French math whiz screamed when Ivanovic's last shot sailed out, then hopped for joy and hit an extra ball high into the stands. (The Daily Texan, TX)
Nadal advances comfortably Aug 29, 2008
Nadal, who has won eight titles this season including his fourth French Open crown and first Wimbledon trophy, has never made it past the quarter-finals at the US Open and hasn't made it to a hardcourt Grand Slam final. But he looked poised to make a run in 2008 as he smacked 21 forehand winners and made just 11 unforced errors in the one hour, 40 minute night session match on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court. (iAfrica.com)
U.S. Open: Unseeded Coin upsets No. 1 Ivanovic (Today) Aug 29, 2008
Coin had tried to qualify for the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon and never made any of them. And she certainly wasn't anything bankable going into this match -- she'd earned less than $100,000 lifetime as a pro. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA -- Sports)
No. 1 Ana Ivanovic suffers stunning upset at US Open Aug 29, 2008
They watched as an Australian Open finalist and the French Open champion, Ivanovic, looked unlike a No. 1 player, such that she said, "Obviously if you would ask me at the moment if I'm playing like No. 1, probably not, but I can't judge too much on that because I really haven't had the chance to practice.". She floundered with Coin's excellent serve and sprayed around 34 unforced errors, but she still had three break points at 2-2 in the third set, whereupon Coin hogged 10 straight points to go... (Los Angeles Times)
Frenchwoman Ousts Ivanovic At US Open Aug 29, 2008
The reigning Wimbledon, four-time French Open and Olympic champion Nadal cruised past American Ryler DeHeart 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 while Ferrer overcame German Andreas Beck 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) on the hardcourts at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Ferrer reached the semifinals here a year ago -- knocking off Nadal in the fourth round -- and was last year's Masters Cup runner-up to 12-time major-winner Roger Federer. (Click2Houston, TX)
