Black Tennis Pros

A moment that transcends the sport...#USOpen 🙌 pic.twitter.com/dBQC3EUWX6

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 1, 2019

WOMEN'S SINGLES FINAL

Serena Williams, USA(8)  vs.  Bianca Andreescu, CAN(15)


WOMEN'S SINGLES SEMI-FINALS

Serena Williams, USA(8)  def.  Elina Svitolina, UKR   6-3, 6-1


WOMEN'S SINGLES QUARTERFINALS

Serena Williams, USA(8)  def.  Qiang Wang, CHN(18)   6-1, 6-0


WOMEN'S SINGLES ROUND 4

Serena Williams, USA(8) def. Petra Martic, CRO   6-3, 6-4

Madison Keys, USA(10)  def. by  Elina Svitolina, UKR(5)   5-7, 4-6

Taylor Townsend, USA vs. Bianca Andreescu, CAN(15)

Naomi Osaka, JPN(1)  def. by  Belinda Bencic, CHE(13)   5-7, 4-6


WOMEN'S SINGLES ROUND 3

Naomi Osaka, JPN(1)  def.  Coco Gauff, USA   6-3, 6-0

Taylor Townsend, USA def. Sorana Cirstea, ROM   7-5, 6-2

Madison Keys, USA(10)  def. Sofia Kenin, USA(20)   6-3, 7-5

Serena Williams, USA(8)  def.  Karolina Muchova, CZE   6-3, 6-2

American Serena Williams on Day 5 of 2019 U.S. Open

- Twenty years ago at the U.S. Open, Serena Williams won the first of her six women's singles titles at the age 17.

- Madison Keys wasn't feeling her best during her third round defeat of American Sofia Kenin. She underwent a courtside doctor's visit during a changeover.


WOMEN'S SINGLES ROUND 2

Naomi Osaka, JPN(1)  def.  Magda Linette, POL   6-2, 6-4

Coco Gauff, USA  def.  Timea Babos, HUN   6-2, 4-6, 6-4

Taylor Townsend, USA  def. Simona Halep (ROM)   2-6, 6-3, 7(4)-6

Venus Williams, USA  def. by  Elina Svitolina, UKR(5)   4-6, 4-6

 Madison Keys, USA(10)  def.  Lin Zhu, CHN   6-4, 6-1

Serena Williams, USA(8)  def.  Catherine McNally, USA   5-7, 6-3, 6-1

American Taylor Townsend in 2019 U.S. Open 2nd Round Defeating Romanian Simona Halep

WOMEN'S SINGLES ROUND ONE

Naomi Osaka, JPN(1) def. Anna Blinkova, RUS   6-4, 6-7(5), 6-2

Coco Gauff, USA  def.  Anastasia Potapova, RUS   3-6, 6-2, 6-4

Taylor Townsend, USA  def.  Kateryna Kozlova, UKR   3-6, 6-3, 6-2

Sloane Stephens, USA  def. by  Anna Kalinskaya, RUS   3-6, 4-6

Whitney Osuigwe, USA  def. by  Elina Svitolina, UKR   1-6, 5-7

Venus Williams, USA  def.  Saisai Zheng, CHN   6-1, 6-0

Madison Keys, USA(10)  def.  Misaki Doi, 7-5, 6-0

Serena Williams, USA(8)  def. Maria Sharapova, RUS   6-1, 6-1


WOMEN'S DOUBLES ROUND THREE

 Coco Gauff, USA and Catherine McNally, USA   6-0, 6-1
                                   def. by
Victoria Azarenka, BLR and Ashleigh Barty, AUS


WOMEN'S DOUBLES ROUND TWO

Coco Gauff, USA and Catherine McNally, USA   6-3, 7(11)-6(9)
                                  def. 
Nicole Melichar, USA(9) and Kveta Peschke, CZE

Taylor Townsend, USA and Whitney Osuigwe, USA   4-6, 2-6
                                  def. by
Viktoria Kuzmova, SVK and Aliaksandra Sasnovich, BLR


WOMEN'S DOUBLES ROUND ONE

Coco Gauff, USA and Catherine McNally, USA   7(8)-6(6), 6-2
                                  def.
Julia Goerges, GER and Katerina Siniakova, CZE

Hailey Baptiste, USA and Emma Navarro, USA   4-6, 7(7)-6(4), 1-6
                                 def by.
Kristie Ahn, USA and Christina McHale, USA

Taylor Townsend, USA and Whitney Osuigwe, USA   6-2, 6-3
                                   vs.
Bianca Andreescu, CAN and Sharon Fichman, CAN

Asia Muhammad, USA and Raquel Atawo, USA   3-6, 6-4, 2-6
                                 def. by
Daria Kasatkina, RUS and Anett Kontaveit, EST

LAMONF does it!@Gael_Monfils celebrates in serious style after a 5-set thriller over Shapovalov...#USOpen pic.twitter.com/HRJX7sRrgs

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 1, 2019

 
MEN'S SINGLES QUARTERFINALS

Gael Monfils, FRA(13)  def. by  Matteo Berrettini, ITA   6-3, 3-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-(5)-7(7)


MEN'S SINGLES ROUND FOUR

Gael Monfils, FRA(13)  def.  Pablo Andujar, ESP   6-1, 6-2, 6-2


MEN'S SINGLES ROUND THREE

Gael Monfils, FRA(13)  def.  Denis Shapovalov, CAN   6(5)-7(7), 7(7)-6(4), 6-4, 6(6)-7(8), 6-3


MEN'S SINGLES ROUND TWO

Gael Monfils, FRA(13)  def.  Marius Copil, ROM   6-3, 6-2, 6-2

Frances Tiafoe, USA  def. by  Alexander Zverev, GER   3-6, 6-3, 2-6, 6-2, 3-6


MEN'S SINGLES ROUND ONE

Christopher Eubanks, USA  def. by  Cristian Garin, CHL   6-3, 6-7(5), 4-6, 7(4)-6, 3-6

Gael Monfils, FRA  def.  Albert Ramos-Vinolas, ESP   7(2)-6, 6-4, 6-3

Felix Auger-Aliassime, CAN(18)  def. by  Denis Shapovalov, CAN 1-6, 1-6, 4-6

Frances Tiafoe, USA  def.  Ivo Karlovic, HRV   6-2, 6-3, 1-2(Retired)

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, FRA  def. by  Tennys Sandgren,USA   6-1, 7(2)-6, 4-6, 6-7(5), 5-7


MEN'S DOUBLES ROUND TWO

Evan King, USA and Hunter Reese, USA   4-6, 2-6
                                  def. by
Marcel Granollers, ESP(8) and Horacio Zeballos, ARG(8)

Raven Klaasen, ZAF(3) and Michael Venus, NZL(3)   4-6, 6-0, 4-6
                                   def. by
Miomir Kecmanovic, SRB and Casper Rudd, NOR


MEN'S DOUBLES ROUND ONE

Nicholas Monroe, USA and Tennys Sandren, USA   5-7, 6-3, 3-6
                               def. by
Radu Albot, MOL and Malek Jaziri, TUN

Evan King, USA and Hunter Reese, USA   6-3, 6(5)-7(7), 7(7)-6(2)
                                 def.
Alexander Bublik, KAZ and John Millman, AUS

Raven Klaasen, ZAF(3) and Michael Venus, NZL(3)   6-2, 6-1
                                 def.
Adrian Mannarino, FRA and Gilles Simon, FRA


MIXED DOUBLES ROUND THREE

Raquel Atawo, USA and Fabrice Martin, FRA   6(3)-7(7) [10], 6-3 [3]
                               def. by
Latisha Chan, TWN(4) and Ivan Dodig, HRV(4)


MIXED DOUBLES ROUND TWO

Raquel Atawo, USA and Fabrice Martin, FRA   7-5, 7(7)-6(4)
                                 def.
Abigail Spears, USA and Rohan Bopanna, IND

 
MIXED DOUBLES ROUND ONE

Hailey Baptiste, USA and Jenson Brooksby, USA   2-6, 2-6
                                 def. by
Desirae Krawczyk, USA  and Joe Salisbury, GBR

Raquel Atawo, USA and Fabrice Martin, FRA   2-6, 6(10)-4(8)
                                     def.
Anna-Lena Groenefeld, GER(7) and Oliver Marach, AUT(7)

Asia Muhammad, USA and Austin Krajicek, USA   5-7, 4-6
                                    def. by
Demi Schuurs, NLD(6) and Henri Kontinen, FIN(6)

Nicholas Monroe, USA and Danielle Collins, USA   2-6, 2-6
                                   def. by
Hayley Carter, USA and Jackson Withrow, USA

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On Thursday, August 22nd, day four of 2019 U.S. Open Fan Week, the Men's and Women's singles draws were announced. Through commentator and video presentations, each quarter of each draw was reviewed and analyzed.

Much attention was given to the fact that No. 8 seeded Serena Williams will compete against world no. 87 Maria Sharapova in the the first round.

The U.S. Open has broken down both draws completely by quarters.  All player information and related analysis can be read at usopen.org.

WOMEN'S SINGLES

Naomi Osaka, JPN(1) vs. A. Blinkova, RUS
WC Coco Gauff, USA vs. Anastasia Potapova, RUS
Sloane Stephens, USA(11) vs. Qualifier
WC Whitney Osuigwe, USA vs. Elina Svitolina, UKR(5)
Venus Williams, USA vs. Saisai Zheng, CHN
Madison Keys,  USA(10) vs. Misaki Doi, JPN
Serena Williams, USA(8) vs. Maria Sharapova, RUS
Taylor Townsend, USA(Q) vs. Kateryna Kozlova, UKR

MEN'S SINGLES

Christopher Eubanks, USA vs. Cristian Garin, CHI(31)
Gael Monfils, FRA(13) vs. Albert Ramos-Vinolas, ESP
Felix Auger-Aliassime, CAN(18) vs. Dennis Shapovalov, CAN
Frances Tiafoe, USA vs. Ivo Karlovic, CRO
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, FRA vs. Tennys Sandgren, USA

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Venus Williams played Angelique Kerber in the quarterfinal round of the BNP Paribas Open.

Venus Williams was enjoying a very spirited and competitive run at the 2019 BNP Paribas Open. Unfortunately, in her ninth meeting with Germany's Angelique Kerber, Venus was eliminated from the quarterfinals 6(3)-7, 3-6.

Venus is currently scheduled for the upcoming Miami Open March 18-31.

"I want to thank you for everything you gave me this week"

Thank you, @Gael_Monfils 👊#BNPPO19 pic.twitter.com/tjCw4J1snv

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 15, 2019

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Frenchman Gael Monfils into the fourth round of the 2019 BNP Paribas Open

ATP Tour - Gael Monfils’ resurgence continued on Monday in Indian Wells, as the 18th-seeded Frenchman defeated Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas 6-0, 6-3 to reach the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open.

The 32-year-old, who advanced to the semi-finals in his past three events, is now 14-3 in 2019. He captured his second ATP 500 trophy in February at the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam.

Thanks to his early-season efforts, World No. 19 Monfils is back inside the Top 20 of the ATP Rankings for the first time since July 2017. He will face a stiff test in the next round against World No. 1 Novak Djokovic or German veteran Philipp Kohlschreiber.

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#CitiTasteOfTennis was bigger and better than ever this year! Check out our #recap video to relive the fun!https://t.co/dSlhmN46xd

— Citi Taste of Tennis (@TasteofTennis) September 7, 2018

.@Venuseswilliams pours the important ingredient to @RichardBlais dish @TasteofTennis. #TasteofTennis #BNPPO19 pic.twitter.com/3STEIBqibU

— Palm Springs Life (@palmspringslife) March 5, 2019

.@RichardBlais brings out his secret weapon for this tuna dish just for @Venuseswilliams @TasteofTennis. #CitiTasteofTennis #BNPPO19 pic.twitter.com/1sY24kQSZS

— Palm Springs Life (@palmspringslife) March 5, 2019

RT @ElinaSvitolina Great people, Delicious food = @TasteofTennis 🙌🏼 pic.twitter.com/03LG6dMN0o

— Tennis X News (@tennisx) March 5, 2019

Thank you @Tasteoftennis for a great night. Can’t wait for Miami! #cititasteoftennis March 18 pic.twitter.com/Ru4UuEfGeR

— Gael Monfils (@Gael_Monfils) March 6, 2019

Always a good idea to be part of the @TasteofTennis party👌😃
Thanks for having us 🙏 ! pic.twitter.com/uZT8gsoYvq

— Alize Cornet (@alizecornet) March 5, 2019

Quel plaisir meeting @Gael_Monfils and @stanwawrinka at @TasteofTennis. Classy guys at a classy event! ✨ pic.twitter.com/OIcci3VEnJ

— Amateur Tennis Hour (@thetennishour) March 5, 2019

Last night @TasteofTennis ♥️ pic.twitter.com/tFMFnWNuAD

— Sonya Kenin (@SonyaKenin) March 5, 2019

@geniebouchard always come out with great style every event👌😄 #fashun #extra @TasteofTennis pic.twitter.com/SWstyJKnuv

— #GenieBouchardLover❤ (@KarlGBLover) March 5, 2019

Fun fun fun @TasteofTennis #Woody pic.twitter.com/EYQjTPN4mt

— A. Pavlyuchenkova (@NastiaPav) March 5, 2019

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Gael Monfils and Stefanos Tsitsipas in 2019 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships semi final.

Frenchman Gael Monfils, who was 3-0 down in the first set before storming back to win five games in a row to take it 6-4, the defeat by Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece was hard to take, and one he pinned on his faulty serve. The defeat came in at 4-6, 7-6, 7-6.

“In terms of the game, I guess I had some opportunities,” the world No. 23 said.

“I couldn’t make them great today. I think I was up a break, and I didn’t serve that good starting the second set. It was big confirmation when he broke me back. Less first serve, less accuracy.”

Monfils has admiration for the Greek player, “He’s a great player. He just broke the top 10. He’s one of the best players in the tour.”

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Thursday's 2019 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships semi finals include No. 2 seed and seven-time champion Roger Federer, No. 5 Stefanos Tsitsipas, No. 6 Borna Coric and Frenchman Gael Monfils.

Monfils defeated Lithuanian qualifier Ricardas Berankis 6-1, 6-7(3), 6-3. Up next for Monfils is Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece.

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Wait for it...😂🧔🏻@rogerfederer @Gael_Monfils @ElinaSvitolina #DDFTennis pic.twitter.com/m8rcdjlXpQ

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 28, 2019

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La Monf catching fire 🔥@Gael_Monfils d. Baghdatis 6-3 6-2 for a seventh win in a row, cruising into a third quarter-final of 2019 🙌 pic.twitter.com/5EVkyX2S0p

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 27, 2019

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Frenchman Gael Monfils in round one of the 2019 Dubai Duty Free Championships

The Frenchman opens his first round of play in the 2019 Dubai Duty Free Championships with the same precision and consistency that he has always utilized at his best. In head to head competition, his opponent, Marin Cilic of Croatia, has never been able to prevail against Monfils in their four meetings. Cilic was defeated today 6-3, 4-6, 6-0.

During one game Monfils makes a point by exhibiting one of his very athletic jumps to smash the ball and the commentator makes a very apropos comment, "That's worth the entrance money, isn't it, alone... just look at this!" Oh, how true. 

Monfils has kicked off a purposeful and productive 2019. Go Gael!!

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Gael Monfils, France and Damir Džumhur, Bosnia in the 46th ABN AMRO Tournament

(ABN AMRO) Gäel Monfils always performs well during the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament. This year also, because the 32-year-old Frenchman was the first man that reached the semi-finals at Rotterdam Ahoy after he defeated Damir Dzumhur: 6-1, 6-2.

"A well-played match”, the Frenchman said who got the nickname 'Flying Frenchman’ three years ago during his way to the finals. "I’ve lost only three games, which is proof that the with my coach discussed tactic is doing great. The hard work in the off-season pays off and I would go back to the top as soon as possible.”

Monfils became sixth in november 2016 and is currently 33st of the worldranking. Saturday afternoon he will compete against the winner of the duel Jo-Wilfried Tsonga-Daniil Medvedev. "The opponent doesn’t matter to me, because it will be hard against both of them. Last week I’ve lost from Medvedev in Sofia and I know Tsonga already. If Jo-Wilfried wins, there will be a Frenchman in the finals anyway. "

Keep an eye on this man the upcoming days @Gael_Monfils 🇫🇷. The celebration says it all... 👉 #abnamrowtt pic.twitter.com/YC4VA8HN7u

— ABN AMRO WTT (@abnamrowtt) February 13, 2019

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(ABN AMRO) The smile of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga could hardly be greater when he left the center court of Rotterdam Ahoy. The Frenchman, winner of the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in 2017, had just gotten rid of the Dutch stuntman Tallon Griekspoor: 7-6 (5), 6-1.

"I played well and reached a constant level," said the 33-year-old Tsonga. "In the first set I made the big points and after the early break in the second set I have made almost no mistakes."

Audience favorite Tsonga was sidelined for seven months last year with knee problems. "Injuries are part of the life of a tennis pro. It is not easy to come back again, but it's going in the right direction. I love to be a player again."

Tsonga plays in the quarter finals on Friday-afternoon against the fifth Daniil Medvedev. Both players won an ATP tournament last Sunday. "That will be a tough game," thinks Tsonga, who in 2012 was the number five of the world rankings. "Medvedev is a player who has developed enormously in recent months."

Gäel Monfils was the first quarter finalist of the 46th edition of the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament. The French showman defeated Andreas Seppi in the second round: 4-6, 6-1, 6-3.

Gäel Monfils suffered from his wrist in his first round against David Goffin, but Andreas Seppi did not notice that much. Yet the Italian routine came out of the starting blocks. "Seppi played the first set very well," judged Monfils, 33rd on the ATP ranking. "He also hit a few beautiful dropshots, but I kept on playing aggressively."

Monfils will play in the quarter finals against Bosnian Damir Džumhur.

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A 👏 for the first singles player into the @abnamrowtt quarter-finals... @iamgaelmonfils . . . . . . . . . #Tennis #ATPTour #Monfils

A post shared by ATP Tour (@atptour) on Feb 13, 2019 at 7:16am PST

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Frenchman Gael Monfils at the 2019 Sofia Open after defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece.

ATP TOUR - Gael Monfils recorded his biggest win for four months on Friday to book his place in the Sofia Open semi-finals. The seventh-seeded Frenchman beat World No. 12 Stefanos Tsitsipas, the 2018 Next Gen ATP Finals champion, 6-3, 7-6(5). It was his biggest win since October 2018, when Monfils beat then No. 9-ranked John Isner at the Erste Bank Open 500 in Vienna.

"Stefanos is a great player. There's no doubt," Monfils said. "Today I think it was just a few points. He's a real champion and he will become a big champion."

 Monfils broke Tsitsipas in the opening game and clinched his third set point in the 35-minute opener. Solid on serve throughout — winning 93 per cent of his first-service points — the Frenchman recovered from 4/5 down in the second-set tie-break for his fourth win of the season. Tsitsipas, who had beaten Monfils in October 2018 at the Rolex Shanghai Masters, came into the match in strong form having reached the recent Australian Open semi-finals (l. to Nadal).

Alive to thrive!

🇫🇷 🙌@Gael_Monfils rallies past second-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3 7-6(5) to reach the semis at #SofiaOpen pic.twitter.com/gh4cCmv74B

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 8, 2019

Monfils will now challenge Daniil Medvedev, who struck nine aces and lost only six of his service points to cruise past Martin Klizan of Slovakia 6-4, 6-1. The third-seeded Russian, who broke serve four times for victory in 70 minutes, improved to 9-2 on the season, which includes a runner-up finish at last month’s Brisbane International (l. to Nishikori).

"It's going to be a tough one as well. Daniil is coming on strong, won a lot of matches this year already," Monfils said. "It's going to be another battle. I think [I need to use] another gameplan because he's a different player. The ball stays very low, he serves big. I will have to adapt myself again, I guess be aggressive as well and also try to serve as big as I can."

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“ The hardest choices require the strongest wills “ #Thanos

A post shared by Gael Monfils (@iamgaelmonfils) on Jan 27, 2019 at 10:33am PST

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Sometimes it is hard to know who bears the greater frustration – Gael Monfils, or those watching a player with such blockbuster talents struggle to translate his game for grass. The No.24 seed launched a late comeback against 20-year-old Wimbledon debutant Jiri Vesely, but ultimately bowed out 7-6(3), 6-3, 6-7(1), 6-7(3), 6-4.

“I’m always frustrated when I play on grass,” said Monfils, who has never reached the second week at Wimbledon. “For me, it’s a court where I cannot feel comfortable, and if I cannot feel comfortable I cannot use my conditioning. My main thing is playing physically, and I can’t on grass. It’s not fun at all, for me. It’s very frustrating.”

Hate to see him go, NOBODY plays tennis like Monfils!


Britain's Heather Watson does not shy away from a battle. She has developed quite the reputation for getting herself out of tight corners, running and running until her opponent quite simply has enough. For a passage of time, that’s exactly what she did against Kerber, a fearsome figure on the other side of the net with two Grand Slam semi-finals to her name.

“I started very poorly,” she admitted. “A lot of unforced errors. Didn't serve very well. The set kind of went just very quickly.”

 “I didn't want to play her today as who she was,” Watson said. “I wanted to play her as just the person that's - I wanted to play the tournament. I didn't care who it was. Just wanted to get on the next round.”

“The second set I kept fighting through,” Watson said. “I found my way. I think from both of us there was some unbelievable tennis. I managed to take that second set and was very pleased with how I was playing. I thought I played very well.”

“With more experience playing these top players, I think, you know, next time I'll learn to take my opportunities.”

Watson lost to Kerber 6-2, 5-7, 6-1.

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Gael Monfils reached a milestone Tuesday, recording his 300th match win by defeating Tunisian Malek Jaziri 7-6(5), 7-5, 6-4. Monfils, making his first appearance since 2011, has never advanced beyond the Wimbledon third round and called every grass-court win a "bonus" after the match.

The 24th-seeded Frenchman will next face Czech Jiri Vesely, who led 5-1 when Victor Estrella retired with a leg injury. "For me on grass, he is a good player," said Monfils. "It's hard for me to play on grass court. Basically, no matter what, is going to be tough match for me."

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Five-time Wimbledon Champion Serena Williams has her eyes on the prize - as usual. The world no. 1 eased through round one with a 6-1, 6-2 win over Anna Tatishvilli of Georgia. Serena is without a doubt the favorite to win.


'I have nothing to prove, nothing to hide, nothing to lose' ~ Venus Williams. There you go! It's all in the history books at this point and what will be, will be. Ms. Williams etched another win in the books, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 over Teresa Torro-Flor of Spain. WORK IT OUT VENUS!!


Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga wasted little time in securing a place in the second round of Wimbledon when returning to Court One on Tuesday morning.

The 14th seed had been left frustrated by heavy late-evening rain which denied him the chance to serve for the match in an epic clash against Austrian Jurgen Melzer.

Tsonga won the match 6-1, 3-6, 3-6, 6-2, 6-4.


Still buzzing from her first WTA title a few days ago, American teenager Madison Keys showed again why she is being tipped for a big future as she powered into Wimbledon's second round on Tuesday.

Hurling down 25 clean winners, including seven aces, she had too much weaponry for Puerto Rico's Monica Puig in a 6-3 6-3 win.

"It feels really good. There was definitely a moment on Saturday where I was like, this would be awesome if it happened every week," she told reporters after the match, calling the title her "biggest milestone" to date.


His unorthodox approach is well known, yet today he took this to new heights in his 7-6(5), 7-5, 6-4 victory over Tunisian lucky loser Malek Jaziri.

Monfils complained of injury, chatted frequently between points with his supporters and at the change of ends with the umpire, vacillated wildly in his intensity levels – sometimes he wouldn’t even attempt to run for shots, other times he would fling himself about the court in mad pursuit of them – and also produced some jaw-dropping tennis.

“On grass is never easy for me. (So) I'm very relaxed. I'm just the coolest than ever on grass,” he explained. “Then is hard for me to play like solid tennis, I will say, because I can't move. Actually I can't move. I don't feel comfortable. So I try to play just some part of the match. It was fun, so it's good for me.”

Monfils, seeded No.24, recovered from deficits of 1-3 in the first set and 1-4 in the second, finishing the match with a tidy stats sheet reading 50 winners to just 24 errors along with 17 aces. “For me, it's like shot after shot, just focus on my serve. If the ball is very short, I try to hit it and come to the net,” he surmised.


Heather Watson became the third British player to reach round two with an impressive straight-sets win over Ajla Tomljanovic of Croatia at Wimbledon.

Watson came through 6-3, 6-2 on Court Three to follow up Monday's victories by Andy Murray and Naomi Broady.


Victoria Duval’s sugary manner and broad smile was understandable given she had won her debut match at Wimbledon, defeating 29th seed Sorana Cirstea 6-4, 3-6, 6-1.

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