Black Tennis Pros

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Saturday, October 6, 2007

Hey everyone,

Unfortunately, I lost to Razzano in the final today. She managed to play really well at all the right moments, so congratulations to her. I wasn't tired - I was feeling pretty fit. It's a very good win. She's having a great year. I was having a problem with my right hip - it started in the first set, and finally in the third set I had to take a medical timeout to get taped or something. I kept playing though, because I really wanted to win. I fought hard. She was just playing really well.

Anyway it's past midnight and I really need to get some sleep, because I fly out to Bangkok in the morning. But I'll try my best to talk to you all from there...

xxx

Venus

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By virtue of trophy size, Japan definitely wants you to know who won and who lost don't they?

France's Virginie Razzano rallied from a set down and defied match points against her to defeat top-seeded Venus Williams 4-6, 7-6 (7), 6-4 and win the Japan Open.

Williams had three match points in the tiebreak of the second set but couldn't finish off the fifth-seeded Razzano, who won her second straight WTA tournament.

"I'm very happy to win," said Razzano, who won the Guangzhou International Open on Sunday for her first WTA Tour singles title. "Venus is a great champion, she's not in the top 10 by magic."

Williams, No. 8 in the WTA rankings, was down 5-2 in the second set but fought back to tie and then broke Razzano to take a 6-5 lead.

Razzano broke back to force a tiebreaker and then came back from being down 6-3 in the tiebreak to win it 9-7.

Williams won the first game of the third set but took a 10-minute injury timeout and came back with her right thigh wrapped.

"It started to hurt in the first set," said Williams. "I wanted to play because I wanted win, then in the third set I couldn't get my leg up on my serve so I had to get it taped."

Both players struggled with their serves in the final set. Williams broke Razzano to tie the set 4-4 and Razzano broke Williams to take a 5-4 lead.

Razzano held serve in the final game and won the match when Williams' forehand went into the net.

"I wasn't tired," said Williams, who won the Korea Open on Sunday. "She managed to play good at the right moments so congratulations to her, she's had a great year."

Razzano, who came into the match 33rd in the WTA rankings, said she was fatigued by the end of the match, which lasted 2 hours, 48 minutes.

"I'm very tired," said Razzano. "I've played a lot of tennis in the past week and this was a difficult match."

Friday, October 5, 2007

Hey everybody,

I didn't have the greatest start to the day. First of all, I woke up to my mom pounding on the door like it was the police - I thought something bad happened or maybe I slept through something and it wasn't either of those! Although I'm never really on time for anything. I only wake up on the nick of time and rush to everything - to breakfast, to the courts - and I'm normally running late. I should have packed my bag last night, too, because when I got out to the courts in the morning I realized I'd forgotten half of my outfit in the hotel room. I'll usually bring two full outfits just in case something goes wrong but all I had today was one skirt. Fortunately, I had a white, sleeveless warm-up shirt with the EleVen logo on the back so I wore that, and nobody really noticed... Pretty smooth!

My match was challenging, what can I say? My opponent, Caroline Wozniacki, got a couple of breaks but I got them back, and she got a lot of balls back too. I had to conquer a really good opponent today. She fell and twisted her ankle at one point but she got back up and everything seemed to be fine after that. And she was still tough. What was working for me today was my will to win, to just hit the ball and play every point. As a professional I should be able to do that, right?

I was thinking of going to the Imperial Palace this afternoon, but my mom told me I should go back to the hotel and that was the end of it! So I ended up not going anywhere I wanted to. I guess I could have gone if I really wanted to, but I was tired so I saw it as an opportunity to get some of my work done. What am I working on... well, I finished my swimsuit drawings yesterday and today I have been finishing up quick sketches of my children's wear ideas. Now I'm thinking about my board concepts and have started on those. I'm really getting into it.

I started a new book today and someone has already died. But, it's much better than the other book because I'm sure not everyone dies. One person dying I can deal with! It's called "The Righteous Men" by Sam Bourne. I didn't pick it for any particular reason, I just pick 'em as I see 'em and just hope for the best. I was in the airport and saw this one and decided I would try to read it.

Tonight I'm just going to keep working on this - I've been doing work for four hours now which is an improvement from me, so I'm very excited. I'm just going to take it from here. I'm not caught up, though. I slacked off a lot this week and last week in Korea so I'm going to have to punish myself on the next plane ride by doing some more. Usually I like to sleep on the plane, but not this time...

I'm flying to Bangkok on Sunday for another week in a row of tennis. Usually I injure myself or can't play this many weeks in a row for some reason, and this is just awesome for me. I've been really careful lately to not get injured. At night tomorrow we may go out, maybe find some more karaoke... my favorite song from when we went last week was definitely "Call Me" by Blondie - it's totally in my key (I sing pretty high) - but we did everything from Guns N' Roses to 4 Non Blondes to Nirvana, Tears for Fears, Ciara, just everything. My mother LOVES Nickelback so when "This Is How You Remind Me" came on she was so happy. She's a great singer, actually. Isha likes R&B. The funny part was that last week my calves were hurting but I didn't care at the karaoke, I just got up and danced, even though I'd just had an ice bath... probably not the best decision from me. But oh well. I hope we don't have too much fun tomorrow, because ultimately, I have another tournament coming up. I have to be serious and keep my energy. It will hopefully be another five matches and another final - we'll see!

I also wanted to set something straight. People have been reading the blog and have been telling me I've said this, I've said that... and in one of the first ones I said I was like one of those girls who sits with the guys and can't get a boyfriend; I just want to say I actually do have a boyfriend now and we have great times, and I am one of those girls that has a chance to get one!! People asked about eating the cow tongue too - I'm really trying not to think about that one anymore! But it's nice to know you guys are reading my blog this week - it's nice to know you guys are really feeling it.

I'm hoping to just relax tonight here, just eating some grapes (purple), really just getting rested for tomorrow morning's final. I'm playing Virginie Razzano for the title. I think she's a very good player. She played so well against me in San Diego. It'll be important for me to play aggressively, and just take it to her - that will definitely be on the agenda.

I'll talk to you all again tomorrow night!

xxx

Venus
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Venus Williams ended a spirited challenge from Danish teen Caroline Wozniacki on Friday to reach the final of the Japan Open tennis tournament.

The Wimbledon champion, powered her way to a 6-3, 7-5 victory to move to within one match of back-to-back tour wins after last week's Korea Open triumph.

In Saturday's final Venus will take on fifth seed Virginie Razzano of France, who defeated eighth seed Flavia Pennetta of Italy 4-6, 7-5, 6-3.

"It feels good. It's great to be in the finals," Williams said.

"I was like, 'can I do this? Is it possible?' But it is, so it's exciting."

After losing the first four games in a row and eventually the first set, Wozniacki went ahead 2-0 in the second set and then 4-2, taking advantage of Williams's two double faults in the sixth game.

But Venus steadied herself to make it 5-5 -- thanks to a questionable line-call -- before winning the last three games to finish off the 97-minute match.

"Four-two is definitely not the set, it's just one break, so winning one game is always pretty much even," said Williams.

"I was trying to win one game at one time. I was very confident. I was trying to focus on making less errors," she said.

The 17-year-old Wozniacki said she could not cope with Williams once the Wimbledon champion returned to form in the second set.

"Venus played really well, she just smashed winners in the corners, so I couldn't do anything," she said.

"I was trying to keep my tactics, just tried to make her run, but at 4-2 she really raised her game until four-all and she just did a lot of winners, so I couldn't really do anything.

"It's tough to break her serve even though I broke her serve three times in the match," said Wozniacki.

Thursday, October 4, 2007

Well it was a tough match today against Alicia Molik but I was able to make it through. There were some times I played some great tennis and other times I made some mistakes I just couldn't comprehend - not that it's something I'll accept. That's just the way it was today. Alicia's been working hard to get back to where she was, and I think her level is getting there. I saw her match against Serena at Wimbledon and I really think that is a great surface for her. Anyway, it feels good to win today and keep on moving forward.

We actually started our match much later than I had expected because the men's match before us went the distance, probably about three hours. It was insane! I watched some of it towards the end, but I had been keeping an eye on the score throughout just to know when I should be warming up.

Reigning Wimbledon champion Venus Williams struggled in the first set on Thursday against Australia's Alicia Molik but eventually prevailed to move into the semi-finals at the Japan Open.

The American top seed, heavily favoured to win here, lost her serve twice in the first set, each time on a double fault, but the six-time Grand Slam winner's experience helped her to a 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 quarter-final win.

"I had some problems with my errors, which was frustrating," said the world number eight Williams, who hit six double faults.

"But she also is a really good competitor -- she brings a lot of balls back and serves well -- so I was definitely up against a competitive opponent who obviously has skills to win the match."

Molik, ranked 74th, came back from 1-3 and then 2-4 down to level the score each time before forcing a tie-breaker in the opening set.

But the Australian hit her forehand wide twice on her serve to quickly fall behind 0-3 in the tie-breaker. Williams hit an easy forehand winner at the net on her first set point.

The two women stayed on serve in the second set until Molik hit a double fault to go down 3-4, sending Williams on the path to victory.

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Hello again!

Well I was able to beat Vania today but things got a bit difficult towards the end. I was feeling really good at the beginning and the first set went by fast, and at that point I was playing almost perfect. But in the second set she picked up her game. She began taking her chances, taking the ball early and moving it around, trying to hit winners - she was basically making the first play before I did. But I was able to get a break and close it out. I'm very happy I was able to pull through.

Afterwards, I went to get my nails done. They're purple. They have really cool nail designs here - like flowers and jewels - but that doesn't quite function when you're out there competing. My mom has tiny diamonds on her nails now, but she isn't running back and forth on the court or anything! Just now I also checked my e-mail and I got two from Serena telling me to call her so I did, and she's asleep. It was like 10am in Europe! Anyway so I went to her website, and she'd written something on her home page about playing games in relationships. There is this place to vote for whether it's okay or not and I said yes, but apparently it was the wrong decision because everyone else is saying no. I guess I really need to come clean! I don't go on her website too much, but I did today. Then I read the story that was sort of attached to the poll, and it was about these two people, Debrah and Miachel, but I have no idea who they are! But anyway, aside from my nails, which took a couple zillion years to get done, some stretching, e-mails and lunch, that's about it for today. I don't usually eat dinner; I'm not much of an eater, I can just have some fruit. As long as I feel I've eaten enough, I'm feeling good.

So I've been hearing that some people have been wondering about how the book ended... Well, it finished about as miserably as you could imagine. And, to make things worse, it implied that the whole tale was about to start all over again with their friends who were on the hill too. Basically, I read a book that catalogues the days before their death. It was so upsetting! I'm going to write to the author and petition against the ending. He has another book but I'm not sure I should read it. I can't go through all that drama again. I need a funny book.

Apart from reading, I also like to listen to music on the road. I have my iPod with me. I'm really into house music - I like Moby, Felix da Housecat, Massive Attack, Brazilian Girls, Fatboy Slim, Zero 7, Air... I'm always trying to listen to different things. I check out internet radio a lot. I like making music too; I play guitar but I don't travel with it. Lately, I've been writing songs on GarageBand - I've always wanted to learn how to use music software. In San Diego I wrote my first song and it was house. I want to be the DJ in the club with the sunglasses on! I'm a new writer. Aside from the music, I like to keep busy with my Game Boy and my school work. I haven't done any school work today, which is most depressing.

I'm not a big TV watcher. I watch tennis - if it's on I watch it, but otherwise TV doesn't really keep me amused. I was really into the Golden Girls. My favorite character was definitely Dorothy, although Rose is fantastic, too. I love Rose. I really can't think of an episode I haven't seen. I used to watch them over and over again. This year, I've finally let go. But I'm never opposed to a rerun...

When I'm home I'm also busy with my interior design company, V Starr Interiors. It's going really well! We're wrapping up a model home in Florida, just across the street from where I live. Now that the summer is ending, we're wrapping up old jobs and starting new ones because people are moving. If you'd like to check out the company website, go to www.vstarrinteriors.com.

Tomorrow I'm playing my quarterfinal against Alicia Molik. Apparently, we have a Saturday final here, so I'm playing every day right through from now on! She is a really good player. I haven't seen her around in a little while, although she played pretty intensely against Serena at Wimbledon. But I'll just have to keep playing like I'm playing. I just have to keep on moving.

I'm eager to hear back from Serena... I want to ask her why she won as hard as she did yesterday. Other than that nothing much tonight.

Until tomorrow!

xxx

Venus

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To reach the quarterfinals at the Japan Open, Venus Williams had to dismiss yet another American, Vania King, 6-0, 6-4.

King, ranked 87th, took a 2-0 lead in the second set of the match at Ariake Colosseum, but Williams broke to go up 4-3. She won the match with a crosscourt forehand to the corner that King returned into the net.

Williams, No. 8 in the WTA rankings, will face the winner of the match between Alicia Molik and Aleksandra Wozniak in the quarterfinals of the $175,000 tournament.

Flavia Pennetta has got past the first round of the AIG Japan Open Tennis Championships, a WTA tournament with 175,000 dollars in prizes underway in Tokyo, Japan. The Brindisi resident, accredited as the 8th ranked player in the series and just coming off the Seoul semi-final, beat American Ahsha Rolle with 7-5, 6-1 after an hour and a quarter.

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Hello again everyone,

Today I played my first match of the week against Jill Craybas, and I won. I felt pretty good about the match. I had a bit of a slow start and she was playing well, hitting deep. But I just didn't want to lose. We had a close first few games, and then I really started to find my rhythm. I'm very pleased. I think my forehand in particular was working really well towards the end. Whatever it takes, you know.

Tonight I went to the player party, which was fun. I may have let myself down a little bit, because I immediately rushed to the french fries. I just went right to them. I don't really eat much, so fries count as a carbohydrate! Boiled or fried, the only thing that matters is that I'm eating. I eat to live, not live to eat. And they were so nice and salty. Okay I did have other things like fish and whatever else I had on my plate - but those fries would have gotten cold if I didn't take them - and even as they got us to do this thing where we hit a barrel with saki in it, all I could think of was the fries getting cold. I know I made the right decision.

I actually ended up sitting with the American guys at the player party (this is a combined event). Zack Fleishman, Amer Delic and a few more. But then I looked and saw all the girls sitting across the room. I thought to myself, 'Does this mean I'm one of those girls that always sits with the guys and never gets a boyfriend?' I don't know how I ended up there but I tried not to think about it too much.

I'm playing the second match after 10am tomorrow, so I figured I'd head back to the hotel relatively early. I've been doing some online shopping unfortunately - it's addictive. I was thinking of finishing that book tonight. It's just gotten crazier. Some sick things are happening in the book that just made me ill. I have never allowed a book to get to me like this. There's just no hope in it. But I am planning to finish it tonight - it just has to be done. I only have like 50 pages left. I hope SOMEBODY survives. But it seems like it's just going to end in tragedy. Usually it takes me two or three days to get through a book - I can't read slowly, I just have to know what happens. I can't not know.

I'll probably do more work on my designs tonight, as well. I'm graduating from fashion school this fall and I haven't really done anything the last two days, and that's no good. Now I'm always trying to be ahead of the game. I used to stay up so late to finish things; I remember when I first started I'd be up all night almost. One day I had just come back from a tournament in Zürich and went straight to the school, then drove home and was up until 4am or something, then I went back there for 6, crazy stuff like that. Back then I'd stay up until I felt my heart beating and knew I had to sleep, but I'd still run to Kinko's to print stuff out. I can't do that anymore. So what I try to do now is go to the school before I'm leaving on a trip and ask about the curriculum. I try to get going a few weeks before the term starts. Sometimes I finish my designs a few weeks before the deadlines. It can be stressful, but I know my boys will be beautiful!

Speaking of designs, I'm really excited about EleVen. It's not out yet, but it'll be coming out in November. I've been in school and making my own stuff for a long time but it's just too much labor; but when someone else does all of the work off your designs, it's just great! I think the summer coming up will be the best part of the collection. I think my favorite design would be this warm-up suit that has an upside down V - it's so slimming and so flattering that I wear it all the time.

Something else exciting I'd like to comment on is Lindsay's return to the Tour. I think it's just amazing, more than I would ever dream of doing myself. I mean, if I were to become a mom I'd want to be the Posh Spice mom: in my sunglasses, extra fit, jet setting without a care in the world. I can't imagine becoming a mom then coming back and doing so well so quickly. I haven't had the chance to talk to her since her return, but I'm following it and it's awesome. And she wants to play in the Olympics next year, too, so that's obviously great for the United States.

This isn't the first time I've kept some sort of blog or diary online before - on my website I used to have one. I was also on MySpace for a minute but I was under an alias. I'd go on there to complain - it was a venting ground for me. Everybody was there to make friends and I was there to vent. At the time I was injured, and because I wasn't playing I had so much time to do so many other things such as going out and going on life adventures and I always had crazy stuff happening to me. If I made a fool out of myself I'd go on there to confess; if I had a falling out I'd go on there to talk about it. But in the end I just quit. Serena got an official MySpace and linked me as a friend, and people started going to my page and figuring out who it was even though I was under an alias. I'm probably still there. Well, the alias is probably still on there. But she's BAD. Last I heard, she got into a situation she couldn't get out of, so she passed away.

Speaking of Serena, we've been keeping in touch, of course, even though she's in Stuttgart this week. We always keep each other posted on gossip and drama. We laugh and laugh. She'll tell me about guy stuff then I'll say I know all about it, and we'll keep going. Right now I'm playing the part of the wise, older sister.

I'm playing another American, Vania King, in the second round on Wednesday. We've never played on the Tour before but we have played on the same team in Fed Cup. I think it'll be interesting playing my Fed Cup teammate. It's a bit early tomorrow but it doesn't matter - I just want to get right into the grind this week.

Talk to you all tomorrow,

xxx

Venus

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Venus Williams thought she'd take her free week and get some R&R in Thailand, but the AIG Japan Tennis Open called and asked her to join the tournament. "I had a free week," said Williams. "I was going to go to Thailand, but when the tournament asked me to come I decided to because I love Tokyo."

Williams needed just 58 minutes on the hardcourt surface at Ariake Colosseum to record a win over her fellow American. "I like the surface here," said Williams, making her first appearance in the Japan Open. "I love to play fast and faster, it excites me so this is a great surface for my game."

After winning the first set Tuesday, Williams broke Craybas twice in the second set before finishing with a backhand down the line.

The arrival of Williams was a relief for tournament organizers after world No. 1 Roger Federer pulled out because he needs to rest after the U.S. Open and Davis Cup.

It looks like Venus is going to treat us to her thoughts while she's in Japan. This is her first blog entry for the week:

Monday, October 1, 2007

Hey everyone, and welcome to my blog!

I loved Seoul - it was actually sad to leave. I felt like I made friends there. It was a great week. Obviously, winning titles is always fun, and it's a great feeling to add another one to my name. But the overall experience was really a great one. I'd have to say the highlight of my week was the final; it was just a great final, so intense - but the most interesting part was probably getting coerced into eating tongue at this Korean barbecue last night. I almost lost it - twice. Don't get me wrong, I loved the food all week, and I ate lots. But the restaurant owner brought us some delicacies and of course, there was cow tongue. He told me to dip it in the sauce, which was vinegar, and I really don't like vinegar at all. It was just miserable! But I made it through.

Afterwards, we stayed up pretty late last night singing karaoke. I'm traveling with my mom and my sister, Isha; we've been having so much fun, and last night was no exception. We sang until our throats got sore. We may have rocked out a little too hard. Actually, my neck was sore too, and on the plane here we were really tired. They were with me all week in Seoul, and they'll be in Tokyo with me too, motivating me to do my best - I hope we can stay away from the karaoke joints.

I really love the dress they gave me after the final in Seoul. I was thinking about when I'd have another chance to wear it - but I don't know if I can even get it back on! The reality is probably I can't wear it again, but it was mine to keep, so I have it with me. They fitted it for me too, which was great, but with that in mind, I don't know if any other woman can wear it!

This is actually my second time in Tokyo. I played the Pan Pacific a few years ago, and I really like it here. Last time I was in Tokyo, I went to the temple and bought some kimonos. I also ate a lot of donuts... I remember being thoroughly disgusted with myself. Oh and a lot of fried chicken too. I just couldn't stop, it was pretty bad. I'll definitely have to improve my eating habits this time...

Right now I'm actually reading this miserable book - it's so depressing, scary and hopeless - and it's making me depressed! It's called "The Ruins" by Scott Smith. I am really just trying to finish it so I can move on. It's about these kids who go into the Mexican jungle but they don't bring water or anything and they get stuck. I don't know how they're gonna get out of it. And these plants keep creeping up on them too, it's just horrible. It really made me ill. I like to keep busy, but I just want to get through this book so I can maybe get to some designs tonight. I've been working hard on my portfolio. Right now I'm working hard on my line and technical drawings on the computer, which is maybe the worst part about fashion design. I like doing board layouts and textiles, but I hate technical drawings. So I'm gonna hammer those out first and get them over with! It's a daily routine. It passes the time and I like challenges. I'm working on swimwear now, and in the next few days I'll be starting some children's wear...

I'm really looking forward to my match tomorrow. This is so fast-paced; I just got here and I'm already playing tomorrow. It's funny, I'm all the way here in Japan but tomorrow I'm playing an American, Jill Craybas. It happened in Seoul too, that my first match was against an American. I guess it's the luck of the draw. But no match is easy and I'm going to have to keep my focus and play my game.

Talk to you all tomorrow,

xxx

Venus

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After the U. S. Open, and as the year begins to come to a close, tennis action begins to dwindle. But it's not too bad this week:

In action at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Germany is Serena Williams:








Round 1

Serena Williams, USA vs. Elena Bovina, RUS


In action at the Open de Moselle in Metz, France is Jo-Wilfried Tsonga:

TOKYO - Roger Federer pulled out of the Japan Open because he needs to rest after the U.S. Open and Davis Cup.

The top-ranked Swiss said his doctor told him he should not play in a tournament for at least 10 days to avoid the risk of serious injury.

"I'm so disappointed that I have to withdraw from the Japan Open," Federer said in a statement released by organizers Friday. "I have not physically recovered 100 percent from the U.S. Open and Davis Cup."

Federer won last year's Japan Open, defeating Tim Henman in the final. Federer won his fourth consecutive U.S. Open on Sept. 9, and competed for Switzerland last weekend in its loss to the Czech Republic.

The Japan Open begins Monday. David Ferrer and Richard Gasquet were added to the men's bracket and Venus Williams, who is playing in South Korea, to the women's bracket.

Source -- AP