Black Tennis Pros

American Venus Williams had to wave goodbye to the fans at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Germany, and the beautiful red Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Cabrio as well. Granted, she can probably afford any car that she wants, but it is a nice prize.

Serbian Jelena Jankovic, who became the World No. 1 today, defeated Venus 6-7(8), 7-5, 2-6.

Venus began the match very well and it appeared that no matter what Jankovic did, she would not be able to overcome Venus' game. But for whatever reason, mid-way through the second set Venus' game began to break down on all fronts. Her serve and forehand in particular really got out of rhythm.

Venus said, "she played well and I made too many errors, but I played some good points, too. It was a good competition."

Venus will compete for the Kremlin Cup this week, sister Serena withdrew with an ankle injury.

American Venus Williams returned to singles play at the 2008 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix after ten years, and what did she do? She gave German home girl Anna-Lena Groenefeld a tennis lesson. In just over an hour, Venus defeated Goenefeld 6-1, 6-2.

Venus said, “She hit some great shots but my experience helped me.”

Next up for Venus is qualifier Ukrainian Kateryna Bondarenko, who upset Italian Flavia Pennetta 4-6, 6-2, 6-1.

American superstar sisters Venus and Serena Williams huddled together to get the job done in their first round doubles match in Stuttgart, Germany today at the Porche Tennis Grand Prix.

The sibling pair defeated the doubles team of Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia and Agnes Szavay of Hungary in straight sets 6-4, 6-1.

American sisters Venus and World No. 1 Serena Williams have arrived in Stuttgard, Germany and are scheduled to play the the Porche Tennis Grand Prix this week, September 27 through October 5, 2008 . The ladies will play both singles and doubles.

This will be the first tournament that the sisters have played since the U.S. Open.

The tier II tournament will take place in the Porsche Arena, which is an indoor hard surface. The prize money at this tournament is $650,000, the singles winner can potentially collect $98,500. The winner can also snag the very elite and stylish Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Cabrio. The choice between the prize money or the Porsche sports car belongs to the winner. Decisions, decisions, decisions.

Venus and Serena Williams in Stuttgard, Germany for Porsche Tennis Grand Prix

Venus Williams and fan in Stuttgard, Germany for Porsche Tennis Grand Prix.

Serena Williams was unable to turn whatever advice she may have received from sister Venus into a win. Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova defeated Serena 6-3,6-3.

Kuznetsova served better and made fewer errors in beating Williams, who was playing in the tournament for the first time since 1999. Three straight backhand errors by Williams allowed Kuznetsova to win the last game, with the American hitting the last shot wide.

"I made so many errors, my balls were just flying and there was no wind," Williams said. "There were hardly any rallies. It was hard to get any rhythm because I was making so many errors. I was just spraying balls all over."

Australian Open champion Serena Williams plans to ask sister Venus for advice how to beat second-seed Svetlana Kuznetsova ahead of their quarter-final clash at Stuttgart's WTA tournament.

Sixth seed Williams reached the last eight with a 7-5, 6-2 second-round win over Ukrainian Julia Vakulenko on Wednesday evening at Stuttgart's Porsche Arena and now faces the second-seeded Russian on Friday.

Williams last played Kuznetsova in 2004 while sister Venus beat the Russian in the quarter-finals of Wimbledon this year and Serena says she will ring her sister, who is currently playing at Tokyo's Japan Open, for advice.

"I'll have to ask Venus for advice on how to beat Svetlana, I haven't played her for a few years," said Williams.

"She is a tough player to beat, very strong and fast around the court."

Williams was not pleased with her performance against Vakulenko and says she will have to step up her game against Kuznetsova.

Source -- AFP

Serena Williams blasted her way into the second round of Stuttgart's WTA tournament while France's Amelie Mauresmo became the first big-name casualty on Tuesday.

Serena opened her campaign with a rapid-fire 6-0, 6-0 win over the Czech Republic's Zuzana Ondraskova, the first lucky loser from the main draw after Williams' original opponent Elena Bobina withdrew with an ankle injury.

The 27-year-old right-hander, ranked 140th in the world, was totally outclassed by sixth-seed Williams' power game and was dumped out in just 48 relentless minutes.

"I was pleased with that," said Australian Open champion Williams, who will face Julia Vakulenko in the second round after the Ukrainian's 6-4, 6-4 win over Germany's Julia Goerges late on Tuesday night.

"That was a good start and I am looking forward to seeing how far I go here in Stuttgart."

"I haven't been in Europe in the fall for a long time and it feels really good," she told reporters Monday during the opening day of the Stuttgart Grand Prix in Germany. "It was pretty disappointing at the U.S. Open. After the tournament I started practicing because I didn't do very well."

After Stuttgart, Serena plans to stay in Europe and compete in upcoming tournaments in Moscow and Zurich. Participation will also allow Williams to earn qualifying points for a spot in the eight-player draw at the season-ending championship in Madrid next month.

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: