Black Tennis Pros

American Serena Williams had a slow start getting it together during the morning rounds of day 2 at Roland Garros - it was just one of those days. On the flip side, it really doesn't matter what kind of day she's having, the younger Williams sister will typically find a way to win... and she did.

After waking up and finding some rhythm, Serena pulled off a 7-6², 6-2 win over Switzerland's Stefanie Voegele.

Post match Serena said, “I definitely didn’t feel good about it. At least I won. I think I’m still in the tournament. That’s what matters.”

When you get right down to it, that's all that matters.



Frenchman Gael Monfils had a few bumps in his 6-3, 7-5, 6⁵-7⁷, 6-2 quest for victory over Germany's Dieter Kindlmann, but nothing dramatic. It appears that Kindlmann came with a bit more game than Monfils may have anticipated.

In his post match interview Monfils said, "Well, I'm happy I won ... I'm really happy I won because I was really nervous. My game is not as good as it used to be because, well I didn't know the guy. I could have finished it earlier but, the positive thing about it is I won."

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EAST HANOVER, N.J., Jan. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- It may be the season for New Year's resolutions, but the Williams sisters still enjoy their favorite snack-cessories. Fashion-minded tennis champions Venus Williams and Serena Williams are working with Nabisco 100 Calorie Packs to show people everywhere what it means to snack with style.

Together with the brand, Venus and Serena are launching a new "Diet Like A Diva" contest - a national search to find people who add fun and flair to their snacking routine. Maintaining a "Diet Like a Diva" is a way to enjoy your snacks, while still watching your portions.

With 16 varieties, the Nabisco 100 Calorie Packs line of portion-controlled snacks, including the new Yogurt Flavored Pretzels (on shelves this month), makes snacking fun and convenient.

"Nabisco 100 Calorie Packs make it a cinch to stay on track, whether I'm at home or on the road heading to a tournament," said Venus Williams. "And, enjoying the classic snacks we all know and love, like Oreo Mini Cakesters and Chips Ahoy Fudge Drizzle Cookies, is what living like a diva is all about."



The Champion of Snacking Ideas

Beginning today, savvy snackers can log on to DietLikeADiva.com to submit a video about how they add fun and flair to their sensible snacking routine. Eight winners will experience a glamorous fashion photo shoot with the tennis superstars this March, featuring the latest in fashion and snacking. The photos will be featured in a spread in several Conde Nast publications.

"I know there are women out there like me who are living life to the fullest and aren't interested in depriving themselves of tastes they enjoy," added Serena Williams. "I think it's going to be great to see who enters and I know Venus and I will have a blast with the divas in March!"

Game, Set, Match, Snack

The key to living sensibly within your diet, while making it fun, is to have snacking options that fit an on-the-go lifestyle. The Nabisco 100 Calorie Packs line of stylish snacks features 16 different varieties. From savory to sweet to a combination of both, there's something for everyone.

"Nabisco 100 Calorie Packs continue to be the trendsetter for sensible snacking," said Steve Siegal, senior brand manager for Nabisco 100 Calorie Packs. "Venus and Serena embody women who know what it's like to snack with flair, and with the contest, we look forward to learning how Nabisco 100 Calorie Packs enable others to do the same."

Those interested in knowing more about what it means to "Diet Like a Diva" and to enter the contest through Feb. 10, 2010, can visit www.DietLikeADiva.com. The new site is packed with tips, videos with the Williams sisters, a monthly sweepstakes and more. Become a fan of www.facebook.com/Nabisco100Cal.

Diet Like A Diva



Divas On Fitness



Divas On Snacking



Divas On Divas

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American Serena Williams getting practice in on Tuesday prior to her first round match on Wednesday at the Andalucia Tennis Experience in Marbella, Spain.

American Danielle Mills with coach Alex Kodacs during qualifying.

American Madison Brengle defeated Mills in the second round of qualifying.

Photos by AnDrele From Spain

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SINGLES

Round 1

Serena Williams defeated by Klara Zakopalova, CZE
6-4, 3-6, 6-1


Eliminated during singles qualifying rounds:

Danielle Mills, USA


SINGLES

Round 1

(WC)Madison Keys, USA defeated Alla Kudryavtseva, RUS
7-5, 6-4

Round 2

Madison Keys, USA defeated by Nadia Petrova, RUS
6-3, 6-2


DOUBLES

Round 1

Raquel Kops-Jones, USA and Abigail Spears, USA
defeated by
Kveta Peschke, CZE and Lisa Raymond, USA
7-5, 4-6 [2-10]

Mashona Washington, USA and Jill Craybas, USA
defeated by
Caroline Wozniacki, DEN and Barbora Zahlavova Strycova, CZE
6-2, 1-6, [10-7]

Angela Haynes, USA and Liga Dekmeijere, LAT
defeated
Christina Fusano, USA and Alexa Glatch, USA
1-6, 6-4, [10-4]


Quarterfinal Round

Angela Haynes, USA and Liga Dekmeijere, LAT
defeated
Shuai Peng, CHN and Zi Yan, CHN
7-6(3), 6-4


Semifinal Round

Angela Haynes, USA and Liga Dekmeijere, LAT
defeated by
Chia-Jung Chuang, TPE and Sania Mirza, IND
4-6, 3-6


SINGLES

Round 1

James Blake, USA defeated by Guillermo Canas, ARG
6-4, 6-4

(Q)Scoville Jenkins, USA defeated Alexander Peya, AUT
0-6, 6-4, 6-3


Eliminated during singles qualifying rounds:

Donald Young, USA


DOUBLES

Round 1

James Blake, USA and Mardy Fish, USA
defeated
Amer Delic, USA and Robert Kendrick, USA
4-6, 6-4 [10/7]


Round 2

James Blake, USA and Mardy Fish, USA
defeated
James Cerretani, USA and Dick Norman, BEL
6-3, 7-6(0)


SINGLES

Round 1

Megan Moulton-Levy, USA defeated Ellie Yates, USA
7-5, 6-1


Round 2

Megan Moulton-Levy, USA defeated by Yuliana Fedak, UKR
1-6, 2-6


Eliminated during singles qualifying rounds:

Whitney Jones, USA


DOUBLES

Round 1

Megan Moulton-Levy, USA and Laura Siegemund, GER
defeated
Heidi El Tabakh, CAN and Story Tweedie-Yates, USA
6-4, 7-5


Quarterfinal Round

Megan Moulton-Levy, USA and Laura Siegemund, GER
defeated by
Kimberly Couts, USA and Sharon Fichman, CAN
2-6, 3-6


SINGLES

Round 1

(WC)Jarmere Jenkins, USA defeated by (Q)Vladimir Obradovic, SRB
4-6, 4-6

Nicholas Monroe, USA defeated by Matthias Bachinger, GER
3-6, 6-4, 4-6


DOUBLES

Round 1

Nicholas Monroe, USA and Ryler Deheart, USA
defeated by
Lester Cook, USA and Shane LaPorte, USA
2-6, 4-6


SINGLES

Round 1

Marcus Fugate, USA defeated Milos Raonic, CAN
7-6(6), 6-2

Todd Paul, USA defeated Luis David Martinez, VEN
6-0, 6-2


Round 2

Todd Paul, USA defeated Adrians Zguns
6-1, 6-2

Marcus Fugate, USA defeated M. Roberts, USA
6-4, 7-6(4)


Quarterfinal Round

Marcus Fugate, USA defeated by Matej Bocko, SVK
4-6, 4-6

Paul Todd, USA defeated by Tigran Martirosyan, ARM
6-7(5), 2-6


DOUBLES

Round 1

Marcus Fugate, USA and Nima Roshan, AUS
defeated by
Matthew Roberts, USA and Adrians Zguns, LAT
7-6(6), 6-7(4) [7-10]

Devin Mullings, BAH and Dennis Zivkovic, USA
defeated
Luis Diaz-Barriga, MEX and Antonio Ruiz-Rosales, MEX

7-5, 6-4


Quarterfinal Round

Devin Mullings, BAH and Dennis Zivkovic, USA
defeated by
Matthew Roberts, USA and Adrians Zguns, LAT
1-6, 7-6(10) [4-10]

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Serena Cuevas was chosen to appear alongside American Serena Williams in the new national campaign for G2, Gatorade’s low cal sports drink. The G2 Everyday Athlete Search selected Cuevas among five semi-finalists, all named Serena, based on their personal stories of the role sports and exercise have played in overcoming challenges and adversities.

Take a look at this inspiring upcoming commercial:

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KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. (AP) -- Venus and Serena Williams say they've seen little of each other the past week because of their busy schedules. That will change Thursday night, when they meet in the semifinals at the Sony Ericsson Open.

The 20th showdown between the sisters ensures a finalist from the family Saturday. The Williamses have won eight of the past 11 Key Biscayne titles.

"I believe we are the best in the world," Venus said. "I enjoy playing Serena because we challenge each other the most."

"I'm always going to be up for V, because she's playing really well and always playing me super tough," top-ranked Serena said.

She advanced first Wednesday, overcoming a dismal start to beat unseeded Na Li 4-6, 7-6 (1), 6-2. Five hours later she was joined in the semis by No. 5-seeded Venus, who beat No. 26 Iveta Benesova 6-1, 6-4.

Venus leads the Williams family rivalry 10-9. She has won the past two meetings and has a 2-1 advantage at Key Biscayne.

"Playing her, it's like I have to automatically be on a different level, because she's already playing on a different level," Serena said. "Her balls are harder and her serve is way bigger. And it's super fun to hit these serves that are like 120 mph. It's frustrating but at the same time fun."

If Venus wins, she'll knock her kid sister out of the top ranking. Serena must reach the final to keep No. 2 Dinara Safina from overtaking her.

Venus has three titles in the tournament, but the most recent came in 2001. Serena seeks her sixth Key Biscayne title, which would break the record she shares with Steffi Graf.

The bid nearly ended against Li, who raced to a 5-0 lead while Serena looked lethargic in the 80-degree sunshine. Several times she declined to chase shots that seemed within reach.

"Wake up!" one spectator shouted.

"Maybe I was tired, but that's still not an excuse really," Serena said. "I definitely wasn't moving my feet at all. I just wasn't doing anything that made a lot of sense at all."

Midway through the first set, Richard Williams left his seat in the stands and positioned himself courtside near the baseline. He's the sisters' coach as well as their dad, and while he said little, he lifted Serena's spirits.

"I just felt like he was there really supporting, and I felt the support more when he was up close as opposed to in the stands," she said. "I just felt like I could take it up to another level."

She did, moving better and punctuating her shots with more emphatic grunts as the match slowly swung her way. There were no service breaks in the second set, but the unseeded Li failed to convert six break-point chances. The last came at 5-all, and Serena erased it with a service winner.

Li made things easy for Serena in the tiebreak by committing six unforced errors. As the third set began to slip away from Li, she vented her frustration by slamming a ball against the backstop on the far end of the court.

"I gave her the tiebreak," Li said. "I couldn't focus in the final set. After she won the second set, I didn't think I had a chance."

Li double-faulted on break point to fall behind 2-1, part of a stretch where Serena won 16 points in a row en route to a 5-1 lead. Serena closed out the victory with a service winner.

"The whole match is still an F," she said. "I'm glad to have gotten through."

Venus' victory was more straightforward, although she had a brief lapse in the second set when she fell behind 3-love. Smacking serves at up to 120 mph, she hit eight aces and won 21 of 26 first-serve points.

"I rely on my serve a lot -- sometimes too much," Venus said.

She's 15-1 this year, while Serena is 20-2 and won her 10th Grand Slam title in January at the Australian Open. Venus has been the more consistent Williams in the past week, while Serena managed the curious feat of reaching the semifinals despite losing five consecutive games three times in her past two matches.

"I need to be more consistent in my play," Serena said. "I don't have to be out there going three sets. That's what I think it tells me more than anything."

She improved her record at Key Biscayne to 51-5, with one loss since 2001 -- to her sister.

Photos by Getty Images

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SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA (TICKER) - At The SAP Open Blake injured his ankle on Friday in a quarterfinal win over Sam Querrey. The injury affected his effort against Fish. Fish defeated Blake 6-3, 6-2.

“I had no idea his ankle was that bad,” Fish said. “It’s just a testament to James. He’s never defaulted in a match in his career.”

Blake was down 1-2 in the first set when he asked for a trainer and had his ankle retaped. He had the process repeated at the end of the first set, but to no avail.

“It affected me more than I thought it would have when I did it,” Blake said. “I just iced it a few times yesterday and taped it up. I thought I’d be ready to go.”

The trainer told Blake that he would not do any more damage, so the third seed played on.

“I thought if I wasn’t going to hurt it any more, I could suck up the pain for 20 minutes, 30 minutes and make it a little better for the fans, hopefully, and better for Mardy to feel like he earned a victory, which he did,” Blake said.

PARIS (AP)— Elena Dementieva advanced to the final of the Open GDF Suez after top-ranked Serena Williams withdrew with a knee injury.

Williams said she hurt her right knee during Friday’s win against Emilie Loit and was in too much pain to play.

“My left knee always hurts, but this time it’s my right knee,” Williams said. “When I woke up this morning, it wasn’t feeling good. I wasn’t moving well at all in practice.

“Today I don’t feel like I could have gotten there. I wanted to make the fans extremely happy. It wouldn’t have been a good showing for me at all.”

"My knees have been really good, and I'm really optimistic. I think they'll continue to be really good," said Williams who is due to play in Dubai next week.

"I just have been playing a lot of tennis, so maybe it's just a sign that I'll need to take a day or two off and get ready for the next event."

Monfils, who struggled with illness in his quarter-final win over Julien Benneteau at the ABN AMRO World Tournament, cut a lethargic figure as he returned to court after an off-court medical time-out at the end of the first set and punishingly long rallies with World No. 1 Rafael Nadal. The 22-year-old Monfils showed great character as he continued to fight and produced some of his best tennis towards the end of the second set, when he forced break point opportunities in successive Nadal service games. However, the left-handed Nadal dominated on the important points to snuff out Monfils’ chances and confidently served out the victory to love at 5-4. He now improves to a 13-1 match record on the season.

Monfils was defeated 6-4, 6-4.

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Serena Williams, who last weekend claimed her 10th major title by winning the Australian Open, will return to Washington this summer to play for the city's World TeamTennis franchise, the Washington Kastles.

And Venus Williams will also visit Washington to face the Kastles as the marquee player for the Philadelphia Freedoms.

Serena's selection as the top pick in the marquee player draft was announced yesterday, and it represents a coup for team owner Mark Ein, who brought the franchise to town last summer.

Other top names visiting Washington this summer include John McEnroe and Anna Kournikova.

As the Kastles' featured player, Serena, currently ranked No. 1 in the world, will play one home match and three on the road. She won't be on the roster when Venus visits the Kastles, so the sisters won't face each other in Washington.

The 2009 season runs July 2-26. Dates of the Kastles' home matches will be announced in February.

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