Black Tennis Pros

Well, that was different...and a bit awkward.

At the 25th and final Zurich Open, American Venus Williams took her 38th title. She last won this title in 1999 at 19. “It is great to have my name on this tournament twice. It does not matter if it is the last final of a tournament, it is a final and you want to win, but it is great to get the last title of a tournament. I had always a good time in this city and I have good memories and it is definitely one of my favourite tournaments.”

It appears that Venus is now firmly into the season-ending WTA Tour Championship in Doha next month. “I'm obviously glad to be healthy to play the Championships and I am happy to have had this good week to going there. Next two weeks I go home and rest a little bit and then I prepare for Doha.”

It also appears that Flavia Penetta talked herself out of the win. She played so well in the semifinal but could not seem to find a groove today, especially after she lost the first set. It looked like she was practicing putting the ball into the net.

Now, on to the awkward trophy presentation. A well meaning but albeit strange serenade...yep, I said serenade. A singer stood in front of Venus on court and sang a version of Tina Turner's "Simply The Best." What?

The singer sang the song very well, that wasn't my issue. It was the fact that she was standing right in front of Venus kind of egging her on to get into the groove of her moment. Ever the trooper, Venus held her flowers and swayed from side to side with a smile as all of the other people stood around watching...creepy. Fortunately for the singer, Venus has a good spirit.

“I was very consistent today and I had a great service game, my service a weapon, when it gets in, it helps. She plays well but I had a lot less errors today and I felt good today too.”

“Of course I try to get the highest rank possible and I think I have good chances to be number 1 again next year.”

“I did not talk to Serena yet, but she is always happy for me.”

After winning the match, Venus' father, Richard Williams, brought her dog Harold over for congratulations.



Photo by AP

Venus Williams advanced to the final of the Zurich Open on Saturday with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory over second seed Ana Ivanovic.

It marks a long awaited return to the final of this tournament for Williams - she has not played here on the final day since 1999 when - at the age of 19 - she topped then-number one Martina Hingis to claim the ninth of her 37 career titles.

The two-time reigning Wimbledon champion will go for another on Sunday when she faces Italy's Flavia Pennetta, a 6-3, 7-6 (8-6) winner over Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain in Saturday's other semi-final.

Williams ranked ninth in the world and seeded third here, has now won five of her six meetings against Ivanovic, who has not played well during the second half of this season.

"Winning close matches are rewarding, and especially at the end I think we were both competing very well," said Williams. "I think that sometimes it's tough to get a rhythm against her because when she plays me she's just going for everything.

"She plays aggressive to try and take the match away from me and to try and force the issue."

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND (TICKER) —It has been a while since Venus Williams was in this position.

Third third-seeded American advanced to the semifinals of the Zurich Open on Friday with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Italy’s Francesca Schiavone.

This is the first time Williams has reached the final four here since winning the hardcourt event back in 1999, when - at the age of 19 - she topped No. 1 Martina Hingis to claim the ninth of her 37 career titles.

The path to title No. 38 could get a bit tougher in the semis as a potential showdown with second-seeded Serb Ana Ivanovic is looming.

Ivanovic, who has stumbled to a 6-6 mark since winning her first Grand Slam title at the French Open, will face Czech qualifier Petra Kvitova in the remaining quarterfinal match.

In addition to improving her record at this event to 12-3 with Friday’s triumph, Williams moved to 5-0 all-time against Schiavone.

The semifinal on the opposite side of draw will be a battle of unseeded players as Italy’s Flavia Pennetta and Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain will square off.

Pennetta, who ousted world No. 1 Jelena Jankovic on Thursday, topped Katarina Srebotnik, 7-5, 6-2, while Medina Garrigues moved through when Victoria Azarenka retired from their match with the score knotted, 4-6, 6-3.

Azarenka appeared to suffer a muscle strain just below her right shoulder during the second set and opted to concede the match prior to the start of the third.

First prize is $95,000.

Swiss No.1, Patty Schnyder (L) and current world No.9 Venus Williams paused for a photo while chatting at the Player Party.

Playing here for the first time since 2004, 1999 champion Venus Williams participated in the All-Access Hour with local and international media.

Venus Williams (back to camera) spoke with a group of journalists during the All-Access Hour.

Photos Andre Springer

Frenchmen Gael Monfils and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and American Venus Williams made it look easy today.

Venus, seeded third, beat Ukrainian Alona Bondarenko 6-3, 6-4 to reach the quarterfinals of the Zurich Open.

"I played OK and when the points became important I was winning those, especially on my serve. I was trying to put more into coming in (to the net) on different kinds of shots. I'll be looking to improve my level with every round," Venus said.

Up next is either Russian Maria Kirilenko or Italian Francesca Schiavone.

In Madrid also, Tsonga, the 16th seed, edged through a third-set tiebreak to defeat Spaniard Marcel Granollers 3-6, 6-3, 7-6.

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Thursday, October 18, 2007

The missing Blackberry really hurt me...

Here's what happened: after Zürich, I went to Paris to relax. As I was leaving the hotel, I decided I wanted to go to go to the Fendi store. I saw some fabulous boots there that I thought would go great in my fall repertoire. Well, I also had to use the bathroom really badly... So the driver dropped me and my friend Paul off at the corner and we walked to the Fendi store. I asked the employee if I could use the bathroom. I went to the bathroom with my purse, then came out and looked at a dress. I never sat my purse down - I just was holding it. Later, I tried on the boots and put my purse down. I liked the boots so I decided to buy them. I picked up my purse and noticed my Blackberry was missing...

So I paid for the boots and then looked for the Blackberry. It was nowhere to be found. I called it and found out that it was turned off. Someone got it and turned it OFF! All of you out there that have Blackberries know that they're not easy to turn off - you have to purposely turn them off, or they will always stay on. Every time I called it I went straight to voicemail. Someone took it out of my purse and turned it off so when I called it I would not hear it ring. Who would do this people? I mean really! It's so upsetting, and I feel as though my privacy has just been violated. I feel raw and alone now that I don't have my BB. My BB is out there, all alone, cold and scared. She had a great life, a warm bed and a wonderful mom that took great care of her. I wish I could just see her one more time. I did not even get chance to say goodbye.

Needless to say I was super depressed, but also fairly calm. I never thought we would part. She's lost forever in Paris :( I still tear up when I think about her. So to make me feel better, Paul kept telling me we will find it, but I wonder if he really believed it himself. Anyways, he promised me and my mom a great dinner! And it would lift my spirits. Dinner definitely lifted my spirits as I love Thai food, and we went to this resturant called "Ginger". What's strange is that for Roland Garros (The French Open) I stay one block from Ginger and I've never been there. Nonetheless, for the first time in my life I had a glass (or two or three) of wine! I hate wine and I never drink wine. But I decided because I was in France I should give it a go. I'm growning up guys! Your lil' Serena is growing up!!

Okay so here's my saying of the day today:

Always stay positive. No matter what you are going through, know that God will never give you more than you can handle.

So no matter what you do, be positive. No matter what you face, look it straight in the eye, no matter how afraid you may be!

Love u!!

Xxx

Serena

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Technorati Tags: Sports Tennis Serena Williams
Zurich Open

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Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Hey guys,

As I am sure you know I had to withdraw from my match in Zürich. If there is one thing I hate it's giving up or quitting. It is simply not in my vocabulary. So my mom told me I should have stopped after the first set and I could have gotten worse but I felt as though maybe people would think, "She didn't even try."

People who don't know me that well don't realize that I'm a typical Libra and I'm actually quite sensitive. I guess I need to stop thinking about what other people think of me and just do what is best. Well, "What happened?" I'm sure you are asking. I strained my right adductor. If you all followed the Moscow tournament my right leg was strapped because I had some tight muscles. So the doc said that it was me overcompensating for so long that my adductor was doing too much work. Blah blah blah... Injuries are always frustrating for any athlete to deal with.

So with that said, I was really upset because I've always wanted to win Zürich. I made a promise to myself that I was going to play Stuttgart, Moscow and Zürich back at Wimbledon and wanted to do everything to keep that promise. I guess I pushed myself too far. Heck, I had my ticket leaving for next Monday!!!

With that being said I decided not to abandon the blog. I like writing and even if I'm not writing so much about Zürich I can still write about my progress as well as things I am up to. One thing I wanted to talk about on my blog is my 'Saying of the Day' to hopefully help people of all ages out. Today's comes from a special friend that I enjoyed so much I want to share it with you:

Confront your fears and they will disappear. Always remember that bad weather looks worse through a window.

So whatever it is that you want to be or do, don't be afraid to do it or go for it. Sometimes I want to meet new people but I'm afraid they won't like me or they'll think crazy of me. These are my fears... So today and from now on I will try to confront people and talk to them. I'm sure they will find me charming (I hope!)

Let's see... I hope you guys enjoy reading the blog and I will "see" you tomorrow!

xxx

Serena

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Technorati Tags: Sports Tennis Serena Williams
Zurich Open

Serena Williams retired with a sore right thigh while trailing Patty Schnyder of Switzerland 6-0, 3-0 in the first round of the Zurich Open on Tuesday.

Trailing 3-0 in the first set, Williams had the tape on her right thigh removed. She won only nine points in the set, five on her serve.

The sixth-seeded American was treated again between sets. Winning only one more point, she was broken twice before retiring.

"I was checking out the situation a bit and after the first set I kind of suspected she might retire," Schnyder said. "But then I got kind of nervous because in the second set she really started trying."

Williams, who has qualified for the season-ending WTA Championships, had asked to play Tuesday despite coming off a three-set loss to Elena Dementieva at the Kremlin Cup in Moscow on Sunday.

"Normally she needs a rest after two weeks of tournaments," Schnyder said. "But I like that she came here and tried."

Source - The Canadian Press

Technorati Tags: Sports Tennis Serena Williams Zurich Open Patty Schnyder

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Monday, October 15, 2007

Hey guys, it's Serena here! Now, as some of you out there may know already, I like to do everything that my sister Venus does. Us lil' sisters are quite the jealous type! Well the point I'm making is that a couple of weeks ago she wrote a blog (which I'm sure you all read with great interest) for our very own Sony Ericsson WTA Tour website, and this week it's my turn! I can't believe they convinced me to do it, but here I am and I would like to share my experiences with all the fans out there.

Well, I'm fresh from my trip to Moscow; can you believe that I'm playing my third event in a row? I can't! I don't think I've ever done that in my career before, but I'm feeling good and determined to make a good run at the end of the year since I hardly played this summer. I had not been to Moscow in 10 years... Can you believe I've been around that long? I can't, I still feel like a teenager... Well, nonetheless, it has been 10 years since the last time I was there - scary. Moscow is an interesting place. I hung out a bit with Kuzzie, saw some interesting things, none of which I can really talk about here, but for sure I had a lot of fun there, played some good matches and picked up some valuable points (yeah!)

For all of those that didn't follow, I got to the finals there and now I'm in Zürich, Switzerland, where the chocolate is oh sooooo good - but shush, don't tell anyone that I ate two today. That's my limit, I swear, otherwise I'll be on the practice court much longer than my hour and 15. I haven't been at the tournament here in probably 10 years as well. I can't wait to make my long awaited return to action. I have been having so much fun playing this fall. My first match is against the tricky but talented Patty Schnyder - make sure you tune into the live scoring!!!

The highlight of the past couple of weeks has been qualifying for Madrid, which we announced today. That's so cool. I feel as though I should be there. Now, with a lil' work and dedication I've made it offically to Madrid. I never would have thought that back in January before I played Australia, and I'm really proud of myself and the strides I've made to get back to this level after two years - no easy feat. I hope my little girls (aka quadrupeds - dogs!), Jackie and Laura, who have been keeping me company, are equally as proud!

P.S. I have also relaunched my website: serenawilliams.com. It's way more slick and up to date compared to the previous incarnation. You guys have to go check it out because it's hilarious. I also write a relationship blog there as well... Where do I get the time?? It's a long story - an important one - but one we will have to talk about!

Well it's late here in Zürich and I would love to write more but I'm a bit tired and I have to play tomorrow. I'm so sleepy, I haven't slept in 36 hours (the life of a jet-setting tennis player is not all it's cracked up to be...)

Good nighzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Xxx

Serena

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Technorati Tags: Sports Tennis Serena Williams Zurich Open Blogging

Zurich Open
October 15-21, 2007
Zurich, Switzerland



Round 1 - Singles

Serena Williams, USA vs. Patty Schnyder, SUI

Technorati Tags: SportsTennisSerena Williams