Black Tennis Pros

The Czech Republic's Radek Stepanek maintained his bid to defend his Brisbane International title by taking out Frenchman Gael Monfils in today's very lopsided 6-2, 6-1 semifinal defeat.

In a bit of Monfils support, his left shoulder remained very heavily taped for this semifinal. Subsequent to his defeat of American James Blake he stated that he was feeling some pain when he served and that he was concerned about the shoulder. The Frenchman's game was not top notch for this match.

Prior to this match Monfils held a 3-1 head to head record against the Stepanek.

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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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HONG KONG — American champion Venus Williams beat teenaged Danish sensation Caroline Wozniacki in a Hong Kong exhibition match Thursday which was shortened to one set because of rain.

Williams, 29, got off to a slow start, trailing the 19-year-old Wozniacki 3-1 before a series of aces and blistering groundstrokes helped her pull ahead, winning the set 6-4.

Williams, a seven time Grand Slam winner, said she was happy with her performance against the Dane, who is ranked fourth in the world.

"I felt pretty good playing against such a competitive player," Williams told reporters.

"She plays so well."

The American struggled for much of 2009, losing her Wimbledon crown to sister Serena and then crashing out of the Beijing Open in October.

Earlier Thursday, Belarussian Victoria Azarenka, 20, beat Argentine Gisela Dulko, 24, by a 6-1 margin.


The Hong Kong tournament features four teams with three players each -- representing Russia, Europe, the Americas and Asia Pacific -- in singles and mixed doubles play. The tournament wraps up Saturday.

On Wednesday, former world number one Russian Maria Sharapova pulled off a comeback win against China's Zheng Jie 6-7, 6-4, 6-2, while Russia's Vera Zvonareva easily overpowered Japanese newcomer Ayumi Morita, beating her 6-2, 6-2 in just over an hour.

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Over at Tennis.com Peter Bodo reports in an 'Exclusive' that both Americans James Blake and Andy Roddick will be no shows for 2010 Davis Cup play.

For the first time in nearly a decade, the U.S. Davis Cup team will be without stalwarts Andy Roddick and James Blake when it travels to face powerful Serbia in a first-round tie in Belgrade in March. “It certainly appears to be the end of era,” U.S. Davis Cup captain Patrick McEnroe told TENNIS Thursday. “But the door will always remain open to both of those guys in the event they decide they want to play again.”

Roddick and Blake have both decided to leave Davis Cup off their 2010 schedules. McEnroe has yet to name the squad he plans to take to Serbia for the tie against a powerful Serbian team led by world No. 3. The U.S. singles players most likely to be selected are Sam Querrey and John Isner, although that could change in the next few weeks, depending on the performance of the U.S. players in Australia. Mardy Fish is also high on McEnroe's list of Davis Cup candidates. Serbia will be heavily favored given that it will be contested on slow red clay.

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Good thing for Blake? Hmmmmmm.......

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