Black Tennis Pros

France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga advanced to Round 2 of the Open de Moselle in Metz, France by overcoming Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka 6-7, 6-4, 6-4. Tsonga won five games in a row in the third set to accomplish the win.

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:

I'm loving the Korean attire that Venus and Maria are wearing. Very regal and festive.

Venus had to work hard for her money as she rallied to beat Russia's World No. 29 Maria Kirilenko 6-3, 1-6, 6-4 and win the Korean Open on Sunday.

Williams, who hadn't lost a set this entire tournament heading into the final, was forced to work for her win for the first time at Olympic Park in Seoul, South Korea, in a game that lasted 140 minutes.

Venus took the first set 6-3 in overcast conditions, but the Wimbledon champion suffered an early break in the second as she struggled with her serve, chalking up 11 double faults as No. 4 Kirilenko raced on to win the set.

Light rain delayed the match by about an hour, and when it began, Williams wasted little time in breaking Kirilenko's serve in the opening game.

Serving for the match at 5-4 up in the third set, Williams went down 0-40, and rallied to force deuce. She took the championship when Kirilenko's return went just out of the sideline to Williams' left. Venus came back to take the trophy and her third win in three meetings against the Russian.

Take it to the bank Venus!!

I've been tagged again by Jon at Chimeric Day Dreams. I like this tag. I think that it is definitely a community booster. Although we are all bloggers, we are also blog readers. This ought to tell each of us what we enjoy/dislike as we visit each others blogs.

The idea is to copy the list, star your favorite ones, add your own tip at the very end, and then pass it on.

1. Look, read, and learn.
2. Be, EXCELLENT to each other.
3. Don’t let money change ya!
4. Always reply to your comments.
*5. Blog about what you know & love.
6. Don’t use filthy language-buy a dictionary.
7. Blog about something educational.
8. Be yourself; others will follow.
9. Don’t have too many blogs that will become a chore to maintain.
*10. Keep it simple, user-friendly, interesting and organized!
11. Keep the blog simple and sweet!!!
12. Share with others your thoughts and don’t be shy!
13. Never ask for link exchange. Blog hop to increase traffic.
*14. Don’t clutter your blog with ads all over the place. IT’S IRRITATING.
15. Don’t comment for the sake of commenting. Some looked too fake and its a big turn off!
16. Share something interesting and you will gain more readers.
17. Show that we care to all bloggers, treat each other as friends.
18. Pictures say a million words. Keep them coming!
19. Blogging should be fun or you’ll get tired of it pretty soon.
*20. Don’t think people will come to your blog if you’re not willing to pay a visit to them.
21. Everyone loves read short posting and best, illustrated with a picture.
22. Try not to publish more than 5 posts in one blog a day. Even if it’s from feed reader, it’s quite hard to digest and catch up reading everything.
23. Blog: the other window to peek into people’s life, minus the trouble. Keep a certain level of privacy to yourself.
24. Never tell your readers that you are going on vacation. That’s basically telling them to not visit your blog for a week. Instead, write several posts, and take advantage of the timestamp feature.
*25. Try and write with people in mind that are “somewhat similar to you”. Allow your audience to identify with your blog and feel “at home”.
26. The key to a good article is a good introduction. A joke, a question or a picture does wonders.
27. If you are looking to earn an income blogging read StevePavlina.com and Problogger.net, you will be amazed at what you can learn.
28. Write for yourself first. Remember that it takes time, effort, patience…and above all, daring.
29. Use Google Alerts for immediate alerts of news and/or blog posts about topics you specify, clip those that interest you into Google Notebook (it also copies the URLS for reference). - Chimeric Day Dreams
30. Invite your reader to read and not to search/hunt your blog. Have some type of logic in the organization of your blog so that it flows for the reader and allows for easy navigation. Some blogs are so full of blog related minutiae that the actual posts are lost is the midst. - Black Tennis Pro's

I'd like to see blogging tips from:

Poetic Sista - A passionate writer, she truly blogs from the heart and soul.
Black In Business - JD is definitely a man who is supportive of others, he's professional and someone who looks to tomorrow.
Chessnoid - I truly enjoy the variety of this writer. From the everyday to the unexpected.
Electronic Village - Can there be blogging with more commitment than this blog? Passion, dedication, relevance, etc. Truly one of the best blogs.
Middle Zone Musings - A writer that appeals to the 'everydayness' of life, and to the whimsy of life. Very provocative.

American Venus Williams has moved into the finals of the Hansol Korea Open with a smack-down 6-2, 6-2 win over Flavia Pennetta of Italy.

Williams took the first set in 36 minutes, but her Italian opponent, the only unseeded player in the semi-finals, put some early pressure on the top seed.

Pennetta broke the Williams serve at the start of the match and had a chance to go up 2-0 up, leading 40-15 in the second game. But Williams came back with four straight points to break the Italian's serve.

Williams conceded the opening game of the second set, but promptly broke Pennetta's serve and did not look back.

Venus, serving as fast as 125 miles per hour, went on to take six of the last seven games to secure her berth in the final.

"My leg's not feeling great but it's getting better every day," Williams said. "I don't get to play in Seoul often, so I am trying my best. My goal all along has been to win the tournament."

The deflated Pennetta frequently shook her head and muttered to herself in disgust during the second set.

Venus's opponent in the final will be Maria Kirilenko of Russia who also, much to my surprise, victimized her semifinal opponent Eleni Daniliidou of Greece 7-5, 6-0. I thought that Daniilidou was on an unstoppable roll towards the final also. Oh well.

STUTTGART, Germany - Mercedes-Benz will end its sponsorship of the men's ATP tennis tour when the current three-year contract expires at the end of 2008.

The company has been one of the main sponsors of the ATP since 1996. The German carmaker said Friday it would shift focus to golf, equestrian and soccer, as well as fashion and lifestyle.

"Over the years, our partnership with the ATP has had a very high brand fit for Mercedes-Benz, but we are now adding a new angle to our revised brand positioning," said Olaf Goettgens, vice president of brand communications for Mercedes-Benz.

Richard Davies, the CEO of ATP Properties, thanked Mercedes for its support.

"Both the ATP and Mercedes-Benz have achieved great things in our time together," Davies said in the statement.

The Mercedes star symbol has been attached to tennis nets at more than 40 tournaments around the world. Mercedes also provides courtesy car services at tournaments.

Source -- AP