Black Tennis Pros

Home advantage will give the U.S. a massive boost when they host 2006 champions Russia in this month's Davis Cup final, says singles mainstay James Blake.

The Americans, bidding for their first Davis Cup title in 12 years, will face the Russians on the indoor surface at Memorial Coliseum in Portland, Oregon from Nov. 30-Dec. 2.

"I think for Andy (Roddick) and myself it's a great situation," Blake said in a conference call on Thursday. "We love playing on indoor hard. We've had some of our best results there.

"We're feeling really good. We know we're going to have a raucous crowd on our side and I think this is the perfect situation for me to play some of my best tennis."

World number 13 Blake and fifth-ranked Roddick are the singles mainstays of the U.S. squad with the dominant Bryan brothers, Bob and Mike, inked in to play the doubles.

"I think the Bryans could play on Pluto and still be the favourites," Blake added. "We could put it on just about anything and I like their chances."

Russia captain Shamil Tarpishchev suggested the Americans could be vulnerable in the singles matches when announcing his finals line-up earlier this week but Blake begs to differ.

"He's got to get them fired up some way," the New York native said. "He has to show he believes in them.

"Obviously we have a different opinion. We think our singles players are pretty impressive. I think we've got a very strong team and a team that is capable of winning this Davis Cup.

FEELING COMFORTABLE

"The way Andy has led us, the way he's performed in all his matches where he's needed to clinch, the way he's performed away and at home, especially at home, we feel comfortable."

Blake would love to have the opportunity to seal victory for the U.S. in the fifth and final match.

"I want to have that chance if I get there," he said. "I want to be the one that our team is counting on. I feel like I performed when needed.

"But I've never really been put in the position to be tested in that fifth match. Andy has been the best closer of all time for American tennis."

Russia, who beat Argentina for the title last year in Moscow, will be led by world number four Nikolay Davydenko in Portland. He will be joined by Mikhail Youzhny (19), Igor Andreev (33) and Dmitry Tursunov (34) for the three-day tie.

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James Blake

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Thanks to the launch of her new clothing line 'EleVen', the launch party the night before and another black-tie gala, Venus Williams was on the scene this week.



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Serena Williams EleVen

Steve and Barry's Department Store website has revealed the 'EleVen' line designed by Venus Williams. I love it! I definitely saw some pieces that I'll be purchasing. Venus is looking FAB-U-LOUS in the photo shoot displaying the line.

For a complete look at the line, follow this link to the Steve and Barry's website.





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Tennis fans can expect a double dose of action from the most high-profile siblings in world sport after Venus and Serena Williams today confirmed their intention to play doubles at next year's Australian Open.

The Williams sisters have not played doubles at Melbourne Park since they won the coveted title for the second time in three years in 2003.

The pair played their first doubles match together in four years at Wimbledon this year before withdrawing in the second round because of injury.

They haven't returned to the court together since.

Because injuries have kept them off the doubles court for so long they now only have a nominal ranking of 9999.

Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said he was thrilled to hear of their intention to play doubles.

“The Williams sisters in full flight on the same side of the net is one of the great sights in tennis,” Tiley said.

“They are also one of the most skilled pairings on the world circuit with an incredibly successful record in doubles.”

The Williams sisters are one of only five pairings in women's tennis history to win a career doubles grand slam.

In all, they have won six majors (Wimbledon and Australian Open twice, US and French) and an Olympic gold medal in Sydney in 2000.

“It is great news for Australian tennis fans that they are coming here to play singles and to try and recapture their doubles crown,” Tiley said.

“We can't get enough of the Williams sisters, especially after Serena's amazing effort in 2007,” Tiley said.

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Serena Williams Australian Open Doubles

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I realize that Roger Federer is human and, like any other player, can be beaten on any given day. It's just that not many of those days have occured over recent years, and I got used to it. So today seemed as if the earth had tilted slightly on its axis, or the four horsemen came riding in.

"Some players or people might think, 'Now he's more vulnerable,'" Federer said. "I disagree, obviously. I'm going to hopefully show them again this week and then obviously next year again."

The above is Roger Federer's response regarding his first consecutive match losses in 4 1/2 years! Earlier today Chilean Fernando Gonzalez defeated Federer 4-6, 7-6 (1), 7-5 at the ATP Masters Cup in Shanghai, China. Federer is the defending champion and entered today's match with a 15-0 record in round-robin play at the season-ending tournament. He was also up 10 wins against world no. 7 Fernando Gonzalez.

So why would we expect anything different to happen? We wouldn't. It was safe to assume that Federer would take Gonzalez out for the 11th time. And that's not to put Gonzalez down, because his game has truly turned around over the last couple of years. He's a true pleasure to watch. He's got speed, accuracy and snazzy shots. But Federer is Federer, 'nuff said.

The dragon slayer Gonzalez said, "I was feeling really bad on the court, but after, he went down a little bit and my level went up. I think the key of the match was my serve and don't be scared to go for my shots. After 10 times, it's my turn now." I hear ya' David, ehh.., I mean Gonzalez, Goliath goin' down!!! ehh..., Federer goin' down!!!

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