Black Tennis Pros

Venus Williams defeated Karin Knapp of Italy 6-2, 6-2 in windy conditions due to a sandstorm that hit Doha early Wednesday.

"It was good to win in the desert," Williams said. "It was interesting to win like this. She is a pretty strong girl who hits deep shots, but I am happy I won."

Eight-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams will play for the new Washington Kastles during the 2008 World Team Tennis Pro League season.

According to the Kastles, the D.C. franchise of the league co-founded in 1974 by tennis legend Billie Jean King, Williams will play one home match and three away matches. She is expected to play both singles and doubles.

Williams is one of the most well-known female tennis players in the world. Both Williams and her older sister, Venus Williams, are former No. 1 ranked players.

The Kastles will play their home matches at a location in D.C. soon to be announced. The league's 2008 regular season runs from July 3 to July 23, with the World TeamTennis' championship weekend set for July 24-27 in Roseville, Calif.

The Kastles will play in the league's eastern conference, along with five other teams including the Delaware Smash and Boston Lobsters. The western conference has five teams such as the defending champions, Sacramento Capitals.

The league features several generations of tennis pros, both men and women, competing in communities throughout the United States each summer. The Washington Kastles represents the first D.C.-based team in the league's history.

American Venus Williams enters the tennis court in Doha in a traditional Qatari dress during the opening ceremony of the WTA Qatar Total Open on February 18, 2008. Venus is taking part in the 2.5 million dollar tournament in the Qatari capital.

Round 1 - Singles

Venus Williams, USA vs. BYE


Round 1 - Doubles

Venus Williams, USA (WC) and Caroline Wozniacki, DEN
vs.
Vera Dushevina, RUS and Elena Likhovtseva, RUS

*Stephanie Foretz, FRA and Selima Sfar, TUN
vs.
Ayumi Morita, JPN and Monica Niculescu, ROU

*Foretz and Sfar were defeated 6-4, 6-2.


Qualifying Rounds

American Stephanie Foretz was eliminated in round 1 of the singles by Tiantian Sun of China 2-6, 6-3, 7-6(5).



Qualifying Draw

American Raquel Kops-Jones was eliminated in round 1 of the singles by Nuria Llagostera Vives of Spain 6-3, 6-0.

Round 1 - Singles

James Blake, USA vs. Sam Warburg, USA

Donald Young, USA vs. Hyunk-Taik Lee, KOR


Round 1 - Doubles

Donald Young, USA and John Isner, USA
vs.
Mardy Fish, USA and Jurgen Melzer, AUT


Qualifying Rounds

American Scoville Jenkins was eliminated in round 2 of the singles by American Tim Smyczek 6-4, 6-1.



Round 1 - Doubles

Jeff Coetzee, RSA and Wesley Moodie, RSA
vs.
Jonathan Erlich, ISR and Andy Ram, ISR

If I had not seen the Delray Beach International Tennis Championships final, I would have been extremely disappointed that American James Blake lost what appeared to be "his" final. Blake was defeated by an 18-year old qualifier from Japan who is playing only his sixth ATP event.

However, after witnessing the brilliant flash of play from Kei Nishikori, I'm not the least bit disappointed in Blake, just happy for Nishikori. He played beautifully, and quite honestly I don't know what else Blake could have done to defend his game. Nishikori defeated Blake 3-6, 6-1, 6-4. I think that Blake may have been just as surprised as Nishikoro was at his very sophisticated level of play.

Nishikoro was all over the court and hitting shots that would have zoomed by whomever was on the other side of that net. It was really something to see. And while Nishikori seemed completely at ease, he said "I was nervous in the first set." He obviously got those nerves in check in sets two and three.

On the final point, when Nishikori realized that he'd won the tournament, he was simply stunned. He was a bit apprehensive in receiving his trophy, as if it wasn't his, but he raised it in victory immediately.

Though it was hard to lower the trophy, Japanese player Kei Nishikori finally responded when the announcer said "Okay, Kei, here. Your fans want to hear from you. With total glee and the sweetest smile, the young man from Japan said, "Ummmm, I still can't believe it, I won this tournament. And ahhh, still can't believe it, I beat James Blake, I just see him on the, on the TV." Nishikori was genuinely amazed at his accomplishment. As the crowd laughed, even Blake had to smile.

"Thank you, this city, Delray Beach and the, all the tournament directors,....the ball kids,.....this is my best tournament. Ever, in my life." The crowd gave Nishikori a big applause.

"Thank you all the fans, cheering me this week. I'm just so happy right now, thank you."

You can't help but love a guy who is that genuinely grateful and surprised at his own prowess.

Nishikori will make a huge jump in the rankings come Monday. He will rise from No. 244 to No. 131 in the ATP rankings.

After receiving his trophy Blake said, "Thanks everyone for coming out, First of all, I want to congratulate Kei, his first ATP title of many to come, I think. Ahhhh,very impressive performance today, all week,.....this kid's got a very bright future."

"I can't seem to get that winner's trophy, so I guess I'll have to keep coming back until I do."