Black Tennis Pros

The main draw for the Pacific Life Open will be released today and I will post the players as soon as it's up.

An impressive group of American players, including veterans Mardy Fish and Robby Ginepri and rising stars Donald Young, John Isner, Vania King, Ahsha Rolle, Bethanie Mattek, Angela Haynes, Madison Brengle and Melanie Oudin have been granted wild cards for the 2008 Pacific Life Open, to be held March 10-23 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, it was announced today by tournament director Steve Simon.

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The lights are still shining bright in Las Vegas, Nevada, but they dimmed, just a bit on the game of one of its daughters, American Asia Muhammad.

Asia waged a beautiful tournament. She was given a wildcard and she made the most of it. Today Asia's run at the Las Vegas Hilton Cup was stopped by Frenchwoman Camille Pin. Camille defeated Asia 6-4, 6-1.

In the first set Asia fought as hard as she could, and she gave as good as she got from Pin. With quite a bit more experience on her side, Pin was able to prevail. Unfortunately it was down hill from there. Asia very simply ran out of steam. She wasn't able to put up the fight that had been serving her so well all week.

It's just a matter of time, she'll get her sea legs.

Asia's mom and dad, Ron and Faye Muhammad sat in the stands alongside her coach, and not too far from her mentor, the great Andre Agassi.

When asked whether she realized that Andre Agassi was in attendance today, Asia said "I did not, I wasn't trying to look into the stands, especially in the second set."

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"Watch out for women power, that's what you saw ..." Great words from a woman Indian dignitary spoken during the presentation ceremony. Prior to that, there was a fight to the finish.

With dad Richard Williams, sisters Venus and Isha supporting her from the stands, American Serena Williams brought the 2008 Canara Bank Bangalore Open to a conclusion with her first title of 2008. Serena defeated Swede Patty Schynder 7-5, 6-3.

To reach this title Serena had to get by big sister Venus the day before. It wasn't an easy task, but Serena prevailed. While neither of the sisters was in tip top form, Serena seemed to have just a bit more fighting spirit.

The same was true of today's match against Switzerland's own Patty Schynder. Neither Patty or Serena played remarkably well, but Serena's fight game was on as usual. The more errors she made, the harder she battled to get the next point, classic Serena.

The first set was literally whomever could get to that crucial point, it consisted of service break after service break. Fortunately for Serena, she was able to hang in there and come out on top.

The second set was more of the same until Serena saw blood in the water after being down a break then bringing the set to 3-3, she devoured the balance of Schynder's game straight to the finish.

As proud dad Richard took lots of pictures as usual, and Venus signed autographs in the stands, former ATP Tour player Indian Vijay Amritraj spoke very fondly of Serena and the Williams family as he prepared to bring Serena up to receive her trophy.

"She comes from a remarkable family, and you've heard me on the television many many years talking about Richard and Venus and what they've done for tennis worldwide."

"It is a great pleasure to have all of them, the entire family here with us in India for the first time, and making their first visit to Bangalore. And rightly, the winner of this years tournament, the former world no. 1 and grand slam champion, ladies and gentlemen Serena Williams."

Amritraj stated, "Serena, first time in India and you win the tournament, feel good?" "I definitely feel good, it's my first time in India, everyone here is so nice and the crowd was great, it was fun out here.

When asked about the match being so tight Serena said, "Yeah you know, I've got to give thanks to my God Jehovah because, I mean, a couple of weeks ago I just wasn't even sure if I would be able to play here.

Serena was asked whether it was very tough playing Venus on Saturday, "Yeah it was really tough because you know to me, she's the best player on the tour, so, I hate to see my name next to hers (laughing).

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They last met at the U. S. Open in 2005 where Venus defeated Serena 7-6, 6-2. There's nothing new about seeing both of these former world no. 1's battle it out, with the exception of their being sisters, and that always makes it a bit more exciting. On the other hand, there's a bit of a down side for me. I don't like to see either one of the sisters lose, let alone to each other.

At the Bangalore Open in India on Saturday, American superstars Venus and Serena Williams met in a semifinal match. Serena came away the victor by defeating big sis' 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(4).

After winning the quarterfinal match that put her into this semifinal Serena laughed and said, "She is a tough player and the only chance of beating her is when she is injured. I want her leg to be broken."

"Venus is nice to me all the time except when she is on court. I am also very competitive and I always want to win. We will have fun tomorrow."

Venus said, "Would have been nice if we'd me in the final ... I'm happy that one of us will be in the final."

This is what helps me through it, the sisters have a wonderful love for each other and a tremendous perspective on where they begin and where the game ends.

After Saturday's match Serena said, "It was a close match, although we both weren't at our best ... My serve let me down on match point"

At one point during the tie-break Venus held match point, but committed an error allowing Serena to come even, surpass her and take the match.

Serena, will face Patty Schnyder in the final.

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In the semifinals of the USTA Pro Circuit Las Vegas Hilton Cup today, sixteen year old American Asia Muhammad took another step forward and is now in the final.

Asia defeated fellow American Madison Brengle 6-3, 7-5 and will now face Frenchwoman Camille Pin in the final tomorrow.

In the post match interview Asia was asked about Andre Agassi being a part of her career and how that impacts her personally and professionally, "Ammm, it's great, he actually was going to try to make it today, but I don't know if it could fit in his schedule. But he's such a nice guy, he's like," 'You know, I don't want to come cause I don't want to jinx her, or I don't want to make her nervous.' "You know, I like having him here, I don't really like look at the stands but, it would have been great if he could make it, maybe he can make it tomorrow."

Well, we'll be there with you tomorrow Asia, even it is by way of cable. Good Luck!!

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I don't like it, but I know that it has, and will continue to come about from time to time with the sisters .

Americans Venus and Serena Williams are into the semifinals at the Bangalore Open in India. There next opponents, each other!

Venus defeated Russian Vera Zvonareva 6-4, 6-3, and Serena defeated Anastasia Rodionova 6-1, 6-4.

"I'm really excited about playing Venus in the semis," Serena Williams said. "She's a really tough opponent, but it's going to be fun playing her. It's just a shame it couldn't be in the final."

It's been awhile since we've seen the sisters go toe-to-toe. I'm sure that they're going to make it exciting.

The sisters were knocked out of the doubles by Shuai Peng and Tiantian Sun of China, 7-5, 6-2, 9/11.

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Sweet Sixteen Asia Muhammad is into the semifinals at the Tennis Channel Open in Las Vegas, Nevada, also her home town.

After a two hour and twenty-one minute match, Asia defeated Russian Ekaterina Bychkova 3-6, 7-6(5), 6-4. Ms. Asia is showing some stamina already. Go for it girl!!

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Americans Sam Querrey, Amer Delic and Jim Thomas used a break of play at the Tennis Channel Open to visit the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy in Las Vegas on Thursday.

The players took a tour of the campus and interacted with the students of the model charter school, founded in 2001 with funds raised through the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation.

"It was great," said Querrey, who along with Delic will be playing in the Tennis Channel Open quarterfinals Friday. "All the facilities were awesome, the teachers and students were really nice. I wouldn’t mind going to a place like that!

"Everything is state of the art and top of the line and it looks like Andre has done a great job with the whole Academy."

The Andre Agassi College Prepatory Academy (AACPA) was established with the goal of offering academic programs designed to enhance a child's character, respect, motivation and self-discipline.

Located in the heart of Las Vegas' most at-risk neighborhood, AACPA was created specifically to improve skill levels and combat lowered academic expectations while creating a climate of hope among this community's most challenged children. Advanced technology, smaller class sizes and extended school hours are just some of the practices the AACPA utilizes to achieve a higher standard of education.

It creates an environment that rewards students for positive behavior and disciplines unacceptable conduct. Teachers, parents and students each follow a Commitment to Excellence and a Code of Respect. Community leaders, educators and parents work together to establish high expectations for all students.

Source

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