Black Tennis Pros

Quite a few of you who visit Black Tennis Pro's frequently either left me a comment here at the site, or sent me an email to let me know that you voted for Black Tennis Pro's in the 2009 Black Web Awards. Thank you so very much to each and every one of you. Your support lifted Black Tennis Pro's to the win as Best Site For Black Athletes and I am genuinely thrilled. I don't know about you, but I like to win!

The funny thing about my finding out about the win is that I stopped by to see SjP at Sojourner's Place, who also deserves a hearty congratulations for her win as Best Online Commentator. As I was reading the related article, I found out that I had won. This is exactly how I found out that I had been nominated, stopping by Sojourner's Place. Thanks for the constant 411 SjP!

I haven't had an opportunity to go through the entire list of winners as yet, but SjP noted that the following sites were among the winners.

Barack Obama.com - Most Important Site for Black America & Most Original Site
Black Women in Europe Blog - Best Black European Site
Black Blog Watch - Best Black Blog Directory
You Betta Recognize - Best Education
Raw Dawg Buffalo - Best Business & Political

Congratulations to all of the winners!

Well, we've survived the third and final debate between the presidential candidates. I am so glad that they are over! It has been nice to see my choice for president, Barack Obama, continually spell out his plans and discuss his vision for America, but enough of anything is enough!

McCain never had a shot in heaven or hell of convincing me that he would be the better candidate, so continuing to look at him create new policy with every changing poll has been a real drag. I will say though, McCain is quite impressive in his denial of running a dirtier than dirty campaign against Obama and then pretending that he is the one that has been victimized. A reality show seems a good place for him to go from here. That kind of bologna works in that venue.

Bored with the debates, yes. But these 30-minute spots that Obama has purchased on various networks definitely have my attention. I can't wait to see what he has planned to leave the American people with just days prior to the election. Very strategic move Obama!

John McCain reacts to almost heading the wrong way off the stage after shaking hands Barack Obama.

Frenchmen Gael Monfils and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and American Venus Williams made it look easy today.

Venus, seeded third, beat Ukrainian Alona Bondarenko 6-3, 6-4 to reach the quarterfinals of the Zurich Open.

"I played OK and when the points became important I was winning those, especially on my serve. I was trying to put more into coming in (to the net) on different kinds of shots. I'll be looking to improve my level with every round," Venus said.

Up next is either Russian Maria Kirilenko or Italian Francesca Schiavone.

In Madrid also, Tsonga, the 16th seed, edged through a third-set tiebreak to defeat Spaniard Marcel Granollers 3-6, 6-3, 7-6.

Awwww man!

American James Blake can't seem to get the job done as of late. I thought that the short period that he's been off might have rejuvenated his game, but not so. Today Blake was defeated by Frenchman Gilles Simon 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 in the second round of the Mutua Madrilena Masters Madrid.

He seems to be in some kind of funk...Come on Blake, SNAP OUT OF IT!!!


Frenchman Gael Monfils Through To Second Round

Gael Monfils won his first singles match in three visits to Madrid with a 6-2, 6-4 round one victory over Italian wild card Fabio Fognini.

Monfils will meet Fernando Gonzalez in the second round.

Unfortunately, that good fortune did not transfer over to the doubles. Monfils and his partner, countryman Gilles Simon, were bounced by Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic and German Nicolas Keifer 6-3, 6-2.

Photo Getty Images

SINGLES

Round 1

Venus Williams vs. BYE


SINGLES

Round 1

James Blake, USA vs. BYE

Gael Monfils, USA vs. Fabio Fognini, ITA

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, FRA vs. BYE


DOUBLES

Round 1

Gael Monfils, FRA and Gilles Simon, FRA
vs.
Thomas Berdych, CZE and Nicolas Keifer, GER

James Blake, USA and Mardy Fish, USA
defeated by
Carlos Moya, ESP and Rafael Nadal, ESP
6-4, 6-7(5) [5/10]

Jeff Coetzee, RSA and Wesley Moodie, RSA
vs.
BYE


SINGLES

Round 1

Donald Young, USA vs. Lester Cook, USA

Scoville Jenkins, USA vs. Robert Kendrick, USA


DOUBLES

Round 1

Scoville Jenkins, USA and Amir Weintraub, ISR
vs.
Ilia Bozoljac, SRB and Dusan Vemic, SRB


SINGLES

Round 1

Nicholas Monroe, USA vs. Brett Joelson, USA

Phillip Simmonds, USA vs. Maksim Tikhomirov, USA


DOUBLES

Round 1

Phillip Simmonds, USA and Gregory Ouellette, USA
vs.
G. D. Jones, NZL and Ryan Rowe, USA


SINGLES

Round 1

Asia Muhammad, USA vs. Rossana De Los Rios, PAR

Alexandra Stevenson, USA vs. Shenay Perry, USA

Ahsha Rolle, USA vs. Anna Tatishvilli, GEO

Angela Haynes, USA vs. Lindsay Lee-Waters, USA


DOUBLES

Round 1

Ahsha Rolle, USA and Olga Puchkoba, RUS
vs.
Julie Ditty, USA and Carly Gullickson, USA

Asia Muhammad, USA and Christina McHale, USA
vs.
Brittany Augustine, USA and Grace Min, USA

Megan Moulton-Levy, USA and Audra Cohen, USA
vs.
Lauren Albanese, USA vs. Madison Brengle, USA

Angela Haynes, USA and Melinda Czink, HUN
vs.
Margaret Boyette, USA and Alexandra Clay, USA


Singles Qualifying Rounds:

Round 1

Megan Moulton-Levy, USA defeated Chieh-Yu Hsu, USA
6-3, 6-1


SINGLES

Round 1

Whitney Jones, USA vs. Anna Orlik, BLR


DOUBLES

Round 1

Whitney Jones, USA and Larikah Russell, BAH
vs.
Coral Morales, CHI and Melodia Morales, CHI

Tina Fey told TVGuide she'll be "done" if John McCain and Sarah Palin win the election next month.

The "SNL" veteran who has come back to play the Republican Vice Presidential candidate (and whose own show, "30 Rock," is still nowhere to be seen), said, "We're gonna take it week by week. If she wins, I'm done. I can't do that for four years. And by 'I'm done,' I mean I'm leaving Earth."

Fey also said it's a busy but exciting time for "SNL."

"Election time is always good for [SNL] and this is a bonkers election," she said. "And that lady is a media star. She is a fascinating person, she's very likeable. She's fun to play, and the two bits with Amy [Poehler], that was super fun," Fey says.

For the full story, pick up the October 20th issue of TV Guide, plus the following week's issue (October 27th) featuring TV Guide's cover story on 30 Rock's Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin.

Monday's typically suck for me. I don't make plans, I don't schedule any appointments and basically don't leave the house because I know that something weird awaits me outside.

That said, I received not one, but TWO "I love Your Blog" Awards, thus turning my Monday into Tuesday (which is always nice).

George Geder at George Geder Genealogy-Photography-Restoration and Villager at Electronic Village are the very generous gentlemen who have bestowed these honors upon me.

If you have not taken the time to visit either of these sites, you're really missing something. George "Guided by the Ancestors" Geder has such a unique site. Through the sharing of his own ancestry, he shows you how he can assist you with your genealogy, photography and restoration needs which he provides. It is really interesting, check it out.


And Villager, what can I say. Villager has created one of those staple sites where you know you can get a broad perspective on matters in and outside of the community. Villager does such a wonderful job of sharing inside of his posts that you immediately feel as though you are a Village member. After one visit I know you'll agree with me.

Thanks guys!