Black Tennis Pros

Venus Williams advanced to the final of the Zurich Open on Saturday with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory over second seed Ana Ivanovic.

It marks a long awaited return to the final of this tournament for Williams - she has not played here on the final day since 1999 when - at the age of 19 - she topped then-number one Martina Hingis to claim the ninth of her 37 career titles.

The two-time reigning Wimbledon champion will go for another on Sunday when she faces Italy's Flavia Pennetta, a 6-3, 7-6 (8-6) winner over Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain in Saturday's other semi-final.

Williams ranked ninth in the world and seeded third here, has now won five of her six meetings against Ivanovic, who has not played well during the second half of this season.

"Winning close matches are rewarding, and especially at the end I think we were both competing very well," said Williams. "I think that sometimes it's tough to get a rhythm against her because when she plays me she's just going for everything.

"She plays aggressive to try and take the match away from me and to try and force the issue."

DETROIT (AP) — Four Tops lead singer Levi Stubbs, who possessed one of the most dynamic and emotive voices of all the Motown singers, died Friday at 72. He had been ill recently and died in his sleep at the Detroit house he shared with his wife, said Dana Meah, the wife of a grandson. The Wayne County medical examiner's office also confirmed the death.

With Stubbs in the lead, the Four Tops sold millions of records, including such hits as "Baby I Need Your Loving," "Reach Out (I'll Be There)" and "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)."

The group performed for more than four decades without a change in personnel. Stubbs' death leaves one surviving member of the original group: Abdul "Duke" Fakir.

Stubbs "fits right up there with all the icons of Motown," said Audley Smith, chief operating officer of the Motown Historical Museum. "His voice was as unique as Marvin's or as Smokey's or as Stevie's."

The Four Tops began singing together in 1953 under the group name the Four Aims and signed a deal with Chess Records. They later changed their names to the Four Tops to avoid being confused with the Ames Brothers.

I thought we ought to hear a little "Still Water Love."

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND (TICKER) —It has been a while since Venus Williams was in this position.

Third third-seeded American advanced to the semifinals of the Zurich Open on Friday with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Italy’s Francesca Schiavone.

This is the first time Williams has reached the final four here since winning the hardcourt event back in 1999, when - at the age of 19 - she topped No. 1 Martina Hingis to claim the ninth of her 37 career titles.

The path to title No. 38 could get a bit tougher in the semis as a potential showdown with second-seeded Serb Ana Ivanovic is looming.

Ivanovic, who has stumbled to a 6-6 mark since winning her first Grand Slam title at the French Open, will face Czech qualifier Petra Kvitova in the remaining quarterfinal match.

In addition to improving her record at this event to 12-3 with Friday’s triumph, Williams moved to 5-0 all-time against Schiavone.

The semifinal on the opposite side of draw will be a battle of unseeded players as Italy’s Flavia Pennetta and Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain will square off.

Pennetta, who ousted world No. 1 Jelena Jankovic on Thursday, topped Katarina Srebotnik, 7-5, 6-2, while Medina Garrigues moved through when Victoria Azarenka retired from their match with the score knotted, 4-6, 6-3.

Azarenka appeared to suffer a muscle strain just below her right shoulder during the second set and opted to concede the match prior to the start of the third.

First prize is $95,000.

Swiss No.1, Patty Schnyder (L) and current world No.9 Venus Williams paused for a photo while chatting at the Player Party.

Playing here for the first time since 2004, 1999 champion Venus Williams participated in the All-Access Hour with local and international media.

Venus Williams (back to camera) spoke with a group of journalists during the All-Access Hour.

Photos Andre Springer

MADRID (AFP) — Swashbuckling Frenchman Gael Monfils believes Lleyton Hewitt's loss is his gain after linking up with the Australian's former coach Roger Rasheed. >

Hewitt and Rasheed split in 2007 after a four-year partnership and now Monfils is reaping the benefits of the coach's widely-respected knowledge.

"Roger's making me more focussed on my game and more disciplined. It's really helping and the results are starting to come. I'm learning how to stay focussed and play tough."

Monfils, ranked 18th in the world, showed the results of his new lifestyle with an upset of eighth seed Andy Roddick 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 on Thursday to reach the quarter-finals of the Madrid Masters, only the second of his career at this level after Rome two years ago.

In addition to Rasheed's input, acupuncture and ironclad rules on diet from French physio Philippe Manacom are turning one of the best natural athletes on the ATP into a title contender.

Monfils says life has changed for the better on court as a result of his new approach to his career.

"For the last two months, I've been very serious," said the 22-year-old finalist last weekend indoors in Vienna a fortnight after reaching the Bangkok semi-finals.

"It's all changing for me."

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