Black Tennis Pros

Venus Williams has taken the first round/match 6-4 over Jelena Jankovic.

Serena wins the second round 6-3 over Ana Ivanovic setting up yet another all-Williams final.

Serena takes out Venus 6-4, 6-3 to win the first BNP Paribas Billie Jean King Cup.


Event Photos

Americans Paul Todd and Jarmere Jenkins will be playing on opposite teams in the final of the Valley Baptist Health System Harlingen Country Club $15,000 Futures, Harlingen, Texas.

Paul Todd and teammate Treat Conrad Huey of the Philippines defeated the Mexican doubles team of Luis Diaz-Barriga and Antonio Ruiz-Rosales 6-1, 6-4 to reach the final of this event.

Jarmere Jenkins and teammate Javier Herrera-Eguiluz of Mexico defeated Uladzimir Ignatik of Belarus and American Nikita Kryvonos 7-6(6) 1-6 [10-4] to reach the final.


**UPDATE**

The doubles team of American Jarmere Jenkins and Mexican Javier-Herrera Eguiluz have defeated the team of American Paul Todd and Treat Conrad Huey of the Phillippines 1-6, 6-2 [10/8] to take the Harlingen Country Club doubles title.

I don't know what happened either Gael...

Frenchman Gael Monfils seemed a tad asleep at the wheel in last night's Abierto Mexicano Telcel. Spaniard Nicolas Almagro was only slightly more awake, although definitely more willing to pull the trigger, and thus walked away with the title. Monfils was defeated 6-4, 6-4.

Perhaps Almagro's determination resided in the need for a little payback. Monfils knocked Almagro out of the Australian Open in January in a third round straight sets win 6-4, 6-3, 7-5.

Whatever the motivation of either player, it was not the best tennis that we've seen from either. Nonetheless, as defending champion, Almagro was overjoyed.

Got somewhere to go Venus?

My goodness! American Venus Williams took it to Italian Flavia Pennetta as if she had somewhere else important to go. The match lasted 62 minutes, but it seemed to go by much faster.

With an array of winning shots, five aces and a forehand that smacked everybody who doubts it in the face, Venus earned her 41st title at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel in Acapulco a short while ago.

Pennetta took her bruising like a woman though. After being assaulted 6-1, 6-2, she still smiled as she spoke Spanish during the trophy presentation.


Venus said she was sorry that she couldn't speak Spanish like Pennetta, but she did say "gracias," and "I hope to be back here next year."

American Venus Williams won her second straight three-set match on Thursday to reach the semifinals of the Abierto Mexicano Telcel. Venus defeated Agnes Szavay 6-2, 5-7, 6-1.

In the semifinal round Venus will play Barbora Zahlavova Strycova of the Czech Republic.

The White House has released the official portrait of First Lady Michelle Obama. It was taken in the Blue Room of the White House.

Absolutely beautiful - Work it First Lady!

NEW YORK, N.Y. (February 26, 2009) - Andre Agassi will return to professional team tennis competition this summer, playing two matches for the Philadelphia Freedoms of the Advanta World TeamTennis Pro League. League officials announced Agassi's return when they released the 2009 schedule today.

The 2009 Advanta WTT Pro League schedule includes 73 matches in 10 markets, beginning July 2 and running through July 26. The Eastern and Western Conference Champions will battle for the Advanta WTT Championship title on July 26.

Agassi, who previously played World TeamTennis from 2002 to 2004, will play for the Freedoms on July 10 in Philadelphia and one road match on July 17 in Newport Beach, Calif. "Playing World TeamTennis is a great experience," said Agassi. "Team play is a terrific way to showcase tennis, especially for kids. WTT is competitive, it's fun and there's a really great energy from the fans. I'm looking forward to playing WTT again."

Agassi, who won 60 career singles titles including eight Grand Slam singles championships, is the only man to win all four Grand Slam titles and an Olympic gold medal. One of tennis' true superstars, Agassi is also widely respected for his philanthropy. In 1994, he established the Andre Agassi Foundation which is dedicated to transforming U.S. public education for underserved youth. Agassi opened a public charter school in Las Vegas in 2001, the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy, in one of the city's most socio-economically disadvantaged neighborhoods to improve lives through education. The school will have its first senior graduating class this spring.

"It's exciting to have Andre back in the Advanta World TeamTennis Pro League," said WTT CEO/Commissioner Ilana Kloss. "Not only is he one of the game's greatest ambassadors, but he has a unique connection with fans. He always brings something special to the court."

Agassi joins previously announced marquee players including Serena Williams (Washington Kastles), Venus Williams (Philadelphia Freedoms), Martina Navratilova (Boston Lobsters), John McEnroe (New York Sportimes); Anna Kournikova (St. Louis Aces), Michael Chang (Sacramento Capitals) and Bob and Mike Bryan (Kansas City Explorers).

Serena Williams will play four times for her Washington Kastles this summer. The 2009 Australian Open champion begins her WTT season with three road matches - July 9 in Boston, July 10 in New York City and July 13 in Philadelphia. Williams makes her only home appearance in Washington, D.C., on July 14.