Black Tennis Pros

SYDNEY (AP)—Top-seeded Serena Williams struggled in the Sydney International final Friday, committing 40 unforced errors in a 6-3, 6-2 loss to fifth-seeded Elena Dementieva of Russia.

Williams also appeared to hurt her left knee during the match but later downplayed any suggestion of an injury. She said she still plans to play singles and doubles with her sister, Venus, at the Australian Open next week.

“I think she played well,” Serena Williams said, “I made about a thousand and two unforced errors … it’s better now than later, I guess.”

When asked about her left leg, which she appeared to favor during the match, she said: “I was struggling a little bit, but, you know, I hate to make any excuse. I think she definitely deserves all the credit for what she did.”

Williams said she felt great heading into the season’s first major, where she is the defending champion.

“I feel like I have more than enough matches under my belt,” she said. “I feel like I’m really ready and fit. Even though I didn’t play great today, I feel like I can play much better.”

Earlier, former Australian Open finalist Marcos Baghdatis advanced to the final with a 6-4, 6-7 (7), 7-6 (5) victory over Mardy Fish of the U.S. Baghdatis will play Richard Gasquet, who beat French compatriot Julien Benneteau 6-3, 7-5.

The 28-year-old Dementieva became the first woman to defend her Sydney title since Martina Hingis in 2001-2002.

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American Shenay Perry marched into the second round of women’s qualifying at Australian Open 2010 on Thursday, beating Melanie South of Great Britain 6-3 6-3.

Perry is ranked 108 in the world and the third seed in the women’s qualifying draw.

Perry sealed the straight-sets win with a backhand winner down the line, her 26th for the match. The American will now meet Ivana Lisjak of Croatia, who knocked out Russian Elena Chalova 6-4 2-6 6-4 earlier on Thursday.

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American tennis star James Blake was a popular drawcard as the MLC ballkids were officially welcomed to the 2010 Australian Open today.

Dressed in their bright magenta-coloured Lacoste uniforms, this year’s group of 316 ballkids was received by notable figures including tournament director Craig Tiley and the former top-five ranked Blake.

Blake told the group their contribution is vital to the success of the tournament.

“The players appreciate everything they (ballkids) do. We work pretty hard out there and it means a lot to not have to go and pick up the balls.”

Before having a hit with two of the ballkids on show court three, Blake made some pledges to the group.

“I promise to be as nice as I possibly can to you all. And if I win the tournament you will be the first people I thank,” Blake said.

There’s plenty of incentive for the ballkids to work hard, too. Each individual receives an exclusive gift from Tennis Australia to thank them for their efforts, and the two best performers – one boy and one girl – receive the MLC Ballkid Award of a cheque for (AU) $1000 and a trophy that is presented to the recipients on Rod Laver Arena.

Ballkids work shifts of 45 minutes on court, followed by 45 minutes off court. In order to protect them from Melbourne’s sun and intense heat, the ballkids wear legionnaire hats and UV protected sunglasses. They are also provided with water bottles and wear special ‘coolits’, which are cool padded neckties.

Returning ballkid Steven Clark said he thoroughly enjoyed the 2009 tournament.

“We all had a lot of fun and we got to service the best players in the game.”

The final selection of ballkids for this year’s Australian Open includes 20 who have traveled from Korea and numerous children from other parts of Australia.

They are aged between 12 to 15 years old and have had a rigorous training schedule that has included five on-court sessions.

More than 1000 applications were received for the 316 positions, and trials to pick the final group began at local tennis clubs in April 2009.

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SYDNEY — World number one Serena Williams called on all her signature fighting spirit to overhaul French opponent Aravane Rezai and reach her first Sydney International final on Thursday.

The American 11-time Grand Slam champion clawed back from a set and 2-5 down to defeat 27th-ranked Rezai 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 and will play defending champion Elena Dementieva in Friday's final.

Fifth seed Dementieva, who downed Williams at this stage in last year's tournament, was too strong for sixth seed Victoria Azarenka of Belarus in the other semi, marching to a 6-3, 6-1 victory.

Williams will be bidding for her 36th title, while Dementieva will be after her 15th. Williams leads 7-4 in their career matches.

For much of the two-hour contest, Williams looked consigned to losing her fourth Sydney semi-final, before she raised her level to claim 11 of the last 15 games.

"I was lucky to get through today, for sure," Williams said.

"I was just trying to play my game and do the best that I could. I didn't do so well.

"I hit I don't know how many errors today, but I finally made a couple of shots."

Faced with a chastening defeat just days ahead of the defence of her Australian Open crown, Williams dug deep and turned the tide against the impressive Rezai.

"I don't think she lost her way at all," Williams said. "I just think at that point I lifted my game.

"I thought she did really well. I felt like I literally lifted my game at that point because I knew I was going be headed to Melbourne (for the Australian Open) if I didn't.

"I kept thinking, 'I want to get a little more practice and I'd hate for it to end now'."

Rezai said she had learnt from the defeat.

"I was probably scared to win the match," she said. "But I realise I have the game and I can win, so I learn one more thing today: It's just to fight until the end of the match."

Dementieva went on from her impressive straight-sets win over world number two Dinara Safina late Wednesday to ease past Azarenka.

"I was trying to be very aggressive from the beginning of the match," Dementieva said.

"I didn't want it to go to three sets because I need to save some energy for the final."

Dementieva said she was looking forward to facing Williams ahead of next week's Australian Open.

"I'm sure it's going to be a tough one. I think playing her in early rounds it's a completely different game," she said.

"So to play her in the final, it's going to be a tough challenge for me.

"It looks like she's in very good shape right now. It's going to be a tough battle."

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Last summer, buzz started brewing that the 'Love T.K.O.' singer was on his deathbed.

At the time, the Grammy Award-nominated singer-songwriter was hospitalized at Philadelphia's Bryn Mawr Hospital for about a month, and the nature of his illness was not publicly known. He and his new wife, Joan, addressed the rumors and expressed gratitude to his loyal legion of fans for their support.

"I wish to thank my fans for their prayers, concerns and love," Pendergrass disclosed in a statement. "While I have faced recent health challenges, I am in the care of my wonderful doctors, wife Joan and family."

"We ask at this time that you respect our privacy," the statement continued. "Do know that I'm looking forward to continuing my work at the Teddy Pendergrass Alliance to help people with spinal cord injuries."

Since becoming quadriplegic following a horrific 1982 car accident, the Kingstree, South Carolina native (real name: Theodore DeReese Pendergrass) was actively involved in improving the lives of others suffering spinal cord injuries through the Spinal Cord Injury Association.

The former Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes front man celebrated his successful music career in 2007 at "Teddy 25."

For full article go to Blackvoices.com.

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As the death toll continues to rise in Haiti, Wyclef continued his humanitarian efforts by speaking out publicly in an effort to encourage people across the world to donate to aid efforts. Read his statement and how you can help below:

“Haiti today faced a natural disaster of unprecedented proportion, an earthquake unlike anything the country has ever experienced. The magnitude 7.0 earthquake – and several very strong aftershocks – struck only 10 miles from Port-au-Prince. I cannot stress enough what a human disaster this is, and idle hands will only make this tragedy worse. The over 2 million people in Port-au-Prince tonight face catastrophe alone. We must act now. President Obama has already said that the U.S. stands ‘ready to assist’ the Haitian people. The U.S. Military is the only group trained and prepared to offer that assistance immediately. They must do so as soon as possible. The international community must also rise to the occasion and help the Haitian people in every way possible.”

Many people have already reached out to see what they can do right now. We are asking those interested to please do one of two things: Either you can use your cell phone to text “Yele” to 501501, which will automatically donate $5 to the Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund (it will be charged to your cell phone bill), or you can visit www.Yele.org and click on DONATE.

For full article including images go to www.Bossip.com.

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