James Blake consoles Roger Federer after the top seed's surprise 2008 Olympics exit.
In a post-match interview yesterday, Switzerland's Roger Federer reponded to an inquiry about his upcoming match against James Blake.
Q. What do you think about playing James Blake next?
ROGER FEDERER: Fun. I’m really looking forward to it. He’s a good friend of mine, and it’s been hard seeing him go through challenges and surgeries and injuries and so forth. He’s back on the big stage where he belongs, especially here in the States. It’s going to be a tricky, tough match.
I don’t know if the last match we played against each other was the Olympic match, but that was obviously a pretty big match for me to lose as well. May be getting a chance for some revenge. I’m looking forward to it.
Seems like he’s playing well. Definitely going to be ready for it. Had a great finals here years ago, and hope we can make something similar happen.
Venus Williams, Apollo Ono, Eli Manning and Shaquille O'Neal, all spokespersons for the Triple Double Oreo.
EAST HANOVER, N.J. (Aug. 17, 2011) – After months of rumors, speculation, and excitement, the most anticipated cookie on the planet has finally arrived.
In early May, word of the yet-to-be released TRIPLE DOUBLE OREO cookie reached the Internet and within hours, OREO fans were buzzing throughout social media about this new take on the iconic cookie. At long last, the wait is over. The TRIPLE DOUBLE OREO cookie, which combines two layers of OREO creme, one chocolate and one original, with three layers of crunchy, chocolaty OREO cookies, is available in stores nationwide.
“Our fans’ passion and enthusiasm has challenged us to raise our game. With the TRIPLE DOUBLE OREO cookie, we set out to take OREO to another level by adding a new twist,” said Jessica Robinson, associate director of consumer engagement, Kraft Foods. "We are looking forward to engaging with OREO fans as they share their twisting, licking and dunking moments with the new TRIPLE DOUBLE OREO cookie.”
One Global Cookie, Many Unique ‘Twists’
The new TRIPLE DOUBLE OREO cookie is another way in which OREO is creating fun new ways for people to enjoy the moment of childlike delight when twisting, licking and dunking an OREO cookie in milk. This iconic ritual is enjoyed throughout the world, from the United States to France to China. In fact, the TRIPLE DOUBLE OREO cookie is a new twist on Argentina’s OREO “x3” (pronounced “Por Tres”) cookie, introduced in 2010. Similar to the TRIPLE DOUBLE OREO cookie, the OREO x3 features three layers of cookie, and two layers of creme.
“The birthplace of OREO is America, but it’s one global cookie,” says John Ghingo, senior director of global marketing, OREO. “We’re excited when we can take a popular idea in one country and share it with other OREO fans around the world. It’s ideas like this that have made OREO the world’s favorite cookie.”
Team DSRL and OREO Fans Tackle TRIPLE DOUBLE OREO Challenge
To help launch the new cookie, the OREO Brand has enlisted the help of both OREO fans and Team DSRL, including Shaquille O’Neal, Eli Manning Venus Williams, Apolo Ohno and of course, Stufy, the DSRL mascot. New OREO Double Stuf Racing League TV advertising will begin airing in early September. DSRL veteran Shaquille O’Neal loves the challenge that the new cookie poses to his team, and wants to know if OREO fans are game.
“Now that I am retired I can spend more time perfecting my twist, lick and dunk skills, and with an added layer of creme and a third cookie, it’s clear that I am going to need the practice,” said O’Neal. “I am obviously the dunking expert, but I am working with the rest of Team DSRL to figure out the best way to compete with the TRIPLE DOUBLE OREO cookie.”
Serena Williams, USA, speaks with the press after withdrawing form W&S Open.
On Wednesday morning organizers stated that former world number one, Serena Williams has pulled out of the Western and Southern Open, Cincinnati, Ohio with a toe injury.
Yet, anyone watching her match against Lucie Hradecka, CZE on Tuesday could see just how fatigued Serena was.
Williams was due to face Australian 10th seed Samantha Stosur in the second round, in a rematch of the Toronto Cup final she won on Sunday.
The 13-times grand slam champion suffered an "aggravation of a right toe injury" a statement from the organizers said.
Williams has won her last two tournaments since returning to competition in June after 11 months out with injuries and health problems.
After her straight sets victory over Czech Lucie Hradecka on Tuesday, Williams said she was wary of becoming tired before the U.S. Open later this month.
"I definitely don't want to overdo it. My main goal right now is obviously to do well," said Williams.
"And nothing against Cincinnati or Toronto or the Stanfords that I played, but this is all preparation. Everyone is preparing for the U.S. Open. So I have to be smart and make sure it's not too much."
A very fatigued Serena Williams rests after her defeat of Lucie Hradecka, CZE.
Too much too soon?
"I'm going to have to figure that out," responded Serena with regard to whether she is overplaying. "Nothing against Cincinnati or Toronto or the Stanfords that I've played, but everyone is preparing for the U.S. Open. I have to be smart and make sure it's not too much."
Serena is currently topping the U.S. Open Series Leaderboard with 170 points, having won the last two titles. On Tueday at the Western and Southern Open, Cincinnati, Ohio, she began to rack up even more points with a first-round-straight-sets win over the Czech Republic's Lucie Hradecka, 3-6, 6-7 (5).
At the same time, the match took a gradual toll on Serena that was very evident in her play and body language as well. It appeared towards the end of the second set that she would either be withdrawing, or calling for the trainer. In typical Serena fashion though, neither occurred -- she trudged along and found a way to win.
Hopefully a good night's rest will do the trick for play on Wednesday... wouldn't want to see her have to drop out of the Series -- and definitely not the U.S. Open!
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga used a powerful serve and a spotless return game to pick up his first career win at the Western & Southern Open, 6-3, 6-4 over Marin Cilic in the first round on Tuesday.
Serving near 130 mph, Tsonga hit nine aces and took advantage of more than 20 unforced errors by Cilic. "It was really a fluid match," Tsonga said. "Like everything was easy for me today, to serve and everything."
"This morning in warmups, I was feeling really good," said Tsonga, who has been battling an arm injury. "And during the match I felt really good."
After beating Cilic for the first time in his career, Tsonga next will play qualifier Alex Bogomolov Jr. in the second round today or Thursday.
American wild card James Blake will meet Switzerland's Roger Federer in a repeat of the 2007 Cincinnati final. Federer holds a 9-1 record against the former World No. 4, with his only loss coming in the quarter-finals of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
Blake, who currently stands at No. 84 in the South African Airways 2011 ATP Rankings, comfortably rolled past Italian Fabio Fognini 6-4, 6-2 in 58 minutes as he converted three of his five break points.
James Blake, a Cincinnati singles finalist in ’07 and an ’02 doubles titlist with Todd Martin, defeated Marcos Baghdatis in a rematch of their Wimbledon first round meeting. The veteran Blake, who’s been ranked as high as No. 4 in the world back in ‘06, advanced to the second round 6-3, 3-6, 6-2.
For Blake, the win over Baghdatis allowed him to exact revenge after suffering a loss to the Cypriot at Wimbledon earlier this summer. In that match, the Baghdatis won 6-4 6-2 6-7(5) 4-6 6-4.
Blake cited increased confidence as one factor in the role reversal this time around.
The American continued that the court surface attributed to the positive result. "Since I lost to [Baghdatis] at Wimbledon, I’ve been playing well," he said. "I feel really good about being back on the hard courts. The summer swing is always my favorite part of the year; it’s where I have my most success."
Up next for the American will be the winner between the No. 14 seed and 2011 Sydney finalist Viktor Troicki and Fabio Fognini, who’s currently enjoying a career-high ranking of No. 64. Earlier this year, the Italian advanced to the quarterfinals at the French Open in his best ever showing at a major.
American Venus Williams signing autographs for even the smallest of fans.
Former World No. 1 Venus Williams made a special appearance to sign autographs on High School Day for a throng of students gathered in the Grandstand Tent.
Williams, who made the third round of Cincinnati in ’09, has won seven Grand Slam titles in her career and 43 Tour titles overall. A viral illness has forced her to withdraw from this year’s Western and Southern Open, but she came on-site Sunday to fulfill sponsor obligations.
Highlighting the day’s Kid’s Day events was the appearance of ’07 Cincinnati finalist James Blake and recent Carlsbad quarterfinalist Sloane Stephens. The American duo played an exhibition match in the Quickstart tennis format. Instead of racquets, however, they were equipped with frying pans.
Kids Casting Call
The 2011 Casting Call was bigger and better, with something for the entire family. Auditions took place on the Fountain Square stage, siblings played on the tennis courts installed right on the square, and parents enjoyed lunch from Skyline under the sun. Kids between the ages of 7 and 12 tried out for a chance to sing in front of thousands at this summer's Western & Southern Financial Group Masters and Women's Open. These lucky winners will have the special opportunity to sing "America the Beautiful" prior to a session of the 2010 tournaments at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio.
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