Black Tennis Pros

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In his post-match interview American Donald Young said, "I have actually never won a match outside of the U.S. on red clay.  So to win two here at the French Open, it means a lot."

Young advanced to the third round today after a 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 win over Spain's Feliciano Lopez.  This represents only the third occasion that he has been able to get this far at a grand slam tournament.

When asked whether he believes he's doing well because of the big stage and the greater challenge, Young responded, "Yeah, actually, I like the big stage a little more than the challengers and everywhere else.  I feel like I play better against higher level players.

"But, yeah, I just feel like I put the work in and I'm playing well.  I'm just letting my game flow and do what it does."

Awaiting Donald in the third round is yet another Spaniard, Guillermo Garcia-Lopez.




Tsonga The First Of The Frenchman To Charge Into Round 3

Austrian Jürgen Melzer fell to the mighty swings of France's own Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Wednesday. The No. 13 seed took the match in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4.

Post-match Tsonga stated that, "Jerzy is a difficult player. You never know exactly what to expect on court. I'm not really talking about his behavior but rather his game. He's rather unpredictable. He's very tall, he strikes hard. He can have a very high first ball, first-serve percentage, striking really hard ... so you have to find a way to neutralize him, and it's not always that easy."

Up next for Tsonga is the No. 22 seed Jerzy Janowicz of Poland.




Gael Monfils Flies Through Yet Another Round

The consistently acrobatic Frenchman Gael Monfils also moved through the second round in straight sets 7-6(4), 6-4, 6-1, eliminating Germany's Jan-Lennard Struff.  Struff put up quite a defense in the first set, but was not able to overcome the game of the 23rd seed.

Italian Fabio Fognini, the tournament's 14th seed, awaits Monfils in the 3rd round.

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WAY TO GO TAYLOR!!

In the breath of fresh air that eighteen-year-old American Taylor Townsend brings to the courts, she convincingly advanced to the third round of Roland Garros today after taking out the 20th seed, France's own Alize Cornet.

She is now the youngest American woman to advance to the third round at Roland Garros since 2003.

Up next for Taylor is Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain.

Matching Exits for the Williams Sisters

In what has to be one of the most unlikely unexpected combination of exits, both of the Williams sisters, World No. 1 Serena and 29th-seed-big-sister Venus both fell to their respective round two opponents.


Venus began her match well and it appeared that she would be able to contend well with nineteen-year-old Slovakian Anna Schmiedlova - not so.  As the American's game slowly dismantled, Schmiedlova picked up the pace, and control of the match as well, eventually winning 2-6 6-3 6-4.


Of  significantly greater shock was seeing the World No. 1 make her exit to Spaniard Garbine Muguruza - although her gameplay did not suggest that she was up for any task.  For whatever reason, Serena struggled throughout the match and committed a laundry list of 28 unforced errors. In a little over an hour, Muguruza had the win of her career under her belt.

Oh well...

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Men's Singles - Round 1
Steve Johnson (USA) vs. Laurent Lokoli (FRA)	To Finish 4-6 6-7(7) 7-6(3) 6-3 3-1

 
Women's Singles - Round 2

Serena Williams (USA) [1]
Garbine Muguruza (ESP)


Anna Schmiedlova (SVK)
Venus Williams (USA) [29]

Alize Cornet (FRA) [20]
Taylor Townsend (USA)


Men's Singles - Round 2

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) [13]
Jurgen Melzer (AUT)


Women's Doubles - Round 1

Stephanie Foretz Gacon (FRA)
Laura Thorpe (FRA)
Jana Cepelova (SVK)
Stefanie Voegele (SUI)

Kveta Peschke (CZE) [4]
Katarina Srebotnik (SLO) [4]
Lauren Davis (USA)
Megan Moulton-Levy (USA)

Madison Keys (USA)
Alison Riske (USA)
Irina Ramialison (FRA)
Constance Sibille (FRA)


Men's Doubles - Round 1

Tristan Lamasine (FRA)
Laurent Lokoli (FRA)
David Marrero (ESP) [4]
Fernando Verdasco (ESP) [4]

Eric Butorac (USA) [14]
Raven Klaasen (RSA) [14]
Steve Johnson (USA)
Sam Querrey (USA)

Michael Llodra (FRA) [5]
Nicolas Mahut (FRA) [5]
Gael Monfils (FRA)
Josselin Ouanna (FRA)

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Given that Venus Williams has been training since she was four years old, it's safe to say she knows a thing or two about staying in shape. So, when we got the chance to sit down with the tennis champ, naturally our conversation gravitated towards all things fitness. Williams was more than happy to share the workout and diet tips she's picked up along the way to her (no big deal) seven Grand Slam championships and over 40 WTA titles.

For starters, she's learned to keep her eyes on the prize during tough training sessions. "I focus on the end result," Williams told us at Jamba Juice’s FiTrends Expo in Los Angeles. "It’s going to be grueling now, but it’s going to be better and better. So, you need to focus on how much stronger you’re going to get, and how it’s going to be easier one day."

She's also figured out how to tackle procrastination. "For me, getting in the right mindset [for a workout] is about not delaying," she said. "If you sit there and say, 'I’ll go to the gym after this show,' you can find that it’s midnight and you haven’t gone yet." Sound familiar? The generous pro would caution against being too hard on yourself. "Everyone's gone through that," she said. "Except the people who just live to work out — they are a different kind of species." We knew we liked her for a reason. From snacking tips to daytime TV, read on for the rest of our chat with Williams.

What's the #1 thing people should not do when it comes to working out?

"That's a good question. I think there are a few things. If you’re running, it’s terrible if you don’t bring music, especially if you hate running. Bring music if you’re going to run, or else it will last forever. If you’re doing a timed exercise, don’t look at the clock every two seconds, because it makes it longer. Another thing is, especially if you’re in an air-conditioned gym, try to wear something that wicks sweat so you aren’t cold. And, try not to hurt yourself when you’re working out! That’s crucial."

How often do you recommend people switch up their exercise routines?

"For me, switching it up keeps it fresh. I have to switch it up a lot. There are some staple exercises that I do a lot, but then there are some that I change in and out. Some days I’m like, 'I don’t want to run half an hour today,' so I’ll run 15 minutes and do the rest on the bike. You have to make compromises sometimes."

If you had to come up with a golden rule for staying in shape, what would it be?

"I think the golden rule is stay consistent. You’re going to have periods where you take breaks — but don’t let those breaks be too much longer than a few weeks. Don’t expect yourself to be at the gym six or seven days a week. Maybe some weeks it’s three days. Or, it might be a rough week and it’s two. But, the golden rule is just to stay consistent."

What's the best diet advice you've ever received?

"It’s definitely from my older sister. She says, 'Not too much, and not too often.' So, have some, but not all — and not all the time. You know, be sensible."

What's your favorite indulgence? 

"Probably having a day off. Just laying in bed for a long time and watching those judge shows; daytime TV is such a luxury that it’s a huge indulgence for me. I love that."

What are your snacking tips for maintaining energy throughout the day?

"There are some people who need more snacks than others. Depending on what you’re doing, you might need more energy, so you might go with something like cashew butter. But, if you’re not doing as much performance, maybe it’s more like a green juice with apple in it. So, with those kinds of things, you have to find the balance of what you are preparing for and what’s appropriate."

What do you eat before and after a tennis match?

"Before matches, I eat a combination of protein and carbohydrates just to keep up the energy balance. After the match, hopefully, I will finish it with just 200 calories to refuel my body quickly, so it’s not breaking down muscle for food."

What are your strategies for avoiding unhealthy food and alcohol when you're out at events and parties?

"I usually have to avoid all alcohol because I’m always training or always getting ready for the next tournament. So, that’s my personal motivation. But at the same time, alcohol slows down your metabolism, and it’s a quick way to cellulite and belly fat, so you have to remember those things! Say, 'Okay, I’m going to pick my times and have a good time with it, and the other times I’m just going to not have it at all.'"

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(CNN) -- Nelson Mandela, the revered statesman who emerged from prison after 27 years to lead South Africa out of decades of apartheid, has died, South African President Jacob Zuma announced late Thursday.

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