TennisToday

Serena Williams Kicks Maria Sharapova's Butt at Stanford

Stanford WTA Quarterfinal

Serena Williams d 2 Maria Sharapova - 61 63

I so did not expect this.

Serena has dropped out of the top 150 - she'll be back in the top 10 soon.

I've just been trying my hardest and practicing...

And trying to get back in the Top 100.

I'm No.162 right now [sic]. It's a little crazy.

Welcome back girl.

Photo: Getty Images

Ryan Harrison Thru to Los Angeles Semifinals

Los Angeles ATP 250 - Men's Quarterfinal

Ryan Harrison d Yen-Hsun Lu - 36 63 64

ATP leader: This is Ryan's 12th match win of '11 after dropping the 1st set.

This is also his 2nd straight ATP Sf - he lost last week in Atlanta to Fish.

Ryan may have a rematch with Fish tomorrow. Fish plays Kunitsyn tonight.

He becomes the 1st US teen to reach back-to-back Sf's since Roddick in '02.

Ranking rise: With a Sf showing he will rise to around #83.

The future of American tennis is looking good to me.

Photo: A crappy pic I took of my TV.

Marko Djokovic Fist Bumps Poster Novak

Earlier today Marko tweeted this photo captioned:

This is how often i see my bro'! But the spirit is always there!

***

I lervs it.

Fernando Verdasco Wins Opening Match in Hamburg with New Buzz Cut

Hamburg ATP 500 - 2nd Round

8 Fernando Verdasco d Pablo Andujar - 62 63

Yowza: I mean, how do I not post this photo?

Recently Fern's dropped in ranking to #22 after a couple years in the top 10.

He didn't have a great US swing last summer so there is room for growth.

Until the US Open where he has Qf points to defend.

It'll be interesting to see if Fern can turn things around.

With 10 pounds lopped off his head he should at least be lighter on his feet.

Photo: Fern's Facebook

Dinara Safina: The Horseback Riding Archer

This began floating around Twitter this morning.

I have no idea where this is from. I just know it funtastic.

Thanks to FortyDeuceTwits and tejmeglekvar on Twitter.

Andrea Petkovic Attends Women's World Cup

In case you didn't know Japan beat the US in overtime penalty kicks.

It was insanely thrilling.

I'm guessing by her tweets that she had a FREAKING good time...

1. At the FIFA world cup final Japan vs. USA... I'm sooo FREAKING excited!

2. I'm absolutely totally unstoppably freakingly FREAKING out! What a game!

3. I'm FREAKING watching the most exciting game...

in history of women's soccer! What a lucky bastard I am!

Robin Soderling & JC Ferrero: ATP Weekend Winners

Bastad ATP 250 - Men's Final

1 Robin Soderling d 2 David Ferrer - 62 62

This is Robin's 4th ATP title on the year & the 10th of his career.

He is now 10-10 in finals.

This is the 3rd time Robin's become a 2-time champ: Lyon & Rotterdam.

The win did nothing for his ranking... He's stuck at #5 - way behind Murray.

Battle for #5: Ferrer is at Robin's heels with only 115 points separating them.

Neither of them had a good US swing last year so... It's on.

***

Stuttgart ATP 250 - Men's Final

Juan Carlos Ferrero d Pablo Andujar - 64 60

This is JC's 1st ATP title on the year & the 16th of his career.

He is now 16-18 in finals.

The win moves JC up 21 ranking spots to #64.

Deep field: And that only makes in the #11 player from Spain.

Plum loco.

 

 

Beach Studs: Rafael Nadal vs Novak Djokovic

The top 2 players hit the beach after Wimbledon.

Both in need of a well deserved rest before the US swing.

One is in Mallorca, the other in St. Tropez. And if you have to ask...

Melzer & Petzschner Win Doubles Title at Stuttgart

Stuttgart ATP 250 - Men's Doubles Final

2 Jurgen Melzer & Philipp Petzchner d 3 Granollers & Lopez - 63 64

I just posted this cuz I think they're way cute.

Photos from Petzschner's Facebook

ATP & WTA Title Leaders of 2011 - Thru Wimbledon

The year is half finished and Novak still has lost only ONE match.

MEN

8 titles: Novak Djokovic

3 titles: Nicolas Almagro, Rafael Nadal (above), Robin Soderling

2 titles: Juan Martin Del Potro, David Ferrer

1 title: Pablo Andujar, Kevin Anderson, Nicolay Davydenko, Ivan Dodig,

Roger Federer, Philipp Kohlschreiber, Andy Murray, Milos Raonic,

 Tommy Robredo, Andy Roddick, Andreas Seppi,

Gilles Simon, Ryan Sweeting, Dmitry Tursunov, Stan Wawrinka

*****************

WOMEN

5 Titles: Caroline Wozniacki

4 Titles: Petra Kvitova

2 Titles: Victoria Azarenka, Li Na, Roberta Vinci

1 title: Greta Arn, Marion Bartoli, Alberta Brianti, Kim Clijsters,

Jelena Dokic, Anabel Medina Garrigues, Julia Goerges, Jarmilla Groth,

Daniela Hantuchova, Lourdes Dominguea Lino, Sabine Lisicki,

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Andrea Petkovic, Magdelena Rybarikova,

Maria Sharapova, Vera Zvonareva

***

Note: Slam winners in bold.

I'll update this list again after the US Open.

Elena Dementieva Marries Maxim Afinogenov

And of course she makes a beautiful bride.

Photo from Alla Kudryavtseva's Twitter page.

Rafael Nadal Nurses Wimbledon Loss with Friends on a Yacht Cruise to Ibiza

My all-time favorite word is Mediterranean.

I makes everything better. And Rafa looks quite happy.

Novak Djokovic: Wimbledon Champ and New #1

I love how giddy he looks with his 'to go' Wimbledon trophy.

Novak posted this (sweet) photo on his Facebook page yesterday captioned:

On my way to the airport. Finally got a minute to see better "my precious".

There is my name among so many great champions. I'm speechless :)

While winning Wimby Novak became the 25th #1 player on the ATP tour.

Not to beat a dead horse but this boy is having an amazing year: 48-1.

Video: 100,000 gave him a hero's welcom upon his return to Belgrade:

Your 2011 Wimbledon Champions

Men's Champion: Novak Djokovic

Women's Champion: Petra Kvitova

Men's Doubles: Bob Bryan & Mike Bryan

Women's Doubles: Kveta Peschke & Katarina Srebotnik

Mixed Doubles: Iveta Benesova & Jurgen Melzer

Photos: Getty Images

Novak Djokovic Win Men's Title at Wimbledon

Wimbledon Men's Final

2 Novak Djokovic d 1 Rafael Nadal - 64 61 16 63

We are officially deep into an historic year as Novak is simply not losing.

Thru the first half of the year he's lost one match: 48-1. Winning 8 titles.

Aussie Open, Dubai, Indian Wells, Miami, Belgrade, Madrid, Rome, Wimby.

5 of those titles coming at Rafa's expense.

Let's see what the 2nd half brings for the Serb. Can he keep this up?

After a pair of Sf showing he finally won Wimbledon, his 3rd career Slam.

Novak: It has been the best day of my life, most special day of my life.

I always dreamed of winning this tournament. I think I’m still dreaming.

When you are playing the best player in the world, Rafa Nadal...

Who has won two of last three Wimbledons, I had to be on top of my game...

And I think I played my best grass-court match ever.

Indeed. Except for the 3rd set he had Rafa pretty baffled today.

Icing on the cake: And he'll find himself ranked #1 tomorrow morning.

The 25th man in the modern era to reach the pinnacle in ATP tennis.

And he will be there for a bit. ADJE.

Photo: Getty Images

Petra Kvitova Wins Wimbledon Title

Wimbledon Women's Final

8 Petra Kvitova d 5 Maria Sharapova - 63 64

What an amazing display of power and control Petra showed today.

She wins her maiden Slam at the tender age of 21.

The youngest to win since Ana Ivanovic won the French 3 years ago.

Petra: It's hard to find words standing here with the trophy and...

Seeing all of the great players in the Royal Box. I was nervous...

Because I thought I could win Wimbledon, but I just focused on each point.

Petra is the first lefty to win Wimby since Martina Navratilova in 1990.

A #8 seed has never won a Slam before today.

BTW, Petra was my pick to win at the start of the tournament.

Photo: Getty Images