TennisToday

Sabine Lisicki Upsets Serena Williams at Wimbledon

Wimbledon - Women's Fourth Round

23 Sabine Lisicki d 1 Serena Williams - 62 16 64

Add another big upset victim to this 2013 version of Wimbledon.

I mean, it's been one big-ass shock after another.

Nobody on this planet thought Serena would not take this title.

BUT... Sabine owns reigning French Open champs at Wimby.

Make it 4 years running: Fran in '10, Li Na in '11, and Maria last year.

Post match: Of course it gave me a little more energy knowing she won

the French Open and I've beaten the French Open champion three times

in a row in my last three appearances. It was a good omen.

They always happen to be on the side of the draw I'm on.

2013 French Open Champions

Rafael Nadal

Serena Williams

The Bryan Brothers

Ekaterina Makarova & Elena Vesnina

Frantisek Cermak & Lucie Hradecka

Serena Williams Wins 2013 French Open Title

French Open - Women's Final

1 Serena Williams d 2 maria Sharapova - 64 64

It took her 11 years to win a 2nd French Open title - but she's done it.

That is the longest gap between Slam (any Slam) titles in the Open Era.

She now has 16 Slams and at least 2 of each: AO 5, FO 2, W 5, USO 4.

She has a ways to go to catch Steffi Graf who has at least 4 of each.

Post match about her Slams:

I'm just trying to go up and up. Today when I won I was trying to win

the French Open; I wasn't trying to get to No.16. I think it was

Fabrice Santoro who told me that on court, 16, and I thought,

"Wow, I forgot about that.' I think it's really special. I feel like I definitely

want to continue my journey. If It means I stop at 16 or if it means I have

more, I definitely want to continue my journey to get a few more.

***

I doubt she will ever catch Margaret Court with 24 Slams but...

Serena is 2 away from Chris Evert & Martina Navratilova.

Their count is definitely in jeopardy.

Serena Williams Thru to Final at French Open

French Open - Women's Semifinal

1 Serena Williams d 5 Sara Errani - 60 61

This is Serena's 20th Slam final - she has only lost 4 times at this stage.

One of them was to Maria in the '04 Wimbledon final.

In fact the only 2 times Maria beat Serena was in '04.

Since then Maria has gotten a whole series of beatdowns.

Also, this is Serena's 2nd French Open final - she won in '02.

It was the beginning of her 'Serena Slam' if you'll recall.

Post match on winning another French Open title:

It would be awesome for me. I don't think there's anything that can

describe how happy I would be. But right now it's still a dream -

I still have another match to play, hopefully to win.

It's still two people fighting for the championship.

Serena Williams Thru to Semifinals at the French Open

French Open - Women's Quarterfinal

1 Serena Williams d Svetlana Kuznetsova - 61 36 63

Look at that - Serena wobbled in the middle of that match.

Coming into this match she only dropped 9 games.

But she was facing the '09 champion.

Odd but true: this Serena's 1st trip to the Sf's at RG since 2003.

She may be the '02 champ but this is by far her worst Slam.

She's won at least 4 titles at each of the others and only 1 here.

Post match: I was so determined to get through that match, and

I really, really, really wanted it more than anyone, I think.

I was really just fighting, giving it everything I had out there.

Sara Errani Thru to Semifinals at the French Open

French Open - Women's Quarterfinals

5 Sara Errani d 4 Agnieszka Radwanska - 64 76(6)

It took her 29 tries as she finally notched her 1st win over a top 5 player.

Deja vu: This is the second straight year that Sara has made the Sf's at RG.

Post match: There is no pressure from last year because I'm not

thinking about last year. That was then, this is now.

They are completely separate. Playing Serena will be very difficult

because she is so strong. Physically she's an incredible athlete and

she has a lot of power. It will be tough, although maybe better

on clay than any other surface.

H2H: 5-0/Serena - and that nil isn't going to change on Thursday.

Serena Williams Thru to Quarterfinals at French Open

French Open - Women's 4th Round

1 Serena Williams d 15 Roberta Vinci - 61 63

Serena has lost 10 games thru her first 4 matches.

I'm gonna say she doesn't double that number on her way to the trophy lift.

No doubt in my mind that she's taking her 2nd French title.

None.

Serena Williams Wins Title at Rome

WTA Rome - Women's Final

1 Serena Williams d 3 Victoria Azarenka - 61 63

Seriously. Over 30 and playing the best tennis of her career.

Proof: Serena is riding her longest win streak at 24 matches.

She twice enjoyed a 21-match streak during her Serena Slam year.

She has won 4 tournaments on-a-row and her 6th on the season.

Something tells me nobody will stop her from winning her next 7 matches.

You know... at the French Open.

Repeats? The last time Serena won at Rome she also won at the French.

Post match: Last year I was feeling excellent on clay but didn't do that

great at Roland Garros- this year I'm cautious and I want to work hard and

stay focused and win every point I play, and not slack at all.

***

Oh girl, they should just put you in the trophy ceremony already.

Laura Robson Beats Venus Williams in 1st Round at Rome

Rome WTA - First Round

Laura Robson d Venus Williams - 63 62

I hate to say it but methinks Venus is over.

And Laura will suffer the revenge factor immediately...

She gets Serena in the next round.

Serena will want to punish her for spanking Venus.

They've never played before. I think it'll be a fun one.

Serena Williams Wins at Madrid and Joins 50 Title Club

Madrid WTA - Women's Final

1 Serena Williams d 2 Maria Sharapova - 61 64

And Serena hands Maria her ass. Again.

That makes 7 of their last 11 matches Maria was kept to 5 games or less.

That's just crazy stuff.

With the title defence Serena will stay at #1.

She also joined 9 other women with 50 or more titles.

Post match: It feels good. I don't know how many more I can win.

Like I say every day, 'Who knows if I'll ever win another title?'

I just want to live in the moment and the dream every chance I get.

I feel like every moment I play - I don't know if it's because of what

I went through - I feel like I'm so fortunate to be out there and healthy

and to have an opportunity to play a sport and be really good at it.

Hopefully I can just keep it going.

Yea, I'm feeling a 2nd French Open title is in the offing.

Serena Williams & Maria Sharapova: Bikini Babes Set to Battle for #1 in the Final at Madrid

Madrid WTA - Women's Final Preview

1 Serena Williams vs 2 Maria Sharapova - H2H: 12-2/Serena

Sf milestones: Serena becomes 1st player to win 30 matches this year.

And Maria joined an elite club by winning her 500th WTA match.

Maria has not beaten Serena since 2004.

In their last 11 matches Maria has managed only 3 sets.

Also in those last 11 - in 6 of them Serena only gave up 5 games.

Their last showdown was in the Miami final in March.

Maria managed to make it a 3 setter but got blown out in the 3rd 6-0.

Can she make it interesting tomorrow? Certainly. Hopefully.

And let's not forget that they are playing for the #1 ranking.

In the battel of banging bikini bods I'm playing it safe - both win.

Serena Williams Digs Deep to Gain Semifinals at Madrid

Madrid WTA - Women's Quarterfinal

1 Serena Williams d W/C Anabel Medina Garrigues - 63 06 75

It's not everyday Serena eats a bagel.

About that bagel: I wasn't really there, my feet weren't moving -

I don't know what happened. To turn it around I got up earlier on the

changeover and started doing high knees and just stretching and

doing anything to try to get my intensity back up to where it needed to be.

This second set is a good reference. I can show a lot of juniors what not to do.

Serena Williams Opens Madrid Title Defence with Win

Madrid WTA - Women's 2nd Round

1 Serena Williams d Lourdes Dominguez-Lino - 62 75

You know you can't handle Serena's recent Vibe bikini photo shot. Truth.

And I am not touching this whole Sloane Stephens thing.

Except to say there will be no rematch at Madrid.

Sloane couldn't get out of the 1st round.

But Serena did and is seeking a second straight title at Madrid.

And she needs to win or lose in the same round as Maria to remain #1.

It makes for a tantalizing final. And I hope it happens.

 

Maria Sharapova Esquire Swimsuit Spread

Maria is in Madrid this week as the 2nd seed behind Serena.

Maria is in a position to yank the #1 spot away from Serena.

All Maria needs to do is finish the tourny one round better than Serena.

That makes for a very tasty final. Make it happen ladies.

Serena Williams Wins 3rd Title at Charleston

WTA Charleston - Women's Final

1 Serena Williams d 9 Jelena Jankovic - 36 60 62

Charleston title #3. Clay title #6. WTA title #49.

This is the 10th time in a final she's rebounded from a 1st set loss.

She will enjoy a 131th week at #1.

Also this week she cruched Venus in the Sf's: 61 62 - their 24th meeting.

When asked about improving on her 1st R loss at the French last year...

She replied coyly: I didn't play the French last year.

She kills me.

Serena Williams Wins 6th WTA Title at Miami

WTA Miami - Women's Final

1 Serena Williams d 2 Maria Sharapova - 46 63 60

Just when you think Maria's got her Serena wins the final 10 games.

I mean. Down a set and a break and never loses another game.

Who does that? Serena does.

Serena wins her 48th WTA title and 6th at Miami.

This is the tournament where she has won the most titles.

She can win 6 at 2 other tournies when next they are up: Wimby & Aussie.

Post match on how she picked up her lackluster energy mid-match:

I don't know. I just started drinking Gatorade, & it gives you a little energy.

No joke, seriously - it's not product placement.

I'm being really honest! But it really does help me out.

Now you know.

Serena Williams & Maria Sharapova to Play for WTA Miami 2013 Title

WTA Miami - Women's Semifinals

1 Serena Williams d 4 Agnieszka Radwanska - 60 63

3 Maria Sharapova d 22 Jelena Jankovic - 62 61

Jeez. Two beat-downs to set up a blockbuster final. #1 vs #2. Apt.

But hold up. This may just be a one-sided affair as well.

Serena has completely owned Maria for years. And years. And years.

Their H2H is 11-2 in Serena's favor.

The last time Maria won a match was in '04. Her last set won was in '08.

In their last 5 matches Maria's managed to win 4 games in ONE set. ONE.

Which must suck for Maria cuz this is her 5th final - she lost her last 4.

This is Serena's 8th Miami final - she's won 5: '02-'04, '07 and '08.

She also set a record for most matches won in Miami: 60.

Mmmm. I'm guessing this match will be more than the same.

So make that 61.

Serena Williams Thru to Semifinals at Miami

WTA Miami - Women's Quarterfinal

1 Serena Williams d Li Na - 63 76(5)

Serena has won 5 titles in Miami. The last one came 5 years ago.

To win a 6th she'll need ro clean up her game a bit.

Post match: In today's match it was like, 'Look, I can't hit any more

double faults. It's embarrassing and unprofessional.'

I hit about 50 in one game, and it was just outrageous.

It was like, 'At this point I shouldn't be a professional tennis player.'

That was my goal, 'I'm not hitting any more double faults.'

She's a funny one.

World Tennis Day at Madison Square Garden

Ok, there are 3 other people in this pic besides Serena Williams!

The two exhibition matches went as follows:

Juan Martin Del Potro d Rafael Nadal - 76(4) 64

Serena Williams d Victoria Azarenka - 64 63

Now get your butts to Indian Wells. Oh wait, not you Serena.

Victoria Azarenka Defeats Serena Williams in Doha Final

WTA Doha Women's Final

1 Victoria Azarenka d 2 Serena Williams - 76(6) 26 63

But in the loss Vika hands the #1 ranking over to Serena.

After losing the last 9 matches they've played Vika scores her 2nd win.

This is her 2nd title on the season following her defense at the Auusie.

In fact, this was her 2nd repeat title from last season.

Remember she went on a 4 tournament tear in 2012.

Without Serena at Indian Wells a third repeat title may be in the offing.

Vika post match: I just wanted to fight and give myself every opportunity

to get back. I told myself, 'You have to keep it together,

you have to do something otherwise Serena's on a roll and

she's going to bring her A game.' I had to really step up my game and

I'm glad that I could turn it around, stay tough and focused.

This season just got good!