Spectators give new-look Wimbledon the thumbs up

 Spectators give new-look Wimbledon the thumbs up

There was a party atmosphere as spectators arrived for the first day of Olympic tennis at Wimbledon on Saturday, with music blaring from loudspeakers as fans clad in their country's flags sipped drinks on the sun-drenched grassy hill by Court One.

The All England Club has undergone a complete makeover since the Wimbledon Championships finished less than three weeks ago, with the courts now decked in bright purple and the normally dark green site dotted with pink signs and London 2012 logos.

"I like the colours, 10 out of 10," said university lecturer Christine Steel, wearing a Union Jack party hat as she took in the new-look club before heading to Centre Court, where this year's men's Wimbledon champion Roger Federer is in action later.

"We are not used to the music," said Wimbledon regular Susan Lax, who had travelled down from Durham in the north east of England on Friday, raising her voice to be heard over rock band Blur. "It is not as sedate as it usually is but I think it has got plenty of atmosphere."

Despite all the changes, which also include players taking to the courts in their national colours rather than the traditional crisp white usually required at Wimbledon, she could not have imagined the tennis being held anywhere else.

"Wimbledon is tennis for Britain," she said.

Visitors arriving before play began took the opportunity to explore, having their photo taken with the giant grass statue of a tennis-playing Olympic mascot Wenlock and watching players being put through their paces out on the practice courts.

"It is great, everyone is smiling," said 30-year-old Tim Olford, who was looking forward to seeing 17-time grand slam champion Federer begin his quest for his first Olympic gold in the men's singles.

For those who had never been to Wimbledon before, the opportunity to watch tennis at the famous club at the same time as experiencing the Olympics was a big draw.

"I always thought it would be so neat to go to Wimbledon," said 37-year-old American Jolyn Pobanz, who lives in Germany and was visiting London for a few days with her husband and three children, all wearing U.S. flag t-shirts.

"It is not the Wimbledon competition but to be at Wimbledon for the Olympics is unique."

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Do superstitious minds help or hinder athletes?

Do superstitious minds help or hinder athletes?

  When Michael Phelps gets ready to race, he walks to the block, takes off his headphones, swings his arms three times, steps on to the block and he is off. His routine never changes.

Tennis player Serena Williams, five-times Wimbledon champion, who, like Phelps, begins competition on Saturday, always takes her shower sandals to the court, ties her shoelaces in a specific way and bounces the ball five times.

Tiger Woods wears a red shirt in the final rounds of golf tournaments which he has said is because his mother told him red was his power colour.

Despite all the science and massive budgets involved in sport, many sportsmen and women at all levels of sport swear by superstitions or elaborate event rituals to enhance their game with many examples of these on display at the London Olympics.

British diver Tom Daley has a lucky orange monkey and British BMX rider Shanaze Reade always carries a picture of her family.

Psychologists say people often become superstitious when faced with unknown and stressful situations, which explains why so many athletes are superstitious and frequently bound to rigid preparation routines.

"When the stakes are high and there is a great deal of uncertainty - as in top-level sport - then people will try anything to get the outcome they want," Richard Stephens, a senior lecturer in psychology at Keele University, told Reuters.

"When there is a low cost of carrying out an action but there is possibly a high gain then you may as well."

But does it make a difference?

A study by psychologists at the University of Cologne in Germany found in two experiments that superstition triumphed in both cases.

In one experiment, participants were given either a lucky golf ball or an ordinary one before being asked to sink a putt. Those with a so-called lucky ball were more successful.

Participants were also asked to bring along a lucky charm but these were confiscated from half of the participants before making them take a memory test. Those who kept their lucky charm performed better, the scientists reported in 2010 in Psychological Science.

HARMFUL DISTRACTION

Some sports psychologists warn, however, that superstitions can be harmful to an athlete's performance if they are taken too far and become a distraction, particularly if they have no link to their actual performance.

Australian swimmer Stephanie Rice says she is a firm believer in superstition and karma, and will do eight arm swings, four goggle presses, four cap touches before a face.

But it is shoulder problems have led Rice to play down her chances in London of repeating her Beijing success when she won three gold medals, two individual and one relay.

Andrew Lane, professor of sport psychology at Britain's Wolverhampton University, said routines were important for athletes as the hour before an event could be very stressful and go slowly.

British women footballers have spoken about their set routines with Kelly Smith putting her boots on last and leaving the dressing room last while Kim Little always puts her socks and shin pads on her left side before her right.

"It is the reliance on these routines that can be critical to keeping them level-headed," Lane said.

"But if it becomes an fixation on something that is not relevant to performance, you might need to change that."

London-based sports psychologist Victor Thompson said athletes needed enough flexibility to cope with something going wrong with their routine such as losing their lucky shirt or an iPod malfunction so they cannot listen to their pre-game music.

"This can create anger, stress, anxiety, and physical tension," Thompson told Reuters. "It becomes a distraction and causes a drop in confidence... all of which leads to a higher chance of performing poorly. They can't rely on false self-confidence or reassurances."

Keele University's Stephens agreed.

"If you start to spend too much time focusing on these irrational things to improve your performance rather than the important things, such as your swing or being relaxed, then these superstitious techniques can take away from the outcome," he said.

Some athletes are wary of relying too much on superstitions for their performance.

"I'm superstitious about having any superstitions. I do my best to quash any of that start creeping up on me," Australian diver Matthew Mitcham, who won gold in Beijing, is quoted as saying on his official Olympic profile.

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Olympics-Do superstitious minds help or hinder athletes?

Olympics-Do superstitious minds help or hinder athletes?

  When Michael Phelps gets ready

to race, he walks to the block, takes off his headphones, swings

his arms three times, steps on to the block and he is off. His

routine never changes.

Tennis player Serena Williams, five-times Wimbledon

champion, who, like Phelps, begins competition on Saturday,

always takes her shower sandals to the court, ties her shoelaces

in a specific way and bounces the ball five times.

Tiger Woods wears a red shirt in the final rounds of golf

tournaments which he has said is because his mother told him red

was his power colour.

Despite all the science and massive budgets involved in

sport, many sportsmen and women at all levels of sport swear by

superstitions or elaborate event rituals to enhance their game

with many examples of these on display at the London Olympics.

British diver Tom Daley has a lucky orange monkey and

British BMX rider Shanaze Reade always carries a picture of her

family.

Psychologists say people often become superstitious when

faced with unknown and stressful situations, which explains why

so many athletes are superstitious and frequently bound to rigid

preparation routines.

"When the stakes are high and there is a great deal of

uncertainty - as in top-level sport - then people will try

anything to get the outcome they want," Richard Stephens, a

senior lecturer in psychology at Keele University, told Reuters.

"When there is a low cost of carrying out an action but

there is possibly a high gain then you may as well."

But does it make a difference?

A study by psychologists at the University of Cologne in

Germany found in two experiments that superstition triumphed in

both cases.

In one experiment, participants were given either a lucky

golf ball or an ordinary one before being asked to sink a putt.

Those with a so-called lucky ball were more successful.

Participants were also asked to bring along a lucky charm

but these were confiscated from half of the participants before

making them take a memory test. Those who kept their lucky charm

performed better, the scientists reported in 2010 in

Psychological Science.

HARMFUL DISTRACTION

Some sports psychologists warn, however, that superstitions

can be harmful to an athlete's performance if they are taken too

far and become a distraction, particularly if they have no link

to their actual performance.

Australian swimmer Stephanie Rice says she is a firm

believer in superstition and karma, and will do eight arm

swings, four goggle presses, four cap touches before a face.

But it is shoulder problems have led Rice to play down her

chances in London of repeating her Beijing success when she won

three gold medals, two individual and one relay.

Andrew Lane, professor of sport psychology at Britain's

Wolverhampton University, said routines were important for

athletes as the hour before an event could be very stressful and

go slowly.

British women footballers have spoken about their set

routines with Kelly Smith putting her boots on last and leaving

the dressing room last while Kim Little always puts her socks

and shin pads on her left side before her right.

"It is the reliance on these routines that can be critical

to keeping them level-headed," Lane said.

"But if it becomes an fixation on something that is not

relevant to performance, you might need to change that."

London-based sorts psychologist Victor Thompson said

athletes needed enough flexibility to cope with something going

wrong with their routine such as losing their lucky shirt or an

iPod malfunction so they cannot listen to their pre-game music.

"This can create anger, stress, anxiety, and physical

tension," Thompson told Reuters. "It becomes a distraction and

causes a drop in confidence... all of which leads to a higher

chance of performing poorly. They can't rely on false

self-confidence or reassurances."

Keele University's Stephens agreed.

"If you start to spend too much time focusing on these

irrational things to improve your performance rather than the

important things, such as your swing or being relaxed, then

these superstitious techniques can take away from the outcome,"

he said.

Some athletes are wary of relying too much on superstitions

for their performance.

"I'm superstitious about having any superstitions. I do my

best to quash any of that start creeping up on me," Australian

diver Matthew Mitcham, who won gold in Beijing, is quoted as

saying on his official Olympic profile.

source

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Murray: I don't have any tickets

Murray: I don't have any tickets

 

Great Britain tennis number one Andy Murray is hoping to be so busy winning gold that he won’t have a chance to catch much other London 2012 Olympic action

The Wimbledon finalist will return to centre court to take part in the tennis for the Games – both in the singles and doubles, where he will be alongside brother Jamie.

But the 24-year-old, who bowed out in the first round in Beijing four years ago, hopes a home crowd will help him spend more time at SW19, and not at the Olympic stadium.
“I don’t have any tickets," said Murray. “I'll watch as much as I can. At the last Olympics, I got to see the boxing and the badminton.
“But that was because I lost early in the singles so I had some time to do that. I hope that's not the case this time.
“Winning a gold medal is the pinnacle of sport so it would be right up there with what I have done so far.
“I think there's always pressure on a player at Wimbledon but when you're playing in front of a home crowd I think everyone would agree you up your game.
“It helps in all sports to have the crowd behind you. I've played some of my best tennis at Wimbledon and I've always enjoyed it.”
Murray, who won over the nation with his post-Wimbledon tears, is a self-confessed Olympics fanatic, and has some vivid memories of Games in the recent past.
And the world number three says that after making the decision to stay in the village, he is enjoying life meeting other Olympians.
He said: “I always remember Steve Backley, and Michael Johnson is someone I remember watching a lot when I was growing up.
“I remember in Beijing watching Usain Bolt and seeing what he did there – it was pretty amazing, how far he won by and what he did throughout the Games.
“I met (eventer) William Fox-Pitt – my girlfriend was very happy about that, she loves horses. I also met Anthony Joshua, a super-heavyweight boxer, so for me that was cool, we chatted a bit about boxing.
“We also sat among the handball team. For me it wasn't specific people that I wanted to seek out and meet, it was just nice speaking to all sorts of different athletes from all of the sports.”
Murray’s older brother Jamie agrees with his sibling and said rubbing shoulders with other athletes in the Olympic Village has made a welcome change.
“Yesterday, we all had dinner in the Village with the other members of Team GB,” he said.
“There are so many different athletes covering so many different sports it's totally unique for us.
“Normally we see the same faces every week – I'm bored of seeing them and I'm sure they are bored of seeing us as well, so it's nice to be around so many different athletes and learn from them.”

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Famous Federer attracts athletes' attention

Famous Federer attracts athletes' attention

  

Switzerland's Roger Federer has become so popular among both competitors and media that he finds it difficult to walk around the athletes village at the Olympic park, and has journalists gushing over him at press conferences.

The world number one and 17-time grand slam winner has stayed at the athletes village at two of the three Olympics he has attended, but at his fourth in London he will be staying nearer the tennis venue in Wimbledon.

While this is partly down to convenience - the Olympic park is around an hour's drive from Wimbledon - the 30-year-old admitted his fame had also been a consideration.

"I have done the village before so it is not like I feel I have to do the village so badly. I would love to, but of course I have also become very famous over the last eight years or so, so times have also changed and when I do move around in the village things are not as simple as they were," he told the packed 700-capacity main press room at the Olympic media centre.

While waiting for the number one seed to arrive, many journalists were using their phones and iPads to take pictures of the seemingly unnecessary "Roger Federer" name placard on the table where he was to sit. As he arrived, people strained over each other to get a picture of him entering the room.

In contrast, only around 50 people turned out to see second seed Serbia's Novak Djokovic, who won a bronze at the Beijing Games and was knocked off the world number one spot by Federer this month, when he held a press conference an hour earlier along with some of his countrymen.

SLIGHTLY BEMUSED

If seeming slightly bemused by his popularity among the world's media, Federer remained light hearted by his reception.

In response to one journalist, who began by saying "As a journalist and as a fan, I know that you will win this Olympic gold" before asking Federer if he would retire if he achieved that feat, he responded: "I don't know, are you my fan or not? If you don't want me to stop, I wont."

While when another member of the media who confessed to being a big fan "like so many other journalists" asked who was the biggest star of the games, Usain Bolt, Michael Phelps or Roger Federer he responded "Well, not me".

Federer, who won gold in the doubles at Beijing with Stanislas Wawrinka, said singles gold was far from a certainty, partly down to the fact that all but the final match will be best of three sets rather than the grand slam best five.

"That puts the margins more closer to each other," said Federer, who would have been out in the third round of Wimbledon under such rules, having gone two sets down to France's Julien Benneteau - his potential second round opponent at the Olympics.

"It just goes to show a bad five minutes or a bad couple of points can cost you the tournament, I am aware of that but I do believe winning Wimbledon three weeks ago is going to help me with my confidence," said Federer, who faces Colombia's Alejandro Falla in the first round.

Away from chasing the gold, Federer, who has become a father for the first time since the last Olympics, also has the important task of picking out a present or two for his twin daughters, who have just turned three.

"I will try to have a look and get some souvenirs," said Federer, who met his wife Mirka at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. "A good dad should bring back some souvenirs from time to time."

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Games final could see Wimbledon repeat

Games final could see Wimbledon repeat

  

Top seed Roger Federer could meet Britain's Andy Murray in the Olympic tennis final in a repeat of their Wimbledon showdown earlier this month, after the pair were drawn on opposite sides of the competition on Thursday.

World number one and 17-times grand slam champion Federer, seeking his first Olympic singles medal, will play Colombia's Alejandro Falla in the opening round.

Federer, who beat Murray to a secure a record-equalling seventh Wimbledon title, battled back from two sets down to beat Falla in the Wimbledon first round in 2010.

Serbia's Novak Djokovic, seeded two, will take on Italy's Fabio Fognini, referee Stefan Fransson said, unveiling the draw in a lounge at Wimbledon's centre court adorned with large photos of London landmarks including Buckingham Palace and the London Eye.

Djokovic, who won bronze in Beijing, is in the same half of the draw as British number one Murray, who he would meet in the semi-finals.

Before that third seed Murray will have to beat Federer's fellow-Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka in his opening match, an announcement which drew a noisy response from a room packed with team leaders, officials and media.

Murray has won six of the ten times the pair have met previously.

"It is a tough draw for both guys," Federer told reporters.

"They are good friends and I think they even practised twice together in the last three days so they are well prepared for each other ... but obviously Murray goes in to that match as a favourite, he goes into the tournament as one of the favourites."

Wawrinka, who was out practising on a sun-drenched court three on Thursday morning, is carrying the Swiss flag in Friday evening's opening ceremony and will have to wait until the schedule of play is released that day to find out if he will have to play on the first day of the competition on Saturday.

Women's top seed Belarusian Victoria Azarenka will play Romanian world number 79 Irina-Camelia Begu in the first round, while America's Serena Williams, fresh from her fifth Wimbledon title, takes on former world number one Jelena Jankovic of Serbia.

Neither of Beijing's singles gold medallists will be returning to defend their titles, after Spain's Rafa Nadal was forced to pull out through injury and Russia's Elena Dementieva retired. But the draw is the strongest ever, with 18 of the world's top 20 men and 19 of the top 20 women taking part.

"It is a very important event. The field is packed with top players and everyone is taking it seriously," said eighth seed Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki, who faces Britain's Anne Keothavong in the first round. "She has home advantage."

Top seeded men's duo Mike and Bob Bryan, who won bronze in Beijing, will begin their medal campaign by playing Brazil's Thomaz Bellucci and Andre Sa, and could face defending doubles gold medallists Federer and Wawrinka in the quarter-finals.

In the women's doubles, top seeded American's Liezel Huber and Lisa Raymond get a pass to the second round after the withdrawal of Ukraine's Alona and Kateryna Bondarenko due to injury.

Unseeded defending gold medallists Venus and Serena Williams will take on Romania's Sorana Cirstea and Simona Halep.

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Williams, Federer in action on first day

Williams, Federer in action on first day

 Wimbledon champions Serena Williams and Roger Federer are in action on the opening day of the Olympic tennis tournament on Saturday, returning to the centre court just three weeks after their triumphs.

Williams faces Serbia's Jelena Jankovic in the second match on the 15,000 capacity court and is followed by Federer against Colombia's Alejandro Falla.

In the opening match, sixth seed Czech Tomas Berdych will play Belgium's Steve Darcis.

Federer's doubles partner Stanislas Wawrinka, and fellow flag bearers including Serbia's Novak Djokovic, Russia's Maria Sharapova and Wimbledon runner-up Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska have avoided an early start after Friday's late night opening ceremony, all beginning their first round matches on Sunday.

In the doubles, number one seeds American brothers Mike and Bob Bryan will play Brazil's Thomaz Bellucci and Andre Sa on Court 14.

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Robson pleased with extended grass season

Robson pleased with extended grass season

 

Laura Robson says all British tennis players have welcomed the decision to extend the grass season from 2015.

The 18-year-old, preparing for the doubles event at the London 2012 Olympic Games, is confident that home hopes will benefit when Wimbledon starts a week later from 2015.

Robson, who teams up with Heather Watson at Wimbledon next week, says players will be able to fit in an extra grass tournament following the completion of the French Open, which is played on clay.
"I think it is a great idea, it gives everyone the opportunity to play one more grass tournament which is great," said the former Wimbledon junior champion.
"We play for months on clay and on hard courts and then we only have a three-week grass period, and it's great we now have a four-week grass period.
"For us (British players) we all love playing on grass so we are all really, really happy with the decision.
"It can only help us as we have all always been familiar on grass throughout our careers."
Robson goes into the Games following her best ever performance on the WTA Main Tour last week, as she reached the semi-final of the Italiacom Open in Palermo.
"I have been on clay for the last two weeks so it is going to be a bit of a difference moving back on to grass," said the new British number two.
"I made the semi-final in Palermo which is the best I have ever done at a WTA, and Heather's over in America doing really well and she won in the doubles in Stanford.
"We are both playing really well and are both confident going into the Games."
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Baltacha's family pride at Olympic spot

Baltacha's family pride at Olympic spot

Elena Baltacha will draw on family experiences when she takes to the court to begin her Olympic campaign in London.

The British number four has been selected as the home nation's female singles' representative at London 2012, and will also compete with Anne Keathavong in the doubles.

The Scot's father Sergei won Olympic football bronze with the Soviet Union in 1980, and her athlete mother Olga was selected for the same Games but didn't attend.
Baltacha, who was born in Kiev, is proud to become the third member of her family to be selected to compete in the biggest multi-sports event in the world.
"It means a lot to me to represent my country," said the 28-year-old, who lives and trains in Ipswich.
"I'm very passionate about that and to be given that opportunity especially with the Olympics being here at home, I think I still have to pinch myself to be honest.
"To believe that I am going to be an Olympian, it just means so much to me.
"My dad won bronze in the 1980 Moscow Olympics with football, and my mum got selected but couldn't go in the end because she had to look after my brother.
"The fact I am an Olympian now as well, to add that to the family history is just absolutely amazing and they have been very, very supportive.
"My mum is actually coming down, to be part of it, and I can't wait to see my mum and to experience that with her will be fantastic."

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Hercog into Bastad semis

Hercog into Bastad semis

 

Slovenia's Polona Hercog was the first woman to move into the semi-finals in Bastad with a hard-fought win over Tsvetana Pironkova.

Hercog lost the first set but ran out a 3-6 7-5 6-4 winner over the Bulgarian. She will face the winner of Mona Barthel’s quarter-final match against Sofia Arvidsson.

Half the second-round matches were also played on Friday, with rain decimating Thursday’s action.
Johanna Larsson surprised Anabel Medina Garrigues on a good day for the Swedes.
The 23-year-old, ranked just outside the world’s top 100, beat the third-seeded Spaniard 6-4 6-4 to move into the quarter-finals.
Larsson overcame a first-set break in her victory, which was carried over from Thursday.
She next faces sixth seed Klara Zakopalova, the Czech hammering Colombia’s Mariana Duque 6-0 6-1 to progress.
In other second-round matches, there was victory for another Swede as Arvidsson beat Dutchwoman Arantxa Rus 6-4 7-5.
France’s Mathilde Johansson – who is half Swedish – also won, beating Israel’s Shahar Peer 6-2 3-6 6-2.
She faces Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the quarters.

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Monfils latest to withdraw from Olympics

Monfils latest to withdraw from Olympics

 

Frenchman Gael Monfils has become the latest player to withdraw from the Olympic tennis competition.

In a statement the governing body said the world number 15 had been injured with his place in the singles draw going to compatriot Julien Benneteau.

Benneteau, who led Roger Federer by two sets at Wimbledon this year, joins countryman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Gilles Simon and Richard Gasquet in the men's singles.
Defending men's singles champion Rafa Nadal pulled out on Thursday with knee problems while Germany's Andrea Petkovic's ankle injury has led to her withdrawal from the women's singles.
The tennis tournament runs from July 28-August 5 at Wimbledon.

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Murray ready for Olympic bid

Murray ready for Olympic bid

 

Andy Murray admits he will find it hard to contain his emotions should he go close to glory at London 2012.

The world number four tennis ace broke down in tears in front of millions of TV viewers after losing to Roger Federer in the Wimbledon final just 12 days ago.

And the four-time Grand Slam runner-up is prepared to put his fans through an emotional rollercoaster once again as he bids for Olympic gold.
"I've always been very emotional, I just try not to show it in front of the cameras and in front of millions of people," said the Scot.
"It is pretty uncomfortable at the time when you cannot control your emotions in front of everybody watching.
"But I'm sure if I get close to winning medals or winning the Olympics, then yes I wouldn't be surprised if there are some more emotions."
The 25-year-old insists the injury to Rafael Nadal, ruling the Beijing gold medallist out of the Games, will have no affect on his own hopes as he would have been in the opposite side of the draw.
And he has welcomed the decision to introduce an extra week's break between the French Open and Wimbledon from 2015.
"It will help guys going into Wimbledon as best prepared as possible," he said.
"I think that is what you want in all sports. You want to make sure when the big events come around that the players have had enough time to prepare properly and can play their best tennis.
"With the extra week, that will help."

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Dimitrov into Gstaad semis

Dimitrov into Gstaad semis

 

Bulgarian starlet Grigor Dimitrov beat Lukasz Kubot 6-3 6-2 to move into the semi-finals at Gstaad.

Dimitrov, 21, made relatively light work of the 30-year-old Pole, who had surprised defending champion and second seed Marcel Granollers in the previous round.

The world number 61, who is his country’s top-ranked player, will face Brazilian Thomaz Bellucci in the last four after he beat fifth-seeded Spaniard Feliciano Lopez 6-3 6-3.
Janko Tipsarevic, the number one seed in Switzerland, wasted no time in advancing into the last four with a 6-2 6-1 win over qualifier Jan Hernych.
After 62 mintues, the Serbian set up a showdown with France's Paul-Henri Mathieu, who needed three sets to overcome Ernests Gulbis 4-6 6-1 6-4.
In Hamburg, Tommy Haas ran out victorious against fellow German Florian Mayer, winning 6-1 6-4 as form trumped the seedings. Mayer was seeded seventh, but Haas recently won the Halle tournament, beating Roger Federer in the final.
Haas faces Marin Cilic next, after the Croat shaded Albert Ramos 6-4 7-6 in two close sets.
On the other quarter-final draw third seed Juan Monaco of Argentina beat Frenchman Jeremy Chardy 6-3 7-5.
Monaco will play top seed Nicolas Almagro, who ousted in-form sixth seed Phillipp Kohlschreiber 7-5 7-5 in a match where neither man were able to get their serve going.
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RAFAEL NADAL The Best Video HD

1. 

Hello


Offer you the best video on Matador Rafael Nadal



And footage of a great player in the world of yellow ball



I hope you like it

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Images final match of the Bank Of The West

Images final match of the Bank Of The West

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Serena beats jet lag to win Stanford title

Serena beats jet lag to win Stanford title

 

 Top seed Serena Williams overcame a week fighting jet-lag to beat fellow American Coco Vandeweghe 7-5 6-3 to retain the Stanford Classic title on Sunday.

Just eight days after winning her fifth Wimbledon single title, Williams fought off a set point in the first set before overcoming big-serving Vandeweghe, who had reached her first WTA final.

The 30-year-old Williams used her experience and know-how to race past the 20-year-old, nailing 21 winners. Vandeweghe struck 20 winners but also committed 25 unforced errors.

Williams, who had been contending with jet lag much of the week after travelling from London to California, was satisfied with the title run.

"I played well enough to win, but I can do a lot better and play stronger," she said. "But there are a lot of positives and I was fighting and I didn't quit.

"I survived and didn't play my greatest, but mentally I was there and that really helped me a lot."

Vandeweghe served for the first set at 5-4 but could not convert her only set point when Williams ripped a cross court backhand return off a second serve.

It took Williams six break points to break back to 5-5, but the 20 year-old Vandeweghe finally handed it to her when she double faulted.

"I been serving well all week and I still feel like I served pretty well against Serena, but she's a great player and she going to take advantage of opportunities, especially on second serves on set point," Vandeweghe said.

Williams took a 3-1 lead in the second set when Vandeweghe again double faulted and while she pushed Williams with her huge serve and heavy ground strokes, she could not get a break point on the Williams serve in the set and Williams sealed the title with a forehand winner down the line.

Williams won her 43rd career title, tying her with her older sister Venus for the most titles among active players on the WTA tour. The world number four has now also won 28 of her last 29 matches.

She will now take a couple of days off, play an exhibition match and then head to London to prepare for the Olympics where she will defend her doubles title with Venus and attempt to win the singles gold.

"A gold medal will mean a lot to me, but I can't lay all my hopes and dreams on that," she said.

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Ferrer wins Bastad title

Ferrer wins Bastad title

 

Round-up: David Ferrer triumphed 6-2 6-2 over fellow Spaniard Nicolas Almagro to win the Swedish Open, while John Isner, Marin Cilic and Janko Tipsarevic all also picked up titles.

Top seed Ferrer was far more effective on serve than the second seed Almagro in an encounter that lasted 67 minutes in Bastad.

Ferrer, who lost to Andy Murray in the quarter-finals of Wimbledon, got 72 per cent of his first serves in in both sets while his opponent could only manage an average of 51 per cent.
Ferrer faced only one break point - and saved it - while Almagro saved two while being broken on four occasions.
It was world number five Ferrer's fifth title of 2012, putting him level with Roger Federer on that ATP Tour-leading number. He holds an 11-0 record over Almagro, including a victory in the 2007 Bastad final.
The world number 10 won the Swedish Open two years ago, while Ferrer lost to Robin Soderling in last year's final.
Top seed John Isner hit 16 aces as he beat Lleyton Hewitt to successfully defend his title at the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships in Newport.
As is so often the case, Isner’s big serve proved the difference between the two as he saw off Hewitt 7-6(1) 6-4 in one hour and 32 minutes.
Neither Isner nor Hewitt could take advantage of their one and only break point in the first set but it was the American who pulled away in the tie-break, sealing it on the first of his five set points.
The second set was slightly more straight-forward, Isner breaking Hewitt in the third game, before going on to wrap things up with his 16th ace, despite the Australian saving a match point on serve in the ninth game.
Marin Cilic became the first home player in 22 years to win the Croatia Open when he beat Marcel Granollers 6-4 6-2 in Umag.
Spaniard Granollers made a quick start to the clash and Cilic found himself 4-2 before reeling off nine straight games to take the first set and race out to a 5-0 lead in the second.
Granollers saved two match points in the sixth game of the second set before Cilic secured the win on the third with a forehand winner.
Janko Tipsarevic secured his maiden title on clay and also his first title of the year when he beat Juan Monaco 6-4 5-7 6-3 in Stuttgart.
Top-seeded Tipsarevic struggled with rain delays throughout the match, surrendering a 4-1 lead in the second set after a brief delay, and also dropping his serve after a 20-minute delay in the third.
But the Serb recovered quickly on both occasions and eventually wrapped up the win on his second match point when Monaco dumped a forehand into the bottom of the net.

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Serena keeps up winning run to lift Stanford title

Serena keeps up winning run to lift Stanford title

 

  Top seed Serena Williams overcame fellow American CoCo Vandeweghe 7-5 6-3 to retain the Stanford Classic title on Sunday.

Just eight days after winning her fifth Wimbledon single title, Williams fought off a set point in the first set before overcoming big-serving Vandeweghe, who had reached her first WTA final.

The 30-year-old Williams used her experience and know-how to race past the 20-year-old, nailing 21 winners.

Vandeweghe struck 20 winners and committed 25 unforced errors.

Williams won her 43rd career title, tying her with her older sister Venus for the most titles among active players on the WTA tour.

The world number four has now won 28 out of her last 29 matches.
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Williams to meet Vandeweghe in Stanford final

Williams to meet Vandeweghe in Stanford final

 

Wimbledon champion Serena Williams advanced to the Stanford Classic final after she crushed Sorana Cirstea 6-1 6-2 on Saturday and will meet fellow American Coco Vandeweghe who made her first WTA final after she overpowered Yanina Wickmayer 6-2 3-6 6-2.

Williams, who had a superb service game during Wimbledon, struggled against Cirstea but easily controlled the tempo of the match against the Romanian, who had trouble keeping the ball in court and committed 32 unforced errors.

Williams broke Cirstea four times in the match and only faced one break point, which she easily fought off.

She was the steadier and more creative player, wowing the crowd with a couple of sweet lob winners over Cirstea's head.

“"I really wasn't happy today but I did what I had to do to win and that's important," said Williams, who was so dissatisfied with her first serve, making just 38 percent, she went out and practiced on it straight after the match.

“"I'm just trying to get something, and I feel like I haven't served well all week and 38 percent is outrageous," Williams said while adding she was looking forward to meeting her young compatriot in the final.

"She's done well and will go out tomorrow and go for the glory," Williams said.

"I don't blame her because I'll do the same thing."

FIRST FINAL

A lucky loser, the 20-year-old Vandeweghe used her massive serve and big ground strokes to upset the fifth seed Wickmayer, nailing 12 aces of her 32 winners overall.

"I'm really excited to be in the final of a WTA event," Vandeweghe said. "Hopefully this is good omen for me for the rest of the summer going into the U.S. Open."

The 6-foot-1 (1.85m) tall Vandeweghe, the daughter of a former Olympic swimmer, came out firing and immediately broke the Belgian with a backhand winner, then broke her again to take a 5-2 lead before she closed out the set with three service winners and a forehand down the line.

Wickmayer rallied in the second set, breaking Vandeweghe to 2-0 when the American erred on a forehand, and then successfully sat on the lead with precise ground strokes.

But Vandeweghe regained her edge in the third set, grabbing a break to 3-1 when Wickmayer double-faulted.

The Belgian held four break points in the next game, but Vandeweghe used her booming serve to get out of trouble, taking care of two of the break points with aces.

"I've worked hard on my serve and it's a big weapon for me," Vandeweghe said. "There are a lot of matches where my serve is going to come through in the clutch.

"Plus the way I'm playing off the ground it puts pressure on my opponent to make her return of serve that much better."

Wickmayer said the American's serve was the key to her win.

"Even when I was there I couldn't do a lot," Wickmayer said.

"She hits pretty hard. Even her second serve bounces high and it's hard to do anything with it.

"When I had chances on her serve, she just aced it away."

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Serena continues winning streak in Stanford

Serena continues winning streak in Stanford

 

Wimbledon champion Serena Williams advanced to the Stanford Classic final after she crushed Sorana Cirstea 6-1 6-2 and will meet fellow American Coco Vandeweghe who made her first WTA final after she overpowered Yanina Wickmayer 6-2 3-6 6-2.

Williams, who had a superb service game during Wimbledon, struggled against Cirstea but easily controlled the tempo of the match against the Romanian, who had trouble keeping the ball in court and committed 32 unforced errors.

Williams broke Cirstea four times in the match and only faced one break point, which she easily fought off.
She was the steadier and more creative player, wowing the crowd with a couple of sweet lob winners over Cirstea's head.
“"I really wasn't happy today but I did what I had to do to win and that's important," said Williams, who was so dissatisfied with her first serve, making just 38 per cent, she went out and practiced on it straight after the match.
“"I'm just trying to get something, and I feel like I haven't served well all week and 38 per cent is outrageous,"
Williams said while adding she was looking forward to meeting her young compatriot in the final.
"She's done well and will go out tomorrow and go for the glory," Williams said. “I don't blame her because I'll do the same thing."
A lucky loser, the 20-year-old Vandeweghe used her massive serve and big ground strokes to upset the fifth seed Wickmayer, nailing 12 aces of her 32 winners overall.
"I'm really excited to be in the final of a WTA event," Vandeweghe said. "Hopefully this is good omen for me for the rest of the summer going into the US Open."
The 6-foot-1 (1.85m) tall Vandeweghe, the daughter of a former Olympic swimmer, came out firing and immediately broke the Belgian with a backhand winner, then broke her again to take a 5-2 lead before she closed out the set with three service winners and a forehand down the line.
Wickmayer rallied in the second set, breaking Vandeweghe to 2-0 when the American erred on a forehand, and then successfully sat on the lead with precise ground strokes.
But Vandeweghe regained her edge in the third set, grabbing a break to 3-1 when Wickmayer double-faulted.
The Belgian held four break points in the next game, but Vandeweghe used her booming serve to get out of trouble, taking care of two of the break points with aces.
"I've worked hard on my serve and it's a big weapon for me," Vandeweghe said. "There are a lot of matches where my serve is going to come through in the clutch.
"Plus the way I'm playing off the ground it puts pressure on my opponent to make her return of serve that much better."
Wickmayer said the American's serve was the key to her win.
"Even when I was there I couldn't do a lot," Wickmayer said. "She hits pretty hard. Even her second serve bounces high and it's hard to do anything with it.
"When I had chances on her serve, she just aced it away."

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Wimbledon 2012 Mens Final Roger Federer vs Andy Murray HD Full

Wimbledon 2012 Mens Final Roger Federer vs Andy Murray HD Full

 

I hope you like it

 

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Robson dream ends in Palermo

Robson dream ends in Palermo

 

Laura Robson’s best career run ended at the semi-finals in Palermo with a heart-breaking 2-6 7-5 6-2 defeat to Barbora Zahlavova Strycova.

In her first WTA Tour semi-final, the 18-year-old Robson took the first set after breaking her eight-seeded opponent twice.

But, having broken the Czech back to save the second set, Robson floundered on her second serve and was broken at the last to bring it level.
An early break in the deciding set put Zahlavova Strycova in charge, and Robson cracked under the pressure, a total of 18 double faults highlighting what was a step too far for the young Briton.
The epic match lasted over two-and-a-half hours but the good news for Robson is that she will now move into the world top 100, meaning she is likely to earn her place at the US Open by right.
Zahlavova Strycova will face top seed and French Open finalist Sara Errani in Sunday’s final after the Italian favourite beat Romanian Irina-Camelia Begu 6-4 6-1.

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Almagro to face Ferrer, Tipsy in maiden clay final

Almagro to face Ferrer, Tipsy in maiden clay final

 

The top two seeds, David Ferrer and Nicolas Almagro, will contest the ATP Bastad final after comfortable semi-final victories in Sweden, while Janko Tipsarevic progressed to his first career clay court final in Stuttgart.

World number five Ferrer's Indian summer continued with a 6-3 7-5 win over Grigor Dimitrov, putting the 30-year-old Spaniard into his sixth ATP Tour final of the year.

The 2007 champion completed his 50th win of the season in just over an hour and a half, after taking defending an early break in the first set before saving two set points in the second.
Last year’s runner up, Ferrer followed that with a break and a hold against the Bulgarian sixth seed, setting up a final clash against compatriot Almagro after he beat Jan Hajek of the Czech Republic 6-4 6-3.
"I didn't serve well today," said Ferrer. "I saved good points and I was a bit lucky in the (second) set. I'm very happy to be in the final here in Bastad.
"I have played (Almagro) many times before and I know I will have to run a lot on the court."
Almagro, the 2010 champion, put eight aces past Hajek as he qualified for his fourth final of the season.
The 26-year-old, who lost to Ferrer in the 2007 final, has won titles in Sao Paulo and Nice this year.
In Stuttgart, Serbian star Tipsarevic beat Brazilian Thomaz Bellucci 6-4 2-6 6-4 in two hours and three minutes.
The world number eight moves into his first final of the season, where he will face second seed Juan Monaco.
The Argentine needed two hours and 41 minutes to beat Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 6-3 3-6 7-5, his fourth consecutive defeat of the Spaniard.
Garcia-Lopez had battled back from 5-1 down to level in the deciding set, but was broken late to lose.
At the ATP Umag event in Croatia, top seed Fernando Verdasco lost to fellow Spaniard Marcel Granollers 6-2 6-7(5) 6-1 in the first semi.
The match lasted almost three hours and means that world number 24 Granollers enters his first final of the season.
Fourth-seeded Granollers will face second-seeded Marin Cilic of Croatia in Sunday's final after he beat Ukrainian third seed Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine.

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Williams makes Stanford semi-finals

Williams makes Stanford semi-finals

 

Serena Williams has still not kicked post Wimbledon jet lag, but she still managed to beat Chanelle Scheepers 6-4 6-0 in the quarter-finals of the Stanford Classic.

Second seed Mario Bartoli and third seed Dominika Cibulkova, however, did not fare as well with France's Bartoli beaten by Yanina Wickmayer 6-3 6-2, while Romania's Sorana Cirstea beat Slovakia's Cibulkova 6-7 6-2 6-0.

Williams, who won her fifth Wimbledon singles title last week, arrived in Northern California on Monday and had been unable to get a good's night sleep.
She woke up at 1 a.m. (0800 GMT) on Friday and stayed awake for five hours watching the final season of the television show Desperate Housewives.
"I was hoping to fall back asleep but I didn't," Williams said. "I was crying as always. I love that show. I was wide wake as if I was in Europe still."
In her victory over the South African, Williams felt sluggish but she woke up toward the end of the first set.
"I didn't feel great going out, but I expected to stay consistent till I started to feel better and then I started moving well and that really helped a lot," Williams said.
Wickmayer went into her match against Bartoli with an 0-3 record but out hit the world number 10 from inside the baseline to reach her second semi-final of the year.
"I tried not to give her too many angles and really wanted to go for my shots only when I had the chance," the fifth-seeded Belgian said.
"In our other matches, I think she really just beat me at my own game. Today, I think I was playing smarter."
The 22-year-old Cirstea was routed by Cibulkova earlier this season, but stayed mentally strong despite a bizarre first set when she won six out of her nine challenges.
"Toward the end of the set I was challenging everything because I didn't trust anyone anymore," said Cirstea, who served 15 aces.
"I thought someone was playing a joke on me to see how I would react. It was like Candid Camera because there were too many mistakes, I started to laugh because it was just hilarious.
"The chair umpire never ruled and today if we didn't have a challenge system I would be packing my bags."
Cirstea will face American 20-year-old Coco Vandeweghe, who bested Urszula Radwanska 6-4 6-4 and reached her first WTA semi-final.
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