UK News
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from Left field:
“You just can’t speak to umpires like that” – Rusedski on Serena
Week two of the U.S. Open had many stories. Would the weather destroy the momentum of the event? How would the courts hold up? Will the U.S. Open finally make plans to build a roof? Who would be the men's and woman's U.S. Open champions?
On the woman's side Serena Williams made the finals easily and was the big favorite to win the title against Sam Stosur. Stosur had the longest match in US Open history and played the longest tie breaker in U.S. open history as well, to make the finals. Nobody except Sam Stosur thought she would win. If she won, she would become the first Australian woman to win a major since 1980. She played the match of her life and won 6-2 6-3.
But playing Serena is never dull. At 6-2 30/40 break point down Serena, shouted ”come on” during the point which you are not allowed to do because the rules say you are not allowed to distract your opponent during the point, which she did.
The chair umpire rewarded the point immediately to Stosur to give her a set and a break lead. Serena blew up and lost it. Unfortunately for Serena she let herself down and showed poor sportsmanship. It is easy to be gracious when you win, but when you are losing we see a players true sportsmanship.
from Left field:
Mercury rises on Wimbledon’s ‘Manic Monday’
A record crowd for a Wimbledon second Monday witnessed some breathtaking tennis while finding the time to take onboard plenty of liquids as temperatures soared in London.
The Williams sisters found the going tough and their so far impressive comebacks hit the buffers, while women's number one Caroline Wozniacki's route to a first grand slam title also came unstuck, but in the men's draw there were no real dramas as the top four all hit their straps and made the quarters.
Dad can’t bear to watch sister act
**** For full Wimbledon coverage click here ****
Richard Williams cannot bear to watch if his daughters Serena and Venus make it to the Wimbledon final on Saturday — he will be flying back home to the United States instead.
Venus and Serena, who have six Wimbledon titles between them, are currently on course to clash for the third time in a Wimbledon final — and Venus is looking for revenge after twice losing to her sister.
Olympian feats
Serena Williams glides across the ice rink. Ana Ivanovic leaps to the net in beach volleyball.
Roger Federer poses as a fencer. Rafael Nadal fulfils his boyhood dream as a soccer player.
Sharapova’s white tuxedo top stuns Wimbledon
** Click here for full coverage of Wimbledon 2008 **
First came Serena’s raincoat and Roger’s cardigan. But it was Maria Sharapova’s white tuxedo and shorts that upped the fashion stakes at the world’s most famous tournament. The 21-year-old Russian said she wanted to do something classy for Wimbledon so she decided to step up a gear in the tennis fashion parade when appearing on court for the first time in 2008.
“It’s the tuxedo look. I was very inspired by menswear this year and every time at Wimbledon I want to do something classy and elegant,” she said after seeing off French qualifier Stephanie Foretz 6-1 6-4.
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