Li Impresses - Djokovic Dominates

Even though the colourful Li Na [1] came up short Saturday in her bid to be the first Asian woman to win a Grand Slam title at almost 29 years of age, Li is closer to the end of her career than the beginning but she is playing the best tennis of her career and says that with this experience she feels like the ultimate success isn't far away. Kim Clijsters defeated Li 3/6, 6/3, 6/3 to win her 4^th Grand Slam title. The No. 3 seed Clijsters will move up to number two in the world while the No. 9 seed Li will move to a career high of number seven when the rankings were released Monday morning.

While Li fell short, her extroverted nature gained ground with tennis fans endearing her with funny, yet introspective interviews throughout the two weeks. Li, who often has her name written in the Chinese way, with the surname first, looked trimmer and fitter than she ever has. She has lost close to 20 pounds and moved like a cat on the court and through the draw defeating Victoria Azarenka along the way. Li had not lost a set until the semi-finals where she out duelling Caroline Wozniacki 3/6, 7/5, 6/3. 

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The rebellious Li has sported colourful streaks in her hair throughout her more than 10 years on the tour and also has a tattoo on her chest of a flower. Her favourite player growing up: four-time Australian Open champion Andre Agassi – go figure!

It’s not the zen-like Agassi that captured her eye; it’s the wild haired, neon clothed, earring wearing Agassi of the 90’s that interested Li. "I feel like because he has long hair and with the jeans [shots], yeah, this not normal player can do that," Li said. It is this type of admiration for the unique and unusual that has led Li to be a trailblazing, independent spirit in her homeland of China where conformity and conservatism rule.

Perhaps it was a good thing that at 8 years old her badminton coach switched her to tennis recognizing that she had more potential hitting tennis balls than shuttlecocks.

Courtesy of http://photobucket.com by StargatesLorne

 

ATP World Tour No. 3 Novak Djokovic was sheer domination bludgeoning a dejected Andy Murray 6/4, 6/2, 6/3 Sunday. Murray, a three-time Grand Slam finalist, was alternately frustrated and despondent. Djokovic captured his 2^nd Australian Open Grand Slam title chaulking up back-to-back clinics in pounding Murray and sweeping aside Roger Federer in straight sets 7/6 (3), 7/5, 6/4 in the semi-finals.

Speaking about Murray, whom he has known since they were teenagers, Djokovic commented, "I really have big respect for him and his game, because I think he has everything that it takes to become a Grand Slam champion. I'm sure that very soon he will be."

Djokovic is another player that has shed some weight and is in the best playing condition of his career. Despite criticism from on-air personalities that ‘he looks too thin and may not have the endurance necessary to claim another Grand Slam title’, he has proved his pundits wrong and that his conditioning is primed and perfect for him to take on the tennis’ current greats.

"It's the best way that I could ask for to start a season. Both of those guys [Federer and Murray] play their best tennis on the hard courts, as well as I do. But to be able to win against those players in straight sets is incredible. During this tournament I was feeling great on the court," added the Serb. "The Davis Cup win may have a big role in my great performance here in this tournament. After we won Davis Cup title I was feeling great on the court, just eager to compete."

Djokovic will remain at number three in the world closing the gap between him and Federer, Murray will remain at number five. Murray will have to carry the weight of Britain on his shoulders a little while longer in an effort to end a 75-year Grand Slam drought since Fred Perry won the US Open in 1936.

1.  The official Chinese naming system states that the family name, Li, goes first before the equivalent of a first name in some other nations. Na's name offcourt in China is Li Na. When listed on the WTA Tour website, she is known as Na Li. However, in the match, the commentators call her Li Na, and when her full name is listed in text oncourt, it is also written as Li Na.

Bryans Heading for Grand Slam Greatness

Courtesy of http://photobucket.com by sittel

American twins Bob and Mike Bryan won their fifth Australian Open doubles title, beating Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi of India 6-3, 6-4 on Saturday. They celebrating the win with their familiar chest bump.

The flamboyant Bryans have held the No. 1 ranking in doubles for most of the past eight years and have won 10 Grand Slam doubles titles, including the U.S Open three times and the French Open and Wimbledon once each. The twin brothers, who have won Australian titles in 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010 and have also been runners-up twice. They didn't lose their serve and broke Bhupathi and Paes twice.

"We have tons of respect for those guys, they are legends, they are marquee, they can only make our game better," Bob Bryan said. "It was just great to have the 'Indian Express' back on the doubles court. It was an extra-special feeling out there."

The Bryans hold the record for the most tournament titles of any men's pairing in the Open Era, which they increased to 68, seven better than retired Australians Mark Woodforde and Todd Woodbridge. Mark Woodforde holds the record for most doubles titles by an individual with 83.

They are also nearing on the ''Woodies''' collection of 11 Grand Slam trophies, and are within two of the Open Era record of 12, held by the legendary Australian pairing of John Newcombe and Tony Roche.

Paes said the Bryans played "the perfect match."

Bhupathi and Paes are a formidable combination, but their most recent Grand Slam tournament together was in 2002. They have had a tumultuous relationship, which has caused their partnership to suffer at times. A decade ago, Bhupathi and Paes, were the best doubles team in the world, before their partnership disintegrated. They were seeking a career Grand Slam, each having won the French Open, U.S. Open and Wimbledon either together, or with other partners. The veteran tandem buried the hatchet and reunited this season.

As for the 31 year-old Bryans, right-handed Mike asking left-handed Bob to give up singles back in 2001 to concentrate on becoming the best in doubles team in the world certainly has paid off. Since 1998 they've won $14 million in prize money. This is perhaps a fifth of what top singles players earn. These “Michael Jordans” of the doubles world have risen to the top by staying positive, focussed and supportive of each other.

Get Out of Jail Free Card for Stars

Ben Roethlisberger (Credit: www.free-extras.com/)

Professional athletes can be spoiled millionaires without the life experiences to make wise choices. They can also be prima donnas that expect life’s rules and laws not to apply to them. The unfortunate part is that professional sporting bodies, the law courts (for the most part) and we fans give athletes leniencies that are beyond ridiculous.

We see Ben Roethlisberger leading Pittsburgh to the Super Bowl with a 24-19 win over the NY Jets. So, now his hero status is high and we all have forgotten about the 20 year old Georgia college student he “allegedly” sexually assaulted while his bodyguard stood guard preventing anyone from entering the room he held her in. In a recent article announcing Roethlisberger’s engagement, Fox Sports with Associated Press contributing, referred to the assault as “an alleged incident with a college student”. 

Too often, athletes still in the midst of their careers, get a free pass with no charges, a fine that is laughable, and perhaps a suspension for a token few games. While athletes that are past their careers are treated as the rest of the population being charged with and convicted of crimes. Roethlisberger like Brett Farve should have been investigated more in depth and charges should have been laid. Yet, the NFL is happy to bow to the stars of their league with weak investigations and wrist slap fines and suspensions with the support of the inactivity of the District Attorney’s office.

Remember David Megget, formerly of the NFL, he was sentenced to 30 years in prison for burglary and criminal sexual conduct after his retirement. Lawrence Taylor just received a soft sentence for third degree statutory rape because he helped with the investigation.

"He was pretty stupid," Pittsburgh resident and die-hard Steelers fan Terry Eggerton said. "He should have been a little smarter, but he's a terrific quarterback. If he weren't, he'd have been crucified." Even this fan subconsciously knows the bias toward star athletes.

Merchandise shops in Pittsburgh's popular Strip District began selling a different brand of Roethlisberger garb last spring after what can best be described as the sexually charged Mess in Milledgeville. There were many T-shirts spoofing a player who some fans once thought could walk on the water surrounding Pittsburgh. The regular Roethlisberger merchandise was heavily discounted and still didn't sell well.

That has slowly changed. Such articles as Roethlisberger jerseys and ski caps were back on display Wednesday along with standard Steelers goods. "Sales have picked up considerably," said Jimmy Coen, owner of the Yinzers in the Burg novelty shop. "It's picked up to where it's viable to carry items. Before, it was dead, dead, dead."

The same thing can be said of the DA’s efforts to protect innocent women who are preyed upon by these arrogant, spoiled stars.

Canadian Qualifier Heads into Deep Waters

Milos Raonic.(credit: Wikipedia.org)

If Milos Raonic is smiling its because the 20-year-old Canadian qualifier at this year’s Australian Open Grand Slam Tennis Tournament has the fastest serve in the first three rounds of the tournament at 143 mph. Not only that, Raonic, from Thornhill, Ontario, Canada fired 32 aces while upsetting No. 10 Mikhail Youzhny 6/4, 7/5, 4/6, 6/4 in the third round yesterday. He now faces a very tough No. 7 David Ferrer in the Round of 16, who brushed aside Richard Berankis 6/2, 6/2, 6/1.

''I didn't really count myself out.  I knew the chances were in his favor, but I knew I was prepared to fight for every point, however long it took,'' said Raonic, who was born in Montenegro and moved to Canada in 1994. ''I can't say I would be shocked if I wasn't here. But I'm not really shocked I am here.''

Raonic’s career prize money stands at $124,433. By reaching the fourth round, he has already guaranteed himself at least $93,000. This ATP Tour newcomer’s ranking is currently 155 and will rise at least 47 spots to 105 by tournaments end, which will allow him straight entry into the Grand Slam Events and moving slowly toward not having to worry about qualifying rounds, ATP Challenger events or ITF Futures events where he holds four titles.

Not since 2001 has a Canadian reached the 4^th round of a Grand Slam event and that was Greg Rusedski who ultimately who reached a ranking of 4^th in the world in 1997.  Roanic has been compared to Rusedki and relishes the idea of following a similar path. Keep an eye on Milos Raonic; this Canadian talent is certainly poised to reach the top rankings within a short period of time.