Rafael Nadal to face Tomas Berdych in Wimbledon final

Andy Murray's body language said it all.

He's just not ready to beat one of the best players on grass surface yet. After all he's a specialist on hard court, not on this slower surface.

Dejected fans

Or maybe he was just overwhelmed by the entire nation's hope.

Murray was outclassed by 2008 Wimbledon champion Rafael Nadal in straight sets 6-4, 7-6, 6-4.

David Beckham and son Brooklyn were among the famous people at the match

Last year during this time he was said to be in front of a TV in Spain, resting his aching knees.

Nadal is back in the Wimbledon final this year to chase for his second trophy at the All England Club and eighth Grand Slam championship!

He will take on Tomas Berdych who upset Novak Djokovic 6-3, 7-6(9), 6-3.

No more chest thumping for Djokovic

Statistic wise, Nadal has a better chance to win the prestigious title this weekend as Berdych has not beaten the Spaniard since 2006.

(Images via Yahoo! Sports)

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Serena Williams, Vera Zvonareva reach Wimbledon finals

Put Vera and Serena together and you'll create a ticking time bomb (or two).

'A more composed' (according to Lindsay Davenport) Vera Zvonareva has advanced to her first Grand Slam final after defeating unseeded Tsvetana Pironkova 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the semifinals of Wimbledon today.

Pironkova is down and out but made a name for herself in this tournament.

Pironkova’s defeat ended her bid to become the first unseeded woman to reach the final at the SW19.

In another semifinal match, Serena Williams defeated unseeded Petra Kvitova in straight sets to reach her 3rd straight Wimbledon final and 6th overall.

Petra Kvitova pissed off with her performance.

Serena overcame the world no. 62 Czech player to win 7-6 (5), 6-2.

Williams is now one win away from her 4th Wimbledon title and 13th Grand Slam championship!

Serena is expected to work her ass off in order to stop Vera in the final.

I suspect this is going to be a very intense women's final.

(Images via Sina Sports)

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A quick peep into Fernando Verdasco's sexy lifestyle

They are just friends.
- Image via Montreal Gazette

If Fernando Verdasco is not busy flirting with tennis chick like Caroline Wozniacki on court, he'll be busy off court making money stripping down to his Calvin Klein Underwear and signing autographs on his semi-nude poster.

Somebody suggested Nando to sign his crotch instead.
- Image via Chance Moda

Recently he has been photographed by paparazzi in a 'Titanic' moment with fellow compatriot Feliciano Lopez on a boat in Ibiza.

I know what you're thinking but you could be wrong. There were some hot chicks on the same boat too.

You can check out the rest of the photos here.

Updates: Okay, I want to take back what I've said in the above photo.

Novak Djokovic ends Rendy Lu Yen-hsun's fairytale run

Rendy Lu Yen-hsun's incredible run at the Wimbledon has finally come to an end.

He lost to Novak Djokovic 3-6, 2-6, 2-6 in the quarterfinal match yesterday.

But here's the good news. Rendy, the no.1 player in Asia has won so many new fans for the past two weeks.

His Facebook fanpage has soared from 600+ to more than 3000+ in just a couple of days.

A visit to his profile page on the Wimbledon tournament's official website, by scrolling down and counting the number of comments made by fans and then comparing him to popular players like Roger Federer (432), Rafael Nadal (423), Novak Djokovic (94) and Andy Murray (125), you'll know Rendy (713) is the hottest guy in SW19 right now!

Now the greatest news of all is that Rendy could have reach a career-high no. 42 in the world rankings next week! I'll keep you guys posted once the official rankings are available.

All the best to Rendy in upcoming tournaments.

I'm definitely looking forward to meeting him again in Malaysia (if he plays here at the ATP250 Malaysian Open) in September.

(Images via Yahoo! Sports)

Roger Federer out of Wimbledon, fall short of making history

I don't mean to be insensitive to Fed fans but these photos look like a great combo :D

Roger Federer will miss the Wimbledon final for the first time since 2002.

Federer lost 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 in the quarterfinals last night against Tomas Berdych.

The disastrous defeat also means that he failed in his bid to equal Pete Sampras's record of seven Wimbledon crowns.

According to Toronto Star, Federer "not only chose to blame leg and back woes for his defeat, but volunteered that information without being asked."

You know, people criticized Rafael Nadal a lot for putting the blame on his knees whenever he lost. Personally I think players deserve to come up with hundred of reasons including injuries as an excuse for their defeat.

It was a big match last night against Berdych and Federer's ego was crushed! So leave the guy alone!

At the post match presser, Federer gets to vent his frustration on a journalist who asked stupid questions.

I know some non-Fedfans misunderstood the champ's answer (they only read half of his answer) and called him "clASSless" but do read the transcript carefully before criticizing anyone.

Q. Andy Murray is playing a critical match at the moment. Nadal has been having some trouble. What do you think of Andy Murray as a player and do you think this might be his year, given some of the great players are not doing so well?

ROGER FEDERER: The end was what?

Q. I wonder if you think this might be his year, given some of the really threatening players haven't been doing so well this year.

ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I mean, true, Rafa played terribly lately; Soderling is not a threat either. He's got an easy ride to this victory, that's for sure. Djokovic can't play tennis anymore it seems like.

Got to make your own work, please. Respect the players. Obviously Andy is a fantastic player and he's got all the chances to win here. We all know that.

(Images via Yahoo! Sports)

Tsvetana Pironkova is Lu Yen-hsun of women's tennis

Women's tennis kinda sucky these days so I don't really watch it lately. I really miss those days where Maria Sharapova, Jelena Jankovic and Ana Ivanovic rule the WTA.

Nevertheless, it's worth to mention Bulgaria’s Tsvetana Pironkova's achievement last night, who made it into the semifinals at Wimbledon after beating Venus Williams 6-2, 6-3.

Just like Rendy Lu Yen-hsun, she is currently ranked world no.82 and managed to pull off the biggest upset at Wimbledon thus far.

Pironkova, whose home country does not have a single grass court, will play for a spot in the Wimbledon final against the queen of meltdown Vera Zvonareva who knocked out Kim Clijsters 3-6, 6-4, 6-2.

(Images via Yahoo! Sports)

John Isner appears on David Letterman

John Isner who became famous overnight because of his record-breaking match against Nicolas Mahut was on The Late Show with David Letterman on Monday to present Letterman's Top 10.

Here's a recap of the top 10 again.

"Thoughts That Went Through John Isner's Mind During the 11-Hour Tennis Match."

10. "I'm exhausted."
9. "We've been playing so long, I've forgotten - am I Isner or Mahut?"
8. "Remember when I said I was exhausted? That was 8 hours ago!"
7. "Wonder if I'll be sore tomorrow."
6. "I'm gonna lay back until 51-50, then make my move."
5. "I'm asleep."
4. "Why couldn't I have played Federer? It would've been over in 15 minutes."
3. "Cramp!"
2. "Honestly, I don't care if I win or lose - I just don't want to die."
1. "Larry King has had marriages that didn't last this long."

Join Rendy Lu Yen-hsun's Facebook Fanpage

If you're already a fan of Rendy Lu Yen-hsun after his magnificent win over Andy Roddick at Wimbeldon yesterday, do show your support for him in his Facebook fanpage here.

Before his win last night, the number of fans were only 600+. The number has increased to more than 1700 in the last few hours =)

Rendy Lu talks about win, dad and chickens

Here's Rendy Lu Yen-hsun's round 4 post match Wimbledon interview.

Q. You played him twice before. What was the difference?

YEN‑HSUN LU: I think for me I know he's very tough on grass because he has big serve. And I don't think I'm doing different than last time. But I just show my serve when I was in trouble or when I in tough situation, I don't overplay.

So I have to stay with him because last two match, sometimes in the pressure, I overplay because I want to make a winner.

But today I just take a time, serve regular, and stay with him, try to find a chance and to win the set, set by set, set by set, until end, I shaking hand and I win. Yeah, I just don't think.

Q. When it was leveled at two sets each, was it psychologically tougher for you then?

YEN‑HSUN LU: I mean, yes. This question, for me, the fourth set I have a chance. I have 3‑1. The dropshot, I come in. I still thinking when I was going to the final set. I just tell myself, I have to fight. Because I know in the fifth set, there is no tiebreak, and he has better serve.
So I just tell myself, If I can stay longer, longer, longer, then probably something happens. And finally then I waited last chance to close the match.

But I tell you, fifth set, I don't believe I can win because he's better server than me.

Q. You didn't believe?
YEN‑HSUN LU: No, I mean, for chance, I don't believe. But I just tell myself, Even I don't believe, I have to fight, yeah.

Q. What were the emotions like for you after the match? You won, sat down in your chair. What was going through your mind after the victory?

YEN‑HSUN LU: Yeah, I mean, for me, because I really thankful for my family. Also because I'm really upset because my father's already pass away. I make this result. I'm really proud myself to share this victory with him in the sky. I hope he see this match.

So in that moment, I just sit and tell myself, I done it. I done for my father. I done for myself also. I done for all the people support me, yeah.

This one is for Dad who is watching up there...

Q. May we ask when your father passed away?

YEN‑HSUN LU: Is 2000, when I turned professional, that year.

Q. So now having achieved the best result of your career, how far do you think you can go here?

YEN‑HSUN LU: Right now, I just want to say I want to have good sleep tonight. I know the next opponent is Djokovic. Also is very great players. I don't know how far I can play. I cannot tell you. But I can tell you if I have a chance to step on the court, I will fight in the end, yeah.

Q. Is it true you call yourself Randy because your English teacher could not pronounce your name?

YEN‑HSUN LU: Yeah, you know, because in Taiwan is difficult. Is not difficult, my name, to pronounce. But the English teacher, they want us to get American style, have the English name, to go into the English class feeling. So that's why they ask us to pick out the name from English.

So that's why I pick. But I don't know the meaning, actually (smiling).

Q. Do you want to know?

YEN‑HSUN LU: No. Better not, yeah (smiling).

Q. How long have you been working with Mark Woodforde and how much has he helped your game?

YEN‑HSUN LU: I mean, had very good experience with him last year. I mean, last year I have really bad virus with me for one‑and‑a‑half months, and also my immune system, even after I recover, I still really not in the good shape.

So when I work with him, my body's not really ready for it. But he give me a lot, you know, come to the net, and also some strategy, slice, approach. I mean, also he tell me some experience what he done before, when you play in a match, what you think. So is really help for when I work with him for two months, yeah.

Q. What was his advice? Did you speak to him today?

YEN‑HSUN LU: Actually, I meet him, like we went to the practice court, he is also practicing for this week. I was just say hi. He tell me, Well done. But we didn't really spoke about the tournament match.

Q. Did your father teach you to play tennis? Was he involved in tennis?

YEN‑HSUN LU: He start to learn together. We learn tennis together. When I was going to high school, also he spending a lot of time, too. He's not real coach, but he spend a lot of time to drive me to the coach, to the tennis coach, to the school. He's take care everything.

And also when I was ‑‑ before he was always planning which direction I should go, I should go to school or keep going professional. In the moment, he pass away.

So I'm just upset that I done, and he didn't with me. That's why I'm just very sad about this. But today I think he's here and he also very happy for me, yeah.

Q. When you beat Andy Murray at the Beijing Olympics, he said later that he was jetlagged and did not prepare properly. Does that make this win the best of your career?

YEN‑HSUN LU: I think every win is different in my career. I mean, of course, Andy's ‑‑ they're both Andy. Andy Murray's good players. But probably he has some problem. I knew I play good tennis against him, and I beat him.

I cannot tell you next time I play him, I have to win, I have to beat him, because he's very good players. I just find the chance to beat him.

And today the match, also in the match, I tell my coach, I say, I don't care about if win or lose, but I just want to fight in the end. Then things happened.

Q. How difficult is it to play tennis in Taipei? Did you have economic support only from the family?

YEN‑HSUN LU: The beginning, family supporting. After, when I play till now, there's some sponsor to support us. But when I kid, family support.

Q. What was your family doing, your family business?

YEN‑HSUN LU: My father doing, he's selling the chicken, not the meat, but the live chicken. So they sell the chicken, send it to the farm or something. After, they kill and become the meat. So I can catch a chicken. I can show you. Yeah, serious. I can catch a chicken (smiling).

Q. Can you elaborate on that? Was this like a chicken farm where your dad worked? Did you work with him there?

YEN‑HSUN LU: I tried few times. But I don't really like because smell really bad. But I know is very tough work. They always working between 1:00 in the morning to 6:00 in the morning, like very early. That time the chicken cannot run away because they cannot see.

Q. They were wild?

YEN‑HSUN LU: Yeah. No, but still they can run. They just put in the box or something. You have to catch them into the box. If the people want some kind of chicken, you need to separate.

Q. Roddick talked about how your serve seemed a lot tougher for him today than when you've played him in the past. Is that a part of your game you've worked on specifically? How might you be a different player today?

YEN‑HSUN LU: I mean, I think these tournaments improve my serve, especially like in the tough situation I make more first serve in. And also doing good serve is also physical‑wise because, like before the tournaments, I hire Argentina condition coach.

We training really hard for three‑and‑a‑half weeks to prepare these tournaments. And also he used the new system, it is different training program, that make me for my leg a little bit stronger.

So I can jump higher, I can serve better. That I think is better than last few times I play him, yeah.

(Via Wimbledon website)

ESPN Star Sports Sucks!

I just want to vent out my anger and disappointment with ESPN Star Sports.

It's a shame that you're an Asian based sports TV broadcaster but you don't show the historical match between Rendy Lu Yen-hsun and Andy Roddick.

Congrats to Rendy again for making Asia proud! Jia you in the quarterfinal!

(Image via Yahoo! Sports)

Rendy Lu Yen-hsun rocks Andy Roddick's world

Sorry for not updating this blog for awhile.

Instead of staying up late at night for World Cup, I caught up with tennis. After all, it's Rendy Lu Yen-hsun's important match against Andy Roddick, last year's Wimbledon finalist, in round 4.

Congrats to Rendy who sent Andy Roddick packing with an impressive 4-6, 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/4), 6-7 (5/7), 9-7 win!

The unseeded Rendy become the first Taiwanese to make the last eight of a Grand Slam.

Currenly ranked 82nd in the world, he also became the first Asian man to make the last eight at the Wimbledon since Japan's Shuzo Masuoka back in 1995!

Rendy will now face Novak Djokovic, the third seed, in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.

Hopefully Rendy will take advantage of this opportunity as Djokovic is said to be unfit due to illness.

(Images via Yahoo! Sports)