Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Closing Ceremony

The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games finally concluded yesterday. If you still haven't know the results, here are the list of winners for the tennis event:

Men's Singles Gold Medal Match
Spain (Rafael Nadal)
Chile (Fernando Gonzalez)
Serbia (Novak Djokovic)

Women's Singles Gold Medal Match
Russia (Elena Dementieva)
Russia (Dinara Safina)
Russia (Vera Zvonareva)

Men's Doubles Gold Medal Match
Switzerland (Roger Federer & Stanislas Wawrinka)
Sweden (Simon Aspelin & Thomas Johansson)
United States (Bob and Mike Bryan)

Women's Singles Gold Medal Match
United States (Serena and Venus Williams)
Spain (Anabel Garrigues & Virginia Ruando Pascual)
China (Yan Zi & Jie Zheng)

Let's look forward to watch the next Olympic Games at London in 2012!

(Images via Beijing Olympics official website)

Vamos Rafa! Rafael Nadal the world no. 1 and Olympic gold medallist

Silver medallist Fernando Gonzalez (L) of Chile, gold medallist Rafael Nadal (C) of Spain and bronze medallist Noval Djokovic (R) of Serbia pose together on the podium during the awards ceremony following Nadal's victory over Gonzalez in their men's singles gold medal final tennis match during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games on Sunday.

Today, Rafael Nadal is the official ATP world no.1 tennis player in the world! Vamos Rafa!!!!!!!!!!!! (By the way this is my 100 posts for Nadal, the first one way back in 2005!)

Back to the Olympic final, Rafael Nadal who owns the night stood in front of the medal podium, his nation’s flag draped across his back like a cape, he looked like a Spanish Superman. At least in tennis, he is the superhero to many fans.

Already assured of the No. 1 ranking, Nadal was No. 1 at the Olympics. He won a gold medal Sunday, overcoming two set points in the second set and holding every service game to beat Fernando Gonzalez of Chile 6-3, 7-6 (2), 6-3.

The gold medal was the first ever for Spain in Olympic tennis, and another milestone in an astounding summer surge by Nadal, who will officially end Roger Federer’s 41/2-year reign atop the rankings Monday.

Nadal has won 38 of his past 39 matches, including victories over Federer in the finals at the French Open and Wimbledon.

“Nowhere in my best dreams I can imagine something like what I did this year,” Nadal said. “I know how difficult it is to win these things, and especially here, because you only have one chance every four years.”

(Images by PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images)

Elena Dementieva wins all-Russian affair at the Olympic tennis

Gold medal winner Elena Dementieva (C) of Russia, Dinara Safina (L) and Bronze medalist Vera Zvonareva also from Russia display their medals after competing in the women's singles tennis competition at the Olympic Green Tennis Centre in Beijing today.

I didn't expect Elena Dementieva to win against Dinara Safina in a head-to-head all-Russian final at the Olympic women's singles today. And even the bronze medal won by Vera Zvonareva belongs to Russian!

Dementieva wins 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, making up for her disappointment in losing the 2000 Sydney Olympic final to Venus Williams.

She clenched her fists in celebration and then wiped away tears of joy after denying the in-form Safina for the first time in four attempts this year.


I would say that Safina has temper that is very much like her brother. After double-faults she flung her racket, banged it against the concrete and smacked a ball into the stands, but the tantrums failed to help.

When Dementieva closed out her victory with a forehand winner, she collapsed to her knees, then walked to net and received a congratulatory hug from Safina. Dementieva snapped Safina’s 15-match winning streak.

“I never expected a medal—gold, silver or bronze,” said Dementieva, 26. “It’s unbelievable. For me this is the best moment in my career. I’ll never forget it.”

(Images by BEHROUZ MEHRI/PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images)

Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka win men's doubles

Gold medalists Roger Federer (3rd L) and Stanislas Wawrinka (3rd R) of Switzerland, Silver medalists Simon Aspelin (L) and Thomas Johansson (2nd L) from Sweden, and Bronze medalists Bob and Mike Bryan of US pose for pictures after competing in the men's double's tennis competition at the Olympic Green Tennis Centre in Beijing on August 16, 2008.

It doesn't matter whether it's men's singles or doubles, Roger Federer still won his first Olympic gold medal! And that matters!

An Olympic gold is priceless for Roger Federer who has an extensive trophy collection. By teaming up with Stanislas Wawrinka the Swiss duo won the Olympic doubles yesterday beating Simon Aspelin and Thomas Johansson of Sweden 6-3, 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-3.

Federer extended his arms in triumph and began to hop (which you don't quite often see as a singles player. Then, he embraced Wawrinka and they hopped together (hehe!).

With so many disappointment this year, Federer had waited long enough for a big victory to celebrate. And the Olympics is such a huge boost for his confidence.

After three Olympics, Federer is finally a medalist for the first time!

"Sort of a dream-come-true moment," Federer said. "Maybe it comes around once in a lifetime. It's almost disbelief, to some degree."

(Images by PHILIPPE HUGUEN/BEHROUZ MEHRI/AFP/Getty Images)

Rafael Nadal and Fernando Gonzalez set up men's singles final at the Olympic tennis

It wasn't a dream final between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. But it's okay as long as Nadal goes into the final on Sunday.

Last night's semifinal was a nail-biting match between the soon-to-be world no. 1 and world no. 3 Novak Djokovic that ended with the result 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 and I'm glad that it is Nadal who won in the end.

Let me tell you, last night's match was a torture, seeing how agressive Djokovic was and how biased the commentator was who clearly sided Djokovic (and wanted Nadal to lose).

Nadal who will be crowned the world no. 1 on Monday and world number 15 Fernando Gonzalez will meet in the men's singles final in the Beiing Olympic tennis event after two blockbuster semifinals yesterday.

Djokovic, the world number three hit a smash long to give the 22-year-old the first win on hard surface this season after battling for two hours and 10 minutes. And yes, Djokovic cried and only have himself to blame for his own mistake.

With the victory, Nadal now leads 10-4 over Djokovic in career.

American James Blake and Chilean Gonzalez joined to produce a thrilling yet controversial game where a point in the third set apparently distracted the American's mind. I missed this match but still managed to check out the live score on ITF website.
Blake lost his concentration towards the end of the match when the umpire missed that Gonzalez's racquet touched a Blake backhand that went long and should have put the American 15-0 up on Gonzelez's serve in the 18th game of the third set.

And in the post-match press conference, the eighth seed hit hard at Gonzalez's sportsmanship.

"Yeah, hit a shot that hit Fernando's racquet and then went out. The umpire didn't see that it hit his racquet," said Blake.

"Playing in the Olympics, in what's supposed to be considered a gentleman's sport, that's a time to call it on yourself."

"Fernando looked me square in the eye and didn't call it," said a disappointed Blake.

After the incident, Gonzalez positioned himself to win the match when he broke the American's serve on a second break point in the 19th game, when the American hit a forehand approach long.

Blake fought hard to prevent his demise by saving four match points in the final game but made two forehand errors to lose the match from deuce.

"I've spoken all week about how much I've enjoyed the Olympic experience, how much I love the spirit of it, how much I love the other athletes, what they've sacrificed, and you appreciate that. And the guys go out and compete their hardest, win fair and square, lose fair and square," said the 28-year-old Blake.

"That's a disappointing way to exit the tournament when you not only lose the match, but you lose a little faith in your fellow competitor."

"I know him very well. I've played him many times on tour. He does everything in his power to win. Usually it's in the rules, sometimes it's bordering on gamesmanship. Whatever, that happens out there all the time."

"But he's too good of a player to do something like that and to act like that. That's why it's disappointing, because he is a great player. I can't take away anything from the fact he won the match. Came from back from three match points down, served really well, hung in the whole time. I'm not going to take anything away from the kind of tennis he can play, but there's still a level of disappointment in him."

It's okay, Blake. Nadal will beat Gonzalez for you.

(Images via AP Photo/Charles Krupa/Elise Amendola)
(Some text via xinhuanet)

What do Josiah Ng and Maria Sharapova have in common?

Maria Sharapova is still in Arizona rehabilitating due to her shoulder injury which deter her from participating in the Beijing Olympics 2008 and most probably the US Open as well.

While away from tennis tournaments, she will never forget to keep her fans updated with the news and photos.

So this is what "rehabilitation" means. Seems like she's having a good time taking pictures with her "Powershot camera".

Sharapova's obsession of taking pictures (especially with these kind of poses) reminds me of our own Malaysian cyclist, Josiah Ng. You can check out his blog or his fianceé's blog and you'll know what I mean.

Josiah and Rizal, Malaysian cyclists at Beijing Olympics.

By the way, Josiah mentioned in his Facebook that he had a chance to chat with James Blake during lunch at the Olympic Village.

(Images via mariasharapova.com, josiah's blog)

Roger Federer upsets by James Blake in Olympic tennis

Oh my, Swiss Roger Federer's bid to win his first Olympics medal ended when he lost to American James Blake 6-4, 7-6 (2) in the quarterfinal match tonight.

The rain seems like trying to delay Federer's bitter defeat.

After the match was postponed for 3 hours, 35 minutes due to heavy rain, Federer seemed off his game right from the start. His forehand which is once the sport’s most feared was unreliable, and he repeatedly struggled to hold serve.

Could this be the end of the once most unbeatable player? Could his lackluster performance force him an early retirement?

Only time will tell. But the things is Federer is running out of time. He still have a chance though to prove himself again at the US Open right after the Olympics.

(Images by AP Photo/Elise Amendola/BEHROUZ MEHRI/AFP/Getty Images/AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

What to wear to win at the Beijing Olympics?

Red is thought to bring good luck for Chinese and is the color of items ranging from packets of lucky money (ang pow) handed out at Lunar New Year to lanterns and wedding dresses.

In sports, Tiger Woods famously wears red on the last day of a golf tournament for luck.
And what do Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal's Beijing Olympic gears tell you? Gold medals in the making?
Perhaps Nadal has an extra edge over Federer. Check out the tribal markings at the back of Nadal's red shirt. Isn't that warrior motif already send out a strong message to his competitors? Could he be the luckier one?
Newlycrowned world no.1 Jelena Jankovic is wearing red too but I don't think she'll be the lucky one in the women's singles. Nah, it's not the threats from the Williams sisters nor Dinara Safina, but it's her awful 'milkmaid' red dress. That sends a bad chi, isn't it?

But you know what? Sometimes you don't have to wear red to be a winner. Janko Tipsarevic is one example. He might have lost in the second round to Olivier Rochus, but he's still a winner here (read: sexy and drives thousands of traffic to my blog). But having the combination of both like Federer would be the best.

(Images by Clive Brunskill/Julian Finney/Getty Images, mentennisforum.com)

Andy Murray suffers early Olympic embarrassment, crashing out to Lu Yen-Hsun

Andy Murray (Great Britain), who is fresh from winning the Cincinnati Masters, could have go far in the men's singles at the Beijing Olympics.

However it turns out to be the biggest upset today, after Murray losing in the first round to Rendy Lu Yen-Hsun (盧彥勳) of Taiwan in straight sets 7-6 (5), 6-4.

Murray, the world no. 6, only had himself to blame for his early embarrassing departure after failing to take advantage of the chances that came his way and allowing Lu, world no. 77 to score one of his career-best wins.

Murray's only hope of securing an Olympic medal now rests with the doubles event, in which he was still set to start alongside brother Jamie because of the delayed schedule.

Other top favourite players in the men's and women's singles such as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams and Dinara Safina survived the first round. Click here to find out the complete list of men and women players who made it through the next round.

(Images via AFP/AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Roger Federer celebrates his birthday with Swiss team

Wonder how Roger Federer celebrate his birthday this year? Here are a few photos for the fans out there. Esther, thank you for the tips.

The entire Swiss team gathered and celebrated Roger Federer's 27th birthday before the Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony, which he was the flag bearer for the Swiss team. Everything was perfect for the Swiss team except their shoes.


(Images via menstennisforum.com)

Rafael Nadal and Nicolas Almagro attend Spain vs. Greece basketball game

Spain's tennis players Rafael Nadal and Nicolas Almagro were spotted at the men's preliminary round group B basketball match between Spain and Greece at the Olympic basketball gymnasium during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games today.


Nadal was also seen talking to Spain's Prince Felipe.

Tomorrow, Nadal will start his campaign against Potito Starace of Italy while Almagro will face Gael Monfils in the first round.

For details of the latest 1st round men's singles results, click here.

(Images by GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images)

Ana Ivanovic withdraws from Beijing Olympic tennis

You know what, I feel devastated with the rain delays and all the last minute withdrawals.

The latest updates said that no. 1 seed Ana Ivanovic withdrew from the Beijing Olympic tennis because of inflammation in her right hand that has bothered her for several weeks.

Why now, Ana?

Ivanovic said she hasn’t been able to practice (Ana, we saw you practicing) because of the injury, which began to bother her last month. She was expected to play her first-round match for Serbia on Monday, but after consulting with a doctor, she said she needs more rest.

“It’s one of the hardest moments in my career,” Ivanovic said. “I’m very, very disappointed.”

Ivanovic said the injury may take two weeks to heal, and she still hopes to play in the U.S. Open, which begins Aug. 25, right after the Olympics.

Yesterday, Tatiana Golovin of France withdrew from singles and doubles shortly before the scheduled start of the Olympic tennis tournament.

She was already assured of losing the top spot in the women’s rankings Monday to No. 2 Jelena Jankovic.

Now I believe the gold medal is totally in Dinara Safina hands, looking at the injury complained by soon-to-be world no. 1 Jelena Jankovic, although she hasn't pull out yet.

By the way, for details of the latest 1st round women's singles results, click here.

(Images by PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images, anaivanovic.com)

Sania Mirza in dress code controversy, again

There's only one world to describe Sania Mirza. Nope, it's not the word TALENTED. It's CONTROVERSY. Here she goes making headlines for the wrong reason, again.

While all the male members of the Indian team were dressed in off-white sherwanis at the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing Olympics, the tennis duo of Sania Mirza and Sunitha Rao were attired in black trousers and practice jackets. Not only did the two not follow the dress code, the contrast was even more jarring to the eyes when they walked with Delhi paddler Neha Aggarwal who chose a greenish saree for the occasion.

Most of the Indian atheletes also did not march smartly, Rathore, tennis ace Leander Paes and shooter Gagan Narang being the exceptions.

According to the President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), Suresh Kalmadi, “Everybody had been given their dress. The two had returned from their practice and there was no time. The Chef de Mission (K. Murugan) was caught in a dilemma and could not leave out Sania as questions would have been raised about her absence,” said Kalmadi, who added that sarees of different colours had been given to the athletes to make the group look, er, colourful.

(Image via AP Photo)

Heavy rain delays first round match at the Beijing Olympics

James Blake (USA) and Chris Guccione (Australia) supposed to start their first round match at the Centrecourt at 10.30 this morning. However due to the heavy rain in Beijing, it seems that all matches has to be delayed.

(Image by PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images)

More HOT photos from the tennis training session at the Beijing Olympics

This is the final batch of training sessions photos taken before the men and women tennis players battle for medals at the Beijing Olympics 2008 tomorrow at 10.30 a.m.

Here's the hot Kei Nishikori, the tennis prince from Japan. This one is specially dedicated to you, Esther!

And I know many Rafael Nadal's fans who googled their way into my blog, will never get bored of his sexy photo.

And I find Elena Dementieva (Russia) rather sexy here in these pictures. Good job in handling the ball, girl.

(Images via ITF, BEHROUZ MEHRI/AFP/Getty Images)

Top tennis players at the Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony

Finally the Beijing Olympics 2008 has begun!

While some tennis players have their personal views and issues (such as injury) that keep them from taking part in this world's biggest games, most of them including tennis star players join their compatriots for a historical moment at the Opening Ceremony, in the National Stadium or better known as the Bird's Nest.

Flag bearers including Roger Federer (Switzerland) and Fernando Gonzalez (Chile) certainly made tennis and their countries proud. Other tennis players spotted are Rafael Nadal (Spain), Novak Djokovic (Serbia), Andy Murray (UK), Ana Ivanovic (Serbia) and Lindsay Davenport (USA). There also a picture of Radek Stepanek (Czech Republic) taking picture of his tennis player girlfriend Nicole Vaidisova (Czech Republic). Their pictures are in sequence.

Lindsay Davenport, however, pulls out from the women's single draw due to knee injury. However she will still be playing doubles with partner Liezel Huber.

And by the way, Jelena Jankovic skips the Opening Ceremony cited injury she got during Friday's training session.

I missed the front part of the Opening Ceremony. Hope to catch the rerun of the event later.

(Images via Yahoo! Sports, ATP and Getty Images)

Kei Nishikori, Ai Sugiyama: The Japanese tennis team at Beijing Olympics

Together with Ayumi Morita (picture nowhere to be found), Kei Nishikori (錦織圭) and Ai Sugiyama form the Japanese tennis team at the Beijing Olympics (オリンピック) 2008.

Tennis veteran Sugiyama will face tough opponent Daniela Hantucova, the 10th seed in the first round, while Morita will be facing New Zelander Marina Erakovic.

In the men's single draw, Japanese tennis prince Kei Nishikori, the 124th-ranked wildcard entrant Kei Nishikori (JPN) is drawn to face 34th-ranked, Wimbledon 2008 semifinalist, Rainer Schuettler in the first round.

(Images via nikkansports.com)

Shirtless tennis players: It's hot right here in Beijing!

The Olympics 2008 will start in less than 12 hours! But before that...

It was hazy and it was definitely hot in Beijing yesterday!

With that kind of weather, there's only one things for the ladies, shirtless players. Novak Djokovic, Guillermo Canas, Nicolas Massu, Fernando Gonzalez, Jonas Bjorkman, Lleyton Hewitt and Rafael Nadal (pictures all in sequence) sure couldn't stand the heat and took their shirts off. Nadal's picture is a repeat from this post.

UPDATES: Checking the latest weather report, it's raining now in Beijing, which is good for the Opening Ceremony tonight.

(Images by BEHROUZ MEHRI/AFP/Getty Images)