Wimbledon Day One wrap

The 2009 Wimbledon Grand Slam Tennis doesn't belong to Roger Federer alone. There are many other players in the tournament too.

So, let's take a look at some of the happenings on Day 1 yesterday.

First of all, I was really, really upset with ESPN Star Sports yesterday because they failed to show Federer making his Centre Court appearance.

Don't they already know all the hype about Federer's Wimbledon jacket?

Instead they showed Sania Mirza's match!

Besides, as an Asian-based sports broadcaster, how can Star Sports not show Asia's no.1 men's player, Rendy Lu Yen-hsun against the unofficial-GOAT from the beginning?

I supposed Star Sports worried that Rendy may be bageled thrice by Federer? You know what, they only start to show the match after convinced that Rendy can actually play!

And by the way I have nothing against Sania. Just like Vijay Amritraj, I admire Sania too. I'm just as happy when I saw Sania beat Anna-Lena Groenefeld 6-2, 2-6, 6-2.

No.4 seed Novak Djokovic came from a set down to defeat Julien Benneteau 6-7(8-10), 7-6(7-1), 6-2, 6-4.

During the match, Benneteau had a couple of painful moments. First, he slipped and hurt his knee earlier in the match before inflicting further damage to himself when he crashed into the screen at the back of the court trying to reach a Djokovic lob! Ouchh!

Robin Soderling continues his Grand Slam run to the second round after rallying to beat Gilles Muller 6-7(4), 7-5, 6-1, 6-2.

Thai Danai Udomchoke received a late call-up to the tournament on Monday as a 'lucky loser' after Ivan Ljubicic pulled out with an ankle injury.

Danai could hardly have been any less prepared for the demands of a Grand Slam clash and he never threatened to spring a surprise as American Sam Querrey cruised through with a 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 win.

Another American James Blake however suffered a setback when he was beaten 7-5, 6-4, 7-6 (5) by 50th-ranked Andreas Seppi. I'm speechless... disappointed.

British wildcard entrant Jamie Ward suffered a straight-sets defeat on his Grand Slam debut against Fernando "Mohawk-No-More" Verdasco.

Verdasco who spotted a new hairdo wrapped up a comfortable 6-1, 6-3, 6-4 victory in a little over an hour and a half.

Pretty boy Feliciano Lopez joined Blake to become another seeded player to lose on Day 1. Feliciano lost to Slovakian Karol Beck 1-6, 7-5, 6-3, 4-6, 10-8 in nearly four hours on Court 18.

Marin Cilic became the last man through to the second round before bad light halted play. Cilic defeated Spaniard Alberto Martin 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.

Maria Sharapova, who also paraded her military-themed jacket earlier, had a tough Day 1 at Wimbledon on Monday, rallying from 4-1 down in the first set to overcome Ukrainian Viktoriya Kutuzova, the top seed in qualifying, 7-5, 6-4.

Serena Williams decided to go 'all English' this year.

And despite the warm weather the American insisted on wearing her coat as she practised with Neuza Silva before the match began.

Serena easily cruised to the next round after winning 6-1, 7-5.

Michelle Larcher de Brito toned down her grunts yesterday but still able to win against Klara Zakapalova 6-2, 7-5.

Last year's semifinalist, Zheng Jie reached the second round after beating Kristina Barrois of 7-6 (2), 7-6 (4). Zheng, the 16th seed, will take on Daniela Hantuchova in the second round.

To check out other results, click here.

(Images by Getty Images)

Li Na ends Maria Sharapova's run at Aegon Classic

Maria Sharapova crashed out of the AEGON Classic at Edgbaston, going down 6-4, 6-4 in the semifinals to Li Na.

Sharapova will now spend next week practising at Wimbledon SW19 as she continues to rebuild her career following a serious shoulder injury.

"After such a long layoff, every match and every situation is a different test to the body," said Sharapova, the 2004 Wimbledon champion.

"I still felt like I had many chances in this match, but I have played five matches in the last six days and after that you just hope you wake up with that intensity you need. Against her you need that."

Li will play Magdalena Rybarikova at the final after defeated Sania Mirza 3-6, 6-0, 6-3.

(Images by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)

Wedding bells for Sania Mirza

Ahh... finally I'm back after missing from the blogosphere for a few days.

There are lots of tennis news which I need to update.

So let's get started with Sania Mirza's engagement news.

The tennis star is now engaged to Sohrab Mirza, a Hyderabad-based businessman!

Sania's family has yet to confirmed an immediate wedding date.

The two love birds, although having the same surname, are not related but have known each other for several years.

The 23-year-old Sohrab is the son of Adil Mirza and Noora Begum, the owners of Universal Bakers chain in the city of Hyderabad.

The chain has been a popular fast-food site in the city for several years now. It offers mainly pizzas, burgers and black forest cakes.

The 22-year-old Sania became the first Indian woman to win a WTA tour title and break into the World’s top 50 in 2005.

But thereafter, she has been plagued by injuries and fluctuating form.

However, she fought her way back and was able to win the Australian Open mixed doubles title along with Mahesh Bhupathi earlier this year.

She's currently back in the top 100, now ranked at no.95.

Sania's family confirmed that the marriage plans will not affect Sania’s tennis career and that she will continue to play in all major tournaments even after marriage.

(Via nhatky.in)

Fernando Verdasco the new Radek Stepanek

We have a new Radek Stepanek! And he's more good looking!

Fernando Verdasco is probably one of the most-talked about tennis player right now because of his off court gossip that is getting more and more ridiculous every day.

We already knew his breakup with Ana Ivanovic early this year.

Just early this week, there was a gossip about Nando chasing after Sania Mirza at Indian Wells, following her wherever she goes.

And yesterday, Camilla Belle was spotted at his match and some sports commentators referred her as his fiancee!

And today, tennis forums are already talking about Nando with Caroline Wozniacki, who was once linked to another Spaniard Rafael Nadal.

This time some Eurosport commentators referred Nando (who was spotted at her box during her match) and Caroline as "an item".

So is Wozdasco the new couple?

I doubt so.

Perhaps all these are just early April Fool's pranks the commentators played on Nando.

(Image via menstennisforums.com)

Sania Mirza's athleticism impresses Gil Reyes

Earlier this week, Gil Reyes praised Sania Mirza's 'athleticism' after a one-week stint with the Indian tennis star.

Sania trained with Reyes, who has worked with top stars like Ana Ivanovic and Fernando Verdasco, at his Las Vegas centre.

Sania's coach Sven Groeneveld was also there with her during the training.

"I have enjoyed the training sessions with Sania."

"I am truly impressed with her athleticism. She has natural athletic ability and has been well coached," Reyes said.

"Professional tennis has become quite physical and will continue to do so."

"Adding a strength and power to a natural athlete like Sania could certainly improve her tennis game, specially speed, movement and court coverage," he said.

The Spanish trainer said the kind of injury Sania picked up recently, she should be given adequate time to recover.

"It is important to respect Sania's recent wrist injury and not force the issue."

"However, she has been training her lower body with great focus and intensity."

"I can understand the enthusiasm about Sania's future and I share the enthusiasm," Reyes said.

Reyes also expressed his willingness to work with Sania again.

"I hope that her schedule will include many training days at my training center in Las Vegas because I believe that by adding greater physical capabilities to her abundant tennis talent, Sania will enjoy a very successful career as a professional athlete."

How much Sania has benefited from this training, we will know soon as she will kick off her campaign at Indian Wells tennis tournament against Ukrainian Mariya Koryttseva this week.

(Via hindu.com, Image via saniamirza.net.in)

Sania Mirza endorses new Cadbury variant, TVS Scooty Streak

Cadbury India has recently roped in Asian tennis sensation Sania Mirza to endorse its newly launched variant, 'Cadbury Bournvita Li'l Champs'.

As part of the promotional campaign, the company launched a television commercial showcasing's Mirza transformation from a toddler to a tennis champ after the consumption of the new product.

Apart from television, Cadbury will also run promotional campaigns across media platforms including outdoor, Internet and the radio.

Cadbury India executive director-marketing Sanjay Purohit said, "The core proposition of Bournvita Li'l Champs is to provide mental alertness and physical fitness in the age group of 2-5 years."

Sania also recently became the brand ambassador for TVS Scooty Streak, which has been described as a stylish and convenient option for young girls.


(Via indiantelevision.com, saniam.blogspot.com; Images via bollyone.com)

Sania Mirza to work with Gil Reyes

Sania Mirza will be heading to Las Vegas for a week starting March 2.

There will be no time for entertainment for Sania. Instead she will spend the entire week sweating it out at Gil Reyes' training centre.

"It's going to be a new experience and I'm looking forward to it," Sania said.

"I've heard so much about it from Ana (Ivanovic) and (Fernando) Verdasco, who had trained there before he made the semifinals of the Australian Open."

"This is going to be a short stint because I'll be playing tournaments in the following week. If it works well for me I want to go over for a longer stint in the near future."

Sania will be joined by coach Sven Groeneveld at Reyes' centre.

"The schedule hasn't been drawn up as yet," Sania's father Imran said.

"As in, how much time she spends in the gym and how much working out, but we should have that finalized in the next couple of days," he added.

After the training, Sania is hoping to get wildcards to play in Indian Wells and Miami. Groeneveld will be joining her at both events.

(Via The Times of India Sports; Image via Yahoo! Sports)

Sania Mirza right on track to be back in top 30

Suddenly Sania Mirza is in the final at the Pattaya Open and is ready to take on top seed Vera Zvonareva!

Unranked Sania had to pull off a tough fight before overcame eighth-ranked Magdalena Rybarikova 6-4, 5-7, 6-1 in the semifinal.

Sania was once ranked as high as 27th, before she fell to no. 126 due to a long-term wrist injuries last year.

Pattaya is her first trip to a singles final since Stanford in 2007.

Her only WTA-level singles title was way back in 2005!

It's a tough match up in the final tomorrow but who knows what's going to happen. I can only wish Sania all the best!

More good news about Sania.

She has been granted a wild card entry for this week's Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships.

"Sania Mirza has a huge fan following here and we have seen the stadium packed to capacity each time she has come here," said tournament director Salah Tahlak.

Updates:
Sania started off strong but Vera played better to win 7-5, 6-1 at the Pattaya Open.


(Image by Christophe Archambault/AFP/Getty Images)

Sania Mirza out of Fed Cup, missed 'Slumdog Millionaire'

Sania Mirza is never far from controversies, isn't she?

After winning a Grand Slam with Mahesh Bhupathi last week, she announced earlier today that she had to skip India’s Fed Cup campaign this week.

She blamed it on her abdominal pain, apart from the fatigue following the Australian Open.

Asked about her decision not to play in India to steer clear of controversies, Sania said, “I never said I am going to boycott (events in India). As usual, it was blown out of proportion. Who does not want to play in India? I love to play in the country. But not many tournaments are happening now.”

Her absence has left India with just three players for the event, which features eight nations, split into two groups, in round robin ties including two singles matches and a doubles clash, over three days before the top side from each division meets in Saturday's final.

The Indian team is world no.377 Abkita Bhambri, Sanaa Bhambri (478) and Rushmi Chakravarthi (509).

The winner of Saturday's final advances to the World Group II play-offs in April.

The other nations in the Asia-Oceania play-offs are Australia, Thailand, Taiwan, Uzbekistan, Indonesia and Korea.

Meanwhile, Sania sounded upset with Bhupathi for not taking her to watch 'Slumdog Millionaire'.

Sania wanted to watch the much-acclaimed film, but instead of taking her along, Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna went ahead and saw the movie.

“Mahesh and Rohan ditched me,” Sania said.

(Via telegraphindia.com, AFP; Image via Yahoo! Sports)

India welcomes Aussie Open champions

Australian Open boys champion Yuki Bhambri and mixed doubles champion Mahesh Bhupathi and Sania Mirza returned to India yesterday.

The Indira Gandhi International airport in New Delhi and the Chatrapati Shivaji International airport in Mumbai welcomed the nation's tennis stars with a heroes welcome.

Sania Mirza and Mahesh Bhupathi returned to Mumbai today amidst an arousing welcome, where fans of the duo cheered the Australian Open mixed doubles champs.



The pair received a grand reception (although Bupathi said he wasn't feeling comfortable about big reception like this) after their successful stint down under and the two expressed relief and joy on arrival.

It was a moment of rejoice for the Bhambri family, who were present at the IGI airport.

Huge banners announced Yuki's homecoming as thousands were wating patiently for their hero.

Yuki was received by the All India Tennis Association officials and greeted with garlands.

The young champ just smiled to the waiting mediapersons and shutterbugs.

Yuki is also seen here with his mother Indu Bhambri as he comes out of his residence in New Delhi to talk to journalists.

(Via timesnow.tv, Images via Yahoo! Sports)

Mahesh Bupathi not a big fan of receptions; Mike Bryan doesn't need to pick up the bills

"Hopefully not too big. I'm not a big fan of receptions. I'd like to sneak out the back door at the airport tomorrow."
~ Mahesh Bhupathi on the reception he expects back in India after winning the country's first Grand Slam mixed doubles title with Sania Mirza.

Mirza and Bhupathi beat Nathalie Dechy of France and Andy Ram of Israel 6-3, 6-1 at Rod Laver Arena.

"All I know is Serena usually picks up the bill."
~ Mike Bryan makes plan for an all-American celebration in Melbourne.

American twins Bob and Mike Bryan won their seventh Grand Slam title with a 2-6, 7-5, 6-0 win over Mahesh Bhupathi and Mark Knowles in the Australian Open doubles final.

The brothers, who regained their No. 1 ranking by reaching the final, were the second set of American siblings to win Grand Slam titles after Venus and Serena Williams won the women's doubles.

(Images via Yahoo! Sports)

Q&A with Sania Mirza & Mahesh Bhupathi

Sania Mirza and Mahesh Bhupathi defeated Aleksandra Wozniak and Daniel Nestor in the mixed doubles quarterfinal match today with the results 3-6, 6-4, 10-5.

They will next face the Czech pair of Iveta Benesova and Lukas Dlouhy.

Here their interview via AO website.

Q. How long have you been playing doubles together?
(There’s some back and forth banter about how many tournament they’ve played. Is it three, four or five? Finally it’s decided: Australian, Wimbledon, French and US Open.)
Sania Mirza (SM): Two years, this is the second year.

Q. How did you pair up as a doubles team?
SM: Well, he manages me, he has a company he manages me, we’re great friends, we know each other, we’re Indian. I guess there are enough similarities.

Q. Are you happy with how you’re doing in the doubles?
Mahesh Bhupathi (MB): Yes, we’re pleased, we’re still alive! We’ll just take it one at a time and see how it goes.

Q. What’s your strategy going into your next mixed doubles match?
MB: Win (both laugh)

Q. How are you handling the heat on court?
SM: It’s hot! It helps that we’re Indian, I guess. We’re used to it, but it was very hot today.

Q. Do you hang out when you’re not playing doubles?
MB: Sometimes; obviously we’ve known each other a long time. I mean, we did our pre-season training season together in December with a group of players in India in Bangalore this year. We train together in the off-season for the last two years.

Q. What do you like to do when you’re not playing tennis?
SM: I like to catch a movie, very normal stuff, go out for a quiet dinner.
MB: I’ve got enough to do, so I spend a lot of time on my computer. That’s about it. Go out for dinner or movies. I’ve got a coach and a trainer travelling with me so it’s a big entourage.

Q. If you weren’t tennis players, what would you be?
SM: I’ve been playing since I was six. Honestly, I don’t know. I was interested in interior decoration.
MB: I’ve been playing since I was three, so I haven’t even thought about it.

Q. Your compatriot, Yuki Bhambri is playing in the junior boys’ tournament here. Do you have any advice for him?
MB: He’s the biggest talent we have in India right now, so it’s very exciting for us. We’re hoping he can make the transition from the juniors to the main game very soon.

Q. Have you had a chance to see much of Melbourne?
MB: I’ve been here so many times. We have a set number of restaurants that we try and visit every time we’re here.

Q. You both travel a lot. What’s the one thing you can’t leave home without?
SM: My phone, [same for] him too (referring to Bhupathi)
MB: My laptop.

Q. What’s the favourite city you’ve visited?
SM: This is one of my favourite cities, actually. And New York.
MB: Australia’s definitely one of my favourite destinations.

(Interview and image via AO website)

Sania Mirza crashes out; Ai Sugiyama to meet Jelena Jankovic

India's Sania Mirza crashed out of the Australian Open on Wednesday after losing to Russia's Nadia Petrova 6-3, 6-2.

However she expressed that she was just happy to be back after recovering from a serious wrist injury.

The 22-year-old vowed to bounce back as she works to once again to match her career-high of 27.

"I'm just happy to be back and doing what I love doing, playing tennis and competing," Sania said.

"There was a big crowd out there and I haven't played like that for six months.

"Of course I'm disappointed at losing but I will try and take positives from this.

"I will try and get into the top 30, of course, but the last five or six months have taught me to live for the moment so I don't want to get ahead of myself."

On her game against Petrova, she conceded she was simply outclassed by a better player.

"When you're playing the world number 10 you expect her to raise her game under pressure and that is exactly what she did," she said of her opponent.

"I was a break up and I played a decent match but I still have a lot to work on.

"There are no excuses. I could blame it on a lack of match practice time, or on playing the world number 10. I had a sore stomach as well," she added.

"But at the end of the day I have to give her credit."

Japanese 26th seed Ai Sugiyama secured a tough match-up in the third round against world no. 1 Jelena Jankovic after defeated Nathalie Dechy 1-6, 6-1, 6-3.

(Via AFP; Images via Yahoo! Sports)

Chinese stars Zheng Jie & Peng Shuai shine at Australian Open

Chinese tennis stars Zheng Jie and Peng Shuai shine for Asia on the second day of the Australian Open, but regional hopes were dented as Japan’s Kei Nishikori and Thailand’s Tamarine Tanasugarn bowed out.

Perhaps Zheng is Asia’s best hopes after her fellow countryman Li Na bowed out of the tournament due to injury.

“It was tough out there, hot and windy, so it wasn’t comfortable but it was a good win,” Zheng said after defeated Camille Pin 6-3, 6-3.

Along with Peng, she joins Japan’s Ai Sugiyama, India’s Sania Mirza and Taiwan’s Rendy Lu Yen-Hsun in the next round.

Also through is Chan Yung-jan, who won an all-Taiwanese battle against Hsieh Su-Wei 6-3, 6-3.

Japan’s Ayumi Morita was a first-round casualty, losing to Germany’s Tatjana Malek 7-6 (4), 6-2 as she joined Nishikori and Tamarine on an early departure.

Peng battled past Italian Francesca Schiavone 7-6 (4), 6-1 but fellow Chinese Meng Yuan failed to repeat her success last year against Serena Williams who revenged with the score 6-3, 6-2.

There were high expectations for Nishikori but he was unable to overcome Austria’s Jurgen Melzer which resulted him to lost 5-7, 2-6, 1-6.

There were also similar hopes for the experienced Tamarine after her successful at the Wimbledon last year where she reached the quarterfinal. But she lost focus against Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez, losing in straight sets 7-5, 6-3.

(Via jakartaglobe.com; Images via sports.sina.com, nikkansports.com)

Rendy Lu, Ai Sugiyama & Sania Mirza keep Asian hopes alive

Japanese veteran Ai Sugiyama and India's Sania Mirza carried Asian hopes into the Australian Open second round on Monday.

However it was curtains down for comeback queen Kimiko Date Krumm.

In the men's singles, Taiwan's Rendy Lu Yen-Hsun also made it through to the second round with a 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 victory over Brazil's Thomaz Bellucci.

Rendy gets support from his fans at court 18.

With the strong crowd behind her, Sugiyama who is playing her 60th Grand Slam, battled past Canada's Stephanie Dubois 6-0, 7-6 (7/5) to continue her solid start to the season after making the semis in Sydney last week.

Some disturbing scenes from Sugiyama's court.

Thankfully Sugiyama doesn't dress like her supporters.

Ranked 26 here, the 33-year-old said she was encouraged by the start she has had to her 17th season on tour.

"I'm definitely very happy with the start I've had to the year," she said.

"My training has been good and I'm starting to play well.

"I started good today and won the first seven games in a row but then she got her rhythm and started hitting it deeper, and I struggled a bit."

Joining Sugiyama in round two is Sania who has suffered with injuries after a breakthrough 2005 when she reached the US Open fourth round.

Bad girl Sania sticks out her tongue.

Sania's signature move on court.

The 22-year-old went through a surgery on her right wrist in April ruining her 2008 season. She made brief comebacks before bowing out of the Beijing Olympics in tears.

Now she is back, hitting the ball harder than ever and hungry for success.

"It was a great way to begin after such a long break," Sania said after beating Poland's Marta Domachowska 6-1, 6-4.

"I've not played a match in almost six months now ... I'm just happy to have come through."

Aside from Sugiyama, Mirza and Lu, hopes for regional success lie with China's Zheng Jie and Thai Tamarine Tanasugarn.

Taiwan's Chan Yung-jan and Hsieh Su-Wei are also in the draw but have been drawn to face each other in the first round on Tuesday.

And of course there are also high expectations for Japan's Kei Nishikori who is scheduled to face Jurgen Melzer in the first round.

(Via channelnewsasia.com; Images via Yahoo! Sports, Rendy Lu's photos by Zahirah)