What is the most unlikely things a tennis player would do during the break between sets?
The answer is READING!But that's what exactly Kei Nishikori did during the two-and-half hours marathon match against world no. 4 David Ferrer.
Kei, who had just dropped two straight sets against Ferrer, pulled out a small red and blue book out of his gym bag and started to read. Very typical Japanese, isn't it? "I was reading about what I should do in the match," he explained. "Such as stay calm. And don't get pissed off too much."
Kei took the words to heart, beating Ferrer 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 2-6, 7-5 in a thriller to become the first Japanese man in the modern era to reach the round of 16 at the US Open. "I still can't believe it," said Nishikori of the three-hour, 25-minute match against the 2007 US Open semi-finalist. "I was playing great. This is the biggest win for me."
After squandering a two-set lead, Nishikori, who is ranked 126th in the world, stepped it up in the fifth set, clinching the victory on his third match point.
By reaching the fourth round, he surpassed countrymen Jun Kamiwazumi (1973) and Toshiro Sakai (1971), who advanced to the third round of the US Open before being eliminated. "I never think about it," Nishikori said of his historic run at Flushing Meadows. "That I am making history or something. But I know Shuzo made the quarters of Wimbledon."
"I was tired and my legs were almost cramping," he said.
"But I tried to tell myself that I am playing David and he's number four in the world. That made me feel kind of happy and think more positive. I was tired too so I just tried to fight in the fifth set."
Nishikori has trained for the past five years at the Bollettieri Academy in Florida after arriving in the United States without his family as a 13-year-old.
"I had two friends come with me," he said. "I couldn't speak English. I was so nervous. I was scared of everything, all the American people. "But now it is fine."
The unseeded Nishikori will next face Juan Martin Del Potro, who comes into the fourth round riding a 22-match win streak. Gambatte, Kei-san!
(Images via sponichi.co.jp, AP Photo/Kathy Willens, ATP website)
Venus Williams add another feather to her cap.
The seven-time Grand Slam champion were at the Hospitality Village, the tennis centre on USTA Member Appreciation Day signing copies of her new book, 'Venus'.
Also around the Village was former tennis star Murphy Jensen, filming 'Explore the Open'.
'Venus' is a collection of photographs of Williams, one of the world’s greatest tennis players, taken by fashion photographer Koto Bolofo, showcasing her elegance both on and off the tennis court in black and white, as well as color photos. The book is by Bolofo in collaboration with Williams.
Williams said she had never thought she would have a book like this and is just happy to have had the opportunity to do it. “I just hope people enjoy the book and put it on their coffeetables,” Williams said.
“I just want them to take the journey with me in this book as kind of the classic tennis player. The book has a certain kind of serene mood, (and I hope people) just get into that mood looking at it.”
In the meanwhile, Venus advances to the 4th round after beating No. 27 seed Alona Bondarenko of Ukraine 6-2, 6-1.
(News and images via U.S. Open official website)
James Blake added to his ongoing charitable work Friday by presenting The Harlem Junior Tennis & Education Program and the USTA Serves foundation with a $10,000 check on behalf of Evian Natural Spring Water.
As a three-year spokesperson for Evian, Blake decided to tap into his creative juices this year and design a Limited Edition Evian Brumisateur, which was exclusively sold at the 2008 US Open and the 2008 Olympus Open Series.
The $10,000 donation came from the sale of the water sprays.Blake is a graduate and proud supporter of the Harlem Junior Tennis & Education Program. Every year he does his best to give back to the program that helped him get his start. Youth from the program were on hand today, sporting their J-Block T-shirts, to meet with Blake for the ceremony and a photo opportunity. “Our goal is to create successful kids,” said Harlem Junior Tennis & Educational Program Director James R. Kelly III. “We realize that not every kid will be a James Blake. James is an exception, but we’re happy when 90 percent of our kids go to college and become productive citizens.”
Of the $10,000 donation, 75 percent will go to the Harlem Junior Tennis & Educational Program, and the remaining 25 percent goes to USTA Serves, which is the U.S. Tennis Association’s foundation for academics, character and excellence. The foundation is designed to support, monitor and promote programs that enhance the lives of disadvantaged children through the integration of tennis and education.
After Blake presented the check, he met and took pictures with 50 enthusiastic fans at the Evian Booth with the Olympus PhotoCart.
Well done, Blake but...
... too bad Blake lost to Mardy Fish in the third round match 6-3, 6-3, 7-6 (4).
(Images and news via U.S. Open official website, AP Photo/Ed BetzAP Photo/Ed Betz)
Everyone is talking about Novak Djokovic so-called new love interest, Leryn Franco. And we're hoping to see her photos at the U.S. Open. Did she really attend the Grand Slam?
But guys, there are no such photos surface in tennis forums or websites. So, I'm would say that it's just all rumours. Perhaps there's something on between them at the Beijing's Olympic Village but that's it.
Djokovic himself brushed aside the romance rumours. Djokovic who has just defeated US qualifier Robert Kendrick 7-6 (10-8), 6-4, 6-4 will be booking a date with Croatian Marin Cilic in the third round. And the Serbian star says that's the only sort of date on his mind. “I've heard this has been the main subject in the papers and they even showed it on the TV two days ago when I played my first match,'' Djokovic said.
“I'm denying this and I'm saying we don't have a romance like people call it already. I even heard she's here so it's kind of strange because I would be the first to know probably."
“The papers are trying to make another scandal of it. Another romance. This is part of my life and I have to accept it like this. “We know each other. That's true. We met and then she came to watch my matches. But there is nothing more than friendship.''
Despite the internet gossis Djokovic tries to ignore such things to focus on his tennis. “You try not to pay too much attention because media can make you a star and bring you down in a day,'' Djokovic. “I accept it's part of my life. I have to be careful what I say and get used to it.''
Well said, Djokovic. I believe at this moment he is more interested to win another Grand Slam than a trophy girldfriend.
(Via Fox Sports, Image by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Kei, who had just dropped two straight sets against Ferrer, pulled out a small red and blue book out of his gym bag and started to read. Very typical Japanese, isn't it? 
