Davis Cup Semifinals: Green lights for Argentina and Spain?

Okay, I deliberately put the title like that to give myself a reason to put up this song (John Legend and Andre 3000 - Green Light) :P

Get this widget | Track details | eSnips Social DNA

With both Russia and the US two points down, it's looking good for home teams Argentina and Spain.

You know what? I almost never believe Juan Martin del Potro can beat the top guys. I was wrong. JMDP totally crush Nikolay Davydenko by beating him in straight sets! With his previous 23-winning streak, perhaps JMDP has developed a habit of winning.

At homegrown, all four Argentina's players plus captain sang the national anthem at the opening ceremony, plus the attendance of two recent Davis Cup stalwarts, Guillermo Coria and Jose Acasuso. It felt like Argentina’s moment, and with just one win in the remaining three rubbers, it will be.

Nick Bollettieri said that if the US team ever made it through this semifinals, it's going to be a "Miracle in Madrid".

Anyone would tell you that the Spanish team will pull off this semifinals easily on clay at home. If that's not bad enough, the US team have to play without James Blake and one half of the world no.1 dubs Bob Bryan.

But this also means that the US arrive in Madrid as an underdog, without pressure (or is it not?) and possibly with a whole new set of strategies with players like Sam Querrey and Mardy Fish taking up the responsibilities.

But after last night, I think we almost want to believe that the Spanish Armada is way too strong. Even Andy Roddick can't save the wrecking ship now.

And tomorrow, Mardy Fish and Mike Bryan will take on a very tough and talented doubles team of Fernando Verdasco and Feliciano Lopez and without the complete Bryan Brothers, it looks almost impossible for the US to make a come back.

For the other World Group playoffs results, go to the Davis Cup official website.

(Images via Yahoo! Sport)

Jelena Jankovic found her love at the Beijing Olympics

Novak Djokovic denied romance with Paraguayan Olympian Leryn Franco.

But look who's the one hooked up with another Olympian instead at the recent Beijing Olympics?

Serbian tennis player Jelena Jankovic met Mladjan Janovic, the water polo player from Montenegro at the sports event. And very soon their friendship turned into love.


In an exclusive interview for the magazine Hello!, Jelena talks about her new boyfriend, her successes on tennis courts all around the world, ambitions related to acting career, a forthcoming premiere of the documentary “Jelena’s World” dedicated to her, and how she feels about playing in dresses which she designed herself.

Answering the question about that someone special in her life now, she confirmed:

“Yes, there is a guy from Montenegro… Before I met Mladjan in Beijing, I was single for a couple of months. He plays water polo for the Montenegrin representation, he is 24 years old and his name is Mladjan Janovic."

(Via Blic Online, tennisforum.com)

Pan Pacific Open: Marion Bartoli, Nadia Petrova and Chuang Chia-Jung attended sushi demonstration

Marion Bartoli, Nadia Petrova and Chuang Chia-Jung attended a sushi demonstration and tasting in Tokyo.

Here are the photos of the event.

Chuang Chia-Jung, Marion Bartoli and Nadia Petrova learn how to make sushi from a Japanese sushi chef.

Nadia Petrova tastes her self-made sushi.

Chuang Chia-Jung and Marion Bartoli still haven't get their sushi into their mouths.

Chuang Chia-Jung is not even biting her sushi.

By the way, based on the Toray Pan Pacific Open Tennis tournament results today, Petrova won the second round after beating Ana Ivanovic 6-1, 1-6, 6-2.

Bartoli lost to Agnieszka Radwanska 2-6, 3-6.

In the women's doubles, Chuang and partner Su-Wei Shieh made it through to the semifinals in a walkover win against Maria Kirilenko and Flavia Penneta.

(Images via Toray PPO official website)

Argentines feel Davis Cup within grasp; Football legend, Diego Maradona at the practice

Argentina believes winning its first Davis Cup is within its grasp on the eve of hosting its first semifinal at its Parque Roca Stadium fortress.

If the team beats Russia this weekend, the Argentines will also host its first final against either Spain or the trophy-holding United States.

The chance to make history has the Argentine team highly motivated, and even drew football great Diego Maradona to practice on Wednesday.

"The boys are really dedicated to this tournament," Argentina captain Alberto Mancini told TyC Sports television on Wednesday.

"They're pumped up by the opportunity to play another final — and at home. They have a lot of motivation, you can see it on the court."

Argentina hasn't lost at home in 10 years, winning 12 straight ties. That record made Argentina favored to win this week, said the country's greatest player, Guillermo Vilas.

"Argentina has a very good record at home," Vilas told the Davis Cup Web site. "The people are very warm and passionate when the matches start, and the Argentines always seem to play at their best."

To ease the pressure on his team, Mancini on Tuesday named David Nalbandian and Juan Martin del Potro for Friday's opening singles at the sold-out, 14,000-seat, clay-court stadium.

Diego Maradona wishing David Nalbandian success.

Guillermo Canas gets some love from the football legend.

Same goes to Juan Martin del Potro. Alberto Mancini is waiting for his turn.

(Via GMANews.TV, Images via Yahoo! Sport)