Venus Williams on CNN's Revealed series

This series was uploaded on CNN last week but as usual the IT guys at CNN still haven't fix the video embed function.

Now it's available on Youtube.

I love this series simply because there are more off-court scenes compare to TalkAsia's interviews with Jelena Jankovic and Zheng Jie.

And now Dubai tourney loses Andy Murray

Is it bad karma or pure coincidence?

At the beginning of this tournament, Dubai Open has already lost defending champion, Andy Roddick who boycotted the event.

Other top players including Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Nikolay Davydenko also withdrew from this tournament due to injury problems.

And in the latest development, Andy Murray pulled out from the tournament after coming down with a virus.

Now this ATP 500 event is all yours, Nole!

(Image by Marwan Naamani/AFP/Getty Images)

When Roger Federer meets Andy Murray...

Roger: (Smiling sheepishly) Andy, I'm sorry for being a jerk at the Aussie Open. You know, all the comments about you at the press. It didn't help me to win my 14th Grand Slam anyway.

Andy: (Giving Roger his trademark blank look) Oh, ok... So, what are you doing in Dubai? I thought you're not playing.

Roger: Well, you see the backache is not true.

Andy: (Giving that blank look again)

Roger: I just needed more time to recover from that humiliation last month. Hehe!

Roger: You know, I have a house here in Dubai. You want to drop for a coffee? I have a great coffee machine courtesy from *beep*. Mirka will bake you delicious donuts. We can sit down and strategize a bit. You know, you take on that Djoker and I grab my no.1 ranking back from Rafa.

Andy: (And the blank look again) What do you mean? You think I can't be no. 1?

To be continued...

(Images via Georgina Chang Ace at Facebook/ESPN Star)

Rendy Lu Yen-hsun knocks out birthday boy Lleyton Hewitt at Delray Beach

Esther, thank you for waking me up in the wee hours of the morning with your text message informing me about Rendy Lu's first round victory!

Fans were dying to see Rendy wins again after last month's victory against David Nalbandian at the Australian Open.

So when Rendy defeated former world no. 1 Lleyton Hewitt in three sets, 7-5, 2-6, 6-2, we're the happiest bunch on earth!

“I never thought I would win today,” said Rendy.

“I did just a little better in the wind than Hewitt. I felt no pressure today at all, because I knew I was playing one of the best players in the world.”

Well, Rendy you better start believing that you can win no matter who your opponents are!

Birthday boy Hewitt, who planned to have a birthday cake on court if he won the match, was probably tired after the semifinal match at Memphis last week.

Here's a bit of the match report provided by the friendly media people at yellowtennisball.com.

The first set was close as both Rendy and Hewitt focused on keeping the ball in play due to the windy conditions. Serving at 5-6, Hewitt double faulted at set point for Rendy. In the second set the Australian took an early lead by breaking Rendy at 1-1 and breaking again at 4-2. Hewitt seized the opportunity to serve for the set, which he took with a crosscourt forehand winner. An early break in the third gave Rendy a 3-0 lead, but after a long fifth game at 1-3, Hewitt broke back. A quick re-break by Rendy brought the score to 4-2. Rendy was able to hold his serve and after an unforced error, broke Hewitt who was playing on a wild card.

Rendy will play Stefan Koubek next. So stay tune.

In the meanwhile, here are more photos of Rendy at Delray Beach.

Rendy's victory made the headlines at ATP and Delray Beach tourney websites. Here are the screen caps. You can click to enlarge.


(Via yellowtennisball.com; Images by CameraSport, Cecil Wise)