Astro SuperSport+: LIVE ARAG World Team Cup & French Open

Few weeks back, I wrote to a local paper expressing my disappointment with Astro (a subscription-based TV) for not showing the live telecast of the Monte Carlo Masters semifinal and final matches, although they showed the earlier rounds.

There were also no live coverage for the semifinal and final matches from Rome Masters and I presume this will happen again for the Madrid Masters.

However, thankfully, there will be an additional sports channel - Astro SuperSport+, which will broadcast 2 LIVE tennis events: the ARAG World Team Cup and the French Open 2009.

Astro SuperSport+ (channel 816) will be available to all Sports Package Customers from 11 May - 9 June 2009.

Here are the event highlights:

Tennis: ARAG World Team Cup
Mon, 18 May, 8am - Day 1 (Delayed)
Mon, 18 May, 7pm - Day 2 (Live)
Tue, 19 May, 7pm - Day 3 (Live)
Wed, 20 May, 7pm - Day 4 (Live)
Thu, 21 May, 6pm - Day 5 (Live)
Fri, 22 May, 7pm - Day 6 (Live)
Sat, 23 May, 6pm - Day 7 Finals (Live)

Tennis: French Open 2009
Sun, 24 May, 5pm - Day 1: Men’s & Women’s Singles 1st Round (Live)
Mon, 25 May, 5pm - Day 2: Men’s & Women’s Singles 1st Round (Live)
Tue, 26 May, 5pm - Day 3: Men’s & Women’s Singles 1st Round (Live)
Wed, 27 May, 5pm - Day 4: Men’s & Women’s Singles 2nd Round (Live)
Thu, 28 May, 5pm - Day 5: Men’s & Women’s Singles 2nd Round (Live)
Fri, 29 May, 5pm - Day 6: Men’s & Women’s Singles 3rd Round (Live)
Sat, 30 May, 5pm - Day 7: Men’s & Women’s Singles 3rd Round (Live)
Sun, 31 May, 5pm - Day 8: Men’s & Women’s Singles 4th Round (Live)
Mon, 1 Jun, 5pm - Day 9: Men’s & Women’s Singles 4th Round (Live)
Tue, 2 Jun, 8pm - Day 10: Men’s & Women’s Singles Qtrfinals Round (Live)
Wed, 3 Jun, 8pm - Day 11: Men’s & Women’s Singles Qrtfinals Round (Live)
Thu, 4 Jun, 8pm - Day 12: Men’s & Women’s Singles Semi Finals (Live)
Fri, 5 Jun, 7pm - Day 13: Men’s & Women’s Singles Semi Finals (Live)
Sat, 6 Jun, 9pm - Day 14: Women’s Singles Finals (Live)
Sun, 7 Jun, 9pm - Day 15: Men’s Singles Final (Live)
(Schedule is correct at time of Press Release. Schedule is subject to change)

Through this exclusive channel, tennis fans will have the opportunity to watch their favourite tennis players in action at their convenience through multiple screenings of each match and events, both LIVE and repeat.

So, unlike previous years, this year we won't miss Rafael Nadal creating another history at the French Open again. *Fingers crossed*

Thanks to Astro for the press release.

Shirtless Kei Nishikori hits the court

Here are some new shirtless photos of Kei Nishikori who went back to court recently after a series of arm injury.

Kei looks healthy and I think he's going back to tournament very soon.

(Images by IMG via Kei Nishikori's official website)

Fernando Verdasco: You've gotta love him!

Recently while in Barcelona for the Banco Sabadell Barcelona Open, Fernando Verdasco did a photo shoot for the Fundación Talita, an organisation dedicated to serving children affected by Down Syndrome.

Verdasco took part in Fundación Talita's annually published Solidarity Campaign, where celebrities are photographed with children helped by the foundation.

Photographed by Paco Berdmar, Verdasco posed with his young fan, Elena.

They will appear in Talita 2010, the eighth consecutive edition of a popular almanac that has become one of the most waited for Christmas presents in Spain.

For further reading, click here or here for the Spanish version.

(Via ohnotheydidnt; Image via La Wed del Tenis)

Serena Williams gets a big boo hoo, Dinara Safina gets down and dirty

While world no.2 Serena Williams was stunned by Patty Schnyder in the second round of the WTA Rome claycourt International, Dinara Safina got down and dirty to prove she deserves to be the no.1 player in the world.

Safina defeated Virginie Razzano 7-6, 6-1, but was really unhappy with tournament organisers for making her play in what she felt were dangerous conditions.

"I was just so angry because you can get injured," said Safina, who fell over twice during the match.

"I mean, it's not funny. They tell us go and play because they think the court is fine but they are not playing on that court."

"Thank God I didn't break anything but if I broke something, I mean, so many players get injured."

"Then what should I say to the tournament? I (should) say thanks for pushing us to play?"

"I mean, they would say: Oh, we are sorry. But it's my career, it's three months off court (if you're injured)."

"So they have to have a little bit of respect for us as players."

I bet Safina feels a whole lot better today.

(Images via Sky Sports)