Dominika Cibulkova dominates Maria Sharapova to reach French semis

Playing in her first quarterfinal match after a layoff of nearly 10 months, Maria Sharapova struggled through the entire match trying to win a game.

Slovakian Dominika Cibulkova dominated Sharapova to win 6-0, 6-2 and grabbed a spot in the semifinal against top-ranked Dinara Safina, who rallied to beat Victoria Azarenka 1-6, 6-4, 6-2.

Just like Juan Martin del Potro, Cibulkova was also featured on Rolandgarros.com.

I'm reposting the Q&A here:

When did you last crack up laughing?
After the match point against Agnes Szavay (6-2 6-4). I felt like laughing and crying at the same time. It was probably just nerves.

Tell us a good film you’ve seen recently.
Benjamin Button with Brad Pitt.

Which actress would you choose to play you on screen?
Scarlett Johansson.

Who is your sporting idol?
Lance Armstrong.

What’s your favourite sport outside tennis?
Skiing and waterskiing.

What’s your favourite thing for breakfast?
Slovakian sausages. Unfortunately I have to make myself eat healthier things, like muesli.

What’s your least favourite training exercise?
Talking tactics. It drives me mad!

Which part of your game would you like to improve?
My nerves at important points. I’d like to be more relaxed and calm when finishing off matches.

What’s your favourite website?
Facebook, to keep in touch with my friends.

What’s the last thing you do before going to sleep?
I send some text messages to my friends.

What puts you in a bad mood?
Negative people.

Do you have any diva-like demands?
No, I’ve never acted like a diva. I’m too grounded for that.

What do you have on your iPod?
Kanye West and a lot of hip hop music.

What’s your favourite song right now?
Let it Rock by Kevin Rudolf and Lil Wayne.

Who’s your ideal mixed doubles partner?
Gael Monfils because I really enjoyed playing with him in last year’s Roland Garros. But my most memorable mixed doubles experience was with Dominik Hrbatý when we won the Hopman Cup for Slovakia.

What’s the worst thing that could happen to you before a match?
That I leave my rackets at the hotel or get some bad news about my family.

When was your first kiss?
I must have been 14 and it was at a tennis tournament in Slovakia. I can’t remember his name though.

Oh yes, we know Cibulkova loves Facebook.

But I don't think she will accept fans request into her personal Facebook account anymore after these photos last year.

(Via rolandgarros.com)

Juan Martin del Potro: Getting to know the future no.1

Many people thought it's too much for me to label Juan Martin del Potro as the future world no.1.

But why not?

Perhaps del Potro is the most underrated world no.5 player in the world.

There are so much quietness, calmness and most importantly consistency in this 20-year-old Argentine which I don't see in other players, not even Andy Murray.

So when Rolandgarros.com posted a Q&A on him, I just want to repost it back here.

I think we should get to know more about del Potro, whom I thought look like Star Trek/Heroes star Zachary Quinto.

So here you go:

What’s your favourite website?
Hotmail.

Which part of your game would you like to improve?
I’d love to have Federer’s attacking game.

What’s the last thing you do before going to sleep?
I turn off my mobile phones.

What puts you in a bad mood in the morning?
Being woken up by people shouting.

What’s your favourite thing for breakfast?
Pastries, toast with jam and Nesquik.

Who’s your favourite comedy actor?
Jim Carrey and Guillermo Francella (an Argentinean comedian).

What would be a luxury for you?
Living in Tandil, surrounded by my friends and family.

What do you have on your iPod?
Maná, Shakira, U2 and Coldplay.

What’s your song favourite song right now?
“Mando una señal" by Maná.

Who’s your ideal mixed doubles partner?
Gabriela Sabatini.

What’s the worst thing that could happen to you before a match?
I can’t stand it when people touch my rackets.

Who was your first love?
My best female friend, when I was 16.

When did you last crack up laughing?
Yesterday, with my fitness coach.

When did you last get angry?
When River Plate equalised against Boca Juniors, in the last derby.

What’s your favourite film?
I really like series, such as Prison Break.

Which actor would you choose to play you on screen?
Brad Pitt.

Who’s the nicest guy on tour?
Zabaleta.

And the nastiest?
I can’t answer that – they’d kill me [laughs]!

What’s the best concert you’ve seen?
Maná and Madonna.

Who’s your sporting idol?
Michael Jordan.

What’s your favourite sport outside tennis?
Football.

What’s your least favourite training exercise?
Jogging.

Could someone please tell del Potro the existence of Gmail?

And by the way, here's a bonus picture of del Potro (via Forty Deuce). Now don't tell me you don't find him cute.


(Via rolandgarros.com)

Serena Williams thinks WTA is better & 'cattier'

"Clearly, women's tennis is better than men's tennis. There's no comparison. I mean, I'm on the tour. We have great personalities like Jelena (Jankovic) on the tour. I mean, it's way cattier, so it's way more exciting to watch."
~ Serena Williams defended women's tennis.

Earlier this week, Jankovic confessed that she paid more attention to men's tennis.

"To be honest, I'm watching only men's tennis on TV," Jankovic said earlier this week.

"I don't really watch too much women's."

"That's why many times when I play against them, you know, many times I don't know my opponent."

"I think men's tennis is much more advanced than women's, and if I can try to learn some things and try to add that to my game would be a good advantage."

Toni Nadal calls French crowd 'stupid' after shock defeat‎

"The Parisian crowd is pretty stupid. The French resent the success of a Spaniard... To celebrate others' defeats seems like a bad philosophy."
~ Toni Nadal

Uncle Toni criticized the attitude of the French crowds, which cheered heavily for Robin Soderling instead of his nephew, Rafael Nadal the four-time defending champion at the French Open.

I guess the French people never like Spaniards since what... Napoleon Bonaparte's time?

I don't think I want to dig deep to trace the history to find out why.

Anyway, despite that comment, Uncle Toni still remain a nice guy.