Recently Maria Sharapova not only unveiled her limited edition and overpriced Canon PowerShot Diamond Collection but also her one-armed dress. Perhaps it has something to do with her shoulder injury which prevents her from participating in the U.S. Open.
At the event, five of the PowerShot SD1100 IS Digital ELPH cameras, designed in conjunction with Amosu, encrusted with 88 white diamonds totaling 2.22 carats, valued at approximately $10,000 and were to be awarded to lucky winners in sweepstakes.
American twin brothers Bob and Mike Bryan won their seventh Grand Slam men's doubles crown defeating India's Leander Paes and Czech Lukas Dlouhy 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (12/10) to take the U.S. Open title.
The Bryans, who ran through the tournament without losing a set, previously won Slam crowns at Roland Garros in 2003, the US Open in 2005, Wimbledon in 2006 and the Australian Open in 2006 and 2007.
Serena Williams reached the semifinals on Wednesday with a tough 7-6 (8-6), 7-6 (9-7) victory over older sister Venus Williams.
The reasons for Venus' lost could be fatigue and lack of sleep.
Oh gosh, Venus, you really need some sleep.
Earlier this week, Venus Williams was seen with her hitting partner and her boyfriend, pseudo-golfer Hank Kuehne during court practice.
Serena Williams too has her faithful manservant Common, the rapper and her boyfriend at the court practice.
So, is Serena Williams going to win at this Grand Slam?
Statistics wise, Serena has the extra edge over the other 3 semifinalists Jelena Jankovic, Elena Dementieva and Dinara Safina. Serena not only has won the U.S. Open but a total of eight Grand Slam singles titles. The others never have won one.
My pick? I would say Dementieva for she deserves a Grand Slam after a magnificent run since winning the gold medal at the Beijing Olympics. She has been working very hard all these years (turned pro in 1998). Perhaps recent glory moments will delay her retirement a bit.
Andy Murray broke Juan Martin Del Potro's 23-match win streak to win 7-6, 7-6, 4-6, 7-5 in the men's singles quarterfinal match at the U.S. Open.
"We did good match. The people enjoy the match. He's more happy than me, but I'm not sad, you know," said the 6'6" Del Potro at the press conference.
However, when he was speaking to the Spanish media, the lanky tennis player broke down and was unable to continue with the conference. Poor thing. It must be a heavy burden to keep that winning streak.
In another quarterfinal match, Novak Djokovic left the Arthur Ashe Stadium Court to jeers and catcalls after his U.S. Open quarterfinal victory over Andy Roddick.
The Flushing Meadows crowd was enraged by comments the Serbian made in his post-match interview in which he criticised home idol Roddick in no uncertain terms.
Djokovic had been overreacted and angered by apparently light-hearted remarks made by Roddick in which he accused the world number three of faking injuries.
Nole shows he's the man.
"That's not nice, anyhow, to say in front of this crowd that I have 16 injuries and that I'm faking," Djokovic blurted out after his four-set victory.
"They're already against me, because they think I'm faking everything."
In Djokovic's last 16 match, a tough five-setter against Tommy Robredo, the reigning Australian Open champion called for the trainer several times as he dealt with hip, ankle, stomach and breathing issues.
Asked then about Djokovic's problems, Roddick joked whether the list shouldn't also include bird flu, anthrax, SARS and a common cold and said:
"He's either quick to call a trainer or he's the most courageous guy of all time."
What most irritated Djokovic was what Roddick said in an on-court interview on Tuesday:
"I've got to feel good. He's got about 16 injuries right now."
The remarks certainly acted as motivation, but Djokovic owed his 6-2 6-3 3-6 7-6 victory to uncharacteristic serving errors by Roddick.
Roddick was also asked about his verbal squabble with Djokovic and immediately apologized.
"It was completely meant in jest," Roddick said, pausing to choose the right words.
"I should know better. But listen, I joke all the time. I don't think anyone in their right mind takes me serious."
Both men spoke in private after the incident and Djokovic was also contrite in his post-match press conference.
"He made a joke and it was a misunderstanding, so I don't blame it on him," Djokovic said.
"Maybe I exaggerated and reacted bad in that moment. I apologize."
Djokovic advances into the semifinals and will meet Roger Federer, a rematch of last year's U.S. Open final, which Federer won for his fourth consecutive title at Flushing Meadows.
