And so it’s no longer Venus and Serena and nobody for the U.S. Well, she was Little Miss Nobody prior to the 6th day of Wimbledon when Melanie Oudin knocked off ex-No. 1 (current No. 6) Jelena Jankovic as the grass sizzled on another hot day – and so did she. A year ago Melanie lost in the second round of the juniors. This year she dodged 2 match points in the opening … [Read more...] about MAIDEN OF MARIETTA, MELANIE OUDIN, MAKES HER DEBUT
RUSSIANS EVERYWHERE DOMINATE THE TOP TEN, BUT DON’T FORGET THE SISTERS SLEDGEHAMMER
Sister Serena has said she sometimes wakes up feeling that she’s a Russian. Probably because in her business she’s surrounded by so many of them. Five in the current Top Ten. Sixteen in this Wimbledon draw, and 6 others who didn’t make it all the way through the qualifying tournament. However, only one Russian doll has conquered the Big W — Maria Sharapova as a … [Read more...] about RUSSIANS EVERYWHERE DOMINATE THE TOP TEN, BUT DON’T FORGET THE SISTERS SLEDGEHAMMER
FOR SAMANTHA AND LLEYTON – A RARE AFTERNOON FOR “WALTZING MATILDA”
For a while – for an afternoon at least – it was like the old days when fearsome Aussies were sod gods at Wimbledon, striding the lawns as conquerors. People named Margaret Court and Evonne Goolagong, Rod Laver, Ken Rosewall, Roy Emerson and Lew Hoad – and others – were hoarding the championships. The last one was combative little Lleyton Hewitt, who ruled 7 years ago, … [Read more...] about FOR SAMANTHA AND LLEYTON – A RARE AFTERNOON FOR “WALTZING MATILDA”
MARIA IS GONE ALONG WITH SOUND EFFECTS, BUT U.S. OPEN BECKONS
The “Siberian Siren” has left the premises earlier than expected, and will have to wait 12 months to see if she can duplicate her Wimbledon championship exploits of five years ago. Nevertheless, Maria Sharapova, at 22, has already done enough good works to carve out an alcove for herself at the International Tennis Hall of Fame at Newport, Rhode Island. Add the Australian, … [Read more...] about MARIA IS GONE ALONG WITH SOUND EFFECTS, BUT U.S. OPEN BECKONS
“KID BUTTERFLY” RETURNS TO WIMBLEDON AFTER ALL THESE YEARS TO DELIGHT A CROWD AND SCARE No. 9 WOZNIACKI
It was as though she had stepped out of 1996. Or emerged from a dream. Yes, there was none other than Kimiko Date on Court 2, trading blows with a girl who wasn’t even born when Kimiko first graced Wimbledon in 1989. Honest, that was “Kid Butterfly,” the slight, quick Japanese whose shotmaking could be as sweet as a Puccini aria. She had been a Top Ten inhabitant in … [Read more...] about “KID BUTTERFLY” RETURNS TO WIMBLEDON AFTER ALL THESE YEARS TO DELIGHT A CROWD AND SCARE No. 9 WOZNIACKI