Yardbarker: Tennis

Wins by Nadal and Ferrer Put Spain in Command

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 21:19:18 -0500

After a victory by Rafael Nadal, David Ferrer rallied for a five-set win to give Spain a 2-0 lead over the Czech Republic.

Spain leads Czech Republic 2-0 in Davis Cup final

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 20:10:39 -0500

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) -- Defending champion Spain took a 2-0 lead over the Czech Republic in the Davis Cup final after David Ferrer rallied for a 1-6, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4, 8-6 victory over Radek Stepanek on Friday.

Ferrer rallies to give Spain 2-0 lead at Davis Cup

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 18:44:00 -0500

Sampras to play Verdasco in San Jose exhibition

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 18:37:00 -0500

Ferrer rallies over Stepanek; Spain leads 2-0

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 18:16:13 -0500

David Ferrer rallied for an improbable 1-6, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4, 8-6 victory over Radek Stepanek on Friday to give defending champion Spain a commanding 2-0 lead in the Davis Cup final against the Czech Republic. Earlier, Rafael Nadal relied on his usual dogged determination and timely shot-making to beat Tomas Berdych 7-5, 6-0, 6-2 in the first singles match. Stepanek then looked set to even the best-of-five series after steamrolling Ferrer in the first two sets.

Spain leads Czechs in Davis Cup final

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:50:27 -0500

Defending champs up 2-0 after Rafael Nadal (pictured) and David Ferrer post wins in singles.

Sampras will play Verdasco in exhibition match

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 15:39:26 -0500

Pete Sampras will return to San Jose next year to play in another exhibition. SAP Open tournament officials said Friday that Sampras will kick off this year's tournament with an exhibition match against Fernando Verdasco on Feb. 8. Sampras played Tommy Haas in exhibitions at the tournament the past two years. Joining Verdasco among the players in this year's field are Andy Roddick, Lleyton Hewitt, Mardy Fish and Haas.

Rafael Nadal beats Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic, gives Spain 1-0 lead in Davis Cup final

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 14:10:58 -0500

Rafael Nadal beat Tomas Berdych 7-5, 6-0, 6-2 on Friday to give defending champion Spain a 1-0 lead over the Czech Republic in the Davis Cup final.

Nadal rips Berdych; Spain leads Czechs 1-0

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 14:03:04 -0500

Rafael Nadal beat Tomas Berdych 7-5, 6-0, 6-2 on Friday to give defending champion Spain a 1-0 lead over the Czech Republic in the Davis Cup final. Nadal converted a decisive break point in the 11th game on his way to taking the tight first set. Berdych was hurt by a faltering serve and was never in the match after that. Returning to his favorite clay surface after four straight indoor defeats, Nadal won 11 straight games in one stretch for his fifth straight win over Berdych.

Nadal cruises past Berdych, Spain leads Czechs 1-0

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 13:15:24 -0500

Rafael Nadal has given defending champion Spain a 1-0 lead over the Czech Republic in the Davis Cup final by beating Tomas Berdych 7-5, 6-0, 6-2.

Fernando Verdasco Dons New Shirt and Shoes to Channel Spanish National Football Team Passion at Davis Cup.

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 08:56:12 -0500

Fernando Verdasco Davis Cup footbal shirt" /> Fernando Verdasco is wearing the new adidas jersey of the Spanish National Football Team this weekend as Spain defends its Davis Cup title against the Czech Republic in Barcelona. Watch the gift opening video here on facebook. Welcome to the cult Nando. Verdasco is the only tennis player wearing the emotion laden football jersey at the event.

The soccer jersey trend has hit the big time although adidas had to adapt the football jersey to comply with the International Tennis Federation regulations.

On Verdasco's feet are personalized mi adidas Fernando Verdasco Davis Cup miadidas shoes custom" /> Barricade V shoes that also reflect the colors of his country. Rave red upper, neon yellow laces, three whte stripes and silver claws with Spanish flag and nickname "Tabasco" (yes, I agree he is hot) on the heel.

The shirt, the Men's Spain Home Jersey 2010, $70 USD is available at adidas in sport apparel, shirts. The shoes? You just have to create them ($140 ) at mi adidas. Now all you need is red clay.

Maria Sharapova Brings Her Thigh To A Fashion Show In Chile

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 02:30:00 -0500

Maria Sharapova was just in Chile for the Cachantun Fashion Show and an exhibition tennis match(which she of course won because she's the Thigh Goddess). Maria's informed the world of her desire to get more involved with fashion and design clothing in recent days, so this fashion show was right up her alley.Anyway, here's some pictures of Maria at the fashion show:For more on Maria's trip to

Serena Williams Topless Pic: Surf-Up, Top-Down

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:36:28 -0500

Serena Williams, who recently received a slap on the wrist $82,500 fine after threatening to kill a foot fault judge at the U.S. Open last summer, is current vacationing in Barbados. (Williams made $700,000 in earnings from that tournament alone.) Williams was sighted body-boarding by a long-lensed paparrazo when a wardrobe malfunction ocurred. Share This

Serena Williams has a Swimsuit Malfunction

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 11:13:00 -0500

Serena Williams had a swimsuit malfunction in Barbados. And it wasn't simply that she was wearing a swimsuit. Return to Bob's Blitz homepage. Bob's Blitz Full story: http://www.bobsblitz.com Best Amazon prices for Blitz Subscribers: http://got.to/BlitzBestDeals

Former No. 1 Mauresmo retires

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 11:06:11 -0500

Former No. 1 and two-time grand slam champ Amelie Mauresmo, 30, announces her retirement Thursday.

Former women's No. 1 Mauresmo retires

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 09:25:16 -0500

Two-time Grand Slam champion Amelie Mauresmo retired from tennis Thursday, saying she no longer had a burning desire for competition. The 30-year-old Frenchwoman, a former top-ranked player who finished the season No. 21, said she doesn't have the will to keep playing at the highest level. "I don't want to train anymore," Mauresmo said after shedding tears about the decision. "I had to make a decision, which became evident in the last few months and weeks.

Former No. 1 Amelie Mauresmo retires from tennis

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 09:17:10 -0500

ISSY-LES-MOULINEAUX, France (AP) — Two-time Grand Slam champion Amelie Mauresmo retired from tennis Thursday, saying she no longer had a burning desire for competition.

Former womens No. 1 Mauresmo retires

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 06:18:28 -0500

Sports Briefing | Tennis: Williamses Among Four in King Cup

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:15:12 -0500

Serena and Venus Williams, Kim Clijsters and Svetlana Kuznetsova will play a one-night exhibition for the Billie Jean King Cup at Madison Square Garden on March 1.

Game Point: Nikolay Davydenko can't get no respect

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 20:22:10 -0500

Game Point is Busted Racquet's roundup of facts, figures and links about the tennis world. Love -- Nikolay Davydenko beat each of the 2009 Grand Slam champs (Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Juan Martin del Potro) en route to the ATP Tour final championship last weekend in London. He's a consistent top five player (finishing 5-3-4-5-6 in the last five year-end rankings, respectively) and should be considered a contender for 2010 Slams (even at his ripe ol' age of 28). So doesn'...

Venus Williams, Serena Williams, Kim Clijsters, Svetlana Kuznetsova to play in Billie Jean King Cup

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 18:39:18 -0500

Serena and Venus Williams, Kim Clijsters and Svetlana Kuznetsova will play a one-night exhibition for the Billie Jean King Cup at Madison Square Garden in March.

Williamses, Clijsters, Kuznetsova to play NYC event

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 18:30:00 -0500

Serena and Venus Williams, Kim Clijsters and Svetlana Kuznetsova will play a one-night exhibition for the Billie Jean King Cup at Madison Square Garden in March.

IN OTHER SPORTS RELATIONSHIP NEWS…

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 13:13:03 -0500

American tennis “star” Andy Murray recently broke up with his girlfriend of almost four years over video games. Sources close to the ex, the relatively un-notable Kim Sears, said that Murray was too busy playing video games to appreciate her. Brad Gilbert, Murray’s former coach, has said in the past that Murray spends “seven hours [...]

A Nation of Gamers Feels Your Pain, Andy Murray

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:43:53 -0500

Speaking as a man about town who spent probably six-to-eight hours on Sunday playing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2's campaign mode, the following story comes as no surprise. Tennis star Andy Murray has split with girlfriend Kim Sears. No, there is no traffic accident, golf club or mistress involved here. He was spending too much time on his PlayStation 3 playing Modern Warfare 2. Brad Gilbert, Murray’s former coach, has said in the past that Murray spends “seven hours a day...

New Racquets in Hand, Bryan Brothers Get 2009 #1 Doubles Ranking with ATP Finals Win.

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 11:11:40 -0500

Bob Bryan with EXO3 Ignite Team 95" />Bob and Mike Bryan end 2009 ranked the number #1 doubles team in the world. Just this past Sunday they captured the needed ATP World Tour doubles title to secure their top status with a win against finalists, Max Mirnyi and Andy Ram.

A late-season racquet switch to the brand new Prince EXO3 Ignite Team 95 (pictured here in Bob's hands) proved to benefit their game in the year's final month.

"To come full circle, do it in the last tournament, last match with so much riding on this one is huge,"said Mike. "We are feeling really great at the moment and attribute a big part of our most recent success, and achieving this goal, to our switch to the Ignite...[it allows] us to retain our power on serves and ground strokes, but carve out mid-court angles and shots at net. It is a more all-court frame -- something that suits our game and was exactly what we were looking for."

The 12.2 oz. advanced level racquet has a SRP $210 USD. Find a retailer at Prince or test drive/buy at Tennis-Warehouse. Bob's adidas shirt? It's from the US Open. Learn more here. His overgrip? Tournagrip.

BSO Featured Interview: Serena Williams Talks G2, Tennis & Bodies

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:35:51 -0500

When you are approached to interview Serena Williams there is one thing you must know: Be on time. Serena is much more than the #1 Tennis player in the world. With off the court activities ranging from her fashion design line “Aneres”, acting roles in major Hollywood pictures and now NFL ownership (Serena and Venus are [...]

Nikolay Davydenko Wins ATP World Finals and Ends Contract with Airness.

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:32:16 -0500

Nikolay Davydenko defeated Juan Martin del Potro yesterday to win the 2009 ATP World Tour Finals, the first Russian in history to win the event. This tournament, according to his agent, also marks the end of Davydenko's contract with French apparel maker Airness. Many have sought the brand but few can find it (especially tennis) as it is not available in the U.S. or anywhere online as far as this editor can see.

So odd -- to have a guy as good as Davydenko promoting your brand and then not selling it anywhere -- well yeah it is available in shops in France (and possibly China) but that not exactly marketing large. No word yet on who he's going to next. Stay tuned.

Nikolay Davydenko" />

Serena Williams earns fine, probation for U.S. Open outburst

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 11:31:37 -0500

Serena Williams was fined a record amount for her infamous U.S. Open tirade three months ago and has been placed on an unprecedented two-year probationary period at Grand Slam events. She will have to pay an $82,500 fine and avoid a "major offense" at the next eight major events. Though it seems harsh (and the headlines play up the severity of the rebuke), the punishment isn't nearly as bad as it seems. Serena, of course, screamed at a lineswoman during a semifinal match against...