The Whole Delivery

As many American casual fans come out of the woodworks again to care about tennis long before Wimbledon is about to end, the 28th encounter for Venus and Serena is getting the last minute hype as it would warrant from a crowd that wouldn't have any desire for any other WTA matchup. But this dream Australian Open final for that crowd, who aren't the 24/7/365 fans of the sisters or reporters of the sport of tennis on a regular basis have missed out on the key reason for the magical duo giving us this ultimate female match for 2017 Melbourne. If Venus and Serena had been adamant about playing doubles at another Grand Slam, we wouldn't have their first Slam final in eight years. And it happened to be a little elbow injury that Venus decided to be precautionary with as the defining, unheralded decision of this entire women's Australian Open tournament. Although playing doubles did not hamper them in Serena's Wimbledon singles title last year, as Venus made the se...

Welp, Roberta Vinci really will officially become the prime enemy of Williams' fans for good after irrationally and angrily calling out Venus Williams moving on match point in the Wuhan Open semifinals today (Wuhan is 12 hours ahead of the ET zone). Here's the match end. Vinci would have already looked bad if she said it in English. But the fact that she said "what the f--k" and then asked Venus if she wanted tea or coffee in Italian makes her look more cowardly here. Roberta truly is a fun, fiery person, but this was really a lame move from her. Even more bizarre would be if she did not complain about Venus' time during the match. Either way, another huge win for Venus in a great week at a big tournament, where she will play Garbine Muguruza in a quality final to salvage a prestige event that has been hurt by absences and laughably bad attendance.

As Serena Williams continues her campaign for the 2015 BNP Paribas Open title, one major thing lost in her remarkable return to the Indian Wells tennis center  last week is the criminal justice group she surprisingly has highlighted. The Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) was certainly an organization foreign to many people's ears when the legendary tennis player announced not only her Coachella Valley return but that her fans would be donating at least $10 to the EJI in a competition to meet her at Indian Wells. But the organization's noble ethos is something that can't be ignored, as the Alabama based non-profit center is focused on the unjust, racist incarceration system and racial inequality issues that still plague America, especially black and brown Americans. It's why it was startling news that Serena, through the Omaze campaign, selected them in January as the group properly best suited for her unexpected return. "Serena reached out to us, and we wer...

More on Venus Williams' return to the winner's circle in a bit. Stay tuned, but for now, here are the match highlights in Dubai: The Rankings for this week after last week's tournaments:

Second Version: Azarenka defeats Errani 7-6 (4), 6-2 The review is forthcoming at the word "here", but Azarenka needed that match, great first set even with all the breaks because they are great all court returners, and it will be interesting to see if Errani still plays her next two singles round robin matches, with the doubles' semis on Saturday looming.  Next, it's Serena and Angie. Both are happy and relaxed to be here, but with Serena being relaxed, this will be a routine, calm win today.  Preview here at TPN . First match: Vika Azarenka vs Sara Errani The live coverage is here, and everywhere else. After the first seven games of the match, it seemed Sara Errani was ready to show again to any of her critics why their negative comments about her are still unbelievably foolish. With her all court skill and savvy at just 5'4, Errani's level of shotmaking and versatility became the main story of the first set instead of Victoria A...

Photo from Getty Images The minute Caroline Wozniacki got off to a third straight poor start, she was going to be in trouble, especially when she allowed her latest slip outside the gate to the indoor ace that is Petra Kvitova. No one is playing better under a roof in 2011 than the Czech sensation, as Kvitova scored another class victory. Photo from Getty Images Stability is everything for a baseline tennis player. And it is a key aspect that Victoria Azarenka has at the moment while Na Li certainly is in a desperate search for. That was evident from the first point today as the Belorussian confirmed herself as clearly the best player in the White Group, with a 6-2, 6-2 comfortable victory over her Chinese counterpart. It wasn't a thrashing or a beatdown at all, as Li showed at times why she has a 4-1 record over Azarenka by having more power in her strokes and not getting overwhelmed by Azarenka's aggressive persistence. The only major problem Li can have against Azar...

Photo from AP Match Review: Na Li defeats Sharapova for a 4th straight time in a 74 error horror. It sure wasn't pretty for Na Li. But for Maria Sharapova, it was utterly hideous. For the first time in two months, the Chinese #1 was on the winning end of a result, out steadying Sharapova 7-6 (4), 6-4 in a, quite honestly, poor display of tennis in the 3rd match of the White Group. It was Na Li's 4th consecutive victory over Sharapova, all ending in straight set results. And if you witnessed this non-aesthetic contest, you will see why that is the case, even at a level where both players made 37 unforced errors (and most of them were cringe worthy for their fans and neutrals to witness.) Sharapova had clear advantages to control the match against a still unconfident Li, with a 4-2 lead and a few chances for a commanding double break advantage. She blew that. Sharapova then had a chance to serve out the set at 5-4. She blew that, getting routinely broken at `15. Sh...

Photo from Getty Images and Wtatennis.com The renowned phrase before ominous weather hits, "The Calm Before The Storm", is certainly also used frequently in sport. A massive force that can't be stopped when fully ensconced, the feeling of relaxation, prior to the arrival of extreme conditions, can change rapidly when those conditions come. It could cause a player to lose his or her nerve in a sudden instance, never being able to recover from the acerbic nature of such a powerful, pestilent force. Sometimes though, there are special instances where special people have an ability to show "The Calm During The Storm." Moreover, some people are just "The Calm", no matter when or where. Petra Kvitova, in the year of 2011, has shown she is not only level headed and relaxed in the most stressful situations. Instead, she IS that level headed person, blessed with the "Calm gene." It was evidence today, and proved to be the defining differen...

Can Zvonareva make it three in a row against Clijsters and win her first Grand Slam? Or will Kim do it again.

It was an affair that was always hanging in the balance until match point was converted. And the one who covered it was, again, the Belgian. For the third time at the US Open, and 5th time in a row, Kim Clijsters has defeated Venus Williams 4-6, 7-6 (2), 6-4 in a typical sea-saw encounter that these two players can certainly play with each other. For the elder Williams, this is a crushing defeat, especially considering how well she played in the first set. She conceded only three points on serve in that set, and even played decent defense in the long rallies against Clijsters. But her level dropped at the start of the 2nd set, letting Clijsters back in the match. Both players went on to struggle the rest of the set, especially the Belgian on the backhand side and the American on the same wing as well. Eventually, the middle set went to a tiebreak, and featured the first signs of the tension getting to Venus. After doing a fine job on her serve with one double fault up until t...

Photo: AP Photo/Mark Humphrey Roger Federer has advanced to his 7th straight US Open semifinals, impressively dispatching of his French Open conqueror Robin Soderling 6-4. 6-4, 7-5. It was a match that turned out to feature Federer's usual legendary mentality, winning the big points and not letting Soderling get comfortable with any lead in the match. Making the win more impressive was the 5 time champion's serving and hitting in this atrocious windy condition tonight, though credit has to also be given to Soderling for his lack of groundstroke shanks in "The Wind Bowl" that was Arthur Ashe Stadium. But the Swede will be chastising himself over not taking his chances to turn the match around, wasting his early comeback from a break down in the 2nd set and dropping his chance to serve out the third with four brutal errors at 5-3. And with Federer's sensing Soderling's dejection at letting his chances go to push the match further than the minimum, the 16-...

For the fourth straight year, Novak Djokovic has advanced to the semifinal stage of the US Open, a straight sets win over his talented but mentally challenged friend Gael Monfils. The 7-6 (2), 6-1, 6-2 was Djokovic's 4th straight win without conceding a set, giving the Serbian enough fuel in the tank to possibly win on both Saturday and Sunday to claim an unlikely 2nd Grand Slam title. It was a total disappointment from Monfils, who started the match so well with the aggressive tactics coach Roger Rasheed urged from him. But as that first set progressed, the wind started to get into the Frenchman's head, and his usual alarming passivity spelled his demise. Though Djokovic also had his typical negatives flare up in this encounter (getting frustrated easily, poor volleying at the net), he maintained his consistency enough on the big efforts. Djokovic awaits the winner of Roger Federer and Robin Soderling tonight in what will probably be the first semifinal on Saturday.

What a display today from the top seed, as her placidity on the court when Sharapova pressed her was terrific to see. And she was able to remain level headed by being so forceful at times with her serve, forehand, and her brilliant two handed backhand. The full review is here .

Janko Tisparevic has dispatched Andy Roddick once again in the early stages of the Grand Slam, defeating him 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (4) in the 2nd Round of this US Open. Also on the day, Victoria Azarenka is in good condition after collapsing on the court in her second round match to Gisele Dulko on the Grandstand court. The biggest upset in the men's 1st round came at the hands of Wimbledon finest Tomas Berdych, who fall victim to the always dangerous and hilarious character that is Michael Llodra 7-6, 6-4, 6-3 today. It was a masterful serve and volley performance from the capricious Frenchmen, knocking out one of the in form players this year on the ATP Tour. And American sweetheart Melanie Oudin continues her major sophomore slump, as she lacked the consistency required to take out Alona Bondarenko 6-2, 7-5.

The 2010 US Open has already commenced so far, as here is live coverage of the tournament. While it would be a surprise if the likes of Federer, Nadal, Murray or even both Roddick and Djokovic fail to win the title on the men's side, the women's field does provide a very wide open feel with Serena Williams' freak injury caused by a beer bottle. With how the draw has worked out, Caroline Wozniacki is snake bitten by drawing Maria Sharapova in the 4th round, while Kim Clijsters really should have a free run to at least the semis before she plays Victoria Azarenka (unless Venus Williams somehow shows ominous form, something really unlikely considering her time off and non clinical showings at the Grand Slams this year.) Jankovic is off form, Dementieva's week in New Haven a few days ago signifies her struggles, and Kuznetsova is Kuznetsova. At fortnight's conclusion, regretfully, I think the Shriester that is Sharapova will take home her 4th Grand Slam (provides...

There was outside hope, but this injury is a very serious one , even if she is hoola hooping whenever she can: Serena Williams has pulled out of the U.S. Open because she is still recovering from cutting her foot last month. The top-ranked Williams has won three titles at Flushing Meadows, part of her 13 Grand Slam singles championships. Last year, she lost in the semifinals after a tirade at a line judge over a foot-fault call. Williams' agent and the U.S. Tennis Association confirmed her withdrawal Friday. It was already a wide open event with her not participating in any of the events of the US Open Series. But this injury really is a concern for her overall fitness the rest of the year. With how she dominated at Wimbledon this year (arguably going up another level than even before), I really thought this was going to be the summer where Serena finally dominated all the way to regaining a US Open crown. Now with her departure (as well as Justine Henin being out for the...

Another final indeed. Petra Kvitova showed terrific spirit there, and hopefully she will play like her talent is and not No.62 in the rankings, like she is currently ranked indeed. Nevertheless, the serve has been so important on the women's side this tournament, and that is refreshing to see.

To a final set they go, one set all, 18 games split down the line, and a spot for the first time in the Wimbledon final: Photo From AELTC Vara Zvonareva has placed herself into his first Grand Slam final in 30 tries, a terrific 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 over a gamed Tsvetana Pironkova. Just like her quarterfinal win over Kim Clijsters, the Russian kept her nerve after dropping the first set and stuck to her narrative of solid and sound all court tennis. She was efficient and only lost serve once the entire match, which was in the opening set of course. She will await the winner of Serena Williams and Petra Kvitova, the second semifinal for the ladies here at Wimbledon 2010.

And the first winner of "Tennis Greatest Day" has advanced today: Photo from AELTC Vera Zvonareva has advanced passed a poor and then injured Jelena Jankovic. Venus Williams locked in a struggle with the hard hitting on fire Jamlia Groth. And Justine Henin has taken the first set in "Blockbuster Battle #1", 6-2 over rival Kim Cijsters. In "Blockbuster Battle #2", Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova will follow Roger Federer and Juergen Melzer. The live blog besides this one . Besides this one of course. Update : Despite Jamith Groth playing the best tennis of her life, the five time champion Venus Williams goes through in a tough two sets 6-4. 7-6 (5). Very tough was that match. Meanwhile, Roger Federer is feeling comfortable, up two sets to love on Melzer. And Kim Clijsters, after dropping the first set, is now up a break in the second in her battle with Justine Henin.

Photo from AELTC A tired John Isner went down unsurprisingly in straights to talented young Thiemo De Bakker, as that epic match clearly did him in (and the nuttiness that is a no 5th tiebreak rule at the majors). Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters have fulfilled their blockbuster Round of 16 encounter, as both beat dangerous Russians Nadia Petrova and Maria Kirilenko respectively. Novak Djokovic is looking sharp today, up two sets and a break on Albert Montanes. Djokovic's countrywoman Jelena Jankovic is also impresseing today, dominating Alona Bondarenko 6-0, 6-3, the third time those players have met each other in a Grand Slam this year. Still to come on Day 5 is Roger Federer, Venus Williams, and Andy Roddick, with Lleyton Hewitt and Gael Monfils locked in what looks to be a captivating match on Centre court as of this post. Update: Impressive wins from Federer, Venus, and Lleyton Hewitt today, while Andy Roddick is locked in another battle with Phil Kohlschreiber, thou...