Female Tennis Players | Female Tennis Players | Sexiest Female Tennis Players

There is more to Venus Williams than meets the eye

2009-07-15T08:48:00.000-07:00

Jeff Vinnick / EA via Getty Images

Venus Williams and Dwight Howard mug for the cameras during the unveiling of their video games.

If you look at her and see merely a great tennis player, then you aren't seeing the whole picture.

Helene Elliott
July 15, 2009

Venus Williams is among the most famous athletes in the world. A five-time Wimbledon singles champion. Seven-time Grand Slam tournament singles winner and, with younger sister Serena, a nine-time Grand Slam tournament doubles champion.

Just past her 29th birthday, the Lynwood native is as compelling on the court as she is in the board rooms where the business of tennis is conducted and its policies are shaped.

Federer Into French Open Tennis Final 2009

2009-06-06T11:40:00.001-07:00

At French Open, Federer Makes Case for Greatness

Philippe Perusseau/European Pressphoto Agency

A win at the French Open would give Roger Federer a career Grand Slam.

By CHRISTOPHER CLAREY

Published: June 5, 2009

PARIS — Men without any Grand Slam singles titles have made Roger Federer work long and hard here for the chance to win his 14th and for the chance to stake a claim to being the greatest tennis player ever.

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Lionel Cironneau/Associated Press

Roger Federer after advancing to the final at the French Open. With a win, Federer would tie Pete Sampras with 14 Grand Slam titles.

After Jose Acasuso and Tommy Haas, the latest would-be spoiler at this unpredictable French Open was Juan Martín del Potro, a fast-rising Argentine seven years younger and five inches taller than Federer.

Del Potro, seeded fifth at age 20, frequently made Federer look underpowered and overwhelmed in their semifinal on Friday. But Federer, lunging into the corners, still found a way to solve the big riddle: employing just about every tool on his Swiss army knife of a game to break del Potro’s rhythm, including drop shots in abundance.

After five sets and 3 hours 29 minutes, Federer leaned on the net looking as relieved as he was content after his 3-6, 7-6 (2), 2-6, 6-1, 6-4 victory. Now, his opponents in Sunday’s final will be Robin Soderling of Sweden and Pete Sampras.

Sampras played and won his last tournament at the 2002 United States Open and holds the record with 14 major singles titles.

“It’s always fun to see people try to break records,” said Paul Annacone, Sampras’s longtime coach, in a telephone interview from London on Friday. “Obviously, I didn’t think Pete’s record would be caught so quickly. But Roger has just had such an amazing run. He’s such a class act, and it couldn’t happen to a better guy. I hope it’s a good day Sunday. I hope it’s good tennis, and I’d like to see him hold that trophy up at the end of it.”

Annacone said that view is shared by Sampras, who has become friendly with Federer in retirement through playing exhibitions. “I talked with Pete two weeks ago in L.A., and he said he didn’t think the record would be caught that quickly either, but he said, ‘Roger is a great guy and great player, so hats off if he gets there and passes it because I know how hard it was to do.’ ”

There are some eerie parallels. When Sampras won his 14th major title, his wife, Bridgette Wilson, was pregnant with their first child and watching from the stands in New York. On the verge of his 14th, Federer’s new wife, Mirka Vavrinec, is pregnant with their first child as she watches him in Paris.

“I’m doing great,” Vavrinec said Friday after her husband’s latest five-set escape.

If Federer beats Soderling, he will have accomplished one feat that Sampras never quite managed: a complete set of Grand Slam singles titles. Sampras, despite occasional triumphs on clay elsewhere, advanced to only one semifinal at the French Open and never reached the final.

This will be Federer’s fourth straight final in Paris and the first in which he will not have to worry about Rafael Nadal’s left-handed topspin forehand kicking high to Federer’s one-handed backhand.

“Maybe you’ll miss him, but not me,” Federer said to reporters. “I’ve played him 20 times. It’s nice to play someone else, too. I know that I’ll be playing him plenty more times in the future.”

Without Nadal, Federer might already have won multiple titles in Paris, but without Federer, Nadal might already have won Wimbledon more than once. Playing the game of what-if in tennis is diverting but far from conclusive, which is also true of comparing greatness across eras.

“I think if he wins, you’d have to say Federer’s record is the greatest of the Open era,” said Brad Gilbert, the American commentator and coach. “But the greatest of all time? I really don’t think you can say that. Too much has changed to really compare.”

The Open era began in 1968 and allowed professionals to compete without restrictions in the four Grand Slam tournaments, which had been open only to amateurs, or at least to those who were able to hide their tennis revenue.

In the two decades after World War II, many top amateurs made their names and then quickly turned professional to join barnstorming tours like those run by the American star Jack Kramer. The result was that until 1968 very few players had the opportunity to amass large numbers of Grand Slam singles titles, with Roy Emerson of Australia, who remained amateur, being one of the exceptions by winning 12 over all.

To cite just two examples, Pancho Gonzalez of the United States and Lew Hoad of Australia, who both make many experts’ lists of greatest players, had brief amateur careers. Gonzalez won just two United States Open singles titles; Hoad won four major singles titles.

New court session is coming for tennis players

2009-06-06T11:39:00.001-07:00

Tennis players who can't get enough of the game have another chance to take on some competition.

The United States Tennis Association and the Florida Tennis Cup are gearing up for a new round of one-day recreational tennis tournaments for adults across the state.

More than 1,300 adults participated in the first season of the Florida Tennis Cup, which concluded in April. During the season, 23 tournaments were held in cities across the state.
Organizers say they aim to keep registration fees at a minimum ($10 for USTA members).

Matches are shorter in duration, and the format includes an eight-game pro set with doubles and mixed-doubles divisions, split according to the combined ages of players. At the State Cup Finals, players compete for trophies and prizes.

Female Athletes' Sex Appeal Is Not Part of Success

2009-05-03T10:43:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately, I do not agree with her title, but I do agree with her on certain points she made. The question is, are these athletes she examines actually successful at the professional level?

The first female athlete that was used was Anna Kournikova. Yes, Kournikova was more popular than some of the other top female tennis players before she retired and was labeled "hot," but was Kournikova actually successful as a tennis player?

Kournikova did go 209-129 in her matches, had two International Tennis Federation titles as a singles player, and yet her highest ranking as a tennis player was No. 8.

Kournikova did better in doubles and actually peaked at No. 1. She went 200-71 with 16 titles as a doubles player. So, her overall success came when she was playing with a partner, and not as a singles player.

I wouldn't say that Kournikova was more successful than the other tennis players mentioned in the article—Lindsay Davenport and Martina Hingis. Kournikova's popularity was much higher, but it doesn't mean she was more successful than Hingis or Davenport.

Hingis, for her career, has gone 548-133 as a single, including 43 titles and two ITF titles, and she managed to make it to the No.1 spot. For doubles, Hingis went 286-54, had 37 titles, and one ITF title. The numbers speak for themselves on who was more successful.

Lindsay Davenport's record as a singles player is currently at 753-194, and she has 55 career titles. Again, just like Hingis, Davenport earned a No. 1 ranking. For doubles, Davenport went 382-115, including 37 titles and a No. 1 ranking, too.

The numbers of Hingis and Davenport speak for themselves in regards to overall career success.

To me, it's the confusion of popularity with actual success. Danica Patrick is used in Target commercials, and Patrick has had pictures of her draped over a car while she's in leather. Yet, Patrick has only won one racing event in her three year career.

Even though I'm not a huge fan of racing, Patrick has shown her courage and has shown that she's not going to back down from anyone, including getting into feuds with rival racers. One of Patrick's most famous feuds came against fellow racer Dan Wheldon.

I also love the fact that the next point in Nash's article was in regards to what she calls "the female soccer player who took off her shirt." Brandi Chastain, in a moment of glee after making the game winning penalty kick, took off her shirt and waived it around in a moment that was basically what sports are all about; unbridled emotion.

So, what was the big deal of Chastain taking off her shirt? The answer is absolutely nothing. There are women all the time either out jogging or at the gym in a sports bra, and no one makes a huge deal about that. Yet, the incident made Chastain the talk at the time, when in reality it wasn't a huge deal, and it was the US Women's Soccer team's success that was more important than Chastain's moment of pure joy.

The 19-year-old Azarenka was the first to reach the final, beating Svetlana Kuznetsova

2009-04-04T08:48:00.001-07:00

Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka will play each other for the third time in their careers and the second time in 2009 to fight for the Sony Ericsson Open title.

The 19-year-old Azarenka was the first to reach the final, beating Svetlana Kuznetsova in the semis. Serena Williams joined the world No.10 after winning the 20th career encounter with sister Venus 6-4 3-6 6-3.

It will be very interesting to see this final, as Azarenka could make a big breakthrough by defeating the top-ranked player in the world, the defending champion and also the five-time Miami titlist in the biggest final of her career.

Also, remember this year’s Australian Open? Azerenka and Williams met in the fourth round, with Azarenka winning the first set, but having to retire in the second due to dizziness and illness. The Belorussian was playing superbly and was capable of pulling off an upset, but she was so sick that she almost collapsed on court. Therefore, the Sony Ericsson Open final is a great second chance for Azarenka.

Also, it shouldn’t be forgotten that should Serena claim her sixth Sony Ericsson Open title, she will make a record. At five, the American is currently equaled with Steffi Graf. (photos: Ralf Reinecke)

Serena Williams showed that tennis isn't the only game she can dominate

2009-03-09T22:40:00.000-07:00

Jimmy Fallon (feat. Serena Williams): After a solid first week (not huge, not horrible), Jimmy and Serena Williams played a quick game of beer pong. Thanks to some highly dubious underhanded lean-in throws, Serena took him down. Now that publicly challenging female tennis players to games is considered socially acceptable, let me formally challenge Ana Ivanovic to three quick rounds of Greco-Roman wrestling. I'll bring the pudding.

Serena Williams showed that tennis isn't the only game she can dominate.

Maria Sharapova is still not ready for prime time

2009-03-09T22:39:00.000-07:00

Indian Wells will probably have to motor along without the WTA's top one attractions when the event commences one week from now, because the Williams sisters & Maria Sharapova won't be in attendance, at least not in singles in the latter's case. For different reasons, they hasten to add. For the sisters the reasons are personal; for Sharapova, it is her long-running shoulder injury that has gummed up the works again.
Around the start of the year I had written about Maria's problems with said shoulder & had predicted it might take far longer for her to recover than any of her team was willing to indicate. he was expected to be ready for Indian Wells, but something told me he wouldn't be. I went a bit further to even suggest this could be a career-changing injury for the Russian star. Wouldn't you know it, now that i am finally taking an interest in the woman's career, that career may be in jeopardy.

The word from the Sharapova camp is that her shoulder is fine mechanically; now it needs more time to get into match shape. what is their touchstone as a standard? he can't play one of one sets over a one day period without the shoulder tiring. But isn't that part of the daily grind? You can't play around a shoulder injury. It either works free or pain or it doesn't. It would appear Maria would still like to have her cake while eating it too, so she's decided to play doubles than singles.

This sounds like a odd strategy. The last time I checked you still have to serve the ball in doubles too, so I don't know how much rest/practice that Sharapova shoulder will get. I would think if he isn't ready to play, then throwing her into doubles may not be an adequate solution. Of work for the crowd at IW it would be a big show, & worth a bevy of photos right there. Sharapova playing doubles! I don't think i have ever seen her playing doubles, & I'll wager most of you haven't either. If you are all scrambling to hunt up when & if he ever had played doubles, let's lay the suspense to rest: it was back in 2005.

But is Sharapova playing doubles our elixir of female tennis happiness? I would think not. I guess the Sharapova team figures that half a loaf of Maria is better than nothing at all, so doubles it is. A quick check over the weekend around tennis chat rooms reveals that people require to see her back in the game. Maria is a star, perhaps the biggest star in terms of her game & how he wins with it, which is mainly via her serving game & her ferociously competitive presence.

This kind of weight is invaluable in keeping the women's game going about its competitive business. Ana Ivanovic was in the running for a while, & may be again someday, but right now she's shown herself to be a little girl still. Her associate Ms. Jankovic has the opposite problem: he plays every tournament so they see, if anything, too much of her; her value has gone down as a result. & lately her performances have been kind of....well, ratty should they say. Dementieva has beauty & game, but only until about the quarterfinals of major events. Then her serve still implodes on her. Dinara Safina is suddenly a bit fragile looking these days too. they have a lot of other youngsters providing nice stuff now too, but they are still appetizers. they need a big helping of a hefty main work. Serena & Venus will never play to satisfy at least my requirements for some slam-bam women's tennis.

they have the other "ichs" & the "ovas" to fuss over, & they have made much of their presence too. But they need Maria back in the mix. Recently I suggested this when writing about Amelie Mauresmo. Amelie brings a beautifully varied game to the women's side. Maria brings a much needed fire. they need both women but right now they need another female player who can step up & dominate. Not many of the women can do this now, except Sharapova & the Williams sisters. they can win matches by stepping onto a court with their determined presences. Most girls have already conceded them the match.

That leaves you, Maria. Hurry it up already, but take your time if the shoulder is still odd. If there is lingering pain, maybe you should bite the bullet & continue to sit on your hands until you are ready. I for one can live another week without seeing you play doubles. I can!

i have to confess to some feelings of excitement though about watching her when he first steps up to that line & tries to serve. Will they see adjustments in the motion? Will he show hesitations? Are they going to be hanging on her every serve? Or are they going to be left hanging? How gruesome is the reentry stage going to be? Remember, we're also attending on His Lordship's reentry too: that being Mr. Federer, with new coach Darren Cahill hopefully in attendance. It will be a interesting ten days, I think, with much collective holdings of breath.

Maria's team may be overly optimistic about her chances, but they may feel like Maria needs to be out there in the public eye anyway. Are they being tossed a bone now because a longer absence is coming? one wonders. Onward into battle then! Even if it is only doubles.

Ana Ivanovic and Serena Williams helping fire-affected communities in Australia

2009-03-02T22:35:00.000-08:00

Some women’s tennis players have united to raise funds and morale of those affected by bushfires in Victoria, Australia.

Dinara Safina, Casey Dellacqua, Daniela Hantuchova, Ana Ivanovic, Samantha Stosur, Rennae Stubbs, Ai Sugiyama and Serena Williams have donated personal items of value, which will be auctioned off to raise money for the Tennis Bushfire Relief Appeal.

"What has happened in Australia is shocking and so sad, and I would like to send my deepest sympathies to everyone who has been affected by this tragedy," said 2008 Australian Open runner-up Ana Ivanovic. "I have family in Melbourne and was very concerned for the safety and welfare of their friends in Victoria. Australians have a great spirit, and my thoughts are with them."

"My prayers go out to everyone involved. It's such a sad and unfortunate event to happen and the loss of life has been tragic," said 2009 Australian Open champion Serena Williams. "I admire the heroism of those who risked their lives to help others." (source: Tennis Australia, photos: Ralf Reinecke)

Vivien Silfany Named WAC Women’s Tennis Player of the Week

2009-03-02T22:34:00.001-08:00

Boise State's Vivien Silfany has been named Western Athletic Conference Women’s Tennis Player of the Week for Feb. 23 - Mar. 1.

Silfany, a freshman from Dakarta, Indonesia (Jubilee International School), finished 5-1 on the week, including a perfect 3-0 record in singles play. She helped her team upset No. 40 BYU, 5-2, by defeating the Cougars' Romina Nedakovic, 6-3, 6-2. The freshman also made quick work of Emma Hayman of No. 50 New Mexico, 6-3, 6-1, to aid in the No. 46 Broncos 5-2 team win. Silfany helped complete Boise State's 7-0 sweep of Northern Arizona after a 6-0, 6-1 win over NAU's Orsi Golovics in the No. 3 spot. After teaming up with doubles partner Klaudia Wlodarczyk, the duo finished 2-1 with 8-3 wins over UNM's and NAU's No. 2 doubles teams. The pair's only loss came to BYU's 60th-ranked team in the country.

This is the first career WAC Player of the Week honor for Silfany and the fourth WAC Player of the Week for the Broncos this season.

Other female nominees included: New Mexico State's Paulina Zuniga, Nevada's Florence De Vrye, Utah State's Hailey Swenson and Fresno State's Tinesta Rowe.

Williams sisters should've taken a stand

2009-02-22T22:48:00.000-08:00

Some eight years ago, Venus Williams withdrew from a tournament in Indian Wells, Calif., before she was due to meet her sister, Serena, in a semifinal match, which drew raucous boos from the crowd.

More than a few people speculated it was match fixing. According to their father, Richard Williams, as he and Venus were walking to their seats for the championship match to watch Serena, some fans called Venus the n-word, and another fan threatened to skin him alive.

"It's the worst act of prejudice I've seen since they killed Martin Luther King," Richard Williams said at the time.

The issue of the Williams sisters' double burden of gender and race was once again a national discussion. Tournament organizers denied the charges, and others intensely debated the accuracy of Richard Williams' allegations. Martina Hingis called the accusations "total nonsense" and went as far as to say she didn't think there was any racism at all on the WTA Tour.

But did the Williams sisters back down? No. In fact, they have boycotted the Indian Wells tournament ever since.

Given that experience, you would think they would have shown the same backbone and determination this week in Dubai after a fellow tour member became a victim of discrimination.

By now you've probably heard about the controversy surrounding Israeli tennis player Shahar Peer, who was not allowed to play at the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships.

Serena Williams and Shahar Peer

AP Photo/Rob Griffith

Serena Williams defeated Shahar Peer in the 2007 Australian Open.

A Jewish woman traveling on an Israeli passport, Peer was denied a visa in what appears to be a clear-cut case of unfair treatment. Even though WTA rules state a player can participate in any event as long as she has the required ranking, tournament director Salah Tahlak said he feared the presence of Peer, the 45th-ranked female tennis player in the world, would have "antagonized" fans.

It was a handy, but pitiful, excuse. Yes it's true that protesters demonstrated when Peer played at a tournament in New Zealand, waving anti-Israel signs and yelling disruptively. But if security was such an issue, why was Israeli Andy Ram given special permission to play in the Dubai men's event next week?

This was a rare opportunity to make a significant stand. If anyone should have accepted the challenge and taken up Peer's fight, it should have been the Williams sisters, whose immense success always has been intertwined with the underlying tension created by their race and gender.

It didn't matter that Peer said it would have been unfair to the players if the event were canceled. The two biggest icons in women's tennis should have boycotted anyway, instead of offering their colleague surface-level support and shallow rationalizations.

"I have to look at the bigger picture," Venus told reporters. "The big picture is that Shahar Peer didn't get a chance to play, but making an immediate decision we also have to look at sponsors, fans and everyone who has invested a lot in the tournament."

The Tennis Channel and the Wall Street Journal's European edition were the only ones who seemed to understand it was time to act, not talk. The Tennis Channel canceled its coverage of the event, and the newspaper pulled its advertising. Meanwhile, the Williams sisters chose money over principle and met Friday in a semifinal matchup, with Venus winning in a third-set tiebreaker.

"Sponsors are important to us," Venus said. "We wouldn't be here without sponsors and we can't let them down. Whatever we do, we need to do as a team -- players, sponsors, tour and whoever -- and not all break off in one direction. We are team players."

If playing for a lucrative purse is more important than taking a stand for fairness, Venus needs to re-evaluate her definition of a team player.

If this had been a racial issue, the Williams sisters would never have played in Dubai, and I couldn't imagine Venus' expressing such unabashed loyalty to her sponsors, or even caring what sponsors thought. I'm certain the WTA would have withdrawn and the media coverage worldwide would have been unrelenting.

Some of you probably think I'm being unfair by singling out the Williams sisters. There were 53 other female players in the tournament and any one of them could have boycotted on Peer's behalf.

It's not like the Williams sisters were the only ones who failed Peer. The WTA had some early indications Peer's participation could be denied. The tour should have threatened to boycott from the onset. Now that all this has transpired, it shouldn't sanction another event in Dubai.

But I expect more from Venus and Serena because they've experienced discrimination. I'm as disappointed in them as I was with Tiger Woods, who said Augusta National Golf Club had the right to set club rules however it saw fit, even if it meant excluding female members. Woods clearly forgot the club once used that same excuse to prohibit golfers of color from playing there.

When you're a leader of your sport, you bear a different responsibility, and the Williams sisters have assumed ownership of the torch once carried by Althea Gibson, Billie Jean King and Arthur Ashe.

If legacy and equality are important to Venus and Serena, they will give Dubai the Indian Wells treatment. Otherwise they'll be sanctioning treatment they would never accept for themselves.

Jemele Hill can be reached at jemeleespn@gmail.com

Tennis Beauties on Tokyo Tour

2008-09-20T08:40:00.000-07:00

If they were not making enough headlines already, woman's tennis players again fought for photo space as they got out of their sports gear to fashionable wear at the players' party for the WTA Toray Pan Pacific Open Tennis 2008 at Hotel Grand Pacific Le Daiba.Ana Ivanovic may have lost her No 1 ranking but the Serbian beauty continued to steal the spotlight!

Former world No 1 Amelie Mauresmo shares a joke with Slovakia's Daniela Hantuchova.

The lanky Hantuchova enters for the press conference before the event.

Dinara Safina is the flavour of the season, and the competitive Russian showed her glamorous side at the event.

French teenager Alize Cornet held her own against her more illustrious rivals.

Us Open 2008 Live | Watch live tennis Free

2008-09-03T08:26:00.000-07:00

Watch your favorite Grad slam tennis tournament US Open 2008 Live for free.

Female Tennis Needs New Rivalry

2008-08-24T22:30:00.000-07:00

Last couple of years we seem to be missing one really dominating female tennis player as one of the players on WTA tour can't hold her No.1 ranking for a long time (especially now when Justine Henin has gone). Female tennis is lacking dominant players like Federer or Nadal, and we are desperately in need of one truly fierce rivalry like it was in 90s when Graf and Seles played their epic matches. Perhaps this is because since the time of Martina Hingis (in her prime years) there hasn't really been any really dominant player on WTA tour. Dominance of one player makes other work much harder and every once in a while some other player steps in challenging for that top spot, like Nadal challenging Federer in men's competition.

At the start of this year (Australian open) it all looked like the long awaited rivalry in female tennis has finally come - the one between Ana Ivanovic and Maria Sharapova, arguably two the hottest players on tour, but unfortunately this wasn't to be. This is maybe good for the game, making it more interesting as today is almost impossible to predict who's gonna play in the final of any Grand Slam because basically it all depends of current form of almost any girl inside the top 20 rank. On the other hand it would be so very nice seeing again two players playing epic matches for the ultimate crown of the best in game.

Upcoming years may change all of this but it is hardly unlikely that two players will be the ones separating the best from the rest, because there are so small differences between the players in the top 20. Well there maybe no true rivalry in the game but there is certainly "rivalry in beauty", with so many beautiful players on tour. And this beauty is that special something that attracts so many fans to women's tennis game. Now imagine what kind of media coverage would there be if for instance new classic rivalry in female tennis game would be between Ana Ivanovic and Maria Sharapova. Should I say more?

http://hotfemaletennisplayers.blogspot.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ned_Hall

HOT!!! Martina Hingis Tennis Court Action Shots

2008-07-22T06:08:00.000-07:00

At the 2008 Liverpool International exhibition tourney, former WTA # 1 Martina Hingis defeated 1998 Wimbledon champ Jana Novotna in a “legends” match, 6-3, 6-4. And on Sunday June 15th, Martina defeated Jana at singles again, in a “pro set,” 8-5.

Hingis is one of the best conditioned tennis stars around, which is one of the most important factors of her success. She is a sleek, taut and vibrant little thing, in stark contrast to the massive specimens dominating the tour of late.

Maria Kirilenko in sari

2008-07-10T04:46:00.004-07:00

Russian tennis player Maria Kirilenko is looking hot in sari (an indian dress)

Congratulations to Maria Kirilenko and her fans

2008-07-10T04:46:00.003-07:00

Maria Kirilenko Biodata

Country	Russia
Residence	Moscow, Russia
Date of birth	1987-01-25) January 25,1987 (age 21)
Place of birth	Moscow, Soviet Union
Height	1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Weight	57.6 kg (127 lb/9.07 st)
Turned Pro	2002
Retired	Active
Plays	Right
Career Prize Money	$1,442,590

Maria Yuryevna Kirilenko is a Russian professional tennis player. She won her first WTA Tour title in 2005, defeating Anna-Lena Groenefeld 6–3, 6–4 in the China Open. Kirilenko reached #20, her career-high singles ranking, on the WTA tour in June 2006. She is a good friend of Maria Sharapova. She is affectionately called Makiri.

Maria Kirilenko won the junior event at the 2002 Canadian Open, as well as the 2002 US Open junior tournament. In December 2004 she played in a tennis exhibition in Tampa, Florida to raise money for the Florida Hurricane Relief Fund.

In 2006, she was selected to be the face of Adidas by Stella McCartney tennis range, designed by noted British fashion designer Stella McCartney. Since the 2006 Australian Open, Kirilenko has played in adidas clothing and footwear designed by Stella McCartney at all upcoming tournaments.
Source: wikipedia

Congratulations to Maria Kirilenko and her fans

2008-07-10T04:46:00.001-07:00

Maria Kirilenko Biodata

Country	Russia
Residence	Moscow, Russia
Date of birth	1987-01-25) January 25,1987 (age 21)
Place of birth	Moscow, Soviet Union
Height	1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Weight	57.6 kg (127 lb/9.07 st)
Turned Pro	2002
Retired	Active
Plays	Right
Career Prize Money	$1,442,590

Maria Kirilenko wins Estoril Open

2008-07-10T04:44:00.000-07:00

Maria Kirilenko defeated Iveta Benesova 6-4, 6-2 today (Sunday, April 20, 2008) to win the Estoril Open and her third career title

Sania Mirza Shocked Hingis

2008-07-08T23:51:00.000-07:00

Sania Mirza, Indian tennis ace is back in to her winning form. The season has been rewarding for her with finals in Stanford, quarters in San Diego and semis in Cincinnati. She beat former world no.1 Martina Hingis in round 2 of East West Bank Classic Tennis Tournament on Tuesday.

World number 30 Sania toppled current world number 12 Hingis 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 in second round match of tournament on Tuesday night in Los Angeles. This was Sania’s second win on Swiss player along with continuing her win on American hard court circuit. In the $600,000 tour event Sania beat the tournament’s number 7 seed in an hour and 38 minutes.

Mirza took the opening set in 25 minutes by broking Hingis twice. In the second set Hingis leveled set scores but in decider Sania broke her in fifth game taking a 5-3 lead.

In the latest WTA ranking Sania reached top 30 on Monday followed by her good performance at San Diego and Cincinnati. After her Los Angeles credits she may even rise higher.

At the beginning of this year, Sania ranked 66 and her last week attempt to quarter finals at 1.3 million dollar Acura Classic Women’s Tennis Event in San Diego took her to rank 30. She is the second Indian to be placed in top 30 after Ramesh Krishnan who was ranked 23 in 1987. To be in top 20 Mirza requires 340 more points.

Sania was overwhelmed to win over one of the quickest player and says she feels more confident and stronger now. Sania said she was nervous playing against one of the world’s best player in a huge stadium, in big tournament but she kept control on herself and was determined to win. On being asked, Hingis said that in the third set she was getting physically and mentally tired while Sania got fresher. She is surprised with the incredible angle hits Sania made.

The 20 year old pretty tennis player has five top 20 victims in last month. Doubles specialist Mahesh Bhupati is not surprised by Sania win and says she is much more capable than this. He said Sania can climb greater heights and has a lot of potential.

Sania, mixture of glamour and talent from Hyderabad will be put against some of the biggest names as Maria Krilenko, Danilela Hantuchova and Marion Bartolli at Sunfeast Open in Kolkata starting from September, 17.

Sania attributes her jump from 66 to 30 in few months to her hard work, luck and faith in God. Over the past few months she has been working to overcome her weaknesses and playing on her favorite surface to boost herself. Playing in finals of a Tier II tournament at Stanford has been the most satisfied moment for her.

Sania is all set to face the winner of Shahar Peer and Virgine Razzano match and will most probably meet Nadia Pertova in quarters and Maria Sharapova in semifinals.

Serena Williams swimsuits pictures

2008-07-07T23:09:00.001-07:00

Serena Williams is top as well as hot American tennis players. Here is some of her bikini and swimsuit pictures hoping you will enjoy it.

Martina Hingis bikini

2008-07-07T23:09:00.000-07:00

TENNIS-WTA-IND-US-SERBIA

2008-07-01T03:28:00.001-07:00

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Tennis player Serena Williams walks the ramp in a traditional Indian Saree during a function on the eve of the WTA Bangalore Open Championship 2008 in Bangalore late March 2, 2008. The World Tennis Association (WTA) Bangalore Open Championship begins on March 3, 2008. AFP PHOTO/STR (Photo credit should read STRDEL/AFP/Getty Images)

Nadal wins the 2005 French Open

2008-07-01T03:23:00.000-07:00

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Rafael Nadal hoists the 2005 French Open mens tennis trophy at Roland Garros. The Guy in the orange shirt is Mariano Puerta the runner up.
The old richie-rich guy I guess, is the president of the tournament. Zinadine Zidane, football star, Real Madrid centrefielder and French captain is the dude in the adidas jacket.
Nadal is the youngest man to win the French Open while wearing capris.

Ivanovic Wimbledon 2008

2008-07-01T03:22:00.000-07:00

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Pre Wimbledon Party at Roof Gardens, 19 June 2008.

CENTRE COURT WIMBLEDON 2008

2008-07-01T03:21:00.001-07:00

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Andy Murray v. Fabrice Santoro

Maria Sharapova Wimbledon 2008

2008-07-01T03:19:00.000-07:00

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Pre Wimbledon Party at Roof Gardens, 19 June 2008.

STEFFI GRAF with two peace bikini

2008-06-24T06:02:00.000-07:00

ana ivanovic beauty beyond compare

2008-06-24T05:20:00.000-07:00

Ana Ivanovic Interview - Indian Wells 2008

2008-06-24T05:14:00.000-07:00

maria sharapova two peace bikini photo shoot vedio

2008-06-24T05:00:00.000-07:00

TENNIS-AUS-OPEN-SHARAPOVA-IVANOVIC

2008-06-24T04:59:00.001-07:00

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Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova (R) and Serbian opponent Ana Ivanovic pose with their respective trophies after their womens singles final match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, 26 January 2008. Sharapova won 7-5. 6-3. AFP PHOTO/Romeo GACAD (Photo credit should read ROMEO GACAD/AFP/Getty Images)

Maria Sharapova US Open 2006 Winner

2008-06-24T04:54:00.000-07:00

Maria Sharapova Swimsuit 2006

2008-06-24T04:00:00.000-07:00

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Maria Sharapova Swimsuit 2006

2008-06-24T03:56:00.000-07:00

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Maria Sharapova Swimsuit 2006 (1)

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Maria Sharapova Swimsuit 2006 (2)

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Maria Sharapova Swimsuit 2006 (3)

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Maria Sharapova Swimsuit Issue 2006 (4)

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Maria Sharapova Swimsuit Issue 2006 (5)

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Maria Sharapova Swimsuit 2006 (6)

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Maria Sharapova Swimsuit 2006 (5)

Sharapova Shines at Wimbledon.

2008-06-24T03:54:00.000-07:00

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One of tennis' most popular atheletes, Maria Sharapova of Russia's most shining moment came with her victory at Wimbledom. An attractive young woman to say the least, she most impressed me with her reactions after winning with both her father who was present, and with her mother who she attempted to call from Wimbledon's court.

Anna kournikova on Maxim magazine with two peace bikini

2008-06-24T03:47:00.000-07:00

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Anna Kournikova and Enrique Iglesias

2008-06-24T03:43:00.000-07:00

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Here the super cute couple is chatting with E.L. Woody and Henry about all sorts of things. You can see more pictures of the two of them here. To see more stuff with Anna click here and to see stuff with Enrique you can click here

Anna Kournikova at the beach in a sexy yellow bikini

2008-06-24T03:42:00.000-07:00

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Anna Kournikova at the beach in a sexy yellow bikini. :)

Anna Kournikova at Harvard

2008-06-24T03:40:00.001-07:00

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Anna Kournikova playing for the Sacramento Capitals at Harvard University against the Boston Lobsters.

ShopBot PRTalpha Benchtop

2008-01-30T05:31:00.000-08:00

Commercial for the ShopBot PRTalpha Benchtop CNC router....ShopBot CNC Router Shop Bot Benchtop Robot

Bench Top CNC Terminal Inserter Intros

2007-12-13T02:45:00.000-08:00

Zierick Manufacturing introduced a fully automatic CNC insertion system. Measuring 3' x 3' x 2' high, the bench top Model 9700 XY Positioning System is suitable for production lines and the needs of contract manufacturers. Its modular tooling is said to reduce downtime between terminal changeovers.

The 9700 XY combines a terminal insertion machine with a dual-axis positioning system to achieve high-speed, repeatable insertions through a set of programmed coordinates. User interface is through a series of menus presented to the operator using touchscreen controls. Programming can be done manually, or specific data points can be downloaded to the PLC directly with an optional data connection kit. The unit can store 99 programs with 150 position points each — all of which can be modified, deleted or added during the operation. The self-contained positioning and insertion unit can check the validity of any series of taught insertion points automatically.

http://smt.pennnet.com/articles/article_display.cfm?article_id=238352

Benchtop Milling Machine

2007-12-13T02:43:00.000-08:00

You can spend thousands of dollars on a benchtop milling machine, but you can do a lot of good work on an inexpensive mill, too.

The Atlas CH-10M mini-mill is a benchtop milling machine, designed for small-scale metalworking. Unlike other machines in its size class, the Atlas is mostly cast iron, with an extruded aluminum column. It's about 2 1/2 times as heavy as the Sherline mill, and has a significantly larger Morse taper #3 spindle. The motor is 1/2 horsepower variable-speed DC, with the power switch and speed control knob on the head. The machine is supplied with a Jacobs-style chuck, held in place by a 3/8"-16 drawbar bolt.

The travel is 9 inches on the X axis, 4 inches on the Y axis, and 8.5 inches on the Z axis (from the bottom of the drill chuck to the top of the table). Atlas rates the drill capacity in C1018 cold-rolled steel as 1/2 inch, the same for end milling capacity, and 1 inch face milling in the same stock. All three axes have locks that act on the gibs, The Y- and Z-axis ways are protected by rubber accordion boots. Some folks use the ability to cut a 3/8" slot 1/8" deep in steel as the separation between real milling machines and toys. The Atlas makes that cut with ease.

Unlike most mills in this size category, the head is counterbalanced. It uses a gas spring, which is nestled into the column extrusion. A link rod connects the head to the gas spring. The column is a full 5 inches wide, with a 2.7 inch dovetail. The column is attached to the base by a 40mm nut that looks big enough to hold a wheel onto a railroad car. A wrench is provided. The column can tilt 45 degrees right or left for angle drilling or milling by loosening the monster nut.

http://cncmachineryinfo.com/browse-cnc_milling_machine-70-1.html

Benchtop programmable dc loads

2007-12-13T02:42:00.000-08:00

WESTEK Electronics has released the Array Electronics 3700 series of two benchtop dc loads with flexible keypad and rotary controls as well as computer interface via RS232 or RS485.

The 3700 series are suitable for a range of tasks including battery and power supply testing.

Windows-based operational software on a CD is supplied as standard and includes ActiveX for VC++, VB, Delphi and LabView drivers. The Array Electronics loads are therefore suited to ATE applications as well as for engineering and calibration tasks, etc.

Operational safety is assured via password access and operating parameters can be set via a keypad, rotary control with readout of settings on the electronic load's LCD, or remotely via computer.

Main functions include constant current, constant power or constant load resistance set-ups. The loads have internal memory permitting the setting up of ten pre-defined operating parameters.

Array Electronics power supplies are available in two versions with respectively 150W and 300W capacity and capable of sinking currents to 30A, with a maximum input voltage of 360V dc.

The Array Electronics loads are protected against over-voltage, over-current, over-power consumption, over-heating and polarity reversal.

The 3700 series measure 250mm x 212mm x 88mm and weigh 5kg. They are suitable for rack-mounting or benchtop use. The dc loads are powered from 110V or 220V ac.

http://www.ferret.com.au/articles/0f/0c01c90f.asp

Bench Top CNC Terminal Inserter Intros

2007-12-13T02:41:00.000-08:00

Zierick Manufacturing introduced a fully automatic CNC insertion system. Measuring 3′ x 3′ x 2′ high, the bench top Model 9700 XY Positioning System is suitable for production lines and the needs of contract manufacturers. Its modular tooling is said to reduce downtime between terminal changeovers.

The 9700 XY combines a terminal insertion machine with a dual-axis positioning system to achieve high-speed, repeatable insertions through a set of programmed coordinates. User interface is through a series of menus presented to the operator using touchscreen controls. Programming can be done manually, or specific data points can be downloaded to the PLC directly with an optional data connection kit. The unit can store 99 programs with 150 position points each — all of which can be modified, deleted or added during the operation. The self-contained positioning and insertion unit can check the validity of any series of taught insertion points automatically.

http://cncmachine.blogsome.com/2007/07/10/bench-top-cnc-terminal-inserter-intros/