tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42298733829123992442024-03-19T22:52:55.658-07:00Phaura Reinz Speaks TennisTennis, tennis and more tennis.Phaura Reinzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11037234532656554897noreply@blogger.comBlogger150125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4229873382912399244.post-83834968357864539402014-03-23T08:00:00.001-07:002014-03-23T08:00:50.233-07:00Ranking Venus Williams's Eleven Dresses 2014Hi everyone, I'm back! And my first post since sabbatical is a Venus Williams post! Yay!<br /><br />This year Venus has been so impressive on court, and her final showing at Auckland and her win in Dubai, indeed validates that Vee has found a new gear at 33.<br /><br />As Vee is winning in the hard courts, her on court fashion statements also are winning tennis's best dressed lists. Vee is exclusively wearing/modelling/promoting her own fashion label's Eleven dresses, her 7 year-old company. Today, I am ranking Vee's tennis outfits from best to good, if not worst.<br /><br /><b>1. Sony Open - Miami: Strice Dress</b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7f6VBI4ATy47J6bIsO5JAb0NXv1HnKFMW-joMgJMp6Fp0hoypmPOpzq2U_AIRHrFxkrLY3Bs-cRebZIFZn0qCyJs1zIyw5oVt47fzyoq-hNPffQab3NZbHk48FaBScNt0CSviIPcm0L-c/s1600/162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7f6VBI4ATy47J6bIsO5JAb0NXv1HnKFMW-joMgJMp6Fp0hoypmPOpzq2U_AIRHrFxkrLY3Bs-cRebZIFZn0qCyJs1zIyw5oVt47fzyoq-hNPffQab3NZbHk48FaBScNt0CSviIPcm0L-c/s1600/162.jpg" height="400" width="257" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo by: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images North America</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhThV2y3mtSSEasW_JfavR01QD1LIEDOz90iTIkraJn3MN6_ymUd7GULX-hqPAH1I9RG4rOfDf9P3GRrn3iA-VOj9S4F3efpRbo9jtBA7RBQXJ69ok3VVlNTSd91hOJiJUkZ_mie_4nziUT/s1600/Venus+Williams+Sony+Ericsson+Open+Day+5+uzoWOy1tec9l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhThV2y3mtSSEasW_JfavR01QD1LIEDOz90iTIkraJn3MN6_ymUd7GULX-hqPAH1I9RG4rOfDf9P3GRrn3iA-VOj9S4F3efpRbo9jtBA7RBQXJ69ok3VVlNTSd91hOJiJUkZ_mie_4nziUT/s1600/Venus+Williams+Sony+Ericsson+Open+Day+5+uzoWOy1tec9l.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo by: Al Bello/Getty Images North America</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This week, Venus is debuting the Strice Dress from her latest collection. A three-time winner of her home event, Venus is wearing a beautiful, an almost baby doll-cut dress. The simple white top is accented by solid black lines and is completed with yellow chevron flowing skirt. The cut and the colors both complimented a perfect look for someone as strong and regal as Venus Williams.<br /><br />Verdict: ♥♥♥♥♥/Best Among the Rest.<br />
<br />
<b>2. Dubai Duty Free Championships - Dubai: Fiore Mixed Double Dress</b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfILLo_sZ9DrPUIe83ia6t-lAEOSaNNQ9-jkZE-FB3GiSy-ENWIfuR8IFfZk_YeNMFqWALaRhYeDqI0h63bqejsK7mgznaz5cqEQERJFj6d96re8sfEWh91xogMx3CEGD_LwQ1cIGkXOkv/s1600/Venus+Williams+WTA+Dubai+Duty+Free+Tennis+qd0KlIFKKHrl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfILLo_sZ9DrPUIe83ia6t-lAEOSaNNQ9-jkZE-FB3GiSy-ENWIfuR8IFfZk_YeNMFqWALaRhYeDqI0h63bqejsK7mgznaz5cqEQERJFj6d96re8sfEWh91xogMx3CEGD_LwQ1cIGkXOkv/s1600/Venus+Williams+WTA+Dubai+Duty+Free+Tennis+qd0KlIFKKHrl.jpg" height="400" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo by: Warren Little/Getty Images Europe</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSfJjbdgT1j8BVqJ2Up0GyhAvH8RphXqJQtN5vqOVshjT7TfMniIY9XMSy3D1ZMVY35aKjYd96V3qA5tubJp7fOfd0y2cn1i4ukODD3IdWtBC055D9P2bcJVMvmhvwNjTjs5oTzSVwoeCj/s1600/Venus+Williams+WTA+Dubai+Duty+Free+Tennis+1DKxJiMzwkal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSfJjbdgT1j8BVqJ2Up0GyhAvH8RphXqJQtN5vqOVshjT7TfMniIY9XMSy3D1ZMVY35aKjYd96V3qA5tubJp7fOfd0y2cn1i4ukODD3IdWtBC055D9P2bcJVMvmhvwNjTjs5oTzSVwoeCj/s1600/Venus+Williams+WTA+Dubai+Duty+Free+Tennis+1DKxJiMzwkal.jpg" height="400" width="272" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo by: Warren Little/Getty Images Europe</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Vee's 45th title is celebrated in a floral, modernist pattern that evokes freedom and artistry. Initially, I am partial with the ink-flower patterns, but later on acceded that indeed it is quite catchy and fresh. What caught my attention is the cut! The cut emphasizes Vee's better assets, her legs. Though this might compromise players or athletes that do not possess Vee's never ending legs, the dress is just perfectly made for her and for once declared, that she is a goddess among us mortals.<br /><br />Verdict: ♥♥♥♥/Second Best.<br />
<br />
<b>3. Australian Open - Approach Shot Dress in Tie-Dye</b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijKcb-9G0Cz-ZjOc4QyC8FN5FOkAEvwYafB_eKquES1wiWHwmPdgO0yFW6x4mZ_ayDc-wgVXilrPQs9CjigXOQtXylv-wkNt_3I52J9HMyO9Z-GtS0GT9FJMAQCYGz8XGRPTE273za-a-v/s1600/Venus+Williams+Australian+Open+Day+1+AxW5JpI9I9Kl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijKcb-9G0Cz-ZjOc4QyC8FN5FOkAEvwYafB_eKquES1wiWHwmPdgO0yFW6x4mZ_ayDc-wgVXilrPQs9CjigXOQtXylv-wkNt_3I52J9HMyO9Z-GtS0GT9FJMAQCYGz8XGRPTE273za-a-v/s1600/Venus+Williams+Australian+Open+Day+1+AxW5JpI9I9Kl.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo by: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images AsiaPac</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinAeX3ICFBsDa1cwb8o8wj5gq3BnWTth-p7ROSorgyGRmJ2kOjfwtnhCu6BQfNcqEdFkcdG7YAd25OI-RwxkFsqShob7aHtAlC4Iy_O3zGNsJF0y2fogcy0QpPGq11uJniMtnOcZXx3rLH/s1600/Venus+Williams+Australian+Open+Day+1+0OF4QlyByf7l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinAeX3ICFBsDa1cwb8o8wj5gq3BnWTth-p7ROSorgyGRmJ2kOjfwtnhCu6BQfNcqEdFkcdG7YAd25OI-RwxkFsqShob7aHtAlC4Iy_O3zGNsJF0y2fogcy0QpPGq11uJniMtnOcZXx3rLH/s1600/Venus+Williams+Australian+Open+Day+1+0OF4QlyByf7l.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo by: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images Asia Pac</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Unfortunately, this dress only has been seen once in the tennis court. With her loss to Russia's Makarova, Vee had to shelve this tie-dye print of a dress. It's a shame as this dress looked summer-ready in the infamous Australian hot summer season. This strapped mini tennis dress is a no-frills ready-to-wear that every lady tennis player would love to brag on court.<br /><br />Verdict: ♥♥♥/Good.<br /><br /><b>4. ASB Classic - Eleven Tank Tops with Tie-Dye Skirts</b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhwSHWtovNp5c6nAo58_gPfjocn4I2RU2JTpllkD5H09hAMO7IraBIYcgDe5rqTCeGGHn78hWBJi53W8aoE3jpogi2osTs9IOMb5bsKTw3GuSyjvf7WQDoBXpYhLYSq2nBDLKc-zEO_yJ-/s1600/Venus+Williams+ASB+Classic+Day+3+tMrpC_aef7gl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhwSHWtovNp5c6nAo58_gPfjocn4I2RU2JTpllkD5H09hAMO7IraBIYcgDe5rqTCeGGHn78hWBJi53W8aoE3jpogi2osTs9IOMb5bsKTw3GuSyjvf7WQDoBXpYhLYSq2nBDLKc-zEO_yJ-/s1600/Venus+Williams+ASB+Classic+Day+3+tMrpC_aef7gl.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo by: Anthony An-Yeung/Getty Images Asia Pac</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbIJ85vOJcxyVgnHoWzXmuXcyrunHzcsKyAXiC9lesubiGrEQ7Brk0sAm2xn66u6gtc-zQWDuyivql7Lvq5xq9mnfQ10plt-UxOFtS1-vufdVxihnTzwSLcctePOmen54UU4lW3yVnwKcF/s1600/Venus+Williams+ASB+Classic+Day+4+i6jkhDFBeApl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbIJ85vOJcxyVgnHoWzXmuXcyrunHzcsKyAXiC9lesubiGrEQ7Brk0sAm2xn66u6gtc-zQWDuyivql7Lvq5xq9mnfQ10plt-UxOFtS1-vufdVxihnTzwSLcctePOmen54UU4lW3yVnwKcF/s1600/Venus+Williams+ASB+Classic+Day+4+i6jkhDFBeApl.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo by: Anthony An-Yeung/Getty Images Asia Pac</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnhdZWh4kwtHWMmd5kXy2YiI8ifFzuHuDAfC-_VSINpU3TMYc5oG1saHdUPUaNCnhEjIvVqgvkYhDWmQBuA2m0-daNDehXNPTha4Akrzrbl-VP66rOxaD2k4n38Xwwpg4nevcBOo2xOOu/s1600/Venus+Williams+ASB+Classic+Day+6+lW9mseR03HYl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnhdZWh4kwtHWMmd5kXy2YiI8ifFzuHuDAfC-_VSINpU3TMYc5oG1saHdUPUaNCnhEjIvVqgvkYhDWmQBuA2m0-daNDehXNPTha4Akrzrbl-VP66rOxaD2k4n38Xwwpg4nevcBOo2xOOu/s1600/Venus+Williams+ASB+Classic+Day+6+lW9mseR03HYl.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo by: Anthony An-Yeung/Getty Images Asia Pac</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The least likable among Venus's dresses are the dresses she wore in Auckland late last year up to the first week of January. This is also the first time that Venus had worn three different dresses in the singles tournament since the 2011 Australian Open. Why I don't like these as much as the first two? These three kits are just too basic. A 7-time grand slam champion more than needs a white (or black) tank top and a basic tie-dye skirt to get through her day. It may be Venus's utmost preference that she wears a casual get-up in Auckland, but for me it is simply underwhelming.<br /><br />Verdict: ♥♥♥/Good.<br /><br />That's it for today and bye-bye!<br />Phaura Reinzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11037234532656554897noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4229873382912399244.post-50615172522161239622014-01-27T05:36:00.001-08:002014-01-27T05:36:26.318-08:00Vhong Navarro Controversy: A National Issue? <div class="MsoNormal">
Yes. I am happy that the GRP-MILF annex has been signed and
further steps to comprehensive peace and development in Mindanao is becoming a
lasting reality. Yes. I am happy that the rehabilitation operations in
Yolanda-hit areas are becoming full force and people are now witnessing
considerable changes in their lives. Yes. I adore both Stanislas Wawrinka and
Li Na winning the Australian Open. And yes. I am also deeply saddened by the
loss of lives from Mindanao floods and storms.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yes, throw stones at me, I am completely enamored by the
Vhong Navarro-Mugged-Rape Controversy. I blame my inquisitorial nature and my
affinity to rampant media sensationalism, but I see this as an opportunity, a
very big, big world of opportunity.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Given that the sane and more righteous people I know chose to shy away from talking about this, I am not blaming them if this is not
one of their gravest priorities, but my unrelenting feminist self is seeking to be
heard. And here is my plea. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is sad that on times when a woman asks for help and cries
for mercy, her people, her community refuses to help her, if not betrays her
altogether. Not to cloud the 'suffering' of Vhong Navarro and the 'justice' he
seeks, but the woman is molested, about to be raped by a so-called 'cultured'
and 'decent' funny man of whom the masses placed their adoration willingly. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is an utter horror listening (and reading people's
comments) that say: "Sus, kung ni-rape man siya ni Vhong, Wow!"
(If Vhong did rape her, Wow!). It is as if being raped is a prize one has to be
grateful for. "Choosy pa si *******?" (******* is being choosy?) adds
one microblogger. This brings us to the idea that if one is ever to be raped,
one has to choose the hunkier, sexier hunk to fulfill the raping. What vanity! "I don't
think Vhong is a rapist. He has children." I don't know how to respond
but, incestuous rape is a thing in this side of the globe and it is one of the
things one can't be proud of. "Kung Vhong Navarro na ang magre-rape sa
iyo, aarte ka pa ba?" (If a certain Vhong Navarro will rape you, would you
not give in?) It seems to be that it is a prized privilege if a known, rich,
well-loved celebrity is to insert himself unwillingly into your very much
protected dignity. Dignity seems to be a currency in the sea of horny, carnal
criminals. Just saddening. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It could be any woman, a young child of 5, a proud 35 year old lady or even a lowly octogenarian, any of them could be victims of rape and
sexual abuse. It could be a sweet school girl, a respected actress, a lively
market vendor or a vulnerable retiree year old. Just anyone can be a victim of rape. And, it could be you.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With the prospect that any of us, be you a man or a
woman, young or old be victims of rape or sexual abuse, I am depressed that we
face this issue lightheartedly, more indifferent, and very judgmental.
Rape constitutes for more than 30% of crimes committed against women. The
Philippine Commission on Women lists that 1 out of 25 women between 15-49 is
raped and 1 out of 10 of that age bracket have had experienced sexual assault.
And according to the National Statistics Coordination Board (NSCB), 7 women are
raped every day, both reported or unreported. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As the effects of rape are probably unenumerated in anyone's
sorry sense of affection and blind adulation, I'm doing you a favor, here they are: numbness, hysteria, anxiety, helplessness, depression, insomnia,
dissociation and suicide. Truly being a victim of rape is not what anyone wishes for to happen to oneself. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This issue of rape should not make us stones that don't feel
human emotions. This issue should not make us uninvolved. This issue should not
make us stern judgmental. This is a high time for empathy. This is a high time
to care not only for Vhong's victim, but to the millions out there who are
victims of rape and other instances of sexual abuse day in, day out, where ever
they are. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I thank Vhong not for attempting to rape or what-not, but I
thank him that his celebrity makes this a national issue. I deplore those who
say that this controversy should not be a national issue. Indeed, this should be everyone's issue. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<br />
<i>Sources: 1. <a href="http://www.nscb.gov.ph/statseries/03/ss-200307-ss1-01.asp">National Statistical Coordination Board.</a></i><br />
<i>2. <a href="http://www.pcw.gov.ph/statistics/201304/statistics-violence-against-filipino-women">Philippine Commission on Women. </a></i><br />
<i>3. <a href="http://bulatlat.com/main/2012/11/09/rape-cases-of-violence-against-women-on-the-rise-%E2%80%93-gabriela/">Gabriela - Bulatlat.com</a></i></div>
Phaura Reinzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11037234532656554897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4229873382912399244.post-55562309736202322262014-01-15T05:29:00.002-08:002014-01-15T05:29:42.693-08:00Australian Open 2014: Day 4 ScheduleWe are more than half way to the first week of the Australian Open and our seeds are still holding up even though upsets here and there happen once in a while. For Day 4 expect many more great matches and upsets and more.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhBtoaAQ7NKeiASw7UzM-OehSfpg9LxhE_kIGXMVDhM94-sO9WxUWkPko6H6_mvJ46iaHu0PWW5GUcHHhqwgemeiB56OXGk39XAof5uG5IDXZ40da0mcDg3zV1EDX1ifA_bMlx1y2YUKT0/s1600/caro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhBtoaAQ7NKeiASw7UzM-OehSfpg9LxhE_kIGXMVDhM94-sO9WxUWkPko6H6_mvJ46iaHu0PWW5GUcHHhqwgemeiB56OXGk39XAof5uG5IDXZ40da0mcDg3zV1EDX1ifA_bMlx1y2YUKT0/s320/caro.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caro's fist pump sans the engagement ring. <i>Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images AsiaPac.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Here are my matches to watch:<br />
<br />
1. Venus Williams/Serena Williams v Kristina Mladenovic/Flavia Pennetta<br />
<br />
It might be odd for you why a doubles match is first on my list, but don't get me wrong doubles are fun to watch. Much more fun with grand slam champions playing it for you. Venus and Serena, 4 time Aussie Open doubles champions, are up against former AO doubles champion Flavia Pennetta and Wimbledon mixed doubles champ Kristina Mladenovic. Venus and Serena were upset here last year and are gunning for title no. 14 here at AO. This is Kiki and Flavia's first slam together and are making a good point against the more established pairing of the Williams sisters.<br />
<br />
2. Rafael Nadal v Thanasi Kokkinakis<br />
<br />
This is the young Australian's first foray into the second round, unfortunately he'll face Rafael Nadal. Let's see how the up-and-comer deal with the King of Clay.<br />
<br />
3. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga v Thomaz Bellucci<br />
<br />
Well, two big hitters in one of the biggest arenas in Melbourne. You have to watch it. Whose side are you on? Obrigado Brazil or Allez France?<br />
<br />
4. Christina McHale v Caroline Wozniacki<br />
<br />
One of the players that has a positive head-to-head record against Caro is Christina McHale, with 2-1 record. Will Christina continue her 'dominance' over Caro or will Caro prove the math wrong? Interesting to see an engaged Wozz in Rod Laver again.<br />
<br />
5. Roger, Vika, Maria, Aga, JMDP, and Andy<br />
<br />
All these big names are playing for blockbuster Wednesday rounding up the matches to play.<br />
<br />
Full schedule <a href="http://www.ausopen.com/en_AU/scores/schedule/schedule9.html">here</a>.<br />
<br />
Aussie! Oi! Oi!<br />
<br />
<br />Phaura Reinzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11037234532656554897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4229873382912399244.post-78963846117440600522014-01-15T04:05:00.001-08:002014-01-15T04:05:27.662-08:00It's a Big, Big Problem: Heat at the Australian Open<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXEzHW20v-Jf98mceiR2NdxBP2NtgGFQ2KwXFoTUlDdRPgYTHd5eDVjWl7VuwKNRxrzeeYeDLU_EpzUZnKlCWM7ffV4dZ39KhH0Kex8p0bNW9AB1f0bvbdjNSw7kj6Ey7Oa1Rm2_7QUR6F/s1600/dancevic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXEzHW20v-Jf98mceiR2NdxBP2NtgGFQ2KwXFoTUlDdRPgYTHd5eDVjWl7VuwKNRxrzeeYeDLU_EpzUZnKlCWM7ffV4dZ39KhH0Kex8p0bNW9AB1f0bvbdjNSw7kj6Ey7Oa1Rm2_7QUR6F/s320/dancevic.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank Dancevic collapses mid match. <i>Photo by AP.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It is a problem, a detriment for the tournament and the players alike. Yes, players do play in the heat, but extreme heat is an another issue. With heat ranging from 40-42 celsius (108 Fahrenheit), drastic effects have made players complain and even declare that the conditions are 'inhumane.' Players collapsing, vomiting and ex players experiencing heat stroke have been reported the first three days.<br />
<br />
Players have come to rally behind the issue as Andy Murray said, "And it looks terrible for the whole sport when people are collapsing, ball kids are collapsing, people in the stands are collapsing. That's not great.." Frank Dancevic, who collapsed mid-match against Benoit Paire (Dancevic remained for a long time after the math ended, unbearable heat made it uncomfortable to leave immediately) added that "It's hazardous to be out there. It's dangerous ... Until somebody dies, they're just going to keep playing matches in this heat." Caro likens the heat to a 'sauna', while Vika likens playing in the heat as the same as 'playing in a frying pan.'<br />
<br />
Other players have taken a side step to the issue, Roger Federer for one: "Just deal with it, because it's the same for both (players),"<br />
<br />
Not only players are taking the toll of this problem, ball kids' rotation have reduced from one hour to 45 minutes after a ball girl was treated for heat stress. Apparently a ball boy also collapses in one of the show courts.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTN-775Z9xALlR4pBVNw-94thYXjyRmbbnJLbw0DuFYnS1sVSWnPpSNDtifeB9fvETI83KhGaF5TMVSHCRdTHQKxPndaOYCDY-M9JhcDl5ODsL3cHhIjjrBC7GQ85ZEsbTdmPTasoIwDJK/s1600/ballboy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTN-775Z9xALlR4pBVNw-94thYXjyRmbbnJLbw0DuFYnS1sVSWnPpSNDtifeB9fvETI83KhGaF5TMVSHCRdTHQKxPndaOYCDY-M9JhcDl5ODsL3cHhIjjrBC7GQ85ZEsbTdmPTasoIwDJK/s320/ballboy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ballboy collapses during one of the matches. <i>Photo by Reuters.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The controversial heat further inflames players and probably fans of the sport as the tournament doctor offered the following statement: "A lot of people get hot and look distressed. The actual risk to the health is relatively small compared to other sports."<br />
<br />
The Australian heat is expected to last all week, probably even the whole tournament, as it is summer in Australia.<br />
<br />
Players have a reprieve in the scorching heat, the Extreme Heat Policy or the EHP. Under EHP the tournament referee a match or matches can be suspended when the heat has registered equal or above the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature.<br />
<br />
As soaring heat appears to distract or influence not only the game but the well-being of the players, EHP must be enforced as prompt as possible. If unbearable heat seems to be experienced even if the current threshold is met, it is probably a high time to amend the EHP and lower the threshold in order for the players to be safe in hot courts around the Open.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Phaura Reinzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11037234532656554897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4229873382912399244.post-13391971093697626042014-01-15T03:48:00.001-08:002014-01-15T03:48:55.717-08:00Australian Open 2014: Day 2 Summary This late post is brought to you by Heat Wave, coming to your closest players once in a while, every year. Day 2 of the Open, and controversial issue has rocked the AO authorities as players are complaining and are minding very delicately about the heat in Melbourne Park.<br />
<br />
But before that, let's see the winners and losers in Day 2.<br />
<br />
<b>Winners.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4i1l_BqL3waCLubEgpyZjPsP3QKdHo5vXZOSgfdHGpZAYPIE8Mk1ahqqIuxGop6apML9RrrfTtWs5dnLg81o_6RjBZlY_BAljAQW94bW_k1qFJZKtwde5z20P3m7jeCcs7s7On-zPw18E/s1600/maria.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4i1l_BqL3waCLubEgpyZjPsP3QKdHo5vXZOSgfdHGpZAYPIE8Mk1ahqqIuxGop6apML9RrrfTtWs5dnLg81o_6RjBZlY_BAljAQW94bW_k1qFJZKtwde5z20P3m7jeCcs7s7On-zPw18E/s320/maria.jpg" width="235" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Permafist Maria. <i>Photo by Clive Brunskill.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In his first match since 2012, Rafa Nadal won after his opponent, Bernand Tomic retired with injury after losing the first set.<br />
<br />
Aussie Champions Victoria Azarenka, Maria Sharapova and Roger Federer won in straights.<br />
<br />
Caroline Wozniacki and friend Agnieszka Radwanska registered wins but won in different fashion. Caro won easily while Aga was tested in three sets by Yulia Putintseva.<br />
<br />
Andy Murray looked impeccable against Go Soeda.<br />
<br />
Juan Martin del Porto looked good against feisty American Rhyne Williams.<br />
<br />
Jelena Jankovic, Simona Halep and Gael Monfils also will proceed to the second round.<br />
<br />
Gilles Simon won in an unbelievable fashion, winning the fifth set in 16-14. Four days ago at Kooyong, Simon rolled his ankle and was in crutches, retiring from the match.<br />
<br />
Aussie youngsters, Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis won their respective matches and further flames the Aussie spirit.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Heartbreakers. </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOM33cFRjmIWDjtXXfJDI7ZMPjRO3EJkv2D7pHZ8vIODQJu7gW3Vj76WLupx9DfYQhYjVhuZmp-tbxd6oBoeNCZofEbVVbmYUVOn-yfwzypG0jRFVKeQy9V9nL5Qd0hPp-9X3oUoMKtvgZ/s1600/lleyton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOM33cFRjmIWDjtXXfJDI7ZMPjRO3EJkv2D7pHZ8vIODQJu7gW3Vj76WLupx9DfYQhYjVhuZmp-tbxd6oBoeNCZofEbVVbmYUVOn-yfwzypG0jRFVKeQy9V9nL5Qd0hPp-9X3oUoMKtvgZ/s320/lleyton.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is always next year LL. <i>Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images AsiaPac.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Aussie Hope Lleyton Hewitt was upended by Andreas Seppi in 5 sets after the Italian saved matchpoints to seal the win.<br />
<br />
Roland Garros champs, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Francesca Schiavone, both lost in the first round.<br />
<br />
Petra's flame, Radek Stepanek, joins her exit from the Aussie Open.<br />
<br />
Other seeds who fell: Sorana Cirstea, Kaia Kanepi, and John Isner.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Retirements.</b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_RewDhG4It6ZhyphenhyphenSWJp59yRVT-KnkEUgQR36nEXj6l_9zcmFQC_GIkm11hyXoZF6u2UbMSdmX5dWP43t0lExUprD-ZZbhz876e2FkPSFVfE8i6wBr0euYey2LMQAoMtjJAc7fWZGUFXwhf/s1600/tomic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_RewDhG4It6ZhyphenhyphenSWJp59yRVT-KnkEUgQR36nEXj6l_9zcmFQC_GIkm11hyXoZF6u2UbMSdmX5dWP43t0lExUprD-ZZbhz876e2FkPSFVfE8i6wBr0euYey2LMQAoMtjJAc7fWZGUFXwhf/s320/tomic.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomic in his towel after retiring. <i>Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images AsiaPac.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Polona Hercog, John Isner, Radek Stepanek, Robin Haase, Julian Reister, and Bernard Tomic, who was booed last night after retiring against Nadal.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Phaura Reinzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11037234532656554897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4229873382912399244.post-73146154924877231492014-01-15T02:27:00.002-08:002014-01-15T02:27:24.082-08:00Rafa and Bar Rafaeli's Behind the Scenes VideoIn 2012, Rafael Nadal and model Bar Refaeli posed for Sports Illustrated's 2012 Swimsuit Issue. And the pictures? Fantastic, if not sexy.<br />
<br />
Here's the behind the scenes of the sexy photo shoot. Yummy!<br />
<br />
<br />
<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,47,0" height="270" id="flashObj" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1&isUI=1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="flashVars" value="videoId=3022368248001&linkBaseURL=http%3A%2F%2Fsportsillustrated.cnn.com%2Fvideo%2Fswimdaily%2F20140107%2Fbar-refaeli-and-rafael-nadal.sportsillustrated%2F&playerID=2869183374001&playerKey=AQ~~,AAAB9mw57HE~,xU4DCdZtHhuIakVdyH5VnUosMOtC9a9v&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" /><param name="base" value="http://admin.brightcove.com" /><param name="seamlesstabbing" value="false" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="swLiveConnect" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1&isUI=1" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashVars="videoId=3022368248001&linkBaseURL=http%3A%2F%2Fsportsillustrated.cnn.com%2Fvideo%2Fswimdaily%2F20140107%2Fbar-refaeli-and-rafael-nadal.sportsillustrated%2F&playerID=2869183374001&playerKey=AQ~~,AAAB9mw57HE~,xU4DCdZtHhuIakVdyH5VnUosMOtC9a9v&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="480" height="270" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" swLiveConnect="true" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></object>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqoVlIByF_Dyjzx-6HBZ67FO7ewDpYaZQDM3G_jiOHoGHfvKBw4Y7vzWwi0bbzDAjKMRGJVMQiv-KErZePirkNzGhs5JVRBVElsNHvZhYs37BLq_qrfAjnviAuOOMeGIEtA3pX3J-KcgE/s1600/rafa.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqoVlIByF_Dyjzx-6HBZ67FO7ewDpYaZQDM3G_jiOHoGHfvKBw4Y7vzWwi0bbzDAjKMRGJVMQiv-KErZePirkNzGhs5JVRBVElsNHvZhYs37BLq_qrfAjnviAuOOMeGIEtA3pX3J-KcgE/s400/rafa.1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Swim Daily, Sports Illustrated.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkPQ26RxzjUxSrGWDE5AsJ5fMveLZugwVYR06bUty3frQcHtLDVdKg9sZXeK8ei4hcTTScMj2w3Q72Am86isubdH3SyRlL_uGZQSTVPvVlGQKTDs64Go1deNcNeqHXVvTt1iDInSl1Cu_C/s1600/rafa.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkPQ26RxzjUxSrGWDE5AsJ5fMveLZugwVYR06bUty3frQcHtLDVdKg9sZXeK8ei4hcTTScMj2w3Q72Am86isubdH3SyRlL_uGZQSTVPvVlGQKTDs64Go1deNcNeqHXVvTt1iDInSl1Cu_C/s400/rafa.2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Swim Daily, Sports Illustrated.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhlXQZEJ8iC6h9l9ZvDXDnhpg7gi3_8qHIq_H5z_eqZ0U6nS16vX1Mz8PrkuAOFmnu-8bpJMm8CkDeM4s2rqFmHkMYezqtv3socP1TCiZYPXo6_SAj3AoRQemf992Je5NKhj5vh5rf3cXJ/s1600/rafa.3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhlXQZEJ8iC6h9l9ZvDXDnhpg7gi3_8qHIq_H5z_eqZ0U6nS16vX1Mz8PrkuAOFmnu-8bpJMm8CkDeM4s2rqFmHkMYezqtv3socP1TCiZYPXo6_SAj3AoRQemf992Je5NKhj5vh5rf3cXJ/s400/rafa.3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Swim Daily, Sports Illustrated.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKLPtl_rrlBuFY4sL3e7lNoWKVhgB3EpbQJ26Uqbjzj18EEPpfDPpZcywBIJySDg3vo1cgEbirLz-IlW7FfjtNeNIFyUVDbFrgWfTljaJh__yfdW52DiOEW6KyLhytlIMkm1FOpt4vSGVs/s1600/rafa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKLPtl_rrlBuFY4sL3e7lNoWKVhgB3EpbQJ26Uqbjzj18EEPpfDPpZcywBIJySDg3vo1cgEbirLz-IlW7FfjtNeNIFyUVDbFrgWfTljaJh__yfdW52DiOEW6KyLhytlIMkm1FOpt4vSGVs/s400/rafa.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Swim Daily, Sports Illustrated.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSq0rg7hvrxpsXBu5ajY1X6ZT8z-Q3L3wOi8_1rFdsXCLvi1d9TwbbCTXcbBDpz1rEnuYygFEice6BqPtIA4PYUGwxdRHpoqcY-xxgBrYNDhyOK6kxrESxdcyuv4YAVp_5bovhpxe6Yep/s1600/rafa.4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSq0rg7hvrxpsXBu5ajY1X6ZT8z-Q3L3wOi8_1rFdsXCLvi1d9TwbbCTXcbBDpz1rEnuYygFEice6BqPtIA4PYUGwxdRHpoqcY-xxgBrYNDhyOK6kxrESxdcyuv4YAVp_5bovhpxe6Yep/s400/rafa.4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Swim Daily, Sports Illustrated.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsOeP_OThVyMDf4UxkxXIPKJpACZWNgCN7xuHPgH9zCXxrR9F-nMfgqhzto0QjvVqCp8vuRlUHH6ciY9bXcO0u49bZXQs_G7NdsgSH_pKyA-F7DEQTelHc107pwIut-5x2nEwJt3eppFlV/s1600/rafa.5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsOeP_OThVyMDf4UxkxXIPKJpACZWNgCN7xuHPgH9zCXxrR9F-nMfgqhzto0QjvVqCp8vuRlUHH6ciY9bXcO0u49bZXQs_G7NdsgSH_pKyA-F7DEQTelHc107pwIut-5x2nEwJt3eppFlV/s400/rafa.5.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Swim Daily, Sports Illustrated.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgabTb3-ANRl1x6ZeKjryHjkCzilyjk_N1vxt3CDZujhVGKk0sxwWiVFY8UnGfoPTOyxNesCRh3mpfXd7jnEviySW_G3EvWbNweJaomQN-jjRDvRdrsZgtVoyrJVFMbSOPus7Utpiqe6WNa/s1600/rafa.6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgabTb3-ANRl1x6ZeKjryHjkCzilyjk_N1vxt3CDZujhVGKk0sxwWiVFY8UnGfoPTOyxNesCRh3mpfXd7jnEviySW_G3EvWbNweJaomQN-jjRDvRdrsZgtVoyrJVFMbSOPus7Utpiqe6WNa/s400/rafa.6.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Swim Daily, Sports Illustrated.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
More pictures can be found at <a href="http://rafaelnadalfans.com/2014/01/10/flashback-friday-shirtless-rafael-nadal-poses-with-bar-refaeli/">Rafael Nadal Fans.</a>Phaura Reinzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11037234532656554897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4229873382912399244.post-79466832365519025012014-01-14T07:27:00.000-08:002014-01-14T07:27:24.164-08:00Nadal and Others in AO's Open DriveGet to know your players more! Rafa, Laura Robson, Nick Kyrgios and Pat Rafter himself answer questions and let a part of themselves be known to the world.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Rafa and what he does of the thing he fears.
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/61bvXWmHx7k" width="853"></iframe><br />
<br />
Laura and her most embarrassing part of her body.
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/iUm9KlzZasQ" width="853"></iframe><br />
<br />
Nick and the WTA player that he 'loves.'
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/JSqi12WnYTU" width="853"></iframe><br />
<br />
And
Pat Rafter and his constant reward to self.
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/NfPmVeulPKY" width="853"></iframe>
Enjoy!Phaura Reinzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11037234532656554897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4229873382912399244.post-16217704085505372862014-01-14T05:44:00.000-08:002014-01-14T05:44:06.298-08:00Australian Open: Day 3 Schedule<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQssb0kKjFMGMkcWo5D9Ea98mG6cgKqYa3zHoZAWx2aNlozQzX752N-iQb8oC_RGeTmIBvWqBrYBCnibzTYF1C6tozooVrLFg9Ke0QGOg_TZAKCPoUK7mhmlDBsxK6Be5Dm9TDvSK4uTjj/s1600/aussie1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQssb0kKjFMGMkcWo5D9Ea98mG6cgKqYa3zHoZAWx2aNlozQzX752N-iQb8oC_RGeTmIBvWqBrYBCnibzTYF1C6tozooVrLFg9Ke0QGOg_TZAKCPoUK7mhmlDBsxK6Be5Dm9TDvSK4uTjj/s1600/aussie1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surging heat today at Melbourne. <i>Photo by Ben Solomon/Tennis Australia.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Lots of retirements and upsets today, more for tomorrow? Well, let's see what are the best matches for tomorrow.<br /><br />Full schedule <a href="http://www.ausopen.com/en_AU/scores/schedule/index.html">here.</a><br />
<br />
For Day 3 here the matches you need to watch:<br />
<br />
1. Samantha Stosur v Tsvetana Pironkova<br />
<br />
Australia's darling v Bulgaria's hero. Sam Stosur has never progressed to the fourth round and Pironkova has always lost in the second round here in the AO, so the signs must be in favor for Sam. Not so fast for Sam, in her first match here in Melbourne Tsveta produced clean and efficient tennis and is clearly in form after winning Sydney. But head to head records suggest otherwise, is Sam on her way to Aussie glory? Let's find out.<br />
<br />
2. Lleyton Hewitt/Pat Rafter v Eric Butorac/Raven Klaasen<br />
<br />
Really wishing that Lleyton should've won that 5 set first rounder, but that is not the question. The question is how do you beat a man who has an arena named after himself? 2 slam champions partnering each other for doubles glory, what other feel-good story could be more written?<br />
<br />
3. Jie Zheng v Madison Keys<br />
<br />
The hard hitting American youngster, Madison Keys is up against double slam semi finalist Jie Zheng. Power hitting versus relentless and versatile retrieving. A lovely contrast of tennis, an always lovely tennis to watch.<br />
<br />
4. Treat Huey/Dominic Inglot v Juan Sebastian Cabal/Robert Farah<br />
<br />
For Filipino Fans, compatriot Treat Huey playing with Britain's Dominic Inglot will be us against Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah both from Colombia. The Filipino-British duo is riding from their quarterfinal success at the US Open, and are wanting to replicate that success here in the Down Under.<br />
<br />
5. Na Li v Belinda Bencic and Matthew Ebden v Vasek Pospisil<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Bencic and Pospisil, two upstarts of both tours, are on their way to their first appearance at Rod Laver Arena, tennis's greatest arena in Asia and the Pacific. On their way is Na Li, last year's finalist and Australia's Matthew Ebden. How would they fare? Wouldn't nerves affect them? Or they wouldn't care for an upset or two somewhere. Must see.Phaura Reinzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11037234532656554897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4229873382912399244.post-44807687854177715502014-01-13T16:05:00.001-08:002014-01-13T16:05:18.531-08:00Australian Open 2014: Day 1 SummaryFirst day of the first slam of the year and what a day it was! Thought there are no surprises, but the first day of the Open brought many memorable things to ponder.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBT_uZGHLOqQpIPT2GrDKiGCp18H0JTyQl7KRPB7WYbzNzWDCCibldE81jBB7bVsy3SlsbOg_a3Da58rkcLSagIqPe_nCCfnUsQN56lVtzIrNczrk_BewsYobweKf0U75eO3aYKEtTtuAy/s1600/aussie.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBT_uZGHLOqQpIPT2GrDKiGCp18H0JTyQl7KRPB7WYbzNzWDCCibldE81jBB7bVsy3SlsbOg_a3Da58rkcLSagIqPe_nCCfnUsQN56lVtzIrNczrk_BewsYobweKf0U75eO3aYKEtTtuAy/s640/aussie.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo by Ben Solomon/Tennis Australia.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
1. Winners<br />
<br />
Seeds Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic, Na Li, David Ferrer, Angelique Kerber, Stanislas Wawrinka, Tomas Berdych, and Richard Gasquet registered wins in the first round.<br />
<br />
2. Heartbreakers<br />
<br />
Friends Roberta Vinci and Sara Errani, 7th seed, both lost in the same round. 6th seed Petra Kvitova and Venus Williams, slam champions both lost in 3 heartbreaker sets. Veteran and 12th seeded Tommy Haas retired. Elena Vesnina, seeded 23, also lost today.<br />
<br />
3. Notables<br />
<br />
Youngsters Monica Puig, Genie Bouchard, Madison Keys, and Belinda Bencic will proceed to the second round after registering wins.<br />
<br />
Relatively young players Jerzy Janowicz and Vasek Pospisil won their first round encounters, while Joao Sousa and Pablo Carreno Busta lost theirs.<br />
<br />
Former semifinalist Vera Zvonareva lost to Aussie's Casey Dellacqua. This is her first slam after a long hiatus from injury.<br />
<br />
Retirement count: 3. Alex Bogomolov Jr retired against Fabio Fognini, Tommy Haas against Guillermo Garcia Lopez and Andrey Golubev against Stan Wawrinka.<br />
<br />
A total of 9 bagels were served on Day 1. ONe match was a double bagel (Annika Beck v Petra Martic.)<br />
<br />
<br />Phaura Reinzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11037234532656554897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4229873382912399244.post-41429225821990492032014-01-13T10:17:00.001-08:002014-01-13T10:17:31.931-08:00Fashion Police: Tomas Berdych in H&M, Fab or Drab?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA5sfgjCqmUmlxDSniX8Vvt-RxlSpaa-fMFJzpiwR84hWwk8UEpjyzJp6Hx4L7jKZPHN_spNJXV1bPn1880697YtMXsxBJvg2BgCPH3qDuHXDqHiPMpRHXN-tjoCObtHmIVfOc_0nzvlP-/s1600/tomas.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA5sfgjCqmUmlxDSniX8Vvt-RxlSpaa-fMFJzpiwR84hWwk8UEpjyzJp6Hx4L7jKZPHN_spNJXV1bPn1880697YtMXsxBJvg2BgCPH3qDuHXDqHiPMpRHXN-tjoCObtHmIVfOc_0nzvlP-/s640/tomas.2.jpg" width="418" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't cry for me Birdman. <i>Photo at <a href="https://twitter.com/TBerdychFans/status/422679091041796096">Twitter.</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Everybody is abuzz when Tomas Berdych took on the court for his first round match against Aleksandr Nedovyesov. It's not basically about the tennis, instead everyone is gushing about this outfit. Berdych wore this H&M 2014 Sport Collection separates; the V-Neck shirt in white and blue stripes is complemented by the tennis shorts in red.<br />
<br />
There is a feeling of dilemma for Tomas, whether he'd be heading to a soccer stadium or a tennis arena. But he quickly asserted that, "I'm still tennis player and I'm happy for that." Happy he is, but certainly this makes me unhappy. The red shorts and the blue and white shirt just do not complement each other .The comical shirt makes him play like it's for the Davis Cup, nothing wrong about that, but this is a grand slam, he could've dressed better. H&M could've chosen better outfits for Berdych, these ones are <a href="http://www.tennisidentity.com/tennisidentitycom/2014/01/hm-releases-new-tennis-collection-inspired-by-tomas-berdych-fashion-at-australian-open.html">nice</a> (though the colors might wash out Berdy's pale complexion.)<br />
<br />
Birdman might have dressed to prove a point, okay point well-taken, but still this is a mess.<br /><br />Definitely a drab for me. Tell us what you think.Phaura Reinzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11037234532656554897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4229873382912399244.post-10259889529071637702014-01-13T09:38:00.001-08:002014-01-13T09:38:24.458-08:00Fashion Police: Serena Williams in Nike, Fab or Drab?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI9Y089Z-ybKb1STfzZ4WREV2BfWDzf3rnDM_iCywCzPSAaSinTV-IAD3wJ4S-J0_1KRcj9V83bdvapeCLl9MQVALbFHxRmsE98OJX7Wsc1y2MyH9rv6WRXbUXZ-rHkvm7hFggcYiW7sDB/s1600/serena.4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI9Y089Z-ybKb1STfzZ4WREV2BfWDzf3rnDM_iCywCzPSAaSinTV-IAD3wJ4S-J0_1KRcj9V83bdvapeCLl9MQVALbFHxRmsE98OJX7Wsc1y2MyH9rv6WRXbUXZ-rHkvm7hFggcYiW7sDB/s640/serena.4.jpg" width="444" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Serena feeling the moment. <i>Photo by Matt King/Getty Images AsiaPac</i>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Serena wore this winning Nike Women's Spring 1 Serena OZ Open dress in her opening round against Australia's Ashleigh Barty. This relaxed cut dress really fits her figure very well and is accented by the little perforations on the skirt. The two-toned design of her dress features her favorite red violet/pink silhouette (pictures below) and black color blocking implements.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs1gUrdX2KOCk_piNhD6swfjK2O-kEo9Ug4Etreokx4K2SdhobfgVbotBqoWgogZ1NEE_uI_awOX5-yJafhCr8IOyIXAZb9bv-bpoNwPpmBsKxzOvHUUhcSgOB2J-QPkRMmXApmF5ltxI8/s1600/serena.3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs1gUrdX2KOCk_piNhD6swfjK2O-kEo9Ug4Etreokx4K2SdhobfgVbotBqoWgogZ1NEE_uI_awOX5-yJafhCr8IOyIXAZb9bv-bpoNwPpmBsKxzOvHUUhcSgOB2J-QPkRMmXApmF5ltxI8/s640/serena.3.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back details. <i>Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images AsiaPac.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Truth to be told, I don't like the overall dress. The perforations seem like they are scary strawberry seeds that would be alive in the wee hours of the night. The black and pink color blocking seems forced and is just not working for me. And the skirt could be longer, you don't want to show people what you are hiding from behind. Nike could do better.<br />
<br />
Serena's fondness of the pink/magenta/hot violet color palette dates back to 2001. See how Serena's pink fashion history evolves.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhizturAHlyhiOibi9QQeb8_H3Hg2nxPWQYSxovRlP-OpsV_mCxE-kOY9n2tX2w6-Y2JSq-QdYw1E3jinfNvNVPnPq_HMRR3APlV6xvryl-OhEqRDVFZhLoQqiQtVPWyRRZOvOa3gzNbQsB/s1600/serena.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhizturAHlyhiOibi9QQeb8_H3Hg2nxPWQYSxovRlP-OpsV_mCxE-kOY9n2tX2w6-Y2JSq-QdYw1E3jinfNvNVPnPq_HMRR3APlV6xvryl-OhEqRDVFZhLoQqiQtVPWyRRZOvOa3gzNbQsB/s320/serena.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Australian Open 2001. <i>Photo by Getty Images.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI3xzIBdARbrKwqQI0jgk0bseOZ-ZTHZcFqmwT8M0OOY4TGIIR56LnAe8on28oZsnW8lW_jsPKcNMK28ydFWAy51B-Egey3tIpvqFuO4pljtDX9HO5kmjkNvvaoL8WyK9KRpKij8C1asUp/s1600/serena.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI3xzIBdARbrKwqQI0jgk0bseOZ-ZTHZcFqmwT8M0OOY4TGIIR56LnAe8on28oZsnW8lW_jsPKcNMK28ydFWAy51B-Egey3tIpvqFuO4pljtDX9HO5kmjkNvvaoL8WyK9KRpKij8C1asUp/s320/serena.2.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby doll dress at Roland Garros 2007. <i>Photo by Getty Images Sport.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMU6_R_rwl6L6p_66omfvEcV8_zcIBdvNaKwspOfasSaHmvSiBXXL9BFScsF-dRTQ5FedTPF6fBMyDRD7K4J_TKRQKCxrZPVzG1dxfgJuqhE-YtOboRo2I4CO6e6wK5giT2ElqjESxyLAW/s1600/serena.5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMU6_R_rwl6L6p_66omfvEcV8_zcIBdvNaKwspOfasSaHmvSiBXXL9BFScsF-dRTQ5FedTPF6fBMyDRD7K4J_TKRQKCxrZPVzG1dxfgJuqhE-YtOboRo2I4CO6e6wK5giT2ElqjESxyLAW/s320/serena.5.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White and pink combi, Australian Open 2008. <i>Photo by Getty Images</i>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdt6eyqPSxZjsqZUnkkv7iixDjLLX2r2Giz9HNd6rZWb7ljU_Wdh7eXNePW5Pg-mbMX5E1Q9NwMVu5YACyqFGWHB00ZowNA8sHjD45ImC_SOBM-TTRhn-m4EndVX-p2SsCxeLM9EJggpnh/s1600/serena.1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdt6eyqPSxZjsqZUnkkv7iixDjLLX2r2Giz9HNd6rZWb7ljU_Wdh7eXNePW5Pg-mbMX5E1Q9NwMVu5YACyqFGWHB00ZowNA8sHjD45ImC_SOBM-TTRhn-m4EndVX-p2SsCxeLM9EJggpnh/s320/serena.1.JPG" width="232" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">US Open 2009 Day dress. <i>Photo at <a href="http://tennis.topbuzz.com/tennis-pics/v/serena-williams/Serena+Williams+hits+a+high+two+handed+backhand+at+the+US+Open+2009.JPG.html#.UtV0ndIW1Qa">Tennis Top Buzz</a>.</i><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSayY5ADYPTznxA33sWOjmO9bmEI4BrV491sX-9gPziNYkfua36zIA7iCj7cck2WejfGVDc5fjtPMRJOo3Pp_0Tyul5Wuzj1YdusXy0QIuj0XV8f6XKlm37yqrvyPfVYrp6EOC3QM7_ao/s1600/serena.6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSayY5ADYPTznxA33sWOjmO9bmEI4BrV491sX-9gPziNYkfua36zIA7iCj7cck2WejfGVDc5fjtPMRJOo3Pp_0Tyul5Wuzj1YdusXy0QIuj0XV8f6XKlm37yqrvyPfVYrp6EOC3QM7_ao/s320/serena.6.jpg" width="232" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overjoyed at 2012 Wimbledon. <i>Photo by Reuters.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Tell us what you think.Phaura Reinzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11037234532656554897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4229873382912399244.post-33525847696412288362014-01-13T08:38:00.000-08:002014-01-13T08:38:58.670-08:00Fashion Police: Novak Djokovic in Uniqlo, Fab or Drab? <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp4fLu_7HqpcXXTo068jLTt3zZSwKjo2DWnMIsKpWCIq94YF85Mjp5EPlGVSXARsrqH4KXv518aiRQc41SZe8T-wXtVfe4wkb-ia0bMVcf4f29-ZNbi1vzvnkuguVEyHVv1jQNcRTngocz/s1600/nole.3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp4fLu_7HqpcXXTo068jLTt3zZSwKjo2DWnMIsKpWCIq94YF85Mjp5EPlGVSXARsrqH4KXv518aiRQc41SZe8T-wXtVfe4wkb-ia0bMVcf4f29-ZNbi1vzvnkuguVEyHVv1jQNcRTngocz/s640/nole.3.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images AsiaPac.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Novak Djokovic wore the Novak Djokovic 2014 Australian Open Collection from Uniqlo in his first round match at the Australian Open. This new collection prides itself with the Dry Ex innovation that lets perspiration dry quickly. The polo and the accompanying shorts are colored in grey with some red highlights on the sides. The short sleeved polo is grey based but it is contrasted with black cut out panel that evokes male sophistication. Adidas shoes completes the whole ensemble.<br />
<br />
I love the whole kit, another impressionable work from the design team at Uniqlo. Very gentlemanly because of the masculine colors of black and grey but not less sporty, just what I like from my boys.<br />
<br />
Tell us what you think.Phaura Reinzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11037234532656554897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4229873382912399244.post-40712452120073345402014-01-13T08:03:00.000-08:002014-01-13T08:03:19.509-08:00Fashion Police: Venus Williams in Eleven, Fab or Drab?<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJWoS8iWAzTgZZNPbHn0pdr0mvJWUugouAEU_9J6NxKp0sdkeoAKghhsxzPdx3UQs8mFQpKFbrnjtd08cxnvZjScNV9pqterw_l-rf92KfjbKFTGKudcfsgcUTZc7upZx0xuqetHczO6U/s1600/venus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJWoS8iWAzTgZZNPbHn0pdr0mvJWUugouAEU_9J6NxKp0sdkeoAKghhsxzPdx3UQs8mFQpKFbrnjtd08cxnvZjScNV9pqterw_l-rf92KfjbKFTGKudcfsgcUTZc7upZx0xuqetHczO6U/s640/venus.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo by Darrian Taylor/Getty Images AsiaPac.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Venus did not leave singles for nothing. In her disappointing loss to Ekaterina Makarova, Venus Williams wore her brand Eleven's Approach Shot dress. The simplicity of the cut gives the attention to the ink patterns that envelope the whole dress. Zooming in, the dress features not only dark hues of ink but also include blue ink smudges, a homage to the Australian Open blue courts.<br />
<br />
Honestly, I'm at a fence with this dress, not hating it nor loving it. I guess it is because Venus had set a high standard for what a beautiful dress is. Exhibit A:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9NA4y-8CnK3kcxVDYfLYbOY8IF0bY5uRk5ecMWxVOKyMiRtvGz5kPEyJNZcykzKlkjNn9Te8xk27DqFR4X-13sFQHPNjxr7azCcaRr2BCA1nKfg2WdjPESCuwvLkJC3XIgweeRHlCXHY8/s1600/venus.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9NA4y-8CnK3kcxVDYfLYbOY8IF0bY5uRk5ecMWxVOKyMiRtvGz5kPEyJNZcykzKlkjNn9Te8xk27DqFR4X-13sFQHPNjxr7azCcaRr2BCA1nKfg2WdjPESCuwvLkJC3XIgweeRHlCXHY8/s640/venus.1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images AsiaPac.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Tell us what you think.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Phaura Reinzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11037234532656554897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4229873382912399244.post-89353055302413615062014-01-13T07:27:00.000-08:002014-01-13T07:27:05.083-08:00Australian Open 2014: Day 2 ScheduleThe shakers and movers of Day 1 have made for a colorful start of the Australian Open. Tomorrow it is the women's bottom half and the men's top half turn to take center stage.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvUxpw8rWtcEbBu5WVVSROZRpgmJYrkXRvIuoS2OCdbgDboWfps2-ofE1QIZfc08pe4jQQKFJoWmre8DYWs1s3qzytADUkKvMCktiXo6TQQX6R5m0XcJHrrNc6Orer2SvmlhVI4ZOHBXGW/s1600/grigor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvUxpw8rWtcEbBu5WVVSROZRpgmJYrkXRvIuoS2OCdbgDboWfps2-ofE1QIZfc08pe4jQQKFJoWmre8DYWs1s3qzytADUkKvMCktiXo6TQQX6R5m0XcJHrrNc6Orer2SvmlhVI4ZOHBXGW/s640/grigor.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo by Mae Durigue/Tennis Australia.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Here are my Day 2 top matches to watch:<br />
<br />
1. Rafael Nadal v Bernard Tomic<br />
<br />
They met here in 2011 and fast forward 3 years after, both are to meet in Australia once again. Rafa has reinstituted himself as the king of tennis, and Tomic has a lot to prove that his 'orthodox' tennis is the rear view to the future.<br />
<br />
2. Sloane Stephens v Yaroslava Shvedova<br />
<br />
The American has a lot to defend this tournament and a lot to prove that she can replicate last year's success and on her way is Yaroslava Shvedova. Shvedova, famous for her 'Golden Set', is not a slacker either. This would be a fantastic match of powerful if not aggressive tennis on display.<br />
<br />
3. Andy Murray v Go Saeda<br />
<br />
How will Andy fare in his first Slam match after his surgery? Will the Japanese engineer an upset? How will the Wimbledon champion's back hold up?<br />
<br />
4. Kaia Kanepi v Garbine Muguruza<br />
<br />
For Kaia's talent, it would be a surprise why she hasn't reached the QF of the Aussie Open when on all other slams she reached the quarterfinals and even won an Aussie tune-up event in 2012. And her luck seems conspiring against her as she will be facing the recent Hobart winner and at the same time impressive, Garbine Muguuza.<br />
<br />
5. Nick Kyrgios v Benjamin Becker and Thanasi Kokkinakis v Igor Sijsling<br />
<br />
Put it this way: Australia's future stars v tours veterans.<br />
<br />
6. Maria Sharapova v Bethanie Mattek-Sands<br />
<br />
For the fashion basically. And the tennis too!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Phaura Reinzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11037234532656554897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4229873382912399244.post-48290336280100499532014-01-12T07:59:00.001-08:002014-01-12T08:05:38.480-08:00Australian Open 2014: Day 1 ScheduleDay 1 Schedule. The top half of the women's draw and the bottom half of the men's draw take charge on the first day of 2014 Australian Open.<br />
<br />
Full schedule can be found <a href="http://www.ausopen.com/en_AU/scores/schedule/index.html">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcIG-cAq590BOV_-wASdclUiRG3HUyUD_A5hFdmHtziD8dF62zMzFt8REMZNT9WXrGvPytmWVpew0cpWf4DdsOr8r0gp0mWyjwrkqf51QGW1P7cGC3df-XwNr4_eQfKOv9jcGg2AznOyhD/s1600/nole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcIG-cAq590BOV_-wASdclUiRG3HUyUD_A5hFdmHtziD8dF62zMzFt8REMZNT9WXrGvPytmWVpew0cpWf4DdsOr8r0gp0mWyjwrkqf51QGW1P7cGC3df-XwNr4_eQfKOv9jcGg2AznOyhD/s1600/nole.jpg" height="305" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love you! And you too! <i>Photo by Ben Solomon/Tennis Australia.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The first rounds are exciting for two reasons: (1) how lower ranked players play into fold and possibly upset seeded players, and (2) to see and gauge how our favorite top players are in form and ready. Here are my top matches to see:<br />
<br />
1. Li Na v Ana Konjuh.<br />
<br />
So much has been said about Konjuh, a powerful hitter of the ball straight from junior success, question is how well she fair with former Roland Garros champ, Li Na?<br />
<br />
2. Vasek Pospisil v Samuel Groth<br />
<br />
As the men's tour is practically less favorable a place for youngsters to thrive compared to the women's tour, Vasek is one amongst the many youngsters seeking to make splashes at the Open. He'll be out against Australia's Sam Groth.<br />
<br />
3. Venus Williams v Ekaterina Makarova<br />
<br />
Makarova enjoys playing Melbourne as evidenced by her two consecutive quarterfinal showing here. Venus on the other hand, is proving she still has it at 33. More, I want to see how Vee's new AO dress will look like.<br />
<br />
4-5. Novak Djokovic v Lukas Lacko and Serena Williams v Ashleigh Barty<br />
<br />
Overwhelming picks to win both titles at the end of the fortnight, how will they fair in the first round? Rust? Playing into form? Would they be giving beating downs on helpless opponents as signs of what will come in the next round? Or the opposite. This is interesting.<br />
<br />
Full swing tomorrow. Full sleep today.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Phaura Reinzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11037234532656554897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4229873382912399244.post-25488477237315064232014-01-12T06:29:00.000-08:002014-01-12T07:01:08.650-08:00Australian Open 2014: The Men's Draw Puzzle Almost 10 years since 2006, only three men have hoisted the Norman Brooks Challenge Cup. Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal form the triumvirate that the other 125 players in the men's draw seek to dismantle and to dislodge from their great Australian parthenon. This year's Australian Open men's singles event features 3 former and/or current champions, 4 former and/or current finalists, and a hundred more players wanting to carve their name in the Australian Open and of tennis histories.<br />
<br />
The seeding system of the Open have followed the ATP rankings of January 6, 2014 therefore the top four seeds are: (1) Rafael Nadal, (2) Novak Djokovic, (3) David Ferrer, and (4) Andy Murray. The top half features Rafa and Andy's quarters, while the bottom half features the quarters of Nole and Ferru.<br />
<br />
Top Half.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoG7VoFF7obVLVG4zAl3vaF4VJgMKep9nJm0vxyVsi0RTnkkPs2JMdNT9Bbb2ZST8bkEkQHyBFu1hDu3qXRs2o_IKImIK5uiZb6IhvUU9ZVitBvC2MLJqDywhu71rPR8is712S5C0XKGFa/s1600/mensdraw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoG7VoFF7obVLVG4zAl3vaF4VJgMKep9nJm0vxyVsi0RTnkkPs2JMdNT9Bbb2ZST8bkEkQHyBFu1hDu3qXRs2o_IKImIK5uiZb6IhvUU9ZVitBvC2MLJqDywhu71rPR8is712S5C0XKGFa/s1600/mensdraw.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
1. Rafa's Quarter.<br />
<br />
Rafael Nadal, who is seeking his second Australian Open and his 14th grand slam title, opens with Bernard Tomic, whom he defeated at the Open 2 years ago in straight sets. Tomic might front a steady opposition and is a more experienced player than in 2011, but Rafa is playing purposely in his last tournament and is looking good, any chances of an upset is minimal, even null. He would proceed with the youngster Thanasi Kokkinakis and might face his contemporary Gael Monfils, whom he beat in Doha 2 weeks ago. His possible fourth round encounter might come in the persons of Lleyton Hewitt (finalist in 2005), or Kei Nishikori (this week's Kooyong's winner.) Between Lleyton and Kei, the Australian would be more likely to come through as his 4th round opponent. LL always play better in Australia and has won Brisbane recently, if that is an indicator he might trouble Nadal a bit, but Rafa will probably out smart and withstand LL's grueling tennis. His quarterfinals would be tasty anyway possible, he would be up against any of these players: Milos Raonic, Grigor Dimitrov, Benoit Paire or Juan Martin del Potro. Among the four, del Potro has the more stellar career and has the best chance of spoiling Rafa's semifinal dreams.<br />
<br />
Verdict: Rafa might summon all his strengths as Lleyton and Juan Martin makes his draw practically dangerous. Tired but fighting Rafa to the semis.<br />
Quarter Busters: Lleyton Hewiit, Yen Hsun-Lu<br />
Upset Alert: Andreas Seppi, Benoit Paire<br />
<br />
2. Andy's Quarter<br />
<br />
This may be Andy's quarter but the four-time winner of this event Roger Federer also resides and is prepared to strike for his fifth Aussie slam. Andy and Roger is expected to face each other on the quarterfinal, a repeat of their enthralling semifinal here last year.<br />
<br />
This year's AO is Andy's first grand slam after recovering from surgery to repair his injured back, he will be facing Go Saeda in the first round, (probably) the American Wayne Odesnik in the second, and (possibly) mom Judy's heartthrob Feliciano Lopez in the third round. For his fourth round match-up he could meet Philipp Kohlschreiber or John Isner, who recently won Auckland this weekend. For Roger, sadly the tennis gods have made his draw wicked and just affirmed they hated him this year at Australia. He starts with the Australian James Duckworth, he could proceed with Kvitova's flame Radek Stepanek, and for the third round, he could meet again his Wimbledon conqueror Sergey Stakhovsky or former AO semifinalist Fernando Verdasco. Tough road for Roger indeed. His cranky path into meeting Andy is proven crankier as his fourth round encounter might be against any of the following: his persistent slam nemesis Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the always dangerous Thomaz Bellucci, former semifinalist Marin Cilic or the agile, no Gilles Simon. Murray and Federer match up no.19 may not unfold if Tsonga spoils the fun.<br />
<br />
Verdict: There is a great probability that Jo-Willy might solve his AO losses to Federer and win. But Andy is a tough ask. Tough ask, yes, beatable yes. So Tsonga come to spoil the fun.<br />
Quarter Busters: Marin Cilic, Michael Llodra, Thomaz Bellucci, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (!)<br />
Upset Alert: Roger Federer, Feliciano Lopez, Andy Murray<br />
<br />
Bottom Half.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMgnqcps6kbbkeU1pFfdOIiwEoIL0BtdPqAg2cMk0cjZpE49MBkUAFb9uonxTD7bDTI-IyC4j_zdxzuepVvF2Y-bHfO8OeFGHJfSOxJVq3xo3pUzSbeV0aUo9aG0q796MgeF2AnVN_wHZP/s1600/mensdraw2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMgnqcps6kbbkeU1pFfdOIiwEoIL0BtdPqAg2cMk0cjZpE49MBkUAFb9uonxTD7bDTI-IyC4j_zdxzuepVvF2Y-bHfO8OeFGHJfSOxJVq3xo3pUzSbeV0aUo9aG0q796MgeF2AnVN_wHZP/s1600/mensdraw2.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
3. Ferrer's quarter.<br />
<br />
As more of the big names are in the top half, the Spaniard's quarter features marquee players as Tomas Berdych, Kevin Anderson, Tommy Haas, Jerzy Janowicz and Mikhail Youzhny. He'll open with world no. 74 Alejandro Gonzales, then he'll face Adrian Mannarino in the second round. In the third round, he will be tried and tested with the French Jeremy Chardy, who last year reached the quarterfinals and who always give Ferrer problems in the past. It will be a tough fourth round for Ferru as he will face former quarterfinalist, Mikhail Youzhny.<br />
<br />
On the other side of the quarter is Tomas Berdych who clearly loves playing Australia as he has never lost before the quarterfinals since 2011. He may be troubled before the quarterfinals by Ivo Karlovic (might upset him), Kevin Anderson (this will be their 3rd straight time facing at the Aussie Open) and by the resurgent veteran Tommy Haas.<br />
<br />
Verdict: A strong and determined Berdych may have hopes of reaching the semi finals, but David Ferrer will be just too consistent, too stable and too strong for him in the end.<br />
Quarter Busters: Dr. Ivo, Guillermo Garcia-Lopez<br />
Upset Alert: Tomas Berdych<br />
<br />
4. Nole's quarter.<br />
<br />
The four-time champion is blessed with a rather relatively easy draw. He is drawn opposite to Stanislas Wawrinka for the quarterfinal round. He'll start his campaign with journeyman Lukas Lacko, for his second round it will be the veteran Albert Montanes and for the third round it will be 2006 finalist Marcos Baghdatis. The fourth round it will be either Ernest 'Novak has changed' Gulbis or the Italiano guapito Fabio Fognini. For his quarterfinal match, it will be decided by a would-be fantabulous match between Richard Gasquet and Stanislas Wawrinka.<br />
<br />
Verdict: Nole to win in a third straight slam encounter with Stan (after last year's AO and US Open.) in 5 sets of stunning display of tennis.<br />
Quarter Busters: Marcos Baghdatis, Vasek Pospisil, Nikolay Davydenko<br />
Upset Alert: Dmitry Tursunov, Fabio Fognini<br />
<br />
Semi Finals.<br />
<br />
1. Rafa v Jo-Willy<br />
<br />
In Jo-Willy's fairy tale run to the finals in 2008, he has beaten 3 of today's top ten players, one of them was the then world no. 2 Rafael Nadal. Fast forward to 2014, six years after, each will be seeing a familiar face in the opposite court in the same round. Tsonga is no longer a hero from a fairy tail story, instead he is a legitimate contender for the slam title he almost won. And Rafa is no longer just a King of Clay, his dominion does not only cover dirt but now also the continental hard courts of America and Australasia. Intensity are both present in these two fighters and gentle crusaders of the tour. Power are almost even. This would be decided by who has more confidence, better match strength and tougher drive.<br />
<br />
Verdict: Rafa.<br />
<br />
2. Nole v David.<br />
<br />
A repeat of last year's semifinal. And a repeat of last year's winner? Probably yes. Ferru's last win over Nole was in 2011, and Nole has won their 3 semifinal or better encounter in both slams and regular tour events. More so Nole is just extra motivated to start his year right and to reclaim the lost top spot to rival Rafa.<br />
<br />
Nole can't just let Ferrer to take over and control the match. His sights, though unfair, is on the finals and on the titles. His falcon eyes are not directed into any other things, much more losing. Nole can't afford to lose at the semi finals, the finals, not even a question.<br />
<br />
Verdict: Nole.<br />
<br />
Final.<br />
<br />
Rafa v Nole.<br />
<br />
World no.1 v World no.2. A repeat of their both glorious, as it showcased tennis only the both of them are capable, and infamous, as it verges on health menacing, outrageous toll to the body tennis, final 2 years ago. Rafa's mission lingers on becoming one of the great, greats of the game, while Nole's primary campaign is to regain the throne usurped by his main contender, the very man he is facing in the final. The winner would be the more decisive, the smarter of the two, the more physically fit and prepared, and of course, the more determined, the more spirited. The winner would prove a point that he is not just second fiddle. The winner would prove that he too belongs in the higher echelons of tennis greatness and history. It would be another great show for tennis. Hoping they'd not be killing the end.<br />
<br />
Verdict: Nole.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Phaura Reinzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11037234532656554897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4229873382912399244.post-79679593067746654742014-01-11T20:21:00.003-08:002014-01-11T20:21:44.458-08:00Del Potro, Pironkova, Muguruza, Isner, Nishikori Win Titles Ahead of the Open<div>
Just one day into the Australian Open and Del Potro, Pironkova, Isner, Muguruza and Nishikori have the best possible starts going into the Open.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5j-_hr88aicTIvYPtkIPgKdGBSKa6_gs4Remim3tWqnVpem5_8lN6pPuEQWgsvTLikaR756gTNMJm_uhBvGQrpeUTw4xovJOCMm-z3IfZKz9D8jYCkzYRnWppOo8khAAcBYS-ERwX03dp/s1600/jmdp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5j-_hr88aicTIvYPtkIPgKdGBSKa6_gs4Remim3tWqnVpem5_8lN6pPuEQWgsvTLikaR756gTNMJm_uhBvGQrpeUTw4xovJOCMm-z3IfZKz9D8jYCkzYRnWppOo8khAAcBYS-ERwX03dp/s1600/jmdp.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tower of Tandil conquers Sydney. <i>Photo by Brendan Thorne/Getty Images AsiaPac.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Juan Martin del Potro won his first Sydney title after defeating homegrown and defending champ Bernard Tomic in 6-3, 6-1. This is Del Potro's 18th career title. This win catapults him to a good start and seek better results at the Australian Open where he has not reached the semi final after seven attempts.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYndRzItA3D6Riu9rV9Wg9H2qHeN5iSfQLVWLoAq5sq71TS1zYGQG4oq0kCSwMnZVos2vpO-51UbN1N0lv-jZ7ltZpM_daBnUpAzs0-xb36pTLtXQp8kRuEHaEXbuIa4sBp8bPek00xf9k/s1600/pironkova.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYndRzItA3D6Riu9rV9Wg9H2qHeN5iSfQLVWLoAq5sq71TS1zYGQG4oq0kCSwMnZVos2vpO-51UbN1N0lv-jZ7ltZpM_daBnUpAzs0-xb36pTLtXQp8kRuEHaEXbuIa4sBp8bPek00xf9k/s1600/pironkova.jpg" height="204" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tsveta's dream come true run at Sydney. <i>Photo by Getty Images AsiaPac.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Dubbing her as an interesting case, Tsvetana Pironkova won her first ever WTA title at Sydney. This is her first WTA final and this week is her first semi final win (over Kvitova) at regular tour events. Her win against Angelique Kerber, 6-4, 6-4, makes her the first qualifier to win a WTA final since 2010.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwKI0mDxrVNvubSfzB4X5soUpwlEUHVF6z9f5akfYLJNAHf1tlF6SXeZfLc2mhll__KdfNmNPYIB_2dbRP4_yE7JHdUU2JpsqqX5NwpaCDG6thqkYzT1ZTRW8v1lzMWla9SQFsy-j2-cx/s1600/isner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwKI0mDxrVNvubSfzB4X5soUpwlEUHVF6z9f5akfYLJNAHf1tlF6SXeZfLc2mhll__KdfNmNPYIB_2dbRP4_yE7JHdUU2JpsqqX5NwpaCDG6thqkYzT1ZTRW8v1lzMWla9SQFsy-j2-cx/s1600/isner.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That cute smile by the Tree. <i>Photo by Anthony Yu-Yeung/Getty Images AsiaPac.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
John Isner just loves New Zealand, doesn't he? He won his second Auckland trophy after beating Taiwan's Lu Yen-Hsun, 7-6(4), 7-6(7). Lu Yen-Hsun is seeking for his 1st career title but was upended by the American. This is Isner's 8th career title.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5WCWgcgRjRZikmIQaSrfO5xobhRetBzmIK4lreWX7cjFODQtzEgRREp701cctnfzF7RsWqpmiFCHyESrui0ORVM4B2U_lJZawTla3xrp5UhB6IhxQBY7ayzFP9wiDmDnH89aPoApltO-D/s1600/muguruza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5WCWgcgRjRZikmIQaSrfO5xobhRetBzmIK4lreWX7cjFODQtzEgRREp701cctnfzF7RsWqpmiFCHyESrui0ORVM4B2U_lJZawTla3xrp5UhB6IhxQBY7ayzFP9wiDmDnH89aPoApltO-D/s1600/muguruza.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Muguruza's second title at Hobart after winning doubles here last year. Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images AsiaPac.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Garbiñe Muguruza became the second qualifier, after Pironkova, to win a WTA title since 2010. She won Hobart International against Klara Zakopalova, 6-4, 6-0. This is her first final and her first title from the tour. This win puts her highest career ranking at 38. <div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk-cEIc_QKymJm8lTRzJbZ3pJsLnbB0GEA56nWMWmIuIIr0nUUkbRGvWJxvK_zrkvVl-6zWdLPrOrmdYJ8hd_fBNdqOcz0g5oVII7lGlVqUZ9aZ8phn5uLrzXtf9KUyyppOu_99OXY0Anx/s1600/kei.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk-cEIc_QKymJm8lTRzJbZ3pJsLnbB0GEA56nWMWmIuIIr0nUUkbRGvWJxvK_zrkvVl-6zWdLPrOrmdYJ8hd_fBNdqOcz0g5oVII7lGlVqUZ9aZ8phn5uLrzXtf9KUyyppOu_99OXY0Anx/s1600/kei.jpg" height="320" width="270" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kei with his slam champ coach, Michael Chang. <i>Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images AsiaPac.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Kei Nishikori won the 25th edition of the exhibition tournament AAMI Classic at Kooyong, Melbourne. He replaced Richard Gasquet in the finals after Gasquet cited fatigue before facing Tomas Berdych. Kei won 6-4, 7-5 over Berdych who in the semi final round have ironically won against Nishikori, 6-4, 6-1. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
All the best at Melbourne everyone! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /><br />
</div>
Phaura Reinzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11037234532656554897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4229873382912399244.post-11968745292252647272014-01-10T21:01:00.001-08:002014-01-10T21:05:30.534-08:00Australian Open: Tennis Stars Fun Time at the Kids Tennis Day 2014<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMgRu1FNOW8OLgrA7a8PTE129zSpA5gPnCWWoJpI-pIXukMN7HJ8o9KBoU_ddiRdDtEAgpGXGDQNp0Cj-s3vcd6JHJI-plHQZ7p5aMKy34xQChhR5x-kJu8gGkIfQFwgiJ4pQXUsmJfko4/s1600/kidsday17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMgRu1FNOW8OLgrA7a8PTE129zSpA5gPnCWWoJpI-pIXukMN7HJ8o9KBoU_ddiRdDtEAgpGXGDQNp0Cj-s3vcd6JHJI-plHQZ7p5aMKy34xQChhR5x-kJu8gGkIfQFwgiJ4pQXUsmJfko4/s1600/kidsday17.jpg" height="316" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wonderful cast with Nick's kids plus tennis stars at the 2014 Kids Tennis Day. <i>Photo by Ben Solomon/Tennis Australia.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmp8HnsBijNl_BDGvV3dMDpPLSxtaMzA7wWbhTHVbfi8olvuDECFteI2IoBzWOGMVhmx5-0N_xr-SCWEQS44BFbNXQbIOf-vpppva2sQkOov4iwdIJhdYxTjc-9GfnUaiuU_W-5XhDnQpF/s1600/kidsday.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmp8HnsBijNl_BDGvV3dMDpPLSxtaMzA7wWbhTHVbfi8olvuDECFteI2IoBzWOGMVhmx5-0N_xr-SCWEQS44BFbNXQbIOf-vpppva2sQkOov4iwdIJhdYxTjc-9GfnUaiuU_W-5XhDnQpF/s1600/kidsday.2.jpg" height="328" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sam with her new mutant admirers! <i>Photo by Ben Solomon/Tennis Australia.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It is Kids Tennis Day today at Melbourne Park and a lot of tennis stars graced the event and more. Pat Rafter, Victoria Azarenka, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Sam Stosur, Eugenie Bouchard, and Lleyton Hewitt are on hand making the event more fun for the kids. Dora, Diego, Spongebob, Patrick and the four Teenage Mutant Turtles completes the cast of this year's Kids Day at the Rod Laver Arena.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz3-8IYdYuFqMWOH4iA4lXLSIGqTF8ba_w9xPza6NLe3YFPg2RxRsILGeIOxG91NB9XoL9BcdaPdw7qy7jGFrpo7ZDE357j8gumbidQGnuvUI4R76LAqY4jLeJFj2s3pQPwAcj4H4qyG7G/s1600/kidsday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz3-8IYdYuFqMWOH4iA4lXLSIGqTF8ba_w9xPza6NLe3YFPg2RxRsILGeIOxG91NB9XoL9BcdaPdw7qy7jGFrpo7ZDE357j8gumbidQGnuvUI4R76LAqY4jLeJFj2s3pQPwAcj4H4qyG7G/s1600/kidsday.jpg" height="392" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rafa, Vika, Rog, Sam, Eugenie and Lleyton. <i>Photo by Ben Solomon/Tennis Australia.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3IZvw3xhoL29zaCI5vI1SP2clJLpcG_-8y2BdAwDM-G3sVlgbJ7TO6KCz8p3XV5jfJe6pEMrbQ9CqdS8IVQf-h4VVUiONeTW8tOjFiQLs46lGEyPeHerGEVFHFly9jmkNXH2XsakhETT/s1600/kidsday3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3IZvw3xhoL29zaCI5vI1SP2clJLpcG_-8y2BdAwDM-G3sVlgbJ7TO6KCz8p3XV5jfJe6pEMrbQ9CqdS8IVQf-h4VVUiONeTW8tOjFiQLs46lGEyPeHerGEVFHFly9jmkNXH2XsakhETT/s1600/kidsday3.jpg" height="318" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rafa is all fun today. <i>Photo by Ben Solomon/Tennis Australia.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLTDUg_ndp2UoFypLopgMXam8QNgAKoiiJExlAC0Zoi9wu2iIu0SI5pgPbIF4_SeEuKW03PAZE7t2YeadAo03PcsWAT4tb0ragmWUqv0BqN3npH8VEq5SX-QTRtaxavICN968Az7ZKu0DC/s1600/kidsday4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLTDUg_ndp2UoFypLopgMXam8QNgAKoiiJExlAC0Zoi9wu2iIu0SI5pgPbIF4_SeEuKW03PAZE7t2YeadAo03PcsWAT4tb0ragmWUqv0BqN3npH8VEq5SX-QTRtaxavICN968Az7ZKu0DC/s1600/kidsday4.jpg" height="328" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rafa: "My Rafael is with an 'F'. Yours?" <i>Photo by Ben Solomon/Tennis Australia</i>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbYIzy3TJnibP3MOHl0H9z-BuNqFMMvELm4NbC6iu1E1Gq08EUgETYtRwUTPTq1pPRGAm1tG0yDRTtaDQQPfmFqh09xE-ge5ScxII51NBtoDdFM65NYSuyQnhV-qF6ec2OMWHk-_qLugLq/s1600/kidsday5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbYIzy3TJnibP3MOHl0H9z-BuNqFMMvELm4NbC6iu1E1Gq08EUgETYtRwUTPTq1pPRGAm1tG0yDRTtaDQQPfmFqh09xE-ge5ScxII51NBtoDdFM65NYSuyQnhV-qF6ec2OMWHk-_qLugLq/s1600/kidsday5.jpg" height="324" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roger: 'Vika, this is how to do ballet tennis.' <i>Photo by Ben Solomon/Tennis Australia.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjCwXaHMHEbY-TquslYkHf_Ojk3ljZp177B3FT4QIlvqnGJbR351RhDLkAmIC2G2SUN579AO5_12MXadJRlzSCJ45WGBQjaBRpb8aoExZvGeRg6WC8IGY9DTmg36jDsJsJ6u-dO7ZeuiKg/s1600/kidsday6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjCwXaHMHEbY-TquslYkHf_Ojk3ljZp177B3FT4QIlvqnGJbR351RhDLkAmIC2G2SUN579AO5_12MXadJRlzSCJ45WGBQjaBRpb8aoExZvGeRg6WC8IGY9DTmg36jDsJsJ6u-dO7ZeuiKg/s1600/kidsday6.jpg" height="314" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spongebob and Patrick! Where's the plankton? <i>Photo by Ben Solomon/Tennis Australia.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggA9ecRxytYqeWJJqWDknDcMcWhOvXh4jXsBo1D67pL7-zb85bqY58novYCdAWkioiMInnY4f3BSzEwFhwCn_Sd9hUxID_by-yc-uK6JQrdpiqQAwuC4qXiPm2QAEHnPuWjbAB-iqWwqBs/s1600/kidsday9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggA9ecRxytYqeWJJqWDknDcMcWhOvXh4jXsBo1D67pL7-zb85bqY58novYCdAWkioiMInnY4f3BSzEwFhwCn_Sd9hUxID_by-yc-uK6JQrdpiqQAwuC4qXiPm2QAEHnPuWjbAB-iqWwqBs/s1600/kidsday9.jpg" height="322" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They worship him and at the same time used him for washing plates. Great! <i>Photo by Ben Solomon/Tennis Australia.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLgSu0vYr544UCdqeSU7_KVbn8o1VoVeHKvOZsT31N3SYsh3MUCRXsH8X1j3b6lkpgsEIhhnLzhmJPacRo4z4k-1__VFNELu2ZFu7HdQAoa_HrFXSybBDFO4dHT98biuNy-b8WO9R8vw0b/s1600/kidsday11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLgSu0vYr544UCdqeSU7_KVbn8o1VoVeHKvOZsT31N3SYsh3MUCRXsH8X1j3b6lkpgsEIhhnLzhmJPacRo4z4k-1__VFNELu2ZFu7HdQAoa_HrFXSybBDFO4dHT98biuNy-b8WO9R8vw0b/s1600/kidsday11.jpg" height="310" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wilson's new unforced error proof racquet. <i>Photo by Ben Solomon/Tennis Australia.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBcWvUTLgLQl21mTD0Wfwzj-MkobsgBqnz9hV2YmcFZZhyphenhyphenMO-QxNkfdk9nj6J7ohm_R-LrDE283MDi_StK_XDBsbTwCrQ2HjFU6Cw9O-eolLIgoVp9Bc5fky3-U70U3aYNnwZeAPJcNTZ2/s1600/kidsday13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBcWvUTLgLQl21mTD0Wfwzj-MkobsgBqnz9hV2YmcFZZhyphenhyphenMO-QxNkfdk9nj6J7ohm_R-LrDE283MDi_StK_XDBsbTwCrQ2HjFU6Cw9O-eolLIgoVp9Bc5fky3-U70U3aYNnwZeAPJcNTZ2/s1600/kidsday13.jpg" height="478" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nick's prayer circle. <i>Photo by Australian Open Twitter.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdPmai-SZUQcjDAb2nL9ULlmeoCrqe-YQ0UnGH_huR-MhXcT-kEC5M6pscAnIfkA7lJMwnLwarb_y9z2mKEgJroxbStFd4AS3WpiPu-kJRQ9q4EXCJYCfLywHZItKquZvLLZIidXfw3aWm/s1600/kidsday10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdPmai-SZUQcjDAb2nL9ULlmeoCrqe-YQ0UnGH_huR-MhXcT-kEC5M6pscAnIfkA7lJMwnLwarb_y9z2mKEgJroxbStFd4AS3WpiPu-kJRQ9q4EXCJYCfLywHZItKquZvLLZIidXfw3aWm/s1600/kidsday10.jpg" height="310" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I know it. It's because of the 'vamonos' and 'everybody lets go.' <i>Photo by Ben Solomon/Tennis Australia.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxscQmHuYzGRBsh6k4zWe0vWyUPLS8YA79UYOA6Z0XMvK9uJp0sM8_zdhxZpeb22An6iqtzu40EOCtSN_kD7-qGZjC35flRfSEkN66Yroi14KzwyE6R61Xx6on35u5FFxKxTjGlSCc62G/s1600/kidsday12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxscQmHuYzGRBsh6k4zWe0vWyUPLS8YA79UYOA6Z0XMvK9uJp0sM8_zdhxZpeb22An6iqtzu40EOCtSN_kD7-qGZjC35flRfSEkN66Yroi14KzwyE6R61Xx6on35u5FFxKxTjGlSCc62G/s1600/kidsday12.jpg" height="446" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spongebob: 'I take everything on the right you take care of the left.' <i>Photo by Ben Solomon/Tennis Australia.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In the outside courts, Alicia Molik, Henri Leconte, Mansour Bahrami are joined by Spongee-bob and Patrick for more fun and games for the kids and the whole family.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-4ayv0oJkW0W71zPJ7nC3vV5os1WnfTW7t2-RJIoz4J7jHpHql9Zhg4EkVVsoh42fIfQPcKkGz7mobPywqGH-AJLDCLGWYl6ea5lsmH0l7FuI6ehjxiW2npLTtviHNKfxTujJwy3eTjD/s1600/kidsday14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-4ayv0oJkW0W71zPJ7nC3vV5os1WnfTW7t2-RJIoz4J7jHpHql9Zhg4EkVVsoh42fIfQPcKkGz7mobPywqGH-AJLDCLGWYl6ea5lsmH0l7FuI6ehjxiW2npLTtviHNKfxTujJwy3eTjD/s1600/kidsday14.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alicia Molik and her new friends. <i>Photo at Australian Open Twitter. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfg242J_OGxrLEG7lTzX_vy2kDaeZSHxg74lozuTfaFL2pwluO_QpWgQTi1BkHP0UAADZPikYaxD-Zxb20bFslRb7lWmJhn6cPnoQrtIO8mHsn3PvEfkoKuQ-XVsuz7PMndYtK-IXlBTwj/s1600/kidsday8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfg242J_OGxrLEG7lTzX_vy2kDaeZSHxg74lozuTfaFL2pwluO_QpWgQTi1BkHP0UAADZPikYaxD-Zxb20bFslRb7lWmJhn6cPnoQrtIO8mHsn3PvEfkoKuQ-XVsuz7PMndYtK-IXlBTwj/s1600/kidsday8.jpg" height="336" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love spongebob! <i>Photo by Ben Solomon/Tennis Australia.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkxcEoUWYqv8D5K5zTdxLWWTrtGKbGyfpDQ59-cjvB9h6c85mK8HTdY6j0Ef5YTNcIvsK2NU2sP7hi0qhE4v64jkfYw1BBA9Q8oghFDbVV0DKsmVma4PK736fJMJzll1k24KmlfP8Gz_Y1/s1600/kidsday7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkxcEoUWYqv8D5K5zTdxLWWTrtGKbGyfpDQ59-cjvB9h6c85mK8HTdY6j0Ef5YTNcIvsK2NU2sP7hi0qhE4v64jkfYw1BBA9Q8oghFDbVV0DKsmVma4PK736fJMJzll1k24KmlfP8Gz_Y1/s1600/kidsday7.jpg" height="318" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I want that big mushy, plushy, cuddly sponge too! <i>Photo by Fiona Hamilton/Tennis Australia.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZLmZSNTuGJRcTgVyUemEbjPD2NcXq4dnqfozsl4CDCXAj6uRUUc9gu_v_IibiajZPv2p-hFd336p1T-KptNGbuALkliDDfLORAjOWhbRKYY71tJyeR2ECU9mXBa9C9q6iUQjv270y8ouj/s1600/kidsday15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZLmZSNTuGJRcTgVyUemEbjPD2NcXq4dnqfozsl4CDCXAj6uRUUc9gu_v_IibiajZPv2p-hFd336p1T-KptNGbuALkliDDfLORAjOWhbRKYY71tJyeR2ECU9mXBa9C9q6iUQjv270y8ouj/s1600/kidsday15.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spongebob, Patrick, Henri Leconte, Monsour Bahrami are joined by Billy Slater, Luke Ryan and Wyatt Nixon-Lloyd. <i> Photo at Australian Open Twitter.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAwXasfNv2lGfAjPiRSQYZ0dF77LrqIBMUaiJbzX54u4n5r9ZLJPYl_2hT-18jp8dvnwtXneYm3b6qiXErCLsS-9ioFTrZ6aiHg-179uoa4FbUWNmpkykJ7c1U_qCLkoNWRIJ-LvFKEPa6/s1600/kidsday16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAwXasfNv2lGfAjPiRSQYZ0dF77LrqIBMUaiJbzX54u4n5r9ZLJPYl_2hT-18jp8dvnwtXneYm3b6qiXErCLsS-9ioFTrZ6aiHg-179uoa4FbUWNmpkykJ7c1U_qCLkoNWRIJ-LvFKEPa6/s1600/kidsday16.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goofing around! <i>Photo at Australian Open Twitter.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Phaura Reinzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11037234532656554897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4229873382912399244.post-60715664360757313572014-01-10T19:30:00.001-08:002014-01-10T19:30:30.105-08:00Australian Open 2014: Nole and Vika at the Draw Ceremony<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxHohOi_n54cOSC1EfcIjevT16WhlU2oTMKvOPQqPL6V5HE527bdBy0aycCLYW18ZgRdDRqIt3WQf6yOSdVO6qUGuSVrA6vs8wDrm4UnCDzxiW7za0ULkciZyZ42-wKfVxmb4PqVHugrzA/s1600/vika.nole.1.jpg" height="316" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nole and Vika looking great together at the draw ceremony. <i>Photo by Fiona Hamilton.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxHohOi_n54cOSC1EfcIjevT16WhlU2oTMKvOPQqPL6V5HE527bdBy0aycCLYW18ZgRdDRqIt3WQf6yOSdVO6qUGuSVrA6vs8wDrm4UnCDzxiW7za0ULkciZyZ42-wKfVxmb4PqVHugrzA/s1600/vika.nole.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
It has been a tradition at the Australian Open that the previous year's champions helps out the draw ceremony of the current year. This year 2013 champs Novak Djokovic and Victoria Azarenka are on hand at the draw ceremony.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5VLARwEapKWzzD55ynmIxrj7GuKtRDdz_A5HbPns4mlmIR959p22_vRWPl6YisNRL1tYFaNDjVRTNHWmhdRYNzrol56ufqw1tiQCJwOilE-w61Gq0qexigEFAtbWasFOjZQykm5Ow7q5H/s1600/vika.nole.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5VLARwEapKWzzD55ynmIxrj7GuKtRDdz_A5HbPns4mlmIR959p22_vRWPl6YisNRL1tYFaNDjVRTNHWmhdRYNzrol56ufqw1tiQCJwOilE-w61Gq0qexigEFAtbWasFOjZQykm5Ow7q5H/s1600/vika.nole.2.jpg" height="316" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo by Ben Solomon/Tennis Australia.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgfQE9OGWIz7sfYuoPAertDuD-fDlOvpOJx4zYKpkTARgIUfTaubwPMQ8cfl4TGmayPLeLu838Jy-n2cmEy9Cdh17_HjZE6cPK7d6n4CXBhRP5XFyGXQaKZPIcWPe1JSenOWw77B82z0ZN/s1600/vika.nole.3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgfQE9OGWIz7sfYuoPAertDuD-fDlOvpOJx4zYKpkTARgIUfTaubwPMQ8cfl4TGmayPLeLu838Jy-n2cmEy9Cdh17_HjZE6cPK7d6n4CXBhRP5XFyGXQaKZPIcWPe1JSenOWw77B82z0ZN/s1600/vika.nole.3.jpg" height="324" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love that they do whites together. <i>Photo by Jason Lockett/Tennis Australia.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpyVN7L58ehWSvRmGtLpReTxLw-7WGIKjJcIf6LZjnfIsBQLw9NwEoNbfpTvxX7a_lymQWHQ8NDKBNBua-BRvFUOCvLozh5KIZvg-Oq_gbK1fmIlwvrpzlJ2fbMhcGOP96hb8ZFdQi3GaA/s1600/vika.nole.4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpyVN7L58ehWSvRmGtLpReTxLw-7WGIKjJcIf6LZjnfIsBQLw9NwEoNbfpTvxX7a_lymQWHQ8NDKBNBua-BRvFUOCvLozh5KIZvg-Oq_gbK1fmIlwvrpzlJ2fbMhcGOP96hb8ZFdQi3GaA/s1600/vika.nole.4.jpg" height="326" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nole showcasing his new endorsement, Seiko watch. <i>Photo by Ben Solomon/Tennis Australia.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzUSq1fzORid7jpeLvvx7yhSZGR_6WpNEF9AthcpX21zdIxzDpy4Dv37ORwa524so8bsndTgcELUUBKcKw841_YiBG2G8cG6SuOE2726rrENH3AfU5d2TSHytdkMa7Ss03kFb4oZ5F0obB/s1600/vika.nole.5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzUSq1fzORid7jpeLvvx7yhSZGR_6WpNEF9AthcpX21zdIxzDpy4Dv37ORwa524so8bsndTgcELUUBKcKw841_YiBG2G8cG6SuOE2726rrENH3AfU5d2TSHytdkMa7Ss03kFb4oZ5F0obB/s1600/vika.nole.5.jpg" height="336" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If they're not associated with their current beaus, they could be mistaken as boyfriends-girlfriends. <i>Photo by Ben Solomon/Tennis Australia.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Phaura Reinzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11037234532656554897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4229873382912399244.post-58001519853179526862014-01-10T07:11:00.000-08:002014-01-10T07:11:36.737-08:00Australian Open 2014: A Look at the Women's Draw<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
128 players, 13 days to play, 7 stages to surmount and 1 title to win, this year's women's singles provides a stellar cast of champions seeking further glory, young stars proving they're the stars of the next generation, veterans aiming to brighten dimmed suns and players-in-between wanting to build magnificent careers made not to be forgotten.<br />
<br />
The top four seeds, Serena, Victoria, Maria and Na, all lead their respective quarters and aim to produce another Australian Open glory they once tasted and more.<br />
<br />
Top Half.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH6SOs8v9mqYJitp_I6J_rtinZ9GIapzGdztkvgD7iaMlK99UZTeEF3pqhq79LTyphRXw1zutwF8TCC4j0b2xVIJDNw7niN0EnUhjEqI9oNT5682NrJ3AjvQJ_lB-18NwycKBXSvNO0R2J/s1600/womensdraw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH6SOs8v9mqYJitp_I6J_rtinZ9GIapzGdztkvgD7iaMlK99UZTeEF3pqhq79LTyphRXw1zutwF8TCC4j0b2xVIJDNw7niN0EnUhjEqI9oNT5682NrJ3AjvQJ_lB-18NwycKBXSvNO0R2J/s1600/womensdraw.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
1. Serena's Quarter.<br />
<br />
Serena's quarter is notable as it has the most grand slam champions and finalists combined at 5 including herself. She starts her campaign with Barty, who is a finalist at the doubles here last year, a young player but highly capable of matching her power on the court. In the second round she might face Dolonc, but it would be her 3rd round encounter with Daniela Hantuchova that would prove intriguing. Daniela upset a defending champion Serena in 2006 in the same round. Her 4th round encounter would be a must watch if things go the right way, as she may face Aussie Sam Stosur, Wimbledon lover and Sydney winner, Tsvetana Pironkova or a resurgent Ana Ivanovic. For her quarterfinal match up she should be waiting for any winner of Roberta Vinci and Sara Errani (why are these friends always meet in any important tournament?), Jie Zheng (former AO semi-finalist), powerful Madison Keys, best in attendance Kirsten Flipkens, another AO semi-finalist Vera Zvonareva or Serena's vanquisher Virginie Razzano.<br />
<br />
Verdict: Serena should reach the semis tested but unscathed.<br />
Quarter busters (for players that bring the fun): Eugenie Bouchard, Laura Robson, Tsvetana Pironkova<br />
Upset Alert: Sam Stosur (!), Roberta Vinci<br />
<br />
2. Na's Quarter<br />
<br />
Li Na seeks to go one step higher than her two previous best results in Australia and Li is given no other better start than with a qualifier in the first round. She then would be part of an Asian blockbuster second round with Kimiko Date-Krumm. She then would face the dangerous lefty Lucie Safarova in the third round. Madame Li's fourth round encounter can be a tricky one as she might face any of these players: an invigorated and former Wimbledon queen Venus Williams, dangerous and two-time Aussie Open quarterfinalist Makarova or the hard-hitting Sabine Lisicki. Assuming with great probability that Li Na comes through, she could face nemesis Petra Kvitova, Sydney finalist Angelique Kerber or the underrated Mona Barthel for the spot in the semi finals<br />
<br />
Verdict: Li Na has the trickiest quarter of the four top seeds, but her Australian Open record (her best slam record to date) and her preference for hard courts can land her in her 4th semi final appearance.<br />
Quarter busters: Venus Williams, Monica 'Pica Power' Puig<br />
Upset Alert: Flavia Pennetta, Ekaterina Makarova<br />
<br />
Bottom Half.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeqFrXRR1tnMuleqNMW0LNqjpr-yq3JfRLW6xNJW6SwM5ImDTwssXamBdA0_fEs29GhxW8SQa3YBrNl-Ed29oOwcljPOCOlRKXUFJ3dHwAMZvS-LtrVRdx5yWX1WMB8yNuxjxwU9Ly7Li8/s1600/womensdraw2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeqFrXRR1tnMuleqNMW0LNqjpr-yq3JfRLW6xNJW6SwM5ImDTwssXamBdA0_fEs29GhxW8SQa3YBrNl-Ed29oOwcljPOCOlRKXUFJ3dHwAMZvS-LtrVRdx5yWX1WMB8yNuxjxwU9Ly7Li8/s1600/womensdraw2.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />3. Maria's Quarter<br />
<br />
An expected outcome of this quarter is a Jankovic-Sharapova Bolletierre gurdge match, a tennis fan's dream: Basher versus Pusher Part VII. But honestly, in a top seed's point of view, Maria's quarter is a bit easy compared to the other three. Maria opens with tennis's Lady Gaga, Bethanie Mattek-Sands, and would probably meet Paula Ormaechea in the second round. Her third round opponent might be Hopman Cup Champion Alize Cornet unless clay specialist Polona Hercog comes and spoil the Frenchwoman's fun. Masha's fourth round comes sweetly as she has compiled positive records against former quarterfinalist Carla Suarez Navarro, Roland Garros champion Francesca Schiavone and pint size rocket Dominika Cibulkova.<br />
<br />
If Jankovic follows the script she should meet Sharapova in the quarters but it looks like the odds are against her. Halep, top tenner in the future, holds a 2-1 record against her and Petkovic, 4-2 over her, might implement upset campaigns against her. If not, then everyone can enjoy a dramatic JJ versus 'Is she Jankovic?' Sharapova in the quarters.<br />
<br />
Verdict: Maria well rested into the semi finals.<br />
Quarter busters: Andrea Petkovic, Varvara Lechenko, Shenzhen finalist Shuai Peng, Wozniacki-conquerer Camila Giorgi<br />
Upset alert: Simona Halep, Dominika Cibulkova, Jelena Jankovic<br />
<br />
4. Vika's Quarter<br />
<br />
The defending champ is given a huge favor by having fairly easy early rounds. She could win easily against Johanna Larsson, Wimbledon doubles champ Su Wei Hseih, but probably be troubled again by the American upstart Jamie Hampton. The fourth round got more interesting as she may face either of her two foes last year, 2 time champ Kuznetsova or last year's semi finalist, Sloane Stephens. If she wins she might face long time nemesis Agnieszka Radwanska or friend Caroline Wozniacki in the quarterfinals.<br /><br />
Verdict: Vika will withstand the Sveta or Sloane challenge and be pushed to the limit by Aga, but will still prevail.<br />
Quarter busters: Ajla Tomljanovic (watch out for her), Hobart finalist Garbine Muguruza, Yaroslava 'Golden Set' Shvedova, Yulia Putintseva<br />
Upset alert: Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Caroline Wozniacki (prove me wrong Caro!)<br />
<br />
Semi Finals.<br />
<br />
1. Serena v Li Na. Both players love Melbourne and have special memories of the place. Serena won the tournament 5 times and is the site of her personal milestone the 'Serena Slam.' Madame Li tasted her first slam semi finals here (against Serena herself) and also her first slam final. In 11 played meetings, Li Na had her lone win against Serena in 2008, therefore solidifying that Serena might be favored to win the prospective semi final. Yet, Li Na has every once of hope as she had pushed Serena to the third in the their latest encounter in Istanbul.<br /><br />Verdict: Still Serena.<br />
<br />
2. Vika v Maria. Both women collected at least one Daphne Akhurst trophy in their careers. Maria in 2008, Vika in 2012-2013. Their match up is to watch for as the intensity of their games heightened, their infamous grunts also provide audible auspices that further enrich the unfolding drama. Vika has the greater advantage over Maria head-to-head wise and Vika's versatile game compliments the slow Melbourne courts better than Maria's. But it doesn't mean Sharapova can't fight and even steal the win, with Sven Groeneveld's new coaching ideas and her undying determination Maria could change the outcome of the match.<br />
<br />
Verdict: Still Vika.<br />
<br />
Final.<br />
<br />
Serena v Vika.<br />
<br />
This match up promises many a fantastic points, engaging drama, twisted script, full of fist pumps, cold stares, unbelievable shots, and complete with enormous fighting spirit from both. Serena is facing a rather limited time to further enlist herself with the list of the tennis greats with an 18th slam win. If she wins this year's AO, she'd be in the company of Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, Helen Wills Moody, Steffi Graf and Margaret Court who won 18 and more grand slam titles. An exclusive of the most exclusive lists in tennis.<br />
<br />
Vika, the anointed successor to the throne that Serena polished and protected with passion, aims to become the first woman to win a 3 peat in Australia sine 1999. She'd be so determined to win in order to offset the 2 other slam finals that she ended up as the loser. She'd also be more determined to win against Serena for the first time in a slam.<br />
<br />
Verdict: Serena for her 18th grand slam title.<br />
<br />
<br />Phaura Reinzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11037234532656554897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4229873382912399244.post-23864627237248078202014-01-10T01:54:00.001-08:002014-01-10T01:54:46.848-08:00Kerber and Pironkova Battles for Sydney Final 2014<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxuM-X3HBQzVqnNtT0efQPbWs6u7eTsk2uYalH-IbtKp5_3m44Offrej2g8WKjT1b4lrEvyU1Bw3MnI_tnDEPKY6LTWF2zyMjc06_KS4wLbL68aQK3wteo1yUdaJFQ9TRp8U9_AM6gq14l/s1600/kerber.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxuM-X3HBQzVqnNtT0efQPbWs6u7eTsk2uYalH-IbtKp5_3m44Offrej2g8WKjT1b4lrEvyU1Bw3MnI_tnDEPKY6LTWF2zyMjc06_KS4wLbL68aQK3wteo1yUdaJFQ9TRp8U9_AM6gq14l/s1600/kerber.jpg" height="320" width="215" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images AsiaPac.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Angelique Kerber, world no. 9, and qualifier Tsvetana Pironkova battles for the 2014 Apia International Sydney. Angie is gunning for her 4th career title and Pironkova, known for her Wimbledon success, interestingly aims for her first career title.<br />
<br />
Kerber's path to finals include wins over Dominika Cibulkova, Kaia Kanepi, Carla Suarez Navarro and Madison Keys.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJcBjlR4uE50WKWJBIW2Tv0I9ESbt3Fk9ggpzpmtA0TyJ1lPkarMevZniymKF3mGDe1QxAGZpkqSmIkeM3_MLzpPSLd1dT4JI0NALOMTSUa6JY0QhvcqaRDrI-pLsNph1NXCX8-G69x-iJ/s1600/kerber.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJcBjlR4uE50WKWJBIW2Tv0I9ESbt3Fk9ggpzpmtA0TyJ1lPkarMevZniymKF3mGDe1QxAGZpkqSmIkeM3_MLzpPSLd1dT4JI0NALOMTSUa6JY0QhvcqaRDrI-pLsNph1NXCX8-G69x-iJ/s1600/kerber.2.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo by Brendan Thorne/Getty Images AsiaPac.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Pironkova has to beat 7 players coming to the finals. From the qualifier to the main draw, Pironkova beat Ayumi Morita, Maryna Zanevska, Shahar Pe'er, 2-time grand slam winner Svetlana Kuznetsova, Varvara Lepchenko, Sara Errani, and former Wimbledon champ Petra Kvitova.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Oixul90gVUasxwA4RKo9HqwU5ofrTKC2juRX1qcLEfz0_b6R-6nmw2aasZ9jVbiEHQPMYmQnXGX-gM76WCHBnlzj9iua_WNV36JQKQEwyRMeavI53b7nSu03cvR0V-0uAx3HQNCDyhGc/s1600/pironkova.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Oixul90gVUasxwA4RKo9HqwU5ofrTKC2juRX1qcLEfz0_b6R-6nmw2aasZ9jVbiEHQPMYmQnXGX-gM76WCHBnlzj9iua_WNV36JQKQEwyRMeavI53b7nSu03cvR0V-0uAx3HQNCDyhGc/s1600/pironkova.jpg" height="208" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images AsiaPac.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
All hopes are in place for Pironkova to win her first ever title. As of the moment, Tsveta won the first set 6-4 and leads the second set, 1-0.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmkY0yADRKKaXmPqpJA4bCnrjLbKXWgeyKoEabTEp8ozSO_wJArpqyaAH0Xx0qRlmZDDBjeQFW1u2bLAHUMq45zZ5BHN1GvKpx7suJ1P4U7ralTkO6xUSVaFpWKhCXBolzz0tMfxwWrbCf/s1600/pironkova.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmkY0yADRKKaXmPqpJA4bCnrjLbKXWgeyKoEabTEp8ozSO_wJArpqyaAH0Xx0qRlmZDDBjeQFW1u2bLAHUMq45zZ5BHN1GvKpx7suJ1P4U7ralTkO6xUSVaFpWKhCXBolzz0tMfxwWrbCf/s1600/pironkova.2.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images AsiaPac.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Phaura Reinzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11037234532656554897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4229873382912399244.post-6759814409932042692014-01-09T09:21:00.000-08:002014-01-09T09:21:03.860-08:00Fashion Police: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in Adidas, Fab or Drab?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim09R_On7PQzZGENCIPXs-0bX-E_stT1nPM4leLqqurxAXWPgCYfGSq6L7nMiJERoKnWejUXRUTUlceykjui2fz_fmwE0HVCGKxYkP3L2avvy4vic3xEwSLgtYBCmkWsBQm6bs9meAGW9g/s1600/jo.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim09R_On7PQzZGENCIPXs-0bX-E_stT1nPM4leLqqurxAXWPgCYfGSq6L7nMiJERoKnWejUXRUTUlceykjui2fz_fmwE0HVCGKxYkP3L2avvy4vic3xEwSLgtYBCmkWsBQm6bs9meAGW9g/s1600/jo.2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images AsiaPac.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Jo Willy was wearing this adidas outfit during the 'A Night with Roger and Friends.' On top he wore the adizero Polo Shirt and on the bottom he wore the solar blue Response shorts. The look is completed with CC adizero feather III Synthetic. It's a no fuzz, blue on blue ensemble, perfect to blend with the Australian Open courts and the cool shade of blue made Jo Willy stand out from the crowd. This look is highlighted by the bubbly colors of orange and blue shoes. For me the shoes just completed the whole perfect Jo Willy look.<br /><br />This is a fab for me.<br />
<br />
What do you think about this outfit? Share what you think.Phaura Reinzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11037234532656554897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4229873382912399244.post-79432554078471774942014-01-09T08:56:00.000-08:002014-01-09T09:24:44.513-08:00Federer Raises More Than $1M For Children in Africa<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgADkyjjpWuohRHdd7-sIs-OlTAGCY0W3RL02vpV4l48YJuZzeH8MYZGKoFwes4Iki5_C_4SHbhubJNjasKFlGcZ2VP9afzkozpDKDebeC2C1UFVPd04Xkeo3TJHPzbD4MA-kKRc0tGvKr2/s1600/roger.3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgADkyjjpWuohRHdd7-sIs-OlTAGCY0W3RL02vpV4l48YJuZzeH8MYZGKoFwes4Iki5_C_4SHbhubJNjasKFlGcZ2VP9afzkozpDKDebeC2C1UFVPd04Xkeo3TJHPzbD4MA-kKRc0tGvKr2/s1600/roger.3.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This picture houses 33 grand slam titles. Photo by Robert Prezioso/Getty Images AsiaPac.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Roger Federer staged 'A Night with Roger and Friends' to raise fund for the Roger Federer Foundation and was able to raise more than $1M for high quality learning and education for poor children in southern Africa. Roger is joined by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (whom he beat 6-7, 6-3, 7-5), Lleyton Hewitt, Pat Rafter, Tony Roche and the legend himself, Rod Laver at the Rod Laver Arena for the charity match.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8T-Kvec2MlOCtmh7roPJs-OnzLiEqjptYOWm30RYcBKRawGgfGVcAh0dZN_EFwLNM7aMA5xwGtBHeIStaD78QGF4bXoRoZ3z-i2IA57xjEEWggW0FOe-nGNfxSlAIl1JsR2GiosDEpVve/s1600/rod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8T-Kvec2MlOCtmh7roPJs-OnzLiEqjptYOWm30RYcBKRawGgfGVcAh0dZN_EFwLNM7aMA5xwGtBHeIStaD78QGF4bXoRoZ3z-i2IA57xjEEWggW0FOe-nGNfxSlAIl1JsR2GiosDEpVve/s1600/rod.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laver is game that night. Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images AsiaPac.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGSkv6EhYhDsGT0va6JVYnyIno4vJJ0PfqmMbjy8H1qeAyaS9ae7Vijr7CsvlhmdyX_EDs-ykRV_ytHXXUZ8XOL5yRqwOg-2Mi8jBRQvpuCNuWM2GCVTfWXkRLmPtcDrTovFBu28xOx2K/s1600/rod.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGSkv6EhYhDsGT0va6JVYnyIno4vJJ0PfqmMbjy8H1qeAyaS9ae7Vijr7CsvlhmdyX_EDs-ykRV_ytHXXUZ8XOL5yRqwOg-2Mi8jBRQvpuCNuWM2GCVTfWXkRLmPtcDrTovFBu28xOx2K/s1600/rod.2.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">Fed and Laver having a hit. Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images AsiaPac.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmMB59TJ7y1093YUTzQldRMxnBxlSdTZ7xcbT7ExGH7JAiMlfYPWhZOdUPgFfDSVa5521YVYI2gQ4XQWWPlfkR9dqUZQApONxH2PcOvQeV9uDXX2WWyK1sKV84GLnxyEkP-liMd0Hwnhoe/s1600/jo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmMB59TJ7y1093YUTzQldRMxnBxlSdTZ7xcbT7ExGH7JAiMlfYPWhZOdUPgFfDSVa5521YVYI2gQ4XQWWPlfkR9dqUZQApONxH2PcOvQeV9uDXX2WWyK1sKV84GLnxyEkP-liMd0Hwnhoe/s1600/jo.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jo was having some fun too. Anyway, those shoes are vavavoom! Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images AsiaPac.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSPplfAUt3vKCWkqaCrkTahy0jXABaYCnOVg16m_gDPcV-J7I0522K4Hel6gVymN1XAg97kcM61zycqrDe33TOXLG0Km7-JwMj9a89z8zYLx6fV7CocS1_w6dKvuq9-xk9YR5gsk4eIQc1/s1600/roger.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSPplfAUt3vKCWkqaCrkTahy0jXABaYCnOVg16m_gDPcV-J7I0522K4Hel6gVymN1XAg97kcM61zycqrDe33TOXLG0Km7-JwMj9a89z8zYLx6fV7CocS1_w6dKvuq9-xk9YR5gsk4eIQc1/s1600/roger.1.jpg" height="320" width="224" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even Fed's silliness can't be contained.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-KmLj3aoSLHKKruoaZIYYl0LZw6ubIdeYZkB4v0yVYuxUtD6aCO4yv6PZwdv1arOA-MOYfpuU5yML5g8NSq6bXVYsKLkF8rYdkAQYS6Qlf6oNsi-yyXWDXo-PPdJ8kbRw2bqfrG23-Epo/s1600/roger.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-KmLj3aoSLHKKruoaZIYYl0LZw6ubIdeYZkB4v0yVYuxUtD6aCO4yv6PZwdv1arOA-MOYfpuU5yML5g8NSq6bXVYsKLkF8rYdkAQYS6Qlf6oNsi-yyXWDXo-PPdJ8kbRw2bqfrG23-Epo/s1600/roger.2.jpg" height="320" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And the almost smooch. Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images AsiaPac.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeoJyfLCykA5TK_9T1H_HDOq2gFiKaL06QJtJCciHf3hC6UOuex_DJ0mzhhZJxpzx6uwVN51mtQ8TqopzwaRJZ1jmLlGZmomwHpUNfBgS7-NFbJiPzNH4hLokiIM-1kjcqpQO680T5Mu7v/s1600/roger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeoJyfLCykA5TK_9T1H_HDOq2gFiKaL06QJtJCciHf3hC6UOuex_DJ0mzhhZJxpzx6uwVN51mtQ8TqopzwaRJZ1jmLlGZmomwHpUNfBgS7-NFbJiPzNH4hLokiIM-1kjcqpQO680T5Mu7v/s1600/roger.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interview with pals. Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images AsiaPac.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
You can watch the whole exhibition here:<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/4NO-MSOJ4hY" width="853"></iframe>Phaura Reinzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11037234532656554897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4229873382912399244.post-64514550417441294522014-01-09T08:20:00.000-08:002014-01-09T09:24:03.988-08:00Serena and Venus Play Cricket<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDHz5GhO5b5i8XKg5jL6mLcK7bo2GRDBCxnIe2lUNuLDLIk0Nbt31vBlZvBUHR2LNwISZvNq3rAO5vhDACge8PBl2S6qbmS5Q7kS94OBkq_EF5dG77PA4A_GffX9K2ZetHoSOacL-Q8C3q/s1600/serena.venus.5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDHz5GhO5b5i8XKg5jL6mLcK7bo2GRDBCxnIe2lUNuLDLIk0Nbt31vBlZvBUHR2LNwISZvNq3rAO5vhDACge8PBl2S6qbmS5Q7kS94OBkq_EF5dG77PA4A_GffX9K2ZetHoSOacL-Q8C3q/s1600/serena.venus.5.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Venus sexy in geometrical prints and Serena in casual sexy look. Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images AsiaPac.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcGofBWv4_UKT2B97yuvRsObN0YeBhMQ-UP_Cpi8sW1N_9Mi9P_TyYkoZIN-HCbDaGZqs34afBGuUqPc26xX5_-25Ks_BqcsjK1LleO8E-Q8ikNmCPjquOQOG2nlodXN3-kJb72Yi1agn9/s1600/serena.venus.4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcGofBWv4_UKT2B97yuvRsObN0YeBhMQ-UP_Cpi8sW1N_9Mi9P_TyYkoZIN-HCbDaGZqs34afBGuUqPc26xX5_-25Ks_BqcsjK1LleO8E-Q8ikNmCPjquOQOG2nlodXN3-kJb72Yi1agn9/s1600/serena.venus.4.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Muralidaran, Serena, Venus and Finch enjoy a group picture. Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images AsiaPac.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Serena and Venus Williams meet Melbourne Renegades players Muthiah Muralidaran and Aaron Finch. Both take turns hitting cricket balls and are seemingly enjoying the experience.</div>
<br />
Here are more of the pix:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsuWhXF86Q8I-ErR-dk6A8H5Q0VsUCpbpEpWn4ygnD7IrQGhLMmvH8JvWtmHsV0VIynIHJXgN_qRyp-jG-fDUoe_KXm1AL4ehuYac4_Fe_42eeZeRJsSL3eaDnUOD07WDbkZfcw4tMl2wA/s1600/serena.venus.3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsuWhXF86Q8I-ErR-dk6A8H5Q0VsUCpbpEpWn4ygnD7IrQGhLMmvH8JvWtmHsV0VIynIHJXgN_qRyp-jG-fDUoe_KXm1AL4ehuYac4_Fe_42eeZeRJsSL3eaDnUOD07WDbkZfcw4tMl2wA/s1600/serena.venus.3.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Venus hitting one, might be bad one! Heheheh. Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images AsiaPac.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq5Nuix1h6geSmzMYUWmyBJjKYJ91OGIlQeBd4hRMXVyaz6eBZOAn3CssScVhwcq-vukhmBpiJhkOvCTt7EgSnme4k_0XbRbky8X8Y_MgpiIncbpdrBS-u0XNxEDcsEi_lzcW4Pi0aMlxf/s1600/serena.venus.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq5Nuix1h6geSmzMYUWmyBJjKYJ91OGIlQeBd4hRMXVyaz6eBZOAn3CssScVhwcq-vukhmBpiJhkOvCTt7EgSnme4k_0XbRbky8X8Y_MgpiIncbpdrBS-u0XNxEDcsEi_lzcW4Pi0aMlxf/s1600/serena.venus.1.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Okay, Serena's turn. Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images AsiaPac.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpZdMBH7jWll2BoF1_gs3BSd4UxEjcQzLBmeTB6yT1TU7yO5FR_Iv8bRBuOS20d-vBduh2YA1DpO9ZDeucnyFjnEu2fm3jHHHeNmq2Koy5kG89oCGBis9MfWPpxsEaoe3G0tM2MwlAtMg8/s1600/serena.venus.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpZdMBH7jWll2BoF1_gs3BSd4UxEjcQzLBmeTB6yT1TU7yO5FR_Iv8bRBuOS20d-vBduh2YA1DpO9ZDeucnyFjnEu2fm3jHHHeNmq2Koy5kG89oCGBis9MfWPpxsEaoe3G0tM2MwlAtMg8/s1600/serena.venus.2.jpg" height="320" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It might have been fantastic! Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images AsiaPac.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg38Ft_Tjg_5en8mpPO05wfqcu25xogM0ltjzz_SL0XS70jhCYsjsD0a2aBq5FUobz8IZlomZDyItslieZE04c87gQLp_byE69gKBK8vl9ki54-cK_izXH5CaVa0TCjprRXphOTQL5_IBGm/s1600/serena.venus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg38Ft_Tjg_5en8mpPO05wfqcu25xogM0ltjzz_SL0XS70jhCYsjsD0a2aBq5FUobz8IZlomZDyItslieZE04c87gQLp_byE69gKBK8vl9ki54-cK_izXH5CaVa0TCjprRXphOTQL5_IBGm/s1600/serena.venus.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Serena: I think I saw a cute one. Venus: I saw him first, no sharing. Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images AsiaPac.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Phaura Reinzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11037234532656554897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4229873382912399244.post-88656212126139110352014-01-09T04:41:00.001-08:002014-01-09T04:41:30.009-08:00Australian Open: Live Draw<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3FPymmtfxF7o8xs6A-CryvTTHdqt_-bMgs7Z1KpKrLOa2mf5Y49eZdUQZXcupzkWr0TpZvDM-Ffl5GnwUf-p6025LOjmEtf6XunwDVgFcEP3ezFFsLP4vJhk2QEFjOXAo8Ojn3RN9QBl7/s1600/ausopen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3FPymmtfxF7o8xs6A-CryvTTHdqt_-bMgs7Z1KpKrLOa2mf5Y49eZdUQZXcupzkWr0TpZvDM-Ffl5GnwUf-p6025LOjmEtf6XunwDVgFcEP3ezFFsLP4vJhk2QEFjOXAo8Ojn3RN9QBl7/s1600/ausopen.jpg" height="320" width="290" /></a></div>
With just barely 3 days into the grand slam of the asia-pacific, everyone is giddy and excited to witness the first grand slam of the year. This year will be the 102nd edition of the tournament and with an increase of almost $2.8 million dollars, this year's Australian Open promises to be a grand spectacle.<br />
<br />
Tomorrow, Friday, the live draw will proceed by 10:00:00 AEDT. You can watch the live draw here:<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/0QMqg-viy9Q?list=PL2RR--XMozwVo-_zqIp5GCZbyCla8YuXF" width="853"></iframe><br />
<br />
Per tradition, last year's champions (Novak Djokovic and Victoria Azarenka) will help the draw proceedings.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIAIGYPIHOOgMtrZMffptp9-I_VH3upZ0e-J0qxVkkBTezevWgEv0p0-hOe0vBy-k9_qlpnnEpkZgFnVZ0FqNY1v53pNcxvLvKeOfVJwioXAaazpYTmvdZhXIBPG5A0fc6FSrycSeyZsrY/s1600/vika.nole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIAIGYPIHOOgMtrZMffptp9-I_VH3upZ0e-J0qxVkkBTezevWgEv0p0-hOe0vBy-k9_qlpnnEpkZgFnVZ0FqNY1v53pNcxvLvKeOfVJwioXAaazpYTmvdZhXIBPG5A0fc6FSrycSeyZsrY/s1600/vika.nole.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nole and Vika arrived in style for last year's draw.<i> Photo by AA/Julian Smith. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This year's top seeds are Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams and without deviating both tours rankings, the top ten players (of both tours) round up as the top 10 seeds of the tournament.<br /><br />Play starts on Monday!<br />
<br />
<br />Phaura Reinzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11037234532656554897noreply@blogger.com0