PHOTO OP: Before...and after. See?

Winning hasn't aged them a bit.

[Photo(s) credit: @NoleUnbeatable]

Kvitova crushes Bouchard for second Wimbledon title

I admit it. I didn’t believe Petra Kvitova would win Wimbledon.

Not because I didn’t think she had the goods. She's won the title before, but since then the sometimes fragile Czech has been the epitome of inconsistency. She came into Wimbledon having lost in the third round of Roland Garros and first round in Melbourne. Between the Slams, it wasn’t much different.

Even after the three-set classic against Venus Williams in the third round where she was only broken once, I thought she still might succumb to a few of those typical “P3tra” matches – first set: blow opponent off the court; second set: cue internal turmoil and lose lead; third set: lose match. But to my surprise, she kept winning and playing strongly. With each match, the 24-year old got more confident. By the final, where she faced first-time finalist Eugenie Bouchard, her game and mentality were on point. But would she be able to play another solid match, the biggest one of them all, from start to finish? That she did.

The way Petra won today was extraordinary. Her 6-3, 6-0 victory over the Canadian was a devastating display of power grass-court tennis. I wrote that it would come down to holding serve, quality returns, and first-strike tennis. Petra landed 68% of her first serves and won 82% of those points. She also won 58% of her return points and had 28 winners to only 12 errors. The consistency of the attack was the biggest surprise today. It’s a tough proposition for any opponent when she has these numbers. Just ask Genie.

For the entire fortnight, the 20-year old was able to step inside the baseline and control the tempo of matches; she fought mightily to play them on her terms. Genie hadn’t lost a set en route to the final. But today, like us, she became an observer of the type of explosive tennis we’d come to expect from Petra. Winners flew past in a flash and serves were pummeled back at her shoe strings. Genie's usually stoic expression melted into confusion and helplessness. All she could do was watch and hope for a let down. It never happened. Unfortunately for Genie, Petra saved her best for last.

Today, Petra made a believer out of me again. I happily accept it.

[Photo(s) credit: Wimbledon twitter]

WIMBLEDON: Kvitova and Bouchard for the ladies' title, Li and Rodriguez split, and Fognini in the flesh (NSFW)

It’s Petra Kvitova versus Eugenie Bouchard for all the strawberries, cream, Pimm’s, and what the hell else? Both of today’s ladies’ semifinals mirrored each other in the way the sets played out. The first of each match were tense affairs with Petra and Genie eeking out the match lead in tiebreaks. The second sets seemed more like formalities when each of them broke early and led the rest of the way. Petra beat Lucie Safarova 7-6(6), 6-1 and Genie ousted Simona Halep 7-6(5), 6-2. But, that’s where the similarities end.

Where Lucie was simply outclassed in the second, Simona was dealing with the lingering effects of an ankle injury she picked up in the beginning of the first set. Credit the Romanian for keeping it close initially (she led 4-2 in the tiebreak) but her movement, a core part of her game, was hampered, as was her serve. What sets Genie apart is her ability to shut everything else out and focus on the work ahead – no matter an injured opponent, a fan who fainted in the stands during the tiebreak, a questionable call from the chair on her first match point, or a dapper TV star in her baller box. She’s all about the biz.

Petra has been to this dance before, and she’ll be looking to prove that the first time wasn’t a fluke. She and Lucie are friends and that added more pressure in their match; but in the end, her quality and belief got her through. To me, when Petra is healthy and in a positive mindset, her game is deadly on the slick stuff. DEAD-LY. At the start of the tourney, I didn’t have my eye on the Czech because her results this year have been pretty sketch (hello first-round loss in Oz to Luksika Kumkhum). But coming to Wimbledon where she’s had her greatest success, and beating 5-time champ Venus Williams in an absolute classic, clearly gave her the boost she needed.

The final will come down to serve and return - who can hold onto their serve, and who can get a high percentage of quality returns in play - and apply first-strike tennis to control the points. I give the edge to Genie.

It was reported today that Li Na and coach Carlos Rodriguez have ended their full-time partnership. He’s under contract with a tennis academy in China, and they have asked him to return. According to her agent, Max Eisenbud, they were essentially “borrowing” him from the academy. While Li is in China, they will work together but no longer on a full-time basis. She was reportedly unaware of the decision and very upset by the news, which was told her after her third-round loss at Wimbledon.

Attached my photo for @CosmopolitanUK to raise awareness of male cancer #ATP pic.twitter.com/QriaE3wgrB
— Fabio Fognini (@fabiofogna) July 3, 2014

Let's see...Venus, Tomas, now Fabio. Sure, why not. Let’s all get BUTT NEKKID! For a good cause, of course. Duh. You'll probably get your pic banned from Instagram, too. But don't worry; Tomas has your back so to speak.

Most importantly, is that one of the Seven Dwarfs on Fabio's hip? Doubt it's Bashful.

[Photo(s) credit: Getty Images]

WIMBLEDON: Czech ladies flying high, shot clock watch, and Stan the Man

"Fist pumping? It's a Czech thang!" (No. It's not.)

Soggy and wet - my least favorite kind of day, especially at Wimbledon. But what was exciting to see were the lady ballers of the Czech Republic taking a stand in their fourth round matches. Barbora Zahlavova Strycova, Petra Kvitova, and Lucie Safarova all reached the quarterfinals - an historic feat for their country. Now if only the three of them could do something else exactly the same - what could it be...

Does tennis need a shot clock? If we’re being completely honest, then, HELL YES, tennis needs one. There are some high-profile offenders (yeah, I’m looking at you, Rafa and Maria) who push the limits with all of their tics and uber-deliberate prep, and often don’t get called for going over the amount of time allotted between points (20 seconds at the majors and 25 at other tourneys). Roger Federer and Caroline Wozniacki were both asked about it in their post-match pressers and they’re into the idea. Certainly, it would make it absolutely clear to the ballers how much time they had to serve and it would speed up play for us, the viewing public. Win-win. Now, if we could only do something about the amount of service tosses ballers are allowed to catch in a match. GAWD, that’s annoying (my eye is still on you, Shrieka). Oh yeah, and on-court coaching. What else?

Yeah Stan. We know...we know. You went for the monochromatic look. Got it.

Other notables: There are still a bunch of Round of 16 matches to be completed, and that means some ballers will need to play 3 consecutive days. Not the best scenario, but it is what it is. Stupid rain.

[Photo(s) credit: Getty Images, AFP]

WIMBLEDON: Djokovic injury scare, Li upset, Kvitova hangs tough, and a proposal for Sharapova

Novak Djokovic had a scare today during his third round match against Gilles Simon. The top seed was running to his forehand side when he lunged for a ball, fell on his left side, and clutched his shoulder in apparent agony. He took a medical time out and then continued to play, eventually winning the match 6-4, 6-2, 6-4. In his presser, Nole said he had an ultrasound done and there’s no damage. For a few minutes there, it looked like a very serious situation. Thoughts of his tourney and possibly his season ending may have crossed my frantic mind based on his reaction. Thank GAWD all is well.

Remember how I wrote that Li Na is an enigma of the highest degree? She did absolutely nothing to change my mind today. The second seed was upended by Barbora Zahlavova Strycova 7-6 (5), 7-6 (5). As I tweeted today, it was definitely an upset but not based on current form. BZS was a finalist in Birmingham a couple of weeks ago and has a game built for grass, while Li adds this loss to her first round disappointment at Roland Garros. In her presser, the 32-year old regretted not playing one of the warm-up tourneys. “I think I made wrong decision,” she said. “I needed to play some matches before the big one [Wimbledon]." AGREED.

Former Wimbledon champs Petra Kvitova and Venus Williams put on a power-tennis showcase today in their spectacular third round battle. The match was of the highest quality, with both lady ballers throttling the ball and looking to control the rallies with aggressive play. With V serving at 5-6 in the third set, Petra held tough and earned the second of the two breaks in the ENTIRE match to win 7-5, 6-7 (2), 7-5. It was the best I’ve seen V play in many years and that wasn’t lost on the Czech either. "I think she's playing really, really well," said the 6th seed. "She showed it as well today. I think that she can win some titles again. If she's going to be healthy and play some matches and everything like that, she can do it." As for Kvitova, it was her finest performance since winning here in 2011. Best match of the women’s draw so far. I honestly couldn't sit down - it was absorbing stuff.

I missed the goal but I didn't miss this...I have to marry all 4? #WorldCup2014 pic.twitter.com/cO8OhBA1hX
— Maria Sharapova (@MariaSharapova) June 26, 2014

Loooooooool. Okay then. I suppose that’s one way to do it.

Other notables: Marin Cilic, the 26th seed, continued his fine 2014 form, upsetting 6th seed Tomas Berdych 7-6(5), 6-4, 7-6(6) in a match that ended at 9:38pm. It was the latest finish for a match outside of Centre Court in the tourney’s history. Grigor Dimitrov, the 11th seed, beat the 21st seed Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-7(3), 6-4, 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 to reach his first-ever round of 16 at Wimbledon. Jerzy Janowicz, the 15th seed and a semifinalist last year, and Lleyton Hewitt also went the distance with the Pole coming out on top 7-5, 6-4, 6-7(7), 4-6, 6-3.

[Photo(s) credit: Getty Images, AFP]

PHOTO OP: The 2013 BNP Paribas Open Player Party

I love a good party. It's a chance to dress up, perhaps in something you wouldn't usually wear, have a few laughs and get totally smashed. On second thought, you never want to be that person at the party who ends up seeing their drunken escapades on YouTube. And, I'm not speaking from experience. Pinky swear. 

Anyway, some of the ballers on the ATP and WTA tours put on their party best (or worst, in some cases) for last night's BNP Paribas Open Player Party held at the IW Club. Let's have a look.

THE BOY BALLERS: 

Novak Djokovic: Dayum. Oh right. I actually love the monochromatic look here. It helps to dress up the casual but very classic look. Great navy suede bucks to break it up.

Click on the headline for more looks from last night's bash!

PHOTO OP: FED CUP's best fist pumps

Maria Kirilenko

FED CUP kicked off this weekend. And, even though Fist Pumping Lifetime Achievement Award winner Ana Ivanovic pulled out of Serbia's tie against the Slovak Republic after injuring her shoulder at the Australian Open, there were still plenty of lady ballers willing to take her place and throw up a fist in her honor (that part is TOTALLY made up). See the results here and click the headline to see the best of this weekend's FED CUP fist pumping.

Melbourne from the middle

Ahhh, what a great off-season. And, no, it didn't involve giddily dipping a dance girl on a tennis court. That's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and not one of my vacay pics. In case you were confused. Because it happens. Sometimes.

Anyway, I’ve been away for a bit and missed the season-opening tourneys and the first week of the Australian Open. But there was a silver lining. You got to see Rafael Nadal’s ass grab for about two months. No harm there.

Life has been busy. My full-time gig is going well but there’s bigger news: I’m getting married! Married? Yes, married. Married?? Yes, MARRIED! 2012 is the year I finally do the deed. Well, more like "we." Kalil and I always said if we could get legally married in NYC we would do it. So when Governor Cuomo announced the bill had passed making gay marriage legal in New York state last year, we looked at each other and excitedly said, “I guess we’re getting married!” It’s truly a special time right now. There’s so much to plan (no wedding planner…blame my control issues) and organize. But it’s all good. Really REALLY good.

What’s also really REALLY good is what’s going to come in the second week of the Australian Open. The big ballers on both the men’s and women’s sides are still around which means epic battles are most likely on the Aussie horizon. Novak Djokovic and Maria Sharapova are barely losing games. Juan Martin del Potro is showing some of that old form that made him a Grand Slam champ. He’s been steadily rounding into devastating form.

The veterans—Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Kim Clijsters—have drool-worthy quarterfinals to look forward to. Fed gets Delpo and ReRe will get Shrieka if she gets by Ekaterina Makarova (no offense, Macky, but really…). And the defending women’s champ, who just about got the boot until she houdinied her way from 4 match points down and a balky ankle to beat Li Na, gets top seed Caroline Wozniacki in the quarters.

And there’s still Rafa, Andy Murray, Petra Kvitova and Victoria Azarenka in the mix. Suffice it to say there aren’t any true feel good, prodigy-against-the-draw or journeyballer-on-a-hot-streak stories this season in Melbourne. But that’s okay. I’ll take a a few classic throw downs between top ballers under the lights any day because you just know it’s going to be good. Really REALLY good.

[Photo(s) credit: Reuters]

Kvitova kinda likes winning

She's so close, but in my book (and this blog) she's World No. 1. Fuck what the WTA rankings say. Petra Kvitova's only a measly 115 points behind Caroline Wozniacki after ending the year with 6 titles including Wimbledon and the WTA Championships. She's riding Wozzi's ass the way Pocket Golf Boy wishes he could - hard. And, to top it all off, she led the Czech Republic to the FED CUP title with a 3-2 triumph over Russia this weekend. Props.

Obviously, the FED CUP win doesn't count towards the single rankings but it counts in other big ways besides a win for her country and the team. Look what winning Davis Cup last year did for Novak Djokovic this year. I'm not saying Kiva will go undefeated in the first part of next season and bag three majors, but it cemented her as THE lady baller of the WTA after a dismal post-Wimby stretch that ended indoors this fall. She has the all of the momentum going into 2012 after a spectacular end to 2011.

Is she flawless? Hardly. Kiva still has bouts of inconsistency, but where those moments used to do her in during big matches in key moments she's found a way to work through it and pull out the win. Hell, she's got the weapons to turn any match around in her favor. And let's face it: When she's on court with most lady ballers, save for the Sisters Sledge and, perhaps, Kim Clijsters, the match is in her hands.

And, at the end of the day, that's a nice place to be.

[Photo(s) credit: Kirill Kudryavtsev /AFP/Getty Images]

PHOTO OP: Istanbul eight (well, seven)

These photos crack me. I never have high expectations for the lady ballers' attempts at fashion because it's not their focus - that would be tennis. But I can't help but giggle when I see what they come up with. Well, most of them anyway.

How amazing does Petra Kvitova look here? 'Effortless' would be the word that comes to mind for her in the photo - and 'natural.' Maria Sharapova looks good (and she's got that pose down pat). The girl does love a camera lens. And, no, your eyes aren't buggin' out. That's not Victoria Azarenka or her mom in the middle with the black dress - it's WTA CEO Stacey Allaster. The Belarussian was busy winning Luxembourg this weekend.

Um, I think I'll stop here. It's the end of the year, the last hurrah, the "Final Countdown...da-na-ne-na, da-na-nun-dun-dun" so let the others dress up as awkwardly as they want. Out of all the competitors fighting for the 8 coveted spots at the WTA Championships all year long, these girls made it to Istanbul (and not that other year-end thing going on - what is the point of it anyway?) and deserve to put on their highest heels, weirdest dresses, cakey makeup and celebrate their asses off. So let 'em.

P.S. Why does Sam Stosur look like she's photo bombing this shit? Ok, now I'll stop.

[Photo(s) credit: Getty Images]

A postscript postcard to Petra Kvitova and Li Na

It's okay, ladies. Really. You both entered the tennis history books this year in huge ways: You, Petra Kvitova, by winning Wimbledon and, according to Straight Sets, becoming the first Grand Slam ladies' champ EVAH not to win even a set in her next major tourney and you, Li Na, for becoming the first baller from Asia to hoist a Grand Slam trophy and coming in second to Maria Sharapova in the top earning female athlete ranking thingy.

I think your first round losses at the US Open were almost meant to be. Why? Well, you both showed up wearing pretty much the same Nike duds (one is a cap tee while the other a tank) and you both lost to young, up-and-coming Romanians. Pretty obvious signs if you ask me.

You both must be mentally tired, too, after your efforts earlier in the season and especially now that you're wearing big ass targets on your backs. Those other lady ballers will be gunning for you every chance they get and preparing to step into your Nike kicks at the first strike. They want to be where you are (if they're not there already, that is).

While it's never good to lose reigning major champs in the first round I think you deserve (read = desperately need) a break. And now you have one. So enjoy it. And make sure to return the favor and send a postcard from your vacay. Through snail mail. Not that e-card shit.

xoxo,
RiCH

[Photo(s) credit: Nick Laham/Getty Images]

Steel blue

If anyone knows what it's like to let it fly in a first major final against a multiple Grand Slam champ it's Maria Sharapova. She was all but 17-years old and facing the daunting prospect of Serena Williams on the other side of the net at Wimbledon's Centre Court. But she had nothing to lose and played like it earning the big W at the Big W. The same could be said for Petra Kvitova who defeated Shrieka 6-3, 6-4 in her first major final to earn her maiden Grand Slam championship today.

The Czech seemed inspired while making Centre Court her own tennis playground. She played the aggressive game she wanted to play and hit the penetrating shots she needed to hit all with little fan fare and barely a shriek (what IS that noise?). But I suppose that comes with the territory of a baller whose game is tailor made for a certain surface. Think Justine Henin on clay, Kim Clijsters on hard court and Venus Williams on grass. The baller, surface and game just fit and one never questions the other.

According to Kvitz, she wasn't even feeling the pressure before entering the match:

I felt normal before the match. I was speaking with my coaches and we said I should play like it's a fourth round match. I was focused only on the point and the game and not on the final and the medal.

She may want to bottle that attitude and sell it on the WTA tour. Big Babe Bucks y'all.

Maybe we should've seen all of this coming. With those ice blue eyes and affectless expression, Kvitz possesses that steely look most champions own; her face never betrays the moment. You can't tell whether she's winning or not. Even when she looks to her box because she's desperate for support or joining their celebratory dance it's pretty much the same. During her post-match remarks, the 21-year old southpaw admitted she wasn't as calm as she may have seemed, though, saying, "I was nervous, because I thought I could win Wimbledon, but I just focused on each point."

Yup. That's exactly what champions do. Welcome to the club, girl.

Check out Nike Tennis' and Wilson's tributes to the new Wimbledon champ after the jump.

Masters of Madrid

"My lips on this phallus? Seriously?"

Sometimes I wonder what it must feel like to step onto a tennis court, stare across the net and feel a sense of completeness. Like I know I can handle whatever my opponent throws at me be it a rifled serve, scorching groundies or the patience of a saint; that at my core I know my best is better than theirs or, at the very least, believe it is for that game, set or match.

Rafael Nadal owns this kind of rare belief. He steps in between the lines and knows that even if he can't pummel his way through an opponent, his will and desire can trump all. He's the ultimate competitor and has the ability to win a match in the locker room, as they say. But a strange thing has happened this year: The world's top baller finally has met his match in Novak Djokovic.

Although he was riding a 31-0 record heading into the Madrid final and had beaten Rafa the last two times, Nole was still considered the underdog. It was clay, not his favored hard court, and the Serb had never won a match against Rafa on the surface the lefty has dominated for years. Plus, it was being played in Rafa's backyard and home field advantage can never be counted out. But Nole has been doing the unthinkable all season long and this was no different upsetting Rafa 7-5, 6-4 to claim his sixth title and remain unbeaten in 32 matches this year. Yeah, we can talk crosscourt backhands (Nole's was LETHAL) and big serving on key points but what it all came down to, as it has in their recent matches, was belief. Nole stayed with Rafa in those long, brutal rallies where the Spaniard's champion mentality normally gains a foothold and waited for the right opportunity to go on the full attack. Even when he lost the two break advantage in the first set he never wavered or flinched.

In a tennis match you only need to be better than one other person. And when that person is Rafa and you're playing on clay and win, you know you're doing something special. Now onto Rome where Nole can grab the top ranking if he wins the title. Good grief.

"Good for you, Nole, but I ain't giving lip service to this thing."

Petra Kvitova strikes an intriguing figure. When she smiles she reveals a mouth full of metal [SELF REVELATORY ALERT: I, too, had chosen to wear those things in my early twenties. And went dateless. But I really love my teeth now...] and struts around the court with a Lindsay Davenport-esque posture and gait. I guess it shouldn't come as a surprise, then, that the girl can smack a bitch up. No, I'm not talking about Vika who she defeated 7-6 (7-3), 6-4 to win Madrid. I'm talking about the ball, the poor felty thing that she strikes so beautifully with such ease. Like Linds, her timing is impeccable causing the ball to leap off her racket with lethal precision and pace.

Vika, as hard as she hits the ball, was mostly forced into the role of retriever - not a winning game play for the Belarusian. In fact it's not a path to success for Kvits, either, which is why her Plan A of first-strike tennis in the final worked so well. Here's the flip side, though: When Plan A hits the skids we've seen some f-ugly losses from the newly-minted Top Tenner. Consistency has yet to befriend Kvits as it has with Vika recently which is why the Czech remains a work in progress. But if she gets on a HAWT streak for, say, seven straight matches over a fortnight it wouldn't surprise either.

[Photo(s): Getty Images] 

SHE SAID/SHE SAID: Wimbledon Day Eight

Q. What memories do you have of Wimbledon growing up?

TSVETANA PIRONKOVA: Wimbledon has always been, you know, like a religion to me. And I don't think it's just for me. I think it's for all of the players.

Q. Why do you say that?

TSVETANA PIRONKOVA: Because Wimbledon is the first tournament. It's the oldest tournament. Growing up, every player is looking at Wimbledon. They say, One day I want to play there. That's like a dream.

Q. So when you think of yourself out there in the women's semifinals on Thursday, what is your reaction?

TSVETANA PIRONKOVA: Well, you know, honestly I still cannot believe that I reached the semifinals. This is truly like a dream to me, and I will try to enjoy it as much as I can.

Q. Do you think you have more to offer in the semifinal?

TSVETANA PIRONKOVA: I really hope that I have more to offer. I'll just try to do all the right things: to rest well, to prepare well for the next match. I'll just try to do my best and we'll see what happens.

Q. When you won yesterday, you said you felt you've been trying to play too many perfect shots, not settling for good shots. Was that something that affected you today at all?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I don't remember saying that. But, you know, I think a lot of those approach shots I was missing because I felt like I got a short ball literally every point.

I just felt, you know, you have to have the mentality on the short ball to hit the approach and be ready for the volley. And I felt like I didn't slow myself down enough, and I just kept trying to hit too good of a ‑‑ you know, you have to not want to win the point, especially when the ball's bouncing low.

On the grass, the bounce isn't always true, so you have to adjust your shot. I think I just let things start going too fast.

Q. Losses and wins both can be either triumphs of the emotions, mentality, technique, or strategy. Which would you say was most responsible today?

VENUS WILLIAMS: All (laughter.) Like I said, you know, I didn't bring my best tennis today. And sometimes, like I said, you really have to live in the moment. I got too caught up in the mistakes I was making instead of just letting it go and moving on.

I expect a lot from myself, especially at this tournament. When I missed a few shots, I think I just kind of, you know, maybe was a little too hard on myself.

Usually I stay, you know, for the most part, pretty positive. But, you know, yeah.

Q. What do you know about your semifinal opponent? Must be rather a surprise that you're not playing Venus, that you're playing Pironkova.

VERA ZVONAREVA: You know, obviously Venus is going to be always one of the favorite players here at Wimbledon. But if Tsvetana beat her today, she deserves to be in the semifinals. She played great tennis.

I played her in Moscow last year and I lost to her. I will try to remember that match. I know I was not playing my best tennis over there. I will just have to, you know, think about it a little bit and prepare myself the best I can.

I'm gonna try my best over there, just the way I was trying today, and then we will see what's going to happen.

Q. What were her strengths when you played her in Moscow?

VERA ZVONAREVA: I think she's all‑over‑the‑court player. You know, it's hard to predict what she's doing on the court. Sometimes she can slice; sometimes she can hit the ball; sometimes she can play slow; sometimes she can play fast. You never know what to expect, so you lose your rhythm. Then you start thinking maybe too much on the court.

I just know that in that match I will have to concentrate on myself and execute my game no matter what the score, no matter what she's trying to do. Just try not to look on the other side and try to concentrate on myself.

Q. What are the biggest things you think you need to work on between now and the Open?

KIM CLIJSTERS: Obviously what I always want to work on is my serve, and, you know, making sure that I get a higher first‑serve percentage.

But when you play girls who hit the ball hard, and especially women's tennis these days, everybody hits the ball hard and flat and deep.

I think I have the habit of probably not finishing my service motion to a full end because as soon as I land with my first foot, I'm already pushing back to be ready for that next shot.

So you have to make a choice. You want to be ready, you know, maybe a little bit later for the next shot because you want to have a higher percentage of serve. I'm really trying to work on that.

Obviously, you know, in practice it's going well. In matches, it's your habits that come back at the most important moments in the match.

Q. How do you feel about your next opponent, Kvitova?

SERENA WILLIAMS: She's a good player. I mean, I've actually thought she would get through in the early rounds. I'm not surprised that I'm playing her.

She is lefty. She's really, really good.

Q. What made you think she'd get through?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, early in the tournament, I saw her playing a couple rounds and I was like, Wow, she's doing really well. She was just hitting the ball so clean.

Obviously, when she beat Wozniacki I wasn't surprised, because I just saw how well she was doing and how well she was playing.

She's a really tough player, especially on grass.

Q. When you beat Azarenka 6‑0 in the second set, she said, I think Petra, that girl, played the best tennis of her life. Do you feel like you can play that kind of level all the time?

PETRA KVITOVA: So, yeah, I think so. I play now very well, my best tennis in my life, my career. But it's very, very hard to stay on this level. So I have to be focused for each match, for each point.

Yeah, we will see what will be in the future.

Q. The future is against Serena, who has won 12 Grand Slam titles. She has a lot of experience. She's very good on grass. How do you go into that match and play your best and not get so nervous playing on the big court against her?

PETRA KVITOVA: So, yeah, she is very good player, and she won here I don't know how many times. I lost against her in the Australian Open. So it was very quick.

But, yeah, I'm not favorite, so I can play just my game and just play and enjoy. So we will see.

Q. Do you think you can win the tournament here? Do you think you can be Wimbledon champion?

PETRA KVITOVA: No, I don't think. I don't think so, no (laughter.)

Q. Why not?

PETRA KVITOVA: So maybe it's two matches. But, yeah, maybe I can lose in the Serena. I don't know what I can tell. I don't think so, yeah.

Q. Martina, obviously with your skill level and with Anna, you could go into the main draw and be competitive.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: No, not me. She could be. Me, there's no way. I mean, I'm not ready for that at all.

Q. Why not just do it?

MARTINA HINGIS: No, I don't think we would be.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: You could for sure.

MARTINA HINGIS: I haven't played that much in the last three years. For me it's less time being away. It's only three years. But still, I mean, you have to commit. The commitment is totally different.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Different mental commitment also.

MARTINA HINGIS: Being on the tour full‑time, you can't pop up and say, I'm going to come back and win Grand Slams, even if you have a great partner.

It's great fun to be out there again with Anna. We had some great times. We're sharing some good time again. Totally different ballgame.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: For me it would be impossible really physically to be on the tour. It even bothers me a little bit playing like today. I mean, it wasn't strenuous match. It was quite fun and giggly. I'm sure I'm going to feel it tomorrow and I'll be sore. Even to prepare for the specific tournament, the last two months, I've had to have therapy, like real therapy, every day for an hour, hour and a half.

This is just for kind of the fun matches. I would have to live in the trainer's room for three hours every day. I have five different things wrong with my back from two herniated discs.

MARTINA HINGIS: It's a good day off tomorrow.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: From two herniated discs to four cracks that I have. The right side is smaller than the left side.

MARTINA HINGIS: I don't want to hear it.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: All kinds of weird stuff.

Q. What was the trainer coming on today for?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: (Holding her hand up.)

Q. What is it?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: It's a blister that's like bleeding.

THE MODERATOR: Thank you.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Really, that's it? Suddenly when I'm older, I'm enjoying the press conferences (laughter). I thought we were just getting started.

[Photo(s): Getty Images]

Roddick + Wozniacki take a tumble out of Wimbledon

Andy Roddick won't be making a return to the men's final this year after getting stunned by unheralded and unseeded Yen-Hsun Lu 4-6, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (4), 6-7 (5), 9-7 in the Wimbledon fourth round. He becomes the first Asian man to reach the quarterfinals at a major in 15 years *clap, clap*

Rendy hit 83 winners/34 UEs, 22 aces, 60% first serve and converted 1 of 2 break points - that being in the final game of the match. He'll face Novak Djokovic, who defeated an in-form Lleyton Hewitt, for a spot in the semifinals.

The Taiwanese baller played the match of his life holding his ground on the baseline against A-Rod's blasts and pushing the American back seemingly near the stands in a defensive stance. Rendy also served well in the key moments which he believes was the difference in the match:

Q. You played him twice before. What was the difference?

YEN‑HSUN LU: I think for me I know he's very tough on grass because he has big serve. And I don't think I'm doing different than last time. But I just show my serve when I was in trouble or when I in tough situation, I don't overplay.

So I have to stay with him because last two match, sometimes in the pressure, I overplay because I want to make a winner.

But today I just take a time, serve regular, and stay with him, try to find a chance and to win the set, set by set, set by set, until end, I shaking hand and I win. Yeah, I just don't think.

While Rendy's serving was solid the fourth seed's return of serve was abysmal only breaking his opponent once - in the opening set of the match. He was asked about it in his post-match presser:

Q. There were patches in the match where you felt like he was reading your serve pretty well? You hit a lot of aces.

ANDY RODDICK: I didn't get broken for five sets. It wasn't my serve. It wasn't my service games. It was my returning. That was crap. It was really bad.

I haven't been broken since the first set against Llodra. So I don't think it was my serve.

Q. Back to the returning. Were you not reading him the way you wanted to or the ball wasn't coming off the racquet?

ANDY RODDICK: It wasn't coming off the right way. I was fighting it all day. You know, seemed like games where I got good swings on it, he was playing from ahead. He did a good job, as well. I don't know.

I had I think one second serve on a breakpoint. That was there in the fifth when I hit a decent return. He cold‑cocked one, came in, hit an inside‑out stick volley. That was a pretty impressive volley at that point.

You know, I just wasn't doing a good job of converting.

By the looks of it A-Rod has a really good cry in the locker room before sitting down with the press. And it's understandable: he waited a whole year to get another chance at converting match point in the final on Sunday. Plus, every year his chances get slimmer and slimmer to hoist the trophy. It's too bad he didn't play like any of either of those things mattered today.


Caroline Wozniacki had been playing some of the best tennis on the ladies side until she met up with Petra Kvitova today.

The unseeded Czech baller dismantled the third seed 6-2, 6-0 in a brisk 46 minutes to reach her first Grand Slam quarterfinal. She hit 23 winners/11 UEs, 5 aces, 62% first serve, won 10 of 13 second serve points and made 7 of 8 net approaches. She'll face qualifier Kaia Kanepi, who defeated Klara Zakopalova, for a spot in the final four.

The post-match analysis is pretty straightforward: the Dane was absolutely overwhelmed by the power hitting of Petra, plain and simple. Hopefully Wozzi can take some time off and get rested. She has a tendency to overplay at times so maybe it's a blessing in disguise for the upcoming hard court season where she has tons of points to defend.

There was one mild upset: unseeded Tsvetana Pironkova bested '07 finalist and 11th seed Marion Bartoli 6-4, 6-4. She'll face Venus Williams in a rematch of their '06 Oz Open first round meeting when she ousted the American in a huge surprise.

On a side note: JJ went down literally and in the tournament to Vera Zvonareva after retiring with a back injury in the second set of their match.

[Photo(s): Reuters, Getty Images]

WEEKEND WINNERS: Fed, Nalby, J.Martin, Elena, Petra

Roger Federer completed his preparation for next's Aussie Open by comprehensively crushing doubles partner, good friend and potential quarterfinal foe Stanislas Wawrinka 6-1, 6-3 in 57 minutes to earn his second Kooyong title.

No real surprise here but it's still a good confidence win for Fed before the year's first major. But the big question is: when did Stan leave adidas and join Lacoste?


Fed's longtime nemesis David Nalbandian is up to his usual tricks again. After a relatively non-existent 2008, the enigmatic Argentine stormed back to take the Sydney title by defeating Jarkko Nieminen 6-3, 6-7(9), 6-2 for his 10th career title. Regal Rog owns a 10-8 lead in their head-to-head and the pair, who sit in the same half of the draw, could meet in the semifinals.


Speaking of Argentines, Juan Martin del Potro has picked up where he left off last season when he won his first four titles consecutively and reached a major quarterfinal for the first time at the US Open. The 20-year old defeated American Sam Querry 6-4, 6-4 to capture the Auckland title and is the eighth seed next week. He sits in the bottom quarter of the draw that features Fed + Stan, Marin Cilic, Marat Safin, and controversial Aussie prodigy Bernard Tomic.


In a rematch of the Beijing Olympics gold medal round, Elena Dementieva won again and evened her head-to-head series with Dinara Safina to 5-all by pulling out a 6-3, 2-6, 6-1 over her compatriot in Sydney and earning her second title in as many weeks (Auckland). She's the form lady baller going into Melbourne and if her legs stay under her, watch out.


Congrats to Petra Kvitova who defeated her Czech compatriot Iveta Benesova 7-5, 6-1 to win her maiden WTA title in Hobart. She sits in the bottom quarter of the draw that features 9-time Grand Slammer Serena Williams.

(images via Getty)