tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68579329085956719492024-03-19T05:41:53.668-07:00BestSportsAtletsDavidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00917261577991296159noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6857932908595671949.post-59139381837602263612011-09-07T20:12:00.000-07:002011-09-07T20:17:56.914-07:00The Attackers Lazio Football Club in the Serie-A Italia 2010/2011<br /> The Attackers Fiorentina Football Club in the Serie-A Italia 2010/2011<br /> The Attackers New York Red Bulls Football Club in the MLS League 2010/2011<br /> The Attackers DC United Football Club in the MLS League 2010/2011<br /> The Attackers Bayer Leverkusen Football Club in the Bundesliga Germany 2010/2011<br /> The Attackers LA Galaxy Football Club in the MLS League 2010/2011<br /> The Attackers Bayern Munchen Football Club in the Bundesliga Germany 2010/2011<br /> The Attackers Juventus Football Club in the Serie-A Italia 2010/2011<br /> The Attackers Inter Milan Football Club in the Serie-A Italia 2010/2011<br /> The Attackers Real Madrid Football Club in the La Liga 2010/2011<br /> Football Team UEFA Champions League 2010/2011 Group H<br /> Football Team UEFA Champions League 2010/2011 Group G<br /> Football Team UEFA Champions League 2010/2011 Group F<br /> Football Team UEFA Champions League 2010/2011 Group E<br /> Football Team UEFA Champions League 2010/2011 Group C<br /> Football Team UEFA Champions League 2010/2011 Group B<br /> Football Team UEFA Champions League 2010/2011 Group A<br /> The Attackers Barcelona Football Club in the La Liga 2010/2011<br /> The Attackers Manchester City Football Club in the English Premier League 2010/2011<br /> The Attackers AC Milan Football Club in the Serie-A Italia 2010/2011<br /> The Attackers AS Roma Football Club in the Serie-A Italia 2010/2011<br /> The Attackers Atletico Madrid Football Club in the La Liga 2010/2011<br /> The Attackers Valencia Football Club in the La Liga 2010/2011<br /> The Attackers Tottenham Hotspur Football Club in the English Premier League 2010/2011<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIqLMunxAcBTUm7xDFYLrwGEvDIszBVsULxDZhi47t5RO0MOduDtn0pmStAAiIlkuu_MJC_88wNJhlUtSWJAB2ULitmktYuq3FruhES5NYipDgvdelYoKCLieykNZQbh31vMMNQuent5c/s1600/g_2011-2012-club-team-barcelona-home-away-jerseys-f2465.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 311px; height: 311px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIqLMunxAcBTUm7xDFYLrwGEvDIszBVsULxDZhi47t5RO0MOduDtn0pmStAAiIlkuu_MJC_88wNJhlUtSWJAB2ULitmktYuq3FruhES5NYipDgvdelYoKCLieykNZQbh31vMMNQuent5c/s400/g_2011-2012-club-team-barcelona-home-away-jerseys-f2465.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649821588138681906" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj38RCAgXqyjsG_L8iB_pEjjyuNnBz8BvLcX1zR13b4pqO4d_Eir9GXKNnq1I8huSZHQNZ4zHYPlOaJ-484R_88d-0kqUaMwlfehzS2MLoQqwiqIeHJpCifGw11kyRHkojBWo0PIgKWERc/s1600/FC-Barcelona-team-Photo-2010.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 417px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj38RCAgXqyjsG_L8iB_pEjjyuNnBz8BvLcX1zR13b4pqO4d_Eir9GXKNnq1I8huSZHQNZ4zHYPlOaJ-484R_88d-0kqUaMwlfehzS2MLoQqwiqIeHJpCifGw11kyRHkojBWo0PIgKWERc/s400/FC-Barcelona-team-Photo-2010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649821582714166594" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfR38arOgb1tqjhAo3QOgqoRoDzSOz8c_DF_y9gYCb2SQRgk6Pn50Z-_v_-esiliWFwBarWnANesKCqtFBqSJUq3RLHiomaVUo0qoDMr_XY9A6-BF-YeUziIi-e0tqiSc7c9E2hEqWXf0/s1600/FCBarcelona+2010_2011.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 417px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfR38arOgb1tqjhAo3QOgqoRoDzSOz8c_DF_y9gYCb2SQRgk6Pn50Z-_v_-esiliWFwBarWnANesKCqtFBqSJUq3RLHiomaVUo0qoDMr_XY9A6-BF-YeUziIi-e0tqiSc7c9E2hEqWXf0/s400/FCBarcelona+2010_2011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649821576750921090" border="0" /></a><br /> Football Team UEFA Champions League 2010/2011 Group H<br /> Football Team UEFA Champions League 2010/2011 Group G<br /> Football Team UEFA Champions League 2010/2011 Group F<br /> Football Team UEFA Champions League 2010/2011 Group E<br /> Football Team UEFA Champions League 2010/2011 Group C<br /> Football Team UEFA Champions League 2010/2011 Group B<br /> Football Team UEFA Champions League 2010/2011 Group A<br /> The Attackers Barcelona Football Club in the La Liga 2010/2011<br /> The Attackers Manchester City Football Club in the English Premier League 2010/2011<br /> The Attackers AC Milan Football Club in the Serie-A Italia 2010/2011<br /> The Attackers AS Roma Football Club in the Serie-A Italia 2010/2011<br /> The Attackers Atletico Madrid Football Club in the La Liga 2010/2011<br /> The Attackers Valencia Football Club in the La Liga 2010/2011<br /> The Attackers Tottenham Hotspur Football Club in the English Premier League 2010/2011<br /> The Attackers Liverpool Football Club in the English Premier League 2010/2011<br /> The Attackers Arsenal Football Club in the English Premier League 2010/2011<br /> Forwards Manchester United Football Club in English Premier League 2010/2011<br /> Attackers Chelsea Football Club in English Premier League 2010/2011<br /> Football Highlights USA Forwards Football Players in FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010<br /> Football Highlights USA Goalkeepers in FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010<br /> Germany and Nigeria into the final FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Germany 2010<br /> Spain Football Team is The Winner of The FIFA Fair Play Award 2010<br /> Spain Football Team New Champions FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010<br /> Football Scores Semi Final FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010: Spain vs Germany<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKK54CXMkQ7bVBTeTb_3LP6MqQuK1vLY08kpsmtQG-unVEUZpDgCwO9UkCHKa1YVpC6bcnNzVusNlOLcNYLG1__WACQeLo8h_Kk-cE218-kAfgpVt5tvEJJHkCYaV4uIGosYaN6LvPGJA/s1600/Barcelona-Team-2011.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 418px; height: 252px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKK54CXMkQ7bVBTeTb_3LP6MqQuK1vLY08kpsmtQG-unVEUZpDgCwO9UkCHKa1YVpC6bcnNzVusNlOLcNYLG1__WACQeLo8h_Kk-cE218-kAfgpVt5tvEJJHkCYaV4uIGosYaN6LvPGJA/s400/Barcelona-Team-2011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649821578027893266" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7-8V2Wvu-LNq0L8usXDUxjcryKM_FYt3ry6vX43jCToO_tT1JzFBM_8E7qjwpWCnguBow041mIAcGG03T2u37sexYw9j8JPAx7sGXR1wy3ymy4Lm2EaUvNIr7SBz_25Ofnu4fvpYM_o/s1600/2011+Barcelona+home+team+red+blue+jerseys.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 416px; height: 312px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7-8V2Wvu-LNq0L8usXDUxjcryKM_FYt3ry6vX43jCToO_tT1JzFBM_8E7qjwpWCnguBow041mIAcGG03T2u37sexYw9j8JPAx7sGXR1wy3ymy4Lm2EaUvNIr7SBz_25Ofnu4fvpYM_o/s400/2011+Barcelona+home+team+red+blue+jerseys.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649821574181658498" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.soccersshop.com/images/Barcelona%20Away%20Soccer%20Jersey%20Dark%20Blue%20%282011-2012%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 417px; height: 312px;" src="http://www.soccersshop.com/images/Barcelona%20Away%20Soccer%20Jersey%20Dark%20Blue%20%282011-2012%29.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /> Football Team UEFA Champions League 2010/2011 Group H<br /> Football Team UEFA Champions League 2010/2011 Group G<br /> Football Team UEFA Champions League 2010/2011 Group F<br /> Football Team UEFA Champions League 2010/2011 Group E<br /> Football Team UEFA Champions League 2010/2011 Group C<br /> Football Team UEFA Champions League 2010/2011 Group B<br /> Football Team UEFA Champions League 2010/2011 Group A<br /> Football Highlights Inter Milan VS Bayern Munich UEFA Champions League Final 2010Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00917261577991296159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6857932908595671949.post-71170710056593266542011-07-25T08:55:00.000-07:002011-07-25T09:07:18.231-07:00Tiger Woods WallpaperThe journey of Tiger Woods from golf prodigy to golf professional began at age 2, when he was already learning to swing from his athletic and influential dad, Earl Woods. By 5, he already attained more television exposure than most adults could hope to amass in their lifetimes, thanks to a TV golf match on The Mike Douglas Show against the legendary Bob Hope, and further appearances on That's Incredible and Golf Digest. Seeking further inspiration, he began playing motivational tapes while honing his golf swing in his bedroom mirror. The added practice paid off. Able to score 80 by the age of 8, he became a regular participant in the Junior World Golf Championships, which he won four straight times. As a teenager, the budding superstar would impress golf legend Jack Nicklaus at a golf event and play in a youth tournament with future golf star John Daly.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_bianchi/files/2011/07/tigerwoods31.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 418px; height: 483px;" src="http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_bianchi/files/2011/07/tigerwoods31.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Tiger Woods is a living and breathing golf genius. Of that, there is no doubt. An elite combination of power, finesse and athletic prowess, he single-handedly redefined the game of golf and made it his own through a countless number of exciting tournament victories. The high-profile multimillion dollar endorsements haven't hurt either. While Tiger Woods has continued his mastery of the PGA into the new decade, he has become equally famous for his shocking infidelities. His scandalous forays with women have left a permanent stain on his once squeaky-clean image and have also reminded the rest of us of how bad text messaging and voice mail habits can irreparably harm a marriage. All eyes will be on Tiger this April when he returns to the sport that made him famous at the Masters in Augusta.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://live.drjays.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/tiger.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 517px;" src="http://live.drjays.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/tiger.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Golf has been one of life's cornerstones for Tiger Woods since he was a toddler, and his continued success has placed him among the greats of the game and among the most successful athletes of all time. To date, he has amassed over 70 PGA victories and won at 14 majors, including 4 each at the PGA Championship and the Masters, respectively. His success also extends into the realm of endorsements, which -- when coupled with his string of professional golf earnings and accolades -- have made him the first athlete to earn over a billion dollars over the course of his career.<br />So what are the keys to success for the unstoppable golf force known as Tiger Woods? On the green, his strengths come from his long driving skills, solid iron play and clutch putting abilities. His consistency is second to none and he is adept at capitalizing on the mistakes of his competitors, because he rarely makes them himself. As one of the golf world's most dedicated professionals, he practices his game for hours at a time and he's also a dedicated all-around athlete to boot, with the ability to bench-press a solid 300 pounds. In addition to his wide array of physical advantages, Tiger Woods is just a smart player with an unwavering playing attitude that makes him intimidating and incredibly effective when it counts.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://tigerwoods.megatrendnetwork.com/images/tigerwoods009.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 419px; height: 492px;" src="http://tigerwoods.megatrendnetwork.com/images/tigerwoods009.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />After Gatorade and Gillette, Tiger Woods loses another endorsement: his Accenture contract as spokesperson is off too. The global management services company that used Woods for their ads dropped him too. "Given the circumstances of the last two weeks, after careful consideration and analysis, the company has determined that he is no longer the right representative for its advertising. Accenture said that it wishes only the best for Tiger Woods and his family", it is said in Accenture's statement.<br />It seems that just Nike remains faithful for the golf player. This way, the champion who's about to take "an indefinite break " from the sports that made him famous, may learn something about loyalty.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://theshambu.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Tiger-Woods.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 418px; height: 269px;" src="http://theshambu.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Tiger-Woods.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />The former world leader Tiger Woods decided to end the collaboration with his assistant Steve Williams after 12 years since they first formed a team. The Woods-Williams not only that were very tight, but it was very successful also.<br />Tiger Woods had 13 major titles in his career having Steve Williams beside him. Woods announced the end of the collaboration with an official statement from his website in which he thanks Williams for all his support.<br />More, he said that he is very grateful for everything that he done for him but he thinks it is time for a change into his professional life. Steve Williams was an impeccable caddie and a very close friend, Woods added and he said also that he wishes Williams a lot of success in his future.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5HeBwTV_ybjR47XzE0afy2gq7_OqwnatDnpB0wMixRK7zFpMgU1ibiv5QoMrHkXuUhoWGAW5mkHKHJMDLBNwhfh4xby94aWgYpmK5DL4GgsFsHy4WgZOhR-y6hGFWXP7y8QsmEKWpGVM/s1600/tiger-woods-scandal-is-michael-jordan-being-extra-friendly-with-elin-nordegren-298x300.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 423px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5HeBwTV_ybjR47XzE0afy2gq7_OqwnatDnpB0wMixRK7zFpMgU1ibiv5QoMrHkXuUhoWGAW5mkHKHJMDLBNwhfh4xby94aWgYpmK5DL4GgsFsHy4WgZOhR-y6hGFWXP7y8QsmEKWpGVM/s400/tiger-woods-scandal-is-michael-jordan-being-extra-friendly-with-elin-nordegren-298x300.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633319942234012690" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjRnx5izyCLL7ofH_65vJXMjdPJu90BPT3GrwX1WZwEJlc7TpOHTd4JIUP2IJneNAw8sO_2ue3vNfVWMJHx4gp-7H3vINkQX0A5Wr21OE_8uHQlEOJngrj404aGPCtQ7xWsCTWVIYF4vU/s1600/Tiger-Woods.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 419px; height: 282px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjRnx5izyCLL7ofH_65vJXMjdPJu90BPT3GrwX1WZwEJlc7TpOHTd4JIUP2IJneNAw8sO_2ue3vNfVWMJHx4gp-7H3vINkQX0A5Wr21OE_8uHQlEOJngrj404aGPCtQ7xWsCTWVIYF4vU/s400/Tiger-Woods.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633319939908198770" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1OTNFUmJ_CdnSolVYG7ZvVv23tmG3q3HGHDvUEzib4FGWbYKP2J_W4SQvbOa-mttnbT0TN_apZ566LJ2DoByOfoXSj2MN87Lo2Xv-s9tAQgWeR6rl40Srsr007sUjRxPZz6LznvpYXps/s1600/Tiger_Woods_0016.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 289px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1OTNFUmJ_CdnSolVYG7ZvVv23tmG3q3HGHDvUEzib4FGWbYKP2J_W4SQvbOa-mttnbT0TN_apZ566LJ2DoByOfoXSj2MN87Lo2Xv-s9tAQgWeR6rl40Srsr007sUjRxPZz6LznvpYXps/s400/Tiger_Woods_0016.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633319933335376514" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjns9YX1p9tWeThH76-TOeJ2TiWBp6FMFqxj5rhRKE1ImLclHJCgqVHx4eLaeayUIfdaD2YPeczdOnywY_UV3m6SNl9p_LMYKIwAFC105AiHXWuaBXy74Mbyz0Pe7_KpcS9hNGEFd3O9o/s1600/tiger_woods6.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 419px; height: 409px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjns9YX1p9tWeThH76-TOeJ2TiWBp6FMFqxj5rhRKE1ImLclHJCgqVHx4eLaeayUIfdaD2YPeczdOnywY_UV3m6SNl9p_LMYKIwAFC105AiHXWuaBXy74Mbyz0Pe7_KpcS9hNGEFd3O9o/s400/tiger_woods6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633319926974252450" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8TMqn2fGTnsjuK_SDWBiBsVhIbuGs5ERirEQ8P0UmrGy2HmcwOfu-sZfJKh-i-x6_L06dIkAdsWAjIMzImW81uD8JO2JnDhlgl6qMTz2jR3COCQx5wUS0s0F7hSgCt3-SyRzhvN1uVwI/s1600/661-430x320.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 418px; height: 312px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8TMqn2fGTnsjuK_SDWBiBsVhIbuGs5ERirEQ8P0UmrGy2HmcwOfu-sZfJKh-i-x6_L06dIkAdsWAjIMzImW81uD8JO2JnDhlgl6qMTz2jR3COCQx5wUS0s0F7hSgCt3-SyRzhvN1uVwI/s400/661-430x320.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633319923790931362" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://gyantunplugged.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/tiger_woods_06_british.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 428px;" src="http://gyantunplugged.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/tiger_woods_06_british.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />This is how it end the statement that forced Steve Williams to make a revealing regarding their collaboration from the last year. The former Tiger Woods ‘caddie reacted very quickly with an answer also on the personal website.<br />He said that in the shadow of the new changes into Tiger Woods life and all the circumstances in which they worked together in the last 18 month, with his personal scandal, the hiring of a new coach and the major change of his playing style, he declared himself very disappointed and he is very sorry that this collaboration ends in this way.<br />Woods didn’t participate at a professional pour from Masters, when he was injured at the Achilles tendon and this incident worth him the participation at US Open and The Open Championship.<br />The last victory of the American player in a major tour was in 2008, when he imposed at US Open and the last success in the circuit was in November 2009, when he finished the Master of Australia as a winner. In 2009, the journalists published the fortune that Steve Williams raised in all this time in which he was Tiger Woods ‘caddie.<br />At that time, Williams had a fortune of 20 million dollars, an amount that is on the same step with the American player’s fortune. Before working with Woods, in 1999, Williams also collaborated with Greg Norman and Raymond Floyd.<br />According to the press, from every victory, Williams had almost two million Euros on year, excluding the advertising contracts. A caddy is the man that carries the player’s golf stick. He is a very good versed man of the field that analyses everything regarding the game, from the main rivals until the meteorological conditions.Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00917261577991296159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6857932908595671949.post-49711685510400344622011-07-23T10:00:00.000-07:002011-07-23T10:25:58.986-07:00Vera Zvonareva PhotosVera Zvonareva was born September 7, 1984 in Moscow, Russia to Igor Zvonarev and Natalia Zvonareva. She was introduced to tennis at the age of six by her mother, although no other members of her family play the game.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVT8V2XqLKHvZ7f_MJMx4fbv2_V2P_Fg8QggsV81Lv2yqPE0fOyXcnGZYonzg1reVJhVnNzXRKKLhVCTLoM0L3clVXuCNA-IUlQ0qRm4GW6Azxkj7HrihfdtvcAGihcKco-pcLnF1rIBlN/s1600/vera-zvonareva-tennis-player.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 651px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVT8V2XqLKHvZ7f_MJMx4fbv2_V2P_Fg8QggsV81Lv2yqPE0fOyXcnGZYonzg1reVJhVnNzXRKKLhVCTLoM0L3clVXuCNA-IUlQ0qRm4GW6Azxkj7HrihfdtvcAGihcKco-pcLnF1rIBlN/s1600/vera-zvonareva-tennis-player.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Vera Zvonareva started to compete on the ITF Circuit in 1999, debuting at an ITF tournament in Tbilisi, Georgia. She qualified for the main draw there. The next year, she won an ITF event in Moscow, Russia without dropping a set, despite being unranked. The event is just the second event she has played in her career. She made her WTA-level debut at Tier I Moscow, beating 148th-ranked Elena Bovina before losing to eleventh-ranked Anna Kournikova in the second round. In 2001, she failed to qualify for WTA events in Miami and Moscow, but reached a semifinal in the ITF Circuit. During this time, she also showed her adeptness in juniors' competition by winning the Orange Bowl under-18s event.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Ralph+Lauren+Sony+Ericsson+WTA+Tour+Pre+Wimbledon+B8Z5yZi7Ecrl.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 419px; height: 280px;" src="http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Ralph+Lauren+Sony+Ericsson+WTA+Tour+Pre+Wimbledon+B8Z5yZi7Ecrl.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />2002 was Zvonareva's first season in which she started to play more WTA-level events. Vera Zvonareva won her second ITF Circuit title in Naples, Florida, and then reached her first singles final on the WTA Tour at Palermo, losing to Mariana Díaz-Oliva in three sets. She also achieved semifinal finishes in Warsaw, Sopot plus a quarterfinal finish in Bol. Zvonareva qualified for her Grand Slam debut at Roland Garros, where she reached the fourth round, stretching eventual champion Serena Williams to three sets. At the US Open, she stretched seventh-ranked Kim Clijsters of Belgium to the limit, losing 1–6, 7–5, 6–4 in the third round. She broke the Top 100 after Roland Garros, then the Top 50 after the US Open.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.topnews.in/sports/files/Vera-Zvonareva11.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 676px;" src="http://www.topnews.in/sports/files/Vera-Zvonareva11.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Zvonareva had a breakthrough season in 2003. She won the title in Bol, beating Conchita Martinez Granados in the final, and reaching three other semifinals (including Tier II Linz). At Roland Garros, Vera Zvonareva defeated third-ranked Venus Williams in the fourth round for her best career victory so far, but fell in the quarters to Nadia Petrova. Before beating Williams, she defeated tenth-ranked Anastasia Myskina in Berlin for her first Top 10 win. After her Roland Garros showing, she broke the Top 20. Out of seven Tier I events she contested, six ended in the quarterfinals. Her debut for the Russian Fed Cup team was in the World Group quarterfinals against Slovenia. Russia won 5–0 but lost to Russia 3–2 in the semifinals. In doubles, she reached her first WTA final at Moscow with Myskina.<br />She ended 2003 ranked No. 13 in the world.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://static.tennis24seven.com/wp-content/gallery/vera-zvonareva/vera-zvonareva2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 418px; height: 313px;" src="http://static.tennis24seven.com/wp-content/gallery/vera-zvonareva/vera-zvonareva2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Vera Zvonareva won the first Grand Slam title of her career, winning the mixed doubles competition at the US Open. She won one singles title, in Memphis; and reached the final of two other events in the U.S, Cincinnati and Philadelphia, losing to top ten players Lindsay Davenport and Amelie Mauresmo respectively. She produced a remarkable comeback at the Memphis event, playing against home favourite Lisa Raymond, after having been down 5–2 in the third set and saving three match points. She was able to take the next five games and emerged the victor, 4–6, 6–4, 7–5. In addition to this, she reached the semifinal stage of three elite Tier I tournaments in Rome, San Diego, and Montreal. She lost in San Diego to fellow Russian Anastasia Myskina, in a match that featured a final set tie-break that finished 17–15.<br />Vera Zvonareva was rewarded with her best year-end ranking position, finishing No. 11 in the world. In August, she reached her career high of No. 9. Due to several withdrawals, Zvonareva was able to compete at the WTA Tour Championships, an event reserved for the top 8 players in the world. She was unable to win a match and exited at the round robin stage.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUv2TlAdIDjkl5zLbNydPVorUMVr46wInoepgXXz7E0NxNNq5DrnsqV-59dMMiBLkxg5u77eTc1pntoYazNTLwaxtrnAZc2izJLPoMwZSJvnSyjdr1Wn0pB1L4KKwreYrTsHW727Lrx6w/s1600/vera_zvonareva-0007.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 598px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUv2TlAdIDjkl5zLbNydPVorUMVr46wInoepgXXz7E0NxNNq5DrnsqV-59dMMiBLkxg5u77eTc1pntoYazNTLwaxtrnAZc2izJLPoMwZSJvnSyjdr1Wn0pB1L4KKwreYrTsHW727Lrx6w/s400/vera_zvonareva-0007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632594334274824322" border="0" /></a><br />In 2006, Zvonareva won her first regular doubles Grand Slam tournament in the US Open, partnering Nathalie Dechy of France. She obtained a second mixed doubles title at Wimbledon, in partnering Andy Ram of Israel. They defeated Americans Bob Bryan and Venus Williams 6–2, 6–3. Vera Zvonareva garnered some success in singles competition, winning two titles in a season for the first time in her career. This included her first tournament win on grass, at the DFS Classic in Birmingham, England. Her other title came in Cincinnati, where she played a nearly flawless match against Serena Williams in the semifinals, and beat Katarina Srebotnik in the final.<br />The 2007 season produced a year of mixed fortunes for Zvonareva. At the 2007 Pacific Life Open, she stunned World No. 1 Maria Sharapova, who was the defending champion, 4–6, 7–5, 6–1 in the fourth round. It was her first ever victory over a reigning World No. 1; however, she fell in the next round to Chinese player Li Na. At her next tournament, the Family Circle Cup, she was forced to retire when playing Dinara Safina and down a set, due to a left wrist injury. This injury was to keep out of the European clay court season, the grass court season and most of the North American hardcourt season. On returning to the tour, Vera Zvonareva reached the third round of the U.S.<br />Open, losing to Serena Williams. At the remaining tournaments on her schedule, she reached the quarterfinals or better at four out of five, with semifinal finishes coming in Luxembourg and Quebec. Her one final came during the first week of the year, in Auckland, Australia.<br />2008<br />Vera Zvonareva began 2008 with a run to the final of the Tier IV Moorilla International, where she had to pull out of the final against Eleni Daniilidou due to an ankle injury, which forced her to retire in her first round at the Australian Open against Ai Sugiyama, trailing 3–6, 1–1. However she played very well in Qatar and has reached the semifinals of the Tier I tournament, beating Dinara Safina and Sybille Bammer on her way there. She defeated Li Na in the semifinals of the Qatar Total Open to reach the final against World No. 5 and 4th seed Maria Sharapova, where Zvonareva was defeated 6–1, 2–6, 6–0 in a rollercoaster finale to the first Tier I event of the year. In March and April, Zvonareva continued her good form at further Tier I tournaments.<br />Participating in the Pacific Life Open at Indian Wells; she reached the quarterfinals before losing to eventual champion Ana Ivanović 6–1, 6–4. Two weeks later Vera Zvonareva progressed to the semifinals of the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami. Her bid to reach a third final of the year was thwarted by fourth seed Jelena Jankovic 6–1, 6–4. Two weeks later she reached her third final and second Tier I final of the year. En route to the finals, she defeated Jelena Jankovic and Jelena Jankovic. This was the first time in her career that she defeated two top 10 players in the same tournament. In the final she lost to 5th seed Serena Williams 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. On May 4, 2008, Vera Zvonareva, 23, won her first WTA title in nearly 2 years. Vera Zvonareva was a 7-6 (7-2), 6-2 winner against third seed Victoria Azarenka of Belarus in the ECM Prague Open for her 6th title and first since Cincinnati in 2006.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKIpZ3psuVWyarRdHSXs0yXnjtHw4T7-BxCDW5LahWfrtXz_Jvx5LoEIUm6jH4P6aWzz-fXjbJ3ozKWJ2KBlLlREc1myF8IrfCITa0wWT9QLJsw8jUYp_ZgjgVgRqgVVCyeIf9DSsLTOY/s1600/vera_zvonareva.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 418px; height: 606px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKIpZ3psuVWyarRdHSXs0yXnjtHw4T7-BxCDW5LahWfrtXz_Jvx5LoEIUm6jH4P6aWzz-fXjbJ3ozKWJ2KBlLlREc1myF8IrfCITa0wWT9QLJsw8jUYp_ZgjgVgRqgVVCyeIf9DSsLTOY/s400/vera_zvonareva.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632594332189454370" border="0" /></a><br />2011-07-21: Good news today as Vera won her match in the Baku Cup tournament 2nd round posting a 2 sets win against Czeck Republic`s Kristina Kucova, a 6-0, 3-0 win. In the quarterfinals, Vera will face Anna Tatishvili.<br />2011-07-19: Good news today as Vera won her match in the Baku Cup tournament 1st round posting a 2 sets win against `s N. Abduraimova, a 6-1, 7-5 win. In the 2nd round, Vera will face Kristina Kucova.<br />2011-07-17: Vera is in action next week as she will be playing the Baku tournament. In her opening match she will face N. Abduraimova. You can see the full Baku draw here.<br />2011-06-24: Sad news today as Vera lost her match in Wimbledon tournament losing in the 3rd round 2 sets against Bulgaria`s Tsveta Pironkova, a 6-2, 6-3 loss.<br />2011-06-22: Good news today as Vera won her match in the Wimbledon tournament 2nd round posting a 2 sets win against Russia`s Elena Vesnina, a 6-1, 7-6 win. In the 3rd round, Vera will face Tsveta Pironkova.<br />2011-06-20: Good news today as Vera won her match in the Wimbledon tournament 1st round posting a 3 sets win against USA`s Alison Riske, a 6-0, 3-6, 6-3 win. In the 2nd round, Vera will face Elena Vesnina.<br />2011-06-17: Vera is in action next week as she will be playing the Wimbledon. In her opening match she will face Alison Riske.<br />2011-06-17: Vera is in action next week as she will be playing the Wimbledon. In her opening match she will face Alison Riske.<br />2011-06-16: Sad news today as Vera lost her match in Eastbourne tournament losing in the quarterfinals 3 sets against Australia`s Samantha Stosur, a 4-6, 7-6, 6-4 loss.<br />2011-06-15: Good news today as Vera won her match in the Eastbourne tournament 2nd round posting a 3 sets win against USA`s Serena Williams, a 3-6, 7-6, 7-5 win. In the quarterfinals, Vera will face Samantha Stosur.<br />2011-06-14: Good news today as Vera won her match in the Eastbourne tournament 1st round posting a 2 sets win against Britain`s Heather Watson, a 6-3, 6-3 win. In the 2nd round, Vera will face Serena Williams.<br />2011-06-11: Vera is in action next week as she will be playing the AEGON International. In her opening match she will face Heather Watson.<br />2011-05-29: Sad news today as Vera lost her match in Roland Garros tournament losing in the 4th round 3 sets against Russia`s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, a 7-6, 2-6, 6-2 loss.<br />2011-05-27: Good news today as Vera won her match in the Roland Garros tournament 3rd round posting a 2 sets win against Russia`s Anastassia Rodionova, a 6-2, 6-3 win. In the 4th round, Vera will face Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.<br />2011-05-25: Good news today as Vera won her match in the Roland Garros tournament 2nd round posting a 3 sets win against Germany`s Sabine Lisicki, a 4-6, 7-5, 7-5 win. In the 3rd round, Vera will face Anastasia Rodionova.<br />2011-05-23: Good news today as Vera won her match in the Roland Garros tournament 1st round posting a 2 sets win against Spain`s Lourdes Dominguez Lino, a 6-3, 6-3 win. In the 2nd round, Vera will face Sabine Lisicki.<br />2011-05-20: Vera is in action next week as she will be playing the Roland Garros. In her opening match she will face Lourdes Dom<br />2011-05-20: Sad news today as Vera lost her match in Brussels Ladies Open tournament losing in the semifinals 2 sets against China`s Shuai Peng, a 6-3, 6-3 loss.<br />2011-05-19: Very convincing effort today as Vera won her match in the Brussels Ladies Open tournament quarterfinals posting a 2 sets win against Romania`s Alexandra Dulgheru, a 6-0, 6-1 win. In the semifinals, Vera will face Shuai Peng.<br />2011-05-18: Good news today as Vera won her match in the Brussels Ladies Open tournament 2nd round posting a 3 sets win against Russia`s Galina Voskoboeva, a 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 win. In the quarterfinals, Vera will face Alexandra Dulgheru.<br />2011-05-14: Vera is in action next week as she will be playing the Brussels. In her opening round, she will have a bye.<br />2011-05-04: Sad news today as Vera lost her match in Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open tournament losing in the 3rd round 2 sets against Czeck Republic`s Petra Kvitova, a 6-1, 6-4 los<br />2011-05-02: Good news today as Vera won her match in the Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open tournament 2nd round posting a 3 sets win against Russia`s Elena Vesnina, a 0-6, 6-3, 6-3 win. In the 3rd round, Vera will face P. Kvitova or C. Scheepers.<br />2011-04-30: Good news today as Vera won her match in the Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open tournament 1st round posting a 3 sets win against Switzerland`s Patty Schnyder, a 6-2, 1-6, 6-2 win. In the 2nd round, Vera will face Q or E. Vesnina.<br />2011-04-30: Vera is in action next week as she will be playing the Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open. In her opening match she will face Patty Schnyder.<br />2011-04-21: Sad news today as Vera lost her match in Porsche Tennis Grand Prix tournament losing in the quarterfinals 3 sets against Australia`s Samantha Stosur, a 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 loss.<br />2011-04-20: Good news today as Vera won her match in the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix tournament 2nd round posting a 3 sets win against Russia`s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, a 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 win. In the quarterfinals, Vera will face Samantha Stosur.<br />2011-04-17: Good news today as Vera won her match in the Fed Cup semi tournament posting a 2 sets win against Italy`s Roberta Vinci, a 6-4, 6-2 win.<br />2011-04-16: Vera is in action next week as she will be playing the Stuttgart. In her opening round, she will have a bye.<br />2011-04-16: Good news today as Vera won her match in the Fed Cup semi tournament posting a 2 sets win against Italy`s Sara Errani, a 6-0, 6-2 win. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihlvhHK9uS8ADKFfpc56-JSmpfA2NHlwwM7cfrbL-aF7EkvWSZTobg4PARJI7Qfegnnm9jMgWOkCkoikm7xXXN9knmADIqN18WLeFoVN8BiBHSVfS0C3F5r8XXimMuqssvNx_uKpqVVC8/s1600/trophy-doha-zvonareva-08.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 419px; height: 280px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihlvhHK9uS8ADKFfpc56-JSmpfA2NHlwwM7cfrbL-aF7EkvWSZTobg4PARJI7Qfegnnm9jMgWOkCkoikm7xXXN9knmADIqN18WLeFoVN8BiBHSVfS0C3F5r8XXimMuqssvNx_uKpqVVC8/s400/trophy-doha-zvonareva-08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632594333005207218" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZR58EXNXCwYgNtPEVXSD4z5XrfxKeqt17CfIo1Bw_qEuvphECioGZuJ1yk3Fs52hvPJiI5jbrlRFuS4BNqjCuziaxVL-7f1NmXdOGIG6qEeDPOwxZZtHOauh2cYPGM-LbjQO28cIOg_c/s1600/02usvzg.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 417px; height: 404px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZR58EXNXCwYgNtPEVXSD4z5XrfxKeqt17CfIo1Bw_qEuvphECioGZuJ1yk3Fs52hvPJiI5jbrlRFuS4BNqjCuziaxVL-7f1NmXdOGIG6qEeDPOwxZZtHOauh2cYPGM-LbjQO28cIOg_c/s400/02usvzg.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632594324548617282" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3NKg1HvS6f99eMrzxhU0R3KBz3V-BBURJtQMlmARjSpVv0Qf60S78rFkYokzJocIpj6b6v-qa9ivQ9e43nsLfMfwPy4SP5HutROt5wle-ReuyLCO8IsTuwCHIVXYDMzFaausagcPSBYc/s1600/001.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 416px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3NKg1HvS6f99eMrzxhU0R3KBz3V-BBURJtQMlmARjSpVv0Qf60S78rFkYokzJocIpj6b6v-qa9ivQ9e43nsLfMfwPy4SP5HutROt5wle-ReuyLCO8IsTuwCHIVXYDMzFaausagcPSBYc/s400/001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632594327002696674" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://topnews.in/sports/files/Vera-Zvonareva_2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 418px; height: 612px;" src="http://topnews.in/sports/files/Vera-Zvonareva_2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00917261577991296159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6857932908595671949.post-78140692024005148442011-07-23T09:45:00.000-07:002011-07-23T09:55:42.270-07:00Wayne Rooney Images(born 24 October 1985) is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team.<br /><br />Rooney made his senior international debut in 2003. He played at UEFA Euro 2004 and scored four goals. He also briefly became the competition's youngest goalscorer. He is frequently selected for the England squad and also featured at the 2006 and 2010 World Cups. Rooney has won the England Player of the Year award twice, in 2008 and 2009. As of March 2011, he has won 70 international caps and scored 26 goals.[3]<br /><br />Aged nine, Rooney joined the youth team of Everton, for whom he made his professional debut in 2002. He spent two seasons at the Merseyside club, before moving to Manchester United for £25.6 million in the 2004 summer transfer window. Since then, United have won the Premier League four times, the 2007–08 UEFA Champions League and two League Cups with Rooney in the team. He also holds two runner-up medals from both the Premier League and the Champions League. In 2009-10, Rooney was awarded the PFA Players' Player of the Year and the FWA Footballer of the Year. As of 2011, he is the third highest-paid footballer in the world after Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, with an annual income of €20.7m (£18m) including sponsorship deals<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://waynerooney.soccerstar.info/images%5Cplayers%5Cwayne-rooney%5Cwayne-rooney-3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 419px; height: 565px;" src="http://waynerooney.soccerstar.info/images%5Cplayers%5Cwayne-rooney%5Cwayne-rooney-3.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://topnews.in/light/files/wayne-rooney3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 303px;" src="http://topnews.in/light/files/wayne-rooney3.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Wayne Rooney’s fantastic (three-quarter) bicycle kick against Man City on Saturday may end up as goal of the year in the Premier League this season, not only for the quality of the strike, but also for its importance—it proved to be the game-winner in a Manchester derby with title implications.<br /><br />(The EPL has successfully scrubbed it from most of the interwebs, but you can still see it here.)<br /><br />As great as it was, though, it’s probably not even in the Top 10 for overhead-kick goals in the past two decades. A quick search by the Backpost I-Team turned up several bikes more impressive than Rooney’s self-described “best goal” of his career—including a couple from the unsung ranks of MLS.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_RtkcQzo3DhPxBJWpafp0T7KWYhXlUtqSJ1xxzYarqlulcoSmHdNHA8IBLWyGyGLRDztPwudbHUOVxEUEw4Fnyv8m4m8GyB0lah9mZBi2X5AsxCbTDaJ38Zk0i2L8PDlUht3Xz294voY/s1600/wayne-rooney_0.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 418px; height: 517px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_RtkcQzo3DhPxBJWpafp0T7KWYhXlUtqSJ1xxzYarqlulcoSmHdNHA8IBLWyGyGLRDztPwudbHUOVxEUEw4Fnyv8m4m8GyB0lah9mZBi2X5AsxCbTDaJ38Zk0i2L8PDlUht3Xz294voY/s400/wayne-rooney_0.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632590490583610674" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTATj0r5kAmqgFW-eA-lAaME-xvlFQWTffZym9Dk8BJQu74NyYcpLY2CjRosbSZuzjCp15sdUCEyqISJ8VlMHnR3xYyHDRDuo9N6sVVCtpGUjz0eWfSkVFwJQz0de7ypCqn3ApMjTYi0Q/s1600/wayne-rooney5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 417px; height: 313px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTATj0r5kAmqgFW-eA-lAaME-xvlFQWTffZym9Dk8BJQu74NyYcpLY2CjRosbSZuzjCp15sdUCEyqISJ8VlMHnR3xYyHDRDuo9N6sVVCtpGUjz0eWfSkVFwJQz0de7ypCqn3ApMjTYi0Q/s400/wayne-rooney5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632590484941381250" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRkp-JOfYsBDmYjdLKpCKqJieRAiF9SpPxx4NUstAvQ5s98vTc-wunQ02fLLXd1C7DHErJCtB0ebrD89SfklOFUPi0l9kohxiFZI9HpveBm0UqZ-nhEH2WZNogl8ggPRzAyfcxseRgDOM/s1600/Wayne_Rooney_300.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 418px; height: 504px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRkp-JOfYsBDmYjdLKpCKqJieRAiF9SpPxx4NUstAvQ5s98vTc-wunQ02fLLXd1C7DHErJCtB0ebrD89SfklOFUPi0l9kohxiFZI9HpveBm0UqZ-nhEH2WZNogl8ggPRzAyfcxseRgDOM/s400/Wayne_Rooney_300.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632590481275435250" border="0" /></a><br />London, July 9 : Wayne Rooney's call girl, Helen Wood, did not just attend, but fired up Tory Magazine's the Spectator At Home bash, much to the delight of former editor and London Mayor, Boris Johnson.<br /><br />Johnson, who arrived at the right-wing magazine's party on his bicycle, partied the night away with the former prostitute at the posh summer do, but seemed to have no idea who she was.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOO0FgZ9tKPJBzezHAcARI8z7KBL4RLvR87hCMtjebD28xy2DHgGsyLFnDOqnd5zClKqJiEDYLqBgpmmsHg-Wj0SZWIR0JCi-evv2XdP1T6XDxS06B7wd1SjlMQRwZl_bNzDur31oG4kM/s1600/images.jpeg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 418px; height: 418px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOO0FgZ9tKPJBzezHAcARI8z7KBL4RLvR87hCMtjebD28xy2DHgGsyLFnDOqnd5zClKqJiEDYLqBgpmmsHg-Wj0SZWIR0JCi-evv2XdP1T6XDxS06B7wd1SjlMQRwZl_bNzDur31oG4kM/s400/images.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632590476388018546" border="0" /></a><br />London, July 2: Footballer Wayne Rooney has revealed his new growing locks during his holiday break.<br /><br />He looked more natural in the new half-inch grown locks that covered the edge of the transplanted patch, reports the Sun.<br /><br />Rooney was spotted looking quite happy as he relaxed under the sun in the South of France.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4V2JZ1ka5zOrXEUvSEpHaoqp-8dqmsa_3rstzEM_KanxH_td9I4XxEIsaH3yFuL-YUony8Rd9nFm5uI58SlRSD0_7H8h3axdJ-wLzsn1jVqY99ft3m3_EnG_EnMbUEo_iXQYgKS503zM/s1600/170px-Wayne_Rooney_2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 310px; height: 406px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4V2JZ1ka5zOrXEUvSEpHaoqp-8dqmsa_3rstzEM_KanxH_td9I4XxEIsaH3yFuL-YUony8Rd9nFm5uI58SlRSD0_7H8h3axdJ-wLzsn1jVqY99ft3m3_EnG_EnMbUEo_iXQYgKS503zM/s400/170px-Wayne_Rooney_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632590472278382754" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://today-twitnews.info/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/stress-rooney.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 359px; height: 459px;" src="http://today-twitnews.info/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/stress-rooney.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />London, June 11: Jenny Thompson, who came into the limelight following her sessions with Wayne Rooney, was rushed to hospital after a suspected Valium overdose.<br /><br />22-year-old Thompson was lying unconscious when 999 crews turned up at her Bolton home.<br /><br />The vice girl - who had 1,200-pound-a-night romps with the Manchester United ace - supposedly had taken `a bottle' of the drug.Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00917261577991296159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6857932908595671949.post-82302817364932749462011-07-23T09:22:00.000-07:002011-07-23T09:34:33.684-07:00Xabi Alonso Spanish Pic<div style="text-align: right;">(full name Xabier Alonso Olano) was born on the 25th of November, in 1981 in Tolosa… a town in Spain. Xabi Alonso is a Spanish midfield footballer who is currently playing for Real Madrid, following a transfer from Liverpool in August 2009 for £30 million. Alonso wears the number 22 shirt at Real Madrid.<br /></div><br />He is best known for his great goals from very long distances, like the one against Luton Town in the FA Cup in January of 2006. Another famous goal was against Newcastle the 20 September 2006 when Alonso lobbed the ball over the head of the Newcastle goalkeeper from more than 50 yards.<br /><br />Xabi Alonso comes from a well known family within the football world. His brother Mikel plays football for Real Sociedad in Spain as a midfielder, and the other brother, Jon, is a football referee. Xabi’s father was also a famous football player who played for Real Sociedad as well as FC Barcelona.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://swoonworthy.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/alonso.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 542px;" src="http://swoonworthy.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/alonso.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />The debut of this amazing player was with Real Sociedad in the 1999-2000 season against Logroes. In the 2000-2001 season Xabi Alonso was on loan at the SD Eibar team. After that Xabi returned to the first team of Real Sociedad.<br /><br />Xabi continued to progress in the footballing spectre with a spectacular career in England, playing for Liverpool and scoring his famous long range goals. He then moved to the world famous Real Madrid in 2009 for a £30 million transfer fee.<br /><br />He was selected to play in the Spanish national team in April 2003. In fact the first goal of the Spanish squad in the 2006 World Cup was scored by Xabi Alonso against Ukraine on 14th of June.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.guillembalague.com/userfiles/image/Alonso%20shirt%20competition.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 317px;" src="http://www.guillembalague.com/userfiles/image/Alonso%20shirt%20competition.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />London - Arsenal have made an initial approach for Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso, according to British media reports Monday.<br /><br />Manager Arsene Wenger is keen to pair the 26-year-old with his Spanish compatriot Cesc Fabregas and is believed to be prepared to offer around 10.5 million pounds<br />(20.7 million dollars), the fee Liverpool paid to bring him from Real Sociedad four years ago.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/si/2008/writers/soccer_america/06/03/us.spain/p1_spain_0603.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 456px;" src="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/si/2008/writers/soccer_america/06/03/us.spain/p1_spain_0603.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVFU-kHL9iPcY_X2GHUaO1wBx2MAlyAALN8k_78hlvILbCfMneOCbItvpmxSY78DWlv2fwfUqbeBbNB94ozl89Ugsl2x0o9GFBOvUVJXPUkPD6zypdVodddQiiwZGC2wrHn_z0HJkydfI/s1600/xabi-alonso-spanish-footballer.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 419px; height: 280px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVFU-kHL9iPcY_X2GHUaO1wBx2MAlyAALN8k_78hlvILbCfMneOCbItvpmxSY78DWlv2fwfUqbeBbNB94ozl89Ugsl2x0o9GFBOvUVJXPUkPD6zypdVodddQiiwZGC2wrHn_z0HJkydfI/s400/xabi-alonso-spanish-footballer.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632584816766797602" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2VBbKVjbdkFCOVpfGexGNsjYSlUVRbFTKIx71f0AHgMjkLcHbeVh06uiMeC_ma3sIUIwy4ZDLW1GqO773nXjHWpnwjFH04gjl-MgIr9S-XPKlCEplXlqWMgglBBVmJEhlRVRWaWdQnk/s1600/XabiAlonsoSpain_2063961.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 315px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2VBbKVjbdkFCOVpfGexGNsjYSlUVRbFTKIx71f0AHgMjkLcHbeVh06uiMeC_ma3sIUIwy4ZDLW1GqO773nXjHWpnwjFH04gjl-MgIr9S-XPKlCEplXlqWMgglBBVmJEhlRVRWaWdQnk/s400/XabiAlonsoSpain_2063961.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632584812723458258" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5C1usOnYPrXGB5D6MsfOFZ0mwYWHuR9rDRn6jMKuDQcONsobf6QH5jcqjp91JwOH-8KF2rfvejj1MGjs_t5NyAJCls2RMG2mhoiZd2zhQZ-QIQIvRgBCuCM15E5UocrVwLcq651-s0zM/s1600/xabialonso_152259.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 564px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5C1usOnYPrXGB5D6MsfOFZ0mwYWHuR9rDRn6jMKuDQcONsobf6QH5jcqjp91JwOH-8KF2rfvejj1MGjs_t5NyAJCls2RMG2mhoiZd2zhQZ-QIQIvRgBCuCM15E5UocrVwLcq651-s0zM/s400/xabialonso_152259.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632584810498303042" border="0" /></a><br />London, Jul 7 : Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso is convinced that his team will triumph by beating Germany in tonight's World Cup semi-final just like they did in the Euro 2008 final.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMnxSD812tQrawXla62bHwk4hRFjYg2C6ywArGK505glwkBoimoNYbVhOORfRDvOZpYTGcAp32gOIuL3XDMtVwxi1cRdN-Ct0hna8wzSGp8OjNeqzHLF_5QhoSfS9RYenCqtLYoBwJ6s/s1600/Xabi-Alonso11.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 587px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMnxSD812tQrawXla62bHwk4hRFjYg2C6ywArGK505glwkBoimoNYbVhOORfRDvOZpYTGcAp32gOIuL3XDMtVwxi1cRdN-Ct0hna8wzSGp8OjNeqzHLF_5QhoSfS9RYenCqtLYoBwJ6s/s400/Xabi-Alonso11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632584806047882930" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu8Ac1fnP8dwA9bPplzik_e9uMb-Jf6YYAfxQZnDRfrXcPPj8lwoEczq6AeP6Cb0Kszn_kF_nu4SOXOkmhL5kfMxL-99uAF4qSNlVmYB-uHiAXrmezPV53d_4-aje0wimt4NPmgV-RgEQ/s1600/player-xabi-alonso-spanish-football-selection_131728.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 419px; height: 507px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu8Ac1fnP8dwA9bPplzik_e9uMb-Jf6YYAfxQZnDRfrXcPPj8lwoEczq6AeP6Cb0Kszn_kF_nu4SOXOkmhL5kfMxL-99uAF4qSNlVmYB-uHiAXrmezPV53d_4-aje0wimt4NPmgV-RgEQ/s400/player-xabi-alonso-spanish-football-selection_131728.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632584801064128082" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxOIL5XTs8BKIILIGdmoC2LZU5x4XXmwrdaHIu1jpP7ykQEKneyUqFCuvcZPlmn0sqKMDXD7zXA_Rga1Jsjxv0s3ktmUkdsvCx8sF0p4ffn3Xvh05RjDMHYnSfl4ws-wLW1eF9Fkgn7sk/s1600/Xabi+Alonso+70.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 315px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxOIL5XTs8BKIILIGdmoC2LZU5x4XXmwrdaHIu1jpP7ykQEKneyUqFCuvcZPlmn0sqKMDXD7zXA_Rga1Jsjxv0s3ktmUkdsvCx8sF0p4ffn3Xvh05RjDMHYnSfl4ws-wLW1eF9Fkgn7sk/s1600/Xabi+Alonso+70.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />London, Sep 3 : Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso, who knew that his time at Liverpool was up a year ago, has now revealed the full details behind a dramatic 28 million pounds Anfield exit.<br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Gdo88hVwWhs" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" width="425"></iframe>Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00917261577991296159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6857932908595671949.post-21685112545771825912011-07-21T09:17:00.001-07:002011-07-21T09:36:58.777-07:00World Fastest Man PicBolt won three gold medals at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, setting world records in the 100 meters and 200 meters and sharing a third world record with the Jamaican 4×100 meter relay team. At last year’s world championships, he shattered both of his own sprinting records, running the 100 meters in 9.58 seconds and the 200 meters in 19.19 seconds.<br />Johnson on Sunday became the NFL’s sixth 2,000-yard rusher when he completed his season with 2,006, breaking Earl Campbell’s franchise record of 1,934. The second-year back from East Carolina also broke Marshall Faulk’s NFL single-season record with 2,254 total yards from scrimmage.<br />At the 2008 NFL scouting combine, Johnson was timed in the 40-yard dash at 4.24 seconds — the fastest time clocked at the combine that year.<br />According to sources, the one hangup seems to be the length of the race. Johnson wants the race to be 60 yards or less, while Bolt would like it to be longer.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.worldsmostunique.com/images/images/worlds-fastest-man-usain_bolt_jpg.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 276px;" src="http://www.worldsmostunique.com/images/images/worlds-fastest-man-usain_bolt_jpg.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.nydailynews.com/img/2008/06/02/alg_usain-bolt.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 416px; height: 296px;" src="http://www.nydailynews.com/img/2008/06/02/alg_usain-bolt.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ronniebw.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/img214552117.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 418px; height: 272px;" src="http://ronniebw.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/img214552117.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWSRt8BsCZKNGFtrl59jmSlcuLCVmgpWXoWpKkKsaPHwXWNWivfcxVRAz_IlXuWJK1p8D3bXts6o_pYqtaAx7kwtlFyI_dcWoEVxsqczFcriJOsSXjr8Y2z-nsQyR6KFvQnHMXBLHYyfI/s1600/xinsrc_17208051722385781194830.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 558px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWSRt8BsCZKNGFtrl59jmSlcuLCVmgpWXoWpKkKsaPHwXWNWivfcxVRAz_IlXuWJK1p8D3bXts6o_pYqtaAx7kwtlFyI_dcWoEVxsqczFcriJOsSXjr8Y2z-nsQyR6KFvQnHMXBLHYyfI/s400/xinsrc_17208051722385781194830.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631842813001577346" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQ05Z6zSGxhh2fZXOn-rOOwldCWGAX_drBpYoFOraRuGcahKLy9jpkBqnBvK1gChiQIDARxRjbhQdN5LwHWkvxRmXIOdsR_3fffsyftnpmcH2pw0Ss2j1oUWUSCQ4OChq9P4VAH5KRq4/s1600/usain-bolt.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 422px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQ05Z6zSGxhh2fZXOn-rOOwldCWGAX_drBpYoFOraRuGcahKLy9jpkBqnBvK1gChiQIDARxRjbhQdN5LwHWkvxRmXIOdsR_3fffsyftnpmcH2pw0Ss2j1oUWUSCQ4OChq9P4VAH5KRq4/s400/usain-bolt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631842800228777282" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVuG1BMKolb_HSPJsDZ9tpH_A6VRBlQoval5wU5GuWxhTh2A_WsluOtklGOzD9Ft1e9cyC_y5lmZ86ogDpLWQuQS68MVxLFzDBmxUC9qQhe-1YL3H_SqtGcNctTSTjp5NfSFcvmIs6Ie8/s1600/ub_f430_m_opt.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 417px; height: 279px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVuG1BMKolb_HSPJsDZ9tpH_A6VRBlQoval5wU5GuWxhTh2A_WsluOtklGOzD9Ft1e9cyC_y5lmZ86ogDpLWQuQS68MVxLFzDBmxUC9qQhe-1YL3H_SqtGcNctTSTjp5NfSFcvmIs6Ie8/s400/ub_f430_m_opt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631842798620037122" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJyLt0vW_R9-xkzGQnRMicSZ_dQNvWhE6oRXEochztd4OTRXk-IBNVGZAxDyby2kgeDgoFdZEq3RFiNgnN1XfflIf6Zpz_1Gf3OwQSyWu7WE3Y9eulp1Ehd5lijVMCH_zam5oOPa_-lA/s1600/Digicel_Brand_Ambassador_Usain_Bolt_-_the_Worlds_fastest_man.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 408px; height: 612px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJyLt0vW_R9-xkzGQnRMicSZ_dQNvWhE6oRXEochztd4OTRXk-IBNVGZAxDyby2kgeDgoFdZEq3RFiNgnN1XfflIf6Zpz_1Gf3OwQSyWu7WE3Y9eulp1Ehd5lijVMCH_zam5oOPa_-lA/s400/Digicel_Brand_Ambassador_Usain_Bolt_-_the_Worlds_fastest_man.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631842795354660722" border="0" /></a><br />Usain Bolt, the world’s fastest man, has recorded a special video message of support for all Samoans and Tongans affected by the country’s recent devastating tsunami.<br />Bolt, a Digicel brand ambassador, called on Samoans and Tongans to stay strong and safe after hearing of the tragedy that struck two weeks ago.<br />The message has coincided with the The Digicel Tsunami Relief fundraiser reaching more than FJ$850,000. The funds have been raised by the global Digicel family, with contributions from all 32 Digicel operations worldwide.<br />Digicel Samoa CEO Christian Fruean said, “We’d like to thank the Digicel family worldwide for responding so quickly and coming together in support for the Samoan people. The response is a tribute to our company ethos.” <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZMbDX5j20rf602bkiOwakdsP39x0gvc5Q4gZdjIrpAlhpOd5J3Xw9PHR8FzDQXCkObCyM5ER_Cbtd9AvodeIpkudf5ArT1ik_RyZpqzxWuY_RhLvQmmpwZd81YrNwCfWUcvW-X1_DfRg/s1600/60322-world_s_fastest_man_usain_bolt_runs_100m_9_69s.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZMbDX5j20rf602bkiOwakdsP39x0gvc5Q4gZdjIrpAlhpOd5J3Xw9PHR8FzDQXCkObCyM5ER_Cbtd9AvodeIpkudf5ArT1ik_RyZpqzxWuY_RhLvQmmpwZd81YrNwCfWUcvW-X1_DfRg/s400/60322-world_s_fastest_man_usain_bolt_runs_100m_9_69s.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631842789892549266" border="0" /></a><br />Since its launch in the South Pacific in November 2006, Digicel has become the fastest-growing mobile operator in the Pacific, with current operations in Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Nauru.<br />Digicel is the largest telecommunications company in the Caribbean operating in 32 markets worldwide, as well as a new entrant to Central America. The company is renowned for competitive rates, unbeatable coverage, and superior customer care, a wide variety of products and services, and state-of-the-art handsets.<br />Digicel is the proud sponsor of several national rugby teams across the South Pacific including; Fiji Rugby, Digicel Fiji 7’s and the Digicel Cup, Digicel Tonga Ikale Tahi 7s and 15s, Digicel Vanuatu 7’s and 15’s. Digicel is also the proud sponsor of the Vanuatu Cricket team.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.worldsmostunique.com/images/images/worlds-fastest-man-world-record_jpg.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 418px; height: 554px;" src="http://www.worldsmostunique.com/images/images/worlds-fastest-man-world-record_jpg.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Usain Bolt now wears the mantle of Fastest Man Alive having set world records in the 100 and 200 meter sprints at last summer's Olympics in Beijing. Fitting then that he was placed in one of the fastest cars in the world recently to take a stroll around one of the richest places in the world: Monaco. In the principality for the IAAF awards, Bolt was given the keys to drive an F430 along portions of the F1 circuit in the city. You can check out the gallery of high-res photos below while we wait for word on if he set any world speed records in the process.Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00917261577991296159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6857932908595671949.post-11452614104200933112011-07-21T08:50:00.000-07:002011-07-21T09:06:58.979-07:00Xavi Hernandez ImagesIn Barça B, he became the brains of Jordi Gonzalvo's team which won promotion to the second division.<br /><br />Xavi's dream of making his official debut with the first team squad became true when he played in the Spanish Super Cup against Majorca in the summer of 1998. He was in the starting line up and scored: a better debut he could not have asked for. Xavi also played an important role in the league-winning season of 1998-99 with Van Gaal as manager, most notably with an important goal in the Nuevo Zorrilla, which turned round the team's fortunes.<br /><br />Season 1999-2000 was a good one for Xavi as due to the injury to Guardiola he was the first choice number 4 for a large part of the season. After the legendry captain left for Italian football he became the playmaker of the team and has continued to demonstrate the full range of his talents in this position.<br /><br />With Van Gaal, Reixach, Antic and Rijkaard in charge of the team, Xavi has always been a key member of the team - a fact made clear by the 300 official games he completed whilst still only 25 years old.<br /><br />With Rijkaard, Xavi has shown that he can not only play at the heart of midfield, but is also more than able to cover any position in the center of the team, an ability reflected in the fact that he was the most used player in the League winning 2004-05 season, playing 36 games in all.<br /><br />Xavi will never forget 2 December 2005. While training at La Masía, the midfielder tore the ligaments in his left knee. His recovery was swifter than expected and within five months he was playing again. On 29 April 2006 against Cadiz, Xavi once again “felt like a footballer ". He was back in time to celebrate the League and Champions League titles with his team-mates.<br /><br />In the last two seasons with Frank Rijkaard in the dugout, Xavi was one of the players most used by the Dutch manager. Plus in the 2007-08 season he set a personal best of 7 League goals, almost doubling his previous highest of four in the 2001-02 and 2003-04 seasons.<br /><br />In addition Xavi Hernández has also been a fixture in Spain’s national side. He played in the 2002 and 2006 World Cups and in the 2004 and 2008 European Championships, and in the latter was chosen as best player as Spain picked up the title. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjLf9Plu_9SIgTOeL4tmzSMkjtkAOfcOHLZJITiFLoLEuIoJIA0dsEKOy7_jA_tzm4w0DxdWpgOBcwwMOkwCo6JWm7BCpjXAeL0VtybPJo9PI9JSeCRAZLXkG9dv-X4pQZIY7X-Fz2EGQ/s1600/Xavi-Hernandez-wallpaper-17-500x500.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 420px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjLf9Plu_9SIgTOeL4tmzSMkjtkAOfcOHLZJITiFLoLEuIoJIA0dsEKOy7_jA_tzm4w0DxdWpgOBcwwMOkwCo6JWm7BCpjXAeL0VtybPJo9PI9JSeCRAZLXkG9dv-X4pQZIY7X-Fz2EGQ/s1600/Xavi-Hernandez-wallpaper-17-500x500.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez was shown a yellow card in last Saturday's match at Sevilla for protesting a decision by referee Undiano Mallenco. The booking completed the player's cycle of five yellow cards and forced him to serve out a suspension for Barca's last match of the season against Valladolid.<br /><br />The Blaugrana appealed the referee's judgment to La Liga's Competition Committee, but the committee today issued a ruling upholding the suspension, according to Sport.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.freebestwallpaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Xavi-Hernandez.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 349px;" src="http://www.freebestwallpaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Xavi-Hernandez.png" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://chabukh.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/n_f_c_barcelona_xavi_hernandez-22506.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 420px;" src="http://chabukh.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/n_f_c_barcelona_xavi_hernandez-22506.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.oleole.com/media/main/images/member_photos/group1/subgrp395/xavihernandez_156434.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 412px; height: 526px;" src="http://www.oleole.com/media/main/images/member_photos/group1/subgrp395/xavihernandez_156434.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvdRIRRvBsntE-VFTHSQYYUNxBIgziilZtBjptbOvf80TY_h4agr7ehs742ePsh4mevbv1PTQgtwS-OeIeVDpdteocBwEzcY5svb76qbwPY-UTuLRv1prnL0Ub7nbuS0nIdzHz18W37s/s1600/XAVI_copia.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 418px; height: 628px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvdRIRRvBsntE-VFTHSQYYUNxBIgziilZtBjptbOvf80TY_h4agr7ehs742ePsh4mevbv1PTQgtwS-OeIeVDpdteocBwEzcY5svb76qbwPY-UTuLRv1prnL0Ub7nbuS0nIdzHz18W37s/s400/XAVI_copia.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631834512195114178" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje9VL9aPrcXeo5HpB_xdw2wyL_WJd4FCJbBdmnDfbwJ0807lgsd6mQ6G7iVFRRB1Knpg1qnpqU93Ygg1EIbqjcu-oEWElWCDdjBxoY3Rxt_Gxt_WeGaO7vSNRj47LeI0LiNJI91hZK9Uw/s1600/xavi.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 417px; height: 624px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje9VL9aPrcXeo5HpB_xdw2wyL_WJd4FCJbBdmnDfbwJ0807lgsd6mQ6G7iVFRRB1Knpg1qnpqU93Ygg1EIbqjcu-oEWElWCDdjBxoY3Rxt_Gxt_WeGaO7vSNRj47LeI0LiNJI91hZK9Uw/s400/xavi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631834501315559138" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9NbvF5vgVS_nibpACLLsHIaNgiCsEISSCDdT9HcQvjtcSZACaCJAEUzE4gWI6_4roe8iKfmFY2wdTuikjzWxMjIPlDhk12Q1Vor1eAOF6ipPpzHMRq-nDAenCwNmtRUZOT5Z75a3VNNc/s1600/200px-Xavi_Hern%25C3%25A1ndez_-_002.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 418px; height: 770px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9NbvF5vgVS_nibpACLLsHIaNgiCsEISSCDdT9HcQvjtcSZACaCJAEUzE4gWI6_4roe8iKfmFY2wdTuikjzWxMjIPlDhk12Q1Vor1eAOF6ipPpzHMRq-nDAenCwNmtRUZOT5Z75a3VNNc/s400/200px-Xavi_Hern%25C3%25A1ndez_-_002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631834494129367202" border="0" /></a><br />On the other hand, Xavi also given his comment about 2 Barcelona’ young players, Thiago Alcantara and Bojan Krkic. Thiago has just renew his contract with El Barca while Bojan Krkic is almost certain to leave Barcelona.<br /><br />According to Xavi, “This is a good news, Thiago Alcantara is a fantastic young player and has many talents.”, while Bojan has proved his best in Barcelona but if he leave Barcelona, then i wish the best for him because he is a great player.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.as.com/recorte/20071211dasdasftb_21/XLCO/Ies/strong_TODOS_BOJAN_strong_companeros.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 299px;" src="http://www.as.com/recorte/20071211dasdasftb_21/XLCO/Ies/strong_TODOS_BOJAN_strong_companeros.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />He was a main part of Barcelona's treble and scored the 4th goal in the 4–1 win in the Copa del Rey 2008–09 final against Athletic Bilbao, with a free kick. In La Liga, among many games, one of the most significant is the 6–2 El Clásico victory vs Real Madrid on 2 May. He assisted 4 out of 6 goals (once to Puyol, once to Henry and twice to Messi). Finally, Xavi helped Barcelona win the 2009 Champions League Final versus Manchester United, which ended 2–0, assisting the second goal by passing the ball to Lionel Messi's header after 69 minutes. Xavi was voted "UEFA Champions League best midfielder" for his contribution during Barcelona's victorious 2008–09 UEFA Champions League campaign.[citation needed] Xavi was La Liga's highest assisting player with 20 assists.[citation needed] He was also the highest assisting player in the Champions League with 7 assists. Xavi earned 29 assists overall that season.[citation needed]<br /><br />Xavi is under contract to Barça until 2014 after extending his contract during the 2008–09 season. The new contract will make him one of the club's biggest earners, and entitle him to €7.5 million a year.Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00917261577991296159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6857932908595671949.post-18162597804003688042011-07-19T10:49:00.000-07:002011-07-21T08:34:52.181-07:00Zinedine Zeidan WalpaperZinedine Zidane is often considered the best footballer of his generation and one of the greatest all time. Zidane is known for his exceptional technique and unwavering determination. He was born on June 23, 1972 in Marseille, France. At 16 years of age Zidane broke through into the Cannes as one of the established eleven. His international debut in 1994 could not have been more forceful and during the 1995/96 season he enjoyed his first taste of success when Bordeaux reached the UEFA Cup Final. His performance confirmed that he was a worthy successor to France's legendary midfielder Michel Platini. In the summer of 96 Zidane was courted by many European top clubs. He settled on Juventus of Italy. He picked up his first silverware with his new club the same season when 'the Old Lady' defeated Argentine outfit River Plate to raise the Intercontinental Cup. This opening taste of silverware was soon followed by a pair of Italian titles, in 1997 and 1998. And that summer, he inspired France to their 1998 FIFA World Cup triumph in front of their own fans in Paris. He was awarded his first of three FIFA World Player of the Year. France continued their supremacy by winning the 2000 European Championship and once again Zidane was named FIFA World Player of Year.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.luxury-insider.com/uploads/news/0608-iwc-zidane-3-420.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 419px; height: 549px;" src="http://www.luxury-insider.com/uploads/news/0608-iwc-zidane-3-420.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />One year later, Zidane signed with Real Madrid for a world record 73m and it has been well worth it to Real. His skills were unique, he provided his teammates with pinpoint passes and he scored stunning goals. Zidane's finest work was a supersonic volley that brought Real Madrid victory in the 2002 UEFA Champions League final against Bayer Leverkusen. Injuries prevented Zidane to play in the 2002 World Cup and in the Euro 2004, France fell short to the Champions Greece.<br /><br />He first retired from international play on February 4, 2005, but after having his first long holiday in many years, he could not resist the lure of the national team shirt. He decided to help France qualify for the 2006 World Cup and then retire. He proved he still had it in him. France is currently in the quarter-finals!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.oleole.com/media/main/images/member_photos/group1/subgrp320/zinedine-zidane_71558.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 408px; height: 578px;" src="http://www.oleole.com/media/main/images/member_photos/group1/subgrp320/zinedine-zidane_71558.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Lots of things happened at World Cup 2006. There was Germany’s surprise run to the semi-finals, Ronaldo becoming the all time top scorer in World Cup history, Argentina playing some beautiful football and Fabio Cannavaro proving you don’t have to be tall to dominate in central defence. But if you only remember one thing from World Cup 2006, it’s probably Zinedine Zidane headbutting Marco Materazzi.<br /><br />It’s unfortunate maybe, but there’s no way any other story tops the World Cup 2006 billing. The video of Zidane charging and Matrix falling didn’t just make the football news, it made news everywhere. Even those who didn’t care about the beautiful game briefly paid attention to see the crazy Frenchman knock down his Italian opponent.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9w5-pOA8bFHE1IrP63EwL5XFMHjlp67WL9FaRQohKT4EsdQa6unvQJolQ5jKr59DRzbhfyUsa6Nen3BzthG0hIF2Y8h6fDhGoGf_Bk-c4YlwNq6W1JH2AlxsRI4UG4YLWv6i9R4-rzJU/s1600/zinedine-zidane.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 417px; height: 590px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9w5-pOA8bFHE1IrP63EwL5XFMHjlp67WL9FaRQohKT4EsdQa6unvQJolQ5jKr59DRzbhfyUsa6Nen3BzthG0hIF2Y8h6fDhGoGf_Bk-c4YlwNq6W1JH2AlxsRI4UG4YLWv6i9R4-rzJU/s400/zinedine-zidane.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631122875771079330" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kLFnoYxH3CwcteEhrQZ8J_6Q9Mzzo9igVOOXqf086KZkaUzZP0xI7BDBcpcgDLEeVE23yyNTF01iFBUhkj9fCRkz-L-4CpLjIi9ldPipCpFMpAYGrnIz3ZKyVt2Idsbo_5SdTaWkbMU/s1600/Zinedine_Zidane_300.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 504px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kLFnoYxH3CwcteEhrQZ8J_6Q9Mzzo9igVOOXqf086KZkaUzZP0xI7BDBcpcgDLEeVE23yyNTF01iFBUhkj9fCRkz-L-4CpLjIi9ldPipCpFMpAYGrnIz3ZKyVt2Idsbo_5SdTaWkbMU/s400/Zinedine_Zidane_300.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631122866811399282" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik1wtNgnCxOoUaBxv0jga19G-1XJD9ddE8jboYxeHvrOzN1Q7k5OH-T8A1iYTlKUG38MIgA2p0vjCa7S8FaOvzNQn6K4MZgivKIZZgp5ljQ8KWbWafoj2OqzcdlY_dWrV0bt4EGKcuHuQ/s1600/Zinedine+Zidane+e5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 419px; height: 561px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik1wtNgnCxOoUaBxv0jga19G-1XJD9ddE8jboYxeHvrOzN1Q7k5OH-T8A1iYTlKUG38MIgA2p0vjCa7S8FaOvzNQn6K4MZgivKIZZgp5ljQ8KWbWafoj2OqzcdlY_dWrV0bt4EGKcuHuQ/s400/Zinedine+Zidane+e5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631122857207395762" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjozOLpsJ4c8UiEInP9ekhbmIUIjpgG4Al2cQNYqou2ufSfk9F98k00-rfWY8WqyKKFjSVitFtkhmiWEyUMd_Ec2gsBUyHNa-8Ax24DBMmHR7j7O-Q23JT4EKtwUOMcXZKLQGXKpPUzTY/s1600/Zidane_headbutt.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 414px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjozOLpsJ4c8UiEInP9ekhbmIUIjpgG4Al2cQNYqou2ufSfk9F98k00-rfWY8WqyKKFjSVitFtkhmiWEyUMd_Ec2gsBUyHNa-8Ax24DBMmHR7j7O-Q23JT4EKtwUOMcXZKLQGXKpPUzTY/s400/Zidane_headbutt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631122847210006178" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jspKovtberNwr4Q7C5oi5xv9FxEJiPBwkw5a1pjo-SGEH5dMomBLTIpNrKZETZ-1N_dc1-tA7-OO5vqYkeMUP9f5S14aZcfQG9JzrHax38_Wxe1SLFek_bqntYoeNAa17zzS5GLYVnM/s1600/zidane_5_1024x768.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 418px; height: 314px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jspKovtberNwr4Q7C5oi5xv9FxEJiPBwkw5a1pjo-SGEH5dMomBLTIpNrKZETZ-1N_dc1-tA7-OO5vqYkeMUP9f5S14aZcfQG9JzrHax38_Wxe1SLFek_bqntYoeNAa17zzS5GLYVnM/s400/zidane_5_1024x768.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631122846699646418" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.football-wallpapers.com/wallpapers/zidane_5_1024x768.jpg"><br /></a>Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00917261577991296159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6857932908595671949.post-19410997831871534282011-07-16T10:20:00.000-07:002011-07-16T10:38:37.316-07:00Sania Mirza ImagesKolkata, Sept.18: The Sunfeast Open glamour quotient is at a high. Cricket star Sachin Tendulkar arrived here today to promote the WTA Tier III tournament. Addressing a joint press conference with Sania Mirza, Tendulkar said he was a great fan of tennis and loved to play it too.<br /><br />Tendulkar refused to talk much on cricket, but said it was for the selectors to decide on who would be the next captain of the Indian team.<br /><br />As far as he was concerned, the little master said playing good cricket was all that mattered to him. He also had a word of praise for Team India's performance in the Twenty-Twenty series. He said the team had been playing well. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dpFEn-yp6Rs/SGOxeH11tbI/AAAAAAAABwI/VI-PXOCPVbA/s400/sexy-sania-mirza-galley.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 314px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dpFEn-yp6Rs/SGOxeH11tbI/AAAAAAAABwI/VI-PXOCPVbA/s400/sexy-sania-mirza-galley.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />California: Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza continued her winning spree by defeating Israel's Shahar Peer in the third round of the Pacific Life Open Tournament at Indian Wells, California. With the win over Peer, Sania has moved to the of the USD 2.1 million Pacific Life Open Tournament.<br /><br />After losing the first set in the tie-break, the Indian sensation who is ranked 32nd in the world beat Peer 6-7 (7), 7-5, 6-3 in the three round match, last night. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img.xcitefun.net/users/2009/05/68142,xcitefun-newpg-saniacf104.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 419px; height: 585px;" src="http://img.xcitefun.net/users/2009/05/68142,xcitefun-newpg-saniacf104.jpg" alt="" border="0" /><br /></a><br />when she was beaten 6-0, 4-6, 9-7 by Maria Martinez Sanchez.<br /><br />Sania was expected to beat the Spaniard who has never won a match at the grass-court Grand Slam until this week. She was not able to overcome a storming start made by Martinez Sanchez, who won the first set for 6-0.<br /><br />Sania got her act together in the second set when she played some nice lobe shots to Sanchez attacking net game.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.saniamirza.com/images/stories/sania/Cute/sania%20mirza_in%20yellow%201.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 419px; height: 548px;" src="http://www.saniamirza.com/images/stories/sania/Cute/sania%20mirza_in%20yellow%201.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Islamabad, Nov 19 : Due to lack of sponsors, Indian women tennis ace Sania Mirza’s proposed Pakistan tour has reportedly been postponed.<br /><br />The tour was jointly planned by the PTF (Pakistan Tennis Federation) and the (ITF) Indian Tennis Federation to promote tennis and improve bilateral relations between the two federations, reported the Daily Times.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg2il9b9QjINCeJAzhYgQx5yoHAu3xAe5RJ_Go9lzFur4b-1s8qsRDqEHgveLiwlGKFeEtxJv98_FLM_gLquEWLlRLMdXCeQXYZwYSxXw1bhNosYvA7MD7wVQDRUbQglcHhbSFPO699vo/s1600/sania-mirza1.jpg"><br /></a><br />Welcome to Sania Mirza Tennis Player! This site contains Indian tennis star SANIA MIRZA latest photos, Sania Mirza wallpapers, pics, videos, Sania Mirza hot and sexy photos, clips and news updates on tennis star Sania Mirza. Sania is the highest ranked female tennis player ever from India, with a career high ranking of 27 in singles and 18 in doubles. In 2006 Sania Mirza was conferred with prestigious Padma Sri award for her contribution to tennis. Sania is a teen idol in India. Be it win or defeat, on-court or off, Sania is always in news! Sania Mania!<br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguTAdHrAkiFWF_IuG1RysAXzhUVKD55MJ8U4CiskVCzMcoCD5qSvpO8Kh19pNbsA6YhS9vSgxAfdYKxP3MO9LbjmEqdfr-12VdANQuDj-8zuYa4ynIRBVnln2B8QoawBPT3Zx0BsHDE0Y/s1600/Sania-Mirza.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 418px; height: 382px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguTAdHrAkiFWF_IuG1RysAXzhUVKD55MJ8U4CiskVCzMcoCD5qSvpO8Kh19pNbsA6YhS9vSgxAfdYKxP3MO9LbjmEqdfr-12VdANQuDj-8zuYa4ynIRBVnln2B8QoawBPT3Zx0BsHDE0Y/s400/Sania-Mirza.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630001659664011810" border="0" /></a><br />Sania Mirza and Shoaib Malik are caught in a love triangle with Aisha Siddiqui. The sticky situation between the threesome involves Siddiqui’s claim that Malik, a Pakistani cricket player, is her husband and can not legally marry Mirza, Indian tennis player, as planned in Hyderabad on April 15th.<br /><br />Mirza’s family maintains that the wedding is still “on” despite a recent admission by Siddiqui to the Indian press stating that she, the daughter of Saudi Arabian businessman Ahmed Siddiqi. Siddiqi has the proof of the couple’s marriage in June of 2002, and with the public presentation of the Nikahnama, or marriage certificate, has furthered controversy.<br /><br />Malik is in Hyderabad trying to finalize wedding plans and would like to move the ceremony to Dubai from the Hotel Taj Krishna, Hyderabad locale. Sania is suffering pre-wedding jitters. The public is debating the hot issue of Malik marrying Sania. Siddiqi and her family are threatening to have the Cricketer arrested for “the criminal case of cheating” if he does not give her a formal divorce and have already retained a Pakistani divorce lawyer.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyhuP3H4p2SgHvE3HftsuCLSA63_MWz147rHwL1zJ-jxwFuxFGstVc5LqPv0bdtRiWxBK8tNYyr8Pz32cf1-29p-KmBuOPYtkIOmvb2fqqpTVSKglrWUl3VL9c8N-w5dV1apJ3Z8Ua_pA/s1600/sania-marry-shoaib.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 419px; height: 453px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyhuP3H4p2SgHvE3HftsuCLSA63_MWz147rHwL1zJ-jxwFuxFGstVc5LqPv0bdtRiWxBK8tNYyr8Pz32cf1-29p-KmBuOPYtkIOmvb2fqqpTVSKglrWUl3VL9c8N-w5dV1apJ3Z8Ua_pA/s400/sania-marry-shoaib.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630001657849637330" border="0" /></a><br />Sania Mirza was born in Mumbai, India on the 15th November, 1986 to Mr. Imran Mirza and Naseema. Saniya Mirza’s father Imran was a sports journalist previously after that he went into the printing business and finally he became a builder and her mother Naseema was associated with the printing industry. The family later relocated themselves in the city of Hyderabad. Saniya Mirza got her schooling from Nasr School Khairatabad and passed her SSC examination with first division securing 63% marks.<br /><br />Saniya Mirza has got a younger sister by the name of Anam. Saniya was drawn to the lawn tennis by her father; she started playing tennis at the tender age of six at Nizam Club Hyderabad. When Saniya was first taken to the coach he refused to coach her, later on after a week he called up the parents of Saniya and told them that he has never seen such a talent at such a tender age. Her initial training was handled by CK Bhupati father of Mahesh Bhupati, the legendary Indian tennis player.<br /><br />Sania Mirza’s father was unable to take care of the expenses of the training of Saniya therefore he approached some business houses for help, GVK industries and Adidas started to sponsor her from the age of 12 years. Later on her father Imran took over as her coach. Her physiotherapist is Badrinath.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBrnYWrZy2qfvNYGV5lUXf5azoC5tvc5o2ZS5FnZF4MBpsjdimb9wS9C8_VOEUCeoRlF_yf3Fw_RGOqGmLa7KTRMA1KbgM74HbIrd1CNheuYCY4oz474yGlsr66Uy74Ka-a4k9gxSfj9Q/s1600/Sania_Mirza_1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 418px; height: 378px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBrnYWrZy2qfvNYGV5lUXf5azoC5tvc5o2ZS5FnZF4MBpsjdimb9wS9C8_VOEUCeoRlF_yf3Fw_RGOqGmLa7KTRMA1KbgM74HbIrd1CNheuYCY4oz474yGlsr66Uy74Ka-a4k9gxSfj9Q/s400/Sania_Mirza_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630001656498693618" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2N00Fg6IDA3WbwczSvqN7FHcdDK_63OYsL1XvOZlFlecRNffWe95Sd8NyVgEOfgexahhDjQgSKKzdP3jo8nfm8frrxQgxfO82qQY4aZGawFaNy9vRodwABVAslfYRAPfkRnH3zMzHm28/s1600/34.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 418px; height: 347px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2N00Fg6IDA3WbwczSvqN7FHcdDK_63OYsL1XvOZlFlecRNffWe95Sd8NyVgEOfgexahhDjQgSKKzdP3jo8nfm8frrxQgxfO82qQY4aZGawFaNy9vRodwABVAslfYRAPfkRnH3zMzHm28/s400/34.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630001653160086914" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.desifans.com/sania_mirza/sania_mirza_wallpaper_4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 418px; height: 314px;" src="http://www.desifans.com/sania_mirza/sania_mirza_wallpaper_4.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00917261577991296159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6857932908595671949.post-38391577090353571032011-07-16T09:59:00.000-07:002011-07-16T10:11:53.540-07:00Nani Portugal PhotosNani was influential in helping Portugal reach the 2010 Word Cup in South Africa thanks to his man of the match performance against Malta in which he opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a low, left footed volley and setting up the third goal for Portugal defender Miguel Veloso.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://u.goal.com/98800/98890_news.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 388px; height: 481px;" src="http://u.goal.com/98800/98890_news.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Nani+Rong+Hao+Portugal+v+Republic+China+International+v2L7JbJyODAl.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 418px; height: 273px;" src="http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Nani+Rong+Hao+Portugal+v+Republic+China+International+v2L7JbJyODAl.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/PA-8042693.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 419px; height: 279px;" src="http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/PA-8042693.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www1.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Portugal+v+Republic+China+International+Friendly+NAN7sP53d77l.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 419px; height: 635px;" src="http://www1.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Portugal+v+Republic+China+International+Friendly+NAN7sP53d77l.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiarymoi3HgGmJQcthbmu91iOtOLiqVIT7POObDmh5r1x5qrPwlpxLElpr8Dh0uU9L7NREroForZ3Mw5ThxuIgfWVQb6B83_WfybrzY7AxTt2asY4WTntbsud-6KwbuiaCisY6r8SlnOcE/s1600/Nani-Portugal-001.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 419px; height: 252px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiarymoi3HgGmJQcthbmu91iOtOLiqVIT7POObDmh5r1x5qrPwlpxLElpr8Dh0uU9L7NREroForZ3Mw5ThxuIgfWVQb6B83_WfybrzY7AxTt2asY4WTntbsud-6KwbuiaCisY6r8SlnOcE/s400/Nani-Portugal-001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629996662543125394" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimymPGiUeYLHxjQhWhMdL9lmZ6JaQuRLXzOMmQ_RzprdVStkSQ9dqQbLiwl3HwFnRFCqLblJIQkwfg_qbyyOrwL3eNn21FQnSsZYQ9_jRK32R1oZrQ8XutfIRviygmTSNk9-0Sb928kL0/s1600/LuisNaniPortugal.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 402px; height: 609px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimymPGiUeYLHxjQhWhMdL9lmZ6JaQuRLXzOMmQ_RzprdVStkSQ9dqQbLiwl3HwFnRFCqLblJIQkwfg_qbyyOrwL3eNn21FQnSsZYQ9_jRK32R1oZrQ8XutfIRviygmTSNk9-0Sb928kL0/s400/LuisNaniPortugal.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629996658511022482" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtfSVVRslthRpaaZnwn6XtZ3x1PWU1JbshsZwJiyrpsRT9rFpnOzSfZlMupr_v7A_KA0FU281iUpyScRGd4p52JFtpuI2woF8Unag198H6O_spkkSs9SxLIl6mnsEUjWBLuuyqVi1W6P4/s1600/images_players_nani_nani-portugal-8.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 419px; height: 316px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtfSVVRslthRpaaZnwn6XtZ3x1PWU1JbshsZwJiyrpsRT9rFpnOzSfZlMupr_v7A_KA0FU281iUpyScRGd4p52JFtpuI2woF8Unag198H6O_spkkSs9SxLIl6mnsEUjWBLuuyqVi1W6P4/s400/images_players_nani_nani-portugal-8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629996648983758834" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJ_172jaCq-thyphenhyphen-E05oQ2Kv-BLYxcnOyOsvBf1Tc9-4G4l83o_5yKOrJ8Q9TqTqPIUsck0DBALwIWsGw_rKH0jYigUkRFQ4oWvTEUo_nXrzLQICMGU1Xlq60NjSNHZIUhM8PZM4a1gRc/s1600/images.jpeg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 403px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJ_172jaCq-thyphenhyphen-E05oQ2Kv-BLYxcnOyOsvBf1Tc9-4G4l83o_5yKOrJ8Q9TqTqPIUsck0DBALwIWsGw_rKH0jYigUkRFQ4oWvTEUo_nXrzLQICMGU1Xlq60NjSNHZIUhM8PZM4a1gRc/s400/images.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629996649129601298" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxHH0G4l3ofKjOOqoRwQQttdWbawE1b9rbc4qhM2hb0NdIx9DCX88o5fOVPb_fGthMkJjf2H1lXnpWmZRZuYHnD3ixtWWnESoTDdUbzHuBcaGMIW8klitAeHhmGNeuVAW7FlUturI-6Q/s1600/73212-nani.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 336px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxHH0G4l3ofKjOOqoRwQQttdWbawE1b9rbc4qhM2hb0NdIx9DCX88o5fOVPb_fGthMkJjf2H1lXnpWmZRZuYHnD3ixtWWnESoTDdUbzHuBcaGMIW8klitAeHhmGNeuVAW7FlUturI-6Q/s400/73212-nani.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629996643946077762" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://thesportreview.com/images/nani.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 210px;" src="http://thesportreview.com/images/nani.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kqeXXHjJq24" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" width="560"></iframe><br /></div>Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00917261577991296159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6857932908595671949.post-12751300338350995542011-07-16T08:58:00.001-07:002011-07-16T09:14:01.969-07:00Nadia Petrova ImagesJune 17th 2009: Nadia was in action today but got injured and stopped playing while leading 7-5, 0-1…<br /><br />June 15th 2009: Good news today as Nadia won her match in the Eastbourne 1st round posting a 3 sets win against Serbia’s Ana Ivanovic, a 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 win. In the 2nd round, Nadia will face A. Sugiyama or Q.<br /><br />May 27th 2009: Sad news today as Nadia lost her match in Roland Garros losing in the 2nd round 3 sets against Russia’s Maria Sharapova, a 6-2, 1-6, 8-6 loss.<br /><br />May 24th 2009: Good news today as Nadia won her match in the Roland Garros 1st round posting a 2 sets win against USA’s Lauren Embree, a 6-1, 6-2 win. In the 2nd round, Nadia will face A. Yakimova or M. Sharapova.<br /><br />May 13th 2009: Sad news today as Nadia lost her match in Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open losing in the 3rd round 3 sets against Switzerland’s Patty Schnyder, a 6-4, 6-7, 7-6 loss.<br /><br />May 11th 2009: Good news today as Nadia won her match in the Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open 2nd round posting a 3 sets win against Germany’s Anna-Lena Groenefeld, a 4-6, 7-6, 7-6 win. In the 3rd round, Nadia will face Patty Schnyder.<br /><br />May 9th 2009: Nadia was in action today in Madrid but her opponent Iveta Benesova got injured and withdrew while Nadia led 6-0, 2-1..<br /><br />May 6th 2009: Sad news today as Nadia lost her match in Rome losing in the 3rd round 3 sets against Spain’s Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez, a 6-4, 6-7, 6-4 loss.<br /><br />May 5th 2009: Good news today as Nadia won her match in the Rome 2nd round posting a 3 sets win against Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro, a 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 win. In the 3rd round, Nadia will face Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez.<br /><br />April 30th 2009: Sad news today as Nadia lost her match in Porsche Tennis Grand Prix losing in the 2nd round 2 sets against Italy’s Flavia Pennetta, a 6-2, 6-2 loss.<br /><br />April 29th 2009: Good news today as Nadia won her match in the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix 1st round posting a 3 sets win against China’s Jie Zheng, a 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 win. In the 2nd round, Nadia will face Flavia Pennetta.<br /><br />April 16th 2009: Sad news today as Nadia lost her match in Charleston losing in the 3rd round 3 sets against Hungary’s Melinda Czink, a 3-6, 6-4, 7-5 loss.<br /><br />April 14th 2009: Good news today as Nadia won her match in the Charleston 2nd round posting a 3 sets win against Austria’s Patricia Mayr, a 6-1, 2-6, 6-2 win. In the 3rd round, Nadia will face V. King or M. Czink.<br /><br />April 11th 2009: Sad news today as Nadia lost her match in Ponte Vedra Beach losing in the semifinals 3 sets against Canada’s Aleksandra Wozniak, a 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 loss.<br /><br />April 10th 2009: Good news today as Nadia won her match in the Ponte Vedra Beach quarterfinals posting a 3 sets win against Ukraine’s Alona Bondarenko, a 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 win. In the semifinals, Nadia will face Aleksandra Wozniak.<br /><br />April 8th 2009: Good news today as Nadia won her match in the Ponte Vedra Beach 2nd round posting a 2 sets win against USA’s Madison Keys, a 6-3, 6-2 win. In the quarterfinals, Nadia will face Alona Bondarenko.<br /><br />April 7th 2009: Good news today as Nadia won her match in the Ponte Vedra Beach 1st round posting a 2 sets win against Belarus’s Olga Govortsova, a 6-2, 6-4 win. In the 2nd round, Nadia will face M. Keys.<br /><br />March 29th 2009: Sad news today as Nadia lost her match in Sony Ericsson Open losing in the 3rd round 2 sets against Russia’s Ekaterina Makarova, a 7-5, 6-1 loss.<br /><br />March 28th 2009: Good news today as Nadia won her match in the Sony Ericsson Open 2nd round posting a 3 sets win against Netherlands’s Michaela Krajicek, a 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 win. In the 3rd round, Nadia will face Ekaterina Makarova.<br /><br />January 25th 2009: Sad news today as Nadia lost her match in Australian Open losing in the 4th round 2 sets against Russia’s Vera Zvonareva, a 7-5, 6-4 loss.<br /><br />January 23rd 2009: Nadia did not have to play a complete match, she advances to the 4th round after a 6-1 win against Galina Voskoboeva (who was injured), up next will be Vera Zvonareva.<br /><br />January 21st 2009: Good news today as Nadia won her match in Australian Open posting a 2 sets win against India’s Sania Mirza, a 6-3, 6-2 win. She will now face Galina Voskoboeva..!<br /><br />January 19th 2009: Good news today as Nadia won her match in Australian Open posting a 2 sets win against Russia’s Yaroslava Shvedova, a 6-3, 7-6 win. Up next is Sania Mirza..!<br /><br />January 12th 2009: Sad news today as Nadia lost her match in Sydney losing in 2 sets against France’s Alize Cornet, a 6-2, 6-4 loss.<br /><br />December 16th 2008: Nadia has announced she would be unable to play in Auckland after all to start off her season because she is fighting a viral meningitis..:( Read more here.<br /><br />November 8th 2008: Nadia finally got a chance to play in Doha as Serena Williams withdrew before her 3rd match.. Nadia did battle hard but came up a bit short as she lost to Elena Dementieva 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.. Nadia’s 2008 season is now over..<br /><br />November 2nd 2008: Nadia’s match continued, she won her final 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 against Bethanie Mattek…! “It was really wonderful to win this event. To finish off the season like this is wonderful. Now I have a long journey ahead of me to Doha, but it’ll definitely be worth it. And then it’ll be really nice to put the racquets aside for a few weeks!”<br /><br />November 1st 2008: Nadia’s tournament continued today, she won 6-1, 6-3 against Angela Haynes to reach the singles final..!<br /><br />October 31st 2008: Nadia continued her road today, she defeated Melinda Czink 6-1, 6-4 to reach the semifinals!<br /><br />Read more: http://www.sportsclb.com/nadia-petrova/#ixzz1SHkHqczk<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.tennisticketnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/nadia-petrova.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 418px; height: 571px;" src="http://www.tennisticketnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/nadia-petrova.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />June 29th 2009: Sad news today as Nadia lost her match in Wimbledon losing in the 4th round 3 sets against Belarus’s Victoria Azarenka, a 7-6, 2-6, 6-3 loss.<br /><br />June 26th 2009: Good news today as Nadia won her match in the Wimbledon 3rd round posting a 3 sets win against Argentina’s Gisela Dulko, a 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 win. In the 4th round, Nadia will face Victoria Azarenka.<br /><br />June 24th 2009: Good news today as Nadia won her match in the Wimbledon 2nd round posting a 2 sets win against Israel’s Shahar Peer, a 6-3, 6-2 win. In the 3rd round, Nadia will face Gisela Dulko.<br /><br />June 22nd 2009: Good news today as Nadia won her match in the Wimbledon 1st round posting a 2 sets win against Belarus’s Anastasia Yakimova, a 6-1, 6-1 win. In the 2nd round, Nadia will face Shahar Peer.<br /><br />Read more: http://www.sportsclb.com/nadia-petrova/#ixzz1SHkSlVzy<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Ellesse+50th+Anniversary+Party+Arrivals+Pm2dospFt8Il.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 415px; height: 609px;" src="http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Ellesse+50th+Anniversary+Party+Arrivals+Pm2dospFt8Il.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />August 6th 2009: Sad news today as Nadia lost her match in Los Angeles, losing in the 3rd round 2 sets against Italy’s Flavia Pennetta, a 6-3, 6-3 loss.<br /><br />August 5th 2009: Good news today as Nadia won her match in the Los Angeles, 2nd round posting a 3 sets win against Israel’s Shahar Peer, a 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 win. In the 3rd round, Nadia will face Flavia Pennetta.<br /><br />July 29th 2009: Sad news today as Nadia lost her match in Stanford losing in the 2nd round 2 sets against Russia’s Maria Sharapova, a 6-1, 6-2 loss.<br /><br />July 27th 2009: Good news today as Nadia won her match in the Stanford 1st round posting a 3 sets win against USA’s Bethanie Mattek, a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 win. In the 2nd round, Nadia will face M. Sharapova or A. Sugiyama.<br /><br />Read more: http://www.sportsclb.com/nadia-petrova/#ixzz1SHkZS15W<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.tennisserver.com/images/wta2005/IMG-0183.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 419px; height: 631px;" src="http://www.tennisserver.com/images/wta2005/IMG-0183.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />She was fading away, and it appeared obvious that she was fading because of a lack of focus and mental toughness.<br /><br />Petrova actually did not win a tournament of any kind until the very last stage of the 2005 season, and—though the tennis media has chosen to ignore it—that victory was somewhat of a gift.<br /><br />I happened to be in Europe during the 2005 Generali Ladies Linz, so I watched the final on Eurosport. Petrova played Patty Schnyder, who took the first set easily. Petrova then took the second, and during the third, Schnyder injured her hand. She then had to play the remainder of the match with one hand, and it was no surprise that she lost it.<br /><br />Petrova might have won, anyway—she was playing well—but we’ll never know.<br /><br />At any rate, this victory changed Nadia Petrova. It must have been a tremendous relief to finally win a tournament, and the muttering, racquet-smashing Petrova (a persona totally at odds with her off-court demeanor) got down to business in 2006. She won Doha, then went on a clay court tear, winning Amelia Island, Charleston and Berlin.<br /><br />By this time, she looked like a very serious contender to win the French Open, but a terrible thing happened. Petrova injured her hip during a pre-French Open practice session, and consequently lost in the first round.<br /><br />This very unfortunate situation seemed to knock the wind out of her, as it would just about any player who was poised to win one of the majors. She began to suffer from various injuries, and to hire and fire coaches faster than most of us could follow.<br /><br />In 2007, she looked frazzled and burned out, and at one point, she said, with characteristic candor, that she had lost her motivation to play tennis, and was doing some serious sorting out of her future.<br /><br />At some point, Petrova decided to stick with tennis for a while, and, as the 2008 season began, we saw flashes of the 2003 and 2006 Petrova. She has stuck with the same coach for a while now, and she is playing well again. The hip injury returns now and then, but things are generally better for Petrova. She reached the final at Eastbourne, and she won Cincinnati. She continues to do well in doubles.<br /><br />Petrova finished eleventh in the race to the Sony Ericsson Championships, and is now ranked eleventh in the world. She was the maroon group alternate in Doha, and—on her way to the broadcast booth to do some commentating—she was called on to play a match against Elena Dementieva when Serena Williams withdrew. Petrova lost the match, but she played very well, stayed calm, and appeared to be enjoying herself a lot.<br /><br />Unfortunately, there is more bad luck for Petrova, and the 2009 season has not even begun. She was scheduled to begin her 2009 schedule at the ASB Classic in New Zealand, but she has contracted viral meningitis, and her Australian Open participation is in question. However, it should not take that long for Petrova to make a full recovery, and if she stays relatively healthy, there is a good chance that she can return to her former status in 2009. She likes hard courts, she says, but she really excels on clay courts.<br /><br />She has coaching consistency now, she has taken control of her court anger, she has a strong serve, and she brings a lot of doubles expertise with her every time she plays a singles match. Petrova has it all, but has not always brought it all together at big occasions.<br /><br />Nadia Petrova is, once again, definitely a player to watch.<br /><br />Diane Elayne Dees publishes Women Who Serve, a blog about women’s professional tennis. Diane is a life-long fan of women’s tennis; her interest in the sport began when she first saw Evonne Goolagong play. Diane attends the Family Circle Cup in Charleston every year, and has a fondness for clay court tennis, which she developed while following the career of the great Chris Evert.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT2iOGnHIRT0Mtw5bt4B-ajiMmaoNGjkUV-Sb99ok0iNZ8mYSOHNPDRp_pX_etubpSZELX8ByGWXm7oIC4xoy5SZa5XLdAsZRV6AQjhLNPn17Id51_bqED0T6a8vdvcTghjhfb0wWN07U/s1600/Tennis-Nadia-Petrova_962043.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 418px; height: 314px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT2iOGnHIRT0Mtw5bt4B-ajiMmaoNGjkUV-Sb99ok0iNZ8mYSOHNPDRp_pX_etubpSZELX8ByGWXm7oIC4xoy5SZa5XLdAsZRV6AQjhLNPn17Id51_bqED0T6a8vdvcTghjhfb0wWN07U/s400/Tennis-Nadia-Petrova_962043.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629981404905462434" border="0" /></a><br />This article is part of On the Baseline’s 2009 Players to Watch Series. Please join us for a special look at several rising and resurgent stars on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour.<br /><br />Way back when, some people thought that Nadia Petrova would be the first Russian to break through in a big way. She had almost everything—a big serve, solid groundstrokes, and quite a bit of finesse at the net.<br /><br />In 2003, she reached the semifinals at Roland Garros, knocking off Monica Seles and Jennifer Capriati on the way. That year, she also reached the final at Linz, played in several semifinals, and won some doubles tournaments.<br /><br />But it was Maria Sharapova, of course, who won Wimbledon in 2004. That same year, Anastasia Myskina won the French Open, and Svetlana Kuznetsova won the U.S. Open. Elena Dementieva was the finalist in both the French and the U.S. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpKoqmcm-2uKZHHq2s0TZOmPATHKbQm-uUlcPqYSX7ftMeC78ohnBSQlBNNc5aY8b9bRCH0_ZsjZ7qhMQz8pzJ_mJDrgxB8c3_IfQs-RImvGyzJmIU3Rq9sLSQ8UGB09ffodIEQSkdHas/s1600/Off%252BCourt%252B2009%252BAustralian%252BOpen%252B-Slg7bGrQ_hl.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 419px; height: 280px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpKoqmcm-2uKZHHq2s0TZOmPATHKbQm-uUlcPqYSX7ftMeC78ohnBSQlBNNc5aY8b9bRCH0_ZsjZ7qhMQz8pzJ_mJDrgxB8c3_IfQs-RImvGyzJmIU3Rq9sLSQ8UGB09ffodIEQSkdHas/s400/Off%252BCourt%252B2009%252BAustralian%252BOpen%252B-Slg7bGrQ_hl.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629981403783827282" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHrERvI9JGXyEKE5WOd226pOlxBTaL5g0bZl6h4RR2o-VXFtJ0yd0rA5z-CfC3fdk8FyxD0QAri-cBdCqiNnmtRG8Mqzk0ExvCWW7A_dpkF-teO0E2BkTAW-q2w-PL6MLmxbcf9Yf1HUQ/s1600/nadia-petrova4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 420px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHrERvI9JGXyEKE5WOd226pOlxBTaL5g0bZl6h4RR2o-VXFtJ0yd0rA5z-CfC3fdk8FyxD0QAri-cBdCqiNnmtRG8Mqzk0ExvCWW7A_dpkF-teO0E2BkTAW-q2w-PL6MLmxbcf9Yf1HUQ/s400/nadia-petrova4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629981402164030850" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXySMyJK4koh69Z0r5COog4pmDAjuN1s5FYaRwrSflE3wUp0znLTy7hkK9_3tV3PEC8_WVCtqsCIVTJZ5xSDTP4HBjpxaC1j96hj3lHirXAJEj-v4tWkU3lG4G1he0Oye6q41b01oIvfk/s1600/nadia_petrova1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 419px; height: 531px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXySMyJK4koh69Z0r5COog4pmDAjuN1s5FYaRwrSflE3wUp0znLTy7hkK9_3tV3PEC8_WVCtqsCIVTJZ5xSDTP4HBjpxaC1j96hj3lHirXAJEj-v4tWkU3lG4G1he0Oye6q41b01oIvfk/s400/nadia_petrova1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629981398804175970" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXQakRYvgtjc-J9LqoRMJvMzMYQ5_Ef1Vv3ND84bxyT8kVmpooJdLsRqV1JJqHTU2nZa_nxLw7n5pnuaFLvNj7Q_deb_Xr7GTLjknt6U2IvpvDovkONLAixQsTCxF3qJtBOYVekVXxiMc/s1600/Mondial%252BAustralian%252BWomen%252BHardcourts%252BDay%252B2%252BAfMjQS6ddkIl.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 419px; height: 558px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXQakRYvgtjc-J9LqoRMJvMzMYQ5_Ef1Vv3ND84bxyT8kVmpooJdLsRqV1JJqHTU2nZa_nxLw7n5pnuaFLvNj7Q_deb_Xr7GTLjknt6U2IvpvDovkONLAixQsTCxF3qJtBOYVekVXxiMc/s400/Mondial%252BAustralian%252BWomen%252BHardcourts%252BDay%252B2%252BAfMjQS6ddkIl.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629981393187069154" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/25/Nadia_Petrova_2007_Australian_Open_R1.jpg/324px-Nadia_Petrova_2007_Australian_Open_R1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 419px; height: 777px;" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/25/Nadia_Petrova_2007_Australian_Open_R1.jpg/324px-Nadia_Petrova_2007_Australian_Open_R1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00917261577991296159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6857932908595671949.post-88699863503274241252011-07-16T00:37:00.001-07:002011-07-16T00:50:53.459-07:00Maria Sharapova WalpaperWhen Sharapova was six, she and her father moved from their life of poverty in Russia to the United States, to enroll in the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy. After rising rapidly through the junior and professional ranks in the years that followed, Sharapova won her first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2004 at the age of 17. In the two years that followed, Sharapova won eight titles on the WTA Tour and had two brief stints as the World No. 1. However, she lost all five Grand Slam semifinals she played during this period. She ultimately won her second Grand Slam title at the 2006 US Open. In 2007, a right shoulder injury forced Sharapova to withdraw from numerous tournaments; this was partially responsible for her dropping out of the top five on the WTA world rankings for the first time in three years. Although she won her third Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in early 2008 and returned to the World No. 1 position later in the year, her shoulder needed surgery in October 2008. Sharapova was away from the sport for ten months until May 2009, which caused her ranking to drop out of the top 100. Since returning, Sharapova's ranking has recovered to within the top 15. Sharapova's public profile extends beyond tennis. She has been featured in a number of modeling assignments, including a feature in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Sharapova was the most searched-for athlete on Yahoo! in both 2005 and 2008.[1][3][4] In July 2008, as a result of her success both on and off court, she was the world's highest-paid female athlete, earning US$26 million.[5] Since February 2007, she has been a United Nations Development Project Goodwill Ambassador, concerned specifically with efforts in Chernobyl to recover from the 1986 nuclear disaster. Sharapova was born in 1987 to Yuri and Elena, ethnic Russians, in the town of Nyagan' in Siberia, Russia. Her parents moved from Gomel, Belarus after the Chernobyl nuclear accident in 1986 affected the region.[6] When Sharapova was two, the family moved to Sochi where her father befriended Aleksandr Kafelnikov, whose son Yevgeny would go on to become a Grand Slam champion. Aleksandr gave Sharapova her first tennis racket at the age of four, whereupon she began practicing regularly with her father in a local park.[7] At the age of six, Sharapova attended a tennis clinic in Moscow run by Martina Navrátilová, who recommended professional training at the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Florida, which had previously trained players such as Andre Agassi, Monica Seles and Anna Kournikova.[7] Sharapova and her father, neither of whom could speak English, moved to Florida in 1994. Visa restrictions prevented Sharapova's mother from joining them for two years.[6] Sharapova's father took various low-paying jobs, including dish washing, to fund her lessons before she was admitted to the academy. In 1995, she was signed by IMG and finally enrolled in the academy.[7] [edit] 2001–03: Professional debut Sharapova turned professional in 2001 but played just one tournament that year. The following year, the 14 year-old Sharapova became the youngest female to reach the final of the junior Australian Open[18], before reaching the final of the junior Wimbledon Championships later in the year.[19] She also won three titles on the International Tennis Federation Circuit and played her first matches on the main Women's Tennis Association (WTA) Tour, winning a match at the Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells, California, a Tier I event, before losing to former World No. 1 Monica Seles in the second round. Sharapova started playing WTA Tour events full-time in 2003. She won through the qualifying rounds to reach the main draw of Grand Slams for the first time at the Australian Open and the French Open, but lost in the first round of both.[20] Her breakthrough came on grass; at the DFS Classic in Birmingham, United Kingdom, Sharapova defeated World No. 15 Elena Dementieva in the quarterfinals, a result which secured Sharapova both her first WTA Tour semifinal and her first win over a player ranked inside the top 20. She then lost to Shinobu Asagoe in the semifinals. As a wildcard at Wimbledon, Sharapova defeated 11th seed Jelena Dokic to reach the fourth round, where she lost in three sets to Svetlana Kuznetsova.[20] After being defeated in the second round of the US Open by Émilie Loit,[20] Sharapova won her first two WTA Tour titles in the fall, both at Tier III level. These were the Japan Open Tennis Championships in Tokyo, defeating Anikó Kapros in the final,[20] and the Bell Challenge in Quebec City, defeating Milagros Sequera in the final.[20] She finished the year ranked World No. 32 and was named the WTA Newcomer of the Year. [edit] 2004: Breakthrough season Sharapova was defeated in the third round of the Australian Open by seventh seed Anastasia Myskina.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.vtennis.co.uk/Images/Tennis/Maria-Sharapova/maria-sharapova-modeling-pictures/maria-sharapova-modeling-pictures-2.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 401px; height: 531px;" src="http://www.vtennis.co.uk/Images/Tennis/Maria-Sharapova/maria-sharapova-modeling-pictures/maria-sharapova-modeling-pictures-2.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.vtennis.co.uk/Images/Tennis/Maria-Sharapova/maria-sharapova-perfume/maria-sharapova-perfume-2.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 411px; height: 524px;" src="http://www.vtennis.co.uk/Images/Tennis/Maria-Sharapova/maria-sharapova-perfume/maria-sharapova-perfume-2.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BPW7PkaPw64/TMcvCCnuFkI/AAAAAAAALuA/E6lCLVWPBgM/s1600/TAG-Heuer-Maria-Sharapova-HK2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 410px; height: 464px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BPW7PkaPw64/TMcvCCnuFkI/AAAAAAAALuA/E6lCLVWPBgM/s1600/TAG-Heuer-Maria-Sharapova-HK2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sports-wired.com/women/maria_sharapova/wos476.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 411px; height: 334px;" src="http://www.sports-wired.com/women/maria_sharapova/wos476.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMtwadxM27zp5qBVp5v8YpJcp8yIIn8qoiG1jZFZZ0gbCFjXhVaKTEYmAhv1hcqbQ_zANKd30oiDEewlRdVio6oVAhiaNDX1oRHz2cGM48mK8q-474NrNz8iLaB0BY1KHHYzgMqCqGJGs/s1600/wos477.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 412px; height: 354px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMtwadxM27zp5qBVp5v8YpJcp8yIIn8qoiG1jZFZZ0gbCFjXhVaKTEYmAhv1hcqbQ_zANKd30oiDEewlRdVio6oVAhiaNDX1oRHz2cGM48mK8q-474NrNz8iLaB0BY1KHHYzgMqCqGJGs/s400/wos477.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629851457468653746" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb26pA7u5shJUNHyABX2MsywLma2CYHYKotEn40lxuXtlBli0EJOybzAe8tG5TPZCjmhQTZzeX2Zk5wjW6cQ9_fNWBuCwzBSEuUux-Wkv6dwFmMy4-mraNJ1lzBq7MTQkxcqEmTJcWmeM/s1600/maria-sharapova-fashion-Large.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 412px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb26pA7u5shJUNHyABX2MsywLma2CYHYKotEn40lxuXtlBli0EJOybzAe8tG5TPZCjmhQTZzeX2Zk5wjW6cQ9_fNWBuCwzBSEuUux-Wkv6dwFmMy4-mraNJ1lzBq7MTQkxcqEmTJcWmeM/s400/maria-sharapova-fashion-Large.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629851457599781618" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-eoMq5SMn4HgK2fTrCc9ZUt8ZnaXdlsRCyWUgxEA60yQ68V9nLMvm1vJfzNc4J-19qT1j9xVhOTKysEuY5Rkly6OIE8G3X02h1l1MvbifdWxJZkMX_fRITweja_UCsYqsKHnpEvvpNBY/s1600/Maria-Sharapova_tennis_player_1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 411px; height: 385px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-eoMq5SMn4HgK2fTrCc9ZUt8ZnaXdlsRCyWUgxEA60yQ68V9nLMvm1vJfzNc4J-19qT1j9xVhOTKysEuY5Rkly6OIE8G3X02h1l1MvbifdWxJZkMX_fRITweja_UCsYqsKHnpEvvpNBY/s400/Maria-Sharapova_tennis_player_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629851454362912066" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ku1492zkYIjvKM3860t0qao3CqQJzFCXYMiRw-dUysuVMvhnS71AlU8Dap4BVKzjsRO5aj2JacsAK3CmLdnq0MhOA1EqL6Kl7Nt49gElUbU4TI5CAJUjR11ktCEbSQGjEUN4npYjbY4/s1600/mariasharapova32.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 407px; height: 305px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ku1492zkYIjvKM3860t0qao3CqQJzFCXYMiRw-dUysuVMvhnS71AlU8Dap4BVKzjsRO5aj2JacsAK3CmLdnq0MhOA1EqL6Kl7Nt49gElUbU4TI5CAJUjR11ktCEbSQGjEUN4npYjbY4/s400/mariasharapova32.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629851449881123554" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvIChWLHvp3vNBABPB_IPgwdZ2NGl9iuHoYo15PAJMILUuXS6u4FZDwPYWdSQimoja258-kElsNBXxZnmwaPPCRw5gA1Wk7lILvA5TZIi5B1-VKwaerW83W9QaUUq7lF2Lu7iW6IvbxEE/s1600/maria_sharapova.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 408px; height: 408px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvIChWLHvp3vNBABPB_IPgwdZ2NGl9iuHoYo15PAJMILUuXS6u4FZDwPYWdSQimoja258-kElsNBXxZnmwaPPCRw5gA1Wk7lILvA5TZIi5B1-VKwaerW83W9QaUUq7lF2Lu7iW6IvbxEE/s400/maria_sharapova.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629851445214777122" border="0" /></a><br />[21] The highlight of the remainder of her spring hardcourt season was a run to the semifinals at the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships and the Cellular South Cup in Memphis, USA, where she ultimately lost to Vera Zvonareva.[21] During the spring clay court season, Sharapova entered the top 20 on the WTA world rankings as a result of reaching the third round of the Qatar Telecom German Open in Berlin[21] and the Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome, both of which were Tier I events.[21] At the latter event, Sharapova defeated a player ranked inside the top 10 for the first time with a straight-sets win over World No. 10 Elena Dementieva. Sharapova went on to make the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam for the first time at the French Open, before losing there to Paola Suárez 6–1, 6–3. Sharapova won the third title of her career at the Wimbledon warm-up DFS Classic in Birmingham, United Kingdom, defeating Tatiana Golovin in the final.[21] Seeded 13th and aged 17 at Wimbledon, Sharapova reached her second consecutive Grand Slam quarterfinal, where she defeated Ai Sugiyama 5–7, 7–5, 6–1 to make her first Grand Slam semifinal. There, she came back from a 6–2, 3–1 deficit to defeat fifth seed and former champion Lindsay Davenport 2–6, 7–6(5), 6–1. In the final, Sharapova upset top seed and defending champion Serena Williams 6–1, 6–4 to win her first Grand Slam singles title. She was the third youngest woman to win the Wimbledon title, behind only Lottie Dod and Martina Hingis. She entered the top ten for the first time as a result of the win.[21] Sharapova's form dipped in the aftermath of her Wimbledon victory, winning just three of six matches in her preparations for the US Open. At the US Open itself, she reached the third round before being eliminated by Mary Pierce. However, Sharapova rebounded in the fall to win consecutive titles in Asia, first defeating Marta Domachowska to win the Hansol Korea Open Tennis Championships in Seoul, South Korea, before defeating Mashona Washington to retain the Japan Open Tennis Championships in Tokyo. In October, Sharapova defeated Venus Williams en route to making the final of a Tier I event for the first time at the Zurich Open, losing in the final to Alicia Molik. She then made her debut at the year-ending WTA Tour Championships in Los Angeles. There, she won two of her three round-robin matches (including a win over US Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova) in order to advance to the semifinals, where she defeated Myskina. In the final, Sharapova defeated an injured Serena Williams 4–6, 6–2, 6–4, after trailing 4–0 in the final set.[21] Sharapova's win-loss record came to 55-15. Her five titles during the year were matched or bettered only by Davenport (7) and Justine Henin (5). Sharapova topped the prize money list for the year and finished 2004 ranked World No. 4. [edit] 2005-2006: Consistency Sharapova at Indian Wells in 2005.Sharapova started the year at the Australian Open, where she defeated fifth seed Svetlana Kuznetsova to reach the second Grand Slam semifinal of her career. Sharapova held match points in the third set of her semifinal match before losing to the eventual champion Serena Williams 2–6, 7–5, 8–6.[22] In February, at the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo, Sharapova defeated top-ranked Lindsay Davenport to win a Tier I title for the first time in her career.[22] Sharapova also won her next tournament three weeks later, the Qatar Total Open in Doha, defeating Alicia Molik in the final.[22] Sharapova reached the top three on the world rankings for the first time as a result of this success. In the semifinals of the Tier I Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells, California, Sharapova was defeated by Davenport 6–0, 6–0, the first time she had failed to win a game in a match.[22][23] The following fortnight, she defeated former World No. 1 players Justine Henin and Venus Williams to reach the final at the Tier I NASDAQ-100 Open in Miami, where she lost to Kim Clijsters.[22] As a result of this, Sharapova continued her progress on the world rankings, rising to a career-high of World No. 2. Sharapova made the semifinals of a clay-court tournament for the first time at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome, where she lost to Patty Schnyder.[22] Sharapova would have become the World No. 1 for the first time had she won the tournament.[24] Sharapova then reached the quarterfinals of the French Open for the second consecutive year, before losing to eventual champion Henin.[22] On grass, Sharapova won her third title of the year when she successfully defended her title at the DFS Classic in Birmingham, United Kingdom, defeating Jelena Jankovic in the final. As the defending champion at Wimbledon, Sharapova reached the semifinals without dropping a set and losing a service game just once, extending her winning streak on grass to 24 matches. However, she was then beaten by eventual champion Venus Williams 7–6(2), 6–1.[22] A back injury sustained by World No. 1 Davenport at Wimbledon prevented her from playing tournaments during the summer hardcourt season, which meant she could not earn new ranking points to replace those that were expiring from the previous year. Sharapova, although also injured for much of this time, had far fewer points to defend, and so she became the first Russian woman to hold the World No. 1 ranking on August 22, 2005.[25] Her reign lasted only one week, however, as Davenport reclaimed the top ranking after winning the Pilot Pen Tennis tournament in New Haven, Connecticut.[25] As the top seed at the US Open, Sharapova lost in the semifinals to eventual champion Clijsters 6–2, 6–7(4), 6–3. However, she once again leapfrogged Davenport to take the World No. 1 ranking on September 12, 2005. She retained it for six weeks but, after playing few tournaments during the fall due to injury, she again relinquished the ranking to Davenport after six weeks.[25] To conclude the year, Sharapova failed to defend her title at the year-ending Sony Ericsson Championships in Los Angeles, defeating Davenport in one of her round-robin matches but ultimately losing in the semifinals to eventual champion Amélie Mauresmo.[22] Sharapova's win-loss record for the year was 53-12. She finished the year as World No. 4 for the second year and as the top-ranked Russian for the first time, having won three titles. She was the only player to reach three Grand Slam semifinals, having lost at all four Grand Slam tournaments to the eventual champion. Sharapova started 2006 by losing in the semifinals of the Australian Open in three sets to Henin.[26] Sharapova lost to Henin again in the final of the Dubai Tennis Championships several weeks later, having defeated former World No. 1 Martina Hingis and World No. 3 Lindsay Davenport in earlier rounds of the tournament.[26] Sharapova claimed her first title in nine months at the Tier I tournament in Indian Wells, defeating Hingis in the semifinals and Elena Dementieva in the final.[26] The following fortnight, she reached the final in Miami before losing to Kuznetsova.[26] Sharapova celebrating after winning the 2006 US Open.Sharapova did not participate in any of the clay-court warm-up tournaments due to injury, but she returned for the French Open. There, after saving match points in defeating Mashona Washington in the first round, Sharapova was eliminated in the fourth round by Dinara Safina 7–5, 2–6, 7–5, having led 5–1 in the third set.[26] On grass, Sharapova was unsuccessful in her attempt to win in Birmingham for the third consecutive year, losing instead in the semifinals to Jamea Jackson.[26] Despite that, she was among the title favorites at Wimbledon, but was defeated in the semifinals by top seed and eventual champion Mauresmo.[26] This marked Sharapova's fifth consecutive defeat in a Grand Slam semifinal. Sharapova claimed her second title of the year at the Tier I Acura Classic in San Diego, defeating Clijsters for the first time in the final.[26] As the third seed at the US Open, Sharapova defeated top seed Mauresmo for the first time in the semifinals 6–0, 4–6, 6–0.[26] Playing in her second Grand Slam final, Sharapova defeated second seed Henin 6–4, 6–4 [26] in order to win her second Grand Slam singles title.[26] That autumn, Sharapova won titles in back-to-back weeks – the Tier I Zurich Open, defeating Daniela Hantuchová in the final[26] and the Generali Ladies Linz in Linz, Austria, defeating defending champion Nadia Petrova in the final.[26] At the year-ending Sony Ericsson Championships in Madrid, Sharapova won all three of her round-robin matches in straight sets (including a win over Clijsters) to extend her winning streak to 19 matches. However, she then lost in the semifinals to eventual champion Henin.[26] Sharapova would have finished the season as World No. 1 had she won the event. As it was, she finished ranked World No. 2, her best finish yet. She was the top Russian player for the second year. Her total of three Tier I titles was more than any other player, while her total of five titles at all tiers was second only to Henin's six.[citation needed] Her win-loss record amassed to 59-9. [edit] 2007-2008: Injuries and erratic form Sharapova at the 2007 Australian Open.Sharapova was the top seed at the Australian Open due to top-ranked Justine Henin's withdrawal. Sharapova was two points away from defeat in the first round against Camille Pin before eventually winning 6–3, 4–6, 9–7. She went on to make the semifinals, where she defeated fourth seed Kim Clijsters 6–4, 6–2 in order to reach the final of the tournament for the first time. However, there, she was overpowered by Serena Williams, ranked World No. 81 at the time, losing 6–1, 6–2.[27] By reaching the final, Sharapova recaptured the World No. 1 ranking.[25] She held it for seven weeks before surrendering it back to Henin after failing to defend her title at the Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells, California, losing in the fourth round to Vera Zvonareva, after struggling with a hamstring injury. The following fortnight, Sharapova defeated Venus Williams in three sets in the third round of the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami before suffering her second comprehensive defeat of the year by Serena Williams, 6–1, 6–1. A shoulder injury also forced Sharapova to miss most of the clay court season for the second consecutive year. Her only tune-up for the French Open was the Istanbul Cup, where she lost in the semifinals to Aravane Rezaï.[27] Despite her lack of preparation, she reached the semifinals of the French Open for the first time in her career (having saved match points against Patty Schnyder in the fourth round) but she then lost to Ana Ivanovic 6–2, 6–1.[27] On grass, Sharapova reached her second final of the year at the DFS Classic in Birmingham, United Kingdom, but lost there to Jelena Jankovic.[27] At Wimbledon, Sharapova was defeated in the fourth round by the eventual champion Venus Williams 6–1, 6–3. This was Sharapova's earliest exit at Wimbledon since 2003.[27] Sharapova won her first title of the year at the Tier I Acura Classic in San Diego, retaining her title by defeating Schnyder in the final. As a result, she clinched the US Open Series for the first time in her career.[25] Seeded second at the US Open, Sharapova won her first two matches with the loss of only two games[27] but lost her third round match to 18 year-old 30th seed Agnieszka Radwanska 6–4, 1–6, 6–2, after being up a break in the third set.[28] It was Sharapova's earliest exit at a Grand Slam singles tournament since the 2004 US Open where she lost in the same round.[25] Following the US Open loss, Sharapova did not play again until the Kremlin Cup in Moscow in October, where she lost her opening match to Victoria Azarenka.[27] Shortly after this, she fell out of the top five on the world rankings for the first time since 2004. She qualified for the eight-woman year-ending Sony Ericsson Championships only because Venus Williams withdrew from the tournament.[25] Despite having not previously won a match in two months, Sharapova topped her round-robin group at the tournament after winning all three of her matches,, including a three-set win over World No. 2 Svetlana Kuznetsova and a 6–1, 6–2 win over Ivanovic. She then defeated Anna Chakvetadze in the semifinals.[27] In the final, Sharapova lost to World No. 1 Henin 5–7, 7–5, 6–3, in a match that lasted 3 hours and 24 minutes. Sharapova ended the year with a win-loss of 40-11 and ranked World No. 5, her fourth consecutive year-end finish in the top five. However, for the first time since 2004 she did not finish the year as the top-ranked Russian (the honor instead being held by Kuznetsova) and for the first time since 2002, she won just one singles title.[25] Sharapova was seeded fifth at the Australian Open.[29] There, she defeated former World No. 1 Lindsay Davenport in the second round, before later defeating the current World No. 1 Henin in the quarterfinals 6–4, 6–0,[30] ending the latter's 32-match winning streak.[31] Sharapova then beat third seed Jankovic 6–3, 6–1 in the semifinals to reach the final for the second consecutive year.[32][33] There, she defeated fourth seed Ivanovic 7–5, 6–3 to win her third Grand Slam title.[32] She became the first female Russian ever to have won the Australian Open and did so without dropping a set. Sharapova playing at the Pacific Life Open in 2008.After the Australian Open, Sharapova extended her winning streak to 18 matches before finally losing for the first time in the season.[32] This run encompassed two wins in singles rubbers when making her debut for Russia in the Fed Cup[34] against Israel[32] and victory at the Tier I Qatar Total Open in Doha, Qatar, defeafing Zvonareva in the final.[32] Her winning streak was ended in the semifinals of the Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells, California by Kuznetsova.[32] In April, Sharapova reached the final at the Bausch & Lomb Championships in Amelia Island, Florida, the first time she had reached the final at a clay-court tournament, having defeated Anabel Medina Garrigues in the third round in 3 hours, 26 minutes, her longest ever match.[35][36] In the final, Sharapova defeated Dominika Cibulková.[32] The following week, at the Family Circle Cup in Charleston, South Carolina, Sharapova lost in the quarterfinals to Serena Williams, her fourth consecutive loss to the American.[37] In May, Sharapova regained the World No. 1 ranking because of Henin's sudden retirement from professional tennis and request to the Women's Tennis Association that her own ranking be removed immediately.[38] As the top-seeded player at the French Open[32] Sharapova was within two points[39] of being knocked out by Evgeniya Rodina in the first round, before eventually winning.[40] Sharapova ultimately lost to 13th-seeded and eventual runner-up Dinara Safina[32] in a 2 hour, 52 minute fourth round match 6–7(6), 7–6(5), 6–2, having held a match point in the second set.[41] She relinquished the World No. 1 ranking as a result of this loss.[42] Sharapova's dip in form continued at Wimbledon, where she lost in the second round to World No. 154 Alla Kudryavtseva.[32] This was her earliest loss at a Grand Slam in almost five years and her earliest loss ever at Wimbledon.[43] At the Rogers Cup in Montreal, Canada in August, Sharapova withdrew from the tournament due to a shoulder injury, after defeating Marta Domachowska in her first match there.[44][45] A MRI scan then revealed that Sharapova had been suffering from a rotator cuff tear since April. This injury prevented Sharapova from playing again during the year, missing the Beijing Olympics, the US Open and the WTA Tour Championships. In October, after a failed attempt to rehabilitate the shoulder, Sharapova had surgery to repair the tear. Due to her long absence, she failed to play at least 40 matches in a year with a win-loss of 32-4 and three titles. She finished the year ranked World No. 9.[46] [edit] 2009: Comeback from shoulder injury Sharapova made the quarter-finals of the 2009 French Open, her best Grand Slam performance of 2009.Sharapova did not attempt to defend her Australian Open title as she continued to recover from surgery.[47][48] She returned to the sport in March, in the doubles tournament at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, but she and partner Elena Vesnina lost in the first round. After this, Sharapova withdrew from further singles tournaments. As Sharapova's hiatus continuted, her standing in the world rankings was severely affected. She dropped out of the top 100 for the first time in six years in May, the nadir being World No. 126. Sharapova played her first singles tournament in nearly ten months in May, at the clay-court Warsaw Open. There, she won her first two matches but lost in the quarterfinals to Alona Bondarenko. The following week, Sharapova played at the French Open, where she won all of her first four matches in three sets, including a win over 11th seed Nadia Petrova where she fought back from a 4-2 deficit and a break point down in the third set to win in the second round. In the quarterfinals, Sharapova lost to Dominika Cibulková. Sharapova reached the semifinals of the Wimbledon tune-up in Birmingham, losing to Li Na for the first time and then lost surprisingly in the second round of Wimbledon to Gisela Dulko. This is the second straight second round loss at Wimbledon. Sharapova then traveled to North America for the 2009 US Open Series. She reached the quarterfinals in Bank of the West Classic in Stanford, losing to eventual finalist Venus Williams. At the LA Women's Tennis Championships in Los Angeles, Sharapova defeated Victoria Azarenka and Alona Bondarenko to reach the semi-finals where she lost to the eventual champion Flavia Pennetta. Sharapova then reached her first final since April 2008, at the Rogers Cup in Toronto, beating Vera Zvonareva and Agnieszka Radwanska en route. She lost in the final to Elena Dementieva. At the U.S. Open, Sharapova suffered a shock loss to 17-year-old Melanie Oudin in the third round, 3–6, 6–4, 7–5, where she served a record 21 double faults and sprayed 60 unforced errors. At the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo, Sharapova made her second final of the year after having disposed of Samantha Stosur and Agnieszka Radwanska in previous rounds. Sharapova then claimed her first title of the year after her opponent Jelena Jankovic retired while 5–2 down in the final. As a result of this tournament, Sharapova re-entered the top 15 in the world rankings, at No. 15. Her last tournament of the year was the China Open in Beijing which is a Premier Mandatory event. By reaching the semifinals in Tokyo, she earned a bye into the second round, thus becoming the first unseeded player to ever receive a first round bye in the WTA. In the second round, Sharapova rallied from 5–2 and a double break down in the third set to defeat the ninth seeded Victoria Azarenka 6–3, 6–7(5), 7–5 in a match that took over 3 hours to complete. In her final match of 2009, she lost to Shuai Peng in the third round, 6–2, 6–4. This is just the third tournament of the year that she failed to reach at least the quarterfinals, the other being Wimbledon and US Open. With no points to defend from last year, Sharapova moved up one spot to No. 14 in the World Rankings; a consequence of her third round showing. Sharapova finished the year with a 31–9 record, winning one singles title, in Tokyo. Due to her injuries, she will finish the year outside the WTA Top 10 for the first time since 2003, however she has recovered her ranking from World No. 126 to World No. 14. [edit] Fed Cup participation Sharapova playing for the Russian Fed Cup team against Israel in 2008.The behavior of Sharapova's father during her matches on the WTA Tour, combined with a perceived lack of commitment by her to the Fed Cup, has made her selection for the Russian Fed Cup team cause controversy in the past. After Sharapova had beaten fellow Russian Anastasia Myskina at the 2004 WTA Tour Championships, Myskina criticized Sharapova's father saying : "He was just yelling and screaming instructions to her and I thought he just might jump right on the court at one point in the match." At the Fed Cup semi-finals two weeks later Myskina stated she would stop playing for Russia if Sharapova joined the Russian team the following season : "If she joins our team next season you won't see me there for sure. His behaviour is totally incorrect, simply rude. I don't want to be around people like him." Larisa Neiland, assistant to Russia Fed Cup captain Shamil Tarpishchev, added : "Her father's behaviour (at the WTA Tour Championships) was simply outrageous. I just don't see how he could work with the rest of us." However Tarpishchev himself played down the problem : "I feel that things will calm down soon and we'll have Myskina, Sharapova, Kuznetsova and everyone else playing for Russia." [49] At the end of 2005, Sharapova stated she was now keen to make her Fed Cup debut[50] and was set to play against Belgium in April 2006, but withdrew.[51] Sharapova later withdrew from ties against Spain in April 2007[52] and against the United States in July 2007[53] because of injuries. The latter withdrawal led to Russia's captain saying she would be "ineligible for selection" for the Fed Cup final in September.[54] However, Sharapova attended the final, cheering from the sidelines and acting as a "hitting partner" in practices, resulting in some of her Russian teammates implying that she was attending only to enable her to play at the 2008 Beijing Olympics (rules state that players must have "shown commitment" to Fed Cup in order to play). Svetlana Kuznetsova said, "She said she wanted to be our practice partner but if you can't play how then can you practice?"[55] Sharapova finally made her Fed Cup debut in February 2008, in Russia's quarterfinal tie against Israel. Sharapova won both her singles rubbers, against Tzipora Obziler and Shahar Pe'er, helping Russia to a 4–1 victory. Sharapova, however, did not play in Russia's Fed Cup semifinal or final later that year due to her injuries.[citation needed]<br />Women Athletes for Tennis<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sports-wired.com/women/maria_sharapova/wos472.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 410px; height: 535px;" src="http://www.sports-wired.com/women/maria_sharapova/wos472.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/xf2gsKEgHrg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00917261577991296159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6857932908595671949.post-42070802327107920282011-07-11T18:24:00.000-07:002011-07-11T18:32:47.107-07:00Baseball PlayersOver the generations, baseball people have developed an infinity of tics and habits to distract and sedate the conscious mind. Managers encourage a preternaturally calm way of being — especially after failure. In the game I happened to see here on Tuesday, Detroit Tigers pitcher Nate Robertson threw poorly, but strutted off the mound as if he’d just slain Achilles. Second baseman Kevin Hooper waved pathetically at a third struck fastball, but walked back to the dugout wearing an expression of utter nonchalance.<br /><br />This sort of body language helps players remain steady amid humiliation, so they’ll do better next time.<br /><br />Believe me, the people involved in the sport have no theory of the human mind, but under the pressure of competition, they’ve come up with a set of practices that embody a few key truths.<br /><br />Read more: http://topsportsplayers.blogspot.com/2010/12/baseball-players-photos.html#ixzz1Rqmmjlsd<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://official-rules.org/image/baseball-players-defense.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 444px;" src="http://official-rules.org/image/baseball-players-defense.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.footballidea.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Baseball-Players.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 559px;" src="http://www.footballidea.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Baseball-Players.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwMTZ32ChKY2gmMAsX7_WsCCPB_23AilSnBwY4nVkuL1T7cR1uWronIaiftPE-6TtQ0Z6zQT146kqW_csdrAU5E-kklAeQa2RUsBgDKdD9IErbKTggEzdCQTNWqJrRfpGoYus4iwsVvmw/s1600/tumblr_lhkfq7bkAe1qhf6uio1_400.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 419px; height: 521px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwMTZ32ChKY2gmMAsX7_WsCCPB_23AilSnBwY4nVkuL1T7cR1uWronIaiftPE-6TtQ0Z6zQT146kqW_csdrAU5E-kklAeQa2RUsBgDKdD9IErbKTggEzdCQTNWqJrRfpGoYus4iwsVvmw/s400/tumblr_lhkfq7bkAe1qhf6uio1_400.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628271283098351090" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ15cv0OTwqXEXee_q4GUm3VXoN9Y1HgcakcTHoWKotUxgrn_agtjLm5DONnMQ6Tf_onVRQWwowbAm-Xm5u7iZ4EA_-wK1LisRf9F15GYFwdF9CHOa0brR3IONn8Qc3aLMi4E4MtbLXNA/s1600/gary.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 411px; height: 670px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com<br />/-Za9QHavK0Jc/Thui5-XeVUI/AAAAAAAAAak/gHshEkmA6uc/s400/gary.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628271276207265090" border="0" /></a><br />Baseball is a personal game. It’s one of the few sports where every player, from the superstar to the utility infielder, is easily recognizable by the average fan. Sure, you could pick Matt Leinart out in a crowd, but could you pick out one Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman in line at McDonalds?<br /><br />It’s for this reason that not only does a fan grow to hate a rival team, but also the individual players in the opposing uniform. It wasn’t just the Cubs that beat your team today, but the monster home-run from Alfonso Soriano that lead to the tail-kicking. You not only hate the Cubs, you wish terrible things on Soriano and his family (yes, we are a sick breed). However, you still respect Soriano as a player.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKA7dTOs-4RqJJu-lIuwzBwgHbH_kReiz4EPxN9wjrTPMldRM5ZagjC-FP8dmAcQ-myeLHx_BK3adZl3jmEV0h9NMBrZorRF3d0XmMfxNl_MaIfMnArGd3-kopl7Ts4U-BkGI3UBTn96Q/s1600/best-baseball-players.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 402px; height: 402px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKA7dTOs-4RqJJu-lIuwzBwgHbH_kReiz4EPxN9wjrTPMldRM5ZagjC-FP8dmAcQ-myeLHx_BK3adZl3jmEV0h9NMBrZorRF3d0XmMfxNl_MaIfMnArGd3-kopl7Ts4U-BkGI3UBTn96Q/s400/best-baseball-players.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628271269461885666" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXw5ooXokLE9kuLfQIiIB-8OV4Xkrp80p-ibON35949ESsBADGHH4LAAPhCfyCAgQoGbeE9ZBCiQkCgk2syY-xCjCe1gDTiS2R35anvWjgbcJh01C_x2BJfGZDQIFDHbm0hVlyfSIt2Vw/s1600/Baseball-Players.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 404px; height: 372px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXw5ooXokLE9kuLfQIiIB-8OV4Xkrp80p-ibON35949ESsBADGHH4LAAPhCfyCAgQoGbeE9ZBCiQkCgk2syY-xCjCe1gDTiS2R35anvWjgbcJh01C_x2BJfGZDQIFDHbm0hVlyfSIt2Vw/s400/Baseball-Players.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628271264408050850" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8P-lTTVXJ3Ys3TiTjouccZK06Vu5ZVVUYMIcSGhx-jE3C-At-wQZuy8FyyLH9YGzqP4bf8Biklv-woElyaUB7YsrpApiwxlWeT0IuxA9kMh45SITJjleL1P6RHIWEZL6n63gpZ6W2qo/s1600/baseball-player.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8P-lTTVXJ3Ys3TiTjouccZK06Vu5ZVVUYMIcSGhx-jE3C-At-wQZuy8FyyLH9YGzqP4bf8Biklv-woElyaUB7YsrpApiwxlWeT0IuxA9kMh45SITJjleL1P6RHIWEZL6n63gpZ6W2qo/s400/baseball-player.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628271264950617266" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.champaignschools.org/central/business/johnson/5thsp2008/tjohnson/hanley.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 419px; height: 524px;" src="http://www.champaignschools.org/central/business/johnson/5thsp2008/tjohnson/hanley.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Then there are the guys who, unless they are on your home team, you just can’t stomach. They aren’t necessarily bad guys, but there’s just something about them that rubs you the wrong way. Maybe it’s wasted talent, wasted opportunities or the fact they are just too damn good, too damn nice or just flat out lucky to be in baseball.Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00917261577991296159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6857932908595671949.post-22577327918453011142011-07-11T18:04:00.000-07:002011-07-11T18:18:29.251-07:00Australlian Open Men,s FinalAustralian Open 2008 - Men's Final<br /><br />3 exposures @ f/5.6<br />17mm<br />ISO-320<br />Nikon Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8 lens on a Nikon D200<br /><br />The final score of the Men's Final: Novak Djokovic defeated Jo-Wilfred Tsonga 4-6 6-4 6-3 7-6(2). It was a thriller of a match. If you look at the large version in the top right part of the court you might be able to see that Tsonga's last serve was 215 km/h! Yaa-ouch :)<br /><br />To my delight this match was scheduled start at 7.30pm (twilight) in Rod Laver Arena. This was a prime opportunity to catch the majestic atmosphere of the stadium with the beautiful backdrop of a simple yet gorgeous sunset. To achieve the effect of having the sky in exposure as well as the crowd and court I took three handheld exposures and combined them using layer masks in Photoshop CS2. The process takes longer than an HDR type processing, but yields results. I have not found any online tutorials describing this technique but I am sure there would be some out there.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://gototennis.com/wp-content/uploads/betsandtips.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/jo-wilfried-tsonga-and-novak-djokovic-2008-australian-open-mens-singles-champion.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 419px; height: 322px;" src="http://gototennis.com/wp-content/uploads/betsandtips.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/jo-wilfried-tsonga-and-novak-djokovic-2008-australian-open-mens-singles-champion.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.homexchangevacation.com/photos/58284_1_d1b6d6cdb9dd6a6b3637cabbbca12b10.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 315px;" src="http://www.homexchangevacation.com/photos/58284_1_d1b6d6cdb9dd6a6b3637cabbbca12b10.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6DoC1owyYswXvlpnxqA_L3ZfBXDInuoHtJsYfLr1K4vUbvnqK_U6TJMUoPmuoU1QdLegYe6-eHoe4IcXdtQqtzxTm41T2mNPVWvnymF5ehoZc6vV8y0_AaGT4TeqS9i2-It15n0-M_i0/s1600/serena-australian-open.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 366px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6DoC1owyYswXvlpnxqA_L3ZfBXDInuoHtJsYfLr1K4vUbvnqK_U6TJMUoPmuoU1QdLegYe6-eHoe4IcXdtQqtzxTm41T2mNPVWvnymF5ehoZc6vV8y0_AaGT4TeqS9i2-It15n0-M_i0/s400/serena-australian-open.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628266211340633362" border="0" /></a><br /><p>In one of the most lop-sided finals ever, Williams routed the third-seeded <strong>Russian</strong>, allowing her <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD7">challenger</span> to win only eight points in the first set on her way to <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD3">claiming</span> the <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD4">championship</span> in just 59 minutes.</p> <p>With this <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD8">victory</span>, Williams now moves to the top of the world <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD9">rankings</span>, replacing Serbian <strong>Jelena Jankovic</strong>.</p> <p>“I’m so excited … I clearly love playing here and I get great support here. I don’t get that every place I go,” said the 27-year-old after winning the match.</p> <p>Safina apologized to the <strong>Melbourne Park</strong> crowd after the game, saying that she had felt little more than a ballboy in <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD5">the face of</span> Williams’ offensive.</p> <p>“Sorry to the people who supported me, today I let you down a little bit but I’ll <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD2">come back</span> next year and try and do better,” the Russian said.</p><div style="overflow: hidden; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; border: medium none;"><br />Read more: <a style="color: #003399;" href="http://dailycontributor.com/serena-slams-safina-in-australian-open-final/3276/#ixzz1RqiKxzlG">http://dailycontributor.com/serena-slams-safina-in-australian-open-final/3276/#ixzz1RqiKxzlG</a><br />Under Creative Commons License: <a style="color: #003399;" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0">Attribution Non-Commercial</a><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAk9Z2mb91pmvWJ8IcjTIA-3JCjIXJLVxm38SV9IxRDdKKmxDmNRzyznAtV0EyUoQsfReexHpe9xqW76K0zUimre_O6kalvGxYy8BnbffI3Ta2d8GqMiKNHa0aHq3hCeWnJ74w4g1kYzo/s1600/roger-federer-australian-open-2007.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 418px; height: 627px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAk9Z2mb91pmvWJ8IcjTIA-3JCjIXJLVxm38SV9IxRDdKKmxDmNRzyznAtV0EyUoQsfReexHpe9xqW76K0zUimre_O6kalvGxYy8BnbffI3Ta2d8GqMiKNHa0aHq3hCeWnJ74w4g1kYzo/s400/roger-federer-australian-open-2007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628266207795322834" border="0" /></a>Roger Federer wins the 2007 Australian Open 7-6(2), 6-4, 6-4 against Fernando Gonzalez, its <a href="http://www.lattimore.id.au/2006/01/30/australian-open-winner-2006-roger-federer/">deja vu</a>. This years Australian Open would bring Roger Federer onto the centre court against the 10<sup>th</sup> seed Chilean Fernando Gonzalez. In their previous encounters, Federer has a 9-0 match statistic against Gonzalez, however the critics expected this match up to be very different given Fernando Gonzalez’s form coming into the Australian Open 2007 grand slam final.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9NNRCZzs2L_-qavY6LkTysARQYyohP_98Fbhyphenhyphen8_jgeK9dOAEMmtu8NYTxP28puXft1CxA1NvQq4e19uO1n1DEspojahlzPBvNZMEX2xWncnrdKYuQP1sHGCQFjkxJd_9YAoJpH9CcfKo/s1600/australian-open-tennis-accommodation-melbourne.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 417px; height: 313px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9NNRCZzs2L_-qavY6LkTysARQYyohP_98Fbhyphenhyphen8_jgeK9dOAEMmtu8NYTxP28puXft1CxA1NvQq4e19uO1n1DEspojahlzPBvNZMEX2xWncnrdKYuQP1sHGCQFjkxJd_9YAoJpH9CcfKo/s400/australian-open-tennis-accommodation-melbourne.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628266199388159922" border="0" /></a>Asia Pacific's only Grand Slam event ... and everyone's favourite………the Australian Open is set to serve up a feast of tennis action from Monday 17th January!<br /><br />The superstars of the tennis world descend upon Melbourne, prepare yourself for 2 weeks of electric charged tennis action, steaming temperatures and hot bodies!<br /><br />Metro Apartments on Bank Place, Melbourne still has some rooms available including the Men's and Women's Finals but they are selling fast so book today so you don't miss out.<br /><br />You can choose from two, three, five or seven night stays in either a studio or one bedroom apartment.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEU5d-ZRIbiwG3O8EBy3bnD18citDFovfdAyjJ1BPq0hxdpulLPIzqFkL3zK2Am1EBTh3PuRwkaYITjkpCh7a_4QEQSAhXqiZJBfdhmtwIU4XkK45HsO6T81FQbZTKmnzMNzq7AAGxXk0/s1600/australian-open01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 418px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEU5d-ZRIbiwG3O8EBy3bnD18citDFovfdAyjJ1BPq0hxdpulLPIzqFkL3zK2Am1EBTh3PuRwkaYITjkpCh7a_4QEQSAhXqiZJBfdhmtwIU4XkK45HsO6T81FQbZTKmnzMNzq7AAGxXk0/s400/australian-open01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628266195500849346" border="0" /></a>3. Men's Singles - 1st Round<br />Lukas Lacko (SVK) v. Roger Federer (SUI)[2]<br />Rod Laver Arena 7:00 PM Start Time<br />1. Women's Singles - 1st Round<br />Yanina Wickmayer (BEL)[21] v. Jarmila Groth (AUS)<br />2. Men's Singles - 1st Round<br />Marcel Granollers (ESP) v. Novak Djokovic (SRB)[3]<br /><strong>Hisense Arena 11:00 AM Start Time</strong><br />1. Men's Singles - 1st Round<br />Thiemo de Bakker (NED) v. Gael Monfils (FRA)[12]<br />2. Men's Singles - 1st Round<br />Andy Roddick (USA)[8] v. Jan Hajek (CZE)<br />3. Women's Singles - 1st Round<br />Venus Williams (USA)[4] v. Sara Errani (ITA)<br />4. Women's Singles - 1st Round<br />Justine Henin (BEL)[11] v. Sania Mirza (IND)<br /><strong>Margaret Court Arena 11:00 AM Start Time</strong><br />1. Women's Singles - 1st Round<br />Arantxa Parra Santonja (ESP) v. Francesca Schiavone (ITA)[6]<br />2. Women's Singles - 1st Round<br />Daniela Hantuchova (SVK)[28] v. Regina Kulikova (RUS)<br />3. Women's Singles - 1st Round<br />Zuzana Ondraskova (CZE) v. Jelena Dokic (AUS)<br />4. Men's Singles - 1st Round<br />Peter Luczak (AUS) v. Ivan Ljubicic (CRO)[17]<br />Margaret Court Arena 7:00 PM Start Time<br />1. Men's Singles - 1st Round<br />Rainer Schuettler (GER) v. Fernando Verdasco (ESP)[9]<br /><strong>Show Court 2 11:00 AM Start Time</strong><br />1. Men's Singles - 1st Round<br />Lukasz Kubot (POL) v. Sam Querrey (USA)[18]<br />2. Women's Singles - 1st Round<br />Na Li (CHN)[9] v. Sofia Arvidsson (SWE)<br />3. Men's Singles - 1st Round<br />Tomas Berdych (CZE)[6] v. Marco Crugnola (ITA)<br />4. Women's Singles - 1st Round<br />Kathrin Woerle (GER) v. Victoria Azarenka (BLR)[8]<br /><strong>Show Court 3 11:00 AM Start Time</strong><br />1. Women's Singles - 1st Round<br />Evgeniya Rodina (RUS) v. Olivia Rogowska (AUS)<br />2. Men's Singles - 1st Round<br />Mardy Fish (USA)[16] v. Victor Hanescu (ROU)<br />3. Men's Singles - 1st Round<br />Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI)[19] v. Teymuraz Gabashvili (RUS)<br />4. Women's Singles - 1st Round<br />Alison Riske (USA) v. Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS)[23<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcPF7oR5qL_Ur3SDNJ_qp9Rhr2vkariO9oP4AsxAeHTd8q2VIdvZGGogVAjam_aAu8nmUeUB6261ErZ-N0lfcmVyX8_3uvWOSvNeYNV4PoEqVeR_QhUBrZPK5SocR5ijQKw8ss4imAkcc/s1600/Australian+Open.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 419px; height: 253px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcPF7oR5qL_Ur3SDNJ_qp9Rhr2vkariO9oP4AsxAeHTd8q2VIdvZGGogVAjam_aAu8nmUeUB6261ErZ-N0lfcmVyX8_3uvWOSvNeYNV4PoEqVeR_QhUBrZPK5SocR5ijQKw8ss4imAkcc/s400/Australian+Open.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628266193739383106" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://orvillelloyddouglas.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/2008_australian_open_tennis_melbourne.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 418px; height: 312px;" src="http://orvillelloyddouglas.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/2008_australian_open_tennis_melbourne.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00917261577991296159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6857932908595671949.post-13558016427338862532011-07-11T10:41:00.000-07:002011-07-11T10:53:16.371-07:00Ashley Cole FotballerAshley Cole the dumbest man on the planet. Fresh from England’s disastrous World Cup campaign in South Africa you would think this guy would lie low and keep his mouth shut, but no Ashley Cole goes out of his way to irritate the English people further, some of which have stood by him through thick and thin.<br /><br />Cole who has been in the Headlines for months over his failed marriage to arguably the sexiest woman in the world, after he was caught sending explicit pictures of himself to one of his several mistresses. But this time he has gone further to suggest he is the dumbest man on the planet by leaving a message on his Blackberry for his status up-date to his on-line friends saying: “I hate England and the F…..g people”. Which suggests to me he definitely is the dumbest person on the planet.<br /><br />England fans have reacted in fury with some sending him death threats and who would blame them. Fans have also told how he will be taunted and abused across England, should he still be a Premier League player next season.<br /><br />On-line forums have been swamped by messages actively venting their anger at the Defender. One message read: ” I’d like to burn the little B…..d to a crisp. While another read: “If you hate the Country so much then F..k off somewhere else”.<br /><br />Cole defended his comments stating: “I always try my hardest for England and Chelsea but the intrusion and pressure I feel is making my life hell”.<br /><br />Cole’s statement further proves how dumb he is instead of apologising to the fans he defends his actions with a dumb excuse typical.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.independent.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00345/Pg-79-Ashley-Cole-g_345303t.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 542px;" src="http://www.independent.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00345/Pg-79-Ashley-Cole-g_345303t.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/51/Ashley_cole.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 643px;" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/51/Ashley_cole.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5QtjGtaTtsdfH0oScZtncDFqmbRbXqLYARojes9Q4w1J-9pA2FTSqj1EEAtvEa7KP__nxMPlvt6_DfZIVOYKDqUapduFCCgC9BO709FykW6WicSHOl9MaGGJpuyku17L096rHuXyU4lJ/s400/ashley-cole.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 420px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5QtjGtaTtsdfH0oScZtncDFqmbRbXqLYARojes9Q4w1J-9pA2FTSqj1EEAtvEa7KP__nxMPlvt6_DfZIVOYKDqUapduFCCgC9BO709FykW6WicSHOl9MaGGJpuyku17L096rHuXyU4lJ/s400/ashley-cole.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.yaare.com/wp-content/themes/gazette/2010/01/Ashley-Cole-split.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 418px; height: 418px;" src="http://www.yaare.com/wp-content/themes/gazette/2010/01/Ashley-Cole-split.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm4Q_Jb8v35d5Ze2shj00UlIOcU2TsN2Hajx4gZAonYtCY1BqPKALLlL99HYblngWAPNL1lxUYKOGWWi8bPGReLnYgRb3n0-7VYb93PzDQjXdPPdZDqui1TZu-QXi2lpos6L7BWRsedCQ/s1600/images.jpeg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 453px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm4Q_Jb8v35d5Ze2shj00UlIOcU2TsN2Hajx4gZAonYtCY1BqPKALLlL99HYblngWAPNL1lxUYKOGWWi8bPGReLnYgRb3n0-7VYb93PzDQjXdPPdZDqui1TZu-QXi2lpos6L7BWRsedCQ/s400/images.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628152363460963746" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUwz2G7FnZrs2z6o7Fomj9b6IUJKQLLcWSG70xsoqCGxHuRh8EyX9k1AsEag1ioIkXYc27jluzpqHNuzGYHzL9OEpSpKwqjihZ9bDc8sjM54cCLc9c34qL7JB9aP3QloAE78UV_aF-I90/s1600/Ashley-Cole-England.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 336px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUwz2G7FnZrs2z6o7Fomj9b6IUJKQLLcWSG70xsoqCGxHuRh8EyX9k1AsEag1ioIkXYc27jluzpqHNuzGYHzL9OEpSpKwqjihZ9bDc8sjM54cCLc9c34qL7JB9aP3QloAE78UV_aF-I90/s400/Ashley-Cole-England.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628152357601816450" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFrvBkl2NCKmVbAUhrrPOLt6Rl-mNP_zLctWnTdx5_TQm7HZmUJGcqm6HrHJuTvMFvFV59TNuFqTM8skw4tRaEAftat480TUGXRtNvs9UYuLQYwP68X6zv_YgX7ls8U0ciJoE8IuBJiJE/s1600/ashleycherylbetter.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 419px; height: 461px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFrvBkl2NCKmVbAUhrrPOLt6Rl-mNP_zLctWnTdx5_TQm7HZmUJGcqm6HrHJuTvMFvFV59TNuFqTM8skw4tRaEAftat480TUGXRtNvs9UYuLQYwP68X6zv_YgX7ls8U0ciJoE8IuBJiJE/s400/ashleycherylbetter.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628152352249308002" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnkHyHBGBXMPeUVgkTh-ewHdYC9VRNeIKD-LkAWOgui_EKbA0NejSpmCf7RlGQZQOsSHQI6l9OnCJBOBAU5sOL_zqCPuZMB35Ywd6AsmIzzBnRE9Ushf1WxGBOuxj6A_FNNmmVkWUaXnA/s1600/ashley_cole.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 363px; height: 506px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnkHyHBGBXMPeUVgkTh-ewHdYC9VRNeIKD-LkAWOgui_EKbA0NejSpmCf7RlGQZQOsSHQI6l9OnCJBOBAU5sOL_zqCPuZMB35Ywd6AsmIzzBnRE9Ushf1WxGBOuxj6A_FNNmmVkWUaXnA/s400/ashley_cole.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628152352499855042" border="0" /></a>ashley cole<br />Cole signed a one year <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD11">extension</span> to his contract on 18 July 2005, but a year later departed from the club in acrimonious circumstances. On 15 July 2006, Cole launched a verbal attack on Arsenal; in his autobiography, quoted in The Sun, Cole claimed that the Arsenal board had treated him as a "scapegoat" and that they had "fed him to the sharks" over the tapping up affair. Cole was deliberately left out of Arsenal's 2006-07 team photograph, refuelling press speculation that he would become a Chelsea player.<br /><br />On 28 July, Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein had confirmed that Arsenal and Chelsea had been in "civil talks" about the player. Chelsea insisted they would not raise their £16million bid for the left back, but Arsenal held out for at a higher <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD12">valuation</span> of £25million. Negotiations <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD10">continued</span> throughout August and looked to be heading for deadlock, but eventually Cole signed for Chelsea on August 31 for a fee of £5million, with William Gallas also going the other way. The deal was closed after the transfer window had officially ended, and was not confirmed until an hour and a half after the deadline had passed.<br /><a href="http://cm1.theinsider.com/media/0/50/41/cheryl_cole.0.0.0x0.432x649.jpeg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 350px; height: 300px;" src="http://cm1.theinsider.com/media/0/50/41/cheryl_cole.0.0.0x0.432x649.jpeg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://topnews.in/light/files/ashley-cole_13.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 419px; height: 261px;" src="http://topnews.in/light/files/ashley-cole_13.jpg" alt="" border="0" />A black cab driver who took Cheryl Cole home once, told me that when he got to Cole mansions, he saw a strange man lurking around the manor. He shouted “Careful of that guy- he looks dodgy”, as Her Royal Majesty, “Nation’s Sweetheart” stepped out and made to enter. “Don’t worry” she reportedly chirped nonchalantly. That “dodgy” guy was Ashley Cole, Cheryl’s husband. Whether this was because Ashley Cole had a generally dodgy demeanour or whether it was the fact that he was a black man hanging around a posh house, I do not know but what I do know is that he seems to have a chronic case of an almost pulmonary hate-attack.<br /><br />Even Facebook users have got in on the action- the group I hate Child Rapists has 171 members, , the group “Ashley Cole, what a wanker!” has over 90,000. The jokes are relentlessly cruel. I recently read one that went: “Ashley Cole goes to borrow a book on suicide, what does the librarian say? Keep it Keep it”. Fans want blood- on football discussion boards they say that they want his eyeballs out and that he deserves to die a slow death. Yes, I kid you not. A lot of people I know say they have “haters”. They make me laugh. No one is hated as much as poor Ashley.<br /><br />I had not realised it was that serious because the allegations that follow Ashley are not any different to the allegations faced by many other Premiership footballers, notably David Beckham, the demi-God, when he was accused of bedding Rebecca Loos. It was curious then that the British media blamed Victoria- she was the one who refused to move to Spain, she looked too fake in her too long hair extensions and she was too skinny. There was no mob baying for a divorce. Victoria was encouraged to look beyond the alleged affair. As a forceful retort, we saw her 9 months later, bloomingly pregnant They then moved to the USA to live in wedded unperturbed matrimonial bliss. Even Wayne Rooney, who most women could not bear to shag (even if he asked nicely) cheated on then girlfriend Coleen with a prostitute. More recently, John Terry has been accused of bedding the mother of his team-mate’s son and forcing her to have an abortion. He also tried to gag the press not to speak about the matter via a super injunction. Indeed, he was stripped of the captaincy due to the controversy, but he was also given “compassionate leave” to sort the matter out on a sun drenched beach in Dubai and his forgiving <strike>doormat</strike> wife posed lovingly. By way of contrast, Ashley allegedly tried to cheat on Cheryl with a woman in a cheap Primark dress (he was too sick to be really successful) and sent a couple of nude pictures. When there were further allegations that he actually cheated with five other women, he got fined by Chelsea and was publicly divorced by his wife, mere days before the World Cup.<br /></a>Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00917261577991296159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6857932908595671949.post-67903502085875905052011-07-11T10:21:00.000-07:002011-07-11T10:38:10.211-07:00Annika Sorenstam PicOne of the most recogized names in women's golf, Annika Sorenstam, and her husband Mike McGee, are pleased to announce they are expecting their first child! The 38-year-old pro golfer announced her retirement almost a year ago and soon she'll be busy with midnight feedings, diaper duty and lots of excitement!<br /><br />Sorenstam wrote on her blog:<br /><br />"Mike and I are very pleased to announce that we [are] expecting our first child. We have had a lot of exciting changes in the past few months, and adding a new addition to our family later this fall will certainly be at the top of that list. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWd4pR1HQHQ-n9ZviJYo1kFY78KSMyojleqk-zfm8F4tCB97_b8vvAsCrRlTQoV9H8hK2ZsMyWuhKOgE17q4H1ra8ge_KkGAMBYAh-0joh38nNkMm0eBlhUUmXE5VujZTUB318mn3Q9pK2/s400/annika-sorenstam.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 419px; height: 592px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWd4pR1HQHQ-n9ZviJYo1kFY78KSMyojleqk-zfm8F4tCB97_b8vvAsCrRlTQoV9H8hK2ZsMyWuhKOgE17q4H1ra8ge_KkGAMBYAh-0joh38nNkMm0eBlhUUmXE5VujZTUB318mn3Q9pK2/s400/annika-sorenstam.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Annika Sorenstam nice Pic<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.learnhowtoplaygolf.info/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/annika-sorenstam.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 222px;" src="http://www.learnhowtoplaygolf.info/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/annika-sorenstam.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Annika Sorenstam with Troffi<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy0dwoEaiKN-dSt4weLLhCcL6ofwJSm6o4Kp3kRlBwQOV3rfCF4V9u2dF3QeaEmHf6JFgVGrXAsgatL6VzT_b0iLFhgsDRbZ27aRqEykNs2WhsEN9dlJ3zD2587WuC2dG8qyPZqla_pYs/s400/Annika-Sorenstam.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 405px; height: 405px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy0dwoEaiKN-dSt4weLLhCcL6ofwJSm6o4Kp3kRlBwQOV3rfCF4V9u2dF3QeaEmHf6JFgVGrXAsgatL6VzT_b0iLFhgsDRbZ27aRqEykNs2WhsEN9dlJ3zD2587WuC2dG8qyPZqla_pYs/s400/Annika-Sorenstam.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Annika Sorenstam Image<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSK2-W54XFhuELvfgXH6hchEMyuNcHtYMdD6GLufIVKxUTEAdCL6Euo5UN3hyVDry94jsOp3c6V8BtLR329X65WrTMwj7OUnazl9ECoGQeBM_Z8SgtyOP9UTvJVJU4GSfytPIp_tSvfOw/s1600/hot+annika+sorenstam+mike+mcgee.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 419px; height: 603px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSK2-W54XFhuELvfgXH6hchEMyuNcHtYMdD6GLufIVKxUTEAdCL6Euo5UN3hyVDry94jsOp3c6V8BtLR329X65WrTMwj7OUnazl9ECoGQeBM_Z8SgtyOP9UTvJVJU4GSfytPIp_tSvfOw/s400/hot+annika+sorenstam+mike+mcgee.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628146928433546466" border="0" /></a>Annika Sorenstam and his Boy freind<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiViTNQabrw9PPrQh_rajV9L7lDDT3iDjkmK5I3GuXu7uYxVhtUjRU1fRnnhZIaXGzRn3fesNZ8M1caMPyS8d3U8uPCzvlCIeId70i9GMvVUGs3SS5HnG8A4tYle6XoMUH6NWMdQ-idEi8/s1600/annika-Sorenstam-3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 419px; height: 635px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiViTNQabrw9PPrQh_rajV9L7lDDT3iDjkmK5I3GuXu7uYxVhtUjRU1fRnnhZIaXGzRn3fesNZ8M1caMPyS8d3U8uPCzvlCIeId70i9GMvVUGs3SS5HnG8A4tYle6XoMUH6NWMdQ-idEi8/s400/annika-Sorenstam-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628146917127398082" border="0" /></a>"Legendary golfer Annika Sorenstam will give fans a preview of her signature fragrance, ANNIKA by Annika Sorenstam, during the PGA TOUR's World Golf Championships-CA Championship. Set to be released in advance of Mother's Day 2009, the fragrance will evoke the essence of Annika, a distinctive, casually elegant and naturally beautiful woman.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhll1J9E8W3y7ZRsn3gBcJmUkgd82pBT0At4OlDeeWj0h-uLRaN0H3AJxS4E0XqdzrQTWNWGyoFpUGJs2IjWioql0eJMi1ZcMl8HWlPQ3yUlqvEzcQdofFZZcaYjK268wbVJo3arr_Bopk/s1600/AnnikaSorenstam1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 419px; height: 606px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhll1J9E8W3y7ZRsn3gBcJmUkgd82pBT0At4OlDeeWj0h-uLRaN0H3AJxS4E0XqdzrQTWNWGyoFpUGJs2IjWioql0eJMi1ZcMl8HWlPQ3yUlqvEzcQdofFZZcaYjK268wbVJo3arr_Bopk/s400/AnnikaSorenstam1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628146914914291554" border="0" /></a>Annika Sorenstam Walpaper<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAxvZ9RspfmYCp73oHhKCAMo-tzzMzg0RsX5IjYKY0rDcNlPicOLSIscZVRl8qanrOWjeQ-xkWBQp49QbDySPnpihww8xmSXd5GYIGYie1nko3XzFZyEeRqG0-D4jbAlb-1qHtHQrTAi4/s1600/Annika_Sorenstam_3_1_2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 630px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAxvZ9RspfmYCp73oHhKCAMo-tzzMzg0RsX5IjYKY0rDcNlPicOLSIscZVRl8qanrOWjeQ-xkWBQp49QbDySPnpihww8xmSXd5GYIGYie1nko3XzFZyEeRqG0-D4jbAlb-1qHtHQrTAi4/s400/Annika_Sorenstam_3_1_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628146911756883506" border="0" /></a><br /><p>Mike McGee is the son of former PGA Tour player Jerry McGee and has been the director of Annika’s business brand ‘<em>ANNIKA</em>‘ since December 2006. The brand controls a foundation, a fragrance line, a clothing line and five golf courses around the world, along with a wine label and an annual golf tournament.</p> <blockquote><p>Travis Wilhelm, the <a href="http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_golf_roughing_it/2009/01/annika-sorensta.html">minister</a> at Christian Campus House at Trine University in Angola, Ind., officiated the ceremony. Swedish friend Maria Bertilskold was the maid of honor, and Stan McCamon of East Palestine, Ohio, was McGee’s best man.</p></blockquote> <p>Sorenstam will not be honeymooning anytime soon, instead she will be hosting her signature Annika Invitational Golf Tournament for junior players at the Ginn Reunion Resort. She is also <a href="http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&ct=us/0-3&fp=496b1eb0070dbe74&ei=LMdrScz-LKKO6AOj2cS7DA&url=http%3A//golf.fanhouse.com/2009/01/10/annika-sorenstam-gets-married-promptly-puts-husband-to-work/&cid=1291788557&usg=AFQjCNGdd3kAE_TFJElvrU0RZTNlWS7KJQ">scheduled</a> to appear at the PGA Merchandise Show and at a skins game with Lorena Ochoa and Paula Creamer.</p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht7LU-J3t0IRMLv7kHFI1wUff39fYPQ6P2kTuQyhP3BGnmvAkDVIpb11Vbmb1ONErBQ28M55LRovZyq2_vY1PvKH1_EEf3w_hRq8XE7gfcNjPLFN_yREn_5u0ckIc_p86tt0qkWwgZRG8/s1600/a4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 419px; height: 429px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht7LU-J3t0IRMLv7kHFI1wUff39fYPQ6P2kTuQyhP3BGnmvAkDVIpb11Vbmb1ONErBQ28M55LRovZyq2_vY1PvKH1_EEf3w_hRq8XE7gfcNjPLFN_yREn_5u0ckIc_p86tt0qkWwgZRG8/s400/a4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628146910929169522" border="0" /></a>Annika Sorenstam Stayel<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www2.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/Annika+Sorenstam+Marries+Mike+McGee+1sNHjJ7e4C1l.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 419px; height: 627px;" src="http://www2.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/Annika+Sorenstam+Marries+Mike+McGee+1sNHjJ7e4C1l.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Annika Sorenstam and FlowerDavidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00917261577991296159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6857932908595671949.post-31624757926386217452011-07-11T04:05:00.000-07:002011-07-11T04:18:05.070-07:00Anna Grzebien ImagesAnna has played in 8 tournaments thus far in 2009.<br />She has made 6 of 8 cuts and just finished T15 71-70-71-65 /277 (-11) at the State Farm Classic in Springfield, Illinois.<br />This moves her up to 71 on the money list and looks like she will be invited to the British Open in July.<br />She is also in the field this week at the MacDonald's (considered a major) tournament in Maryland. Then playing in the sectional qualifier for the US Open immediately following...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwntcU1k58Q0aH86dVFifLl3j-0tHxeclXcJz477cKSGbrlSaVIhxvzkutXuoY3ejnGWT_4HXK_sPrPw83q5l99hAGr4HWfJ-3ikG6v7KYN3mO7KuIU7_f1vENOs4gWJ6jZZGLPNrm0j8/s1600/navistarclassic2008.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 578px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwntcU1k58Q0aH86dVFifLl3j-0tHxeclXcJz477cKSGbrlSaVIhxvzkutXuoY3ejnGWT_4HXK_sPrPw83q5l99hAGr4HWfJ-3ikG6v7KYN3mO7KuIU7_f1vENOs4gWJ6jZZGLPNrm0j8/s400/navistarclassic2008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628050043863358434" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoMNpADTe_EmKiQinMNyEb6yXCLZmVWtl2mFbzxJPaFTGaOAD-5Swa_IG190kK0NH6_K-ZZXjl4x82ms8J-z2jkWMEfoe86uo464yZd7M3FXLq6uNLAjBtfbvPhvJ4KcZ7ikOzRMt9d2I/s1600/pp_Grzebien_anna_lg.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 608px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoMNpADTe_EmKiQinMNyEb6yXCLZmVWtl2mFbzxJPaFTGaOAD-5Swa_IG190kK0NH6_K-ZZXjl4x82ms8J-z2jkWMEfoe86uo464yZd7M3FXLq6uNLAjBtfbvPhvJ4KcZ7ikOzRMt9d2I/s400/pp_Grzebien_anna_lg.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628050050953033890" border="0" /></a>Anna Grzebien smill<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTMWtl0PX1QGU549tL8DWU3tUYiG0EFv8ZdDk7_t40cBNqF3DoPb4I6eUbwkvoRUtOuYMigs26GMwahrzFgxJ2xf_iH8wfZ6VUhZsaIZhSAVUxYOvIjzdLxnwhd2jIermqH9jvlqk9sWY/s1600/kim_hall_1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 418px; height: 571px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTMWtl0PX1QGU549tL8DWU3tUYiG0EFv8ZdDk7_t40cBNqF3DoPb4I6eUbwkvoRUtOuYMigs26GMwahrzFgxJ2xf_iH8wfZ6VUhZsaIZhSAVUxYOvIjzdLxnwhd2jIermqH9jvlqk9sWY/s400/kim_hall_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628050039833167010" border="0" /></a>Anna Grzebien nice mode<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmHpOBVYJyYbihRyzlfIB_k5kyB-mjqrXIyFiWtWT2DU3DLhWBQnqah_kuM8wwkqMPDg94FkVwH8BACohnQZCcK3Zs4bg5pYTsBkEtaKQ8FEiZGh_gFRZ9Gqy1f8tBHg_ZWlur_U_XSXQ/s1600/anna-grzebien-day5-01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 418px; height: 566px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmHpOBVYJyYbihRyzlfIB_k5kyB-mjqrXIyFiWtWT2DU3DLhWBQnqah_kuM8wwkqMPDg94FkVwH8BACohnQZCcK3Zs4bg5pYTsBkEtaKQ8FEiZGh_gFRZ9Gqy1f8tBHg_ZWlur_U_XSXQ/s400/anna-grzebien-day5-01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628050032276415234" border="0" /></a>Anna Grzebien hit the shot<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-VlRWTnAJywCtUpcY_VKtSIMWsjFWCUn_Wwh4-WI8TRxpsAY9Rm6yDh7OG8yJ6gv2kkS6VVp_MmCsDfI831-ydz7xzdY1a-wV-xci6hrAxwCPjliZettAwPB2cBurLxm4Q8ByN1aWNo/s1600/anna.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 419px; height: 557px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-VlRWTnAJywCtUpcY_VKtSIMWsjFWCUn_Wwh4-WI8TRxpsAY9Rm6yDh7OG8yJ6gv2kkS6VVp_MmCsDfI831-ydz7xzdY1a-wV-xci6hrAxwCPjliZettAwPB2cBurLxm4Q8ByN1aWNo/s400/anna.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628050027014847858" border="0" /></a>Anna Grzebien Walpaper<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR4e2G20l6OIkM5fKDyS52T4nVOtochPBBEMynVThYiFGKT-4TSCGX3dZQ5UGSV4dYYbKvGLf8aZD21ja8fCX2Zu5ZYewP_PWjTnmi7yTYj-i3BdJ4nbwizGhnR0aMu8UeZdQOgCl2Ys22/s1600/anna-grzebien-w7_c_471.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 536px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR4e2G20l6OIkM5fKDyS52T4nVOtochPBBEMynVThYiFGKT-4TSCGX3dZQ5UGSV4dYYbKvGLf8aZD21ja8fCX2Zu5ZYewP_PWjTnmi7yTYj-i3BdJ4nbwizGhnR0aMu8UeZdQOgCl2Ys22/s1600/anna-grzebien-w7_c_471.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Anna Grzebien hit the shotDavidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00917261577991296159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6857932908595671949.post-59835001088042077302011-07-11T03:42:00.000-07:002011-07-11T03:56:38.049-07:00Andrea Petkovic PicAndrea Petković, is a professional German tennis player. She is the current German No. 1 and lives in Griesheim near Darmstadt in Germany.<br /><br />CAREER:<br /><br />Petković reached her career-high singles ranking of World No. 15 on 25 April 2011. She has won 1 WTA title, 8 ITF singles titles and 3 ITF doubles titles. Petkovic became the German national champion in 2007 and 2009. She's currently coached by Petar Popović and her father, Zoran Petković.<br /><br />2011<br /><br />Returning to the Brisbane International, Petković improved on her previous-best semifinal appearance by reaching the final, with straight set wins over 8th seeded Alexandra Dulgheru, Jelena Dokić, Jarmila Groth, and 4th seeded Marion Bartoli. In the final she lost to Wimbledon semifinalist Petra Kvitová 1–6 3–6.<br /><br />Petković was the 30th seed at the 2011 Australian Open. She advanced to the quarterfinals by defeating Jill Craybas, Anne Keothavong, injured #3 seed Venus Williams, who retired after one game, and #14 seed Maria Sharapova. She was defeated 2–6 4–6 by finalist Li Na of China in the quarterfinals, her best achievement in a Grand Slam to-date.<br /><br />Petkovic then played Fed Cup for Germany and helped them to a win over Slovenia with two wins in singles rubbers. Next, Petkovic reached the quarterfinals of the 2011 Open GDF Suez, where she lost to Bethanie Mattek-Sands in a tight three-set match, 6–7(4) 6–2 3–6.<br /><br />Her next tournament was Dubai, where she defeated fellow German Angelique Kerber in straight sets for the second straight week, but lost to Kaia Kanepi in three sets in the second round.<br /><br />Petkovic defeated World No.1 Caroline Wozniacki 7–5 3–6 6–3 in the 4th round at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami. Next, Petkovic faced Jelena Jankovic and defeated her 2–6 6–2 6–3. Her defeat of Wozniacki, the current number one, is the biggest win of her career. In the Semifinals she lost to Maria Sharapova 3–6 6–0 6–2.<br /><br />At the 2011 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Petkovic upset #7 seed Jelena Jankovic in three sets to set up a clash with World No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki. Petkovic would go on to lose to Wozniacki, 6-4 6-1.Andrea Petkovic was born on September 9, 1987 in Tuzla, Yugoslavia. She is a young tennis player.<br />When she was six years old her tennis career started as well as she started play<br />ing tennis. Later she became a professional tennis player. Now (2007) she resides in Griesheim, Germany. Her coach and the person who goes with her at the tournaments is her father, Zoran Petkovic. Zoran and Amira are her parents and she also has one sister, Anja. Besides tennis, her favorite activities are going out with friends, listening to music, reading and acting.<br /><br />Read more: http://topsportsplayers.blogspot.com/2010/10/andrea-petkovic-biography-and.html#ixzz1RnDlL1Bh<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://answers.bettor.com/images/Articles/thumbs/extralarge/2011-Brisbane-International-Tennis-Tournament-Germanys-Andrea-Petkovic-makes-it-through-to-final-51746.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 419px; height: 513px;" src="http://answers.bettor.com/images/Articles/thumbs/extralarge/2011-Brisbane-International-Tennis-Tournament-Germanys-Andrea-Petkovic-makes-it-through-to-final-51746.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Andrea Petkovic<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFoaitmUg4AtudhfOhNgmm5kHhCjsyMHSBx7zEClNgpNRkvXn_GtEUDfW2Im0SwudGNyGX8luqVb_JgGraznfXo-X9_XhQx59uWcLqT7VapdiHjP461NB6T_TtzHJgtzXuyL0bi-A0Qis/s1600/andrea-petkovic-2010-1-7-0-11-55.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 418px; height: 564px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFoaitmUg4AtudhfOhNgmm5kHhCjsyMHSBx7zEClNgpNRkvXn_GtEUDfW2Im0SwudGNyGX8luqVb_JgGraznfXo-X9_XhQx59uWcLqT7VapdiHjP461NB6T_TtzHJgtzXuyL0bi-A0Qis/s400/andrea-petkovic-2010-1-7-0-11-55.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628044061938416514" border="0" /></a>She played her first tournament in 2010 in Brisbane, Australia, where she reached the semifinal with wins over Iveta Benešová, Vania King and Daniela Hantuchová. She only lost to the later tournament champion Kim Clijsters 4–6 2–6. After that tournament she reached the top 50 of the WTA-Ranking for the first time. At the Open GDF Suez in Paris, Petkovic reached the quarterfinals after defeating Katarina Srebotnik and #5 seed Aravane Rezaï, but lost to Elena Dementieva 6–3 4–6 2–6. At the 2010 French Open she defeated Elena Vesnina of Russia 4–6 6–1 6–4 in the first round. She was beaten 4–6 7–5 6–4 by defending champion Svetlana Kuznetsova in the second round after missing four match points on her own serve at 6–4 5–4. Petkovic was seeded 7th at the 2010 UNICEF Open and advanced to the final with wins over Petra Kvitová, Ana Ivanović, Sandra Záhlavová, and Kirsten Flipkens. She lost to Justine Henin in the final 6–3 3–6 4–6. Petkovic's best singles performance in a Grand Slam event came at the 2010 US Open. Her first two matches were three-set upset victories over Nadia Petrova 6–2, 4–6, 7–6 (7–4) and Bethanie Mattek-Sands 3–6, 6–3, 7–5. She performed a memorable crowd-pleasing little dance following both triumphs. After she received a third-round walkover due to an injury to Peng Shuai, Petkovic lost her first career Arthur Ashe Stadium appearance to eventual tournament finalist Vera Zvonareva 1–6 2–6. Returning to the Brisbane International, Petkovic improved on her previous best semi-final appearance by dancing her way to the finals with straight set wins over 8th seeded Alexandra Dulgheru, Jelena Dokic, Jarmila Groth, and 4th seeded Marion Bartoli. In the final she lost to Wimbledon semi-finalist Petra Kvitová 1-6 3-6. Petkovic is the 30th seed at the 2011 Australian Open. She advanced to the quarterfinals by defeating Jill Craybas, Anne Keothavong, injured #3 seed Venus Williams retiring after one game, and #14 seed Maria Sharapova. She was defeated 2-6 4-6 by Li Na of China in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15QG5fxSAMLAWKtV4nAy_aDVFE_OVMJiWr-aa-yOFyK6HqUBRhsJtuZ47teXTQ1iWxjMAqOLqYQj8D5dzAkD3xSKoxBukUbZ2uVeAYSCPG7ghF8oFOe9CN-aqBLUfpTlPylgQg1CJljw/s1600/andrea-petkovic-016.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 419px; height: 560px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15QG5fxSAMLAWKtV4nAy_aDVFE_OVMJiWr-aa-yOFyK6HqUBRhsJtuZ47teXTQ1iWxjMAqOLqYQj8D5dzAkD3xSKoxBukUbZ2uVeAYSCPG7ghF8oFOe9CN-aqBLUfpTlPylgQg1CJljw/s400/andrea-petkovic-016.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628044059499669266" border="0" /></a>Andrea Petkovic smail<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgizJb1mSX_-x7ChJ78JFYJvm0efLStNA3losN5z0_AFvLTeYOAKLCWnldxiGLS1oGS6cnJ9JsVJrGDi9bE4BXOEmvBp6VWxim4AzsSzczkEqas6RNp_y5Cq_G13wwvRosjImvmLjc99Q4/s1600/Andrea%252BPetkovic%252BBrisbane%252BInternational%252B2011%252BY7DZ5geUu5Ul.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 418px; height: 568px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgizJb1mSX_-x7ChJ78JFYJvm0efLStNA3losN5z0_AFvLTeYOAKLCWnldxiGLS1oGS6cnJ9JsVJrGDi9bE4BXOEmvBp6VWxim4AzsSzczkEqas6RNp_y5Cq_G13wwvRosjImvmLjc99Q4/s400/Andrea%252BPetkovic%252BBrisbane%252BInternational%252B2011%252BY7DZ5geUu5Ul.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628044051416029746" border="0" /></a>Andrea Petkovic<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN9PVLSzoxfVgfTz0uwLo9YHFJ1nJ7jBwUQyMOyay-kcLaCrS-CClxkHPCrk4nrkYj-imsgy1bb9bVEpRhpsGngfacbCmjDSC5pyvThI3lRHO4bDeaaXlhNeMwfZcKDPJTOIUtwFNG05Q/s1600/2009-petkovic-big.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 483px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN9PVLSzoxfVgfTz0uwLo9YHFJ1nJ7jBwUQyMOyay-kcLaCrS-CClxkHPCrk4nrkYj-imsgy1bb9bVEpRhpsGngfacbCmjDSC5pyvThI3lRHO4bDeaaXlhNeMwfZcKDPJTOIUtwFNG05Q/s400/2009-petkovic-big.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628044043428643634" border="0" /></a>Petkovic turned professional in 2006 after she finished school,[3] but she had already won 4 ITF titles. She was the winner of the tournaments in Antalya, Podgorica (both in 2004), Davos and Alphen aan den Rijn (both in 2005). In April 2007, she became a member of the German Fed Cup team. She played her first Grand Slam at the 2007 French Open, where she reached the second round after coming through the qualifying without losing a set and beating Jarmila Groth. There she lost 6–0 2–6 3–6 to later Wimbledon-finalist Marion Bartoli. After this, and having some success on the ITF-Circuit (she won the ITF title in Contrexéville in July 2007), she reached the Top 100 in the WTA-Ranking for the first time. Because of that, she was able to play in the 2007 US Open main draw without having to qualify. She once again reached the second round after beating Audra Cohen. In round two she lost to Lucie Šafářová 3–6 3–6. At the Australian Open in January 2008, in her first round match against Russia's Anna Chakvetadze, she suffered a cruciate ligament rupture in her right knee after only two minutes of play. This prevented her from playing any tournament for almost eight months, which caused her ranking drop down to a lowest level of 465. After the injury, she started playing mostly on the ITF-Circuit again where she could win a tournament in Istanbul in November 2008. She finished the year with a ranking of 315. In 2009, Petkovic played her first tournament at the Australian Open due to a protected ranking. She beat fellow German Kathrin Wörle to reach the second round but then lost to Alizé Cornet. She mostly kept on playing ITF tournaments until June with a lot of success, for example she won the US$100,000 tournament in Bucharest, where she defeated Jelena Dokić in the semis, regaining a ranking in the top 100. In July 2009, Andrea Petkovic won her first WTA tournament in Bad Gastein losing only one set. In the final, she beat Ioana-Raluca Olaru 6–2, 6–3. On her way to the title, she defeated, amongst others, Anna-Lena Grönefeld and Iveta Benešová. She also played the doubles final in Bad Gastein partnering Tatjana Malek. The following week, Petkovic reached the semifinal in Istanbul, losing to Lucie Hradecká in 3 tight sets. After those two weeks, she achieved her hitherto career high singles ranking of 52. For the rest of the year she struggled to repeat her success but had another good tournament at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo where she came through the qualifying and reached the round of last 16. In second round she had her first top 10 win by beating Svetlana Kuznetsova 7–5 4–6 6–3. Afterwards she lost to Agnieszka Radwańska in three sets.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhou6Q4YxYAOI2kBt7HPd8nH4Zlqgj-y5STJmBtH90fTUmzs-5pLzX0fqo0f2FHtfYq9ddHRFA6gYU3CHtpsqJuTzEiUAlTyvmfxnEZse9BMitJIs51teC3DSZPd5kJKrVvqBhAFS23X-k/s1600/1488_Andrea_Petkovic_photo_1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhou6Q4YxYAOI2kBt7HPd8nH4Zlqgj-y5STJmBtH90fTUmzs-5pLzX0fqo0f2FHtfYq9ddHRFA6gYU3CHtpsqJuTzEiUAlTyvmfxnEZse9BMitJIs51teC3DSZPd5kJKrVvqBhAFS23X-k/s400/1488_Andrea_Petkovic_photo_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628044041280094130" border="0" /></a>Andrea Petkovic<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img1.browsebiography.com/images/gal/1489_Andrea_Petkovic_photo_2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 419px; height: 298px;" src="http://img1.browsebiography.com/images/gal/1489_Andrea_Petkovic_photo_2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>PERSONAL:<br /><br /> Coached by father, Zoran Petkovic<br /> Baseliner whose favorite shot is forehand and whose favorite surface is clay<br /> Began playing at age 6 when father introduced her to the sport at a club<br /> Mother, Amira, is a dentist's assistant; younger sister, Anja, is a student; everyone in family plays tennis<br /> Graduated from high school in 2006<br /> Speaks French, German, English and Serbian<br /> Favorite movie is 300; favorite actor is Edward Norton<br /> Favorite types of music are rock, funk; favorite group is Bloc Party<br /> Enjoys reading, writing; favorite authors are Goethe, Wilde<br /> People most admired are Goethe (genius in writing) and Che Guevara (genius in fighting)<br /> Other favorites include the color red, eating McDonald's and watching baseball when in America<br /> Favorite city is Barcelona; favorite tournament is Stuttgart<br /> Most memorable experience was playing first Grand Slam at 2007 Roland Garros<br /> Self-described as thoughtful, outgoing, happy<br /> Goal is to make Top 50.Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00917261577991296159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6857932908595671949.post-81879038843696598322011-07-11T03:19:00.000-07:002011-07-11T03:36:40.991-07:00Andre Agassi WalpaperAndre Agassi was born on April 29, 1970, in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a former World No. 1 professional tennis player from the United States who won eight Grand Slam singles tournaments and an Olympic gold medal in singles. He is one of only five male players to have won all four Grand Slam singles events during his career. He is the only player in the open era to have won every Grand Slam singles title, to have won the Tennis Masters Cup, to have been part of a winning Davis Cup team, and to have won an Olympic gold medal. He won 17 ATP Masters Series tournaments, more than any other player. Tennis Magazine has named him the 7th greatest male player from 1965 through 2005.<br /><br />Because of sciatica caused by two bulging discs in his back, a spondylolisthesis (vertebral displacement), and a bone spur that interferes with the nerve, Andre Agassi retired from professional tennis on September 3, 2006, after losing in the third round of the U.S. Open. Agassi is married to Steffi Graf and has two children. He is the founder of the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation, which has raised over $60 million for at-risk children in Southern Nevada. In 2001, the Foundation opened the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy in Las Vegas, a K-12 public charter school for at-risk children.<br /><br />Early life<br /><br />Andre Agassi was born in Las Vegas to Emmanuel "Mike" and Elizabeth "Betty" Agassi (maiden name Dudley). His father is of Armenian and Assyrian ancestry, and represented Iran in boxing at the 1948 and 1952 Olympic Games before emigrating to the United States. He was intent on having a child win all four tennis Grand Slam tournaments. He learned tennis by watching tapes of champions and took a very systematic approach to the game. He called Agassi's two older siblings "guinea pigs" in the development of his coaching techniques. He honed Andre's eye-coordination when he was an infant by hanging tennis balls above his crib. He gave Agassi paddles and balloons when he was still in a high chair. When Agassi started playing tennis, his ball collection filled 60 garbage cans with 300 balls per can, and Andre Agassi would hit 3,000-5,000 balls every day. When Andre was five years old, he was already practicing with pros such as Jimmy Connors and Roscoe Tanner. Later, Mike began working in one of the Las Vegas casinos that belonged to Armenian American tycoon Kirk Kerkorian. Mike and Kirk became good friends, and Andre's middle name "Kirk" is actually after Kirk Kerkorian.<br /><br />Mike Agassi was renowned for being very domineering over Andre. He was known to take a hammer to matches and bang on the fences in disgust when Andre lost a point. He sometimes screamed at officials and was asked to leave more than once. At the age of thirteen, Andre was sent to teaching guru Nick Bollettieri's Tennis Academy in Florida. He was meant to stay for only eight weeks because that was all his father could afford. However, after ten minutes of watching Agassi rally, Bollettieri called Mike and said, "Take your check back. He's here for free."<br /><br />Andre Agassi was unhappy at the academy and grew rebellious. He drank beer, smashed racquets, and grew a mohawk haircut. At a televised tournament, he wore ripped denim jeans and, knowing his father's homophobia, wore pink lipstick and grew out his pinkie fingernail and painted it pink. After a year at the academy, Agassi became emotionless and depressed. Bollettieri eventually lost his temper and told Agassi to leave. He saw Agassi's indifference and then asked what he wanted. Agassi replied, "leaving here and turning pro." He turned professional at the age of 16. His first tournament was in La Quinta, California. He won his first match against John Austin, 6-4 6-2 but then lost his second match to Mats Wilander 6-1, 6-1. By the end of the year, Agassi was ranked #91 in the world.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://nfsctour.com/letsgohomesteffi.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 418px; height: 387px;" src="http://nfsctour.com/letsgohomesteffi.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Andre Agassi and his Childern<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.tennisgrandstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/agassi-graf.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 418px; height: 481px;" src="http://www.tennisgrandstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/agassi-graf.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Andre Agassi and his Wife<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://sunskier.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/agassi.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 419px; height: 487px;" src="http://sunskier.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/agassi.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Andre Agassi<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqHC6DYkR2itdYZbjJEXsica5x8oJ2WN1Q6WVhQVkPGa_MKDm-Je-mfuhDhnp0VJH6-5vhbGKXnx5KpGfKRK-bjNRkm0gncdvwcaq2aJn-WyOPvWBP4PPmX8zT2U8WhMaPShQX1FTKf4/s1600/Andre-Agassi.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 419px; height: 415px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqHC6DYkR2itdYZbjJEXsica5x8oJ2WN1Q6WVhQVkPGa_MKDm-Je-mfuhDhnp0VJH6-5vhbGKXnx5KpGfKRK-bjNRkm0gncdvwcaq2aJn-WyOPvWBP4PPmX8zT2U8WhMaPShQX1FTKf4/s400/Andre-Agassi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628038603295618546" border="0" /></a>Andre Agassi<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWFRDDJil9woyC0O_95MK6y2JkobvyWglwpgJ15712Q31hrd7LMKkPFcE9nruMwNKL-PIlZqZiuveu-JqCX1nqvVGz7Gkght70fts_SpCGNf8xHIUeAfVHzDGA3415ObPburRY11mcsTQ/s1600/andre-agassi.jpeg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 332px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWFRDDJil9woyC0O_95MK6y2JkobvyWglwpgJ15712Q31hrd7LMKkPFcE9nruMwNKL-PIlZqZiuveu-JqCX1nqvVGz7Gkght70fts_SpCGNf8xHIUeAfVHzDGA3415ObPburRY11mcsTQ/s400/andre-agassi.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628038594797907410" border="0" /></a><br /><p>Have you ever wondered what <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andre_Agassi" title="Andre Agassi" target="_blank"><strong>American Andre Agass</strong>i</a> and <strong><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Nalbandian" title="David Nalbandian" target="_blank">Argentine David Nalbandian</a></strong> have in common? Both famous tennis players are of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armenians" title="Armenian" target="_blank">Armenian origin.</a> Nalbandian began playing tennis at age five when his <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armenians" title="Armenians">Armenian</a> grandfather built a cement court in his backyard in Cardoba, Argentine. Agassi’s father is also Armenian who immigrated to the U.S. from Iran. Agassi’s middle name, Kirk, is after Armenian American tycoon <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirk_Kirkorian" title="Kirk Kirkorian">Kirk Kirkorian</a>, who hired Agassi’s father Mike to work in one of his casinos. Later they became good friends.</p> <p>David Nalbandian plans to visit his ancestrial homeland Armenia in early October, where he will give a master class and play an exhibition match with Armenia’s top tennis player Harutyun Sofyan.</p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJdNfSzhYeyncBF40qhenCd3E7HLyrmvcMi0S_FN4u-okFjHByTNqpyT-mcphrU3rt3JzqlUGTJIOueO6YW9DzRtY9SoDF8P4qCQPXirshq0Rz86A1hWKZU3yoYPICm2xFVOvk_uP-pCY/s1600/andre_agassi.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 419px; height: 515px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJdNfSzhYeyncBF40qhenCd3E7HLyrmvcMi0S_FN4u-okFjHByTNqpyT-mcphrU3rt3JzqlUGTJIOueO6YW9DzRtY9SoDF8P4qCQPXirshq0Rz86A1hWKZU3yoYPICm2xFVOvk_uP-pCY/s400/andre_agassi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628038596132263266" border="0" /></a>Andre Agassi<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc9jKjjIrC1V8Q3xGRhnD4xkdL3iQYID4Yjf2lT0zUEX6mw8VTv2Pese0N6uPtuGs9gxd2jhfGAbx8VUIgGGCDSQ49O-iC7Qq2jWgCsxMVckQNZ5hUlL5rhLKjra1v1PJwcwNtaioTEsg/s1600/Andre+Agassi+Rare+Photo+Collection+%252811%2529.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 418px; height: 572px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc9jKjjIrC1V8Q3xGRhnD4xkdL3iQYID4Yjf2lT0zUEX6mw8VTv2Pese0N6uPtuGs9gxd2jhfGAbx8VUIgGGCDSQ49O-iC7Qq2jWgCsxMVckQNZ5hUlL5rhLKjra1v1PJwcwNtaioTEsg/s400/Andre+Agassi+Rare+Photo+Collection+%252811%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628038591139722146" border="0" /></a>Andre Agassi<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf2_CQbeQ4RqVWtO_yCKjiK9DNpcZ8bD-Jab6bJb7Jndl05zlYAa2tB6iTsySbPJc-4mRFk7Co2bhyGeheCjFTdu9cRRfJhnWTwm8FmPty8nTvRNUaB05DeGk80eTBEfkAC7TdpmcAeLY/s1600/agassi1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 311px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf2_CQbeQ4RqVWtO_yCKjiK9DNpcZ8bD-Jab6bJb7Jndl05zlYAa2tB6iTsySbPJc-4mRFk7Co2bhyGeheCjFTdu9cRRfJhnWTwm8FmPty8nTvRNUaB05DeGk80eTBEfkAC7TdpmcAeLY/s400/agassi1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628038587782954162" border="0" />Andre Agassi </a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/af/Andre_Agassi_Indian_Wells_2006.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 599px;" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/af/Andre_Agassi_Indian_Wells_2006.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />There is a saying that the making of a champion starts from childhood. This is true in the case of Andre Agassi who has displayed a strong inclination to the sport of tennis since he was 3 years old. <p>At the age of 5, he was someone with a special talent compared to the children of his age. His recorded videotapes showed him hitting the ball hard overhead in an excellent backhand at the age of 5.</p> <p>Andre Agassi started his career in 1986 and always won the first set but often ended to lose in 3 or 5 sets. He was observed to have weak physical and mental stamina to endure a long tennis play. He played fantastically in the tennis court but he also lost many times because he was in bad mood.</p> <p>But as he grew older, he realized his errors in playing and soon, he played well and improved his style and behavior. At the age of 18, he won 6 titles and became No. 3 in the world record. He was the favorite player of the audience whenever he played in court due to his good looks and smart performance.</p> <p>But he lost many games in the Grand Slam and the U.S. Open. However, he was firm in winning other games and did not allow his frequent loses to ruin his determination to succeed, ‘though he considered those as his major setbacks.</p> <p>He had to undergo a wrist surgery in 1993 but still survived 3 rounds of win in the 1994 U.S. Open using his amazing tennis strokes. After winning 7 titles in 11 finals, he became the No. 1 tennis player in 1995 world ranking.</p> <p>In 1997, Agassi had a serious personal problem that destroyed his professional career. His world ranking plunged to 141st from No. 1.</p> <p>This was the time of his turbulent marriage with his former wife, Brook Shields, when it seemed that he could no longer recover from the crisis. But the marriage did not lead to separation until after 2 years, thus, Agassi realized that he was too young to abandon his chosen career and there was no reason to dwell on this major setback in his personal life.</p> <p>Soon, he came back to the arena completely polished and recharged. He humbled himself by playing in challenger events. Soon, he made a good comeback and hit it to win all 4 Grand Slam titles. But he started losing again and his worst defeat was against Peter Sampras in 2001.</p> <p>What are the lessons that Andre Agassi gained from his ups and downs in the world of tennis?</p> <p>In his early stints, he didn’t allow his early loses to become a major setback in his rising career. He didn’t believe in numbers and he dismissed comments and speculations. He only believed in what he can do and he didn’t give attention to criticisms. This enabled him to have a good comeback.</p>Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00917261577991296159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6857932908595671949.post-22744387339368537002011-07-11T03:05:00.000-07:002011-07-11T03:15:32.715-07:00Anastasia Myskina Walpaper<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIrAjiwFGfV3H2UBsfRGL4TSR4qVtyZtZlp4vl164zjvk7re2o6kAgdViRXUH4k2sxHeecFi40h-Ygc3lbcn945bRQvPZqKWcuX1PmtaPENaD_kvdG_XAyJSjRbv1FZCWLftqG4t2bs_Q/s400/anastasia_myskina_-3425.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 418px; height: 629px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIrAjiwFGfV3H2UBsfRGL4TSR4qVtyZtZlp4vl164zjvk7re2o6kAgdViRXUH4k2sxHeecFi40h-Ygc3lbcn945bRQvPZqKWcuX1PmtaPENaD_kvdG_XAyJSjRbv1FZCWLftqG4t2bs_Q/s400/anastasia_myskina_-3425.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Anastasia Myskina<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIdS3Ab1pN2OEKl9saFwnIX-RHuQ1m1ngUg3btUdJ1_E5OVnd3JPlpBy2Ud-S5ktTuBaxlExSY0k2h_foyAyVDRsbQ3CyunckKCiv4j47l7L5Tw8jkB0lGoLeR0VabMOoSM2hM-UjjE38/s1600/anastasia_myskina_67y.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 419px; height: 599px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIdS3Ab1pN2OEKl9saFwnIX-RHuQ1m1ngUg3btUdJ1_E5OVnd3JPlpBy2Ud-S5ktTuBaxlExSY0k2h_foyAyVDRsbQ3CyunckKCiv4j47l7L5Tw8jkB0lGoLeR0VabMOoSM2hM-UjjE38/s1600/anastasia_myskina_67y.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Anastasia Myskina<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZNGL4BBmMumnsco3G-4Aw0ff8fx8PmCc5rQ8YtUp6d-z6H6NmrVoOC7GOXgNU7LDntIEUUoCyQdNERT2GWRVioJbaYwGDfVfFF_tAkAo2qM_sPCjn1R8TykXWt6nW3rgnWgyRx-ERBYc/s1600/myskinapregnant.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 416px; height: 295px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZNGL4BBmMumnsco3G-4Aw0ff8fx8PmCc5rQ8YtUp6d-z6H6NmrVoOC7GOXgNU7LDntIEUUoCyQdNERT2GWRVioJbaYwGDfVfFF_tAkAo2qM_sPCjn1R8TykXWt6nW3rgnWgyRx-ERBYc/s400/myskinapregnant.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628034660616387410" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisVHCRco2zznwsAtuB1ldd8IvJa0iqP0YlOipMEwBXoQ2byIFWyPaaehCQj-ynuZhc95yH3PD49qbJO55-fPFVt6xZsb8Wl9sXE0m1_1dxrjTYEJAplUfUZQkwxa2cx-5rCrUszLx5pYo/s1600/Anastasia-Myskina.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 522px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisVHCRco2zznwsAtuB1ldd8IvJa0iqP0YlOipMEwBXoQ2byIFWyPaaehCQj-ynuZhc95yH3PD49qbJO55-fPFVt6xZsb8Wl9sXE0m1_1dxrjTYEJAplUfUZQkwxa2cx-5rCrUszLx5pYo/s400/Anastasia-Myskina.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628034654213112658" border="0" /></a><strong>Myskina</strong><br />Myskina is from Russia, and is one of the better baseline players in the game today, as shown in her French Open title in 2004. Despite this she prefers faster court surfaces, although having all the hallmarks of a genuine clay court champion<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwapapF1MKtc8AIVx3Kshx43S-r6hPOYl7fbN1kY0G3Sl4ElJjTomma807J5jolo33pnNPVD2UN9JX5MaTHnVs5eG8qAYoXIdOc0YSAM8GH-WZvYOJqcKmAbz7TZXdDslYeYP4HDpf59I/s1600/anastasia_myskina6.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 416px; height: 573px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwapapF1MKtc8AIVx3Kshx43S-r6hPOYl7fbN1kY0G3Sl4ElJjTomma807J5jolo33pnNPVD2UN9JX5MaTHnVs5eG8qAYoXIdOc0YSAM8GH-WZvYOJqcKmAbz7TZXdDslYeYP4HDpf59I/s400/anastasia_myskina6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628034650485104418" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigivOFNXgSmLE8B302reozAroR9XRyofjIGC1jqHboD2kdoIbzj9VgsRU7BC68JvXrqTYjrYfBX7ai1gxyghpTzKn_AQglGKmLKB3crofvRjuE7KFRuRxw1mONuW00hbteptNfZWwqyRM/s1600/187594481_14cd8225ee.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 322px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigivOFNXgSmLE8B302reozAroR9XRyofjIGC1jqHboD2kdoIbzj9VgsRU7BC68JvXrqTYjrYfBX7ai1gxyghpTzKn_AQglGKmLKB3crofvRjuE7KFRuRxw1mONuW00hbteptNfZWwqyRM/s400/187594481_14cd8225ee.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628034652038505954" border="0" /></a>Anastasia Myskina<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYgruIUNPDupIN1q6BfYoQXSbOINjPOKQWVdZurHZyGRqDnNFS-Vu_ZcEB0rNeN1t-S7rOtyMy7Z3I7pC6fwodz0QVZv_T8TJnFEinwKvnAGN360vz_SPvNdnvKyu_MMGPCbef4OdGDxM/s1600/05ozanastasia+myskina03.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 418px; height: 557px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYgruIUNPDupIN1q6BfYoQXSbOINjPOKQWVdZurHZyGRqDnNFS-Vu_ZcEB0rNeN1t-S7rOtyMy7Z3I7pC6fwodz0QVZv_T8TJnFEinwKvnAGN360vz_SPvNdnvKyu_MMGPCbef4OdGDxM/s400/05ozanastasia+myskina03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628034647668235570" border="0" /></a>Anastasia Myskina<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sportsclb.com/wp-content/uploads/anastasia_myskina-3420.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 429px; height: 611px;" src="http://www.sportsclb.com/wp-content/uploads/anastasia_myskina-3420.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Anastasia MyskinaDavidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00917261577991296159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6857932908595671949.post-68153615973028834122011-07-11T00:04:00.000-07:002011-07-11T00:18:28.590-07:00Amy-Acuff PicAmy Lyn Acuff (born July 14, 1975, Port Arthur, Texas) is a track and field athlete from the United States. A high jump specialist, she competed in the 1996, 2000, 2004, and 2008 Summer Olympics as a member of USA Track and Field. Her best Olympic performance came at the 2004 Games, where her jump of 1.99 m earned her fourth place in the final.<br /><br />She established herself domestically with wins at the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in 1995 and 1997. At the age of 22, she became the Universiade champion, edging out Monica Iagăr in the 1997 high jump final. Acuff was the winner of the 1998 Hochsprung mit Musik meeting in Arnstadt, Germany, becoming the first non-European winner in the history of the event. She went on to win at the national championships in 2001, 2003, and 2005.<br /><br />Her personal best is 2.01 m, which she achieved in Zürich on August 15, 2003.<br /><br />While in high school in 1993 she was named the named the national Girl's "High School Athlete of the Year" by Track and Field News.[1]<br />Boston, USA - Amy Acuff still has a few good jumps left in her in the women’s High Jump.<br /><br />Acuff, who has announced her retirement at the end of the 2009 season at age 38, cleared 1.90m in the USA Track & Field Indoor Championships at the Reggie Lewis Center on Saturday (28 Feb) to win her fifth indoor national title and third in a row.<br /><br />“I am just really so focused on jumping higher this year,” Acuff said. “This is my last year so I would like to make it special.”<br /><br />Deidre Mullen and Sharon Day finished second and third, both at 1.85m, in the opening session of the two-day meeting that concludes Sunday (1 Mar). Mullen cleared 1.85m on her first attempt with Acuff and Day over on their second. Acuff cleared 1.90m on her first try for the win.<br /><br />Productive indoor campaign<br /><br />Saturday’s triumph along with a victory in the Millrose Games at Madison Square Garden was the second win of the season for Acuff on the four-meet USATF indoor circuit.<br /><br />The four-time Olympian who now lives in Isleton, Calif., though, didn’t hesitate to dispel any conjecture about returning to competition in 2010. She has been plagued by chronic pain in her left takeoff foot and the side of her body from a lengthy career that has included five NCAA titles at UCLA and six U.S. outdoor championships.<br /><br />“I think my body has had enough at this point. I am particularly looking forward to doing other things,” said Acuff, a licensed acupuncturist. “You are not a real high jumper unless you are about to break off your take off foot every single time. So after a number of years, it takes its toll.”<br /><br />Acuff has taken a low-key approach to her final season, emphasizing technique over strength oriented workouts. She coaches herself with occasional consultation with former University of Arizona coach Bob Myers.<br /><br />Acuff, who was fourth in the 2004 Olympics in Athens, decided to compete in 2009 after a disappointing showing in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing where she failed to reach the final. Her victory on Saturday boosted her confidence for the outdoor season and a potential berth on the U.S. team for the IAAF World Championships in Berlin in August.<br /><br />“I still think that I have the goods to deliver a good jump,” Acuff said. “Some things have to line up and I have to have some luck too. It’s really nice to win the last one indoors. It’s special but I am really looking forward more to outdoors. If my body holds up anything is possible.”<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RqkZ-3TwUoA/TU9hhbV6EaI/AAAAAAAAKwA/_t02_V5Cjs4/s1600/Amy_Acuff_.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 688px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RqkZ-3TwUoA/TU9hhbV6EaI/AAAAAAAAKwA/_t02_V5Cjs4/s1600/Amy_Acuff_.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Amy-Acuff<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiLfrbIay7Ut7jLTnPFRlefpDG0EuXSdPEhbSPcnNBToqkgo8F7pItu0JxpDXFigMZqoVPwN9G7jM1hAefCemjiZtBQ9by-T1QiDcSvg9CfplX64U9WlxgJIRMMHOCtek34rLqAtxIbeE/s1600/sp8.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 418px; height: 401px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiLfrbIay7Ut7jLTnPFRlefpDG0EuXSdPEhbSPcnNBToqkgo8F7pItu0JxpDXFigMZqoVPwN9G7jM1hAefCemjiZtBQ9by-T1QiDcSvg9CfplX64U9WlxgJIRMMHOCtek34rLqAtxIbeE/s400/sp8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627987772532419506" border="0" /></a>Amy-Acuff<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3aThnlqarYDXOnMrnNsyFORju9AhQ-_iVitsHFtbaUy01Q-n_P1MaXIRXW4PnbQ6ApcdlF_fQWGvoFFH9TmY3tHmcTy2JyRnqisYD2Dni4ChGJFqhKBiMzT57UuxsY6svtNTdfSvUlGU/s1600/amy-acuff-2008-track-att-usa-track-field-usatf-indoor-championships-at-reggie-lewis-center-february-23-2008-00Tscn.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 644px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3aThnlqarYDXOnMrnNsyFORju9AhQ-_iVitsHFtbaUy01Q-n_P1MaXIRXW4PnbQ6ApcdlF_fQWGvoFFH9TmY3tHmcTy2JyRnqisYD2Dni4ChGJFqhKBiMzT57UuxsY6svtNTdfSvUlGU/s400/amy-acuff-2008-track-att-usa-track-field-usatf-indoor-championships-at-reggie-lewis-center-february-23-2008-00Tscn.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627987772218949122" border="0" /></a>Amy-Acuff<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NsxJoEt2uZYGYVi2MzSncy6LhYe2LtngNYYrfB9UR_a-l8ZDCQUxrvjAJRzOUyTt_cwDr-xHgjt6xVtmR1sdTFohQmDKtPdWzx_UQkZYCqQZ0fW9BsVpfN50lkVyUgEpL1pZhkM44KE/s1600/amy_acuff_photo_10.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 504px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NsxJoEt2uZYGYVi2MzSncy6LhYe2LtngNYYrfB9UR_a-l8ZDCQUxrvjAJRzOUyTt_cwDr-xHgjt6xVtmR1sdTFohQmDKtPdWzx_UQkZYCqQZ0fW9BsVpfN50lkVyUgEpL1pZhkM44KE/s400/amy_acuff_photo_10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627987773696529058" border="0" /></a>Amy-Acuff<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2L6VMpmPOQ2BIkqSzaKzhVX24_RUU8P_p8C8-YXlwbECPdsjYls9FR14p6wA-UK26u83T4c47gbmciB3YvD85CgazraNC86V5G9zes-Ht73DiuAttz2AkkO96FqzrPmRHe1g_NRgCjM/s1600/49532_full-lnd.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2L6VMpmPOQ2BIkqSzaKzhVX24_RUU8P_p8C8-YXlwbECPdsjYls9FR14p6wA-UK26u83T4c47gbmciB3YvD85CgazraNC86V5G9zes-Ht73DiuAttz2AkkO96FqzrPmRHe1g_NRgCjM/s400/49532_full-lnd.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627987763595620226" border="0" /></a>Amy-Acuff<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgmk1eA0DjLLAH-IjzEbszD0UqbYipfPJXTBcwnHuTSLWhxVy5irsyUeR8mGxLA67yaZDAo0oi8J-aej61opTZ2XHtWNvFFnn5U_rY80GjG3qJPdYveR9k2hNTleJjqdwGqlmaF3zF8HI/s1600/220px-Amy_Acuff_Valence_2008.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 411px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgmk1eA0DjLLAH-IjzEbszD0UqbYipfPJXTBcwnHuTSLWhxVy5irsyUeR8mGxLA67yaZDAo0oi8J-aej61opTZ2XHtWNvFFnn5U_rY80GjG3qJPdYveR9k2hNTleJjqdwGqlmaF3zF8HI/s400/220px-Amy_Acuff_Valence_2008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627987764123832850" border="0" /></a>Amy-Acuff<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://cache.jezebel.com/assets/images/jezebel/2008/08/amyacuff.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 418px; height: 315px;" src="http://cache.jezebel.com/assets/images/jezebel/2008/08/amyacuff.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>In the men’s High Jump, Andra Manson emerged the victor at 2.32m over Jesse Williams (2.29m) and Dusty Jonas (2.26m) in a battle of the three 2008 U.S. Olympians.<br /><br />Williams, the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials champion who had cleared a U.S. yearly leading 2.36m to move into a tie for fifth on the all-time U.S. list, led early with first-attempt clearances at 2.18m, 2.23m, 2.26m and a second attempt try at 2.29m.<br /><br />Manson cleared 2.29m on his third try to stay in the competition and emerged the victor by clearing 2.32 on his second attempt as Williams had three narrow misses at that height.<br /><br />Manson said he felt sluggish throughout the competition and was fortunate to prevail over Williams.<br /><br />“Even on my bad day, I went 2.32m. That’s a great feeling,” Manson said. “Come outdoors that’s when it’s most important and I can finally challenge for a medal. That’s when it’s most important at the World Championships.”<br /><br />Camarena takes fifth straight women’s Shot Put title<br /><br />Jillian Camarena won her fifth consecutive title in the women’s Shot Put at 18.59m after overtaking runner-up Liz Wanless (18.18m) in the fourth round. Camarena’s win streak is the second longest in the 76-year history of the event in the U.S. Championships, one behind the six-year reign of Rena McDonald (1929-34).<br /><br />Begley and Torrence win first national 3000m titles<br /><br />Amy Begley and David Torrence won their first national titles in the 3000m with final lap heroics. Begley held off Sara Hall to win the women’s 3000m, 8:53.27 to 8:53.72. Torrence weathered a challenge from Brandon Bethke to win 7:53.67 to 7:54.20 in a duel between the former Southern California high school standouts.<br /><br />In the women’s 3000m, Begley, a member of the U.S. team in the 10,000m in the 2008 Olympics, pushed the pace in the second half of the race after overtaking early leader Jen Rhines and then held off a strong charge from Hall on the homestretch.<br /><br />“I just tried to go faster and faster each lap,” Begley said. “That’s what a 10K runner has to do when you’re running against milers.”<br /><br />In the 1500m, Rob Myers came from behind to nip Alan Webb at the line, 3:45.73 to 3:45.82, to win for the second year in a row.<br /><br />Elsewhere...<br /><br />Tim Seaman won a record 11th title in the 5000m Race Walk in 19:59.06 to surpass 10-time winner Henry Laskau (1948-57) and increase his total to 38 indoor and outdoor national titles.<br /><br />In the women’s Triple Jump, Shakeema Welsch edged Crystal Manning, 13.77m to 13.76m, to defend her title.<br /><br />In the Pole Vault, Jeremy Scott, who stands 2.05m, is believed to be the tallest athlete to win a national title in the event. Scott, a first-time winner, dominated the competition to win at 5.60m without a miss before three tries at 5.70m.<br /><br />Randall Flimmons was another first-time winner in the Long Jump, sailing 7.79m to defeat Matthew Turner (7.77m).<br /><br />In qualifying heats, Jamaal Torrence ran 47.16 for the best time in the 400m and Dominique Darden was the top qualifier in the women’s 400m in 53.50. In the men’s and women’s 800m, Khadevis Robinson (1:49.95) and Katie Waits (2:05.35) had the fastest times.Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00917261577991296159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6857932908595671949.post-33030448045684633302011-07-10T23:42:00.000-07:002011-07-10T23:57:08.070-07:00Allison Stokke PicOne day Allison Stokke was a just a pretty high school athlete and the next she was an international Internet destination, although not by her own choice. Miss Stokke's photograph was taken during a high school track meet, where she was preparing to compete in the pole vault, and someone posted it to a web site. It didn't take long for other less reputable sites to pick up the image and set off a round of Stokke-mania on the worldwide web.<br /><br />Miss Stokke isn't just a pretty girl; she's a pretty girl who happens to be a tremendous athlete. She was the California pole vaulting champion and is on scholarship at the University of California. She wanted to be known for her athletic accomplishments rather than purely for her looks.<br /><br />The problem began to surface in 2004 when she began to receive messages from her friends that her photo had been seen on the Internet. She had 1,000 new messages on her social network site and a YouTube video of her being interviewed had been viewed 15,000 times.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/images/07/24/allison-stokke_cc.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 280px;" src="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/images/07/24/allison-stokke_cc.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Allison Stokke<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i2.listal.com/image/1893465/600full-allison-stokke.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 629px;" src="http://i2.listal.com/image/1893465/600full-allison-stokke.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Allison Stokke<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1pOstCmeHUgIduTM1eL-nCcAxuPNhaBGa1_OSER01kwb8k0QudmKC45zKg-1aSXmHiegAGeOXgQkG2pw9rkLALfOQyALYf7tiFdn9pOxElfSbWHC8NoxoZmk6GORcoN_aJpaQRZ_V0wM/s1600/stokke7.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 419px; height: 664px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1pOstCmeHUgIduTM1eL-nCcAxuPNhaBGa1_OSER01kwb8k0QudmKC45zKg-1aSXmHiegAGeOXgQkG2pw9rkLALfOQyALYf7tiFdn9pOxElfSbWHC8NoxoZmk6GORcoN_aJpaQRZ_V0wM/s400/stokke7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627982463556706674" border="0" /></a>Allison Stokke<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZWza8lRTMcfm6Wl8sX38ChiAP7Cas-HrvKAFBa_ErxemKE5ft-WM7LTFp3G3tSA5dE4kYE0f5uBib6a8gO4z4XjAovMYe-iwmdp_Mbcym8Gf0fv2fAf2QJFPgFn-qOHEEeaOUAnEnrXI/s1600/allison_stokke_cal12.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 419px; height: 763px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZWza8lRTMcfm6Wl8sX38ChiAP7Cas-HrvKAFBa_ErxemKE5ft-WM7LTFp3G3tSA5dE4kYE0f5uBib6a8gO4z4XjAovMYe-iwmdp_Mbcym8Gf0fv2fAf2QJFPgFn-qOHEEeaOUAnEnrXI/s400/allison_stokke_cal12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627982458632103154" border="0" /></a>Allison Stokke<br /><p>Thanks to Bill Simmons (of ESPN fame) and my buddy Coach, I’ve been introduced to Allison Stokke, a California high school senior, pole vault extrordinaire. No, I have no interest in pole vaulting whatsoever, but take one look at this girl, and I think you’ll understand my willingness to get a better appreciation for it.</p> <p>Now before you even think it, let me explain that Allison is 18 years old (barely), and is probably more mature than most of our readers (take that!). She recently committed to attend Cal-Berkeley to continue her track career and get an excellent education.</p> <p>Even before Bill Simmons gave her a mention on his blog, Allison has been blowing up message boards all over the place. There are lots of pretty girls that run track all over the country, but how many of them were gymnasts for over 10 years, and has a body that any cheerleader would envy?</p> <p>I’m 32 years old and married, so there’s no need to embarass myself more than I already have.</p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMvC4PkVv_pKc6tR1hQgiZ4uF7wSv0p58cuKZmvmTYOo5IKLA6QNaZWHmOeqnUUWkCNWhr6vE5b1l9hEzyQ2uhxg10eQs6nIYIiMIlRBizY9aX2X9AYL2j0W0HZPtMEUCIEs4Np223x4o/s1600/allison_stokke_31.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 418px; height: 557px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMvC4PkVv_pKc6tR1hQgiZ4uF7wSv0p58cuKZmvmTYOo5IKLA6QNaZWHmOeqnUUWkCNWhr6vE5b1l9hEzyQ2uhxg10eQs6nIYIiMIlRBizY9aX2X9AYL2j0W0HZPtMEUCIEs4Np223x4o/s400/allison_stokke_31.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627982458001967714" border="0" /></a>Allison Stokke<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-q5MmSHiQqOE6E41OetN6p1LMtrmhrLwUe4pLbVt77kaxSNrMxPs-40JN4mxaV3CuIHQ4vE9Km_Qpg232jbHt3haj6S3P_RTCNnEzODVKyF3SeaxIz73pRWmgO7GfmvRNc5FUgkxnxFA/s1600/allison_stokke_06.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 419px; height: 636px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-q5MmSHiQqOE6E41OetN6p1LMtrmhrLwUe4pLbVt77kaxSNrMxPs-40JN4mxaV3CuIHQ4vE9Km_Qpg232jbHt3haj6S3P_RTCNnEzODVKyF3SeaxIz73pRWmgO7GfmvRNc5FUgkxnxFA/s400/allison_stokke_06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627982452728808914" border="0" /></a>Allison Stokke<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6CUWYy2O21QCJIMSLJUrsBOkJVN8rFhJ12E6MGDFuqSXXSopOW9RaXofRRkbM3aodmbzTrHRPNIoHlNl4qzdvTlSBcA2yC8xYF85xdty2Q9H_JjXz4dUJMQmTw8MpbOpfBAZuIhj1TKw/s400/allison-stokke.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 563px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6CUWYy2O21QCJIMSLJUrsBOkJVN8rFhJ12E6MGDFuqSXXSopOW9RaXofRRkbM3aodmbzTrHRPNIoHlNl4qzdvTlSBcA2yC8xYF85xdty2Q9H_JjXz4dUJMQmTw8MpbOpfBAZuIhj1TKw/s400/allison-stokke.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Allison StokkeDavidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00917261577991296159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6857932908595671949.post-6105845494755764862011-07-10T23:03:00.000-07:002011-07-10T23:37:50.012-07:00Alex Rodriguez Walpaper<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.nydailynews.com/img/2008/07/02/amd_alexrodriguez.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 419px; height: 559px;" src="http://www.nydailynews.com/img/2008/07/02/amd_alexrodriguez.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW02TEhB5WBgSHwzubXUrYGd9Ll9-52mvWvcLZsUXKp1P4Boq3j9SW0v5PloOSNnHnl9wkDRg3a1Y4E0dU250aQ1GfDui293MIKTCZqFjtwtFhyphenhyphen_WwIRVr7VuJ-EQMS9tPWBcy_b76nQQ/s1600/alex-rodriguez-imagen.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 419px; height: 279px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW02TEhB5WBgSHwzubXUrYGd9Ll9-52mvWvcLZsUXKp1P4Boq3j9SW0v5PloOSNnHnl9wkDRg3a1Y4E0dU250aQ1GfDui293MIKTCZqFjtwtFhyphenhyphen_WwIRVr7VuJ-EQMS9tPWBcy_b76nQQ/s400/alex-rodriguez-imagen.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627977887225890962" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhXhdFtrRofFB4EYHBCLB85Hk0sRZlnEewGuw_2fEDsbhcFDWMZoP-niAMwlrqIV2NSHFIk6Sp0DezagtM7v9OVsjUHCIAS_zwthPey5i5lz0iicXpBXuMOq50zc-ffYwIOvTkxJafJSA/s1600/Alex-Rodriguez-Cameron-Diaz-Bonding-With-Kids.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 419px; height: 547px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhXhdFtrRofFB4EYHBCLB85Hk0sRZlnEewGuw_2fEDsbhcFDWMZoP-niAMwlrqIV2NSHFIk6Sp0DezagtM7v9OVsjUHCIAS_zwthPey5i5lz0iicXpBXuMOq50zc-ffYwIOvTkxJafJSA/s400/Alex-Rodriguez-Cameron-Diaz-Bonding-With-Kids.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627977882896216690" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu9LpPRrqE-xHiP4JrAfqKWbBuH-nxIBYLIAeDBOPi9Ott5I_Rs5dNBbGzP-P700qXjO1pZxLF-jWHZJJP2I1ykVy0u-6eQ7d1BlTfKJl7iyTcm6yDn5_ADINkesyS32NTATyLr0cIXV0/s1600/Alex-Rodriguez.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 408px; height: 577px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu9LpPRrqE-xHiP4JrAfqKWbBuH-nxIBYLIAeDBOPi9Ott5I_Rs5dNBbGzP-P700qXjO1pZxLF-jWHZJJP2I1ykVy0u-6eQ7d1BlTfKJl7iyTcm6yDn5_ADINkesyS32NTATyLr0cIXV0/s400/Alex-Rodriguez.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627977882550515554" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg8Y2r5ntb91STEUyeYZs8Fu3jLNPaZnpcmdtoBnJXFwUZiVaiN66jSDMcrvnKr2FadgkYQ5VDKYpSHa4T7sttCkPYO1T8Yx13pgekfB74izL27YvZSxf6xhi7-pchab5gU_X3MJcUr84/s1600/alex_rodriguez10.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 419px; height: 469px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg8Y2r5ntb91STEUyeYZs8Fu3jLNPaZnpcmdtoBnJXFwUZiVaiN66jSDMcrvnKr2FadgkYQ5VDKYpSHa4T7sttCkPYO1T8Yx13pgekfB74izL27YvZSxf6xhi7-pchab5gU_X3MJcUr84/s400/alex_rodriguez10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627977877076076450" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-o3e12m5tdiwziOeUKS3eVV4ZtTQCac4MoPx4ul0XHDcubhXlg3bgvAK6SBMHuK3kgdlHCp3B2-EIjpoSN0RFMJbwpr5l3RjdimDxTSqq3d5kwPZWeTdo3HkS0hXkekUeo60xB6P2R0A/s1600/166986e8075e1010a5b8e2adb8dffda3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 418px; height: 364px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-o3e12m5tdiwziOeUKS3eVV4ZtTQCac4MoPx4ul0XHDcubhXlg3bgvAK6SBMHuK3kgdlHCp3B2-EIjpoSN0RFMJbwpr5l3RjdimDxTSqq3d5kwPZWeTdo3HkS0hXkekUeo60xB6P2R0A/s400/166986e8075e1010a5b8e2adb8dffda3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627977876847662754" border="0" /></a>Rodriguez puts up this facade in public that he's this prim and proper guy, but then he goes around and does exactly the opposite, at least when - supposedly - no one has their eyes on him. Then he's shocked when people find out he's scumbag and he tries to play it off with another interview or some other PR-related BS. Am I really supposed to believe he only did steroids for those three years in Texas? And am I supposed to believe his admission was sincere? Hell no. This prick has never been truthful about anything in his life. I'm not even sure he himself knows who he is, since he's constantly trying to be two people at once.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images.askmen.com/galleries/men/alex-rodriguez/pictures/alex-rodriguez-picture-1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 418px; height: 547px;" src="http://images.askmen.com/galleries/men/alex-rodriguez/pictures/alex-rodriguez-picture-1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div id="tools"> <div class="first"> </div> <div class="second"> <ul class="share"><li class="addThis"> <a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php" class="addthis_button_compact at300m"><span class="at300bs at15nc at15t_compact"></span></a> Share </li><li class="email"><a title="Email" href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php" class="addthis_button_email at300b"><span class="at300bs at15nc at15t_email"></span>Email</a></li><li class="print"><a href="http://www.askmen.com/celebs/men/sports/46_alex_rodriguez.html">Print</a></li><li class="rss"><a href="http://www.askmen.com/feeder/">RSS</a></li></ul> <div id="askmenRatingB"> <ul class="summary"><li class="cat odd"> <a class="name" href="http://www.askmen.com/celebs/men/sports/46_alex_rodriguez.html#summary1"><span>Sexiness</span> 85</a> <ul class="barGraph"><li class="on">◊</li><li class="on">◊</li><li class="on">◊</li><li class="on">◊</li><li class="on">◊</li><li class="on">◊</li><li class="on">◊</li><li class="on">◊</li><li>◊</li><li>◊</li></ul> </li><li class="cat"> <a class="name" href="http://www.askmen.com/celebs/men/sports/46_alex_rodriguez.html#summary2"><span>Success</span> 86</a> <ul class="barGraph"><li class="on">◊</li><li class="on">◊</li><li class="on">◊</li><li class="on">◊</li><li class="on">◊</li><li class="on">◊</li><li class="on">◊</li><li class="on">◊</li><li>◊</li><li>◊</li></ul> </li></ul> <strong class="overallScore"> <span class="pointer">></span> 86 <span class="aR">AskMen Rating</span> </strong> </div> </div> </div> <table class="galleryQuickView" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="420"> <tbody><tr height="527" valign="middle"> <td class="picture"> <a href="http://www.askmen.com/women/galleries/men/alex-rodriguez/picture-1.html"><img src="http://images.askmen.com/galleries/men/alex-rodriguez/pictures/alex-rodriguez-picture-1.jpg" alt="Alex Rodriguez" title="Alex Rodriguez" class="main" width="410" /></a> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <ul id="celebThumbs"><li class="odd"> <a href="http://www.askmen.com/women/galleries/men/alex-rodriguez/picture-1.html"> <img src="http://images.askmen.com/galleries/men/alex-rodriguez/pictures/alex-rodriguez-picture-1-thumb.jpg" alt="Alex Rodriguez pic 1" title="Alex Rodriguez pic 1" height="91" width="69" /> </a> </li><li> <a href="http://www.askmen.com/women/galleries/men/alex-rodriguez/picture-2.html"> <img src="http://images.askmen.com/galleries/men/alex-rodriguez/pictures/alex-rodriguez-picture-2-thumb.jpg" alt="Alex Rodriguez pic 2" title="Alex Rodriguez pic 2" height="91" width="69" /> </a> </li><li> <a href="http://www.askmen.com/women/galleries/men/alex-rodriguez/picture-3.html"> <img src="http://images.askmen.com/galleries/men/alex-rodriguez/pictures/alex-rodriguez-picture-3-thumb.jpg" alt="Alex Rodriguez pic 3" title="Alex Rodriguez pic 3" height="91" width="69" /> </a> </li><li> <a href="http://www.askmen.com/women/galleries/men/alex-rodriguez/picture-4.html"> <img src="http://images.askmen.com/galleries/men/alex-rodriguez/pictures/alex-rodriguez-picture-4-thumb.jpg" alt="Alex Rodriguez pic 4" title="Alex Rodriguez pic 4" height="91" width="69" /> </a> </li><li> <a href="http://www.askmen.com/women/galleries/men/alex-rodriguez/picture-5.html"> <img src="http://images.askmen.com/galleries/men/alex-rodriguez/pictures/alex-rodriguez-picture-5-thumb.jpg" alt="Alex Rodriguez pic 5" title="Alex Rodriguez pic 5" height="91" width="69" /> </a> </li><li> <a href="http://www.askmen.com/galleries/alex-rodriguez/picture-6.html"> <img src="http://images.askmen.com/photos/gq-men-of-the-year-red-carpet/30304-thumb.jpg" alt="Alex Rodriguez pic 6" title="Alex Rodriguez pic 6" height="91" width="69" /> </a> </li></ul> <p class="articleCrd celeb"> UPI <strong id="morePics" style="visibility: visible;" class="more">More <a href="http://www.askmen.com/women/galleries/men/alex-rodriguez/picture-1.html">Alex Rodriguez pictures</a></strong> </p> <div id="overallDescription"> <h2 class="largeTitleB"><span>Why</span> is He famous</h2> <p>Alex Rodriguez was the first player picked in baseball's 1993 draft. In 1999, he was named one of <em>People</em> magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People, gaining instant recognition from women worldwide. In 2000, Alex Rodriguez signed with the Texas Rangers for the richest contract ever doled out in the history of baseball. However, after three frustrating years in Texas -- despite an MVP award in 2003 -- the Rangers shipped A-Rod, and his mammoth contract, to the New York Yankees, once again thrusting the star into the spotlight.</p> </div> <h2 class="mediumTitle"><span>Alex Rodriguez</span> Quote</h2> <blockquote class="pullQuote"> <span>"</span> Why do people sing 'Take Me Out to the Ballgame' when they're already there?<span class="endingQuote">"</span> </blockquote> <a name="summary1"></a> <h2 title="" class="largeTitleB"><span class="score">85</span> <span>Magnetism</span></h2> <p> <span> Alex Rodriguez is adored by millions of female fans around the world. He is a heartthrob in Latin America as well as in the United States. His attractive features have helped his status as one of the best-looking men in the sports world. And according to a female panelist, A-Rod's green eyes give him another unique characteristic women are drawn to.<br /><br />Women love a man that dresses impeccably, is ambitious and good-looking, and has an aptitude for something. Alex Rodriguez is all of these things. One quick search on the internet will reveal that there are more than a few websites dedicated to him -- run by women, mind you.<br /><br />He might have been married to psychology prof Cynthia Scurtis, but rumors swirled in 2008 when allegations came out stating A-Rod was having an affair with <em>the</em> Material Girl, <a href="http://www.askmen.com/celebs/women/singer/5_madonna.html">Madonna</a>. </span> </p> <a name="summary2"></a> <h2 title="" class="largeTitleB"><span class="score">86</span> Success</h2> <p> <span> Alex Rodriguez is very well known in South America, where he has a lucrative endorsement deal with Nike.<br /><br /> Although the same endorsement recognition has not materialized in America, A-Rod has made a name for himself by picking up numerous awards and accolades, including Gatorade's National Student Athlete of the Year, runner-up in the 1996 MVP voting, the youngest shortstop to ever play in the All-Star classic, becoming the third player ever to hit 40 home runs and steal 40 bases, be a 12-time All-Star, and win his 10th Silver Slugger award in 2008. He was also the 2003, 2005 and 2007 American League MVP.<br /><br />Naturally, the accomplishment that he is most known for (especially by the media) is having signed a 10-year $252 million contract in 2000, the richest contract in the history of baseball. While his three years in Texas proved fruitless, the lure of a Championship -- and the fact that only the Yankees could afford him -- sent him to the Bronx on Valentine's Day weekend in 2004. </span> </p>Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00917261577991296159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6857932908595671949.post-85342853154614693932011-07-10T22:50:00.000-07:002011-07-10T23:03:38.799-07:00Alberto Aquilani PicWe have seen that even after the PD being current, there have been many people whose cases have not been approved. We saw last year in July many cases with later priority date and later receipt dates were approved and people with earlier PD and earlier Receipt dates still waiting,<br /><br />Now with the 180 day rule for FBI name check, things could be expected to be little better, but we have to remember that since most of the cases are paper based, some one has to physically get to cases from a huge storage, sort it manually, distribute it manually and get it adjudicated.<br /><br />So even if the visa number is current, just beacuse the number of applications are so high that we still cannot say for sure whose cases are going to be approved.<br /><br />From www.immigration-information.com, it appears, the biggest factor in getting the GC visa number allocated to a case is, having a case ready to be adjudicated and in the hands of an immigration officer at a time, when both processing date and priority dates are current. It appears that even after the huge retrogression, there were not enough demand for AOS based approvals, so they had to PD current to allow CP based cases to use the visas and ensure they are not wasted. I like the fact that visa were at least not wasted, but I would have loved to see applicants who have been waiting for years to have a first opportunity to that visa, specially because they have done everything that any one could do.<br /><br />I have been pro-fee increase by USCIS, only provided that they will use this money to expedite the processing, make things eletronic, make things more transparent, and to be honest, I feel the overall improvements are happening. Though I still see a lot of scope for futher improvements.<br /><br />We have clearly seen that labor processing has been improved dramatically with PERM. Now waiting for years to get Labor is almost history. I hope that IV and all its members direct its efforts towards ensuring that we see the improvements in efficiency that we expected to happen with fee increases.<br /><br />Lets unite together to work for a system which is fair and efficient for everyone. Lets contribute to IV administrative fixes and any other efforts which will ensure a higher efficiency and better utilization of visa numbers for AOS applications.<br /><br />I would like to take this opportunity to ask all the smart and creative people here to put some effort and find out what real steps could be taken<br />Like<br />- Identify what was expected from the fees increases like<br />=>more information online about the case status.<br />=> Some tracking on how much backlog is reduced each month<br />=> come up with a trend of how much time it would take to complete the backlog.<br />=> Use the statistics, to keep the pressure on the agencies, to improve effencies.<br />- Verify that those steps (which needed fee increase) have actually taken place<br />- Maintain Statistics to show how successful Fee Increase was ....<br />- Ask for multi year EAD/AP<br />- Ensure, that once a higher fees is paid for EAD/AP, every one should be treated equally(as in all other renewals should be free)<br /><br />Keep coming up with what all needs to be done. How we could track it. How could we maintain statistics which would put the needed pressure on agencies which need to improve....<br /><br />Again I would encourage to come with ideas which will unite the legal immigrants togther and be fair to every one instead of ideas that will divide us and help one group at the cost of other.<br /><br />We all deserve to get cases processed in a reasonable time. SO lets put ideas together....................<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://footballitaliano.org/wp-admin/img/aquilani.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 419px; height: 626px;" src="http://footballitaliano.org/wp-admin/img/aquilani.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Alberto Aquilani<br /><div class="firstPar"><p> The 25 year-old will travel to Merseyside for a medical this week before signing a five-year contract at Anfield. </p></div><div class="secondPar"> <p> Aquilani underwent ankle surgery in May after struggling for fitness last season – he played just 14 times in Serie A – and Benitez is keen to make sure he is not suffering from any chronic underlying problems. </p></div><div class="thirdPar"> <p> Benitez said: “Alberto is a very good player and I’m delighted we’ve reached agreement with Roma for his transfer. </p></div><div class="fourthPar"> <p> “Alberto has a winning mentality and great experience in both Serie A and the Champions League. He has long been seen as a top-class talent, captaining his country at under-19 and under-21 levels.” </p></div><div class="fifthPar"> <p> Aquilani, an elegant midfielder likely to be deployed in a more advanced role than Alonso, was promoted to Roma’s first team under Fabio Capello, making his debut aged 18. He made 106 appearances, attracting the attentions of Arsenal and Chelsea after a string of impressive performances in the Champions League. </p></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpe1fSukRPZdRrlaGqKoG4hc5bkhnZYzBIJTvTqetGjjAnkwLTxahyphenhyphenBmki5GNqQw26dGrNTONt4vvWPoLhQXcANxdPpBSJvbmt3OD_dYO1ljbFog9_VqJJCwCRG4kXXaTuu66DBxu-wQ/s1600/images.jpeg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 419px; height: 333px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpe1fSukRPZdRrlaGqKoG4hc5bkhnZYzBIJTvTqetGjjAnkwLTxahyphenhyphenBmki5GNqQw26dGrNTONt4vvWPoLhQXcANxdPpBSJvbmt3OD_dYO1ljbFog9_VqJJCwCRG4kXXaTuu66DBxu-wQ/s400/images.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627968790848489234" border="0" /></a>Alberto Aquilani<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE7m4rwnRvC5ZZ82qULqMsycjBCRroGw5zBcrAPl3v6CGWk4qMS2WqKekYagrL_tbJS9JMnq_Q2wSfjM4JbmXtB22-DP-e-yMzykJ9yrdSaMqsnWwTPTzHZBLKPwnujsK9VomYTE7GCms/s1600/Alberto-Aquilani-2.jpeg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 418px; height: 581px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE7m4rwnRvC5ZZ82qULqMsycjBCRroGw5zBcrAPl3v6CGWk4qMS2WqKekYagrL_tbJS9JMnq_Q2wSfjM4JbmXtB22-DP-e-yMzykJ9yrdSaMqsnWwTPTzHZBLKPwnujsK9VomYTE7GCms/s400/Alberto-Aquilani-2.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627968792696623970" border="0" /></a>Alberto Aquilani<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjll5GE9C1_bww7LOuyBxvHYdgYVx1-UDsPAiO08d49wq_NIsB-56MTiUzhdkxJcM90MHA3sMIvew1kIZSm3zTMS4ZHbXbdcTiMt5wYAn8Y4fM5Zq5BtVX6ziXw2Fdq8VNAQHufgYSpL0/s1600/Alberto_Aquilani_1457261c.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjll5GE9C1_bww7LOuyBxvHYdgYVx1-UDsPAiO08d49wq_NIsB-56MTiUzhdkxJcM90MHA3sMIvew1kIZSm3zTMS4ZHbXbdcTiMt5wYAn8Y4fM5Zq5BtVX6ziXw2Fdq8VNAQHufgYSpL0/s400/Alberto_Aquilani_1457261c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627968784235776434" border="0" /></a><br /><p> Roma have always said that Aquilani, a product of their academy after joining the club at the age of nine, would end his career at the Stadio Olimpico. But cash-strapped Roma, who are in the midst of a takeover battle, were unable to turn down Liverpool’s offer. </p> <p> The Anfield club moved swiftly to finalise negotiations with Roma once Florentino Perez, the Real Madrid president, finally matched Benitez’s £30 million asking price for Alonso. </p> <p> The Spanish international arrived in Madrid yesterday after being excused Liverpool’s pre-season trip to Oslo and was immediately taken to the Sanitas La Moraleja hospital, where he passed his medical, before travelling to the Bernabeu to sign a four-year contract worth about £95,000-a-week. </p> <p> He was introduced to his new team-mates yesterday afternoon and will fly with the rest of Manuel Pellegrini’s squad to Toronto today to take part in Real’s pre-season tour of North America. </p> <p> Aquilani is unlikely to mark the end of Benitez’s spending. Coupled with the arrival of Glen Johnson, the England international right-back for £17.5 million from Portsmouth earlier this summer, Benitez has now spent the £38? million raised through the sales of Alonso, Alvaro Arbeloa, Jack Hobbs and Sebastian Leto. </p> <p> However, he is believed to be keen to sign Sylvain Distin, Johnson’s erstwhile team-mate at Fratton Park, while he is also known to be interested in signing another forward as back-up for Fernando Torres. </p> <p> He remains interested in Valencia’s David Silva, while he has also been monitoring the development of Athletic Bilbao’s Javi Martinez. Reports in Italy that Liverpool are in negotiations to sign Juventus midfielder Christian Poulsen are thought to be wide of the mark. </p> <p> Whether finances will stretch sufficiently far to permit the £25 million signing of Silva, believed to be a target for Manchester United, or the £10 million required to bring in Martinez, is unknown. </p> <p> Benitez intimated after the arrival of Johnson that he had enough in the kitty to add a further player to his squad without any major departures. </p> <p> However, the club’s owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, need to provide extra equity as part of their £350 million refinancing agreement with RBS and Wachovia, which may preclude any more big-money signings. </p> <p> Andriy Voronin and David Ngog scored in a 2-0 win against FC Lyn in Oslo on Wednesday night, although winger Albert Riera picked up a minor ankle injury. </p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsI0XFKWLW3H00oCSaPMsJ53cb2b4vxAYy9CejNCTaUqDSmee0_vl0thL4KmPIypjmJZ2PeRf-YSCOUBTmlXHWbndlr_6ASDfuL1d723rFuQ8o4J5PTxb1xvg7VyxMdDf08TNsghfR8Hk/s1600/alberto_aquilani.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 418px; height: 556px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsI0XFKWLW3H00oCSaPMsJ53cb2b4vxAYy9CejNCTaUqDSmee0_vl0thL4KmPIypjmJZ2PeRf-YSCOUBTmlXHWbndlr_6ASDfuL1d723rFuQ8o4J5PTxb1xvg7VyxMdDf08TNsghfR8Hk/s400/alberto_aquilani.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627968780313249394" border="0" /></a>Alberto Aquilani<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6FYkNF7YwIwZKMYyHrHZkoLNorr9Tx0xisTlPJMdc41DHDe8uXmfTyn4l61Whka4_6YA4fdlBq4mZS-YNq6mtaBadX6X0xv26SKd3TdVZ37Dg2USCAZkDWQt4289JkZ7lovRmG1co4OQ/s1600/15760AlbertoAquilani.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 559px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6FYkNF7YwIwZKMYyHrHZkoLNorr9Tx0xisTlPJMdc41DHDe8uXmfTyn4l61Whka4_6YA4fdlBq4mZS-YNq6mtaBadX6X0xv26SKd3TdVZ37Dg2USCAZkDWQt4289JkZ7lovRmG1co4OQ/s400/15760AlbertoAquilani.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627968776936476994" border="0" /></a>Alberto Aquilani<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.gfdb.com/images/pictures/players/alberto-aquilani.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 418px; height: 628px;" src="http://www.gfdb.com/images/pictures/players/alberto-aquilani.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Alberto AquilaniDavidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00917261577991296159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6857932908595671949.post-979506385482358912011-07-10T22:31:00.000-07:002011-07-10T22:46:34.863-07:00Aisam- Ul -Haq Qureshi Walpaper<span style="font-weight: bold">Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi</span><br /><br />Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi was born on March 17th, 1980, in Lahore. He is a professional tennis player from <a style="cursor: pointer; color: rgb(0, 102, 0); text-decoration: none; background: url("http://files.adbrite.com/mb/images/green-double-underline-006600.gif") repeat-x scroll center bottom transparent; margin-bottom: -2px; padding-bottom: 2px;" name="AdBriteInlineAd_Pakistan" id="AdBriteInlineAd_Pakistan" target="_top">Pakistan</a>. He is the Pakistani Number 1. A top 50 <a style="cursor: pointer; color: rgb(0, 102, 0); text-decoration: none; background: url("http://files.adbrite.com/mb/images/green-double-underline-006600.gif") repeat-x scroll center bottom transparent; margin-bottom: -2px; padding-bottom: 2px;" name="AdBriteInlineAd_doubles" id="AdBriteInlineAd_doubles" target="_top">doubles</a> player, his highest Singles Race ranking is 103rd and is the former Asian number 3<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://pakistaniat.com/images/aisam/aisam2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 657px;" src="http://pakistaniat.com/images/aisam/aisam2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold">1999</span><br /><br />Aisam made it into the quarter finals of his first challenger level tournament in Calcutta, but lost to Indian Leander Paes 4–6 3–6. At the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Zone Group I quarter-final match against Uzbekistan, Pakistan lost 4–1 with Aisam winning the only rubber. Paired with Dmitri Tomashevich, he won two doubles futures titles in Turkey.<br /><br />In the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group I Relegation Play-off Final, China defeated Pakistan 3–0, which saw them relegated back to Group II. In October went on to win his first futures singles tournament on the hard courts of Indonesia, beating Danai Udomchoke 5–7 7–5 6–3. In Vietnam, Aisam won a doubles futures title with Mark Nielsen. This was followed up by another singles futures win in Bangladesh on clay, winning in straight sets. Aisam ended the year ranked 365th in singles, and 355th in doubles.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0xwc1ZMXFQt4GvyFIvVcsv_LXayDA58p6twM-ZWFoaWFoKk6s_PxjHzWsOz4uyR-rtejb36MaGRcwKOwRaE3RKlH95EVMZbvNAZQUN8nC18fwVJzcnaEO7E2Bgx8fHiT91tlRmmlF7gw/s1600/aisam-ul-haq-qureshi+%25281%2529.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 418px; height: 324px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0xwc1ZMXFQt4GvyFIvVcsv_LXayDA58p6twM-ZWFoaWFoKk6s_PxjHzWsOz4uyR-rtejb36MaGRcwKOwRaE3RKlH95EVMZbvNAZQUN8nC18fwVJzcnaEO7E2Bgx8fHiT91tlRmmlF7gw/s400/aisam-ul-haq-qureshi+%25281%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627964125616771570" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold">2000</span><br /><br />In January, he took Pakistan to a 3–2 victory against Hong Kong Asia/Oceania Group II quarter-final. Aisam then began to compete in more on the Challenger circuit, reaching the semi-finals at the Indian Oil Servo Cup in Calcutta in February, defeated by Tuomas Ketola. At the Davis Cup Group II semi-final Pakistan were beaten by Chinese Taipei 3–2, with Aisam winning two of his three rubbers. In May, paired with Dmitri Tomashevich, he reached the semis of the Samarkand Challenger in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. At The LTA Manchester Challenger, in Manchester, UK, Aisam made it to the semi-finals with partner Jamie Delgado.<br /><br />In July, he took part at the Ted Open, at Istanbul, Turkey, where he made it to the quarter-finals, but was beaten by Oleg Ogorodov 4–6 7–5 6–3. Returning to the UK, he played at the LTA Men's Challenger in Wrexham, where he, along with Italian Daniele Bracciali, won in the final 6–4 6–2. With that Aisam also won his first Challenger doubles title.<br /><br />He won a futures doubles title in France with Israeli Noam Behr. Together, they participated at the Bukhara Challenger, in Bukhara, Uzbekistan, where they reached the final. Aisam won a futures single title in Vietnam, beating Jaroslav Levinský 3–6 6–2 6–3, and at the same tournament won a doubles title with Ashley Fisher. Aisam ended the year winning at the Neride Prague Indoor in Prague, Czech Republic where he partnered Kristian Pless.<br /><br />He finished 2000 ranked 261st in singles and 211th in doubles.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYcMI3tOjKYhhZsBGlMgPJTmvJKB2kzZgJOrfrA6_OQEvh54LOkrg01AG_GS6DNtG6-dLAafSYQhyphenhyphentxCrAKSQJXjsQ-5E5cAmQv8ApyAtafi9i29QnxMcNAxp73wlRd0chpekVmQmkcbM/s1600/aisam-ul-haq_5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYcMI3tOjKYhhZsBGlMgPJTmvJKB2kzZgJOrfrA6_OQEvh54LOkrg01AG_GS6DNtG6-dLAafSYQhyphenhyphentxCrAKSQJXjsQ-5E5cAmQv8ApyAtafi9i29QnxMcNAxp73wlRd0chpekVmQmkcbM/s400/aisam-ul-haq_5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627964124700161650" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold">2001</span><br /><br />Aisam participated in his first ATP tournament at the Chennai Open, in Chennai India, with his partner Vadim Kutsenko of Uzbekistan. They won against Czech pair Peter Kovacka and Pavel Kudrnac 6–1 6–7(3) 6–4. However they were knocked out by Zimbabweans Byron Black and Wayne Black 2–6 0–6. At the Davis Cup he was unable to help Pakistan as they lost to Chinese Taipei at the Asia/Oceania Group II quarter-final 3–2. He went to Mumbai, India to play in the MTNL ATP Challenger where he reached the doubles semi-final with Dennis van Scheppingen. At the Heineken Challenger in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, he again made it to the doubles semis, this time paired with Denis Golovanov.<br /><br />In April at the Davis Cup Relegation Play-off semi-final, he helped Pakistan defeat Syria 5–0. The Fergana Challenger, in Fergana, Uzbekistan, still with Golovanov, they made it to the semi-finals but failed again to progress further. In the UK, he played at The Wrexham Challenger in Wrexham; he progressed to the singles semi-final but was knocked out by Ladislav Švarc 2–6 6–2 6–3. Although he did reach his first Challenger level doubles final of the year, now with new partner Luke Bourgeois they fell at the final hurdle.<br /><br />Asiam retuned to Uzbekistan to take part in the Samarkand Challenger in Samarkand, where he made it to the quarter-finals in the singles, and with partner Kirill Ivanov-Smolensky, the doubles semi-final. He stayed in Uzbekistan to play at the Bukhara Challenger, in Bukhara and with his Dutch partner Rogier Wassen, they won the final 6–2 6–4.<br /><br />He won a single futures title in Thailand, beating Yeu-Tzuoo Wang 6–4 4–6 7–5. This followed a second in Vietnam against Yen-Hsun Lu. He rounded off the year with a doubles challenger title with Jaroslav Levinský at the 69th King's Cup in Bangkok, Thailand. Aisam ended the year ranked 251st in singles and 170th in doubles.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold">2002</span><br /><br />In February at the Davis Cup, he won both matches, as Pakistan beat Malaysia 4–1. In the next Davis Cup tie against Chinese Taipei, he won all three rubbers as Pakistan qualified for the Asia/Oceania Group II final. Aisam won a doubles futures title in Kuwait with Tuomas Ketola. At the Fergana Challenger, in Fergana, Uzbekistan, he and Ketola were unable win in the doubles final. Asiam qualified for his first Grand Slam at Wimbledon with doubles partner Amir Hadad. This pairing cause much controversy. In the first round they beat Martín Rodríguez and Tom Vanhoudt 7–5 7–6(5) 7–6(2). In the second round, the Pakistani-Israeli pairing caused an upset when they knocked out 11th seeds Ellis Ferreira and Rick Leach 6–4 6–4 6–4 to make it to the third round. They were finally beaten by 7th seed Czechs Martin Damm and Cyril Suk. Aisam was threatened with expulsion from the Davis Cup by the Pakistan Tennis Federation. Although Aisam did have support from Pakistan's Davis Cup captain. Aisam said, "I don't like religion or politics to interfere with sport. We're not here to change anything - politics and governments do that. We're just here to play the game and enjoy it." The ITF eventually intervened, forcing the PTF to rescind their threat.<br /><br />At the West of England Tennis tournament in Bristol, UK, he won his first Challenger doubles title of the season with Serbian Dejan Petrovic. Next, at The Manchester Trophy in Manchester, UK, he won the doubles title with Karol Beck, although he was beaten by Beck in the singles semi-final. Asiam took his third doubles challenger title in a row when with Stefano Pescosolido, they took the Hilversum Open title in Hilversum, Netherlands. In July at Wrexham, UK in the Wrexham Challenger, his doubles winning streak was broken when he lost the final with Daniele Bracciali. He also reached the single quarter-finals.<br /><br />He partnered Hadad again at the US Open, where they defeated Mariano Hood and Sebastián Prieto 6–4 6–2 in the first round. In the second round they faced fifth seeds Wayne Black and Kevin Ullyett losing 4–6 6–4 2–6. In September, Aisam returned to Davis Cup action when Pakistan overcame China 3–2 to be promoted to Asia/Oceania Group I. However, he picked up an injury and missed the rest of the season. Despite this, Aisam ended the season ranked 265th in singles and 102nd in doubles.<br /> <div style="overflow: hidden; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; border: medium none;"><br /><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1LZ_Bb2ntEoHuqZ1uMZy9Nc1OD4enhFaJRZZIbLQ4hK4nS_2rwOrX2Ns9mCKjRvfpkIp5dyvAuOseG3CK9RuXhb5arcOndK020tamOM-b8QH63AHQD7-KzEHUPUu9oP_C4SNfo-e408w/s1600/aisamulhaq_543.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 419px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1LZ_Bb2ntEoHuqZ1uMZy9Nc1OD4enhFaJRZZIbLQ4hK4nS_2rwOrX2Ns9mCKjRvfpkIp5dyvAuOseG3CK9RuXhb5arcOndK020tamOM-b8QH63AHQD7-KzEHUPUu9oP_C4SNfo-e408w/s400/aisamulhaq_543.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627964118732657330" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold">2003</span><br /><br />Aisam and Amir Hadad picked up the ATP's Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award. ATP Chief Executive Mark Miles said, "During a summer when fear and hatred garnered much of the headlines, Amir and Aisam-ul-Haq provided much needed relief with their simple message about tolerance through tennis." Aisam, partnering Hadad, participated at the Milan Open in Milan, Italy, where they were knocked out of the first round by third seeds Tomáš Cibulec and Pavel Vízner, 6–7(<img src="http://www.forumpakistan.com/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif" alt="Cool" border="0" /> 1–6. At the Asia/Oceania Group I quarter-final, Pakistan were beaten 5–0 by New Zealand. Aisam went to Germany to play at the Warsteiner Challenger in Wolfsburg, where he reached the final with Austrian Alexander Peya.<br /><br />He went to play at his second ATP tournament of the year, partnered with Hadad, at the Copenhagen Open in Copenhagen, Denmark.They lost to George Bastl and David Prinosil 5–7 3–6. In May, Aisam won a doubles futures title in Uzbekistan with partner Justin Bower. They stayed together in the country to play at the Fergana Challenger in Fergana where they won the doubles title. This victory saw Aisam reach 89th in the world for doubles rankings.<br /><br />At the French Open, he played with Daniel Vacek, but they exited at the first round at the hands of Rick Leach and Brian MacPhie 3–6 3–6. At Wimbledon he and Hadad were beaten in the first round to Jiří Novák and Radek Štěpánek 6–7(5) 5–7 5–7.<br /><br />Asiam Partnered Rohan Bopanna at the Manchester Trophy in Manchester, UK, where they reached the semi-finals. They went all the way to the final and won the Colorado Classic in Denver, USA.Returning to Davis Cup action in September, he helped save Pakistan from relegation as they beat South Korea 3–2. With his singles ranking sliding, Aisam concentrated on playing singles matches, winning three futures titles, one in Thailand and two in India. He also won two doubles futures titles in India to round of the year, the first with Harsh Mankad and the second with Mustafa Ghouse.<br /><br />Aisam ended the year ranked 493rd in singles and 187th in doubles.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ2NZfaRvKLM0fsBr0KmWL3VO-B7NduRPztddkz5n9VF9Li2B3for48tUVvy1458p4ZAWSpF2mMaoc30nw9IGQEdd1gCN_hUJQM8Mak3fcRvVpIqMqYFO-NnWDVz5ZY9PjoeuWfrKRGgE/s1600/Aisam-ul-Haq01-11.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 467px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ2NZfaRvKLM0fsBr0KmWL3VO-B7NduRPztddkz5n9VF9Li2B3for48tUVvy1458p4ZAWSpF2mMaoc30nw9IGQEdd1gCN_hUJQM8Mak3fcRvVpIqMqYFO-NnWDVz5ZY9PjoeuWfrKRGgE/s400/Aisam-ul-Haq01-11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627964111882876434" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Jiezh9_jPiQp6KiLfFp-Fr4_WEa6WVV2NjTzAZQCYoKL_svj3pM2_539k0zKmSoT1m6MsMhSVsEW9UAm9KW_IuGmmPlNXsGQUOB6gPkpiN6JdjfMxvuKS717k0B4TK1_Zncu5ABdyjM/s1600/aisam_FN.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 418px; height: 247px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Jiezh9_jPiQp6KiLfFp-Fr4_WEa6WVV2NjTzAZQCYoKL_svj3pM2_539k0zKmSoT1m6MsMhSVsEW9UAm9KW_IuGmmPlNXsGQUOB6gPkpiN6JdjfMxvuKS717k0B4TK1_Zncu5ABdyjM/s400/aisam_FN.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627964112462510498" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold">2008</span><br /><br />Aisam began the season at the Chennai Open in Chennai, India. He missed the singles qualifiers due to unrest in Pakistan, but made in in time to play doubles alongside Croat Marin Čilić. They defeated first round opponents Mustafa Ghouse and Karan Rastogi both from India, 6–4 7–6(1). In the quarter-finals they faced second seeds Jaroslav Levinský and Michal Mertiňák, who they over came 6–1 7–5. In the semis they were beaten by eventual title winners Sanchai Ratiwatana, and Sonchat Ratiwatana from Thailand 6–2 2–6 4-10. His doubles ranking rose to a new high of 82nd. Coincidentally, the Qureshi-Cilic partnership entered the 2008 doubles race ranked at 9th. Qureshi entered the qualification draw for men's singles at the 2008 Australian Open. He was seeded 16 but lost in the first round in a tight three set match. Back on the Challenger circuit, Aisam teamed up with Igor Kunitsyn and reached the Heilbronn Open final in Heilbronn, Germany.<br /><br />Aisam went to the USA to play at the Delray Beach International Tennis Championships. With Bobby Reynolds they beat Amer Delic and Rajeev Ram 6–1 6–7(3) 10-5. In the quarter-finals they lost to first seeds and world number ones Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan 4–6 4–6. He then paired up with long time doubles partner Bopanna at the SAP Open in San Jose, and were knocked out of the first round by third seeds Max Mirnyi and Jamie Murray 4–6 4–6.<br /><br />Aisam and Bopanna were given wildcards for the Dubai Tennis Championships and defeated Paul-Henri Mathieu and Igor Andreev 7–5 6–4 in the first Round. In the quarter-finals, they squandered a one set advantage against first seeds Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjić, losing 2–6, 7–6(5), 10-6. Aisam was called up the Pakistan Davis Cup squad and prepared for the hectic Asia/Oceania Group III schedule. During the Davis Cup, he was inspired form, as Pakistan won each tie 3-0 to gain promotion back to Asia/Oceania Group II. He went to Lanzarote, Spain and reached the doubles final of the VII Open Isla de Lanzarote with Gilles Müller, but were beaten 2–6 6–7, however this saw his doubles ranking rise to 67th.<br /><br />Then in New Delhi, India, Aisam took part in the New Delhi Challenger, and was knocked out in the quarter-finals to World No. 78 Yen-Hsun Lu 7-6 3-6 5-7. He teamed up with Bopanna for the French Open where in a tough first round draw they took on first seeds Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan for the second time in a year, but lost 1-6 4-6. They both moved on to Wimbledon and knocked out Polish 10th seeds Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski 6-3 7-5 6-4. In the second round they lost to Marcel Granollers-Pujol and Santiago Ventura Bertomeu 2-6 4-6 2-6.<br /><br />He went to play a Challenger in Dublin, Ireland and with Prakash Amritraj they beat Jonathan Marray and Frederik Nielsen it the doubles final 6-3 7-6. Aisam retuned to the USA to play at the Campbell's Hall of Fame Championships where took on Benjamin Becker in the singles first round and won 7-5 7-6. In the second round he was defeated by second seed and defending champion Fabrice Santoro 6-7 2-6. In the doubles, he and Bopanna were seeded 4th, the first time both have been seeded in an ATP event. In the first round they beat Tripp Phillips and Jim Thomas 4-6 6-3 10-2. They won their quarter-final 7-6 3-6 10-7 Kevin Anderson and James Cerretani and followed that up by defeating Rik de Voest and Ashley Fisher in the semis 5-7 6-4 11-9. In the second ATP doubles final of his career, they faced Mardy Fish and John Isner, but despite being favourates, they lost 4-6 6-7.<br /><br />They then went to Indianapolis where Aisam lost his first round Singles match to Wayne Odesnik 4-6 5-7. In the doubles, he and Bopanna defeated 4th seeds Igor Kunitsyn and Dmitry Tursunov 2-6 7-5 10-6. In the second round Bopanna picked up an injury and retired at 2-6 0-1 against eventual champions Ashley Fisher and Tripp Phillips. Aisam went back to playing challengers to Belo Horizonte, Brazil to play at the lBH Tenis Open International Cup 2008 where he reached the singles quarter-finals and in the doubles, he and Mexican Santiago González won the title. In Campos do Jordao, at the Credicard Citi Mastercard Tennis Cup, Aisam was defeated at the semi-finals in both singles and doubles. He and Bopanna played at the 2008 Legg Mason Tennis Classic they were defeated in the first round by third seeds Rik de Voest and Ashley Fisher 4-6 4-6.<br /><br />Aisam took part in the US Open. In the Singles he faced former World No 1 and French Open champion Carlos Moyà in the first round but lost 4-6 7-6 6-7 2-6. In the Doubles he and Bopanna openeed against Marc Gicquel and Sébastien Grosjean, losing 5-7 3-6. He then appeared in the Thailand Open, losing in the first round to Swedish 6th seed Robin Söderling 2-6 4-6. In the doubles, he and Bopanna lost 6-7 6-4 7-10 to first seeds Lukáš Dlouhý and Leander Paes. Then in the Stockholm Open, Aisam teamed up with Mario Ančić, however they were unable to get past the first round, losing to first seeds Jonas Björkman and Kevin Ullyett 5-7 4-6.<br /><br />He travelled to Kolding, Denmark to play in the Kobstaedernes ATP Challenger, reaching the doubles semi-finals before going on to Russia to take part in St. Petersburg Open where he partnered Rogier Wassen and in the first round they exited against Igor Kunitsyn and Marat Safin 3-6 6-2 9-11.<br /><br />Aisam then went to play in Challenger in Yokohama, Japan at the Keio Challenger International Tennis Tournament where he reach the singles quarterfinals, losing to former Asian number 1 and World No. 36 Hyung-Taik Lee 6-4 4-6 4-6. The Pakistani rounded off the year with a win in the Dunlop Challenger in Toyota, Japan alongside Frederik Nielsen.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold">2009</span><br /><br />Aisam played in a future event in Sheffield, England, as the 2 seed. Aisam beat British Timothy Bradshaw in the 1st round 6-4 6-0 but lost 6-4 6-2 to Matthew Illingworth in the second.<br /><br />Aisam lost to Matthias Bachinger in the 1st round of qualifying in the Heilbronn Challenger in Germany 7-6(4) 2-6 3-6, and also lost in the first round of doubles with James Auckland. Next week, Aisam went to the Wrocław Challenger but lost in the 2nd round of qualifying. Teaming up with Auckland again, he lost in the second round in the doubles.<br /><br />Aisam went to the qualifying rounds in the Belgrade Challenger but lost in the 1st round to Julian Reister 7-5 5-7 4-6, Aisam was a break up in the 2nd set and he also missed a match point in the 10th game of the 2nd set as Reister was serving to stay in the match. Aisam teamed up with Lovro Zovko in the Doubles they lost in the final 6-3 2-6 8-10. Aisam teamed up with Prakash Amritraj in the Dubai Championship but lost in the 1st round.<br /><br />Aisam played in Pakistan's win over Oman in the Davis Cup which they won 4-1. Aisam won his 1st rubber and he won the Doubles match with Aqeel Khan, but did not play in the dead rubbers.<br /><br />Back on the Challenger Circuit, Aisam traveled to Kyoto, Japan where he beat Chris Guccione in the 1st round 7-6(3) 6-4. He played I.Dodig in the 2nd round, Aisam lost 5-7 1-6, hurting his ankle during the match, but recovered to play in his Doubles Match. Aisam claimed the Doubles Title in Kyoto with partner M. Slanar. Aisam partnered R. Bopanna in the Bangkok Challenger they reached the semi finals but lost in two close Tie-Breakers 6-7(4) 6-7(5) to Elgin & Kudryavtsev.<br /><br />Qureshi went to the Korat Challenger he teamed up with Rohan Bopanna, where they reached the Semi-Finals.They defeated Levy & Okun 7-6(5) 3-6 10-6 to reach the final, in which they beat Thai twins Sanchai and Sonchat Ratiwatana 6-3 6-7(5) 10-5. Qureshi & Bopanna had to play their semi-final and final matches on the same day. This meant Qureshi claimed his 2nd title in 3 weeks, Aisam also was a semi-finalist in Bangkok. Aisam went to the Johannesburg Challenger where he lost in the 1st round.<br /><br />Aisam travelled to Busan, Korea to take part in the Challenger event. Aisam won his 1st round match against M.Semjan 6-3 6-4, in the 2nd round Aisam won 7-6 6-4 against T.Iwami to reach the Quarter Finals. Qureshi travelled to Fergana where he lost in the 2nd round in the Singles and lost in the Final in the Doubles. Qureshi has travelled to Karlsruhe, Germany to take part in the Doubles which is on Clay where he is partned by Bednarek in the 1st Round they defeated Bachinger & Kindlmann 6-3 6-4. Qureshi & Bednarek lost in the Fianl 7-5 6-4 to R.Junaid & P.Marx<br /><br />He qualified into the main round of 2009 Wimbledon doubles, paired with India's Prakash Amritraj. After upsetting the 16th seeds Huss and Hutchins, they next defeated Junaid and Marx in the second round. They faced 4th seeds Mahesh Bhupathi and Mark Knowles in the 3rd Round and lost 4-6 7-5 6-7 0-6. Qureshi lost in the 2nd Round in the Qualifying Rounds in Newport and lost in the 1st Round in the Main Draw in the Doubles. Qureshi then went to Båstad for the Doubles event but lost in the 1st Round. Qureshi has gone to Indianapolis to take part in the Singles Qualifiers and the Main Draw in the Doubles where he will be partenerd by Sam Querrey. Qureshi won his 1st Round Qualifier against Joe Bates 6-3 1-6 6-3. Qureshi then faced L.Gregorc in the 2nd Round and won 6-3 7-6 (7-4). Qureshi lost to Alex Bogomolov Jr in the Final Round 5-7 4-6. In the Doubles Qureshi and Querrey made it to the Semi-Finals before losing to E.Gulbis & D.Tursunov 6-1 2-6 8-10.<br /><br />Qureshi played in the US Open 2009 main draw partnering Jarkko Nieminen of Finland. They won the 1st round match defeating A Golubev & D Istomin 4-6 7-6(11) 6-4. They lost in the 2nd round to second seeds Nestor & Zimonjic 7-6(5), 6-3.<br /><br />On 3 November 2009, Qureshi with his partner James Cerretani of United States defeared world no.1 Roger Federer and his partner Marco Chiudinelli in straight sets at the Basel Open Doubles. The final score was 6-4, 6-3. Talking to media Qureshi said that his long struggle has paid off as defeating Federer is the greatest achievement of his career. Qureshi and Bopanna teamed up for both Challengers in Aachen & Helsinki and they won both Titles which marked a good end to the year for Qureshi. Qureeshi ended the year Number 59 in the Doubles Ranking.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold">2010</span><br /><br />Qureshi has said he will start the year in Chennai followed by the 1st Grand Slam of the year at the Australian Open.<br /><br />Qureshi won his first ATP Title ever at the 2010 SA Tennis Open with his partner Rohan Bopanna. They defeated Karol Beck and Harel Levy 2-6, 6-3, [10-5] in the final.<br /><br />Qureshi and Bopanna then made their 2nd ATP Final of the year at the 2010 Grand Prix Hassan II, but were defeated by Robert Lindstedt and Horia Tecău 2-6, 6-3, [7-10]. Qureshi and Bopanna were Runners Up in the ATP 250 in Nice after they lost 6-1 3-6 5-10 to M.Melo and B.Soares. Qureshi and Bopanna made the 2nd Round in the French Open losing to M.Llodra and J.Benneteau.<br /><br />Qureshi and Bopanna lost in the 1st Round in Halle and the 2nd Round in s-Hertogenbosch. The pair also reached their 1st ever Grand Slam Quarter-Finals in the 2010 Wimbledon Championships.<br /><br />Qureshi will start his American Hard Court season in Los Angeles with his partner R.Bopanna. He will also play the ATP 500 in Washington, The Masters 1000 in Toronto & Cincinnati, The ATP 250 in New Haven and to finish stuff off in New York, The US Open. Qureshi's Doubles Ranking is at 36 at the moment and his Doubles Team Ranking with R.Bopanna is at 15.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://jazbablog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Aisam-ul-Haq.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 450px; height: 300px;" src="http://jazbablog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Aisam-ul-Haq.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold">Interview</span><br /><br /> Q: How important a part does tennis play in your life?<br /><br /> A: Tennis is a very important part of my life. It has given me a way to make my parents proud, and that's a really big thing for me. It feels really good when your parents are proud of you. That's why it feels good.<br /><br /> Q: Do you think your recent exploits at Halle and, more importantly, at Wimbledon would be good for Pakistan tennis?<br /><br /> A: It's my job to give my best on the tennis court. But now that I've achieved something on it, maybe the government will think there's another sport besides cricket that can earn laurels for the country. Hopefully, I've achieved something good for other players.<br /><br /> Q: The Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) is currently working on setting up a comprehensive tennis complex in Islamabad. Do you think it would provide a boost to the sport in Pakistan?<br /><br /> A: By the time it's going to be complete, I'm probably going to retire. But seriously, we need such facilities in all major cities of Pakistan, so that talented boys and girls can get the opportunity to play and train there.<br /><br /> Q: Were you happy with the media frenzy and public interest your performance at Wimbledon generated in Pakistan?<br /><br /> A: Of course, it's a great feeling. I mean, in Pakistan most people don't know much about tennis, but everybody knows about Wimbledon. I've heard that in the past few days nobody was talking about cricket, and tennis had suddenly got the spotlight. It is really satisfying for me.<br /><br /> Q: You have been trying for several years to qualify for the Wimbledon singles without much luck in the past. But this year you didn't just qualify for it but also became the second Pakistani in 31 years to reach the event's second round. What was different this time?<br /><br /> A:I personally believe that all the hard work of the last 12 years or so has started to pay off. I'm probably playing the best tennis of my career and that certainly helped. Also I went into the Wimbledon qualifying rounds after beating Richard Gasquet, who is one of the best players in the world, at Halle. It certainly gave a major boost to my confidence ahead of Wimbledon.<br /><br /> Q: Qualifying for Wimbledon was also your New Year's resolution, wasn't it?<br /><br /> A: Yes, this year I had told myself that I have to qualify for Wimbledon, and I forced myself to write the line, 'I want to qualify for Wimbledon' everyday, no matter what.<br /><br /> Q: How difficult was it to reach the main rounds at Wimbledon?<br /><br /> A: It was quite tough. I was up against some very good players but, thankfully, I managed to get past them in the qualifiers.<br /><br /> Q: Weren't you sort of lucky when the draw placed you against a player (Lee Childs of Great Britain) ranked lower than you in the opening round?<br /><br /> A:In a way I was, because it could have been anybody. It could have been Roger Federer. But Lee Childs was not an easy opponent and I had to work hard against him.<br /><br /> Q: Did you think you had any chance of beating Marat Safin in the second round?<br /><br /> A: I always go into the court with complete belief in myself, and the match against Safin was no exception. I told myself that if I give my best, anything can happen.<br /><br /> Q:Had Safin gone into a self-destructive mode, would it have helped your cause?<br /><br /> A: Actually, I was hoping that Safin would break a racket here or there, but he didn't. He played coolly and won the match.<br /><br /> Q: Some years back, you created quite a storm by pairing up with an Israeli player, Amir Haddad, for the Wimbledon doubles event. Do you regret making that decision?<br /><br /> A: I don't think they should have made such a big deal about it. We were just two tennis players taking part in a competition. But there were some extremists and sports officials back home who started talking negatively about it all. I really believe that you shouldn't bring politics, religion or colour into sports.<br /><br /> Q: Do you think you can go further next year at Wimbledon?<br /><br /> A: My results in June this year have added to my confidence, and it is my firm belief that hard work always pays. I will continue with all the hard work, and let's see what happens.Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00917261577991296159noreply@blogger.com0