Williams Sisters Confirm Fed Cup Commitment

Williams Sisters Confirm Fed Cup Commitment

Williams Sisters Confirm Fed Cup Commitment

Serena and Venus Williams have renewed their commitment to the Fed Cup after the pair confirmed they will play for team USA against Sweden later this month.

The team also includes world number 16, Sloane Stephens, and number 27, Varvara Lepchenko, meaning the US is a far stronger outfit from the one that lost 3-2 to Italy in round one last February.

That defeat cast the US into a World Group playoff and they must be on form if they are to overcome Sweden on the weekend of 20 April.

Surviving the dreaded playoffs is a difficult ask for any team but with the Williams sisters set to come on board, Betfair pundits are backing them heavily to overcome Sweden.

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Quarters Draw Showcases WTA’s Strength

Quarters Draw Showcases WTA’s Strength

Top-level women’s tennis is going from strength to strength as seven of the top eight seeds made the BNP Paribas Open quarterfinals in Indian Wells this week.

After four rounds of tennis under the spring Californian sun, the crème has truly risen to the top with first-seed, Victoria Azarenka, leading the way. In the absence of Serena Williams, Azarenka, Maria Sharapova and Angelique Kerber have all excelled in the tournament.

They were followed by fifth-seed, Petra Kvitova, Sara Errani (6), Sam Stosur (7) and eighth-seed, Caroline Wozniacki.

The only player outside the top eight to make the quarters was Russia’s Maria Kirilenko (13), who performed magnificently against third-seed, Agnieszka Radwanska, to produce the first major shock of at Indian Wells.

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Williams power may be counting against her

Williams power may be counting against her

Serena Williams’ powerful game may in fact hamper her title aspirations in the future as her ageing body struggles to cope with the physical playing style that has served her so well in the past.

Williams, a 15-time Grand Slam champion, is widely regarded by fans on Betfair tennis as the best player on the WTA circuit despite being ranked third in the world. For years she has avoided low-ranking tour events to focus on winning majors, a tactic that has proved fruitful as she keeps her body in prime physical fitness.

However, after more than a decade on the tour it is clear her body may be telling her to slow down a bit – a warning that was sounded in her shock quarter-final defeat at the Australian Open this week.

For Serena, heavy favourite to win the Australian Open in Melbourne, crashed out 3-6 7-5 6-4 to compatriot Sloane Stephens much to the surprise of fans. Having had her Grand Slam preparations hampered by toe surgery in the winter and rolling her ankle in week one at Melbourne, Serena complained of back spasms early in the second set and was treated by her trainer on court.

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Video: Serena hits herself in the face - Australian Open 2013

Video: Serena hits herself in the face - Australian Open 2013

After an injury mishap in the first round, Serena's bad luck continues in the second - this time catching herself in the face with her own racquet.

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Video: Australian Open Stars Get Around Town

Video: Australian Open Stars Get Around Town

As Australian Open 2013 approaches, the biggest names in tennis take the opportunity to take in the best Melbourne has to offer.

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Serena Williams named WTA Player of the Year

Serena Williams named WTA Player of the Year

After an amazing season, Serena Williams has been named WTA Player of the Year once again.

The American, who received this honor also in 2002, 2008 and 2009, won Wimbledon, the U.S. Open, the Olympic gold medal in singles and doubles and the WTA Championships in a year full of success.

From April to October, the former world number 1 won 48 of her 50 matches.

Williams talked about her confidence and momentum after winning the WTA finale in Istanbul: "I've always said if I'm playing well and doing everything right, it's really difficult to beat me. I still believe that, which is great that I can still kind of play that way. I feel like there are always ways for me to improve, but I think it's a true statement, without trying to sound really full of myself or anything."

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Masha and Serena in Bing's list of most searched athletes for 2012

Masha and Serena in Bing's list of most searched athletes for 2012

After an amazing 2012 tennis season for both players, Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams, keep adding great things to their names.

This time both players made it to the Top 10 on Bing's list of most searched athletes for 2012, and not only that... they are the only females in the Top 10 and the only tennis players, isn´t it cool??? Specially for the people who thinks Women´s tennis is not important.

During this season, Masha won the French Open to capture the career Grand Slam, and won the silver medal at the London Olympics.

Williams season was even better than the Russians as she won Wimbledon, the Olympics gold medal, the US Open and the TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships.

Here is the complete Bing Top 10 List:

1. Peyton Manning (NFL)
2. Tiger Woods (PGA)
3. Tim Tebow (NFL)
4. Maria Sharapova (WTA)
5. Kobe Bryant (NBA)
6. Serena Williams (WTA)
7. Lamar Odom (NBA)
8. LeBron James (NBA)
9. Cristiano Ronaldo (BBVA)
10. Terrell Owens (previously of NFL)


Source WTA
Photo Source: PacificCoastNews.com

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Serena in Bahamas | Photos and Video

Serena in Bahamas | Photos and Video

Serena Williams spent a few days relaxing with friend in the Bahamas... Enjoy the pictures and video she posted on Facebook...

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Serena vs Radwanska at Sport Chek Face-Off Exhibition

Serena vs Radwanska at Sport Chek Face-Off Exhibition

Serena Williams will take on Agnieszka Radwanska at the Sport Chek Face-Off exhibition in Toronto.

On Friday November 16th, Serena and Aga will play at 8am, then Andy Roddickwill face Milos Raonic.

Fans will also enjoy a celebrity mixed doubles, featuring the four aforementioned players as well as CFL commissioner Mark Cohon, Canadian TV and radio personality George Stroumboulopoulos, Entourage star Adrien Grenier and CFL player and Bachelor Canada star Brad Smith before the ladies´encounter.

The event will also be broadcast live on TSN, on TSN Mobile TV and shown on the Tennis Channel and ESPN3's broadband airing in the US.

In Latin America, the Caribbean, Brazil, the Middle East, Oceania, the UK and Sub-Saharan Africa you will be able to watch on on ESPN's international properties.

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Serena beats Venus in South African exhibition

Serena beats Venus in South African exhibition

Serena Williams beat her sister Venus 6-3, 6-4 in South Africa exhibition match.

On Friday, Venus defeated Serena in Nigeria.

Serena broke for a 4-2 lead in the first set and again to lead 5-4 in the second.

Venus laughed and joked and played to the crowd throughout the match at Ellis Park Indoor Arena.

Serena was serious in the first set but lightened up in the second.

She even hit some shots with a ballgirl while Venus took a bathroom break. The youngster took Serena by surprise with a cross-court forehand winner after a series of gentle shots back and forth earning a hug from Serena at the net.

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Video: Serena and Venus show off dancing skills in Nigeria

Video: Serena and Venus show off dancing skills in Nigeria

Venus and Serena Williams dance with a group of kids during their trip to Nigeria to promote women's rights.

Serena rocks!!!!

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Serena and Vika to open 2013 at Hua Hin

Serena and Vika to open 2013 at Hua Hin

Victoria Azarenka and Serena Williams will start their 2013 campaigns at the World Tennis Invitation exhibition tournament in Hua Hin.

Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand president Suwat Lipatapanlop said he is "delighted" the pair have chosen to start their 2013 campaign in Thailand.

Suwat said the tournament would be a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Thai fans to watch Serena play."

Vika will be defending her Hua Hin title after beating Caroline Wozniacki in last year's final.

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Venus beats sister Serena in Nigeria

Venus beats sister Serena in Nigeria

Venus Williams beat Serena 64 75 during an exhibition match in Nigerian where she even showed her dance moves with a pop song.

"For me to get a win against Serena, it means 2013 is going to be a great year," Venus said.

In a very hot day, Venus appeared loose during play and also playfully teased her sister.

Serena grew frustrated with her play. She batted a tennis ball against the back wall in anger at one point and cried out over poor volleys.

Several times, she stopped to kneel on the clay and press her head against her tennis racket. At one point, she did a double-take and laughed when she saw a man holding up a sign that read: "I am the Nigerian husband Serena never had."

"We've worked so hard this year; Venus has worked so hard," Serena said. "We hope to keep this momentum going into next year."


Source AP
AP Photo/Sunday Alamba

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Serena and Venus visit Nigeria

Serena and Venus visit Nigeria

Serena Williams, her sister Venus and their mother, Oracene Price, are for the first time in Nigeri this week.

The sisters are promoting women's tennis and empowerment of women on the continent.

They want to inspire women in the Africanto take up the sport and, more generally, to pursue their dreams.

"I'd love to say I'm from Africa, but we're from the United States and we're proud to be from there as well," Serena said after a Nigerian reporter asked if perhaps she was originally from Nigeria.

"But my Mom named my sister (Venus) after an African name," she hastily added.

"We were really able to break the mold and win a lot of Grand Slams and a lot of tournaments and not only that, but kind of change the face of tennis," Serena said.

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Video: Istanbul All Access Pass #6 | 2012 TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships

Video: Istanbul All Access Pass #6 | 2012 TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships

Go behind the scenes on Finals day of the TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships - Istanbul. See all the highlights, moments and more.

Day 6 Results:
Serena Williams defeated Maria Sharapova 64 63
Kirilenko/Petrova defeated Hlavackova/Hradecka 16 63 10-4

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Serena Williams wins WTA Championships

Serena Williams wins WTA Championships

Serena Williams beat Maria Sharapova 64 63 to win the TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships Istanbul 2012.

Williams held all nine of her service games and broke Sharapova three times on her way to another title.

During the encounter, Williams hit 40 winners to 14 unforced errors while Sharapova had 13 winners to 12 errors.

"I actually thought about the last time we played at the WTA Championships, and she won, and she's also ranked ahead of me right now, so I really had nothing to lose," Williams said. "I feel great right now. This was exactly my dream and I'm so happy I was able to achieve it. And the Turkish fans here are so amazing, so nice and so supportive - I've never seen so many signs with my name on them. I can't even explain how that makes me feel."

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Williams vs Sharapova in WTA Championships

Williams vs Sharapova in WTA Championships

What and amazing final we will have at the TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships - Istanbul 2012.... Serena Williams will take on Maria Sharapova, who will try to get her revenge on the Olympics final she lost to the Amrican.

Serena advanced to the final after beating Agnieszka Radwanska 62 61 while Sharapova defeated Victoria Azarenka 64 62.

Watch video highlights from Istanbul right here on wtatennis.com!

Serena started the match taking a 2-0 lea but Aga got the break back and levelled at 2-all.
From that moment on it was all abput Williams who won 10 of the next 11 games to seal the wi.

"I probably had an idea she was tired," Williams said about Radwanska who played for 3 hours and 30 minutes the night before. "I just told her that it was awesome she played so well and played through another match, after playing a good eight hours. It was really inspiring for me."

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Video: Istanbul Day 5 Semifinal Highlights | 2012 TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships

Video: Istanbul Day 5 Semifinal Highlights | 2012 TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships

Watch Semifinal highlights from the 2012 TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships featuring Serena Williams defeating Agnieszka Radwanska 62 61 & Maria Sharapova defeating Victoria Azarenka 64 62.

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Serena takes Vika down in Instanbul

Serena takes Vika down in Instanbul

Serena Williams beat Victoria Azarenka 64 64 to claim her third win in three matches at the WTA Championships.

Watch live action from Istanbul on WTA Live powered by TennisTV!

Williams took control from the start of the match and had no problems to get a break she needed to win the opening set.

In the second set, Azarenka broke twice to lead 3-0 but Williams won six of the next seven games to seal the match.

During the match Vika hit 22 errors while Williams had 23. The difference came in the winners department as Serena had 35 to 15 from Azarenka.

"I'd been struggling with my serve in my first two rounds - I knew I could do better, so that was keeping me going," Williams said. "And everything was just a little better today. I knew I needed to play better today to win against Victoria, who has had a stellar year.

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Videos: Istanbul Day 3 Highlights and Hot Shot | WTA Championships

Videos: Istanbul Day 3 Highlights and Hot Shot | WTA Championships

Watch Day 3 highlights from the 2012 TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships featuring Li Na defeating Angelique Kerber 64 63, Serena Williams defeating Victoria Azarenka 64 64 and Sara Errani defeating Sam Stosur 63 26 60.



Serena Williams shows great hustle to chase down this drop shot against Azarenka.

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