Serena Williams - Diary of a Grand Slam Champion

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Serena wins 2nd Round Match
2008-01-16 07:02:00
Serena defeated Meng Yuan 6-3, 6-1 in her 2nd Round match at the Australian Open. Serena is on fire. Her footwork was just awesome, so much so that Mary Carillo commented on how she "loved the sound of Serena's feet." I have not seen Serena move like this in quite some time. Serena was also swinging freely and simply showing the form of a Grand Slam Champion. More to come....
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Serena and Evonne Goolagong
2008-01-16 06:50:00
Serena poses with students and embraces Australian tennis legend Evonne Goolagong during her visit to a Goolagong National Development Camp in suburban Melbourne, Australia.
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Australian Open: Day 3
2008-01-15 04:25:00
2nd RoundSerena (USA) vs. Meng Yuan (CHN)Head-T0-Head (0-0)3rd match of the day on Vodafone Arena
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Williams Sisters enter 2008 Family Circle Cup
2008-01-15 02:58:00
Two more marquis players have signed on to compete in this year?s historic 35th anniversary celebration at the Family Circle Cup. World No. 7 Serena Williams and World No. 8 Venus Williams have officially entered the 2008 Family Circle Cup. As former World No. 1 players with 14 Grand Slam titles between them, they join World No. 1 Justine Henin in a strong player field that now boasts three women who have held this prestigious ranking. Serena Williams is an 8-time Grand Slam champion who is making her fifth appearance in Charleston. Venus Williams is a 6-time Grand Slam champion making her fourth appearance at the Cup where she won the title in 2004. The 2008 Family Circle Cup draw will also include defending champion and current World No. 4 Jelena Jankovic as it celebrates its over three decades in women?s professional tennis April 12 - 20th at the Family Circle Tennis Center in Charleston, SC. ?Serena and Venus Williams are true champions who bring excitement to every tournament t...
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Same question, Same answer...please move on
2008-01-14 04:57:00
During the First Round post match interview, Serena was asked (yet again) about Justine Henin. I simply do not understand why they keep asking this question (no matter how differently it may be worded). Numerous articles have already addressed this question. Are they yet again trying to "bait" Serena into a headline-grabbing "negative response?"Q. You pushed the bar really high in your dominant stage. Do you feel Justine pushed the bar higher last year?SERENA WILLIAMS: I definitely think she pushed the bar really high. She played unbelievable. I think she won most of the tournaments that she entered. And that's really something that is very, I mean, encouraging and really pushing the bar really high.In this same post match interview, they referenced their knowledge of her recent blog entries so I am almost positive that they have read or heard her response to numerous questions about Justine. You've got your answer (to the same question) now please move on!
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Noteworthy Grand Slam Statistic
2008-01-14 04:03:00
Serena has never lost in the First Round of a Grand Slam Tournament. She's 33-0. Awesome!

Serena wins Aussie Opener
2008-01-14 03:17:00
DEFENDING champion Serena Williams became the first player into the second round of the 2008 championships in Melbourne today.She beat Slovakian-born Australian Jarmilla Gajdosova in straight sets in one hour and two minutes in the first match on centre court. After fighting off a comeback from the 20-year-old in the first set the No.7 seed won 6-3 6-3. She squandered a 3-1 lead in the opening set to let Gajdosova back into the game before regaining her composure. Williams broke serve twice in the final set to record a straight forward win. The younger of the WIlliams sisters is bidding to win the title for a fourth time after her successes in 2003, 2005 and last year.
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Loving serene Serena...
2008-01-13 19:55:00
Serena Williams vows to smile all the way to titleThe defending champion realised that she was taking herself far too seriously, but says that has changedBy her own admission, the Serena Williams, who is about to begin the defence of the most unlikely title in an astonishing career, is very different from the player who smote her way to victory at last year?s Australian Open. Taking physical appearances first, she looks like a champion. Fit and conditioned, Williams appears supremely prepared to add to her eight Grand Slam titles.However, there is a change in the mindset of the woman who, at her peak almost five years ago, dominated women?s tennis during a 57-week stay at the top of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour world rankings ? a period that saw her win five out of the six major prizes. No longer is she guarded, habitually economic with the truth, because nobody, other than her family, was ever allowed to get to know the person inside that body. Now she is open and affable and says he...
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Serena First Up at Australian Open - Day 1
2008-01-12 14:21:00
1ST ROUNDSerena (USA) vs. Jarmila Gajdosova (AUS)Head-To-Head (0-0)Monday @ 11:00am (Sunday, 7pm EST) - Rod Laver Arena
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Great answer Serena!
2008-01-12 13:55:00
The following question was asked during Serena 's Pre-Australian Open interview today:Q. The rankings say that she (Justine) is the world No. 1. Does she feel like the world No. 1 to you or do you feel that your best tennis is the best in the world?SERENA WILLIAMS: I think right now she's absolutely the world No. 1. I mean, she's winning every tournament that she's entering. I mean, she definitely, definitely is No. 1. She definitely has that ranking, for sure.In my honest opinion I feel as if a lot of the interviewers try to "bait" Serena into saying something negative (about other players) while "praising herself" in the same sentence. She could have "piggy-backed" off of the "my tennis is the best tennis in the world," but she didn't. I am glad that she didn't because you better believe that someone was waiting to swarm in and blow the comment out of proportion just as they did the "Justine you've been warned," which Serena NEVER said. Serena's response to this question re...
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Serena's 2008 Australian Open Draw
2008-01-11 09:05:00
Serena Williams is seeded 7th at the 2008 Australian Open . Venus and Serena are on opposite sides of the draw which would allow for an ALL WILLIAMS FINAL. The last All Williams Final at the Australian Open occured in 2003 (when Serena completed her SERENA SLAM). Serena has a relatively easy path to the quarterfinals with wild-card entry Jarmila Gajdosova in the first round and the prospect of two qualifiers after that. Serena's projected route to her 9th Grand Slam Title looks like this:Round 1: GajdosovaRound 2: QualifierRound 3: AzarenkaRound 4: VaidisovaQuarter-Finals: Jankovic/MauresmoSemi-Finals: Henin/Sharapova/DavenportFinal: VenusI'm predicting that Serena grabs her 4th Australian Open Title and ties with Monica Seles for having a total of 9 Grand Slam Titles. You heard it here first!
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Something about Serena and "Diamonds"
2008-01-09 01:27:00
Just last weekend, Serena received her second Diamond encrusted Tennis Ball by winning (along w/ Mardy Fish) the Hopman Cup Final. Now, Top-ranked Justine Henin and Australian Open champion Serena Williams will top the draw for next month's WTA Diamond Games tournament. Diamonds are truly this girl's best friend.

Serena Williams Leaving Nothing To Chance
2008-01-07 13:04:00
MELBOURNE - When Serena Williams came back out of obscurity to win the Australian Open last year for her eighth grand-slam title, she not only confounded her critics but also surprised herself.Having won the title despite being under-prepared, however, the former world number one arrived in Australia early this year looking fitter than she has in a long time and told Reuters that she wanted to leave nothing to chance this time."Last year was cutting it a bit close," Williams said, having begun her season in style by helping the United States to victory in the Hopman Cup, the eight-nation mixed team event held in Perth."It definitely pays to be here early. I'm glad I'm here. I have four matches under my belt and I'm definitely excited about that."Twelve months ago, Williams arrived at Melbourne Park ranked 81st and looking well short of optimum fitness but still walked away with the title, demolishing Maria Sharapova in the final. But knowing that she can win grand slam titles whe...
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Did you miss the Hopman Cup Finals?
2008-01-06 16:21:00
If you missed the original airing of the Hopman Cup Finals between Team USA (Mardy Fish and Serena Williams) and Team Serbia (Novak Djokovic and Jelena Jankovic), it is scheduled to re-air today (1/6/08) on The Tennis Channel at 12pm EST.
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"I'm seeing it fast now...."
2008-01-06 01:08:00
?I?M SEEING it fast now. I?m seeing it fast.? Reigning Australian Open Women?s champion Serena Williams took to the resurfaced Rod Laver Arena for the first time yesterday, and if her repeated comments to her two trainers as she traded blows on the new, blue Plexicushion court are any guide, it?s quickly getting up to speed.During a extremely hot Melbourne afternoon that also saw men?s champion Roger Federer begin his quest to win his fourth Australian Open, Williams commented several times on the speed and hardness of the new Plexicushion court.The three-time champion, who had just flown in from Perth where, with Mardy Fish, she won the Hopman Cup on Friday night, repeated her comment, adding that she thought the court was ?even harder? at times.Williams looked in ominous form as she smashed forehands, backhands and volleys to two male training partners who gave the impression of soldiers under fire.
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Serious Serena: Practice Makes Perfect (Part 2)
2008-01-05 13:34:00
Serena is serious about defending her Australian Open Title. Here she is (practicing) in Melbourne Park. Go Serena!!
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Winning Weekend for American Women!
2008-01-05 13:17:00
Three of the best American women to play the game (Serena, Venus and Lindsay) won titles this weekend:On Friday, Serena (and Mardy Fish) won the Hopman Cup for the U.S. defeating the Serbian Team of Novak Djokovic and Jelena Jankovic (7-6, 6-2).On Saturday, Venus Williams defeated Maria Sharapova (6-4, 6-3) to win the JB Group Classic (in Hong Kong). Also on Saturday, Lindsay Davenport won her 3rd title in 4 tournaments since returning to the game after giving birth to her 1st child, Jagger. Lindsay beat Aravane Rezai (6-2, 6-2) to win the Auckland Classic in New Zealand.CONGRATULATIONS LADIES! Awesome start to the season!
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Serena Has A Ball...(Literally)
2008-01-04 17:05:00
Serena showed that both her body and game are equally in great form. Serena played competitively, challenging serves/returns whistled in by Djokovic, sending an ace his way as well as another unreturnable and she kept moving forward. She went on to say that she was so happy that she got a chance to play Djokovic. She was simply jubilant and a pleasure to watch. She joyfully pranced around the court, served well (as usual) and showed some awesome hands at net. Her smiles and laughter throughout the entire match was totally infectious. She was simply having a ball.Speaking of which, she has been saying all week that her mom has the diamond encrusted ball she won in 2003 when she partnered with James Blake and that she wanted another one. Well now, Serena Williams of the U.S. poses with her second silver and diamond encrusted tennis ball. What Serena wants, Serena gets.
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Mission Accomplished!
2008-01-04 16:51:00
The United States won their fourth Hopman Cup in six years. Aided by a one match headstart in the final after Jankovic, battling a right thigh injury, forfeited her singles match, Serena Williams and Mardy Fish claimed the title with a straight sets win in the deciding mixed doubles clash, 7-6 (7/5), 6-2.That win came after Novak Djokovic had levelled the tie with a three-set win over a brave Fish in the men's singles, 6-2, 6-7 (4/7) 7-6 (7/4). For the third day in a row a hobbling Jankovic played in a deciding mixed doubles rubber with heavy strapping on her injured right leg, but it was third time unlucky for her and Djokovic as they squandered a good start and succumbed to the Americans.The Serbs looked on track for an upset win when they raced to a 4-1 lead in the first set, but the superior fitness of the Americans started to tell and they hit back and worked their way back into the contest. The Americans took the first set on a tie-break and then dominated the second set....
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Practice Makes Perfect
2008-01-04 16:22:00
Serena Williams practices for the mixed doubles final after she received a singles final walkover from Jelena Jankovic of Serbia at the Hopman Cup in Perth (2008).
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Team USA wins HOPMAN CUP!
2008-01-04 15:38:00
Team USA has won the Hopman Cup by defeating Team Serbia (Novak Djokovic and Jelena Jankovic) in the Mixed Doubles Match 7-6, 6-2. Mardy lost a very intense and tightly contested Men's Singles match against Novak Djokovic which made the Mixed Doubles match the deciding tie. Team USA won the tie 2-1. More to come......
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No Women's Singles Match at Hopman Cup Final
2008-01-04 10:23:00
Injured Serbian star Jelena Jankovic pulled out of her singles clash with Serena Williams in the Hopman Cup final tonight. The world No.3 strained a muscle in her buttock two days ago, forcing her to default in two singles matches during the mixed teams event. But she and Djokovic made it to the finals after winning two crucial mixed doubles matches. Tournament doctor Hamish Osborne said Jankovic would not be capable of playing two matches tonight and would be better off playing the less strenuous doubles clash. Serena gets the win. USA leads 1-0.
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Team USA advances to Hopman Cup Final
2008-01-03 12:43:00
PERTH, Australia (AP) -- Serena Williams and Mardy Fish won singles matches to give the United States a victory over Australia on Thursday and a spot in the Hopman Cup mixed teams tennis final. The U.S. finished with a 3-0 round-robin record in Group B and was the only unbeaten team. Friday's final will be America's ninth in the 20-year history of the tournament. Williams beat Alicia Molik 6-2 7-6 (7) and Fish beat Peter Luczak 7-6 (5), 7-6 (10). Team USA then demolished Team Australia in the mixed doubles match, 6-2, 6-3. In the Friday final, the Americans will meet the winner of group A - to be decided after ties between top seeds Serbia and Argentina and France and Taiwan.
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Serena rolls on at Hopman Cup; Defeats Molik
2008-01-03 04:17:00
Serena continued her winning ways as she defeated Alicia Molik 6-2, 7-6 (9/7) in Hopman Cup Women's Singles action. With this win, Team USA is guaranteed a spot in the Hopman Cup Final. They only need to win one of the remaining two matches (Men Singles / Mixed Doubles) against Team Australia to capture the tie. Serena's serve was on and popping in a big way (simply stunning) and she never faced a break point. Serena remains undefeated in Hopman Cup action, 10-0.
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Hopman Cup Coverage
2008-01-01 21:37:00
The Tennis Channel's coverage of the Hopman Cup is as follows: Wednesday, January 2, 2008 @ 8:30pm / USA vs. AustraliaFriday, January 4, 2008 @ 4:00am / Hopman Cup Final
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Happy New Year
2008-01-01 21:33:00
Wishing you and yours a safe, enjoyable and productive New Year
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Noteworthy: Martina on Serena
2007-12-31 14:30:00
Tennis legend Martina Navratilova watched Williams' singles match (vs. Lucie Safarova at Hopman Cup) and said she had never seen Serena in better physical condition.I'm happy to know that Serena is taking her fitness level seriously (and it shows). It is not over. Serena still has a lot more tennis to give and titles to win.
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Team USA defeats Czech Republic (3-0)
2007-12-31 07:36:00
The United States has won their second Hopman Cup tie in Perth against the Czech Republic after Tomas Berdych retired ill during the mixed doubles match. Berdych, ranked 14, came down with a stomach virus last night and tournament officials decided to play the mixed doubles before his singles match against 39th-ranked American Mardy Fish.But after the US stormed to a 6-0 lead in the first set of the doubles, with Berdych's usual power and strong serve completely absent, he announced he could no longer go on and the Czechs forfeited, giving the US a 3-0 win.Earlier, superstar Serena Williams made a good start to her Australian summer campaign with a hard-fought 6-0 2-6 7-5 victory over Lucie Safarova in the women's singles. Williams came storming out of the blocks, her devastatingly powerful groundstrokes overpowering the 23rd ranked Safarova's and taking the opening set in 22 minutes without dropping a game. But Safarova showed her mettle in the second set, breaking Williams' se...
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Serena Wins First Match of Season
2007-12-31 06:03:00
PERTH, Australia - Serena Williams began preparations for her Australian Open title defense with a 6-0, 2-6, 7-5 victory over Lucie Safarova on Monday in the Hopman Cup mixed team tournament.The win gave the United States a 1-0 lead over the Czech Republic. Williams arrived in Perth late because of a stomach ailment and was replaced by Meghann Shaughnessy in the Americans' first match, a 2-1 win over India on Saturday.Williams started off strongly Monday, but Safarova staged a second-set comeback. "I thought I was on my way to victory, then the next thing you know, I'm almost down 5-2 in the third," Williams said. "I was a little off, but she was hitting some great shots."Safarova had seven double-faults, including one that set up break point in the 11th game to eventually give Williams a 6-5 lead in the deciding set. Serving for the match, Williams had two aces in the final game - her 10th and 11th of the match - then won when Safarova's backhand went wide.Shrugging off jet-lag ...
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UPDATE: Tennis Channel and Hopman Cup
2007-12-31 04:31:00
The Tennis Channel is now airing the 2003 Australian Open Final between Venus and Serena Williams. (Commentators are currently giving their viewpoints so the match is soon to start). On another GREAT note. Serena just won her Hopman Cup match against tricky lefty, Lucie Safarova: 6-0, 2-6, 7-5. More to come.....
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