Beauties into Round 2/Round 3 (WTA)

Here I am, with a new 'Beauties' post, the girls this time, as some guys told me they don't really have interest in...guys. Well, here it is. Enjoy!

Julia Goerges def. Mathilde Johansson, 7-6 6-2.

Maria Sharapova def. Anna Chakvetadze, 6-2 6-1.

Ana Ivanovic def. Eleni Daniilidou, 6-3 6-0.

Yes, I know she lost yesterday, but she is too lovely not to be here. Simona Halep def. Bojana Jovanovski, 6-1 6-2. In Round 2, she was defeated by Serena Williams, 6-3 2-6 1-6.

The one and only. The gorgeous, the perfect Andrea Petkovic def. Stephanie Dubois, 6-4 4-6 6-3.

Vika Azarenka, a.k.a The Hula Hoop Queen, def. Iveta Benesova, 6-0 6-3.

Vera Zvonareva def. Elena Vesnina, 6-1 7-6.

Well, that's it. For the 'Beauties into Round 2/Round 3 (ATP)' post, click here. :)

Rain? No problem for Petko, Nole and Vika! (Video)

Because they are cool like that.



Shake it, Nole!! :)

Beauties into Round 2/Round 3 (ATP)

A post I just HAVE to write, about my favourite beauties getting into Round 2 or 3.

Because a post having 'beauty' in its title can't start with anyone else. Feli Lopez def. Rainer Schuettler, 7-6 6-7 6-2 6-2.

Andy Roddick def. (unfortunately) Victor Hanescu, 6-4 6-3 6-4, and will face Feli Lopez in Round 3.

Rafa Nadal def. (of course) Ryan Sweeting, 6-3 6-2 6-4.

Grisha is a nice guy and thinks about his fans (mostly fangirls). He didn't want to let them have a day without him. Grigor Dimitrov def. Cedrik-Marcel Stebe, 7-5 7-5 7-6, in two days.

Roger Federer def. Mikhail Kukushkin, 7-6 6-4 6-2.

Robin Soderling def. Philipp Petzschner, 6-4 6-4 2-6 7-6.

Lleyton Hewitt def. Kei Nishikori, 6-1 7-6 6-7 6-3.

I can't believe it, but yes, he is here. Jurgen Melzer def. Alejandro Falla, 3-6 7-6 6-2 6-2.

Novak Djokovic def. Jeremy Chardy, 6-4 6-1 6-1.

And the one and only! Dima Tursunov def. Ernests Gulbis, 6-3 3-6 7-6 7-6.

Lovely Romanians and their not-so-lovely opponents

Hello, everyone, I'm back! Exams are over. Wow, I can't believe time passed by so quickly! It's like yesterday we were entering in the classroom, thinking "Man, we'll be in high-school next year!". Or we were meeting some new profs. Or we were super-excited that Australian Open was going to start.

Well, Australian Open and Roland Garros are already gone. Not to mention Wimbledon is already here. The third day, to be exact. But what I want to talk about is the second day. While some of the favourites have already lost, including MY favourite, JJ, the Romanian people and their possible opponents have not. Unfortunately, I couldn't see any of the matches till now because of 1. exams, and 2. stupid people not showing Wimbledon on TV. I mean, really??!! However, firstly, Victor Hanescu won his match against the Canadian Pospisil. Very nice, but as it happened in most of the last years' Grand Slams, the second round will bring in front of Victor one of the seeds. And not anyone, but Andrew Stephen Roddick. Thank you, tennis gods... Thank you very much.

In the ladies' competition, the one who seems for me the most talented Romanian girl of the moment, even though she is not the best ranked, Simona Halep, won her match against Bojana Jovanovski of Serbia reeeally easily, 6-1, 6-2. But in the next round, tennis gods will bring in front of her none other than the defending champion, Serena Jameka Williams. Now, I've got mixed feelings about this match. When you say Serena Williams, you don't need to say anything else. The name says it all. But let's think for a second. She hasn't played in almost a year. Yet, in the first round, she defeated Aravane Rezai, who is not the easiest opponent. In three, that's true. So, as you can see, my head is a mess when I think about this match. The bigger chance is on Ree's side, that's clear, but I say to just let the fate decide. You build your own fate, no? So we'll se who's stronger and who wants victory the most. Xoxo. :)

Power Girls: Na Li and Maria Sharapova

As I said, this post is mostly for guys. Na Li and Sharapova are featured in Nike's campaign, 'Make Yourself Girl Power'. As it's said on Maria's website, the campaign focuses on the efforts the athletes have to do to be the best on their respective sports.

However, Na Li and Masha are featured in the campaign alongside athletes Allyson Felix and Perri Shakes-Drayton, soccer player Hope Solo, dancer Sofia Boutella and surfer Laura Enever.

And we're waiting...

...for an interesting doubles match to end. Our boy Horia Tecau and our...adopted boy Robert Lindstedt face Marc Lopez and Rafa Nadal in the Queen's second round. Firstly, we were waiting for it to start on Wednesday, but the other matches were too long and it was postponed. Then, we were waiting for it to start on Thursday. It finally started, but after a first set won by Brad and Horia, it had to be suspended. Right now, we are waiting and waiting and waiting, because it is scheduled fifth on Court 1. Fifth! A match which should have ended on Wednesday!

However, a win over M.Lopez and Nadal would be the perfect thing for Robert and Horia, as a preparation for Wimbledon. I know Rafa is not a doubles player, but everywhere I see 'Nadal' or 'Rafael', I know it's not an easy match. The winners' opponents in the quarters will be the second favourites, Mirnyi and Nestor. A huge challenge. After a huge challenge.

In my opinion, everyone has his chance in this match. Horia and Robert know each other so well, they have won many tournaments together. On the other side of the court, Marc and Rafa have played together before and have won important matches. So yes, if Rafa doesn't break himself on the slippy grass, they really are a strong team.

Equaled records, trophies and a lot of dirt

Surprise and not really in the Roland Garros final. Nadal-Federer. Classic. Winner: Nadal. Classic. Rafa overcame a 5-2 lead of Roger in the first set, a lost third set and the rain to win his sixth French Open trophy and to equal Bjorn Borg's record. Good for you!

On the other side of Court Philippe Chatrier, in the stands, two representatives of perfection made appearance: Marat Safin and Camille Lacourt (swimmer). Unfortunately, I couldn't find any good pics from yesterday, but I hope you have seen them as well, girls! :)

Well, with French Open the 2011 clay season is over. The grass season starts today, at Queen's. Till the next post, I leave you with these hotties! :)

Allez Na Li!

"You're as young as you feel," an old proverb says. 29 years old. In life you're young. In tennis you might get close by the end of your career. And isn't it too bad to end a long career, having been near the best players in the world and without winning your Grand Slam? Especially when your mind is of a 29-years-old player, but your hearts beats as the one of a 20-year-old.

Na Li, China. At the age of 6 she tries her chance in badminton. Strange thing: her coach tells her she is not good enough for badminton, but is very good for tennis. She follows his advice and becomes a tennis player. She ends her career in 2002. She studies at the Huazhong University of Science and Technology. In 2004 she returns in the circuit. On the 4th June 2011 she becomes the first Grand Slam winner from Asia, on the red dusty Court Philippe Chatrier from Paris, everything after victories over two Grand Slam champions, Maria Sharapova in semifinals and none other than last year's Roland Garros winner, Francesca Schiavone.

The typical Oriental beauty and suavity against the Italian killer. Two completely different styles, a single goal. Contrariwise many people's expectations , Na Li was in control the whole match, maybe excepting like two or three games in the second set. In the second set tie-break, a categorical 7-0 from the Chinese. It's over. Na Li is on the ground, full of clay, with a huge smile on her face.

The finalist and the winner receive their trophies and China's National Anthem is played. That's right. Na Li, the little Asian girl, is the one making not only China, but the whole Asia proud.

And Novak is defeated...

After 43 victories in a row, Novak Djokovic is defeated. And Roger Federer advances to the Roland Garros final. And I am shocked.

You know I have all the respect in the world for the tennis player Roger is, but I thought the only one who could beat Djokovic was Nadal. Well, I was wrong. Every good thing has an end and, in this case, the end came earlier than I expected. Now, even if I would try to say something about Nole's year, it would be nothing, because his successes can't be turned into words. Only this I can say: that he was the best player of 2011. And probably still is.

Federer, on the other hand, recovered his place and qualified in his first Grand Slam final since last year's Australian Open. Of course, I am happy to see him there. Will he be able to win against Rafa? Hard to say. But it will be a good match, that's sure.