Pam Shriver Tennis Classic, Nov. 21st. 2008, Baltimore

Pam Shriver Tennis Classic, Nov. 21st. 2008, Baltimore

Pam Shriver Tennis Classic, Nov. 21st. 2008, Baltimore

Pam Shriver Tennis Classic, Nov. 21st. 2008, Baltimore.

The 23rd annual Pam Shriver Tennis Classic

The 23rd annual Pam Shriver Tennis Classic was held in Baltimore Md. on November 21st 2008, 7.00 Pm at the 1st Mariner arena. Pam Shriver, a local from Baltimore and former #3 player in the world, is founder and tournament chairman of the event. Retired from competitive play in 1994 Shriver is one of 5 women tennis players having more than 100 career titles (combined singles and doubles) in the open era. Throughout her career she remained involved in Tennis, having served as President of USA Tennis Foundation, and on the board of directors of the USTA. Married to George Lazenby, former James Bond actor, mother to twins and inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2002, presntly a sports broadcaster.
Currently ranked #4 in the world and 2008 Olympic Women’s Tennis Singles Gold Medalist Elena Dementieva competed against worlds #2 and 2008 Olympic Women’s Tennis Doubles Gold Medalist Serena Williams, in the charity event presented by PNC and The Baltimore Sun.
In 2008 Dementieva has two Sony Ericsson WTA Tour titles, and a wining record 56-17 YTD, reaching the semifinals at Wimbledon and US Open. She is one of the steadiest most productive players on Tour amassing over $10 million career prize money, turned Pro. in 1998.
Serena Williams 2008 US Open champion and Wimbledon finalist with 44-8 YTD record, turned professional in 1995 with career prize money close to $22 million. Serena is considered by many one of the most exciting players in women’s tennis.
Proceeds from the Pam Shriver PNC Tennis Classic are received by the Tennis Classic Fund, one of 500 charitable funds administered by the Baltimore Community Foundation (BCF).
BCF raises, manages and distributes funds for charitable purposes in the greater Baltimore area. BCF distributed $30 million in 2007 to hundreds on nonprofit organizations in the Baltimore region and beyond.
The match was won by Elena Dementieva in two sets, 6-4, 6-4. it was not a “grand slam” final, as Serena predicted, nevertheless it had its moments on this early winter’ night.

By; Roland Pintilie

Del Potro Wins Legg Mason Tennis Finals

Besides winning the Legg Mason Tennis classic, Juan Martin Del Potro has also put himself into the record books by creating a new record. He is the only tennis player to have ever on the first four tennis tournaments that he has played. Today he dispatched with another young player Viktor Troiki by a score of 6-3, 6-3.

For more on Del Potro's victory and the match check out Eric's post on AOL's Fanhouse.

Below is the OffWing flickr feed from today's tennis finals between Viktor Troiki (Serbia) and Juan Martin Del Potro (Argentina) being played at the Legg Mason Tennis Classic, in Washington, DC.

www.flickr.com Off Wing Opinion's 2008-08-17 Legg Mason, Finals (Allen Clark/OffWing.com) photoset

Del Porto defeats Tommy Haas To Reach DC Tennis Finals

Juan Martin Del Porto (Arg) defeated Tommy Haas (Ger) this afternoon by a score of 6-2, 6-1. This marks his fourth final in an ATP tournament in successive weeks, if he wins it will be his fourth victory in a row.

Enjoy some pictures from the match and listen their impressions of the match.

You can also view additional photos from Saturday's semi finals matches by visiting our flickr feed. Pictures from the Viktor Troiki vs Igor Kunitsyn match will be included soon.

www.flickr.com Off Wing Opinion's 2008-08-16 Legg Mason, Semi-Finals (Allen Clark/OffWing.com) photoset

Viktor Troicki Over Andy Roddick, Say What?

Viktor who? You might be asking yourself? I didn't know him either....to help your self out here is the link to his ATP bio.

Roddick was up 6-0 in the first set, when things started going wrong. He then lost the second set 2-6. Rain stopped play early in the third set, but Roddick came out flat. Roddick's first server percentage dropped from 79% (first set) to 53% (third set).

Gotta get back out on the court to shoot the Somdev Devvarman and Igor Kunitsyn.

Before I leave though I just heard Troicki in the post match interview say that when he, "... is serving well he can beat anyone in the world." This coming from a guy currently ranked 93, with a 8-12 winning record this year. Oh well, we can't be that hard on the guy, he just beat Andy Roddick. Enjoy!

Legg Mason Tennis Classic - Day 5

Photo coverage of the Legg Mason Tennis Classic continues on the fifth day of action. Photos will be updated as they become available through the flickr feed below.

www.flickr.com Off Wing Opinion's 2008-08-15 Legg Mason, Day 5 (Allen Clark/OffWing.com) photoset

As always, if you are a blogger and would like to use our photographs please contact us.

Legg Mason Tennis Classic - Day 4

Photo coverage of the Legg Mason Tennis Classic continues on the fourth day of action. Photos will be updated as they become available through the flickr feed below.

www.flickr.com Off Wing Opinion's 2008-08-14 Legg Mason, Day 4 (Allen Clark/OffWing.com) photoset

As always, if you are a blogger and would like to use our photographs please contact us.

Legg Mason Tennis Classic - Day 3

Photo coverage of the Legg Mason Tennis Classic continues on the third day of action. Photos will be updated as they become available through the flickr feed below.

www.flickr.com Off Wing Opinion's 2008-08-13 Legg Mason, Day 3 (Allen Clark/OffWing.com) photoset

As always, if you are a blogger and would like to use our photographs please contact us.

John Isner Has Happy Homecoming

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 11: John Isner hits a volley during a match with Marcel Granollers during the Legg Mason Tennis Classic on August 11, 2008 at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center in Washington, DC. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWing.com)

It was here last year that John Isner burst into the professional tennis after graduating from the University of Georgia. In what was his second ATP tournament, Isner upset three seeds on his way to his first career ATP final, eventually losing to Andy Roddick.

Tonight it took three sets with a third set tie breaker to beat the eigth-seeded, Marcel Granollers of Spain, 6-3, 6-7(5), 7-6(1). Things looked grim late in the third set when Granollers broke Isner, like last year the crowd came to Isner's rescue cheering him on as he broke back and then easily won the tiebraker.

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 11: Marcel Granollers hits a backhand volley during a match with John Isner during the Legg Mason Tennis Classic on August 11, 2008 at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center in Washington, DC. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWing.com)

Tomorrow's match line-up looks to be superb; Mardy Fish, Andy Roddick, Marat Safin, Sebastian Grosjean, and Juan Martin Del Potro are just some of those playing.

Check out our photo coverage from the first day by visiting our flickr page.

www.flickr.com Off Wing Opinion's 2008-08-11 Legg Mason, Day 1 (Allen Clark/OffWing.com) photoset

The Tale Of Two Tennis Players

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 11: Somdev Devvarman hits a backhand during a match with Taylor Dent during the Legg Mason Tennis Classic on August 11, 2008 at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center in Washington, DC. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWing.com)

At age 27, Taylor Dent is on the comeback trail after missing the past two years with a back injury. Somdev Devvarman just graduated from the University of Virginia after being a repeat NCAA singles champion and was looking to notch his first ever ATP win. The match was played today at the Legg Mason Tennis Classic, part of the US Open Series of tournaments leading up to the US Open in NY.

It was Dent that is moving on to the next tournament, another chance to regain the form of old. Devvarman battled Dent for three sets finally prevailing, 7-6, 2-6, 6-1.

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 11: Taylor Dent hits a service return during a match with Somdev Devvarman during the Legg Mason Tennis Classic on August 11, 2008 at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center in Washington, DC. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWing.com)

Devvarman will now face the winner of fellow qualifier Robert Kendrick and Feliciano Lopez in the second round.

As always, if you are a blogger and would like to use our photographs please contact us.

Kastle vs. St Louis Aces

A summer thunderstorm interrupted match play during the men's doubles which was the third game of the night. The match had to be continued inside at East Potomac Tennis Center at Hains Point.

www.flickr.com Off Wing Opinion's 2008-07-23 Washington Kastles vs. St. Louis Aces (Allen Clark/OffWingPhoto.com) photoset

Kastles Lose As Pressure Mounts For Playoff Berth

With Sunday's loss the Washington Kastles fall to 5-7 for the season. How can the Kastles make the playoffs? The Kastles put it this way:

The Kastles (5-7) currently sit in a log jam for the WTT wildcard playoff spot. The Sacramento Capitals currently hold one of the top two spots in the Western Conference, thus a wildcard position is up for grabs. Currently leading the fight for the last position are the Boston Lobsters, but the Kastles are just one game back. In between the Lobsters and Kastles and just a half game out of the wildcard spot are the Freedoms. The Kastles still have a great opportunity to make the playoffs, so make sure to get your tickets for Tuesday and Wednesday's matches before its too late.

Click on any of the following for more details on the match:

• Washington Kastles: Match Report
• Washington Kastles: Match Statistics

www.flickr.com Off Wing Opinion's 2008-07-20 Washington Kastles vs. Philadelphia Freedom (Allen Clark/OffWingPhoto.com) photoset

The Kastles are back on the court tonight as they face off against the Delaware Smash in hope of catching a wild card berth to the playoffs.

As always, if you are a blogger and would like to use our photographs please contact us.

Kastles Up-Ended By Sacramento Capitals

After holding a big lead, the Kastles fall to the Sacramento Capitals in last night's match. The Kastles jumped out to a commanding 10-5 lead, but ultimately lost 20-15.

One bright spot was the outstanding play of Sacha Jones in the opening singles match. Her opponent Tammy Hendler had no answers to the overwhelming power and tenacity of Sacha Jones. Hendler, a 16 year old is fresh from Wimbledon having reached the Junior's semi-finals. As Jones lead 4-0 in the opening match, the crowd saw an unusual substitution for Hendler, as Sacramento Coach Wayne Bryan put in veteran and grand slam doubles champion Elena Likhovtseva. Jones eventually won her match dramatically by a score of 5-2, in sudden death point in the seventh game.

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 17: Sacha Jones of the Washington Kastles hits a forehand during a World TeamTennis match against the Sacramento Capitals at Kastle Stadium, CityCenterDC in Washington, DC July 17, 2008. (Photo by Allen Clark/www.OffWingPhoto.com)

Another bright spot was the play of Mashona Washington and Scott Oudsema in mixed doubles, who beat Elena Likhovtseva and Eric Butorac, 5-3. it felt as though Washington and Oudsema had momentum throughout the match.

Sacha Jones and Mashona Washington have been the "go-to" gals for the team for big wins and overtime heroics. However last night Jones and Washington could not find their Mojo against the team of Hendler and Likhovtseva, losing 5-0.

The Kastles are still in contention for a play-off berth for their inaugural season.

www.flickr.com Off Wing Opinion's 2008-07-17 Washington Kastles vs. Sacramento Capitals (Allen Clark/OffWingPhoto.com) photoset

As always, if you are a blogger and would like to use our photographs please contact us.

Kastles Pick Up Important Win Over NY Sportimes with John McEnroe

The Kastles have a lot to be proud about last night's overtime victory over the NY Sportimes, which included John McEnroe.

Scott Oudsema picked up an important singles victory over McEnroe. Oudsema's serves were just too big to allow McEnroe to get any rhythm and work his way into the match.

Another bright spot was Mashona Washington and Sacha Jones double's victory over Milagros Sequera and Hana Sromova. Earlier in her singles match Mashona Washington was at times frustrated with her play, but when she teamed up with Jones there was no stopping them as they dominated their doubles match and were the team heroes winning a Supertiebraker, lifting the Kastles to 5-3 season record.

We will be publishing more photos through the day from last night's victory please come back to the site as we update, you can also visit our complete photographic match coverage on our Flickr site.

www.flickr.com Off Wing Opinion's 2008-07-15 Washington Kastles vs. NY Sportimes (Allen Clark/OffWingPhoto.com) photoset

As always, if you are a blogger and would like to use our photographs please contact us.

An Evening With World Team Tennis

The Washington Kastles are back in town today for a match with the NY Sportimes with John McEnroe as the headliner to be playing for the Sportimes. The match tonight will kick off at 7pm at Kastles Stadium at CityCenterDC.

Just in case you missed it, Eric McErlain our fearless editor as OffWing wrote a story about the Kastles inaugural home match last week at AOL Fanhouse, An Evening With World Team Tennis.

OffWing will once again be courtside with coverage for tonight's match. See you there!

Serena Williams Is In The Kastle

The royalty of tennis and DC were on hand for inaugural home match of DC's entry into the World TeamTennis league, the Washington Kastles. Fresh from Wimbledon, Serena Williams the Kastle's marquis player, filling the seats of the Kastles's stadium at CityCenterDC. Mayor Adrian Fenty and Kastle owner, Mark Ein also welcomed Billie Jean King, tennis great and co-founder of World TeamTennis.

For more on what happened at the match visit some of the reports from other sources:

• Washington Kastles: Kastles vs Lobsters Match Report
• Washington Post: On Opening Night, a Net Success

Friday the Kastles will be back in town to play the NY Buzz at 7pm. Fortunately for us Robby Ginepri will be filling in for Justin Gimelstob. Ginepri is a great player, fun to watch, and will be representing the US at the Olympics in tennis.

THE GOOD

• The stadium is a fantastic addition to the city and a great atmosphere for the matches.
• Attendance and interest is high for the team.
• It is a great entertainment dollar. With the league's quirky rules and crazy colored court, this is as Billie Jean King hoped a format that will attract more people to tennis and make it fun to watch.

THE BAD

• Justin Gimelstob played bad, there is no way to sugar coat this. Both the serve and service return hurt Gimelstob in the doubles match and then he blew a 4-1 lead in his singles match with Jan-Michael Gambill, eventually losing in a tiebraker.
• Sadly Venus will probably not be playing any more matches for the team this season.

THE UGLY

• Justin Gimelstob, not only bad his play was ugly. It looked like Kastle's Coach, Thomas Blake was ready to substitute Scott Oudsema for the men's single match
• If there is a rain storm, what happens? Their schedule is pretty tight and there is no chance of covering the stadium as it is built now. Keep your fingers crossed....

For more photos from the event please visit our complete photographic match coverage on our Flickr site.

www.flickr.com Off Wing Opinion's 2008-07-08 Washington Kastles vs. Boston Lobsters (Allen Clark/OffWingPhoto.com photoset

As always, if you are a blogger and would like to use our photographs please contact us.

World TeamTennis Comes To Washington DC

World TeamTennis was co-founded by Billie Jean King, 33 years ago and has now added a team in Washington DC. DC's team is called the Washington Kastles and will play in a stadium built at the location of the former Convention Center.

Yesterday members of the team and city officials kicked off the season with the first practice at the new stadium.

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 7: Members of the Washington Kastles, Washington, DC's new World Team Tennis (WTT) team meet city officials and conduct their first practice at Kastle Stadium in Washington, DC July 7, 2008. (Photo by Allen Clark/www.OffWingPhoto.com)

Tonight will be the home opener for the Kastles as they go up against the Boston Lobsters. Serena Williams will be on hand to play for the Kastles at 7pm tonight. The Kastles are currently undefeated (2-0) in league play.

Mashona Washington, Sacha Jones, and Scott Oudsema joined their captain Thomas Blake for their practice. Team members Serena Williams and Justin Gimelstob were not present. Williams will be playing tonight in the Kastles first home match, while Gimelstob will be sitting out the match for a one game suspension.

The league has a 3-week season, stretching from July 3rd to July 23rd, will have 11 teams vying for the King Trophy.

The format of play is unique from what you see at other professional tennis matches:

• Two men and two women compete on each team.
• The match format consists of five sets
• One set each of men's and women's singles
• One set each of men's and women's doubles
• One set of mixed doubles
• Every game counts as a point in the overall score
• Typical score is 23 - 19
• A team must win the last game of the last set or the match goes into overtime

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 7: Mayor of Washington, DC, Adrian Fenty warmed up with members of the DC's new World Team Tennis (WTT), the Washington Kastles. Fenty and other city officials were on hand for the first practice at Kastle Stadium in Washington, DC July 7, 2008. (Photo by Allen Clark/www.OffWingPhoto.com)

www.flickr.com Off Wing Opinion's 2008-07-07 Washington Kastles Practice (Allen Clark/OffWingPhoto.com) photoset

If you are a blogger and would like to use our photographs please contact us.

The Always Entertaining Marat Safin

Over at Wimbledon earlier today, the quixotic Marat Safin managed to wedge himself into the semifinals with a 3-6, 7-5, 7-6, 6-3 win over Spain's Feliciano Lopez. For his trouble, Safin will get to face Roger Federer next.

It's a heck of a run for the 28-year old Safin, who has been undershooting expectations more or less since he beat Pete Sampras in the 2000 US Open Final. But while others might be frustrated with him, I can't help but be a fan of Safin. I first got a chance to see him up close a year ago at the Legg Mason Tennis Classic. Though I didn't get to see him play, I did catch his post-match press conference, which I found to be a real hoot:

More good news for the locals: Safin will be back in town next month for the Legg Mason Tennis Classic. He committed to the tournament earlier today.

Arkansas Bends Under Pressure Of Photo Policy

Drop by OffWing Photo to get the latest news on Arkansas Activities Association's (AAA) rule that they own the copyright to all media (photo, video, audio) taken at state championships and to charge fees ranging from $35-$50 for press credentials to events. This policy as written would also apply to parents and fans taking pictures in the stands.The AAA is the sponsoring organization of championship games for public and private schools in Arkansas.

Check out the latest photos from OffWing photographers by visiting our Photoshelter gallery.

Also stop by our new sister website OffWing Photo where we focus on photography, especially sports photography.

Isner Advances At U.S. Open

John Isner, who only a few weeks ago burst onto the international tennis scene by fighting his way to the finals of the Legg Mason Tennis Classic before losing to Andy Roddick, may be on his way to causing some more trouble at the U.S. Open.

Last night in his opening round match, Isner dispatched a guy with two hockey names -- Jarkko Niemenen -- in four sets on his way to a 6-7 (7-4), 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-5), 6-4 victory.

The difference for Isner? Well, it was that monster serve that Washingtonians got to know so well at the Legg Mason. Here's what Niemenen told Liz Clarke of the Washington Post:

"This is the best serve I have seen on the court," Nieminen said. "When it was tight -- when I had break points -- he always made the first serve, every single time. It was very difficult to read his serve. And even if you have such a good serve, it's mentally demanding to win matches against top players."

Still don't know enough about Isner? No worries, as there's still time to hop on the bandwagon. For a refresher, here's an interview I did with him right after his Legg Mason quarterfinal win over Tommy Haas:

For more Isner video, click here.

Does Tennis Have A Betting Scandal All Its Own?

Regularly scheduled hockey blogging will resume momentarily, but first we have one more tennis clip to get out of the way, courtesy of FanHouse.

Thanks ...

To Off Wing photographer Allen Clark, for putting in so much time at Legg Mason Tennis Classic and getting some great shots. We hope you enjoyed them. Click here to view them all.

And thanks to Allen's wife Mary, and his children Katie and Ryan for letting us borrow him all week long.

The Legg Mason Final: Isner vs. Roddick

Greetings from the press box at the William H. Fitzgerald Tennis Center in Washington, D.C. We're just moments away from the final which will pit the tournament's top seed and the #5 ranked player in the world, Andy Roddick against a dark horse and crowd favorite, wild card entry John Isner.

I'll be going dark in a moment or two, but I'll be keeping notes in real time. I'll share those with you once the match finishes up, and bring you the post-match press conferences too.

If you don't already know, the match will be airing on ESPN 2. See you later.

First Set

Game 1, Isner serving:

Roddick, return into the net, 15-0.
Isner, drop shot into the open court, 30-0.
Isner, ace, 40-0.
Isner, ace. Game Isner.

Game 2, Roddick serving:

Roddick, ace, 15-0.
Roddick, backhand winner, 30-0.
Roddick, double fault, 30-15.
Isner, return long, 40-15.
Roddick, backhand into net, 40-30.
Isnet, backhand wide. Game Roddick.

Game 3, Isner serving:

Roddick, return of serve out, 15-0.
Isner, forehand drop into the net, 15-15.
Roddick, return out, 30-15.
Isner, forehand long, 30-30.
Isner, forehand winner, 40-30.
Roddick, return long, Game Isner.

Break: Isner looks super confident, in fact, a heck of a lot more confident than he looked early last night against Monfils. His service game is a lot stronger out of the gate than it was last night. When Roddick does manage to return his serve, which isn't often, Isner has him running around all over the court.

Game 4, Roddick serving:

Isner, return long, 15-0.
Roddick, backhand wide, 15-15.
Isner, forehand wide, 30-15.
Roddick, ace, 40-15 -- CHALLENGED, OVERULLED.
Isner, forehand winner, 30-30.
Roddick, forehand into the net, 30-40, break point.
Roddick, forehand winner, DEUCE.
Roddick, ace. AD Roddick.
Roddick, service winner. Game Roddick.

Game 5, Isner serving:

Roddick, backhand return long, 15-0.
Roddick, forehand return into net, 30-0.
Isnet, forehand long, 30-15.
Isner, double fault, 30-30.
Isner, ace, 40-30.
Roddick, forehand long, Game Isner.

Game 6, Roddick serving:

Roddick, open court forehand winner, 15-0.
Isner, backhand long, 30-0.
Roddick, forehand winner, 40-0.
Roddick, forehand winner, Game Roddick.

Game 7: Isner serving:

Isner, backhand into the net, 0-15.
Isner, forehand into the net, 0-30.
Isner, forehand return into the net, 0-40.
Isner, forhand long, Game Roddick.

Game 8: Roddick serving:

Roddick, ace, 15-0.
Roddick, ace, 30-0.
Isner, backhand into the net, 40-0.
Isner, service return out, Game Roddick.

Game 9, Isner serving:

Isner forehand drop winner, 15-0.
Roddick, forehand return into the net, 30-0.
Isner, ace, 40-0.
Isner, ace, Game Isner.

Break: A complete breakdown in Game 7, as Isner seemed to just give the game away to Roddick. When Isner's return sailed long at 40-0, Roddick pumped his fists and yelled, as if he knew he had the break he needed.

Game 10, Roddick serving:

Isner, return wide.
Roddick, overhand smash into the net, 15-15.
Isner, backhand out, 30-15.
Roddick, backhand winner, 40-15.
Roddick, ace, Game, Set Roddick, 6-4.

Break between sets: The story here was Isner's breakdown in Game 7, as he gave away a break to Roddick, giving the Texan the break he rarely yielded to anyone else over the course of the week in Washington.

I'll say this: Isner might not beat Roddick today, but it's only a matter of time.

Second Set

Game 1, Isner, serving.

Roddick, forehand long, 15-0.
Roddick, return long, 30-0.
Isner, forehand long, 30-15.
Isner, drop shot into the net, 30-30.
Isner, service winner, 40-30.
Isner, drop shot winner, Game Isner.

Game 2, Roddick serving:

Roddick, ace, 15-0.
Roddick, ace, 30-0.
Roddick, ace, 40-0.
Roddick, forehand long, 40-15.
Isner, forehand into the net, Game Roddick.

Game 3, Isner serving:

Isner, service winner, 15-0.
Roddick, cross-court forehand winner, 15-15.
Isner, ace, 30-15.
Isner, doublefault, 30-30.
Roddick, return wide, 40-30.
Isner, ace, Game Isner.

Break: Isner looks like he's back in a groove with his service game.

Game 4, Roddick serving:

Roddick, ace, 15-0.
Roddick, ace, 30-0.
Roddick, ace, 40-0.
Roddick, backhand into the net. 40-15.
Roddick, ace, Game Roddick.

Game 5, Isner, serving:

Isner, ace, 15-0.
Isner, ace, 30-0.
Roddick, return long, 40-0.
Isner, mishit forehand, 40-15.
Isner, backhand winner, Game Isner.

Game 6, Roddick serving:

Isner, backhand winner, 0-15.
Roddick, service winner, 15-15.
Roddick, forehand winner, 30-15.
Isner, forehand service return winner to open court, 30-30.
Isner, service return into the net, 40-30.
Isner, backhand return long, Game Roddick.

Game 7, Isner serving:

Isner, forehand winner, 15-0.
Isner, service winner, 30-0.
Isner, ace, 40-0.
Isner, forehand winner, Game Isner.

Game 8, Roddick serving:

Isner, forehand return wide, 15-0.
Roddick, service winner, 30-0.
Isner, backhand long, 40-0.
Isner, backhand long, Game Roddick.

Game 9, Isner serving:

Isner, forehand into the net, 0-15.
Isner, forehand winner, 15-15.
Isner, backhand long, 15-30.
Isner, forehand into open court, 30-30.
Isner, backhand into the net, 30-40.
Isner, ace, DEUCE.
Isner, forehand wided, Ad Roddick.
Roddick, return long, DEUCE.

From the crowd: "Send him back to school, Andy!"

Isner, forehand winner, Ad Isner.
Roddick, service return long, Game Isner.

Break: Isner showed some real ice water in that game, battling back from Ad Roddick to a win. The kid has a future.

Game 10, Roddick serving:

Roddick, service winner, 15-0.
Isner, return long, 30-0.
Roddick, ace, 40-0.
Isner, reuturn long, Game Roddick.

Game 11, Isner serving:

Isner, forehand winner, 15-0.
Roddick, service return into net, 30-0.
Roddick, service return long, 40-0.
Roddick, backhand return into net, Game Isner.

Game 12, Roddick serving:

Isner, backhand into the net, 0-15.
Roddick, overhead smash, 0-30.
Roddick, ace, 40-0.
Isner, backhand into net, Game Roddick. Tie-breaker.

JI: ACE, 1-0.
AR: Isner, forehand wide, 1-1.
AR: Isner, backhand into net, 1-2.
JI: Isner, backhand wide, 1-3.
JI: Roddick, return long, 2-3.
AR: Isner, return long, 2-4.

SWITCH SIDES

AR: Isner, return long, 2-5.
JI: Isner, ACE, 3-5.
JI: Isner, service winner, 4-5.
AR: Isner, backhand long, 4-6.
AR: Roddick, forehand winner, 7-4. GAME, SET, MATCH, Roddick.

Meet John Isner's Cheering Section

John Isner didn't come to the Legg Mason Tennis Classic alone. Instead, he brought a whole boatload of fans with him to cheer him on. More details at FanHouse.

Isner Edges Monfils, To Meet Roddick In Legg Mason Final

After a nail-bighting three set win over Gael Monfils -- 6-7 (7-4), 7-6 (7-1), 7-6 (7-2) -- sent him into the finals against Andy Roddick, John Isner collapsed backwards onto the court.

Here's John's post-match press conference:

In the post-match press conference, Monfils was rather bitter, and wasn't afraid to talk about it.

More in a bit.

Legg Mason Update: Roddick Downs Karlovic

Just got out of the box following Andy Roddick's 7-6 (9-7), 7-6 (7-5) victory over Ivo Karlovic. Both sets were simply an exercise in holding serve, as neither player was able to break through. If there was any highlight, it had to be the ace Roddick served to end the eighth game, a 151 mph cannon shot that had the crowd roaring.

What excitement to be had in the first set came in the tie-breaker, where Karlovic took a quick 4-2 lead, but Roddick quickly rallied to tie it at 4-4. A few minutes later a Karlovic return sailed long and Roddick had salted away the first set, 9-7.

The second set featured more of the same, and soon enough we were back to the tie-breaker. The score was knotted at 5-5 when Roddick was forced wide to return a Karlovic shot on his backhand. Somehow Roddick got to the ball and sent it straight down the line where it eluded Karlovic but landed inside the court to give him a 6-5 lead and send the crowd into a frenzy. One point on serve later the match was over.

More in a bit after Roddick's press conference.

UPDATE: Roddick meets the press:

We're less than 25 minutes from the start of the Gael Monfils-John Isner match, and if what I just saw Monfils do at Center Court a few minutes ago is any indication, Isner is in for the match of his life.

In his press conference, Roddick called Monfils the best athlete on the ATP Tour today, bar none. After seeing him hit for a few minutes, it was easy to see what Roddick was talking about.

John Isner: Tennis Pro And Carolina Hurricanes Fan

Last night I had a chance to interview the best story out of the Legg Mason Tennis Classic, newly-minted pro John Isner from Greensboro, North Carolina.

John has made something of an improbable run to the semifinals of the tournament, where he'll face Gael Monfils this evening:

Thanks to John for taking the time to speak me. I can't help but root for him.

At The Legg Mason Tennis Classic

Greetings from the William H. Fitzgerald Tennis Center here in Washington, D.C. After letting Allen Clark have all the fun for most of the week, I've finally made my way up town for the Legg Mason Tennis Classic in Upper Northwest.

When I pulled my car into the lot about an hour ago, the thermometer on the dashboard in my car read 104 degrees, which was why I was oh so grateful for the fully air conditioned media center just outside center court.

As Allen mentioned earlier this week, one of the big stories of the tournament has been University of Georgia grad John Isner, who just defeated Germany's Tommy Haas in three sets, 6-4, 6-7 (7-6), 7-6 (7-5).

Allen just showed me a picture of Haas trying gamely to return one of Isner's howitzer of a serve. In the shot, Haas is backed up so close to the wall at the edge of the court, the line judge had to back out of the way for fear of getting swatted by Haas' racquet.

The way Allen puts it -- he used to run me around the court back in the late 90s -- the ball just bounces different when it comes off the racquet of someone as tall as Isner, who is 6'9". As Haas put it, guys as tall as Isner shouldn't be allowed to play.

After knocking off veteran Tim Henman earlier this week, Isner has become something of a crowd favorite, with the locals clearly relishing his surprising run to the semifinals. As you can see from the above shot, he's got plenty to do before getting to the media tent for his post-match interview.

Later tonight I'll be able to share some video footage of his post-match press conference and a short conversation I had with him afterwards. Turns out that Isner is from Greensboro, North Carolina, the original home of the Carolina Hurricanes. Sure enough, he's a hockey fan, and says that Rod Brind'Amour is his favorite player.

When I asked him what NHL player his on court game most closely matched, Isner didn't hesitate: Dion Phaneuf, the big physical Calgary defenseman. During his press conference, he said that the most exciting sporting event he had ever gone to was a hockey game.

Who knew?

I finished things up with the most important question I could think of: Maria Sharapova or Anna Kournikova?

After hesitating for a moment, he took Maria. Why?

Well, she's a little taller, of course.

UPDATE: Just got out of a rip of a press conference with former Australian Open winner Marat Safin. The guy has a future in standup comedy if he wants one. He seemed pretty relaxed for a guy who had just lost. Video later.

ANOTHER UPDATE: It doesn't take long when you watch Andy Roddick to understand why he's one of the best tennis players in the world. With a game one might best describe as "serve and destroy", Roddick is a nightmare for most players on the tour, and that's what he was for South Korean Hyung-Taik Lee on his way to a 7-6 (8-6), 6-2 victory.

By all rights, I should still be sweating it out up in the press box. After both players held serve through a snoozer of a first set, Lee was poised to steal the set in the tie-breaker up 5-4, his return, which appeared to be in from where I was sitting, sailed long. A couple of us in the box shook our heads, wondering why Lee hadn't used one of his three challenges, but the moment passed with nary a complaint.

With the second set tied 1-1, Roddick took control of the match for good as he broke Lee's serve to take the lead. Lee had one more chance to make it interesting when he earned a break point of his own in the sixth game down 3-2, but Roddick forced Deuce on his way to a 4-2 lead.

It was hard not to feel a bit sorry for Lee. As he would approach the net, it was almost as if I could hear his youth coach praising him for doing everything right, not rushing, but letting the game come to him instead of forcing it.

Then there were the moments when you wondered if Lee belonged on the same court as Roddick at all. On more than one of Roddick's booming serve, it was almost as if it was all Lee could do to raise his racket in self-defense.

Then there was the incredible difference on second service, with Roddick's speed dropping from the mid-130s to the mid-110s; then there was Lee, whose first serve looked slow by comparison in the low 120s, while his second service dropped all the way to 86 mph.

Roddick press conference coming up. More in a bit.

UPDATE: Roddick makes for an entertaining press conference, that's for sure. He's relaxed, confident and doesn't mind mixing it up with reporters -- including correcting me when I quoted the score incorrectly back to him when I asked him about his strategy behind using his challenges. I could say more, but once I post the video all will become clear.

One thing I will pass along. Liz Clarke of the Washington Post noted that of the four semifinalists, Roddick is the shortest. After everyone enjoyed a nice laugh, Roddick said that playing someone that tall was like letting him serve from "four feet inside the court".

Late Night At The Legg Mason

This from last night's action. Marat Safin and Robin Haase played into the early morning. When it was all said and done Marat walked away with the victory, 7-5, 6-7, 7-5. Safin will play again later this afternoon against the frenchman Gael Monfils which is sure to be match to watch.

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 2: Marat Safin and Robin Haase during the Legg Mason Tennis Classic on August 2, 2007 at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center in Washington, DC. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWing)

Another casualty of the night was one of Marat's racquets.

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 2: Marat Safin's broken raquets sits next to his bag in a match with Robin Haase during the Legg Mason Tennis Classic on August 2, 2007 at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center in Washington, DC. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWing)

See more photos from the game by visiting our Photoshelter gallery.

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 2: Marat Safin looks up at the scoreboard during a match with Robin Haase during the Legg Mason Tennis Classic on August 2, 2007 at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center in Washington, DC. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWing)

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 2: Robin Haase hits a shot during a match with Marat Safin during the Legg Mason Tennis Classic on August 2, 2007 at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center in Washington, DC. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWing)

See more photos from the game by visiting our Photoshelter gallery.

Roddick Takes Out Stepanek

It took three sets but Andy finally beat Radek Stepanek, 6-3, 1-6, 7-5. Stepanek has been playing well, winning the first tournament of the US Open series in LA two weeks ago.

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 2: Andy Roddick hits a forehand during a match with Radek Stepanek during the Legg Mason Tennis Classic on August 2, 2007 at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center in Washington, DC. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWing)

See more photos from this match and others being played at the Legg Mason Tennis Classic by visiting our Photoshelter gallery.

Note the invisible jump rope?

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 2: Radek Stepanek hits a shot during a match with Andy Roddick during the Legg Mason Tennis Classic on August 2, 2007 at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center in Washington, DC. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWing)

One more photo after the jump...

Although his first serve percentage in the first was a whopping 83%, but fell to 50% in the second.

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 2: Andy Roddick hits a serve during a match with Radek Stepanek during the Legg Mason Tennis Classic on August 2, 2007 at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center in Washington, DC. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWing)

Isner Tops Afternoon Highlights From Legg Mason

&tAll week I have felt small as I walk around the tournament grounds, because some of the young players are HUGE. Take the former Georgia Bulldog, John Isner, that stands 6'9" that now beat Wayne Odesnik 6-7, 7-6, 7-6. The unseeded player next faces Tommy Haas in the quarterfinals tomorrow.

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 2: John Isner hits a shot during a match with Wayne Odesnik during the Legg Mason Tennis Classic on August 2, 2007 at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center in Washington, DC. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWing)

See more photos from this match and others being played at the Legg Mason Tennis Classic by visiting our Photoshelter gallery.

I will try to be back to post more but I gotta run to Roddick match. OK, you want one more?

How about the acrobatic frenchman, Gael Monfils? The crowd loved him as he slid and threw his body into every shot. Someone better tell him this isn't clay...He beat Michael Berrer of Germany, 6-7, 6-3, 6-3. Oh and Monfil, he is only 6'4". What is a 5'10" (ok I am lying, I am only 5'9" but I look 5'10") guy to do...time for limbo dancing.

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 2: Gael Monfils hits a shot in a match with Michael Berrer during the Legg Mason Tennis Classic on August 2, 2007 at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center in Washington, DC. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWing)

Bryan Brothers Rock The House And Bring A Cake

Don't tell the Bryan brothers or the crowd at tonight's doubles match against Paul Goldstein and Tripp Phillips that doubles isn't fun to watch. Following the 6-3, 6-4 victory by the Bryan Brothers the stadium celebrated Paul Goldstein's birthday, complete with cake.

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 1: Bob and Mike Bryan join Paul Goldstein, his wife, and new 7 week old daugther for his 31st birthday celebration during the Legg Mason Tennis Classic on August 1, 2007 at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center in Washington, DC. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWing)

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 1: Bob and Mike Bryan give their signature chest thump after their against Paul Goldstein and Tripp Phillips during the Legg Mason Tennis Classic on August 1, 2007 at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center in Washington, DC. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWing)

More after the jump....but really check out our gallery.

See more photos from the game by visiting our Photoshelter gallery.

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 1: Bob Bryan hits the ball as he plays with his brother/doubles partner Mike Bryan against Paul Goldstein and Tripp Phillips during the Legg Mason Tennis Classic on August 1, 2007 at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center in Washington, DC. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWing)

DC Native Paul Goldstein Falls to Radek Stepanek

Coming off a recent championship victory in LA, Radek Stepanek was too much for DC native, Paul Goldstein. Stepanek beat Goldstein 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, despite the cheers of "Herbie, Herbie," a reference to his middle name.

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 1: Paul Goldstein hits a shot during a match with Radek Stepanek during the Legg Mason Tennis Classic on August 1, 2007 at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center in Washington, DC. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWing)

See more photos from the game by visiting our Photoshelter gallery.

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 1: Radek Stepanek hits a shot during a match with Paul Goldstein during the Legg Mason Tennis Classic on August 1, 2007 at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center in Washington, DC. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWing)

Roddick Starts Off With A Win

Andy Roddick did what he needed to do in his opening round match against Tomas Zib with his 6-4, 6-2 victory. Roddick, the 2005 Legg Mason champion is looking bring back his summer time Mojo during the hard court season that ends with the US Open as it's grand finale.

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 31: Andy Roddick prepares to hit his serve during a match with Tomas Zib during the Legg Mason Tennis Classic on July 31, 2007 at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center in Washington, DC. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWing)

Roddick's serve was potent last night, winning 32 of 33 points on his first serve including 18 aces.

See more photos from the game by visiting our Photoshelter gallery.

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 31: Tomas Zib hits a forehand during a match with Andy Roddick during the Legg Mason Tennis Classic on July 31, 2007 at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center in Washington, DC. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWing)

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 31: Andy Roddick hits a forehand during a match with Tomas Zib during the Legg Mason Tennis Classic on July 31, 2007 at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center in Washington, DC. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWing)

See more photos from the game by visiting our Photoshelter gallery.

Henman Falls To Big Serving Georgia Bulldog

Tim Henman lost to John Isner, a wild card entry into the Legg Mason Tennis Classic today. Isner, stands 6'9" and turned today's match into a serving dual with Henman, coming out on top 4-6, 6-4, 7-6.

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 31: John Isner gives a fist pump during a match with Tim Henman during the Legg Mason Tennis Classic on July 31, 2007 at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center in Washington, DC. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWing)

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 31: Tim Henman lunges for the ball during a match with John Isner during the Legg Mason Tennis Classic on July 31, 2007 at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center in Washington, DC. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWing)

See more photos from the game by visiting our Photoshelter gallery.

And Now For Something Different...Tennis

Sure we like hockey, but as you have seen recently we are expanding our sporting horizons. So sit back and let us take you to the Legg Mason Tennis Classic this week. The Legg Mason Tennis Classic is part the US Open Series event on the ATP, which culminates in NY at the US Open.

Yesterday Andy talked about how he is ready for the hard court season and especially, the US Open Series of lead-up tournament to the US Open. Later today Andy will play Tomas Zib in his first match of the season.

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 30: Andy Roddick answers questions at a press conference during the Legg Mason Tennis Classic on July 30, 2007 at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center in Washington, DC. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWing)

We will also be following the Legg Mason Women's Pro Circuit which features women ranked as high as No. 40 in the world. Yesterday was the first day of the tournament which also play it's final this coming Sunday.

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 30: Montinee Tangphong hits a forehand to Alina Jidkova during the Legg Mason Women's Pro Circuit on July 30, 2007 at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center in Washington, DC. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWing)

See more photos from the tournament by visiting our Photoshelter gallery.

My Evening With Andre

I'd like to thank Bret Favre and the Green Bay Packers for lying down like dogs in Cincinnati tonight, something that's given me the oppotunity to switch over to USA Network to watch Andre Agassi play his opening round match against Andrei Pavel at the U.S. Open.

As just about everyone in the world knows by now, this year's tournament is going to be Andre's swan song, giving him a chance to say goodbye to the fans in New York -- the ones who loved him the most.

I guess this ought to be the time where I lament that Tennis isn't nearly as entertaining as it once was -- something that was never more apparent than earlier this evening when a ceremony honoring Billy Jean King brought Chris Evert, Jimmie Connors, John McEnroe and Martina Navratilova together at Arthur Ashe Stadium -- but I'll take a pass this time.

Besides, it's these late night early round matches like the one I'm watching tonight that have provided some incredible memories over the years. August humidity in New York is a killer, and the weather is what made the U.S. Open the ultimate test of endurance once it moved to Flushing Meadow decades ago. This year, at least, I'll be making some time for the sweet agony.

UPDATE: Down 4-0 in the third set (one set all), Agassi just stormed back to tie it at 4-4. Amazing. Shades of Connors in 1991.

UPDATE: Three sets, three tiebreakers, tied one set all, and 6-6 in the 3rd set tiebreak. Amazing. Pavel just saved three set points.

UPDATE: Agassi down 0-4, rallies to win the third set in a tiebreaker, 8-6. And he only has a 2 sets to 1 lead.

GOOD NIGHT: It's over, Agassi wins, 6-7, 7-6, 7-6, 6-2. Looks like this will be the match you see in the highlight films in years to come.

Tennis Blogging In Washington

Lynn Berenbaum is blogging from the Legg Mason Tournament in Washington, D.C. this week over at Tennis X. Start here, and then go here for the latest. Then check out her own blog, Off The Baseline.

And here's a newsflash: Tennis fans aren't happy with ESPN. Join the club.

Why Not Boo The Venus De Milo?

From ESPN.com:

Maria Sharapova blew a big lead, drew boos for taking a bathroom break and won only when opponent Tatiana Golovin was forced to retire in tears because of an ankle injury.

The hollow victory Thursday night earned Sharapova a berth in the final at the Nasdaq-100 Open.

Sharapova failed to convert four match points in the second set and played for another 75 minutes before Golovin twisted her left ankle and fell chasing a shot in the corner.

They booed Maria Sharapova? Let's take a quick poll: How many of my readers would be upset if they were forced to watch Maria Sharapova for an additional 75 minutes (come to think of it, I would have been moved to send a thank you note to Golovin)?

(Cue Jeopardy theme)

I thought so. Onto the next manufactured news item...

The Deadly Tennis Dad

From the AP:

Christophe Fauviau, 46, appeared in court in the town of Mont-de-Marsan in southwestern France on charges of unintentionally causing a death by administering toxic substances.

Fauviau, whose 15-year-old daughter Valentine is considered a rising star of French tennis, is accused of drugging his children's opponents 27 times in tournaments across France from 2000 to 2003.

(Snip)

In July 2003, Maxime Fauviau defeated 25-year-old Alexandre Lagardere, a local primary school teacher. Lagardere complained of fatigue after the match and slept for two hours.

While driving home, he crashed his car and died, and police believe he fell asleep at the wheel. Toxicology tests showed traces of Temesta in his system - allegedly delivered by Fauviau.

And all these years I thought Mary Pierce's Dad was the whack job.

I'll Alert The Media...

Striking another blow for equality, the French Open has decided to award both men and women equal amounts of prize money, thereby erasing embarassing inequities like this one:

At this year's French Open, men's singles champion Rafael Nadal won $1,068,232 and women's winner Justine Henin-Hardenne received $1,052,451.

Congratulations to the organizers of the French Open, who manged to turn a matter of less than $16,000 out of about $2.1 million into a media event.

Caring About The U.S. Open Again... If Only For A Moment

Sport is so damn cruel sometimes. Year after year, we see scrappy underdogs get close enough to see the promised land, but like Moses, never get there. Such was the case yesterday at the U.S. Open as Andre Agassi's inspired run to the Finals was stopped cold by Roger Federer -- a player as dominant in men's tennis as Tiger Woods is on the PGA Tour.

With the 1:00 p.m. NFL games over, and without much interest in the first half of the Chargers and Cowboys, I flipped over to CBS to see Agassi tie the match at one set each after winning the second set 6-3, and go up 4-3 in the third with another improbable service break of the young Swiss master.

It was a sweet sequence, seeing Agassi hang in the match by dint of his return of Federer's serve, even as his own serving percentage dipped below 60 percent, while Federer crested over 75. You could see Federer getting frustrated with every shot, vexed at Agassi's impudence for hanging in the match.

And I couldn't help but revel in his confusion. If Agassi could just hold, the set, and perhaps the match, were his to win.

For the first time I can remember in many years, I actually cared about a tennis match. With every winner off of Agassi's racket, I bellowed like I had years before for Connors, McEnroe, Chang, Courier and Sampras.

But as Andre began serving in that eighth game, I was overcome by a sense of unease. After all, everyone knows that Federer is just the sort of athlete who can reach an extra gear at will, and that it was simply a matter of focus that stood between him and the title.

It was in that moment it all became clear how Federer could end the match in ferocious fashion. All he would have to do was break back, and then hold serve the rest of the set to force a tiebreaker where his superior serve would give him a decided advantage. With Agassi's will broken, and Federer playing with renewed confidence within easy reach of the title, a collapse seemed all too certain.

And that's exactly what happened, with Federer refusing to take his foot off Agassi's neck as he breezed to a 7-1 win in the tiebreaker.

By the first game of the fourth set, it was clear Agassi was helpless. Federer shot to a 5-0 lead while hardly breaking a sweat, and Moses was on his way to meet his maker.

The Tennis Tour According To Gimelstob

I think it's safe to say that Justin Gimelstob knew exactly what he was doing when he penned this blog entry for Sports Illustrated:

As dysfunctional as the men's tour is, the women's tour blows it away. For example, it's impossible for there to be enough practice courts for men and women to share without some kind of bickering. This is probably because of the fact that women have a bizarre refusal to practice with their fellow competitors. It's insane -- they literally would prefer to hit four on a court with their coach than two on a court with another player. They live in Bizarro World.

However, one of the benefits of having the women around is the ever-increasing desire for each and every young sassy player trying to outdo -- or in this case, under-dress -- the next.

It wasn't long before women's number one Lyndsey Davenport decided to fire back:

"I'm always curious what the fascination is about men having to judge women constantly. What they look like. What they wear. Who they hang out with. ... And men have this endless fascination with, and Justin especially, about just depicting and picking on everything about the body. And so his column was, I thought, a waste of time."

Final question to Davenport on this subject: "What about Justin's body?"

She replied: "Yeah, really. I asked him if he wanted me to get into that. He said no."

For more from Gimelstob, click here. And if his latest entry is any indication of what to expect next, it's pretty clear Gimelstob may have been chastened by the reaction to his initial foray into blogging.

UPDATE: It's important to remember that the folks who really get into trouble are the ones who have the nerve to tell the truth. Here's Selena Roberts:

[Maria] Sharapova and Serena Williams, in particular, are remarkably alike in their improbable journeys and oversized fame, in their fashion obsessions and intense playing styles, in their dramatics on court and revealing poses in magazines.

But is there room for two on Madison Avenue? To happy marketers, yes. To Serena? Maybe no.

Sharapova is the first player to come along in the Williams era to challenge Serena for celebrity supremacy. Certainly other Russian 'ovas have had sex appeal, but Sharapova is different from the other Annas. She wins matches, and does so with the kind of squealing ferocity that Serena once claimed as her original style.

Is Sharapova stealing Serena's look? If Serena is offended, good for tennis.

Gimelstob doesn't seem all that outrageous anymore, now does he?

Closed Captioning And Unintended Consequences

Just got a short note from my father I thought I'd share. Just as a reference point, he works for a company that sells closed captioning equipment:

One of the biggest advantages of Closed Captions is that you can mute the TV program and still follow the dialogue. Am watching Wimbledon, gratefully you can turn off the stupid grunts and screams coming from the two players and still get the commentators' comments. It sounds like a bad wrestling match between two wounded animals -- Williams and Sharapova.

Here's an technological advance I'm looking for: selective muting for sporting events. Hit the button, Tim McCarver's voice disappears, and all you hear are the stylings of Joe Buck. I think there would be a market for that.

UPDATE: Venus Williams wins. She'll get either Lindsay Davenport or Amelie Mauresmo in the final.

Our Great National Nightmare Continues . . .

Another American failure in Davis Cup.

Has it really been a decade since America hoisted the Davis Cup in victory?

I know you're as busted up about it as I am.

Gamesmanship, Or Just Plain Cheating?

Dr. Thomas Boyle takes a hard look at the use and abuse of the medical timeout in professional tennis.

In Dr. Boyle's spotlight today: Serena Williams and Marat Safin.

You Say Tomato . . .

Tom Biro gives a pronunciation lesson for everyone who covers tennis.

From The Mailbag

Nick Sylvain sent this link about the luckiest ball boy ever.

And Tyler Green sent this link about ball boys out of work.

Enjoy the weekend, and I'll see you all on Monday.

Let 'Em Play To Five

As I was reading about the blown call that helped contribute to the defeat of Serena Williams at the U.S. Open (and I don't think I've ever seen a tennis call blown more badly), I couldn't help but wonder: why in the world does Women's Tennis still insist on playing a best-of-three set format instead of best-of-five like the Men's tour?

Now, I'm sure back in the dark ages of Women's sport, best-of-three just might have seemed to make sense. But can anyone seriously make the argument that athletes like the Williams sisters and Lindsay Davenport couldn't handle a five-set match? Just watch for five minutes, and I'm sure you'll agree that the top players on the Women's tour are some of the best conditioned athletes on Earth.

Don't get me wrong, as I'm sure that combined tour stops like the U.S. Open might experience some sort of scheduling difficulties if the Women's bracket got a lot busier, but I just don't see any sane reason why it shouldn't change -- outside of the demands of television, where the compact time frame of the Women's game might just be a decided advantage.

Watch What You Ingest

In case you haven't noticed, Tennis of all sports has a steroid problem too. And here's a quote from one of the greats of the game that ought to put into perspective just how widespread the use of performance enhancing drugs really are:

"If you walk into a General Nutrition Center, any place that sells supplements, and you just randomly pick something off the shelf, you have close to a 20 percent chance of there being something in there that we, as players, aren't allowed to take," Andre Agassi said. "You might have contamination willfully, meaning the manufacturer actually puts additional stuff in that they don't list on the label."

As we've noted before here at OffWing, the nutritional supplement industry is completely unregulated, so you literally don't know what you might be taking.

Just Like Old Times

It only took 46 rain-interrupted minutes, but 47-year old Martina Navratilova managed to win her first singles match in a decade, beating Catalina Castano 6-0, 6-1 in the first round at Wimbledon.

While I've had my problems with Navratilova, I'm happy to put those feelings aside when she takes to the tennis court, and sets aside her views on international relations. Who knows, perhaps we're on the cusp of a run to the second week not unlike Jimmy Connors at the 1991 U.S. Open.

Then again, maybe not.

Martina Redux

In today's New York Times Selena Roberts takes a look at the mindset of some athletes as they decide whether or not to compete in the Summer Olympics in Athens. In the course of her reporting, Roberts talked to Martina Navratilova, and made sure she mentioned this incident:

The love Navratilova has for America should not be questioned, and yet Connie Chung attacked her political point of view during a CNN interview in July 2002. After reading remarks made by Navratilova about what she considered Republican oppression in America, Chung told Navratilova on the air: "I have to tell you that I thought it was un-American, unpatriotic. I wanted to say: 'Go back to Czechoslovakia. You know, if you don't like it here, this a country that gave you so much, gave you the freedom to do what you want.' "

This kind of myopic ignorance isn't confined to freedom of speech.

Myopic ignorance? Sounds more like the typical, "free speech for me, but not for thee" line we're used to hearing from the far left around the world. In case you've forgotten, here's what Navratilova had to say to a German newspaper that got Chung all hot and bothered:

"The most absurd part of my escape from the unjust system is that I have exchanged one system that suppresses free opinion for another," said Navratilova, 45, who fled Czechoslovakia at the age of 18 to go to the United States.

Go back to this link to see what I had to say about Navratilova when she said that. Simply put, comparing 21st Century America to life behind the Iron Curtain in the 1960s is morally obtuse. As for the "opression" she feels after voicing such opinions, it's simply free speech getting doled out in amounts and with an intensity that Navratilova (an athlete I otherwise admire) is a little uncomfortable with.

Guess she'll just have to deal with it. The same way I have to deal with her.

Bidding Adu To Amateurism

Noted with some derision by Tom Knott at the Washington Times today:

The professionalism of 14-year-old Freddy Adu has not elicited a flood of tears in the national press, which is in contrast to all the wailing that is done whenever a basketball player elects to go from high school to the NBA. There is always a long line of overactive tear ducts trailing the next basketball sensation. There is always a heartfelt discussion regarding the player's loss of innocence and failure to expand his mind in college. There are always so many tears in the months leading up to the NBA Draft, usually enough to replenish the water supply of drought-stricken areas. But there has been no crying around Adu, just effusive praise wherever he goes, and lately, he has been popping up everywhere, telling his story as the next best hope to save soccer in America.

Knott touches on a point we've made before, though the comparison I've made is usually with teenage female figure skaters, gymnasts and tennis players. The only reason we don't experience any gnashing of teeth over Adu, is that American college Soccer isn't a multi-million dollar business the way football and basketball are. And of course, when you're dealing with economic interests that traffic in figures like those, they tend to have rather large megaphones.

Which brings us to another burning issue, that of the impending court battle between Maurice Clarett and the National Football League. In a perfect world, there wouldn't really be any dispute here at all. If young Mr. Clarett isn't ready for life in the NFL, he would simply not be drafted, or perhaps wash out sometime during training camp. Few tears would be shed, and we would all get on with our lives.

But consider this scenario for just a moment more. Say Clarett wanted to go back to playing college ball? Would it really be that big a deal? And why isn't that option open to all college athletes?

More On Tennis Betting

Earlier this week, I linked to a story from the AP that said officials involved in Men's Tennis are in the midst of a probe investigating gambling in the sport, and the possibility that some players may have arranged to bet against themselves, and then thrown matches to collect the proceeds.

Just today, the WTA, the governing body of Women's Tennis, announced that they were increasing the punishment for match fixing, raising the fine to $100,000 and the possibility of suspension from the tour:

Several players at the Swisscom Challenge tournament doubted that match-rigging could happen on tour.

"Absolutely not," French Open and U.S. Open champion Justine Henin-Hardenne said.

No. 1-ranked Kim Clijsters urged investigations into recent published reports that there was suspicious gambling on an ATP Tour men's match.

"It is definitely a very serious problem that has to be dealt with now," Clijsters said. "These things could definitely influence tennis, even if it is only in the ATP and not the WTA.

"There will always be comparisons between men's and women's tennis. It is good the ATP is taking steps to block it out as soon as possible."

Henin-Hardenne's comments are a bit ridiculous, since it's well known that tennis professionals commonly throw matches they play in less important tournaments -- a practice commonly known as "tanking". In general, players do this in order to make their travel schedule a little less arduous, and create some more time to prepare for the more prominent events.

But there are other worries, as I've chronicled before here at Off Wing, the influence of the Russian Mafia is extensive when it comes to the world of international sports. We know for a fact that a one Russian crime figure with ties to international tennis attempted to fix the ice dancing competition at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics. I'm talking about Alimzhan Tokhtakhounov, a known associate of Russian tennis player Yevgeny Kafelnikov.

Further, we also know that the Russian Mob hasn't been shy about threatening Russian athletes making millions abroad -- especially in the NHL, where players like Valeri Kamensky have seen their families threatened if they don't respond to a mobster's demand for protection money.

Would it be such a leap of logic to think Russian mobsters might as a tennis player to tank a match at a less prominent tournament in order to reap huge profits in international markets where sports wagering is legal?

Stay tuned. I suspect there's more here than international tennis officials want us to know about.

Betting Scandal Set To Rock Men's Tennis

For years it's been generally acknowledged that tennis professionals, both male and female, will pocket huge appearance fees for playing in certain tournaments, only to "tank" an early round match in order to get out of town as quick as possible.

But, now, via Sportsfilter, we've found more serious news to deal with from men's tennis:

The governing body of world tennis is investigating claims that some of the sport's top players are deliberately throwing matches to make money from bets they have placed on the result.

The players - all men - are understood to have been involved in bets of thousands of pounds on the result of their own matches. The bets are believed to have been placed via the players' coaches and other intermediaries with internet betting exchanges.

Senior figures at the Association of Tennis Professionals - the governing body of men's tennis, which has launched the investigation - have admitted privately that players are under scrutiny.

Most of the players under suspicion are outside the world's top 100, but last week the association warned a former world Top 10-ranked player not to get involved in the betting after it learned that there had been heavy, irregular betting on one of his matches, which he lost in straight sets.

As if men's tennis didn't have enough problems already.

Congratulations Martina

While I may not be much of a fan her foreign policy expertise, I did stand up and cheer at the news that Martina Navratilova is going to represent the U.S. at the Federation Cup at the spry age of 47. In fact, Navratilova is seven years older than the competition itself.

For those of you with doubts, Navratilova is 37-0 in singles and doubles in Federation Cup play.

R.I.P. Althea Gibson

A native of South Carolina who cilmbed her way up from poverty to become the first African-American to ever win a title at Wimbledon. She died in East Orange, New Jersey over the weekend at 76.

Rachel Nichols of the Washington Post remembers.

What If They Televised The U.S. Open?

And nobody came? Looks like I wasn't the only one who failed to be moved by Andy Roddick's victory in the Men's Final on Sunday, as CBS' broadcast drew the worst rating for the event in five years.

Roddick spent yesterday in media interviews, and he ought to be prepared to do a whole lot more of them if he wants to raise the game's profile. It should be clear by now that an entire segment of sports fan has left the game, and probably won't be coming back anytime soon. He, and the folks who run the sport, have got their work cut out for them.

On The U.S. Open

Congratulations to 21-year old American Andy Roddick, who won the first Grand Slam title of his career when he took the U.S. Open Final from Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain, 6-3, 7-6 (2), 6-3.

Not quite as exciting as the Madonna-Britney buss.

Is Roddick the future of American tennis? Is he charismatic enough to revive the game's stateside popularity, or will his brash personality turn off millions? Can Men's tennis again capture the fancy of the American public the way. . .

CLUNK (sound of my head striking the surface of the desk).

The World's Worst Tennis Dad

For all the guff tennis parents like Richard Williams take in the press, at least he and his counterparts never went this far:

Christophe Fauviau, the father of two gifted players, was in prison yesterday on suspicion of having poisoned his son's opponent by slipping an anti-depressant drug into his water bottle shortly before a match.

The drugged player, Alexandre Lagardere, pulled out of the game after the first set, feeling too unwell to continue; he died after losing control of his car while driving home.

The local press reported yesterday that according to sources close to the investigation Mr Fauviau admitted the crime and has also indicated that he spiked the drinks of two more of his son's opponents before their games in an attempt to scupper their chances.

Police have arrested him, and he now faces as much as 20 years in jail for his alleged actions.

Vescey's Blind Spot On Serena

In the semifinals of the French Open, American tennis star Serena Williams was faced with another opponent beside the one across the net -- French-speaking Belgian Justin Henin-Hardenne. She also had to contend with one of the most hostile crowds seen at a major tennis tournament in recent memory.

Williams was jeered lustily throughout the match, and was reduced to tears after dropping the match to Henin-Hardenne.

Over at Wimbledon, New York Times columnist George Vescey caught up with Williams' mother, Oracene Price, to ask her what she thought spurred the crowd to act like they did:

"They wanted a blonde and a ponytail," Price said today.

Four weeks have gone by since many fans whistled against Serena Williams in a semifinal match of the French Open. The family is not making an issue of it, would rather see it dropped, but when a columnist, who had not been in Paris, asked Price to go back over her feelings, she did not back off.

"We, as black people, live with this all the time," Price said. "It's all about control."

There are many other explanations for why some people were so vociferously against Serena as she lost her semifinal match: Justine Henin-Hardenne, the winner, is a French-speaking Belgian; there were many Belgians in the crowd; Williams had made a modest complaint about a ruling; there were political tensions between France and the United States last spring; and Serena Williams had won four straight Grand Slam tournaments.

Her parents, now divorced and existing on parallel planes during this tournament, see the outburst in Paris, however, as mainly a manifestation of race.

In a nation that elevated Jean Marie Le Pen to the verge of the presidency, it's easy to believe that race played a factor in the hostility of the crowd on that day. Yet, the same court that Williams played on that day had also hosted numerous matches involving Yannick Noah, a black Frenchman who would play before wildly enthusiastic crowds at Roland Garros, and captained France's Davis Cup winning team in 1991.

Though Vescey suggested to Price that tensions between the U.S. and France might have been to blame for the catcalls and abuse her daughter endured at Roland Garros (among other factors), he completely neglected to mention this comment Serena made at a tournament press conference a few months ago:

In March, when asked about the anti-French sentiment in the USA because of France's opposition to the impending war in Iraq, Williams snickered and said in a facetious French accent, "Well, we don't want to play in the war. We want to make clothes. We don't want the war."

French reporters called her comments "maladroit."

I saw the highlights of the match, and the behavior of the crowd that day was dreadful. And while Williams above comments were obviously light hearted, it's easy to see why a French crowd might greet her a little less enthusiastically. I have to wonder why Vescey neglected to mention it.

Tears For Anna?

Anna Kournikova, still one of the most popular figures on the women's tennis tour despite having never won a tournament in her entire career, has announced she's withdrawing from a pre-Wimbledon tournament due to aggravation of a chronic back injury.

Who will comfort Anna in her time of need? Get in line.

As ESPN is reporting:

"I'm very disappointed, actually devastated, not to be able to play in Birmingham," she said. "Grass is my favorite surface and I love playing in England. So having to pull out because of my back is the last thing I wanted."

The Russian, who has yet to win a title on the WTA Tour, sat on a chair in the clubhouse after a 45-minute session with American coach Harold Solomon. Tears were running down her cheeks.

She had been scheduled to play Tuesday or Wednesday against Dally Randriantefy of Madagascar.

Kournikova has won only one of her 10 matches this year on the WTA Tour and has pulled out regularly with leg and back problems. The former Wimbledon semifinalist and has slipped to a No. 77 ranking.

Fear not Anna, we love you anyway.

Très Gauche

Just one thought after reading that American Serena Williams had to contend with a wildly partisan crowd during her semifinal loss to Justin Henin-Hardenne at the French Open yesterday:

Although Williams had not helped herself by questioning or making calls a few times too often and by the peremptory congratulatory handshake she offered Henin-Hardenne at the end of her 6-2, 4-6, 7-5 defeat, one had to feel sympathy for the American, if not over the result, then for their hostile approach to her from the start.

Henin-Hardenne is from neighboring Belgium, as is her opponent in the finals, Kim Clijsters. And recalling a memory from the early 90s, I couldn't help but laugh at the news that French tennis fans are embracing two players from Belgium.

A few years ago, I met a French exchange student during a July 4th celebration. I clearly recall him mentioning the expression he and his friends back home would use to describe a person or an action that was especially moronic.

It was "Très Belge." Or, "Very Belgian," for those of you without access to an online translator.

Primary assist on this post goes to Matt Haws.

Serena Pokes Fun At The French

This item moved on the AP wire a few hours ago after Serena Williams participated in a post match press conference:

After winning the Nasdaq-100 Open for the second year in a row, Williams was asked about anti-French sentiment in the United States stemming from the war in Iraq.

The question came at the end of her postmatch news conference. A snickering Williams responded in a facetious French accent.

"Well, we don't want to play in the war," she said. "We want to make clothes. We don't want the war."

Dropping the accent, Williams added, "I don't want a war either. I don't know many people who do want to be involved in the war."

Some French reporters seem to think Williams will land herself in trouble over it, but I'll wait until I see the videotape.

Capriati's Salute

Over the course of her career, plenty of people have been given reason to wonder if Jennifer Capriati is really all there. On Monday, she gave us another reason why:

Jennifer Capriati says she meant no disrespect and only wanted to "show support for the troops" when she asked NASDAQ-100 Open stadium court producer Bob Ruf to play a 1999 rap song by Outkast called B.O.B. (Bombs Over Baghdad) during her warmup for Monday's eventual win over Sarah Taylor.

Players often request songs for their prematch music, and usually it is no problem. Andy Roddick, for example, asked for Born in the USA on Sunday. The song Capriati requested is not about war, but Ruf was uneasy when he heard the refrain -- "Don't Pull the Thang out, unless you plan to bang. Bombs over Baghdad! Yeah!"

Ruf expressed his concern to WTA communications executive Jim Fuhse, who suggested Ruf play a portion of the song and not include the questionable refrain, which is what Ruf did. The song's name and refrain are the reasons MTV-Europe banned the video last month when the war was imminent.

"I like the song and wanted to show support for the troops," Capriati said Tuesday through a WTA spokesman.

Say what you want about MTV Europe banning the video (a gutless move), but it hardly seems like the tune one would want to play to support our troops overseas. Take a look for yourself. Not that the tune Roddick picked was any better. Much like This Land Is Your Land, Born In The USA might just be one of the most commonly misconstrued popular tunes of all time. Using Born, the sad lament of the brother of a dead Vietnam vet, as a tribute to our troops seems a little odd.

Getting It Wrong On Bobby Riggs

Maybe it was just a coincidence, but on the same day that the New York Times featured a lengthy piece on how women are reportedly catching up to men in athletic ability, a story has hit the AP wire that Serena Williams, the dominant player on the women's tennis tour, isn't interested in playing an exhibition match against a man. But what really caught my attention was just a few ill-chosen words from AP reporter Mel Reisner:

The 21-year-old Williams wasn't around when Billy Jean King beat Bobby Riggs in the "Battle of the Sexes" on Sept. 20, 1973. But Williams is aware that Riggs was never close to the top in men's tennis.

Ok, I know that Bobby Riggs is best known for the stunt matches he pulled in the early 1970s. And time after time, feminists point to Billy Jean King's defeat of Riggs in straight sets in the Astrodome in 1973 as a great blow for women's rights. Of course, what those revisionist historians fail to mention was that while King was in the the prime of her career, Riggs was 55. Then again, Riggs was asking for it, after all. He challenged King after he defeated the number one ranked woman in the world, Margaret Court, 6-2, 6-1.

But what Reisner doesn't know, and the rest of the world has forgotten, was that for a time in the 1940s, Bobby Riggs was the best tennis player in the world. He won his first tournament at the age of 16, beating a former Wimbledon finalist in the process. He helped the U.S. win the Davis Cup in 1938, and in 1939 won Wimbledon and the U.S. singles title. By 1941, he was ranked number one in the world.

And that's when he turned professional. He would win three more U.S. singles titles before retiring as a professional for good in 1951. He was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1967. In retirement, he assiduously courted the spotlight, easily slipping into the persona of an aging rake. He became known as a showman and a gambler, something that led him directly to challenging Court and King.

Never near the top of the Men's game? Something tells me the AP needs to hire some better editors.

But why is Riggs so easily dismissed, to the point where a combination of political correctness and sloppy research have conspired to obscure his real achievements on the court? In the end, Riggs probably has nobody to blame but himself, and the gusto with which he poured himself into the silly carnival surrounding those matches in 1973. So, while he was indeed out to make a buck, it came at the cost of trading in his legacy as one of the greatest in the history of the men's game.

In return, he will forever be known as a money-grubbing loudmouth, huckster and showman.

He deserved better.

Riggs died of prostate cancer in 1995 at the age of 77.

Consternation Over Those Williams Sisters

In the early morning hours today, Serena Williams won the Australian Open over her big sister Venus, 7-6, 3-6, 6-4. That would complete what some tennis obervers are calling a "Serena Slam," in that she is now the defending champion in all of her sports four major championships (U.S. Open, French Open, and Wimbledon being the others). Traditionally, an individual is only known to have completed the "Grand Slam" if they win all four in the same calendar year.

The whole thing seems to have Dan Lewis a little upset:

I don't mean to take anything away from Serena Williams' fourth straight major, but it shouldn't be called anything other than that. "Serena Slam" is insulting to Martina Navratilova and Steffi Graf, both of whom pulled off similar feats. (Graf's is exactly the same, winning the French, Wimbledon, and US in one year, and capping it with the Down Under the next.) The name "Serena Slam" implies more than it should.

Driving about an hour West of Dan, we run into Jason at Stick and Move, who's got a bone to pick with the sisters Williams in this post from just before the final:

Do you think Venus will really stand in the way of the "Serena Slam?" Of course not. And therein lies the problem with the Williams sisters. As dominant as they are, they'll always be dogged by suspicion of collusion. Daddy Williams doesn't help matters either.

Tiger is electric. The Williams sisters are monolithic and insidious. Is it any wonder I root for Capriati?

To which Skip Oliva responds:

As for the charge that the sisters' dominance is "monolithic," I would just say this: Tiger remains exciting only because the other players on Tour are starting to challenge him. The same can't be said for the WTA Tour, whose members would rather bitch to the press than do the work to kick Venus & Serena's butts.

Amen, brother!

UPDATE: Tom Maguire reminds us that it was Steffi Graf who completed the "Golden Slam" in 1988 -- all four majors in the same calendar year combined with a Gold Medal in the Summer Olympics. Tom also sent the link to this story where Oracene Price, the mother of the Williams sisters, went public with some of her feelings about fan reaction to her daughters' dominance of the women's game:

"They don't need women showing so much strength or how powerful they can be or how they can think."

Price said she believed there was also a racial component at work, suggesting that there were no complaints when Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert dominated women's tennis to much the same degree as her daughters do now.

"I don't quite understand that, because I've seen in the past with the same people getting into the same position, and it wasn't that big an issue," she said of public resistance to the prospect of all-Williams finals.

"I don't know really what the deal on that is: I guess it's because the environment of tennis has mostly been white. Especially over here in a culture where you see that people have conquered other people who were indigenous to this country. And the same thing in the United States. And I think it's a bit of arrogance, more or less: who has to be on top and who has to be on the bottom."

Meanwhile, over at Fenian Ramblings, my buddy Terry McMenamin says I ignored Andre Agassi's win on the men's side in the Australian to focus exclusively on the Williams sisters. Point taken. But as great as Agassi's win was, I just can't get revved up about the men's game. The stories on the women's side are just far more compelling -- a balance that's going to be thrown further out of whack now that Agassi's wife, Steffi Graf, has decided to come out of retirement to play mixed doubles with him.

Another Sportswriter Trashes Lance Armstrong

Over at Salon, King Kaufman is introducing the Webzine's award for Sports Person Of The Year. Kaufman has bestowed the award on Serena Williams, and he makes a case that really can't be refuted. Unfortunately, he spends more time trashing Sports Illustrated's choice of Lance Armstrong as Sportsman of the Year than he does in making a case for Williams:

But Lance Armstrong! He's by most accounts a great guy, and he's a great story, having beaten cancer and all, but he won one race in a sport so obscure that most Americans can't even name another of its events, and so limited that its skill set can be described thusly: pedaling fast and not falling over. I understand: Armstrong, also AP's Male Athlete of the Year, is really, really good at pedaling fast. To say he's good at pedaling fast is like saying that Ronaldo, the Brazilian soccer star who was Reuters' Male Athlete of the Year, is good at kicking a ball.

But then again: No, it isn't. You can watch Ronaldo play match after match and he'll surprise you time and again with his creativity and skill. Keep watching, and you'll keep seeing things you've never seen before. Once you've seen Armstrong pedaling for a few seconds -- Zip! There he goes! Unf! He's going uphill! -- you've seen the show. Forever.

Actually, no. If all Armstrong was good at were pedaling fast, he would have never won the Tour de France. Winning the tour take a special combination of speed, stamina, skill and strategy that rivals any sport. If anything, Armstrong's achievement is akin to something like being the best all-around runner on the planet. Imagine a month long track event that combined sprints, middle distance events, and marathons one right after another without any real rest to speak of. That's what the Tour de France is. But wait, there's also the inconvenient fact that you have to cross the Pyrenees and a section of the Alps along the way -- an achievement that's not really suited to someone who only pedals fast.

What it takes is an incredible athlete -- and that's to win it even once. To win it four times, and after fighting off a case of Testicular Cancer that nearly killed him, takes a person of singular will focus, and determination.

I don't want to take anything away from Serena Williams. She's dominating Women's tennis in way that's energized the circuit like no other player before her. There simply hasn't been a more potent combo of talent, smarts, power and grace ever in the history of the Women's game. And if Sports Illustrated had chosen her instead of Armstrong, you'd hear few quibbles from me. In fact, for pure entertainment value, it’s safe to say that an hour on the court with Serena would be packed with more thrills than you’d encounter in a year of trailing Armstrong on his endless training rides.

So, if you want to give another award for “Sports Entertainer Of The Year,” it goes to Williams, hands down.

And in the end, that's the real point of awards like "Sportsman of the Year" -- to serve as a jumping off point for an argument, one that's hopefully civil. Unfortunately, Kaufman can't let this dispute go without playing the race card:

I don't know why Williams doesn't get the respect she deserves. I'd hate to think there's a racial element at play in Sports Illustrated's choice of Armstrong over her, but this is America, and if we're honest we dismiss the issue of race at our peril. Fashion magazines reportedly don't sell as well when they have black women on the cover as when they have whites. Could S.I. have been thinking along those lines? I hope not, and I seriously doubt it -- neither Williams sister is a stranger to the magazine's cover -- but I can't imagine what criteria there might be under which Williams wouldn't win.

This is just a little too much too take. If Kaufman "seriously doubts" that race played a role, then why even mention it? After all, last time I checked, the two athletes who have appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated more often than any others were Michael Jordan and Muhammad Ali.

When it comes to the choice of "Sportsman of the Year," the most recent African-American winner was Tiger Woods just two years ago.

The bottom line here is that most years, you can make the case for any number of athletes. Plenty of folks, myself included, thought that Armstrong deserved this honor three years ago after his first Tour win. Something tells me that the pressure to give the award to Armstrong simply built over the years as he kept on winning the Tour, and not as a device to demean Williams. It's a shame Kaufman can't see that -- and feels he has to take Armstrong down a notch to make his point.

Something tells me Williams wouldn't feel the need to do that.

UPDATE: Plenty of Salon's readers have responded to Kaufman's piece, and the reaction has been universally negative. Here's a sample:

In his bile-soaked offering of Serena Williams as Sports Person of the Year, King Kaufman demonstrates yet again that "sports journalism" is an oxymoron, and that you don't have to know anything about either sports or journalism to put the title on your business card.

Let's get one thing straight. "Riding a bike" -- in the way that a paunchy, sideburns-and-soul-patch Internet sportswriter understands it -- has as much to do with bike racing as beating your 5-year-old at "horse" has to do with sinking free throws down the stretch in an NBA Finals.

Real athletes like Tiger Woods, Wayne Gretzky and Michael Jordan have all publicly recognized the magnitude of what Lance Armstrong has accomplished. Too bad Kaufman's too hip to share in the fun.

Parents Of Williams Sisters Divorce:

Parents Of Williams Sisters Divorce: The parents of the most successful sister act in professional sports have decided to call it quits:

The parents of Venus and Serena Williams completed their divorce Tuesday.

The divorce won't affect the advisory roles Richard and Oracene Williams play in their daughters' tennis careers, said Raymone Bain, a publicist for Oracene and Serena Williams.

The Williamses married in 1980 and separated about 18 months ago, Bain said.

"I was very honest with our children that a reconciliation would not happen," Oracene Williams said in a statement. "They've accepted our divorce and love us, as we both love them. Richard and I will continue to work together for the good of our girls, and I truly wish him well."

Richard Williams declined to comment.