Venus Eclipsed At Roland Garros

Venus Williams only made it to the third round of the 2009 French Open before being knocked out.

Venus was defeated by Hungarian Agnes Szavay 6-0, 6-4 and it is the third year in a row that she has made a third-round exit.

Roddick showing form at French Open tennis

Andy Roddick was the sole American male survivor out of nine starters in the French Open on Friday but he warned not to expect any miracle on clay out of him.

The former world No.1's 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (7/2) win over Ivo Minar of the Czech Republic on Thursday put him into the third round at Roland Garros for just the second time in his career - the first being in 2001.

From now on, it was a case of just taking it one match at a time, he said, and not getting too far ahead of himself on what is by far his least favourite surface.

"I think I have improved physically from the past times I've been here, and I think that lends itself to having some more options out there.

"But if you are asking me if I've come here thinking I can win this tournament then the honest answer would be no.

"Do I feel like I can make a run and then see where that takes me? Yes. I think it would be extremely presumptuous of me with my record here to come in and say I think I'm going to win this tournament.

"Right now I'm going to go match by match, and I think I have a shot to win my next match. We'll go from there."

Part of Roddick's new found belief in himself on clay he believes is down to a weight loss coincidental to his recent marriage to swimsuit model Brooklyn Decker

Next up for the American is French journeyman Marc Gicquel, a player he has beaten in their two previous matches.

Menlo dominates NorCal tennis

In a show of absolute domination, Menlo School-Atherton swept through the CIF NorCal boys tennis championships unscathed to win the regional title.

The Knights (27-2) did not lose a match, going 21-0 at the Diamond Hills Sports Club and Spa in Oakley this past weekend. The Knights, who won their sixth NorCal title, became the first team since the inception of the tournament 11 years ago to win the championship without losing a match.

"This is the best team I have ever coached," said Menlo coach Bill Shine, who wrapped up his 14th season. "This is the best singles lineup I have ever seen and our doubles lineup kept improving all the time. The team played fantastic."

Menlo blanked Lowell-San Francisco, Monte Vista-Danville and Bellarmine-San Jose by 7-0 scores. The Knights had edged Bellarmine 4-3 to win the Central Coast Section title on May 15. The Bells were missing their No. 1 player, Eric Johnson, at NorCals. He was playing in another tournament.

"Them not having Eric made a big difference," Shine said. "And we won the first four matches at CCS. After that, the players playing had smiles on their faces. Monte Vista was a good team. They were probably the second-best team at NorCals."

For more details about Tennis check out sportsbetting.com.

Tennis Betting- 2009 French Open Betting

The WTA and ATP’s best will descend on Roland Garros in Paris, France for the French Open starting this Sunday.

Notable favorites on the women’s side include odds-on Dinara Safina (+400), Ana Ivanovic (+1000), the Williams sisters Serena (+600) and Venus (+1200), Jelena Jankovic (+600) and Maria Sharapova (+2000) who is playing her first grand slam event of the year.

Favorites on the men’s side include usual suspects Rafael Nadal (-400) and Roger Federer (+350), Novak Djokovic (+700) and Andy Roddick (+10,000).

For more details check out sportsbetting.

UM's Vallverdu to play for NCAA women's singles tennis title

University of Miami women's tennis junior Laura Vallverdu took a three-set triumph (6-4, 5-7, 6-4) over Georgia's Chelsey Gullickson on Sunday evening in the semifinal round of the NCAA Women's Tennis Singles Championships in College Station, Texas. Vallverdu will now play for a chance at the NCAA Singles National Championship on Monday.

The championship match will pit Duke's Mallory Cecil against Vallverdu on Monday.

''Lau is playing the best tennis I've ever seen her play,'' UM coach Paige Yaroshuk-Tews said.

``She's going to have a match on her hands tomorrow with Cecil. But I think if Laura keeps up this level of performance, then she's got very good shot at winning a national title.''

In a rematch from the Round of 16 during the Riviera/ITA All-American Championships back in September 2008, the highly anticipated matchup between Georgia's No. 1 singles player and Miami's No. 2 singles player lived up to the hype.

They split the first two sets and played a tense final set.

Gullickson went up 3-1, before Vallverdu bounced back to claim the next two games and tie things up, 3-3. Then there was a one-hour, 43-minute weather delay.

When play resumed, Vallverdu committed two costly errors to fall behind 3-4 and love-40 before winning six consecutive points to tie the match at 4-4.

Vallverdu then commanded the next two games, never trailing en route to a 6-4 decision, and becoming just the second player in school history to advance to the NCAA Championship match. The other was 2007 NCAA champion Audra Cohen.

In the day's other semifinal women's match, Cecil earned her trip to the finals against Miami's No. 1 singles player, Julia Cohen. Cecil upended Cohen 6-1, 6-0.

Stanford's Barte advances in NCAA tennis

Stanford sophomore Hilary Barte survived her second three-set match in as many days to advance to the round of 16 at the NCAA tennis championship in College Station, Texas.

Barte rallied to defeat Auburn's 28th-ranked Alex Haney 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 in the second round on Thursday morning. In her first-round match Wednesday, Barte outlasted Baylor's Lenka Broosova 4-6, 6-2, 6-1.

Ranked No. 7 in the country and the tournament's No. 7 overall seed, Barte is aiming for the second All-America honor of her career. The Chatsworth, Calif., native leads Stanford with a 35-5 overall mark. The 2009 Pac-10 Player of the Year, Barte has won 26 of her past 28 matches and is 23-5 against nationally ranked opponents. She is 7-3 in three-set matches this year.

Barte also advanced in NCAA doubles competition with teammate Lindsay Burdette. Stanford's top doubles team, Barte and Burdette cruised past North Carolina's Austin Smith and Katrina Tsang 6-2, 6-1 in an opening-round match. Barte and Burdette are 24-7 overall and ranked 8th in the nation. The duo has a 10-match winning streak and is 12-6 against nationally ranked opponents.

Stanford's second doubles team, Carolyn McVeigh and Jessica Nguyen, suffered a 6-4, 6-3 loss to Tennessee's Natalie Pluskota and Caitlin Whoriskey in the opening round. The duo finished 19-6.

Tennis Psychology And Tennis Parents: Do You Expect Miracles?

Do you expect your tennis kid to always perform well or win? Do you have a hard time focusing on what your kids do well on the court instead of focusing on mistakes? I receive many questions from sports parents about their young athletes’ performance. One question parents ask me: “Am I too hard on my young athlete?” Yes, most parents are. Just today, I received an email from a sports parent about his child. He stated, “I am sometimes hard on my son and tend to see his weaknesses more then his positive qualities!” As a tennis parent myself, I have to agree. I find myself focusing more on the mistakes my child makes in matches instead of the wonderful shots she makes.

I think one reason many tennis parents focus on mistakes and weaknesses is that they know what their kids are capable of in practice and matches. For example, one week your child might play flawlessly winning every match in the tournament. Naturally, our expectations as parents shoot up: “My child should be able to perform like this all the time!” I call this the “peak performance dilemma.” Some athletes judge every performance based on their best performance! They think, “If I can play great one time, I should do it all the time.” I think tennis parents adopt this same attitude. When our kids don’t perform up to their potential, it’s easier to focus on the mistakes and what they are doing wrong (compared to their best performances).

Tennis Club In Milwaukee

A tennis club Milwaukee is not just a place for you to play recreational tennis. You can also rope in a trainer for personal tennis instructions. Yes, there are all kinds of options for tennis enthusiasts irrespective of their age or sex. While it is true that you might not be the next sensation on the tennis circuit, you can surely improve your racquet skills. A tennis club Milwaukee, also offers you the option of competing against deserving opponents.

Now that’s easy. Log on to any search engine and look up for tennis club Milwaukee. You will come across several tennis clubs that cater to Milwaukee residents. But let me also take a moment to warn you that not all these clubs offer the same kinds of services. While some clubs only have tennis courts that can be used to play recreational tennis, others offer a variety of services like on court lessons, tennis teams and partners for doubles. Some tennis clubs have built in fitness centers, swimming pools and other games like Ping Pong, squash and billiards.

Sharapova Set For Return

While she has been out of action since injuring her right shoulder (torn rotator cuff), it looks like Maria Sharapova will make her return.

According to an entry on the “Weekly Doodles” section on her website, Sharapova says that she will take part in next week’s WTA Warsaw Open.

While she doesn’t specify, this could be a precursor to the French Open which begins a day after the end of the Warsaw event.

Just in case, Sharapova is listed at +2000 for the Grand Slam event at Roland Garros.

For more check out sportsbetting.com

Grip, Footwork And Strokes In Tennis

Footwork is weight control. It is correct body position for strokes, and out of it all strokes should grow. In explaining the various forms of stroke and footwork I am writing as a right-hand player. Left-handers should simply reverse the feet. Racquet grip is a very essential part of stroke, because a faulty grip will ruin the finest serving.
It is a natural grip for a top forehand drive. It is inherently weak for the backhand, as the only natural shot is a chop stroke. To acquire the forehand grip, hold the racquet with the edge of the frame towards the ground and the face perpendicular, the handle towards the body, and "shake hands" with it, just as if you were greeting a friend.
The handle settled comfortably and naturally into the hand, the line of the arm, hand, and racquet are one. The swing brings the racquet head on a line with the arm, and the whole racquet is merely an extension of it. The backhand grip is a quarter circle turn of hand on the handle, bringing the hand on top of the handle and the knuckles directly up. The shot travels ACROSS the wrist.

Engraved Tennis Trophies@sportsbetting.com

The availability of engraved tennis trophies means that clubs and individuals have a way of providing inexpensive, yet impressive, awards to their members or visiting players who achieve success in tournaments; made in metals that look fantastic but don’t cost the earth, the engraved tennis trophy is a quick and apt way to honour winners, as well as making an interesting gift or presentation.

Sports trophies are the ultimate sign of success and excellence and date back to ancient times, and some of the tennis world's most famous symbols originate from sports trophies and awards, including the famous Roland Garros and Wimbledon silverware. Giving trophies inspired by such famous trophies is a way of getting ones members to feel needed and wanted, and also to celebrate their success.

As tennis is one of the most popular sports in the world it is no surprise that the engraved tennis trophies are very popular; they are present in the tennis clubs the world over, both amateur and professional level, and make a very impressive memento of one's ability of the sport.

The Inner Game Of Tennis: How To Master Your Mental Game

The inner game of tennis theory states that two opposing mindsets battle for supremacy. A quite tennis mind allows your performance to flow from creativity. However, when your tennis mind is overactive, you force your game.

Gallwey sums up his theory the inner game of tennis:

Self One: The “teller” tennis mind filled with self-judgments and criticism. This mindset wants to over-control your performance.

Self Two: The “doer” mindset is the best mindset for peak performance in tennis and happens when you are free and react with your game. This mindset allows you to let it happen.

Gallwey’s goal was to help students stop the attack of self one so self two can be free to hit shots freely. He used an example in “The Inner Game of Tennis.” He would have his students repeat cue words, such as “back-hit” to suspend the trying/analytical mind (self 1) so the creative mind (self 2) could do the job without restrictions.

A Tennis Machine For the Serious Player

You don't have to be a professional tennis player to buy a tennis machine to improve your game. There are many people who just enjoy the sport so much that they like to work hard to make their game everything that it can be. A machine is a good way to practice your shots on the days when you don't have a partner to play with.

There are some very high end tennis machines on the market, so you should determine your budget in advance. The higher end machines will allow you to control the type of serve that you receive. This will allow you to work on the areas of your game that you may be having trouble with. You will pay a considerably higher price for one of these machines than you would for a lower end model.

Do some comparison shopping when you are looking for your tennis machine. The Internet is a great place to gather information on the different models out there and what each of them can do for you. Even if you do not choose to buy your tennis machine online, you will be far more knowledgeable at the end of your research than you were when you began.

Of course, you will have the option to purchase your tennis machine online. This is a convenient way to get the machine that you want at the price that you can afford. There is a greater ability to comparison shop online as well. You can visit more retail sites online in a shorter period of time than you would be able to in your local area.

NBA Playoffs-Is King James Ready To Take The Throne

By Kevin Taylor

The NBA has tried really hard to find a replacement for Michael Jordan.

Fellow Tar Heel alums Jerry Stackhouse and Vince Carter were flashes in the pan.

Shaquille O’Neal is a shadow of his former self, Kobe Bryant, as of yet, has failed to win a title without the aid of O’Neal and then there is LeBron James.

James has been working his way up the NBA hierarchy and could be primed for the big breakout in this year’s playoffs.

‘Bron was just named the NBA MVP for 2009 and as it stands, he has his Cleveland Cavaliers in good position to win this year’s NBA title as well.

The sports betting community knows how popular Lebron James has become, the odds and lines on the Cleveland Cavaliers keep getting higher and higher. Betting on Cleveland means bettors have to deal with some pretty high lines, and that has been the case in the playoffs, as the NBA lines put up on the Cavaliers are often flirting with double digits.

There will also be extra incentive for Cleveland to win a title with James on the roster the next two years as the “King” is one of the deep crop of players who will be free-agents in 2010. Sports betting sites and online sportsbooks have some interesting NBA prop wagers on the betting board related to Lebron’s free agency.

One book, SPORTSBETTING.com, has James listed at -155 to be on the Cavs’ roster for the start of the 2010/2011 season and the prop odds are +115 that he’ll be playing somewhere else.

With only four teams left in the Western Conference, there are four possible opponents that Cleveland could face should they go all the way.

SPORTSBETTING.com also have a very unique betting option, called Prospective Bets. You can wager on any possible NBA playoff matchup. You can bet on Game 1 of the NBA final between the Cavaliers and the Lakers….and you can bet it today. If it doesn’t happen, no sweat, you get your money back.

If LeBron James and company make the finals and face Kobe and Lakers the prospective Game 1 line would see the Cavs listed as 4.5-point home faves.

If they played the Rockets for the NBA title, Cleveland would be a prospective 7.5-point home fave for the final series opener and ditto if they met the Denver Nuggets.

The prospective Game 1 line if the Dallas Mavericks and Cavs battled for the title would see Cleveland favored in double-digits at -10.

This is the only online sportsbook in the world offering these unique options.

The Cavs won and covered in Game 1 of their second round series vs. Atlanta.

While no one is giving Atlanta much of a chance, they might be able to cover a few of the NBA odds put up on them in these games.

The Cavs are also a very reliable bet at home ATS in the month of May going 9-4 ATS dating back to 1999 and more recently have gone 5-0 ATS in its last five games in that month.

However, the best team during the NBA’s regular season has struggled ATS against the Atlanta Hawks and their ilk, which would be teams from the Southeast division, going 4-12 ATS in their last 16 vs. SE division teams, including 1-5 ATS in the last six.

Jordan wasn’t fully given his props until he took home his first title and the same applies to LeBron James.

Will the King receive an NBA crown?

We’ll find out. Enjoy all the NBA playoff betting, be sure to check the NBA odds (future odds and the prospective bets) and the daily NBA lines.

Author: Kevin Taylor is a veteran sports handicapper and student of the sports betting world. He has written for several media outlets, focusing on sports, sports betting and online poker.

Tennis Trading Advice - Using Sensible Stake Sizes

Whenever a newcomer to tennis trading realises how profitable this recreational activity can be there is a strong temptation to increase stake sizes to try to win more money. The serious traders sometimes use large stake sizes which can be four or five figure amounts. It is important to note that these kinds of large stakes will only be used in certain circumstances.

The best tennis trading advice for any novice to understand is the importance of using sensible stake sizes. A disciplined approach to staking will ensure the vast majority of your bets are matched. This will deliver a constant turnover of profitable trades.

The major grand slam tournaments are famous the world over and always see the most tennis trading activity with plenty of liquidity provided by recreational sports betting. In these scenarios, you can use higher stakes without any fear of unmatched bets or incomplete trades.

For the less glamorous events on the ATP and WTA tours less money may be wagered overall but there is still enough to allow profitable trading. For these tournaments, it is better to use three figure stake sizes which will give your bets a high probability of being matched quickly. This will ensure that you are able to complete your trade at the earliest possible opportunity.

How Important Is Fitness When It Comes To Tennis Betting?

When you are trying to make a selection for your betting you have to make sure you look at every angle of every situation.

A lot does depend on the players, surfaces, strengths and weaknesses of the two players competing but now I will take a little look at how fitness has a major bearing on the outcome.

Some players are obviously much fitter than others and when it comes to competing at the highest level this can matter more than you think.

The surface can have a bearing on how fitness will affect the match outcome. Clay for example, is a baseliner's surface.

When players are playing on clay, to succeed at the highest level on clay you need to have great fitness and stamina. The tennis game on clay is usually very long rallies from the baseline, running side to side in a sustained assault on the enemy.

Nadal is virtually unstoppable on clay for this reason. He has won the French Open at Roland Garros for FOUR straight years now and his fitness and mainly stamina level is beyond belief.

He can just keep running and running and with the technique of his shots added to the fact that he can just run and run all day, he buries most opponents with ease when he plays on clay.

A player with a very high level of fitness can use this to their advantage if they do not have the best technique. They can push their fitness to the highest level and play percentage tennis, just trying to return as much as they can hoping their opponent will tire.

Tennis Humor

To those of us who love to play the game of tennis, it is the competition, the athletic challenge and the potential for artistic shot making that usually gets us going emotionally. There's little time for tennis humor as we focus on ripping that next shot for a winner.But take a step back or just start watching some tennis matches at your club and you'll begin to see the humorous situations that abound in our game. Of course, just like mother-in-law jokes are a staple of marriage humor, dysfunctional tennis dynamics are the source of most tennis humor.

And tennis humor in the form of tennis jokes or tennis cartoons on mugs, tshirts, mousepads, or greeting cards make great tennis gifts.