After years of frustration, the U.S. men’s tennis team is looking for its first Davis Cup title since 1995 when it hosts defending champion Russia this weekend at Memorial Coliseum in Portland, Oregon. The U.S., which has won a record 31 Davis Cup championships, last appeared in the finals in 2004, when they lost Spain. Andy Roddick, ranked sixth in the world, and James Blake, No. 13, will play singles for the U.S. on Friday and Sunday, and Bob and Mike Bryan are handling doubles on Saturday. The Bryan brothers are ranked No. 1 in the world and have a 12-1 record in Davis Cup play.Though the Davis Cup lacks the cachet of tennis’ Grand Slam events, Roddick has long been vocal about how important the event is to him. "It’s always been a huge priority for me and it’s been on my list of goals to accomplish, the top couple of things since I started," he says. As home team, the U.S. chose the surface the matches will be played on, an indoor hard court. "I think for And...
read more
Wow. It's been ages since I've blogged, so I apologize. But I've been through quite a whirlwind over here! Nevertheless, I am here and totally hooked on summer's best sporting event: The U.S. Open. Every August, my mom and I get caught up in the sweat and glory of insanely good tennis. From the Williams sisters and their bold fashion choices to Andy Roddick and his fierce backhand, there is nothing better than a filled Arthur Ashe stadium and the back and forth of focused athletes battling it out for that grand slam title. Just last night, we watch Maria Sharapova cut her competition out of the running in less than an hour, while Justin Gimmelstob gracefully bowed out after Roddick topped his game — Gimmelstob playing his last singles Open match. Anyone else into the Aces and Deuces that make this sport one of the greatest?
read more
