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Tag Archive: Tennis

  1. Australian Open Day 1: Kyle Edmund Thrives Among Early Upsets

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    Britain’s Kyle Edmund clenched his fist in triumph at the Australian Open, still gritting his teeth, just as he had done at key moments all match long.

    You needed a certain nerve to come from behind twice and pull off this impressive result.

    Edmund showed that he is developing a psychological strength to go with his natural power. And now the only way is up.

    As he looked for approval from the stands, Edmund needn’t have worried. The world now knows that the British have another star in the making. And Melbourne expressed its generous appreciation for the younger man, who simply wouldn’t give up.

    SHOCKS

    At 23, Kyle showed there is still a strong interest for the Brits without Andy Murray centre stage at a Grand Slam, as he notched the biggest win of his career.

    He beat the eleventh seed Kevin Anderson, who was a finalist at the US Open, the other hard-court Slam, and was therefore considered a contender here at the Australian Open.

    Meanwhile, the Americans suffered most on a day of shocks. Venus Williams, CoCo Vandeweghe, Sloane Stephens, John Isner and Jack Sock all went out in the first round.

    VIOLATION

    True to form, Rafael Nadal and home favourite Nick Kyrgios raced through their opening matches, conserving precious energy for the tougher times ahead.

    Not that Kyrgios was relaxed in any way – he picked up a typical code violation, despite his dominance.

    Nadal defeated Victor Estrella Burgos 6-1, 6-1, 6-1 with an ominous level of self-assurance. ‘I don’t know how many years I’ll be able to play here, so I want to enjoy every moment,’ the Spaniard said, showing that he is on a charm offensive too at the Australian Open.

    The controversial Kyrgios didn’t find his opponent too tricky, as he saw off Rogerio Dutra Silva 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 in 87 minutes. He had more trouble with the crowd and the umpire, arguing with both after he was distracted by spectator noise while serving.

    THRILLER

    For Edmund, by contrast, it was all about staying with the man on the other side of the net. He became involved in a draining thriller – but the crowd loved it.

    The underdog had to show a stubborn streak to come back, as the match initially appeared to be following the form book. With improving fitness and agility now added to that power-game, Edmund could be going places.

    Eventually, the British number two prevailed to win 6-7 (4-7), 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. That reversed the result of their last five-setter at the French Open – and showed that Edmund has worked hard on his physical conditioning.

    A delighted Kyle said: ‘This type of result makes all the training feel worth it. It feels really good.’

    PROGRESSION

    And it feels equally good for British tennis fans to know they have a big-time player beyond Murray.

    All the signs point to Murray’s return in good time for Wimbledon 2018, of course. And he will still be one of the main attractions at Wimbledon 2018.

    But the Brits might be treated to double the pleasure this year if Edmund continues at this rate of progression.

    UNDERCOOKED

    There was no such breakthrough for Jack Sock at the Australian Open. The talented American became the surprise victim of Japan’s Yuichi Sugita, 6-1, 7-6 (7-4), 5-7, 6-3.

    Fifth-seeded Venus, last year’s finalist, lost 3-6, 5-7 to Belinda Bencic. Meanwhile, Zhang Shuai beat Stephens 2-6, 7-6 (2), 6-2, meaning the US Open winner hasn’t tasted victory since Flushing Meadows.

    Timea Babos beat Vandeweghe 7-6 (4), 6-2, while Isner admitted to being “undercooked” after Matthew Ebden beat him 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3.

    But Day One of the Australian Open belonged to Edmund most of all. In Murray’s absence, the Brit’s timing couldn’t have been sweeter.

  2. Top Ten Tennis Moments of 2017

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    What are your favourite tennis moments of 2017?

    It’s so subjective of course, but here is a possible top ten, in reverse order.

    You could just as easily pick ten other moments and focus, for example, on the Grand Slam triumphs of the brilliant Rafael Nadal, rather than some of his truly dramatic reverses.

    Tennis has been blessed with all kinds of wonderful moments on court in the last twelve months.

    And that shows what an incredible year 2017 was for the sport we all love.

     

    10/ Serena Wins Australian Open

    The year started with some history. Serena Williams finally secured that elusive 23rd Grand Slam singles title to edge clear of the great Steffi Graf. She did so by beating her sister Venus in the final – and it later emerged Serena was pregnant!

    9/ Ostapenko Wins French Open

    No one expected Jelena Ostapenko to win the French Open. Not even during the final, when the little Latvian trailed Simona Halep by a set and 0-3. But she launched an incredibly powerful comeback to fire 54 winners and take the title 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.

    8/ Shapovalov Defeats Nadal

    Teenager Denis Shapovalov shocked the world at the Rogers Cup in Montreal by beating Rafael Nadal 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4). His spectacular, carefree style of play made him an instant superstar and he is now regarded as the future of tennis, along with fellow youngster Alexander Zverev.

    7/ Muguruza Crushes Venus To Win Wimbledon

    The first set of the Wimbledon 2017 final was one of the most brutal ever seen on Centre Court. Garbine Muguruza finally came out on top 7-5 to subdue that famous Williams will to win. She took the title with a second-set bagel over the exhausted Venus. But nothing should detract from the beautiful ferocity of the opener.

    6/ Federer Beats Kyrgios In Miami

    An epic in three tie-breaks. Roger could have finished the controversial Australian in the second set, but failed to convert two match points. He finally finished the job an hour later – and both players received rapturous applause after Federer emerged the winner by 7-6 (11-9), 6-7 (9-11), 7-6 (7-5).

    5/ Konta Triumphs Over Halep At Wimbledon

    The Wimbledon crowds were dreaming of a home title winner after Jo Konta matched Simona Halep blow for blow in a fantastic clash on Centre Court. The Brit thrilled by storming back to a 6-7 (2), 7-6 (5), 6-4 victory to book a place in the semi-finals.

    4/ Del Potro’s Comeback Against Thiem

    It seemed to be all over for Juan Martin del Potro at the US Open when he complained of illness after being brushed aside 1-6, 2-6 in the opening two sets by Dominic Thiem.  But Delpo heard the crowd chant his name and hit back to win the last three sets 6-1, 7-6 (7-1), 6-4, saving two match points in the fourth.

    3/ Federer Wins Australian Open

    No one thought this possible after Federer had taken so many months out with injury. But somehow he felt supremely refreshed and rode a wave of joy towards an unlikely dream. Roger still needed treatment towards the end of the final as he beat Rafael Nadal in a superb five-setter, 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3. The tennis world gasped at the drama of it all.

    2/ Nadal Edged Out In Wimbledon Thriller

    It seems harsh to point out that Rafael Nadal, who won two Grand Slams and finished top of the pile, was even more memorable for some of his defeats in 2017. But no one will ever forget that final set against Gilles Muller, as Rafa’s comeback on Wimbledon’s Court 1 stalled. He eventually succumbed to a brilliant performance from the 16th seed, as Muller triumphed 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 15-13.

    1/ Federer Wins Wimbledon

    Although the final wasn’t the greatest match of the year, it didn’t lack drama as Marin Cilic burst into tears, knowing he couldn’t beat the legendary Federer on the day. Nothing and no one could deny the graceful Roger on his day of destiny. The sheer romance of an eighth Wimbledon title and nineteenth Slam for a man in his mid-thirties is unbeatable. What an amazing 2017 it was for the world’s favourite player, the best of the best.

     

    That’s it! We can’t wait to see what 2018 holds, especially at Wimbledon!

  3. Lucy Shuker Paralympic tennis star at the Bolton Indoors Arena 2017

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    On 22nd February, I travelled over to the bleak and drizzly Bolton Indoors Arena on behalf of the Wimbledon Debenture Holders team, to watch our fantastic wheelchair tennis player, three time Paralympic Wheelchair Tennis Player and Double Paralympic Bronze Medallist, Lucy Shuker.

    Upon arrival into the arena, I was instantly in admiration of all the players taking part in the tournament – it was hard to decide which match to watch with so much going on around me!

    I was advised Lucy was playing on Court 5 and had just won the first set, so naturally I head straight up to the viewing balcony in anticipation of seeing Lucy play.

    Watching the wheelchair tennis in person made me appreciate the sport more so than when I have watched it previously on TV, Lucy’s serves were so strong and the speed the players move in their chairs left me not wanting to take my eyes of the match!

    Lucy earned a 6-1, 6-1 victory over fellow Brit Lauren Jones, to set up a meeting with British No.3 Louise Hunt on the third day of the tournament.

    Following the match I met up with Lucy and Amy (Lucy’s Manager), to have a good chat over a cup of tea whilst watching some more of the matches – I also learnt some interesting facts about wheelchair tennis, one being the ball may bounce up to two times and the second bounce may also occur outside the court – as I questioned Amy about the out of court bounces I witnessed!

    We spoke about Lucy’s achievements in the Australian Open, her planned successes in Tokyo, raising awareness of disability sport, and of course her number one fan, Johnny Vegas!

    Lucy went on to achieve a doubles win in the final alongside Marjolein Buis and was the singles runner up – well done Lucy!

    Lucy is an inspiration to many and is passionate about helping build the profile of disability sport around the world. With her sights firmly set on more success Lucy will now begin her journey to Tokyo with the hope of more medals.

    WimbledonDebentureHolders.com are very proud to sponsor such a inspirational lady and look forward to following and sharing her successes throughout 2017.

    Watching the tennis made me even more excited that Wimbledon 2017 is just around the corner… if you’re interested in purchasing tickets for the championships please contact our team: http://www.wimbledondebentureholders.com/contact

  4. Serena Crashes Out

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     Serena Out of The French Open

    Garbine Muguruza pulled off one of the great shocks to crush Serena Williams in straight sets at Roland Garros.

    The statuesque Spaniard served like a dream while nervous Serena simply tried too hard.  To beat the world number one 6-2, 6-2 in just over an hour was an achievement no one saw coming – including the surprised winner.

    ‘Today’s a great day. It’s amazing, I didn’t expect that but I played very, very good, and I’m really happy,’ Garbine shrieked joyfully afterwards.

    With the heavy favourite out and Li Na a casualty yesterday, Maria Sharapova will rate her chances of more French Open glory.  At just 20 years of age, Muguruza isn’t even a clay-court specialist. But she will fear no one after a performance full of power and composure.
    She went 4-1 up in the second set by breaking Williams for the third time in a row, this time to love.  Reigning champion Serena tried to break back again herself but squandered three chances for 2-4 and ran out of time to avert the upset.  Muguruza had broken her stiff opponent in the third game of the first set and consolidated immediately. She never looked back and more than matched Serena’s bludgeoning blows.

    Venezuelan-born Muguruza could hardly believe her own display and now the tournament has been blown wide open.

    Earlier Serena’s sister Venus had also been knocked out by a young pretender – Anna Schmiedlova.

    No one at Roland Garros had ever seen anything quite like it.  Serena notched 29 unforced errors and didn’t win a single point at the net.  She looked close to tears but congratulated her conqueror graciously in the end.  Muguruza has impressed before to reach number 32 in the world rankings – but now her game and her mental strength look complete.

    Want to see the hot new stars of tennis as well as the old favourites at Wimbledon this summer?
    Just click here.

  5. Caroline Wozniacki’s New Battle

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    Caroline Wozniacki has been left heartbroken by Rory McIlroy – just before the French Open and Wimbledon.

    How will the former world number one cope with so much personal trauma just before the biggest tournaments of the European summer?

    On February 10, in our “Happily Ever After” feature, we warned the couple that they had “better hurry up and marry before they split up again!”

    It was said partly in jest, but now that playful analysis has come painfully true.
    Just after the wedding invitations were sent out, Rory realised he “wasn’t ready for all that marriage would entail”. In fact, since the couple have promptly split up, the suggestion must be that he was never going to be ready with Caroline.  They have separated before, of course, so let’s not entirely rule out a reunion. Yet it seems unlikely. When a woman’s wedding plans are torn asunder like this, it must be hard to cope with the public humiliation.
    They were engaged on New Year’s Eve and in the end they didn’t hurry up and marry before they split up again. Perhaps Rory’s brave decision is just as well, though it may not seem like that right now to poor Caroline.
    Rory would not have wanted to heap this much pain on someone whose company he has enjoyed for so long. He is a nice guy, as anyone who saw him at Wimbledon last year would confirm. Those who asked him to pose for a photograph with them were never disappointed, he was more than polite, he was warm and friendly.

    We all know what a live-wire Caroline Wozniacki can be, so bubbly and full of life.

    It is all such a shame, though perhaps not for Rory’s golf and Caroline’s tennis in the long run. Both saw their professional levels dip as they enjoyed their time together.
    In the short term, however, it is hard to imagine how Wozniacki could get herself into the right place mentally in time for Roland Garros and Wimbledon. Time will tell.
    We feel for her and send her our best wishes.

  6. Best Coach-Player Combo Of All Time?

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    What is The Best Coach/player combination of all time? It’s a hard one to judge. Is it someone who pushes you to the extremes, both physically and mentally? A person who is there to love and pick you up after a fall? The ability to squeeze the last drop of sweat from you on the court?Is it something you can measure in titles?

    Brad Gilbert and Andre Agassi

    Remember, Agassi was the showman who for years couldn’t quite become great. But with Gilbert he landed six Grand Slam titles, including the 1999 French Open, when a rain-break allowed Agassi to take on board Gilbert’s advice and overturn a two-set disadvantage. ‘Brad Gilbert is the greatest coach of all time,’ Agassi claims.

    Lennart Bergelin and Bjorn Borg

    Further back in time, Lennart Bergelin took charge of a young Bjorn Borg in 1971. Borg already had the basic components to his game, put together previously with Percy Rosberg. But what Bjorn also had was a suspect temperament. The adolescent Swede would let himself down with tantrums – and looked so fiery that some thought he might burn himself out ridiculously early.
    Under Bergelin’s careful guidance, Borg learned to control himself. He became the ice man of tennis and won five Wimbledon titles in a row, eleven majors in all. They stayed together twelve years, one of the very greatest player-coachpartnerships of all time, only ending in 1983.
    And that was the year another partnership was born. Martina Navratilova was already number one when she asked Mike Estep to coach her.

    Martina Navratilova and Mike Estep

    ‘Why do you want me to do it?’ he asked.
    ‘I want to win a Grand Slam and become the greatest player who ever lived,’ she replied.

    He taught her to attack the net. He trained her like a man – and 250 push-ups became part of her daily routine. In their three years together, Navratilova won ten majors and did indeed write her name in history.

    So which player-coach combo is your favourite? There will be many not even mentioned here. That’s the beauty of it. Hard to measure. Hard to define. But a fascinating backdrop to our beautiful game.
    Want to watch the Wimbledon stars with a view as good as thecoaches get? Click on the following link to get your tickets today….

  7. Happily Ever After – Tennis Romances

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    Let’s Hear It For The Partners

    The team at WimbledonDebentureHolders.com have come up with their own Happily Ever After #HEA rating for our favourite tennis couples.  Do you agree?

    Join in the conversation on twitter

    It’s amazing how many stable romances there are at the top of tennis. Especially when the top stars could have practically anyone they want, whenever they want. The partners are sometimes stars in their own right. Even if they’re not, many are extremely glamorous. Others are less so, don’t care about superficial fame, shun the limelight and support more quietly behind the scenes. They all seem to have done a terrific job – so let’s hear it for the partners!
    Here’s a look at some of the most high-profile love affairs. And I’m going to have a bit of fun by giving each romance a “Happily Ever After” (HEA) probability rating out of ten.
    Don’t get offended, now! We wish them all well and rest assured there’s nothing malicious about any of the predictions.  Look back on this article at the end of 2014 and see just how right or wrong we were…so far!

    Andy Murray – Kim Sears: HEA rating: 9/10
    Possible Marriage Timing: Spring 2015

    If they were going to split they would probably have done it by now. Well, they did – in 2009 – but only briefly. Kim has been great for Andy ever since, a major force behind the scenes to help him cope with the intolerable pressure. With Kim at his side, Andy has scaled the dizzy heights to become US, Olympic and Wimbledon champion. They know each other inside out. My crystal ball tells me an announcement will be made in Australia next year with the wedding in Scotland at Andy’s Cromlix Hotel that same Spring.

    Novak Djokovic – Jelena Ristic: HEA rating: 9/10
    Possible marriage timing: Spring 2014

    I think what you see is what you get with Novak, he is a great guy and he really loves her. Does she love him? Of course she does. She runs the Djokovic Foundation for him too. Their lives are already inextricably linked. The clue to the marriage timing came in that Serbian TV interview the other day. ‘In a couple of months you will change your last name to Djokovic,’ he told her. Sounded more like an instruction than a proposal Novak but I think she’ll forgive you!

    Carline Wozniacki – Rory McIlroy: HEA rating: 7/10
    Possible marriage timing: Late 2014

    Caroline and Rory are lovely people who were so in love they didn’t seem to care that their sporting careers were going down the drain. Then they split up , allegedly due to Caroline’s twitter posting of a very uncool photo of her man. Back together before long, they charmed the world over New Year with that “She said yes” – “I said yes” engagement announcement. They had better hurry up and marry before they split up again! Seriously, though, it doesn’t seem the most stable relationship in the world, but Rory’s golf is back on track, even if Caroline’s tennis isn’t. And they make each other laugh. As long as that continues, they have a chance of long-lasting happiness.

    Li Na – Jiang Shan: HEA rating: 9/10
    Already married

    They’ve been through it all. Tennis nearly split them up according to Li Na. New coach Carlos Rodriguez arrived just in time to take the pressure of that side of their relationship. But how cool was “Dennis” to accept Carlos and his new dominant role in their lives? He also has to take those very comical but slightly withering post-match speeches by Li Na – when he is always the butt of the joke. ‘You carry the raquets, you fix the drinks, you’re a nice guy and you’re lucky to have found me,’ she said after winning the Aussie Open. Well here’s something else. You’re lucky to have Dennis, Li Na. Very lucky indeed.

    Serena Williams – Patrick Mouratoglou: HEA rating: 6/10
    Possible marriage timing: Late 2014

    He is more than ten years older than she is but Serena’s coach appears to have been a source of great joy and a fine stabilizing influence. Serena has worked incredibly hard on her career and is often misunderstood. She deserves every moment of her happiness and I can even see them getting married. But will it last? No one knows, I sincerely hope it does. But I’m not convinced it is going to last a lifetime. Serena is very headstrong, Patrick is his own man and won’t want to be bossed about. Will this be a match made in Heaven? You have to wonder. Go on, prove us all wrong and why should you care what anyone says?

    Roger Federer – Mirka Vavrinec: HEA rating: 9/10
    Already married

    With a new baby on the way and twins Myla and Charlene already the joy of their lives, Mirka and Roger have enjoyed their stability for many years already. The sleepless nights of fatherhood may not have done Roger’s latter career any favours but he won’t regret a minute and he has won it all. Mirka isn’t most the glamorous, publicity-seeking type; but that has been an advantage for a long time. She is the strength behind the history-maker everyone loves. It is hard to imagine them splittng up. Another perfect couple and the only reason no one gets an HEA 10/10 is because you just never know in life what lies just around the corner.

    Maria Sharapova – Grigor Dimitrov: HEA rating: 4/10
    Possible marriage timing: Questionable

    Now, I could be reading this wrong. Let’s start with the positives. Maria seems to be making Grigor happy and his quarter-final appearance in Australia in early 2014 showed the “Sharapova effect” has been doing the Bulgarian no harm. But will he want to be tied down indefinitely by an older woman? I’m not so sure. Dimitri is in his early 20s, Maria is moving towards her late 20s. It may well be that if she had a choice, they would be together forever. But as Dimitrov grows in years and tennis stature, will he prove to be a one-woman man? What about that “black heart” Serena Williams pointed to, in that public spat the women had about their men? How easy is Maria to be with? Does he have the maturity to cope with any mood swings she may exhibit as her tennis powers start to fade? So far it’s all good. Only they know how good. I wish the couple well and don’t want to cause offence. But personally I just can’t see it lasting. Again, I’ll be delighted if they prove me wrong!

    Rafa Nadal – Maria Fancisca (Xisca) Perello: HEA rating: 8/10
    Possible marriage timing: Spring 2017

    She shuns publicity, she stayed away from the Australian Open at the start of 2014 because, in Rafa’s words, it was ‘too far.’ As Rafa observed, the girls in Australia wouldn’t have minded too much. Are there cracks appearing? Or is this just the way it works best for them? As Rafa recently observed, having a family while you are travelling all over the world isn’t necessarily going to work. Following a man to the four corners of the earth while remaining in the strange bubble of the tour isn’t going to excite everyone – least of all “Xisca.” So she stays in the background and personally I think they will stay strong as a couple. I don’t think they’ll marry until Rafa’s battle-scarred body finally gives way and he can no longer stand the rigours of the tour and his own bruising style of play. Then it will be game, set and match to Miss Perello…who will gladly become Mrs Nadal. Still, the very fact that they don’t seem ready to settle down just yet gives other women just a glimmer of hope that the Spanish sex symbol is still there for the taking. Don’t bet on it, though.

    So what does this prove? Probably just that I know nothing about relationships! Still, in the soap opera that the tennis circuit provides, we will all be watching to see what happens. We will share their joy and wince if it goes wrong. Above all let’s hope for the sake of our heroes and heroines that in their particular case, love lasts!

    #HEA

    #HEA

  8. Li Na – Coach Saved My Marriage

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    ‘Coach Saved My Marriage,’ claims Li Na

    She looks Chinese, her accent is Chinese, she is Chinese. It’s just that every word which dances out of Li Na’s mouth could have been spoken by a thoroughly modern woman from the west.
    Regular visitors to this website will know what we think about Li Na, the wonderful contribution she makes to East-West relations just by being herself; the positive power in her beautiful smile.

    That interview in Melbourne

    In Melbourne, she has proved her worth yet again, after surviving a match point against Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic.  Do you know another famous Chinese who would open with such wit and irony, then follow up with quite such arresting honesty about her personal life on camera?
    I am referring to Li Na’s on-court interview, conducted just seconds after she had prevailed in a sporting war against a talented adversary.
    More about the match in a moment, but this time the interview lingers most vividly in the memory.
    ‘Yes I didn’t think it was warm enough, so I made sure we played three sets,’ said Li Na with a typically amusing piece of analysis, later offset by the further suffering in the extreme heat of some less durable male competitors in sweltering Melbourne.
    Yet Li Na had already made us smile by insisting that she spoke to the world from a shady spot, out of the piercing Melbourne sun. Why face more rays than she had to, right?
    When asked about her ‘new’ coach Carlos Rodriguez (we all know he isn’t exactly new any more, but never mind), her response was startling in its simplicity.
    ‘He saved my marriage,’ she announced, perhaps only half-joking, for she has hinted at this before. ‘Husband is husband, coach is coach.’  She was of course referring to the previously-complicated situation that saw Jiang Shan coach her, win her heart and infuriate her all at the same time.

    Tennis with Dennis

    At least with the arrival on the scene of coach Rodriguez last year, Li Na’s relationship with Jiang Shan – or “Dennis” as he is known to westerners – broke free of some of the more aggravating tennis technicalities.
    They still hit together – only fair after he had chosen the name “Dennis” for no other reason than it rhymes with “Tennis.”  But he isn’t exactly calling the shots any more – if he ever was.
    And when they are away from the courts, they don’t need to talk tennis any more at all.
    ‘It’s much better,’ she confirmed, though she pointed out that “Dennis” is still some way short of becoming a house-husband.
    ‘He doesn’t cook…but he can pay for me (to eat out).’
    Coming from one of the best-paid sportswomen in the world, it sounded even more amusing, and provided a fitting conclusion to an interview full of feminine strength and humour.
    On reflection, her entire approach had been so western. More western, in fact, than many westerners dare to be. And yet Li Na had already seized the moment to pay public tribute to her army of Asian fans.
    There are plenty of those fans visible in Melbourne, and literally tens of millions of them back home in China. How many around the world?

    Why we all love Li Na

    Everyone loves Li Na, and few outside the Czech Republic would have been disappointed to see last season’s beaten finalist win through to the next round.
    She deserved her victory, though it had looked unlikely when she lost the first set 1-6 and faced match point in the second.
    With typical courage, Li Na hit back to win the second-set tie-break. She took the decisive third 6-3.
    If she is to make a genuine assault on the Australian Open title this year, and add to her French Open success of 2011,  she is going to have to work on the consistency of her serve, though. It got her into serious trouble at times against the equally-erratic Safarova.
    Plenty for Carlos Rodriguez, Justine Henin’s old coach, to work on this weekend, then – but if he has already saved Li Na’s marriage, that is a pretty good foundation for further influence.

    8 Years Together

    Meanwhile the fact that Li Na and her “Darling Dennis” can celebrate their eighth wedding anniversary later this month – whatever her fate in Melbourne – is surely significant.
    A happy, positive Li Na is a woman we will all continue to love, whatever our origins in this small and fractious world.
    In her own inimitable way she has a knack of bringing us all together. She breaks down barriers, she reminds us of our similarities.
    Unlike some in China, she isn’t afraid to show her feelings and discuss the imperfections we all encounter in life. She is a cultural miracle. And yet again, she has shown East and West how to connect.
    Give the woman a Nobel Peace Prize, I say. And a comedy award while we’re at it.

    Mark Ryan, The Mail On Sunday

    Don’t forget, if you want to see Li Na and the other stars at Wimbledon this year, click on the following link and you can guarantee yourself a superb seat to watch the big tennis personalities at the greatest Slam of them all.

    Wimbledon 2014