Serena and Venus Williams closed out their matches almost simultaneously on Thursday afternoon in Rome to reach the quarterfinals of the Internazionali BNL D’Italia. Venus, the elder Williams sister upset fifth seed Samantha Stosur 6-4, 6-3, closing the match out by winning the last five games. Younger sister Serena routined Anabel Medina Garrigues 6-3, 6-1.

Venus’ victory is projected to put her back into the top 50 and as one of the top three ranked Americans, high enough to qualify to participate in the Olympic Games. “I need to win more,” Williams said, “but it’s awesome because I often don’t feel well and so it’s emotional.”

“I wouldn’t have come back so soon but I needed the points to get in the Olympics.

“I probably wouldn’t have come back before Wimbledon or maybe even after it. I need to win more but that’s great.”

“Every match is a lesson and a challenge for me. I think that all wins are great wins nowadays. I’ve had to get used to a lot of things and I’m still figuring out a lot. I’m making adjustments at the beginning of every week.

“All I can do is be positive when I’m down.”

Younger sister Serena is pleased with her sister’s progress since being diagnosed with Sjogren’s disease.

“I’m extremely impressed and she has been through so much,” noted Serena, “and when I think of her when I am down and tired. I think she is great and she is so motivated and what she had been going through. I’ve never been so motivated to continue…on my journey.”

Serena spoke about playing on Pietrangeli court. “I’ve played here for a long time and I’ve had a lot of memorable matches on Pietrangeli court,” Serena said. “Today reminded me of when I was young.”

Serena’s victory on Thursday extends her clay win streak to 16, tying Dinara Safina’s streak in 2009 and Sara Errani’s streak from earlier in the year. It’s the longest streak since Justine Henin won 27  consecutive matches on clay between the 2005-2006 seasons.

Up next for Serena is Flavia Pennetta who has had some success against Venus.

“I think Pennetta is playing great,” said Serena who has beaten her twice, “and I actually don’t remember playing her in Miami but I do remember the US Open and she is playing unbelievable today and I said “Oh my God” she is playing really well.

“And why she got four wins against Venus – I don’t know. We have different games and when they play is then notice that we are two different people.”

Serena is projected to move up in the rankings next week to No. 5.

Venus will meet Maria Sharapova in the quarterfinals.

Serena Williams

Serena Slam, Novak Slam?

Q: It’s a few years since you did the Serena Slam. Novak is now going for the Novak slam…in a couple of weeks slam. I wonder what you were feeling like when you were going in to the last one to complete the Serena slam. Were you nervous or did you feel that you were on such a roll that you though nobody would beat you?

Serena Williams: Well, I just felt so confident and I thought nobody would beat me. I was heading to Australia but it was on hard court and that’s a good surface for me but I think I had a tough tournament and my first match I almost lost but I just kept fighting.

Q: And what type of achievement would it be considering the strength of the men’s game if Novak was to do it?

Serena Williams: It would be unbelievable. I don’t even think Roger did it. If Novak does it then he can join my club and we can be best friend.

Serena the rapper

Q: Congratulations for your rap song, Did you like to sing this song and would you like to hear it on the centre court?

Serena Williams: Well, I was in the studio with friends and I wanted to do something and so they said – do this and it was for me. The next thing I know — that was one or two years ago and then I read online that I was a rapper and so my backstabbing friends did that to me and so if I see them, I will act like a rapper — -if you can get my drift.

Rafael Nadal

Q: What can you tell us about tonight and tomorrow. After you lost to Verdasco, do you think you will have to be careful with Granollers?

Rafael Nadal: You have to be careful when you win and when you lose and with anyone you are playing. I will respect my opponent and when you play a Master 1000. Marcel is one of my best friends on tour – it is a great victory for him and . Today it was an important first set and I played aggressive and I made a mistake in the 1st set and then I felt good in the forehand. It is difficult to play against Mayer because he has without rhythm and he knows how to put you in a difficult position in the game but I didn’t suffer I think.

No football questions please

Q: What think about Mourihno?

Rafael Nadal: We are not talking about this. This is a tennis tournament. I think he is a winner and he has great personality and I met him and I think he brings to Real Madrid a competitive spirit and so I feel happy to know him and I think he is strong and probably has a different face from what the shows to everyone.

Roger Federer

Asked if if he prefers winning another slam or being No. 1 again.

Federer: We’re talking about great problems. I don’t really care. We’ll see how things go. I did win the world tour finals which for me are a huge tournament which at times — now we have grand slams. I have a good win under my belt and I might be number three next week but that doesn’t matter for me and Rafa. I know it is an interesting time right now is that there is a lot to talk about rankings and I know that I have a shot until the US open with the rankings and you will see.

Man in Black in the future?

Q: In Madrid you met Will Smith and after the match you had a special gift from him. How do you feel? Just like another man in the or another actor on the ground?

Federer: If I am going to be an actor one day?

Q: Yes — if the man in Black is the right role for you — something action

Federer: It that would be the right movie for me? To watch, yes, to play, no. I’m not a very good actor but I think I’m a good tennis player and I think we know from weaknesses. I doubt that my career is going to be over there and it was nice to meet Will again and it was nice I was able to help him promote the Men in Black 3 movie in Madrid – but that it about it – as my acting career.

Juan Martin Del Potro

Juan Martin Del Potro

Q: A general question – you are the last guy to win a Grand Slam out of the top 4 for the past seven years – 2005 was the last win. Is this something you are proud of?

Juan Martin Del Potro: Yes I am proud but all the 3 guys who are winning the grand slams are making history in this sport I had my chances in 2009 and take it. They are making history and I am proud to share with them the same moment. I am working to be ready of I have a chance to win another Grand Slam.

Q: What was the most difficult thing to get back after surgery .. the physical side or mentally. …..

Juan Martin Del Potro: Well mentally was the worst part because I saw on TV all the guys playing and so I thought I was losing … and I was using my protection ranking but I was not seeded in the tournament but I was working hard with my friends and family to be strong mentally and also with my coach with my game and I am now really enjoying my game again and glad to be here.

Q: Do you feel your confidence level is back to where it was?

Del Potro: I think it is getting closer. I am confident with my game at the moment and am looking forward to the season and I want to have a good Roland Garros.

Q: You are a big football fan. Are you waiting for the victory of

Juventus or Turin in the Italian league?

Del Potro: I’m in Rome – I don’t want to say something wrong here.

INTERNAZIONALI BNL D’ITALIA
Rome, Italy
May 14-20
Red Clay/Outdoors

Results – Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Women’s Singles – Third Round
(14) Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) d. (1) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) w/o (right shoulder injury)

Women’s Singles – Second Round
(1) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) d. Shahar Peer (ISR) 61 62
Petra Cetkovska (CZE) d. (3) Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) 64 46 61
(5) Samantha Stosur (AUS) d. Sara Errani (ITA) 63 75
Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP) d. (6) Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 64 40 ret. (upper respiratory illness)
Julia Goerges (GER) d. (7) Marion Bartoli (FRA) 63 61
(8) Li Na (CHN) d. Iveta Benesova (CZE) 61 75
(9) Serena Williams (USA) d. Nadia Petrova (RUS) 46 62 63
(12) Angelique Kerber (GER) d. Vania King (USA) 63 62
(13) Ana Ivanovic (SRB) d. (Q) Sílvia Soler-Espinosa (ESP) 62 61
(14) Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) d. (WC) Karin Knapp (ITA) 63 46 61
Flavia Pennetta (ITA) d. (Q) Sloane Stephens (USA) 62 63
Sorana Cirstea (ROU) d. Sofia Arvidsson (SWE) 63 61
Chanelle Scheepers (RSA) d. Marina Erakovic (NZL) 57 61 62
(WC) Venus Williams (USA) d. Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) 76(7) 61

Women’s Doubles – Second Round
(1) Huber/Raymond (USA/USA) d. Mattek-Sands/Mirza (USA/IND) 61 63

Women’s Doubles – First Round
Pennetta/Schiavone (ITA/ITA) d. Groenefeld/Martic (GER/CRO) 63 64
(WC) Camerin/Knapp (ITA/ITA) d. Lisicki/Peng (GER/CHN) w/o (Peng: left hand injury)

Men’s Singles – Second Round
[2] R Nadal (ESP) d F Mayer (GER) 61 75
[3] R Federer (SUI) d C Berlocq (ARG) 63 64
[7] T Berdych (CZE) d L Kubot (POL) 64 61
S Wawrinka (SUI) d [8] J Tipsarevic (SRB) 63 61
A Seppi (ITA) d [9] J Isner (USA) 26 76(5) 75
[10] J Del Potro (ARG) d M Youzhny (RUS) 64 62
[11] G Simon (FRA) d [Q] G Garcia-Lopez (ESP) 64 26 64
[12] N Almagro (ESP) d [Q] S Querrey (USA) 75 62
[14] J Monaco (ARG) d R Stepanek (CZE) 64 62
[16] R Gasquet (FRA) d [WC] P Lorenzi (ITA) 63 62
M Granollers (ESP) d [WC] F Fognini (ITA) 63 64

Men’s Doubles – Second Round
[2] B Bryan (USA) / M Bryan (USA) d S Gonzalez (MEX) / C Kas (GER) 63 62
[4] R Lindstedt (SWE) / H Tecau (ROU) d J Cabal (COL) / E Schwank (ARG) 64 63
SCHEDULE – THURSDAY, 17 MAY, 2012

CENTRALE start 12:00 noon
[1] N Djokovic (SRB) vs [14] J Monaco (ARG) – ATP
[5] S Stosur (AUS) vs [WC] V Williams (USA) – WTA
M Granollers (ESP) vs [2] R Nadal (ESP) – ATP
Not Before 7:30 PM
[13] A Ivanovic (SRB) vs [2] M Sharapova (RUS) – WTA
Not Before 9:00 PM
[3] R Federer (SUI) vs J Ferrero (ESP) – ATP

SUPERTENNIS ARENA start 11:00 am
S Cirstea (ROU) vs [4] P Kvitova (CZE) – WTA
[6] D Ferrer (ESP) vs [11] G Simon (FRA) – ATP
[16] R Gasquet (FRA) vs [4] A Murray (GBR) – ATP
C Scheepers (RSA) vs [8] N Li (CHN) – WTA – Possible Court Change
Not Before 7:00 PM
[10] J Del Potro (ARG) vs [5] J Tsonga (FRA) – ATP

PIETRANGELI start 11:00 am
[7] T Berdych (CZE) vs [12] N Almagro (ESP) – ATP
P Cetkovska (CZE) vs F Pennetta (ITA) – WTA
[9] S Williams (USA) vs A Medina Garrigues (ESP) – WTA
A Seppi (ITA) vs S Wawrinka (SUI) – ATP
Not Before 6:00 PM
D Bracciali (ITA) / A Seppi (ITA) vs [7] M Bhupathi (IND) / R Bopanna (IND) – ATP – After Suitable Rest

COURT 1 start 11:00 am
J Goerges (GER) vs [12] A Kerber (GER) – WTA
Not Before 12:30 PM
[1] M Mirnyi (BLR) / D Nestor (CAN) vs [WC] G Naso (ITA) / F Volandri (ITA) – ATP
Not Before 2:00 PM
[6] J Goerges (GER) / V King (USA) vs J Hampton (USA) / A Tatishvili (GEO) – WTA – After Suitable Rest
[5] L Paes (IND) / R Stepanek (CZE) vs L Kubot (POL) / J Tipsarevic (SRB) – ATP
Not Before 6:00 PM
M Granollers (ESP) / M Lopez (ESP) vs [8] A Peya (AUT) / A Qureshi (PAK) – ATP – After Suitable Rest

COURT 2 start 11:00 am
C Chuang (TPE) / V Dushevina (RUS) vs [WC] M Camerin (ITA) / K Knapp (ITA) – WTA
[3] S Errani (ITA) / R Vinci (ITA) vs G Dulko (ARG) / P Suarez (ARG) – WTA
Not Before 3:00 PM
[1] V Azarenka (BLR) or S Peer (ISR) vs [14] D Cibulkova (SVK) – WTA – Possible Court Change
Not Before 4:00 PM
F Pennetta (ITA) / F Schiavone (ITA) vs [2] K Peschke (CZE) / K Srebotnik (SLO) – WTA-TBA After Rest

COURT 4 start 12:30 pm
[6] M Fyrstenberg (POL) / M Matkowski (POL) vs J Melzer (AUT) / P Petzschner (GER) – ATP
Not Before 2:00 PM
[3] M Llodra (FRA) / N Zimonjic (SRB) vs N Almagro (ESP) / P Andujar (ESP) – ATP – After Suitable Rest
Not Before 5:00 PM
D Cibulkova (SVK) / J Husarova (SVK) vs [7] N Grandin (RSA) / V Uhlirova (CZE) – WTA-TBA After Rest

COURT 6 start 1:00 pm
E Makarova (RUS) / E Vesnina (RUS) vs [Alt] J Craybas (USA) / S Stephens (USA) – WTA
Not Before 5:00 PM
I Benesova (CZE) / A Medina Garrigues (ESP) vs [5] M Kirilenko (RUS) / N Petrova (RUS) – WTA-TBA After Rest

ROME – The life of the tennis player and the life of the unknown journalist, although lived in the same Foro Italico, can be pretty different. You may be aware of how the athletes spend an average day, let’s try to familiarize you with a journalist’s day around the grounds at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia.

The Rome venue, set in a beautiful city landscape surrounded by a green hill, is long and narrow. The courts are one after the other, mostly in pairs of two, starting from the Centre Court and ending with the SuperTennis Arena. The very first building after the main gate is a former YMCA that this year was transformed in the press area. I said ‘transformed’ but I should have said ‘adjusted’ as the main shape still reflects the old building with long corridors and small rooms. Inevitably the press area is divided in four rooms, all alike, impossible to recognize but from a tiny square of different colors on the doors. The common scene is that people rush into a room, stop and stare thinking “who the heck is sitting in my chair?”

Juan Martin Del Potro ascends stairs to his post-match news conference

The famous 50 stairs that bring the players to the press conferences are the hourly exercise of every reporter. No one is excused, not even Juan Martin Del Potro. At the bottom of the stairs there is a sort of mini Wimbledon. It’s a small green area that is flooded with water from a sprinkler 24/7. The side effect is that the pavement nearby remains wet all the time and journalists and photographers constantly risk their life.

From the press area to the Centre Court it is a couple of minutes’ walk that lazy spectators may avoid with a little tourist train that covers the path. Behind the main court there is the amazing Pietrangeli court surrounded by the statues. Then you have a restaurant, the last six courts and the SuperTennis Arena.

Next to the Arena there is a court dedicated to the kids. The top players show up to entertain them while plenty of coaches let them play. Novak Djokovic popped up today but as you may notice the kids were not those gathering around him. Italian fans want to see the big names. The children are running and screaming in search of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal and when they realize that their parents don’t have tickets for the main courts get upset.

David Ferrer

On the way back to the press area there are the sponsor shops. Players are expected every now and then to show up for a round of autographs and the queue for them is usually quite long and loud. Most of the time people don’t even know who they are waiting for but in this case nobody complained about David Ferrer. Also, fans and players have to watch their steps while walking in the Foro Italico: there is a guy painting the champions on the pavement and you would not like to see them stepped on.

Talking about tennis, Serena Williams had to fight hard to overcome Nadia Petrova, the wind didn’t help but the Russian who is returning to decent form. Ana Ivanovic is set for an interesting match on Thursday with Maria Sharapova while the current Roland Garros champion Li Na had to play in a small and empty court to beat Iveta Benesova. Julia Georges defeated Marion Bartoli, thanks to her seasonal allergy and will play Angelique Kerber in the third round. US Open champion Samantha Stosur went through stopping local heroine Sara Errani. Caroline Wozniacki was forced to retire to Medina Garrigues with an upper respiratory infection.

In the men’s draw, Federer and Nadal main tasks on Wednesday were the adoring fans as both didn’t have to sweat much against Carlos Berlocq and Florian Mayer. Juan Monaco showed good progress in his recovery and will test Djokovic and conditions in the third round. Richard Gasquet gave no chance to Paolo Lorenzi and will meet Andy Murray next while Del Potro, Gilles Simon, Stanislas Wawrinka and Tomas Berdych won. Spaniard Marcel Granollers caused a bit of a shock to the local fans when he beat Fabio Fognini in straight sets. Once again, an epic match for John Isner in which he managed to save 11 consecutive break points before losing the serve and the match to a jubilant Andreas Seppi.

Enrico Maria Riva is in Rome covering the Internazionali BNL D’Italia for Tennis Panorama News. Follow his twitter updates on @TennisNewsTPN and his personal twitter @EnricoMariaRiva.

Enrico Maria Riva is the tennis columnist for the Italian online newspaper Il Post and also writes for the Matchpoint magazine and for the websites Spaziotennis.com and Thetennisspace.com.

By J. Fred Sidhu

La Jolla, Calif. – (May 16, 2012) – Top-seeded Tina Karwasky of Glendale, Calif. played another near-perfect match to advance to the semifinals in the Women’s 60s division of the USTA National Senior Women’s Hard Court Tennis Championships at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club.

The 59-year-old Karwasky, who will turn 60 later this year, wasted little time in eliminating fifth-seeded Chieko Holt of Klamath Falls, Ore., 6-0, 6-0, in a quarterfinal match played on Court No. 1.

Karwasky has yet to lose a game in the tournament. After receiving a first-round bye earlier this week, she defeated unseeded Pricilla Sisson of Windsor, Colo., 6-0, 6-0, in the second round on Tuesday.

In her quarterfinal victory, Karwasky controlled the match from start to finish. She attacked Holt’s serve frequently throughout the afternoon as she approached the net off her own service return to set up a winning volley. The strategy helped Karwasky break Holt’s serve each time during the match, which took a little over an hour to complete.

“I was playing pretty good. My ground strokes were coming in nice and deep and I feel pretty comfortable on a hard court,” said Karwasky, who grew up playing on public hard courts in Los Angeles.

As the number one seed in the Women’s 60 division, Karwasky admitted feeling a little bit of pressure. “It always puts pressure on you to do well (as the top seed),” she said. “Everybody is watching you, especially when they put you on the center court. You just want to perform well.”

Playing at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club is a special experience for Karwasky. “This is one of the most beautiful spots in all of the United States,” she said. “I’ve been coming here ever since I was a little kid when my mother used to play senior tournaments and she used to leave me at the beach to build sand castles.”

Karwasky, who played on the women’s professional tennis tour in the 1980s, will take on fourth-seeded Molly Hahn of Belmont, Mass. in a semifinal match on Thursday at 12:30 p.m. (PDT).

In other action, top-seeded Ros Nideffer advanced to Thursday’s semifinals of the Women’s 50 division as she defeated fifth-seeded Vicki Buholz of Dallas, Texas, 6-2, 6-2, in a morning quarterfinal match on Court No.1.

The 51-year-old Nideffer, a former touring tennis professional who lives in the San Diego community of Rancho Bernardo, needed nearly two hours to eliminate Buholz in a match highlighted by many long rallies and numerous deuce games.

Nideffer will face fourth-seeded Mariana Hollman of Winston Salem, N.C., in a semifinal match scheduled for Thursday at 12:30 p.m. (PDT).

The La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club’s 40^th Annual Spring Senior Championships for men are also taking place the same week in conjunction with the women’s events. Although the men’s events are not national championships, they will feature many senior players who regularly compete in national tournaments. The men’s events will include singles and doubles for 60 and over, 65 and over, 70 and over, 75 and over and 80 and over age groups. A combined total of over 300 players are participating in the men’s and women’s tournaments.

Matches are scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. through Friday, May 18 and at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 19 and Sunday, May 20. Women’s championship finals will take place on Friday. Men’s championship finals will be played on Saturday.  Men’s and women’s consolation finals will be played on Sunday.

Admission to the week-long tournament is free and open to the public. A snack bar and dining facility will be available to spectators. On-site parking will also be available for a nominal fee. Draws will be posted at the Beach Club and will be available at following link: http://tennislink.usta.com/TOURNAMENTS/TournamentHome_New/Tournament.aspx?T=113672

USTA National Senior Women’s Hard Court Tennis Championships

La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club

La Jolla, Calif.

Surface: Hard Court

Wednesday’s Results

Quarterfinals

Women’s 50 Singles

Ros Nideffer (1,) San Diego, def.  Vicki Buholz (5), Dallas, Texas, 6-2, 6-2

Mariana Hollman (4), Winston Salem, N.C.  def.  Kathy Vick (5), Lubbock, Texas, Wo (inj.)

Tracy Houk (3), Half Moon Bay, def.  Tracey Thompson (5), San Diego, 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-2

Frances Chandler (2), Jackson, Tenn., def.  Myke Loomis-Landauer (5), Naples, Fla., 6-0, 6-0

Women’s 60 Singles

Mary Ginnard (2), Fort Lauderdale, Fla., def. Fay Matsumoto, Prescott, Ariz., 6-0, 6-0

Martha Downing (3), Shingle Springs, def.  Susan Bramlette (5), Houston, Texas, 6-1, 6-0

Molly Hahn (4), Belmont, Mass., def.  Margaret Machoian (5), Annapolis, Md., 6-4, 5-7, 7-5

Tina Karwasky (1), Glendale, def.  Chieko Holt (5), Klamath Falls, Ore., 6-0, 6-0

Women’s 70 Singles

Charleen Hillebrand (2), San Pedro, def.  Dorothy Matthiessen (5), Pasadena, 6-2, 6-3

Lurline Fujii (4), Honolulu, Hawaii, def.  Grace Woo (5), Pittsford, N.Y., 6-0, 6-2

Suella Steel (3), La Jolla, def.  Sheila Weinstock (5), Framingham, Mass., 6-4, 6-3

Catherine Anderson (1) Del Mar, def.  Judy Janc, San Diego, 6-1, 6-0

Women’s 80 Singles

Louise Russ (2), Boca Raton, Fla., def.  Nancy Kibbey, La Mesa, 7-5, 6-4

Margaret Canby (3), San Antonio, Texas, def.  Beverly Winans, Newport Beach, 6-4, 5-7, 6-1

Carol Cofer, Austin, Texas, def.  Janet Hubbard, Huntington Beach, 7-5, 7-5

Doris Lutz (1), Sarasota, Fla., def.  Ann Schwartz, Poway, 6-0, 6-0

40th Annual Spring Senior Men’s Championships

La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club

La Jolla, Calif.

Surface: Hard Court

Wednesday’s Results

Men’s 60 Singles

First Round

Howard Morrison, Murrieta, def.  Jack Tavelman, Carlsbad, 6-1, 6-2

Iraj Aalam, La Jolla, def.  Michael Averbach (4), La Quinta, 6-3, 6-1

Phil Aurbach, Las Vegas, Nev., def.  Wayne Hughes, San Diego, Wd (inj.)

Ikko HiraokaToon-Shi, Ehime def.  Bradley Hasper, San Diego, 6-0, 6-0

Steve Kasner, Laguna Niguel, def.  Ted Tietge, Cardiff, 6-2, 6-0

Men’s 65 Singles

Quarterfinals

Les Buck (1), Queenstown, Md., def.  Dennis Bowers Hemet, 7-6(4), 6-3

Gregg Hepner, Hemet, def.  Tom Bryan (3), San Clemente, 7-6(4), 6-2

German Ruiz, Playa Del Rey, def. Danny Miller, Valley Village, 6-4, 6-2

Danny Dabby (2), Del Mar, def.  Jim Fishback, San Marcos, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2

From the USTA – WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., May 16, 2012 – The USTA announced that Nintendo has signed on as an Official Sponsor of the SmashZone Mobile Tour, the interactive tennis fan attraction which introduces children to tennis in a fun and engaging way.  As part of the agreement, Nintendo, the worldwide pioneer in the creation of interactive entertainment, will incorporate video game kiosks into the SmashZone experience throughout the duration of the tour. The partnership will launch at the California Strawberry Festival in Oxnard, Calif., on May 19 – 20.

This year’s SmashZone Mobile Tour will serve as a launching pad for Mario Tennis Open for the Nintendo 3DS hand-held system. Mario Tennis Open, a fun, portable tennis game that can be played in 3D without the need for special glasses, is scheduled for release everywhere on May 20, and this partnership provides an opportunity for an integrated fan experience where audiences can demo the new game.

SmashZone Mobile includes a 53-foot trailer, which anchors four kid-sized tennis courts for youth play. Courts feature games such as Xerox Rally Courts, Esurance Sweet Spot and Target Challenge. The trailer itself, which is handicap accessible, features interactive activities for visitors, including a TENNIS Magazine Green Screen Cover Shoot and touch screen kiosks. The Nintendo video game kiosks will be located in the game room of the trailer. Additionally, Nintendo brand ambassadors will be on site to provide hands-on demonstrations of Mario Tennis Open on the youth tennis courts.

“Video games can serve as a gateway to help get kids interested in real-life sports and activities,” said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America’s Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing. “Mario Tennis Open features all their favorite Nintendo characters, and fast-paced tennis action that people will have fun experiencing.”

In addition, Nintendo will be an Official Sponsor of Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day presented by Hess, which will be held on August 25 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The sponsorship will enhance fans’ on-site experience by having in-person visits from Mario and Luigi from Mario Tennis Open and product demonstrations on the grounds during the free activity portion of Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day.

“We are thrilled to welcome industry leader and innovator Nintendo as an official partner,” said Kurt Kamperman, USTA Chief Executive, Community Tennis.  “Their collaboration and support of the SmashZone Mobile Tour provides a tremendous opportunity to engage thousands of parents and children throughout the country.”

For more information about the SmashZone Mobile Tour and to find out if it is coming to a city near you, check out www.10andundertennis.com.

For more information about Mario Tennis Open for the Nintendo 3DS, please visit http://mariotennisopen.nintendo.com.

The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) announced the launch of the international tender process to identify the host city for its year-end WTA Championships for 2014 and beyond.  The WTA’s year-end finale – with a global audience across 164 countries and a 40-year history of being hosted in a handful of  world cities – features the world’s top eight singles players and top four doubles teams competing for one of the most coveted titles in women’s tennis and a share of the multi-million prize money.

“The WTA Championships has gone from strength to strength over the past four decades, and is today recognized as one of a handful of truly blue chip international events on the world sporting calendar,” said Stacey Allaster, Chairman & CEO of the WTA.  “Based on the significant demand by numerous cities around the world to invest in women’s tennis and host our year-end WTA Championships, we decided to launch an international bidding process to select a host city for 2014 and beyond.  It’s a chance for some city somewhere to step up on the world stage.  We are confident that through this process we will be able to identify the right city to become the next partner for the world’s premier sporting event for women.”

“A trip to the WTA Championships, and the right to battle for such a prestigious title and possibly the World No.1 ranking, is the goal of every single player,” said World No.2 and three-time Grand Slam Champion Maria Sharapova.  “Having only the best of the best together always makes for an incredibly exciting finale to each WTA season.  And having the chance to bring our best event to new cities is always exciting for the players and fans.”

In order to showcase the best of women’s tennis to fans around the world, continuously expand the sport, and grow its value and fan base, the WTA has had a successful strategy of rotating its year-end Championships to different global markets.  The WTA’s season-ending crown jewel has held in only a handful of world class cities including New York, Los Angeles, Munich, Madrid, Doha and Istanbul.  The roster of former WTA Championships winners reads as a who’s who of the legends of the game, including Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert, Steffi Graf, Monica Seles, Martina Hingis, Lindsay Davenport, Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Justine Henin, Kim Clijsters, Maria Sharapova and Petra Kvitova.

The 2011 WTA Championships – sponsored by BNP Paribas and its Turkish partner Türk Ekonomi Bankasý (TEB), as well as Rolex, Turkish Airlines, Sony Xperia, Oriflame and others, and held in Istanbul for the first of three years – was a hugely successful event, registering the highest attendance in 12 years, and setting record broadcast and digital audience milestones.  The 2011 TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships broadcast more than 400 hours of live coverage in 164 countries through 22 international TV broadcasters, the widest reach of a WTA Championships to date.   The WTA Championships will remain in Istanbul through 2013.

The WTA chose the London-based international sports marketing agency, The Sports Consultancy, to manage the Championships bid process, which will commence with requests for Expression of Interest sent to prospective host cities that are required to respond by June 29, 2012.  Interested parties will receive a Bid Guide, formal Bid Application and Questionnaire that must be submitted by September 21, 2012.  A short list of potential Candidate Cities will be announced in October 2012, with a final decision made in March 2013.  Parties interested in submitting an Expression of Interest should contact The Sports Consultancy by email at thesportsconsultancy@wtatennis.com

INTERNAZIONALI BNL D’ITALIA
Rome, Italy
May 14-20, 2012
Clay/Outoors

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Women’s Singles – Second Round
(2) Maria Sharapova (RUS) d. Christina McHale (USA) 75 75
(4) Petra Kvitova (CZE) d. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) 75 64

Women’s Singles – First Round
(9) Serena Williams (USA) d. Galina Voskoboeva (KAZ) 62 63
Marina Erakovic (NZL) d. (11) Sabine Lisicki (GER) 76(4) 46 63
(14) Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) d. (Q) Mirjana Lucic (CRO) 61 62
Sorana Cirstea (ROU) d. (15) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) 63 46 76(4)
Flavia Pennetta (ITA) d. (16) Maria Kirilenko (RUS) 61 76(2)
Sara Errani (ITA) d. Timea Bacsinszky (SUI) 60 30 ret. (left abdominal injury)
Petra Cetkovska (CZE) d. (Q) Olga Govortsova (BLR) 75 64
Nadia Petrova (RUS) d. (Q) Andrea Hlavackova (CZE) 63 63
(Q) Sílvia Soler-Espinosa (ESP) d. (WC) Alberta Brianti (ITA) 62 61
(Q) Sloane Stephens (USA) d. (Q) Anna Chakvetadze (RUS) 62 26 64
(WC) Venus Williams (USA) d. Simona Halep (ROU) 63 64
(WC) Karin Knapp (ITA) d. Roberta Vinci (ITA) 64 26 62

Women’s Doubles – First Round
(6) Goerges/King (GER/USA) d. Jans-Ignacik/Kudryavtseva (POL/RUS) 75 62
Benesova/Medina Garrigues (CZE/ESP) d. Klepac/Rosolska (SLO/POL) 60 61
Dulko/Suárez (ARG/ARG) d. Arvidsson/Gajdosova (SWE/AUS) 64 62
Makarova/Vesnina (RUS/RUS) d. Llagostera Vives/Martínez Sánchez (ESP/ESP) 75 76(6)
Hampton/Tatishvili (USA/GEO) d. Hsieh/Zheng (TPE/CHN) 16 63 119

Men’s Singles – Second Round
[1] N Djokovic (SRB) d B Tomic (AUS) 63 63
[4] A Murray (GBR) d D Nalbandian (ARG) 61 46 75
[5] J Tsonga (FRA) d V Troicki (SRB) 63 62
[6] D Ferrer (ESP) d F Verdasco (ESP) 63 76(3)
J Ferrero (ESP) d [13] G Monfils (FRA) 75 63

Men’s Singles – First Round
[10] J Del Potro (ARG) d M Llodra (FRA) 75 36 64
[11] G Simon (FRA) d D Young (USA) 62 75
[14] J Monaco (ARG) d [Q] A Ungur (ROU) 62 62
M Granollers (ESP) d [15] F Lopez (ESP) 64 64
[16] R Gasquet (FRA) d J Melzer (AUT) 61 76(6)
[Q] G Garcia-Lopez (ESP) d P Andujar (ESP) 64 61
L Kubot (POL) d [WC] P Starace (ITA) 63 57 62
[Q] S Querrey (USA) d J Nieminen (FIN) 76(4) 57 64

Men’s Doubles – First Round
N Almagro (ESP) / P Andujar (ESP) d D Marrero (ESP) / F Verdasco (ESP) 63 76(4)
M Granollers (ESP) / M Lopez (ESP) d S Bolelli (ITA) / F Fognini (ITA) 63 64
J Melzer (AUT) / P Petzschner (GER) d J Isner (USA) / S Querrey (USA) 36 76(7) 10-5
J Cabal (COL) / E Schwank (ARG) d F Cermak (CZE) / F Polasek (SVK) 62 63
SCHEDULE – WEDNESDAY, MAY16, 2012

CENTRALE start 12:00 noon
M Granollers (ESP) vs [WC] F Fognini (ITA) – ATP
[3] R Federer (SUI) vs C Berlocq (ARG) – ATP
[9] S Williams (USA) or G Voskoboeva (KAZ) vs N Petrova (RUS) – WTA – Possible Court Change

Not Before 7:30 PM
F Mayer (GER) vs [2] R Nadal (ESP) – ATP

Not Before 9:00 PM
[1] V Azarenka (BLR) vs S Peer (ISR) – WTA

SUPERTENNIS ARENA start 11:00 am
[3] A Radwanska (POL) vs P Cetkovska (CZE) – WTA
[10] J Del Potro (ARG) vs M Youzhny (RUS) – ATP
[16] R Gasquet (FRA) vs [WC] P Lorenzi (ITA) – ATP
[WC] V Williams (USA) vs E Makarova (RUS) – WTA

Not Before 7:00 PM
S Wawrinka (SUI) vs [8] J Tipsarevic (SRB) – ATP

PIETRANGELI start 11:00 am
[Q] S Stephens (USA) vs F Pennetta (ITA) – WTA
[5] S Stosur (AUS) vs S Errani (ITA) – WTA
[7] T Berdych (CZE) vs L Kubot (POL) – ATP
[9] J Isner (USA) vs A Seppi (ITA) – ATP

COURT 1 start 11:00 am
S Gonzalez (MEX) / C Kas (GER) vs [2] B Bryan (USA) / M Bryan (USA) – ATP
R Stepanek (CZE) vs [14] J Monaco (ARG) – ATP
[Q] S Querrey (USA) vs [12] N Almagro (ESP) – ATP
J Cabal (COL) / E Schwank (ARG) vs [4] R Lindstedt (SWE) / H Tecau (ROU) – ATP

COURT 2 start 11:00 am
I Benesova (CZE) vs [8] N Li (CHN) – WTA
A Medina Garrigues (ESP) vs [6] C Wozniacki (DEN) – WTA
[WC] K Knapp (ITA) vs [14] D Cibulkova (SVK) – WTA – Possible Court Change
[13] A Ivanovic (SRB) vs [Q] S Soler-Espinosa (ESP) – WTA

COURT 4 start 11:00 am
V King (USA) vs [12] A Kerber (GER) – WTA
[7] M Bartoli (FRA) vs J Goerges (GER) – WTA

Not Before 2:00 PM
[Q] G Garcia-Lopez (ESP) vs [11] G Simon (FRA) – ATP
[WC] M Camerin (ITA) / K Knapp (ITA) vs S Lisicki (GER) / S Peng (CHN) – WTA – TBA After Rest

COURT 6 start 11:00 am
[1] L Huber (USA) / L Raymond (USA) vs B Mattek-Sands (USA) / S Mirza (IND) – WTA
S Cirstea (ROU) vs S Arvidsson (SWE) – WTA
M Erakovic (NZL) vs C Scheepers (RSA) – WTA
A Groenefeld (GER) / P Martic (CRO) vs F Pennetta (ITA) / F Schiavone (ITA) – WTA

Andy Murray

World No. 4 Andy Murray celebrated his birthday with a hard-fought win over veteran David Nalbandian 6-1, 4-6, 7-5 to advance to the third round of the Rome Masters.

The Scot Murray needed two-hours and 37 minutes to top the Argentine, hitting 29 winners in the process and rallying from 1-3 down in the third set.

“I’m very happy to win, considering how the last few weeks have gone,” said Murray who withdrew from last week’s Madrid Open with a back injury.

“When you haven’t hit that much, it’s not so comfortable. Hopefully I can go on from here.”

No. 1 Novak Djokovic had few problems with Australian Bernard Tomic, taking out the teen 6-3, 6-3.

”It was a good match for me to start with,” said Djokovic. “(Tomic) has a lot of talent and he changes things up well, so you don’t know what to expect – that’s what makes him dangerous.”

Serena Williams played the last match of the evening on Tuesday having little trouble with Galina Voskoboeva of Kazakhstan beating her 6-2, 6-3. This marked her 14 consecutive victory which includes last week’s Madrid Open, the Family Circle Cup and two Fed Cup matches.

Last week’s Madrid Open winner on the men’s side, Roger Federer announced on Tuesday that he would play Rome and will play his first match on Wednesday. The Swiss who is now ranked No. 2 will face Argentine Carlos Berlocq.

Maria Sharapova had to fight off a determined Christina McHale 7-5, 7-5.

It was really about adjusting and I made too many unforced errors in the first part, noted Sharapova. “Part of it was that she was extremely consistent and she made me hit a lot of balls and perhaps I tried too many winners and so I was fortunate to get back into the second set – you know, win the first and then get back in the second – it was close. She has certainly improved since the last time that I played her. I look forward to improving for the next match too. I am happy to win and let’s see what will happen next. “

Venus Williams defeated Simona Halep 6-3, 6-4. She compared last week’s blue clay courts in Madrid to this week’s red clay courts of Rome as well as the conditions.

“You know – it was different than last week,” said Williams. “I sort of had to make some adjustments to get used to this court and you know with my history of playing her two times before, I was really happy to go to two sets. I was happy to have two sets and it was kind of windy and with the shadows, it was kind of tough to see the ball and it made it very difficult and so I was happy that I finished it well.”

Upsets on the day included Jelena  Jankovic, Sabine Lisicki, and Feliciano Lopez.

2012 Men’s Award Winners:
Wilson/ITA Coach of the Year - Derrick Racine, University of West Florida
ITA Assistant Coach of the Year - Eva Huning, Columbus State University
ITA Senior Player of the Year - Christian Hansen, Valdosta State University
ITA Rookie Player of the Year - Sven Lalic, Armstrong Atlantic State University
ITA Player to Watch - Georgi Rumenov, Armstrong Atlantic State University
ITA/Arthur Ashe Jr. Award for Leadership and Sportsmanship - Tyler McCullough, West Liberty University

2012 Women’s Award Winners: 
Wilson/ITA Coach of the Year - Simon Earnshaw, Armstrong Atlantic State University
ITA Assistant Coach of the Year - Maria Lopez, Barry University
ITA Senior Player of the Year - Yuan Jia, BYU-Hawaii
ITA Rookie Player of the Year - Sherry Liu, BYU-Hawaii
ITA Player to Watch - Paola Cigui, Columbus State University
ITA/Arthur Ashe Jr. Award for Leadership and Sportsmanship - Kara Murphy, Bentley University

Derrick Racine, the 2012 Wilson/ITA Men’s Coach of the Year, has his West Florida squad currently ranked second in the nation in the Campbell/ITA Division II Men’s Tennis Rankings with a record of 23-2. The Argos claimed the 2012 Gulf South Conference title and went undefeated in regional play in the always tough South Region.

Eva Huning, the 2012 Men’s Assistant Coach of the Year, has helped guide the Columbus State program to back-to-back semifinal appearances in the NCAA Division II Men’s National Championship. This year’s team has a record of 22-3, with the only losses coming to the top two teams in the nation. She was awarded ITA Region Coach of the year on the women’s side last season.

Christian Hansen, the 2012 ITA Men’s Senior Player of the Year, is responsible for top-ranked Georgi Rumenov’s only singles loss this season. He was also part of the doubles duo that claimed the Men’s Doubles draw at the 2011 USTA/ITA National Small College Championships in Mobile. The duo went on to play in the 2011 USTA/ITA National Indoor Intercollegiate Championships, defeating a tandem from the University of Texas in the event.

Sven Lalic, the 2012 ITA Men’s Rookie Player of the year, was named the Peach Belt Freshman of the Year along with being selected to the Peach Belt All-Conference Second Team for both singles and doubles. He has an undefeated record in dual singles action, dropping only one set the entire spring. He has also been ranked in the top 30 in both singles and doubles nationally this season.

Georgi Rumenov, the 2012 ITA Men’s Player to Watch, earned Peach Belt Player of the Week honors on four separate occasions on the way to being named the Peach Belt Player of the Year. He is currently ranked No. 1 in both singles and doubles in the Campbell/ITA Division II Men’s Rankings. He has a record of 20-1 in singles play and 24-1 in doubles action on the season.

Despite being hampered with an injury that hindered his ability on the court, Tyler McCullough, the 2012 Men’s ITA/Arthur Ashe Jr. Award for Leadership and Sportsmanship honoree, remained a positive influence on his team through hard work and dedication. In his four years with the program, McCullough has always put the team’s goals first, making any sacrifice necessary to benefit his teammates. He also dedicated himself to excelling in the classroom, finishing his career with a GPA above 3.5.

Leading a young squad with only one senior to an undefeated record and a spot in the NCAA Championship Round of 16, Simon Earnshaw, the 2012 Wilson/ITA Women’s Coach of the Year, was named conference coach of the year for the sixth consecutive season. His squad took home the Peach Belt Conference title for the ninth time in a row earlier this season and is currently ranked third in the Campbell/ITA Division II Women’s Team Rankings.

Maria Lopez, the 2012 ITA Women’s Assistant Coach of the Year, is actively involved in all aspects of the tennis program at Barry and has done an excellent job in her two years as the assistant. She helped guide the Buccaneers program to its first ever national championship last season, and has helped this year’s squad to an undefeated season heading into the NCAA Championship Round of 16.

Yuan Jia, the 2012 ITA Women’s Senior Player of the Year, still holds an unblemished record in singles dual matches in her fourth season of collegiate competition at BYU-Hawaii, collecting an impressive 87 wins. She has an overall singles record of 102-3 and an overall doubles record of 109-3. Jia has never finished a season ranked outside the top 10 in either singles or doubles in the final Campbell/ITA Division II Women’s Rankings.

Putting together an absolutely dominating year of tennis in her rookie campaign, Sherry Liu, the 2012 ITA Women’s Rookie Player of the Year, is undefeated in both singles and doubles. In 21 singles matches, she has not surrendered one set to her opponents and has only dropped a total of 36 games. Her undefeated doubles record is highlighted by winning the Division II Women’s Doubles draw at the 2011 USTA/ITA National Small College Championships last fall in Mobile, Ala.

Though only a sophomore, Paola Cigui, the 2012 ITA Women’s Player to Watch, has posted an impressive 23-0 singles record while playing at the top position for Columbus State. She is currently ranked in the top 10 nationally in both singles and doubles in the Campbell/ITA Division II Women’s Rankings, with several wins over nationally-ranked opponents to her credit.

The captain of her squad for the second consecutive season, Kara Murphy, the 2012 Women’s ITA/Arthur Ashe Jr. Award for Leadership and Sportsmanship winner, has once again provided her team with a consistent level of outstanding leadership despite facing adversity in the form of battling back from injuries. She continues to hold the highest GPA on a team with an overall GPA of 3.8. Murphy has also spent much of her time off the court volunteering with projects such as Cradles to Crayons and The Wish Project.

For a full list of NCAA Division II Regional award winners, visit http://www.itatennis.com/AwardsAndRankings/Archives.htm.

As the governing body of collegiate tennis, the ITA promotes both the athletic and academic achievements of the collegiate tennis community. The ITA, which is comprised of nearly 1,700 men’s and women’s varsity coaches representing over 1,200 institutions, administers numerous regional and national championships and the Campbell/ITA College Tennis Rankings for over 20,000 college varsity student-athletes at the NCAA Divisions I, II and III, NAIA and Junior College levels. The ITA also has a comprehensive awards program for players and coaches to honor excellence in academics, leadership and sportsmanship. The official ITA web site is www.itatennis.com.