Hello all! I am back from my extended trip to the east coast. I saw some amazing things – sadly nothing tennis-related, though. And on the heels of that sad news, I have some more bad news that will bring the frownies out to play. Due to a series of events and circumstances, this blog will be bidding everyone adieu at the end of July. I’ll be posting like mad the last few days to give everyone an extra boost into the days beyond Rackets and Balls, and by all means – pick another b5 blog to become a fan of – there are some absolutely wonderful blogs on this channel! Until then, be sure to check back in as we get caught up on what’s been going down, and special thanks to Darren for filling in while I was gone! [Read more]

Canada’s Aleksandra Wozniak could be described at the WTA’s dark horseman. Wozniak has been reeked havoc to top players last week at Stanford for the Bank of the West Teen Classic. Not only did she outplay both Serena Williams and Marion Bartoli but has also put them sideline for the next tournament in the Olympus US Open Series. In her match against Serena Williams, she took the first set and forced Serena to retire in the second set due to a knee injury. In the finals against Marion, Wozniak once again wore her opponent out. In the first set Wozniak ran Bartoli from side to side taking the set 7-5. In the second set she rolled passed her to win 6-3. It was in the second set that not did Bartoli show signs of fatigue but also signs... [Read more]

Written by: Darren Whitfield, Guest Blogger Gone are the days of Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, Monica Seles, and Jennifer Capriati. These are the names of just a few champions who were part of the American tennis dynasty. In the late 1980’s and 1990’s American tennis was at its height. In everyone Championships there was an American on the list of players. Today unfortunately we cannot stay the same. While Venus and Serena Williams are still in the thick things there are not dominating women’s tennis. Andy Roddick who has been the hope of American men’s tennis since the exit of Agassi has been less than fruitful. This week proves there is a decline in American tennis. Three tennis players made an exit from the opening... [Read more]

Some tennis players only play another player on the tour once in their life. Not for Samantha Stosur. Not only is she playing Aleksandra Wozniak for the second time in her career, she is playing her for the second time in the Bank of the West Classic. Stosur was knocked out of the tournament earlier this week by Wozniak 6-4, 6-2. The stars shined on Stosur when Lindsay Davenport resigned as Stosur was selected to take her place in the main draw. The question know is will Stosur be the ultimate comeback kid and repay Wozniak the favor of being knocked out of the tournament. Stosur looks at she could be a threat to Wozniak has she easily dismantled the No. 11 in the world and third-seeded player at the tournament Vera Zvonareva in straight-set,... [Read more]

James Blake may have nine lives in the Indianapolis Tennis Championship. The defending champion has looked less than brilliant in his quest to repeat last year’s victory. Today Blake struggled against South Korean Jun Woong-sun. In the first set Jame couldn’t find his pace and was broken early. Eventually he found his rhythm and took the set 6-3. Blake came away with the second set by the skin of his neck. Jun Woong-sun had two set points against Blake before he finally put it to rest winning 7-5. This isn’t the first game Blake has had trouble with in the tournament. In an earlier match against Dudi Sela, Blake got off to a rocky start almost losing the opening set but eventually winning the set 7-6 before cruising to a victory... [Read more]