Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Fifa Women World Cup 2011 in Pictures
Fifa Women World Cup 2011 in Pictures
Marta, forward (Brazil)
Birgit Prinz, striker (Germany)
Homare Sawa, midfielder (Japan)
Kelly Smith, striker (England)
Hope Solo, goalkeeper (US)
Christine Sinclair, striker (Canada)
Lotta Schelin, striker (Sweden)
Faye White, defender (England)
Yorely Rincon, midfielder (Colombia)
Linda Bresonik, defender or midfielder (Germany)
Labels:
Football
The French Open Nice Pictures And News 2011
The French Open Nice Pictures And News 2011
World number 78 Alize Cornet justified her top billing when she downed Czech Renata Voracova in the first round of the 2011 French Open at the Stade Roland Garros in Paris, France on Sunday. Cornet from Nice, France won a high quality first round match 6-4, 6-2 to claim her berth in the second round of the prestigious French Open for the fifth time in her career.
Cornet and Voracova were separated by 42 places on the world rankings but they put up a great fight and were evenly contested during the match. However the Czech pro started to show signs of fatigue and allowed her 21-year-old opponent to take full advantage. Cornet stepped up her attacking abilities and at the beginning of the second set, seizing on her opponent’s mistake and racing away to big leads.
Cornet got through to the final set with majority of points and Voracova did not have such an easy road through. Cornet remained unbroken and successfully converted two of five break points against Voracova on return. She quickly stacked up a 4-1 lead in the first set, before Voracova managed to push herself to win next three games. Voracova was not strong enough as her opponent was winning rally after rally. The Czech pro suffered considerable trouble due to her opponent’s magnificent shots, and finally lost the first set with a 6-4 score line.
After losing the first set, the Czech pro never broke back and the final set saw an abrupt down fall in her game. In comparison, her French opponent looked very relaxed and assured her straight sets victory by hitting a single ace and 67 percent of points on her first serve. Moreover, she did not allow her Czech opponent to get into her stride and successfully managed to sneak the second set with a 6-2 score.
Cornet concluded her straight sets victory with 9 winners and two double faults. Furthermore, she won 69 percent of points on her first serve, 53 percent of points on her second serve and 48 percent of points on return.
Hometown hope Cornet continues her run at Roland Garros, as she squares off against either Anastasia Pivovarova of Russia or Nuria Llagostera Vives of Spain in the second round of the French Open.
Cornet made a respectable start to this season, but she is in a dreadful slump at the moment. Of course, that should not come as a major surprise because the 78-ranked Frenchwoman is 11-12 this year and she is coming off a second round loss to Nadia Petrova in Strasbourg. The Frenchwoman has a chance of fending off an upset bid, but she will have to raise her level considerably in order to do so.
World number 78 Alize Cornet justified her top billing when she downed Czech Renata Voracova in the first round of the 2011 French Open at the Stade Roland Garros in Paris, France on Sunday. Cornet from Nice, France won a high quality first round match 6-4, 6-2 to claim her berth in the second round of the prestigious French Open for the fifth time in her career.
Cornet and Voracova were separated by 42 places on the world rankings but they put up a great fight and were evenly contested during the match. However the Czech pro started to show signs of fatigue and allowed her 21-year-old opponent to take full advantage. Cornet stepped up her attacking abilities and at the beginning of the second set, seizing on her opponent’s mistake and racing away to big leads.
Cornet got through to the final set with majority of points and Voracova did not have such an easy road through. Cornet remained unbroken and successfully converted two of five break points against Voracova on return. She quickly stacked up a 4-1 lead in the first set, before Voracova managed to push herself to win next three games. Voracova was not strong enough as her opponent was winning rally after rally. The Czech pro suffered considerable trouble due to her opponent’s magnificent shots, and finally lost the first set with a 6-4 score line.
After losing the first set, the Czech pro never broke back and the final set saw an abrupt down fall in her game. In comparison, her French opponent looked very relaxed and assured her straight sets victory by hitting a single ace and 67 percent of points on her first serve. Moreover, she did not allow her Czech opponent to get into her stride and successfully managed to sneak the second set with a 6-2 score.
Cornet concluded her straight sets victory with 9 winners and two double faults. Furthermore, she won 69 percent of points on her first serve, 53 percent of points on her second serve and 48 percent of points on return.
Hometown hope Cornet continues her run at Roland Garros, as she squares off against either Anastasia Pivovarova of Russia or Nuria Llagostera Vives of Spain in the second round of the French Open.
Cornet made a respectable start to this season, but she is in a dreadful slump at the moment. Of course, that should not come as a major surprise because the 78-ranked Frenchwoman is 11-12 this year and she is coming off a second round loss to Nadia Petrova in Strasbourg. The Frenchwoman has a chance of fending off an upset bid, but she will have to raise her level considerably in order to do so.
Labels:
Tennis
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Sony Ericsson Open 2011 - Tennis
Sony Ericsson Open 2011 - Tennis
The 2011 Sony Ericsson Open (also known as 2011 Miami Masters), a men's and women's tennis tournament, was held from March 21 to April 3, 2011. It was the 27th edition of the Miami Masters event and played on outdoor hard courts at the Tennis Center at Crandon Park in Miami. The tournament was a part of 2011 ATP World Tour and 2011 WTA Tour, classified as ATP World Tour Masters 1000 and Premier Mandatory event respectively.
The 2011 Sony Ericsson Open (also known as 2011 Miami Masters), a men's and women's tennis tournament, was held from March 21 to April 3, 2011. It was the 27th edition of the Miami Masters event and played on outdoor hard courts at the Tennis Center at Crandon Park in Miami. The tournament was a part of 2011 ATP World Tour and 2011 WTA Tour, classified as ATP World Tour Masters 1000 and Premier Mandatory event respectively.
Labels:
Tennis
20 Hot Olympic Athletes of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics
20 Hot Olympic Athletes of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics
The Olympics only come once every four years, which means you only get one month, every four years, to watch some serious Olympic eye candy compete in some of the most scrutinized sporting event known to man.
And there is definitely eye candy. The training and dedication that goes into being an Olympic athlete is no simple undertaking. It takes a certain person to push their bodies to these limits, and we’re thankful for that. Because in the end, Olympic athletes are hot.
We’ve compiled a list of the top 20 athletes to watch at this year’s games. Don’t get confused. This list isn’t based on skill, it’s purely based on looks.
20. Dara Torres , USA, Swimmer
At 41-years-old, Dara Torres defies the parameters of age. She will be the first American swimmer to compete in five Olympics, but you couldn't tell just by looking at her. She already has nine Olympic medals (four golds) and is hungry for more in Beijing.
The Olympics only come once every four years, which means you only get one month, every four years, to watch some serious Olympic eye candy compete in some of the most scrutinized sporting event known to man.
And there is definitely eye candy. The training and dedication that goes into being an Olympic athlete is no simple undertaking. It takes a certain person to push their bodies to these limits, and we’re thankful for that. Because in the end, Olympic athletes are hot.
We’ve compiled a list of the top 20 athletes to watch at this year’s games. Don’t get confused. This list isn’t based on skill, it’s purely based on looks.
20. Dara Torres , USA, Swimmer
At 41-years-old, Dara Torres defies the parameters of age. She will be the first American swimmer to compete in five Olympics, but you couldn't tell just by looking at her. She already has nine Olympic medals (four golds) and is hungry for more in Beijing.
19. Jennie Finch , USA, Softball
Softball is not particularly well followed, but somehow everyone knows who pitcher Jennie Finch is. Maybe it's the fact that she modeled for the 2005 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, or that she appeared on the magazine's cover in a tank top and mini skirt. Either way, she's single handedly made softball popular just by suiting up. Oh, and did we mention she's awesome? She led the 2004 US Women's softball team to a gold medal in 2004 and is looking for a repeat in Beijing.
18. Michael Phelps , USA, Swimmer
For a young athlete, he's only 23, Michael Phelps has accomplished a lot, and that's why people love him. Well, that and his amazing body (thank you swimming!) Phelps holds World Records in several events. Beijing will be his third Olympics, and he's qualified for eight events.
17. Ana Ivanovic , Serbia, Tennis
Serbian tennis star Ana Ivanovic doesn't just look good in a tennis skirt, she's got the skill and stats to show that she's not just another pretty female tennis player. She recently snagged the No. 1 spot on the WTA Tour after winning the French Open.
16. Kelly Sotherton , Great Britain, Athletics
This Brit is no joke. Kelly Sotherton is a heptathlete, which means she's a multi-talented track and field athlete. Her one event includes the 100m hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200m, long jump, javelin throw and then is finished off with a 800m race. She's hoping to win gold in Beijing.
15. Charlotte Craig , USA, Taekwando
There's something hot about a girl that can kick some serious ass, and Charlotte Craig can do just that. She's looking for gold in Beijing, and she just might take it home. She took first place at the Olympic trials. Interesting fact, when Craig was an infant she ha a kidney removed and her parents were instructed not to let her participate in contact sports. Well, she obviously didn't take her doctor's advice, but look at where she is now.
14. LeBron James , USA, Basketball
LeBron James is pretty much a household name in the US, but he's about to become one worldwide. Although this is his second Olympics, the team only took home a bronze medal in 2004, and now they want gold.
13. Amanda Beard , USA, Swimming
You can't write an article about hot Olympic athletes and leave out Amanda Beard. The US swimmer, who masters the breaststroke, has appeared in FHM, Sports Illustrated and bared it all for Playboy. Beijing will be her fourth Olympics and she's looking to add to her ever-growing collection of gold medals.
12. Troy Dumais , USA, Diving
Troy Dumais can thank the rigorous training involved in professional diving for his chiseled body, and so can we. Bred from a family of athletes, his father was a professional hockey and tennis player. Dumais was on the 2004 Olympic team, but failed to medal. He hopes to return to the US with a shiny gold medal draped around his neck.
11. Rita Dravucz, Hungary, Water Polo
Hungarian water polo player Rita Dravucz kind of breaks the mold. Her tall slender form seems more suited for a model, then an athlete. She competed for her countries team at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, but they failed to medal.
10. Lauren Jackson, Australia, Basketball
It's hard to be hot, when you're a 6-foot, 5-inch girl, but Lauren Jackson makes it work. Around Australia Jackson is considered to be the best, and her skills as a forward have lead the Australian team to two silver medals in 2000 and 2004.
9. Susanna Kallur , Sweden, Athletics
Susanna Kallur is a master of sprint hurdles. But, athletic genes run in her family, her father, Anders Kallur, won four Stanley Cup championships with the New York Islanders. This will be her first trip to the Olympics after failing to make the cut in 2004.
8. Ryan Lochte, USA, Swimming
Keep an eye out for Ryan Lochte. This is his second Olympic games, after taking home the silver medal in the 200m Medley in 2004. His preferred stroke is the backstroke, but he also competes in the individual medley, and is serious competition for Michael Phelps.
7. Tatiana Golovin , France, Tennis
People love female tennis players, and Tatiana Golovin is quickly gaining international appeal. This will be the French tennis star's first Olympic games, and she's looking to bring home the gold. At only 20-years-old Golovin's highest singles ranking to date is 12.
6. Victoria Pendleton, Great Britain, Cycling
Strip off all that spandex and the goofy helmet and you've got a seriously attractive female cyclist. Victoria Pendleton finished sixth in the women's time trial and ninth in the women's 200m sprint at the 2004 Olympics. After her performance, she seriously considered hanging up her bike for good, but she just couldn't do it. She's back, and she wants a medal, bad.
5. Taylor Phinney, USA, Cyclist
Taylor Phinney is young, barely 18, but he looks like a seasoned cyclist on the track. He specializes in individual pursuit, and has already taken the title of Junior World Champion. Cycling is in his genes, his father, Davis Phinney is a former professional racing cyclist and his mother, Connie Phinney, is a former Olympic gold medal racing cyclist and speed skater. Is it any wonder this kid is awesome?
4. Laure Manaudou , France, Swimming
Even before French swimmer Laure Manaudou had scandalous pictures leaked to the Internet, she was hot. She's already an Olympic gold medalist, and although she's had a tough year, she's looking to repeat her success in Beijing.
3. Stephanie Rice , Australia, Swimmer
Australia breeds attractive swimmers. Maybe it's the fact that it's surrounded by water, or maybe Australians just like to swim, but some pretty hot swimmers have come from down under. Stephanie Rice is one of them. At only 20-years-old she already holds the world record in the 200m individual medley. In Beijing she'll compete in the 200m and 400m individual medleys and the 4x200m freestyle relay.
2. Justin Spring, USA, Gymnastics
Beijing will be this 24-year-old Texan's first trip to the Olympics. But Justin Spring has already established himself as a strong gymnast. He's competed with the US National team since 2005.
1. Heather Mitts , USA, Soccer
A defender on the 2008 US Olympic soccer team, Heather Mitts also helped the US win gold at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. She's no stranger to topping athletic "hot" lists, in 2004, she was named Hottest Female Athlete by the users of ESPN.com. When not on the field you can catch her as a reporter on ESPN2 She also does some Major League Soccer coverage for ABC, and is a columnist for ESPN Soccernet.
Labels:
Olympics
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