SERENA HAS MADE STATEMENT IN 2002 VENUS LOSES WORLD'S NO. 1 RANKING TO SIS.Byline: Ramona Shelburne Ramona Shelburne is an American sports journalist currently writing for the Los Angeles Daily News. Shelburne was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She attended El Camino Real High School in Woodland Hills, California where she was a class valedictorian. Staff Writer Richard Williams said for years it was only a matter of time before his daughters Serena and Venus would dominate women's tennis but he never let on which of the two he believed would be more dominating. Serena might've ended the suspense this year. Venus, older by 1 1/2 years, captured seven singles titles in 2002 but lost all three Grand Slam grand slam n. 1. The winning of all the tricks during the play of one hand in bridge and other whist-derived card games. 2. Sports The winning of all the major or specified events, especially on a professional circuit. finals to Serena and many have begun to question whether Venus has the drive and motivation to overtake her younger sister. Serena, who has won nine singles titles this year, and Venus are seeded Nos. 1 and 2, respectively, in the Women's Tennis Championships at Staples Center This article has multiple issues: * Its neutrality is disputed. * It may contain original research or unverifiable claims. * It does not cite any references or sources. - the so-called fifth Grand Slam of the WTA WTA Washington Trails Association WTA Women's Tennis Association WTA World Transhumanist Association WTA Willingness to Accept WTA Winner-Take-All WTA Winner Takes All WTA World Toilet Association (Singapore) tour - that begin today. ``Serena has more will (than Venus),'' said former No. 1 player Martina Hingis Martina Hingis (pronounced: hɪŋˈɡɪs) (born September 30, 1980 in Košice, Slovakia) is a former World No. 1 Swiss tennis player. , who is sitting out the championships with an ankle injury. ``She's the harder worker, I'd say, and this year she's more hungry. ``Last year it was Venus. But I don't necessarily think (Serena) is a better player; this year it just all came together for her.'' Serena, the more extroverted ex·tro·vert·ed also ex·tra·vert·ed adj. Marked by interest in and behavior directed toward others or the environment as opposed to or to the exclusion of self; gregarious or outgoing: of the two, has begun to carry herself with the poise of a champion. Tired of the inconsistency that characterized her first few years on the tour, she rededicated herself to the game and worked to improve her placement on serves, has come to the net more often and has cut down on unforced errors. Since winning the French Open in June, Serena has dropped just one match, to Chanda Rubin Chanda Rubin (born February 18, 1976 in Lafayette, Louisiana) is a professional tennis player from the United States. Throughout her long career, she has been ranked as high as No. 6 in the world even though she has been plagued by injuries. in the quarterfinals of Manhattan Beach Manhattan Beach, city (1990 pop. 32,063), Los Angeles co., S Calif., on Santa Monica Bay; inc. 1912. It is a residential and beach community with an oil refinery and nearby factories that produce transportation and electrical equipment, computers, and pottery. in August (6-2, 4-6, 7-5), when Rubin broke Serena's serve at 5-5 in third set. Rubin is unseeded in this week's event and opens up with a first-round match today against fifth-seed Kim Clijsters “Clijsters” redirects here. For other uses, see Clijsters (disambiguation). Kim Clijsters (IPA: [kɪm klɛistərs], listen of Belgium. With her power and athleticism, Clijsters is often mentioned in the same breath as Jennifer Capriati Jennifer Marie Capriati (born March 29, 1976, in New York City) is a former World No. 1 women's tennis player from the United States. She won three Grand Slam singles titles (2001 and 2002 Australian Open, 2001 French Open), and the women's singles gold medal at the 1992 Olympic , Amelie Mauresmo and Lindsay Davenport Lindsay Ann Davenport (born June 8 1976 in Palos Verdes, California) is a former World No. 1 American professional female tennis champion. She has won three Grand Slam singles tournaments: the 1998 U.S. Open, 1999 Wimbledon, and the 2000 Australian Open. as challengers to the Williams sisters The Williams Sisters refers to two professional American tennis players who are sisters:
``I was tired of losing to players I shouldn't lose to,'' Serena said. ``There were people ranked ahead of me who shouldn't have been. That was the last straw last straw n. The last of a series of annoyances or disappointments that leads one to a final loss of patience, temper, trust, or hope. [ .'' Davenport, who has won three Grand Slams, isn't surprised at Serena's success. ``(Serena) does everything well,'' Davenport said. ``I thought years ago that she had more potential than Venus. I think her serve is more accurate and her second serve is better. ``Last year she kind of lost some close matches, like to Capriati, but by the end of the year, she started to pull them out and then this year she kind of just breezed through matches.'' So how does one beat Serena? Davenport believes the only way to do it is beat her at her own game. ``I think you have to be aggressive with her, because I don't think she would lose to someone who just hits balls back to her now,'' Davenport said. ``I think you have to force her into some errors now.'' Although Venus has been overshadowed by her sister this year, she is clearly No. 2 in the world. Capriati, another former No. 1 player, is more than 1,300 points behind Venus at No. 3. And most players would be ecstatic over winning seven singles titles and reaching the finals of three of the four Grand Slams. However, this year is a relative disappointment for Venus after back-to-back championships at both Wimbledon and the U.S. Open The term U.S. Open is applied to "open" United States national championships in a particular sport, in which anybody, amateur or professional, American or non-American may compete. These include:
``Serena has definitely played better than anyone this year,'' Venus said. ``But I've still got my chance.'' She is expected to get a chance Monday in the championship match of the tournament, which features the top 16 singles players in the world vying for $3 million in prize money. It will also determine the final WTA rankings. WTA CHAMPIONSHIPS Where: Staples Center When: Today-Monday What: The top 16 singles players and top eight doubles teams will compete for $3 million in prize money. TV: ESPN ESPN Entertainment and Sports Programming Network , ESPN2 Tickets: Call (213) 480-3232 or visit www.ticketmaster.com. TODAY'S MATCHUPS 12:30 p.m. - Elena Dementieva Elena Vyacheslavovna Dementieva (pronounced: L-e-nuh de-MENT-ye-vuh Russian: Елена Вячеславовна (Russia) vs. No. 4 Justine Henin Justine Henin; (listen ) (born June 1, 1982 in Liège) is a Belgian professional tennis player from the Walloon (French-speaking) region of Belgium. (Belgium) No. 5 Kim Clijsters (Belgium) vs. Chanda Rubin (U.S.) 7 p.m. - No. 6 Monica Seles (U.S.) vs. Lindsay Davenport (United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. ) Patty Schnyder Patty Schnyder (born December 14 1978, Basel) is professional female tennis player. She has been playing on the WTA tour since the mid-1990s and is a former World No.7. She has had significant wins over World No. 1's. (Switzerland) vs. No. 2 Venus Williams Venus Ebone Starr Williams (born June 17, 1980 in Lynwood, California) is an American professional tennis player. She has been ranked the world's No. 1 female tennis player. As of July 2007, she is the reigning Wimbledon ladies' singles champion. (U.S.) WTA CHAMPIONSHIP CAPSULES SERENA WILLIAMS Seed: No. 1 Country: U.S. Age: 21 Noteworthy: The defending champion and world's No. 1 player is 53-4 this year, including Grand Slam victories at the French Open, Wimbledon and U.S. Open. She hasn't played since winning her season-leading eighth title at the end of September. Williams then withdrew from three European indoor tournaments because of fatigue. VENUS WILLIAMS Seed: No. 2 Country: U.S. Age: 22 Noteworthy: Skipped last year's event in Germany because of a wrist injury. Lost to younger sister Serena in French Open, Wimbledon and U.S. Open finals. In July, Serena replaced Venus atop the WTA Tour rankings, the first time she's been ahead of her older sister. JENNIFER CAPRIATI Seed: No. 3 Country: U.S. Age: 26 Noteworthy: Won just one match since U.S. Open. On European indoor circuit, withdrew from Russian tournament, then lost in early rounds of three consecutive events. JUSTINE HENIN Seed: No. 4 Country: Belgium Age: 20 Noteworthy: Won her last tournament, indoors in Austria. Rose to prominence in 2001, when she beat Jennifer Capriati to reach the Wimbledon final and was a semifinalist at the French Open. Current ranking (4th) is her highest. KIM CLIJSTERS Seed: No. 5 Country: Belgium Age: 19 Noteworthy: Won singles title at indoor tournament in Luxembourg last month, her third title of 2002. MONICA SELES Seed: No. 6 Country: U.S. Age: 28 Noteworthy: Returns to event after skipping last year in Germany, where she has refused to play since being stabbed in 1993 in Hamburg. DANIELA HANTUCHOVA Seed: No. 7 Country: Slovakia Age: 19 Noteworthy: Helped Slovakia win first Fed Cup title, beating Spain. Lost to Kim Clijsters in Filderstadt final last month. JELENA DOKIC Seed: No. 8 Country: Yugoslavia Age: 19 Noteworthy: Won at least 50 matches for the second consecutive year. Chanda Rubin accused her of tanking their semifinal in Manhattan Beach in August, when Rubin won in straight sets in 41 minutes. The crowd booed Dokic. ANASTASIA MYSKINA Seed: No. 9 Country: Russia Age: 21 Noteworthy: Lost to Serena Williams in final at Leipzig, Germany, in September. Made major move in rankings this year, going from 58th to top 20 after having wrist surgery two years ago. She's reached four finals this year, winning once. LINDSAY DAVENPORT Seed: No. 10 Country: U.S. Age: 26 Noteworthy: Finished 2001 at No. 1. Off the tour from January to July after right knee surgery. She's reached four finals in her eight tournaments since returning but hasn't won a title. She comes to Los Angeles, a short ride from her home in Orange County, bothered by a right shin strain. SILVIA FARINA ELIA Silvia Farina Elia (born April 27, 1972 in Milan, Italy) is a professional female tennis player from Italy. She reached a career high of World No. 11 on 20 May, 2002. She won her first ITF title at Caltagirone in 1991 and her first WTA tournament at Strasbourg in 2001. Seed: No. 11 Country: Italy Age: 30 Noteworthy: Has two WTA Tour titles to her credit after reaching top 20 for first time last year. In her 12th year on the circuit, the 30-year-old had her best Grand Slam results this year: third round at Australian and Wimbledon, fourth round at French and U.S. Open. CHANDA RUBIN Seed: No. 12 Country: U.S. Age: 26 Noteworthy: The only player to have beaten Serena Williams in the last 4 1/2 months, pulling the upset in the quarterfinals at Manhattan Beach in August. She then beat Lindsay Davenport to win the title. Rubin had left knee surgery in January. At the U.S. Open, Rubin twice came within a point of serving for the match against Venus Williams. PATTI Pat·ti , Adelina 1843-1919. Spanish-born Italian opera singer who was the most celebrated coloratura soprano of the 19th century. SCHNYDER Seed: No. 13 Country: Switzerland Age: 23 Noteworthy: Beat Lindsay Davenport last month for the first time in six attempts to win her first tournament of the year. ANNA SMASHNOVA Seed: No. 14 Country: Israel Age: 26 Noteworthy: Began the season ranked 88th but moved up dramatically by winning four titles - only the Williams sisters have won more this year. Beat Justine Henin, Kim Clijsters and Daniela Hantuchova in 2002. MAGDALENA MALEEVA Seed: No. 15 Country: Bulgaria Age: 27 Noteworthy: Won a Tier I tournament in Moscow, where she defeated Amelie Mauresmo, Venus Williams and Lindsay Davenport. ELENA DEMENTIEVA Seed: No. 16 Country: Russia Age: 21 Noteworthy: Defeated Martina Hingis in straight sets last month in Filderstadt, Germany. She was a semifinalist in two tournaments and a quarterfinalist three times this year. CAPTION(S): photo, 3 boxes Photo: Serena Williams, the top seed in the Women's Tennis Championships at Staples Center, has established herself as the best in the world. EckehardSchulz/Associated Press Box: (1) WTA CHAMPIONSHIPS (see text) (2) TODAY'S MATCHUPS (see text) (3) WTA CHAMPIONSHIP CAPSULES (see text) |
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