"Noises" during the tennis game

Larcher de Brito, the youngest player of age 16 and the only Portugese player in the third round, had made the crowd laugh with her loud squeals. It was said that the squeals could still be heard as the ball bounced on the other side of the court after she hit a serve or ground stroke.

Her opponent the local favorite Aravane Rezai, 22 think otherwise as she found it really irritating and distracting in the game. She won still and probably that will be her consolation in a way from the noises made.

The young player however felt that her squeals were no different from tennis greats such as Maria Sharapova but the spectators seems to find it different from the boo made by them after the game. But anyway a young player let's not probe into that and let her grow in the game probably a few years later her squeals might change to be better along the way.

Nadal breaking the record at the French Open

Returning a serve with back-hand is the defending champion of the French Open, Rafael Nadal (Photo: BBC)

Rafael Nadal the current world no. 1 and the defending champion of the French Open has broken Borg's records by having 29th consecutive wins and if he manages to clear the rounds to the semi-finals he will meet Murray the British No. 1 player. He said that he was not at this best at the Open but he had been like this for the previous years and had won the titles for those years at the French Open. Perhaps he might meet Federer again and there would be another wonderful match that all tennis fans might be looking forward to see again.

Homeaway - Paris Vacation Rental

Homeaway provides one of the world's marketplace for rentals and for July 19 - 26, 2009, it is doing a Paris Vacation Rental giveaway with its strategic partner Livestrong, the Lance Armstrong Foundation. What is featured here is Paris Left Bank, 7th Arrondissment where the most important icon in vicinity is the Eiffel Tower which is in view from the living room. "What a getaway this is ", will be on the mind on many I believe. On the website, is a stunningly clean and white based one-bedroom Paris apartment with a set of photos showcasing the interior. Very much suited for this will be spouses who loves close cosiness everywhere around the apartment. The setting is sunny, romantic and luxurious not to mention the well equipped place with fittings, furniture and finishes a couple have no lack of. For the heat shunners, a piece of rare and good news for you, there is air conditioning provided here in Paris.

The amenities available includes 3 open markets, among the largest in Paris at rue Cler about 5 minutes away. The outdoors continue to welcome you with the famous Champs de Mars park just across the street, with three playgrounds and certainly in French, La Grande Dame de Paris, the Eiffel Tower. Take a view at the couturiers of the Triangle D'or and Four Seasons Hotel which is just across the river and you will discover you are staying in great comfort too. Should you need a housekeeper, you are provided too, charged in addition. If you are planning to have a getaway to this place, check out on the website the availability calendar for rates and dates to rent. You can make free land line calls to US excluding Alaska, Canada, New Zealand, Australian UK, Europe or France.

Hurry down by air and arrive at the nearest airport, Charles De Gaulle and Orly 20 miles away to enjoy this love hut that is well run by a family-based company with apartments of the highest quality and important home features and fixtures. They are excellent in keeping the apartment spic and span with their own cleaners. Contact the owner now to clear any queries and rent an unforgettable getaway with your beloved spouse which I certainly will.

Maria Sharapova at the French Open

Sharapova advanced to the second round of the French Open with a 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 victory over Anastasiya Yakimova of Belarus. Again from the pictures there were still some plasters on her shoulder and it may take some time for her injury to be completely healed. In this round, she had showed some winning spirit which means she has not forgotten she was the world no. 1 before. Her serves seem to be much better than her previous game and is awaiting to see Maria performing at the second round. She should be able to pick up the pace as she continues to play she has the skills and now she just need to use them again. (Photo: AP)

The return of Maria Sharapova on the court

Returning a serve from Maria with tapes on her injured shoulder (AP)

Maria is back on the court and fans are happy as they can all see her play again. Her return however has left some in dismay as well as her performance has seen to be dropped tremendously. She used to seem like she always have that energy to play against anyone and always have the confidence in her serves to win anyone.

She played and won the first two rounds of the Warsaw Open and had lost in the quarter finals. Even her opponent has said that her serves are not that strong as before. One reason that attribute to this could be her shoulder injury. At least now she is back in the court and perhaps she will need more time to get back in shape.

Maria said she was happy to be in court after ten months of not being in action and watching others play. This if she means it shows that Maria still has the passion in tennis. With the growing passion still, the former world no.1 will probably be able to put up a good tennis show the next time round. Go Maria the court is yours and many are awaiting for your power shots again ha.

The former world no.1 still has what it takes

Roger Federer shouting out in joy after winning the Madrid Cup against Nadal Rafael.

Yeah for Roger Federer ha! In my recent post, I posted that whether who will win the match if they meet that is whether the current world no.1 or the former world no. 1 the result is out and it is the former who has won. It has been some time since Roger Federer has won a cup. Moreover on clay some more where clay seems to be where Nadal Rafael rules usually. Both champions played well on that day and it was indeed a splendid performance put up by Roger Federer as he managed to return the serves beautifully and scored. Now who says Roger Federer can't perform anymore? Even the critics for a while has to be careful before making any remarks on Roger Federer's skills.

The tennis drop volley technique

The drop volley is something that is interesting at least to me. This volley seems to need lots of practice. When can one play a drop volley? You can play it when the ball is net height or below. This volley is a gentle and tactical shot that requires great touch and control that is why the need for lots of practice for this. The steps to a volley like this are as follows:

1. This step like the rest is basically the same which is the same grip as for your volleys.

2. Do not move your racket head back before contact with the ball.

3. "Cushion" the ball or just a very gentle contact with the ball.

4. follow through with compact as the takeback

5. aim for the ball to land just over the net with some backspin.

Madrid Open - World no. 1 and 2 in to the quarters

The match played at Madrid. Federer returning the shot at the men's singles 3rd round. (Xinhua)

An easy walkover for Nadal the world no. 1 and a match won by Federer world no. 2. Both have entered into the quarter-finals and perhaps they might meet each other along the way. If they meet, it is going to be another contending match. Can the former world no. 1 beat the current world no. 1? Let's see how that goes in the next few matches.

Tennis lob volley

Lob volley is a volley combining with a lob. This kind of volley in fact can be really effective. However one limitation is that the player must not set it up too easy for the opponent as he or she can do a smash. The lob volley can also be used after a drop shot has been played. These are the steps to a good lob volley:

1. Select typical volley grip
2. take a short backswing first then open the racket face slightly
3. play the shot with backspin
4. follow through travel from low to high
5. ensure good touch and control to avoid hitting wildly.

Another top player not in the game

After losing in Rome the next match to win it back is at the Madrid game but it seems that Ana is out due to the knee injury. One week rest is needed to prevent further inflammation on the knee. This could be a good time for her to rest take a break. Now we can confirm with her not playing at Madrid, both good players her and Maria Sharapova will be missing in action. This however seems like a good opportunity to have higher chances to win some trophies since the top best players are not competing this time round. (Image courtesy from anaivanovic.com)

Maria not in tennis action again

Maria the once World Number 1 in the tennis arena has officially pulled out from the Rome and Madrid game after her shoulder injury which happens months ago. It does in a way seems common that athletes tend to injure themselves and needs a period of rest. While resting, Maria has been active in her life which is good in a way as she has been into fashion, advertisements and cooking.

Progress in recovery seems to be slow and fans can only wait for her to recover and see her in action. Her world ranking has slipped to number 64 and with other factors besides tennis taking center stage of her life now, one may wonder when she will start to focus on tennis again. Of course, we cannot say that she has give up tennis as she probably really need the time to rest and further injury will lead to longer period of rest. But the rest time she is taking has been some time.

At least her activities still keep her in actions where fans can see her but to some or most of them, many are anxiously waiting for her comeback in tennis. We may not know when she will come back but if she still has the passion to play and to win, we can all know that she will be back again.