The tennis lob

As the name implies and as I playback the times when I am constantly under attack and at the point where I am almost out of control especially on my blind side, I utilize this move to buy myself time to recover in position.

Tilted at about 45 degrees to a waist level attack on the up-bounce to my back hand, a lob is executed with a spin if desired and manageable. Lifting the opponent's head to gaze at the ball over his head breaks his attacking momentum and draws from him more effort to continue the game. As for me, I recover from my awkward stance and plan my next counter to his.

Using this same move, I can use it on the attack to catch him off position if he is awaiting near the net. He cannot smash on the unreachable lob but only retreats to the baseline with his back facing me. His return will be weaker and I assume a better position to deliver my next move to a near certain victory.

Roger Federer smiles with his latest collection of trophy and so is Elena Dementieva at the Rogers Cup

Maria Sharapova at the Rogers Cup final. (AP)


Elena Dementieva jumped when she won the Rogers Cup. (AP)


Roger Federer with his latest collection of trophy from Cincinnati. (Getty)

It was an all Russian affair at the Toronto Rogers Cup. Maria Sharapova has made another significant improvement since her injury as she has made it into the final. Still of course she has able to won the game and the winner is her compatriot four seeded Elena Dementieva. She is someone who has the skills too. The Olympic champion won 6-4, 6-3 in the match to claim her title and took home US$350,000. Even though second in position for Maria Sharapova, she gets US$175,000 and overall she was pleased as it was a good preparation for her for the upcoming US Open.

At Cincinnati, Roger Federer won the new World No. 2 and later on the final. He said it was different to be winning as a father. Roger Federer was considered a classic as he has bounced up from his drop in ranking much faster and stronger than many other players if you realized.

Oh well that's why he is the Tennis Great and till now he has been winning consecutively all the titles this year.

Another match between the World top two players, this time Roger Federer and Andy Murray

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Oh yes another world no. 1 and 2 match this time it is between Roger Federer and the new World No. 2 Andy Murray. Both top 3 players including Rafael Nadal have made it into the semi-finals of the Cincinnati Open.

The matches ahead should be exciting and the new World No. 2 will want to prove his substance in the game. Sometimes one way to really show that is to play against the best and the best today is really Roger Federer.

No matter what at the other semi-final, the new world no. 3 who has recently dropped his no. 2 title will also want to show his skills and substance by the winning the tournament. The matches ahead will seems to be of one that the best 3 will be competing against one another to show who is really the best at this game.

Andy Murray is now World No. 2

Releasing that moment of joy and sense of achievement, Andy Murray shouts out that he is world no. 2.(Reuters)


One closer shot of Andy Murray exhibiting his happiness through shouting. (AP)

There is the thing about tennis or sports in general, there are always exciting moments that made the event great and spectacular including the players definitely. Andy Murray has made history by becoming the first Briton to be the World No. 2 in tennis. His hard work and skills has pull him through the obstacles and made him claim the title.

This also means Rafael has lost his spot and has become world no. 3. Sometimes in sports you may be good but it is the consistency you have that makes you great sometimes. Injury will cause you to rest and once you rest you are not able to compete therefore loses the points. Classic example is former world no. 1 Maria Sharapova who has dropped to more than 50 in positions.

Andy has also mentioned that he will justify his position as world no. 2 not because of Rafael's injury therefore it probably means, fans, we have more exciting games to watch now.

Updates from the Western & Southern Financial Open in Cincinnati featuring former World No. 1

Kim Clijisters the former world No. 1 is back (Reuters)


Saddened by the match, Serena Williams World no. 2 frowns. (Getty images)


In dismay and shocked is her sister Venus Williams.

In the Western & Southern Financial Open in Cincinnati, there are just so much to blog about as there are so many interesting and exciting matches going on with tennis giants being knocked out. The exit of the Williams sisters is one that was shocking to many as they did not seems to play their standard. Especially for world no. 2 Serena Williams made as many fouls as she could for that day and lost. She also threw her racket away after losing the game in such a way. Her sister Venus lost to the recent Champion Flavia Pennetta.

However as all these games are going on in this tournament, one player that really caught my attention is Kim Clijisters who was the former world no. 1 and has not compete in tournaments for the last two years. A mother of one daughter and the fact that she has been resting for two years, she really impresses many with her skills winning Marion Bartoli who recently won Venus Williams at the Bank of the West Classic Championships a couple of weeks ago.

That also has raises some questions on the women tennis players on their level of skills however let's not assume Mothers who has rested for years could not play tennis well. Kim Clijisters is one Mother that is a real skillful tennis player. Somethings such as talent is hard to go off and just some rounds of warm up, the skills that was acquired even years back could just return.

Important sidenotes on the tennis drop shot

In fact in most of the tennis techniques shots, disguising them is one technique and it is also an important one as it will disallow to be more prepare of your shots and often it might be a score for you if they are not apt enough to handle it.

In short in drop shot, the ability to disguise the intended shot is important as it may mislead your opponent into thinking that you are about to play a standard shot.

Another important thing about using drop shot is that it should not be overused. It is best delivered when your opponent is not expecting it.

Flavia Pennetta is the winner of the LA Women's Tennis Championships

Winner of the L.A. Women's Tennis Championships. (Reuters)


Runner up of the L.A. Women's Tennis Championships.

Finally, the Italian Flavia Pennetta has won the L.A. Women's Tennis Championships. She has played consistently in her way though she has not has a style like the other tennis greats such as the aggressive and power serves of Maria Sharapova or William sisters' strong hits, she has a develop a style of her own of scoring points from her various shots.

Her consistent playing style of all of her fundamental shots has certainly earned her the title as she wins Samantha Stosur 6-4, 6-3. Though Samantha has lost the game she has improved in her world ranking.

For Pennetta she has won the prize of $107,000 and improved her ranking to world no. 12.

Maria Sharapova made it to the semi-finals and just there this time round...

Maria Sharapova roars after winning the quarter finals. (AP)


Flavia Pennetta runner-up of the LA Open sense of satisfaction after winning at the semi-finals against Maria Sharapova. (Getty images)


Maria Sharapova for the first time in the tournament with tapes on her shoulders after the semi-final match. (AP)

It was a tennis match between Maria Sharapova who aims to win a title after 10 months recuperating from shoulder injury and Flavia Pennetta at the semi-finals. Maria Sharapova managed to win the quarter-finals even after repeated faults as she scored back later on.

At the semi-finals, she won the first round but her serves that she could not controlled made her lost the game. She just could not get the ball to where she wants to and also this is the first time in this tournament where she had to put on her tapes.

Flavia Pennetta won the game and her next opponent will be Samantha Stosur at the final. For Maria, she still could not play consistently to her standard. Perhaps after injury, it will be uncomfortable for her to persist on like the past. Though she has not managed to a win a title yet. As long as she continues to train and take proper rest, she should be able to play to her standard again and many of her fans will be waiting and delighted for her to do so.

Maria Sharapova and Samantha Stosur continues to advance

Maria Sharapova strikes!


Aiming and adjusting for accuracy (AP)


Samantha Stosur returning the ball back (AP)

At the LA Championships Maria Sharapova has continued to advance and she has managed to win back Alona Bondarenko 4-6, 6-0, 6-3. From what we have seen so far is that Maria has in fact shown slow improvement in winning her matches after her injury. Though slow but still it is a progress and she shows continued spirit to go on. Now that she is at the quarter finals, she has improved from her previous games.

Samantha Stosur has also managed to continue to advance and she won Ana Ivanovic the champion before for the game. She played well and seems to be in a confident look with her cool sunglasses on. It seems that the matches at the LA championships are getting more interesting. Samantha Stosur will seem to have a more challenging as she may be facing world no. 1 in the next round.

Marion Bartoli emerged as the champion at the Bank of the West Classic

France's Marion Bartoli won the championship match of the Bank of the West Classic. The ranked eight seeded met Venus Williams two years ago and had lost to her in straight sets. At the final she had won Venus 6-2, 5-7, 6-4. To some, Marion had shocked the spectators and Venus as she had played really against against Venus who seems to be the more expected winner of the game after winning Russian giants Maria Sharapova and Elena Dementieva.

It was a no hard feeling game after the match as the players shook hands with each other. Venus Williams said marion was too good at the match and she had a great tournament.

What's next for many are awaiting for will be the US open where top players will be there competing with one another. Over there, it is again another set of matches of tennis giants playing with one another to win the championship.

Venus williams advances

Venus Williams striking with powerful shots.


Maria Sharapova after the match. (AP)


Elena Dementieva after the match.

Venus Williams defeated Maria Sharapova 6-2, 6-2 at the Bank of the West Classic quarterfinals. Then after that at the semi-finals ranked third seed Williams met with fourth-seeded Russian Elena Dementieva and won 6-0, 6-1 to reach to the final. Maria Sharapova said that Venus's shots were fast and strong and she does not allow herself to make any errors. It was a game that she conceded to her.

Same for Elena Dementieva, she said that Venus played really well at the game. Now at the final, Venus Williams will meet Bartoli from France who won a roller-coaster match against Samantha Stosur 6-3, 1-6, 6-1. Samantha Stosur won Venus's sister, Wimbledon champion Serena Williams at the quarter finals.

Venus and Bartoli had actually met each other two years ago and she hammered Bartoli in straight sets when they played for the All England club. Two years have since passed, now let's see how they will fare again with each other at the final.