Posts Tagged ‘Madrid’
Written by admin on 08 May 2012
Madrid, May 8 (IANS) Former women’s world No.1 Serena Williams Monday explained why she continues to enjoy playing professional tennis.
Williams spoke to the press following a comfortable 6-3, 6-1 win against Elena Vesnina in the first round of the Madrid Open, where she is the number nine seed.
Williams said that she didn’t really enjoy early starts, but added that at least she got good results in early matches.
“I am feeling good, but it’s just the first round. It doesn’t matter who you play, but I hope to keep up my good form and to keep on going. I don’t feel as much pressure these days.
“I am competitive and when I go on court I want to perform my best. I aim to go out and to do things right. If I do that, then I hope that the results will follow,” Williams was quoted as saying by Xinhua.
Serena said it was thrilling to see the fans still wanting to see her on the court.
“I love walking on court and have people coming to see me play. It is still a thrill and I see it as the ultimate compliment that I have a talent that people come to watch.”
Tags: Madrid, Spain
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Written by admin on 08 May 2012
Madrid, May 8 (IANS) China’s Li Na sailed to the third round of the Mutua Madrid Open after an easy 6-3, 6-1 win over Silvia Soler-Espinosa.
The world number eight showed no mercy to the Spaniard, breaking her serve twice in the first set and winning six consecutive games to wrap up her win in just over an hour.
“The three matches before were so tough that I couldn’t do anything, I only had to follow the schedule. I would like to say that I wasn’t feeling bad, I was still happy with the way I played on court,” Li Na told Xinhua.
She discussed the controversial blue beaten clay playing surface, which is being used for the first time in a major competition.
“For me it is not difficult, but it is a different colour, it is the first time we have played blue clay, before we always played on red clay and we are not used to it.
“But after you have been here for two or three days, its not that different and you get used to it. The first time I saw it, it looked like a swimming pool, I was a little bit surprised,” she admitted.
Li Na’s win sets up a last 16 tie against German number 12 seed, Angelique Kerber, who recently defeated her in Indian Wells.
Li Na admitted the tie gave her the chance to avenge that defeat.
“I would like to say it was a good match in Indian Wells, the next round is another challenge, but right now, I don’t even think about it.
“I will have a day off tomorrow, prepare for practice and then be ready for the next round.”
Tags: Madrid, Spain
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Written by admin on 08 May 2012
Madrid, May 8 (IANS) Spanish La Liga football club Betis will tour China for the first time this summer.
Club President Miguel Guillen explained that the club’s first trip to Asia will see them play English Premier League outfit Fulham in the I Nanning Tournament and that the club also has a game programmed against Chinese side Shenzhen Ruby, Xinhua reported.
“This is a very important step forward for us, not just from an economic point of view, but also from a question of marketing an communication and in getting out name known in Asia,” explained Guilen.
“Our project in Asia is medium to long term and Betis is opening up to Asia with a sporting, economic and educational project. This is much more than going to play a friendly game. Both the governor and the organiser have received Real Betis with maximum honour,” said the club President.
Betis will not be the only Spanish side to visit China this summer, given that Villarreal will also be carrying out part of their pre-season training in the country, which they have previously visited on two occasions.
Monday also saw another Spanish side, Valencia, sign an extension to the club’s shirt sponsorship deal with Chinese solar power company, Jinko Solar, who already sponsored the club’s shirts in the second half of the current season in which the club has assured a third place finish behind Real Madrid and FC Barcelona.
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Written by admin on 08 May 2012
Madrid, May 8 (IANS) World No.1 men’s tennis player Novak Djokovic has hit out at ATP for failing to consult the players before approving the Madrid Open’s controversial court change from red clay to blue.
The change has stirred up strong reactions from some top players including Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, who were complaining about the negative consequences.
For Djokovic, it’s the ATP who should be blamed rather than the tournament organisers.
“The only thing that is a little bit disappointing from a player’s standpoint is that this was decided without the players agreeing on it. So that is the most disappointing thing really,” he was quoted as saying by Xinhua.
“If you don’t have especially the top players testing the court and agreeing on this change, that should mean something.
“There should be evaluation in what they say but unfortunately that wasn’t the case. I am not blaming the tournament organisers because the tournament is fighting for their own interest. The ATP should have done a better job in representing the players’ rights and protecting what they want and what they say,” he said.
The Serbian tennis star hinted the court colour could be changed from blue to the usual red.
“As I understand we have the agreement for one year. We will see what is going to happen at the end of the week,” he said.
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Written by admin on 07 May 2012
Madrid, May 7 (IANS) Former world No.1 Roger Federer has said that he could recover the top spot with a Grand Slam title this season.
The 30-year-old Swiss, coming back from a break to play at the Madrid Open, seems to be in good shape as he is preparing for the upcoming French Open and the following Wimbledon Championships.
“I feel good about my chances and about playing well the next few months. I’m happy that I am here and I’m really excited to be playing again. During this break I was looking ahead to what’s to come, and I want to be fresh in my mind and fit for those big goals I have,” he was quoted as saying by Xinhua.
The winner of 16 Grand Slam titles lost his top ranking to Rafael Nadal first in 2008 and then in 2010 after he recaptured it, insisted he could reach the top spot again.
“If I do win a Grand Slam, I’ll be extremely close to world No.1, so I am aware of that but again, it is easier said than done. I know how much it takes to win a Grand Slam,” he said.
“My focus is on my next match here Wednesday, but it is a dream for me to try to achieve that this year again and I will try to chase it as hard as I can and see if it is possible,” he added.
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Written by admin on 06 May 2012
Madrid, May 6 (IANS) Argentine star Lionel Messi made history as he scored four goals in his side’s 4-0 win over local rivals Espanyol in the Spanish Primer Liga to take his total tally of league goals for the season to 50.
No player in the history of the Spanish league has ever reached the 50-goal mark, with the previous record held by Cristiano Ronaldo, who last season netted 43 goals, Xinhua reported.
Messi opened his account Saturday with a first half free-kick which curled away from Espanyol goalkeeper Christian Alvarez.
He then added another from the penalty spot in the 63rd minute, before outsprinting the Espanyol defence to net a third 10 minutes later with a powerful left foot shot.
Messi then reached the incredible 50 goal mark 11 minutes from time, once again from the penalty spot, following a foul on Sergio Busquets.
The striker almost scored his fifth goal of the night in the closing minutes of the game, but his shot drifted just wide of the post.
It was the perfect way to celebrate Pep Guardiola’s final game as Barca coach in the Camp Nou Stadium, after the man who had helped develop Messi into the best player in the world, announced eight days ago that he was leaving his position after four years at the club.
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