We always knew that China has some of the best badminton players in the world. What we did not know that Li Na who won the the french open singles against Schiavone, got her tennis start from not being good at badminton. This was Li Na second Grand Slam finals and she learned from her first when Kim Clijsters defeated her in straight sets. Yes, she learned not to be nervous and to play the game. The match itself was not without contraversy, but the official ruled in Li’s favor when she said that her backhand was not out. Schiavone thought that it was out, but did not get a favorable ruling. No matter what the officials may see on the tapes when and if they decide to look at it, Li Na is the French Open Single Grand Slam Winner. Equally as thrilling was the Nada,l Federer match where Nadal matched Bjorn Borg record of 6 French Open Titles. It was Nadal’s fourth victory over Federer at Roland Garros for as many times they met at that venue. Nadal has never lost to Federer at Roland Garros Styadium. Federer’s last win at the french Open was in 2009. I MAKE THE CALL.

Venus Williams is 30 years old, and was unable to practice until 10 days before the Open started due to a sprained knee cap.

Over the past 2 weeks she some how wiped out any and everyone she faced during that time frame.

Along came the defending champion, Kim Clijsters who was not having any of that. Venus was doing well against Kim despite the heavy winds and the 50 unforced errors. She was serving strong and just points away from winning in the second set tie breaker when her game suddenly collapse and she double faulted twice in a row.

What a melt down by Venus, resulting in her losing to Kim and perhaps her last chance to win a major.

This match should have been a cake walk for Venus. Somehow, somewhere along the way,she lost her nerves and confidence. I MAKE THE CALL.

In the last 11 years, 9 of the Wimbledon Trophies went to one of the Williams sisters.

Serena just picked up back to back wins and won her fourth Wimbledon Title. She was awesome and then some by not facing break point, and only losing 2 points on her first serves in the final match.

Her serve was only broken 3 times in the entire tournament and not at all in the final match.

Serena now sits among the big dogs just 5 slams behind Chris Evert and Martina Navaratilova.

Amazingly, this final was the only one she was not playing against sister Venus. Serena now has 13 Grand Slams and will looking forward to the US Open in New York next month for number 14. I MAKE THE CALL.

The first set was like a Sunday afternoon stroll in the park. 18 minutes and it was over, 6-0 Serena Williams over 21 year old Dominica Cibulkova, the 46th rank player in the world.

Not so fast my friend. There is still work left to be done. The second set was not a cake walk, even though Serena never double faulted and threw in a few aces, 20 for the 2 sets, Dominica hung with Serena. But, in the end, Serena had too much power and prevailed 7-5 in the second set.

I guess coming back to center court made a difference to Serena and she showed it. I MAKE THE CALL.

Revenge is often sweet, but complete domination while doing it is simply off da chain!

How can you lose when you hit more than 75% of your first serve?

How can you lose when you don’t drop a single set in the finals and only two in the entire 2010 French Open?

Well, Nadal did it and he took Soderling to school while doing it.

Soderling sat Nadal down last year, but not this year. Soderling was unable to do anything in the match to get pass Nadal. When it was all said and done, Nadal won his 5th at Roland Garros and has a record of 36-1 there. The greatest clay court player, is now Number #1. I MAKE THE CALL.

Just like the last French Open, but another opponent, Soderling knocked off the number one seed.

This time, it was Federer and not Nadal. The tall one brought his game to the Open, and despite the two delays because of the weather, he triumphed, by knocking off Federer who complained about the delays.

If Nadal wins the Open, he will be the number one player in the world, but he has a long way to go.

Federer had previously beaten Soderling 12 times, but today would not be one of those times.

Federer did not play a bad match, Soderling just played better. See you in London Federer. I MAKE THE CALL.

For the second time in her college tennis career, Autise Mortimer has earned a spot on the SAC First Team. Along with winning the SAC freshman of the year award in 2007, she was also named to the SAC first team.

During conference play in February, 2010, Autise was instrumental in her college, Newberry, winning over Columbia college, and she was victorious in both her singles and doubles matches. Autise collected wins against SAC foes such as Wingate, Lenoir-Rhyne, Catawba and Tusculum.

It is no surprise that Autise excelled in tennis. She comes from a very athletic family where her mother, Denise Mortimer is an avid marathon runner, and her brother Dentry is a tennis instructor in the Bahamas.

Autise Mortimer - SAC First Team - Newberry College

On Mothers’ Day, 2010, Autise passed the tennis baton to someone else when she graduated from Newberry College in Newberry, South Carolina. Her mother Denise, grandmother Gloria, aunts Gina and Monica, and uncle Kelsey attended her graduation exercises. The writer of this blog might show a little prejudice toward Autise, but that is only because he is married to her aunt, Gina Mortimer Storr.

Autise has talent, and I challenge anyone of you who doubt her talent, to take it up with her on the courts. I MAKE THE CALL.

No, she is not the one of the Williams Sisters, nor does she attack the game of tennis like them.

The Williams Sisters never lacked confidence even when they were besieged with racial slurs and insults.

Nothing distracted them from the game.

America looked at Melanie as the Williams’ replacement in the Tennis world simply based on her performance at the US Open. Yes, she has game, but she does not have control over her game.

She needs to cut down on some of her activities and concentrate on managing her game.

Melanie Oudin

Can she be the Williams replacement in tennis? I doubt it. At age 18 and 5″5″ without a great power serve, I don’t see her being on top of the tennis world after the Williams Sisters hang it up.

What I see is another tennis player who has potential to do well, but not good enough to rule the tennis world. Melanie’s motto is “Believe”. If you believe, then show it on the court. I MAKE THE CALL.

Am I losing my mind, or is it I don’t understand the simple way things are done Down Under?.

For instance in the other majors the men’s semi finals are played the same day, thereby not giving the extra day of rest to either player.

One would think that having an extra day of rest is an advantage to a player. Maybe, maybe not, but why not do it like you do the ladies semi finals, play it the same day.

If this done, no one has to even think about one player having the up on the other. Well, that’s just me. That’s how I see it, and that is why, I MAKE THE CALL

Do we really need to watch the Down under Open? Who is left to compete against Federer. Only Henin is left to go up against Serena. Where is the competition this year? I think I will take a nap until The French Open, unless you know something that I don’t and you can MAKE THAT CALL. I can’t.