Venus Williams (L) and her sister, Serena Williams (R) embrace after their 3rd round match last Friday night at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Serena Williams played her best tennis since her return from having a baby, routing her sister, Venus Williams 6-1, 6-2. Probably because she knows her best?
Serena moved on to send home Kaia Kanepi who eliminated the world no. 1, Simona Halep in the 1st round. Everyone thought the match would be over quickly after Serena destroyed her 6-0 in the first set in 18 minutes, but she recovered and came back to take the 2nd set 6-4. Serena took on the challenge to win the 3rd set and match, 6-3.
Serena plays Karolina Pliskova next, tomorrow at 9am ET.
Maria Sharapova eliminated young, Jelena Ostapenko in straight sets.
Madison Keys is through to the Round of 16.
Madison Keys (Photo: BBC Sport)
Sloane Stephens, the last of the top seeds left in the tournament and Defending Champ, defeated Elise Mertens last night in straight sets and looks like she is in winning shape.
Young Naomi Osaka, is also still in it to win it.
Men
Things are coming down to a crunch with the Men as well. Will there be a Djokovic-Federer Semifinal?
Novak Djokovic eliminated Richard Gasquet easily in straight sets.
Dominic Thiem who eliminated Stan Wawrinka early, also eliminated marathon-setter, Kyle Anderson in straight sets, which is never easy to do.
American, John Isner eliminated the Canadian, Milos Raonic in an epic 5-setter.
Juan del Potro sailed through his match to reach the Quarterfinals. He plays John Isner tomorrow!
Roger Federer (Photo: Bleacher Report)
Roger Federer schooled the young Aussie, Nick Kyrgios in straight sets to advance to the round of 16.
Watch “US Open Hot Shot: Roger Federer Goes AROUND The Net” on YouTube here and the shot is legal!Â
Young, Kei Nishikori is still in it to win it, as well as 2014 US Open Champ, Marin Cilic.
Rafael Nadal (Photo: Bleacher Report)
World no. 1, Rafael Nadal was forced to rise to the occasion to eliminate hard-hitter, Nikoloz Basilashvili in 4 sets. That was quite a quality match! He plays Dominic Thiem tomorrow!
Stay tuned!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
Serena Williams is out in her tutu for the US Open after her cat suit was banned. I mean, it’s not like the fashionable G.O.A.T would wear it again anyway.
Twirllll
Serena meets her sister, Venus today for the 3rd round at the Arthur Ashe Stadium at about 6pm ET on ESPN.
How has Serena been hitting? Check this video out from ESPN on her 2nd round win by clicking on the link here:
https://es.pn/2olVYVe
Upsets on the Ladies side so far
The no. 1 seed, Simona Halep crashed out of the US Open quite early in the 1st round! So did the no. 2, Caroline Wozniacki last night in her 2nd round match.
French and Wimbledon Champ, Garbiñe Muguruza also tapped out.
Who’s left for the Ladies besides the Williams Sisters who have dominated the sport for years?
The field is still wide open. But Defending Champ, Sloane Stephens is still in it to win it.
Maria Sharapova is still struggling with her comeback.
Then there is young Angelique Kerber, Naomi Osaka, Madison Keys, KarolÃna PlÃÅ¡ková, Jelena Ostapenko, Petra Kvitová and more!
What’s happening with Men?!
No upsets on the Men’s side just yet! Big name favourites Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer are looking good and still in it to win it!
Stay tuned!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
The Starting Five of the Golden State Warriors celebrate their NBA Championship win last Friday (Photo: ESPN)
The Golden State Warriors swept the Cavs Friday night in a blowout! 108-85!
This is the 3rd NBA Championship win for Stephen Curry and the 3rd ring for Steve Kerr as a Coach to add to his 5 rings as a player.
Kevin Durant won Finals MVP, snatching it from teammate, Steph Curry after his epic, unforgettable Game 3 performance.
Photo: ESPNKD accepting his Finals MVP Trophy last Friday night (Photo: Bleacher Report)
LeBron James had a great run carrying his team that had no chance in the Playoffs all the way to the Finals. But he has now been swept twice in the NBA Finals, where the first time was by the San Antonio Spurs in 2007.
Stay tuned for LeBron’s next move. It will be a long summer.
FRENCH OPEN WOMEN’S FINAL
SIMONA HALEP VS. SLOANE STEPHENS
Photo: BBC Sport
World no. 1, Simona Halep finally won her 1st Grand Slam! Congrats to her and well fought after losing the 1st set to Sloane Stephens and being broken the 1st game in the 2nd. She beat Sloane Stephens, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1.
Simona Halep credited mental strength to winning her first Grand Slam.
Simona Halep raises her long-awaited French Open Grand Slam Trophy last Saturday (Photo: Sports mole)
BELMONT STAKES
Justify being ridden to victory by Mike Smith at the 2018 Belmont Stakes (Photo: New York Times)
Justify, an American thoroughbred racehorse, became the 13th winner of the American Triple Crown at the Belmont Stakes last Saturday. The 2018 Kentucky Derby and the 2018 Preakness Stakes preceded his big win at Belmont.
The last horse to do so was American Pharoah in 2015 who ended a 37-year Triple Crown drought. Both were guided by the same trainer, Bob Baffert.
JN RACER’S GRAND PRIX
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in action at the JN Racer’s Grand Prix at The National Stadium Saturday, June 9, 2018.
The Queen is back! Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce not only improved on her time since her return, but won the 100m Women’s race as well in 11.10s!
This all went down at the National Stadium on Saturday night.
Also look out for our future Queen, young Briana Williams (16yrs), who had a faster start than our Pocket Rocket and sustained her speed throughout the race, finishing 3rd in 11.26. Congrats to Team Jamaica and thanks to other athletes who came to the island to compete.
Jenna Prandini of the USA and no stranger to Jamaica came a close 2nd to Shelly in 11.14.
FRENCH OPEN MEN’S FINAL
RAFAEL NADAL VS. DOMINIC THIEM
Rafael Nadal reacts after winning Championship point and his 11th French Open title yesterday
Rafael Nadal won his 11th French Open yesterday! He beat Dominic Thiem who put up quite a fight, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2. Each set was about an hour-long, but the experience, strength, power and dominance of Nadal was just too much for Thiem. Winning never gets easier, but he has pulled it off again. Congrats Rafa!
Now let’s get ready for the World Cup!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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The Australian Open Grand Slam Tennis Tournament 2018
WOMEN
The ladies have been battling it out in some neck to neck matches. The focus has been on World #1, Simona Halep, former World #1, Angelique Kerber (21) and current World #2, Caroline Wozniacki.
Simona Halep from Romania a.k.a Jalapeño Pepper (Photo: GotCeleb)
Simona Halep has been struggling with a chronic ankle injury, but showed she was not backing out easily in the Quarterfinals after being down 3-0 in the 1st set to KarolÃna PlÃsková (6) and fighting back to win 6-3, 6-2.
Angelique Kerber (Photo: The Sun)
She then faced Angelique Kerber (21) in the Semifinals last night. Kerber has had a good run this Australian Open so far despite her inconsistencies in winning majors. She defeated huge contenders such as Maria Sharapova and Madison Keys (17).
On the other side of the draw, young Belgian, Elise Mertens had an impressive straight set win (6-4, 6-0) over Elina Svitolina (4). She has been a part of former Belgian Tennis Player and World #1, Kim Clijsters’ Tennis Camp. Kim has been texting her with encouragement for every match.
Elise Mertens (Photo: indianexpress.com)
Elise played one of the favourites, Caroline Wozniacki (2) last night in the Semifinals.
Caroline Wozniacki (Photo: www.usatoday.com)
So who’s meeting in the Women’s Final?!
It will be Caroline Wozniacki (2) versus Simona Halep (1)! Whoever wins will win their 1st Grand Slam title and will be World #1.
Wozniacki’s Semifinal vs Mertens
Wozniacki tightened up towards the end of the match versus Mertens, up 6-3, 5-4 (30-0), then was brought to a tiebreak. She managed to dominate and win the tiebreak, thus the match, 6-3, 7-6 and is heading to her 3rd Grand Slam Final. Will the 3rd time be a charm?
Halep’s Semifinal vs Kerber
The Halep-Kerber Semifinal was epic!
Halep was quite solid versus Kerber until she was up 5-0 to serve out the first set and probably couldn’t believe she got there so fast. It looked like she started to think about it and handed Kerber 2 free points from double faults. Kerber picked up her game after that until Halep broke her to win the first set 6-3.
The 2nd set was a ding-dong battle even though Kerber was still plagued with unforced errors. With Halep looking slightly fresher and up 8-7, both had lost 2 match points until Halep lost a 3rd match point on Kerber’s serve and she kept pressing until she took full advantage of the 4th match point in the same game and won.
Date and Time of the Women’s Final
Saturday (Friday night) at 3:30am
Suga’s Prediction
Simona Halep has the reputation of choking in major matches, always coming close and losing it mentally and physically. However, she has stated there is a new Simona now and I believe her after the courage she showed versus the stubborn, Angelique Kerber.
I do not think Halep is giving up on this opportunity. I also doubt it will be a close or epic final. Suga calls Halep for the win.
MEN
Marin Čilić (6) reached to the Semifinals after World #1, Rafael Nadal retired in the 5th set agonized by a hip injury.
Marin Čilić (Photo: The Sun)
I like to refer to Čilić as Sparta. Whether he reached to the Semifinals by default or not, he is quite a fighter.
He played Kyle Edmund in the Semis.
Kyle Edmund (Photo: www.express.co.uk)
On the other side of the draw lies the young, South Korean, Hyeon Chung. He is the first Korean to reach the Quarterfinals and the Semifinals.
Hyeon Chung (Photo: hindustantimes.com)
Chung sent former World #1, Novak Djokovic packing in the 4th round in straight sets. Djokovic expressed frustration with his chronic elbow injury.
Chung then went on to defeat Tennys Sandgren in the Quarterfinals who previously took out Dominic Thiem (5) in 5 sets.
Who does he meet next?
Roger Federer (Photo: The Indian Express)
He will meet the G.O.A.T and current World #2, Roger Federer tonight at 3:30am. Roger previously defeated Tomáš Berdych (19) in straight sets.
Were there any Upsets and Who’s Already in the Men’s Final?!
Marin Čilić has booked his spot in the Final and will wait on the winner of the Chung-Federer Semifinal! No surprises there. Čilić beat beat Edmund 6-2, 7-6, 6-2.
Stay tuned!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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Garbine Muguruza (14), who reached the Final in 2015, upset World no. 1 Angelique Kerber today in quite a showdown, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4. Kerber hasn’t been playing well all year and even had a scare after losing the 1st set and going to a tiebreak in the 2nd set with American, Shelby Rogers in the round before.
Kerber will lose the no. 1 ranking as a result of losing in the 4th round to Muguruza.
Venus moves on to the round of 8! Â Photo: theguardian.com
Venus Williams (10) is also moving on to the Quarter Finals. She had a few early, hard fought matches but cruised pass Ana Konjuh (27) in the 4th round, 6-3, 6-2.
Photo: www.firstpost.com
French Open finalist, Simona Halep (2), who has never won a major, put a halt to Victoria Azarenka’s post-baby return.
The young American, Coco Vandeweghe (24) has been playing well under the guidance of her new Coach and upset Caroline Wozniacko (5) in straight sets. Wozniacki usually has difficulties on the grass.
Jelena Ostapenko through to the Round of 8! Photo: www.eurosport.com
Jelena Ostapenko (13) has not lost a match since her 1st career win at the French Open this year! She beat Elena Svitolina (4), who has been suffering from a foot injury in straight sets, 6-3, 7(8)-6(6).
Svetlana Kuznetsova took out Agnieszka Radwanska in straight sets to get to the Quarterfinals. Radwanska had the task of beating Timea Bacsinsky in the 3rd round before meeting Kuznetsova.
Home favourite, Johanna Konta (6) is also through to the Quarters.
Quarterfinal Schedule and Match ups for Tomorrow morning:
Gentlemen moving on to the Quarterfinals!
Photo: www.express.co.uk
Gilles Müller (16) upset Rafael Nadal (4) in an epic 5-set thriller today, 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 15-13! They went really deep into that 5th set.
Home fave and World no. 1, Andy Murray is safely through to the Quarterfinals.
Roger Federer (3), who decided to forego the Clay court season at his age, is doing well on his road to claiming a historic title. He beat Grigor Dimitrov (13) in straight sets to advance to the Quarterfinals.
Here is the Schedule for the Men’s Quarterfinals and Match ups for Wednesday morning:
Tomás Berdych (11) upset Dominic Thiem (8) in 5 sets. Berdych now awaits the winner of the Novak Djokovic (2) and Adrian Mannarino match tomorrow morning at 6am. Mannatino just defeated Gaël Monfils (15).
Stay tuned!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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Jelena Ostapenko wins the Women’s Singles French Open 2017 – Photo: ESPN
Favourite and no. 4 seed Simona Halep was upset by the unseeded Jelena Ostapenko. She beat Halep 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 and got a great Birthday present!
Ostapenko had beaten Timea Bacsinszky in the Semis, who had eliminated Venus Williams.
FRENCH OPEN Men’s Singles Semis
Photo: ESPN
Stan Wawrinka came back from 2 sets down to beat the no. 1 Andy Murray, 6-7 (6), 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (3), 6-1. He will meet ‘the King of Klay’, Rafael Nadal in the Final who defeated Dominic Thiem in straight sets.
USAIN BOLT’S FINAL RACE
Photo: AMP Thrillist
Until the Men’s French Open Final, ensure that you watch the legend of Athletics, Usain Bolt run for the last time of his career on home soil at the Racers Grand Prix at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica at 10:10pm!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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