Suga’s #twirlforserena at The Liguanea Club, New Kingston. Jamaica
#twirlforserena as she could hit the Court for the last time today!
Serena Williams is scheduled to hit the court this evening at 6PM versus World #2 Anett Kontaveit!
Will tonight be the last time we see the G.O.A.T play in a Singles Grand Slam Tournament?
Either way, many of us are hoping to enjoy another night of Vintage Serena Tennis. If you or your kids play, have them join #twirlforserena
Go Serenaaaa!
XoXo, Suga💖
By: Gabrielle Burgess (Founder/Owner, Suga Lifestyle; Certified Personal Trainer & Sports Nutritionist)
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US Open Runner up, Serena Williams and Champion, Bianca Andreescu.
Suga hates to say it and it was hard to watch, but Serena let the thought of winning to even the 24 Grand Slam title record get in her head again. It was all about Serena’s start and you could tell from her being broken in the first game on serve, then losing the first set, 3-6, that she was likely to lose, yet another Championship after returning from having her baby.
I’m not knocking young 19-year old Bianca Andreescu’s game, but Serena was tight and was not even able to get a 1st serve in. When did Serena loosen up somewhat? Being down 1-5 in the 2nd set and facing Championship point! Serena fought back to 5-all in the 2nd, then the Canadian, Andreescu finally held her serve to go up 6-5 putting the pressure back on Serena to force a tie break for a 3rd set. Serena tightened up again with a double fault or 2, I can’t remember with the roaring crowd who came to witness the history of Serena winning a 24th major. Andreescu was back at Championship point, capitalised on making a good return from a slow 2nd serve and became the first Canadian to win a Grand Slam Title. She is also the first teenager to win one since Sharapova in 2006 and the first woman to win a Grand Slam title on her 1st Final debut. Bianca was absolutely fearless and looks like a young Serena in the making. She is an all-rounder, being a hard-hitter, great on returns and has a powerful serve. Congrats to Bianca Andreescu!
Many have given up on Serena and after yesterday’s 4th straight Grand Slam final loss, I almost did too. But she shouldn’t give up yet and I don’t think she will. She missed a great opportunity with all the big names such as Halep, Kerber, Osaka etc. being out and she could have used experience to win, but it just was not time. It is the best we have seen her move since returning from having a child, but her preparation time was still cut short with injuries previous to this US Open. If she can keep herself injury free and bring back what sportswriter Lindsay Gibbs dubbed, ‘Catsuit tennis’, and maybe even keep the Duchess of Sussex out her player’s box, maybe she can get to 24.
For Serena Williams, the best is still unwritten. But on a brighter note, Women’s tennis is alive again! This has been the most exciting, competitive tennis I have seen from the women in a long time and it was great to watch. I am excited about Andreescu. I love her fearless style of play, loose yet controlled and her personality. She came from 105 in the world to no. 15 in just 1 year. She did not qualify for last year’s US Open and is now the US Open Champion. Congratulations again Bianca! She won 6-3, 7-5.
We look forward to seeing her fashionista Mom and dog, Coco in the stands again soon too!
Bianca Andreescu’s parents in her Player’s box for the Ladies US Open final.
THE MEN’S FINAL
US Open Runner up, Daniil Medvedev and 4-time Champion, Rafael Nadal.
I do not have as much to say about the men, the quieter side this time around. But do we finally see a threat to the big 3 with the Russian, Daniil Medvedev? I hope so!
Medvedev won back the respect of the US Open crowd after an angry moment with a ball boy and a few words thrown at a booing crowd in the round of 16. He did it with his ability to give the crowd what they wanted – more tennis! He went from looking like he was going to lose in straight sets, to challenging Rafael Nadal to 5-sets in the US Open Final. He somehow had a moment with his shoe at 2-2 in the 5th set, his game was thrown off a bit and it went downhill from there for him to be down 2-4 after Nadal looked like he was going to give him that game at 2-2 to save energy for his service game because he was losing the majority of long rallies.
Nadal’s first service percentage was low in this final too, but he did not let it affect his game. It was more so, lack of energy and well, age that started to show. But as a true Champion and the warrior that Nadal is, even though Medvedev fought back to 4-4, he played well and was able to come knocking on Federer’s door to win his 19th Grand Slam title and 4th US Open title, 7-5, 6-3, 5-7, 4-6, 6-4. He capitalised on his opportunity with Federer out early and world no. 1 Djokovic retiring with a shoulder injury in the round of 16. Well done, well fought and Congrats Rafa! When he won, a screen showed all the moments from his Grand Slam title wins and Nadal was emotional, just like in a telenovela. Medvedev joked that it was a good thing Nadal won, because if he did, they would have nothing to show. Medvedev definitely won a lot of fans at the US open and I am one of them.
Now, let the argument of who is the G.O.A.T begin!
Spectacular Open. See you next year!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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Simona Halep happily embraces her 1st Wimbledon Trophy last Saturday.
Simona Halep absolutely dominated Serena Williams in the Ladies Wimbledon Final last Saturday, winning her 1st Wimbledon title in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2. This is Halep’s 2nd Grand Slam title after winning the French Open last year.
Why did Serena lose?
Serena Williams is usually the favourite in a Grand Slam final, no matter who she meets. This is so because she is the Greatest Player of all time (G.O.A.T) in the open era. Her total of 23 Grand Slam singles titles marks the record for the most Grand Slam tournament wins in the Open Era, and is second on the all-time list behind Margaret Court who has 24.
As Serena struggles to find her groove after having a baby and tries to play injury free at 37 years old, 24 Grand Slam titles is looking harder and harder to achieve.
On Saturday, Serena should have been the underdog. Simona Halep, also a former World no. 1, has been looking solid mentally and physically, playing the best tennis of her life. For years, Simona has had the physical ability to win, but seemed to have trouble following through mentally in Grand Slam Tournaments. After finally winning her 1st Grand Slam title last year at the French Open, it became more and more obvious that her focus and confidence were improving. For this Wimbledon tournament and final, she was mentally ready and physically fit to win.
Suga can’t say the same about Serena. It is the best Serena has looked since having her baby, but she is still not at the level of fitness she used to be and it is the 1st major tournament she hasn’t pulled out of this year due to an injury. She was just starting to get back into her groove, but was not ready to win versus an opponent of Simona Halep’s standard. She also got the easy half of the draw.
24 is still possible, but Serena wasn’t ready and I know she won’t be giving up any time soon.
Kudos and Congrats to Simona Halep for executing a brilliant win!
Wimbledon Men’s Final
World no. 1, Novak Djokovic gives his 5th Wimbledon Trophy some love after defeating Roger Federer yesterday.
World no. 1 Novak Djokovic won his 5th Wimbledon title in an epic 5-setter versus the Greatest of All Time, 37-year old, Roger Federer yesterday, 7-6,1-6,7-6,4-6,13-12. It was the 1st Men’s Wimbledon Final to go to a 5th set tiebreaker!
Why did Federer lose?
Federer did everything right and everything he could do at age 37. His movement showed no indication of his age and his serve was on point, but he just seemed to have lost this very important cat and mouse game, which happened to be the Wimbledon final. He would have been the oldest gentleman to win if he did.
Before the final, he was tied with Djokovic for tie-breaks, but Djokovic changed that by winning the 2 tie-breaks in Sets 1 and 3. So with the 1st Wimbledon Men’s final to ever reach a 5th set tie-break, Djokovic had the advantage to win. Also, with such a high percentage of net court points won, the miss Roger had by the net during the 5th set tie-break was pretty costly. Who knows what the outcome would have been if he made that shot?
Anyhow, this final ranks as one of the best finals I have ever seen. High quality tennis from the Greatest and 3rd Greatest Players of all time, with Federer on 20 Grand slams and Djokovic now on 16. It was a treat!
Congrats on your 16th Grand slam title Novak!
ICC Cricket World Cup Final
Host team, England celebrate their epic win vs New Zealand yesterday in the ICC Cricket World Cup Final.
England won its first ICC Cricket World Cup defeating New Zealand at Lord’s in London yesterday in one of the most dramatic matches ever as it all came down to a Super Over!
England tied New Zealand’s score of 241 in 50 overs, resulting in a Super Over to determine the winner. A Super Over is when both teams play a single over (6 balls) and the team that scores the most runs is declared the winner.
Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler batted first for England, while Jimmy Neesham and Martin Guptill batted for New Zealand. The result? Both scored 15 runs! So then what?!
England scored the most boundaries in the match, giving them the win!
Well played New Zealand and Congrats to England!
Happy Monday Suga Bears and be Champions this week!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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Mohamed Salah scored a penalty for Liverpool in the 2nd minute of the Champions League Final last Saturday. The penalty was a result of a handball off Tottenham Hotspur’s Moussa Sissoko. After a quick goal, quite a boring game followed, where Tottenham had over 60% possession for the majority of the game, but failed to score. After a few close attempts from Tottenham towards the end of the game, Liverpool’s Divock Origi sealed the title win at 87 minutes with a goal in the corner of the net.
Liverpool won 2-0. This was a great win for Liverpool after losing the English Premier League by 1 point to Manchester City. Congrats to Liverpool!
French Open, Roland Garros
Ladies
Venus Williams was sent home in the 1st round again.
Naomi Isaka (Photo: BBC Sport)
World #1 Naomi Osaka and GOAT Serena Williams were knocked out in the 3rd round of the French Open on Saturday.
Past French Open Champ, Garbiñe Muguruza was knocked out yesterday by Sloane Stephens in straight sets.
Defending Champ, Simona Halep is still in it to win it!
Simona Halep (Photo: BBC Sport)
Men
Favourites, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer are all still in it to win it!
Stan Wawrinka won an epic 5-setter versus young Stefanos Tsitsipas who beat Federer in the Australian Open this year. Wawrinka faces Federer next!
WARRIORS level the series with the RAPTORS to 1-1 in the NBA FINALS
The wounded Warriors persevered to win 109-104 versus the Raptors last night.
They lost Kevon Looney in the 2nd quarter to a collarbone injury.
Steph Curry wasn’t feeling 100% and briefly went to the locker room and returned with more energy.
Klay Thompson left early in the fourth with a hamstring injury.
Kawhi Leonard scored 34 points, but his supporting cast of Siakam and Gasol were shut down defensively by the Warriors. Lowry was fouled out late in the 4th.
The Splash Brothers scored the most points, Klay with 25 and Curry with 23, but their supporting cast stepped up big time to help them get the road win.
Draymond scored 17 points.
DeMarcus Cousins a.k.a Boogie who just returned in Game 1 after being out for a while with a quad injury, gave them 11 points and a lot of minutes with great passes. Cook hit some clutch 3-pointers, Bogut stepped in well for Looney and Iguodala sealed the win with a 3-pointer after a great assist from Livingston that was almost intercepted by Kawhi.
Stay tuned for more updates on the NBA FINALS
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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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.
Kevin Anderson upset Roger Federer to reach the semis. He will face John Isner who took out Milos Raonic. Their match is scheduled for this morning at 7 am ET on ESPN.
Novak Djokovic who is attempting his comeback after an elbow injury will have a hard task ahead of him to get past Rafael Nadal to the final. Their Semifinal follows at 10 am ET on ESPN.
The Men’s Final will be this Sunday at 8 am ET. If it is a quick one, it will not clash with the World Cup Final that starts at 10am ET.
Women’s Final
Photo source: ESPN
Serena Williams is back in a Grand Slam final! She will play Angelique Kerber, who she defeated to win Wimbledon in 2016 in straight sets, 7-5, 6-3. The final is tomorrow at 8 am ET on ESPN.
Even though Serena is the G.O.A.T in the open era, will she get to 24 Grand Slams to match Margaret Court?
Stay tuned!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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It’s Manic Monday at Wimbledon as everyone in the Round of 16 battle it out on the courts on the same day! Every Wimbledon ticket holder wins today.
The King and Queen of the grass are surely still in it. Serena Williams is showing some fight to reach to her historic 24th Grand Slam title in her first few months after returning from her new life of motherhood.
Roger Federer who has 15 Wimbledon singles like Serena is looking good. But, fellow Champ, Rafael Nadal is playing some of the best tennis of his life and previous World no. 1, Novak Djokovic is showing determined signs of a comeback following his elbow injury.
Young Kei Nishikori, John Isner and Milos Raonic are still in it though and so is Kyle Anderson and the experienced, Juan del Potro.
The ladies could have some newcomers or young Champs vying for the title.
KarolÃna PlÃÅ¡ková, the last of the ladies ranked in the top 10 is currently battling it out with Kiki Bertens who is up a set on her and leading in the second. Kiki Bertens had previously eliminated veteran, Venus Williams in an epic 3-setter.
Angelique Kerber will be challenged by the promising Swiss talent, Belinda Bencic this morning.
Young, 2017 French Open Champ, Jelena Ostapenko and Daria Kasatkina are still in it to win it.
Today it’s all about tennis! Stay tuned!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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Warriors went into Game 2 being up 1-0 in the series after a dramatic Game 1 victory last Thursday night. They won in OT after the game was tied during regulation. If you haven’t already heard, at 107-107 with 4.7s left, George Hill missed his second free throw. JR Smith then got the offensive rebound and ran away with the ball to waste time because he seemed to have had a brain lapse and thought they were up.
The internet went into mayhem with memes last Friday especially after seeing a visually upset LeBron, who scored 51 points for nothing.
GAME 2
Cavs must have entered Game 2 last night feeling disheartened.
The benches were emptied in the final 3 minutes of the Cavs – Warriors game last night, because it was a wrap for Game 2. Warriors got the blowout win, 122-103.
A tired LeBron, poor Cavs defense and spectacular offense by Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant gave Warriors the Game 2 win. It’s Dubs, 2-0 for the series before they head to Cleveland for Game 3 this Wednesday.
Curry scored 33 points and passed Ray Allen’s NBA record for most 3-pointers in an NBA Finals game with 9!
Stephen Curry has won MVP twice, but never won the Finals MVP. He surely seems like he is on his way to winning it this year though!
Here is you schedule after they head back to Cleveland.
***Suga thinks it is likely that the Cavs will win 1 at home and the Warriors will win in 5 at their house***
FRENCH OPEN – Tennis
Men
Rafael Nadal has been making it look on his way to possibly winning his 11th French Open title.
Former World no. 1, Novak Djokovic looks like he has the winning spirit again though and has been playing well.
Marin Cilic, Juan del Potro, Dominic Thiem and Alexander Zverev are also still in it to win it.
Women
World no. 2, Caroline Wozniacki was upset by no. 14, Daria Kasatkina this morning, losing in 2 straight sets 6-7, 3-6 in the 4th round.
Simona Halep, Angelique Kerber, Sloane Stephens and Garbiñe Muguruza are still in it to win it. Not to mention come back mom, Serena Williams who will face Maria Sharapova today at about 8:30am E.T.
Photo: cbssports.com
Stay tuned!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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