Photo: Bleacher Report

Get your NBA, French Open and World Cup Sports Update!

by SportsWhat's Hot

.NBA FINALS – BASKETBALL

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Photo: Bleacher Report

Dubs Versus Cavs Part 4 Starts Tonight!

Do the Cavs have a chance? I think they can get at least 1 win. The Warriors rise to the occasion as Champions and above the level of each opponent they meet, but they are not at their best right now, They have a lot to fix offensively and defensively. LeBron James is at his best ever though and can win a game with help from at least 1 or 2 members of his team. The Warriors would have to give up though or be extremely careless to let the Cavs take this Championship away from them, whether they are at the top of their game or not. They have Home court advantage too! Game over.

Schedule for the 1st 3 games:

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FRENCH OPEN – TENNIS

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Photo: www.eurosport.co.uk

Unseeded Serena Williams advanced to the 3rd round of the French Open with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 win over no. 17 Ashleigh Barty today. Halep, Sharapova and Muguruza also moved on to the 3rd round for the Ladies.

WORLD CUP – Football

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The greatest show on earth begins Thursday, June 14! Who’s your team?!

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Let Suga assist if you are not already a die-hard Brazil or Argentina fan. The ball is round, but they are not going to the final this year!

Suga’s Picks!

1. Vive la France! – FRANCE
2. Ze Germans! – GERMANY
3. BELGIUM – The best team on paper!

Stay tuned!

By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

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What’s Happening at the French Open?

by SportsWhat's Hot

Hello Tennis fans! Suga hasn’t forgotten you!

Women’s Singles

Serena Williams (2) is on maternity leave and watching from the stands this French Open. So who is still in it for the Ladies?!

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Photo of Venus Williams: ESPN

Her sister, Venus of course! Can Venus Williams (10) win another Grand Slam before she retires? It is very possible. She has been on top of her game and already through to the 4th round.

Who will stand in her way?

The Women’s side of the draw is usually a toss up, especially without Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams.

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Photo of Angelique Kerber: ESPN

World #1, Angelique Kerber has been inconsistent and was defeated in the 1st round in straight sets by Tsurenko Makarova. Makarova was defeated in the 2nd round.

Suga thinks Venus’ biggest threat is Defending Champ, Garbine Muguruza (4), who is also moving on to Round 4.

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Photo of Simona Halep: ESPN

Simona Halep (3) was questionable to enter the French Open because she injured her ankle in a tournament before this, but she is already through to Round 3. I don’t think she is in it for the long run though.

Agnieszka Radwanska (9) and Elina Svitolina (5) are through to Round 3.

Rounding off the top 10 ladies, Svetlana Kiznetsova (8) is through to the 4th round.

If Venus doesn’t win the French, my money is on her to win Wimbledon.

Men’s Singles

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Photo of Rafael Nadal (L) and Novak Djokovic (R): ESPN

Novak Djokovic (2) seems to be back in Championship shape and he is now being coached by one of the greats, Andre Agassi. He is already through to Round 4 but may be destined to clash with the clay court specialist and veteran, Rafael Nadal (4) who is also through to Round 4.

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Photo of Andy Murray: ESPN

Andy Murray (1) says he is feeling good again but he is still not at his best just yet. He will play Juan del Potro (29) in Round 3.

Milos Raonic (5) and the Austrian, Dominic Thiem (6) are through to Round 4.

Kei Nishikori (8), Stan Wawrinka (3) and Marin Cilic (7) who round off the top 10 Men are in Round 3.

Gaël Monfils (15), who is usually very competitive is in Round 3 as well.

Suga thinks either Djoko or Rafa will take the French Open for the Men.

Remember the veteran, Roger Federer is sitting this one out to save his energy for the grass and hard courts. If he stays in top shape, I believe he will win Wimbledon. Do we have another vintage Finals coming up at Wimbledon for the Ladies and Men? Possible.

Stay tuned everyone!

By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked this article, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

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You’re next Margaret Court! Serena beats sister, Venus for 23 Grand Slam Titles!

by SportsWhat's Hot

20170128_051704-11st Set Highlights

The match had an extremely tense start. 1st serve percentages were low for both sisters and Serena had to change her racquet after what she did to it in frustration.

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Photo: www.theguardian.com

After numerous double faults on both sides, break for break and repeat at 2-2 with Serena being very tight, Serena found a way to eventually break Venus once more and serve out the set, taking the 1st set 6-4.

Venus missed a lot of chances that she couldn’t afford, because to beat Serena she had to be perfect. Serena does not get beaten at her best and her best is better than Venus’ best. So you can see where it got mental and emotional for Venus as she knew she had to elevate her game and it was not happening.

2nd Set Highlights

Venus held serve to start off the 2nd set. Serena followed. Venus was then in trouble down love-40 and saved 3 break points to hold serve and go up 2-1 in the 2nd.

Venus then had a game of many missed opportunities, mainly failure to return weak 2nd serves by Serena resulting in Serena holding to even the set at 2-2.

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Photo: www.theguardian.com

At 3-3 there was negative body language from Venus. Serena capitalised on sharp angled 2nd serve returns and finally broke Venus to go up 4-3. Serena then served a perfect game to go up 5-3.

Venus held her serve to move to 4-5, followed by Serena serving for the Championship. Venus won the longest rally of the match in that game but Serena kept fighting and converted her Championship point!

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Photo: www.theguardian.com

Serena won 6-4, 6-4 falling to the floor in joy. Venus walked over to her side of the court and they shared a warm embrace.

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Serena now has the Open era record of 23 Grand Slam titles and will return to the #1 ranking in the world next week.

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By: Gabrielle Burgess

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It will be an ALL-WILLIAMS Final at the Australian Open!

by SportsWhat's Hot

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A Williams will win the Australian Open this year!

Serena’s serve was much better last night and she dominated Lucic-Baroni 6-2, 6-1.

It was all about Venus Williams making the Final last night though! She surely took centrestage. Her match was before Serena’s and must have helped to further inspire and fire up Serena to win her match.

Vintage Venus was on the move! It was such a beauty to watch. Quite inspirational.

The match started off with Venus being broken in her 1st game and that never occurred again. The 1st set went back and forth with Venus up 6-5. At this point Coco raised the level of her game to force the tiebreak. Venus tightened up during the tiebreak and lost the 1st set. She was visually upset with herself and if looks could kill! She expressed her wrath in the 2nd set with controlled aggression and took it easily, 6-2.

Of course at that point, the edge was still given to the younger player, Coco to have enough gas left for 3 sets. But the momentum stayed on Venus’s side with her entering the 3rd set with the same attitude, breaking Coco early. Coco went a bit loco throwing her racquet but she did not go down without a fight. I remember her asking out loud early in the 1st set what was going on. Well by the 3rd set it must have hit her that she was playing the experienced Venus Williams who was one of her 4 idols growing up. The other 3 included Venus’s sister, Serena, Jennifer Capriati and Lindsay Davenport.

It has been years since Venus has played like this. I was pleasantly surprised that she pulled this off. She saved 12 of 13 break points faced and scored 11 aces. Her movement was phenominal, she made necessary adjustments such as hugging the baseline to accommodate hard hitting by Coco and beat her mentally. Her serve was clutch and she won 6-7, 6-2, 6-3. It was spectacular tennis by both players.

Her winning moment is a must see. The 36 year old could not contain her excitement and emotions. She looked like a 6 year old and deservedly so. She had more twirls going than Serena.

Watch “Venus Williams Victory Dance + Interview after reaching Australian Open Final” on YouTube here:

Venus hasn’t reached a Grand Slam Final since 2009 and her last Australian Final was in 2003 vs Serena.

Here are the stats between the Williams sisters heading into the Final this Saturday at 3am!

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By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this article, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

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The Australian Open is heating up!

by SportsWhat's Hot
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Photo: www.yahoo.com

Serena Williams is through to her 10th straight SemiFinal! She beat Konta 6-2, 6-3. It was all mental and she read her opponent well. Despite her poor 1st service games tonight she surely turned up her 2nd and returns!

She will meet 34 year old, Croatian Mirjana Lucic-Baroni at 12am later. Serena is chasing 23 Grand Slam Titles to write history but Lucic-Baroni has her own fairytale story, trying to have the biggest comeback in history. They last met at Wimbledon when they were teenagers in 1998 and Serena came out on top.  Lucic-Baroni was to be the next big thing back then upsetting Monica Seles to reach the Semi Finals at Wimbledon in 1999. But she drifted from the scene with personal issues, coming out to the public a few years later that she was abused by her father. She has a number of injuries but was in tears of happiness just to make it to the SemiFinals and will surely give everything she’s got.

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Photo: www.tennisnow.com

Venus will meet the young power hitter, Coco right now! Will Venus make it an over 30-year old final? Suga favours Coco to win but will be happy if Venus pulls off the win.

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The Men’s side is also hot. Rafael Nadal beat Milos Raonic in straight sets and is heading to the SemiFinals vs. Dimitrov.

We could possibly witness a Nadal-Federer Final! Federer would have to overcome Stan Wawrinka first though at 3:30am, which may not be an easy task.

Enjoy and stay tuned! Suga’s got you if you are sleeping.

By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this article, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

​AUSTRALIAN OPEN UPDATE!

by Sports
Photo: ESPN Scorecenter

Venus at 36yrs old is through to the Semis as the oldest woman in History to do so at the Australian Open. She will meet the unseeded Coco Vandeweghe and fellow American who has been creating upset after upset, beating #7 Muguruza in straight sets 6-4, 6-0 after knocking out World #1, Angelique Kerber. Coco is a power hitter and she definitely has her eyes on the title.

Serena plays #9 Konta tonight at 9pm in the QF who is not a walk over. 

Photo: ESPN Scorecenter

For the Men, Nadal will face Raonic in the QF tommorrow at 3:30am.

Federer (#17) beat Zverev in straight sets and will meet #4 Stan Wawrinka who beat Tsonga in straight sets and stared him down.

Stay tuned!

By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this article, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

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NFL Sunday and Australian Open Updates!

by What's Hot

Tennis – Australian Open

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Photo: theguardian.com; Angelique Kerber

No. 1 seed for the women and Defending Champion, Angelique Kerber was upset and overpowered by no. 35 American Coco Vandeweghe who hit 6 aces and 30 winners. Kerber lost 2-6, 3-6.

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Photo: www.theguardian.com; Coco Vandeweghe

Does Serena have a better chance of winning her 23rd Grand Slam title now? Too early to say. Muguruza, Venus, Pliskova and more are still in it.

The no. 1 seed on the men’s side, Andy Murray was also sent packing. He lost to Mischa Zverev in 4 sets, 5-7, 7-5, 2-6, 4-6.

Old veterans and faves Nadal and Federer are still in it though and Federer looks like he is in great shape to win 1 more with Murray and Djokovic out of the way.

Football – NFC and AFC Championship

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Photo: www.nj.com

The favoured Falcons face the Packers today in the NFC Championship at 3:05pm on FOX today. The Falcons injury list is now empty compared to a lengthy one for the Packers. Luckily, ESPN Scorecenter has reported that Wide Receivers, Jordy Nelson, Devante Adams and Geronimo Allison are now active for the game in less than an hour.

The favoured Patriots face the Steelers at 6:40pm on CBS for the AFC Championship.

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Photo: www.nj.com

Enjoy and stay tuned!

By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this article, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

US Open Update, how Serena can lose #1 ranking and more!

by Sports
Photo: BBC Tennis

Germany’s Angelique Kerber has a chance to knock Serena Williams from the top of the tennis rankings.

Serena will not only need to reach the US Open Finals to remain at #1, but if she meets Kerber she will also have to beat her. 

Photo: wtatennis.com

If Serena wins the US Open she would not only pass the monumental 22 Grand Slam title wins, but also be tied with Steffi Graf for the longest stay at #1 (186 weeks).

Currently, Serena surpassed Martina Navratilova for the most Grand Slam match wins and is now equal with Roger Federer’s mark for the men. Amazing.

If Aga Radwanska wins the Open she can also be #1.

If Serena continues to win as well as her sister, Venus, they are on a collision course to meet in the Semi-Final.

Can Serena come out on top this time around with all of the pressure mounted against her again?

Roberta Vince who pulled off what was considered to be the biggest upset in Sports last year, beating Serena in the Semi-Final of the US Open is through to the Quarterfinals (QF) on the other side of the draw from Serena. She has dropped just 1 set so far in the tournament.

She could meet Kerber on her side of the draw who is also through to the QF after beating Kvitova. 

Upsets so far for the Ladies?

Caroline Wozniaki just upset Madison Keys (#8) in straight sets. 

World #3, French Open 2016 winner, Muguruza was sent home in Round 2. 

Defending Champ, Lepchenko was defeated in Round 3. 

Matches to be played today for the Ladies?

Simona Halep (#5), Radwanska (#4), Serena (#1) and Venus (#6), should be playing their Round 4 matches today.

What’s happening with the Men?

Photo: bbc.com

Novak Djokovic is through easily to the Quarterfinals, as well as Tsonga and Monfils.

Andy Murray, Wawrinka, Nishikori and Juan Martín del Potro should know their fate for the Quarterfinals today.

Juan Martìn del Potro is one to watch as he seems to be making quite a comeback.

Upsets so far?

Rafael Nadal was defeated by Lucas Pouille in 5 sets and has failed to reach the Quarterfinals for the 3rd straight year.

Wimbledon 2016 Finalist, Milos Raonic was out from the 2nd round. Veteran John McEnroe is no longer his Coach after Wimbledon possibly because of a conflict of interest since McEnroe is a commentator on ESPN. Looks like the change hurt him.

Juan del Potro beat David Ferrer (#11) in the 3rd round.
 

The Champions of the Weekend!

by Sports

Tennis

Congratulations to all winners this weekend! Huge Congrats to Serena Williams for finally hitting 22. She now ties Steffi Graf for winning the most Grand Slam titles in the Open Era. Margaret Court still stands at 24.

Congrats to Venus Williams for winning her 6th Doubles Wimbledon title with Serena. It has been a struggle for her since diagnosed with her autoimmune disease but she has never given up. She made it to the Semi Finals of the Singles in Wimbledon and did well in the Doubles to win the Finals with her sister. 

Andy Murray won the Gentleman’s title in straight sets as well. Congrats to him.

Football

For the big winners of the weekend, Portugal! EURO 2016 Champions! Should I also say Cristiano Ronaldo? He came off the field after about 25 minutes with an injury to the knee but he won from the sidelines. How does the great Lionel Messi feel now? He didn’t rally his team together like that. It is hardly likely they will ever get that opportunity again to win an International title. Congrats to them for seizing the moment.

Athletics
Dafne Schippers ran 10.90s for the 100m in the European Championships. Although she had no competition, I expect her to be more impressive in the 200m at RIO. I haven’t seen her time for that as yet.

At the US trials, Justin Gatlin had to run for his life after running 2nd in the semis and getting lane 8 for the final. He beat LaShawn Merritt (19.79s) and Ameer Webb in 19.75s.

For the 200m, Allyson Felix did not make it! Prandini edged her out for the 3rd place spot and it was all about Tori Bowie who won in 22.25s.

The Women’s 100m Hurdles was one to see! Such a packed field. Dawn Harper did not make the finals. Jasmin Stowers fell before the line, Sharika Nelvis did not make it and one of the favourites, Keni Harrison who ran 12.24s this year did not make ut either! 

Brianna Rollins won in 12.34s followed by Kristi Castlin, then Nia Ali.

The US Men’s 110m hurdles had a new winner, Devon Allen! David Oliver did not run the final. He had a hamstring injury after the semis. Aries Merritt and Jason Richardson also failed to make it. 

Gymnastics

Gabby is back! After falling on the beam Friday night at the US Gymnastics trials and again last night, Gabby Douglas still made the US Fierce Five team for her solid routine on the bars.

Congrats to Gabby and the other 4 who made it, especially Simone Biles who won it all. That team is probably one of the hardest to make. Looking forward to seeing them in RIO!

Serena Williams wins Wimbledon and finally hits that no longer elusive 22!

by Sports

If you missed the Ladies’ Wimbledon final today, you missed history. Serena defeated Kerber 7-5, 6-3 and finally won her 22nd Grand Slam title.

Serena started out looking very good! Her serve was on point for the entire match. She won ALL service games. The wind started to pick up in the 2nd set but she overcame that.

Kerber won more of the rallies especially the long ones. But towards the end of both sets when it mattered, Serena won the important rallies and pressured Kerber to make unforced errors. Kerber made very few unforced errors. It was quite a competitive and clean match on both sides. Spectacular tennis.

Angelique Kerber met the real Serena Williams today and when Serena plays her best tennis, there are no answers, she is unbeatable.

Kudos to Kerber for keeping her composure and playing out the match with quality shots. We look forward to seeing her as the future of women’s tennis with Garbiñe Muguruza. 


Serena now finally ties Steffi Graf with the most Grand Slams in the Open era, 22. Suga believes she can keep it going a bit more. Margaret Court still stands at 24. Afterall, Serena IS the GOAT. She said it herself, not only is she one of the best female athletes of all time but one of the best athletes of all time.

Congratulations to Serena Williams who is also immediately ready to take on the Doubles Final and win one for ‘V’, her sister, Venus Williams, which will be played later today.

Photo: ESPN