WMFT: Women's & Men's Fantasy Tour
Week #12
WTA: Birmingham


http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/3/global/graphics/logos/birmingham.jpg


Welcome everyone to the first grass event of the year! Last week we took a week off from the traditional tour to play a special event, but now it's back to the courts! I'd like to welcome new players Katarina Srebotnik and Nathalie Dechy, and say "welcome back" to a greatly missed Daniela Hantuchova! With the change of courts we always have new champions, will this week be the week for one?


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


WMFT: Women's & Men's Fantasy Tour
Week #12
ATP: Halle


http://www.atptennis.com/5/graphics/tournamentlogos/halle07_90x88.jpg


Welcome to Halle for the Tier II (and first!) grass event on the men's side! Two weeks ago we saw Rafael Nadal take home the 2nd grand slam title, will he be able to continue his streak? Welcome to Dominik Hrbaty and Gael Monfils! How will these new players affect the draw? Also, "welcome back" to Lleyton Hewitt, you were missed, and we all wish you success! This week we've got a record number of players with 32 men and 31 women :eek:. Good luck to everyone!

Information

Sending Points

Send GRASS points to I<3Lindsay.
Points due Wednesday, October 25th at 3:00 PM EST
*EVERYONE MUST SEND NEW POINTS-- IT'S THE START OF A NEW SEASON*

Schedule


Wednesday- 1st and 2nd Round Results
Thursday- Quarterfinal Results
Friday- Semifinal Results- LIVE!
Saturday- Final- LIVE!

Players' Points to Send

WTA
-For each set, divide total points into 13 games
Agnieszka Radwanksa- 210
Amelie Mauresmo- 215
Ana Ivanovic- 200
Anna Chakvetadze- 200
Ashley Harkleroad- 200
Daniela Hantuchova- 215
Dominika Cibulkova- 205
Edina Gallovits- 200
Elena Baltacha- 210
Elena Likhovsteva- 215
Erika Takao- 205
Flavia Pennetta- 210
Johanna Larsson- 200
Jorgelina Cravero- 210
Justine Henin- 200
Katarina Srebotnik- 215
Kristina Brandi- 215
Lindsay Davenport- 215
Lucie Safarova- 200
Maria Kirilenko- 200
Maria Sharapova- 215
Na Li- 210
Nathalie Dechy- 205
Nicole Vaidisova- 200
Sacha Jones- 200
Serena Williams- 210
Sybille Bammer- 205
Tamarine Tanasugarn- 215
Tamira Paszek- 205
Venus Williams- 215


ATP
-Divide points into 3 sets.
Andre Agassi- 205
Andy Roddick- 210
Daniel Koellerer- 210
David Nalbandian- 215
Dominik Hrbaty- 200
Fernando Verdasco- 205
Filippo Volandri- 210
Gael Monfils- 205
Gaston Gaudio- 200
Guillermo Canas- 200
Guillermo Coria- 200
Harley Radford- 200
Ivan Ljubicic- 200
Janko Tipsarevic- 210
Joachim Johansson- 205
Juan Ignacio Chela- 200
Lleyton Hewitt- 215
Marat Safin- 200
Marcos Baghdatis- 200
Marin Cilic- 205
Mikhail Youzhny- 205
Nathan Healey- 200
Nicolas Almagro- 205
Nikolay Davydenko- 205
Novak Djokovic- 215
Paradorn Srichaphan- 210
Rafael Nadal- 205
Richard Gasquet- 215
Robin Soderling- 210
Roger Federer- 215
Tomas Berdych- 210

Draws are added, START SENDING POINTS!

I'll update the points totals tomorrow... You can always just look for yourself in the points thread ;)

Note to all players:

Thomas is unable to post atm, so WMFT week 12 wont start until this problem is fixed - Yasmine, James and the other mods are on the case

ack. forgot to send before the deadline.. will my points not be taken?

ANNOUNCEMENT

I have been off WTAWorld for just about 5 days, and at no fault of my own! Apparently my IP Address is very similar to one of a banned member, so I haven't been able to post or even look at WTAWorld the whole time!

Anyway, I'm back now, but many people have failed to send points! Fortunately for you guys, I'm extending the deadline a couple days because I like to send out reminder PM's, and because of my absence I was unable to do that.

Thanks everyone for sticking with me, hopefully things will go smoothly the rest of the week and this tournament will finish on time :)

Ive sent nice to have you back :yeah:
Cant wait for the tour to start again :bounce:;)

I've updated the "Points to Send" section... I've either sent (or will be soon) a PM to all those who have not yet sent points. Please remember: it is mandatory for this tournament!

thanks for extending the deadline.. schoolwork is starting to pile up and I totally forgot..

thankyou so much for extending, I completely forgot until yesterday

Ditto, i forgot :tape: Cuase i was out in Beijing, i didnt follow it.

Points sent :tape:

I want updates and I want them now. :mad:

I want updates and I want them now. :mad:

:lol:
Be patient. :p
They will come soon, I think ;)

Results in... about 1/2 an hour, for the women's anyway :cool:

okay, this is taking a lot longer than I thought it would! :mad:

I've been working on it for an hour straight :shrug: Hopefully I'll be done soon!!

Are results still coming tonight?

i hope i don't lose first round :o

You have no idea how freekin annoying this is :fiery:

I'll be navigating, and all of a sudden I get: "We're sorry, the administrators have banned your access to this forum"... then I have to refresh it 5, 10, 15, 20 times just to get it to work again! I just got done counting up everyones points and putting them into excel! :mad:. Hopefully I'll be able to do atleast first round results tonight, but if not I'm terribly sorry to everyone! If I can't tonight I'll do round 1 in about 9 hours (6 am my time) and then tomorrow afternoon I'll do 2R then at night QF :shrug: Sorry again everyone :sad:

Don't overwork yourself or sacrifice your time any more if you have other important things to do :) We will wait! :-D

Don't worry about it too much Thomas, we can wait :) Plus my computer has been acting up and I only refreshed about 10 times before i lost patience and gave up :lol: but it was wtatour.com that was acting up

results! :D 1st round now... 2nd round tomorrow morning (8 hours or so) then QF tomorrow afternoon :cool:

WTA Birmingham
1st Round Results

A.Mauresmo [1] def. Bye
E.Baltacha def. K.Brandi w/o
N.Dechy def. T.Paszek w/o
A.Chakvetadze [6] def. L.Safarova w/o

I.R.Olaru [5] def. Bye
E.Likhovtseva def. A.Harkleroad 7-5 7-5
V.Williams def. K.Srebotnik 5-7 6-0 6-0
J.Cravero def. D.Hantuchova [4] w/o

M.Kirilenko [3] def. A.Radwanska 7-6(0) 7-5
N.Vaidisova def. J.Henin 1-6 6-3 6-4
J.Larsson def. F.Pennetta 7-5 7-6(0)
L.Davenport [8] def. D.Cibulkova w/o

A.Ivanovic [7] def. E.Gallovits 2-6 7-5 7-5
M.Sharapova def. A.Sugiyama w/o**
N.Li def. T.Tanasugarn 6-1 7-6(0)
S.Jones [2] def. Bye

**Ai Sugiyama has retired from WMFT for good :sad:.

ALL PLAYERS WHO LOST BY W/O WILL BE PUT IN THE DRAW NEXT WEEK, BUT IF YOU FAIL TO SEND AGAIN YOU WILL BE RETIRED!!!

ATP Halle
1st Round Results

M.Baghdatis [1] def. Bye
G.Canas def. G.Gaudio w/o
G.Monfils def. R.Soderling 6-2 6-4
J.Chela [8] def. F.Volandri 6-1 0-6 7-6(3)

J.Tipsarevic def. N.Almagro [6] w/o
P.Srichaphan def. J.Bjorkman w/o**
R.Federer def. D.Hrbaty 6-4 5-7 7-6(6)
N.Healey [3] def. N.Djokovic 0-6 7-5 6-2

A.Roddick def. N.Davydenko [4] 6-1 1-6 7-6(3)
A.Agassi def. R.Gasquet 7-6(5) 7-6(2)
G.Coria def. L.Hewitt w/o
H.Radford [5] def. T.Berdych w/o

M.Cilic def. M.Safin [7] w/o
J.Johansson def. D.Koellerer w/o
F.Verdasco def. M.Youzhny 7-6(0) 5-7 7-6(4)
D.Nalbandian def. R.Nadal [2] 7-6(1) 6-4 :eek::eek:

**Jonas Bjorkman has retired from WMFT for good :sad:.

ALL PLAYERS WHO LOST BY W/O WILL BE PUT IN THE DRAW NEXT WEEK, BUT IF YOU FAIL TO SEND AGAIN YOU WILL BE RETIRED!!!

OMFGJ)(#%ju_q#@)(%u#@+%)(ju@+#%)(

V. Williams def. Srebotnik 57 60 60

Federer def. Hrbaty 64 57 76(6)

:mad: :mad: :mad:

Can I be a LL? :sobbing:

both my players lost :o

NICE win from Na..
tough match against Sacha now..

Great Win for Makiri :yeah:

Nikolay :rolleyes:

WTA Birmingham
1st Round Results

A.Mauresmo [1] def. Bye
E.Baltacha def. K.Brandi w/o
N.Dechy def. T.Paszek w/o
A.Chakvetadze [6] def. L.Safarova w/o

I.R.Olaru [5] def. Bye
E.Likhovtseva def. A.Harkleroad 7-5 7-5
V.Williams def. K.Srebotnik 5-7 6-0 6-0
J.Cravero def. D.Hantuchova [4] w/o

M.Kirilenko [3] def. A.Radwanska 7-6(0) 7-5
N.Vaidisova def. J.Henin 1-6 6-3 6-4
J.Larsson def. F.Pennetta 7-5 7-6(0)
L.Davenport [8] def. D.Cibulkova w/o

A.Sugiyama [7] def. E.Gallovits 2-6 7-5 7-5
M.Sharapova def. A.Sugiyama w/o**
N.Li def. T.Tanasugarn 6-1 7-6(0)
S.Jones [2] def. Bye

**Ai Sugiyama has retired from WMFT for good :sad:.

ALL PLAYERS WHO LOST BY W/O WILL BE PUT IN THE DRAW NEXT WEEK, BUT IF YOU FAIL TO SEND AGAIN YOU WILL BE RETIRED!!!

:shrug:

:shrug:

woops :o Sorry, it's fixed! :D

WTA Birmingham
2nd Round Results


E.Baltacha def. A.Mauresmo [1] 6-3 6-4 :eek::eek:
A.Chakvetadze [6] def. N.Dechy 7-5 3-6 7-5
E.Likhovtseva def. I.R.Olaru [5] w/o
V.Williams def. J.Cravero 6-0 6-0

M.Kirilenko [3] def. N.Vaidisova 6-1 7-5
J.Larsson def. L.Davenport [8] w/o
M.Sharapova def. A.Ivanovic [7] 6-4 6-4
N.Li def. S.Jones [2] 6-4 7-5 :eek::eek:

Maria :bounce::D

Sasha :sad::hug:

ATP Halle
2nd Round Results


M.Baghdatis [1] def. G.Canas w/o
G.Monfils def. J.Chela [8] 6-4 6-2
P.Srichaphan def. J.Tipsarevic 6-1 1-6 7-6(5)
N.Healey [3] def. R.Federer 1-6 6-3 6-4

A.Roddick def. A.Agassi 6-1 0-6 6-4
G.Coria def. H.Radford [5] 6-3 6-2
M.Cilic def. J.Johansson 1-6 7-5 6-1
F.Verdasco def. D.Nalbandian 6-4 6-4

Masha :D
Roger :sad:

Congratulations to all Round 2 winners :hug::worship: Quarterfinal results will be tonight! (in about 12 hours :shrug: )

Highest seed left in the womens field :unsure:

Dechy out 2. round:8
Monfils:) 6-2, 6-4, and 6-4, 6-2:)

Come on Monfils:)

Elena and Fernando :woohoo:

Williams and Coria!!!

OMG Na.. :woohoo:

Venus on the prowl
Williams into quarters
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/content/sports/photos/popups/2005_fed_cup/images/092.jpg
Venus Williams hits a forhand to Cravero during her 6-0,6-0 demolition.

Johanna :yeah:

QF results coming :)

Go Makiri :bounce:

lets go andy!

ATP Halle- Quarterfinal

http://img57.imageshack.us/img57/2600/monfils2xt8.jpg

G.MONFILS def. M.BAGHDATIS [1] w/o :rolleyes:

ATP first :ras:

ATP Halle- Quarterfinal

http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2006/01/22/healey,0.jpg

N.HEALEY [3] def. P.SRICHAPHAN 1-6 6-3 6-4 :worship:

ATP Halle- Quarterfinal

http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/pic/MMPH/255781~Andy-Roddick-Posters.jpg

A.RODDICK def. G.CORIA 7-6(5) 1-6 6-1 :bowdown:

ATP Halle- Quarterfinal

http://i.eurosport.fr/2006/04/14/270244-981668-317-238.jpg

F.VERDASCO def. M.CILIC 6-1 7-6(6) :yeah:

WTA Birmingham- Quarterfinal

http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/39340000/jpg/_39340971_baltacha203.jpg

E.BALTACHA def. A.CHAKVETADZE [6] 6-0 5-7 6-2 :eek:

WTA Birmingham- Quarterfinal

http://msnbcmedia2.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/060602/060602_venus_hmed_9a.hmedium.jpg

V.WILLIAMS def. E.LIKHOVTSEVA 6-0 6-0 ;)

WTA Birmingham- Quarterfinal

http://www.vtennis.co.uk/Images/Tennis/maria-kirilenko/maria-kirilenko-photo/maria-kirilenko-photo-2.JPG

M.KIRILENKO [3] def. J.LARSSON 7-5 7-5 :bounce:

I knew Venus would completely overpower me :rolleyes:


Fernando :woohoo:

WTA Birmingham- Quarterfinal

http://www.hollyscoop.com/BlogImages/19864167---maria%2010.jpg

M.SHARAPOVA def. N.LI 6-3 6-4 :dance:

Congratulations to our semifinalists! :woohoo: Semis sometime tomorrow ;)

So you just use the first scores we send for every match?

I've been the only one to take a set/games off of Venus so far. I'm kind of proud of that, I guess.

But six bagels in a row for Venus, I mean wow. :eek:

So you just use the first scores we send for every match?

I've been the only one to take a set/games off of Venus so far. I'm kind of proud of that, I guess.

But six bagels in a row for Venus, I mean wow. :eek:

I use your points for the entire tournament... Then next tournament, before the deadline, you have the chance to send in new points that will be used for that whole tournament. You don't HAVE to send new points each week, if you don't I'll just use the ones from the previous tournament-- the only time it's mandatory to send points is at the start of a new court season

Johanna :hug: her best event so far !

It says a lot that a player with Venus' strategy can get to the Semis. :lol:

Funny thing is, I would gladly beat her. And would never lose to her awful gameplan. :o

Get it together, guys, it only takes one game to beat that type of play.


_____________________


In other news:

WTF Amelie?! What am I doing wrong? :hysteric:

It says a lot that a player with Venus' strategy can get to the Semis. :lol:

Funny thing is, I would gladly beat her. And would never lose to her awful gameplan. :o

Get it together, guys, it only takes one game to beat that type of play.


_____________________


In other news:

WTF Amelie?! What am I doing wrong? :hysteric:

:worship: Thank you, that's exactly what I've been thinking to myself :lol:

What is Venus' strategy? :scared:

Nunna yo bizness hoe

Venus shuts up Elena
Williams dominates Russian
http://www.wtnphotos.com/data/505/21238810611venus.jpg
Venus Williams powers a backhand against Elena Likhovesiva. Williams won in 31 minutes 6-0,6-0.

"I wish people would shut up and let them figure out my game themselves, I am frustrated with other players making comments. Too bad they couldn't be in the semifinals like me" said an aggrevated Williams.

What is Venus' strategy? :scared:

what do you mean its clearly all her points in the first six games, all you need to do is slip one big game into the first six and then you'll win 7-5

Makiri :bounce: great way to start of the grass ;)

Masha next :scared: but If I get past her I think I will win it :p

It says a lot that a player with Venus' strategy can get to the Semis. :lol:

Funny thing is, I would gladly beat her. And would never lose to her awful gameplan. :o

Get it together, guys, it only takes one game to beat that type of play.



:ras: I dont expect players, to do that anymore :rolleyes:

:worship: Thank you, that's exactly what I've been thinking to myself :lol:


Dont start, now you are the Queen of WGTA :p

Venus shuts up Elena
Williams dominates Russian
http://www.wtnphotos.com/data/505/21238810611venus.jpg
Venus Williams powers a backhand against Elena Likhovesiva. Williams won in 31 minutes 6-0,6-0.

"I wish people would shut up and let them figure out my game themselves, I am frustrated with other players making comments. Too bad they couldn't be in the semifinals like me" said an aggrevated Williams.

I worked it out long ago, when I saw you won the previous match to me 6-0 6-0. It doesnt take a brain surgeon to work it out

it is THE easiest strategy to make up and THE easiest strategy to work out.

it is stupid.

It says a lot that a player with Venus' strategy can get to the Semis. :lol:

:lol: very true

it is THE easiest strategy to make up and THE easiest strategy to work out.
it is stupid.

:worship:

Monfils semifinale:)

:banana: :banana:

semifinals will PROBABLY be in like 1/2 an hour :)

Sorry I didn't send new points, Thomas. Lindsay and Marcos will both be back next week :hug:

Good luck Baltacha in the semis, i think i could lose 6-0 6-0

Sorry I didn't send new points, Thomas. Lindsay and Marcos will both be back next week :hug:

okay cool :hug: I was hoping you would be :D

I'm going to do results right now... Unfortunately, the women's won't be live because I just don't have time! but, if you'd like the live scores, PM me and I could send them to you later today/tomorrow :)

ATP Halle- Semifinal

http://c7.img.v4.skyrock.com/c72/willow29/pics/197698747_small.jpg

G.MONFILS def. N.HEALEY [3] 6-0 6-4 :eek::eek:

ATP Halle- Semifinal

http://www.reportajes.org/wp-content/uploads/2006/12/andy-roddick-.jpg

A.RODDICK def. F.VERDASCO 7-6(7) 1-6 6-1 :worship::bowdown:

WTA Birmingham- Semifinal

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42428000/gif/_42428848_venus_getty.gif

V.WILLIAMS def. E.BALTACHA 6-0 6-0 :eek::worship:

Thats a surprise, NOT

WTA Birmingham- Semifinal

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41822000/jpg/_41822760_ms_getty.jpg

M.SHARAPOVA def. M.KIRILENKO [3] 5-7 6-4 6-2

:woohoo:

Final great result but I will also lose against this stupid Venus tactic. :o

Venus OMG not surprised.

Well, I hope people can credit me somehow this week....

Venus florishs to Final
Williams to play Sharapova
http://www.wtnphotos.com/data/505/21238802634venus.jpg
Venus Williams slams a forehand down Elena Baltacha's throat during her 41 minute romp 6-0,6-0.

"Grass is where it's at!" smiled the eldest Williams sister, looking for her first WMFT tour title on grass in Birmingham. Williams faces Maria Sharapova in the finals! GO VENUS

7-6(7) - is that a CT?


If it is, its the second match I have lost tonight because of it

Wow well done Masha really deserved :worship::yeah:

Happy with a SF start though ;)

MASHA PLEASE WIN THE FINAL!!! YOU HAVE TO!!!

Thats a surprise, NOT

:lol::worship:

7-6(7) - is that a CT?


If it is, its the second match I have lost tonight because of it

That means you both had the same points, but instead of a cointoss I use surface preference. Whoever has more points on the surface, wins. If that's tied, it's whoever is ranked higher

That is pathetic.

Did you guys learn nothing over hardcourts and clay?

How is Venus even winning? I am totally embarassed right now. To think Venus is in the Final with THAT and I lost second round. :rolls:

rofl. Well, this is my first event here so I was unaware of Venus' wily ways.

I'll keep an eye out of I'm near her in a draw.

ATP Halle- Final

http://www1.sport1.nl/images/thumbs/466x347/files/Uploads/1180019939.jpg

G.MONFILS def. A.RODDICK 7-5 6-2 :worship::eek::worship:

WTA Birmingham- Final



V.WILLIAMS vs. M.SHARAPOVA



First Set
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
1-0 Williams
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
2-0
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
3-0
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
4-0
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
5-0
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
5-1
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
5-2
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
5-3
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
5-4
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
5-5
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
6-5* Sharapova
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
6-6*
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
7-6(7)* Sharapova




M.SHARAPOVA leads V.WILLIAMS 7-6(7)

WTA Birmingham- Final



V.WILLIAMS trails M.SHARAPOVA 6-7(7)



Second Set
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
1-0 Sharapova
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
1-1
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
2-1 Williams
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
3-1
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
4-1
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
5-1
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
5-2
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
5-3
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
5-4
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
5-5
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
6-5* Williams
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
6-6*
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
7-6(7)* Williams




V.WILLIAMS tied w/ M.SHARAPOVA 6-7(7) 7-6(7)

come on Masha! :rocker:

I think it's GSM Venus, sad

WTA Birmingham- Final



V.WILLIAMS tied w/ M.SHARAPOVA 6-7(7) 7-6(7)



Final Set
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
1-0 Williams
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
2-0
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
3-0
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
4-0
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
5-0
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
6-0


http://media.dailycamera.com/bdc/content/img/photos/2007/07/04/BRITAIN_WIMBLEDON_TENNIS_XW_t220.jpg


V.WILLIAMS def. M.SHARAPOVA 6-7(7) 7-6(7) 6-0 :eek::worship:

Congratulations to Gael and Venus on winning your first titles :worship::bowdown:

The finalized draws and rankings will be done later today... The next tournament thread will be out tomorrow :D

Congrats Venus ;)
Masha :sobbing:

:spit:

Thanks Masha! GOOOD match!

That is a hollow title.

Anyone who lost to Venus ought to retire out of disgrace. :o

That is a hollow title.

Anyone who lost to Venus ought to retire out of disgrace. :o

be a dignefied loser

Monfils First tournament won:)

:banana: :banana: :banana:

Finalized Draws are attached :)

Rankings to come later tonight ;)

be a dignefied loser

:rolls:

you are such a gimp.

What the hell is "dignefied"? :o

And I didn't even lose to Venus, so that has nothing to do with this. If I had lost to her, then fair play, but I never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever would. Not with that strategy. Ever.

This has nothing to do with me losing to BALTACHA just expressing my overwhelming feeling of awfulness that Venus could win a title with that strategy at this stage in the season. Everyone who lost to her needs to get it sorted. :shrug:

Simple.

Sorry I haven't been participating.

Lucie Safarova and Tomas Berdych have nagging little injuries. Lucie's got an ankle problem that will keep her out till Wimbledon, and Tomas will hopefully play next week after getting over a viral infection.

Rankings are up, I'm working on the draws. Sorry everyone, this weekend was terrible :sad:. We're still on schedule though so all's good ;)

Venus Wins First Career Title!
Venus defeats Maria in three
http://www.wtnphotos.com/data/505/21238760661williams.jpg
Venus Williams holds aloft the Birmingham trophy after defeating Maria Sharapova in the finals. Williams won her first ever WMFT tour title and is the first Williams sister to claim a tour event.

Venus Williams has had many critics all week about her aggressive grasscourt play, but Williams proved all wrong and claimed the Birmingham Open title. Venus whalloped through the draw, dismantling players left and right. But Maria Sharapova was watching Williams and knew how to push her to her limit until Sharapova eventually ran out of gas in the third set. Williams won the match 7-6,6-7,6-0 to be the first African-American women on tour to have won a title. When Williams smacked a backhand swing volley winner on match point, she jumped up, yelled, and eagerly waited for Sharapova to shake hands with her at the net.

http://www.wtnphotos.com/data/505/21238794204venus.jpg
Above: USA's Venus Williams waves to the crowd after claiming her first title on a cloudy day in Birmingham. Williams defeated unseeded Maria Sharapova in 3 sets to claim her first-ever title.

"I am so excited to win a title on tour! I love this place and the grass courts are perfect for me to play on! I am definatly thrilled to have captured the first title of the grasscourt season, and be the first Williams sister to have this history as having won the first title on tour. Maria played a fantastic match but she got tired in the end and my game just pushed her off court. I really hope everyone appreciates my win, and I know some do not but I do not really care about them anyway, I am excited to win and dont want anyone to discredit my title. I am the winner and the star today!" smiled Williams.

Venus had a hiccup in her first round against Srebotnik, but then didnt lose a game until the finals. Although it had been sunny all week, a cloudy day didnt stop Williams from hitting 67 winners to a mere 30 unforced errors. Williams is the first African-American champion to win a tour event! Venus will head to the next event as soon as she is done posing with her trophy for En Vogue! Venus will rise next week in the rankings and hope to win her first grand slam in a few weeks at Wimbledon. But until then, keep yourselves informed on how she does the rest of the grass season! GO VENUS!

Below: Venus Williams and Maria Sharapova pose with the winners and runner-up trophy in Birmingham.
http://www.wtnphotos.com/data/505/21238760568williams.jpg