:sad::sad::sad:

:woohoo:

Chinese doubles teams = WS Killa :devil:

Great fight girls :banana:
TianTian has a good record against the sisters!
Concentrate on singles now, Venus, although i believe she plays Shuai next? ;)

:o

:sobbing:

Vee :hug:

Not the right partner.

:spit: :banana:

:woohoo:

:banana:

Hopefully they can concentrate more on their singles matches now. This may be a blessing in disguise.

I'm sure they will still have plenty of doubles victories in the future! Wimbledon and the Olympics are a long way off and those are the two titles they want most.

:o

better luck next tournie girls

:( Oh well...now Serena and Venus can concentrate on singles.

:o

China def. USA. Olympic year.

sssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Second time a Chinese doubles team kicks their asses this season.

Shuai and Tiantian :worship: Makes up for Zi and Jie´s loss :o

Vee :hug:

Not the right partner.

:lol:

:o

well done, TTS.
close WS, keep training.
anyone watched. (???)

:eek:
congrats Tian shuai

:o

I'm guessing they won't be making the Olympics cut.

Mamma mia. They strugle even in doubles now :unsure:

oh well get stronger team Williams

Shuai/Tiantian :banana:

Mamma mia. They strugle even in doubles now :unsure:

They've just recently started playing after years. How about giving it some time?

hate new system for set3...:lol:

I also hate the last set!

:sobbing:

It is thier first doubles tournament in a while so i am glad they did well!
They still have a long way to go and willl UNDOUBTEDLY have to face a CHINESE pair if they want a win a gold medal!
I have no doubt they will find a rhythm together again:yeah:
As long as they keep playing:cool:

Well DONE PENG/SUN!
did very well to hang in there and come back in the first!

The sisters will do better in doubles if both of them play with different partners.

http://d.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sp/ap_photo/20080305/all/l3051367.jpg

http://d.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sp/ap_photo/20080305/all/l3051361.jpg

http://d.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sp/ap_photo/20080305/all/l3051348.jpg

They've just recently started playing after years. How about giving it some time?

Because they always play with each other, know each other by heart, are Omlympic champions, are my fav and thus by definition can't suck. As simple as that!

http://d.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sp/ap_photo/20080305/all/l3051341.jpg

http://d.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sp/ap_photo/20080305/all/l3051353.jpg

:o

I'm guessing they won't be making the Olympics cut.

Mamma mia. They strugle even in doubles now :unsure:
Oh lord, calm down everyone! The two teams were very well matched, and the score was close. In all honesty, the Chinese should have won. They play together almost every week and are China's second best doubles team. I think it is great that the sisters are playing doubles more (and playing tough teams). If they keep playing together, which they haven't done regularly for years, they will improve against top teams. They will also improve their doubles rankings, so perhaps, they can get a seed in the Olympics.

About the Olympics, Serena and Venus will almost definitely make the cut. Countries can send a maximum of 6 players, 4 of which can enter the singles draw. However, countries can enter two doubles teams, so one team has to be made up of singles players (ie. the Williams sisters). Raymond and her partner (whoever that may be--probably Lindsay), will be the second team.

http://d.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sp/ap_photo/20080305/all/l3051380.jpg

http://d.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sp/p5/20080305/15/3497152186.jpg

Very nice pics. Vee/Ree and Shuai/Tiantian all seem to really be enjoying themselves.

I think the previous picture is from Serena's singles match (since she's wearing a different outfit--a very nice recolored version of her Australian dress).

practicing is different from actual match practice and tactics concieved by the team, something Vee and Ree may be lacking right now....and Peng and Sun are very good doubles players...

The sisters will do better in doubles if both of them play with different partners.

Get real. :rolleyes: They are 98-16, have held all GS titles and an Olympic gold medal in doubles. Why would they do better if they had different partners? I don't know of any other doubles team still active on the tour with a more impressive record.

Too bad they lost. They'll get their rhythm down, they just need to keep playing. Congrats to the Chinese team. It looks like it was a tough competitive match. I'm impressed, with the lack of play as a doubles team, that the sisters could be that competitive against a doubles team that plays just about every week.

The season just started for them. Granted Venus is playing 3 weeks in a row, we all know she starts out slow and warms up during the summer. And this is Serena's 2nd tournament back. Give them a break.

I'm impressed, with the lack of play as a doubles team, that the sisters could be that competitive against a doubles team that plays just about every week.

That's what everyone is forgetting. It's not like Serena and Venus play every week. They've done well for playing as little as they have. Serena and Venus just have to keep working and the results will come.

http://d.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sp/ap_photo/20080305/all/l3051367.jpg

Love this pic

Funny expressions :lol:

At lot of people (myself included) would have thought that if Venus and Serena entered the Olympics and nothing else, that they probably would have walked away with the gold.

Im glad they are playing events leading up to the Olympics to get their rust away.

Shame they lost here :sad: but they are still in singles, but if they had to lose like this I would have prefered them to lose here and at the AO, rather than lose this way at Wimbledon or the Olympics. Maybe this is a blessing in disguise :sad:

I left the show at 7-5, *1-2 0:30...and now I see the result :o
I had a bad feeling and now it´s reality :mad:
Now concentrate on your single matches here, Venus! :)
It´s important for Vee to reach at least the semi-final
Good luck! ;)

:hearts:

Some of these pics are begging to be captioned!

Yeah, let's not forget they made the quarters of the Australian Open and beat Sugiyama/Srebotnik in straight sets along the way. They fell to Zheng/Yan in three sets and have now lost to Peng/Sun in a tight three set match.

They are doing quite well and will only improve during the summer which is probably when they want to peak for Wimbledon and the Olympics.

meh, this loss is Serena's fault for missing a sitter of a forehand at 9-9 that would have given them a match point :ras: (only joking :angel:)

Good win for Shuai and Tiantian.

As for Serena and Venus, I don't buy the argument that some posters are using, that they haven't played with each other regularly enough. They are sisters so it really doesn't matter how much they play. They have won Grand Slams before without playing with each other for ages (Wimbledon 2002 was their only tournament of the year and they won it). Also, Shuai and Tiantian have only played 3 events this year, but before that haden't played since last April. It's just an Olympic team.

Good win for Shuai and Tiantian.

As for Serena and Venus, I don't buy the argument that some posters are using, that they haven't played with each other regularly enough. They are sisters so it really doesn't matter how much they play. They have won Grand Slams before without playing with each other for ages (Wimbledon 2002 was their only tournament of the year and they won it). Also, Shuai and Tiantian have only played 3 events this year, but before that haden't played since last April. It's just an Olympic team.

I agree, we all know Venus and Serena can win tournaments (in singles and doubles) without any match practice.

Unfortunately, I think they just arent playing that great tennis right now. Im still happy that they are playing, things can only get better if they keep playing. I really dont think this loss will affect them at all, they'll probably forget about it come next week, they just want to keep playing and keep going at it because its an olympic year, good on them, and hopefully come the summer, all the hard work will pay off and they will be holding the Gold Medal :)

I hate those Last Set Tiebreaks!

Just pissed me off again with Dubai Men!

:clap2: Shuai & Tiantian

:haha:

I think things are different.. don't expect them to dominate. They aren't the explosive team that wreaked havoc in doubles and mixed doubles from 1998-2003. Their success then hinged largely on their athleticism, agility, and sheer power. Neither is a young as they were then, and with Serena's issues with injury, weight and fitness, she's just not the excellent doubles fit for Venus anymore IMO.

They are still a great team. They are still a force to be reckoned with. However, they are not the same team as they were before. Serena has changed more than Venus, but Venus isn't exactly the same either(although her athleticism hasn't suffered much and her style of play is almost the same).

It's too late now, but either wants to continue doubles past this year(for example, if Venus wants to add to her 6 Wimbledon titles and possibly inch towards 20 although I dont ever see her getting even half), they would probably be better paired with other partners.

These are two good doubles team- Nothing to be ashame on losing to either team and besides the scoreline suggested it.

They played Peng and Sun. They didn't lose to Pin/Muller. The Chinese are excellent doubles players. Venus and Serena can't just pound the ball and win. I am glad they played a tough match. It'll help them shake the rust off.

Sister :o

The way doubles is played is changing all the time in my opinion!...what may have worked 5 years ago will not work now...even with all those factors that helped them win before!

Im getting sick of that outfit that venus keeps wearing. SHe needs to change it up.

I know!

She has so much to offer with EleVen why stick to the same for each tournie?...i understand why other girls do but Vee:cool:

I think things are different.. don't expect them to dominate. They aren't the explosive team that wreaked havoc in doubles and mixed doubles from 1998-2003. Their success then hinged largely on their athleticism, agility, and sheer power. Neither is a young as they were then, and with Serena's issues with injury, weight and fitness, she's just not the excellent doubles fit for Venus anymore IMO.

They are still a great team. They are still a force to be reckoned with. However, they are not the same team as they were before. Serena has changed more than Venus, but Venus isn't exactly the same either(although her athleticism hasn't suffered much and her style of play is almost the same).

It's too late now, but either wants to continue doubles past this year(for example, if Venus wants to add to her 6 Wimbledon titles and possibly inch towards 20 although I dont ever see her getting even half), they would probably be better paired with other partners.


Aces, I don't agree with your assessment, because I don't think that doubles is about athleticism and power for anyone playing, including the Sisters, but about being in the right place at the right time, timing, coordination with your partner, having quick hands, serving well, returning well and volleying well. If what you say is the barometer for them to dominate doubles again, then they would not have won any singles titles, especially GS titles since 2003. Because to me, singles requires all of what you mentioned and more that you say they no longer possess.

But even if everyone in the world did agree with you Serena and Venus would never consider partnering with anyone else in doubles if they are playing in the same tournament. That's like telling them to get new coaches.

Agreed. It's a new season I'd like to see Venus wear something new.

Aces, I don't agree with your assessment, because I don't think that doubles is about athleticism and power for anyone playing, including the Sisters, but about being in the right place at the right time, timing, coordination with your partner, having quick hands, serving well, returning well and volleying well. If what you say is the barometer for them to dominate doubles again, then they would not have won any singles titles, especially GS titles since 2003. Because to me, singles requires all of what you mentioned and more that you say they no longer possess.

But even if everyone in the world did agree with you Serena and Venus would never consider partnering with anyone else in doubles if they are playing in the same tournament. That's like telling them to get new coaches.


No, you are right. Doubles requires the opposite of what I mentioned. YET, that is what made the WS so scary. They had the coordination and they had great serves, very good returns, yet UNLIKE any other doubles team they were very quick, very athletic with an in-your-face aggressive style...especially in their young days. They were all over the court, smacking the ball very hard, serving big, returning big, and just steamrolling opponents.

The difference is when they lose that aspect, when they lose that physical edge, most of the time they are not as good as their doubles opponents in timing, volleying skills, technical doubles ability and most importantly, recent experience(neither plays doubles regularly like their opponents).
What they lacked in technical doubles skill and strategy they made up for with their other traits. Now that those other skills(Serena's athleticism) have declined, it's only natural that their edge in doubles is not the same. Luckily, they still have the edge of being 1) sisters who know each other's games well and 2) they are still two of the greatest female players on this planet playing on the same team.

I can see Venus taking another doubles partner here and there. She already played with Wozniacki. But you're right, we probably won't see her playing any big tournaments with anyone else.

China def. USA. Olympic year.



We will win,the Olympic!

They played Peng and Sun. They didn't lose to Pin/Muller. The Chinese are excellent doubles players. Venus and Serena can't just pound the ball and win. I am glad they played a tough match. It'll help them shake the rust off.

And yet Muller has made 2 WTA doubles finals this year :o

Not a good player to pick...:weirdo:

Pin is also a very good doubles player, quite crafty. Ignorance sometimes.

tiantian/shuai :D

The sisters will do better in doubles if both of them play with different partners.

serena/henin vs. venus/sharapova :lol:

or...

serena/zheng vs. venus/zi

yan/zheng lost :lol:

Well done Shuai and Tiantian

:o Damnnn.

Oh lord, calm down everyone! The two teams were very well matched, and the score was close. In all honesty, the Chinese should have won. They play together almost every week and are China's second best doubles team. I think it is great that the sisters are playing doubles more (and playing tough teams). If they keep playing together, which they haven't done regularly for years, they will improve against top teams. They will also improve their doubles rankings, so perhaps, they can get a seed in the Olympics.

About the Olympics, Serena and Venus will almost definitely make the cut. Countries can send a maximum of 6 players, 4 of which can enter the singles draw. However, countries can enter two doubles teams, so one team has to be made up of singles players (ie. the Williams sisters). Raymond and her partner (whoever that may be--probably Lindsay), will be the second team.

Ahhhh. I thought they could only send one team and so far Raymond/Davenport have been having pretty good results.

http://d.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sp/ap_photo/20080305/all/l3051380.jpg

love it. betch!

Nice win, girls. :yeah:

do they have a doubles ranking now.

Peng/Sun :banana:
WS :hug:

Please work hard
You both the best double in the world:)

This is a good loss for them, seeing as they are just starting out. Iono what happened in this match but I know that at the AO Serena was barely even playing. She was serving at under 100 mph on 1st serves and high 60's for 2nd and they still took it to 3 sets. I think its good they are playing the Chinese Doubles team specialists close because if they want to win the Olympics doubles they are def. going to have to face an inspired Chinese Doubles team.

do they have a doubles ranking now.

Venus already had one, because she played with Wozniacki (sp?) in Memphis. But, yes, now Serena has a ranking as well.

They've just recently started playing after years. How about giving it some time?

That's not really an excuse when it comes to the WS :lol:

In the past, they would never play and then out of no where they would beat VRP/Suarez, the best team at the time, in a Grand Slam.

:(

Vee :hug:

Not the right partner.

:lol: but so true

I know it is painful to lose but this may be a blessing by helping them concentrate more on their single matches and playing better. I hope one of them wins the tournament.

That's not really an excuse when it comes to the WS :lol:

In the past, they would never play and then out of no where they would beat VRP/Suarez, the best team at the time, in a Grand Slam.

You mean in 2003 where they were playing Doubles after having played doubles for every year leading up to 2003. As opposed to 2008 where leading up they played one doubles match in 4 years.
Yup it's totally the same situation and the same results should be immediately expected especially since their respective games overall have deterioated as well.

Wooow great result for Peng/Sun !!