Samantha Stosur - US Open Women's Champion 2011

For the third time this year, we have a new Women's grandslam winner... This time its the Aussie Samantha Stosur who shocked 13-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams  6-2, 6-3,  to win her first grand slam in the form of US Open.

Samantha Stosur is the first Australian woman to win a Grand Slam since Evonne Goolagong (1980 Wimbledon Women's Champion) and the first US Open since Margaret Smith Court (1973 US Open Women's Champion).

 

Aussie Sam Stosur with US Open 2011 Women's Trophy 

  

US Open 2011 Women's Champion Samantha Stosur (first Grandslam winner since Evonne Goolagong in 1980 Wimbledon)

 

Sam Stosur said, "After that first set I kind of sat down and I could feel my heart pounding out of my chest, and I thought, Okay, I’m a set up now; I’ve got a chance to win one out of the next two and I’ve got a chance." 

The match spun about out of control at the start of the second set, when on break point, Serena screamed right after she hit a forehand down the line and before Stosur was able to get her racket on the ball. Chair umpire Eva Asderaki then awarded the point to Stosur, stating that Grand Slam rules dictated that decision. Serena badly lost her temper and eventually received a code violation.

 

Sam Stosur reacts after winning the final point of the US Open's finals against Serena Williams

 

Australian Samantha Stosur is elated after winning the US Open 2011 Women's title

 

Reaction of Sam Stosur after winning her first major title in the form of US Open 2011 

After Serena's final groundstroke flew wide, the quiet Stosur then smiled in joy and knelt to the ground, as she became the first Australian woman to win a major since Evonne Goolagong at 1980 Wimbledon.

 

Sam Stosur lofts the US Open trophy that she won after beating Serena Williams in the finals on September 11, 2011 in New York

 

US Open women's winner Samantha Stosur with US Open runners-up Serena Williams

 

US Open women's champion Samantha Stosur with beaten finalist Serena Williams

 

One for the lenses - Aussie Sam Stosur kisses her US Open 2011 Women's trophy

 

US Open 2011 women's champion Sam Stosurposes with her trophy at Times Square in New York

 

Samantha Stosur poses with her US Open trophy at Times Square in New York after the party

“To go out and play the way I did is an unbelievable feeling,” Stosur said after winning her first grandslam in New York. 

Hope we get to see more of her amazing game and many more grand slam victories too... 

Adidas is all in - Women's F/W 11 campaign video

The All Adidas campaign was launched in March 2011 with the core message of "adidas is all in".  It was mainly to bring together and showcase how adidas is involved in sports, dance, music, fashion, lifestyle.

Recently Adidas launched an advertisement with the top of women's crop in the world of sports, music, dance and fashion like tennis sensation and world number one Carloine Wozniacki, American singer Katy Perry,  Captain of Chinese volleyball team Wei Qiuyue, one of China's famous actress Li Bingbing, German DJ and electronic producer DJ BabyG, photographer, blogger and sneaker aficionado Sneakerqueen and dancers from Berlin's internationally renowned ballet institute Staatsballett Berlin.

Check out the latest video that was launched with the core message of "Adidas is all in" and crafted it to fit and elevate the women's brand, based on the concept of "those who dare."

The Adidas Mantra as per the campaign quoted in the site was:

ADIDAS MANTRA: WE ARE THE GIRLS WHO DARE.

When they say no, we hear go. We give everything we’ve got then go back for more. No doubts, no holding back, no giving in — from the court to the catwalk, the stadium to the street. Whatever the game, we play the same way. Heart over head, inclusion over ego. United by passion, we go all in.

Check out some of the pictures taken during the video shoot of this Adidas advertisement...

 

 Denmark's women's tennis world number one Caroline Wozniacki

 

World Number 1 women's tennis player Caroline Wozniacki

 

Caroline Wozniacki during adidas women's f/w 11 campaign videoshoot 

 

Katy Perry during the Adidas is all in campaign videoshoot

 

American singer-songwriter Katy Perry

 

Captain of the Chinese women's volleyball team Wei Qiuyue

 

Wei Qiuyue of just 20 years - youngest Chinese women's volleyball captain

 

Chinese volleyball captain Wei Qiuyue during the adidas video shoot

 

One of China's most famous and celebrated actresses and singer Li Bingbing 

 

Li Bingbing during Adidas videoshoot

 

Dancers from Berlin's internationally renowned ballet institute Staatsballett Berlin

 

Julia Schoierer, a.k.a. Sneakerqueen, is a photographer, artist, blogger and sneaker aficionado from Berlin, Germany

 

Berlin-based DJ and electronic producer Georgina Fernandez a.k.a. Baby G

Photo and video courtesy: adidas

These campaigns are a great way to encourage women and girls to come out and perform their best in their respective fields... Way to go adidas! what next :)

When Federer met Sachin - In Pictures

Last month's Wimbledon had one special moment... a rare moment to see two sports legends meeting...
Yes, I'm talking about the meeting between the Indian cricket maestro Sachin Tendulkar and tennis superstar Roger Federer at Wimbledon on 25th June, 2011.

Here are some of the pictures that I collected from various internet sources of this rare meeting between two legends - Cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar and tennis legend Roger Federer - two of my favourite sportstars.
I was so happy seeing them together that I've got one of these pictures as my desktop wallpaper :)

 

Sachin Tendulkar meets Tennis star Roger Federer at Wimbledon 2011

The Indian legend who is regular at the Wimbledon Championships every year, shared a few thoughts with the Swiss master Roger Federer during their brief meet on Day 6 of the Championships in London.
Later, Sachin went to watch Federer, who defeated Argentina's David Nalbandian in their third round match.

 

Indian cricket little master Sachin Tendulkar at Wimbledon with Roger Federer

 

 Sachin Tendulkar in an animated conversation with Roger Federer at Wimbledon 2011

Federer has confessed in the past that he loves playing cricket during his spare time (wow tht must be to please Sachin :D)

"I like playing cricket for enjoyment, but I don't think I could have made a living out of it", Federer quoted.

Tendulkar's love for tennis is also common knowledge to everyone and he makes it a point to be at Wimbledon every year. The little master was a big fan of John McEnroe and used to wear a head band like the American. He had also revealed that he loves to play tennis whenever he gets the time.

"For me as a kid the choice was between tennis and cricket and I feel that I didn't make a bad choice. Though, I still love tennis and watch it whenever I get time", Sachin said.

 

Cricket star Sachin Tendulkar involved in an animated talk with tennis player Roger Federer on Day Six of the Wimbledon Tennis on June 25, 2011 in London, England

 

Roger Federer and Sachin Tendulkar pose for the shutter bugs at Wimbledon 2011

 

Sachin Tendulkar tweets about meeting Roger Federer at Wimbledon Royal Box

Tendulkar was also spotted in the Royal box on Centre Court with his wife Anjali, as he witnessed the match between Australia's Jarmila Gajdosova and world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki. He watched the world No 1 effortlessly outclass the Australian 6-3, 6-2 in their third round encounter.
Sachin also met the women's tennis legend and former multiple Wimbledon women's champion Martina Navratilova.

 

Sachin Tendulkar in a conversation with former women's tennis legend Martina Navratilova during Wimbledon 2011

 

Sachin Tendulkar with wife Anjali at the Wimbledon Royal box watching Wimbledon action with former women's tennis icon Martina Navratilova (in the back)

Hope these legends keep playing and give us many more glorious victories :)

Uruguay wins 15th Copa America - Pictures

Uruguay won the Copa America for a record 15th time after beating Paraguay 3-0 on Sunday the 24th of July, 2011.  Two goals by Diego Forlan and another from Luis Suarez took them to an easy victory over Paraguay in the finals held at Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Uruguay won record 15th Copa America title beating Paragual 3-0

The victory gives Uruguay its first Copa America title since 1995. The small country of 3.5 million also reached the World Cup semifinals a year ago, surpassing the performance of continental powerhouses Brazil and Argentina.

 

Diego Forlan kisses the Copa America cup 2011 after he scored a couple of goals in the finals

"This has been a lot of work, going back many years," Forlan said. "It's been a job of doing things well and it's yielded results."

 

Luis Suarez won the Most Valuable Player award of Copa America 2011

Uruguay striker Luis Suarez, who scored the first goal in the 3-0 Copa America final victory over Paraguay was named the tournament's best player.  The 24-year-old Liverpool striker scored four goals in the tournament and was voted the most valuable player.

 

 Uruguay players celebrate Copa America victory with the trophy

 

Diego Forlan - Uruguay's talisman celebrates one of his two goals he scored in the finals

 

Diego Forlan celebrates with his team mates after Uruguay won Copa America cup

Copa America 2011 Honours:

Champions: Uruguay
Runners-up: Paraguay
Third place: Peru

Best player: Luis Suarez (URU)

Top scorer: Paolo Guerrero (PER) - 5 goals
Best goalkeeper: Justo Villar (PAR)
Best young player: Sebastian Coates (URU)
Fair play trophy: Uruguay

 

 Luis Suarez and other Uruguay players celebrate the Copa America victory

"This is not the most important thing in the world, but it is very important for the Uruguayans," Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez said. "It allows us to be united."

I really like this team a lot. They play as a team and play to their strengths and with my most favorite soccer player currently Diego Forlan playing in this team, I do hope this team wins more n more laurels. 

Wimbledon Champions' Dinner 2011 - Pictures

Wimbledon 2011 saw two new champions being added to the winners list.

Novak Djokovic - the Serbian World Number 1 won his first Wimbledon grand slam beating Rafael Nadal....
The women's champion is Czech youngster Petra Kvitova winning her first ever grand slam beating Maria Sharapova.... 

Presenting here some pictures of 2011 Wimbledon Champions' Dinnner party held at the Inter Continental Hotel Park Lane on July 3, 2011 in London, England.

 

The Official Portrait of Wimbledon winners Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic at The Wimbledon Champions' Dinner 2011

 

Petra Kvitova and Novak Djokovic at the Wimbledon Champion's Dinner party

 

Djokovic and Kvitova trade their trophies and pose for the shutterflies

 

Serbian Novak Djokovic and Czech Petra Kvitova - Wimbledon 2011 Winners

 

Novak Djokovic with his girlfriend Jelena Ristic poses with the mens replica trophy at the Wimbledon Championships 2011 Winners Ball

Will they be able to retain their title next year or will there be new Champions? We'll have to wait & watch....

Novak Djokovic - Wimbledon 2011 Champion

Serbian Novak Djokovic celebrated becoming ATP's World No.1 by beating Rafael Nadal to be crowned Wimbledon champion for the first time.  Thus, Djokovic has silenced his critics and announced his arrival with another grand slam to add to his Australian Open title earlier this year.  He has three grand slam titles in all now.

The Serb star Djokovic, 24, ran out a 6-4 6-1 1-6 6-3 winner in front of a packed Centre Court in Wimbledon.

 

 Novak Djokovic - The World Number 1 proudly displaying his Wimbledon Trophy

 

2011 Men's Wimbledon Champion - Novak Djokovic and the runner-up Rafael Nadal

 

Novak Djokovic celebrated his Wimbledon victory by tasting grass and yeah it sure did taste good for him :)

 

The ecstatic Serb Novak Djokovic after winning Wimbledon 2011 beating Rafael Nadal

 

Novak Djokovic kisses his Wimbledon trophy

 

The newly crowned Wimbledon and World No. 1 Novak Djokovic in an animated after match press conference

 

Djokovic is quite athletic and could be seen diving around the ground... 

 

Novak Djokovic acknowledges the crowd after the Wimbledon victory applauded by Nadal in the background

 

Wimbledon saw a new Champion in 2011 in the form of the Serbian Novak Djokovic.. 

Pictures courtesy: Wimbledon site

With this victory, Djokovic has announced his arrival to make it a three-way fight henceforth with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. Lets hope we get to see some amazing matches :)

Petra Kvitova - Wimbledon Women's Champion 2011

Petra Kvitova is the new name in the Grand slam winners circuit now...  The Czech star Petra Kvitova won her first Grand Slam title on Saturday the 2nd of July 2011 by beating Maria Sharapova 6-3, 6-4 in the Wimbledon final.

 

Petra Kvitova - The Wimbledon women's 2011 Champion

The 21-year-old Kvitova is the first left-handed woman to win the Wimbledon title since Martina Navratilova in 1990.  Kvitova was playing in her first major final, but it was three-time Grand Slam champion Sharapova that showed her nerves. The 2004 Wimbledon champion double-faulted six times, including twice to get broken to 4-2 in the first set.

 

Petra Kvitova - the Wimbledon winner and Maria Sharapova - the Wimbledon runners-up

Using a fast-paced and well-placed forehand, Kvitova won easily as Czech greats Martina Navratilova and Jana Novotna sat in the Royal Box with a host of other former Wimbledon champions.

 

Czech 21 year old Kvitova reacts after winning her first grandslam at Wimbledon 2011

 

 Petra Kvitova blows a few kisses after collecting her first Wimbledon grand slam title

 

 The Charming Petra Kvitova at the post match press conference after the Wimbledon title victory

 

Petra Kvitova at The Wimbledon Champions' Dinner 2011 in London, England

 

Petra Kvitova parades the Venus Rosewater Dish to the crowd following her victory over Maria Sharapova

Pictures courtesy: Wimbledon site

Hope we get to see more of her in the future grand slams too...