Serena ready for Hopman challenge

Serena ready for Hopman challenge

Serena Williams has belatedly arrived at the Hopman Cup, ready to represent the United States in the first match against the Czech Republic.

The world number seven missed the United States's opening match because of illness, with stand-in Meghann Shaughnessy and Mardy Fish winning their singles matches to seal a 2-1 win over India.

Williams, who will defend her Australian Open title in Melbourne next month, said she was ready to win the Hopman Cup for the second time, having teamed up with James Blake to lift the trophy in 2003.

"I just had the stomach flu - I was really sick," she said after a one-hour practice session. "That's not fun to have but I am fine now.

"I'm feeling really good, I recovered really fast. I really wanted to come."

Williams arrived in the early hours of Sunday after flying from Miami via New York and Dubai.

"I was so glad when I heard that [Shaughnessy] won and Mardy won yesterday," she added. "I was really excited. I owe her a big thank you."

Last year, Williams played in the WTA event in Hobart the week before the Australian Open, losing to Sybille Bammer of Austria in the quarter-finals.

Ranked 86, she was given little chance at the Australian Open but stormed through the draw to win her eighth grand-slam title.

This time, though, the American said she was leaving nothing to chance.

"Last year was cutting it close," she said. "I never really like to play a week before a grand slam. Especially as defending champion, I really want to make sure I am here, trying to get ready.

"I feel really prepared and am here to win it like everyone else in the draw."

Williams's first match at the Hopman Cup will be on Monday against Czech Lucie Safarova, while she will also have to face local favourite Alicia Molik when the US play Australia in their final group match.

"I played [Safarova] this time last year in Hobart and had an extremely tough match," she continued.

"I know she's a good player and I'll have to be ready. Then Alicia's going to be a fan favourite, but I'm used to playing fan favourites."

reference: "eurosport"

Nadal focused on Beijing Games

Nadal focused on Beijing Games

Spaniard Rafael Nadal has targeted the 2008 Beijing Olympics after ending a third consecutive year as world number two behind Swiss maestro Roger Federer.

The 21-year-old French Open champion is the top seed at the Chennai Open next week where he will also play in the doubles with compatriot Bartolome Salva-Vidal.

"This year there is special significance because of the Olympic Games," Nadal said.

"The Davis Cup is also there, but importantly the Olympics comes along only once in four years. It is a special tournament, special motivation."

Nadal said he could still improve his game from 2007 but was unconcerned about Federer.

"I'd love to be number two for 50 more years," he said. "Especially in my situation: 5,600 or 5,700 points, that is a lot."

Nadal earned 5,735 ranking points to Federer's 7,180 in 2007. "In a normal moment in the history of tennis, I'd have been number one."

The claycourt specialist won six titles in 2007 and pushed Federer to the brink in an epic five-setter on grass in the Wimbledon final.

However, he was subdued in the hardcourt grand slams, losing in the quarter-final at Australian Open and in the US Open fourth round.

"It is difficult to play better," Nadal said. "I played very well on grass, clay and on indoor too.

"I'm not worried about Roger, he is better than the other guys at the moment. But a lot of young guys are coming from behind at the present time."

reference: "eurosport"

WTA Tour - Jankovic to cut back schedule

WTA Tour - Jankovic to cut back schedule

World number three Jelena Jankovic has promised to cut back on her playing schedule in 2008 in an attempt to focus on the Grand Slams and avoid long-term injury.

The Serb played a WTA Tour-high 97 matches as she won four titles last season but struggled for fitness and form as the year progressed, with many feeling she was risking serious injury by playing too much.

"I can say that I played too much," Jankovic said at the Hopman Cup on Saturday, the eight-nation mixed team event where she and Novak Djokovic will represent Serbia, the number one seeds.

"I had so many matches during the year, not much time off and it was difficult. I will cut back a little bit on my schedule and play a lot less and mainly focus on the big tournaments, the grand slams and Tier Ones."

The 22-year-old, who also won the mixed doubles at Wimbledon with Scot Jamie Murray, said she was still short of full fitness after having surgery on her nose in November to cure breathing problems.

"I was completely in bed for three weeks," Jankovic said. "My only activity was going to the toilet and back.

"After lying there and feeling terrible, I wanted to do things. As an athlete we play a lot, we are active people, I couldn't accept just to be in bed the whole day."

Her recuperation meant that she began training a little later than she would have liked and Jankovic admitted it would take time to regain top form.

"I just practised for two weeks before I came here," she said. "I didn't have as much time as I wanted, but I will try my best to play some good matches and get match tough again.

"I don't have any expectations, I just want to play as many matches as possible and try to get back in form."

In the long run, though, Jankovic is confident she has the ability to win a Grand Slam title.

"I want to keep improving some of the things in my game, just believing in myself and my time will come. Whichever (Grand Slam) comes first I wouldn't mind."

reference: "eurosport"