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"Mardy Fish, who came into the Olympics known more for being Andy Roddick's buddy and doubles partner than for his own merits as a player, walked away with the USA's only tennis medal Sunday, winning the silver.
Fish was unseeded in the Olympic tournament but used his attacking style to overpower opponent after opponent until he ran into the hard-hitting Nicolas Massu of Chile, falling in five grueling sets 6-3, 3-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4. The match lasted four hours.
"I really wanted to hear the national anthem played after the match," Fish said. "That's what kept me going to try to do everything I could to win the match.""
Read more at Fish foiled by Chilean
The winner of the Gold Medal: Team from China
The winner of the Silver Medal: Team from Spain
The winner of the Bronze Medal: Team from Argentina
"Chile is celebrating its first ever Olympic gold after Nicolas Massu and Fernando Gonzalez won the final of the men's doubles competition in tennis.
Olympic fever has gripped the nation after Gonzalez earlier won a bronze medal in the men's singles.
And Massu will soon compete in the men's singles final against the unseeded American Mardy Fish.
Moments after Chile won its first gold medal, people took the streets and drivers started honking their horns.
Many households were watching their television all day as three local TV channels broadcast the Olympic tennis from Athens."
Read more at Chile cheers Olympic first
"Australia's Alicia Molik crashed out of the Olympic tennis tournament this morning with a 6-7, 3-6 semi-final loss to France's Amelie Mauresmo.
Mauresmo's win saw her progress to a final date with Justine Henin-Hardenne, who staged one of the greatest comebacks of her career to fight back from 5-1 down in the final set and beat French Open champion Anastasia Myskina in her semi.
Molik still has an opportunity to win a medal when she plays Myskina for the bronze.
"I get a chance to redeem myself and back it up tomorrow," she said.
"I play Myskina tomorrow and we've had some great matches, so I'll be looking to improve."
For the purist it may have contained too many errors, but Henin-Hardenne's 7-5, 5-7, 8-6 victory over the Russian will go down as a classic."
Read more at Molik falls as Henin sets gold standard
"AUSTRALIAN No.1 Alicia Molik earned herself a double crack at an Olympic tennis singles medal with an impressive quarter-final win over eighth-seeded Ai Sugiyama today.
Molik played fearlessly to outclass her plucky Japanese opponent 6-3 6-4 to set up a semi-final tomorrow against second-seeded Frenchwoman Amelie Mauresmo.
Molik is also still in contention for a doubles medal.
The in-form South Australian will team with Rennae Stubbs later tonight against Chinese pair Tian Tian Sun and Ting Li for another spot in the semi-finals.
Molik's eighth straight singles victory - including five en route to her second career title last week in Stockholm - guaranteed the 23-year-old at least a bronze-medal playoff, matching Jelena Dokic's effort for Australia at the Sydney Olympics."
Read more at Molik to face Mauresmo
"Andy Roddick hit one last errant shot into the net and hung his head, his medal hopes over. A short while later, Venus Williams was gone, too. In back-to-back stunners at the Olympic tennis tournament, Roddick was upset by No. 16 Fernando Gonzalez of Chile 6-4, 6-4, and defending gold medalist Williams lost to Mary Pierce of France 6-4, 6-4. Both were third-round matches.
"I'm gutted right now. It's not every day we get to play this," Roddick said. "You can't say, 'Next year.'"
It was bad day for the U.S. team. No. 16 Chanda Rubin lost to No. 2 Amelie Mauresmo of France 6-3, 6-1, and Lisa Raymond was eliminated by Alicia Molik of Australia 6-4, 6-4. Only Taylor Dent won, beating Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia 6-4, 6-4."
Read more at Andy Roddick and defending gold medalist Venus Williams both upset in Olympic tennis
"Mark Philippoussis, restricted by tendonitis in his knee, crashed out of the Athens Olympic tennis tournament when his game disintegrated after winning the first set against Belgium's Olivier Rochus this morning.
The 27-year-old Australian, losing finalist at the 1998 US Open and 2003 Wimbledon, lost 6-3, 0-6, 1-6, and Rochus now plays third seed Carlos Moya of Spain.
The 23-year-old Rochus, who beat Philippoussis in Dubai in March in their only other match, kept battling away as the Scud exploded.
He was at a loss to explain what went wrong."
Read more at Scud lost for words at Greek defeat
"Mardy Fish was down and out Tuesday, three points from defeat against former No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero. And then, with some help, Fish turned things around for the biggest victory of his career, a 4-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4 comeback against the fifth-seeded Spaniard to reach the third round of the Olympics.
Ferrero, the French Open champion and U.S. Open runner-up last year, double-faulted twice while serving for the match at 5-4 in the second set. That gave the 22nd-ranked Fish an opening, and he took control."
Read more at Fish, Henin-Hardenne ease into third round.
"Venus Williams slapped palms with Chanda Rubin after winning points, and wrapped a consoling arm around her shoulders after miscues.
Just the way she does with younger sister Serena, the only doubles partner Venus had ever played with until Monday night. There was one big difference, though: Williams-Rubin wasn't nearly as effective as Williams-Williams.
In a sudden end to Venus' bid for a second straight doubles gold medal, she and Rubin lost to eighth-seeded Li Ting and Sun Tian Tian of China 7-5, 1-6, 6-3 in the first round of the Athens Olympics."
Read more at Venus Loses First Doubles Match With Rubin
"Healthy at last, Justine Henin-Hardenne looks ready to challenge for an Olympic medal and put up a strong defense of her U.S. Open title.
The top-seeded Belgian reached the third round in Athens by beating Maria Vento-Kabchi of Venezuela 6-2, 6-1 Tuesday. She's dropped just 10 games so far after being out since May because of a viral infection.
"I'm feeling good here. My energy is good even after four months off," the three-time Grand Slam champion said. "Mentally, it's going to be tougher, because I need to be focused on every point. In the next few weeks, that's going to be hardest of all."
She'll face Nicole Pratt of Australia next. Pratt was a 1-6, 7-6 (5), 6-2 winner over Tathiana Garbin of Italy, who upset defending champion Henin-Hardenne in the second round of the French Open."
Read more at Top-seeded Belgian advances to third round
"Agustin Calleri withdrew from his second-round Olympics match Tuesday against Igor Andreev of Russia because of a left abdominal strain, the latest in a string of pullouts by Argentine tennis players.
The walkover allowed Andreev to become the first player to reach the third round; he'll face No. 10 Nicolas Massu of Chile or Vince Spadea of the United States."
Read more at Yet another Argentine out injured: Calleri withdraws
"A smiling Martina Navratilova lingered on court for several minutes to sign autographs for eager fans leaning over a railing to hand her tickets, hats, even a Greek flag. It was tough to judge who was more excited about Navratilova's Olympic debut at 47, making her the oldest tennis player at a Summer Games.
Navratilova and Lisa Raymond beat Yuliya Beygelzimer and Tetyana Perebiynis of Ukraine 6-0, 6-2, to reach the second round, earning standing ovations before and after from the sparse yet enthusiastic crowd on a blustery Sunday night.
"On my first serve of the match, I thought: 'OK, this is your first Olympic toss,'" Navratilova said. "And it was a good one, and a good serve, and that was all the jitters I had.""
Read more at At 47, Martina Navratilova wins Athens debut
"French Open finalist Elena Dementieva of Russia was upset in the first round of the Olympic tennis tournament, losing to Alicia Molik of Australia 4-6, 6-0, 6-3 Monday.
At a nearly empty Court 1, whipping winds gave Dementieva, the silver medalist at the 2000 Sydney Games, plenty of trouble with her serving — already the weakest part of her game. Nearly each ball toss was an adventure, with the fourth-seeded Russian having to lean awkwardly just to make contact on serves.
Dementieva resorted to just getting the ball in court, sometimes tapping in second serves at about 60 mph.
Molik, who's ranked 24th, broke Dementieva's serve six times and was never broken herself over the last two sets."
Read more at French Open finalist Elena Dementieva upset in first round
"Tim Henman's hopes of Olympic glory were blown away in the Athens wind as he lost in the first round to Jiri Novak of the Czech Republic.
In blustery conditions, fourth seed Henman looked lacklustre while Novak, ranked 27, produced a consistently high level of play to win 6-3 6-3.
British number one Henman broke in the very first game but was himself broken three times in the first set.
Novak then broke in the third and ninth games of the second set for victory."
Read more at Henman crashes out
"David Nalbandian withdrew from the Olympics on Sunday because of a strained left thigh, the third Argentine tennis player to pull out of the tournament."
Read more at Another Argentine Withdraws From Olympics
"A rejuvenated Wayne Arthurs relished a Davis Cup-style atmosphere as he advanced to the second round of the Olympic tennis competition.
Arthurs, making his Games debut at the ripe old age of 33, had too many guns for Victor Hanescu, eliminating the Romanian 6-4 7-6 (7-4) in front of a vocal contingent of spectators decked out in green and gold.
The bulk of the Australian tennis team was in the stands to support Arthurs, including coach John Fitzgerald, doubles partner Todd Woodbridge and fellow veteran left-hander Nicole Pratt, as well as Tennis Australia president Geoff Pollard.""
Read more at Arthurs finds inspiration for win
"Venus Williams knows all about Olympic success. Andy Roddick got his first taste of it Sunday. Bothered more by the wind and her wrist wrap than her opponent, defending gold medalist Williams overpowered Melinda Czink of Hungary 6-1, 6-2 in the opening match of the Athens Games' tennis tournament.
Roddick made his Olympic debut with a 6-3, 7-6 (4) victory over Flavio Saretta of Brazil, swatting 12 aces and 16 service winners....
In other first-round action, No. 11 Juan Ignacio Chela of Argentina was upset by Max Mirnyi of Belarus 3-6, 7-6 (0), 6-4, No. 8 Ai Sugiyama of Japan outlasted Zheng Jie of China 4-6, 6-3, 8-6, and No. 10 Patty Schnyder of Switzerland beat Petra Mandula of Hungary 6-3, 6-4."
Read more at Williams, Roddick Win Tennis Openers
"The viral infection haunting Justine Henin-Hardenne for months did more than sap her seemingly boundless energy. It prevented her from doing what she relishes most: Competing.
Finally healthy, Henin-Hardenne can't wait to play her first match since May, joining Venus Williams, Andy Roddick and Martina Navratilova in action today when the Olympic tennis tournament begins.
For the first time, the WTA Tour is awarding rankings points at the Summer Games, giving Henin-Hardenne a chance to bolster her hold on No. 1. But that's not why she's here. All she cares about is getting back on court."
Read more at Justine eager to play again Henin-Hardenne healthy, happy and eyeing gold
"Win or lose, Tim Henman will leave the Olympic Games with a smile on his face.
The tennis player, who is in his third Games, said: "The whole experience is something I've always enjoyed. Until you've been part of the Olympics it's something you can never really understand.
"Davis Cup is great, team tennis... but being part of the British Olympic team magnifies this so much."
Happy as he is to be in the Greek capital, the Briton knows he has a job to do, and it is one he is taking seriously."
Read more at Henman proud to be one of the Village people
"Several Russian tennis coaches failed to get accredited for the Olympics because their national federation failed to submit applications, a team official said Friday.
"Our Olympic committee satisfied all the needs of the Russian tennis federation. We gave them all the necessary documents and everything," said Leo Levsavin, a leader of Russia's delegation. "But the federation did not make the applications to the Athens organizers.
"It's a mystery. We don't know why. Maybe they have an interior problem," he said.
The Russian newspaper Sovietsky Sport's Web site cited Russian Tennis Federation head Shamil Tarpishchev as saying that four coaches were denied accreditation, including Olympic champion Yevgeny Kafelnikov.
However, Levsavin said "Yevgeny Kafelnikov did not wish to attend the games. It was his decision.""
Read more at
Russian Tennis Coaches Miss Olympics
"American Andy Roddick has all the trappings of a major sports star: the nickname, sponsorship deals, TV appearances, and the obligatory coterie of coach, agent, publicist, personal trainer and model girlfriend.
Roger Federer's entourage, meanwhile, is just his girlfriend. For all of his success -- three Grand Slam titles, the No. 1 ranking -- Switzerland's Federer might be tough for the average American to recognize. He's known to most people as, well, Roger.
They last met Aug. 1 in the Tennis Masters Canada final in Toronto, a taut, 7-5, 6-3 Federer victory.
Tennis' A-Rod and Roger hardly could be more different, from their styles of play to their personalities. But heading into the start of play tomorrow, they have something in common: Both are staying in the Athletes' Village and everyone expects them to meet for the Olympic gold medal."
Read more at Tennis pros take swing at rivalry
Britain's Tim Henman will take on Jiri Novak in the first round of the Olympic tennis event, which begins on Sunday.
Henman, who is seeded fourth, is in the bottom half of the draw and could meet second seed Andy Roddick in the semis.
Source: BBC News
"Martina Navratilova admitted the chance to compete at the Olympics in Athens was a "a carrot I couldn't resist".
The 47-year-old will play doubles with United States team-mate Lisa Raymond, who was called up for the injured Jennifer Capriati.
"It's all a new experience, and this will be my only one," she said."
Read more at Navratilova set for Games
Olympic Fever reports that Serena Williams has withdrawn from the Athens Olympic Tennis tournament just moments before boarding a plane to Athens.
'A doctor told her she could suffer long term damage if she plays on her knee at this time. She is the second US women's tennis player to withdraw in the past 2 days. Her sister, Venus, will now play doubles with Chanda Rubin.'
"Former Olympic tennis champion Jennifer Capriati said she agonized for days before finally pulling out of the Athens Games with a hamstring injury.
The 28-year-old, a gold medallist at Barcelona in 1992, is replaced in the U.S. team by Lisa Raymond.
"This was such a tough decision, and I am truly disappointed that the strain to my hamstring re-injured last week in Montreal will preclude me from competing for the U.S. Olympic Tennis Team in Athens," Capriati said after pulling out on Tuesday."
Read more at Sad Capriati Agonized Before Withdrawing.
"Tim Henman is winning his battle to be fit in time for the Olympic tennis event which begins on 15 August.
The Briton has been struggling with a back injury, although it appears not to be as serious as previously thought.
"I'd be lying if I said I haven't dreamt of winning the gold so that's what I'm going over there to try and do," said Henman.
"I've had a problem with a stiff back. But with constant attention I don't think it will hinder my performances.""
Read more at Henman winning fitness race
"Former Olympic champion Jennifer Capriati has withdrawn from the USA tennis team for the Athens Games.
The 28-year-old, who is ranked seventh in the world, did not give a reason for her withdrawal from the tennis event, which starts on Sunday."
Read more at Capriati pulls out of Games.
Former Olympic champion Jennifer Capriati has withdrawn from the USA tennis team for the Athens Games. BBC SPORT | Olympics 2004 | Tennis |
Tim Henman has pulled out of the Olympic Tennis Tournament due to start on August 15.
The Brit has been suffering with a back injury and has looked doubtfull for the games over the last few weeks, this news only confirms what everyone hoped wouldn't happen.
Venus Williams, who won gold in both the singles and doubles in 2000, has said that was a career highlight. 'I've named it as my top achievement. I didn't realize what was going on at the time but I'm glad I didn't realize how important it was - I might have been nervous if I had,' she said.
In a joint interview, both Williams sisters say they are looking forward to the Athens Games in a big way; Serena will be taking two suitcases - one with her stuff in, one empty one for souvenirs.
Fashion fan Venus will also be sporting the cap she's designed for McDonalds - whose staff at the Games will be wearing the very same hat. (Well not literally the same one as Venus - all that swapping about wouldn't be practical, they'll each have their own.)
Fashion, sport, hamburgers - this story's got it all!
Venus and Serena Williams court the fashion world
Australian Wayne Arthurs will replace Martin Verkerk in the men's singles at the Olympics after the Dutchman was ruled out because of injury.
Verkerk, last year's French Open finalist, has a chest muscle strain.
"A possible Olympic boycott by women tennis players has been averted.
WTA Tour players were unhappy that Anca Barna and Marlene Weingaertner had not been included in the German team despite meeting International Tennis Federation qualifying standards.
With the top 56 ranked players earning automatic entry into the Olympics, Barna and Weingaertner, ranked 46 and 52, qualified quite comfortably.
But the German Olympic Committee insisted on much stiffer criteria of reaching a semi-final of a grand slam or the final of a tier-one event, which neither player has met."
Read more at Women's Tennis Boycott Averted at Olympics
"Argentina's Olympic tennis hopes have suffered a fresh blow with French Open winner Gaston Gaudio pulling out of this month's Athens Games due to injury.
The news comes less than a week after team-mate and world number three Guillermo Coria bowed out.
"Gaudio is not going to the Games," team coach Alberto Mancini told reporters.
"He is not going because of an injury sustained at Roland Garros. On clay he could hold up, but not on cement."
Gaudio is suffering from strong post-traumatic pain in his right heel as well as an injury to his right shoulder, according to the results of medical checks.
He will be replaced by Agustin Calleri, ranked 50."
Read more at Argentina's hopes fade as Gaudio is injured.
"Tim Henman is struggling to overcome a back problem, a week before the start of the Olympics.
Henman described the problem as stiffness in his right lower back, which is affecting his serve.
"I feel like I'm serving off one leg, and I think that's where a lot of your momentum going up into the serve comes from," he said.
Henman refused to blame the problem for his crushing 6-1 6-4 defeat by Lleyton Hewitt at the Cincinnati Masters."
"Tennis stars Serena and Venus Williams plan to compete at the Athens Games despite injuries that forced them to pull out of recent tournaments.
"They've both been working hard and doing their rehab," said United States Olympic tennis coach Zina Garrison.
"I've spoken directly to Serena, and she's fine. I've spoken to Venus'agent and one of her sisters. They're both looking forward to going."
The Olympic tennis tournament is set to run from 15-22 August."
Read more at Williams duo head for Games.
"Serena and Venus Williams (news - web sites) plan to compete at the Athens Olympics despite injuries that forced them to pull out of recent tournaments.
"They've both been working hard and doing their rehab," U.S. Olympic tennis coach Zina Garrison told The Associated Press on Thursday in a phone interview from Houston.
"I've actually spoken directly to Serena, and she's fine," Garrison added. "As far as Venus, I've spoken to her agent and one of her sisters. They are both still looking forward to going."
The sisters will be defending their 2000 doubles gold medal during the Aug. 15-22 tennis tournament on hard courts in Athens, and Venus will try to win a second straight Olympic singles championship. Serena also is entered in singles."
Read more at Williams Sisters Plan to Play in Olympics.
" World number three Guillermo Coria has been forced to pull out of the Olympic tennis event with a shoulder injury.
Coria's coach Cristian Elseser said the Argentine had tendinitis in his right shoulder and would not recover in time for the tournament from 15-22 August.
"We are going to do further tests, but it's already ruled out. He will not be going to Athens," added Elseser."
Read more at Coria to miss Olympics.
"WTA Tour players have been advised not to boycott the Athens Olympics, but bonus points might be withdrawn if two qualified German players are left out of the games.
Larry Scott, CEO of the Tour, met with about 30 players bound for the Olympics at the Rogers Cup tournament to discuss the German Olympic Committee's decision to keep Anca Barna and Marlene Weingartner off its team.
Some players this week suggested an Olympic boycott if the two players were not included.
"I made it clear to the players that missing the Olympics - not playing in the Olympics - is not in the interests of women's professional tennis and our sport in general," Scott said Wednesday.
He said the WTA would consider not awarding Tour points, which count toward players' rankings, if an agreement is not reached before the deadline for entries this week."
Read more at WTA advises players not to boycott Olympics, but wants overlooked players in.
"Smashnova is Israel's number one player
Israel's Anna Smashnova-Pistolesi will play at the Athens Olympics after resolving a sponsorship dispute.
Her place in the tournament had been in doubt because of a row between her regular sponsor, Lotto, and Speedo, the Olympic team's official supplier.
Now she will wear an unbranded shirt when she competes in matches, and Speedo clothing at official functions.
"A solution to the problem has been reached," said Israel Tennis Assocation chairman Ian Froman."
Continue Reading Smashnova heads for Games.
A virus has kept Henin-Hardenne out of action recently
Justine Henin-Hardenne has confirmed she will compete at the Olympic Games despite a three-month lay-off with a viral infection.
The world number one's participation had been in serious doubt as she has played only event - the French Open - since April.
Continue reading Henin to play at Olympics
Serena Williams has pulled out of the 'Acura Classic' due to soreness in her knee.
This must shed a little doubt on her ability to play in the Olympic Tournament in Athens. She remains optimistic however that she will be right for the Olympics.
""I really want to go ahead and go to the Olympics," said Serena Williams, scheduled to leave for Athens with the U.S. team Aug. 10. "I don't want to take that chance and miss out on the Olympics and the U.S. Open.""
"Serena Williams has been denied the chance to avenge her Wimbledon humiliation at the hands of Russian teen sensation Maria Sharapova after tennis bureaucrats astonishingly drew up the closing date for Olympic entries before the All England Championships got underway.
That meant the 17-year-old Sharapova, who was then just the sixth-ranking player in a new wave of Russians who are threatening to turn women’s tennis on its head, could not be included for Athens.
Instead, Serena’s sister Venus, the defending champion, new French Open champion Anastasia Myskina, France’s Amelie Mauresmo, Jennifer Capriati and Chanda Rubin look like posing the biggest problem.
And 47-year-old Martina Navratilova links up with Lisa Raymond as challengers to the sisters in the doubles. Just how fit Justine Henin-Hardenne will be is unknown as the world No 1 has yet to recover fully from a mystery virus."
Read more at Olympic sister act to brighten up Sharapova gloom.
"Andy Roddick is familiar with the spoils that can come with being a top tennis player: a U.S. Open title, No. 1 ranking, more than $6.5 million in prize money, endorsement deals.
Funny how a $20 T-shirt got him all pumped up. Not just any shirt, mind you. One emblazoned with the Olympic rings and ''USA Team 2004'' in light blue lettering.
''All along, I kind of knew I was going to be on the team,'' Roddick said. ''But, you know, it's amazing how something as small as a T-shirt makes it real.''" Read more at Roddick has pride in the uniform .
'Israel's Anna Smashnova-Pistolesi could miss playing at the Athens Olympics because of a sponsorship row.
The world number 17's clothing sponsors Lotto will not allow her to wear the official team kit during matches.'
Source Smashnova faces Games blow
Justine Henin-Hardenne could return to the world Tennis circuit at the Athens Olympics after suffering with a virus for a number of months.
'Her only appearance since April was when she lost at the French Open but Rodriguez says she is on the mend.
"She has less problems concentrating and the fatigue is disappearing. This is encouraging," he told her website.' Source - Henin eyes Olympic return
Sports Illustrated has an interesting Tennis factbox for Athens 2004 which gives a history of Olympic tennis as well as a run down on the competition in Athens.
Tim Henman has been named as the sole tennis player in the British Olympic team and can't wait for the Athens Olympics.
'A host of top stars have voiced their concern at playing the Olympics during a busy schedule of events.
The Athens Games falls just before the US Open, but while Lleyton Hewitt has has no intention of going to Greece, Henman is relishing the prospect.
"It's going to be a busy summer what with travelling to and from the States after Wimbledon and for the Olympics," the British number one said.
"Hopefully I can produce something a bit special to make it all worthwhile."' Source - Henman's Athens ambition
Russian Teen Maria Sharapova will not be going to the Athens Olympic Games despite making the finals of Wimbledon this week.
'"I would definitely have wanted to play the Olympics but this is just the beginning of my career," Sharapova said.
"Another four years is just going to fly by in no time"....
The cut-off date for Olympic qualification fell on June 14 and at that time she was just the sixth-ranking player in a new wave of Russians who are threatening to turn women's tennis on its head.'
Tim Henman has been named in the British team for the Olympic Games in Athens in August.
'"I am delighted to welcome Tim into Team GB. Tim already has an Olympic Silver medal from Atlanta and has shown excellent form on a range of surfaces this year," said Simon Clegg, head the British Olympic team.' Source
Former world number one Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario is to be given the go-ahead to become the first tennis player to compete in five Olympics.
Source - Tennis - Sanchez-Vicaro receives go-ahead for fifth Olympics