Black Tennis Report for JULY

James Blake won the RCA Championships and cemented his status as the #1 ranked American male player by defeating former World #1 Andy Roddick 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(7-5). It was a very close match, with Roddick having over 5 break points in the final set, but was unable to win any of these crucial points, due to Blake's clutch serving and determination. Roddick also served quite well, approaching the speed and accuracy of his 2003 heyday, when he was the #1 player in the world.

American Shenay Perry scored a stunning upset over #5 seed Daniela Hantuchova at the Bank of the West Classic by defeating the Czech player 6-2, 0-6, 6-3. Unfortunately, Perry lost in a 3rd set tiebreaker the next round to American Jill Craybas 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (2).

Serena Williams returned to the game in excellent form at the Tier III Western & Southern Financial Group Women’s Open in Cincinatti, losing to the eventual champion Vera Zvonareva in straight sets 6-2, 6-3. Serena and Venus then pulled out of the Tier 1 Acura Classic but are both still entered in their hometown's JP Morgan Chase Open, which MadProfessah will be attending next week in Compton, CA. In order to be eligible for US Open Series bonus prize money in New York, both Williams sisters need to play either the Rogers Cup in Montreal or Pilot Pen in New Haven, CT.

Jamea Jackson and Mashona Washington were members of the United States Federation Cup team that lost in Belgium to the home team anchored by Kim Clijsters.

Next month, a report on the US Open Series and a US Open preview!