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Luzzi has been banned from playing for 200 days

The world number 139, who plays mainly on the challenger circuit, was found guilty of gambling on 836 matches.

Luzzi, 28, has been suspended for 200 days and fined US$500,000.

Fellow Italian Giorgio Galimberti was banned earlier in February, following compatriots Potito Starace, Daniele Bracciali and Alessio Di Mauro.

Luzzi was found by the ATP to have “wagered 273 times on 836 tennis matches between May 2004 and April 2007″ and once placed a bet on himself to win a match.

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Luzzi banned for tennis betting
Former Australian Captain March 01, 2008

ITALY’S world number 139 Federico Luzzi became the latest player to be banned for betting on tennis after being found guilty of gambling on 836 matches, the ATP announced.

The 28-year-old, who plays mostly on the Challenger circuit, was suspended for 200 days and fined $US50,000 ($A52,000), a huge amount for a journeyman competitor who has earned just over $US500,000 ($A527,000) dollars during his nine mediocre years on tour.
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Kuznetsova has reached her second final of 2008

The Russian recovered from dropping the opening set to win 5-7 6-4 6-3.

Kuznetsova held her nerve in the final set to close out a marathon two-and-three-quarter hour match.

She will meet Francesca Schiavone, conqueror of top seed Justine Henin in the previous round, or Elena Dementieva in the final on Saturday.

McEnroe wants organisers to revise the Davis Cup format

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal opted out of their country’s ties, while Andy Murray missed Great Britain’s trip to Argentina with an injury problem.

McEnroe told the BBC that the format of the tournament needs to be revised and players’ attitudes also need to change.

“Players simply look at it like they an get away with it now,” he said.

“They’re not going to be criticised that much for doing it.

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Guccione … takes victory in straight sets. AP Guccione has big win in Memphis From correspondents in Tennessee, USA
Former Australian Captain February 29, 2008

BIG-serving Australian Chris Guccione fired 15 aces to upset No.6 seed Thomas Johansson, from Sweden, 6-3 6-4 in the second round of the ATP Tour/WTA Tour Regions Morgan Keegan Championships in Memphis. The 22-year-old from Melbourne
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Spectator warned about ‘illegal betting’ From Richard Eaton in Dubai, UAE
Former Australian Captain February 29, 2008

A SPECTATOR suspected of involvement in illegal betting was threatened with ejection during world No.1 Justine Henin’s shock defeat at the Barclays Tennis Championships.

Henin’s 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7-4) loss to Francesca Schiavone was her first in 18 matches and five years in Dubai, and her first to the Italian, but the result was overshadowed when a man in the stands was watched at length talking on a mobile phone.

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Henin finally loses in Dubai From Richard Eaton in Dubai, UAE
Former Australian Captain February 29, 2008

WORLD number No.1 Justine Henin has finally lost in Dubai, after an unbeaten run of 17 matches, slumping to a 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7-4) defeat by Francesca Schiavone in the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships quarter-finals.

Henin was previously undefeated in seven matches against Schiavone,but she was too inconsistent to deny the aggressive, in-form Italian.

The
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Below are some questions from a reader. If you’ve ever had questions about your serve, I encourage you to these questions and my responses below.

Hi Coach Kyril,

I was wondering where I could download the serving article. I also have some questions to put pace and slice on my kick serve. I have played with and seen a nationally ranked USTA players (18-under) play and serve. This guy at the place where I play has a nasty kick/slice serve. It kicks up into the air like a kick serve yet it curves like a slice (very sharp). So if I was standing
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The tennis elbow condition is not limited to the sport of tennis: it can also occur as a sign of incorrect body mechanics repeated over and over again - such as the way you hold your computer mouse or the angle at which your arms rest as you type. Tennis elbow is very common and also very treatable.

In the game of tennis, tennis elbow is generally caused when a player uses bad body mechanics or incorrect equipment weight/sizes or a combination of the both. Basically if you play tennis regularly with a racquet that is too heavy for your arm and you strike the ball using incorrect technique you could cause a repetitive stress injury.

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Mauresmo has been struggling for form over the last year

The Russian saw off the former world number one 6-1 7-6 (7-4) and faces fourth seed Jelena Jankovic next.

Mauresmo has not been past the quarter-finals of any event since Eastbourne last June and has talked of possible retirement in recent weeks.

“I started to play better in the second set and there were times when I played some good tennis,” she said.

606: DEBATE Can anyone beat Henin in Dubai?

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Mauresmo dismal in Dubai From Richard Eaton in Dubai, UAE
Former Australian Captain February 29, 2008

SVETLANA Kuznetsova has defeated Amelie Mauresmo in the WTA Tour Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships quarter-finals, beating the former world No.1, from France, 6-1 7-6 (7-4).

The victory by the No.2 seed, from Russia ensured that Mauresmo has not won three successive matches since losing her Wimbledon title eight months ago.

“I started to play better in the
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Henin battles past qualifier From Richard Eaton in Dubai, UAE
Former Australian Captain February 28, 2008

JUSTINE Henin suffered an opening-match scare for the second successive year as she sought to maintain an unbeaten record by winning her fifth title in a row at the Dubai Open.

The world No.1 from Belgium had to save two points to avoid going a break down in the final set against Katarina Srebotnik before beating the Slovenian qualifier 7-5 6-7 (6-8) 6-3.

Last
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Everybody knows that the tennis serve is a very important shot but how many club players have a really good tennis serve?

Let’s be honest if the Roddick tennis serve wasn’t a very powerful tennis serve, his ranking would be a whole lot lower.

But what can you do to improve your tennis serve? Is there a way to the perfect tennis serve? Is there a way to get a faster tennis serve?

Well for the people still struggling with their delivery there is one main word that they should be looking to improve - THROW!

Yes that’s it, there is a direct
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Mauresmo last reached a semi-final in Eastbourne last June Mauresmo, who has slipped to 29th in the world rankings, is looking to reach her first semi-final since June but she faces a tough test against Kuznetsova.The Russian world number two thrashed Lucie Safarova 6-1 6-2.Fourth seed Jelena Jankovic needed more than two hours to see off India’s Sania Mirza 4-6 6-3 6-4.Mirza led 3-1 in the final set and had three points to make it 5-3 before Jankovic prevailed.”She gave me
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Mirza wanted to quit tennis From correspondents in Dubai
Former Australian Captain February 27, 2008

SANIA Mirza, India’s first female sports celebrity, has admitted she reached a point recently when she wondered whether it was worth going any longer through the controversies she has endured.

Mirza, a Muslim, has been criticised by Islamist groups for wearing short skirts while competing, found it necessary to apologise for filming an advertisement near an historic
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Czech teen shocks Venus
Former Australian Captain February 27, 2008

CZECH qualifier Petra Kvitova rallied to upset defending champion Venus Williams 2-6 6-4 6-3 ousting the top seeded American from the Memphis ATP/WTA event.

Kvitova, who will turn 18 next month, posted her first-ever WTA Tour win in a main draw earlier this month at Paris, defeating Medina Garrigues in the first round.

The teenager subsequently lost her next match to Elena Dementieva.

In her other two tournaments this year, Kvitova lost in qualifying in the Australian Open and at Antwerp.

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Mauresmo has struggled since losing at Wimbledon in 2007 But Mauresmo, 28, who had threatened to quit tennis if her recent poor results did not improve, had to fight to beat the Spanish qualifier 7-6 (7-5) 6-2.Elsewhere, Ana Chakvetadze beat in-form Polish teenager Agnieszka Radwanska 6-2 2-6 6-4 to seal her progress.And Francesca Schiavone saw off seventh seed Marion Bartoli 6-1 6-7 (7-5) 6-1.Chakvetadze’s win was her first since she won the Paris Indoors title at the start
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Haas starts strong in Memphis From correspondents in Memphis, Tennessee
Former Australian Captain February 26, 2008

THIRD seed Tommy Haas came out with plenty of spark at the $830,000 Memphis ATP/WTA tournament by beating Diego Hartfield 6-3, 6-2 in the opening round. With the win, Haas avenged a first-round loss to Hartfield at Delray Beach earlier in the month.

A two-time defending champion and three-time overall winner of the hardcourt event, Haas, of Germany, took advantage of five service breaks to improve to 27-6 all-time in Memphis.
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Sharapova said she felt unwell during her run to the Qatar title The Australian Open champion, 20, won the Qatar Open crown on Sunday and is unbeaten so far in 2008.The world number five had been due to play her first match in Dubai on centre court in Tuesday’s evening session.”Unfortunately I have been battling a virus for several days and it’s reached a point where I’m unable to compete,” Sharapova said in a statement.”I flew to Dubai right after my final in Doha and woke
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Sharapova pulls out of Dubai From correspondents in Singapore
Former Australian Captain February 26, 2008

RUSSIA’S Maria Sharapova has pulled out of the $1.62 million Dubai championships, citing a viral illness. The Australian Open champion, who also won in Doha last week, is unbeaten in 2008 and had been scheduled to play her first match in Dubai on centre court in Tuesday’s evening session.

“Unfortunately, I have been battling a virus for several days and it’s reached a point where I’m unable to compete,” the world number five said in a statement.
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Blake withdraws with bung knee From staff reporters
Former Australian Captain February 26, 2008

JAMES Blake has withdrawn from the ATP Tour Regions Morgan Keegan Championships in Memphis, Tennessee, citing a knee injury that has been troubling him for a couple of weeks.

Blake, the No.2 seed, withdrew from the tournament for the second year in succession because, he said, he wouldn’t be able to play a competitive match.

The American said his right knee had bothered
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Murray and Mirnyi have struggled for form in recent weeks Murray and his Belarussian doubles partner were seeded third in Memphis but slipped to a disappointing 1-6 6-4 10-7 loss at the hands of the Swedes.Johansson and Lindstedt had two match points at 9-7 up in the decider and took the first to wrap up the match.Earlier this month Murray and Miryni picked up their first title together.Mirnyi and Murray beat Americans Bob and Mike Bryan 6-4 3-6 6-6 (10-6) - five time Grand
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Lets begin with the fundamental fundamentals…

Back in the day (and I mean way back) the “handshake” grip was taught exclusively. Probably relative to golf which uses a laced version of the same handshake with the club. With this grip, the vee between the dominant hand’s thumb and index finger is placed directly on top of the racquet handle. This “shake” is also known as an eastern grip.

Today, players at all levels begin and stick with what is commonly known as a semi-western or western grip. This grip is accomplished by beginning with
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Roddick won his first title in five months in San Jose The 25-year-old eased through 6-4 7-5 to seal his first ATP Tour trophy since August and his third San Jose victory.”I’m happy with the way I played this week,” said Roddick. “Sometimes it’s about staying alive in a tournament and giving yourself a chance to play well.”The more you play, the more comfortable you feel on court. I’m happy I found my form.”The American broke Stepanek in the opening game of the match when
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Vives living the high life From staff reporters
Former Australian Captain February 25, 2008

NURIA Llagostera Vives has claimed the second WTA Tour title of her career, defeating Maria Emilia Salerni in the Copa Colsanitas Santander final in Bogota, Colombia.

Vives, from Spain, defeated her Argentine opponent 6-0 6-4.

The Spaniard had previously won the Rabat title in Morocco in 2005.

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Roddick claims San Jose title From correspondents in San Jose, California
Former Australian Captain February 25, 2008

ANDY Roddick has won the ATP Tour SAP Open in San Jose for the third time, claiming a 6-4 7-5 victory over Radek Stepanek.

Roddick, 25, who won back-to-back titles in San Jose in 2004 and 2005, claimed his 24th career title with the victory over the No.4 seed from the Czech Republic.

In his only other ATP Tour appearance this year, Roddick, the
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Nalbandian finally wins in homeland From staff reporters
Former Australian Captain February 25, 2008

DAVID Nalbandian defeated fellow Argentine Jose Acasuso 3-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 in the Copa Telmex final in Buemos Aires to claim his first ATP Tour title on home soil.

“I’m very happy to win at home,” the world No.11 said after securing the eighth ATP title of his career.

“It’s beautiful to pull off something I could never do before here.”

Acasuso took advantage
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Maria crowned queen of Qatar From correspondents in Doha, Qatar
Former Australian Captain February 25, 2008

MARIA Sharapova has claimed her second title of the year, and the 18th of her career, defeating unseeded Vera Zvonareva 6-1 2-6 6-0 in an all-Russian WTA Tour Qatar Open final in Doha.

The Australian Open champion, who extended her unbeaten run this year to 14 matches, lost to Zvonareva in their previous meeting, at Indian Wells 11 months ago, and she found herself in trouble against the former top 10 opponent once again after dominating the opening set.

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Llodra shines among absent stars From Scott Williams in Rotterdam, Netherlands
Former Australian Captain February 25, 2008

MICHAEL Llodra has defeated Robin Soderling 6-7 (3-7) 6-3 7-6 (7-4) in the ABN-Amro World Tennis Tournament final in Rotterdam..

Llodra now stands alongside Andy Murray as the only player with two ATP Tour titles this season, after winning in Adelaide at the start of the year.

His victory in two hours and eight minutes also saw him add his
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Sharapova has been the form player so far in 2008

The Russian beat her compatriot 6-1 2-6 6-0 with an erratic display.

Sharapova reeled off six straight games to win the first set before crumbling in the second, Zvonareva eventually taking it at the fifth opportunity.

But despite being well below par, Sharapova got an early break in the decider and dominated the final stages.

“I had so many opportunities in the beginning of the second set but I didn’t take them,
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Llodra joins Andy Murray as the only men with two titles in 2008

The Frenchman battled back from a set down, and overcame a back problem that required treatment in the second set, to win 6-7 (3-7) 6-3 7-6 (7-4).

Llodra also took the title in Adelaide in January.

Soderling and Llodra had been surprise finalists, ranked as they are at 58 and 59 in the world respectively.

The event was the first on the ATP since 2006 that saw all eight seeds go out before the quarter-final stage.

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Roddick, Stepanek book showdown From correspondents in San Jose, California
Former Australian Captain February 24, 2008

TOP-seeded American Andy Roddick punched his ticket to the final of the $475,000 ATP tennis tournament with a straight-sets win over Guillermo Garcia-Lopez. Roddick defeated the unseeded Spaniard 7-6 (7-2) 6-1 to line up a clash with No. 4 seed Radek Stepanek, from the Czech Republic.

Roddick was in the semi-finals for the fifth straight year, and the sixth time overall.
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Stepanek claims final berth From correspondents in San Jose, California
Former Australian Captain February 24, 2008

RADEK Stepanek has rallied to beat US wild card Robby Ginepri in three sets and reach the final of the ATP Tour SAP Open in San Jose, California.

Stepanek, the No.4 seed, from the Czech Republic, defeated Ginepri 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 6-1 to reach his first final since winning his second career singles title, in Los Angeles last July.

He ended the run of
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Salerni through to first final By staff writers
Former Australian Captain February 24, 2008

ARGENTINA’S Maria Emilia Salerni defeated Carla Suarez Navarro from Spain 3-6 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 to power through to her first WTA Tour final.

Salerni will face Nuria Llagostera Vives, also from Spain, at the Copa Colsanitas final.

Llagostera Vives defeated Argentina’s Betina Jozami 6-2 6-2 to qualify for only her second final.

She won her first
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Nalbandian, Acasuso in final From staff reporters
Former Australian Captain February 24, 2008

DAVID Nalbandian will play Jose Acasuso in the ATP Tour Copa Telmex final in Buenos Aires after routing No.4 seed Juan Ignacio Chela 6-1 6-2 in the semi-finals.

Unseeded Acasuso meanwhile rallied to defeat No.8 seed Filippo Volandri, from Italy, 4-6 6-4 6-4 to set up the all-Argentine decider.

Neither Nalbandian, the No.1 seed, nor Acasuso have won the only ATP tournament
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Perfect Sharapova marches into final From Richard Eaton in Doha, Qatar
Former Australian Captain February 24, 2008

MARIA Sharapova has maintained her unbeaten record in 2008 with a hard-hitting win over Agnieszka Radwanska to reach the WTA Tour Qatar Open final in Doha.

The Australian Open champion, the No.4 seed, beat the 18-year-old Pole, who has just reached the world’s top 20 for the first time, 6-4 6-3.

Sharapova will play Vera Zvonareva in an all-Russian final after the latter ended the giant-killing run of China’s Li Na with a 3-6 6-3 6-3 victory.

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Llodra blunts Karlovic attack From Scott Williams in Rotterdam, Netherlands
Former Australian Captain February 24, 2008

MICHAEL Llodra has defeated Ivo Karlovic 7-5 7-6 (7-4) to move into the final of the ATP Tour Rotterdam Open, even though the Croatian aced him 16 times.

Llodra, the world singles No.58, from France, but a doubles standout with a Wimbledon title from last year, will be competing for his second title of 2008, having won in Adelaide during the first week of the season.

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Mauresmo is also a former Australian Open winner France’s former world number one has won just eight matches since losing her Wimbledon singles title last July.The 28-year-old told French sports daily L’Equipe: “I sometimes ask myself what the hell I am doing, (playing) in front of half-empty stands.”In the back of your mind there’s always a little something wondering if it wouldn’t be better to stop.”Mauresmo’s poor run continued in Doha this week when she lost in the second
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Ginepri ousts Blake From correspondents in San Jose, California
Former Australian Captain February 23, 2008

ROBBY Ginepri upset No.2 seed James Blake in straight sets in San Jose to reach the semi-finals of the $US436,000 ($475,000) SAP Open ATP tennis tournament.

Unseeded Ginepri ousted Blake 6-2 6-2 as the world No.9 fell short of a title for the second week in a row.

Last week Blake was stunned in the Delray Beach final by Japanese teenager Kei Nishikori. He had beaten Ginepri in the semi-finals to reach the title match there.

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This is a question usually asked by beginning tennis players, but there are a couple of dynamics that can change the answer to this question, so I’ll start at the beginning - and if you stick around, you’ll also get some sneaky ‘bonus’ tips that just may help you out with the more advanced serving techniques I teach my students.

First of all, the grip that most beginning tennis players use (unless taught properly when they start) is the ‘frying pan’ or ‘fly swatter’ (Full Western) grip. They hold the racket like they would a fly swatter and
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