Tennis

Agassi, Graf to raise the roof at Wimbledon

London - Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf will face Kim Clijsters and Tim Henman on May 17 as Wimbledon prepares to raise the curtain on the long-awaited new moveable roof.

The All England club confirmed the all-star veteran lineup on Tuesday as the venue prepares for the first Championships in history to provide protection from the rain which has become an integral - if unwelcome- factor in the fortnight.

The event is designed to test the new roof and air management system with live tennis in front of a capacity crowd of 15,000.

The programme will feature a men's and women's singles singles plus a mixed doubles, all played in an abbreviated pro set format - the first to 8 games, with a tie-break at 8-8.

Wagh moves ahead

tennis tournamentPune’s Akash Wagh earned a hard-fought 7-6 (7-5) 5-7 6-3 win over experienced Amod Wakalkar in a marathon 130 minutes battle, in the All India Ranking men’s tennis tournament at Fergusson College courts here on Monday. Meanwhile,

Delhi’s Vidhav Vyas stunned seventh seed Harshvardhan Thirani of West Bengal 3-6 6-2 7-6 (7-5) to enter second round. Wagh, was aggressive right from the start, but unforced errors at crucial times forced the first set into tie-breaker.

Scramble for new venue when Sweden-Israel Davis Cup tie

Scramble for new venue when Sweden-Israel Davis Cup tie Stockholm  - Last ditch efforts were underway Monday to transfer the upcoming Davis Cup tie between Sweden and Israel from the southern city Malmo to Stockholm.

Chances were regarded as slim that this could take place. Malmo city council's board for leisure, recreation and sport activities voted last Wednesday that the March 6-8 tie would be played without any paying spectators, citing security concerns.

ROUNDUP: Williams sets aside controversy to lift Dubai honours

Venus WilliamsDubai, UAE  - Venus Williams put this week's controversy to the side as she lifted the 40th title of her career, claiming the Barclays Championships title 6-4, 6-2 over Virginie Razzano on Saturday.

Williams, seeded sixth, will move back into the WTA Top 5 for the first time since 2003 after her success at an event thrown into chaos by the visa exclusion of Israeli Shahar Peer.

Williams took the opportunity to praise Peer during post-match ceremonies following the win in just over 90 minutes over 58th-ranked Frenchwomen Razzano.

Williams wins first title of season in Dubai

Venus WilliamsDubai, UAE - Venus Williams won her first title of the season as she claimed the Barclays Championships on her fourth attempt with a 6-4, 6-2 defeat of Virginie Razzano on Saturday.

Williams, seeded sixth, followed up her second straight defeat of her sister Serena in the semi-finals as she beat the 58th-ranked Frenchwomen in just over 90 minutes.

Razzano, who prepared after her own semi-final win with a spa treatment and a beer with dinner, was stretched out on court with a back problem after the seventh game of the opening set, trailing 3-4 on serve.

ROUNDUP: Rested Razzano to try her luck against Venus

ROUNDUP: Rested Razzano to try her luck against VenusDubai, UAE  - Challenger Virginie Razzano relaxed with a luxury spa treatment followed by a calming glass of beer the night before before facing Venus Williams for the title at the Barclays Championships on Saturday.

The number 58 with two career titles from 2007 is not one to worry too much about the immediate future after crushing Kaia Kanepi of Estonia 6-1, 6-2.

Venus Williams advanced over her world number one sibling as they met for the 19th time, winning 6-1, 2-6, 7-6 (7-3).

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