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The Pingtung District Court on Wednesday sentenced Pingtung Mayor Lin Ya-chun and her husband, Chen Chun-liang (陳俊良), to 16 years in prison for siphoning off close to NT$10 million (US$330,839 at the current exchange rate) in government funds.
Pingtung government officials yesterday said the heavy sentence Lin received would lead to her suspension and removal from office and that they would soon appoint a caretaker to serve the remainder of her term, until next year's municipal elections.
Lin won the Pingtung mayoral post for the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) in the nine-in-one elections in 2014.
Her husband has served as deputy director of the KMT's Pingtung County Chapter and has run unsuccessfully for local representative seats.
During Lin's term as a Pingtung City councilor from 2006 to 2013, she and her husband set up five non-profit organizations, ranging from charity services for women and children, and promoting cultural arts and education, to talent training for disadvantaged people, the court ruling said.
Documents seized by investigators showed that Chen was listed as secretary-general of all five organizations, while Lin used her influence as a city councilor to apply for government subsidies, the court said.
Through their five registered organizations, Lin and Chen filed more than 200 funding requests, applying for subsidies to cover computer equipment, office items and projects, and received a total of NT$9.59 million from the local government during Lin's term as councilor, the ruling said.
Investigators believed the organizations were merely used as a front to siphon government subsidies, as they never held membership meetings, falsifying meeting records and financial accounts to pretend they were operating normally.
They found that government funds were misappropriated to purchase computers, air conditioners, a water filter system, golf clubs, household appliances and other items, many of which were found at the couple's residence.
In her defense, Lin claimed she was not involved in the organizations and did not know how the money was used.
This is the first ruling in this case. The verdict can be appealed.


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Wide Open Field For WTA Finals In Singapore But Who Is The Favorite?
Karolina Pliskova and Elina Svitolina are the last two player to qualify for the eight-player year-end 2018 BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global that will take place from October 21-28, 2018.
Pliskova and Svitolina round out the singles field, joining Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber, US Open champion Naomi Osaka, two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, Dutch star Kiki Bertens, Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki and 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens in Singapore. The eight players will compete for $7 million in prize money and bragging rights as to who can lay claim to be the "best of the year" for the 2018 season.
Women's tennis has been as unpredictably exciting the last few years, illustrated by the fact that over the last eight major championships, eight different champions have been crowned.
Pliskova has earned her WTA Finals spot with two wins this season – in Stuttgart and at the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo. Said Pliskova, "I can't wait to close out the year competing against the other elite players of 2018."
Svitolina won three titles in three final-round appearances in 2018, lifting trophies in Brisbane, Dubai and Rome. The Ukrainian reached the quarterfinal stage at the Australian Open and made the round of 16 at the US Open, maintaining her Top 10 ranking all season long.
While many pointed to world No. 1 Simona Halep, the world No. 1, as the favorite, her health has been a major concern, causing her to pull out of the event in Moscow this week as well as Singapore and will not play again until 2019.
Wozniacki, the world No. 2, has shown a return-to-form with her recent victory in Beijing and could be the WTA betting favorite in Singapore because of this, Halep's injury, and the fact that she is the defending champion, having beaten Venus Williams in Singapore last year. Following her break-through win at the Australian Open, her first major singles title, Wozniacki returned to the No. 1 ranking but struggled to maintain that form for most of the rest of the year, only winning in Eastbourne in June on grass.
Osaka turned the tennis world on its head with her shocking final-round win over Serena Williams at the U.S. Open and has handled the spotlight well since her maiden major victory in New York. She reached the final in Tokyo in her first event after her U.S. Open win, not an easy task, especially under the immense media scrutiny in her home nation. She also reached the semifinals of Beijing. She is trending upwards and could also cap her most impressive year with a title in Singapore.
Said WTA CEO & Chairman Steve Simon of the event, "Singapore will be an exciting week for women's tennis, as the Top 8 singles players…are ready to compete for this prestigious title while celebrating an amazing five-year legacy in this wonderful city."
Staged at the Singapore Sports Hub from October 21-28, the 2018 BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global is a 10-day tennis festival featuring the world's best players vying for a US$7 million in prize money and two of the most prestigious titles in women's tennis. The Top 8 singles players will compete in a round-robin format with the winner taking home the Billie Jean King Trophy. For more information, go to www.WTAFinals.com
Roger Federer, Petra Kvitova Show Strength For Wimbledon – Mondays With Bob Greene
The following is the Monday column from www.WorldTennisMagazine.com called "Mondays with Bob Greene" that features a review from the past week in tennis, written by former Associated Press tennis writer Bob Greene. This column is featured here this week on TennisGrandstand.com due to maintenance work on WorldTennisMagazine.com.
26 June 2017
Roger Federer beat Alexander Zverev 6-1 6-3 to win the Gerry Weber Open in Halle, Germany
Feliciano Lopez beat Marin Cilic 4-6 7-6 (2) 7-6 (8) to win the Aegon Championships in London, Great Britain
Petra Kvitova beat Ashleigh Barty 4-6 6-3 6-2 to win the Aegon Classic in Birmingham, Great Britain
Anastasija Sevastova beat Julia Goerges 6-4 3-6 6-3 to win the Mallorca Open in Mallorca, Spain
Marton Fucsovics beat Alex Bolt 6-1 6-4 to win the Aegon Ilkley Trophy men's singles in Ilkley, Great Britain'
Magdalena Rybarikova beat Alison Van Uytvanck 7-5 7-6 (3) to win the Aegon Ilkley Trophy women's singles in Ilkley, Great Britain
"My goal was to keep myself 100 percent for the grass season." – Roger Federer, who easily beat Alexander Zverev to win the Halle, Germany, tournament for the ninth time.
"I came to play, to improve my game, I didn't really have any expectation. I wanted to play my best, which I showed today, and I hope I can keep doing that." – Petra Kvitova, after winning the Aegon Classic.
"It's the best week of my career, which is crazy when you're 35." – Feliciano Lopez, after beating four players ranked in the Top 15 to win Queen's Club.
"I was pretty pumped. Beating the world number one and a Grand Slam champion, on grass at Queen's, it's definitely number one for me." – Jordan Thompson, a first-round winner over top-ranked Andy Murray at Queen's Club.
"I know Azarenka is coming back, but it's always tough to play against her." – Ana Konjuh, who handed Victoria Azarenka her first loss since returning to the women's tour following the birth of her child.
"The season is very long and I must look at the bigger picture." – Elina Svitolina, saying there's a possibility her injured heel could keep her out of Wimbledon.
"My earnings are well publicized and it was clear that I have the means to repay this debt." – Boris Becker, after a London court declared the former tennis star bankrupt for failure to pay a debt that dates to 2015.
The king of grass appears ready to regain his throne. Roger Federer won his ninth Gerry Weber Open title by stopping Alexander Zverev in the final of the Wimbledon warm-up event. The victory – his 92nd ATP Tour level title, putting him just two behind Ivan Lendl on the all-time list – contrasted with his loss to Tommy Haas the week before in Stuttgart, Germany. "It was by far my best match of the week," Federer said of his thrashing of the 12th-ranked Zverev. "After my long break, I'm feeling excellent and it's a pleasure to be back and I'm fit for Wimbledon." That might scare a lot of players: Federer will be going for a record eighth Wimbledon title. The 35-year-old Swiss skipped the entire clay-court season, yet still has lost only two matches this year. He won the Australian Open – his record 18th Grand Slam tournament singles crown – and hard-court titles in Indian Wells and Miami before the clay-court break. Until Halle, every time Zverev reached a final, he came away with the trophy. But Federer was ready for revenge, having lost a semifinal to Zverev last year at Halle. Zverev was on court for just 53 minutes as Federer was spectacularly sharp. The eventual winner began the day by winning the first four games. "I now hope that I'll stay healthy in this second part of the season and we'll see what happens," Federer said. A scary thought for everyone else.
Petra Kvitova has two Wimbledon trophies and appears ready to add another. The Czech left-hander won the Aegon Classic in just her second tournament back being slashed with a knife during a home invasion. The December attack left her with a damaged left hand. But it didn't seem to bother her one bit as she beat Australian Ashleigh Barty in three sets. "It was an amazing week, an amazing tournament," Kvitova said. "From my first hits on the grass I felt great. It was encouraging to get into the grass season." The last time she was in a grass-court final was in 2014 when she won her second Wimbledon title, three years after her first. At Birmingham, Barty held her own to begin the match, losing just one point in her first four service games. But Kvitova found her rhythm and raced to a 5-1 lead before leveling the match at one set apiece. After they traded service breaks in the decisive third set, Kvitova broke her opponent one more time, then finished off the victory with her 13th match of the day. "I like to play finals on grass," Kvitova said. "I wish I could have more. I won't be sad if it is in a couple of weeks (at Wimbledon), but there is still a lot of work to be done."
Three years ago, Feliciano Lopez had a match point in the Aegon Championships at Queen's Club, only to lose to Grigor Dimitrov. This time, the Spanish veteran needed three match points, but finally came away with the biggest title of his long career as he defeated Marin Cilic. "I can't believe that I finally won it," Lopez said. "I've been waiting for 15 or 16 years to hold this trophy." At 35, Lopez is the oldest player to win Queen's Club in the Open Era. And it wasn't an easy path to the title. He defeated Stan Wawrinka, Tomas Berdych, Grigor Dimitrov and Cilic, four players ranked in the top 14 in the world. Cilic reached match point in the final-set tiebreak, but Lopez saved it with a stretching volley. Then the Spaniard had a match point, only for Cilic to slam his 22nd ace of the day. A Cilic volley staved off a second Lopez match point. But his 19th ace gave the Spaniard a third match point, and they time he came away with the title. "I thought that at the end of the tiebreak, after losing match points, I wouldn't make it, but I managed to do it," Lopez said. "It was tough to put that (match point in 2014) out of my mind, so it was difficult to handle my nerves. But I managed it."
Now a mother, Victoria Azarenka returned to the tennis tour at the Mallorca Open. Her stay was cut short by seventh-seeded Ana Konjuh of Croatia 6-1 6-3 in a second-round match. "She's one of the best players in the world," Konjuh said of Azarenka, a two-time Australian Open champion who once was ranked number one in the world. "I was motivated, for sure, and I'm really glad that I could play so well today and win." Azarenka also had problems in her first-round match. She saved match points in her win over Japan's Risa Ozaki.
A heel injury could keep fifth-ranked Elina Svitolina out of Wimbledon. The injury hampered the 22-year-old Ukrainian as she suffered a 6-4 4-6 6-2 second-round loss to qualifier Camila Giorgi in the Aegon Classic in Birmingham. "The heel feels painful and is very sensitive," Svitolina said. "I am disappointed I am out of the tournament, but I am not disappointed with my performance because I could not show even 50 percent. Also, the court was slippery, which is bad for the foot." Svitolina's best results have come on clay. She won the Italian Open this spring and reached the French Open quarterfinals, losing to eventual runner-up Simona Halep. And the weather didn't help. One day it was extremely hot. The next day there was drizzle and dampness. Giorgi adapted to the slick surface, while Svitolina didn't.
Tommy Haas, a Wimbledon semifinalist in 2009, 2016 junior champion Denis Shapovalov and three British women – Laura Robson, Heather Watson and Naomi Broady – have been given wild card entries into the main draw of the year's third Grand Slam tournament. At 39, Haas is playing his final season on the ATP World Tour and beat Roger Federer at a grass-court tournament in Stuttgart, Germany, this month. Other men receiving wild cards into the main men's singles draw were British players Brydan Klein, Cameron Norrie and James Ward. Other women wild-card entries are Britain's Katie Boulter and Zarina Diyas of Kazakhstan.
After losing the French Open women's singles final, Simona Halep pulled out of the Aegon Classic in Birmingham, Great Britain, with an ankle injury. But the Romanian is feeling better and received a wild card entry into the Aegon International this week in Eastbourne, Great Britain. "The quality of the draw is very high so I'm hoping for some great matches to give me the best possible preparation ahead of Wimbledon," Halep said.
It was supposed to be an easy workout for top-ranked Andy Murray. Instead, it turned into a shocking defeat as he fell to Australia's Jordan Thompson, a "lucky loser," in a first-round match at Queen's Club. It was the first grass-court match win in the Thompson's career. "I signed in for the 'Lucky Loser' spot," said Thompson, who lost in the qualifying. "I hung around. If someone was going to pull out, I was always going to be there. Then this morning I just got my transport, planning on doing the same thing, signing in, waiting around. Pretty much when I got here, someone pulled out. When I heard I was playing Andy, I was pretty nervous. I just wanted to go out there and enjoy it." Thompson did enjoy the day; Murray didn't. Murray had won Queen's Club a record five times, including three times in the last four years. Thompson hit 12 aces and saved all three break points against Murray.
The world's two top-ranked players – Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal – will play two exhibition matches in Hurlingham, Great Britain, this week to get extra match play on grass before Wimbledon. Murray signed up for the Aspall Tennis Classic event after suffering a shocking loss at Queen's Club. Nadal has not played since winning a record 10th French Open title. He has not played a tournament on grass since 2015. Speaking with the Spanish media, Nadal said the "level I have today is not sufficient for me to compete the way I would like at Wimbledon." Each player is guaranteed to play two matches.
Maria Sharapova will return to competitive tennis next month when she plays World Team Tennis. The Russian will play for the Orange County Breakers, a team she has played with for seven years. She recently returned to the WTA Tour after a 15-month doping ban. She pulled out of the Wimbledon qualifying because of an injured left thigh.
Boris Becker says he was "surprised and disappointed" when a court in London declared him bankrupt for failing to pay a long-standing debt. Lawyers for the three-time Wimbledon champion pleaded with a Bankruptcy Court registrar to allow Becker a "last chance" to pay off the debt, which dates back to 2015. But Registrar Christine Derrett ruled there was a lack of credible evidence that the outstanding payment would be made. Becker's lawyers had argued there was sufficient evidence to show that the former player would be able to pay the debt soon through a refinancing arrangement involving remortgaging property in Mallorca. He said Becker was not likely to benefit from bankruptcy and it could have an adverse effect on his image., But the judge replied: "One has the impression of a man with his head in the sand."
Former tennis star James Blake and the City of New York have reached an agreement that will set up a police watchdog agency. In exchange, Blake has agreed to drop his right to sue the city after he was mistakenly tackled by police and arrested. In exchange, a legal fellowship will be created in Blake's name, with the fellow to serve two-year terms at the Civilian Complaint Review Board. The city will fund the fellow for six years with the salary to be commensurate with other staff there and will be no less than USD $65,00 a year. The fellow's job will be to help navigate the system for people making complaints against police and to push for strong investigations. Blake was tackled and handcuffed outside a Manhattan hotel on Sept. 9, 2015. He had been ranked as high as fourth in the world before retiring after the 2013 US Open. In a statement, Blake thanked the city of New York. "It has been my intention since Day One to turn a negative into a positive, and I think this fellowship accomplishes that goal," he said.
Birmingham: Ashleigh Barty and Casey Dellacqua beat Chan Hao-Ching and Zhang Shuai 6-1 2-6 10-8 (match tiebreak)
Halle: Lukasz Kubot and Marcelo Melo beat Alexander Zverev and Misha Zverev 5-7 6-3 10-8 (match tiebreak)
Ilkley (men): Leander Paes and Adil Shamasdin beat Brydan Klein and Joe Salisbury 2-6 6-2 10-8 (match tiebreak)
Ilkley (women): Anna Blinkova and Alla Kudryavtseva beat Paula Kania and Maryna Zanevska 6-1 6-4
London: Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares beat Julien Benneteau and Edouard Roger-Vasselin 6-2 6-3
Mallorca: Chan Yung-Jan and Martina Hingis beat Jelena Jankovic and Anastasija Sevastova by walkover.
Antalya: www.antalyaopen.com/
Eastbourne: www.lta.org.uk/major-events/Aegon-International-Eastbourne
Wimbledon: www.wimbledon.com/index.html
$719,080 Aegon International, Eastbourne, Great Britain, grass
$555,305 Antalya Open, Antalya, Turkey, grass
$731,000 Aegon International, Eastbourne, Great Britain, grass
MEN and WOMEN
Wimbledon, London, Great Britain, grass (first week)
Petra Kvitova, Benoit Paire Highlight Opening Day At Roland Garros
by Kevin Craig
On a rain shortened day of play in Paris, Benoit Paire made the French faithful nervous, but was eventually able to pull out a five-set win over the No. 137 player in the world, Radu Albot, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4, 1-6, 6-4.
Paire appeared to have an easy day at the office on his hands after jumping out to a set and a break lead over Albot at 6-2, 3-1. Albot, the first player from Moldova to play in the main draw of a major, looked to settle in halfway through the second set as he got back on serve and broke Paire as he served to stay in the set at 4-5 to level the match at one set all.
The third set looked promising for Paire early on as he broke Albot at love to take a 3-2 lead, but that break was the first of five in a row that eventually saw Paire end up with a 5-4 lead. The Frenchman had no problems serving out the set to take a two sets to one lead and looked like he would be able to cruise into the second round to the delight of the home crowd.
If you have followed tennis for the past 12 months or so, then you know that nothing Paire is ever as straightforward as it should be, and that was certainly the case on the opening day of play. Paire, after taking the two sets to one advantage, looked to be uninterested in the fourth set as Albot was able to break serve three times and take it 6-1 to force a decider.
Albot, who had to win three qualifying matches to get into the main draw of the French Open, continued his fight throughout the fifth set, holding a break lead twice. Both times, though, Paire was able to break back in the next game as the lesser-experienced Albot was unable to come up clutch on the big points. This trend continued as Paire held a 5-4 lead on serve and Albot attempted to serve to stay in the match. Albot, though, found himself down 15-40, and Paire took advantage of the first match point he had to clinch the win and his spot in the second round.
Paire's win see him go on to face Teymuraz Gabashvili of Russia, who beat Donald Young in straight sets, 7-6(1), 6-2, 6-3.
Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova also had difficulty in her first round match, but was able to overcome Danka Kovinic of Montenegro on Court Philippe Chartrier, 6-2, 4-6, 7-5.
Kvitova, like Paire, was also up a set and a break and looked like she would cruise into the second round. Kovinic, 21-years old and the No. 59 player in the world, was able to break Kvitova three consecutive times in the second set to force a deciding third set.
Kovinic was able to utilize her firepower to force Kvitova out of her comfort zone. "I think she just came back and tried to play more aggressive…I was just trying to put the ball in, but it's not really my game," said Kvitova
Kovinic continued to play well throughout the decider and looked very comfortable on serve. That was the case until she broke Kvitova to take a 5-4 lead and served for the upset win. Kovinic got to within two points of the match at 30-30, but never held a match point as Kvitova was able to break and get back on serve.
After holding at love to take a 6-5 lead, Kvitova was able to break Kovinic one more time and close out the win, earning herself a spot in the second round against Su-Wei Hsieh, who defeated Lara Arruabarrena, 7-6(6), 6-3.
Kvitova was happy to get the win, but knows she will have to play better if she has plans to advance to the later round of the tournament. "I think that the end of the match was kind of sorry from my side. It was a big fight again. I'm happy that I won it," said Kvitova.
Daria Gavrilova Pleases Home Aussie Crowd With Upset Of Petra Kvitova
by Kevin Craig
Daria Gavrilova, the 21-year-old from Australia, gave the home crowd plenty to cheer for on Wednesday at Melbourne Park as she defeated the No. 6 seed and two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova.
Night matches in Margaret Court Arena are always a special event to watch, and having a home favorite playing a Grand Slam champion was no exception. Gavrilova is full of confidence currently after having teamed up with Nick Kyrgios to win the Hopman Cup in the first week of the year, and that confidence was on display as she got the biggest win of her career in the second round of the Australian Open.
In the beginning of the match, things appeared bleak to the Aussie crowd as Gavrilova fell down an early break in the first set to the big-hitting Kvitova. Gavrilova was undeterred, though, and fought back to win four of the next five games after being broken to win the set.
The second set started off fairly straightforward, with no breaks of serve coming until the sixth game, when Gavrilova was able to garner a break for a 4-2 lead. She would go on to attempt serving for the match at 5-3, but it was an unsuccessful attempt for the Aussie as Kvitova was able to fight back in that game and get back on serve. Gavrilova was able to keep her composure though and break right back to earn the 6-4, 6-4 victory.
Gavrilova took advantage of Kvitova's poor serving performance, winning 52 percent of all of Kvitova's serve points, including 57 percent on second serve. Combine that with 35 unforced errors from Kvitova, including four in the final game, and Gavrilova was well on her way to the upset.
There is a possibility that Kvitova was not 100 percent healthy, as she was forced to withdraw from both the events she was signed up for prior to the Australian Open.
The night before the upset occurred, Lleyton Hewitt somewhat foreshadowed what would happen, praising Gavrilova in his post-match press conference on Tuesday. Hewitt complimented her work ethic and claimed "she's got a lot of good things ahead of her."
Gavrilova will look to keep the Aussie dream alive as she takes on the No. 28 seed Kristina Mladenovic in the third round.
, the 21-year-old from Australia, gave the home crowd plenty to cheer for on Wednesday at Melbourne Park as she defeated the No. 6 seed and two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova.
Night matches in Margaret Court Arena are always a special event to watch, and having a home favorite playing a Grand Slam champion was no exception. Gavrilova is full of confidence currently after having teamed up with Nick Kyrgios to win the Hopman Cup in the first week of the year, and that confidence was on display as she got the biggest win of her career in the second round of the Australian Open.
In the beginning of the match, things appeared bleak to the Aussie crowd as Gavrilova fell down an early break in the first set to the big-hitting Kvitova. Gavrilova was undeterred, though, and fought back to win four of the next five games after being broken to win the set.
The second set started off fairly straightforward, with no breaks of serve coming until the sixth game, when Gavrilova was able to garner a break for a 4-2 lead. She would go on to attempt serving for the match at 5-3, but it was an unsuccessful attempt for the Aussie as Kvitova was able to fight back in that game and get back on serve. Gavrilova was able to keep her composure though and break right back to earn the 6-4, 6-4 victory.
Gavrilova took advantage of Kvitova's poor serving performance, winning 52 percent of all of Kvitova's serve points, including 57 percent on second serve. Combine that with 35 unforced errors from Kvitova, including four in the final game, and Gavrilova was well on her way to the upset.
There is a possibility that Kvitova was not 100 percent healthy, as she was forced to withdraw from both the events she was signed up for prior to the Australian Open.
The night before the upset occurred, Lleyton Hewitt somewhat foreshadowed what would happen, praising Gavrilova in his post-match press conference on Tuesday. Hewitt complimented her work ethic and claimed "she's got a lot of good things ahead of her."
Gavrilova will look to keep the Aussie dream alive as she takes on the No. 28 seed Kristina Mladenovic in the third round.
From Coast to Coast: WTA Carlsbad and Washington Previews
As the Premier Five tournament in Canada looms, four of the top ten women hone their skills at tournaments on opposite coasts. The resort atmosphere at Carlsbad, long a player favorite, contrasts with the urban surroundings of the national capital.
Top half: World No. 3 Victoria Azarenka has not lost a match away from clay all season. Of course, Azarenka has played only four matches away from clay since winning the Doha title in February. Walkovers and withdrawals ended her campaigns at Indian Wells, Miami, and Wimbledon, so attention will hover around her battered knee this week. Azarenka's health may attract even more attention than it would otherwise because she faces a relatively mild early slate of opponents. An all-Italian battle between Flavia Pennetta and Francesca Schiavone tantalizes only for nostalgic reasons, and Urszula Radwanska seems little more likely than her elder sister to vanquish Vika. Among the surprises of the spring was Jelena Jankovic, a semifinalist in Miami and quarterfinalist at Roland Garros. Jankovic troubled Azarenka in her prime, but the momentum has shifted in that rivalry to reflect their divergent career arcs
The most compelling first-round match in Carlsbad will pit defending champion Dominika Cibulkova against former No. 1 Ana Ivanovic. Defeating Bartoli to win last year's title, Cibulkova exploited a much weaker draw in the week of the Olympics. Still, she will bring plenty of confidence from her title at Stanford, whereas coaching turmoil once again enshrouds the Serb. The route will not grow much smoother for whoever survives that early test. Although the second round looks uneventful, Roberta Vinci could await in the quarterfinals. This crafty Italian has domianted Cibulkova on all surfaces, winning five straight from her, and she has taken her last three outdoor matches from Ivanovic. The relatively slow surface in San Diego should help Vinci outlast the heavy serve of Bethanie Mattek-Sands before then.
Semifinal: Azarenka vs. Vinci
Bottom half: Around this time last year, Petra Kvitova caught fire with a Premier Five title at the Rogers Cup and a semifinal in Cincinnati. The somewhat slower surface in San Diego may suit her game less well than those events, and North America historically has not brought out her best tennis. A rematch of her epic Australian Open loss to Laura Robson might await in the second round. Both women have oscillated wildly in their results this year, suggesting another rollercoaster ahead. A former Carlsbad champion lurks unobtrusively near eighth seed Carla Suarez Navarro, enjoying her best season so far. That former champion, Svetlana Kuznetsova, has revived her career with two major quarterfinals in 2013. An abdominal injury has sidelined Kuznetsova since Roland Garros, but she should have time to play herself into the tournament.
The fourth-ranked Agnieszka Radwanska reached finals in each of her last two Carlsbad appearances. Disappointed at Stanford on Sunday, Radwanska wil aim to erase that memory with her second title here. She should outmaneuver Daniela Hantuchova, whom she has defeated here before, and may not have much to fear from Samantha Stosur unless the Aussie's form improves dramatically. Little in Stosur's dismal performance at Stanford boded well for her chances of escaping a challenging opener against Varvara Lepchenko. That 27-year-old American lefty could meet Radwanska in a quarterfinal for the second straight week.
Semifinal: Kuznetsova vs. Radwanska
Final: Azarenka vs. Radwanska
Top half: Overshadowed by the men's event at the same tournament, this WTA International event did succeed in luring a top-10 player as a wildcard. World No. 9 Angelique Kerber has fallen on hard times over the last few months, so a dip in the quality of opposition could prove just what the doctor ordered. Some of the women who might face her in the quarterfinals exited early at Stanford. Formerly promising American Christina McHale continues a rebuilding campaign in 2013 against Magdalena Rybarikova. Her period of promise long behind her, Melanie Oudin hopes to stay somewhat relevant nearly four years after her illusory surge at the US Open.
Like McHale, Rybarikova, and Kiki Bertens in the top quarter, Madison Keys looks to bounce back from a disappointing Stanford loss. Anchoring the second quarter, she might meet star junior Taylor Townsend in a second-round preview of future matches on more momentous stages. The reeling but canny Monica Niculescu hopes to fluster Townsend with her distinctive style before then. More young talent stands atop the section in Canada's Eugenie Bouchard and France's Caroline Garcia. These impressive phenoms must navigate around Australian Open quarterfinalist Ekaterina Makarova, a lefty like Townsend. Plenty of storylines and suspense will unfold in a very short time.
Bottom half: Building on her momentum from Stanford, Sorana Cirstea eyes one of the draw's softer sections. Home hope Alison Riske looks to prove herself as a threat outside the small grass event in Birmingham, while Heather Watson traces the same trajectory as McHale on the long, slow road back from mononucleosis. Ending her clay season on a high note, Alize Cornet won an International title in May. But she threatens much less on hard courts and might well fall victim to the enigmatic Yanina Wickmayer at the outset.
By far the most established of the home threats, second seed Sloane Stephens faces high expectations this summer. American fans know much more about the Australian Open semifinalist, Wimbledon quarterfinalist, and conqueror of Serena Williams than they did a year ago. The 15th-ranked Stephens has produced much more convincing tennis at majors than at non-majors, where she barely has cracked the .500 threshold in 2013. Her sturdiest pre-semifinal obstacle could come in the form of Andrea Petkovic, still producing results more disappointing than encouraging in her comeback from serious injuries. A relatively minor illness may blunt Petkovic's injuries this week, though, while compatriot Mona Barthel retired from her last tournament with a sore shoulder.
Final: Makarova vs. Stephens
The Significant Seven: Memorable Women's Matches From the First Half of 2013
Readers who enjoyed the article counting down the seven most memorable men's matches of the first half may enjoy this sequel on the women. As with the men, these matches do not necessarily feature the best tennis from an aesthetic perspective. (In fact, some of them produced quite atrocious tennis for long stretches.) What they did produce was meaningful results linked to broader trends that stretched across the first half.
7) Laura Robson d. Petra Kvitova, Australian Open 2R, 2-6 6-3 11-9
The most accomplished lefty in women's tennis met the most promising lefty in women's tennis earlier in a draw than either would have wished. Whereas Kvitova needed to turn a new leaf after a disastrous 2012, Robson sought to build upon a second-week appearance at the US Open. Nerves defined much of their contest, not on this list for the quality of its tennis. By the middle of the third set, however, it became clear that Robson could master her nerves better than the former Wimbledon champion could. Unable to serve out the match the first time, she slammed the door at love on her second opportunity. The encouraging resilience from Robson signaled her progress this season, which has included a victory over Agnieszka Radwanska and a second-week appearance at Wimbledon. For Kvitova, the painful loss hinted that 2013 would look more than 2012 than 2011, as it has so far.
6) Sabine Lisicki d. Serena Williams, Wimbledon 4R, 6-2 1-6 6-4
On the surface friendliest to the serve stood the two most formidable servers currently in the women's game. But grass specialist Lisicki trailed Serena 16-0 in major titles and 142-0 in weeks at No. 1. By the logic of this Wimbledon, one should have guessed from the start that the underdog would prevail. When Serena rallied from losing seven of the first nine games to win nine of the next ten, though, the writing seemed etched on the wall. Nobody finds a way back against her from 0-3 in a final set at Wimbledon, or from 2-4, or from triple break point at 3-4. Lisicki did all of those things and even survived the nerve-jangling finish as she served for the match, saving a break point with an ace and converting match point with a clean winner. The victory ended Serena's career-best winning streak, which had begun in March, and propelled Lisicki toward her first major final. It marked her sixth victory over a major champion and third over a world No. 1 in just five Wimbledon appearances. Even when the top three dominate, others still can spring surprises.
Honorable mention: Lisicki's semifinal epic against world No. 4 Radwanska bore several striking similarities to her victory over Serena.
5) Serena Williams d. Anabel Medina Garrigues, Madrid QF, 6-3 0-6 7-5
Raise your hand if you would have expected Medina Garrigues to appear on this type of list when the 2013 campaign began. No, I thought not. And yet she posed Serena's most formidable challenge of a clay season during which the world No. 1 went undefeated from wire to wire. To be fair, Medina Garrigues received considerable assistance from across the net in becoming the first woman to bagel Serena since 2008. The American spent much of the match showing us why she had not won a title on red clay in a decade, struggling to stay focused, patient, and disciplined against a grinder fond of the surface. Then the last few games showed us why this year would be different. Serena bent but did not break, rallying from within two points of defeat rather than letting her frustrations overcome her. She would lose just one more set in the rest of the clay season, strewing 14 bagels and breadsticks across Madrid, Rome, and Paris. Medina Garrigues, who lost 6-1 6-1 to Dinah Pfizenmaier this week, gave Serena the wake-up call that she needed to reconquer her least favorite surface.
4) Victoria Azarenka d. Serena Williams, Doha F, 7-6(6) 2-6 6-3
When 2012 ended, only one woman looked like a realistic threat to Serena's stranglehold over the WTA. But that woman, Victoria Azarenka, had just absorbed her ninth consecutive loss in their rivalry. As competitive as some of those losses were, such as last year's US Open final, Azarenka needed to stop the skid to bolster her confidence. The Australian Open champion had started slowly in most of her matches against Serena, finding her rhythm only in the second set. Always at her best early in the season, Azarenka started with more determination in Doha and won that crucial first set in a tight tiebreak. She weathered the inevitable response from Serena in the second set and did what she could not do in New York, serving out the match comfortably in the third. Azarenka still has not defeated the world No. 1 at a major, or when fully healthy, so much remains for her to prove. (And Serena won a Premier Five final rematch convincingly in Rome.) All the same, the victory in Doha confirmed suspicions that something like a rivalry might develop here, sometime.
3) Serena Williams d. Maria Sharapova, Miami F, 4-6 6-3 6-0
Six weeks after the previous match on this list, Serena's dominance over her other key rivalry threatened to falter as well. Not since 2004 had she lost to Maria Sharapova, thoroughly stifling the Russian in most of their recent meetings. Disappointment at the Australian Open and the Doha loss to Azarenka blunted Serena's momentum heading to Miami, her home tournament, but most still ranked her a heavy favorite against Sharapova based on history. For the first half of their final, history took it on the chin as the underdog methodically built a set-and-break lead. But Serena vindicated history in the end, using a handful of long games late in the second set to reverse the momentum. Once she regrouped, neither Sharapova nor anyone else could have done much to stem the torrent of blistering serves and forehands that flowed from her racket. Miami marked the first of Serena's five consecutive titles this spring and laid a cornerstone of confidence without which her winning streak might not have taken flight. She extended her reacquired dominance over Sharapova in two straight-sets finals on clay.
2) Maria Sharapova d. Victoria Azarenka, Roland Garros SF, 6-1 2-6 6-4
With Serena firmly entrenched on the WTA throne, the rivalry between Azarenka and Sharapova loomed ever larger. Azarenka had won their two most significant meetings in 2012, an Australian Open final and a US Open semifinal. Holding a surface advantage over the younger blonde on clay, Sharapova struck back at Roland Garros to recapture the edge in their rivalry. A barrage of pinpoint returns and forehands swept the first set into her ledger, but Azarenka exploited an erratic passage of play to level the match. At that stage, parallels linked this match with their US Open semifinal, which Sharapova had started in torrid form before steadily fading. There would be no déjà vu on this day when the two rivals contested their second 6-4 final set in three majors. Sharapova built a commanding lead in the third set, only to throw Azarenka a lifeline as she squandered a handful of match points. The ear-shattering shrieks and ball-shattering blows from both competitors escalated with the mounting drama. When a bullet ace streaked down the center stripe, Sharapova reasserted herself as the best of the rest—for now.
1) Victoria Azarenka d. Li Na, Australian Open F, 4-6 6-4 6-3
Never a fan favorite, Azarenka has endured a discordant relationship with media and many fans throughout her tenure at the top. The simmering turbulence there boiled into the open after she took a dubious medical timeout near the end of her semifinal against Sloane Stephens. When Azarenka took the court against Li with her title defense at stake, the air in Rod Laver Arena felt heavier with hostility than humidity. The Chinese star emerged the less battered of the two from a rollercoaster first set, high on tension and low on holds of serve. Steady returning and unsteady emotions extended into the second set, when Li added a plot twist of her own by sustaining successive injuries. Made of tenacious stuff, she gallantly returned to the fray after striking her head on the court. But Azarenka's head had grown clearer while Li's head had grown cloudier, allowing the former to claw her way to an impressive title defense. With almost nobody in her corner for one of the biggest matches of her career, Azarenka showed how she needs nobody but herself. She echoed fellow world No. 1 Novak Djokovic in her ability to thrive on animosity and turn it defiantly to her advantage.
Wimbledon Rewind: Thoughts on the Women's Quarterfinals
For the second time in three years, Wimbledon will crown a first-time champion on the women's side. That development seems fitting in view of the upsets that have riddled the draw. Here are some thoughts on the women's quarterfinals.
Match of the day: It spanned three and a half hours, including rain delays, medical treatment, and multiple squandered leads. At the end of it, Agnieszka Radwanska needed eight match points to close out world No. 6 Li Na and move within one victory of a second straight Wimbledon final. The only woman in the top 10 to reach the semifinals, Radwanska cannot expect to get a better opportunity to join the elite club of major champions. Despite a right leg injury that bothered her enough to call a medical treatment, she will do whatever it takes to secure these last two victories.
Upset of the day: A year ago, Kirsten Flipkens did not even make the cutoff to play Wimbledon qualifying. Now, she has moved to the brink of the final as the 20th seed after knocking off the only former major champion left in the draw. Down a set to Petra Kvitova, Flipkens did not crumble under the onslaught of her opponent's superior power. An underrated serve and a surprising poise in tight moments helped the 27-year-old Belgian topple the world No. 8 in her Centre Court debut. Her mentor, Kim Clijsters, would be proud of how crisply she played in the final set, committing just one unforced error.
Maid Marion immaculate: Remember when Marion Bartoli struck nearly 20 double faults in a loss to Coco Vandeweghe this spring? Or the coaching turmoil when she dismissed her father from her team before quickly summoning him back? That same woman has won all ten sets that she has played at Wimbledon to reach her first major semifinal since Roland Garros 2011. By defeating a top-20 opponent, Sloane Stephens, Bartoli legitimized a hot streak that previously had scorched only third-rate challengers. Six years have passed since Bartoli's only major final, which also came on these lawns. A bit of déjà vu will await if she can solve Flipkens on Thursday.
Li's lost chance: Serving for the first set, the world No. 6 appeared to clip a line with her serve on set point but declined to challenge. Li ultimately lost that set in a tiebreak and received the grim news in her press conference that the serve in fact did clip the line. A correct challenge would have given her the first set and perhaps completely changed the trajectory of the second week.
No hangover for Lisicki: Just 24 hours after she astonished the world, the woman who halted Serena Williams recorded a more routine victory over Kaia Kanepi. Lisicki transitioned smoothly from heavy underdog to clear favorite, reaching her second Wimbledon semifinal in three years. Like Flipkens, and arguably like the other semifinalists as well, her game suits grass better than any other surface. Wimbledon lacks star power near its climax, but it should feature plenty of drama and high-quality tennis as these four women vie for a prize that most thought beyond the reach of any of them.
Petra, the enigma: She looked like a serial major champion and perennial contender when she won Wimbledon two years ago, becoming the first woman of her generation to break through at a major. But Kvitova has not reached a major final since then and has regressed even further over the last year, losing by the quarterfinals at her last five majors. Unlike Radwanska, she could not overcome a physical issue that forced her to seek medical attention (an apparent breathing problem). Kvitova has the weapons of a champion but not the mind or the will at the moment.
Americans in London: With Stephens gone, we're down to the legendary doubles team of Bob and Mike Bryan. The ageless twins moved within two victories of their third straight major title with a triple-tiebreak victory over the No. 8 seeds. Keep an eye on the Bryans' quest for a calendar Slam. If they go to New York with a perfect record at majors this year, doubles could get some real attention.
Stat of the day: The four semifinalists have reached four total major semifinals among them (Bartoli has two, Flipkens none) and two major finals (one each for Bartoli and Radwanska).
Question of the day: Are you excited by the wide-open women's semifinal lineup ahead? Or uninspired by the absence of stars?
Wimbledon Rewind: Serena Stunned, Djokovic Dominant, Radwanska Resilient, Li Lethal, Ferrer Fierce on Manic Monday
Monday got manic in a hurry with a titanic upset in the women's draw, only to settle down into more predictable outcomes for most of the day. Catch up on any of the fourth-round action that you may have missed with the daily Wimbledon rewind.
Match of the day: Twists and turns pervaded the clash of rising star Jerzy Janowicz and grizzled veteran Jurgen Melzer. In the intimate surroundings of Court 12, Melzer started the match on fire but gradually lost his momentum in the second set and later trailed two sets to one. Able to rally in the fourth, he secured a clutch break in the tenth game to force a deciding set. With his first major quarterfinal on the line, though, Janowicz refused to let the opportunity escape him as he edged across the finish line 6-4 in the fifth.
Comeback of the day: The other half of an all-Polish men's quarterfinal, Lukas Kubot trailed Adrian Mannarino by a set and later by two sets to one in the most important match of his career so far. Nobody would have expected Kubot to reach a major quarterfinal in singles, yet he wrested away this five-set encounter from his fellow journeyman. His semifinal chances may hinge on whether Janowicz or he can recover from their draining victories more efficiently.
Upset of the day: None. Tomas Berdych deserves credit for snuffing out the most plausible upset threat in Bernard Tomic. Splitting the first two sets in tiebreaks, Berdych gradually asserted himself against the Aussie talent in the next two sets and avoided the nerve-jangling scenario of a fifth set.
Gold star: Before 2013, Juan Martin Del Potro never had reached the quarterfinals at Wimbledon. This year, he has reached the quarterfinals without losing a set. Del Potro overcame a knee injury to defeat Andreas Seppi after wondering whether he would be fit to play on Monday. Despite all of the surprises at Wimbledon this year, all of the top-eight seeds in the men's top half reached the quarterfinals.
Silver star: Winless in two previous grass meetings with Tommy Haas, Novak Djokovic seized control of the third from the outset and never let the veteran catch his breath. Like Del Potro, Djokovic has not lost a set en route to the quarterfinals, but this victory impressed more than those that came before because of his history against Haas. He will seek his fourth straight Wimbledon semifinal, not bad for a man whose worst surface is grass.
What doesn't kill you…: …makes you stronger? World No. 4 David Ferrer has not won any of his four matches in straight sets, three of them against unseeded opponents. Struggling with a painful ankle injury, Ferrer fell behind early again on Monday before dominating the latter stages of the match, as he had in the third round. Wimbledon is the only major where he has not reached the semifinals, so he will aim to end that futility by repeating last year's victory there over Del Potro.
Foregone conclusion of the day: Even with Nadal's early exit, two Spaniards reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals. Joining Ferrer there was Fernando Verdasco, who rolled past Kenny de Schepper in straight sets.
Stat of the day: In addition to Agnieszka Radwanska in the women's draw, the quarterfinal appearances of Kubot and Janowicz gave Poland more Wimbledon quarterfinalists than any other nation.
Question of the day: World No. 2 Andy Murray again took care of business efficiently today, dispatching 20th seed Mikhail Youzhny. Can Murray continue his uneventful progress to the final, his path barred only by Verdasco and one of the Poles? Or will the escalating pressure of the second week lead to some unexpected drama in the bottom half?
Match of the day: One of the greatest grass specialists in WTA history, Sabine Lisicki reached her fourth Wimbledon quarterfinal by shocking heavy title favorite, defending champion, and world No. 1 Serena Williams in three sets. Serena had not looked as sharp in the first week as she had at Roland Garros, but one expected her to prevail once she recovered from a dismal first set. The defending champion dominated Lisicki in the second set and rolled to an early lead in the third, at which point many underdogs might have surrendered. Lisicki is a different player on this court than she is anywhere else, though, and she swung freely with the match in the balance at 4-4 in the final set. Hitting through her nerves and a staggering Serena, she scored perhaps the biggest upset in an upset-riddled draw.
Comeback of the day: When Tsvetana Pironkova claimed the first set from Agnieszka Radwanska, Wimbledon suddenly looked in danger of losing all of the top five women before the quarterfinals. But grass specialists would split their two meetings with top-four seeds on Monday as Radwanska ground through a second straight three-set victory. As has been the case with much of her 2013 campaign, she has not shown her best form while doing just enough to win.
Gold star: Li Na had survived consecutive three-setters to end the first week, including an 8-6 epic against Klara Zakopalova. She needed to fasten her teeth into the tournament more firmly, and she did by losing just two games to the 11th seed, Roberta Vinci. Having defeated Radwanska in a quarterfinal at the Australian Open, Li will hope to repeat the feat in a Tuesday match between the two highest-ranked women remaining in the draw.
Silver star: Only one woman has reached the quarterfinals without losing a set or playing a tiebreak. Take a bow, world No. 15 Marion Bartoli, who has threatened only occasionally at majors since reaching the Wimbledon final in 2007. Granted, Bartoli has faced no opponent in the top 50 to this stage. She participated in a bloodbath of Italians by ousting Karin Knapp for the loss of just five games. (None of the four Italians who reached the fourth round won a set on Manic Monday.)
What doesn't kill you…: …makes you stronger? The only former Wimbledon champion left in the women's draw, Petra Kvitova had dropped sets in both of her first-week victories and easily could have done so again on Monday. Former nemesis Carla Suarez Navarro took Kvitova to a first-set tiebreak and the brink of an emotional meltdown, but the Czech steadied herself once she survived it. Kvitova can look ahead to a quarterfinal against Kirsten Flipkens, also fortunate to avoid losing a first set for which her opponent served twice. Flipkens won their previous meeting this year in Miami.
All eyes on Andy: A round after she upset Angelique Kerber, Kaia Kanepi sent home local darling Laura Robson in two tight sets. The match could have tilted in either direction, so Kanepi's experience probably proved vital in securing her second Wimbledon quarterfinal appearance. She also earned the last laugh on British tabloids that lampooned her burly physique before the Robson match.
Americans in London: In the wake of Serena's loss, the United States plausibly might have gone home without a single quarterfinalist in either singles draw. Sloane Stephens averted that disappointment by winning a second straight three-setter, this time against Monica Puig. Trailing by a set, Stephens showed resilience in battling through a tight second set and then dominating the third. She has won twelve matches at majors this year, more than many higher-ranked women.
Stat of the day: In Lisicki's last four Wimbledon appearances, she has defeated the current Roland Garros champion every time. Her repeated denials of Channel Slams protect a record held by compatriot Steffi Graf, who completed the Roland Garros-Wimbledon double four times.
Question of the day: The first three majors will crown three different women's champions for the third straight year. With all of the top three gone before the quarterfinals, who becomes the new title favorite? One might favor Kvitova, the only woman who has won here before, but conventional wisdom has taken it on the chin all fortnight.
Wimbledon Ladies Quarterfinals Preview: Will History Be Made?
(July 1, 2013) What a week at Wimbledon. If your women's draw predictions have somehow upheld to the quarterfinal stage, sincere congratulations. If your draw includes only two of the eight correct names, like mine, don't worry. You're in the majority. The shake-up at this year's Wimbledon Championships has been an unprecedented event, and the draw has opened up drastically to allow a first-time winner to take the title.
Current oddmakers have Sabine Lisicki as the top contender for the title, followed by 2011 Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova and 2011 French Open champion Li Na. Last year's Wimbledon finalist Agnieszka Radwanska and 2013 Australian Open semifinalist Sloane Stephens round out the top 5.
Let's take a further look at the four quarterfinal matchups and how the ladies stack up against each other.
[23] Sabine Lisicki vs Kaia Kanepi
- First career meeting
- Plays winner of Radwanska-Li
- Best previous Wimbledon result – Lisicki: 2011 SF (as a wildcard); Kanepi: 2010 QF (as a qualifier)
With Lisicki's surprise defeat of Serena Williams in the fourth round, the German is now 17-4 at Wimbledon (compared to 16-15 at the other Slams). She also now has the distinct honor of having beaten the reigning French Open champ at the last four Wimbledon Championships she has played, including Svetlana Kuznetsova in 2009, Li Na in 2011, Maria Sharapova in 2012, and Williams this year. She did not play in 2010.
Lisicki has been looking sharp all week on her favorite surface, overpowering with her serve and improving her footwork and movement with each match. She only lost seven total games in the first two matches against Francesca Schiavone and Elena Vesnina. Sam Stosur pushed her in the third round, but she rallied back from a 6-4 first set deficit to take the next 12-of-15 games.
Kanepi, though the underdog, is in her fifth Slam quarterfinal over the last five years. She was mere points away from being defeated by Angelique Kerber in the second round here at Wimbledon, but came back to win 6-3 in the third. While two of Kanepi's matches were against wildcards ranked outside of the top 100, Lisicki has had to come through two singles Slam champions (Schiavone and Stosur) and one doubles Slam champion (Vesnina).
Result: Lisicki in straight sets
[4] Agnieszka Radwanska vs [6] Na Li
- Li leads 6-4, but Radwanska leads 2-1 on grass
- Plays winner of Lisicki-Kanepi
- Best previous Wimbledon result – Radwanska: 2012 F; Li: 2006, 2010 QF
Despite many of the women's top seeds falling early, this quarter is the only one with its top seeds still intact, and last year's finalist, Radwanska, comes in as a slight favorite. The Pole was not tested until her last two rounds against Madison Keys and grass-court specialist Tsvetana Pironkova, which both went the full three sets. Her execution and court coverage have stayed consistent, and her crafty game has taken full advantage of the low bounce.
Though Li was pitted by some as crashing out early, she has kept her composure while many seeds fell and is the oldest player left in the draw. Her rollercoaster match against newly-resurgent Simona Halep in the second round gave way to another topsy-turvy match against No. 32 seed Klara Zakopalova, before she finally easily closed out Roberta Vinci in 55 minutes. She hasn't had any remarkable play thus far and has flown under the radar, but it could be a tight match.
Results: Radwanska in three sets
[15] Marion Bartoli vs [17] Sloane Stephens
- Bartoli leads 1-0, on hard
- Plays winner of Kvitova-Flipkens
- Best previous Wimbledon result – Bartoli: 2007 F; Stephens: 2012 Third Round
Other than Kirsten Flipkens, Bartoli is the only other player left in the draw that has yet to lose a set this Wimbledon, the Slam where she saw her best results by reaching the final in 2007 losing to Venus Williams. Her quirky game has been relegated to the smaller outside courts this week, but she is sure to give the American trouble with her variety especially in the spotlight. The French woman is making her 47th Slam appearance which dates back to 2002, and is in her third quarterfinal at Wimbledon. When on, her game can trouble even players at the top of the game, as evidenced by her brutal defeat of Petra Kvitova at last year's US Open, so Stephens needs to come out swinging.
As the last American left in the draw (who would have guessed that last Monday?), Stephens has reached the fourth round or better in her last three Slams. Three of her first four matches went the distance, with two coming down to the wire against Andrea Petkovic and Petra Cetkovska. Her game is powerful yet still developing, and her play in the third set against Monica Puig on Monday was on another level. Stephens has risen to the challenge and her focus and endurance will surely be tested against Bartoli.
Results: Bartoli in three sets
[8] Petra Kvitova vs [20] Kirsten Flipkens
- Flipkens leads 2-1, all on hard
- Plays winner of Bartoli-Stephens
- Best previous Wimbledon result – Kvitova: 2011 Winner; Flipkens: 2009 Third Round
Kvitova may be the only past winner left in the draw, but she has not been looking as sharp over the last year. Her play at time has been questionable, but she managed to overcome a near-upset in the first round here against world No. 108 CoCo Vandeweghe, with a 7-5 win in the third set. Since then, she has shown flashes of her tennis genius but it has been wildly inconsistent.
Flipkens, possibly the biggest surprise quarterfinalists, had never been past the third round of a Slam before this year's Australian Open. With new mentor Kim Clijsters in tow and a renewed fitness and ball-striking ability, the Belgian came from being ranked 175 during this time last year and not even playing Wimbledon, to reaching her first Slam quarterfinal and sitting at a career-high No. 20. Despite the strong showing, her draw has been rather light, playing No. 90 Yulia Putintseva, No. 97 Vesna Dolonc, No. 39 Bojana Jovanovski and No. 166 Flavia Pennetta who used her protected ranking. It may just be the end of the road for her.
Results: Kvitova in straight sets
Wimbledon Rewind: Djokovic and Serena Thrive, Radwanska and Li Survive, Ferrer and Kvitova Rally, Grass Specialists Sparkle on Day 6
Miraculously after the rain on Thursday and Friday, Wimbledon has set all of its fourth-round matchups for Manic Monday. More than half of the top-ten players there (five men, six women) fell in the first week, and Saturday featured its share of drama despite the welcome sunshine.
Match of the day: Even with the cloud of his father hanging over him at a distance, Bernard Tomic has compiled an outstanding Wimbledon campaign. The enigmatic Aussie has upset two seeded players to reach the second week, most recently No. 9 seed Richard Gasquet. Showing his taste for drama, Tomic played five sets in the first round against Sam Querrey and reached 5-5 in every set against the 2007 Wimbledon semifinalist.
Upset of the day: Few tennis fans knew much about Kenny de Schepper entering this tournament. The 26-year-old Frenchman benefited from a Marin Cilic walkover in the second round and made the most of the opportunity. Not losing a set in the first week of Wimbledon, de Schepper upset No. 20 seed Juan Monaco to reach this stage at a major for the first time.
Comeback of the day: Imperfect in his first two matches, world No. 4 David Ferrer predictably fell behind the mercurial Alexandr Dolgopolov two sets to one. After Dolgopolov steamrolled him in the third set, though, Ferrer regrouped immediately to drop just three games in the next two sets. His far superior stamina gave him a valuable advantage against an opponent who struggles with sustaining energy or form.
Foregone conclusion of the day: There's death, there's taxes, there's Nadal winning on clay, and there's Tomas Berdych beating up on poor Kevin Anderson. Nine times have they played since the start of 2012, including at four majors, with Berdych winning all nine. At least Anderson took the first set this time and kept the match more competitive than most of its prequels.
Gold star: Considering Kei Nishikori's promising start to the tournament, Andreas Seppi merits special attention for his five-set battle past the Japanese star. Like Ferrer, Seppi trailed two sets to one before digging into the trenches and holding his ground with an imposing fourth set that set the stage for a tight fifth. As a result of his efforts, Italy leads all nations with four players in the second week of Wimbledon, an odd achievement for a clay-loving nation.
Silver star: One day after demolishing an unseeded opponent, Tommy Haas overcame a much more worthy challenger in Eastbourne champion Feliciano Lopez. Haas bounced back from losing the first set to prevail in four, arranging an intriguing Monday meeting with Novak Djokovic. The German has won both of their previous grass meetings—four years ago—but lost to Djokovic at Roland Garros.
Wooden spoon: At a minimum, one expected some entertaining twists and turns from a match pitting Ernests Gulbis and Fernando Verdasco. The firecrackers fizzled in a straight-sets victory for the Spaniard, who now eyes his first Wimbledon quarterfinal with de Schepper awaiting him on Monday. Gulbis joined a string of unseeded players unable to follow their notable upsets with a deep run.
Stat of the day: World No. 2 Andy Murray cannot face a top-20 opponent until the final. (No. 20 seed Mikhail Youzhny, his Monday opponent, is seeded higher than his ranking because of the grass formula used in making the draw.)
Question of the day: Top seed Novak Djokovic seems to grow more formidable with each round, dismantling Jeremy Chardy today for the loss of only seven games. Can anyone slow his path to the final? Juan Martin Del Potro, the only other man in this half who has not lost a set, might have the best chance. He defeated Djokovic earlier this year at Indian Wells and on grass at the Olympics last year.
Match of the day: One of many players who rallied to win after losing the first set, Li Na rushed through a second-set bagel against Klara Zakopalova but then found herself bogged down in a war of attrition. Li finally opened the door to the second week in the 14th game of the final set. She continues to show more tenacity at this tournament than she has in several months.
Upset of the day: Sabine Lisicki's victory over the grass-averse Samantha Stosur came as a surprise only on paper. In fact, the greater surprise may have come from Lisicki dropping the first set before dominating the next two. Lisicki has reached the second week in four straight Wimbledon appearances, proving herself the epitome of a grass specialist.
Comeback of the day: British hearts quailed when Laura Robson started a winnable match against Marina Erakovic in dismal fashion. The feisty home hope did not quite recover until late in the second set, when Erakovic served for the match. Needing some help from her opponent to regroup, including a string of double faults, Robson asserted control swiftly in the final set and never relinquished the momentum once she captured it.
Foregone conclusion of the day: There was no Williams déjà vu at Wimbledon, where Kimiko Date-Krumm could not repeat her epic effort against Venus Williams there two years ago. Notching her 600th career victory, Serena surrendered just two games to the Japanese star as she predictably reached the second week without losing a set. Since the start of Rome, the world No. 1 has served bagels or breadsticks in nearly half of the sets that she has played (15 of 31).
Gold star: In trouble against Eva Birnerova when Friday ended, Monica Puig rallied on Saturday to book her spot in the second week. Unlike most of her fellow upset artists, she used a first-round ambush of Sara Errani to light the fuse of two more victories. An almost intra-American match awaits between the Puerto Rican and Sloane Stephens.
Silver star: Tsvetana Pironkova extended her voodoo spell over these lawns with a third second-week appearance in four years. A non-entity at almost all other tournaments, Pironkova could not have chosen a better place to plant her Bulgarian flag. thou
What a difference a day makes: Shortly before play ended on Friday, Petra Kvitova had lost seven straight games to Ekaterina Makarova and narrowly avoided falling behind by a double break in the final set. When she returned in the sunshine of Saturday, Kvitova won five of the last six games to abruptly wrap up a match full of streaky play from both sides.
Americans in London: Also able to collect herself overnight, Sloane Stephens recovered from a second-set bagel to outlast qualifier Petra Cetkovska. Stephens became the only woman outside the top four to reach the second week at every major this year. Nearly joining her was Madison Keys, who gave 2012 finalist Agnieszka Radwanska all that she could handle in a tight three-setter. The impressive serve and balanced baseline power of Keys suggest that we will see much more of her at future Wimbledons.
Question of the day: In 2009, 2011, and 2012, Sabine Lisicki halted the previous month's Roland Garros champion at Wimbledon. Can she do to Serena what she did to Svetlana Kuznetsova, Li Na, and Maria Sharapova? Plenty of massive serves will scar the grass on Monday.

subset: commoncrawl


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Outfit - Bank Blonde & Blonde- (Here)
Last week I travelled to Liverpool to visit the new women's only Bank Fashion store for the launch of the Lipsy Love Michelle collection! When I said they would be stocking all of our favourite brands in one place, I was not kidding! The whole line is now available on their website with all of the sold out pieces and sizes that we could not get our hands on. If you live local, the new store is a MUST to visit, it really is like a pretty girls haven full of pink and sparkles... just what I like.
On a personal note, I am so grateful for all you beautiful nadolls who queued for hours and brought me lovely gifts and letters - each one is so special to me. Seeing the mall filled with hundreds of faces was a great welcome to your city & I will definitely be back for those of you I unfortunately did not get a chance to meet (or take a selfie with) army we are STRONG!
Nada Adelle


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– M.J."Mr. Steele took a huge weight off of my shoulders."
– J.E."Mr. Steele was very helpful and was able to get me a great outcome on my case."
– D.S."Mr. Steele made me feel like me and my case was very important. He is a good listener and I had great confidence in having him as my lawyer."
State v. Hernandez Rivera (January 2016)
Charges: Credit Card Fraud –
Disposition: Dismissed
State v. Burge (April 2014)
Charges: 4th Degree DWI
Disposition: Dismissed.
State v. Alsaihati (September 2015)
Charges: 2nd degree DWI (3rd Offense in 10 years) (90 days jail mandatory minimum. Disposition: All charges were dismissed.
State v. Love (November 2015)
Charge: Felony drug possession, and possession of firearms.
Disposition: Firearms Possession, dismissed
Drug possession. Continued for dismissal (charge will be dismissed after 1 year). No jail time.
State v. Crushshon (October 2015)
Charged with 3rd Degree DWI.
Disposition: Case dismissed.
State v. Sims (July 2015)
Charge: 2nd Degree Driving While Impaired (3rd Offense in 10 years) (Mandatory 90 days jail).
Disposition: No executed jail time – 2 years probation.
Alsaihati v. One 2006 Pontiac G6 (car) (January 2015)
Disposition: Forfeiture overturned and vehicle ordered returned to petitioner.
State v. McLaughlin (February 2016)
Charge: 4th Degree DWI –
DWI dismissed. $200 fine for stop sign violation
State v. Foss (March 2016)
Charge – Filing fraudulent lien (Felony) –
Disposition – Dropped to a misdemeanor – no jail time.
State v. Fiecke (October 2015)
Charge: Felon in Possession of Firearm (mandatory 5 year prison sentence).
Disposition: Stayed sentence – probation


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Board of Trustees[editar]
The FSG is governed by a Board of Trustees, currently composed of 15 persons coming from different social fields and places. Eight of them come from the Roma associative movement, three from the public administration at its distinct territorial levels, and the remaining four from important fields such as academia, information media, Church and banking. In addition, it counts on an Honorary President and a Secretary, whose positions are not executive.
The Board's work focuses on the definition of the lines of action of the FSG, on monitoring the adequate fulfilment of the FSG's mission, on managing its resources and on approving the accounts and budgets of each fiscal year.
The Board held two plenary sessions in 2011: on the 6th of June and 19th of December. The Permanent Committee (constituted by the President, Vice-President, Secretary and General Director) held follow-up meetings on the 31st March, 23rd May and 10th October.
Honorary President
Álvaro Gil-Robles y Gil-Delgado
Doctor in Law, in 1981 he was the author of the Project of Law that regulated the competencies of Spain's Ombudsman, a position that he held between 1988 and 1993. From October 1999 to March 2006, he was the first Human Rights Commissioner of the Council of Europe. He has held various positions in national and international Human Rights organisations, and has published numerous articles and books on related issues.
Pedro Puente
Founding Member of the FSG, he has always been associated to the promotion of the Roma community. He holds a Degree in Social Work and has held various positions in the Episcopal Conference. He is also President of the social NGO Accem. He has been awarded the Gold Cross of the Civil Order of Social Solidarity and named Prelate of Honour of His Holiness.
Bartolomé Jiménez
President of the Roma Association Gao Lacho Drom in Vitoria, he has dedicated a large part of his life to the promotion of the values and culture of the Roma community, and to the improvement of Roma living conditions. He is also a founding member of the FSG.
Juan Antonio Santiago Amador
President of the Association of Roma Development and Promotion of Puertollano and civil servant in the municipality of that locality. He has been a member of the Board of Trustees of the FSG since 2001.
Antonio Vega Vega
Publicist and speaker, collaborates with various information media. At present, he is entrepreneur in the high-end decoration and hospitality fields in addition to being a columnist for various media. He is active in the cultural and social promotion of Roma men and women, and above all, in the fight against discrimination and negative stereotypes.
Emilio Rosillo Salazar
Psychologist and Training professor at FOREM. He has worked over many years in social organisations, especially in the fields of education and training, and has been associated to the FSG since its creation.
Jorge Ribota Rogero
Bank branch manager. Brings knowledge of the economic and banking system to support good management and transparency.
Pilar Heras Hernández
Teacher, she has been working for years for the Roma Association Anaquerando of Granada, and is a member of the Board of Trustees of the FSG since its establishment.
Rosalía Guntín Ubiergo
Psychologist, expert in themes related to Structural Funds, especially the European Social Fund. She has developed her professional life both in the public and private fields, of a European dimension and related to the social inclusion of disadvantaged groups and to the fight against discrimination. In addition to her membership in the FSG since its creation, she is currently participating actively as volunteer in Cepaim and the EAPN network. She forms part of various consultative and directive organisms of diverse European and Spanish councils, forums, observatories and networks in representation of the latter, including the Board of Directors of the Platform of the Third Sector and the Eunomad Network.
Françesc Rodríguez i Burch
Currently Director of VINCLE, an organisation that socio-educational projects. He has been committed to the improvement of the social situation of the Roma people since he initiated his collaboration with the Secretariado Gitano of Barcelona in 1977. He has held positions of responsibility in areas of childhood, Roma and community development in the Generalitat of Catalonia.
Jesús Loza Aguirre
Member of the Basque Parliament, actively involved in the promotion of social policies for the development of equal treatment and the fight against discrimination.
José Sánchez González
Emeritus Bishop of Siguenza-Guadalajara and former Secretary of the Episcopal Conference, he is also a founding member of the organisation. He defends a more just and equitable society and fights for the rights of minorities and of the most disadvantaged.
Julián de Olmo García
Member with a long journalistic career, linked especially to religious and social programmes of RTVE. He has formed part of the Board of Trustees of the FSG since 2003, bringing his broad knowledge of the world of information media to it.
Antonio Soto
Promotes Roma culture and values, immersed in diverse social commitments and initiatives for many years, with the Roma community as well as other groups. He has been member of the Board of Trustees of the FSG since 2003.
Fernando Rey Martínez
Professor of Constitutional Law and Communications director of the University of Valladolid. Since 2005, he has brought to the FSG his long-standing experience in matters of fundamental rights and discrimination on grounds of race or ethnicity, with particular attention to the Roma community.
Carmen Santiago Reyes
Lawyer, she has been practicing her profession in an independent manner since 1992. She has been, among others, regional coordinator of the Roma Schooling Support Programme of the FARA; Spanish representative in the Expert Group on Policies with Roma of the Council of Europe; and collaborator with this organism. She is currently President of Kamira.
Valentín Suárez Saavedra
Member of the Permanent Committee of the present Board of Trustees, in charge of the Roma Participation Group (GPG) of the organisation.


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An HCG diet is an extremely depleted calorie program that adds up injections of human chorionic gonadotropin, or HCG. This hormone was recognized as a weight-loss help in the 1950s by British endocrinologist, A.T.W. Simeon while he was performing in India with overweight young men. As stated at his examinations, which are specified in the book, Pounds and Inches, Simeon states that HCG permits for the reallocation of fat in a more normal manner. Since HCG influences a woman's menstrual sequence, it is excellent avoiding it whilst you are menstruating.
Concerning the Diet
The HCG procedure is an extremely-low-calorie diet comprising of just 500 calories daily. It is combined with hormone injections that represses hunger and reallocates fat that the body reutilizes as energy. HCG was endorsed by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the remedy of infertility in women and hormonal abnormalities in men. It has been connected with several intense severe side effects, as stated by the FDA spokesperson, Shelly Burgess, counting blood clots, cardiovascular complaints and ovarian hyper-stimulation syndrome, or OHSS.
Relationship of Menstruation and HCG
HCG is not administered to women throughout menstruation since it can get in the way with their cycle. Robert True, M.D., a cosmetic surgeon and gynecologist in Fort Worth, Texas, clarifies that the pregnancy hormone is competent of changing the cycle of your menstruation. It won't, though, get in the way or interrelate with any contraceptive pills you are utilizing. It will not influence your capability to become pregnant or intensify your possibilities of pregnancy. Whilst you are on the diet, Simeon cautions that throughout menstruation when you are not obtaining HCG injections, you might discover yourself intensely starved.
Effects of HCG Diet and Menses
Effect #1: Ovarian Hyper-stimulation
HCG is a pregnancy hormone that is created inside the placenta. Once injected into non-pregnant women, it motivates the ovaries to intensify egg manufacture. If the ovaries turn out to be excessively activated the consequence is inflammation and fluid seepage into the stomach and chest. PubMed Health accounts that 10% of women who undertake fertility medications form OHSS. In 2003, a piece of writing in the journal, Human Reproduction accounted that OHSS nearly at all times in attendance following HCG dispensation. The possibilities of forming this severe and possibly dangerous syndrome are not as much of a danger whilst on an HCG diet due to the variance in dosage. Dieters are provided 125 IU of HCG. For infertility, patients obtain 5,000 to 10,000 IU.
Effect #2: Amenorrhea
Amenorrhea is a disorder typified by the nonappearance of your menstruation or skipping three menstruations in a row. It happens naturally throughout pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause. It can also take place if you are malnourished, if you work out extremely, have a hormonal inequity and while under mental pressure. Intense calorie limitation and malnutrition can also trigger amenorrhea, as stated by the Columbia University's health information website; Go Ask Alice. An HCG diet pressures your body by restricting calorie consumption; it can show the way to becoming malnourished and hormone injections change your hormone levels.
The effects of HCG diet on menses explain the bond between these two things. You then have to be careful on when to use the diet plan.


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Arts and Sciences College Fund for Excellenceshow description Add to my gifts
Countless pressing issues and open questions face the world, and Arts & Sciences faculty are at the forefront of research and scholarship to address these issues and grow human knowledge. Gifts to this fund are free of restriction and enable the College to support faculty and programs as emerging needs arise.
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The Dean's Priority Fund for Students supports transformative experiences for students in the College of Arts & Sciences, from admission to graduation – and beyond.
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Dedicated students with diverse life experiences are crucial to the life of the College. Gifts to the Arts & Sciences General Scholarship Fund ensure that the best and brightest students have access to an A&S education regardless of financial circumstances.
Graduate Support Fundshow description Add to my gifts
Graduate students are essential to discovery process, as researchers and scholars working with faculty and as teachers inspiring undergraduates. Financial support is often the deciding factor in a graduate student's choice of a graduate school, making the Graduate Support Fund a powerful tool for attracting talented students to the College of Arts and Sciences.
Life Sciences Building Fundshow description Add to my gifts
The Department of Biology has a bold vision to transform biological research and teaching in a new Life Sciences Building. We will spark collaborations across disciplines, tackle pressing challenges facing the world, and engage students in hands-on research, redefining the classroom experience. This fund will provide general support for the Biology Life Sciences Building.
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In the new Biology Greenhouse, we will greatly expand our capacity to create connections between students, faculty, and the community, drawing thousands of UW students, community members, K-12 students, horticulturists, and researchers every year, making it a nexus for plant science, education, and community engagement and a welcoming entry point to the UW.
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The Burke Museum is building a new, flagship museum of natural history and culture for Washington state. The new facility, scheduled to open in 2019, will integrate exhibits and learning areas with working spaces throughout the museum, inviting everyone to uncover the depth and breadth of the museum's collections and experience the thrill of daily discoveries generated at the Burke. The New Burke can accommodate twice the current number of Pre-K–12 students served annually, and state-of-the-art labs will serve more students, researchers, and artists each year.


text: I used to worry that my poll answers would be public knowledge until I created my first poll. In order to get as many answers as possible on our polls by assuring you that your answers are anonymous, I'm creating a sample poll here so that you can see what the public poll looks like and how it works. Notice that the number in the votes column is underlined - when you click it, it will bring you to the results page with names of other members and how they've voted. If you are in an anonymous poll, that number will not be underlined as it will contain no link to a results page.


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ART TODAY 022318 Chris Bonno recommends Paul Torres in a review of an art piece from his personal collection
His portraits have a sensuality to them and he clearly knows how to do a more traditional portrait (that can be stunning to observe) with excellent paint technique, volume, and creative use of color. Mostly, I see the creations, the people, the personalities, the vibe, the time he captures and the core or heart of his subjects. As a spectator, I am "let in" on how Torres' cares for his work and his subjects. He creates an atmosphere while capturing the heart and attitude of the characters that we see around us but might not closely observe. By Chris Bonno


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Ooh guys! Ooh, ooh, ooh. I know I'm all Pollyanna-ish about pings of bright colour in the home but my Goth sensibilities are tingling like crazy after seeing the outrageously cool and sophisticated potential of black tiles. On a serious style note, black is the chicest way to define a space and make a bold, edgy statement. What makes dark tiles work in all these instances – as with everything in decorating – is balance: a balance between textures, materials and shine. Look, glossy black tiles are ultra-luxe and distinctive and hip in the best possible way, and the more I see the more I like, but they've got to be approached and installed with extreme caution or you could be heading into creepy/garish/tacky dictator's love palace/stripper club bathroom (not that I've, ahem, ever been in one) territory. Get the balance right between your gloss factor and the grounding, contemporary properties of matt surfaces (wall paint, the finishes on your fittings and decor/appliances) and you'll avoid an expensive mistake that you can't easily undo.
TIP Where large areas of wall are to be covered, opt for a glossy(ish), hand finished feel. The overall look will feel warmer and less sombre quite literally due to the ability of a glossy finish to reflect the light.


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This product is noted for its Explorer Gore-tex® membrane, providing it with first-rate impermeability and breathability. All the seams are taped to ensure a perfect seal and durability.
Technical features:
- Detachable hood
- Hand pockets with waterproof zip
- Underarm ventilation
- Regular fit
- Zipped inside pocket
- Abrasion resistant
- Large pockets
Waterproofing: 28,000 mm
Breathability: 28,000 g/m²/24h
Exterior: Gore-tex® Explorer
Insulation: Membrane
Fabrics:: 100% Polyester


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Monday, December 7, 2015
12 comments:
Happy Monday! I am not sure if the gift bags are the same each day...I won one on already, so please don't enter me if they are. Thanks!!ReplyDelete
Having fun with this.ReplyDelete
debby236 at gmail dot com
Happy Christmas firstname.lastname@example.com
Yay! Thanks so much for another day of giveaways.ReplyDelete
waxapplelover (at) gmail (dot) com
love this giveaway..gives everyone a chanceReplyDelete
jmarinich33 at aol dot com
A great big happy December 7th to one and all. Only 18 days until Christmas now! Woohoo! Have a terrific day :DReplyDelete
Shelly H
Thanks for another giveaway chance :)ReplyDelete
annmarief115 at gmail dot com
Happy MondayReplyDelete
bn100candg at hotmail dot com
- CarolynDecember 7, 2015 at 7:37 PM
Thank you for the chance to win! :)ReplyDelete
caroaz [at] ymail [dot] com
thanks very much! firstname.lastname@example.com
Thank you for the giveaway chance!ReplyDelete
humhumbum AT yahoo DOT com
This giveaway ended at midnight, the winner per random.org is Wax Applelover! Congrats, check your email.ReplyDelete
Be sure to leave a comment to be entered into the TTC Books and more monthly comment giveaway. EVERY comment that is relevant to the specific post will be entered. Prizes include various gift cards and swag donated by Publishers, Authors and blog Owner. REMEMBER TO LEAVE YOUR CONTACT INFO! How else will I notify you if you win?


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Hoaxes, Myths and Manias
- Details
- Category: Books
- Hits: 4418
Bartholomew, Robert E., and Radford, Benjamin (February 2003).
Hoaxes, Myths, and Manias: Why We Need Critical Thinking
(Benjamin Radford is an editor living in Amherst, New York). Buffalo, New York: Prometheus Books.
Reviews of Hoaxes, Myths and Manias
"...you are certain to be amused and amazed in equal parts...an entertaining and enlightening book."
--Professor Robert J. Sternberg, Yale University, then President of the American Psychological Association, writing in Psychology Today, 2003.


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How We Spent Our Summer Vacation
Fall is in the air and, like many of you, the gals of Duchess are in "back-to-school" mode, so to speak. It's always tough to say goodbye to the lazy, sun-dappled afternoons of summertime, but we've missed our Duchess Honey Buns (that's YOU!) and we've got a lot on our to-do list as we prepare for the release of our second album, "Laughing at Life," and some upcoming shows.
So, as September draws to a close, we find ourselves once again meeting every week at Amy's place for snacks, strategies, and singing (and alliteration, apparently). Since we've been on hiatus for a couple of months, we thought it would be fun to bring our fans--and each other--up to speed on our respective summer holidays. Read on, and then please leave a comment and tell us about how you spent your summer!
What was your favorite summer experience?
Amy: My summer was full of such great adventures with my family. We went to Canada to visit my family and [my husband] Oded's family came to visit us from Israel. We had so many great trips and adventures. I think my favorite thing was taking our kids to The Newport Jazz Festival to see Anat Cohen play the music she and Oded worked on and later recorded. It was such a thrill to introduce them to so many friends and colleagues and the community that I feel so lucky to be a part of.
Hilary: I spent an idyllic long weekend in Montauk with my husband. For four days, we lazed at the beach, ate fresh lobster, and watched the sun set over the bay. We played badminton and laughed ourselves silly. Then, in early September, my mother and I spent a couple of weeks traveling in Italy: Venice, Lucca, Siena, and the little paese where I spent my foreign exchange many years ago. I'm so thankful for the chance to travel and spend time with my mother, and it was heaven to see my dear Italian friends and re-immerse myself in the Italian language.
Melissa: Every August, we do a 3-4 week tour to visit family in Ontario and Quebec, and this year's tour was epic. We had a great time at the cabin on Sturgeon Lake, especially. Before we embarked on the trip to Canada, we visited our friends at their family place on Islesboro Island, Maine, and that was a perfect way to start the vacation tour. It's an incredible place.
What was the best thing you ate this summer?
Amy: I'm the girl who always forgets to take pictures of the food because I'm too busy eating it. I'm also the girl with the horrible memory. So…even though we had seafood by the sea, my favorite childhood french fries and gravy, and Kawartha Dairy ice cream, my favorite food was the pizza my sister and brother-in-law made for the whole family. Delicious pizza and a chaotic and delightful family hang.
Hilary: A perfect baked potato and sweet corn on the cob with a lobster dinner in Montauk made me finally understand what all the lobster fanaticism is about! Utter simplicity and perfectly married flavors. Pumpkin and ricotta-stuffed tortelli in Lucca, sun-warmed tomatoes from my Italian host father's garden, and gelato (eaten daily) were my favorite culinary moments from my Italy travels.
Melissa: We spent ten sunny days (and one rainy one) at [my husband] Jamie's family cabin, and the Reynolds family is all about good food. Jamie really wowed us all with his Chicken Provencal and, I have to say, my two-layer chocolate cake was pretty yummy, too!
Favorite summer beverage?
Amy: Besides beer, which is completely predictable and Canadian of me, the other drink of choice this summer was an Aperol Spritz. Delicious.
Hilary: Oh my god, Amy, ME TOO! Aperol Spritz, hands down. It's so festive and tasty. [Aperol is a cousin of Campari, but not nearly as bitter, with flavors of orange, rhubarb, and herbs. The spritz is a signature Venetian cocktail, made with Aperol, prosecco, sparkling water, and a slice of orange.]
Melissa: I like beer, wine, scotch, etc., but in the heat of summer, I've discovered this thing called a Grapefruit Radler, which is a German wheat beer mixed with Grapefruit juice. It's so yummy and low-octane. Now that it's getting chilly, I'm all about the scotch again, but it was perfect in August!
Summer soundtrack?
Amy: I started running a bit this summer. No, no one was chasing me. For exercise. My favorite thing to run to is the Hamilton soundtrack. I only get a few tunes in, but it's the perfect combination of motivating and funny with great grooves. I am not giving away my shot!
Hilary: Siembra, a Fania record by Ruben Blades and Willie Colon. I am literally incapable of sitting still when that record comes on, and Ruben Blades is seriously one of the greatest singers I've ever heard. Also, a gorgeous Brazilian record by Ary Barroso and Dorival Caymmi called Um Interpreto e Outro.
Melissa: Morning Phase, by Beck. Jamie put this on and I loved it. I had only heard one track before and it was just the perfect thing to listen to during our 8-hour drive days.
What did you miss the most while you were on summer hiatus?
Amy, Hilary, Melissa: Each other!
What are you most excited about for fall?
Amy: Fall!!! It's my favorite time of year. I love my sweaters and my plaid shirts and my awesome fall/winter shoes that support my feet properly instead of all these flat summer sandals. Also, #girlongirlharmony.
Hilary: Autumn cooking is my favorite cooking, with its long, slow braises and heartier fare. I have missed my sweaters and boots, too. I'm really excited about a few new projects on the horizon, especially the new Duchess CD, and more singing and laughs with my girls!
Melissa: Using my Hudson Bay Company wool blanket, a little piece of home that is perfect for fall. Oh, and cooking lots of warming stews and apple crumbles and such. And hot toddys. And sledding. Ok, I'm getting ahead of myself a bit. I'm so glad to be back in the groove and can't wait to see what crazy hijinks we get up to this fall/winter while we prep for the upcoming release!


text: Just bought the Trident Aegis case in red from SmartOverstock on Amazon for a total of $16 including shipping. They're usually 30 for retail. This case is REALLY nice. Better than all the other cases and was cheaper. Fits well in your hand and has a nice feel to it. Only complaint is the top cover and how it presses the 4 key each time you open the keyboard. I've gotten used to it though. Just a quick review for anyone who wants a new case. Sent from my DROID3 using DroidForums


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As wedding photographers, our goal is to celebrate that story with you.
The story continues on after the I Do's are spoken. We want to continue along your journey with you through first homes and anniversaries, to crying babies and the sweet smell of their skin, to the moments that make you giggle as each year passes and your family grows and grows, to the senior walking down the high school aisle to collect the document of accomplishment, to the 50th anniversary story that beats all odds and inspires others. Your story is important to us. Your story is your legacy. Let us illustrate that story for you and bring light to the amazing and inspiring words that you write each and every day together.
Emily Rochelle Photography


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GHB, or Gamma hydroxybutyrate, is a chemical produced naturally in the human body as part of the metabolic system. It acts as a central nervous system depressant, and so creates a feeling of relaxation in small doses. GHB, also known as G, Gina, or liquid ecstasy (although it has nothing chemically in common with the drug ecstasy), has become more common on the nightclub scene over the past ten years. However, much less is reported about it than other drugs, and there are many misconceptions about its use. Most reporting about GHB has been because of its use as a 'date rape drug', recently in the case of serial killer Stephen Port, who used GHB to incapacitate young gay men in order to rape and murder them. It was also linked to the death of pop star George Michael at Christmas last year.
Why Do People Take GHB?
GHB is a relaxant, and users of the drug have reported feelings of euphoria, general happiness, relaxation, and feeling of being more sociable. GHB also lowers inhibitions and increases sexual desire, making it a popular drug amongst some groups of gay men, partly for these reasons. It has also been taken unwittingly by people who have had their drinks spiked when it has been used as a 'date rape drug'; in these cases, it was used for its sedative effects.
GHB was also frequently used by bodybuilders and gym goers, as it was believed to increase muscle growth. There have also been cases of GHB addiction among older people, who have been told the drug has anti-ageing properties (which it definitely does not).
What Are the Dangers of Using GHB?
In small doses, GHB is relatively safe (although still addictive), but in the higher doses generally used recreationally it can have some very dangerous effects. GHB is normally sold as a colourless, odourless liquid. Illegal drugs do not have labels stating the strength and dosage of the drug, and it is very difficult to know how much of a given batch will be safe. It is very easy for people, even those who think they know what they are doing, to overdose on GHB. Many frequent users admit to having woken up in hospital after unwittingly taking too much. The risks of overdose are particularly high if GHB is combined with alcohol; when used in nightclubs, this happens all too frequently.
Even a little bit more than a 'safe dose' can result in dizziness, muscle spasms, nausea, and vomiting. As GHB can suppress the gag reflex, there is an elevated risk of users choking on their own vomit. Slightly more, and the person can lose consciousness, remaining unconscious for anything from a few minutes to several hours. Slightly more again, and the person could fall into a coma, potentially never to wake again. With samples of the drug being of unknown strength, as little as half a millilitre could be the difference between a safe dose and death.
Is GHB Addictive? Does It Have Any Withdrawal Symptoms?
GHB is very addictive. It gives users feelings of increased confidence, lowers anxiety, and does not give them a 'hangover'. These are powerful positives in the mind of those using the drugs, and users often find it difficult to see the negative sides. Despite many experiencing blackouts after overdosing, they generally do not remember these and so don't consider them as an adverse effect.
Withdrawal from GHB is very difficult – some medical professionals have suggested it may be worse than withdrawal from heroin – and the symptoms of withdrawal can be very severe. GHB addicts are very likely to relapse before completing their detox programme because of the severity of the symptoms.
The effects of withdrawal from GHB can include insomnia, restlessness and anxiety, muscle tremors, becoming delirious and confused, hallucinations, abnormally rapid heartbeat, excessive sweating, nausea, and vomiting. Some of these symptoms will appear very soon after patients stop taking GHB, but the withdrawal period from the drug can last up to two weeks in some cases.
I Am Struggling with GHB Addiction, What Can I Do?
Given the severity of the withdrawal symptoms, withdrawal and detox from GHB are best done under close medical supervision so that symptoms can be monitored and appropriate medical care is given quickly when needed.
At Addiction Helper, we can give you advice on what sort of treatment would be best for you, based on your individual situation. We can also help you find a suitable treatment centre, and provide ongoing care and counselling once you have completed your rehab programme. So please, contact us today for more information.
(Project GHB) Could you be addicted to GHB?
(DrugAbuse) Club Drugs
(GHB, Ketamine, and Rohypnol) Report
(BBC) The killer drug used by Stephen Port
(Erowid) GHB Withdrawal Syndrome


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Check out this Thai language tutorial that that introduces you to the Thai language. Learn all the basic words and phrases, like "Hello" and "How are you doing?" This lesson includes useful phrases and words for traveling in Thailand. Make sure you know these and enjoy the Thai culture, beaches and company of Thai people. Practice your Thai language skills and learn how to pronounce basic words and phrases n Thai with this instructional language video!
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