Federer, Serena cruise as Murray toils in French Open

PARIS: Top seeds Roger Federer and Serena Williams, with 28 Grand Slam titles between them, enjoyed a French Open cruise on Monday as Andy Murray toiled through a five-set marathon in blistering sunshine.

Defending champion Federer began his campaign for a 17th major with a comfortable 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 win over Australia”s Peter Luczak.

Less than two hours later, with Paris temperatures soaring to 30 degrees, Williams, chasing a 13th Grand Slam crown, also made the second round with a 7-6 (7/2), 6-2 win over Switzerland”s Stefanie Voegele.

Federer, who completed a career Grand Slam by winning his first Roland Garros crown here in 2009, will face Colombia”s Alejandro Falla for a place in the last 32.

Meanwhile, Williams, the 2002 champion, showed no ill-effects from the recent knee problems that sidelined her for three months, as she fired 28 winners and 10 aces past Voegele, the world 76.

The American, who collected her 12th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January, next faces Julia Goerges of Germany, but admitted she needs to step up her level.

British fourth seed Andy Murray toiled for over four hours to defeat France”s Richard Gasquet 4-6, 6-7 (5/7), 6-4, 6-2, 6-1.

It was the second time at a Grand Slam that the Scotsman has defeated Gasquet in such dramatic circumstances — in 2008 at Wimbledon, he also had to recover from two sets down to see off the stylish French player, who needed treatment on his left thigh as his challenge wilted.

Murray will now play unseeded Argentine Juan Ignacio Chela.

Third seed Novak Djokovic, recently laid low by an allergy, overcame a second-set blip to beat Kazakhstan”s Evgeny Korolev 6-1, 3-6, 6-1, 6-3.

The 2008 Australian Open champion, and a two-time French Open semi-finalist, will now face Japan”s Kei Nishikori, the world 246, who came back from two sets down to beat Santiago Giraldo of Colombia.

Spanish seeds Tommy Robredo and Feliciano Lopez were both first round losers.

Robredo, the 21st seed and a four-time quarter-finalist, lost to Serbia”s Viktor Troicki 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 in what was the 28-year-old”s worst Paris loss.

Lopez, the 27th seed, was put out by German qualifier Julian Reister, the world 165, in straight sets.

Caroline Wozniacki, leading the chasing pack in pursuit of the Williams sisters, shrugged off ankle injury concerns to sweep into the women”s second round.

The 19-year-old Dane reeled off the first seven games of the match before clinching a 6-0, 6-3 win over Russian world 78 Alla Kudryavtseva, the 69-minute victory proving a crucial confidence-booster for the third seed.

Safely through also is Chinese number one Li Na, the 11th seed, who defeated last year”s junior champion Kristina Mladenovic of France 7-5, 6-3, wile Russian fifth seed Elena Dementieva beat Petra Martic of Croatia 6-1, 6-1.

Ana Ivanovic, the 2008 champion, saw off Taiwan”s Kai-Chen Chang 6-3, 6-3 while fellow Serbian Jelena Jankovic, twice a semi-finalist, also went through 6-0, 6-4 against experienced Australian Alicia Molik.

Williams reaches 2nd round at French Open

PARIS: Top-seeded Serena Williams reached the second round of the French Open by beating Stefanie Voegele of Switzerland 7-6 (2), 6-2 Monday.

Original post:
Williams reaches 2nd round at French Open

Serena Williams upset by Petrova in Madrid Tennis

MADRID: Top-ranked Serena Williams was knocked out of the Madrid Masters, falling 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 to Nadia Petrova of Russia in the third round.

Petrova had 10 aces and frustrated Williams into making 41 errors.

In the men”s draw, second-seeded Rafael Nadal advanced to the third round with a 6-4, 6-3 win against Ukrainian qualifier Oleksandr Dolgopolov Jr. American Andy Roddick withdrew due to illness ahead of his opening match.

santa cruz

Santa Cruz police ask FBI to help investigate downtown riot
ANTA CRUZ — Santa Cruz police on Monday asked the FBI to help investigate what they believe was a “methodical and coordinated” attack on the city Saturday night.
Police also announced that they arrested a second man in connection with the downtown riot that caused more than $100,000 in damage to 18 businesses.
Police spokesman Zach Friend said investigators believe the attack was premeditated because officers received two phone calls for shots fired and a man down prior to the violent outburst. Friend said the calls appear to have been make to “divert police and fire resources away from the riot.” Officers found no problems at the scenes of the diversionary calls, Friend said.
Investigators said the rally of about 250 began as an advertised May Day event for worker’s rights was “unsanctioned” and used as “political and physical cover for the organized anarchist group.” The night of the riot, a Santa Cruz police officer responding to the downtown gathering was surrounded by demonstrators who jumped on his squad car hood, poured paint on it and pelted the sides with rocks.
Investigators will be working with the FBI to identify any individuals on videos pulled from downtown businesses and available online.
A second man arrested at the downtown riot was identified Monday by UC Santa Cruz police as Santa Cruz transient Thomas Williams.
Williams, 41, was covered in the paint used in the downtown vandalisms, according to
Friend. When officers contacted Williams on Saturday, he became agitated and resisted police. Friend said Williams also was highly intoxicated. Investigators are looking into whether Williams was directly involved with the vandalisms

fullstory………

Darius Rucker performs at ACM Awards

Hootie and The Blowfish | Keith Urban | Nicole Kidman | Kenny Chesney | Brad Paisley

The news that appears near the most favorable and musical award of ACM Awards shows that most celebrities are rendered in that price, and one of them is Darius Rucker.

The Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker and Miranda Lambert are among the latest stars set to perform at the 45th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas, organizers announced Thursday.

Kindle Sean music writer Cindy Watts is in Las Vegas, covering the events leading up to the show. Follow her celebrity sightings. And check back here for full coverage of events that led to Sunday night’s ACM Awards, which airs at 7 pm on CBS.

Brad Paisley’s Wife expecting their first child

Kimberly Williams | Brad Paisley wife | Brad Paisley | We are Marshall | Matthew Mcconaughey

Brad Paisley’s wife is Kimberly Williams-Paisley. She is expecting their first child in February. Country music star made the statement just CMT.com columnist Hazel Smith during a telephone conversation Tuesday afternoon.

Their son, not yet named, weighing 7 pounds, 7 ounces, the singer’s father Doug Paisley told CBS-TV affiliate WTRF in Wheeling, W.Va. Brad Paisley, 34, is originally from Glen Dale, W. Va. And his family still lives in the state.

The couple first met when she appeared in Paisley in 2002 video: “I will miss her,” They were married 15 March 2003 in Malibu, California, and now is on a 85-acre farm near Nashville. Brad Paisley’s wife, performance at the Grand Ole Opry, Little Jimmy Dickens surprised Paisley by rolling out a red Radio Flyer wagon filled with gifts to the child. Paisley for the 2007 performance schedule included a Wednesday appearance at the third annual Music City Jam, a private concert at Country Radio Seminar in Nashville. In October, he asked to be exempted from the CRS performance because of his wife’s expected due date.

Sandra Bullock Oscar Acceptance Speech

Sandra Bullock Oscar Acceptance Speech, If Sandra Bullock beats Meryl Streep to win the Academy Award for Best Actress tonight, she’ll make history, because in addition to being nominated for Oscar honors for her turn in the football drama The Blind Side, she also earned a nomination — from the Golden Raspberry Award Foundation — for Worst Actress of the year for starring in the abysmally-received comedy All About Steve. Last night in Hollywood, the classy actress actually showed up to receive her Razzie award, and she came bearing gifts.

Bullock, ever the good sport about being “honored,” teased the crowd in attendance, all of whom she guessed hadn’t actually seen All About Steve (which she also produced). During her acceptance speech (“I didn’t realize that in Hollywood that all you have to do is say you’ll show up and you’ll get [the award]. If I had known that, I would have said I was appearing at the Oscars a long time ago”), Bullock exacted a revenge of sorts when she carted out a wagon full of All About Steve DVDs to give to the audience.

And the 82nd Academy Award Winners

LOS ANGELES: Oscar Winning Movies, Here is the complete list of winners from Sunday night’s 82nd Academy Awards! Read on to see who took home an Oscar on film’s biggest night.

Best Picture
WINNER: “The Hurt Locker” Kathryn Bigelow, Mark Boal, Nicolas Chartier and Greg Shapiro

Directing
WINNER: “The Hurt Locker” Kathryn Bigelow

Actress in a Leading Role
WINNER: Sandra Bullock in “The Blind Side”

Actor in a Leading Role
WINNER: Jeff Bridges in “Crazy Heart”

Foreign Language Film
WINNER: “El Secreto de Sus Ojos” Argentina

Film Editing
WINNER: “The Hurt Locker” Bob Murawski and Chris Innis

Documentary (Feature)
WINNER: “The Cove” Fisher Stevens, Louie Psihoyos

Visual Effects
WINNER: “Avatar” Joe Letteri, Stephen Rosenbaum, Richard Baneham and Andrew R. Jones

Music (Original Score)
WINNER: “Up” Michael Giacchino

Cinematography
WINNER: “Avatar” Mauro Fiore

Sound Mixing
WINNER: “The Hurt Locker” Paul N.J. Ottosson and Ray Beckett

Sound Editing
WINNER: “The Hurt Locker” Paul N.J. Ottosson

Actor in a Supporting Role
WINNER: Christoph Waltz in “Inglourious Basterds”

Actress in a Supporting Role
WINNER: Mo’Nique in “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire”

Animated Feature Film
WINNER: “Up” Pete Docter

Art Direction
WINNER: “Avatar” Art Direction: Rick Carter and Robert Stromberg; Set Decoration: Kim Sinclair

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
WINNER: “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” Screenplay by Geoffrey Fletcher

Writing (Original Screenplay)
WINNER: “The Hurt Locker” Written by Mark Boal

Costume Design
WINNER: “The Young Victoria” Sandy Powell

Documentary (Short Subject)
WINNER: “Music by Prudence” Roger Ross Williams and Elinor Burkett

Makeup
WINNER: “Star Trek” Barney Burman, Mindy Hall and Joel Harlow

Music (Original Song)
WINNER: “The Weary Kind (Theme from Crazy Heart)” from “Crazy Heart” Music and Lyric by Ryan

Short Film (Animated)
WINNER: “Logorama” Nicolas Schmerkin

Short Film (Live Action)
WINNER: “The New Tenants” Joachim Back and Tivi Magnusson

Lara Dutta Is Serious: Akshay

MUMBAI INDIA: In the filmi circuit, Lara Dutta’s known to be not too friendly. Her co-star from Housefull, Akshay Kumar, remarks, “She’s a very serious person.

She doesn’t talk much.” To this, Lara says, “Yes I don’t talk much when I’m on the sets. You need to be serious about your work. I’m focussed about what I want to do, so I do that and leave.” But she doesn’t agree to the image that she’s not very friendly.

Watch me when I’m with my friends and you’ll agree that I’m fun-loving,” she said and adds, “About Akshay saying that I don’t talk much, well, with him around, who really gets a chance to talk. He does all the talking, so you are forced to keep quiet,” she smiles.

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