Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova favorites

The US Open starts on Monday and it looks like Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova have the best chances for the title. Let’s quickly review the recent action on the women’s tour and then look at the upcoming US Open, which is certainly one of the most exciting tournaments of the year.

Over the last 8 weeks the US Open Series was played out and Serena Williams ended up in first place in the US Open Series rankings. In case she wins the US Open tournament she would receive a $1 million dollar bonus on top of the regular prize money.

Serena is back to top form and did not lose a match in the US Open Series until pulling out of the second round in Cincinnati to rest a troublesome right big toe. She won the tournament in Stanford and the week after she won the Premier-level event in Toronto.

Since she won the US Open Series, Serena can now compete for the biggest paycheck in tennis history. If she wins the US Open she will collect $2.8 million dollars. She would get $1.8 million for winning the US Open, and a $1 million dollar bonus for winning both the US Open Series and the US Open. I believe this provides some extra motivation for Serena, especially since she hadn’t played for almost a year.



The other player next to Serena that I see with good chances to win the title is Maria Sharapova.



Sharapova has improved consistently over the last few months. I think she has been working really hard in order to put herself in position to contend for another major. She did well in the US Open Series, winning the Premiere-level event in Cincinnati and she also has the belief and the experience that are usually necessary to win a Grand Slam tournament. For her a lot depends on whether she gets her serve going or not.



The rest of the field is pretty wide open but I see a small group of players with outsider chances to win the title:

1. Vera Zvonareva
2. Agnieszka Radwanska
3. Andrea Petkovic
4. Sam Stosur
5. Sabine Lisicki

Vera Zvonareva has good memories from last year's US Open where she reached the finals. The fast surface suits her flat shots very well and she also played pretty solid since Wimbledon.

Agnieszka Radwanska has done really well in the US Open Series, finishing in a tied second place, and she seems to be playing very good tennis right now. Nevertheless she has never gone past the quarterfinals of a major and it will have to be seen whether she is mentally ready to contend for a Grand Slam title.



Andrea Petkovic has been improving on a consistent basis. She reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open and French Open this year. I don’t think she was mentally ready to take it a step further, but she might be now with a little more experience.

Sam Stosur has a very dangerous game on a fast court with her big serve and big forehand. After going through somewhat of a slump earlier in the year she has shown some strong form recently, reaching the finals of the Toronto event. She has also been to a Grand Slam final and knows what it’s like.

Sabine Lisicki surprised many people by reaching the Wimbledon semifinals this year. Most experts in the circuit were long aware though that she has a great game and the ability to beat anybody in the world if she can stay mentally tough. In addition, this weekend she won the Texas Tennis Open.

Caroline Wozniacki the number 1 player in the world, because she seems to be out of form. She was victorious at the New Haven Open, but had not won a single match in the US Open Series previously. I doubt that she has the game at the moment to compete for the title at the US Open.It's interesting thing to note that Serena Williams is seeded at number 28. The tournament officials decided to seed her according to her ranking and not make an exception because she was injured for so long.



Serena and Maria are in opposite halves so that would make a final between the two possible. Serena could also face number 4 seed, Victoria Azarenka, in the third round already, which I am sure Azarenka is not very happy about.

U.S. Open Tennis rocked by Venus shock withdrawal

Venus Williams quit the U.S. Open on Wednesday, revealing that she was suffering from a chronic illness that could threaten her future in the sport.



After a week when the last grand slam of the year was threatened by an earthquake then a hurricane, this was perhaps the biggest shock of all.



The two-time U.S. Open champion told officials she was withdrawing from the tournament less than an hour before she was due to play Germany's Sabine Lisicki in the second round.



Then she dropped the bombshell, revealing for the first time exactly what had kept her off the courts for months.



"I have recently been diagnosed with Sjogren's Syndrome," she said in a statement.



"(I) wish I could continue but right now I am unable to."



The disease drains people of their energy and causes joint pain. For a professional tennis player, that spells trouble but Williams said she had no thoughts of retiring.



"I am thankful I finally have a diagnosis and am now focused on getting better and returning to the court soon," she said.



The American was not the only high-profile casualty at Flushing Meadows on Wednesday but her illness did overshadow most of the on-court action.



Andy Murray, Britain's great perennial hope, made a bright start to his campaign while Argentina's Juan Martin Del Potro made a successful return two years after his stunning title success.



Three seeded women made early exits at the hands of lower-ranked players. Marion Bartoli, Dominika Cibulkova and Yanina Wickmayer all departed while the only male seed to lose was Nicolas Almagro of Spain, although Robin Soderling, seeded sixth, pulled out because of injury.

The Swede had been regarded as one of the few players able to challenge the big four of Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, but threw in the towel before his first round match.



Murray launched his campaign with a 7-6 6-2 6-3 victory over Somdev Devvarman of India. The Scotsman played below his best but still had plenty in reserve.



"It's all about just winning," Murray said. "That's all that matters at the end of the day."



Del Potro upset Federer to win the men's title two years ago but was unable to defend it because of a wrist injury that sidelined him for nearly nine months.



On Wednesday, he finally made it back and the towering Argentine was in a hurry to make up for lost time, crushing Italy's Filippo Volandri 6-3 6-1 6-1.



"It's my favourite tournament," Del Potro said. "I'm really happy to get the opportunity to play here again."



The women's draw, already depleted by the absence of Kim Clijsters and the early defeats of Petra Kvitova and Li Na, lost Bartoli to American Christina McHale and Cilbulkova to Irina Falconi, another American, giving rise to hope that the U.S. may eventually find a successor to the Williams sisters.



Russia's Vera Zvonareva, last year's runner-up and the second seed this time around, was never in any real danger of joining the casualty list even though she had a tough workout against Kateryna Bondarenko of Ukraine before triumphing 7-5 3-6 6-3.



There were five American winners among the men, including former champion Andy Roddick, but there was an upset when the Bryan brothers Mike and Bob were beaten by Ivo Karlovic and Frank, marking the first time in a decade the twins had been beaten in the opening round at a grand slam.

21st Annual NAACP Theatre Awards

Raven Symone is getting smaller every time I see her. I guess she is trying to catch up to Jennifer Hudson.



Even though her burgundy embellish Robert Ellis dress looks like a 'beauty pageant' dress, she looks beyond beautiful.



I kind of like her braided up-do and I am in love with her flawless make-up.





I haven't seen actress Jill Marie Jones much after 'Girlfriends' but she manages to stay on the red carpet.



She looks divine in her purple wrap draped dress.



I am not a fan of a great deal of weave but I love this look on her.





Nicey Nash looks gorgeous in her nude sequined dress.



I adore the bat wings sleeves and the silhouette fits her like a glove.



A soft up-do and neutral make-up completed her look.





Meh, Wendy Raquel Robinson looks just okay in her ecru sheath dress.



I am not digging her stiff weave nor her black heels paired with the dress.

Go Get'em! Demi Lovato Blasts Critics Over Healthy Weight

When I was watching the VMA's the other night, I saw Demi Lovato pop up looking healthy and nice. But alas, there are some people who actually blasting Lovato for new shapely "thickness".

""Guess what? I'm healthy and happy, and if you're hating on my weight you obviously aren't," Lovato, wrote on Twitter.

One the pressures of Hollywood is the staying thin, but the most iconic beauties of all-time was not a stick...that would be Marilyn Monroe.

My mom use to say she liked Marilyn because "she was a white girl with a butt" (um, I concur mom).

Marilyn's healthy body shape was probably one of the inspirations of Christina Hendricks iconic role as Joan Holloway role on Mad Men, which was a coup for Hendricks who isn't a size two.

I really don't have anything against thin gals.

Kelly Ripa is rail thin but sexy and even though Kerry Washington is slimmer now than she used to be, she is still flirty, healthy  and curvy.

There's nothing wrong being size 2, just as long as if the person is happy with the image they see in the mirror.

 For Demi Lovato it seems like her mirror is just fine.

T.I RELEASED FROM JAIL NOW ON THE WAY TO ATL GA.

Grand Hustle CEO Jason Geter and General manager Hannah Kang sent a custom tour bus to pick up Grand Hustle founder T.I. from an Arkansas prison early this morning. The rapper boarded the bus around 7:30 a.m., and is now on his way back to Atlanta to begin serving 30 days at a halfway house or home confinement.

Despite tweets from Geter and Kang announcing T.I.’s impending release, certain blogs chose to listen to others rather than to read Hannah’s Twitter page where the most accurate info was updated.

Posted by Faustine - GA

Deejay kdee Da Rock 7

OSAKA,KYOTO,YAMANASHI,SHIZUWOKA,OKINAWA,KAGOSHIMA AND HAWAII BE READY DEEJAY KDEE DA ROCK A.K.A PRETTY BOY IZ COMING THERE SOON!! VACATION WIT DJING ALL TO MAKE YA GO CRAZE!! MORE INFOR STAY ON LINE..

Deejay kdee da Rock

ROOM GO HAM!!!! lOL

Rihanna - Cheers

Sold more than 20 million album,
and 60 million singles,
Has hard many chart toppin hits,
Achieved many grammy n brits awards.


Rihanna,Lets drink to that


CHEERS!!


Straight ma lovely sisters,Mom n to all ma friends across da planet earth.


posted by Pretty Bow - Brown

USWAZI LONDON - MA SISTER FLORA IN UK...

Model shoots

Bro n sister..Tadei and Flora

Ma sisters..Flora n Ritha..

Pretties

Relaxin

Outing

Flora n Friends 

THREE DAYZ LEFT TO BDAY BASH IN YATCH 3RD SEPT 2011..

CL new gear iz bout 90,000 Yen in USD dolla iz about 1300 USD JP exchanging rate..You know who bought dat shoes? 

Lets get in YATCH for Bday Bash

Please..Please dress white!!

USWAZI blog we received VIP names who gonna rolling and cruising in YATCH this sat 03 sept 2011 Yokohama Akalenga Soko..USWAZI blog received bout 150 mails for application but Bday Management till today evening we decide only 18 names n we gonna publish those names tomorrow morning Japan time.If u will c ya name plz make sure ya have white dress from up to bottom.

NOTE; 1.BDAY DRESS CODE WILL B WHITE

2.REPORTING TIME IS 1600 HR

3.WE WILL NOT WAIT LATE COMERS

4.YATCH WILL FLOAT FROM 1700 UP TO 2100

5.ALL DRINKS N FOOD WILL B FREE.

PLZ VISIT USWAZI BLOG TOMORROW TO C IF YA AMONG WHO WILL FLOAT IN YATCH ON SATURDAY 3 SEPT 2011.

2011 VMA Awards Pitbull & Ne-Yo -Give Me Everything Tonight Live

Pitbull n Neyo also hit MTV music awards 2011 wit New track give me everything tonigh..So gorge galz on floor..Lol

Bruno Mars - Valerie (Amy Winehouse tribute, VMAs 2011)

Big up Bruno Mars ya vocals n dancing iz real homie..Valerie by Amy Winehouse R.I.P baby..

Nicki Minaj backstage at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards

One love Tokyo..Harajuku styles Nick feel on ya fashion..Lol

2011 MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS: BEYONCE, KATY PERRY, BRITNEY SPEARS, LADY G...

So great show one love to Gaga,Lil Wayne,Kanye n HOV and last thumb up Chriss Brown ya craze on floor..Pitbull n Neyo big up too without 4get ma boy Bruno M..

In Loving Memory Of The King Of Pop: Michael Jackson

You will always be missed,but your legacy will last forever.No man or woman will ever be able to copy the blueprint that you so successfully layed out in your career.May your soul rest in peace,and Thank You Michael Jackson for the memories.You are not alone.  

Rihanna Gets Another Wax Figure,This Time In Berlin

Rihanna got herself another wax figure at Madame Tussauds in Berlin,Germany,red hair and all. The museum unveiled the sculpted piece of the popstar with her wearing a similar outfit to the one she wore in Who's That Chick video.Well,it favors Rih Rih,but not closing the mouth piece was a no no.More after the break..     

Photos: WENN

Nicki Minaj Still Rocking Every Color In The Rainbow

After making a GD fool of herself last night in that outfit,Nicki Minaj helped Lil Wayne celebrate at his album release party at Boulevard 3 in Hollywood.No matter what she wears,its just not it!She needs a stylist bad. More after the jump..  

Kat Deluna Hits The 'In Touch' Annual Icons & Idols Event

Singer Kat DeLuna arrived at the In Touch Weekly's 4th Annual Icons & Idols event on Sunday in West Hollywood.Kat Deluna's single,Drop It Low must not have done so well because there is no buzz about it!Oh well,she looks good though.More after the break.. 

Photos: Valerie Macon/Getty Images