One month after their great fortnight in New York, the World's top doubles team is back on the tour this week in the Russian capital to defend their title. Cara and Liezel will be the first seeds, the other seeds being Peschke/Stubbs (2), the Bondarenko sisters (3) and Petrova/Srebotnik (4).

In the first round, Cara and Liezel will play against Akgul Amanmuradova of Uzbekistan and Darya Kustova of Belarus tomorrow, fifth match from 11am local time (GMT+3).

This tournament is the first one of Black and Huber's four tournaments European indoor season, before Zurich, Linz and the Season Ending Championships in Doha.

Full draw here

 

 

05/10/08

 

Cara's blog

Hello everyone,

Sorry I have not blogged for such a long time. Anyway I wanted to tell you all a little bit about the last few months which have been very exciting.

I will start with the Olympics in Beijing which was just amazing. Unfortunately there was noone for me to play doubles with from Zimbabwe but I was very lucky to receive a wildcard from the ITF in the singles event. I had a tough match against Jelena Jankovic but it was great to have all my countrymen there supporting me. The Zim team was really awesome, we had 13 athletes, so it was pretty small but we all got on really well and had alot of fun. Brett came with me as my coach for the tennis so it was really incredible to share such an experience together. The opening ceremony was the absolute highlight, walking into that stadium with a hundred thousand people cheering, it gave us goose bumps. we also got to go and support alot of our team mates in other events, so we got to watch a lot of swimming (where our girl Kirsty [Coventry] won a gold and three silvers), athletics, rowing, diving and hockey.
Staying in the village was such a buzz aswell. It is really exciting ... [read more]

02/10/08

 

Cara and Liezel WIN the US Open 2008

Today in New York City, on center court, Liezel Huber and Cara Black, co ranked top doubles players of the past two years, won against former top players, Samantha Stosur and Lisa Raymond. Once again, they lost no set on their way to the title. Final score 6-3 / 7-6 (6).

This victory in the US Open is their first together in that tournament, and their fourth in total together (after Wimbledon 2005 and 2007 and the Australian Open 2007). Despite their ranking as number one players in doubles acquired at the end of last season, this victory is their first Grand Slam victory of the year, after one quarterfinals and two semifinals. This confirms their status (with 2100 points more than their closer opponents) and grant them to finish the year as n°1 doubles players.

Cara and Liezel leave New York City with a perfect score: Cara winning both the mixed doubles and the ladies doubles titles, and Liezel winning the ladies doubles, and being runner up in the mixed doubles.

CONGRATULATIONS TO CARA AND LIEZEL !

07/09/08

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cara and Leander Paes win Mixed Doubles tournament

Cara and Liezel had an appointment today on the Arthur Ashe court of Flushing Meadows. But for once, they were not playing side by side, but in opposite sides. Awkward situation for the tied World number one doubles players and regular partners.

The match has been as tight as expected, with no break in the first set between Cara/Leander and Liezel/Jamie, but very good points. The first set had to be decided in a tie break. Liezel and Jamie lead it 5-2 then got a set point, but Cara saved it brilliantly, and her and her partner took the first opportunity they got to end the set 7-6 (8-6). Breaking early in the second set, Cara and Paes took an important advantage, and never lost it, to end the set 6-4. Final score: 7-6 (6) 6-4.

Tomorrow, the Black/Huber team will go back to their team routine, as they will play their semifinal match in the Ladies doubles. Together, they will try to defeat the Spanish Medina Garrigues and Ruano Pascual. Already qualified for the final for the bottom half of the draw: Lisa Raymond and Samantha Stosur.

04/09/08

 

Cara and Liezel into last four in Flushing Meadows

Quite an easy win again today for the top seeds against Bronze medallists in Beijing last month, Zi Yan and Jie Zheng of China. Final score 6-4 / 6-3. They will play their semifinal probably on Friday, against Silver medallists in Beijing and Roland Garros winners, Spanish Medina Garrigues and Ruano Pascual. The occasion for Cara and Liezel to get their revenge from the semifinal on the French clay.

The other semifinal: Raymond and Stosur vs Srebotnik and Sugiyama.

But next on Cara and Liezel's schedule, the Mixed doubles final tomorrow. May the better team win!

03/09/08

 

Black team vs Huber team in the mixed doubles final

Cara and her partner Leander Paes, seeded 5 there in Flushing Meadows, were the first team to qualify today for the mixed doubles final. They did it by beating Jonas Bjorkman and Nadia Petrova 6-4 / 6-4.

This will be Cara's fourth mixed doubles final in Slam (she won with her brother Wayne in Roland Garros 2002 and Wimbledon 2004), and Leander's eighth (he won with Lisa Raymond in Wimbledon 1999 and with Martina Navratilova the Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2003, and was a finalist at the US Open last year with Meghann Shaughnessy).

Later today, Liezel and her partner Jamie Murray imitated them, by defeating Jill Craybas and Eric Butorac, 6-3 / 6-4.

Liezel has already reached two grand slam finals, in Wimbledon in 2001 with Mike Bryan and in 2005 in the Australian Open with Kevin Ulyett, with no success so far. Jamie won his first and only final until now, in Wimbledon 2007 with Jelena Jankovic.

The final is scheduled on Thursday afternoon. In the mean time, Cara and Liezel will reunite to try to do the same in the ladies doubles tournament. They will play their quarterfinal tomorrow, against Yan Zi and Zheng Jie from China, second match from 12.30pm local time.

02/09/08

 

Winning day for Cara and Liezel in NY City

They played their first match of the doubles tournament today and won it with a convincing 6-0 / 6-4. Their opponents in the first round were Yanina Wickmayer and Petra Cetkowska. The Seed 1 of the tournament started very fast, and won the first set 6-0. The second set was a bit tougher to win: Wickmayer and Cetkowska broke at the very start of the set, and led up to 4-2. Then the World top players had to rise the level to break back and end the set 6-4. In the next round, their opponents will be either Lucie Hradecka/Renata Voracova from the Czech Republic or Christina Fusano and Shenay Perry from the USA. Full draw here

Later today , each of them had to play their first round match in the mixed doubles draw. Liezel partners again with Jamie Murray, with whom she had been to the semifinals in New York last year. Their first round opponents were Katerina Bondarenko and Andre Sa, that they beat quite easily 6-3 / 6-2. A few hours later Cara, teaming up with Leander Paes from India, won against US Wild Cards Melanie Oudin and Donald Young on the exact same score as her regular partner 6-3 / 6-2. Full draw here

Tomorrow is a day off for both girls. Other results for that first day in the doubles competition: Seed 2 Peschke and Stubbs and Seed 3 Chan and Chuang lost, as well as the defending Champion Nathalie Dechy and her new partner Casey Dellacqua, Seed 9 of the competition.

27/08/08

 

Liezel's blog from the US Open 2008

Hi from New York!

It sure has been a whirlwind of a year... Can you believe it's already US Open time! Where did the year go? It seems like just when we celebrated one birthday, then before we know it it's the next birthday... I have decided that I am not going to be celebrating my birthday anymore. I want to stay young forever! Thanks for all the birthday wishes I received. I really appreciate it. Remember though, no need for it next year :-)

This year has been hectic. I am not complaining. I wouldn't have it any other way. I am so grateful for everything.

To read more, click here

26/08/08

 

US Open Doubles draw out

This event is the last Grand Slam of the year and the doubles tournament start on Wednesday. Cara and Liezel, seed 1 of the tournament, will play in the first round against Yanina Wickmayer from Belgium and Petra Cetkowska from the Czech Republic. The other main seeds are Peschke/Stubbs (seed 2), Chan/Chuang (seed 3) and Srebotnik/Sugiyama (seed 4). Full draw here

24/08/08

Cara and Liezel first team to qualify for Doha

It's been announced by the WTA today, Cara and Liezel are the first team officially to qualify for the Season Ending Championships held this year in Doha. Last year, Cara and Liezel won the event, that was then held in Madrid. They are right now ahead with around 2000 points over their followers.

20/08/08

 

Cara and Liezel out in first round in New Haven

Only a few days after being back from Beijing and with a timechange of 12 hours, Cara and Liezel played their first round in New Haven today, and lost it to Patty Schnyder and Liga Dekmeijere. Final score 3-6 / 6-3 / 6-10.

The next event for the Zimbabwean-American duo will be the last of the four Grand Slams of the year, the US Open in Flushing Meadows, that takes place next week.

19/08/08

 

Cara and Liezel back to the team business in New Haven

After this Olympic week they spent in Beijing with mixed fortunes (Cara lost in the first round of the singles tournament vs World number one Jelena Jankovic and Liezel in the quarterfinals of the doubles with Lindsay Davenport against Medina Garrigues and Ruano Pascual), Cara and Liezel are back to the WTA Tour with for sure lots of memories.

Now, they will prepare for the last Grand Slam tournament of the year, with the challenge to improve their result in major tournaments this season (semis in the French and Wimbledon). Indeed, World tied number one doubles players have already won 7 titles this year, but really want to top their success with a great result in Grand Slam. And the last step before Flushing Meadows is this week's tournament in New Haven, Connecticut.

In the first round of the Tier II tournament, Cara and Liezel will play against Patty Schnyder from Switzerland and Liga Dekmeijere from Latvia. Full draw here

16/08/08

 

Liezel's blog from Beijing - Day 7 - Last entry

BEIJING, China - It was a whirlwind few days but Liezel Huber made it all the way from Canada to California to China, and now she is primed to play the Olympics under the American flag for the first time. Come along to Beijing with the doubles co-world No.1 in the latest Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Player Blog straight from the Chinese capital.

"Hey everyone!

It's been more than 24 hours since I've updated my blog... I promise it wasn't on purpose! You see we lost our quarterfinal match last night. Our scores were 57 76(6) 86. If you looked at the total points won, I am sure it was very even. The match was that close! We never had any match points, but came within two points of winning... Obviously we are very disappointed and would love to have gone further, and maybe win a medal, but it wasn't in the cards.

As you are reading this, I'm on the flight to New York! Right now we're in the airport"

For more, click here

Thanks to www.sonyericssonwtatour.com

16/08/08

 

Liezel and Lindsay out of the Olympic tournament after 3 hours marathon!

Today, in the quarters, they had to play against very tough opponents, the Spanish team composed by Anabel Medina Garrigues and Virginia Ruano Pascual, winners in June in Roland Garros. Final score, after more than 3 hours: 7-5 / 6-7(6) / 6-8.

The match started with an early break for Liezel and Lindsay, but the Spanish fought to come back and it was tied until 5-5. Then the US Team could break to close the set 7-5. It's been as tied in the second set and the decision was finally made in a tie break. Liezel and Lindsay were down 0-4, but then regroupped and got tied 6-6. The Spanish then could make the difference and won second set 7-6, 8-6 in the tie break. The third set started like the first set, with the US team leading 3-0, but then as usual the seed 4 showed their fighting spirit and came back to 4-4. They even got a match point on the seed 5's serve, but missed it. Unfortunately, they did not miss their second match point a few games later. They won third set 8-6.

To know more about the match and Liezel's thoughts, make sure to read today's blog entry online later on.

15/08/08

 

 

Liezel and Lindsay win second round match today

They won their second match in the Olympic doubles tournament vs tough Belarus team composed by Viktoria Azarenka and Tatiana Poutchek, but in three sets this time 6-4 / 4-6 / 6-3.

In the next round, they will meet either Roland Garros winners Medina Garrigues and Ruano Pascual of Spain or former World number one Doubles players Stosur and Stubbs of Australia. Full draw here

To know more about the match and Liezel's thoughts, make sure to read today's blog entry online later on.

13/08/08

 

 

Easy first round for Liezel and Lindsay

They won their first match in the Olympic doubles tournament vs Polish team Jans/Rosolska 6-2 / 6-1. In the next round, they will meet either Azarenka/Poutchek of Belarus or Ani/Kanepi of Estonia. Full draw here

12/08/08

 

Cara fights well but loses in the Olympic tournament first round

The draw was not easy for Cara at the Olympic singles tournament in Beijing as she drew singles current World number one player Jelena Jankovic. For only her 7th singles match of the year, Cara did well, and only lost being one break down in each set, 3-6 3-6.

Tomorrow, Liezel will enter the doubles tournament with her partner Lindsay Davenport second match on court 5 from 10.30am local time.

11/08/08

 

Cara's match postponed to tomorrow due to rain

The Olympic tennis tournament suffered from heavy rain today. First, it started almost 3 hours later than scheduled, and then, after only a few matches completed (9 in total), it had to stop. Unfortunately, the forecast was not good enough to start again, and all unplayed matches, including Cara's first round match vs Jankovic, have been postponed to tomorrow. This match will be played tomorrow evening.

10/08/08

 

Next days' programme in Beijing

A few days ago, all draws for the tennis tournament at the Olympics have been announced . In the singles draw, Cara, doubles World number one, will have to face the next singles World number one, Jelena Jankovic, seed 2 of the tournament. Today, it's been announced that Jelena Jankovic was injured, therefore unsure to play. If she had to withdraw, she'd be replaced by an alternate player. Anyway, the match is scheduled tomorrow, last match of center court. Full draw here.

In the doubles tournament, the American team Davenport/Huber, seed 5 of the tournament, will meet in the first round the Polish team Jans and Rosolska. Lindsay had to withdraw yesterday from the singles tournament, but still hopes she could play in the doubles, else Jill Craybas would replace her. The match is not scheduled tomorrow, so it will probably be played on Monday or Tuesday. Full draw here.

Moreover, Liezel will be blogging every day from Beijing both on this site and www.wtatour.com , first entry online soon. Make sure you don't miss these stories from inside team USA!

09/08/08

 

Cara and Liezel take the title at the Rogers Cup

Cara and Liezel, who had already won titles at Antwerp, Dubai, Berlin, Birmingham, Eastbourne earlier in the season and at Stanford two weeks ago, were barely tested at the Canadian event; indeed, they've won their 3 matches in straight sets, dropping just 11 games in the process (they did not play their semifinals as they were granted a WO after Zvonareva/Vesnina withdrew).

In their 9th final of the year, the Zimbabwean-American pairing made a fast start and was ruthless to the Italian-Russian team Pennetta/Kirilenko. They broke serve two times on their way to wrapping up the first set in 26 minutes on a 6-1.

When the top seeds broke serve to open up the second set it quickly appeared there was only going to be one way. It went as fast as first set, and Cara and Liezel could conclude it in 28 minutes on another 6-1.

This victory there at the Rogers Cup is the 7th of the year for Black and Huber, and their 19th together. They are more than ever the Top doubles players in the WTA rankings (with almost 1200 points ahead of the 3rd player), and lead the Race to the Championships with a huge margin of 2100 points over their followers.

In the next days, Cara and Liezel will fly to Beijing, where they both will play the Olympics, Liezel in doubles for the USA with Lindsay Davenport, and Cara in singles for Zimbabwe.

03/08/08

 

 

Cara and Liezel into the final of the Rogers Cup

Another straight set victory in the Quarterfinals yesterday in Montréal for Cara and Liezel against Sabine Lisicki and Stéphanie Dubois. Final score: 6-4 / 6-1.

Their opponents in the semis, Russians Vesnina and Zvonareva, that they beat two weeks ago in the final of The Bank of the West Classic in Stanford, withdrew today because of an injury of Vera Zvonareva. A walk over that qualifies the top seeds directly for the final of the tournament tomorrow against Kirilenko/Pennetta, who defeated seed 2 Peschke and Stubbs today, 6-4 6-0.

02/08/08

Singles tournament over for Cara, now the doubles!

Today, Cara's singles run ended on the Banque Nationale court against Anastasia Rodionova. Final score: 6-2 / 6-2.

Concerning the doubles tournament, Cara and Liezel received a bye for the first round, and will play in the second round against Liga Dekmeijere and Angela Haynes, tomorrow or on Wednesday.

Cara and Liezel reached the final last year in Toronto (the Rogers Cup is held one year in Toronto, and the following year in Montreal) which they lost against Srebotnik and Sugiyama. They come back this year as seed 1, the holders not being there together to defend their title (Sugiyama will play here with Morita in order to prepare for the Olympics).

The other seeds of the tournament this year are Peschke/Stubbs (seed 2), Azarenka/Peer (seed 3) and Chan/Mattek (seed 4).

28/07/08

 

Cara qualifies for Main Draw in The Rogers Cup

After beating Sesil Karantantcheva, a seed of the qualification draw, 7-6 / 7-5 yesterday, Cara defeated Olga Puchkova, another seed today 6-3 / 1-0 retirement. This is the first time Cara qualifies for a main draw in two years, since she decided to play more doubles, and two years ago, that was already in Montreal.

Cara decided to come back to singles matches at the beginning of 2008 in order to prepare for the Olympics where she will represent her country, Zimbabwe, in the singles tournament. After three unsuccessful but promising attempts in Antwerp, Charleston and Stanford (respectively against Arvidsson, Haynes and Stevenson), Cara finally could win matches this week in Canada.

Tomorrow, Cara will play her first round match in Main Draw vs Anastasia Rodionova. They'll play 3rd match from 11am. Full draw here

27/07/08

 

Cara and Liezel win in Stanford

The Bank of the West classic is the 6th tournament won this year by the World's best doubles players, after Antwerp, Dubai, Berlin, Birmingham and Eastbourne. Definitely the best result for a doubles team this year, which comforts their tied World number one status.

In the final today, they won in straight sets for the third time this week, vs Vesnina and Zvonareva from Russia, 6-4 6-3. Full draw here.

Next tournament for Cara and Liezel in Toronto for the Rogers Cup in two weeks.

20/07/08

 

Cara and Liezel support First Serve's program

 

 

Liezel and Cara met with more than 40 kids from First Serve’s East Palo Alto Tennis & Tutoring (EPATT) program yesterday . The program, located at Stanford University, is one of the top 10 inner city tennis programs in the nation. In addition to tennis, the program focuses on academics and life skills with the goal of empowering kids to be successful and productive adults. 

For more information on the program, visit First Serve's website

17/07/08

 

 

 

Cara and Liezel win first round match in Stanford

Today, on center court, Cara and Liezel played in the first round against two left-handed players Nathalie Grandin from South Africa and Angela Haynes from the USA. And they won it quite easily in straight sets, 6-4 / 6-3.

Next opponents for the top seeded team: Hrdinova/Uhlirova on Thursday. Full draw here.

14/07/08

 

Cara loses in the first round of qualifications in Stanford

For the third time of the season this year after Antwerp and Charleston, Cara has been given a Wild Card to play the singles qualifications in a WTA tournament. This constitutes a good preparation for the Beijing Olympics next month for which Cara has been given a Wild Card by the ITF to represent her country, Zimbabwe, in the singles tournament.

Today, at the Bank of the West classic, Cara, who was at her top number 31 in singles, played against Alexandra Stevenson, former top 20 player from the USA. The two players had already met twice about ten years ago, and were tied 1-1. The match was quite close, and Cara only was one break down in each set. Final score: 3-6 / 5-7 Full draw here.

Tomorrow, the doubles draw will be announced, with Cara and Liezel being seed 1.

12/07/08

 

No third title in Wimbledon for Cara and Liezel

Cara and Liezel lost today against seed 16 Samantha Stosur and Lisa Raymond 6-3 / 6-3.

Later today, Liezel and her partner Jamie Murray lost their mixed doubles semifinal in three close sets 6-2 / 6-7 / 4-6 against Samantha Stosur and Bob Bryan.

04/07/08

 

Schedule of last Friday for Cara and Liezel in Wimbledon

Cara and Liezel will play their semifinal match tomorrow at 1pm local time on court 2. Their opponents are former number one players, Samantha Stosur and Lisa Raymond.

The two teams played only twice the one against the other. The first time was last year in Melbourne, for the semifinals, while Cara and Liezel were on their way for the Australian Open 2007 title. Then the second time was a final, in the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami in 2007. But that time, the winners of that match were the US/Australian team in the match tie break.

After being away from the Tour for several months due to Samantha Stosur's illness, Raymond and Stosur made their come back last May in Rome, and had their first big win of the season last week in Wimbledon against seed 3 Peschke and Stubbs.

After the doubles match, Liezel will play her mixed doubles semifinal match with Jamie Murray on center court, third match from 1pm. And their opponents are Bob Bryan, and once again Samantha Stosur.

03/07/08

 

Cara and Liezel into the last four in Wimbledon 2008

Cara and Liezel started their quarterfinal match today around 12.15pm and closed it on another straight sets victory at around 5.40pm! Of course, rain made a come back this year at the All England club. The match has been stopped twice. Before the first rain delay, Cara and Liezel were lead by their opponents Peer and Azarenka 1*-3. Then after around one hour break, the our players came back shortly on court, to see the World's top player regroup and lead 5-4*.

Then, almost two hours later, the match could go on till the end. Azarenka could hold her serve after coming back on court, but after Cara's hold, Shahar Peer lost her serve, and first set was won 7-5 by Black and Huber. The second set has been a long serie of holding serves, leading eventually to a tie break. Cara and Liezel could break and finally take it 7-4. Final score: 7-5 / 7-6.

In the next round, Cara and Liezel will face old acquaintances, former number one players Sam Stosur and Lisa Raymond, on Friday.

Later today, Cara and Paul Hanley lost in their 3rd round mixed doubles match against Stosur and Bryan, while Liezel and Jamie Murray won against Chuang and Nestor to qualify for the mixed doubles semis.

02/07/08

 

Double victory for Cara and Liezel in the mixed draw

Today Cara and Liezel had a day off from the doubles main draw, but they both had matches in the mixed doubles draw. While Cara and her partner Aussie Paul Hanley won their second round in straight sets 6-4 / 6-4 against Agnes Szavay and Yves Allegro, Liezel and Jamie Murray won their third round match against Chaan and Knowle 6-4 / 6-3.

Tomorrow, Cara and Liezel will play their quarterfinal match against Victoria Azarenka and Shahar Peer. Cara will also probably have to play her mixed doubles third round match later that day, against Samantha Stosur and Bob Bryan, and Liezel and Jamie Murray their quarterfinal match vs Nestor and Chuang.

01/07/08

 

Another straight sets victory to make it into Quarterfinals

Another match won in Wimbledon for Cara and Liezel, and another straight sets victory for the defending Champions of the tournament. Final score against Vania King and Alla Kudriavtseva: 6-1 / 6-3.

This victory is Cara and Liezel's 11th victory on grass this season and their 17th victory in a row on grass since Eastbourne last year. And maybe even more impressive, this is their 15th victory as a team in Wimbledon out of 15 matches played (in 2005, 2007 and 2008)!

In the next round, it may be a tougher match, as the American-Zimbabwean team will meet either Agnes Szavay and Dinara Safina (seed 10) or Victoria Azarenka and Shahar Peer (seed 6). Match to be played on Monday or Tuesday.

28/06/08

 

Cara and Liezel win their second round match in the Championships

In the late afternoon today, the holders of the title beat quite easily Vera Dushevina and Ekaterina Dzehalevich in straight sets. Final score: 6-0 / 6-2. Their next opponents will be Vania King of the USA and Alla Kudriavtseva of Russia.

Today, the second seeds of the tournament, who were also Cara and Liezel's runners up last year, Katarina Srebotnik and Ai Sugiyama lost to unseeded Raquel Kops Jones and Abigail Spears of the USA.

27/06/08

 

Liezel member of the US Olympic team

It has been revealed yesterday, Liezel will be one of the 9 members of the Olympic team (5 men and 4 women) representing the USA next month in Beijing. She will play the doubles tournament with former number one Lindsay Davenport. The other doubles team is composed of the Williams sisters. Full article here

On the other hand, Cara will not play the doubles tournament in Beijing, as there is no other Zimbabwean tennis player in the rankings. But she has been given by the ITF a Wild Card to represent her country in the singles tournament.

27/06/08

 

First Round match won in Wimbledon's centre court

In 49 minutes, the Championships title holders could defeat the team composed of Nathalie Grandin (South Africa) and Tsvetana Pironkova (Bulgaria). Final score: 6-1 / 6-0. The World's top players could show all their talent in that one way match with 57 points won out of 81.

In the next round on Friday, they will meet Vera Dushevina of Russia and Ekaterina Dzehalevitch of Bielorussia. Full draw here

Today was also released the Mixed Doubles draw. As in the Australian Open and Roland Garros, Cara will play with Paul Hanley of Australia and Liezel with Jamie Murray of Scotland. Cara and Paul are seeds 4 of the tournament and Liezel and Jamie are seeds 12. Both teams receive a Bye for the first round. Full draw here

25/06/08

 

And the grass winning streak goes on...

Second grass tournament of the year after Birmingham, and second victory for Black and Huber! Which means, they have 14 consecutive victories on grass since their defeat in the semis of Eastbourne last year.... against their runners up of the day, Peschke and Stubbs. This is also their 5th tournament won this year!

The match started with Liezel winning her serve game to love, but then Peschke and Stubbs took the advantage and lead until winning first set 6-2. The second set was better for seeds 1, with a very sharp 6-0. So a match tie break was to be played. And what a suspenseful one! Cara and Liezel were lead 3-7 before regrouping and closing it 10-8. What a thrilling match to follow for the thousand of persons attending at the Devonshire park of Eastbourne.

No time for celebration for Cara and Liezel though, as the serious stuff keeps going next week in Wimbledon, where they have to defend their title. They will play their first round against Nathalie Grandin of South Africa and Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria.

22/06/08

 

Seeds 1 vs Seeds 2 in Eastbourne final

Despite several rain delays in the singles matches before, Cara and Liezel could play their doubles semis today against Olga Govortsova and Jill Craybas, opponents they had beaten last week in Birmingham. Score of today's match: 6-1 / 6-4 in one hour.

Therefore, World's top players will play tomorrow their 7th final of the year against a team they have already met several times this past couple of years, Kveta Peschke of the Czech Republic, and Rennae Stubbs of Australia. Match scheduled on center court at Devonshire park, around 2pm.

20/06/08

 

Cara and Liezel into the semis of Eastbourne

After a long fight, the World's best players could defeat Alisa Kleybanova and Galina Voskoboeva of Russia in straight sets 7-5 / 7-5. In the first set, the two teams were very close, until 5-5, serve for the Russian team. Then Cara and Liezel could break despite a bad call. And they could end first set on Cara's serve. In the second set, the Zimbabwean-American pair got broken very early, and have been lead 1-4 and then 2-5. At 3-5, on Cara's serve, they saved three set points but could go on scoring and getting back. One more set point saved later, they win the second set and therefore the match.

In the next round, Cara and Liezel will play against Olga Govortsova and Jill Craybas, that defeated the African team Grandin and Sfar today. Match scheduled on Friday.

18/06/08

 

Cara and Liezel win first round match in Eastbourne

This morning, the World top doubles players showed some great tennis to the English crowd of Eastbourne by beating the all Romanian team Gallovits-Niculescu in straight sets 6-2 / 6-0. Cara and Liezel made the difference from the beginning and could keep their level till the end. This victory brings their winning streak on grass to 11 matches since Eastbourne's final last year.

In the next round, tomorrow afternoon, they will face Alisa Kleybanova and Galina Voskoboeva, who beat Dechy and Dellacqua in straights sets as well today.

17/06/08

 

Cara and Liezel win in Birmingham

It took seeds 1 of the tournament less than one hour to defeat Séverine Brémond and Virginia Ruano Pascual in the final today: final score: 6-2 / 6-1.

This victory is the 4th of the year for Black and Huber after Antwerp, Dubai and Berlin. This is their 16th victory together since 1998 out of 54 tournaments played. This is also Cara's 50th doubles victory in her doubles career, and Liezel's 39th.

Next week, Cara and Liezel will go on with the grass season in Eastbourne. Full draw here.

15/06/08

Cara and Liezel lose in the semis of Roland Garros

That's over for Cara and Liezel in the French Open, both in doubles and mixed doubles. Yesterday, after over a 2 hours match and 2 sets, the World's best doubles team got beaten by Spanish Medina Garrigues and Ruano Pascual. Final score: 6-4 / 7-6.

Later that day, in the mixed doubles tournament, Liezel and her Scottish partner Jamie Murray could do nothing against Viktoria Azarenka of Belarus and Bob Bryan of the USA. Final score: 6-0 / 7-6.

Next tournament for the Black and Huber team: next week in Birmingham, first grass tournament to prepare for the defence of their Wimbledon title..

05/06/08

 

Cara and Liezel among the last four teams in Paris

Today, Cara and Liezel played their quarterfinals against Spanish players Maria José Martinez Sanchez and Nuria Llagostera Vives, the team they had beaten in the final of Berlin this year. After quite a difficult start of the match (they were lead 0-3 then 2-5), the World's best doubles players could come back strong at 5-5 and then win the tie break 8-6, after being lead 4-6. The second set went more easily. Final score: 7-6 / 6-2

So as last year, the Black and Huber team will play the semis of Roland Garros. Their opponents for next round will be either Anabel Medina Garrigues and former doubles number one player Virginia Ruano Pascual or the Taiwanese team Chan and Chuang. Match played on Wednesday or Thursday.

03/06/08

 

Cara and Liezel into quarters of the French Open tomorrow

On Sunday, Cara and Liezel played their third round match of the French Open against Vladimira Uhlirova and Mariya Koryttseva, a team that they had beaten once already this year, but after saving one match point in Miami's first round. It all started with a 4-0 lead for the Czech-Ukrainian team, who won first set 6-3. Then, Cara and Liezel could start playing their game and after being lead 1-2 with one break down, they could score the next 11 games to end the match on 3-6 / 6-2 / 6-0.

In the mixed doubles tournament, Liezel and Jamie Murray went to the next round without playing, as their opponents Knowles and Yan withdraw before playing. But Cara and Paul Hanley lost today against Zheng and Bupathi in straight sets 7-6 / 6-1.

Tomorrow, Cara and Liezel will play their quarter finals against Spanish clay court specialists Nuria Llagostera Vives and Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez, on court 1 from 11am.

02/06/08

 

Cara and Liezel's sunny Saturday in Paris

Today was a tough day for Cara and Liezel in Roland Garros tournament, as they played both their women doubles second round match, and their mixed doubles first round match.

It all started on court 17 around 1pm. The seeds one of the women doubles tournament met Ekaterina Makarova and Alisa Kleybanova from Russia. First set started with a break from the Russian, but Cara and Liezel could come back and win it 6-4. In the second set, the World top doubles players could not make the difference and it finished in a tie break, lost 4-7. In the last set, Cara and Liezel could regroup and lead it easily, with great net points and shots from the baseline. Final score: 6-4 / 6-7 / 6-2 in 2h30.

Next round match for Cara and Liezel vs Mariya Koryttseva and Vladimira Uhlirova tomorrow, second match from 11am on court 3. The two teams have already met this year in Miami's first round, and Cara and Liezel won it after saving one match point.

Later today, Cara and Paul Hanley, seeds 6 of the tournament, started their mixed doubles tournament with a tough match against Elena Likhovtseva and Daniel Nestor. And they won it 6-4 / 3-6 / 10-7. Unseeded Liezel and Jamie Murray also won their first round match against Caroline Wozniacki and Marcin Matkowski, 6-0 / 4-6 / 10-8. Next round matches on Monday.

31/05/08

 

Cara and Liezel win first round match in the French Open

Today, the World Top players won their first round match in Paris against Mervana Jugic-Salkic and Klaudia Jans. Final score: 6-3 / 6-4

Cara and Liezel will play their second match on Saturday, against either Kleybanova/Makarova or Dushevina/Perebiynis, who will meet tomorrow.

Cara and Liezel are also playing the mixed doubles tournament in Paris, Cara with Paul Hanley, and Liezel with Jamie Murray. First round matches start on Saturday as well.

29/05/08

 

Blog from Paris by Liezel

Coucou de Paris!

After Rome, Cara and her husband went to their apartment in London for 6 days. Tony and I came early to Paris. Cara and I arranged to start practicing here in Paris on Friday. So that's what we have been doing the last week... We have worked hard on and off the court. Now if only the rain will stop, then we can get to play our 1st round match!!!!

It's felt like Wimbledon in a way; the same matches being on the schedule day after day...
 
I know Cara enjoyed being home for the week. She travels so much; in between going back to their family home in Zimbabwe, Australia (that's where he husband is from) and her apartment in London. Her brother, Wayne and his wife and their two kids live in London. She loves spending time with all of them! 

Tony and I watched a lot of qualifying matches during our first week here. [Read More]

 

Cara and Liezel lose in the quarter at Rome

It was the fourth time Black/Huber and Peng/Sun met this year. After three defeats, this time the Chinese team has won. Peng/Sun win against Cara and Liezel 6/4 5/7 6/10.

Their next tournament is the grand slam, Roland Garros.

 

Cara and Liezel into quarters in Rome

Today, the World Top players won their second round match against American Jill Craybas and Russian Alla Kudryavtseva, final score 6-3 6-3.

In the quarterfinals, their opponents will be Chinese Peng and Sun again, after their today victory vs seed 7 and Australian Open winners Alona and Kateryna Bondarenko. Cara and Liezel actually beat the Chinese pair three times this year so far out of three meetings, in Dubai, Miami and on the German clay of Berlin last week. It has always been tough matches against the Chinese, so the top seeds of the tournament will probably be very careful about that match. That match is to be played tomorrow at 2pm.

Other results of the second round today: Seed 2 Sugiyama and Srebotnik lost to Jans and Jugic Salkic 6-1 / 5-7 / 4-10, former World number ones Raymond and Stosur and seed 6 of the tournament lost to unseeded Benesova and Husarova in Super Tie break and seed 9 Yan and Zheng from China lost to Spanish clay specialist Ruano Pascual and Medina Garrigues in straight sets.

Full draw here

15/05/08

 

Cara and Liezel win at Berlin

Today, at Qatar Telecom German Open, Cara and Liezel win their third title this year after Antwerp and Dubai.

They win in the final against Llagostera Vives/Martínez Sánchez 3/6 6/2 10/2.

Next week, Cara and Liezel will play at Rome. They have a bye for the first round but they will meet Craybas/Kudryavtseva or Poutchek/Rodionova in the second round. Full draw here

11/05/08

 

Cara and Liezel lose in the final in Miami

Today took place the final of the women's doubles tournament in Miami, Florida, between the two top seeds Black/Huber and Srebotnik/Sugiyama. And the number 2 seed succeeded in beating their winners of the last Masters final last november in Madrid. As usual between these two teams, the match was very high level, and they had to reach the Match tie break. Final score: 7-5 / 4-6 / 10-3 for the Japanese-Slovenian team.

Next week, Cara and Liezel will play the tournament of Amelia Island. In the first round, they will have to face either on Tuesday or Wednesday Poutchek and Rodionova. Other seeded teams there will be Chan/Chuang (seed 2), Safina/Szavay (seed 3) and Peng/Sun (seed 4). Full draw here

 

06/04/08

 

Cara and Liezel reach Sony Ericsson Open final

Today, in the semifinals of the Tier I tournament, Cara and Liezel could get their revenge over the final of Doha last month; indeed, they could beat in straight sets the Czech-Australian team Peschke-Stubbs, seed 3 of the tournament. Final score: 6-3 / 6-3.

In that match against one of the best teams in the World for these last two years, Cara and Liezel made the best of all the important points. In both sets, they've been able to break quite early and keep the advantage till the end of the set. At 4-1, 40-15 on their serve in the second set, they started to slow down a little and saw their opponents come back closer at 4-3. Then they made it 5-3 on a no-ad point, and could conclude the match with great shots.

On Sunday, will take place the ideal final for the tournament, with seed 1 Black/Huber vs seed 2 Srebotnik/Sugiyama, a remake of the Sony Ericsson Championships in Madrid last year. Matches between these two teams have always been very tight, which can make dream of a great final in Florida as well this week end!

With that final result, Cara and Liezel become the first team at the Race for the first time of the year, before the Bondarenko sisters and Yan and Zheng. And they remain more than ever tied World number one doubles players.

04/04/08

 

Cara and Liezel make it to the semis in Miami

The World's number one doubles team played their quarterfinals today at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami, Florida, against the Chinese team Peng and Sun. After a slow start (they were quickly lead 0-2), Cara and Liezel came back with brilliant shots to win first set 6-3.

In the second, they easily lead 4-3 with the following serve for them, but got broken and lost the three following games, and then lost second set 4-6. In the match tie break, Peng and Sun went on making powerful shots and lead up to 4-2, before Cara and Liezel finally found the right track, and ended it 10-6.

Tomorrow, they will play their semifinals against seed 3 of the tournament, Peschke and Stubbs.

02/04/08

 

Cara and Liezel into the quarters in Miami

Unlike last Sunday for the first round match, the World's number one team won quite easily today in straights sets 6-4 / 6-1 against the American team Mattek-Washington. Cara and Liezel started the match very strongly with a break in the second game. But Mattek and Washington fought well and came back to 4-4. Liezel then held her serve and they could conclude on a break on their opponents serve. 6-4 in the first set.

In the second set, things went even more easily, and by pushing their opponents to the fault, staying more often than they usually do on their baseline, they could lead all through the set and conclude it on 6-1.

In the next round, the quarterfinals, on Thursday, Cara and Liezel will play against the Chinese team Shuai Peng and Tiantian Sun who beat the Australian Open winners, the Bondarenko sisters. This will be the second time Black/Huber and Peng/Sun meet this year, after the Zimbabwean/American team's victory in the first round of Dubai last month, in straight sets.

01/04/08

 

Cara and Liezel struggle to qualify for second round in Sony Ericsson Open

It's been a very tough match, and the top seeds of the Tier I tournament have been very close to losing it, but in the end they could make a strong come back and win their first round match! Their opponents of the day, Vladimira Uhlirova and Mariya Koryttseva started the match strongly and broke immediatly. They held and could keep the advantage until the end of first set: 6-2. After the end of the set, Liezel had to call the trainer for a pain in the back. A few minutes later, she was back on the court, determined to fight for the victory.

The second set started as bad as the first one for Cara and Liezel: they got lead 1-4 and 3-5. Uhlirova and Koryttseva served for the set at 4-5. Liezel fought despite the pain with solid groundstrokes from the baseline and Cara was there to poach as sharply as usual. They could break back and hold to win the set 7-5, under a light rain.

A match tie-break took place to conclude a match full of suspense: the World's number one team lead from the first point to the last, and concluded it 10-7.

In the next round, Cara and Liezel will meet the all American team Washington-Mattek, that beat in the first round Schnyder-Shaughnessy in straight sets. Match probably on Tuesday April 1st.

30/03/08

 

Cara and Liezel receive Doubles Team of Year 2007 award

Today, in Key Biscayne, Florida, Cara and Liezel received the Annual Player Award of the best doubles team in 2007. They both received a Waterford Crystal amethyst trophy. The annual player awards are voted on by the global tennis media. Liezel also received a second Award for her action with Liezel's cause, the Service Award. Congratulations to Cara and Liezel for this new trophy!

To know more about it, click here

27/03/08

 

Cara and Liezel back on the road: first stop Miami!

After a few weeks rest, the World's best doubles team is back on the Tour, to show who's the best at the Sony Ericsson Open this week. The draw is very high level for that Tier I event, considered by many as almost a fifth slam. Cara and Liezel are seed 1, Sugiyama and Srebotnik seed 2. The other top seeds are Peschke/Stubbs (3), Chan/Chuang (4), Yan/Zheng (5), the Bondarenkos (6) and a few other very good teams!

In the first round, Cara and Liezel will play against Vladimira Uhlirova of Czech Republic and Mariya Koryttseva of Ukraine. The other seeds of their part of the draw are the Bondarenko sisters. Good luck to Cara and Liezel for that week of tournament, that starts on Friday.

26/03/08

 

Huber Tennis Ranch opened 3 March 2008!!!!

We have a staff of 4 pros,which is very exciting! The groups are filling up and this week we have Spring Break Camp!
We are almost done with all the landscaping. It's been a long week and a lot of us worked very hard making it world class!
This week we have Prairie View A&M University training at the Ranch. We look forward to helping the already established tennis players and of course teaching those who have never picked up a racket!!!

Thanks everyone for your support. See you on the court at Huber Tennis Ranch!!!!

Liezel

Huber tennis ranch's website here

18/03/08

Cara Zimbabwean Sportsperson of Year 2007

On February 29th, in Harare, was held the Annual Zimbabwean Sports Award Ceremony. During that night, Cara was crowned with two prestigious prizes, both Sportswoman of the year and Sportsperson of the year.

For more details on this article click here

17/03/08

 

Cara's blog from home in London

hi Everyone,

well it has been quite a busy few weeks...alot of traveling and alot of matches. but thats what we like! we are really happy with our success in the last few weeks. it all started on my Birthday in Antwerp! It was Sunday the 17th of february and Liezel and i were preparing for our
first final of the year. I was so nervous that day because i wanted to have a good result for us and also to win on my Birthday would be amazing!
Anyway we ended up playing a great match against Sugiyama and Peshke and we won so it turned out to be the best birthday present i could ask for. the best thing was when the whole crowd, a few thousand people started singing Happy Birthday to me...that was really special. we love playing in Antwerp, it is a really great  tournament and they take such good care of the players so we had a great week there. i got very spoilt for my birthday ... [Read more]

03/03/08

 

Cara and Liezel win again in Dubai

Today, for the third week in a row, the World best doubles team of the last two years reached the final of the tournament (after Antwerp and Doha). And like for Antwerp two weeks ago, they could defend their title in Dubai today by beating the Chinese team Zi Yan and Jie Zheng. Final score: 7-5 / 6-2. That title allows them to confirm their status and to assure they will remain the two top players for at least a few more weeks.

Now and for three weeks, Cara and Liezel will not play tournaments before Miami that starts on March 26th. Let's wish them some good rest and hope to see them back at the top again for the American Spring season.

01/03/08

 

Cara, Liezel in Dubai final tomorrow

Today, into the semis, Cara and Liezel won against Chan/Chuang 6-4 / 6-4. Tomorrow, Cara and Liezel defend their title in Dubai against Yan/Zheng.

28/02/08

 

Cara and Liezel qualify for Dubai semis

It all started quite easily against Sania Mirza and Francesca Schiavone, with the first set won 6-2, but then a long battle started: Cara and Liezel were broken at the start of the second set, and got lead 3-5. Then the best ranked team could come back in the set till a tie break. Close tie break, won by Schiavone-Mirza on 7-5.

Then another Match Tie Break, and a great struggle to get to the semis: 12-10 for Cara and Liezel on their 4th Match Point. Final score: 6-2 / 6-7 / 12-10 in 1h43.

In the next round, Cara and Liezel will play probably on Thursday or Friday against seed 4 Chan and Chuang or unseeded team Uhlirova/Voskoboeva.

27/02/08

 

Cara and Liezel win tough first round match in Dubai

As their first match in the United Emirates tournament, Cara and Liezel did not have the easiest draw, as they had to face good doubles specialists Peng and Sun from China. But the best seeded team played a solid match and concluded in straight sets 6-3 / 6-3.
In their next match tomorrow, Cara and Liezel will play against Indian Sania Mirza (Liezel's former partner and friend) and Italian Francesca Schiavone. Another tough opposition to expect.

26/02/08

Cara and Liezel in Ace Magazine of March

In the coaching part of the British Magazine, the World's best doubles team explain why and how their team works. They explain their partnership, and also give tips to improve in doubles. Very interesting article, if you can get a copy of it, do not hesitate. We'll put the best parts in the Articles section of this site soon.

25/02/08

 

Cara, Liezel defend their title in Dubai this week

Just after Doha, Cara and Liezel remain in the Emirates and will defend their title in Dubai this year. They are the first seeded players of the tournament, where other seeds are Srebotnik and Sugiyama (seed 2), Peschke and Stubbs (seed 3) and Chan/Chuang (seed 4).

In the first round, probably on Tuesday, Cara and Liezel will play against the Chinese team composed of Peng Shuai and Sun Tiantian.

Full draw here.

25/02/08

 

Cara, Liezel lose in Doha final today

For their second final in a week, Cara and Liezel could not lift their second winners trophies in Doha. They lost in the final today vs Kveta Peschke and Rennae Stubbs, final score: 1-6 / 7-5 / 7-10

It all started slowly for Cara and Liezel, as they were quickly lead 0-4 at the beginning of first set. They could not hold one serve in that set, and finally lost it 1-6. In the second set, the all African-born team were broken immediatly, but could break back and stay close to their opponents till 6-5. Then on Rennae Stubbs' serve, Cara and Liezel could finally break for good to close it out on 7-5.

Another Match tie break for the top seeded team, the third in Doha. But unfortunately, anything went as in the previous rounds, and Peschke-Stubbs lead quickly 7-1. Cara and Liezel fought hard and could come back to 7-9, but it was not enough, and the Czech-Australian team finally won it 10-7. All statistics of the match may be found here

Next week, Cara and Liezel will defend their title in Dubai. Full draw here.

24/02/08

 

Cara, Liezel in Doha final tomorrow

After their victory last week in Proximus Diamond tournament at Antwerp, Cara and Liezel are in Doha final. Today, into the semis, Cara and Liezel won against Safarova/Zvonareva 7/5 6/2.

Tomorrow, they will meet Peschke/Stubbs for the first time of this year.

23/02/08

 

Cara, Liezel through to the semis of Doha

It could have been over in straight sets, as Cara and Liezel had 3 Match Points in the second set on their opponents serve. But in the end it took three sets and a Super Tie Break battle again to win against Spanish Medina Garrigues and former number one Ruano Pascual. Final score 6-2 / 6-7 / 10-2

The match started slowly, with both teams winning their serves till 2-2. Then, Cara and Liezel made the best of their break and game points and won the four next games to conclude on 6-2 in first set.

In the second set, Cara and Liezel were lead 2-4 before coming back in the match and having three match points at 5-4. Then the Spanish fought harder, and pushed the Zimbabwean-American team to a set Tie Break. The Spanish dominated totally the tie break and won it 7-1.

At the wake of the Super Tie Break, Cara and Liezel were not in the best conditions... having wasted three Match Points and just losing a Tie Break so fast. But they showed their opponents who have been the best doubles team for over a year and won the Match Tie Break easily 10-2.

In next round tomorrow, Cara and Liezel will face the winner of Safarova-Zvonareva vs Chan/Chuang. Already qualified for the final: Kveta Peschke and Rennae Stubbs.

22/02/08

 

Cara,Liezel fight to reach the quarter finals in Doha

Given a bye for the first round as the top seeded team, Cara and Liezel started their tournament today against fair doubles players, Vladimira Uhlirova from the Czech Republic, and Yaroslava Shvedova from Russia.

The match started well for the Zimbabwean-American team, who quickly lead 4-1, before everything changed, and they lost it 5-7. In the second set, Cara and Liezel held their serves better, and could break on the last game, winning second set 6-4 to play a super Tie Break. In the Super Tie Break, Cara and Liezel lead from the start, and won quite easily 10-3.
Final score 5-7 / 6-4 / 10-3 in a little less than 2 hours.

In the next round, the World's best doubles team will face either Makarova/Ursula Radwanska or Medina Garrigues/Ruano Pascual.

Full draw here

21/02/2008

 

Cara, Liezel win again in Antwerp!

Today was a special day in Antwerp for Cara and Liezel: Cara celebrated her 29th birthday with a victory in the final of Proximus Diamond tournament. Final score against Czech-Japanese team Peschke-Sugiyama 6-1 / 6-3.

The first two games were very tensed, with good points played by both teams. After saving balls to be lead 0-2, Cara and Liezel started to play at their best and scored 6 games in a row to win first set convincingly. Second set was a little closer, Peschke and Sugiyama returning pretty well, but Cara's good hands at the net and Liezel's great forehand shots could make the difference.

The holders of the title have had a very good week in Antwerp, after a disappointing Paris tournament the week before. Two impressive victories in the first two rounds, then a little scare in the semis against singles players Govortsova and Dzehalevich that pushed them to a Super Tie Break, and finally a good and well built victory in the final against two of the best doubles players in the World Peschke and Sugiyama.

This is the second time in a row that Cara and Liezel win the Belgian tournament. And Cara had already won it with Els Callens in 2004 and 2005. Congrats to Cara and Liezel for that great win! Well done girls!

Next week, Cara and Liezel play in Doha where they have a bye for the first round, full draw here

17/02/2008

 

Cara, Liezel in Antwerp final tomorrow

After winning their two first round matches in the Belgian city, Cara and Liezel met more difficulties today. Indeed, their opponents of the day, Govortsova and Dzehalevich pushed them to a match tie break. Final score : 6-2 / 3-6 / 10-5

Tomorrow, they will meet for their first final of the year either Peschke and Sugiyama or the Bondarenko sisters.

Tomorrow will be a very special day for Cara. First, this week, she reached her 50th week at the top of the rankings. Secondly, if they win, that would be her fourth victory in five years in Antwerp. And last but not least, she will celebrate her 29th birthday !! HAPPY BIRTHDAY CARA !! Have the best day possible !

16/02/2008

 

Cara, Liezel into the semis in Antwerp on Saturday

Second convincing victory in a row for the seeds one of the Belgian tournament tonight: final score 6-2 6-1 against Selima Sfar from Tunisia and Stéphanie Foretz from France.

Cara and Liezel will play their semi final on Saturday against either Shvedova/Uhlirova or Govortsova/Dzehalevich who meet for their second round match tomorrow.

Pictures from Antwerp Proximus Diamond tournament here

13/02/2008

 

Cara, Liezel win first round match in Proximus Diamond

After their defeat last week in the first round of Paris Indoors, Cara and Liezel had to show they were still the bosses of doubles in their first round match in Belgium.

And so they did. Their opponents of the day, Alina Jidkova and Jasmin Woehr started the match well, leading 2-1 by playing good tennis. Then the World's best doubles team raised their level and scored the next 5 games, with Liezel hitting huge grounstrokes from the back and Cara poaching any ball she could get. In the second round, Cara and Liezel went on with the same tactics, and ended it on 6-2 as well.

A good communication between the two number one players, great shots and sharpness at the net were the keys for a convincing success 6-2 6-2 against good doubles players.
Next round for the Zimbabwean-American team on Wednesday or Thursday against Foretz and Sfar.

12/02/2008

 

Cara plays in the qualifications of Antwerp this week end

In order to prepare for the Olympics next summer where she may get a Wild Card for the singles, Cara entered the qualifying draw of Proximus Diamond tournament this week end. Cara replaces at the last minute Eva Hrdinova from Czech Republic.

This is the first time in over one year that Cara will play singles. Her opponent tonight will be Sofia Arvidsson of Sweden. Good luck to Cara!

Full draw here

09/02/2008

 

 

Cara, Liezel already out of Paris Indoors tournament

The holders of Open Gaz de France tournament unexpectedly lost in the first round today against unseeded team Fedak-Ditty. Next tournament next week in Antwerp, where Cara and Liezel are going to try to defend their title.

Full draw here

04/02/2008

 

Cara, Liezel in Paris Indoors tournament this week

The holders of Open Gaz de France tournament are ready to defend their title this week in the French capital, after their Australian Open disappointement. In the first round, they'll face tomorrow evening Yuliana Fedak from Ukrain and Julie Ditty from the USA.

Full draw here

03/02/2008

 

Cara, Paul fail to reach final four

The number one seed of the tournament lost to Sun/Zimonjic in the Quarters of the mixed doubles. Final score 6-4 / 6-7 / 8-10.

So the Australian Slam is officially over for Cara and Liezel. Next tournament is in two weeks in Paris Indoors.

But till then: a new contest will start in a few days to win great prizes offered by Cara Black and Liezel Huber. More information soon. Stay tuned!

24/01/2008

 

Cara, Liezel's Title defence ends in the Quarterfinals

Cara and Liezel lost in straight sets today to the Ukrainian sisters Alona and Kateryna Bondarenko 3-6 / 2-6. So the tournament is over now for the holders. Except for Cara who is still playing in the Quarterfinals in mixed doubles with Paul Hanley.

22/01/2008

 

Cara and Paul into Quarterfinals, not Liezel and Jamie

A few hours after their women's doubles victory, Cara and Liezel were back on court for the mixed doubles tournament, but not with the same result. First to play, Liezel and her Scottish partner Jamie Murray were unable to beat seed 5 Tiantian Sun and Nenad Zimonjic. They lost in straight sets 2-6 / 4-6.

Cara and Paul met less problems beating the Australian Wild Card team, Greg Jones and Jessica Moore quite convincingly 6-1 / 6-1. In the next round, Black and Hanley, number one seed, will have to face Huber and Murray's winners, Sun and Zimonjic, probably on Wednesday.

Full draw updated here

21/01/2008

 

Cara, Liezel qualify for Quarterfinals

Cara and Liezel did not waste their time on court today to beat unseeded Mariya Koryttseva and Tatiana Perebyinis from Ukraine: less than one hour and straight sets 6-2 / 6-2. The holders of the title played very seriously and are more than ever among the biggest favorites of the tournament, thanks to that third straight sets victory in a row.

Other results of the doubles tournament today, for the third round: Janette Husarova and Flavia Pennetta created a major upset by beating seed 3 of the tournament and last year's runners up, Chinese Taipei's Chan and Chuang. Seed 4 of the tournament, the team composed of Rennae Stubbs and Kveta Peschke, had to fight hard to make it to the quarters: they finally concluded in a little less than 2 hours and 3 close sets 4-6 / 6-2 / 6-4. Seed 7 and 2006 winners Yan and Zheng won more easily against tough opponents Vaidisova and Zahlavova-Strycova in straight sets 6-4 / 6-1. Full draw updated here

21/01/2008

 

Both Cara and Liezel qualify for second round in Mixed doubles

Today, Liezel and her Scottish partner Jamie Murray beat the team composed of Martin Garcia and Anabel Medina Garrigues 7-5 / 7-6 (3). Later in the day, Cara and Australian Paul Hanley, seed 1 of the tournament, beat Bethanie Mattek and Jordan Kerr 7-6 (5) / 6-2.

Tomorrow, Cara and Liezel will have a tough day, with no less than two matches each. First, they'll play together for the women's doubles tournament their third round match vs Mariya Koryttseva and Tatiana Perebiynis (third match from 10 am on court 6).Full draw updated here

A few hours later, both Cara and Liezel will be back on court to play their mixed doubles match. Liezel and Jamie will face a tough team, Tiantian Sun and Nenad Zimonjic, seed 5 of the tournament. Cara and Paul's opponents are Australian Wild Cards Jessica Moore and Greg Jones, who created a surprise by beating in the first round Rennae Stubbs and Todd Perry.

If both Cara and Liezel's teams win their second round match, they would meet in the third round. Full draw updated here

20/01/2008

 

Cara and Liezel's schedule for Sunday and Monday

It's been raining all day today in Melbourne, hence all the matches scheduled on ground courts have been rescheduled tomorrow. Cara will play her mixed doubles match with Paul Hanley 4th match from 11am on Margaret Court Arena, and Liezel and Jamie will play on court 13 3rd match. All this if there is no rain of course!

On Monday, Cara and Liezel should play their third round match in the women's doubles tournament against Mariya Koryttseva and Tatiana Perebiynis from Ukraine. The latter benefit from the withdrawal of Svetlana Kuznetsova and Amélie Mauresmo from the doubles tournament.

Other news from the women's doubles tournament: the Williams sisters, unseeded, defeated seed 2 Ai Sugiyama and Katarina Srebotnik in their second round meeting. Other upsets earlier this week: former number one doubles player Lisa Raymond and her Italian partner Francesca Schiavone have been beaten in first round by Czech Nicole Vaidisova and Barbora Zahlavova Strycova. Also in the first round, the holders of the US Open title Dinara Safina and NathalieDechy have been defeated by Jelena Jankovic and Bethanie Mattek.

Full updated women doubles draw can be found here

For more pictures of Cara and Liezel at the Australian Open, go to the photo gallery

19/01/2008

 

Cara and Liezel qualify for third round in Melbourne

The final score of the match today: 6-2 / 6-4, in 80 minutes. It started well for Cara and Liezel, when, on a break point to lead 3-1, Cara fell heavily on the ground and hurt her chin and jaw. The doctor's been called to the court, and a few minutes later, Cara could go back to the game, with just a few scratches and a bandage: video of the impressive fall (latest news of Cara are good, do not worry!)

Back to the match, Cara and Liezel could finally break, and quickly closed the set on 6-2, visibly enjoying themselves oncourt. Then, their opponents, Tatiana Poutchek from Belarus and Anastasia Rodionova, the brand new Australian player, could break and lead up to 4-2. That's the moment when the holders of the title decided to go back to serious business, and finally closed the match on a break, on first match point. Statistics of the match may be found here

The next opponents of the American-Zimbabwean team will be either the runners-up of their first Slam title together in Wimbledon in 2005, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Amélie Mauresmo, or Tatiana Perebiynis and Mariya Koryttseva from Ukraine. Match probably schedule this week end. In the meantime, Cara and Liezel will play their first mixed doubles matches with respectively Paul Hanley and Jamie Murray.

18/01/2008

 

 

 

Black/Hanley and Huber/Murray ready for mixed doubles title conquest

The draw of the mixed doubles even is out now: click here

Like in the US Open last year, Liezel's partner for this year's Australian Open is Scottish Jamie Murray. In New York, the team had reached the semis, before being beaten by Shaughnessy and Paes in a very close match. Both partners had expressed their pleasure in playing together and their will to team up again in the future: here it is, for the first Slam of 2008. The pair in unseeded and will face in the first round Anabel Medina Garrigues and Martin Garcia.

Cara teams up with Paul Hanley from Australia, in Melbourne. This is the first time this team plays together, and for this first, they are seed 1 of the tournament. In the first round, the Australian-Zimbabwean team will meet Bethanie Mattek and Jordan Kerr.

Both teams are in the same part of the draw and may meet in the quarters if they both manage to win their two first round matches. First round match probably on Friday.

16/01/2008

 

Cara and Liezel wins easily first round match

It's been quick (less than one hour) to beat Anne Kremer and Pauline Parmentier 6-1 6-1. Not even one break point to save. The number one seeds and holders of the title seem to have dominated the match totally.

In the second round, the Zimbabwean-American team will play against tougher opponents, Tatiana Poutchek and Anastasia Rodionova. Match probably scheduled on Friday.

16/01/2008

 

Cara and Liezel ready to defend title in Melbourne

The draw of the first Grand Slam of the season is out: click here

The holders of the title will have to face in the first round the team composed of Anne Kremer from Luxembourg and Pauline Parmentier from France. Match scheduled on Wednesday 16th second match from 12.30pm local time.

15/01/2008

 

Latest news from sydney by Liezel

"On our way to Melbourne!!!!  

Hey Everyone!

We trust you'll have had a happy holidays and a great New Year so far!

Cara and I are doing great. I arrived in Gold Coast last week being very sick. The day before we left Houston, I started my symptoms... Considering I spend almost the entire week in bed, it was a great effort to be able to compete in the tournament. By our second match I was feeling so much better. Cara however had caught a cold that was going around. Needless to say, by our third match we were both absolutely exhausted and gave it all we had, but it ... " [Read more]

08/01/2008

2nd round loss in Sydney for Cara and Liezel

Cara and Liezel started the match perfectly, leading easily by breaking Sun's serve early in the set. They could conclude first set 6-3. But then, second set went the opposite way, and was lost 3-6. In the Match tie break, the World's best team were soon leaded 1-5, before regrouping and coming back 7-7. But that was not enough, and they could not score anymore. Final score: 6-3 / 3-6 / 7-10.That early defeat is the first time the team does not reach a semi final since getting back together at the beginning of last year. But no doubt that Cara and Liezel will be able to show their best tennis next week in Melbourne, to defend their Slam title in the Australian Open.

08/01/2008

 

Cara and Liezel win first round match in Sydney

Cara and Liezel won easily today in straight sets 6-1 / 6-2 vs Aussie team Pratt/Stewart. In the next round, number one seed will meet the Aussie-Chinese team Molik-Sun Tian Tian. The match takes place tomorrow, third match from 11am.

07/01/2008

Cara and Liezel fail in Gold Coast semis

Like last year, Cara and Liezel stop in the semis of the Australian Tier III tournament. They were beaten by their opponents Hungarian Agnes Szavay and Russian Dinara Safina 6-3 / 6-1. Seeds 1 of the tournament were probably still tired from their epic quarter finals vs Pennetta and Schiavone late last night. Next tournament for World Number 1 players: next week in Sydney. That will be the last step before one of the main goals of the year for Black and Huber: defending their Slam title in Melbourne.

04/01/2008

Cara and Liezel qualify for first semis of the year

It's been a long and suspenseful match against the Italian team Pennetta Schiavone, but they did it in the end! Final score: 6-7 (5) 6-4 10-7.In next round tomorrow, their opponents will be tough again, because they are last year's singles sensation Agnes Szavay and US Open doubles winner Dinara Safina.

03/01/2008

Cara and Liezel celebrates New Year with impressive victory

A new year begins, but Black and Huber starts it the way they finished 2007: with a victory. The team they beat today in Gold Coast was composed of World's top 20 singles players Patty Schnyder (number 16) and Nicole Vaidisova (number 12). Cara and Liezel won their first match of 2008 with great style in straight sets 6-2 / 6-3.In the next round, the first seed of the Australian tournament will face either the all Italian team Schiavone-Pennetta or the all belarus team Poutchek-Kustova, probably on thursday.

01/01/2008

Cara and Liezel back on the Tour in Gold Coast

After 1 month 1/2 break since their Season Ending Championships victory, during which Liezel remained in her Houston ranch and Cara travelled in Africa, the 2007 best doubles team is back on tour on the hard courts of the Gold Coast tournament. For their first match of the 2008 season and their first match as official tied World Number Ones, Cara and Liezel, will have to face one of the Wild Cards of the Australian Tier III tournament, the pair Nicole Vaidisova-Patty Schnyder. The other seeds of the tournaments are Jie Zheng and Zi yan (Seed 2) who are back on the Tour after a few months away due to Zheng's injury, Dinara Safina and Agnes Szavay (Seed 3) and Garbin and Shaughnessy (seed 4).

29/12/2007

Cara and Liezel named 2007 ITF World Champions!

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) announced on Monday December 17th that Wta Tour's top doubles team has been named 2007 Female Doubles World Champions. A new award for the Zimbabwean-American duo who is Doubles Champions for the first time, for their first complete season together. This new title is a reward for a great 2007 season, during which the duo won, as you already know, nine events, including two Grand Slam titles (the Australian Open and Wimbledon) and the Season-Ending Championships.This is a first for Liezel, but this is the third award for Cara, who was Juniors Singles and Doubles World Champion in 1997. Congratulations to the ITF World Champions of the year, Cara Black and Liezel Huber!

17/12/2007

Cara and Liezel new co-World Number One!

This week, Cara and Liezel are officially World Number One together. That's the fourth time in doubles ranking history that two players share top ranking, after Lisa Raymond and Rennae Stubbs, Lisa Raymond and Samantha Stosur, and Virginia Ruano Pascual and Paola Suarez, and