Thursday, September 1, 2011
9/11 firefighters have higher cancer risk: study
CHICAGO (Reuters) - Male firefighters who were exposed to toxic dust and smoke from the 9/11 attacks on New York's World Trade Center have a 19 percent higher risk of getting cancer of all kinds than colleagues who were not exposed, U.S. researchers said on Thursday.
Nick's Picks: 2011 U.S. Open, Day 2
Each day during the 2011 U.S. Open, coach Nick Bollettieri will discuss three of the most intriguing matches on the schedule and offer his predictions.
Sabine Lisicki [22] vs. Alona Bondarenko (Court 17, first match)
Like Heather Watson and Maria Sharapova, who played each other on Day 1, Lisicki grew at the IMG Bollettieri Tennis Academy, and I have worked with her for many years. She always has a great attitude on the court, and if she can stay healthy, she has an extremely bright future.
These two have met once before, back in the 2008 U.S. Open, and Bondarenko won that in three sets. Bondarenko is an experienced player who has had excellent results on both the singles and doubles side. She doesn?t have any huge weapons, but she will make you cover the court and won?t roll over. Lisicki likes to go for everything. She hits the tar out of the ball from both wings and her serve is one of the best on tour. She needs to get a high percentage of first serves in to win this match, and she also needs to remain patient. I give her the edge because of Bondarenko?s injury issues (she didn?t compete until May due to wrist and right knee injuries) and the fact that Lisicki has had an excellent year ? and loves playing on hard courts.
Nick?s Pick: Lisicki in three sets
***
Jelena Jankovic [11] vs. Alison Riske (Grandstand, second match)
Jankovic comes in ranked 12th in the world and should have plenty of confidence after reaching the finals of Cincinnati. It will be interesting to see how she rebounds after that performance, to see if she can sustain that level of play for two weeks. She was a finalist here just three years ago and she definitely has the talent to reach that point again.
To me, this match is all about Jankovic. A couple of years ago her movement was off the charts, but she doesn?t seem to be covering the court as well as she used to. Her two-handed backhand is still one of the best, and when she is able to step in and hit it down the line, she is very difficult to beat. Against Riske, she needs to get down to business right away and not let the crowd get into it. Jankovic is a bit unpredictable because of her emotions, so the longer this match goes, the better the American?s chances are of winning. I look for Jankovic to win, but this will be a fun match.
Nick?s Pick: Jankovic in two sets
***
Novak Djokovic [1] vs. Conor Niland (Arthur Ashe Stadium, third match)
When I was working on the picks, I didn?t know who Djokovic was playing and honestly, it doesn?t matter. This match is all about him and his shoulder health. He was forced to retire in the finals of Cincinnati and it could have a major effect on this match. His record is still 57-2 on the year and he?s won nine titles, which is simply amazing.
I was recently asked how I would compare Djokovic to the greats in the game, and I believe he is right up there. I don?t think that there is anyone in the history of the game that has been as solid in all areas as he is right now. He is so well-rounded and his game is so complete that it is extremely difficult to even take a set off of him. The ball is basically on a string and he is the puppet master. He is remarkable to watch. I look for him to advance, but I?ll be keeping my eyes on how his shoulder feels moving forward.
Nick?s Pick: Djokovic in three sets
Nick Bollettieri of the IMG Bollettieri Tennis Academy has trained many collegiate and professional players, including 10 who reached the world No. 1 ranking.
Source: http://feeds.tennis.com/~r/tenniscom-features/~3/ahBXIb9P9b4/
Australians Gajdosova, Dokic snap streaks
If only Jarmila Gajdosova really could earn some points for honesty.
Source: http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/sport/tennis/5541547/Australians-Gajdosova-Dokic-snap-streaks
Why illness caused Venus Williams to quit U.S. open
Tennis star Venus Williams has announced she's dropping out of the U.S. Open because of an autoimmune disorder called Sjogren's syndrome.
Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44358608/ns/health-womens_health/
Andy Murray ready to find his form of 2008 at US Open
ANDY MURRAY is determined to shake off his US Open disappointments.
Goodnight, Irene: Hurricane doesn't delay opening day
NEW YORK?Rain is as much a part of the U.S. Open as noisy 747s. And
without a covered stadium court, maneuvering matches through the puddles
has always found a way to play havoc with the tournament schedule. The
last three Opens were all extended to Monday men?s finals thanks to wet
conditions. But enduring rain showers is one thing; planning for a
hurricane is new ground. Actually, by the time Irene arrived in New York
City, she had been downgraded to a tropical storm. Still, with several
inches of rain and wind gusts of over 60 mph, it brought flooding,
closed river crossings and mass transit, and practically shuttered the
city that never sleeps. Fortunately the Open, and its participants,
escaped relatively unscathed.
without a covered stadium court, maneuvering matches through the puddles
has always found a way to play havoc with the tournament schedule. The
last three Opens were all extended to Monday men?s finals thanks to wet
conditions. But enduring rain showers is one thing; planning for a
hurricane is new ground. Actually, by the time Irene arrived in New York
City, she had been downgraded to a tropical storm. Still, with several
inches of rain and wind gusts of over 60 mph, it brought flooding,
closed river crossings and mass transit, and practically shuttered the
city that never sleeps. Fortunately the Open, and its participants,
escaped relatively unscathed.
The National Tennis Center suffered only minor damage and the inconvenience of removing and then replacing banners, benches, and television cameras. Grounds crew members stayed over on Saturday night to get an early start on the Sunday cleanup and prepare for opening day. Doors opened to fans at 10 a.m., but several of the courts had staggered start times to allow personnel extra time to arrive. Play commenced on Louis Armstrong Stadium at the customary 11 a.m., but play on Arthur Ashe Stadium was delayed until 1 p.m. With surrounding areas still suffering from power outages and road closures, the early-arriving crowd felt lighter than the typical opening day.
Perhaps the biggest casualty of Irene, though, was Arthur Ashe Kids? Day. The yearly all-day event held at the National Tennis Center the Saturday before the start of the tournament?with free grounds activities for kids and a ticketed stadium show?was cancelled due to the unsettled weather in the area. For players, the anticipation of the storm and its effect on preparation caused the most difficulties.
?It?s taken quite a few days for us sort of waiting for it and kind of having to decide how we?re going to practice,? said No. 4 seed Andy Murray. ?If we?re going to try to get in sort of more practice early in the week outdoors, or stick to kind of what the normal plan is and practicing hour and a half, two hours a day and maybe having to go indoors. That?s been the only problem.?
Players are creatures of habit and abhor anything that takes them out of their routines. Mardy Fish is a native Floridian and accustomed to dealing with hurricanes. But taking away his Starbucks?the store closed in advance of the storm?frustrated the top-seeded American. Five-time champ Roger Federer wasn?t too concerned that the wet weather could alter his preparation, as he generally takes a short break before the tournament anyway. ?Maybe I just go back and relax instead of trying to hustle around and trying to get an indoor hit,? said Federer. ?I'm not 18 anymore where that's the kind of stuff you do to show how badly you need it, how professional you are. But at my age you kind of know what it takes to get ready, and you don't panic.?
Since everybody is in the same position, players all try to roll with it. And if you?re Serena Williams, the storm can even offer a chance at entertainment. ?I played a little bit in the rain,? said Serena Williams. ?I went to Park Avenue because it was empty and danced a little bit in the streets. It was kinda fun.?
Jon Levey is covering the U.S. Open for TENNIS.com.
Source: http://feeds.tennis.com/~r/tenniscom-features/~3/nNHwt8c2GJ0/
Novak Djokovic top dog for US
WorlD No.1 Novak Djokovic has been rewarded for his amazing 2011 form by being named top seed for the US open, which starts on Monday.
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