Ana named among world's sexiest

FHM in Serbia has named Ana the third sexiest woman on the planet. Ana finished third in the magazine's poll, behind actresses Jessica Alba and Angelina Jolie.The teenager polled just 200 votes less than Jolie who was second. Alba received 31,800 votes in the reader survey that lasted five months.Ana has won several "!sexiest female tennis player" polls in the past, including those held by The Sun, The Tennis Channel and tennisreporers.net.

Maintaining a Lead

How to keep focus after winning the first set.

It was just minutes ago that you won a hard-fought first set 6-4. Now you’re down an early break in the second. You’re starting to tighten up, and you feel as if you’re losing the match even though you’re ahead on the scoreboard. The momentum should be on your side, but it’s slipping away. You ask yourself what happened. This scenario plays out time and again at all levels of the game. Why? It’s in our nature to escape the un-pleasant feeling of excessive stress. In a close tennis match the stress on the player in the lead increases as he progresses toward the conclusion of a set and, ultimately, the match.

After winning a difficult, tense set there’s often a conflict between your logical mind, which tells you to keep applying pres-sure and close out the match, and your subconscious mind, which suggests that you temporarily escape all this stress by easing up and taking a well-deserved mental break. With a set under your belt, now feels like as good a time as any.
Big mistake. On the other side of the net, your opponent knows that he has to bear down or he’ll soon be leaving the court a loser. So he tends to maintain or increase his intensity level. Couple that with your own tendency to let up at this stage and there’s a momentum change just waiting to happen.
How do you prevent it? In this situation, forewarned is forearmed. If you win the first set, take a few moments to collect yourself and pump yourself up. Then redouble your efforts at the start of the second set. It often helps to play games with your mind. Try to convince yourself that the match is starting over and that you have to jump out to an early lead. Be even more aggressive, resolute, and focused than you were in the first set. Concentrate on each point to minimize your errors and show your opponent that he’s in for a long and painful afternoon if he wants to win.
Your opponent, trailing in the match, may be on the brink of despair. Your immediate objective should be to break his spirit by being tough. Don’t let him back into the match. Remember that your opponent is looking for some sign of weakness on your part to convince him that the first set was a fluke. If you let up even the slightest bit, you might give him hope. As the second set begins, keep the door shut—or, better still, slam it on your opponent’s foot.

Dow Drops 340 but Gains Most of It Back

By JOE BEL BRUNO

Specialist Gerard Petti, right, directs trading at his post on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Thursday morning, Aug. 16, 2007. Stocks fell sharply Thursday after a move by Countrywide Financial Corp. confirmed fears of widening problems with some mortgages and tighter access to credit.

http://www.mail.com/newsarticle.aspx?catId=&articleId=1174834

At Least 337 Die in Strong Peru Quake

By MONTE HAYES and MAURICIO MUNOZ

A family is seen camping in a park to spend the night after an earthquake hit the area in Lima Wednesday Aug. 15, 2007. A powerful 7.9-magnitude earthquake shook Peru's coast near the capital on Wednesday, toppling buildings, setting off landslides and killing at least 17 people when a church collapsed in a southern city.

http://www.mail.com/newsArticle.aspx?catId=13&articleId=1174370&newssiteId=1

陶 傑 短 評 ： 奧 馬 政 治 智 慧

奧 運 馬 術 預 賽 ， 特 區 舉 行 ， 豈 料 場 面 冷 清 ， 程 序 出 錯 ， 據 報 奧 運 馬 術 當 局 的 洋 人 立 時 大 怒 ， 聲 言 要 向 特 府 唐 唐 等 人 追 究 。 奧 運 馬 術 為 何 反 應 冷 清 ？ 原 因 很 簡 單 ： 馬 術 比 賽 ， 是 英 國 皇 室 貴 族 熱 愛 的 運 動 。 英 國 人 愛 護 動 物 ， 對 狗 馬 皆 情 有 獨 鍾 。 但 中 國 傳 統 不 但 屠 豬 吃 狗 ， 馬 這 種 畜 牲 ， 跟 狗 和 牛 一 樣 ， 地 位 低 賤 ， 有 「 願 效 犬 馬 之 勞 」 、 「 半 生 牛 馬 」 之 說 ， 甚 麼 馬 術 比 賽 ， 把 馬 抬 高 到 欣 賞 的 層 次 ， 不 符 合 中 國 國 情 。 中 方 和 特 府 最 近 在 香 港 急 劇 推 行 「 去 殖 化 」 ， 人 大 代 表 薛 某 即 代 表 官 方 宣 佈 ： 凡 親 英 戀 殖 的 思 想 ， 皆 是 罪 惡 。 參 觀 馬 術 表 演 ， 以 高 等 華 人 姿 態 ， 跟 在 英 國 人 屁 股 後 歡 呼 ， 當 然 是 親 英 戀 殖 行 為 ， 「 國 民 育 」 並 無 導 香 港 人 玩 英 式 馬 術 這 一 項 ， 因 此 馬 術 預 賽 ， 甩 碌 收 場 ， 場 面 冷 清 ， 只 剩 一 個 「 前 朝 餘 孽 」 林 光 光 尷 尬 撐 場 ， 證 明 人 心 已 經 回 歸 。 有 些 華 文 輿 論 ， 對 奧 運 馬 術 預 賽 之 失 敗 如 喪 考 妣 ， 復 又 破 口 大 罵 林 專 員 推 動 不 力 ， 有 心 丟 中 國 面 子 ， 但 中 方 把 奧 馬 這 塊 骨 頭 丟 給 特 區 來 啃 ， 測 試 香 港 人 的 「 親 英 戀 殖 」 指 數 ， 場 面 冷 清 ， 反 證 明 港 人 愛 國 過 關 。 越 少 觀 眾 ， 林 專 員 從 前 「 跟 肥 彭 」 的 劣 蹟 越 能 洗 底 ， 這 就 是 政 治 智 慧 ， 難 怪 專 員 笑 嘻 嘻 的 ， 可 樂 呢 。

I'm having so much fun on the court

August 15, 2007

Sorry I didn’t write for so long. It’s been a great week. Arriving in Los Angeles, I didn’t have high expectations. I took a wild card quite late and I just wanted to get back into playing tournaments.I was surprised by how well I played in my first match in LA. I enjoyed this tournament very much. Right now I am having so much fun on the court. The match against Jankovic was very exciting and it was a great atmosphere. I’d like to thank the tournament for giving me the wild card!After the final we went to celebrate at Koi restaurant in West Hollywood. It’s a popular place for celebrities and I was hoping to see some, but unfortunately there weren’t any that I recognised. But on the flight to Toronto we saw Maroon 5.Last week was obviously a great week for me in my career and I went up to a new high ranking. But what about Novak! He had an unbelievable week. I’m so happy for him.Before my match against Petrova I was watching some of the Montreal final and it was a set-all. Then I was interviewed just before I went onto court and the lady told me that Novak had won. It gave me extra motivation, but also more pressure.Today I filmed a short commercial for a television station at the club. I think we will be able to put the video on the site soon. I also did some interviews. I really love this tournament. As professionals we are very lucky that we receive great hospitality almost everywhere we go. But here is something different, they treat us so well. I’m very grateful to Tennis Canada.I play Yan on Wednesday. It won’t be an easy match because she’s a Grand Slam champion, even if it was in doubles. I’m glad it’s a day match, because I am still a jet-lagged and would probably have been tired if it was in the evening.I heard that it takes one day per hour of time zone change to adjust, so according to that rule I won’t be fully adjusted until Thursday, but I’m sure I will be feeling 100 per cent fit when I step onto the court.LoveAna

NASA Shuttle May Not Need Space Repair

This image provided by NASA shows the Space Shuttle Endeavour's orbital maneuvering system (OMS) pods and vertical stabilizer backdropped by the blackness of space in this image photographed by a crewmember while docked with the International Space Station during STS-118 flight day six activities Monday Aug. 13, 2007. http://www.mail.com/newsarticle.aspx?catId=1&articleId=1172969

22 Killed in China Bridge Collapse

Rescuers carry a victim at the site of a collapsed bridge in Fenghuang, in central China's Hunan province Tuesday Aug. 14, 2007. The 320-meter (1,049-foot) bridge, which was being built as a tourist attraction over the Jiantuo River, collapsed as workers were removing scaffolding Monday, killing at least 14 people and injuring 22.

http://www.mail.com/newsarticle.aspx?catId=1&articleId=1171419

陶 傑 短 評 ： 大 併 媾 是 否 可 行

「 港 深 國 際 大 都 會 」 的 宏 偉 藍 圖 ， 提 出 「 港 深 合 建 國 際 大 都 會 」 ， 構 想 雖 然 宏 大 ， 以 港 深 兩 制 血 型 之 異 ， 加 上 中 華 民 族 一 盤 散 沙 之 內 鬥 Ｄ Ｎ Ａ ， 連 一 條 港 珠 澳 大 橋 ， 是 單 Ｙ 還 是 雙 Ｙ ， 吵 吵 鬧 鬧 ， 令 人 難 以 樂 觀 。 因 為 「 港 深 」 都 自 認 為 是 並 頭 老 大 ， 「 合 建 」 之 後 ， 利 益 攤 分 ， 山 頭 地 盤 ， 段 段 塊 塊 ， 是 誰 「 話 事 」 ， 開 幾 百 場 會 ， 吃 上 一 百 噸 魚 翅 、 上 千 箱 紅 酒 ， 恐 怕 仍 陷 於 「 細 節 正 在 磋 商 」 階 段 ， 必 定 不 了 了 之 。 除 非 曾 特 「 強 政 勵 治 」 ， 一 不 做 二 不 休 ， 提 出 香 港 正 式 收 併 深 圳 ： 香 港 特 區 政 府 的 管 治 範 圍 ， 二 ○ 一 二 年 香 港 無 普 選 ， 但 特 府 管 治 權 超 越 深 圳 河 ， 西 起 皇 崗 ， 東 至 小 人 國 ， 北 起 常 平 布 吉 ， 南 至 蒲 台 島 ， 全 部 歸 入 大 香 港 版 圖 ， 從 此 深 圳 一 切 案 件 由 港 方 黃 仁 龍 主 理 ， 深 圳 公 安 聽 命 於 港 方 鄧 竟 成 指 揮 ， 深 圳 人 民 醫 院 的 醫 療 決 策 權 歸 周 一 嶽 ， 深 圳 一 千 萬 人 民 ， 歸 認 曾 蔭 權 與 唐 唐 為 大 港 深 國 際 都 會 的 地 區 的 至 高 一 二 把 手 ， 連 深 圳 人 民 法 院 的 法 庭 ， 也 並 排 掛 曾 蔭 權 和 李 國 能 兩 位 法 治 偉 人 的 肖 像 ， 勵 行 英 式 普 通 法 ， 如 此 港 股 必 會 暴 升 到 四 萬 點 ， 深 圳 人 民 包 括 盲 流 民 工 ， 必 定 徹 夜 狂 歡 。 香 港 普 選 的 訴 求 ， 消 弭 於 無 形 。 惟 其 併 購 ， 曾 特 首 會 名 留 青 史 ， 其 他 的 甚 麼 合 作 、 融 合 、 合 力 打 造 ， 留 「 董 建 華 式 神 話 」 。 話 又 說 回 來 ， 董 生 雖 已 退 位 ， 但 其 治 港 風 格 ， 影 響 力 仍 然 如 此 深 遠 ， 致 使 今 日 甚 麼 智 庫 ， 皆 有 如 董 建 華 上 身 ， 有 如 黑 澤 明 ， 影 響 了 整 個 荷 李 活 ， 董 伯 真 王 者 強 人 也 ！

Djokovic Beats Federer to Win Rogers Cup

Novak Djokovic, from Serbia, celebrates after beating Roger Federer, from Switzerland, in the final at the Rogers Cup, Sunday, August 12, 2007, in Montreal, Canada.

http://www.mail.com/newsArticle.aspx?catId=31&articleId=1169959&newssiteId=1

Ana sweeps to title

August 12, 2007 / Los Angeles

Ana captured her fourth Sony Ericsson WTA Tour title by beating Nadia Petrova 7-5, 6-4 in the final of the East West Bank Classic. The teenager defeated the world No.9 in an hour and 34 minutes to complete a perfect return to the Tour following a short injury-enforced absence.Ana, sporting her new adidas purple top and white skirt outfit, drew first blood when she broke the Russian to lead 2-1. Petrova broke straight back and the next four games included just two points won against the serve.Two double faults by Petrova, accompanied by a searing forehand winner from the 19-year-old, gave Ana a break in the ninth game, but again Petrova broke back.Undeterred, Ana kept the pressure on her opponent, displaying her superb, vastly improved defence. She broke again and this time served out the set, thanks in part to an ace and a forehand winner.Ana maintained her momentum in the opening game of the second set, breaking immediately then holding confidently for 2-0.Serve matched serve for the rest of the set until Ana served for the match at 5-4. She won the opening point with a service winner; the second when Petrova hit a backhand wide; the third with another forehand missile and the fourth with an ace.Ana, who hit 31 winners, squealed with delight and dropped her racket to the ground before commiserating with Petrova. The victory is Ana's 11th over a top 10-ranked player this year and the sixth in her last four events. Only world No.1 Justine Henin, with 12 victories, has won more matches against the world's elite during 2007.Ana, who began the year at No.14, will move to No.4 when the new rankings list is published tomorrow.

Taliban Still Says 2 Koreans to Be Freed

A relative of South Koreans kidnapped in Afghanistan reacts as he watches a news report about the possible release of two female hostages in Sungnam, south of Seoul, South Korea, Sunday, Aug. 12, 2007. A Taliban spokesman reiterated on Sunday that the militants will soon free two sick, female South Korean hostages but said the timing of the release hasn't yet been decided.

http://www.mail.com/newsarticle.aspx?catId=&articleId=1169734

Grilled Chicken and Nectarine Salad

Jay Decker combines barbecued chicken, sweet nectarines, tangy goat cheese, and toasted pecans in a great entrée salad. Prep and cook time: about 25 minutes.

Ingredients

2/3 cup pecan halves ,2 quarts salad greens (8 oz.), rinsed and crisped ,

1/4 cup vegetable oil ,1/4 cup walnut oil (or more vegetable oil; see "Nut Oils on Salad," below)

1/4 cup white wine vinegar ,4 boned chicken breast halves with skin (2 lb. total), rinsed, patted dry, and fat trimmed Salt and pepper,

2 firm-ripe nectarines (12 oz. total), rinsed, pitted, and thinly sliced ,

5 ounces fresh chèvre (goat cheese), crumbled

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Spread pecans in a baking pan and bake until golden under skins, about 10 minutes. Let cool, then coarsely chop.

2. Mound salad greens on four dinner plates. In a small bowl, stir vegetable oil, walnut oil, and vinegar to blend. Set aside.

3. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Lay on a lightly oiled barbecue grill over a solid bed of medium-hot coals or medium-high heat on a gas grill (you can hold your hand at grill level only 3 to 4 seconds); close lid on gas grill. Cook chicken, turning occasionally, until meat is no longer pink in center of thickest part (cut to test), about 15 minutes total. Transfer chicken to a cutting board. Remove skin if desired.

4. Slice chicken across the grain 1/2 inch thick; arrange over greens. Tuck nectarine around chicken. Scatter goat cheese and pecans over the top. Stir dressing; pour over salads. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Nut Oils on Salad: A drizzle of walnut, hazelnut, or almond oil makes a salad dressing--like the one in this salad--rich and interesting. Until recently, though, nut oils have generally been imported and pricey. Now, less expensive oils pressed from Western nuts are joining imports in grocery stores.

Nut oils are good for your heart, as well as your salads. Almond and hazelnut oils are rich in monounsaturated fats, and walnut oil supplies omega-3 fatty acids. Refrigerate nut oils after opening; they turn rancid quickly at room temperature.
Note: Nutritional analysis is per serving without skin.

Yield

Makes 4 main-dish servings

Nutritional Information
CALORIES 721(67% from fat); FAT 54g (sat 12g); PROTEIN 44g; CHOLESTEROL 120mg; SODIUM 275mg; FIBER 3g; CARBOHYDRATE 16g

Sharapova Withdraws From Carson Semis

Maria Sharapova, of Russia, addresses the media after pulling out of the East West Bank Classic tennis tournament in Carson, Calif., due to a shin muscle injury, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2007.

http://www.mail.com/newsArticle.aspx?catId=31&articleId=1169671&newssiteId=1

Shuttle Mission Overshadowed by Gash

In this photo made from the NASA-TV, Canadian Space Agency astronaut Dave Williams works outside of the Space Shuttle Endeavour during a space walk while orbiting Earth, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2007. This is the first space walk of the STS-118 mission.

http://www.mail.com/newsArticle.aspx?catId=1&articleId=1169585&newssiteId=1

Comeback kid Ana moves into final

Ana produced another astonishing comeback as she defeated world No.3 Jelena Jankovic 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 in the semi-finals of the East West Bank Classic. The 19-year-old recovered from a 1-4 final set deficit and saved two match points at 4-5 before completing a breathless victory.Jankovic took the first set and had a host of break points in the second but Ana came back to level the match. The second seed grabbed an early break in the decider but Ana again fought back, hitting a flurry of fabulous forehand winners as she turned the tables on Jankovic.Ana, who with this win extends her head-to-head superiority over Jankovic to 4-1, squealed with delight upon sealing the thrilling win after two-and-a-half hours.The win represents Ana's tenth triumph over a top 10-ranked player during 2007 and guarantees her ascent to a new career-high ranking of four when the new list is published on Monday."I played some awesome points when it was very important and I'm really happy with that," said Ana, who blasted an amazing 55 winners."I never give up so I tried to focus on each point and take more time on my serve. It was important to run around and hit my forehand because it's more powerful and she likes to run, so I tried to step forward more."This gives me a lot of confidence because she's a great player and matches like these count the most."The 19-year-old, who smacked down 12 aces today, will face world No.9 Nadia Petrova in the final on Sunday. The Russian, whom Ana defeated at Wimbledon, advanced when top seed Maria Sharapova withdrew from their scheduled semi-final due to injury.