S.F. Examiner: Here’s how you spell Djokovic: B-E-S-T

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By Art Spander
San Francisco Examiner

WIMBLEDON, England — They know his name now, know that he’s the best men’s tennis player in the world. They know his quickness, his return of serve and his ability to react, sprinting from one end of the court to the other. They even know his tendency to take tumbles as he reaches for balls beyond his reach, but not his hopes.

Novak Djokovic was always somewhat of an outsider, not so much an oddball but unusual — at least to Americans. Djokovic had a talent for mimicking other players, men and women — he knew every Maria Sharapova twist and move — and a talent for fading in big matches.

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©2015 The San Francisco Examiner

S.F. Examiner: Stabler’s magical memories remain vivid

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By Art Spander
San Francisco Examiner

Oh those Oakland Raiders of the 1970s, talented and uninhibited, who, like the poem, would knock you ’round and upside down and laugh when they’d conquered and won. They seemed less a team of athletes than a group from central casting, characters but, when needed, full of character.

Ken Stabler, who died Thursday at 69 from colon cancer, was the perfect quarterback for those Raiders, someone who sensed how far he could push the rules and, in a manner of speaking, push his teammates — which was all the way to the top.

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©2015 The San Francisco Examiner

S.F. Examiner: Slammed: Serena clinches hers, eyes history’s

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By Art Spander
San Francisco Examiner

WIMBLEDON, England — Go ahead and say it: Grand Slam. Magic words in tennis, in sport, an attraction beyond the norm, a standard of brilliance, a mark of excellence, an achievement sitting right there within the grasp — well, the serves and the ground strokes of the magnificent Serena Williams.

Williams had attempted to avoid the subject, the way some baseball announcers refuse to tell us a team hasn’t had a hit, fearing somehow the words would have an effect, be a jinx.

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©2015 The San Francisco Examiner

Newsday (N.Y.): Serena Williams wins Wimbledon and completes Serena Slam

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By Art Spander
Special to Newsday

WIMBLEDON, England — She had won Wimbledon, but Serena Williams was talking about New York and the U.S. Open. About the possibility of making history. About the possibility of becoming the first player in more than a quarter-century to win the tennis Grand Slam.

On a glorious day in suburban London, Williams beat Garbine Muguruza of Spain, 6-4, 6-4, giving her a sixth Wimbledon women's singles title and so much more. She now has a second "Serena Slam," winning all four of the majors in succession since the U.S. Open last year. And she has a shot at the true Grand Slam, all four in a calendar year.

Read the full story here.

Copyright © 2015 Newsday. All rights reserved.

Newsday (N.Y.): Memorable plays during Raiders days puts Ken Stabler on doorstep of Hall of Fame

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By Art Spander
Special to Newsday

Maybe it was all about timing. Ken Stabler played in an era dominated by Terry Bradshaw and Bob Griese.

Maybe it was all about location. Stabler might have been in the wrong place. He played on the "Left Coast," as Easterners say with a sneer.

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Copyright © 2015 Newsday. All rights reserved.

Newsday (N.Y.): Roger Federer will play Novak Djokovic for Wimbledon title

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By Art Spander
Special to Newsday

WIMBLEDON, England — He was Michael Jordan hitting jump shots. He was Jack Nicklaus driving golf balls. He was Roger Federer, out of the past and securing a future because he again will be playing in a Wimbledon final.

At 33, Federer served as if he were 23, with 20 aces and a bunch of serves that Andy Murray just couldn't handle. "He served fantastic," an awed Murray said. "I really didn't have any opportunities."

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Copyright © 2015 Newsday. All rights reserved.

Newsday (N.Y.): Serena Williams beats Maria Sharapova for 17th straight time

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By Art Spander
Special to Newsday

WIMBLEDON, England — Everyone knows the best part of Serena Williams' game is her serving — she had 13 more aces Thursday while sweeping through her Wimbledon semifinal -- but her bewildered opponent, Maria Sharapova, pointed out another Williams asset.

"I think one of the things she does extremely well is to take [herself] from a defensive position to offense. I was not able to that," sighed Sharapova after losing to Williams a 17th consecutive time.

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Copyright © 2015 Newsday. All rights reserved.

Newsday (N.Y.): Serena Williams goes 3 sets to get past Azarenka

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By Art Spander
Special to Newsday

WIMBLEDON, England — In a country of royalty, Serena Williams seems destined again to ascend the throne of ladies tennis. And if things go right, to make history by winning the true Grand Slam, all four major tournaments in a calendar year.

Williams dropped the first set to Victoria Azarenka Tuesday in their Wimbledon quarterfinal, but then, utilizing power unfathomed by other women, rebounded for a 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 victory.

Read the full story here.

Copyright © 2015 Newsday. All rights reserved.

Newsday (N.Y.): Novak Djokovic rallies to beat Kevin Anderson

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By Art Spander
Special to Newsday

WIMBLEDON, England — It's a sporting cliche, but an accurate one. The way an athlete responds when in trouble is a yardstick of his quality. Novak Djokovic, the No. 1-ranked player in men's tennis, responded well enough at Wimbledon to reach the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam tournament a 25th straight time.

In a match that began Monday and then after four sets was suspended because of darkness, Djokovic Tuesday completed a successful comeback, defeating Kevin Anderson, 6-7 (6), 6-7 (6), 6-1, 6-4, 7-5 on Court One.

Read the full story here.

Copyright © 2015 Newsday. All rights reserved.

S.F. Examiner: No Slam talk: Serena shuts it down after beating Venus

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By Art Spander
San Francisco Examiner

WIMBLEDON, England — Time had stopped, more accurately gone backward. The Williams sisters were at it once more, powering serves, ripping forehands, making us feel young again, making us feel part of an era when women’s tennis was distilled down to two names, Venus and Serena.

“Come on Williams!” a voice shouted during the first set of their Wimbledon fourth-rounder, and laughter rippled around Centre Court. Yeah, come on Williams, because out there in the sunshine and history, reprising an act that never gets boring, a Williams would succeed.

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©2015 The San Francisco Examiner

S.F. Examiner: No black bras, green headbands at 21st-century Wimbledon

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By Art Spander
San Francisco Examiner

WIMBLEDON, England — The authorities are making underwear checks at Wimbledon. But only for the women, of course. “It’s creepy,” said Caroline Wozniacki, one of the top female players and social media targets. The ladies get equal pay at The Championships, but very unequal scrutiny.

It’s still the 19th Century around here. Eugenie Bouchard, the Canadian, reportedly was fined the other day for wearing a black bra under the obligatory white blouse, causing Claire Cohen of the Telegraph to write, “It’s 2015 and we’re still discussing female tennis players’ lingerie over their performance on court.”

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©2015 The San Francisco Examiner

S.F. Examiner: Another ‘sad moment’ for fading Nadal

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By Art Spander
San Francisco Examiner

It wasn’t going to happen again to Rafael Nadal. He was healthy. Along with every other tennis star, he had an extra week of preparation on grass, a surface played so infrequently.

He came into Wimbledon, won his opening match and told us, “I’m a little bit more confident now than I was a few months ago. Let’s say I’m playing more solidly.”

Read the full story here.

©2015 The San Francisco Examiner

S.F. Examiner: Federer, Nadal remain compelling through nature’s obstacles

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By Art Spander
San Francisco Examiner

WIMBLEDON, England — One is too old — at least we think so, even if Roger Federer doesn’t — and the other is too worn out. Tennis is a sport for the young, isn’t it? And the physically fit, which Rafael Nadal seems to be only occasionally. But there are no logical parameters for either of these two.

Federer should have retired a couple of years back. The man will be 34 in a few weeks, ancient for running backs or guys running down backhands. Nadal should have fallen apart a few years ago. First there were the troublesome knees, then the back. He seemed to spend more time in rehab than on court.

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©2015 The San Francisco Examiner

Global Golf Post: Tiger's Poor Play Befuddles Everyone

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By Art Spander
Global Golf Post

UNIVERSITY PLACE, WASHINGTON — The symbolism was unavoidable. Tiger Woods topped a 3-wood from the middle of the 18th fairway into the deepest bunker on the course.

There was his ball, so far down. There was his game, so far down. There were the rest of us — fans, media, not knowing whether to offer sympathy or laughter.

Read the full story here.

Copyright 2015 Global Golf Post

S.F. Examiner: Leaving us Spieth-less: Phenom halfway to historic Grand Slam

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By Art Spander
San Francisco Examiner

UNIVERSITY PLACE, Wash. — The adage is you don’t win a U.S. Open, it wins you. That after the yanked tee shots and missed putts, after the lead slips through the hands of one golfer to another’s like fool’s gold, there’s someone standing as much in bewilderment as elation when he’s handed the trophy.

On a beautiful mid-summer’s day, on a course as reviled as it was admired — tattered and battered Chambers Bay — that someone was the best young player in America and maybe the world, Jordan Spieth.

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©2015 The San Francisco Examiner

Bleacher Report: Jordan Spieth Looks Like Tiger Woods 2.0 After Masters-US Open Double at 21

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By Art Spander
Featured Columnist

UNIVERSITY PLACE, Wash. — There’s always a star in the future. And in the wings. There’s always another great one ready to move in, to keep us enthralled in golf. Always another Jack Nicklaus. Or Tiger Woods.

Always a Jordan Spieth.

Read the full story here.

Copyright © 2015 Bleacher Report, Inc. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.

Bleacher Report: Who Will Tame the Beast of Chambers Bay and Claim US Open Glory?

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By Art Spander
Featured Columnist

UNIVERSITY PLACE, Wash. — Henrik Stenson compared the greens to broccoli, except broccoli is green and the greens are brown. Ian Poulter said Chambers Bay would turn the U.S. Open into “a complete farce,” but he conceded his comments were constructed from hearsay.

But Jim Furyk, who 12 years ago won a U.S. Open on a course very different from this year’s — old-fashioned Olympia Fields south of Chicago — described Chambers in less emotional terms.

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Copyright © 2015 Bleacher Report, Inc. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.

Bleacher Report: What Insiders Have to Say as Tiger Woods' Woes Hit a New Low at the 2015 US Open

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By Art Spander
Featured Columnist

UNIVERSITY PLACE, Wash. — The old line when a famous golfer shoots a bad score — Lee Trevino used to toss it out frequently — was that 90 percent of the pros didn’t care and the other 10 percent wish he had played even worse. Harsh, but mostly true.

Golfers are so focused on their own games, their own difficulties, it’s rare when they even acknowledge those of a competitor.

Read the full story here.

Copyright © 2015 Bleacher Report, Inc. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.

Bleacher Report: The Dustin Johnson Roller Coaster Is on the Upswing Again at 2015 U.S. Open

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By Art Spander
Featured Columnist

UNIVERSITY PLACE, Wash. — It’s not always what you’ve done lately, especially for Dustin Johnson, whose present will always be linked to the past.

Here he is, tied for the clubhouse lead after Thursday’s first round of America’s golfing championship, the U.S. Open. Yet the questions that surround him deal as much with what he has done as what he might do.

Read the full story here.

Copyright © 2015 Bleacher Report, Inc. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.