March 03, 2009
Last night's BNP Paribas Showdown at Madison Square Garden featured none other than President Bill Clinton paying tribute to Billie Jean King for her career accomplishments in professional tennis and for her lifelong service on behalf of women in sports around the world. "She has probably done more than any other woman in the world to empower women and educate men," Clinton said, adding that while his wife, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is making peace in the Middle East, she too would have high praise for the life work of Billie Jean King were she here in attendance.
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The competition was played in a unique one night format, pitting first Venus Williams versus Jelena Jankovic, followed by Serena Williams against Ana Ivanovic, in a preliminary one set no-ad elimination round. Venus Williams narrowly defeated Jankovic 6-4 to advance to the finals.
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Sister Serena was pushed to the limit by Serbian phenom Ana Ivanovic, who came within a hair's breath from evening the match, before succumbing to the overpowering game of the world's current number one ranked tennis player in the world.
Following the victories of the Williams sisters, the ceremony with former President Bill Clinton took place, with female sports stars such as figure skaters Sarah Hughes and Nancy Kerrigan, race car driver Janet Guthrie, and long-time doubles partner Rosie Casales participating in the tribute to Billie Jean King, who founded the Women's Tennis Association in 1973.
Serena Williams eventually prevailed against sister Venus to win the Billie Jean King Cup exhibition tournament on Monday, ending both the match and the highly marketed return of women's tennis to Madison Square Garden with a 6-4, 6-3 victory.
The live HBO broadcast of the Billie Jean King Cup was part of "Tennis Night in America," an effort by the U.S. Tennis Association to get youth registered for the sport. More than 750 tennis and community centers were signing up kids for spring and summer leagues.
Photography: Charles Harris
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Tags:
ana ivanovic, billie jean king, billie jean king cup, bnp paribas showdown, hbo, jelena jankovic, madison square garden, president bill clinton, serena williams, tennis night in america, venus williams, wta
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Posted on 3/3/2009
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