Venus helps Delaware win

Williams seizes spotlight in her only home date
BY MELANIE HO / The News Journal

07/21/2005ROCKLAND -- It took a superstar, but the Smash finally won a match.

From the moment Venus Williams arrived at the AstraZeneca Center, escorted by
two police cars, cameras didn't stop flashing. The five-time Grand Slam
winner made her presence known both on and off the court. She dominated
during women's singles, danced between points during mixed doubles and served
up a few aces in women's doubles.

The Smash won 23-12 against the New York Sportimes, but judging from the
crowd's cheers, it wasn't so much the score that mattered than the player who
had come to visit.

"It's a fun experience to play with someone who is such a great champion both
in singles and doubles," said Rennae Stubbs, who paired with Williams during
women's doubles. "It was just so much fun because there was no pressure on us
with us being up so far."

The night started off with Roger Anderson and Robbie Koenig winning their set
5-2 over Robert Kendrick and Bobby Reynolds. Though the crowd cheered for the
men, the real screams were saved for Williams.

As expected, Williams won her singles set over Jenny Hopkins 5-0. Hopkins won
the first two points before Williams stretched her to the lines and broke
serve.

Mixed doubles was a combination of great angles, missed shots, at-the-body
shots and a dance by Williams to Destiny's Child. But even with the dancing,
Williams and Koenig, substituted by Anderson, lost their set 5-3 to Hopkins
and Reynolds.

The real numbers were put up at halftime, when a signed tennis shirt and
broken racquet were auctioned off to Wilmington mayor James Baker for $2,500.
With the bid struggling at $800, Williams took the mike and asked Delaware to
step up the bids in support of the Rodney Street Tennis Association.

Williams is playing WTT because she "just wanted to." Though she is asked
each year by WTT co-founder and Smash co-owner Billie Jean King to play in
the league, Williams said injuries and scheduling conflicts have prevented
her from playing more often.

However, Williams said she is excited to play WTT.

"It's looser than normal tennis," Williams said. "[It] also goes to different
markets that don't get to see professional tennis all the time."

The cameras eased in men's singles as Anderson topped Hendricks 5-3.

There were high expectations in women's doubles for Williams and Stubbs,
herself a six-time Grand Slam doubles winner. They easily handled Hopkins and
Natalie Grandin, winning the set 5-2 to clinch the match.

"I fully enjoyed myself," Stubbs said. "It's always interesting to hear, to
feel how [top players] react."

Almost forgotten in all the Venus hoopla was the instant replay technology
set up for the match. Using Hawkeye technology, each coach had the
opportunity to challenge calls. During the first set Smash coach Mariaan de
Swardt clutched her instant replay flags, using one during women's singles.
That was the only one of the night.

With the win, the Smash are 3-8. But as the fans attempted to catch an
autograph from Williams as she left the court, it was clear she was the
starring attraction.