NUMBER 61 AND THE BARRY BONDS-BRYAN BROS. CONNECTION: It wasn’t all that surprising to see the Bryan Bros. hobnobbing with Home Run King Barry Bonds at the Farmers Classic in L.A. After all, both parties have a special connection with the number 61. Bob and Mike are on the verge of breaking The Woodies‘ all-time doubles wins mark of No. 61, while Bonds himself surpassed Roger Maris‘ onetime single-season home run record of 61 (set, ironically, in ’61) in 2001.
WILLIAMS PROMOTION 101: Venus Williams signed copies of her new book “Come To Win: Business Leaders, Artists, Doctors, and Other Visionaries on How Sports Can Help You Top Your Profession” at the Farmers Classic on Friday. Sister Serena Williams (she of the injured foot and the endless HSN appearance updates) was spotted two nights earlier at the L.A. ATP stop hanging out with James Blake.
ONE DAY IT’S RAFA’S PIRATE PANTS, THE NEXT IT’S JANKO’S EYE PATCH: Janko Tipsarevic wore an eye patch during practice sessions at the Farmers Classic (a tip from his coach who says he cuts down un unnecessary head movement when his vision is limited). Asked if he thought the look would catch on with his ATP brethren, the tattooed Serb told The Tennis Channel, “I definitely don’t see pirate tennis players anytime soon.”
HUBER WOMAN AGAIN: Liezel Huber will regain the No.1 doubles rankings on August 2, when the updated rankings are released. After eight weeks at No.3, the 33-year-old American will climb into the top spot for the second time in her career.
THE NUMBERS
147: Ranking of Yuri Schukin of Kazakhstan, who took down top-seeded and No. 14-ranked Russian Mikhail Youzhny in the Swiss Open quarterfinals.
6%: Increase in racket sales at pro/specialty shops through May, according to the TIA.
1: Occasions on which Sam Stosur has been the No. 1 seed at a WTA event (as she is this week at the Bank of the West Classic).
QUOTEBOOK
“I don’t think people in business class fart less than in economy.” — Janko Tipsarevic
“My math teacher started to cry when I told her I was going to go pro in tennis. I was really good with numbers.” — Anastasia Pivovarova
“Maybe it’s time for [Andy] Murray to get in communion with himself, see what he can do relying on his own instincts and accumulated knowledge.” — Peter Bodo
