Live Blogging from the Sunshine State!

FROM THE SONY ERICSSON OPEN - Hi everyone and thank you so much for reading my first blog entry from Miami!

Whew! Here it is - just in time too. Serena quickly defeated Lucie Safarova, 6-3, 6-4, and she needed just one hour and eighteen minutes to do it.

I thought I’d get a chance to speak with her during the press conference, but I had to do some quick thinking of my own since my computer wasn’t reading the right wireless signal here in beautiful Miami.

The temperature was in the low 80’s today and the sun was everywhere. It made me almost regret not buying shades for the trip and leaving my sun block in New York. As the saying goes, if push comes to a shove, I can always buy both!

I’m excited to be here sharing my experiences over the next several days with you.

Today was a long day, especially as I only had 5 hours of sleep last night because we landed an hour late. You know how that goes. First we couldn’t get one of the engines started and then we had to wait in line to take off. Both took about 20-25 minutes each. But don’t worry - it didn’t overshadow the great day I had today watching Kim Clijsters and Li Na.

By now you all probably know that the bride-to-be lost 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 to Li Na. Yes, her name is really Li Na. Not Na Li as we tend to pronounce things here. In China the last name comes first.

How do I know? Well, I was there when they introduced this up-and-coming champion with a booming two-handed backhand that Clijsters just had no answer for today. It’s Li Na. And she’ll be playing Russia’s Anna Chakvetadze next. You can check back at On the Baseline to find out when tomorrow. As for the head-to head, the two players are even at one win each, but Li Na won the last time they met in 2006.

Anyway, back to this well-earned victory that had lots and lots of flat shots that landed tantalizingly close to the outside of the line. (They don’t have Hawk-Eye on Court No. 1.)

Kim Clijsters did hit a couple of great overheads which made me question whether or not she’s ever played baseball! As usual, she was sliding all over the place providing us with a few classic, trademark Kim Splits in what could possibly be her last appearance on American soil as a professional tennis player. Remember she’s retiring and hasn’t decided yet about the US Open.

The two went back and forth trading forehand & backhand shots only to leave us wondering if the top ranked player in China would serve the Belgian a permanent dose of what the other players will soon realize - a tennis game that has matured, is fearless and full of power. Li Na is hungry and can’t wait to eat!

Li Na is moving much better now on the court, kind of like how Kim does when she’s really focused on tennis. Remember Clijsters at the 2005 US Open? The girl couldn’t be stopped. She slid right through everyone. But, at the end of the day, I still have to say Clijsters is a real professional for showing up to play the various tournaments she agreed to play at even though her mind is clearly elsewhere.

For you fashion conscious people out there, Clijsters & Li Na were color-coordinated in a dainty display of lavender and white.

I also caught Nadia Petrova vs. Dinara Safina - another good match of the day prior to Clijsters v. Li Na, plus the very tail-end of Justine Henin vs. Vera Zvonareva.

Compared to what happened yesterday, Justine’s win today allowed her to redeem herself. She barely escaped with a win on Sunday - a win I’m told that came as a result of Zvonareva choking at the end.

Dinara Safina fought back even after an injury time-out, but it wasn’t enough as Petrova won 3-6, 6-2, 6-4. The Tour’s trainer on duty examined her left foot, put some ointment on her big toe, put some tape around it and laced her right back up. I guess it helped because not much later, Petrova had to take a moment to regroup after chasing down one of Safina’s many power shots. Still, it wasn’t good enough and Petrova reached the quarterfinals.

In non-WTA related, but still tennis news, my day started with an Andy Murray sighting at one of the vendor booths. I was browsing and stopped by the SC Academy booth, a tennis school for those interested in lessons. Age ain’t nothing but a number to them. They were recruiting the young & the old! By the way, this was the USA Branch of the Sanchez-Casal Academy, the school founded by Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario and the current home of Svetlana Kuznetsova - the defending champ here that was knocked out too earlier today.

All of a sudden I heard a girl excitedly call out “Andy!” He responded by saying hello and struck up a conversation with her. I wasn’t lucky enough to be close enough to eavesdrop, but he was apparently on his way out and all sweaty which led me to believe that he’d just left the practice courts. I think he’s Britain’s only hope at this point in tennis and he is scheduled to play Paul-Henri Mathieu tomorrow in the 4th round at 11am on the Grandstand court.

I spent part of my day getting used to the grounds and I mapped the place out for myself by singling out some great places to eat. I’m a vegetarian with no dairy or fish, but smoothies will definitely work!

I did manage to get my photo on the cover of Sports Illustrated, after Mercedes Benz’ suggested retail price ($450,000) for the 2006 SLR made me realize I’d have to settle with that distinction for now. Folks, we’re talking about a car I’ve dreamed of owning since high school.

As for Mercedes Benz and SI, they both have rich histories and great reputations - something that’ll hopefully become a part of my legacy, but let’s just say for now, I know my limitations.

By the way, here is an opportunity to meet me in person. I know you’re wondering what is she talking about! The photo is supposed to be available sometime on the website - SI.com. It’ll bring us a little closer together, at least for now.

Ciao and talk to you tomorrow!

(Stephanie Stepp is a veteran sports reporter and is covering the Sony Ericsson Open live from Miami, Florida for On the Baseline Tennis News.)

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