NOTEBOOK | From Melbourne

Sampras elected to HOF: As a tennis history buff, Pete Sampras can't wait to walk around the sport's Hall of Fame when he goes there for the first time this summer. He's especially looking forward to seeing his own plaque. Sampras was elected to the International Tennis Hall of Fame Wednesday, joined in the 2007 class by Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario, Sven Davidson and Russ Adams. Sampras has never visited the Hall of Fame in Newport, R.I., but he'll get a chance when he's there for the July 14 induction ceremony. He'll also participate in an exhibition the next day. His singles record was 762-222, and he earned more than 43 million in prize money, a mark that still stands. Sanchez-Vicario won three French Opens and was the first Spanish woman to win the U.S. Open singles title in 1994. In addition to those four major singles titles, she won six doubles and four mixed doubles Grand Slam championships. Davidson was the first Swedish man to win a Grand Slam title, at the 1957 French Championships, and also won the 1958 Wimbledon doubles title.
Serena the softie: Serena Williams says she's a softie who wears her heart on her sleeve, unlike sister Venus who plays it cool no matter what's going on inside. Serena, who with Venus has a combined 12 Grand Slam titles, was visibly frustrated several times Wednesday before rallying to beat qualifier Anne Kremer of Luxembourg 7-6 (4), 6-2 and advance to the third round. "On and off the court, I'm extremely emotional," said Williams. "I'm crying in the movies, you know, just [with] sympathy. So it's no surprise that on the court I do tend to wear my emotions on my sleeve. It can work against you and it can work for you, and that's one thing I've always admired about Venus. You can never tell she's down or she's up. She's just going steady. She's kind of just monotone sometimes."
Missing Jimmy: Andy Roddick speaks to Jimmy Connors every day, but is missing the feisty energy his coach gives off in person. Roddick regained his form and reached the final of the U.S. Open last season after coaching from Connors. The eight-time Grand Slam champion did not travel to Melbourne Park because his mother and former coach, Gloria Connors, died on Jan. 8. "It's just a lot more consistent when he's at a tournament," Roddick said. "There's a third dimension to his energy. It's the same with anything. If you're with your buddies, you're hanging out, it's probably a lot better in person than it is on the phone."
Associated Press
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