Starbucks Starbucks, along with its partner Delek Group of Israel, closed all six of its locations in Israel, citing "on-going operational challenges" and a "difficult business environment." The Starbucks location in the former imperial palace in Beijing closed in July 2007. The coffee shop had been a source of ongoing controversy since its opening in 2000 with protesters objecting that the presence of the American chain in this location "was trampling on Chinese culture." In July 2008, the company announced it was closing 600 underperforming company-owned stores and cutting U.S. expansion plans amid growing economic uncertainty. On July 29, 2008, Starbucks
2008 US Open – Women's Singles the start of the tournament. Notably this was the final Grand Slam in which 1998 champion and former World No. 1 Lindsay Davenport competed in the singles championship. She lost to Marion Bartoli in the third round. 2008 US Open – Women's Singles Justine Henin was the defending champion, but retired from the sport on May 14, 2008. Serena Williams defeated Jelena Janković 6–4, 7–5 in the final, winning her third US Open title. By winning her title, Williams regained the WTA no. 1 singles ranking for the first time since 2003. This was also the second US Open and