Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Serena voted AP Female Athlete Of The Year

Playing her best at the most important events, Serena Williams re-established herself as the top player in women's tennis in 2009 and was a landslide choice as Female Athlete of the Year by members of The Associated Press.


Williams received 66 of 158 votes cast by editors at U.S. newspapers that are members of the AP. No other candidate got more than 18 votes in the tally, which was announced Tuesday.


Clearly, Williams' most infamous on-court episode - a tirade directed at a line judge after a foot-fault call near the end of her U.S. Open semifinal loss in September - didn't hurt her standing in the eyes of the voters.


"People realize that I'm a great player, and one moment doesn't define a person's career,'' Williams told the AP. "And I was right, for the most part: It wasn't right the way I reacted - I never said it was - but I was right about the call."


She also noted that the outburst, which resulted in a record fine and two-year probationary period at Grand Slam tournaments, "got a lot more people excited about tennis."


The 28-year-old American tends to do that, thanks to her powerful, athletic play and her outgoing personality.


"We can attribute the strength and the growth of women's tennis a great deal to her," WTA chairman and CEO Stacey Allaster said in a telephone interview. "She is a superstar."


Williams, who is based in Florida, also won the AP award in 2002, a seven-year gap that is the longest between AP Female Athlete of the Year honors since golf's Patty Berg won in 1943 and 1955.


"I'm just happy and blessed to even be playing seven years later. All this is a bonus, really,'' Williams said. "In 2002, I just was really dominant, and I think in 2009, I just brought that back. I kind of became that player again."


Indeed she did.

Williams finished the year at No. 1 in the WTA rankings. She topped $6.5 million in prize money, breaking the single-season tour record by more than $1 million. She won three significant singles titles - Wimbledon, the Australian Open and the season-ending tour championships - and paired with sister Venus to win three Grand Slam doubles championships.


"An incredible performance," Allaster said. "Her game just continues to improve through this long career she's had."


Williams went 50-12 in singles, an .806 winning percentage that was the highest for any woman who played at least 20 matches in 2009. She tied for the tour lead in singles titles. She led the tour with 381 aces, 75 more than anyone else, and also led in percentages of first-service points won and service games won.


Her two Grand Slam singles titles raised her career total to 11, the most among active women. At the year's other two majors, she lost to the eventual champion: Svetlana Kuznetsova at the French Open, Kim Clijsters at the U.S. Open.


"Serena really peaks for those big moments on big stages,'' Allaster said.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Henin looks to be in great shape after win to top 20 player in exhibition

Justine Henin's comeback continues with yet another exhibition victory -- the former No. 1 defeated world No. 20 Nadia Petrova 7-6(4), 6-2 in Cairo on Saturday.

Last weekend, Henin defeated fellow Belgian Kristen Flipkens and world No. 12 Flavia Pennetta in her first event since she retired suddenly in May 2008. Henin will make her official WTA return in Brisbane in January.

Safina willl not participate in one of Australian Open warm-up events

Dinara Safina has withdrawn from next month's Brisbane International because of a bad back, leaving her status for the Australian Open in doubt.


Safina, the former top-ranked player in the world, withdrew Friday from the Brisbane event, where she had hoped to return from injury and start tuning up for the first major of 2010.

The Sydney tournament will feature most of the women's top 10 in the week before the Australian Open, which starts Jan. 18 in Melbourne.

Safina tearfully withdrew from the WTA Championships with a serious back injury in October, a problem she originally thought could keep her out of the Australian Open. But she signed on for the Brisbane tournament only two days later.

Friday, December 04, 2009

Mauresmo retires from tennis at age 30


Former world No. 1 Amelie Mauresmo has retired. The Frenchwoman, whose international profile was controversially shaped at the 1999 Australian Open, bowed out last night after struggling to find "the desire to compete again."

Mauresmo, 30, won two grand slam singles titles in 2006 - the Australian Open and Wimbledon.

The fragile right-hander endured a rough introduction to international sport 10 years ago when, as a 19-year-old.

But, over time, the athletic all-courter became one of the most popular players of her generation.

"I came here to announce the end of my career. I made this decision after careful consideration," she said.

"I don't want to train anymore. I had to make a decision, which became evident in the last few months and weeks.

"When you grow older, it's more difficult to stay at the top.

"It's a bit sad, but this is the right decision.

"I was lucky enough to have an exceptional career and to experience very strong feelings on the court.

"I dreamt of this career, I dreamt of winning a grand slam title. I lifted trophies in every city in the world and I lived 10 magical and unbelievable years."

Mauresmo rose to No. 1 in September, 2004.

She suffered a bitter-sweet Australian Open victory in January, 2006, when Belgian Justine Henin retired mid-match, denying Mauresmo the pleasure of winning the final point of the match.

Her Wimbledon victory six months later - also against Henin - was the high point of her career.

Illness and injury cut Mauresmo's effectiveness in 2007, when she took time to recover from an appendectomy.

She emerged from a long winless streak by claiming the Paris Open in February, but it was her last hurrah.

Her final match was a 6-4 6-0 flogging from Canadian Aleksandra Wozniak in the second round of the US Open in September.

"It became very hard in the build-up to the US Open," Mauresmo said.

"If I were able to enter the court, play and shine, of course I could continue, but to achieve this you need to put in such hard work. And I'm not capable of that."

Mauresmo won 25 singles titles and retired while still ranked a respectable 21st in the world.

Her retirement means there will be a slight adjustment of seeds for the 2010 Australian Open next month.

Serena fined record $82,500 for US Open tirade


Serena Williams was fined a record $82,500 (U.S.) for her tirade at a U.S. Open line judge and could be suspended from that tournament if she has another "major offence" at any Grand Slam in the next two years.

Grand Slam administrator Bill Babcock's ruling was released Monday, and he said Williams faces a "probationary period" at tennis' four major championships in 2010 and 2011. If she has another "major offence" at a Grand Slam tournament in that time, the fine would increase to $175,000 and she would be barred from the following U.S. Open.

He said Williams is handing over $82,500 right now to the Grand Slam committee, already far more than the previous highest fine for a Grand Slam offence. In 1995, Jeff Tarango stormed off the court at Wimbledon and accused the chair umpire of showing favouritism to certain players in exchange for their friendship. Tarango was fined a total of $43,756, which was reduced to $28,256 on appeal, and barred from Wimbledon the next year.

Williams lashed out at a lineswoman after a foot-fault call at the end of her semifinal loss to eventual champion Kim Clijsters at the U.S. Open in September. It was a profanity-laced, finger-pointing, racket-brandishing display in which Williams approached the official with what U.S. Open tournament director Jim Curley called at the time "a threatening manner."

"I am thankful that we now have closure on the incident and we can all move forward," Williams said in a statement released Monday."

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

2009 Champions of the Year







Australian Open Champion: Serena Williams





















French Open Champion: Svetlana Kuznetsova
















The Championships at Wimbledon Champion: Serena Williams



















US Open Champion: Kim Clijsters


















Sony Ericsson Year-Ending Championships in Doha Champion: Serena Williams

Sunday, November 08, 2009

Rezai earns title in Bali after top seeded countrywoman retires

When the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour was promoting the Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions as a showcase of the up-and-coming stars of women's tennis, they couldn't have alluded to a better ending. Although it may not have been the ending she wanted, 22-year-old Aravane Rezai won her biggest career title against Marion Bartoli.

Rezai, who won her first Tour title in Strasbourg, used her big groundstrokes to hang tough with the top-seeded Bartoli, rallying from set point down at 3-5 to lead the first set, 6-5, with double set point. Bartoli called the trainer to treat her for a left quadriceps strain but when she went back on court she served a double fault to lose the set, 7-5. At that point she retired in tears.

"It's a great feeling to be here in the final. I'm very sorry for Marion that this happened," Rezai said. "I'd prefer to win in a different way, but it's tennis, a lot of different things happen. The people here are so nice. I was really motivated to win here. I want to thank the sponsors of this tournament and Sony Ericsson, also all the volunteers, the fans who came to support us, the ballboys, the chair umpire, the linesmen... thank you all, you made this tournament great."

"I'm crying right now, but I'm so happy to be here," Bartoli said. "First of all I'd like to congratulate Aravane on the wonderful week she had. She played some great tennis. I have to thank one person - my dad. Thank you so much, daddy. My leg was hurting and I tried my best to carry on, but it was too much pain. I'm sorry I wasn't able to finish today. I'd like to thank Sony Ericsson for making this tour possible, and to Commonwealth Bank for this wonderful tournament."


Sunday, November 8, 2009

Singles - Final
Aravane Rezai (FRA) d. (1) Marion Bartoli (FRA) 75 ret. (left quad strain

Saturday, November 07, 2009

Bartoli, Rezai to meet for Bali crown

The final of Bali will be a French affair, after Marion Bartoli and Aravane Rezai won their respective semifinals on Saturday.

First to secure her place in her fourth final of the year was top seed Bartoli, who broke Kimiko Date Krumm to start the match and began her subsequent service game with three aces. After Date Krumm got on the scoreboard in the fourth game of the first set, Bartoli won eight games in a row - and might have won even more handily than the eventual 61 63 scoreline.

"Up until 61 50 it was perfect, but even then I don't think my level dropped; she just started to play much better and get the crowd behind her," Bartoli said. "But I wasn't really focusing on her play; I was just playing point-by-point, and even though the first part of the match might have looked easy there were a lot of tough games, going to deuce."

Later, Rezai likewise dominated Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez. The Spaniard's left-handed serve is usually a big weapon but after being broken in the first game from a 40-15 lead it became something of a liability: Rezai broke again in the first set, and twice in the second, winning the last eight points in a row to close out the match.

"I felt great on the court today; I've been feeling really good all week, and getting better with each match," said Rezai, who passed $1 million in career prize money earlier in the week. "She likes to come to the net, which is good for me as my passing shots are some of my biggest weapons. I needed to impose my game on her, and I think I did that very well today."

Their head-to-head result is 2-0 to Bartoli, the first meeting being in the 2007 French Open, and the latest being in Tokyo this year.


Saturday, November 7, 2009

Semifinals
(1) Marion Bartoli (FRA) d. (WC) Kimiko Date Krumm (JPN) 61 63
Aravane Rezai (FRA) d. Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez (ESP) 62 63

Friday, November 06, 2009

Bartoli into semis in Bali

The semifinal line-up was determined at the Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions on Friday. With the round robin phase of the event concluded, four competitors are still in with a shot at being crowned champion of champions: Marion Bartoli, Kimiko Date Krumm, Aravane Rezai, and Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez.

Having beaten Magdalena Rybarikova on Wednesday, Group A's Bartoli confirmed her spot with a 63 62 win over Shahar Peer of Israel. Two breaks of serve in each set more than did the job for the top-seeded Frenchwoman, who never failed to hold on to her own delivery. The 25-year-old's accurate assessment: "I was hitting hard and deep and didn't make many errors."

Bartoli's semifinal opponent, Japanese veteran Date Krumm, went 1-1 in the round robin and with today off, thought her fate depended on the outcome of the scheduled match between Anabel Medina Garrigues and Yanina Wickmayer.

But the Group C scenario changed with Wickmayer's withdrawal after the announcement of a 12-month ban imposed by the Flemish Doping Tribunal in Belgium, in relation to whereabouts procedural issues. First alternate Vera Dushevina took her place, but despite registering a 26 61 75 win over Medina Garrigues the Russian could not reach the semis with only one match under her belt; furthermore, Date Krumm beat the Spaniard more handily in straight sets on Thursday.

While fourth seeded wildcard Sabine Lisicki restored pride with a 62 67(1) 64 win over Melinda Czink on Friday, Saturday's other semifinal pitches the D Group's Rezai against B Group's Martínez Sánchez. Rezai beat both Lisicki and Czink in the round robin, while Martínez Sánchez, who beat Agnes Szavay on Thursday, kept her record perfect with today's defeat of No.2 seed Sam Stosur, 76(4) 75.

Both fine doubles players, neither could crack the other's serve in the first set, but in the second Stosur recovered a 5-2 deficit before ultimately conceding defeat.

"After my great week in Doha last week I'm hoping I can have more reason to celebrate when I get home to Barcelona," said Martínez Sánchez.

There was consolation for Stosur, though. During the match she sent down a serve at 208kph - which, pending verification, would beat the 207.6kph record held by Venus Williams. "It's definitely been my best year - I had a chance to get to the Top 10 had I won this tournament, so I know that it's possible next year," the Australian said.


Friday, November 6, 2009

Round Robin - Day 3
Group A: (1) Marion Bartoli (FRA) d. Shahar Peer (ISR) 63 62
Group B: Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez
(ESP) d. (2) Samantha Stosur (AUS) 76(4) 75
Group C: Vera Dushevina
(RUS)* d. Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP) 26 61 75
Group D: (4/WC) Sabine Lisicki
(GER) d. Melinda Czink (HUN) 62 67(1) 64

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

All but one seeds in action go through on Day 1 in Bali

Groups A, B, C and D all had one match in them, as three out of four seeds playing won their matches in tough scores on Day 1 in Bali.

Group A's top seed Marion Bartoli fought to win to Magdalena Rybarikova with a score of 64 64.

Group B's No. 2 seed Samantha Stosur went to three sets against Agnes Szavay but was still able to close it out with a score of 62 36 61.
Group C's No. 3 seed Yanina Wickmayer beat wildcard Kimiko Date Krumm with a score of 76(5) 63, but the Japanese player didn't exit without a fight.

"Until 3-0 (in the second set) she was playing really aggressively," said Wickmayer, who emerged with a 76(5) 63 win. "She can take the ball really early. I think she's one of the fittest players on tour right now, and if she keeps playing for the next couple of years she'll do really well."

Group D's No. 4 seed Sabine Lisicki was the only seed to lose her match, as the German went down to Aravane Rezai with a score of 16 63 64.


Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Round Robin - Day 1
Group A: (1) Marion Bartoli (FRA) d. Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) 64 64
Group B: (2) Samantha Stosur (AUS) d. Agnes Szavay (HUN) 62 36 61
Group C: (3) Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) d. (WC) Kimiko Date Krumm (JPN) 76(5) 63
Group D: Aravane Rezai (FRA) d. (4/WC) Sabine Lisicki (GER) 16 63 64

Sunday, November 01, 2009

Serena beats Venus in tough straight sets, wins Doha

Serena and Venus Williams had to battle to take the crown in Doha, and Serena did just that, as she eased through to a straight sets victory to claim the Sony Ericsson Year-Ending Championships title for the first time since 2001.

Serena cruised through the first set comfortably, while the tension began in the second set. Both players held serves until 6-6, where Venus, the defending champion lost her serve in the first point of the tiebreaker, giving Serena a head start to complete the win. The score soon came to 5-1 to Serena, but after losing a service point, Venus won both her serves and the score became 5-4. Serena managed to make an ace to give her two championship points, and after firing a forehand winner, the match belonged to the younger sister, after winning with a score of 62 76(4).

The trophy presentation had a circus-like performance, with acrobats flying in the air and pretending to hit tennis balls, while the trophy came down from the air to the ground and was presented to Serena by Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned.

"Playing Venus in the finals was tough," Serena said on court. "Even though she wasn't feeling good, she was getting every ball back. I can't tell you how frustrating that is! Playing her is never easy."

It was the second time Serena took the Sony Ericsson Championships title, having done it in 2001 as well. She has now beaten Venus four times in a row and has a 13-10 lead in their career head-to-head.

"Now my losing streak in tournaments that aren't Grand Slams is over!" added Serena, who hadn't won a non-major since Charleston in April 2008. "Coming out here and doing well is so exciting. I totally didn't expect to come here and win. My practice at home wasn't going so great, but I just kept fighting."

"I have to congratulate Serena for playing a great match today and having a great tournament," Venus said. "I'm happy with my week. I want to thank my mom, my dad and my sister Isha, who supports us non-stop."

Now the head-to-head result is 13-10 to Serena.


Sunday, November 1, 2009

Singles - Final
(2) Serena Williams (USA) d. (7) Venus Williams (USA) 62 76(4)

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Serena and Venus to battle for title in Doha

It will be Serena Williams and older sister Venus Williams who will fight for the crown in Doha, as they both won their semifinals matches, Serena getting through after her opponent, Caroline Wozniacki retired, and Venus getting through after three tough sets of battling against Jelena Jankovic.

Serena was able to come back from 0-2 in the first set against her Danish opponent to win the set with a close score. In the second set, Wozniacki retired after winning the first game of the match with a abdominal injury. The final score was 64 01.

"She's been struggling throughout the tournament," Williams said. "Just to come out today and try to put up a fight for the crowd, it's so good to see a face like hers on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour. She's an incredible fighter."

"It was just too much for me to keep playing," Wozniacki said. "I could either smile or cry, so I chose to smile. There's nothing else you can do. I had a great year. I did all I could. I used all the strength I had left. Today I just didn't have any left. I've learned that I'm a huge fighter and impossible is nothing."

Venus lost the first set against her Serbian opponent, but regained strength and bounced back to win the next two sets. The final score was 57 64 63.

"The crowd really helped me through it," said Williams, who won her very first season-ending title right here in Doha a year ago. "It was great. In the first set I couldn't feel the ball; coming back from not being able to get a ball in to beat such a consistent player like Jelena is great. It's my last tournament of the year so I'm giving 1000%."

Serena leads the head-to-head series with a score of 12-10 to Venus, the last match being a couple of days ago, which Serena won in three tough sets.

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Singles - Semifinal
(2) Serena Williams (USA) d. (4) Caroline Wozniacki
(DEN) 64 01 ret. (left abdominal strain)
(7) Venus Williams
(USA) d. (8) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) 57 63 64

Friday, October 30, 2009

Venus back in; Wozniacki, Jankovic into other semifinals

Venus Williams will be back to play the semifinals after Svetlana Kuznetsova beat Elena Dementieva in straight sets, while Victoria Azarenka retired in her match against Agnieszka Radwanska to give Caroline Wozniacki and Jelena Jankovic spots in the semifinals.

Dementieva was fighting for a spot in the semifinal herself, but gave it away to Williams after losing the match against Kuznetsova with a score of 63 62.

"There was still a lot to lose today," Kuznetsova said. "Doesn't matter if I don't qualify. There are ranking points, prize money, everything... it's still a lot. When I go on court, I bring my name. I definitely don't want to lose, no matter what.

"I asked Venus before the match, 'Would you give me something if I win?' She was like, 'If you win, it's good for yourself!'"

Jankovic had no trouble in her match against Wozniacki, crushing the Dane with a score of 62 62.

Radwanska was able to pull of a win over Azarenka despite being down a set and 2-5 in the second set. The Pole then took a quick lead in the third set, when at 4-1, Azarenka retired with a leg injury.

Serena Williams will play Wozniacki in the semifinal, and Venus will play Jankovic for a spot in the final.


Friday, October 30, 2009

Singles - Round Robin

MAROON GROUP
(3) Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) d. (5) Elena Dementieva (RUS) 63 62

WHITE GROUP
(8) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) d. (4) Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 62 62

(10) Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) d. (6) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) 46 75 41 ret. (cram
ping)

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Venus wins match to keep hopes alive for spot in semifinal: Serena goes 3-0 on Day 3 in Doha

Venus Williams was able to close out and win her match against Svetlana Kuznetsova to keep her hopes alive for a semifinal entrance, while Serena Williams improved her round robin score to 3-0 after beating Elena Dementieva in straight sets.

Williams won her match with a score of 62 67(3) 64, which makes her get a round robin score of 1-2.

"The last couple of matches I tried to learn from my mistakes," Williams said. "When I make a mistake, I try to learn from it instead of get frustrated by it."

Williams had lost tight three-setters to Elena Dementieva and Serena Williams in her first two round robin matches and needed to win Thursday to keep her hopes of advancing to the semifinal round alive.

"My first two matches were close - one point here or there and I could have three wins instead of one," Williams added. "I guess that's the beauty of round robin. Just win as much as you can. It can get a little frustrating going into a match at 0-2... but I stayed positive."

In the White Group on Friday, Caroline Wozniacki plays Jelena Jankovic and Victoria Azarenka plays Agnieszka Radwanska. The first match of the day pits Wozniacki against Jankovic - if Wozniacki wins that, then Wozniacki and Azarenka get the two berths, no matter how the second match goes. If Jankovic wins that, then Jankovic gets the first berth, and Azarenka will need to win her match to get the second berth (otherwise Wozniacki will get it).


Thursday, October 29, 2009

Singles - Round Robin

WHITE GROUP
(4) Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) d. (9) Vera Zvonareva (RUS) 60 67(3) 64

MAROON GROUP
(2) Serena Williams (USA) d. (5) Elena Dementieva (RUS) 62 64
(7) Venus Williams (USA) d. (3) Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) 62 67(3) 64

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Serena ousts Venus in three sets; Safina exits Doha after suffering back injury on Day 2 in Qatar

Maroon Group: Serena Williams was able to take a big lead in her round robin results, as she ousted older sister Venus in three sets to have a 2-0 lead, 57 64 76(4), which automatically brings her to the semis, while Venus has 0-2, and will not play in the semis, even if she wins her third match.

Other contenders in the Maroon Group include Elena Dementieva, who has a 1-0 score after winning to Venus on Day 1 of the Championships, and Svetlana Kuznetsova, who is 0-1, after losing to Serena on Day 1 also.

White Group: Victoria Azarenka suffered a loss against Caroline Wozniacki in three sets, 16 64 75, despite having a match point at 5-4 in the third set. Her score is now 1-1, and her third match will decide if she goes into the semis or not. Wozniacki's score is now 1-0, and if she wins her second match, the Dane will continue to the semis.

Jelena Jankovic scored a win with a score of 1-1 over Dinara Safina for a 1-1 round robin score, as the Russian No. 1 in the world retired from the match with a back injury and exited Doha because of not being able to play any more matches.


Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Singles - Round Robin

WHITE GROUP

(8) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) d. (1) Dinara Safina (RUS) 11 ret. (low back injury)
(4) Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) d. (6) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) 16 64 75

MAROON GROUP
(2) Serena Williams (USA) d. (7) Venus Williams (USA) 57 64 76(4)

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Sunday, October 25, 2009: Results for BGL Luxembourg Open

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Singles - Final
Timea Bacsinszky (SUI) d. (6) Sabine Lisicki (GER) 62 75

Go lower for article about the final in Moscow

Schiavone takes title in Moscow after demolishing Belarussian in straight sets

She started the week off very slowly but as soon as she gathered steam there was just no stopping her, and on Sunday afternoon Francesca Schiavone won the second and biggest Sony Ericsson WTA Tour singles title of her career at the $1,000,000 Kremlin Open in Moscow.

Schiavone, the No.8 seed at the Premier-level tournament, battled for two and a half hours to escape her first round match against qualifier Nuria Llagostera Vives, but didn't drop a single set the rest of the way, including losing a total of just 12 games in her last three matches combined.


In Sunday's final, Schiavone found herself on serve with the unseeded Olga Govortsova at 4-3 in the first set but reeled off eight games in a row to win, 63 60. During those eight games she lost only 11 points to the Belarusian.


"At the start it was a fight. We had a big game, the sixth game of the first set, that lasted about 15 minutes. I won it to go up 4-2, then I won the first set," Schiavone said. "In the second set I was very solid. When I got to 4-0 in the second set I looked at the trophy and said to myself, 'I'm coming to get you!'"


"Francesca played very well today. I was trying my best and in the first set there were a lot of long games, especially that sixth game, but she didn't miss much," Govortsova said. "It was the first time I've played here and I was happy to get to the final of such a big event. It'll give me confidence for next year."



Sunday, October 25, 2009


Singles - Final
(8) Francesca Schiavone (ITA) d. Olga Govortsova (BLR) 63 60

Friday, October 23, 2009

Friday, October 23, 2009: Results for BGL Luxembourg Open

Friday, October 23, 2009

Singles - Quarterfinals
Shahar Peer (ISR) d. (4) Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) 62 76(4)
(5) Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) d. (Q) Kirsten Flipkens (BEL) 76(1) 46 61
(6) Sabine Lisicki (GER) d. Patty Schnyder (SUI) 64 62
Timea Bacsinszky (SUI) d. Katarina Srebotnik (SLO) 67(3) 61 64

Go lower for article about Day 5 in Moscow

Jankovic ousted after getting spot in Doha

A day after qualifying for Doha the good fortunes ran out for Jelena Jankovic, as she was ousted in the quarterfinals of the Kremlin Cup.

Jankovic, the No. 2 seed and defending champion at the Premier-level event, had lost her only previous encounter with Alisa Kleybanova but was looking in solid form this week, perhaps ready to exact revenge for a quarterfinal loss in Toronto in the summer. But whereas last time Jankovic held match point, this time Kleybanova didn't let her get close at all, beating the Serb routinely, 64 63.


"My goal today was to play my game from the first point to the last, and I did that," Kleybanova commented after the match.

"I had to keep my level up throughout the match against Jelena, not just play a good first set then relax. I did that very well, and that's why I was able to win in straight sets today."

Kleybanova's win over the No. 9-ranked Jankovic was her fifth Top 10 win of the year and of her career.

The only other seed to make the quarterfinals was No. 8 seed Francesca Schiavone and she was able to keep winning, beating Maria Kirilenko, 63 62.

In other matches, Alona Bondarenko beat qualifier Tsvetana Pironkova, 63 63; and in the night match, Olga Govortsova beat Vera Dushevina, 63 60.


Friday, October 23, 2009

Singles - Quarterfinals

Alisa Kleybanova (RUS) d. (2) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) 64 63

(8) Francesca Schiavone (ITA) d. Maria Kirilenko (RUS) 63 62

Alona Bondarenko (UKR) d. (Q) Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL) 63 63
Olga Govortsova (BLR) d. Vera Dushevina (RUS) 63 60

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Thursday, October 22, 2009: Results for BGL Luxembourg Open

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Singles - Second Round
Patty Schnyder (SUI) d. (2/WC) Kim Clijsters (BEL) 64 36 76(6)
(4) Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) d. Lucie Hradecka (CZE) 75 36 62
(5) Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) d. Alizé Cornet (FRA) 75 76
(6)Shahar Peer (ISR) d. (8) Carla Suárez Navarro (ESP) 36 63 61
Katarina Srebotnik (SLO) d. (LL) Anne Kremer (LUX) 26 64 60

Go lower for article about Day 4 in Moscow

Zvonareva falls, Jankovic through to quarters and to Doha

Vera Zvonareva was bundled out of her home tournament on Thursday, falling to Tsvetana Pironkova in the second round, also putting her out of contention for Doha.

Zvonareva, the No.1 seed at the Premier-level event, seemed completely out of sorts against the Bulgarian qualifier, winning only 12 points in the 27-minute first set and, after hanging with her on serve early in the second set, dropping four straight games to fall quietly, 60 62.

By virtue of the pre-quarterfinal loss, Zvonareva took herself out of contention for the eighth spot in the Sony Ericsson Championships - Doha 2009, that spot now going to Jelena Jankovic, the No.2 seed here, who took the court later in the day for her own second round match. Although she would have qualified without winning the match, Jankovic beat Lucie Safarova, 76(5) 63. Safarova led 5-3 first set and even had three set points at 5-4 but succumbed in a tie-break before the Serb moved comfortably through the second set.

"Even though I made it to Doha and that's very exciting, this tournament is very important to me," Jankovic said. "I came here to compete. I'm trying my best in every match and hope to win. I want to finish the year in the best possible way."

Only one other seed was in action Thursday, the No.8 seed, Francesca Schiavone, who rallied from a break down to beat Monica Niculescu, 62 75. A trio of Russians - Alisa Kleybanova, Vera Dushevina and Maria Kirilenko - won matches between unseeded players to make the quarters.


Thursday, October 22, 2009

Singles - Second Round
(Q) Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL) d. (1) Vera Zvonareva (RUS) 60 62
(2) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) d. Lucie Safarova (CZE) 76(5) 63
(8) Francesca Schiavone (ITA) d. Monica Niculescu (ROU) 62 75
Alisa Kleybanova (RUS) d. (Q) Evgeniya Rodina (RUS) 61 62
Vera Dushevina (RUS) d. Agnes Szavay (HUN) 36 64 63
Maria Kirilenko (RUS) d. Aleksandra Wozniak (CAN) 64 63

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Stosur claims first singles title after straight sets win to Schiavone in Osaka

Samantha Stosur finally put an end to a dubious finals jinx in Osaka on Sunday, beating Francesca Schiavone for her very first singles title on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour at the HP Open.

Before this week, Stosur's Tour résumé was about as complete as any, apart from one thing. She had 22 titles and the No. 1 ranking in doubles and a large collection of Top 10 wins in singles, making it as high as No. 13 herself. But that first singles title continued to elude her, even though she had been a win away many times, going 0-5 in finals. But that all changed in Osaka.

Seeded No. 3, Stosur didn't drop a set en route to the semis, then pulled off the upset of the week, ousting No. 1 seed Caroline Wozniacki, 60 46 64. Perhaps more impressive that the win itself was the way she did it: after winning the first eight games of the match she watched as Wozniacki got back into it; but the Australian held her nerve and eventually closed out the world No. 6.

"I played very well in the first set and barely made a mistake - I was still playing well in the second and nearly led 4-1 but she got back into the match," Stosur said. "I just told myself not to panic, keep doing the same things as I did in the first set and stay positive. I tried to do what I wanted to do and not let anything frustrate me. Obviously I'm pleased to bring it back and close it out."
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Singles - Final
(3) Samantha Stosur (AUS) d. (4) Francesca Schiavone (ITA) 75 61

Wickmayer beats Kvitova to capture title in Linz

Proving that her run to the US Open semifinals wasn't just a one-off, Yanina Wickmayer won her second Sony Ericsson WTA Tour title of the year and by doing so broke into the Top 20 for the first time, beating Petra Kvitova in the final of the Generali Ladies Linz on Sunday afternoon.

Wickmayer and Kvitova had played several times before but most famously they went toe-to-toe in a two-hour-plus fourth round match at the US Open this year, the Belgian prevailing, 46 64 75. And she did it again in Linz but in far more simpler fashion, this time needing just an hour and 25 minutes to win, 63 64.

It was Wickmayer's second career singles title on the Tour, her first coming on the clay courts of Estoril earlier this year. On Monday's new rankings she rises into the Top 20 for the first time, icing on the cake; not that she needed more icing really, given earlier this week it was announced she was one of the first two qualifiers for the Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions.


Sunday, October 18, 2009

Singles - Final
(3/WC) Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) d. Petra Kvitova (CZE) 63 64

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Stosur to face Schiavone in final of HP Open

Samantha Stosur will have another shot at her first Sony Ericsson WTA Tour singles title after beating Caroline Wozniacki in the semifinals of the $220,000 HP Open on Saturday afternoon.

Stosur, the No.3 seed at the International-level tournament, won the first eight games against the top-seeded Wozniacki before the world No.6 staged what would have been a phenomenal comeback, taking the second set and hanging tough in the third before succumbing to the attacking Australian, 60 46 64.

"I played very well in the first set and barely made a mistake - I was still playing well in the second and nearly led 4-1 but she got back into the match," Stosur said. "I just told myself not to panic, keep doing the same things as I did in the first set and stay positive. I tried to do what I wanted to do and not let anything frustrate me. Obviously I'm pleased to bring it back and close it out."

"It was a tough match. She started very well and I just couldn't do anything," Wozniacki said. "I got the momentum in the second set and turned it around, but I just didn't take my chances in the third. We've had tough matches in the past and we're both improving, so it was a 50-50 match."

Awaiting Stosur in the final will be Francesca Schiavone, who stormed into the final in the first match of the day.

"I served well and was aggressive right to the end," Schiavone said. "As I didn't have a match yesterday, I spent the afternoon walking the city and everywhere I saw new things. I enjoy learning things about the culture here. I went to karaoke and then a nice meal. The people here are really nice."


Saturday, October 17, 2009

Singles - Semifinals
(3) Samantha Stosur (AUS) d. (1) Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 60 46 64
(4) Francesca Schiavone (ITA) d. Sania Mirza (IND) 62 61

Wickmayer, Kvitova reach final in Linz

The Top 2 were thwarted in the semifinals of the Generali Ladies Linz on Saturday, with Flavia Pennetta and Agnieszka Radwanska both falling one match short of the final at the International-level tournament.

Radwanska, the No. 2 seed, was the first to go out, losing to an unseeded Petra Kvitova in an hour and 22 minutes, 63 62.

"I was getting a little bit nervous at the end there but I'm happy I made it," said Kvitova, whose seemingly routine win ended with a marathon final game, which she took on her seventh match point. "I thought Agnieszka was a little bit tired today, but I'm very happy to reach the final here and go for my second title."

"It was just too tough today. I tried, but she didn't give me many chances," Radwanska said. "Petra didn't really have to do anything special to beat me today. I have a few days off now before I play in Moscow, and hopefully I will play at the Sony Ericsson Championships in Doha after that."

Pennetta, seeded No. 1, followed Radwanska to the sidelines with a 76(5) 63 loss to No. 3 seed Yanina Wickmayer. After losing four of the first five games of the match Pennetta found her range, taking four straight games to lead 5-4 and serve for the first set. Wickmayer regained the momentum though and took the one set lead, cruising to victory in a 39-minute second set.

"I'm very happy. I've been so close to beating the top players the last few months and now I finally beat one," Wickmayer said. "I'm enjoying my tennis and playing well. I had some cramps and nerves today at the end, but it has been a long season and everybody's tired. After the final I'll have a day or two off before my next tournament, hopefully I can recover from this week!"


Saturday, October 17, 2009

Singles - Semifinals
(3/WC) Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) d. (1) Flavia Pennetta (ITA) 76(5) 63
Petra Kvitova (CZE) d. (2) Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) 63 62

Friday, October 16, 2009

No. 1, 3 and 4 seeds through to semis in Osaka, No. 2 seed ousted after retiring on Day 5

The No. 1, 3 and 4 seed all made it to the semis after easy and tough wins, while the No. 2 seed suffered an injury and retired, giving her unseeded opponent the win on Day 5 in Osaka.

Top seed Caroline Wozniacki went to three sets against No. 6 seed Aleksandra Wozniak, winning the match with a score of 61 67(1) 62.

"She won the important points in the second set, but I went out there in the third, stayed calm and did my best," Wozniacki said. "I'm happy to get through. I feel like I'm playing good tennis and I'm looking forward to tomorrow."

No. 3 seed Samantha Stosur won her match with a score of 61 63 against Jill Craybas, and will next face the No. 1 seed Dane.

No. 4 seed Francesca Schiavone had the easiest day, not playing a single point, as her opponent, No. 7 seed Melinda Czink, had a walkover.

Sania Mirza, who ousted No. 2 seed Marion Bartoli after the Frenchwoman retired with a right shoulder injury after Mirza won the first set 6-4 and was winning the second 2-0, will next face Schiavone for a final berth.


Friday, October 16, 2009

Singles - Quarterfinals
(1) Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) d. (6) Aleksandra Wozniak (CAN) 62 67(1) 62
Sania Mirza (IND) d. (2) Marion Bartoli (FRA) 64 20 ret. (right shoulder injury)
(3) Samantha Stosur (AUS) d. Jill Craybas (USA) 61 63
(4) Francesca Schiavone (ITA) d. (7) Melinda Czink (HUN) w/o (right foot injury)

Top 3 seeds in semis; unseeded Czech ousts No. 4 seed on Day 5 in Linz

The Top 3 seeds all won tight two-setters on Friday to advance to the semifinals of the Generali Ladies Linz. The No. 4 seed wasn't able to join the top trio in the final four, however, falling victim to an upset.

Flavia Pennetta, Agnieszka Radwanska and Yanina Wickmayer all recorded tough straight set wins. Second seed Radwanska was the first to win, saving two set points in the second set tie-break and needing four match points of her own to dispatch No. 7 seed Lucie Safarova, 63 76(9).

"It was very tight. Game by game it was 50-50," Radwanska said. "I knew I'd be in trouble if it got to a third set because I'm very tired, so I just tried to focus on each point in the tie-break. You never know what to expect in a tie-break."

Pennetta, the top seed, followed with a 75 62 win over Ioana Raluca Olaru. It has been a long season but the Italian No. 1 looked as fresh as ever, particularly during a strong finish in the second set against the young Romanian.

"I played her in New Haven this year and the match wasn't this tough. She was playing very well today, especially the first set," Pennetta said of Olaru. "It's a very long season and we're all very tired, but I'm hoping to keep playing well, here this week and Moscow next week, and hopefully Doha. Then Fed Cup."

No. 3 seed Wickmayer beat No. 8 seed Sara Errani in the last match of the day, 75 63; earlier in the day No. 4 seed Carla Suárez Navarro wasn't so lucky, holding set point at 5-4 in the first set but losing to Petra Kvitova, 75 64.


Friday, October 16, 2009

Singles - Quarterfinals
(1) Flavia Pennetta (ITA) d. Ioana Raluca Olaru (ROU) 75 62
(2) Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) d. (7) Lucie Safarova (CZE) 63 76(9)
(3/WC) Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) d. (8) Sara Errani (ITA) 75 63
Petra Kvitova (CZE) d. (4) Carla Suárez Navarro (ESP) 75 64

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Seeds through to quarters on Day 4 in Osaka

Only three seeds were in action and got victory on Day 4 in Osaka, Japan, while an unseeded player won the only match not containing a seed.

No. 1 seed Caroline Wozniacki breezed through after an easy win over Katie O'Brien with a score of 60 61.

The Dane will face No. 6 seed Aleksandra Wozniak in the quarterfinals, who bested qualifier Chang Kai-Chen with a score of 75 76(2).

No. 3 seed Samantha Stosur was in no trouble against Akiko Morigami, and easily ousted the Japanese player with a score of 61 62.

Jill Craybas won the match featuring unseeded players, as the American got victory over Mathilde Johansson 26 62 60.


Thursday, October 15, 2009

Singles - Second Round
(1) Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) d. Katie O'Brien (GBR) 60 61
(3) Samantha Stosur (AUS) d. Akiko Morigami (JPN) 61 62
(6) Aleksandra Wozniak (CAN) d. (Q) Chang Kai-Chen (TPE) 75 76(2)
Jill Craybas (USA) d. Mathilde Johansson (FRA) 26 62 60

Top seeds survive tough matches, move through on Day 4 in Linz

The favorites were tested but moved on at the Generali Ladies Linz on Thursday, with the Top 3 seeds all battling through to the quarterfinals of the International-level Sony Ericsson WTA Tour tournament.

Second seed Agnieszka Radwanska was the first of the top trio to advance but it took her more than two hours, holding off another tenacious young player, Alizé Cornet, 64 75. After building a 64 53 lead, Radwanska let Cornet sneak two games in to prolong the duel before closing it out in second set overtime.

"Alizé and I grew up playing against each other so I know her game well. I didn't expect an easy match - I'm just happy I could win in straight sets," Radwanska said. "She was Top 20, playing unbelievably, but then she lost some matches earlier this season and lost her confidence. But she has been playing well again in the last few months and I think she'll be back up there soon."

Third seed Yanina Wickmayer survived a scare in her match with Alexandra Dulgheru, dropping the first set quickly to the Romanian, who had taken out Austrian No. 1 Sybille Bammer the day before. But Wickmayer stormed back to take the second and third sets for a 26 63 61 come-from-behind victory.

"It was not a good first set for me. I didn't serve well, I didn't return well... and she was playing really well," Wickmayer said. "In the second set I just hung in there and keep the rallies going, and try to put my game back into place. I won a really tough game and after that I started playing a lot better. The third set was really good for me. I'm really happy I won this match today."

Top seed Flavia Pennetta completed the victory with a 63 46 62 win over Anna-Lena Groenfeld in the last match of the day.
Other victors were No. 7 seed Lucie Safarova, who beat Urszula Radwanska, 64 64; and Ioana Raluca Olaru, who beat qualifier Julia Goerges, 36 62 75.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Singles - Second Round
(1) Flavia Pennetta (ITA) d. Anna-Lena Groenfeld (GER) 63 46 62
(2) Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) d. Alizé Cornet (FRA) 64 75
(3/WC) Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) d. Alexandra Dulgheru (ROU) 26 63 61
(7) Lucie Safarova (CZE) d. Urszula Radwanska (POL) 64 64
Ioana Raluca Olaru (ROU) d. (Q) Julia Goerges (GER) 36 62 75

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Schiavone survives three set battle and advances on Day 3 in Osaka

All three seeded players in second round action Wednesday at the HP Open moved on, though one of them had to rebound from a second set collapse.

Fourth-seeded Francesca Schiavone survived a see-saw battle with Chan Yung-Jan, 63 06 63, to advance to the quarterfinals. After a routine first set, the Italian not only got bageled in the second, but lost the first two games of the third before gathering herself and winning six of the next seven games to secure the victory.

Next up for her is No.7 seed Melinda Czink, who raised her career record against Vania King to 3-0 with a 64 62 win. The Hungarian captured her first career Tour singles last month in Québec City.

Also Wednesday, Marion Bartoli and Sania Mirza were victorious to set up a quarterfinal showdown with each other. The second-seeded Bartoli, who is fighting for the last available spot in the season-ending Sony Ericsson Championships - Doha 2009, routed wildcard Kurumi Nara, 61 61. Mirza defeated Viktoriya Kutuzova, 64 63.

Top seed and defending champion Caroline Wozniacki will be amongst those in action Thursday as second round play concludes.


Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Singles - Second Round
(2) Marion Bartoli (FRA) d. (WC) Kurumi Nara (JPN) 61 61
(4) Francesca Schiavone (ITA) d. Chan Yung-Jan (TPE) 63 06 63
(7) Melinda Czink (HUN) d. Vania King (USA) 64 62
Sania Mirza (IND) d. Viktoriya Kutuzova (UKR) 64 63

No. 2 seed through after straight sets win on Day 3 in Linz

Agnieszka Radwanska followed Flavia Pennetta into the second round of the Generali Ladies Linz on Wednesday, beating Monica Niculescu to keep her hopes alive for the final berth in Doha.

Radwanska, seeded No. 2 after Pennetta this week, and with the Italian one of five women vying for that eighth spot in the Sony Ericsson Championships - Doha 2009, had some early trouble with the tricky Niculescu but rallied from a break down in the first set and eventually cruised to victory, 64 62.

"I'm happy the match wasn't too long and I won in two sets," Radwanska said. "I've played a lot the last few weeks and everyone is tired, so it's nice to have a quicker match. It's uncomfortable to play Monica, she has a very unique style. The first set was really close but I did better in the second set."

Pennetta and Radwanska, along with Marion Bartoli, Jelena Jankovic and Vera Zvonareva, are in contention for the last spot in Doha.

Other first round winners Wednesday were No. 3 seed Yanina Wickmayer, Alizé Cornet and Alexandra Dulgheru, who beat Sybille Bammer, 63 61.

The second round also kicked off with three matches. No. 4 seed Carla Suárez Navarro and No. 8 seed Sara Errani both advanced in straight sets, but Petra Kvitova upended good friend and countrywoman Iveta Benesova, the No. 5 seed, 64 75. Benesova looked like she was going to push the match to a third set after building a 5-3 second set lead, but it wasn't to be.


Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Singles - Second Round
(4) Carla Suárez Navarro (ESP) d. Olga Govortsova (BLR) 63 64
Petra Kvitova (CZE) d. (5) Iveta Benesova (CZE) 64 75
(8) Sara Errani (ITA) d. Tatjana Malek (GER) 63 60

Singles - First Round
(2) Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) d. Monica Niculescu (ROU) 64 62
(3/WC) Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) d. Timea Bacsinszky (SUI) 76(6)64
Alizé Cornet (FRA) d. Kristina Barrois (GER) 46 63 63
Alexandra Dulgheru (ROU) d. Sybille Bammer (AUT) 63 61