Top two seeds will battle in final at Acapulco

The final at Acapulco, Mexico has been set up, and the top two seeds will clash for the title, after they both won their semifinal matches in straight sets.

No. 1 seed Venus Williams easily demolished Barbora Zahlavova Strycova, 60 63.

No. 2 seed Flavia Pennetta was also in great form in her match against No. 4 seed Iveta Benesova, as she won in easily, 63 63.

In head-to-head results, the Italian is leading 3-2 to against the American.

Friday, February 27, 2008

Singles - Semifinals

(1) Venus Williams (USA) d. Barbora Zahlavova Strycova (CZE) 60 63

(2) Flavia Pennetta (ITA) d. (4) Iveta Benesova (CZE) 63 63

No. 1 seed adavances after three set win; No. 2, 4 seed will clash in semis

In the quarterfinals of the Abierto Mexicano TELCEL presented by HSBC, top seed Venus Williams succeeded in winning and got to the semis along with No. 2 seed Flavia Pennetta and two Czechs.

Williams was again pushed to three sets for the third time in three matches, against Agnes Szavay, but eventually won 62 57 61.

The American will face Barbora Zahlavova Strycova in the semis, after the Czech won to Maret Ani after being down 64 41, 46 75 61.

No. 2 seed Pennetta had to fight to win to Petra Cetkovska after being down 62 20, and she did win, with a score of 26 63 60.

The Italian will face No. 4 seed Iveta Benesova, who ousted Mathilde Johansson 61 63.

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Singles - Quarterfinals

(1) Venus Williams (USA) d. (LL) Agnes Szavay (HUN) 62 57 61

(2) Flavia Pennetta (ITA) d. Petra Cetkovska (CZE) 26 63 60

(4) Iveta Benesova (CZE) d. Mathilde Johansson (FRA) 61 63

Barbora Zahlavova Strycova (CZE) d. Maret Ani (EST) 46 75 61

Top seed Williams continues through to quarters; No. 3 seed Suarez Navarro ousted in straight sets on Day 3 in Acapulco

There was a mixed day for the seeds on Day 3 of the Abierto Mexicano TELCEL Presented by HSBC, as three of 6 seeds in action were ousted, two of them in three sets, and the other one in two sets, while top seed Venus Williams had a tough time on court but won in three sets.

Williams faced qualifier Greta Arn of Hungary, and fought to win 63 67(3) 64.

No. 2 seed Flavia Pennetta had the easiest time on court, as she demolished Pauline Parmentier, 61 63.

No. 3 seed Carla Suarez Navarro saw her fate in the match against Barbora Zahlavova Strycova, as she fell in straight sets, 64 75.

No. 4 seed Iveta Benesova fought to win against Klara Zakopalova, 46 64 76(3).

The other two crushed seeds were No. 5 seed Gisela Dulko, who fell to Maret Ani 76(6) 63, and No. 8 seed Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez, who was ousted by Petra Cetkovska, 36 64 61.

Lucky Loser Agnes Szavay also made it to the quarterfinals, after winning to Roberta Vinci 76(1) 64.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Singles - Second Round

(1) Venus Williams (USA) d. (Q) Greta Arn (HUN) 63 67(3) 64

(2) Flavia Pennetta (ITA) d. Pauline Parmentier (FRA) 61 63

Barbora Zahlavova Strycova (CZE) d. (3) Carla Suárez Navarro (ESP) 64 75

(4) Iveta Benesova (CZE) d. Klara Zakopalova (CZE) 46 64 76(3)

Maret Ani (EST) d. (5) Gisela Dulko (ARG) 76(6) 63

Petra Cetkovska (CZE) d. (8) María José Martínez Sánchez (ESP) 36 64 61

(LL) Agnes Szavay (HUN) d. Roberta Vinci (ITA) 76(1) 64

Top seed Williams leads seeds to second round

On Day 2 in Acapulco, Mexico, top seed Venus Williams was among the favorites, and winners, along with the No. 2 and 3 seeds, after Venus won her match in three sets, and the other two won their matches in straight sets.

Williams struggled against her opponent, Nuria Llagostera Vives, but eventually won the night match, 64 46 62.

No. 2 seed Flavia Pennetta had a shorter and better time on court, as she won her match to Mariya Koryttseva after being down 3-1 in the first set, 63 61.

"It's very hot here but that doesn't bother me. It's always like this here and it's fine," Pennetta said. "For years I had one good result and it was here in Acapulco. Now I've reached several finals and won two titles last year, and I'm confident about my tennis and that I can improve even more."

No. 3 seed Carla Suarez Navarro fought to win over qualifier Viktoriya Kutuzova, 75 63.

Other seeds in action on Tuesday were No. 5 seed Gisela Dulko, who won to Ioana Raluca Olaru, 63 62, and No. 8 seed Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez, who defeated qualifier Aranxta Parra Santonja, 62 63.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Singles - First Round

(1) Venus Williams (USA) d. Nuria Llagostera Vives (ESP) 64 46 62

(2) Flavia Pennetta (ITA) d. Mariya Koryttseva (UKR) 63 61

(3) Carla Suárez Navarro (ESP) d. (Q) Viktoriya Kutuzova (UKR) 75 63

(5) Gisela Dulko (ARG) d. (Q) Ioana Raluca Olaru (ROU) 63 62

(8) María José Martínez Sánchez (ESP) d. (Q) Arantxa Parra Santonja (ESP) 62 63

Barbora Zahlavova Strycova (CZE) d. Andreja Klepac (SLO) 26 61 64

Mathilde Johansson (FRA) d. Rossana de los Ríos (PAR) 64 61

Maret Ani (EST) d. Patricia Mayr (AUT) 46 76(1) 64

(Q) Greta Arn (HUN) d. Edina Gallovits (ROU) 62 63

(LL) Agnes Szavay (HUN) d. (WC) Anna Orlik (BLR) 75 75

Highest seed in action on Day 1 advances; former champion Loit ousted

On the first day of the Abierto Mexicano TELCEL Presented by HSBC, the highest seed playing was No. 4 seed Iveta Benesova, and she won her first round match in straight sets, while Emilie Loit didn't have as much luck in her match.

Benesova, a champion here in 2004, easily demolished Olga Savchuk, 62 60, while Loit, the champion here in 2007, was beaten by Klara Zakopalova, 46 64 75.

The other two seeds in action were No. 7 seed Tathiana Garbin, who rallied back from a break down in the third set to win to Jill Craybas, 76(4) 46 63; and No. 6 seed Lucie Safarova, who was ousted by Roberta Vinci, 64 64.

Monday, February 23, 2009

Singles - First Round

(4) Iveta Benesova (CZE) d. Olga Savchuk (UKR) 62 60

Roberta Vinci (ITA) d. (6) Lucie Safarova (CZE) 64 64

(7) Tathiana Garbin (ITA) d. Jill Craybas (USA) 76(4) 46 63

Petra Cekovska (CZE) d. Lourdes Domínguez Lino (ESP) 62 62

Pauline Parmentier (FRA) d. (WC) Melissa Torres Sandoval (MEX) 62 63

Klara Zakopalova (CZE) d. (WC) Emilie Loit (FRA) 46 64 75

Dulko surprised in final by Spaniard in straight sets in Bogota

In the final of the Copa Sony Ericsson Colsanitas there was a bit of a surprising result, as the lower seed, No. 7 seed Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez, defeated the higher seed, No. 3 seed Gisela Dulko, 63 62, to win her first title of her career.

"I really believe that doubles helps my singles," Martínez Sánchez said. "They are equally important to me. It also helps me improve a lot of my shots, so it gives me more confidence when I'm playing singles."

"I'm very happy to win my first singles title on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour," Martínez Sánchez said. "The final was more difficult than the score suggests, but on the important points I think I played better. It feels great."

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Singles - Final

(7) Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez (ESP) d. (3) Gisela Dulko (ARG) 63 62

Azarenka comes out on top to win title at Memphis

The final at Regions Morgan Keegan & the Cellular South Cup everyone was hoping to see the top two seeds fight against eachother, and No. 2 seed Victoria Azarenka was the one who succeeded in against Top seed Caroline Wozniacki in easy straight sets and 70 minutes, 63 61.

"I started well, putting a lot of pressure on her," Azarenka said. "I did everything I should have done. I was commanding the points. I think I got more confidence as the match went on, too. I was down 2-0 in the third set in my semifinal, and winning that tough match really helped me against Caroline in the final today."

"She was just playing great; I didn't feel I was playing badly," Wozniacki said. "I felt like everything I hit just came back faster. I had beaten her before and I was hoping it would turn out that way again, but she just played a great match. There wasn't too much I could do. Hopefully we can come out and win the doubles now."

The couple also paired up in doubles, and won the final to Michaella Krajicek and Yuliana Fedak in straight sets, 61 76(2).

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Singles - Final

(2) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) d. (1) Caroline Woznaicki (DEN) 61 63

Williams wins Dubai Tennis Championships against Frenchwoman

No. 6 seed Venus Williams rose to victory against Virginie Razzano at the Dubai Tennis Championships, which means that she will be in the Top 5 for the first time in 6 years.

The American demolished Razzano in straight sets, 64 62, making her the only woman still playing to win her 40th career title.

"I have to congratulate Virginie on such a great week - she beat so many Top 10 players and just played so well today. She really had a better week than I did," Williams said. "But it was a wonderful week for me too. I was able to win against the best player in the world in the semifinals, and I'm happy to have played such a good player in the final. I think I got a little lucky today."

"I can't compare today with Tokyo," Razzano said. "This was a new, different match. There were no easy matches here - most of the players I played were in the Top 20, Top 5 even. Venus is a real champion and played very well tonight."

"I'm so excited to move back up the rankings! It seems like forever I was in the Top 5. So much has happened since then. With God's blessing, I'll keep moving forward and closer to my goal of getting back to the top."

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Singles - Final

(6) Venus Williams (USA) d. Virginie Razzano (FRA) 64 62

No. 2 seed retires with right elbow injury; Dulko cruises through to quarters in Bogota

No. 2 seed Carla Suarez Navarro surprisingly retired form her second round match with a right elbow injury, giving her opponent, Betina Jozami, who led 4-0 before the retirement, a victory and a spot in the quarterfinals in Bogota Cup. The Argentinian will now face

No. 3 seed Gisela Dulko won her second round match in three sets to Rossana de los Rios, 57 61 63.

No. 6 seed Mathilde Johansson beat Katalin Marosi in straight sets, 64 61.

No. 7 seed Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez ousted Aranxta Parra in straight sets, 64 63.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Singles - Second Round

Betina Jozami (Argentina) beat 2-Carla Suarez Navarro (Spain)4-0 (Suarez retired)

3-Gisela Dulko (Argentina) beat Rossana De Los Rios (Paraguay)5-7 6-1 6-3

7-Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez (Spain) beat Arantxa Parra(Spain) 6-4 6-3

6-Mathilde Johansson (France) beat Katalin Marosi (Hungary) 6-4 6-1

No. 1, 2, 4, 6 seeds advance to semis in Memphis

Top seed Caroline Wozniacki, No. 2 seed Victoria Azarenka, No. 4 seed Anne Keothavong, and No. 6 seed Sabine Lisicki reserved a spot in the semis, after only two of the four won their matches in straight sets.

Wozniacki was not one of the straight sets winners on Thursday, as she won to qualifier Michaella Krajicek, 26 63 63. She will face Keothavong, who ousted No. 5 seed Marina Erakovic in three sets, 62 16 62.

On the bottom half of the draw, Azarenka won her match in straight sets to No. 8 seed Pauline Parmentier, 64 62. The Belarussian will face Lisicki, who demolished No. 3 seed Lucie Safarova, 63 64.


Thursday, February 19, 2009

Singles - Quarterfinal
1-Caroline Wozniacki (Denmark) beat Michaella Krajicek(Netherlands) 2-6 6-3 6-3
4-Anne Keothavong (Britain) beat 5-Marina Erakovic (New Zealand) 6-2 1-6 6-2
2-Victoria Azarenka (Belarus) beat 8-Pauline Parmentier(France) 6-4 6-2
6-Sabine Lisicki (Germany) beat 3-Lucie Safarova (Czech Republic) 6-3 6-4

Williams sisters to clash in semis; Zvonareva ousted in straight sets

On Thursday in Dubai, sisters Venus and Serena both won their matches, and will face each other on Friday for a final berth, while on the bottom half of the draw, Virginie Razzano rose to victory against Vera Zvonareva, and will play No. 16 seed Kaia Kanepi in the semifinal.

No. 1 seed Serena worked hard to beat No. 8 seed Ana Ivanovic in straight sets, 64 64, while Venus ousted opponent No. 4 seed Elena Dementieva, 63 63.

"She killed me last time," said Serena of her last match against Venus, which ended with a third set bagel in round robin play at the Sony Ericsson Championships in Doha in November. "Hopefully I will be able to do better this time."

Razzano had the toughest time on the court, as she toughly won in straight sets to No. 5 seed Zvonareva, 76(7) 75, while Kanepi demolished Russian Elena Vesnina in straight sets, 63 75.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Singles - Quarterfinals

1-Serena Williams (U.S.) beat 8-Ana Ivanovic (Serbia) 6-4 6-4

6-Venus Williams (U.S.) beat 4-Elena Dementieva (Russia) 6-36-3

Virginie Razzano (France) beat 5-Vera Zvonareva (Russia) 7-6(7)7-5

16-Kaia Kanepi (Estonia) beat Elena Vesnina (Russia) 6-3 7-5

Highest seed remaining advances to quarters in Bogota

Carla Suarez Navarro, the second seed and the highest seed remaining in the draw, was pushed to the limits on Wednesday by Swedish Johanna Larsson, but eventually won in tough straight sets. But the No. 3 seed Gisela Dulko had a much easier time on court, ousting her Belgian opponent in easy straight sets.

Navarro had a tough time on court against the Swed, but won 76(4) 64.

Dulko, who faced Tamaryn Hendler, easily reserved a spot in the quarters, after winning 62 64.

No. 4 seed Nuria Llagostera Vives demolished Olga Savchuk of Ukraine, 62 60.

No. 6 seed Mathilde Johansson was pushed to three sets by Catalina Castano, but won 67(2) 64 64.

No. 7 seed Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez humiliated Anastasiya Yakimova, winning with a score of 63 61.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Singles - Second Round

Rossana De Los Rios (Paraguay) beat Olivia Sanchez (France)4-6 6-0 6-1

Masa Zec Peskiric (Slovenia) beat 1-Flavia Pennetta (Italy)6-3 4-6 7-6(4)

7-Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez (Spain) beat Anastasiya Yakimova (Belarus) 6-1 6-3

Katalin Marosi (Hungary) beat Greta Arn (Hungary) 7-5 3-6 7-5

Patricia Mayr (Austria) beat Tzipora Obziler (Israel) 6-2 6-3

3-Gisela Dulko (Argentina) beat Tamaryn Hendler (Belgium) 6-2 6-4

Betina Jozami (Argentina) beat Mariana Duque (Colombia) 5-76-0 6-1

2-Carla Suarez Navarro (Spain) beat Johanna Larsson (Sweden)7-6(4) 6-4

Arantxa Parra Santonja (Spain) beat Viky Nunez Fuentes(Colombia) 6-2 6-1

Maret Ani (Estonia) beat Ma Emilia Salerni (Argentina) 5-7 6-27-5

Ioana Raluca Olaru (Romania) beat 8-Lourdes Dominguez Lino(Spain) 5-7 6-4 7-6(3)

6-Mathilde Johansson (France) beat Catalina Castano (Colombia)6-7(2) 6-4 6-4

4-Nuria Llagostera Vives (Spain) beat Olga Savchuk (Ukraine)6-2 6-0

All seeds in action on Wednesday through to quarters in Memphis

The seeds at Memphis, Tennessee had a perfect day on Wednesday, as all five of them in action won their matches in straight sets and were through to the quarterfinals of the $220,200 event.

Top seed Caroline Wozniacki was in great form in her second round match, winning to Severine Bremond, 61 76(1).

"I felt really good on the court today. I was playing well, I thought, and serving well, so it's good to get through in straight sets," Wozniacki said. "In the tie-break I was just trying to play one point at a time and focus. It was also important to hold my service points: on a fast, indoor hardcourt like this it's important to hold serve."

The other seeded winners of the day were No. 3 seed Lucie Safarova, who dispatched Vania King 76(1) 63, No. 4 seed Anne Keothavong, who ousted Michelle Larcher de Brito 76(2) 64, No. 6 seed Sabine Lisicki, who beat Stephanie Foretz 62 64, and No. 8 seed Pauline Parmentier, who defeated Chanelle Scheepers, 64 61.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Singles - Second Round

(1) Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) d. Severine Bremond (FRA) 61 76(1)

(3) Lucie Safarova (CZE) d. Vania King (USA) 76(1) 63

(4) Anne Keothavong (GBR) d. Michelle Larcher de Brito (POR) 76(2) 64

(6) Sabine Lisicki (GER) d. Stephanie Foretz (FRA) 62 64

(8) Pauline Parmentier (FRA) d. Chanelle Scheepers (RSA) 64 61

Jankovic ousted in straight sets; Williams sisters both through to quarters in Dubai

No. 3 seed Jelena Jankovic became the latest victim form the top players on Wednesday, a she fell to No. 16 seed Kaia Kanepi in straight sets, even though she led 10-1 in head-to-head before the match.

"I am really delighted," said Kanepi, whose previous biggest victory came against then world No.6 Anna Chakvetadze at the French Open last spring. "It was my tactic to mix it up and it worked.

"I did get a bit tight and started thinking too much when I was 4-0 up in the second, but such things happen when you have the opportunity to beat such a top player. Thankfully, I managed to pull it back."

The Estonian will now face qualifier Elena Vesnina, who upsetted Svetlana Kuznetsova in the second round, and won to No. 12 seed Dominika Cibulkova after the Slovak retired in the third set due to heat illness. The score was 46 61 60.

No. 6 seed Venus Williams succeeded in her match against No. 10 seed Alize Cornet, winning 63 62. The American will now face No. 4 seed Elena Dementieva, who ousted No. 14 seed Anabel Medina Garrigues 61 63.

No. 1 seed Serena Williams had to fight to win to China's No. 13 seed Jie Zheng, and she did win, with a score of 64 62.

No. 5 seed Vera Zvonareva won to No. 11 seed Marion Bartoli, when the Frenchwoman retired with blisters on both feet. The score was 5-2 to the Russian.

Virgine Razzano won her match to Daniela Hantuchova, 62 16 62.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Singles - Third Round

(1) Serena Williams (USA) d. (13) Zheng Jie (CHN) 64 62

(16) Kaia Kanepi (EST) d. (3) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) 62 75

(4) Elena Dementieva (RUS) d. (14) Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP) 61 63

(5) Vera Zvonareva (RUS) d. (11) Marion Bartoli (FRA) 52 ret. (foot pain)

(6) Venus Williams (USA) d. (10) Alizé Cornet (FRA) 63 62

(8) Ana Ivanovic (SRB) d. (LL) Camille Pin (FRA) 62 76(5)

(Q) Elena Vesnina (RUS) d. (12) Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) 46 61 40 ret. (heat illness)

Virginie Razzano (FRA) d. Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) 62 16 62

Top seed ousted in three sets in Bogota

Top seed Flavia Pennetta was kicked out of the draw too early, as she lost to Masa Zec Piskiric, 63 46 76(4).

No. 2 seed Carla Suarez Navarro was in better form, as she won to Johanna Larsson in straight sets, 76(4) 64.

No. 3 seed Gisela Dulko easily beat her opponent, Tamaryn Hendler, 62 64.

No. 4 seed was in even better form, as she crushed Olga Savchuk easily, 62 60.

No. 8 seed Lourdes Dominguez Lino was the second seed to lose on Tuesday, falling to Ioana Raluca Olaru in three sets, 57 64 76(3).

Masa Zec Peskiric (Slovenia) beat 1-Flavia Pennetta (Italy)6-3 4-6 7-6(4)

7-Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez (Spain) beat AnastasiyaYakimova (Belarus) 6-1 6-3

Katalin Marosi (Hungary) beat Greta Arn (Hungary) 7-5 3-67-5

Patricia Mayr (Austria) beat Tzipora Obziler (Israel) 6-26-3

3-Gisela Dulko (Argentina) beat Tamaryn Hendler (Belgium)6-2 6-4

Betina Jozami (Argentina) beat Mariana Duque (Colombia) 5-76-0 6-1

2-Carla Suarez Navarro (Spain) beat Johanna Larsson (Sweden)7-6(4) 6-4

Arantxa Parra Santonja (Spain) beat Viky Nunez Fuentes(Colombia) 6-2 6-1

Maret Ani (Estonia) beat Ma Emilia Salerni (Argentina) 5-7 6-27-5

Ioana Raluca Olaru (Romania) beat 8-Lourdes Dominguez Lino(Spain) 5-7 6-4 7-6(3)

6-Mathilde Johansson (France) beat Catalina Castano (Colombia)6-7(2) 6-4 6-4

4-Nuria Llagostera Vives (Spain) beat Olga Savchuk (Ukraine)6-2 6-0

No.1, 2, 5 seed advance on Tuesday in Memphis

On Tuesday in Memphis, Tennessee at the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships & the Cellular South Cup, Caroline Wozniacki, Victoria Azarenka, Michaella Krajicek, and Marina Erakovic advanced to the next round, after the Belarussian won her match in straight sets, and the other two in won their matches in three sets.

Top seed Woznaicki faced Jelena Dokic, to whom she lost in the third round of the Aussie Open. And this time, the Dane was in better form, and won the match, 61 62.

No. 2 seed Azarenka faced Stephanie Cohen-Aloro, and won easily, 62 62.

Krajicek had a tougher time on court than Azarenka, as she faced Kristina Barrois. The player from Netherlands won toughly in three sets, 63 36 76(0).

No. 5 seed Erakovic defeated Melanie Oudin, 46 62 63.

First Round action included Severine Bremond, who won to Kirsten Flipkens 64 60, Stephanie Foretz, who won to Melinda Czink, 26 64 62, and Chanelle Scheepers of South Africa, who beat Lucie Hradecka, 61 57 76(5).







Second round
1-Caroline Wozniacki (Denmark) beat Jelena Dokic (Australia) 61 62
2-Victoria Azarenka (Belarus) beat Stephanie Cohen-Aloro (France) 6-2 6-2
Michaella Krajicek (Netherlands) beat Kristina Barrois (Germany) 6-3 3-6 7-6(0)
5-Marina Erakovic (New Zealand) beat Melanie Oudin (U.S.) 4-6 6-2 6-3

First round
Severine Bremond (France) beat Kirsten Flipkens (Belgium) 6-4 6-0
Stephanie Foretz (France) beat Melinda Czink (Hungary) 6-2 4-6 6-2
Chanelle Scheepers (South Africa) beat Lucie Hradecka (Czech Republic) 6-1 5-7 7-6(5)

Razzano ousts No. 2 seed in second round

No. 2 seed Dinara Safina crashed out of the Dubai Tennis Championships on Tuesday, to world No. 58 Virginie Razzano, in easy straight sets.

The Russian had led 3-1 in head-to-head before this match, and the last meeting was nearly three years ago. The Frenchwoman won the match 64 62.

"She played I think one of her best matches and I was not there," said Safina, who undermined a characteristic selection of winners with 12 double faults. "I didn't give myself the chance to play. It was one of those days today and I'll just have to forget it and get ready for Indian Wells."

No. 3 seed Jelena Jankovic had an easier start to her week, as she defeated Monica Niculescu in straight sets, 63 62.

"It was difficult too because the sun was very strong and sometimes I would toss the ball and I wouldn't see it at times. But I served just enough to hold my serve, which was enough for today."

Top seed Serena Williams had a tough start to the tournament, as she won to Sara Errani in three sets, 46 62 60, while older sister Venus, seeded sixth, easily ousted Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, 61 61.

No. 4 seed Elena Dementieva was featured in the night match, against Sybille Bammer, and won easily, 75 62.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Singles - Second Round

(1) Serena Williams (USA) d. Sara Errani (ITA) 46 62 60

Virginie Razzano (FRA) d. (2) Dinara Safina (RUS) 64 62

(3) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) d. Monica Niculescu (ROU) 63 62

(4) Elena Dementieva (RUS) d. Sybille Bammer (AUT) 75 62

(5) Vera Zvonareva (RUS) d. (WC) Vera Dushevina (RUS) 60 63

(6) Venus Williams (USA) d. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) 60 61

(10) Alizé Cornet (FRA) d. (Q) Julia Schruff (GER) 61 62

(11) Marion Bartoli (FRA) d. Francesca Schiavone (ITA) 76(5) 36 63

(12) Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) d. Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL) 76(5) 64

(13) Zheng Jie (CHN) d. Samantha Stosur (AUS) 36 75 75

(14) Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP) d. Alona Bondarenko (UKR) 62 75

(16) Kaia Kanepi (EST) d. (WC) Sania Mirza (IND) 75 62

Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) d. (LL) Ayumi Morita (JPN) 76(1) 62

(LL) Camille Pin (FRA) d. (Q) Urszula Radwanska (POL) 67(6) 75 20 ret. (heat illness)

First day at Dubai kicks off

The first day of the $2,000,000 tournament in Dubai has kicked off, and Jie Zheng was the highest seed to take the courts, facing Anastasia Rodionova in the first round on Sunday.

Zheng easily breezed past the Russian in straight sets, 61 61. But Zheng's countrywoman Li Na wasn't as fortunate, as she fell to another Russian, Elena Vesnina, in three sets, 16 64 64.

Kaia Kanepi faced Austrian qualifier Tamira Paszek, and after splitting the first two sets, the Estonian came out to win the third set easily, winning the match with a score of 26 62 60.

Bulgaria's Tsvetana Pironkova cruised past qualifier Viktoriya Kutuzova in straight sets 63 62; Vera Dushevina had a tougher start to her week, after she battled against Yan Zi and won in three sets, 26 64 63; Alisa Kleybanova outlasted Anna Lapushchenkova, 36 63 62, and has set up a secod round clash with former World No. 1 Ana Ivanovic, whom she beat in the Australian Open a couple of weeks ago.

There was also a battle of sisters, this time the Radwanska's, and the younger one, Urszula, prevailed against Agnieszka in straight sets, 64 63.


Monday, February 15, 2009

Singles - First Round
(Q) Urszula Radwanska (POL) d. (9) Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) 64 63
(10) Alizé Cornet (FRA) d. Anna-Lena Groenefeld (GER) 64 61
(11) Marion Bartoli (FRA) d. Ai Sugiyama (JPN) 60 46 76(6)
(12) Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) d. Sorana Cirstea (ROU) 64 62
(14) Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP) d. Andreja Klepac (SLO) 63 61
(LL) Ayumi Morita (JPN) d. (15) Anna Chakvetadze (RUS) 75 62
Monica Niculescu (ROU) d. Peng Shuai (CHN) 36 75 62
Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) d. (WC) Stefanie Voegele (SUI) 75 62
Virginie Razzano (FRA) d. Kateryna Bondarenko (UKR) 75 62
Alona Bondarenko (UKR) d. Olga Govortsova (BLR) 64 63
Francesca Schiavone (ITA) d. Casey Dellacqua (AUS) 61 61
Samantha Stosur (AUS) d. Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) 64 63
(LL) Camille Pin d. Agnes Szavay (HUN) 26 62 63

Breaking News: Peer has been refused to play in Dubai because of Israeli nationality

Shahar Peer has been refused to play in the Dubai Tenis Championships, which fetaured all of the Top Ten ranked players.

UAE officials have not given a reason for their decision, but the country does not have diplomatic relations with Israel.

"Ms Peer has earned the right to play in the tournament and it's regrettable that the UAE is denying her this right," he said.

"Ms Peer and her family are obviously extremely upset and disappointed by the decision of the UAE and its impact on her personally and professionally."

Scott said the WTA would "review appropriate future actions with regard to the future of the Dubai tournament".

"No host country should deny a player the right to compete in a tournament for which she has qualified by ranking," he added.

Other players also dropped a line.

"It's not acceptable," said Amelie Mauresmo after clinching the Paris Open title on Sunday.

"I think sport should be above issues like that to do with religion and wars and whatever. I'm surprised."

World number two, Dinara Safina, added: "It's pretty disappointing she's not playing here. She's a great player and a great athlete.

"I hope she will have many more chances. I think the WTA is doing its best for them."

Zvonareva demolishes Mirza, wins first title of year in Pattaya City

Top seed Vera Zvonareva showed that she was strong enough to win the PTT Pattaya Open this week, as she defeated Sania Mirza of India to win her eighth title of her career.

The Russian fought hard to win this final, and she did, with a score of 75 61.

"I was able to take a 5-2 lead, but it didn't really mean much because every game was very tough - it was close from the beginning," Zvonareva said. "She was able to lift her game up a little bit, and maybe I wasn't exactly playing as aggressively as I normally do. The rhythm changed and it was 5-all; I'm very happy with the way I lifted my own game at that point. After I won the first set I really started to play my game and didn't give her a chance to play how she wanted to play. I'm really happy with the way I finished the match."

"The opening set could have gone either way, but when you're playing against someone who's so good, if you don't take your chances - the one or two that you get - you will pay a price for it," Mirza said. "She played a great match. I felt like I played okay as well. I was striking the ball well."

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Singles - Final

(1) Vera Zvonareva (RUS) d. Sania Mirza (IND) 75 61

Mauresmo wins first title in two years, 25th of career in Paris

Amelie Mauresmo was in perfect form in the final at Paris, as she beat No. 4 rank Elena Dementieva in a thrilling three-setter, winning her first title in two years, and her 25th title of her career.

The No. 8 seed Frenchwoman impressed her home crowd, winning to the 3rd seeded Russian 76(7) 26 64.

"I'm just happy it finally showed after a couple of years of struggling," Mauresmo said. "During the last few months in practice I could see there were some great moments, but it was only showing in matches now and then. I didn't know when my consistency at this level was going to happen again, or if it would.

"When you look at the field and all the great players that were here in Paris, I'm very happy and very proud about this week."

"The level of our match was just incredible," Dementieva said. "The whole week, Amélie was playing very solid. She really picked up her game and played her best, especially today. It was a really impressive win for her today. I'm just very glad for her. She has had some difficult times with all of those injuries, and it's really great to see her win here, especially since it's at home."

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Singles - Final

(8) Amelie Mauresmo (FRA) d. (3) Elena Dementieva (RUS) 76(7) 26 64

No. 4, 5 seeds advance on Day 2 in Paris

Both of the seeds who got on the courts on Tuesday in Paris were successful in winning their matches, and they both won their matches in easy straight sets.

No. 4 seed Agnieszka Radwanska crushed her opponent, Ukranian Oxana Lyubtsova, 61 61, while No. 5 seed Alize Cornet demolished Anastasija Sevastova, 61 63.

Daniela Hantuchova was also part of the winner list of the day, as she cruised past Ekaterina Makarova 62 62.

Other winners ofthe day were Karolina Sprem, who beat Petra Kvitova in straight sets 63 61, Monica Niculsecu, who defeated Timea Baczinszky 64 63, Emelie Loit, who demolished Nicole Vaidisova, 61 64, Alisa Kleybanova, who won to Tsvetana Pironkova 62 76(3), and Nathalie Dechy, who fought hard to beat Sorana Cirstea 62 16 62.


Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Singles - First Round
Daniela Hantuchova (Slovakia) beat Ekaterina Makarova(Russia) 6-2 6-2
5-Alize Cornet (France) beat Anastasija Sevastova (Latvia) 6-16-3
Karolina Sprem (Croatia) beat Petra Kvitova (Czech Republic)6-3 6-1
Monica Niculescu (Romania) beat Timea Bacsinszky (Switzerland)6-4 6-3
Emilie Loit (France) beat Nicole Vaidisova (Czech Republic) 6-16-4
4-Agnieszka Radwanska (Poland) beat Oxana Lyubtsova (Ukraine)6-1 6-1
Alisa Kleybanova (Russia) beat Tsvetana Pironkova (Bulgaria)6-2 7-6(3)
Nathalie Dechy (France) beat Sorana Cirstea (Romania) 6-2 1-6 6-2

Top seed through to second round easily

On Day 2 of the PTT Pattaya Open, all of the seeds in action advanced to second round, including No. 1 seed Vera Zvonareva and No. 2 seed Caroline Wozniacki.

Zvonareva got through to the next round with ease, as she won to Andreja Klepac in straight sets, 64 63.

Woznaicki had an easier time on court, as she ousted Chan Yung-Jun, 63 60.

Other winners of the day were No. 4 seed Sybille Bammer, who won to Urszula Radwanska, 74 36 61, Ivana Lisjak, who won to Sesil Karantantcheva 62 46 63, Yaroslava Shvedova, who won to Tamira Paszek 63 64, Sania Mirza, who fought hard to beat Nicha Lertpitaksinchai in two tough sets, 76(4) 75, Yulia Beygelzimer, who demolished Anastasia Rodionova 62 62, and Neuza Silva, who ousted Jessica Moore 62 61.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Singles - First Round

4-Sybille Bammer (Austria) beat Urszula Radwanska (Poland)6-4 3-6 6-1

1-Vera Zvonareva (Russia) beat Andreja Klepac (Slovenia) 6-46-3

Ivana Lisjak (Croatia) beat Sesil Karatantcheva (Kazakhstan)6-2 4-6 6-3

2-Caroline Wozniacki (Denmark) beat Chan Yung-jan (Taiwan) 6-36-0

Yaroslava Shvedova (Kazakhstan) beat Tamira Paszek (Austria)6-3 6-4

Sania Mirza (India) beat Nicha Lertpitaksinchai (Thailand)7-6(4) 7-5

Yulia Beygelzimer (Ukraine) beat Anastasia Rodionova (Russia)6-2 6-2

Neuza Silva (Portugal) beat Jessica Moore (Australia) 6-2 6-1

Top 20 player falls in first round in Paris

The Open GDF SUEZ kicked on Monday, as there was only one player in action on Day 1, and she was ousted in three sets.

No. 7 seed Anabel Medina Garrigues fell to Kaia Kanepi after battling for 2 hours and 26 minutes, 36 62 75.

Other winners of the day were both unseeded, and they were Li Na, who won to Agnes Szavay 76(2) 62, and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who demolished wildcard Virginie Razzano, 64 61.

Monday, February 9, 2009

Singles - First Round

Kaia Kanepi (EST) d. (7) Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP) 36 62 75

Li Na (CHN) d. Agnes Szavay (HUN) 76(6) 62

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) d. (WC) Virginie Razzano (FRA) 64 61

First day of PTT Pattaya Open has good start

On Monday, the first day of the PTT Pattaya Open, saw No. 5 seed Shuai Peng win her first round match, as she was lucky to get through to the second round, since her Italian opponent retired due to illness.

Peng lost the first set to Mara Santangelo and was leading the second set when Santangelo retired, giving the Chinese player a victory with the score of 36 52.

Other winners of the day were Vera Dushevina, who defeated Elena Bovina in straight sets, 64 75, Galina Voskoboeva, who won to Jarmila Groth 46 62 61, and Australian Open Girls Champion Ksenia Pervak, who ousted Tomoko Yonemura, 61 61.

Monday, February 9, 2009

Singles - First Round

(5) Peng Shuai (CHN) d. Mara Santangelo (ITA) 36 52 ret. (illness)

Vera Dushevina (RUS) d. Elena Bovina (RUS) 64 75

Galina Voskoboeva (KAZ) d. Jarmila Groth (SVK) 46 62 61

Ksenia Pervak (RUS) d. Tomoko Yonemura (JPN) 61 61

Sharapova goes for return in March

Maria Sharapova says that she is eyeing a return to competitive tennis in March at the Indian Wells or Miami, as she is still healing her right shoulder that was injured in August in 2008.

"I have been training in Florida the last few weeks and really working hard," said Sharapova.

"It's really amazing how you can do all the exercises and rehab in the world, but nothing substitutes the time you spend on court running and hitting hundreds of balls.

"Right now I'm aiming for Palm Springs, or Miami, depending on how things shape up."

The 21-year-old Russian dropped to No. 17 this week in the rankings, as she pulled out of the Aussie Open, which she had to defend. It is the first time she has been out of the Top 10 since her victory at Wimbledon in 2004.

Breaking News of the Day: Henin, Clijsters to compete in exhibition tournament in December

Justine Henin, who retired from professional tennis in May last year while being No. 1 in the world, and Kim Clijsters, who retired in 2007 at the age of 24, are both going to play in an exhibition tournament in Belgium.

Maria Sharapova, who is again being held back form the Tour with a shoulder injury, has withdrawn from the tournament in Paris, France, which will be held on the 6th of February.

"I confirm she will not be there, she will not be taking part in the Dubai tournament the following week," a tournament spokeswoman said.