Azarenka suffers early exit; Jankovic easily advances on Day 3 in Stuttgart

The first big upset at the Porsche Grand Prix took place on Wednesday, as No. 4 seed Victoria Azarenka was ousted by Gisela Dulko in straight sets, which was the only match that kicked off the second round.

Dulko had to play a tough game to beat the Belarussian, as she won the match with a score of 64 63.

No. 3 seed Jelena Jankovic was the highest seed in action on Day 3 in Stuttgart, and she won her match easily to Dominika Cibulkova, 61 61.

No. 5 seed Svetlana Kuznetsova came back from losing the second set to qualifier Andrea Petkovic to win with a score of 64 57 61.

No. 6 seed Nadia Petrova also took it to a three-setter, against Jie Zheng, and eventually won, 64 57 64.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Singles - Second Round

Gisela Dulko (ARG) d. (4) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) 64 63

Singles - First Round

(3) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) d. Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) 61 61

(5) Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) d. (Q) Andrea Petkovic (GER) 64 57 61

(6) Nadia Petrova (RUS) d. Zheng Jie (CHN) 64 57 64

Flavia Pennetta (ITA) d. Anna Chakvetadze (RUS) 62 60

Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) d. Alizй Cornet (FRA) 63 61

(WC) Sabine Lisicki (GER) d. Patty Schnyder (SUI) 64 63

New No. 1 advances, compatriot No. 2 seed does too

The seeds had a good day on Tuesday at the Porsche Grand Prix, as the new World No. 1 Dinara Safina took less than an hour to demolish her opponent, and No. 2 seed Elena Dementieva took it to a three-setter against a German wildcard.

Safina easily got to the second round after beating Sara Errani, with a score of 60 61, in 51 minutes.

Dementieva faced Anna-Lena Groenefeld in her debut match. The Russian won the first set, and then struggled in the second set and lost it. In the third and final set, Dementieva gained her form and took it easily. The final score was 63 46 63.

There were two other seeds in action, who were No. 7 seed Caroline Wozniacki and No. 8 seed Agnieszka Radwanska. Wozniacki won her match to Iveta Benesova, 63 75; and Radwanska won her match to Aleksandra Wozniak, 76(2) 60.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Singles - First Round

(1) Dinara Safina (RUS) d. Sara Errani (ITA) 60 61

(2) Elena Dementieva (RUS) d. (WC) Anna-Lena Groenefeld (GER)

(7) Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) d. Iveta Benesova (CZE) 63 75

(8) Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) d. Aleksandra Wozniak (CAN) 76(2) 60
Marion Bartoli (FRA) d. (Q) Karolina Sprem (CRO) 63 26 61

Li Na (CHN) d. Peng Shuai (CHN) 62 63

Agnes Szavay (HUN) d. Ai Sugiyama (JPN) 63 26 76(4)

Gisela Dulko (ARG) d. Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) 63 63

(Q) Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL) d. (Q) Alberta Brianti (ITA) 06 64 64

Azarenka wins only main draw match in action on Day 1 in Stuttgart

On the first day of the Porsche Grand Prix, there was only one main draw match in play, which was between No. 4 seed Victoria Azarenka and rising star Carla Suarez Navarro.

The Belarussian, who has already won three titles this year, at Brisbane, Memphis and Miami, won the match easily in straight sets to the Spaniard, with a score of 61 64.

Top seed Safina, second seed Dementieva, seventh seed Wozniacki and eighth seed Agnieszka Radwanska are all in action on Day 2, with the rest of the seeds - Jelena Jankovic, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Petrova, No. 3, No. 5 and No. 6, respectively, playing their first round matches on Wednesday.

Monday, April 27, 2009

Singles - First Round

(4) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) d. Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP) 61 64

USA, Italy into Fed Cup finals

The semifinals of the Fed Cup came to an end, after teams USA and Italy made astonishing wins against Czech Republic and Russia to get to the final, which will be the held at the very end of the year.

Italy made a great performance against Russia, as they ousted them easily with the score being 4-1. Flavia Pennetta was the first to make a lead in the score, after winning to Anna Chakvetadze 64 60. Francesca Schiavone was next, as she beat Svetlana Kuznetsova in three sets, 16 62 63. Kuznetsova then made a breakthrough, as she won to Flavia Pennetta in straight sets, 60 63, which was the only match the Russian team won. Schiavone then had a tough time against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, but managed to close it out with a score of 76(7) 46 62. The doubles match featured Sara Errani partnering Roberta Vinci, against Pavlyuchenkova partnering Nadia Petrova. The match was a three setter, and the Italians won with a score of 16 63 64.

USA had a tougher time against the Czech Republic, as they got to the final after winning 3-2. Petra Kvitova was the first to win a match, to Bethanie Mattek-Sands, 63 76(2). American Alexa Glatch than made it a tie, after winning to Iveta Benesova with a score of 61 62. Lucie Safarova made her team get the lead again after winning to Bethanie Mattek-Sands, 63 61. Glatch repeated her victory and won to Petra Kvitova 62 61. The doubles match went to a three-setter, and the Americans, Liezel Huber and Mattek-Sands, succeeded in winning to the Czechs, Iveta Benesova and Kveta Peschke, 26 76(2) 61.

Wimbledon champs will get huge increase in prize money, thanks to the pound

The Wimbledon champions are getting a big increase in prize money this year, at least when it comes to the British pound.

The prize for each of the men’s and women’s champions went up by 13.3 percent to $1.24 million, organizers said Tuesday, but the pound’s weak exchange rate means that translates to a reduction in dollars of 17 percent from last year’s $1.49 million.

Buoyed by a new television contract in Asia and the extension of its commercial agreement with IBM, the tournament has also raised the total prize fund for the June 22-July 5 tournament by 6.2 percent to $18.38 million.

But that still compares unfavorably to last year’s $23.46 million despite the increase being nearly double the 3.4 percent hike the All England Club managed 12 months ago.

All England Club chairman Tim Phillips said the event was doing what it could to help offset the weakened exchange rates and maintain the prestige among players of the only grass-court Grand Slam.

“Most of the players here don’t bank in sterling,” Phillips said. “We have to be mindful of the fact that a year ago it was $2 to the pound.”

The pound has dropped by more than 25 percent against the dollar since last year’s prize money was announced, and has slumped by about 11 percent against the euro. On Tuesday, the exchange rate was $1.45 to 1 pound.

The All England Club also announced a five-year extension of its sponsorship with IBM, which advises on and helps implement new technologies at the event, and said that it had signed a new broadcast deal with Star Sports Asia.

“In this climate, it’s a vote of confidence in Wimbledon,” All England Club chief executive Ian Ritchie said. “In the current climate, it would be foolish for anyone to be complacent, but we feel the strength of the brand is coming through and commercial opportunities continuing unabated.”

This year’s tournament will feature the unveiling of a sliding roof over Centre Court.

Safina finally reaches No. 1 ranking spot

Dinara Safina officially took over the top ranking on the WTA Tour on Monday, making her and older sibling Marat Safin the only brother-sister duo to have been No. 1 in professional tennis.

Safina, who has yet to win a Grand Slam title but twice reached a major final, is the 19th woman to top the rankings since they were introduced in 1975. She is also only the second Russian woman after Maria Sharapova to reach No. 1.

Safina replaced Serena Williams at the top, even though the American beat her in the Australian Open final this year. Last year, Safina lost to Ana Ivanovic in the French Open final.

Marat Safin was ranked No. 1 on the men’s tour in 2000, the same year he won the first of two Grand Slam singles titles.

“He has two Grand Slams,” Safina said of her brother in a video posted on the WTA’s Web site. “He’s still much better than me, so I have to catch him.”

Lisicki wins first title on Tour after defeating No. 5 seed in straight sets in Charleston

No. 16 seed Sabine Lisicki showed her all in the final of the Family Circle Cup against No. 5 seed Caroline Wozniacki, as she won one of her biggest finals of her career, claiming her first tournament on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour.

Lisicki, ranked No. 63, became the lowest ranked player to win the tournament since Iva Majoli, who won in 2002 with a ranking of No. 58. The German won to Wozniacki with a score of 62 64.

"I wasn't moving well today like I have been in other tournaments, but Sabine was playing really well, attacking and not making a lot of errors. It was tough for me today," Wozniacki said. "This is a fantastic tournament. It was great to be here and play the final. Sabine played really well. Congratulations to her."

The head-to-head result between the two is now 1-1, the first meeting being in the 2008 Australian Open, when Wozniacki won in three sets.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Singles - Final

(16) Sabine Lisicki (GER) d. (5) Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 62 64

Vinci demolishes Kirilenko to gain second title of career

Roberta Vinci came back from an early loss in Marbella, Spain last week to win the Barcelona Ladies Open against Russian Maria Kirilenko in easy straight sets, making it her second title of her career.

The Italian had little trouble against Kirilenko, winning with a score of 60 64 in 1 hour and 11 minutes.

"I am so happy!" Vinci said. "It's such a great feeling to win again. It has been a long time since I played well. I felt good after Marbella - I had a good match against Jankovic and it gave me confidence coming here to Barcelona."

After the win for Vinci, the head-to-head result is now 2-2. Vinci won their first meeting, then Kirilenko won the next two, the latest being in 2008 in Portoroz.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Singles - Final

Roberta Vinci (ITA) d. (6) Maria Kirilenko (RUS) 60 64

Dane ousts Dementieva; Lisicki awaits

Top seed Elena Dementieva seemed to be in great shape throughout the week, but her run ended in the semis of the Family Circle Cup, as she lost to No. 5 seed Caroline Woznaicki in three tough sets.

The Dane won the first set to the Russian, but then Dementieva took action and took the second set. The third ended when Wozniacki fired a forehand winner down the line. The final score was 64 57 75.

"It felt so good," Wozniacki said of the match-winning shot. "I only had that shot to win the point, because she was covering the whole net. I only had this much space to put it in, and when I saw it go through, I just knew it was going to go in."

The bottom half of the draw featured a match-up between No. 16 seed Sabine Lisicki and No. 6 seed Marion Bartoli. The German won the match in easy straight sets to the Frenchwoman, the score being 63 61.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Singles - Semifinals

(5) Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) d. (1/WC) Elena Dementieva (RUS) 64 57 75

(16) Sabine Lisicki (GER) d. (6) Marion Bartoli (FRA) 63 61

Top seed reaches semis; will face tough Wozniacki

After the No. 2, 3 and 4 seeds were ousted on Thursday, top seed Elena Dementieva was considered the big favorite, and on Friday she fought off No. 7 seed Dominika Cibulkova in straight sets to get to the semis of the Family Circle Cup in Charleston.

The first set was toughly won by the Russian, but early in the second set Cibulkova had already retired due to a left adductor injury. The final score was 64 10.

"I feel sorry she couldn't finish the match," the world No. 3 said. "We played a few times before and it was always interesting so hopefully next time we'll finish. I'm going to practice again now because we didn't play long and there were things I wasn't too happy about in my game."

No. 5 seed Caroline Wozniacki won her quarterfinal match to No. 13 seed Virginie Razzano 62 60, and will face Dementieva for a spot in the final.

No. 6 seed Marion Bartoli ousted Melinda Czink 64 61, and will next face No. 16 seed Sabine Lisicki, who demolished Elena Vesnina 64 60.

Friday, April 17, 2009

Singles - Quarterfinals

(1/WC) Elena Dementieva (RUS) d. (7) Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) 64 10 ret.(left adductor strain)

(5) Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) d. (13) Virginie Razzano (FRA) 62 60

(6) Marion Bartoli (FRA) d. Melinda Czink (HUN) 64 61

(16) Sabine Lisicki (GER) d. Elena Vesnina (RUS) 64 60

3 of 4 top seeds ousted; Dementieva still hanging on

Venus Williams had a hard time during her first round match, as she took it to three sets, but today her week came to an end, as the No. 2 seed was ousted in tough straight sets by No. 16 seed Sabine Lisicki.

Williams had great opportunities in both sets, as she was up 4-2 in the first, and 5-3 in the second set. The German got a 6-3 lead in the second set tiebreak, and managed to close it out on her third match point. The final score was 64 76(5).

"It's a great victory beating Venus Williams. She's just a great champion. I still can't really believe I won," said Lisicki.

The No. 3 Vera Zvonareva and 4 seed Nadia Petrova were ousted on Day 4 as well. Zvonareva fell to No. 13 seed Virginie Razzano 1-1 with a right ankle injury, and Petrova lost to Melinda Czink 36 64 75.

Now No. 1 seed Elena Dementieva is the only seed left from the top four seeds, as she won her match to Varvara Lepchenko 61 61.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Singles - Third Round

(1/WC) Elena Dementieva (RUS) d. Varvara Lepchenko (USA) 61 61

(16) Sabine Lisicki (GER) d. (2) Venus Williams (USA) 64 76(5)

(13) Virginie Razzano (FRA) d. (3) Vera Zvonareva (RUS) 11 ret. (right ankle injury)

Melinda Czink (HUN) d. (4) Nadia Petrova (RUS) 36 64 75

(5) Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) d. (10) Peng Shuai (CHN) 63 64

(6) Marion Bartoli (FRA) d. (Q) Melanie Oudin (USA) 64 61

(7) Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) d. Anastasia Rodionova (RUS) 67(6) 62 63

Elena Vesnina (RUS) d. Viktoriya Kutuzova (UKR) 76(4) 75

Williams survives tough battle against Mirza; Schnyder ousted in three sets

No. 2 seed Venus Williams came back from losing the second set and eventually won the third to overcome a tough battle against Sania Mirza in her first match at the Family Circle Cup in Charleston, South Carolina, USA.

Williams, who was a champion here five years ago, easily won the first set, but had a difficult time in the second, as she was leading 3-1, and won the third set easily to win her first round match. The final score was 61 36 62.

"It's always fun out there. These kinds of matches are good to pull out. It was a great opening round, and now I'm ready for the next one," Williams said. "Sania has a lot of talent and a lot of power, and she uses it to her advantage. She was going for it and had nothing to lose. But I've been in these situations before."

The American will now face No. 16 seed Sabine Lisicki, who won to qualifier Lenka Wienerova 64 63.

No. 5 seed Caroline Wozniacki had an easier time against Alla Kudryavtseva, as she won 63 63.

No. 8 seed Patty Schnyder's fate was decided in her debut match against Elena Vesnina, as she lost in a tough match with a score of 62 67(5) 75.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Singles - Second Round

(2) Venus Williams (USA) d. Sania Mirza (IND) 61 36 62

(5) Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) d. Alla Kudryavtseva (RUS) 63 63

Elena Vesnina (RUS) d. (8) Patty Schnyder (SUI) 62 67(5) 75

(Q) Melanie Oudin (USA) d. (9) Aleksandra Wozniak (CAN) 75 60

(10) Peng Shuai (CHN) d. Akgul Amanmuradova (UZB) 75 26 75

Viktoriya Kutuzova (UKR) d. (11) Alona Bondarenko (UKR) 64 75

Anastasia Rodionova (RUS) d. (12) Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) 62 64

(13) Virginie Razzano (FRA) d. Stйphanie Dubois (CAN) 63 76(3)

(16) Sabine Lisicki (GER) d. (Q) Lenka Wienerova (SVK) 64 63

Melinda Czink (HUN) d. Vania King (USA) 64 62

Varvara Lepchenko (USA) d. (Q) Shenay Perry (USA) 62 63

Top seed through along with compatriot No. 3 seed

On Tuesday in Charleston the second round took action, while the first round wrapped up, with nine seeds playing, and eight succeeding in winning.

No. 1 seed and wildcard Elena Dementieva easily won her match, to Julie Ditty, 60 62.

No. 3 seed Vera Zvonareva ousted Rossana de los Rios, 63 62.

"I felt pretty good for my first match of the year on clay," said Zvonareva, a finalist here last year. "I didn't expect myself to play my best, and it was a bit of a struggle at times because of the wind, but it was pretty good. I'm feeling strong and I hope to continue winning. We'll see what will happen this week."

No. 4 seed Nadia Petrova had a tougher time against Patricia Mayr, as she won the first set, lost the second set easily, and won the deciding set with with the same score as losing the second. The final score was 61 26 62.

No. 6 seed Marion Bartoli easy demolished her opponent, qualifier Anastasija Sevastova, 61 63.

No. 7 seed Dominika Cibulkova was the lowest seed playing in the second round on Day 2, as she won to Tamira Paszek, 64 60.

The first round action included No. 9 seed Aleksandra Wozniak, who ousted Abigail Spears 63 46 60; No. 12 seed Bethanie Mattek-Sands, who fought to win to Mariana Duque Marino, 76(3) 75; No. 15 seed Barbora Zahlavova Strycova, who fell to qualifier Shenay Perry 75 61; and No. 16 seed Sabine Lisicki, who demolished Marie-Eve Pelletier 75 64.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Singles - Second Round

(1/WC) Elena Dementieva (RUS) d. Julie Ditty (USA) 60 62

(3) Vera Zvonareva (RUS) d. Rossana de los Rнos (PAR) 63 62

(4) Nadia Petrova (RUS) d. Patricia Mayr (AUT) 61 26 62

(6) Marion Bartoli (FRA) d. (Q) Anastasija Sevastova (LAT) 61 63

(7) Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) d. Tamira Paszek (AUT) 64 60

Singles - First Round

(9) Aleksandra Wozniak (CAN) d. (Q) Abigail Spears (USA) 63 46 60

(12) Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) d. Mariana Duque Marino (COL) 76(3) 75

(Q) Shenay Perry (USA) d. (15) Barbora Zahlavova Strycova (CZE) 75 61

(16) Sabine Lisicki (GER) d. (Q) Marie-Иve Pelletier (CAN) 75 64

Elena Vesnina (RUS) d. Evgeniya Rodina (RUS) 60 62

Alla Kudryavtseva (RUS) d. (Q) Angela Haynes (USA) 64 57 60

Akgul Amanmuradova (UZB) d. (WC) Alexandra Stevenson (USA) 62 64

Sania Mirza (IND) d. Sesil Karatantcheva (KAZ) 64 64

Viktoriya Kutuzova (UKR) d. Mariya Koryttseva (UKR) 61 61

Stephanie Dubois (CAN) d. Katie O'Brien (GBR) 46 62 61

Three of four seeds succeed in winning on Day 1 in Charleston

The Family Circle Cup in Charleston kicked off on a warm, cloudy Monday, as four seeds were in action and all but one won their first round matches.

No. 10 Shuai Peng was the highest seed who was playing, and she won to wildcard Anastasia Pivovarova in easy straight sets, 60 62.

No. 11 seed Alona Bondarenko won her match to Anne Kremer, aslo with a bagel in the score, 64 60.

No. 13 seed Virginie Razzano was the lowest seed playing, and she won to another wildcard, Mallory Cecil, in straight sets 61 62.

The seeded loser of the day was No. 14 seed Olga Govortsova, who fell in three sets to Vania King, 67(3) 76(5) 63.

Monday, April 13, 2009

Singles - First Round

(10) Peng Shuai (CHN) d. (WC) Anastasia Pivovarova (RUS) 60 62

(11) Alona Bondarenko (UKR) d. Anne Kremer (GER) 64 60

(13) Virginie Razzano (FRA) d. (WC) Mallory Cecil (USA) 61 62

Vania King (USA) d. (14) Olga Govortsova (BLR) 67(3) 76(5) 63

Tamira Paszek (AUT) d. Julia Schruff (GER) 75 62

Patricia Mayr (AUT) d. Yan Zi (CHN) 62 62

Melinda Czink (HUN) d. Jill Craybas (USA) 62 64

Rossana de los Rios (PAR) d. Carly Gullickson (USA) 61 64

Varvara Lepchenko (USA) d. Galina Voskoboeva (KAZ) 61 63

Julie Ditty (USA) d. Ayumi Morita (JPN) 61 61

Anastasia Rodionova (RUS) d. (Q) Madison Brengle (USA) 62 76(4)

(Q) Lenka Wienerova (SVK) d. Alexa Glatch (USA) 64 75

(Q) Melanie Oudin (USA) d. Olga Savchuk (UKR) 64 60

(Q) Anastasija Sevastova (LAT) d. Marta Domachowska (POL) 61 16 64

Wozniacki defeats similarly named opponent to capture title in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida

Second-seeded Caroline Wozniacki defeated Canada’s Aleksandra Wozniak 6-1, 6-2 to win The MPS Group Championships on Sunday.

Wozniacki, from Denmark, won 84 percent of her first serve points in the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour clay-court season opener and took advantage of several mistakes.

Wozniak never mounted a charge and down 3-1 in the first set double-faulted away two games.

Each player held serve in the second until Wozniacki broke her opponent at 3-2. Wozniak, who committed 31 unforced errors, won only three points the last two games in a match that lasted only 63 minutes.

“My plan was to play aggressive and make her run,” Wozniacki said. “This is a great start to the clay-court season, a really good start. I proved I can beat these better players.”

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Singles - Final

(2) Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) d. (5) Aleksandra Wozniak (CAN) 61 62

Jankovic tops Suarez Navarro to claim title in Marbella

The title for Jelena Jankovic didn't come easy, as she took it to three sets against local Carla Suarez Navarro, and eventually won, making it her first tournament win of 2009.

The second-seeded Serb had a tough time coming back to form, but she proved in Sunday's final that she still has the will to win. The match was ended against the No. 5 seed with a score of 63 36 63.

"I know I haven't been playing well the last three months but this win has given me back the confidence I need," Jankovic said. "It's my 10th title, and just the beginning of the clay season, so I hope to continue in this way. The tournament has been wonderful here. I really hope to come back next year."

"Despite my defeat I leave this tournament very satisfied," Suárez Navarro said. "Listening to the audience cheering my name was an incredible experience."

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Singles - Final

(2) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) d. (5) Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP) 63 36 63

Jankovic in final; will face local favorite

No. 2 seed Jelena Jankovic fought off No. 4 seed Anabel Medina Garrigues in the semifinals and will face No. 5 seed Carla Suarez Navarro, who defeated No. 7 seed Sorana Cirstea in three sets.

Jankovic ousted the Medina Garrigues in straight sets, 75 62, to reach her first final of the season. The Serb broke her Spanish opponent seven times while overcoming four breaks of her own serve on the outdoor clay.

Suarez Navarro had a tougher time against Cirstea, as she won toughly, 62 67(5) 62.

Jankovic defeated Suarez Navarro in both their meetings, including a French Open quarterfinals victory last year.

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Singles - Semifinals

(2) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) d. (4) Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP) 75 62

(5) Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP) d. (7) Sorana Cirstea (ROU) 62 67(5) 62

Jankovic survives quarterfinal scare; No. 3 seed ousted in three sets

No. 2 seed Jelena Jankovic is still holding, as she had a very tough battle against world No. 67 Roberta Vinci, winning in three sets which took 2 hours and 42 minutes.

The Serb lost the opening set easily, but the fought to take the second set with the same score she lost the first, and in the third set both of the player fought like animals, and Jankovic managed to close it out in a very close tiebreak. The final score was 36 63 76(6).

Other winners of the day were No. 4 seed Anabel Medina Garrigues, who won to No. 6 seed Sara Errani 62 67(4) 75; No. 5 seed Carla Suarez Navarro, who demolished Klara Zakopalova 61 62; and No. 7 seed Sorana Cirstea, who ousted No. 3 seed Kaia Kanepi 64 26 75.

Results - Friday, April 10, 2009

Singles - Quarterfinals

(2) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) d. Roberta Vinci (ITA) 36 63 76(6)

(7) Sorana Cirstea (ROU) d. (3/WC) Kaia Kanepi (EST) 64 26 75

(4) Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP) d. (6) Sara Errani (ITA) 62 67(4) 75

(5) Carla Suárez Navarro (ESP) d. Klara Zakopalova (CZE) 61 62

Jankovic into quarters; demolisher of Serena also through

No. 2 seed Jelena Jankovic was the highest seed left after the shocking exit of top seed Serena Williams, and she still is, after winning her second round match on Thursday and reserving a spot in the quarterfinals, along with three other seeds.

Jankovic was in great form against her opponent, lucky loser Selima Sfar, and crushed the Tunisian 63 60.

No. 3 seed and wildcard Kaia Kanepi was on the court for a bit longer, as she fought hard in the first set, but easily won the second set against qualifier Aranxta Rus, 75 62.

No. 5 seed Carla Suarez Navarro went to three sets against qualifier Ekaterina Ivanova, losing the first set with love, but winning the next two sets easily. The final score was 06 63 60.

No. 6 seed Sara Errani had an easy first set win, but a very tough second set win against qualifer Polona Hercog, and won with the score of 60 76(7).

The only unseeded winner of the day was Klara Zakopalova, known as the demolisher of Serena, as she won to Renata Vorocova toughly, 76(7) 57 60.

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Singles - Second Round

(2) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) d. (LL) Selima Sfar (TUN) 63 60

(3/WC) Kaia Kanepi (EST) d. (Q) Aranxta Rus (NED) 75 62

(5) Carla Suárez Navarro (ESP) d. (Q) Ekaterina Ivanova (RUS) 06 63 60

(6) Sara Errani (ITA) d. (Q) Polona Hercog (SLO) 60 76(7)

Klara Zakopalova (CZE) d. Renata Vorocova (CZE) 76(7) 57 60

Serena ousted in debut match in three sets, will be replaced by Safina as No. 1 rank

Today the top seed at the Andalucia Tennis Experience suffered a first round defeat, as Serena Williams was knocked out in three sets by Czech Klara Zakopalova, as the first round wrapped up, and the second round took action on Wednesday.

The American had just lost in the final in Miami last week, and had hoped to get her shape back, but lost to Zakopalova with a score of 64 36 61.

No. 2 in the world Dinara Safina, who is not playing here in Marbella, will rise to No. 1 for the first time, and will make history by becoming the first brother-sister No. 1 pair, alongside Marat Safin.

The other first round winner was No. 3 seed and wildcard Kaia Kanepi, who crushed Spanish lucky loser Silvia Soler Espinosa 64 62.

The second round winners of the day were No. 4 seed Anabel Medina Garrigues, who ousted Virginia Ruano Pascual 62 63; No. 7 seed Sorana Cirstea, who won to Andreja Klepac in three sets, 46 61 61; and Roberta Vinci, who prolonged Nicole Vaidisova's losing streak after winning 63 63.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Singles - Second Round

(4) Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP) d. Virginia Ruano Pascual (ESP) 62 63

(7) Sorana Cirstea (ROU) d. Andreja Klepac (SLO) 46 61 61

Roberta Vinci (ITA) d. Nicole Vaidisova (CZE) 63 63

Singles - First Round

Klara Zakopalova (CZE) d. (1) Serena Williams (USA) 64 36 61

(3/WC) Kaia Kanepi (EST) d. (LL) Sílvia Soler Espinosa (ESP) 64 62

Jankovic finally wins debut match; other seeds also win

No. 2 seed Jelena Jankovic, who skipped from No. 3 to No. 4 in the world this week, seemed to be having a better game on the clay than on hardcourts, as she demolished opponent Francesca Schiavone in easy straight sets, which was her first win since losing first round matches in Indian Wells and Miami.

The Serb crushed the Italian with a score of 62 61.

"I feel really good. It was my first match of the week and I thought I played really well," the 24-year-old said. "The conditions were not so good and it was quite windy, but I was concentrated on myself and my game and I did well."

There were three other seeds in action on Day 2 in Marbella, Spain. They were No. 4 seed Anabel Medina Garrigues, who won to Anastasiya Yakimova 61 63; No. 5 seed Carla Suarez Navarro, who had a tough time against Maret Ani, but won 75 75; and No. 6 seed Sara Errani, who survived a battle with Julia Schruff, winning with a score of 75 76(6).

Results - Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Singles - First Round
(2) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) d. Francesca Schiavone (ITA) 62 61
(4) Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP) d. Anastasiya Yakimova (BLR) 61 63
(5) Carla Suárez Navarro (ESP) d. Maret Ani (EST) 75 75
(6) Sara Errani (ITA) d. Julia Schruff (GER) 75 76(6)
Virginia Ruano Pascual (ESP) d. Tathiana Garbin (ITA) 61 26 61
Andreja Klepac (SLO) d. Severine Brémond (FRA) 57 62 62
Renata Voracova (CZE) d. Pauline Parmentier (FRA) 76(8) 46 64
(Q) Arantxa Rus (NED) d. (WC) María-Teresa Torró-Flor (ESP) 46 62 60
(Q) Ekaterina Ivanova (RUS) d. (Q) Masa Zec Peskiric (SLO) 60 64
(Q) Polona Hercog (SLO) d. Stéphanie Cohen-Aloro (FRA) 36 76(4) 62
(LL) Selima Sfar (TUN) d. (WC) Estrella Cabeza Candela (ESP) 63 76(4)

Cibulkova, Bondarenko sisters through to second round; youngster Keys succeeds on Day 1 in Florida

Both seeds in action who played on Monday won their matches in straight sets, along with 14 year old wildcard Madison Keys, who also won her match in tough straight sets.

Wildcard and No. 3 seed Dominika Cibulkova was the highest seed in action, as she ousted Edina Gallovits, 62 62.

No. 7 seed Alona Bondarenko had a tougher time on court, as she defeated Sania Mirza with a score of 64 63. The Ukranian's sister, unseeded Kateryna Bondarenko also made it through, ousting Barbora Zahlavova Strycova, 76(2) 62.

Keys sent Alla Kudryavtseva flying home, after winning to the Russian 75 64.

The other winner of the day was Patricia Mayr, who won to Ayumi Morita, 63 26 63.

Monday, April 6, 2009

Singles - First Round

(3/WC) Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) d. Edina Gallovits (ROU) 62 62

(7) Alona Bondarenko (UKR) d. Sania Mirza (IND) 64 63

Kateryna Bondarenko (UKR) d. Barbora Zahlavova Strycova (CZE) 76(2) 62

Patricia Mayr (AUT) d. Ayumi Morita (JPN) 63 26 63

(WC) Madison Keys (USA) d. Alla Kudryavtseva (RUS) 75 64

One of two seeds in action win on Day 1 in Marbella

There were only two seeds in action on Day 1 in Marbella, Spain at the Andalucia Tennis Experience, and only one of them succeeded to advance to the second round, along with two other unseeded players.

No. 7 seed Sorana Cirstea easily got past Ioana Raluca Olara in straight sets, with a score of 64 62.

The seeded loser of the day was No. 8 seed Tsvetana Pironkova, who lost to Roberta Vinci in three sets, 67(4) 62 64.

The other main draw winner was Nicole Vaidisova, who fought to win to Angelique Kerber in three sets, 35 64 64.

Monday, April 6, 2009

Singles - First Round

(7) Sorana Cirstea (ROU) d. Ioana Raluca Olaru (ROU) 64 62

Roberta Vinci (ITA) d. (8) Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL) 67(4) 62 64

Nicole Vaidisova (CZE) d. Angelique Kerber (GER) 36 64 64

Goodbye Hardcourts. Hello Clay!!

After the finish of the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami, the hard court season is over, and the clay court season will start on Monday, the 6th of April. The first clay tournaments are the $500,000 Andalucia Tennis Experience, which will be held at Marbella, Spain, and the $200,000 MPS Group Championships, which will be held in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, USA.

The biggest tournaments of the season are the $1,000,000 Family Circle Cup, which will be held on April 13, $2,000,000 Internazionali BNL d'Italia, which will be held on the week of May the 3rd, and the $4,500,000 Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open, which will be on the week of May the 9th.

The Grand Slam of the season is the French Open in Paris, France, which will be held for two weeks, starting from May the 24 and ending on June the 7th.

Best of luck to all players!!!!

Azarenka stuns Williams in front of Miami crowd to take title

Victoria Azarenka surprised the crowd in Miami by stunning No. 1 in the world Serena Williams to win the Sony Ericsson Open, her third and biggest title of her career.

The No. 11 seed won a tough semifinal against No. 8 seed Svetlana Kuznetsova to get to the final, and the Top seed won to older sister and No. 5 seed Venus in three sets to get to the final. Williams was the favorite, as she was going for her third title in Miami in a row. But the Belorussian stopped the American after winning easily with a score of 63 61.

"It was such an honor to play Serena, she's just the greatest player for me," Azarenka said in near-disbelief during the trophy presentation. "Serena's a great champion. I love the way she plays and the way she is. I really wanted another chance to play her because in Australia we unfortunately couldn't finish.

"I was so nervous in the last game. I couldn't believe I had match point. I was thinking, 'If I win this point, I don't even know what would happen next.' And then I double faulted. I'm just happy I could close it out in the end."

"Even when I was down match point I thought I could still win; I didn't really know how, but I thought it was a possibility," Williams said. "I think she has really, really improved. I actually look forward to playing her again so I can do better. I'm not that bummed because I feel like there's next week and next year, then there's the year after and the year after. I definitely have it in me to try to tie that record, and then ultimately beat it."

The head-to head result between the two is now 2-1 Williams.

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Singles - Final

(11) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) d. (1) Serena Williams (USA) 63 61

Serena wins all-Williams semi; Azarenka up next for crown

No. 11 seed Victoria Azarenka was going for her first Sony Ericsson Open final and possibly title of her career, and after she beat No. 8 seed Svetlana Kuznetsova, the Belarussian could be the first of her nationality to win the tournament, but first she will have to defeat No. 1 seed and rank Serena Williams, who fought hard against her older sister Venus, and won in three sets.

Azarenka had won the first set, but lost the second, and in the third, she got a break, and served for the match at 5-4, even having a match point at 40-30, but then Kuznetsova broke back to equal it, and again Azarenka got a break, where she would serve out the match, winning with a score of 63 26 75.

"The second set didn't go so well for me, but I still hung in there and played for every point, no matter what," Azarenka said. "When it got back to 5-all, I just thought that I had to keep going, no matter what. She played well on the match points, so it's not something I lost. I'm so happy I found the energy to fight at the end. It wasn't so much energy in the last few games, more like adrenaline. It was getting really, really tough to even walk through the last points."

Serena was fighting against her sister Venus, as she had won the first set, lost the second and fought to win the third. The match was over with a score of 64 36 63. Now the sisters are tied at 10-10 in head-to-head results.

"It's definitely good to even it up. I would love to be in the lead again," Serena said of the Williams head-to-head. "I was also thinking I'd love to remain No.1, so obviously I'm really excited about that. I think I was more happy about that than winning the match at the end. I'm really happy to get over this one."

"It was a well-fought match. My serve wasn't going as well as I wanted but she brought a lot of balls back and played really tough," Venus said afterwards. "When I come to a tournament I come to win. So I'm disappointed
right now. But I'm looking forward to working hard and doing better next time."

The only two meetings Azarenka and Serena had were both in the Australian Open, in 2008 and 2009, where Serena won both of them. But let's see. Things could change after the match.


Thursday, April 2, 2009

Singles - Semifinals
(1) Serena Williams (USA) d. (5) Venus Williams (USA) 64 36 63
(11) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) d. (8) Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) 63 26 75

Williams sisters to clash in semis for final berth

Serena and Venus Williams have again set up a battle against each other for a final berth, after Serena's tough opponent led her to three sets, and Venus crushed her opponent easily in straight sets.

Top ranked and seeded Serena faced Li Na in her quarterfinal match, and the Chinese didn't give up, as she won the first set, but didn't have enough strength to close it out in the second, or the third, so the American eventually won with a score of 46 76(1) 62.

"I'm glad to have gotten through," Serena said. "I've played a lot of Chinese girls this week, wow. It was definitely a new experience. And hey, it's obviously good for the US Fed Cup team. They're all obviously really consistent. They hit a flat ball and keep it low. They're good players, as everyone is on the Tour."

No. 5 seed and three-time champion Venus defeated No. 26 seed Iveta Benesova, after the Czech was up 4-1 in the second set, with a score of 61 64.

"Sometimes when things aren't going your way, the games start going so fast because everyone out there is good," Venus said. "Fortunately it wasn't a double break. That may have been a little tougher to come back from. I look at it as one break - I don't look at it as the score is 1-4."

The sisters have played 19 times before, with Venus leading 10-9. Venus won their last two meetings, and if she wins this one, Serena will lose her No. 1 ranking spot, to current No. 2 in the world Dinara Safina.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Singles - Quarterfinals

(1) Serena Williams (USA) d. Li Na (CHN) 46 76(1) 62

(5) Venus Williams (USA) d. (26) Iveta Benesova (CZE) 61 64

Kuznetsova reaches semis; Azarenka crushes Stosur

The first semifinal spots were booked on Tuesday in Miami, as No. 8 seed Svetlana Kuznetsova won her quarterfinal match to No. 13 Caroline Woznaicki after splitting sets and then taking the third easily.

Kuznetsova, who won her three years ago, was leading 64 52, but then the Dane made a comeback and took it to a tiebreak, where she won it with a score of 7-5. In the final set, the Russian was in great form and took it with a score of 61.

"I came here after losing first round two tournaments in a row. I was practicing and preparing well, so when I came here I was so disappointed," Kuznetsova said. "I haven't lost two first rounds in a row as long as I can remember. So for me here, it was really important to just play match by match. Now I'm in the semis, and I'm really happy. I'm just going to concentrate on the semis now."

No. 11 seed Vicroia Azarenka spent the shortest time on court, as she took only 57 minutes to crush Samantha Stosur 61 60.

"It feels great. I've been playing very well the last four weeks. I want to keep going," Azarenka said. "Sam has a great serve and my return was very important today. I was hitting it very well and starting to put pressure on her right away."


Tuesday, March 30, 2009

WTA Main Draw Singles - Quarterfinals
[8] S Kuznetsova (RUS) d [13] C Wozniacki (DEN) 64 67(5) 61
[11] V Azarenka (BLR) d S Stosur (AUS) 61 60