Ivanovic, Zvonareva barely win at night in Los Angeles

Ana Ivanovic and Vera Zvonareva were the only two players to win under the night lights of Tuesday, while Sabine Lisicki faced the toughest challenge of the tournament so far while playing Kimiko Date Krumm, to whom she eventually won in three long sets.

Ivanovic, the No. 6 seed in L.A, seemed to be having a hard time against Vania King, but the Serbian gathered her power in the third set, and won the match with a score of 64 46 61.

Zvonareva, the No. 2 seed, was completely out of form while playing Shuai Peng, as the Russian lost the first, won the second set with the same score as losing the first, and won the third in a thrilling tiebreaker. The final score was 36 63 76(6).

Date Krumm, a 38 year old qualifier, held three set points in the first set against 17th seeded Lisicki, but the German was able to come back and close out the set in a tiebreaker. The Japanese veteran was able to take control of the second set, and won it easily. In the third set, Date Krumm served for the match at 5-4 30-15, but Lisicki made a fabulous comeback and eventually put the match to a close, winning with a score of 76(5) 26 75.

"This is my second career. Nobody expected me to play tennis after 12 years of retirement. I'm just trying to enjoy my tennis - I love it, and I love having a challenge," Date Krumm said. "I want to continue to play for one or two more years, or maybe three years, until my body is dead. Maybe some people think it is crazy. I just wanted a chance to continue to qualify for Grand Slams."

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Singles - Second Round

(2) Vera Zvonareva (RUS) d. Peng Shuai (CHN) 36 63 76(6)

(6) Ana Ivanovic (SRB) d. (WC) Vania King (USA) 64 46 61

Singles - First Round

(12) Li Na (CHN) d. Ayumi Morita (JPN) 60 20 ret. (GI illness)

(13) Samantha Stosur (AUS) d. Monica Niculescu (ROU) 61 62

(14) Zheng Jie (CHN) d. (Q) Olga Savchuk (UKR) 75 16 62

(17) Sabine Lisicki (GER) d. (Q) Kimiko Date Krumm (JPN) 76(5) 26 75

Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) d. (Q) Melanie Oudin (USA) 67(3) 62 62

Sorana Cirstea (ROU) d. (WC) Michelle Larcher de Brito (POR) 64 75

Aleksandra Wozniak (CAN) d. Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) 75 75

Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) d. Melinda Czink (HUN) 36 64 61

Maria Kirilenko (RUS) d. (Q) Chanelle Scheepers (RSA) 46 63 61

Urszula Radwanska (POL) d. Julie Coin (FRA) 61 62