2010 Grand Slam Champions

2010 Australian Open Champion

Serena Williams of The United States of America

2010 French Open Champion

Francesca Schiavone of Italy

2010 Wimbledon Championships Champion

Serena Williams of The United States of America

2010 US Open Champion

Kim Clijsters of Belgium

2010 Year-Ending Championships Champion

Kim Clijsters of Belgium

Clijsters wins Year-Ending Champonships against year-ending No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki

Kim Clijsters started strongly, lost her way a little and finished fast in the final of the WTA Championships - Doha 2010, scoring a 63 57 63 win over Caroline Wozniacki for her third career title at the season-ender.

Coming into this year's event, Clijsters was the only player in the field who had a winning record at the WTA Championships in previous years (she had been 15-6 here, with none of the other seven players better than even). She was also on a roll in big matches, winning all five finals since returning to tennis last year.

All of that may have played into a very fast start for Clijsters, who burst out to a 63 41 lead; Wozniacki, who had won more matches than anyone this year, did not surrender - in fact she raised her level in a big way, upping the aggression and winning seven of the next eight games to win the second set and break for 1-0 in the first game of the third. The match would turn once more, however.

Clijsters broke right back in the second game of the third set and was again the frontrunner from there, firing an inside out forehand winner to break again for 4-2, holding easily for 5-2 then holding again two games later to complete the victory.

"At the moment I'm kind of relieved it's over. It seemed like it would never end," Clijsters said. "It was a tough battle. We showed some great tennis and some great fitness - I think we showed the crowd some great women's tennis tonight. This was my first time in the Middle East and it was an amazing experience."

Having also won this event in 2002 and 2003, Clijsters is the fifth player in WTA history to win here three or more times (Martina Navratilova won the event eight times, Steffi Graf five, Chris Evert four and Monica Seles three).

Clijsters won her fifth WTA title of the year, following triumphs in Brisbane, Miami, Cincinnati and the US Open; the only player who won more titles than Clijsters this year was Wozniacki (the Dane won six titles this year).

Wozniacki has a lot to be happy about after this week, making it to one of her biggest career finals (last year's US Open final was arguably her only bigger final, and she fell to Clijsters there too) and, by virtue of beating Francesca Schiavone in round robin play, securing the year-end No.1 ranking - she rose to No.1 on October 11 and is the 10th player ever to finish a year No.1.

"This may be disappointing for Caroline, but she has a great future," Clijsters added. "I also have to congratulate her on making it to the No.1 ranking."

"I gave my all today. I couldn't have played better," a gracious Wozniacki said. "I haven't thought about the match yet, but I'm going to look back and learn from it for sure. I've still had a fantastic year, winning six tournaments and beating so many good players. Right now I'm going to enjoy my break. I'm going to have a few weeks off, then I'll start working hard again and be even better in January."

WTA Launches New Logo

The WTA, the world's leading global sport for women with a 37-year history, launched a new logo Sunday. The new mark is designed to serve as a distinctive and modern reminder of the captivating athleticism and excitement that has driven the international popularity and growth of women's pro tennis and placed it firmly at the nexus of sport and entertainment.

"For close to four decades the WTA brand has stood for premium athleticism and entertainment on a global stage," said Stacey Allaster, Chairman and CEO of the Women's Tennis Association. "The WTA identity unveiled today is intended to be a modernized presentation of our logo that is both functional and effective for our partners and members across all forms of media."

"I think that this is a very exciting time for the WTA with great new sponsors and now the very cool and fresh look and feel for women's tennis," said Caroline Wozniacki. "I'm so proud to be a part of this time for the sport and the players will definitely have a greater connection to the fans through the new brand."

To create its new logo, the WTA enlisted Chermayeff & Geismar, a leading global brand design firm behind many of the world's most recognizable trademarks including Chase, Mobil, NBC, PBS, Armani Exchange, National Geographic and Barney's New York, among others.

"By diverging from the expected approach of featuring an image of an athlete, we created a mark that is unusual in pro sports, and its appropriately bold identity will over time come to recall the incredible athletes that represent women's tennis," said Chermayeff & Geismar Partner and designer Tom Geismar.

The design of the new brand image departs from conventional sport logos by not featuring a figure of a female tennis player, but rather putting the emphasis on the letters W, T and A. The symbol also incorporates subtle references to the sport: the oval shape of the mark is a reference to both the imprint a tennis ball leaves on the court and to the shape of a racquet, while the yellow circle as the crossbar of the A recalls a tennis ball. The new core brand identity will be fully integrated throughout the WTA and women's tennis, including in TV graphics, print materials, tournament branding, advertising, promotion and digital and social media in all its forms throughout the 2011 season.

Earlier this year, Sony Ericsson, the WTA's title sponsor since 2005, renewed its landmark partnership with the sport in the role of lead global sponsor in lieu of title sponsor, providing women's tennis the opportunity to reestablish its core identity. During the course of 2010, the WTA has renewed both Sony Ericsson and Travelex and signed new partnerships with Oriflame, a Swedish cosmetics company and Peak, a Chinese apparel brand.

Serena wins 13th Grand Slam at Wimbledon

World No.1 Serena Williams kept adding to her grand legacy in London, defeating Vera Zvonareva in straight sets for her fourth Wimbledon crown and 13th overall Grand Slam title.

Williams, the No.1 seed, and Zvonareva, No.21, went toe-to-toe from the baseline in the first six games of the match, but from 3-all Williams' big stage experience really began to shine, as she took the power level up a notch - particularly on her serve and crosscourt backhand - and she took a 6-3 first set.

After winning the first set at a major Williams was 174-3, and after winning the first set in major finals she was 10-0 - the 28-year-old American's record was phenomenal in the situation and that trend continued, as she made it 175-3 and 11-0 with a 63 62 victory, serving it out at love and ending it with a big smash.

Williams tied Billie Jean King for fourth most Wimbledons in the Open Era (Martina Navratilova nine, Steffi Graf seven and Venus Williams five). She passes King for sixth most overall majors in the Open Era (Margaret Court 24, Graf 22, Helen Wills Moody 19 and Navratilova and Chris Evert 18 each).

"This one's very special. Hey Billie, I got you," Williams said in the on-court interview with Sue Barker. "I want to congratulate Vera. She played amazing here. She's been through so much in the last year. Everyone should give her a round of applause... she defines what a champion and never giving up means."

Williams' serving throughout the tournament was a centerpiece of her success. She was out-acing even the best men's players in the world (going into the semifinals she had over 1.6 aces per service game while none of the men's semifinalists even had 1) and she smashed the women's tournament ace record of 72 (which she set herself last year), finishing with 89 after the final.

"I've honestly never served this well," Williams added. "Whenever I come on this grass, on this amazing Centre Court, I start serving well. I want to keep it up."

This was Williams' sixth career Wimbledon final. She is now 4-2 in those, winning in 2002, 2003, 2009 and 2010, and finishing runner-up in 2004 (losing to Maria Sharapova) and 2008 (losing to Venus Williams).

How far is Williams planning to go? She was asked in press: "I love my dogs; I love my family; I love going to the movies; I love reading; I love going shopping. I would love to open more schools in Africa or in the United States, and I would love to help people. I would like to be remembered like, 'She was a tennis player, but she really did a lot to inspire and help other people.' That's what I think about - not about Serena Williams won X amount of Grand Slams."

Schiavone bests Stosur to capture first Grand Slam title in Paris

The name Francesca is derived from the Latin Franciscus, meaning French. So perhaps it was only destiny as Francesca Schiavone, a longshot No.17 seed, would win her first career major at the French Open.

Playing the red hot Samantha Stosur in the final, Schiavone was solid in every way, giving away almost zero free points and taking control of the rallies in many ways - loopy topspin groundies, creativity at the net, crafty retrieving.

After breaking serve in the ninth game of the match and serving out the first set, Schiavone rallied from 4-1 down in the second set against the No.7-seeded Stosur, eventually playing a perfect tie-break to clinch one of the most unlikely Grand Slam title runs in the Open Era - and in tennis history, 64 76(2).

"I didn't prepare anything, because whenever I prepare something for the future, it doesn't happen," Schiavone told the crowd during the trophy presentation. "I've watched every final of this tournament and I know what the big champions say. So I want to thank everybody. I felt amazing today. I'm really, really happy."

Schiavone had a few words to add for Stosur, who, like herself, was in her first major final. "Congratulations Sam. I think you're a great, great person and a great athlete. You deserve to be here and you're young, so you'll do it too."

Schiavone, who turns 30 years old this month, is the second-oldest player in the Open Era to win their first Grand Slam title (Ann Jones was 30 years, 8 months when she won Wimbledon in 1969). But she doesn't see things as other players her age may: "I can still improve," she told Italian reporters earlier in the week. "I can still be more explosive. I can still put more spin on my shots. I can still hit deeper. I can still improve my serve. I'm just beginning."

Not only was Schiavone the first Italian woman ever to win a major, she was the first to reach a major final, and the first in the Open Era to reach a major semi.

Stosur had been on fire throughout the tournament and the last few months. She has had more clay court wins and more overall wins than anyone else this year, and had beaten three No.1s en route to the final: Justine Henin in the fourth round, Serena Williams in the quarters and Jelena Jankovic in the semis.


Saturday, June 5, 2010

Singles - Final
(17) Francesca Schiavone (ITA) d. (7) Samantha Stosur (AUS) 64 76(2)

Schiavone advances after Dementieva retires with injury; will face Stosur, who crushed Jankovic in straight sets, in the final of Paris

Her semifinal may not have ended the way she wanted, but Francesca Schiavone's dream run at the French Open kept going, and now she is the first Italian woman ever - Open Era, all-time - to play a major final.

On Court Philippe Chatrier, the No.17-seeded Schiavone took on No.5 seed Elena Dementieva in a contrasting match-up between crafty clay courter and aggressor. The rallies were tight as Dementieva hit strong and deep, with Schiavone using topspin, slice and angles. With the exception of one exchange of breaks mid-way through the set it was dead even through the tie-break, where Schiavone won six points in a row from 0-2 to reach quadruple set point, 6-2.

It was then where things started going down. After a long rally Dementieva hit a backhand drop volley winner, grimaced and appeared to be holding back tears. The Russian had been troubled in earlier matches with a calf injury - Schiavone won the breaker on the next point, went to her chair and was approached by Dementieva, who said she could play no more. 76(3) retired.

"I didn't really know what happened, but it was a very tough set. We both played well. I was just a little more consistent than her," Schiavone said to the press. "When I saw her, I thought, 'Do you need something?' I hope she's good now. I've spoken with her and I hope she can come back in Wimbledon."

Schiavone kissed the clay, like she did after beating Caroline Wozniacki in the quarterfinals. "Two days ago," the Italian said when asked if she had ever kissed a court before. "This is just the second time. It was good. So good."

Schiavone, who was the first Italian in the Open Era to reach a Grand Slam semifinal, is now the first Italian ever to reach a Grand Slam final. She will also crack the Top 10 for the first time next week - just the second Italian ever to do so, after Flavia Pennetta (who will also be in next week's Top 10).

Dementieva had never before retired at a major: "I have a tear in my left calf, so it's very painful to even walk. I got it after my second match, and I've aggravated it during three matches now. It was just sharp pain... it was a bit too much. I couldn't move. It is a disappointing moment... I did everything I could."

Next up for Schiavone will be No.7 seed Sam Stosur, who steamrolled No.4 seed Jelena Jankovic in an hour in the second semifinal of the day, 61 62. Stosur, who had taken taken out Justine Henin and Serena Williams in the two previous rounds, is the first Australian woman to reach a Grand Slam final since the Aussie Open in late 1980; she is trying to become the first Australian woman to win a major since Evonne Goolagong at Wimbledon in 1980.

"Samantha played really well," said Jankovic, who had a 2-0 lead early in the second set before losing six straight games. "When I had chances, I made mistakes. It wasn't my game out there. I couldn't get a rhythm. Unfortunately, I lost - she was the better player. I'm angry. It's not easy to lose like this. But it's the way the game goes. I have to stay positive and I'll have another chance."


Thursday, June 3, 2010

Singles - Semifinals
(7) Samantha Stosur (AUS) d. (4) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) 61 62
(17) Francesca Schiavone (ITA) d. (5) Elena Dementieva (RUS) 76(3) ret. (left calf strain)

Schiavone makes history with win over Wozniacki on Day 10 in Paris, will meet Dementieva in semis

Francesca Schiavone made history by beating Caroline Wozniacki at the French Open on Tuesday, becoming the first Italian woman in the Open Era to reach a Grand Slam semifinal.

Schiavone, the No.17 seed, played perfect clay court tennis to oust the No.3-seeded Wozniacki, using high balls to keep Wozniacki back and bringing out the flat down-the-lines and crafty angles to finish the points. The Italian got herself more and more fired up as her plays became more aggressive, and by the end she was even serving and volleying - she finished the match with an unreturnable backhand volley then a glorious overhead winner on match point.

"In this moment I'm here but I'm not here," Schiavone said after her 62 63 quarterfinal victory. "I'm so happy. I was focused and didn't let my level drop. All the years I've worked are showing now. Maybe it's a little late for others, but it's better late than never. And the tournament is not finished yet."

Schiavone, who turns 30 in about three weeks, is also the first woman from Italy to reach the semifinals here in 56 years, since before the Open Era began. Silvia Lazzarano reached the semifinals on the terre battue way back in 1954.

Schiavone had been to Grand Slam quarterfinals before but had never gone further. She made it that far at the 2001 French Open (losing to Martina Hingis), the 2003 US Open (losing to Jennifer Capriati) and Wimbledon last year (losing to Elena Dementieva). She lost all those in straight sets.

It was also Schiavone's first ever win over a Top 5 player at a Grand Slam - and by virtue of her results this fortnight, she will crack the Top 10 on next week's rankings, just the second Italian woman ever to rank among that elite (Flavia Pennetta was the first - and Pennetta will also return to the Top 10 next week).

"She was playing better than me today. I was always one step behind and couldn't dominate the way I wanted to," Wozniacki said. "I knew she was playing well. You're not playing badly when you go that far in the tournament. She's a difficult player to play against because she mixes the balls up a lot."

Awaiting Schiavone in the semifinals will be No.5 seed Elena Dementieva, who rallied back to beat No.19 seed Nadia Petrova, 26 62 60. Going into the match the pair was tied 7-7 in their head-to-head with Dementieva winning the last four, and she extended that streak to five in a row. The Russian moved into her ninth career Grand Slam semifinal, with a 2-6 record in her previous eight (she reached finals at the French Open and US Open in 2004).


Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Singles - Quarterfinals
(17) Francesca Schiavone (ITA) d. (3) Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 62 63
(5) Elena Dementieva (RUS) d. (19) Nadia Petrova (RUS) 26 62 60

Serena wins with easy score; Henin ousted by Stosur in three sets on Day 9 in Paris

In what her coach said would need to be "the match of her life" for her to win, Sam Stosur snapped one of the longest French Open winning streaks of all time, beating Justine Henin in a thriller, 26 61 64.

Though seeded No.7, many picked Henin - the No.22 seed - as the favorite in the fourth round clash. And that seemed like a worthy prediction after Henin claimed a routine first set, 6-2; but from there the all-court attacking game that took Stosur all the way to the semifinals last year began hitting its mark.

Stosur stormed through the second set and broke to lead 3-2 in the third; Henin broke back and held to lead 4-3, but Stosur came back at her, breaking for 5-4 then drawing several backhand errors from Henin while serving the match out.

Stosur improves to 18-2 on clay this year, a 90% winning percentage - her only losses came to Henin in the final of Stuttgart and to Venus Williams in the quarterfinals of Madrid. Nobody has won more matches on clay this year.

Henin had won 24 straight matches at the French, third to Chris Evert (29) and Monica Seles (25). Before being pushed to three sets by Maria Sharapova in the third round, she had also equaled the longest set streak with 40 consecutive set wins (tied with Helen Wills Moody). She has won the title four times.

Awaiting Stosur in the quarterfinals will be No.1 seed and 2002 French Open champion Serena Williams. Earlier in the day, Williams faced the player who had won the most overall matches on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour this year - Shahar Peer - and eased past the No.18 seed with little drama, 62 62.

"I felt really consistent today. I felt like I was hitting the right shots and the balls were going where they needed to go," Williams said. "I felt really powerful today and able to dictate. Even when she would put me on the run, I was still on the offensive. I always seem to be able to turn it up during this particular stage."

Williams and Stosur have played four times before, with Williams leading the head-to-head, 3-1. But Stosur had match points in one of Williams' wins, a 63 67(4) 75 victory at Sydney last year, and this will be their first meeting on clay.

"You can never underestimate anyone, and Sam is a wonderful clay court player," Williams said. "She proved that last year, and this year she has only lost twice on clay. She has a good chance to go all the way. She's amazing."

Also booking a quarterfinal berth on Monday was No.4 seed Jelena Jankovic, who snapped a two-match losing streak to Daniela Hantuchova with a 64 62 win over the No.23 seed. Jankovic had lost to Hantuchova at Charleston and in Fed Cup earlier in the clay court season, but after breaking for a 5-4 lead in the first set was in total command, hitting her down-the-lines crisply and serving strong. She will next face Yaroslava Shvedova, who reached her first Grand Slam quarterfinal with a 64 63 win over wildcard Jarmila Groth.


Monday, May 31, 2010

Singles - Fourth Round
(1) Serena Williams (USA) d. (18) Shahar Peer (ISR) 62 62
(4) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) d. (23) Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) 64 62
(7) Samantha Stosur (AUS) d. (22) Justine Henin (BEL) 26 61 64
Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ) d. (WC) Jarmila Groth (AUS) 64 63

Henin beats Sharapova in three sets in two days; Venus ousted by Petrova on Day 8 in Paris

The sun went down on them Saturday night but former No.1s and multiple Grand Slam champions Maria Sharapova and Justine Henin rose again on Sunday to complete their blockbuster third round match. And the queen of clay was able to squeak through, as Henin clinched it, 62 36 63.

Play was stopped after the two split sets, with Sharapova regrouping after a first set blowout to truly assert herself - and her huge ground game - against the four-time French Open champion. Sharapova winning the second set meant Henin's sets record at the French - 40 straight, including the 6-2 from earlier in the evening - would come to an end, meaning she would equal Helen Wills Moody's record and not break it. With bad light after 9pm, both players agreed to stop.

Sharapova, the No.12 seed, came out stronger upon resumption, winning the first two games and holding break points with Henin serving 0-2; No.22 seed Henin clawed her way through every point as Sharapova pounded big forehands and backhands with pinpoint accuracy, but she managed to claw just enough, winning six of the last seven games to complete the triumph.

"At 3-0 with two breaks, it would have been difficult to come back," Henin said. "She was putting a lot of pressure on me. I knew she was going to come out very aggressively. I was ready for that, but apparently not enough in the beginning. I started coming to the net and that gave me my confidence back."

Henin has now won 24 straight matches at Roland Garros, closing in on the records of Chris Evert (29) and Monica Seles (25). The Belgian is also now a perfect 26-0 lifetime in Grand Slam third round matches.

Next up for Henin is No.7 seed Samantha Stosur, who she has played just once, winning in the final of Stuttgart in April - in three sets.

"We played a tough one in Stuttgart. She's a great player on clay," Henin said. "I'm very happy I'm still in this French Open, and I just want to keep going, keep winning. I'll have to be at a good level if I want to win that one."

Sharapova had her own streak going, winning seven matches in a row - she won her second title of the year in Strasbourg last week and two more matches here.

"I just didn't have enough on this particular day," Sharapova said after the match. "I definitely played some good tennis. And at the end of the day, no matter how good or bad you play, she's the one with the W.

"There's a good lot of work to do. I know the things that hurt me. I just want to go back on the court and work on them. I know it'll help me in the future."

Other seeds who lost were No.2 seed Venus Williams, who fell to Russian No.19 seed Nadia Petrova 64 63; No.14 seed Flavia Pennetta, who lost to No.3 seed Caroline Wozniacki with a score of 76(5) 67(4) 62; and No.30 seed Maria Kirilenko, who ousted the defending champion Svetlana Kuznetsova in the previous round, succumbed to No.17 seed Francesca Schiavone with a score of 64 64. Elena Dementieva advanced though, beating qualifier Chanelle Scheepers with a score of 61 63.


Sunday, May 30, 2010

Singles - Fourth Round
(19) Nadia Petrova (RUS) d. (2) Venus Williams (USA) 64 63
(3) Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) d. (14) Flavia Pennetta (ITA) 76(5) 67(4) 62
(5) Elena Dementieva (RUS) d. (Q) Chanelle Scheepers (RSA) 61 63
(17) Francesca Schiavone (ITA) d. (30) Maria Kirilenko (RUS) 64 64

Singles - Third Round
(22) Justine Henin (BEL) d. (12) Maria Sharapova (RUS) 62 36 63

Serena wins in three sets to Russian; Sharapova, Henin one set all in suspended match on Day 7 in Paris

No.1 going in, No.1 going out. Serena Williams secured the post-Roland Garros No.1 ranking Saturday with a see-saw three set victory over Russian rising star Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, 61 16 62.

Williams, 28 and seeded No.1, and Pavlyuchenkova, 18 and seeded No.29, both showed off some impressive power on Court Philippe Chatrier, with Williams getting the upper hand in the first set thanks to some sharper serving and her superior movement. Williams' level dipped somewhat in the second set and Pavlyuchenkova's surged, but after the American was treated for dizziness she seemed to pick it up again and rolled through the third fairly handily.

"It was definitely a weird match. She's obviously a good player," Williams said after the match. "I just ran out of energy there. I'm fighting a cold and sickness - but I'm feeling better now. I definitely wasn't at my best today but I'm happy to win, especially against a player that's on the up and up."

"I'm disappointed, because I had a few chances early in the third set. It doesn't mean I still wouldn't lose," Pavlyuchenkova said. "I should take positives from this match though. She's No.1 in the world and I played three sets with her. It was a good experience. She's Serena - she's a fighter, she's really confident.

"After she beat me, she has to win. I really hope she wins the tournament."

It was the first time the pair played, although Pavlyuchenkova did beat Venus Williams in back-to-back weeks in Tokyo and Beijing last fall (just the second player ever to achieve that feat after Lindsay Davenport did it in 2004).

Pavlyuchenkova was playing a No.1-ranked player for the second time in her career, her first time coming in this very round here last year but with a far harsher ending - she lost that to then-No.1 Dinara Safina, 62 60.

Next up for Williams is No.18 seed Shahar Peer, who beat No.13 seed Marion Bartoli later in the afternoon, 76(7) 62. Williams leads the head-to-head with Peer, 4-0, but in their only previous encounter at a Grand Slam, the win came with an 8-6 third set in the 2007 Australian Open quarterfinals.

Elsewhere, No.23 seed Daniela Hantuchova defeated No.16 seed Yanina Wickmayer, 75 63, improving to 4-0 against the Belgian; Yaroslava Shvedova followed up her upset over No.8 seed Agnieszka Radwanska with a 62 46 60 win over No.28 seed Alisa Kleybanova; and wildcard Jarmila Groth made her first Grand Slam second week with a 63 57 62 win over Anastasia Rodionova.

"Every year I try to give my dad a good birthday present. I finally made it. It's his birthday tomorrow, so he's very happy," commented Groth, formerly Jarmila Gajdosova of Slovakia but now playing for Australia after her recent marriage to Sam Groth. "In the end I thought I played well. I held my nerves somehow. I thought I played the big points well. I can't say much more than that."

No.19 seed Nadia Petrova also completed a 67(2) 64 108 win over No.15 seed Aravane Rezai, which had been stopped at 7-all the night before due to darkness. Rezai held three match points leading 5-4 on Friday night.

No.12 seed Maria Sharapova didn't finish her match due to rain against No.22 seed Justine Henin, as they were one set all, Henin taking the first 62, and Sharapova winning the second set 63. The match will be resumed tomorrow.


Saturday, May 29, 2010

Singles - Third Round
(1) Serena Williams (USA) d. (29) Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) 61 16 62
(4) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) d. (27) Alona Bondarenko (UKR) 64 76(3)
(7) Samantha Stosur (AUS) d. (Q) Anastasia Pivovarova (RUS) 63 62
(18) Shahar Peer (ISR) d. (13) Marion Bartoli (FRA) 76(7) 62
(19) Nadia Petrova (RUS) d. (15) Aravane Rezai (FRA) 67(2) 64 108
(23) Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) d. (16) Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) 75 63
Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ) d. (28) Alisa Kleybanova (RUS) 62 46 60
(WC) Jarmila Groth (AUS) d. Anastasia Rodionova (AUS) 63 57 62

Suspended due to darkness
(12) Maria Sharapova (RUS) vs. (22) Justine Henin (BEL) 26 63

Serena, Venus, Sharapova and Henin win on Day 6 in Paris

World No.1 Serena Williams didn't waste any time playing catch-up on Friday, cruising through her rain-postponed second round match against Julia Goerges comprehensively at the French Open, 61 61.

Playing the big-hitting Goerges for the very first time Williams showed she could hit it bigger, taking control of the rallies - and putting together the cleaner numbers at the same time - en route to the 55-minute win. Williams was +9 winners-to-errors (13-4) while Goerges had a -8 differential (12-20).

Afterwards, Williams was asked if she can learn anything from such a quick match: "I can learn a lot. Like what was I doing today? How can I get all my matches to be like that? Those are the questions I can ask myself."

Williams will next play No.29 seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who beat Jill Craybas shortly afterwards, 64 61. The pair has never played before but Pavlyuchenkova has had success against a Williams before - she beat Venus in Tokyo and Beijing last fall, one of only two players ever to beat her twice in two weeks (Lindsay Davenport also achieved the feat in the summer of 2004).

Maria Sharapova, Justine Henin and Marion Bartoli had begun their second round matches Thursday but darkness cut them short; they all completed them on a sunny Friday, with No.13 seed Bartoli the first of the trio to wrap things up, going from 4-5 in the first set to beat countrywoman Olivia Sanchez, 75 62.

Henin, the No.22 seed, closed out Klara Zakopalova on her fourth match point, 63 63 (the match had been stopped at 63 32), while Sharapova, the No.12 seed, finished her match with Kirsten Flipkens, 63 63 (stopped at 63 22).

Henin and Sharapova will now meet in a blockbuster third round match-up on Saturday. Henin leads the head-to-head series with Sharapova, 6-3.

"It's going to be very exciting to play her again in my second career," Henin said. "She's a real fighter. Everyone knows what she has done. She remains someone very, very strong. She has the fighting spirit. It's going to be a question of attitude and trying to be aggressive. I want to win the match tomorrow."

"We've had some great matches in the past. I've had some tough losses and great wins," Sharapova said. "She has the ability to come out against all different types of players, no matter how big they hit or how strong they are, take the pace really well, play her own game and make you hit lots of balls.

"It feels like it was just yesterday we last played... I look forward to this one."

In other second rounds, No.7 seed Samantha Stosur beat Rossana de los Ríos, 46 61 60; No.16 seed Yanina Wickmayer beat Sybille Bammer, 76(4) 16 75; No.23 seed Daniela Hantuchova beat Olga Govortsova, 75 63; and qualifier Anastasia Pivovarova reached the third round in only her second Grand Slam main draw with a 64 63 upset of No.25 seed Zheng Jie.


Friday, May 28, 2010

Singles - Third Round
(2) Venus Williams (USA) d. (26) Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) 63 64
(3) Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) d. (31) Alexandra Dulgheru (ROU) 63 64
(5) Elena Dementieva (RUS) d. Aleksandra Wozniak (CAN) 67(2) 63 64
(30) Maria Kirilenko (RUS) d. (6) Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) 63 26 64
(17) Francesca Schiavone (ITA) d. (11) Li Na (CHN) 64 62
(14) Flavia Pennetta (ITA) d. Polona Hercog (SLO) 63 60
(Q) Chanelle Scheepers (RSA) d. Akgul Amanmuradova (UZB) 63 63

Suspended due to darkness
(15) Aravane Rezai (FRA) vs. (19) Nadia Petrova (RUS) 76(2) 46 77

Singles - Second Round
(1) Serena Williams (USA) d. Julia Goerges (GER) 61 61
(7) Samantha Stosur (AUS) d. Rossana de los Ríos (PAR) 46 61 60
(12) Maria Sharapova (RUS) d. Kirsten Flipkens (BEL) 63 63
(13) Marion Bartoli (FRA) d. (WC) Olivia Sanchez (FRA) 75 62
(16) Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) d. Sybille Bammer (AUT) 76(4) 16 75
(22) Justine Henin (BEL) d. Klara Zakopalova (CZE) 63 63
(23) Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) d. Olga Govortsova (BLR) 75 63
(Q) Anastasia Pivovarova (RUS) d. (25) Zheng Jie (CHN) 64 63
(29) Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) d. Jill Craybas (USA) 64 61

Dementieva advances; Sharapova, Henin leading in matches that get suspended on Day 5 in Paris

They both have a special place in their heart for Roland Garros but after Friday only one of them will be left standing. Elena Dementieva and Aleksandra Wozniak set up a third round clash at the French Open on Thursday, both winning their matches in straight sets.

Wozniak, who recorded the best Grand Slam result of her young career here last year by reaching the fourth round, was the first of the two to move on, smacked 20 winners to beat No.32 seed Kateryna Bondarenko, 64 61.

"I was hitting the ball really well, really deep. That's what I had to do against her," Wozniak said. "Kateryna is a really good player to win against Venus and a lot of the Top 10 players. She also has a lot of experience."

It has been full circle for Wozniak over the last year, as she reached her career-high of No.21 shortly after that round of 16 appearance here last year, but is now more than twice that - No.48 - after some spotty results.

The Wozniak who beat Bondarenko looked like the No.21-ranked Wozniak.

"I'm feeling comfortable on the court and believe in my game again," the 22-year-old Canadian added. "I've been working with my old coach again in the last few weeks. Before that, I wasn't improving anymore and lost my confidence. I wasn't enjoying myself anymore. I thought, 'I don't want to keep going like this. I need a change.' I think I made a good decision.

"This year is even better than last year, because I feel like I hit rock bottom... even if bad things come my way now, I can handle them better.

"I think we can say this is my favorite tournament."

Dementieva, the No.5 seed, was tested in the second set, having to rally from 3-0 down, but managed to close Anabel Medina Garrigues out in straight sets nevertheless, 62 76(3). Afterwards, the former French Open runner-up - losing to Anastasia Myskina in the 2004 final - was asked about her chances.

"I don't think about my chances, I just like to play here. This is my favorite Grand Slam," the Russian said. "Every time I come to Paris, I feel inspired by the crowd, the atmosphere... I'm just trying to play my best."

Dementieva and Wozniak have only met once before, in the first round of Madrid two weeks ago, with Dementieva winning handily, 60 61.

"I had so many break chances and didn't take them. I was a bit intimidated," Wozniak said. "I'm going to go on the court and just feel comfortable out there. I won't let myself, or whoever is in front of me, take my focus away. I will play with confidence and belief and approach the match positively."

"We just played a couple of weeks ago, but I'm sure this will be a new match, a different match," Dementieva said. "She's a very aggressive player with a good serve. It's going to be a tough challenge for me. There isn't much time for me to recover, and these conditions are tough."

Other players getting matches in before darkness hit were No.18 seed Shahar Peer, who dominated the second and third sets in a 36 60 61 win over Bethanie Mattek-Sands, and No.27 seed Alona Bondarenko, who beat Magdalena Rybarikova, 63 63. No.12 seed Maria Sharapova and No.22 seed Justine Henin were both up a set when their matches got suspended, while No.13 seed Marion Bartoli was at 4-5 in the first set against Olivia Sanchez when light faded.


Thursday, May 27, 2010

Singles - Second Round
(4) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) d. (Q) Kaia Kanepi (EST) 62 36 64
(5) Elena Dementieva (RUS) d. Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP) 62 76(3)
Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ) d. (8) Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) 75 63
(11) Li Na (CHN) d. (WC) Stéphanie Cohen-Aloro (FRA) 62 62
(17) Francesca Schiavone (ITA) d. (Q) Sophie Ferguson (AUS) 62 62
(18) Shahar Peer (ISR) d. (LL) Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) 36 60 61
Anastasia Rodionova (AUS) d. (21) Vera Zvonareva (RUS) 64 64
(28) Alisa Kleybanova (RUS) d. Ana Ivanovic (SRB) 63 60
Aleksandra Wozniak (CAN) d. (32) Kateryna Bondarenko (UKR) 64 61
(WC) Jarmila Groth (AUS) d. Kimiko Date Krumm (JPN) 60 63

Suspended due to darkness
(12) Maria Sharapova (RUS) vs. Kirsten Flipkens (BEL) 63 22
(WC) Olivia Sanchez (FRA) vs. (13) Marion Bartoli (FRA) 54
(22) Justine Henin (BEL) vs. Klara Zakopalova (CZE) 63 32

Safina ousted in three set opening match by Date Krumm on Day 3 in Paris

It has been a phenomenal start for veterans at this year's French Open, with 34-year-old Rossana de los Ríos winning her first round match on Monday and 35-year-old Jill Craybas doing the same early Tuesday. But few would have guessed that Kimiko Date Krumm, 39, could achieve the same feat, particularly given her opponent's name was Dinara Safina.

Not only that, but Date Krumm was not in peak condition. After fighting back from 4-2 down in the second set to split, the Japanese fell back 4-1 in the third. The strained right calf that caused her retirement in Estoril and withdrawal from Warsaw was visibly distressing her, tears in her eyes - but the fire never burned out. She hit back-to-back return winners to break back and revived her game from there, ousting the No.9 seed and two-time returning finalist, 36 64 75.

"I didn't want to stop," Date Krumm said. "My condition was very bad, but she was getting a little nervous, and she started making mistakes. So I tried many things, like drop shots and hitting wider, slower... I tried everything."

Date Krumm is the second-oldest woman to win a match at Roland Garros in the Open Era (Virginia Wade was the oldest in 1985). And at 39 years, seven months and 26 days, Date Krumm also becomes the oldest player ever to beat a Top 10 player on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour - the previous oldest, Billie Jean King, was 39 years, six months and 29 days when she did it.

"I was very, very happy to play on Suzanne Lenglen Court. I have a big memory there. In 1995, I beat Iva Majoli there then played on Philippe Chatrier against Arantxa Sánchez-Vicario in the semifinals. I don't like red clay so much, but today I beat Safina, so it's a big, big memory again. Even if I lost, I'd still be very happy to be there - I'd be playing Safina on Suzanne Lenglen."

Having reached the final here last year, Safina could fall as low as into the 20s after this tournament: "In the first set I was pretty dominant and in the second set I was up a break. Third set I was a double break up, 4-1. I should have closed it out in two sets. She plays aggressive - that's it. She takes the ball early and hits it pretty flat. It's different. I saw her cramping and I stopped thinking about what I was doing. I lost the momentum.

"I will not give up. I will swallow this loss and keep on moving. That's life. After rain, the sun always comes."

Date Krumm, Craybas and de los Ríos were the three oldest players in this year's main draw, and all are now through to the second round.

The rest of the seeds in action were all victorious, most notably No.22 seed Justine Henin, who won her 22nd straight match and her 36th and 37th consecutive sets at Roland Garros. Read more about Henin's win here.

Maria Sharapova, the No.12 seed, also won, beating teen-aged qualifier Ksenia Pervak, 63 62. Sharapova is coming off her second career clay court title, winning Strasbourg over the weekend: "I had a good week last week. I played every day - that's kind of what I wanted going into the tournament, playing matches. I even played two in one day. Physically I felt really good. I think it had to do with the preparation I had, the week or two before that."

Marion Bartoli, Yanina Wickmayer, Shahar Peer, Vera Zvonareva, Daniela Hantuchova, Zheng Jie and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova also won. Peer, seeded No.18, notched her Tour-leading 28th match win of the year, beating Nuria Llagostera Vives, 61 64; and Bartoli, the No.13 seed and France's No.1 player, cruised to a 62 63 win over Maria Elena Camerin.


Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Singles - First Round
Kimiko Date Krumm (JPN) d. (9) Dinara Safina (RUS) 36 64 75
(12) Maria Sharapova (RUS) d. (Q) Ksenia Pervak (RUS) 63 62
(13) Marion Bartoli (FRA) d. Maria Elena Camerin (ITA) 62 63
(16) Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) d. Sandra Zahlavova (CZE) 61 61
(18) Shahar Peer (ISR) d. (Q) Nuria Llagostera Vives (ESP) 61 64
(21) Vera Zvonareva (RUS) d. Alberta Brianti (ITA) 63 61
(22) Justine Henin (BEL) d. Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL) 64 63
(23) Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) d. Tamarine Tanasugarn (THA) 61 61
(25) Zheng Jie (CHN) d. Ekaterina Bychkova (RUS) 75 64
(29) Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) d. Alizé Cornet (FRA) 64 62
Olga Govortsova (BLR) d. Carla Suárez Navarro (ESP) 76(9) 61
Sybille Bammer (AUT) d. Mariana Duque Marino (COL) 60 61
Kirsten Flipkens (BEL) d. Ayumi Morita (JPN) 61 64
Klara Zakopalova (CZE) d. Katarina Srebotnik (SLO) 76(3) 46 62
Anastasia Rodionova (AUS) d. Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) 63 62
Jill Craybas (USA) d. Katie O'Brien (GBR) 60 46 62
(Q) Anastasia Pivovarova (RUS) d. Ioana Raluca Olaru (ROU) 64 63
(LL) Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) d. Vania King (USA) 62 62
(WC) Jarmila Groth (AUS) d. Chan Yung-Jan (TPE) 62 63
(WC) Olivia Sanchez (FRA) d. Shenay Perry (USA) 76(4) 60

Serena advances after straight sets win in Paris to start campaign

Seeking Grand Slam title No.13, Serena Williams didn't have much bad luck in the first match of her French Open campaign Monday, taking a tight first set and then cruising to beat Stefanie Voegele, 76(2) 62.

Voegele, a relative newcomer to the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour who lists Williams as one of her tennis idols growing up, hung tough with the American in the first set, matching her service game for service game until the two entered a tie-break. But from there the world No.1 took over completely, and by the end of the match her numbers were shining - 28 winners, 22 errors. On clay.

"I definitely didn't feel good about it," Williams said when asked how she felt she played. "At least I won. I'm still in the tournament; that's what matters."

Williams' potential quarterfinal opponent, No.7 seed Samantha Stosur, was tested late in the day, having to rally back from a break down in the first set. But she made it out of the tough times and beat qualifier Simona Halep, 75 61.

Stosur's section is packed. Should she make the fourth round, she could play either Maria Sharapova or Justine Henin - the two former No.1s are drawn to play each other in the third round and play their first rounds Tuesday.

The other Top 8 seeds cruised, with No.3 seed Caroline Wozniacki's movement looking good during a 60 63 win over Alla Kudryavtseva; No.4 seed Jelena Jankovic beating Alicia Molik, 60 64; No.5 seed Elena Dementieva thumping Petra Martic, 61 61; and No.8 seed Agnieszka Radwanska beating British No.1 Elena Baltacha, 60 75. Read about Wozniacki's win here.

Jankovic beat Molik for the third straight time, having lost their first four meetings. The Serb's only career 60 60 loss actually came at the hands of Molik in their first meeting, and on clay too, at Amelia Island six years ago.

Dementieva's win was a good sign given her poor preparation - she won just two of five matches in the European clay court lead-up: "It was very important today to win in two sets," the Russian said. "I played three tournaments, in Rome, Madrid and Warsaw, to get matches on clay, to feel the movement. I don't think it was enough, but somehow I'm hoping to get the rhythm back.

"This is my favorite tournament. I'm not thinking about the whole tournament though - I'm just trying to take it match by match."

Lower seeds Li Na, Francesca Schiavone, Lucie Safarova, Alisa Kleybanova, Alexandra Dulgheru and the Bondarenkos also won.

Also among the winners was former French Open champion Ana Ivanovic, who beat Chang Kai-Chen, 63 63. Ivanovic won this title two years ago; since then she had a well-documented decline, but this clay court season she has revived her big game and looked great against Chang, needing just 62 minutes.

"I had a lot of nerves and it was difficult to play someone I had never seen play before, but I'm very happy to be back," Ivanovic said. "I love playing on clay. I grew up on this surface. It's always fun coming back. The crowd was amazing. They gave me so much support. I do have high expectations of myself, though."


Monday, May 24, 2010

Singles - First Round
(1) Serena Williams (USA) d. Stefanie Voegele (SUI) 76(2) 62
(3) Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) d. Alla Kudryavtseva (RUS) 60 63
(4) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) d. Alicia Molik (AUS) 60 64
(5) Elena Dementieva (RUS) d. Petra Martic (CRO) 61 61
(7) Samantha Stosur (AUS) d. (Q) Simona Halep (ROU) 75 61
(8) Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) d. Elena Baltacha (GBR) 60 75
(11) Li Na (CHN) vs. (WC) Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) 75 63
(17) Francesca Schiavone (ITA) d. Regina Kulikova (RUS) 57 63 64
(24) Lucie Safarova (CZE) d. Jelena Dokic (AUS) 62 62
(27) Alona Bondarenko (UKR) d. Vera Dushevina (RUS) 67(3) 63 64
(28) Alisa Kleybanova (RUS) d. Mariya Koryttseva (UKR) 62 61
(31) Alexandra Dulgheru (ROU) d. Lucie Hradecka (CZE) 76(1) 46 63
(32) Kateryna Bondarenko (UKR) d. Julie Coin (FRA) 61 62
Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ) d. Sara Errani (ITA) 61 75
Timea Bacsinszky (SUI) d. Tatjana Malek (GER) 62 63
Ana Ivanovic (SRB) d. Chang Kai-Chen (TPE) 63 63
Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP) d. Melanie Oudin (USA) 75 62
Aleksandra Wozniak (CAN) d. Iveta Benesova (CZE) 63 63
Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) d. Sofia Arvidsson (SWE) 67(2) 63 62
Polona Hercog (SLO) d. (Q) Misaki Doi (JPN) 63 60
Tathiana Garbin (ITA) d. Kristina Barrois (GER) 16 76(7) 63
Arantxa Parra Santonja (ESP) d. (Q) Kurumi Nara (JPN) 62 62
Roberta Vinci (ITA) d. Virginie Razzano (FRA) 75 62
Julia Goerges (GER) d. Melinda Czink (HUN) 62 63
Rossana de los Ríos (PAR) d. Barbora Zahlavova Strycova (CZE) 76(2) 63
(Q) Kaia Kanepi (EST) d. Pauline Parmentier (FRA) 63 61
(Q) Sophie Ferguson (AUS) d. Petra Kvitova (CZE) 16 62 62
(WC) Stéphanie Cohen-Aloro (FRA) d. Stéphanie Dubois (CAN) 67(3) 61 63

Venus advances past Schnyder; defending champ Kuznetsova cruises on Day 1 in Paris

Venus Williams made a strong statement in her quest for a first French Open, maintaining her perfect record over Patty Schnyder.

Williams, seeded No.2 at the second Grand Slam tournament of the year, played with controlled aggression in the one-hour, 20-minute match, hanging back at the baseline with one of the top clay courters of the last decade but moving in when needed and firing big winners - 25 in total - from serves, volleys, forehands and backhands alike. She ended up with a 63 63 victory.

"I'm always working on my game and trying to understand things a little better. Ultimately I'm playing more consistently," Williams said. "At the end of the day, whatever it is, you just have to execute and win the point. I've been doing that."

And exactly how confident is Williams, who turns 30 years young next month, on her chances in Paris? "It goes without saying. I always believe I can win."

Williams is now 11-0 against Schnyder, a former Top 10 player: "My record against her definitely helped me. I have been at stages in my career where my opponents have had one-sided records against me. It's not easy to overcome."

Svetlana Kuznetsova, the No.6 seed and defending champion, shrugged off a slow start to beat Sorana Cirstea in the first match of her title defense, 63 61. Read more about Kuznetsova's win over Cirstea here.

It didn't take too long for the first upsets to come rolling in, as No.10 seed Victoria Azarenka hit 25 unforced errors in a 61 62 loss to Gisela Dulko, and No.20 seed María José Martínez Sánchez, who recently won her biggest career title in Rome, was ousted by Akgul Amanmuradova, 62 64.

"I had a very good strategy," said Dulko, who has now beaten Azarenka twice in a row. "At the beginning I was trying to play very good first serves and play her forehand, because that's her soft spot. I also wanted to vary my game. I think she played well, but I think I managed my strategy today."

Svetlana Kuznetsova, the No.6 seed and defending champion, shrugged off a slow start to beat Sorana Cirstea in the first match of her title defense, 63 61. Read more about Kuznetsova's win over Cirstea here.

It didn't take too long for the first upsets to come rolling in, as No.10 seed Victoria Azarenka hit 25 unforced errors in a 61 62 loss to Gisela Dulko, and No.20 seed María José Martínez Sánchez, who recently won her biggest career title in Rome, was ousted by Akgul Amanmuradova, 62 64.

"I had a very good strategy," said Dulko, who has now beaten Azarenka twice in a row. "At the beginning I was trying to play very good first serves and play her forehand, because that's her soft spot. I also wanted to vary my game. I think she played well, but I think I managed my strategy today."

The other seeds in action all advanced, with No.14 seed Flavia Pennetta, No.15 seed Aravane Rezai, No.19 seed Nadia Petrova, No.26 seed Dominika Cibulkova and No.30 seed Maria Kirilenko all winning in straight sets. Petrova and Cibulkova are former semifinalists here, and Rezai has blazed into the headlines in recent weeks after winning her first Premier title in Madrid.


May 23, 2010

Singles - First Round
(2) Venus Williams (USA) d. Patty Schnyder (SUI) 63 63
(6) Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) d. Sorana Cirstea (ROU) 63 61
Gisela Dulko (ARG) d. (10) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) 61 62
(14) Flavia Pennetta (ITA) d. Anne Keothavong (GBR) 62 62
(15) Aravane Rezai (FRA) d. (Q) Heidi El Tabakh (CAN) 61 61
(19) Nadia Petrova (RUS) d. (Q) Zhang Shuai (CHN) 60 63
Akgul Amanmuradova (UZB) d. (20) María José Martínez Sánchez (ESP) 62 64
(26) Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) d. (Q) Ekaterina Ivanova (RUS) 62 60
(30) Maria Kirilenko (RUS) d. Karolina Sprem (CRO) 76(5) 64
Andrea Petkovic (GER) d. Elena Vesnina (RUS) 46 61 64
Agnes Szavay (HUN) d. (WC) Stéphanie Foretz (FRA) 62 62
Angelique Kerber (GER) d. Anna Chakvetadze (RUS) 57 76(2) 64
Yvonne Meusburger (AUT) d. (WC) Claire Feuerstein (FRA) 76(4) 63
Johanna Larsson (SWE) d. Anastasija Sevastova (LAT) 62 62
Varvara Lepchenko (USA) d. (WC) Christina McHale (USA) 75 63
(Q) Chanelle Scheepers (RSA) d. (WC) Mathilde Johansson (FRA) 62 64

Maria wins in Strasbourg before French Open

It was better late than never this week for Maria Sharapova, who, despite being a late entry into the Internationaux de Strasbourg, went all the way to her second Sony Ericsson WTA Tour title of the year, beating first-time finalist Kristina Barrois in straight sets for it.

Sharapova's power game was challenged early against the tricky Barrois, who mixed in big forehands with topspin and slice off her beautiful one-handed backhand. But after escaping a 5-3 deficit in the first set Sharapova rolled, taking 10 of the next 11 games for a 75 61 victory. It was the second clay court title for Sharapova out of 22 overall - she won her first at Amelia Island in 2008.

"Kristina changed it up a lot. Her backhand was more old school, with 90% of the shots low, so I really had to bend my knees," Sharapova said afterwards. "I had one sloppy game where I made a few unforced errors and that gave her the chance to go a break up. When she was serving for the set at 4-5 I managed to hang in there, and after that I felt my level went up a little bit. In the end, it was just a combination of doing a few things better than she was."

Sharapova, who was the No.1 seed, did have some tough ones during the week. She was pushed to three sets twice, against Regina Kulikova in the first round and No.5 seed Anabel Medina Garrigues in the semis; and that semifinal match wasn't her only task Friday - she played most of her quarterfinal that day too, thanks to rain hindering and eventually stopping play on Thursday.

"If you asked me before the tournament if I'd come back again, I would've said I'd have to win this year. I guess that's a sign I need to come back," Sharapova added. "I had a great week. Obviously you don't know how things turn out but I hope to come back. I'm looking forward to Roland Garros. It's obviously the most challenging of the Grand Slams for me, but I've done well there before."

"It was a good tournament, no matter what happened today," Barrois said. "I had my chances in the first set but couldn't win it, and then she put so much pressure on me. It's good to have so many matches on clay just before the French. Hopefully I play the same there like I did here."


Saturday, May 22, 2010

Singles - Final
(1/WC) Maria Sharapova (RUS) d. Kristina Barrois (FRA) 75 61

Sharapova gets easy win in Strasbourg, advances to quarters

With the French Open just four days away, Maria Sharapova's clay court game appears to be rounding into form just in time. The top-seeded Russian routed qualifier Dia Evtimova, 63 60, on a day when three seeds went down at the Internationaux de Strasbourg.

"I served much better today and returned better too," said Sharapova, who lost in the first round last week in Madrid and was extended to three sets in her first round win here. "I'm happy to get the win today against a player I didn't know and who had already played four matches here in Strasbourg."

In Thursday's quarterfinals, Sharapova will square off with Julia Goerges, who upended No.6 seed Sybille Bammer, 61 76(6).

"I'll need to be solid in my next match," Sharapova said. "She's a player who is improving all the time, but I'll focus on my own game and hope to have five matches here."

Also beaten was third-seeded Virginie Razzano, who fell to Sofia Arvidsson, 36 63 62, and eighth-seeded Elena Baltacha, who had to retire with a low back injury early in the first set against Anastasia Rodionova.

"It's very frustrating. I woke up this morning and straight away I knew there was a problem," Baltacha said. "I gave it a go but there was no way I could continue. The good news is I've give five or six days to recover and when I've had this problem in the past that has been enough. I'm pretty optimistic about Roland Garros."

Two other seeds had a much better time of it Wednesday, as No.5 seed Anabel Medina Garrigues was up 64 30 when Lucie Hradecka had to retire with a left wrist injury and No.7 seed Anastasija Sevastova routed wildcard Kristina Mladenovic, 61 62. Medina Garrigues, a three-time Strasbourg champ, now has a remarkable 20-3 record here. Sevastova won her first Sony Ericsson WTA Tour singles title earlier this month in Estoril.


Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Singles - Second Round
(1/WC) Maria Sharapova (RUS) d. (Q) Dia Evtimova (BUL) 63 60
Sofia Arvidsson (SWE) d. (3/WC) Virginie Razzano (FRA) 36 63 62
(5) Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP) d. Lucie Hradecka (CZE) 64 30 ret. (left wrist injury)
Julia Goerges (GER) d. (6) Sybille Bammer (AUT) 61 76(6)
(7) Anastasija Sevastova (LAT) d. (WC) Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) 61 62
Anastasia Rodionova (AUS) d. (8) Elena Baltacha (GBR) 12 ret. (low back injury)
Vania King (USA) d. Alizé Cornet (FRA) 63 62
Kristina Barrois (GER) d. Yvonne Meusburger (AUT) 75 63

Rezai ousts Venus to lift trophy in Madrid

Hitting the ball as hard as anyone out there, Aravane Rezai powered her way to the third and biggest Sony Ericsson WTA Tour title of her young career in Madrid on Sunday afternoon, beating Venus Williams in straight sets in the final of the Mutua Madrileña Madrid Open, 62 75.

Rezai, who had beaten Williams in one of their two previous meetings, made her way into the title match as an unseeded player with a string of upset wins, most notably against Justine Henin in the first round and No.7 seed Jelena Jankovic in the quarterfinals. Against the No.4-seeded Williams she kept bringing it, cruising through the first set in 28 minutes and rallying from 2-5 - saving six set points - to take the one-hour, 14-minute second set.

Rezai had lost her first two finals on the Tour but has now won three in a row, starting at Strasbourg a year ago and taking the season-ender in Bali last fall. This is the first time she has beaten two Top 10 players in the same week - Jankovic, Williams - bringing her career tally to four Top 10 wins.

Williams was looking for the 10th clay court title of her career - she is currently second among active players on that list with nine (Henin has 13). She does lead overall career titles however, with 43 (Henin is second with 42).

By virtue of her third round win, Williams secured a return to No.2 on the new rankings; there's a chance the 29-year-old could regain No.1 after the French, depending on how she does there compared to current No.1 and sister Serena.


Sunday, May 16, 2010

Singles - Final
Aravane Rezai (FRA) d. (4) Venus Williams (USA) 62 75

Jankovic gets stunned by unseeded Frenchwoman; Venus through to semis in Madrid

Jelena Jankovic was hoping to take one step closer to a final clash with Venus Williams but she ended up falling two steps short on Friday night, losing to Aravane Rezai in straight sets in the quarterfinals.

Although Jankovic had won both of her previous meetings with Rezai the last one was a squeaker, as she had to rally from 1-3 in the third set to win in Dubai this year. This time Rezai converted on those opportunities - eventually.

Leading 5-3 in the first set, Rezai had three set points but lost them all. Leading 5-4 she had two more but again, couldn't convert. Finally, after breaking serve in an 11-deuce 11th game she served that first set out, 7-5. The hard-hitting Rezai got a crucial break of serve in the fifth game of the second set and held serve the rest of the way to complete a 75 64 upset over the No.7 seed.

"I just kept fighting, especially at the end of the first set. I had a lot of set points. It was tough for me to see her keep coming back. It was important to win the 6-5 game," Rezai said. "I will try to fight like that in the semifinals. It's another day. I'll enjoy my win today and will think about my next match tomorrow."

"To be honest, I've never played a player who hits every ball like that," Jankovic said. "Some players hit the ball really hard, but no one hits every single ball like that. Doesn't matter if it's a high ball or a low ball. It was tough to read."

Rezai, who beat Justine Henin this week too, got her third career Top 10 win, having beaten Maria Sharapova and Dinara Safina.

The No.4-ranked Jankovic would have returned to No.3 this week by winning the title. Having reached 400 professional match wins with her third round victory, Jankovic's career record fell to a clean 400-200 with her loss to Rezai.

Rezai will play Lucie Safarova in an all-unseeded semifinal on Saturday, after Safarova's 61 16 64 upset over No.16 seed Nadia Petrova earlier in the day. Rezai and Safarova are tied 1-1 in their head-to-head series.

In the other two quarterfinals, No.4 seed Venus Williams defeated No.8 seed Samantha Stosur, 63 63, and Shahar Peer outlasted No.13 seed Li Na, 64 36 64. Williams leads Peer 4-0 in their head-to-head series.

Williams is the only seeded player in the final four here. Peer, Rezai and Safarova are all ranked in the 21-30 range and just missed out on the seedings.


Friday, May 14, 2010

Singles - Quarterfinals
Aravane Rezai (FRA) d. (7) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) 75 64
(4) Venus Williams (USA) d. (8) Samantha Stosur (AUS) 63 63
Shahar Peer (ISR) d. (13) Li Na (CHN) 64 36 64
Lucie Safarova (CZE) d. (16) Nadia Petrova (RUS) 61 16 64

Petrova ousts Serena in three sets; Venus wins in Madrid

World No.1 Serena Williams wasn't able to follow in her big sister's footsteps at the Mutua Madrileña Madrid Open on Wednesday, losing to Nadia Petrova in the third round of the Premier-level stop.

Williams, the top seed, broke Petrova in the penultimate game of the first set and served a love game to take that set, 6-4; Petrova's 1-1 service game in the second set would be a turning point, however, as it went to an 10 deuces.

Petrova, the No.16 seed but having an impressive season on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour and perhaps playing better than that number, was in command of the match upon winning that pivotal point. Including that 1-1 game she won 11 of the last 15 games to prevail, 46 62 63, her second straight win over Williams. She beat her in Beijing last fall. Highlights: Petrova vs. S.Williams

"I have a doubles match tomorrow. I hope to win that and be in Madrid a little longer," Williams said. "I also live part-time in Paris, so I'll go back there too."

Read more about the rest of Wednesday's matches right here!

Petrova out-aced Williams, 11-2. Going into the match they both had 120 aces on the year, most among anyone on the Tour; now Petrova sneaks ahead.

This was Petrova's third career win over a No.1, having beaten Justine Henin at the 2004 US Open and Amélie Mauresmo at the 2006 Tour Championships.

With Venus Williams winning her match earlier in the day, the Williams sisters will be No.1 and No.2 when the new rankings come out Monday. It will be the first time the sisters hold the Top 2 spots in over seven years.

"We can definitely celebrate. It's a great feat to be back at No.1 and No.2 in the world," Serena Williams said. "It's amazing. It's a moment we'll always have."


Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Singles - Third Round
(16) Nadia Petrova (RUS) d. (1) Serena Williams (USA) 46 62 63
(4) Venus Williams (USA) d. (15) Francesca Schiavone (ITA) 36 61 62

Singles - Second Round
(7) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) d. (WC) Ana Ivanovic (SRB) 46 64 61
(WC) Arantxa Parra Santonja (ESP) d. (WC) Peng Shuai (CHN) 16 76(1) 63

Wozniacki ousted by Ukrainian; Dementieva follows same fate in Madrid

World No.2 Caroline Wozniacki's clay court struggles continued in Madrid on Tuesday, as she lost to Alona Bondarenko in straight sets in the second round of the Mutua Madrileña Madrid Open.

Wozniacki had a strong start to the clay court season in America, winning Ponte Vedra Beach and reaching the semifinals of Charleston; but an ankle injury suffered there in the semifinals, which forced her to retire from the match, seems to have shaken her results, as she has now lost second round in all of her European clay court stops: Stuttgart, Rome and now Madrid.

"I'm disappointed. I would have loved to win today. I'll go back on the practice courts tomorrow and start working my butt off, and the results will come back," Wozniacki said. "I've started feeling better with my ankle, now I just need to get back in shape and feel good again on the court. The French Open, that's the goal at the moment." Highlights: Bondarenko vs. Wozniacki

Bondarenko, who broke Wozniacki five times in a one-hour, 19-minute, 62 63 victory, got the biggest win of her career, her best previous win coming against a No.4-ranked Svetlana Kuznetsova in Warsaw two years ago. She now has three Top 5 wins and seven Top 10 wins. The Ukrainian No.1 also made noise in Madrid last year, ousting Kuznetsova en route to the quarterfinals; perhaps a good omen for Wozniacki is that Kuznetsova went on to win the French Open.

No.6 seed Elena Dementieva was also sent to the sidelines, falling to Romanian talent Alexandra Dulgheru, 61 36 75. Dementieva ground her way back from losing the first set, taking the second set and building a 5-3 lead in the third set, but in the end was outdone by Dulgheru, who picked up her second Top 10 win. Her first came just last week against Dinara Safina.


Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Singles - Second Round
Alona Bondarenko (UKR) d. (2) Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 62 63
Alexandra Dulgheru (ROU) d. (6) Elena Dementieva (RUS) 61 36 75
(8) Samantha Stosur (AUS) d. María José Martínez Sánchez (ESP) 76(2) 64
Patty Schnyder (SUI) d. (9) Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) 36 64 64
Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP) d. (12) Marion Bartoli (FRA) 62 60
(13) Li Na (CHN) d. Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) 62 36 75
Andrea Petkovic (GER) d. (14) Flavia Pennetta (ITA) 76(3) 63
(16) Nadia Petrova (RUS) d. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) 62 75
Shahar Peer (ISR) d. Alisa Kleybanova (RUS) 76(4) 60
Aravane Rezai (FRA) d. (Q) Klara Zakopalova (CZE) 63 75
Lucie Safarova (CZE) d. Olga Govortsova (BLR) 46 62 75

Sharapova, Henin ousted in opening matches in Madrid; Venus sails to next round

It was not a good day in Madrid for former No.1s Maria Sharapova and Justine Henin, as both were ousted in their opening matches at the $4.5-million Mutua Madrileña Madrid Open.

Sharapova was the first to go, falling to Lucie Safarova, 64 63. The No.11-seeded Sharapova lost the first four games of the match before kicking into gear, evening things at 4-all; but Safarova, who had scored Top 10 wins in her last two tournaments in Stuttgart and Rome, closed out the set and wound up breaking serve late in the second set before serving out the victory.

"I started slowly. I got myself back in it and had the window, but just didn't take it," Sharapova said. "I can't look back and think of losing though, I can only learn from it and move forward. I need matches to get my instincts back. It was only a few points here and there today that could have turned things around."

"She was injured after Indian Wells and I knew it was her first tournament on clay," Safarova said. "I thought it would be a tough match but I've done really well the last few weeks, so I was really looking forward to it."

Henin had a similar slow start against Aravane Rezai, falling behind 4-1 right out of the gates; she rebounded better, winning five straight games to take the first set and getting within two games of victory at 5-all in the second set, but that's when Rezai caught fire, reeling off eight straight games for a 46 75 60 win.

"I wasn't feeling my best today. I was ill after Stuttgart. I didn't have the energy I needed," Henin said. "Aravane was playing at a very good level though. It wasn't an easy day for me. I really wanted to win this tournament."

"I was preparing to play against her. I had the right tactics and fought as hard as I could," Rezai said. "I knew I could win. It wasn't Mission Impossible. She's a great player, but I went on the court quite positive and just played my game."

At night, as No.4 seed Venus Williams beat qualifier Stefanie Voegele, 64 62. Williams was coming off the worst loss of her professional career in Rome, falling to Jelena Jankovic, 60 61 - her previous worst loss was a 61 61 defeat to Martina Hingis in the 2001 Australian Open semifinals.

The only other seed in action was victorious, with No.15 seed Francesca Schiavone cruising past Alizé Cornet, a qualifier, 62 62.

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Dominika Cibulkova, Alexandra Dulgheru, Vera Dushevina and Olga Govortsova also recorded first round wins.


Sunday, May 9, 2010

Singles - First Round
(4) Venus Williams (USA) d. (Q) Stefanie Voegele (SUI) 64 62
(9) Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) d. Maria Kirilenko (RUS) 62 62
Lucie Safarova (CZE) d. (11) Maria Sharapova (RUS) 64 63
(15) Francesca Schiavone (ITA) d. (Q) Alizé Cornet (FRA) 62 62
Aravane Rezai (FRA) d. Justine Henin (BEL) 46 75 60
Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) d. (Q) Iveta Benesova (CZE) 62 62
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) d. Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) 64 76(2)
Olga Govortsova (BLR) d. (LL) Tathiana Garbin (ITA) 75 62
Alexandra Dulgheru (ROU) d. Melinda Czink (HUN) 61 ret. (left shoulder injury)
Vera Dushevina (RUS) d. (Q) Kirsten Flipkens (BEL) 62 61

Spaniard beats Serb in straight sets to capture Rome crown

Playing her very own - and very vintage - brand of tennis, María José Martínez Sánchez captured her third and by far biggest career singles title on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour on Saturday, defeating Jelena Jankovic in a tight two-setter for the Internazionali BNL d'Italia crown.

Martínez Sánchez has been known to come out strong but sometimes lose her way against the top players, and against Jankovic she almost went there again, but she wouldn't fold this time. With her mix of power, precision and spins, she crafted a 76(5) 75 victory, despite squandering a 5-2 first set lead (with set point at 5-3) and a 5-3 second set lead. And just to show how much variety she has, she clinched both sets with serve-and-volley plays.

Martínez Sánchez had two titles before this one, both on clay, but they were at the International level - Bogotá and Bastad last year. Rome, a Premier-level title, is her biggest yet on the singles court, and she is the first Spaniard to win here since her semi-namesake Conchita Martínez in 1996. This is also the biggest title a Spaniard has won on the Tour since Martínez won Berlin in 2000.

"This is a very important moment. I worked so hard to get here, and even if this goes down in history, it hasn't sunken in yet," Martínez Sánchez said. "In the first round I was losing. The key is to fight, fight, fight to the end. You don't have to set a limit for yourself."

Martínez Sánchez's victims en route to the final also included No.2 seed Caroline Wozniacki (she is now 3-0 lifetime against the Danish teenager).

"María José is very different from most girls. She makes a lot of drop shots and volleys, and she's also left-handed, which makes it a little bit tricky to play her," Jankovic said. "I tried my best. I came back in both sets and at those times I prayed to hold my serve. I didn't manage it today. She won and credit to her."

"My game isn't typical, not even to the other Spanish players, but that's the key. I like doing a lot of different things, coming to the net, playing drop shots," Martínez Sánchez said. "When I was small, Martina Navratilova was still on the TV, and since I was young I have always liked coming to the net. When I was seven or eight I always hit the ball then went straight into the net.


Saturday, May 8, 2010

Singles - Final
Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez (ESP) d. (7) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) 76(5) 75

Jankovic upsets Serena to reach final; Ivanovic ousted in semis in Rome

Jelena Jankovic pulled off a rare come-from-behind win over Serena Williams to reach the Internazionali BNL d'Italia and is now one win away from her third career title at the Premier-level clay court tournament.

After splitting sets in their very first meeting on clay, the pair embarked on what would become an epic decider, with Williams taking a 5-3 lead - with match point at 5-4 - and, after Jankovic brought it to a tie-break, Williams built a 5-2 lead. But Williams just couldn't close it out, and former No.1 Jankovic reeled off five points in a row to claim a 46 63 76(5) victory over the the reigning No.1.

"I just fought her hard. I was down quite a bit in the third set," Jankovic said. "She was serving at match point and was up in the tie-break too, but I tried to stay as positive as I could. I really did my best. A lot of matches throughout my career I have saved match points and then won the match. I know you just have to believe in yourself and know the match is not over until it is over."

With Jankovic beating Venus Williams in the quarters, this is the eighth time a player has beaten both sisters at the same event, and the first time on clay. Others to have done it are Arantxa Sánchez-Vicario, Steffi Graf, Martina Hingis, Kim Clijsters (twice), Lindsay Davenport and Justine Henin.

"Beating two Williams sisters in two days is amazing. I'm very proud of myself."

Jankovic will be going for her third Rome title, having won here in back-to-back years in 2007 and 2008. Both Williams sisters had also won this title before, Venus doing it in 1999 and Serena achieving the feat in 2002.

"I really should have won the match. It was like I hadn't played since January 1942," Williams said. "I can't beat myself up over it though. I just came back after not playing a match since this January. I don't know it that's match toughness or not. I am looking forward to Madrid, that much I do know."

María José Martínez Sánchez continued her own dream run in the second semifinal, beating Ana Ivanovic, 64 62, to reach her first Premier-level final. Ivanovic had her best run of the year to get to the semifinals, upsetting Victoria Azarenka and Elena Dementieva along the way; but Martínez Sánchez, who had taken out Caroline Wozniacki along the way, raced out to double-break leads in both sets, winning handily in the pair's first career meeting.


Friday, May 7, 2010

Singles - Semifinals
(7) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) d. (1/WC) Serena Williams (USA) 46 63 76(5)
María José Martínez Sánchez (ESP) d. Ana Ivanovic (SRB) 64 62

Henin ousts Stosur in three sets to claim title in Stuttgart

She was fierce on hardcourts, but everyone knew once it got to the European clay court season she'd be deadly. Justine Henin picked up the first title of her Sony Ericsson WTA Tour comeback at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, snapping the 11-match winning streak of Samantha Stosur with a three set win in the final, 64 26 61.

Henin, who retired in May 2008 but returned to the Tour at the start of 2010, had recorded some incredible results right off the bat, reaching finals at Brisbane and the Australian Open and the semis in Miami - her only letdown was a second round loss in Indian Wells to the always tricky Gisela Dulko.

It was fifth time lucky in Stuttgart however. Unseeded, she took out three seeds en route to the title - No.8 seed Yanina Wickmayer in the second round, No.4 seed Jelena Jankovic in the quarterfinals and No.7 seed Stosur in the final. After losing five games in a row to lose the second set and go down 1-0 in the third Henin caught fire, reeling off six games in a row of her own - losing just seven points in that stretch - and rushing the net at every opportunity.

"I never thought I'd be back in Stuttgart a year ago. And especially for it to be on clay now, it means a lot to me," Henin said. "When I saw Roger Federer winning the French Open... it brought back the fire that wasn't there anymore before. It has been a lot of work but I'm ready for it. It's great to be back and share these emotions with all of you guys. I had a fantastic week. Everything was perfect."

Henin collected her second career Porsche Tennis Grand Prix title, also winning in 2007. This was the Belgian's 42nd career singles title on the Tour, placing her at No.2 among active players (Venus Williams has 43).

"Justine was just too good today," Stosur said. "In the third set she just got really aggressive, made some really good returns and put me under a lot of pressure. I think that was the key to the match. She broke me three times in a row. It was nice to come back here after a few years of not playing here."


Sunday, May 2, 2010

Singles - Final
(WC) Justine Henin (BEL) d. (7/WC) Samantha Stosur (AUS) 64 26 61

Henin survives Jankovic challenge in Stuttgart

It was their toughest match yet but the end result was the same as it has always been. Justine Henin continued her mastery over Jelena Jankovic at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, improving to 10-0 in their head-to-head with a 36 76(4) 63 victory in the quarterfinals.

Henin and Jankovic played each other nine times between 2005 and 2007, with the first five meetings going to three sets and the next four ending in straight sets. Friday's clash between the No.4-seeded Jankovic and Henin, a wildcard on account of her recent return to the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, was their closest, with Jankovic coming within a few points of victory in the second set.

"Jelena was really aggressive today. Slowly but surely I stayed focused and fought," Henin said. "It was a long time since we had played but a lot of them have been close. I just tried to stay calm and do my job the best I could."

"Today was another match. I wasn't thinking about our other matches," Jankovic said. "I had the match in my hands but unfortunately it didn't go my way. As soon as you drop a little bit, she takes her opportunities and gets on top of you.

"She's playing as well as she used to, maybe better."

Awaiting Henin in the semifinals is Shahar Peer, who pulled off an upset of her own, ousting No.2 seed Dinara Safina, 63 62. Safina was playing her first tournament after a three month injury lay-off and won her first match back the night before, but had little left as she lost to Peer for the fourth straight time.

"It was a good start. I was 3-1 up with a chance to go 4-1 up. I didn't win that game, she won some points, I went a little bit down... I haven't played many matches, that's probably the cause," Safina said. "This was my first time playing points again so to win my first match here is already not a bad result."

"At the start I couldn't find my game, but then I started using the court more," Peer said. "I had it in my mind she hadn't played for a long time, but I knew she wouldn't give it to me. She won her match yesterday so I knew I had to win the match."

Henin and Peer have played each other only once previously on the Tour, with Henin winning their only previous encounter in straight sets.

With Jankovic and Safina out, the only other seed to take the court was No.7 seed Samantha Stosur, and unlike her peers she was not to be ousted. The Australian got past Li Na, conqueror of No.3 seed and defending champion Svetlana Kuznetsova a round earlier, in two routine sets, 63 63.

Stosur was phenomenal on the big points against Li, converting on all three of her break opportunities. She never faced a break point on her own serve: "Any match you can go through and not lose serve is a good day. I'm not sure what my percentage was but I saw at the end of the first set it was pretty hot. I knew I was doing the right things and I was able to continue that in the second set."

Stosur will next play qualifier Anna Lapushchenkova, who continued her dream run with a 76(1) 16 61 quarterfinal win over Lucie Safarova in the night match. Lapushchenkova had never won back-to-back matches at any Tour event before this week but has now won three in a row to reach her first Tour semi.

Stosur and Lapushchenkova will be meeting for the very first time.


Friday, April 30, 2010

Singles - Quarterfinals
Shahar Peer (ISR) d. (2) Dinara Safina (RUS) 63 62
(WC) Justine Henin (BEL) d. (4) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) 36 76(4) 63
(7/WC) Samantha Stosur (AUS) d. Li Na (CHN) 63 63
(Q) Anna Lapushchenkova d. (RUS) Lucie Safarova (CZE) 76(1) 16 61