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

Kunzetsova, Radwanska ousted; Henin goes through in Stuttgart

The first round wrapped up with no surprises but there were certainly some shockers as the second round began at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, as both seeds who took the court - Svetlana Kuznetsova and Agnieszka Radwanska - were sent packing by unseeded players.

Radwanska, seeded No.5, was the first to fall in one of the earlier matches of the day, losing to Shahar Peer, 63 67(4) 62. Peer actually had match point at 63 65 but needed a third set - a quick one, at that - to put the Pole away.

"I'm happy I managed to come back and cruise in the third set," Peer said. "Agnieszka has been in the top for a while and I'm really happy with this win."

Kuznetsova, the No.3 seed and defending champion, followed Radwanska to the sidelines in the last match of the day, losing to Li Na, 63 75. Like Peer, Li held match point at 63 65, three match points in fact; but the Chinese, unlike the Israeli, put it away in straights. She is now 3-6 lifetime against the Russian.

No.4 seed Jelena Jankovic, No.6 seed Victoria Azarenka, No.7 seed Sam Stosur, No.8 seed Yanina Wickmayer and unseeded players Justine Henin and Lucie Safarova all won first round matches at the Premier-level event.

Henin had the most intriguing win of the bunch, rallying from triple set point down at 5-6 in the first set to beat Germany's own Julie Goerges, 76(3) 61.

"She was on fire in the first set and serving really well," Henin said. "I just tried to remember how I've been playing, staying aggressive, and it started going better. It's always nice to play at home so I think she was feeling good today. She's really good and I'm happy I was able to win today."

Jankovic beat tricky clay courter Gisela Dulko, South America's No.1 player, 62 62. Jankovic had lost to Dulko before. "I thought I did well for my first match here," the Serb told the press afterwards. "Dulko is a tough opponent, especially on clay. I played well in the first set; I had some ups and downs in the second set and I lost my concentration at times, but overall it was good."

The rest of the second round takes place at the Porsche Arena Thursday. Among those in action is Dinara Safina, who plays her first match since the Aussie Open.


Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Singles - Second Round
Li Na (CHN) d. (3) Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) 63 75
Shahar Peer (ISR) d. (5) Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) 63 67(4) 62

Singles - First Round
(4) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) d. Gisela Dulko (ARG) 62 62
(6) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) d. Flavia Pennetta (ITA) 61 64
(7/WC) Samantha Stosur (AUS) d. Marion Bartoli (FRA) 62 61
(8) Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) d. Francesca Schiavone (ITA) 63 63
Lucie Safarova (CZE) d. (Q) Selima Sfar (TUN) 26 30 ret. (right ankle injury)
(WC) Justine Henin (BEL) d. (WC) Julia Goerges (GER) 76(3) 61

Stosur ousts Zvonareva for crown in Charleston

Australia's Samantha Stosur routed Vera Zvonareva of Russia 6-0 6-3 in the final of the WTA Family Circle Cup in Charleston.

Stosur continued her recent dominance over her opponent, making it five successive wins, as she picked up her second career title after winning in Japan last year.

The fourth seed was expected to be given a tough ride by Zvonareva, seeded seventh, but last year's French Open semi-finalist dominated from the start and is now poised to break into the world's top-10.

The Russian won just five points in a first set that lasted only 18 minutes and then broke to love in the second game of the next to surge ahead once again.

She then closed out another love-game for 3-0 with an ace up the middle before Zvonareva tried to disrupt Stosur's flow with a series of lobs.

It seemed to pay off although she had to save two more break points before recording her first game after 35 minutes on court and remarkably got back on serve at 3-4 after pressuring the Stosur delivery for the first time.

However, the comeback was short-lived as the Aussie seized two break points in the eighth game, crushing a forehand winner down the line to edge towards victory before crossing the finish line by serving out to love.

The Aussie went home with a first prize of $107,000 and upped her record to 5-2 all-time against Zvonareva.

The Russian fell to 10-12 all-time in title matches and had trouble controlling her emotions. In one outburst, she smashed her racket, bending it nearly in half, then booted it across the court while walking to the sidelines to get a new one.

After earning a warning for racket abuse, Zvonareva won four straight points to briefly get back into the match.


Sunday, April 18, 2010

Singles - Final
(4) Samantha Stosur (AUS) d. (7) Vera Zvonareva (RUS) 60 63

Caroline injured and out; Zvonareva to meet Stosur for title in Charleston

Caroline Wozniacki's quest for the Family Circle Cup title will have to wait for another year, after she sprained her ankle in the first set of her semifinal against Vera Zvonareva and retired a few points later.

Wozniacki, who was 8-0 in the American clay court swing going into the match - winning five matches to take the title in Ponte Vedra Beach last week then extending the streak with three more wins in Charleston - was down 4-2 to Zvonareva when she rolled her ankle chasing down a short ball, falling to the court and, in tears, getting it taped up by the Primary Health Care Provider.

The tape didn't do the trick, though: she stopped a few points later.

"When I fell I heard a snap. I knew right away something was wrong," Wozniacki said. "I wanted to see if it was possible to keep playing. I was surprised I could still stand on my leg. But when I moved to the sides, it was impossible."

Zvonareva, who injured her ankle in Charleston last year, was sympathetic to Wozniacki like nobody else on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour could be.

"When I saw Caroline twist her ankle I had flashbacks in my mind. I even feel like I have pain in my ankle right now," Zvonareva said. "I don't wish anyone to be in that situation because last year it was very difficult for me. I can only imagine what Caroline is going through now. I just wish her a quick recovery."

"Vera had the same experience here last year and her injury was really bad," Wozniacki said. "At the net she told me to take care of it and to make sure I'm okay before I start playing again. I have to look at the MRI tomorrow..."

Wozniacki was the No.1 seed in Charleston; Zvonareva is seeded No.7.

Following Zvonareva into the final was No.4 seed Samantha Stosur, a 63 76(2) winner over No.8 seed Daniela Hantuchova. After taking the first set Stosur was in all sorts of trouble in the second, falling behind 5-2 and even facing double set point at 5-4 down; but she hung tough to close it out in straight sets.

"I expected a tough match from Daniela," Stosur said. "We hadn't played each other for a few years but actually practiced with each other right at the start of the week, so I guess we both got an idea about what we were going to do today.

"Overall, I'm very pleased. Obviously very happy to come back from 5-2 in the second set. I was glad to finish it in two sets."

Stosur and Zvonareva will be playing each other for the seventh time but first on clay. Stosur leads the head-to-head series, 4-2.


Saturday, April 17, 2010

Singles - Semifinals
(7) Vera Zvonareva (RUS) d. (1) Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 52 ret. (right ankle sprain)
(4) Samantha Stosur (AUS) d. (8) Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) 63 76(2)

Hantuchova fights back to win; top seed Wozniacki bests Petrova in Charleston

Things seemed headed for a championship clash between the Top 2 seeds but Daniela Hantuchova had different ideas on Friday, coming back from a set down to upset No.2 seed Jelena Jankovic in the quarterfinals of the $700,000 Family Circle Cup.

Although clay had never been her favorite surface - she has been to finals on all other surfaces, but never on the dirt - Hantuchova, the No.8 seed, was tough as nails on the green clay of the Family Circle Tennis Center's Stadium court in the first match of the day, rebounding from a 1-6 first set to beat Jankovic, 16 63 63.

Hantuchova caught fire right from the beginning of the second set with her big groundstrokes and retrieved well as well, running down her Serbian opponent's down-the-lines and getting herself back into the points again and again. She dictated the points right until the end and even hit winners in the final game.

"I knew if I did the right stuff, I had a good chance today. I was very proud of the way I was fighting," Hantuchova said. "The first set was not easy. I felt very tired and tried not to think about it and go for my shots. But if I kept going like that, I figured I was not going to win. So I tried to put a little more on the ball, move her around more and stay aggressive, and that made the difference."

"Unfortunately I just couldn't do it today and she was the better player," Jankovic said. "When I had the opportunities, I lacked a little power, especially off the backhand side. That's my best shot, so I wasn't the player I could be."

Next up is No.4 seed Samantha Stosur, who beat Peng Shuai handily, 64 61.

"I'm in the semis and I think I've got as good a shot as anyone left in it to win," Stosur said. "Daniela and I have had some good matches in the past. It's going to be a tough battle but if I can keep playing the way I'm playing and maybe improve my service percentage a bit more, I'll have a good chance."

Caroline Wozniacki, the No.1 seed, had a better day at the office, getting past No.6 seed and former Family Circle Cup champion Nadia Petrova, 63 64.

"Today was more short points. I wasn't running as much as I was yesterday against Patty," Wozniacki said. "I feel I'm playing very well. I'm very confident and I've got some good results lately."

Next up is No.7 seed Vera Zvonareva, who beat No.13 seed Melanie Oudin, 75 62.


Friday, April 16, 2010

Singles - Quarterfinals
(1) Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) d. (6) Nadia Petrova (RUS) 63 64
(8) Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) d. (2) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) 16 63 63
(4) Samantha Stosur (AUS) d. Peng Shuai (CHN) 64 61
(7) Vera Zvonareva (RUS) d. (13) Melanie Oudin (USA) 75 62

Caroline to meet Nadia in quarterfinal clash

It was a photo finish but Caroline Wozniacki made it past one of Charleston's favorite daughters, Patty Schnyder, and into the quarterfinals of the $700,000 Family Circle Cup.

Wozniacki, the No.1 seed, had won the pair's last two meetings, and after easing to a 62 42 with two points for 62 52, things weren't looking so hot for Schnyder. But the No.16-seeded Swiss, twice a finalist at the Premier-level tournament, caught fire from there, cutting down on the errors and pulling the trigger with a slew of forehand winners, closing to 4-all, then 5-all... but that's where the late surge stopped, as Wozniacki finally served it out, 62 75.

"It was not easy today. I'm so happy I pulled through in two sets," Wozniacki said. "I knew from the beginning to keep the points short because once the balls got heavier, once we really got into the match, we'd have longer rallies and it would be tougher for me because she gets a lot of balls back, and when she has the opportunity she steps in and goes around her forehand.

"She plays smart, effective. It's different from most other players, but you just need to stick in there. It doesn't matter if the ball goes over 15 or 20 times. Just fight and in the end you need to take advantage of the short balls."

"I was playing good tennis. The whole atmosphere, the support, it took me to a higher level," Schnyder said. "I felt really great the way I broke her when she was serving at 62 54. There were so many good rallies and I came up with winners and was really attacking her, and she was just running. That's her greatest strength, running balls down and moving her opponent around."

"I like this tournament and I like the competition. This was a really tough third round I had with Caroline," she said. "It's a bit sad I didn't have the intensity I needed today and haven't been scoring those wins... So I'll see what I'll do."

Next up for Wozniacki will be No.6 seed Nadia Petrova, who beat No.12 seed Aleksandra Wozniak, 62 64. Petrova led 62 51 before finally closing it out.

Others reaching the quarterfinals were No.2 seed Jelena Jankovic, No.4 seed Samantha Stosur, No.7 seed Vera Zvonareva, No.8 seed Daniela Hantuchova, No.13 seed Melanie Oudin and unseeded Peng Shuai. Jankovic was pushed to three in her first match of the week but cruised through her round of 16 encounter with Evgeniya Rodina, 63 61.


Thursday, April 15, 2010

Singles - Third Round
(1) Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) d. (16) Patty Schnyder (SUI) 62 75
(2) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) d. Evgeniya Rodina (RUS) 63 61
(4) Samantha Stosur (AUS) d. (14) Vera Dushevina (RUS) 61 36 61
(6) Nadia Petrova (RUS) d. (12) Aleksandra Wozniak (CAN) 62 64
(7) Vera Zvonareva (RUS) d. (9) Alona Bondarenko (UKR) 62 61
(8) Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) d. Angelique Kerber (GER) 67(6) 75 63
Peng Shuai (CHN) d. (10) Elena Vesnina (RUS) 75 26 62
(13) Melanie Oudin (USA) d. (Q) Christina McHale (USA) 64 60

Wozniacki through along with Hantuchova; Azarenka retires in Charleston

It was a good day for the top seed, as Caroline Wozniacki recovered from an early first set deficit and eventually cruised past Barbora Zahlavova Strycova in her first match of the tournament, 64 61.

Wozniacki, ranked No.2 in the world and the on-paper favorite for the Premier-level title here in Charleston, lost her serve in the third game of the match and found herself trailing 4-2; but she bounced back immediately with six straight games and ended up with a routine 64 61 victory over the feisty Czech player.

"I think I've transitioned well into the clay court season," said Wozniacki, now 6-0 on clay this year, having won five matches to defend her Ponte Vedra Beach title last week. "I feel comfortable on the clay. I can run forever, so it's the opponent who really has to think about finishing the points when they play me."

Next for Wozniacki is No.16 seed Patty Schnyder, who beat another teen-aged Sony Ericsson WTA Tour star earlier on, Michelle Larcher de Brito, 63 61.

"Patty is a very experienced player. She has played lots of matches and has been around for a long time, so it won't be easy," said Wozniacki who has won two of her three previous meetings against Schnyder, including a first round win in Ponte Vedra Beach last week. "I played Patty last week, but tomorrow will be a totally different match and I'm going to go out there and enjoy myself."

Victoria Azarenka, the No.3 seed, wasn't so fortunate. Having won the first set, 6-2, she had to retire from her match against young American qualifier Christina McHale at 2-all in the second set due to a left thigh injury.

"I have a pulled hamstring," said Azarenka, who also retired from her quarterfinal match in Marbella, Spain last week because of the same injury. "I was hoping it would be better here, but it wasn't today. I just need to keep rehabbing it. It just kept getting worse during the match, so there was no point in playing more."


Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Singles - Second Round
(1) Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) d. Barbora Zahlavova Strycova (CZE) 64 61
(Q) Christina McHale (USA) d. (3) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) 26 22 ret. (left hamstring strain)
Peng Shuai (CHN) d. (5) Marion Bartoli (FRA) 26 76(2) 43 ret. (dizziness)
(6) Nadia Petrova (RUS) d. Vania King (USA) 62 61
(8) Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) d. Ayumi Morita (JPN) 64 20 ret. (left adductor muscle strain)
(9) Alona Bondarenko (UKR) d. Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) 46 75 75
(10) Elena Vesnina (RUS) d. Sofia Arvidsson (SWE) 75 62
(13) Melanie Oudin (USA) d. (Q) Sophie Ferguson (AUS) 62 64
(14) Vera Dushevina (RUS) d. Chang Kai-Chen (TPE) 62 62
(16) Patty Schnyder (SUI) d. Michelle Larcher de Brito (POR) 63 61
Angelique Kerber (GER) d. (LL) Monique Adamczak (AUS) 63 62
Evgeniya Rodina (RUS) d. Michaella Krajicek (NED) 63 26 62

Wozniak, Bondarenko through to second round in Charleston; Jankovic to play on Tuesday

The first round of the Family Circle Cup kicked off on Monday and for the two seeded players in action it was a successful day, as Alona Bondarenko and Aleksandra Wozniak both moved through to the second round of the Premier-level tournament in straight sets.

Canadian No.1 Wozniak, the No.12 seed, won the first set routinely but had to battle hard to close Lilia Osterloh out, saving eight set points before winning, 63 76(9). Wozniak saved two set points serving 5-6 in the second set and six more in the tie-break - including three at 3-6 - en route to the win.

Wozniak will take the green clay of the Family Circle Tennis Center again on Tuesday for her second round match against qualifier Catalina Castano.

Ukrainian No.1 Bondarenko, the No.9 seed here, was the other seed to take the court on Day 1 of main draw play, beating American Julie Ditty, 64 62. Apart from two lengthy holds of serve in the first set it was a quick match, as Bondarenko cruised past the left-handed veteran in an hour and five minutes.

Other first round winners were Magdalena Rybarikova, Angelique Kerber, Sofia Arvidsson, Ayumi Morita, Chang Kai-Chen, Michelle Larcher de Brito, Rossana de los Ríos, Evgeniya Rodina, Edina Gallovits and qualifiers Sophie Ferguson and Christina McHale. American McHale rallied from 63 52 down to beat Russia's Alla Kudryavtseva in a see-saw, 36 76(4) 63.

The second round begins on Tuesday, with Jelena Jankovic the highest seed in action (the No.2-seeded Serb won here in 2007).


Monday, April 12, 2010

Singles - First Round
(9) Alona Bondarenko (UKR) d. Julie Ditty (USA) 64 62
(12) Aleksandra Wozniak (CAN) d. Lilia Osterloh (USA) 63 76(9)
Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) d. Sharon Fichman (CAN) 75 62
Angelique Kerber (GER) d. (WC) Alison Riske (USA) 62 64
Sofia Arvidsson (SWE) d. Anastasija Sevastova (LAT) 61 62
Ayumi Morita (JPN) d. Mariana Duque Marino (COL) 64 75
Chang Kai-Chen (TPE) d. Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) 16 62 63
Michelle Larcher de Brito (POR) d. Vesna Manasieva (RUS) 62 46 63
Rossana de los Ríos (PAR) d. (WC) Mallory Cecil (USA) 60 64
Evgeniya Rodina (RUS) d. (Q) Ekaterina Ivanova (RUS) 64 61
Edina Gallovits (ROU) d. Varvara Lepchenko (USA) 63 63
(Q) Sophie Ferguson (AUS) d. (Q) Mashona Washington (USA) 57 64 63
(Q) Catalina Castaño (COL) d. (Q) Anna Tatishvili (GEO) 75 62
(Q) Christina McHale (USA) d. Alla Kudryavtseva (RUS) 36 76(4) 63

Pennetta bests Suarez Navarro to capture title in Marbella

Arriving nearly two days after the tournament began, and to a field that included two of the Top 10, the odds were stacked against her. But Flavia Pennetta just wouldn't be stopped in Marbella, blazing into the final without losing a set then beating Carla Suárez Navarro, 62 46 63.

Pennetta arrived to the Andalucía Tennis Experience on Tuesday having just come from winning the doubles in Miami alongside her good friend, Gisela Dulko. Seeded No.2, the transition from hard to clay was no problem for the Italian, who didn't lose a set in her first four rounds, without a day off.

On the top half, No.8 seed Suárez Navarro was grinding her way into the final, her second Sony Ericsson WTA Tour final (the first one coming here a year ago, where she was runner-up to Jelena Jankovic). The young Spaniard with the classy one-handed backhand rallied from a set down in her quarterfinal and semifinal, including a comeback in the semis against No.5 seed María José Martínez Sánchez, where she was a point away from 62 41 down.

Sunday's final was a close one, with Pennetta rolling to the first set, 6-2, but Suárez Navarro evening it with a 6-4 second set. Pennetta was treated for cramping in the third and faced a point to go down 4-2 but she found an extra gear, winning four games in a row to end the match. The Italian won after ripping a backhand down the line on match point, forcing Suárez to hit into the net.

"I just got the better of her at the end," Pennetta said. "I started well then got a bit tired, and Carla started playing more aggressively. I could have won it in two sets; I had to start all over again in the third, but from 3-all I played very well. I think Carla will have many chances to win this tournament though.

"People were telling me how good this tournament is, and they were right. The organization was perfect and you feel very relaxed here. I will definitely try to return next year. It's one of the best tournaments on the circuit."

"No one likes losing a final but it was a great week. I defeated some dangerous opponents, so I'm not too disappointed," Suárez Navarro said. "I was a litle bit tired but Flavia was the favorite to win the final and I congratulate her. She adjusted well after having very little time to adapt after arriving late from Miami."

Pennetta now has nine Tour titles to her name, seven of which have come on clay. She is now 9-10 lifetime in career singles finals, as well.

After the trophy ceremony, there was a dedication ceremony to Virginia Ruano Pascual, who played the last singles match of her career here (losing to Aravane Rezai) and will finish up her doubles career at the end of the season.


Sunday, April 11, 2010

Singles - Final
(2) Flavia Pennetta (ITA) d. (8) Carla Suárez Navarro (ESP) 62 46 63

Azarenka retires after having big lead over Spaniard in Marbella

A day after Kim Clijsters bowed out of the Andalucía Tennis Experience, Victoria Azarenka did the same, albeit in different circumstances. After a perfect start the No.1 seed succumbed to injury and had to retire from her quarterfinal match against María José Martínez Sánchez.

Azarenka, who was three wins away from her first clay court title on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, was leading 4-0 in the first set when she had to call it quits against the No.5 seed. Next for Martínez Sánchez will be fellow Spaniard Carla Suárez Navarro, the No.8 seed and a 46 61 62 winner over Tatjana Malek.

Flavia Pennetta, the No.2 seed - now the only Top 4 seed remaining - won a tight 64 76(4) match-up against qualifier Simona Halep earlier on. Pennetta battled back from a break down in both sets to take it in straights and next faces good friend and fellow Italian Sara Errani, who ground out a 67(5) 64 63 win over qualifier Beatriz García Vidagany, who had taken out Clijsters.

"Simona is very young but she plays very well and very aggressively, and it was a very tough match for me," Pennetta said. "I know Sara very well and have played her before, and I know it will be tough for me tomorrow."

Check out the head-to-head records of the two all-countrywoman semifinals: Pennetta against Errani and Martínez Sánchez against Suárez Navarro.


Friday, April 9, 2010

Singles - Quarterfinals
(5) María José Martínez Sánchez (ESP) d. (1) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) 04 ret. (left thigh injury)
(2) Flavia Pennetta (ITA) d. (Q) Simona Halep (ROU) 64 76(4)
(8) Carla Suárez Navarro (ESP) d. Tatjana Malek (GER) 46 61 62
Sara Errani (ITA) d. (Q) Beatriz García Vidagany (ESP) 67(5) 64 63

Clijsters ousted in Marbella

Winning one of the biggest tournaments of the year on hardcourts then days later transitioning to clay may have been too much to ask, even for one of the greatest players in the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour's history. Kim Clijsters was ousted by unheralded Spaniard Beatriz García Vidagany in the second round of the Andalucía Tennis Experience on Thursday.

Fresh off winning Miami on the weekend, Clijsters came straight across the ocean to Marbella for her first clay court tournament in nearly three years. Seeded No.3, she ground out a three set win over Alexandra Dulgheru in the first round on Wednesday, but the winning streak came to an end in the second round on Thursday as she lost to qualifier García Vidagany, 75 46 64.

Clijsters held three set points late in the first set and also had her chances in the third before García Vidagany won 11 of the last 14 points of the match.

"I feel disappointed with the way I played. I played a really bad match. I felt mentally drained," Clijsters said. "Maybe the change from Miami came too quickly, but I played a good player today. She didn't make any mistakes.

"Marbella has been really great though. It's beautiful here and everyone working here was so nice. You really want to do well here - it's a shame I lost today."

This is García Vidagany's first main draw on the Tour. She had played qualifying twice before but this was the first time she made it out of the pre-tournament, and she won her first Tour-level match in the first round against Kristina Barrois. The 21-year-old lefty, whose win over Barrois was her first over a Top 100 player, didn't take long to carve out her first career Top 10 win.C

Top 2 seeds Victoria Azarenka and Flavia Pennetta both won in straight sets. Azarenka, the No.1 seed, commented on Clijsters' loss and her own clay court form: "I never look too far into the tournament. I look match by match, so I don't really focus on how other players are doing. I just focus on my next match and how I'm playing. And after two matches this week I feel pretty comfortable on clay - I'm moving well and playing well, so I hope it's just the beginning."

In another early upset, Sara Errani defeated No.7 seed Anabel Medina Garrigues, 61 76(1). Medina Garrigues had set point at 6-5 in the second set but lost it and was then nearly blanked in the tie-break. No.8 seed Carla Suárez Navarro and qualifier Simona Halep were the other two winners.

The No.2 seeds in doubles narrowly escaped. Virginia Ruano Pascual and Meghann Shaughnessy saved two match points down 62 54 and rallied from 4-8 in the tie-break to beat Tatjana Malek and Selima Sfar, 26 75 1210.


Thursday, April 8, 2010

Singles - Second Round
(1) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) d. (WC) Estrella Cabeza Candela (ESP) 62 64
(2) Flavia Pennetta (ITA) d. (Q) Laura Pous Tio (ESP) 62 62
(Q) Beatriz García Vidagany (ESP) d. (3/WC) Kim Clijsters (BEL) 75 46 64
Sara Errani (ITA) d. (7) Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP) 61 76(1)
(8) Carla Suárez Navarro (ESP) d. Polona Hercog (SLO) 64 76(2)
(Q) Simona Halep (ROU) d. Sorana Cirstea (ROU) 64 76(4)

Clijsters battles to win to young Romanian on Day 3 in Marbella

Fresh off her second Sony Ericsson WTA Tour title of the year on the hardcourts of Miami, Kim Clijsters made a successful transition to clay of Marbella on Wednesday, grinding out her first match of the Andalucía Tennis Experience in three sets against Romania's Alexandra Dulgheru.

Clijsters, who accepted a wildcard into the International event and is seeded No.3, rallied from 2-4 to win the first set, 6-4, then gave away a one break lead and lost a tie-break to see her opponent even it at a set apiece. But the former No.1 rebounded to take the third set and the match, 64 67(1) 62.

"I haven't played a match on clay for three years so it was a nice experience," Clijsters said. "Mentally it's a completely different game. It takes time. I want to get that feeling back as quickly as possible and there's no better practice than playing matches, so I'm thrilled to be here. Hopefully I can keep it up."

Clijsters said Tournament Director and former player Conchita Martínez asked her if she would play the tournament during her Miami run: "I had never been here and so many players have said it's a beautiful tournament. As soon as I was done in Miami, a few hours later, we flew over. It has been really fun so far. I want to get as much preparation as possible - obviously the French Open is the main goal, so the more matches I get here, the better."

Flavia Pennetta, the No.2 seed, also played her first round match, fresh off winning the doubles title in Miami. The Italian cruised past Yaroslava Shvedova in 67 minutes, 63 61. Other first round winners were Spaniards Laura Pous Tio and Beatriz García Vidagany, both qualifiers into the draw.

The first two second round matches were also played, with No.4 seed Aravane Rezai falling to Tatjana Malek, 64 62, but No.5 seed María José Martínez Sánchez faring better, cruising past Italy's Alberta Brianti, 60 62.


Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Singles - Second Round
Tatjana Malek (GER) d. (4) Aravane Rezai (FRA) 64 62
(5) María José Martínez Sánchez (ESP) d. Alberta Brianti (ITA) 60 62

Singles - First Round
(2) Flavia Pennetta (ITA) d. Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ) 63 61
(3/WC) Kim Clijsters (BEL) d. Alexandra Dulgheru (ROU) 64 67(1) 62
(Q) Laura Pous Tio (ESP) d. Kirsten Flipkens (BEL) 61 63
(Q) Beatriz García Vidagany (ESP) d. Kristina Barrois (GER) 75 64

Top seed Azarenka loses only three games in opening match, advances on Day 2 in Marbella

Seeking her first clay court title on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, Victoria Azarenka made a strong first impression on Tuesday, winning her Andalucía Tennis Experience opener in straight sets

Azarenka, the No.1 seed, went back and forth a little with Yvonne Meusburger early on in the match. Serving at 4-3 she faced a break point that could have seen Meusburger, a lucky loser, get back on serve; but the Belarusian hung on to win the game. It was the first of eight straight games - she won, 63 60.

"The score was easy but the match was not that easy," Azarenka said of the one-hour, 28-minute contest. "Yvonne had a few matches here and was playing well, but I was happy the way I played. My goal for the clay court season is to get my rhythm and get ready for the French Open as much as possible."

Spanish seeds María José Martínez Sánchez, Anabel Medina Garrigues and Carla Suárez Navarro all moved through in straight sets, but the only other seed in action wasn't so lucky: No.6 seed Maria Kirilenko was two points away from victory at 64 65 but lost to Sorana Cirstea, 46 76(2) 64.

Sara Errani, Alberta Brianti and qualifier Simona Halep also moved on.

Flavia Pennetta and Kim Clijsters, the No.2 and No.3 seeds, play their first rounds Wednesday. Read what Clijsters said to the press in Marbella.


Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Singles - First Round
(1) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) d. (LL) Yvonne Meusburger (AUT) 63 60
(5) María José Martínez Sánchez (ESP) d. Stefanie Voegele (SUI) 64 63
Sorana Cirstea (ROU) d. (6) Maria Kirilenko (RUS) 46 76(2) 64
(7) Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP) d. Arantxa Parra Santonja (ESP) 61 64
(8) Carla Suárez Navarro (ESP) d. Roberta Vinci (ITA) 64 60
Sara Errani (ITA) d. (Q) Arantxa Rus (NED) 61 62
Alberta Brianti (ITA) d. Julie Coin (FRA) 62 60
(Q) Simona Halep (ROU) d. Iveta Benesova (CZE) 64 61

The Clay Court Season has begun!

The Clay Court season has begun!

The first tournaments to be played on clay will be the Andalucia Tennis Experience and the MPS Group Championships. Then will come the $700,000 Family Circle Cup on the 12th of April. The next big tournament will be the also $700,000 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, on the 26th of April. Internazionali d'Italia will be the next biggest, starting on the 2nd of May at a prize money amount of $2,000,000, before the French Open, held in Paris, France, which will start on the 23rd of May, and which will be the last tournament of the Clay Court season.

Good luck to all players and defending champions!

Kim ousts Venus to capture Miami title

The Williams sisters have consistently been the most successful players in Miami, but for the second straight year one of tennis' favorite sister act was routed in the final of the $4.5-million tournament. Coming in on a 15-match winning streak and leading the head-to-head, Venus Williams just couldn't overcome this time, and Kim Clijsters rolled to a 62 61 victory, the Sony Ericsson Open title and a return to the world Top 10 rankings.

Given their form coming in, it looked like the stage was set for some fireworks. Williams had only dropped one set along the way, to Daniela Hantuchova in the fourth round, where she rallied from 61 20 down to win; Clijsters was the same, storming into the semis without losing a set and, in an absolute thriller, edging out fellow former No.1 Justine Henin in a third set tie-break. Both had played solid tennis, and both had won the Miami tournament before.

On Championship Saturday, however, it was a mismatch. Perhaps the Williams win streak caught up with her, or Clijsters felt a new breath of life after a near brush with defeat against Henin; whatever the cause the scoreboard said it all, and Clijsters took her second Sony Ericsson Open in a 58-minute rout, 62 61.

"I knew I had to come out here and play well," Clijsters said. "My semifinal was such an exciting match, I just tried to keep going from there and not lose a beat, especially playing against someone like Venus, a great competitor and a great athlete. She's one of the best players women's tennis has ever had."

Clijsters won her 37th Sony Ericsson WTA Tour title, her second in Miami, following a dream run to a title often nicknamed "the fifth major" back in 2005.

"I was so excited to come back here," Clijsters said. "It's nice to go back to tournaments where you've done well. It's great to play in such a beautiful stadium and the tournament is organized so well, which makes everything so much easier when you're travelling with a family."

"Congrats to Kim. What a great tournament she had, and she played really well today," Williams said. "It wasn't my best day but I'll be back next year."

Williams, who had won Miami three times before (1998, 1999, 2001) and who was coming in off of back-to-back titles in Dubai and Acapulco, was clearly not at her best: over 30 unforced errors in the match and, at one point, her left knee getting taped up. In one stretch, Clijsters won 17 straight points.

"Sometimes when you hit a few bad shots it's not as easy to reel it in. Every now and then it happens to the best of us. I think this actually happened to Kim in Australia, so she knows what it's like," Williams said. "But I was always thinking about getting back into the match, at at every point. But that's sport. I expect a lot from myself, of course, but I'll be ready for my next competition."


Saturday, April 3, 2010

Singles - Final
(14) Kim Clijsters (BEL) d. (3) Venus Williams (USA) 62 61

Venus will battle Kim for the Sony Ericsson Open crown

Can anyone stop her? Venus Williams extended her 2010 winning streak to 15 matches on Thursday afternoon with a 63 64 victory over Marion Bartoli in the semifinals of the Sony Ericsson Open.

Williams, the No.3 seed at the $4.5-million tournament, had faced the No.13-seeded Bartoli twice before, winning in the Wimbledon final in 2007 and losing in the Stanford final last year; this time it was more like that encounter at the All-England Club, with the American never really getting into too much trouble, apart from a brief lapse that saw her trail 3-1 in the second set.

Williams' serve seemed to be the biggest difference, and she made some impressive opening and closing statements - she won the first game of the match at love on serve, then served the match out at love too, including three winners - two aces from the deuce side and one volley winner.

"I always enjoy playing here," Williams said. "I've always had good results. I've usually gone pretty deep and I'm really pleased to be back in the final."

"The main difference was the serve. Venus served really well today and I had some really bad service games," Bartoli said. "Honestly I was pretty pleased with my level in the second set, but she played better. I didn't play so well in the first set and when she got one set up I think it helped her confidence more."

The second semifinal of the day wasn't looking like much of a match, but boy did it turn into one. Holding a point for a 62 40 lead, it looked like Kim Clijsters, seeded No.14, was headed for an easy win; but Justine Henin, a wildcard, began stepping into her shots, eventually winning the set in a tie-break.

The two former No.1s and multiple Grand Slam winners see-sawed in the decider: Henin going up 2-0, Clijsters going up 4-2, Henin evening it at 4-4, each breaking once then each holding once... they would eventually find themselves in a tie-break again, where the drama spiked one last time.

Clijsters lost the first two points of the third set tie-break but rallied to build a 6-3, triple match point lead; Henin saved them all and got to 6-6, but that's when Clijsters conjured up her best again - a stunning backhand drop volley winner to get to her fourth match point then, after a long, tense rally, a huge forehand down the line winner to seal the deal. The two graciously exchanged kisses at the net with the crowd on its feet for a 62 67(3) 76(6) thriller.

"That was a lucky shot. There are no other words for that," Clijsters said of the backhand drop volley. "If we had to play that rally 10 times over again, that's probably the only time I'd make it. It was a split second decision at the time - luckily I chose the right side. I just tried to be really aggressive. Whether it's Justine, Venus or Serena, that's my game. I've been doing that really well so far. Then again, there's nobody who defends as well as Justine."

"She really went for her opportunities," Henin said. "I kept fighting the whole match, so it's difficult to lose this way. But I have to keep something positive about my tournament here. I've had great wins and played some good tennis. I wasn't strong enough tonight, but I can go back home with a lot of good things."

Williams and Clijsters have played 11 times before with Williams leading the series, 6-5.


Thursday, April 1, 2010

Singles - Semifinals
(3) Venus Williams (USA) d. (13) Marion Bartoli (FRA) 63 64
(14) Kim Clijsters (BEL) d. (WC) Justine Henin (BEL) 62 67(3) 76(6)