Sharapova Claims 18th Career Title, Vives Returns to Top Form!

February 24th, 2008

Doha, Qatar & Bogota, Columbia

The WTA Tour made stops this week in both Columbia and half way around the world in Qatar. The women on hand for the Qatar event made it look promising at the beginning of the week, but sadly it turned out to be quite the dud. Bogota was the lesser known event of the week, but still garnered up some fantastic action on the red clay in South America.

Bogota began with the usual lower ranked players making their games known, but only one would come out on top at the end of the week and that was Nuria Llagostera Vives. The promising player had a great 2005, which even brought her to a second week showing at Roland Garros, a horrible 2006 and a bumpy 2007. This week however, with a few three set victories along the way, Vives was once again showing how well she could play the game of tennis on the red clay courts. Her toughest match came during the Semi-Finals with a 36 76(3) 63 win over teen-aged qualifier Carla Suárez Navarro. Vives won the event with a 6-0, 6-4 victory over Ma. Emilia Salerni.

In Doha, many well known names were on hand at the beginning of the week including, Ana Ivanvic, Jelena Jankovic, Venus Williams, Anna Chakvetadze, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Maria Sharapova. Having 6 out of the Top 7 players in the world would make anyone believe the tournament would be interesting. That is until they either get injured or are upset.

Ana Ivanovic sprained her ankle and had to withdraw, Venus, Svetlana, Anna and Jelena all lost early. Sharapova was the only Top 4 seed to make it to the Semi-Finals. With her lack of tough opponents, it seemed destined for Sharapova to win her 2nd title of the year and extend her match winning streak to 14-0. That is exactly what she did with a 6-1, 2-6, 6-0 victory over Vera Zvonereva in the Finals. For Zvonereva it was a return to playing well and having good results, defeating Na Li in the Semi-Finals and trying to return towards the top, where she once was back in 2004. For Sharapova, it only adds to her stunning play this year and brings another title to her home. She now moves on to Dubai trying to take yet another title. Doha was Sharapova's 6th Tier I victory and 18th overall.

Next week the WTA Tour stops in 3 places, in Dubai, in Memphis and in Acapulco. It should be a busy week for the Tour, and an exciting one.

Henin Captures Antwerp, Pennetta Takes Vina Del Mar!

February 17th, 2008

Antwerp, Belgium and Vina Del Mar, Chile

The World Number 1 headlined the Antwerp event while Flavia Pennetta was the top seed in Chile. The difference between the two events were rather simple. One was held in an indoor carpet arena and the other, a red clay event outdoors.

Pennetta was the number 1 seed in her event and made quick work of all competition she faced on her way to the Finals. She was so good that she simply did not lose a single set throughout the entire tournament. In the Finals, Pennetta was facing off against a player who was having a great week, until she reached the Finals, Klara Zakopalova. Pennetta who had little to any competition throughout the event, won the inagural Cachantun Cup over Zakopalova when she retired with a 6-4, 5-4 victory. The Czech fell and injured her ankle. For Pennetta, it was her 5th WTA Career title and first since Bangkok last year. For winning the Tier III title, the Italian took home $30,500 dollars.

Meanwhile in Antwerp, the World Number 1, had some trouble in her early round matches, being taken to 3 sets in a couple of rounds. But eventually, Henin who faced the least amount of stiff competition on paper that she could have, won the title for the first time in her home country. Unlike the inagural event in Chile, this was sadly the last event that Antwerp would hold. The Tier II title was contested between Justine Henin and Karin Knapp. The match was one of the easiest Henin's had all week as she won the event, 6-3, 6-3. It was the number 1's 41st career title and 2nd of the year, after Sydney earlier in January. Henin took home $95,500 dollars.

Next week the WTATour moves to Doha with a strong field featuring Maria Sharapova and Venus Williams as some big names, and to Bogota for a smaller event.

Chakvetadze Victorious In Paris, Radwanska In Pattaya City!

February 10th, 2008

Paris, France and Pattaya City, Thailand

The women's tour was once again in full force this week after last weeks Fed Cup competitions. The women traveled to either Paris for the Open Gaz de France tournament or to Pattaya City for the Pattaya Women's Open. Each respective field wasn't stacked with a lot of star quality names, but still offered some good matches.

In Pattaya City, Radwanska reigned supreme during the week, dismantling any opponent that came to her way. Radwanska has had a good start to her season after reaching the Quarter-Finals at the Australian Open and now winning the title. It was Radwanska's 2nd Career Title after winning winning in Stockholm last season. Radwanska defeated Jill Craybas of the United States in a thrilling three set match, 6-2, 1-6, 7-6(4).

In Paris, the larger event, more well known players attended such as Daniela Hantuchova, Amelie Mauresmo, Marion Bartoli and Anna Chakvetadze. But it was the young Russian who would be known as a French killer during her Paris triumph, defeating the likes of Dechy, Mauresmo, and Bartoli. Chakvetadze defeated Agnes Szavay in a three set victory, 6-3, 2-6, 6-2. This is Chakvetadze's 7th career title and first since Stanford last summer.

Next week the women roll into Antwerp and Vina Del Mar for their respective tournaments. Expect more big action and some good tennis.