Ivanovic Conquers Indian Wells!

March 23rd, 2008

Indian Wells, California

While most of the rest of the country was enjoying Easter meals, Ana Ivanovic and Svetlana Kuznetsova were battling it out for the prestigious Tier I Pacific Life Open crown in the deserts of California. The number 1 and 2 seeds were showing the crowd why they deserved to be in the Finals and the great tennis they produced to get there.

The first set was pretty even with both players holding serve and fighting for each point. Heavy defense and ground strokes were on display from both sides throughout the first set. Though it would be last years finalist who faltered first and was broken, allowing Ivanovic to take command and win the first set, 6-4.

The 2nd set featured much of the same as the first set, but Ivanovic would not be denied, moving Kuznetsova around the court and causing errors. Ivanovic quickly took over and before anyone could blink, the Serbian was the winner of the event. Ivanovic defeated Kuznetsova 6-4, 6-3 and took home her first Pacific Life Open crown. Ivanovic had proven, like Kuznetsova in the past to take a liking to the hard courts in North America. This was Ivanovic's 6th career WTA Tour title, and Kuznetsova's 8th loss in a final out of the last 9 Finals she's played.

Next week the WTA Tour stops in Miami for the Sony Ericsson Open, with the return of such players as Justine Henin and the Williams Sisters. Can Ivanovic and Kuznetsova continue their good play to repeat in Miami? Can the Williams Sisters play good tennis to win the event or will the Number 1 player in the world show everyone why she is Number 1. Maria Sharapova has also pulled out citing fatique.

Pacific Life Open

Center Court

Ana Ivanovic d. Svetlana Kuznetsova- 6-4, 6-3

Ivanovic defeats Jankovic, Kuznestova Downs Sharapova!

March 21st, 2008

Indian Wells, California

The Pacific Life Open began on March 10th, with many of the World's top players arriving in the desert to compete for the prestigious Tier I title. Big names were on hand including, Ana Ivanovic, Jelena Jankovic, Maria Sharapova, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Lindsday Davenport and more. Action got off to a start early and was predictable for the most part. No real big losses occured as up until the Semi-Finals.

The first Semi-Final of the day was an all Russian battle between the number 2 seed, Svetlana Kuznetsova and the number 4 seed and undefeated in 2008, Maria Sharapova. Kuznetsova came out strong and was firing away, Sharapova wasn't backing down but couldn't hold off Kuznetsova as she took the first set 6-3. The 2nd set was tighter, with both players trying to keep the momentum on their side and eventually Sharapova showed she was the stronger player, winning that set 7-5. The 3rd set was a complete reversal and domination by Kuzzy. Sharapova struggled with her serve, like much of 2007 and it showed. Kuznetsova took the match and won, 6-3, 5-7, 6-1. Kuznetsova now moves into her second straight Pacific Life Open. She got to the 2007 Finals and lost to Daniela Hantuchova. Sharapova moves on to Miami next week, with her 18 match winning streak snapped.

The night Semi-Final featured the number 1 seed, Ana Ivanovic and the number 3 seed, fellow Serbian Jelena Jankovic. The two were sure to put on an entertaining match and that is exactly what they did. Jankovic was going into the match, with the knowledge of never beating Ivanovic before and she tried her best to come out and finally get a win, but it was to no use. Ivanovic proved she was stronger both physically and mentally as she once again defeated Jankovic, 7-6(3), 6-3. Ivanovic moves into the Pacific Life Open Finals for the first time in her career and will try to continue her in form season.

Pacific Life Open

Center Court

Svetlana Kuznetsova d. Maria Sharapova- 6-3, 5-7, 6-1

Ana Ivanovic d. Jelena Jankovic- 7-6(3), 6-3

Serena Wins Bangalore!

March 9th, 2008

Bangalore, India

Serena Williams came into the Bangalore tournament only playing in two previous events this season, the Hyundai Hopman Cup and the Australian Open. The lack of match play was evident as Serena had to fight hard to earn her the title in India. The small Tier II event showcased a healthy amount of top players with both Williams sisters, Jelena Jankovic and Patty Schnyder attending the event.

For Schnyder, it was a much more quiet and less eventful road to the Finals. Not to mention, much less publicized. Serena on the other hand had to face big sister, Venus in the Semi-Finals. It wasn't a pretty match in terms of level of play however it was one of the more hard fought victories in the entire tournament. Serena beat Venus, 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(4). Jelena Jankovic surprisingly crashed out in the Quarter-Finals and makes any tennis fan think she may be still suffering from an injured back. Jankovic's over packed schedule in 2007 has definitely caught up with the Serbian in 2008.

The Finals was an okay show of play between the two players who have met many times before. Schynder of course had been victorious the prior 2 times they had played, even winning in a third set tiebreak last year in Rome's Quarter-Finals. But Serena wouldn't be denied today and used her power and will to win the match and the tournament with a 7-5, 6-3 victory over Patty Schynder. Bangalore is Williams' 29th WTA Tour title.

Next week the WTA Tour heads to Indian Wells for the Pacific Life Open. It is the first hardcourt event in the American March Double, the second is Miami. Last year's champion, Daniela Hantuchova will look to defend her title, but with players such as Ana Ivanovic, Maria Sharapova, Svetlana Kuznetsova and more...she'll have a lot to handle. Big names not included in the draw are Justine Henin and of course the Williams Sisters who have not played at Indian Wells since 2001.

Dementieva is Queen of Dubai, Davenport Victorious in Memphis, Pennetta Wins Again!

March 2nd, 2008

Dubai, U.A.E., Memphis, USA, Alcapulco, Mexico

The WTA Tour was busy this week having three stops in 3 different countries around the world. The well known players were busy in Dubai, while some headliners made their way to Memphis and the lower tier of players battled it out on the clay in Mexico.

Dubai featured the Top 4 players in the world, all competing to try and grab the illustrious crown that has been rising to become a very important stop on the tour. Justine Henin was the defending champion and clearly the favorite for the title. Maria Sharapova pulled out before the event began. Sadly for tournament organizers, most big names were ousted by the Quarter-Finals. Justine Henin, Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic did not reach the Finals. It was a huge upset for the world number 1 after winning 4 out of the last 5 years in Dubai. The final was being contested by two Russian, Elena Dementieva and Svetlana Kuznetsova. The world number 2 was the heavy favorite but was stunned in a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 loss to Dementieva. For Dementieva it signals a return to the top of tennis, a place she was more familiar with a few years ago making the Finals of Roland Garros and the US Open. For Kuznetsova it means she is now 9-14 in tour finals...not a good margin. This was Dementieva's 9th career title.

In Memphis, the two headliners were Lindsay Davenport and Venus Williams. They were expected to go far, but sadly for Williams who crashed out in the early rounds, it would not come to be. Davenport however thrashed all her competition, which she has shown she can do at lower tier events and wins her 55th career title and first since Auckland in January. Davenport next heads to Indian Wells where she hopes to up her level and claim her biggest title since her return last September.

Flavia Pennetta once again has captured a clay court title. It was her second title in Alcapulco but her 5th consecutive trip to the Finals there. In the Finals she would face first time finalist Alize Cornet. It was a back and forth match but Pennetta's clay court game and experience won her the event and a second title for the year. She did not lose a set all tournament long until the Finals in her 6-0, 4-6, 6-1 victory over the French teenager. It was Pennetta's 6th career title.

The WTA Tour stops in Bangalore for the Bangalore Open next week. Most of the headlining players will be at home practicing for Indian Wells which is the week after. However, big names Jelena Jankovic and Serena Williams are expected to play in Bangalore.