Day 7 Photos!

Kuznetsova, Sharapova Continue Rolling On!

May 31st, 2008

Paris, France

On this last day of May 2008, Roland Garros has come to its mid way point with the Round of 16 matches all set after today's play. With the stunning loss of both Williamses yesterday, the field has become a little less heavy now on the bottom side and things are now pretty even as far as the draws go. I suspect a Sharapova vs. Kuznetsova Semi-Final as well as a Ivanovic vs. Jankovic match in the other half.

Speaking of Svetlana, she was first up on Court Philippe-Chatrier today against fellow Russian, Nadia Petrova who is a two time Semi-Finalist at the French Open. It was expected to be a tough and entertaining match but the exact opposite occurred. Kuznetsova completely rolled over Petrova who has had trouble with her game the last year or so. Kuznetsova was ruthless as she stormed to a 6-2, 6-1 victory and moved into the Round of 16. The way Kuznetsova has been playing, she may be a good bet to make the Finals.

Jelena Jankovic came back today to complete her match and won 7-5, 6-3 over Dominika Cibulkova. Maria Sharapova who seems to play everyday was also in action today against a sometimes tricky opponent in Karin Knapp. The first set was very testing for Sharapova who was forced into a tiebreaker to take the set. The second set was all Sharapova as it seemed Knapp lost hope and her game faded. Sharapova moves on into the Round of 16 with a 7-6(4), 6-0 win. She next will face Dinara Safina who is tough on the clay and beat Sharapova in the same round back in 2006.

Elena Dementieva and Vera Zvonareva also continued on through the tournament quietly. Tomorrow Ana Ivanovic returns to action as she tries to make the Quarter-Finals of Roland Garros for the second straight year. Jankovic and Pennetta will also return to play their 4th Round matches.

Results:

Court Philippe-Chatrier

(4)Svetlana Kuznetsova d. (25)Nadia Petrova - 6-2, 6-1

(1)Maria Sharapova d. (32)Karin Knapp - 7-6(4), 6-0

Court Suzanne Lenglen

(16)Victoria Azarenka d. (18)Francesca Schiavone - 6-1, 6-1

(7)Elena Dementieva d. Olga Govortsova - 6-0, 6-4

Court 1

(13)Dinara Safina d. Jie Zheng - 6-2, 7-5

(3)Jelena Jankovic d. (28)Dominika Cibulkova - 7-5, 6-3

Petra Kvitova d. (12)Agnes Szavay - 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-2

Court 2

(11)Vera Zvonareva d. Aleksandra Wozniak - 6-2, 6-2

Top 10 Seeds:

1. Maria Sharapova - Round of 16

2. Ana Ivanovic - Round of 16

3. Jelena Jankovic - Round of 16

4. Svetlana Kuznetsova - Round of 16

5. Serena Williams - Lost in Round 3 (Srebotnik)

6.Anna Chakvetadze - Lost in Round 2 (Kanepi)

7. Elena Dementieva - Round of 16

8. Venus Williams - Lost in Round 3 (Pennetta)

9. Marion Bartoli - Lost in Round 1 (Dellacqua)

10. Patty Schnyder - Round of 16

Day 6 Photos!

Williamses Say Au Revoir to Paris, Sharapova, Ivanovic Move On!

May 30th, 2008

Paris, France

On this long Friday in Paris, the day began with Serena Williams on Court Suzanne Lenglen taking on a woman who had never beat her in all their previous meetings. The day would end with Venus Williams on Court Philippe-Chatrier taking on a woman who is experienced on clay and who had beaten her the last time they played.

Serena Williams wasn't playing her best and it was evident with her horrible unforced errors that she was spewing around the court. In the first set, Katarina Srebotnik was very consistent, getting a lot of balls back, hitting incredible volleys when needing to. Williams on the other hand was hitting ridiculous errors and it cost her as Srebotnik went on and took the first set, 6-4. The second set featured much of the same as Williams continued to play with her lackluster effort and Srebotnik took advantage to dispose of Serena, 6-4, 6-4. It was the earliest Serena had lost at Roland Garros since 1999.

Her sister Venus was playing later in the day, and well into the evening hours against a tricky opponent, Flavia Pennetta who had defeated Williams the last time they played. Venus, like Serena was playing with lackluster effort, losing the first set in a close battle, 7-5. However as the second set progressed, both began playing better tennis but Venus was too shaky and Pennetta too solid, which would eventually lead to a 6-3 win in the second set for Pennetta. The Williams sisters will have to look forward to Wimbledon next month to try to regain some footing.

Jelena Jankovic couldn't finish out her match as the evening came on, leading 7-5, 4-2 against her opponent, Dominika Cibulkova. Ana Ivanovic on the other hand played once again with great intensity during her Third Round match and her good fortune continued as she reached the Round of 16, with a 6-4, 6-1 win over Caroline Wozniacki. Maria Sharapova continued her uneasy march further into the tournament with a 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 victory over Bethanie Mattek. Sharapova must not be very pleased with the way she has been playing so far at Roland Garros.

Tomorrow, Maria Sharapova returns for her Third Round match, Jankovic needs to return to finish her match off, and Svetlana Kuznetsova will try to march further as she plays against fellow Russian, Nadia Petrova.

Results:

Court Philippe-Chatrier

(2)Ana Ivanovic d. (30)Caroline Wozniacki - 6-4, 6-1

(1)Maria Sharapova d. Bethanie Mattek - 6-2, 3-6, 6-2

(26)Flavia Pennetta d. (8)Venus Williams - 7-5, 6-3

Court Suzanne Lenglen

(27)Katarina Srebotnik d. (5)Serena Williams - 6-4, 6-4

(14)Agnieszka Radwanska d. (19)Alize Cornet - 6-4, 6-4

Court 1

(10)Patty Schnyder d. Emilie Loit - 7-6(4), 5-7, 6-2

Court 2

Petra Cetkovska d. Iveta Benesova - 6-3, 6-3

(11)Vera Zvonareva d. Stephanie Cohen-Aloro - 6-2, 6-4

Carla Suarez Navarro d. Casey Dellacqua - 6-3, 6-3

Top 10 Seeds:

1. Maria Sharapova - Round 3

2. Ana Ivanovic - Round of 16

3. Jelena Jankovic - Round 3

4. Svetlana Kuznetsova - Round 3

5. Serena Williams - Lost in Round 3 (Srebotnik)

6. Anna Chakvetadze - Lost in Round 2 (Kanepi)

7. Elena Dementieva - Round 3

8. Venus Williams - Lost in Round 3 (Pennetta)

9. Marion Bartoli - Lost in Round 1 (Dellacqua)

10. Patty Schnyder - Round of 16

Day 5 Photos!

Venus Surges Through, Jankovic Struggles!

May 29th, 2008

Paris, France

Day 5 of the 2008 Roland Garros tournament began today with Venus Williams playing her second round match on Court Phillipe-Chatrier. Williams, who struggled a bit in her opening round match was much more impressive today. Attacking the net seemed to make the biggest difference in her game as she won 24 out of 35 times at the net. Williams is looking forward to progressing through the tournament and possibly setting up a match with Jelena Jankovic in the Quarter-Finals. Venus won todays match against Selima Sfar, 6-2, 6-4.

Jelena Jankovic on the other hand struggled with her form today, saying her arm was the cause of her woes. Jankovic came out in the first set, playing well and taking it 6-2. It wasn't until the second set where her opponent, Marina Erakovic began playing more aggressively that Jankovic began having problems. Enough problems to go to the tiebreak, before Jankovic finally closed it out, 7-6(5).

Maria Sharapova couldn't finish her match against Bathanie Mattek and will have to play her third straight day in a row tomorrow to finish the match. Svetlana Kuznetsova and Elena Dementieva, both former finalists played their second round matches today and each played their usual, aggressive and attacking style which earned them, 6-4, 6-2 and 6-1, 6-4 scores respectively.

French hopeful Alize Cornet won her second round match over Gisela Dulko, 6-0, 4-6, 6-4 but Amelie Mauresmo did not progress as she crashed out 6-3, 6-4. Mauresmo will have to go back to the drawing board after such a painful loss here in Paris.

Tomorrow features, Serena Williams, Ana Ivanovic, Maria Sharapova and Venus Williams once again trying to make the Round of 16(with the exception of Sharapova trying to reach the Third Round)

Results:

Court Phillipe-Chatrier

(8)Venus Williams d. Selima Sfar - 6-2, 6-4

Carla Suarez Navarro d. (22)Amelie Mauresmo - 6-3, 6-4

Court Suzanne Lenglen

(3)Jelena Jankovic d. Marina Erakovic - 6-2, 7-6(5)

(19)Alize Cornet d. Gisela Dulko - 6-0, 4-6, 6-4

Court 1

Casey Dellacqua d. Nathalie Dechy - 6-4, 6-2

(4)Svetlana Kuznetsova d. Vania King - 6-4, 6-2

Court 2

(7)Elena Dementieva d. Marta Domachowska - 6-1, 6-4

Top 10 Seeds:

1. Maria Sharapova - Round 2

2. Ana Ivanovic - Round 3

3. Jelena Jankovic - Round 3

4. Svetlana Kuznetsova - Round 3

5. Serena Williams - Round 3

6. Anna Chakvetadze - Lost in Round 2(Kanepi)

7. Elena Dementieva - Round 3

8. Venus Williams - Round 3

9. Marion Bartoli - Lost in Round 1(Dellacqua)

10. Patty Schynder - Round 3

Day 4 Photos!

Sharapova Barely Survives, Serena, Ivanovic Head To The Third Round!

May 28th, 2008

Paris, France

Finally the weather has given way to play at the years second Grand Slam, Roland Garros. Today some of the women were still trying to complete their first round matches, while others where trying to head into the third round already. The day was filled with suspense and drama as some of the top women had problems advancing.

Maria Sharapova played her first match today on Court Phillipe-Chatrier and it was uneasy to say the least. The young Russian was completely out of sorts and making error after error. Not to take any credit away from her opponent, Rodina who was sending back balls for Sharapova to make mistakes on. Sharapova took the first set routinely, 6-1. Then in the 2nd, Rodina played more calmly and didn't allow the big situation to affect her, which led to a 6-3 win for Rodina. The final set is where it all came down to and Rodina on one occasion was two points away from sending Sharapova home. However it was not to be and as many times before, Sharapova battled back and won 8-6.

Serena Williams had an easier time playing her second round match against Mathilde Johansson. The first set went convincingly to Williams, 6-2. In the second, Williams' play dropped slightly which allowed Johansson to creep in and earn some games. In the end, Serena played better and dug deep to pull out a 7-5 victory in the second set. Ana Ivanovic on the other hand probably had the best day out of the top women, dismantling Lucie Safarova, 6-1, 6-2. The young Serbian and 2007 finalist has been looking impressive as of the start of this tournament.

In other action, the number 9 seed, Marion Bartoli faltered in her second consecutive Grand Slam first round. Today she lost to Casey Dellacqua, 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-2. Losing in the first round at the Australian Open as well, Bartoli must not be happy and doesn't look confident in defending her finalist points at Wimbledon next month. Elena Dementieva, the 2004 finalist looked good in her match today, as she usually does in early rounds. Her steady groundstrokes make all the difference as she led herself to a 6-7(6), 6-0, 6-2 victory over Vera Dushevina.

Tomorrow Maria Sharapova will be back in action as well as Jelena Jankovic and Venus Williams.

Results:

Court Phillipe-Chatrier

(1)Maria Sharapova d. Evgeniya Rodina - 6-1, 3-6, 8-6

(5)Serena Williams d. Mathilde Johansson - 6-2, 7-5

Court Suzanne Lenglen

Casey Dellacqua d. (9)Marion Bartoli - 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-2

Court 1

(2)Ana Ivanovic d. Lucie Safarova - 6-1, 6-2

Court 2

(7)Elena Dementieva d. Vera Dushevina - 6-7(6), 6-0, 6-2

(25)Nadia Petrova d. Aravane Rezai - 7-6(4), 6-3

Top 10 Seeds:

1. Maria Sharapova - Round 2

2. Ana Ivanovic - Round 3

3. Jelena Jankovic - Round 2

4. Svetlana Kuznetsova - Round 2

5. Serena Williams - Round 3

6. Anna Chakvetadze - Round 2

7. Elena Dementieva - Round 2

8. Venus Williams - Round 2

9. Marion Bartoli - Lost Round 1 (Dellacqua)

10. Patty Schynder - Round 3

Day 3 Photos!

Mauresmo Battles, Kuznetsova Eases Through!

May 27th, 2008

Paris, France

Another day at Roland Garros, and yet again, just like the last two days, threats of rain were evident. And like yesterday, the rain did not hold out as most of the day was rained out. Many matches stopped in progress and others weren't even allowed to begin. Maria Sharapova will have to wait yet another day to begin her Roland Garros campaign.

First up on Court Phillipe-Chatrier was French hopeful, Amelie Mauresmo. Sadly, Mauresmo has never made it past the Quarter-Finals here in Paris but this year, she doesn't have much pressure on her as she has had lackluster results for the past year and a half. She is the 22nd seed and hopefully her game can last long enough to possibly make a late run in the tournament. However if today was any sign, that will not happen. A tough match for Mauresmo, as she had to battle past her younger opponent, Olga Savchuk, 7-5, 4-6, 6-1.

Svetlana Kuznetsova, the 2006 Roland Garros Finalist begun her French Open campaign on Court 1, against a sometimes fiesty opponent in Aiko Nakamura. Kuznetsova came out and played her game which can be very dangerous on the clay courts. The young Russian didn't waste any time easing her way to a 6-2, 6-3 victory.

On outer courts, Berlin champion, Dinara Safina who is very comfortable on the clay courts posted a 6-1, 6-3 victory over a tough opponent, Kateryna Bondarenko. Agnieszka Radwanska, last weeks winner in Istanbul also posted a victory, 6-4, 6-3 over Mariya Koryttseva.

Tomorrow, Maria Sharapova will finally get to play her First Round match, also in action, Serena Williams, Alize Cornet and Ana Ivanovic.

Results:

Court Phillipe-Chatrier

(22)Amelie Mauresmo d. Olga Savchuk - 7-5, 4-6, 6-1

Court 1

(4)Svetlana Kuznetsova d. Aiko Nakamura - 6-2, 6-3

Court 3

(13)Dinara Safina d. Kateryna Bondarenko - 6-2, 6-3

(14)Agnieszka Radwanska d. Mariya Korytteva - 6-4, 6-3

Top 10 Seeds:

1. Maria Sharapova - Round 1

2. Ana Ivanovic - Round 2

3. Jelena Jankovic - Round 2

4. Svetlana Kuznetsova - Round 2

5. Serena Williams - Round 2

6. Anna Chakvetadze - Round 1

7. Elena Dementieva - Round 1

8. Venus Williams - Round 2

9. Marion Bartoli - Round 1

10. Patty Schynder - Round 2

Day 2 Photos!

Venus, Jankovic Win Before The Rain Falls!

May 26th, 2008

Paris, France

Day 2 of the 2008 Roland Garros was going smoothly for the first half of the day before rain finally came and washed out matches and stopped play altogether. Some of the matches to be completed though did feature the day's biggest names, Venus Williams and Jelena Jankovic.

Starting with Venus Williams who is the Number 8 seed in this years Roland Garros, playing second on Court Phillipe-Chatrier, Williams had a rough start to her day, not playing as well as she would have liked. Williams of course has only played one event this year on the red clay before Roland Garros and that was 2 weeks ago in Rome where she lost in the Quarter-Finals. Williams won the first set, 6-3. And was looking good in the second when her play dropped and her opponent, Tzipora Obziler began to be more consistent and go for her shots. Obziler won the second set 6-4. Venus, like many champions in the past had to dig deep to produce the win, which she did in the third set, winning 6-2. She will hope to raise the level of her play in the next coming days as she tries to prepare herself for a possible Quarter-Final meeting with Jelena Jankovic, who seems to have her number on the clay courts.

Speaking of Jankovic, the 3rd seed here, she also got off to a patchy start today on Court Suzanne Lenglen. The young Serbian who reached the Semi-Finals here last year is looking to improve on her showing and started off today against, Monica Niculescu of Romania. The first set was constantly back and forth, break after break, but finally in the end, Jankovic upped her game and won the tiebreak 7-3. The second set was all Jankovic as she steadied her game and took control, eventually winning, 6-2.

On other courts, Patty Schynder, a Round of 16 showing last year is always considered dangerous, especially on the clay. She easily won her first round match today and is looking forward to meeting possibly Serena Williams in the Round of 16 this year. Emilie Loit, had a tough start to her French Open campaign as she lost the first set, 6-1, but rebounded and took the next two and the match, 1-6, 6-4, 8-6.

If the rain permits play tomorrow, players to watch out for will include, Maria Sharapova, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Amelie Mauresmo and Marion Bartoli.

Results:

Court Phillipe-Chatrier

(8)Venus Williams d. Tzipora Obziler - 6-3, 4-6, 6-2

Court Suzanne Lenglen

(3)Jelena Jankovic d. Monica Niculescu - 7-6(3), 6-2

Court 1

Jelena Pandzic d. Severine Bremond - 4-6, 6-3, 6-2

Court 2

(10)Patty Schynder d. Ekaterina Bychkova - 6-3, 6-4

Top 10 Seeds:

1. Maria Sharapova - Round 1

2. Ana Ivanovic - Round 2

3. Jelena Jankovic - Round 2

4. Svetlana Kuznetsova - Round 1

5. Serena Williams - Round 2

6. Anna Chakvetadze - Round 1

7. Elena Dementieva - Round 1

8. Venus Williams - Round 2

9. Marion Bartoli - Round 1

10. Patty Schynder - Round 2

Day 1 Photos!

Ivanovic, Serena Start Strong on Day 1!

May 25th, 2008

Paris, France

Roland Garros, the second Grand Slam of the tennis season kicked off today in the city of lights, and two marquee names would be in action, the number 2 seed, Ana Ivanovic and the number 5 seed, Serena Williams. Also in action today would be French youngster, Alize Cornet and hopefulls, Nicole Vaidasova and Ashley Harkleroad.

The main women's match on Court Phillipe-Chatrier featured the young Serbian, Ana Ivanovic taking on a fiesty young Swedish girl, Sofia Arvidsson. The first set wasn't much to watch as Ivanovic showed with her powerful strokes why she is the number 2 player in the world and why she made it to two slam finals in the last year. The second set however, featured Ivanovic down a break early, but eventually recouping to take the match and move onto the 2nd Round, 6-2, 7-5.

Later in the day, Alize Cornet who has had a brilliant clay court season, reaching the finals in Rome last weekend, was playing her opening match on the same court as Ivanovic. Cornet struggled a bit, no doubt because of the pressure put on her by the French, but eventually came through with a 7-5, 6-4 win over Julia Vakulenko.

Nicole Vaidasova who made the Semi-Finals two years ago and the Quarter-Finals last year here lost in her opening round match to Iveta Benesova. The teenager has been struggling as of late, not winning a match in the last 6 tournaments. If she wants to be ready to defend Quarter-Final points at Wimbledon, she will have to get her game together. Vaidasova lost, 7-6(2), 6-1.

The last high profile match of the day came last on Court Suzanne Lenglen, and it featured two Americans, Serena Williams and Ashley Harkleroad. Serena lost her opening service game but went on to win the next seven games, to lead, 6-2, 1-0. Serena was on full cruise control, playing aggressively and showing the crowd that she was ready for Roland Garros. With the darkness looming and with rain drizzling down, Serena's play dropped slightly but she managed to fight through and put down a fiesty Harkleroad, 6-2, 6-1.

Tomorrow's matches will feature some bright stars such as, Venus Williams, Jelena Jankovic, Amelie Mauresmo and Anna Chakvetadze.

Court Phillipe-Chatrier

(2)Ana Ivanovic d. Sofia Arvidsson - 6-2, 7-5

(19)Alize Cornet d. Julia Vakulenko - 7-5, 6-4

Court Suzanne Lenglen

Kara Zakopalova d. (24)Virginie Razzano - 4-6, 6-3, 6-2

(5)Serena Williams d. Ashley Harkleroad - 6-2, 6-1

Court 1

Iveta Benesova d. (15)Nicole Vaidasova - 7-6(2), 6-1

Mathilde Johansson d. Camille Pan - 6-4, 4-6, 6-2

Court 2

(30)Caroline Wozniacki d. Yvonne Meusburger - 6-0, 6-2

Nathalie Dechy d. Julie Ditty - 7-5, 7-6(3)

Top 10 Seeds:

1. Maria Sharapova - Round 1

2. Ana Ivanovic - Round 2

3. Jelena Jankovic - Round 1

4. Svetlana Kuznetsova - Round 1

5. Serena Williams - Round 2

6. Anna Chakvetadze - Round 1

7. Elena Dementieva - Round 1

8. Venus Williams - Round 1

9. Marion Bartoli - Round 1

10. Patty Schynder - Round 1

Radwanska Upsets in Istanbul, Garrigues Stakes Claim to Strasbourg!

May 24th, 2008

Istanbul, Turkey and Strasbourg, France

The WTA Tour made its last stops before the second Grand Slam of the year, Roland Garros in Paris which begins on Sunday, May 25th. The tour was in action in two Tier III stops at Istanbul and Strasbourg respectively. Either tournament weren't packed with big names as most of the tour is resting for the upcoming fortnight.

In Istanbul, Radwanska finally broke through to take the clay title. All of her previous clay tournaments this season, the Polish girl had lost in the Round of 16. So it seems she is making good progress at the right time to finally take her deep into Roland Garros. Her opponent in the finals was a former champion at the event, Elena Dementieva, who has reached the Roland Garros final before in 2004. It seemed as if Dementieva would prevail, as she was the favorite but things weren't going her way on this day. With some crafty play by the young Radwanska, and some errors by Dementieva, it was all over and quickly with Radwanska defeating Dementieva, 6-3, 6-2. This was Radwanska's 3rd Career WTA Tour title and she is perfect in finals having a 3-0 record. She is also the first Polish player in WTA Tour history to pass $1 Million in prize money.

In Strasbourg, the Final was a bit more tense and had more drama as Anabel Medina Garrigues was taking on Katarina Srebotnik. The first two sets went back and forth and were closely contested, with Srebotnik winning the first 6-4, and Garrigues coming back to take the second in a tiebreak, 7-6(4). The Final set was expected to be yet another tough and tight set, unfortunately it was not, Garrigues took the last set, 6-0 as she completely dominated to take the title. This is Garrigues' 8th WTA Tour career title and is favoring her to do possibly some damage at Roland Garros.

For the next two weeks, the WTA Tour will be in Paris for Roland Garros. All the big names will be present, and it is a wide open field now that Henin has retired. Who will win? Can Sharapova finally win all 4 slams? Will Serena finally get her second Roland Garros crown? Will the Serbians or other Russians step up to the plate and deliver? Maybe Venus Williams will pull out a surprise? It's sure to be a great two weeks, with day by day analysis of the matches.

Jankovic Defends At Rome!

May 18th, 2008

Rome, Italy

The WTA Tour stopped in Rome this week for the Internazionali BNL d'Italia, one of the tours top destinations for their Tier I title. The week began promising with big names Sharapova, both Williamses and both Serbians being in the draw. The Tour was however wrecked with news that the number 1 player in the world, Justine Henin was retiring from the sport.

Like the blockbuster announcement, the tournament was trying to live up to the hype of having such a great draw, unfortunately it soon began to dwindle down to a very big disappointment. Ana Ivanovic was first to head out in the 2nd Round to qualifier, Tsvetana Pironkova, 6-4, 5-7, 6-2. Everything seemed to be running smooth for both Williams sisters until the Quarter-Finals where Serena pulled out of the tournament because of a stiff back she received in practice and Venus lost a three set battle with Jankovic, 5-7, 6-2, 6-3. A Jankovic, Sharapova Semi-Final was supposed to happen but like Serena, Sharapova pulled out of the tournament before the match. It seems Rome was not a very friendly tournament to either the men or the women.

The final was between defending champion, Jelena Jankovic and Alize Cornet, an up and coming young French woman. It was Cornet's first Tier I final and it showed, she never found her form in the Finals and Jankovic took full advantage of the lack of experience of her opponent. Jankovic went on to win easily, 6-2, 6-2 and defend her title here in Rome. Jankovic now is one of the favorites for Roland Garros. Just for the way they have played this year, Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova are favorites as well. Ana Ivanovic and Svetlana Kuznetsova are always contenders, and a player like Venus Williams would be considered a darkhorse on the clay.

Next week the WTA Tour stops in two places, the last locations before Roland Garros. The tour stops in Istanbul and Strasbourg.

Safina Surprises as She Takes Berlin Crown!

May 11th, 2008

Berlin, Germany

This past week offered plenty of surprises at the Tier I, Qatar Telecom German Open in Berlin. At the start of the week, the tournament looked to be promising, with big names Justine Henin, Serena Williams, Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic were all present. However, in a surprise turn of events, none of those names were present during Sunday's final.

Justine Henin, the certified Queen of Clay was sent packing in a 3rd Round shock loss to Dinara Safina with a scoreline of 5-7, 6-3, 6-1. The following day, Safina followed up her win with another shocking victory, outing Serena Williams, 2-6, 6-1, 7-6(5) to snap Serena's 17 match win streak.

On the other side of the draw, Jankovic continued to falter during the clay season with a loss in the Quarter-Finals to Elena Dementieva who also went on to defeat defending champion, Ana Ivanovic in the Semi-Finals. This was to lead to a Safina vs. Dementieva final. It may not be what many would have hoped for, but it still was an exciting match nontheless.

Safina was looking to continue her good form and Dementieva wanted to add to her Dubai title that she won earlier in the year. Both considered good clay court players, fought tooth and nail for the victory. A Tier I victory in Berlin is always considered good as you head towards Roland Garros in 2 weeks. But it would be Safina who prevailed, sending Dementieva packing in a tough three set battle. The final score line was 3-6, 6-2, 6-2. For Safina it was her biggest tournament win of her career. It was also her sixth career victory.

The players next stop on the WTA Tour is in Rome, which will feature the returns of Maria Sharapova and Venus Williams. Ivanovic and Jankovic will be present as will Serena Williams. Justine Henin has withdrawn from the tournament.

Dulko Conquers Morocco, Zvonareva Continues Great Form with Prague Win!

May 4th, 2008

FÈS, Morocco and PRAGUE, Czech Republic

The WTA Tour made two stops this week, continuing on the clay court circuit which all leads up to Roland Garros on May 25th. This week the two tournments going on were in Morocco and the Czech Republic respectively.

In Morocco, which didn't feature the most start studded line up, but did include dangerous clay courters like Gisela Dulko and Anabel Medina Garrigues. So it really wasn't a surprise when it came to the Finals, to see both those names facing off against each other. Each player was looking to win here at the $145,000 Grand Prix de SAR La Princesse Lalla Meryem.

The Final was long and drawn out, much like a typical clay court match. The two traded shots over and over again with Dulko winning the first set in a tiebreak, 7-2. The second set continued the trend of the first set with both players not giving an inch and eventually it once again came down to a tiebreak. Dulko was however stronger on this day and captured the title with a 7-6(2), 7-6(5) win over Garrigues. This was Dulko's third WTA Tour title with her previous two coming at Budapest and Forest Hills last year. For Garrigues, she could take pride in knowing she was playing in her 11th career final and reaching the final. Both players can now look forward to the rest of the European Clay Court season.

However up in Prague, another tournament was being fought for on the same day. The ECM Prague Open featured some well known names in Vera Zvonereva, who had reached the Finals of the Family Circle Cup just 2 weeks ago, as well as others such as Victoria Azarenka and Michaella Krajicek.

Zvonareva and Azarenka however were the two meeting in the Finals this week and Zvonareva proved why she is playing some of her best tennis since 2004. The Russian was in her 4th Final of the year, more than any other player on tour. This time she was determined not to lose and she didn't. The end result was 7-6(2), 6-2 victory for Zvonareva. This must give the Russian confidence heading into the rest of the clay court season. First getting to the Finals at Charleston and now winning in Prague. This was Zvonareva's 6th career WTA Tour title. For Azarenka, it was her 4th career Final.

Next week the WTA Tour stops in Berlin for the Qatar German Open, which will feature headlining names, Justine Henin, Serena Williams, Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic. It should be an exciting week in Berlin.