WTA, ITF & Exhibition Jan 2-9 Brisbane International, Brisbane, AUS INTL $220,000 32m/32q/16d outdoor: hard Free Live Video | Live Scores - popup Radio | draws: WTA: Q - main - D - OOP pics: DL | Y!: sports - news | WTA Brisbane: weather radar - forecast #18 K Clijsters, #20 N Petrova #22 A Ivanovic, #NR wc J Henin ASB Classic, Auckland, NZL INTL $220,000 32m/32q/16d outdoor: hard Free Live Video | Live Scores - popup draws: WTA: Q - main - D - OOP pics: DL | Y!: sports - news | WTA - NZH TVNZ - Auckland: rainfall - forecast #12 F Pennetta, #15 Na Li #16 Y Wickmayer, #17 F Schiavone Hopman Cup, Perth, AUS Live Scores standings - results - teams-sched photos: DL | Y!: sports - news Perth: weather radar - forecast World Team Challenge, Hong Kong, CHN scores - draw | weather: radar - forecast

Brisbane/Gold Coast-Auckland: 2009 - 2008 - 2007 - 2006 - 2005 - 2004 previous other tourney pages next Brisbane: #18 Kim Clijsters 5' 8½" RH 2H-BH Auckland: #16 Y Wickmayer 5' 8½" RH 2H-BH Perth: #26 Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez Hong Kong: #14 Maria Sharapova & #9 Vera Zvonareva

On Saturday in Brisbane, Australia, in the final of the Brisbane International, the 2009 US Open champion, 26-year-old top-seeded #18 (and former #1) Kim Clijsters from Bree, Belgium, defeated her compatriot, the 2004 Australian Open champion, 27-year-old unseeded, unranked, former #1 Justine Henin (residence: Monte Carlo, Monaco), 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(6) (Kim is shown holding the glassware after the match).     Kim's prize is $37,000; Justine's is $19,000.     Kim returned from early retirement last August and won her second US Open; Justine was playing in her 5th match since returning from a year-and-a-half retirement this month.     Kim said: "The level was so high and we were both competing our best. It's a good match when you're both playing well— that's what it's all about. I feel pretty good. I don't have any serious injuries or anything, and now I have the luxury of a few days off to recover." WTA story     Justine said: "I'm physically exhausted, but I can't be disappointed. I am proud of what I did on the court today. I left the Tour for 18 months and I can still compete with one of the best players out there.     "It was a bit of drama from beginning to end but at the end [Kim] played the important points better than I did. I had a great time here. I have a lot of respect for Kim. She is a great player."     Justine, who strained her upper left leg earlier in the week and aggravated it in the final, has withdrawn from next week's Sydney tournament to allow her leg to heal before the Australian Open.     Justine said: "It was a bit sore in the last few days and really got worse today in the third set. I hope it’s not that serious and that I’m going to be able to recover soon, but it would be just a great, great mistake to go and play in Sydney... It’s no excuse, it’s not the reason why I [lost to Kim today]." AP story

    Justine still leads Kim 12-11 in career matches. If it seems as if Justine has a bigger margin than that over Kim, it is because Justine leads Kim 7-4 in finals; her wins over Kim include the 2003 French Open and US Open finals, and the 2004 Australian Open final. Justine had also won their prior three meetings, though they had not played since 2006, when Justine defeated Kim in the semifinals at Wimbledon, 6-4, 7-6(4).

    2005 & 2009 US Open champ Kim, who retired in May, 2007, and returned to play only last August, is now 36-16 in WTA singles finals; she also reached the final at the US Open in 2003 and at Roland Garros in 2003 and 2001. Kim has a 18-3 match record since she returned to WTA play last year. Kim Clijsters Wallpaper

    7-time Grand Slam tourney champ Justine is now 41-17 in WTA singles finals. Prior to her 2008 retirement, Justine spent 117 weeks as #1 in the WTA. She won her first WTA singles title in Antwerp in 1999, and her most recent in Antwerp in 2008, and won the 2003, '05, '06, & '07 French Opens, the 2003 & '07 US Opens, and the 2004 Australian Open. She now has a 497-108 career record in singles matches. Justine Henin Wallpaper

    Meanwhile in Auckland, New Zealand, in the final of the ASB Classic, 20-year-old 3rd-seeded #16 Yanina Wickmayer from Deurne, Belgium, defeated 27-year-old top-seeded #12 Flavia Pennetta of Italy (residence: Verbier, Switzerland), 6-3, 6-2 (Yanina is shown hoisting the hardware after the match).

    Yanina's prize is $37,000; Flavia's is $19,000.

    Yanina said: "Flavia made me play my best tennis. I knew the ball would just keep coming back, so I was really aggressive. I knew I would either play amazing or make a lot of mistakes, but I felt really good and even when I made mistakes, I knew as the match went further I wouldn't make them anymore." WTA story

    Flavia said: "[Yanina] was too good today. She played unbelievable. I didn't think I played that badly. Of course I would have liked to win but it was a good week for me. Hopefully next time I can do something different."

    Yanina and Flavia had met only once before, on an indoor hardcourt in the semifinals last year in Linz, when Yanina won, 7-6(5) 6-3.

    Yanina is now 3-2 in WTA singles finals; she reached her first final in 2008 at Birmingham, and won the Estoril and Linz titles last year. Yanina had a 55-23 singles match record last season.

    2009 Los Angeles and Palermo champion Flavia is now 8-10 in WTA singles finals. Flavia had a 57-24 singles match record in 2009.

    Meanwhile in Perth, Australia, in the final of the Hopman Cup, 15-year-old #403 Laura Robson from London, England, put out her best effort of the tourney, defeating 27-year-old #26 Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez from Barcelona, Spain, in the women's singles, 6-1, 7-6(2). But Spain's Tommy Robredo defeated Britain's Andy Murray in the men's singles, 1-6, 6-4, 6-3, and Maria Jose and Robredo also won the mixed doubles over Laura and Murray, 7-6(6), 7-5, giving Spain a 2-1 victory over Britain. (Maria Jose is shown holding the hardware after the final).

    And meanwhile, in Hong Kong, China, in the final of the World Team Challenge exhibition tourney, 22-year-old #14 (and former #1) Maria Sharapova of Team Russia (residences: Manhattan Beach, California & Bradenton, Florida), defeated 19-year-old #4 Caroline Wozniacki of Team Europe (residence: Monte Carlo, Monaco), in women's singles, 7-5, 6-3. Although Caroline and Team Europe's Stefan Edberg defeated Team Russia's Vera Zvonareva and Yevgeny Kafelnikov in mixed doubles 6-4, 6-3, Kalefnikov defeated Edberg at singles 7-5, 6-4, giving Team Russia the win over Team Europe, 2-1 (Maria and Vera are shown holding the glassware after the final).

SCOREBOARD: WTA Brisbane & Auckland; ITF Perth, Exhibition Hong Kong s=seed, #=rank, *=upset, LL=lucky loser ranks are for the previous week How do players get into the "draw"? Brisbane International, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia   tourney time:        = GMT +10 hours        = US EDT +15 hours        = US PDT +18 hours Australia News Weather Forecast | Weather Maps | Weather Radar     Brisbane: The main draw for Brisbane has 8 seeds, with no 1st-round byes.     There are 4 qualifiers in the main draw.     Qualifying (3 rounds) begins on Friday, qualifying finals are on Sunday.   click for broader view   Site of Queensland State Tennis Centre, Softstone St, Tennyson, Australia   directions Latitude: -27.525237 Longitude: 153.007396 goto link for World Wind     The Brisbane International was formerly known as the Australian Women's Hardcourts, and was held at nearby Gold Coast. In 2009 the tourney was moved to the newly-constructed Queensland State Tennis Centre at Tennyson, a Brisbane suburb. The $AUD 82 million Tennyson facility has 23 courts, including four clay, two natural grass and 17 hardcourts. Centre court, named Rafter Arena after Aussie Patrick Rafter, a 2-time US Open champ, seats 5,500.     Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory do not observe daylight savings time (other Aussie provinces do; as in Britain, it is called Summer Time rather than daylight savings). Thus the time in Brisbane during the summer months is 1 hour earlier than the time in Sydney and Melbourne. 2010: On Dec 24, 2009, 2008 Australian Open finalist Ana Ivanovic made friends at Underwater World on the Sunshine Coast... as tourney time approached, Kim Cljsters, Nadia Petrova, and Justine Henin played Meet the Press in Brisbane, and Croatian-born Aussie (and 2009 Australian Open quarterfinalist) Jelena Dokic played Meet the Wombat at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary... 2010: Players being pretty on New Year's Eve at the Rydges Hotel in Brisbane included Ekaterina Ivanova, Isabella Holland & Jarmila Groth, and Agnes Szavay & Timea Bacsinszky...

Brisbane, 1st Round, Sun 10am, Mon 10:30am loser's prize: $1,725 US; points: 1 #18 s1 Kim Clijsters BEL d #59 Tathiana Garbin ITA 6-2, 6-1 Sun Kim driving a forehand, and Tathiana and Kim launching backhands *#NR wc Justine Henin BEL d #20 s2 Nadia Petrova RUS 7-5, 7-5 Mon Justine twisting a serve, Nadia and Justine driving backhands, and Justine after match point     It was Justine's first WTA match since she retired (due to a loss of interest in making the sustained effort required) on May 14, 2008. Prior to that date she had spent 117 weeks as #1 in the WTA, and won 41 WTA singles titles, starting with Antwerp in 1999 and ending with Antwerp in 2008, including the 2003, '05, '06, & '07 French Opens, the 2003 & '07 US Opens, and the 2004 Australian Open. She now has a 494-107 record in singles matches.     Justine said: "I feel better today than when I retired, that's for sure. Better emotionally, mentally, better with myself and that makes a big difference... I've been waiting for this moment for so long. At the beginning, everything seemed very big: the stadium, all the people. I'm not used to it anymore...     "I was able to play my best when the score was tight at the end of both sets. I really enjoyed being out there — that's what I'm going to remember today... I worked very hard and changed a few things in my game. If I want to stay on tour for a few more years I have no choice [but] to be more aggressive." AP story     Nadia said: "[Justine is] hungry to win Wimbledon. The changes she’s done in her game is actually leading toward that." AP story #21 s3 Ana Ivanovic SRB d #56 Jelena Dokic AUS 7-5, 1-6, 6-3 Mon Ana firing a cannonball serve, Jelena following a forehand, Ana reaching for one, and after match point     Ana arrived in Australia before Christmas. Ana said: "Obviously there were nerves in the beginning, but I did a really good preparation and that gave me a lot of confidence." #24 s4 Daniela Hantuchova SVK d #141 q Ekaterina Ivanova RUS 6-1, 6(5)-7, 6-1 Mon Daniela driving a backhand *#40 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova RUS d #29 s5 Alisa Kleybanova RUS 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 ppd-Mon #34 s6 Aleksandra Wozniak CAN d #106 q Galina Voskoboeva KAZ 6-2, 6-2 Mon Aleksandra's backhand drive #37 s7 Melinda Czink HUN d #64 Lucie Hradecka CZE 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 Sun *#55 Andrea Petkovic GER d #38 s8 Iveta Benesova CZE 6(6)-7, 6-2, 6-1 Sun #39 Agnes Szavay HUN d #46 Shuai Peng CHN 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 Mon #41 Lucie Safarova CZE d #65 Anna-Lena Groenefeld GER 6(5)-7, 6-4, 6-1 ppd-Mon *#63 Roberta Vinci ITA d #47 Sara Errani ITA 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 Mon *#66 Barbora Zahlavova Strycova CZE d #50 Olga Govortsova BLR 6-4, 6-1 Sun #53 Timea Bacsinzsky SUI d #89 q Alla Kudryavtseva RUS 6-4, 7-6(3) Mon *#80 Vania King USA d #54 Sybille Bammer AUT 6-4, 6-1 Sun *#198 wc Alicia Molik AUS d #60 Ekaterina Makarova RUS 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 Sun Ekaterina watching her serve fly Aliciaward, Alicia reaching for a forehand, and after match point #132 q Sesil Karatantcheva KAZ d #1002 wc Casey Dellacqua AUS 6-2, 0-6, 7-6(1) Mon

Brisbane, 2nd Round, Tue-Wed 10:30am loser's prize: $2,950 US; points: 30 #18 s1 Kim Clijsters BEL d #198 wc Alicia Molik AUS 6-0, 6-3 Tue Kim serving, and Alicia and Kim driving backhands     Kim said: "We've known each other for a lot of years, and even though we haven't played a match for a long time, the feeling is still there. I was able to read her serve well today. I also tried to use all the angles to make her move." WTA story     About the possibility of meeting her compatriot and fellow former No. 1 Justine Henin in the final, Kim said: "[Justine] was moving really well [in her 1st round win over Nadia Petrova]. Didn't look like she'd left. Of course, it will be a good challenge, but there's a lot of other girls I look forward to playing as well." AP story #21 s3 Ana Ivanovic SRB d #53 Timea Bacsinzsky SUI 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 Tue Ana and Timea driving forehand and backhand, Ana following another forehand, and after winning the 1st set #40 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova RUS v #63 Roberta Vinci ITA 1-6, 6-4, 6-1 Wed *#41 Lucie Safarova CZE d #34 s6 Aleksandra Wozniak CAN 6-3, 6-1 Wed Aleksandra and Lucie driving forehands #37 s7 Melinda Czink HUN d #66 Barbora Zahlavova Strycova CZE 6-3, 2-6, 6-1 Tue #55 Andrea Petkovic GER d #80 Vania King USA 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 Tue Andrea's forehand drive *#NR wc Justine Henin BEL d #132 q Sesil Karatantcheva KAZ 6-4, 6-3 Wed Justine following a slice serve, Sesil driving a backhand, Justine driving a forehand, and after match point     Justine said: "It took me a few games to get into the match. It's a night session today, a different situation. It's about rhythm. In my first match, [on Monday, Nadia] Petrova pushed me very hard. Sesil stays far from her baseline and lets me play. I wasn't aggressive enough. But it was a two set match and I'm still happy." WTA story     "I'm reasonable and I know that it's not only after one match that I'm going to find my rhythm, and that I'm going to feel very comfortable on the court." AP story

Brisbane, QFs, Thu 10:30am AP story - WTA story loser's prize: $5,340 US; points: 70 #18 s1 Kim Clijsters BEL d #41 Lucie Safarova CZE 6-1, 0-6, 6-4 Kim following her serve, Lucie and Kim driving backhand and forehand, and Lucie congratulating Kim after match point     Kim said: "[Lucie] really raised her game in the second set and hit all the lines. It seemed like I couldn't get in the rallies before she hit a winner, but I should have started to step into the ball earlier than I did.     "Before the third set I told myself to forget it and try for every point. I started to serve better, but it was just a few points that made the difference."     In the Brisbane semifinals on Friday, Kim will play 22-year-old unseeded #55 Andrea Petkovic from Darmstadt, Germany. It will be 2009 Bad Gastein champ Andrea's third WTA singles semifinal; she and Kim have never before met on the field of combat. #21 s3 Ana Ivanovic SRB d #40 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova RUS 6-2, 7-6(8) Ana and Anastasia driving forehands, Ana's backhand drive, and Ana after winning a point *#55 Andrea Petkovic GER d #24 s4 Daniela Hantuchova SVK 6-4, 6-2 Daniela and Andrea driving backhands, and Andrea after match point *#NR wc Justine Henin BEL d #37 s7 Melinda Czink HUN 6-2, 3-6, 7-6(5) Justine and Melinda driving forehands, Justine driving a backhand, and after winning a point     The match lasted 2 hours and 21 minutes. Justine said: "This was something I needed—a tough match, a good fight. It was a different rhythm. [Melinda] played very well, it was a high level of tennis today. There were lots of ups and downs for me but when it got to the third set I realized I had to fight very hard to win...     "It's great, to play a fourth match in a row now. It's more than what I could expect coming here. I needed matches—I got them."     In the Brisbane semifinals on Friday, Justine will face another former #1, the 2008 Australian Open finalist (and French Open champion), 22-year-old 3rd-seeded #22 Ana Ivanovic of Serbia (residence: Basel, Switzerland). Justine leads Ana 4-0 in career matches; they last met in the Sydney semifinals in 2008, when Justine won, 6-2 2-6 6-4.

Brisbane, SFs, Fri 11am WTA story loser's prize: $10,200 US; points: 130 #18 s1 Kim Clijsters BEL d #55 Andrea Petkovic GER 6-4, 6-2 Kim driving a forehand, and Andrea and Kim driving backhands     About facing her compatriot Justine Henin in the final, Kim said: "It's fun and exciting. It's good to get a feel of playing big players at the beginning of the year. It's a good start for both of us and good experience before Melbourne... There's a great fighting spirit in [Justine]. She doesn't give up. In the past we pushed each other to be better players. I hope we both play good tennis tomorrow." *#NR wc Justine Henin BEL d #21 s3 Ana Ivanovic SRB 6-3, 6-2 Justine reaching for a forehand, Ana's backhand volley, Justine driving a backhand, and after match point     Justine said: "Ana hits the ball very hard and pushed me at the beginning of the match, but I waited for my opportunities and played consistently today. I felt much better on court than I did yesterday. I slept well and had a good recovery."     About the final versus Kim Clijsters, Justine said: "I'll just be there and enjoy the match. It's my first tournament after coming back and I'm in the final, so it's the perfect situation."

Brisbane, Final, Sat 7pm loser's prize: $19,000 US; points: 200 winner's prize: $37,000 US; points: 280 #18 s1 Kim Clijsters BEL d #NR wc Justine Henin BEL 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(6) Kim serving, Justine and Kim driving forehands, and Kim after match point

Brisbane, Doubles Final, Sat loser's prize: $5,750 US winner's prize: $11,000 US Andrea Hlavackova & Lucie Hradecka d Melinda Czink & Arantxa Parra Santonja 2-6, 7-6(3), (10-4) Andrea & Lucie Brisbane, Qual Finals, Sun Jan 3, 10am losers' prizes: q1 $265 1pt; q2 $460 6pts; q3 $860 10pts; qualifier 16 points #89 Alla Kudryavtseva RUS d #165 Madison Brengle USA 6-4, 6-4 *#132 Sesil Karatantcheva KAZ d #99 Evgenia Rodina RUS 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(4) #106 Galina Voskoboeva KAZ d #159 Heidi El Tabakh CAN 4-6, 2-0 retired—left ankle sprain Heidi, with crutches, watching Kim Clijsters play on Tuesday, Jan 5 *#141 Ekaterina Ivanova RUS d #124 Kathrin Woerle GER 6-1, 6-1 Brisbane, Withdrawals #2 Dinara Safina RUS low back injury

ASB Classic, Auckland, New Zealand   tourney time:        = GMT +13 hours        = US EDT +18 hours        = US PDT +21 hours New Zealand News Weather Forecast | Weather Maps | Weather Radar     Auckland: The main draw for Auckland has 8 seeds, with no 1st-round byes.     There are 4 qualifiers in the main draw.     Qualifying (3 rounds) begins on Saturday; qualifying finals are on Monday.   click for broader view   ASB Tennis Centre, Auckland Latitude: -36.853767 Longitude: 174.773394 goto link for World Wind another map - directions     The ASB Tennis Centre has 7 outdoor Rebound Ace courts (which may be converted to Plexicushion), 2 indoor Astrograss courts, and 3 indoor hard courts, all lit. 2010: Kimiko Date Krumm practiced in Auckland prior to the ASB Classic... Players at the main draw ceremony on Saturday, Jan 2, included Yanina Wickmayer, Na Li, and top-seed Flavia Pennetta... Flavia was also captured close-up on Saturday, as were Aravane Rezai and Anabel Medina Garrigues... 2010: Francesca Schiavone and Virginie Razzano (sporting a fine new crop of long hair this year) posed for pics outside the War Memorial Museum in Auckland...

Auckland, 1st Round, Mon-Tue 11am Mon AP story loser's prize: $1,725 US; points: 1 #12 s1 Flavia Pennetta ITA d #76 Jill Craybas USA 6-2, 6-4 Mon Flavia meeting a racehorse in Auckland on New Year's Day, and lining up a forehand on Monday     Flavia said: "I'm really happy because always the first match is tough. I was nervous because it's the first match of the year and everyone expects so much of me." *#58 Kaia Kanepi EST d #15 s2 Na Li 6-1, 6-3 Tue Na and Kaia driving backhands #16 s3 wc Yanina Wickmayer BEL d #77 Julia Goerges GER 6-3, 7-5 Mon Yanina and Julia following backhands     Yanina was banned for one year last November for failing three times to file daily reports of her whereabouts to drug testers, breaking a standard World Anti-Doping Agency regulation for all athletes. A Belgian civil court lifted the ban December 16, pending appeal against the suspension, and the ITF cleared her to play.     Yanina said: "It was a tough first match. It's been a tough time for me, so it was really nice for me to be on court again and compete." #17 s4 Francesca Schiavone ITA d #122 q Stephanie Cohen-Aloro FRA 6-2, 6-3 Tue #19 s5 Virginie Razzano FRA d #103 q Monica Niculescu ROU 7-5, 6-4 Tue #23 s6 Elena Vesnina RUS d #73 Alberta Brianti ITA 6-1, 6-4 Tue #26 s7 Aravane Rezai FRA d #74 Julie Coin FRA 6-4, 6-3 Mon *#44 Magdalena Rybarikova SVK d #27 s8 A Medina Garrigues ESP 6-2, 6-3 Mon Magda showing slice as she lines up a backhand #28 Dominika Cibulkova SVK d #52 Alexandra Dulgheru ROU 6-0, 6-3 Mon #30 Shahar Peer ISR d #68 Polona Hercog SLO 7-5, 6-3 Tue Polona following a backhand, and Shahar's service toss #33 Carla Suarez Navarro ESP d #104 q Edina Gallovits ROU 6-4, 7-5 Tue #49 Alizé Cornet FRA d #227 wc Marina Erakovic NZL 6-4, 6-3 Tue Alizé and Marina following forehand and backhand, and Alizé delivering a smash with a twist     Marina had been sidelined for 11 months by a hip injury, but has now fully recovered. Marina said: "I wish I could say my preparation wasn''t good, but it was good. I wish I could say I had a long injury, but it's behind me now." WTA story #57 Sania Mirza IND d #75 Stephanie Voegele SUI 5-7, 6-1, 7-5 Tue #62 Maria Kirilenko RUS d #71 Tatjana Malek GER 6-2, 6-3 Tue *#69 wc Kimiko Date Krumm JPN d #67 Anna Chakvetadze RUS 6-1, 6-2 Mon #72 Iona Raluca Olaru ROU d #84 q Elena Baltacha GBR 6-2, 6-2 Tue

Auckland, 2nd Round, Wed 11am WTA story - AP story loser's prize: $2,950 US; points: 30 #12 s1 Flavia Pennetta ITA d #33 Carla Suarez Navarro ESP 6-2, 6-2 Flavia's backhand drive     Flavia said: "I'm really happy. This match was very tough because I have lost against [Carla] a few times before. Also we are friends and it is not easy to play against one of your best friends on the tour." #16 s3 wc Yanina Wickmayer BEL d #72 Iona Raluca Olaru ROU 6-2, 6-2 Yanina following a backhand, and Iona Raluca's service toss #17 s4 Francesca Schiavone ITA d #57 Sania Mirza IND 6-0, 6-3     Francesca said: "In the first set I played really well. I was really impressive, I served really well and there was no chance for [Sania]." *#69 wc Kimiko Date Krumm JPN d #19 s5 Virginie Razzano FRA 3-6, 6-3, 6-2     It was 39-year-old Kimiko's first win over a top-20 player since she returned from retirement in 2008.     Kimiko said: "When I came back, I didn't have confidence to play against speedy or powerful shots. I needed more practice with Top 100 players. If I keep playing more on the Tour, my eyes and body will get used to it." *#49 Alizé Cornet FRA d #23 s6 Elena Vesnina RUS 6-1, 6-1 *#28 Dominika Cibulkova SVK d #26 s7 Aravane Rezai FRA 6-3, 6-4 Dominika launching a forehand on the run #30 Shahar Peer ISR d #44 Magdalena Rybarikova SVK 6-1, 6-0     A small group protesting Israel's treatment of Palestinians started a noisy demonstration outside the stadium during the match, banging drums and chanting.     Shahar said: "It did encourage me... it made me play better to prove I can also play with the noise... I also want peace in the world but I don't think this is the place for this protest." *#62 Maria Kirilenko RUS d #58 Kaia Kanepi EST 6-2, 6-3 Maria following a backhand

Auckland, QFs, Thu 11am AP story loser's prize: $5,340 US; points: 70 #12 s1 Flavia Pennetta ITA d #28 Dominika Cibulkova SVK 6-1, 6-2 Dominika and Flavia driving forehands, and Dominika congratulating Flavia after match point     Flavia said: "Today was an unbelievable match. I played incredible. When I play like this it's nice to be out there on the court and play tennis." #16 s3 wc Yanina Wickmayer BEL d #69 wc Kimiko Date Krumm JPN 6-2, 6-2 Kimiko following a forehand, Yanina driving a backhand, and after match point     Yanina said: "My serve was something I really needed to improve, and I've done a lot of work on it, which showed today." #17 s4 Francesca Schiavone ITA d #49 Alizé Cornet FRA 6-2, 6-3 #30 Shahar Peer ISR d #62 Maria Kirilenko RUS 6-0. 3-6, 6-1 Shahar driving a forehand, and Maria following one

Auckland, SFs, Fri noon loser's prize: $10,200 US; points: 130 #12 s1 Flavia Pennetta ITA d #17 s4 Francesca Schiavone ITA 6-3, 6-0 Francesca launching a backhand, Flavia following a forehand, and after match point #16 s3 wc Yanina Wickmayer BEL d #30 Shahar Peer ISR 6-4, 7-5 Shahar and Yanina following forehand and backhand

Auckland, Final, Sat 1pm loser's prize: $19,000 US; points: 200 winner's prize: $37,000 US; points: 280 *#16 s3 wc Yanina Wickmayer BEL d #12 s1 Flavia Pennetta ITA 6-3, 6-2 Yanina and Flavia following forehand and backhand, Yanina driving a backhand, and after match point

Auckland, Doubles Final, Sat loser's prize: $5,750 US winner's prize: $11,000 US cdr2 s1 Cara Black & Liezel Huber d Laura Granville & Natalie Grandin 7-6(4), 6-2 Cara & Liezel Auckland, Qual Finals, Mon Jan 4 11am losers' prizes: q1 $265 1pt; q2 $460 6pts; q3 $860 10pts; qualifier 16 points #84 Elena Baltacha GBR d #105 Stephanie Dubois CAN 6-3, 6-1 #103 Monica Niculescu ROU d #178 Rebecca Marino CAN 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 #104 Edina Gallovits ROU d #131 Julia Schruff GER 6-3, 5-7, 6-2 #122 Stephanie Cohen-Aloro FRA d #127 Chanelle Scheepers RSA 6-1, 2-6, 6-4 Auckland, Withdrawals #62 Petra Kvitova CZE #160 wc Sacha Jones NZL abdominal injury while training

ITF Hopman Cup, Perth, Western Australia   tourney time:        = GMT +8 hours        = US EDT +13 hours        = US PDT +16 hours Australia News Weather Forecast | Weather Maps | Weather Radar     Perth: The Hopman Cup is not a WTA-sanctioned event, but an ITF event featuring WTA & ATP pairs from 8 nations competing as teams.     As you might expect, each international "tie" consists of 3 "rubbers," 2 singles and 1 doubles.   click for broader view   Burswood Dome, Perth Latitude: -31.960164 Longitude: 115.896567 goto link for World Wind another map (dome is SE of golf course)     The eight competing teams are divided into two groups, A and B, which play round robin preliminaries. The two group winners play in the final. Beginning in 2007, one of the eight places has been reserved for the nation winning the Asian Hopman Cup, which was held for the first time in Hyderabad, India, in November 2006. Kazakhstan defeated Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) in the Asian Hopman Cup final in November 2009. 2010 Hopman Cup Teams Group A "Ties" W-L Matches W-L s4 Spain #26 Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez T Robredo 3-0 9-0 s7 USA #48 Melanie Oudin J Isner 1-2 4-5 s1 Australia #13 Samantha Stosur L Hewitt 1-2 3-6 s6 Romania #45 Sorana Cirstea V Hanescu 1-2 2-7 Group B s3 Great Britain #403 Laura Robson A Murray 3-0 6-3 s8 Kazakhstan #51 Yaroslava Shvedova A Golubev 2-1 5-3 s2 Russia #5 Elena Dementieva I Andreev 1-2 4-5 s5 Germany #22 Sabine Lisicki P Kohlschreiber 0-3 2-6 Perth, Hopman Cup, Saturday, Jan 2, 10am Romania d Australia 2-1 *#45 Sorana Cirstea ROU d #13 Samantha Stosur AUS 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 Hewitt AUS d Hanescu ROU 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(2)   Cirstea & Hanescu d Stosur & Hewitt 7-5, 6-1 Sorana and Samantha driving forehand and backhand Perth, Hopman Cup, Sunday, Jan 3, 10am Spain d USA 3-0 #26 Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez ESP d #48 Melanie Oudin USA 6-4, 6-4 Robredo d Isner 6-7, 6-3, 7-6(4)   Martinez Sanchez/Robredo d Oudin/Isner 6-4, 7-5 Melanie and Maria Jose driving forehand and backhand Perth, Hopman Cup, Monday, Jan 4, 10am & 5:30pm Russia d Germany 2-1 *#22 Sabine Lisicki GER d #5 Elena Dementieva RUS 6-4, 6-1 Andreev d Kohlschreiber 6-3, 6-7, 6-3   Dementieva/Andreev d Lisicki/Kohlschreiber 6-4, 7-6(7) Elena preparing to serve, Sabine driving a backhand, and after match point Great Britain d Kazakhstan 2-1 #51 Yaroslava Shvedova KAZ d #403 Laura Robson GBR 4-6, 6-3, 6-0 Murray d Golubev 6-2, 6-2   Robson/Murray d Shvedova/Golubev 6-3, 5-7, (12-10) Yaroslava about to swat a forehand, and Laura driving one Perth, Hopman Cup, Tuesday, Jan 5, 10am & 5:30pm Australia d USA 2-1 #13 Samantha Stosur AUS d #48 Melanie Oudin USA 6-2, 6-4 Hewitt d John Isner 6-1, 7-5   Oudin/Isner d Stosur/Hewitt 2-6, 6-1, (10-5) Samantha serving, Melanie about to connect with a backhand, and Sam after match point Spain d Romania 3-0 #26 Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez ESP d #45 Sorana Cirstea ROU 6-4, 6-3 Robredo d Hanescu 6-3, retired   Martinez Sanchez/Robredo d Cirstea/Hanescu walkover Sorana driving a forehand, and Maria Jose spinning one Perth, Hopman Cup, Wednesday, Jan 6, 10am & 5:30pm Great Britain d Germany 2-1 #22 Sabine Lisicki GER d #403 Laura Robson GBR 7-6(5), 6-3 Murray d Kohlschreiber 6-4, 6-1   Robson/Murray d Lisicki/Kohlschreiber 6-3, 6-2 Laura lining up a forehand, and Sabine's backhand drive Robson & Murray postmatch audio Kazakhstan d Russia 2-1 #5 Elena Dementieva RUS d #51 Yaroslava Shvedova KAZ 6-3, 6-1 Golubev d Andreev 6-4, 6-3   Shvedova/Golubev d Dementieva/Andreev 7-6(3), 6-4 Yaroslava and Elena driving backhands Spain d Australia 3-0 *#26 Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez ESP d #13 Samantha Stosur AUS 6-4, 6-1 Robredo d Hewitt 6-2, 6-4   Martinez Sanchez/Robredo d Stosur/Hewitt 6-3, 3-6, (10-7) Samantha and Maria Jose driving forehands, and Maria Jose after match point     Samantha said: "I didn't get to where I wanted to during the match, but [Maria Jose] put the pressure on me throughout the whole match, so I couldn't do too much." AP story USA d Romania 3-0 *#48 Melanie Oudin USA d #45 Sorana Cirstea ROU 6-2, 6-3 Isner d Hanescu walkover d Oudin/Isner d Cirstea/Hanescu walkover Perth, Hopman Cup, Friday, Jan 8, 10am Great Britain d Russia 2-1 #5 Elena Dementieva RUS d #403 Laura Robson GBR 6-4, 6-0 Murray d Andreev 6-1, 6-0   Robson/Murray d Dementieva/Andreev 6-4, 6(6)-7, (10-6) Laura volleying a backhand during the mixed doubles Kazakhstan d Germany 2-0 *#51 Yaroslava Shvedova KAZ d #22 Sabine Lisicki GER 6-4, 7-6(3) Golubev d Kohlschreiber 6-2, 6-1   XD not played Perth, Hopman Cup Final, Saturday, Jan 9, 9:30am Spain d Great Britain 2-1 *#403 Laura Robson GBR d #26 Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez ESP 6-1, 7-6(2) Robredo d Murray 1-6, 6-4, 6-3   Martinez Sanchez/Robredo d Robson/Murray 7-6(6), 7-5 Laura after defeating Maria Jose, and Maria Jose with Tommy Robredo after the Spaniards defeated the Britons

World Team Challenge Exhibition, Hong Kong, China   tourney time:        = GMT +8 hours        = US EDT +13 hours        = US PDT +16 hours Hong Kong News - China News Weather Forecast | Weather Maps | Weather Radar     Hong Kong: The World Team Challenge, formerly the JB Group Classic and before that the Watson's Water Challenge, is not a WTA-sanctioned event. It is the largest exhibition event of the year, but no ranking points are awarded.   click for broader view   Victoria Park, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, China Latitude: 22.283001 Longitude: 114.189920 goto link for World Wind another street map     Formerly an 8-player exhibition mini-tourney, the Hong Kong format was changed for 2009. Instead of playing as individuals, four regional teams now compete: Europe, Russia, the Americas, and Asia-Pacific. For 2010 the format was changed again, to include one ATP "legend" player along with two current WTA players. 2010: On Saturday, January 2, before proceeding to Hong Kong, Maria Sharapova and Venus Williams played an exhibition match in Hua Hin, Thailand, which Maria won, 6-4, 6-3... 2010: On Monday, January 4, Caroline Wozniacki, Maria Sharapova and Venus Williams posed for the press in Hong Kong... 2010: Ayumi Morita and Vera Zvonareva were also welcomed on Monday... on Tuesday, Gisela Dulko met the media, along with Victoria Azarenka and Venus (all three were given sheafs of Hong Kong dollars to keep them amused) row 2: and China's own Jie Zheng... players on the practice courts on Tuesday included Caroline, Vika, & Jie... 2010 World Team Challenge Teams: Europe: #4 Caroline Wozniacki DEN, #7 Victoria Azarenka BLR, Stefan Edberg SWE Russia: #9 Vera Zvonareva, #14 Maria Sharapova, Yevgeny Kafelnikov The Americas: #6 Venus Williams USA, #36 Gisela Dulko ARG, Michael Chang USA Asia-Pacific: #35 Jie Zheng CHN, #83 Ayumi Morita JPN, Paradorn Srichaphan THA

Hong Kong, SFs, Wed Jan 6 6:30pm Russia d Asia Pacific 3-1 #9 Vera Zvonareva RUS d #83 Ayumi Morita JPN 6-2, 6-2 Ayumi about to slice a backhand, and Vera about to swat a forehand drive #14 Maria Sharapova RUS d #35 Jie Zheng CHN 6(5)-7, 6-4, 6-2 Maria watching her serve fly, Jie reaching for a backhand, and Maria following one Srichaphan d Kafelnikov 2-6, 6-1, (10-4)   Sharapova & Kafelnikov d Morita & Srichaphan 6-4, 7-5 Hong Kong, SFs, Thu 6:30pm single set matches due to rain delay Europe d Americas 3-1 #7 Victoria Azarenka BLR d #36 Gisela Dulko ARG 6-1 Gisela serving to Victoria, and Vika driving a backhand *#6 Venus Williams USA d #4 Caroline Wozniacki DEN 6-4 Caroline serving to Venus, and Venus launching a forehand on the run Edberg d Chang 6-4   Wozniacki & Edberg d Williams & Chang 7-5

Hong Kong, "Silver" Consolation Finals, Fri 4:30pm & Sat 11am Americas d Asia Pacific 2-2 *#83 Ayumi Morita JPN d #36 Gisela Dulko ARG 7-5, 3-6, (10-4) Fri Ayumi driving her 2-handed forehand, and Gisela following her conventional forehand drive #6 Venus Williams USA d #35 Jie Zheng CHN 6-3, 6-2 Fri Venus and Jie driving backhands Srichaphan d Chang 6-4, 2-6, (10-6) Fri   Williams & Chang d Zheng & Srichaphan 4-6, 6-3, (11-9) Sat "Silver" consolation champs Venus & Gisela Hong Kong, "Gold" Finals, Fri Fri 4:30pm & Sat 11am Russia d Europe 2-1 #7 Victoria Azarenka BLR v #9 Vera Zvonareva RUS cancelled, Zvonareva right ankle injury     Vera said: "I had surgery at the end of last year and I had a problem after I played Ayumi and I tweaked it a little bit and it is just too sore to compete tonight. I am enjoying my time in Hong Kong, but unfortunately it is not possible to play. But hopefully I can rest it another 24 hours and we will see how it goes and I hope I make it to the court for my mixed doubles tomorrow...     "I am hopeful that I can be 100% recovered for the Australian Open. It is hard to say at the moment, but I am trying to take it as easy as possible so I can compete in the Australian Open." Press Association Sport story *#14 Maria Sharapova RUS d #4 Caroline Wozniacki DEN 7-5, 6-3 Sat Maria serving, Caroline driving a backhand, Maria driving a forehand, and after match point Kafelnikov d Edberg 7-5, 6-4 Sat   Wozniacki & Edberg d Zvonareva & Kafelnikov 6-4, 6-3 Sat

    (Sept 22, 2009 revised) 27-year-old former WTA #1 Justine Henin announced on Tuesday that she will return to the WTA Tour in January. Justine made the announcement on Belgian television; prominent Belgian newspapers had earlier declared that Justine was ready to reveal her intention to return.
    Three months notice are required for players returning from retirement, to meet anti-doping rules, so Justine's return to WTA play will be in Australia next January. Justine will play exhbitions in Charleroi, Belgium, and in Dubai, to prepare for next year. Justine has accepted wild card entries for January's Brisbane International, Sydney International, and Australian Open; after that she will have earned ranking points in 3 tourneys (required minimum for an "entry ranking"). She intends to continue playing at least through the London Olympics in 2012, when she will be 30 years old.
    On her official website, Justine said: "After 15 months of absence, I am pleased to announce to you that I’ve decided to begin my second tennis career. I don’t want to describe it as a comeback. It’s a new life that opens for me."
    Justine retired on May 14, 2008. She had won 41 WTA singles titles, starting with Antwerp in 1999 and ending with Antwerp in 2008, including the 2003, '05, '06, & '07 French Open, the 2003 & '07 US Open, and the 2004 Australian Open. She had a 493-107 record in singles matches. AP story - AP story 2

See also: QuickShop: Sporting Goods - Martina Hingis - Anna Kournikova

Current WTA Results & Tennis News (tennis home page) - 2010 WTA Schedule with links & photos

Link to many postmatch interview & match highlight videos of WTA players at the 2009 WTA Player Videos page.

WTA PhotoRankings: the current top 20 Women's Tennis rankings with player photos, links, and bio info.