Williams wins China Open

Serena Williams beat Jelena Jankovic 6-2,6-2 to win her 10th WTA title of the year - and 56th of her career - at the China Open. Williams now has 10 WTA titles this year to her name.

Williams to play Jankovic in China Open final

Serena Williams of the USA reached her 12th final of the year with a straight-forward victory against Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska, 6-2 6-2.Williams will face eighth-seeded Jelena Jankovic from Serbia, who rallied from a set down to overcome Czech ninth seed Petra Kvitova 6-7 (9) 6-1 6-1.

Linz Draw

* Note - Angelique Kerber received entry as a wildcard and the top seed after the original draw was made. The wildcard had originally been given to Lisa-Maria Moser.
Kerber was placed in the bottom half of the draw, and several seeds were moved around in the draw to accommodate Kerber's late entry.

Semi finalists set in Beijing

Top-ranked Serena Williams beat former No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki 6-1, 6-4 to raise her career record to 6-1 against the Dane in the quarter finals of China Open. Williams will face Agnieszka Radwanska, 2011 champion, in the semi finals. Radwanska came through after beating Angelique Kerber of Germany. In the women's draw, former Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova beat local favorite Li Na 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 to set up a semifinal with Jelena Jankovic, who also came from a set down to beat Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic 6-7 (3), 6-4, 6-4.

Radwanska, Jankovic ease through

Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska powered past Polona Hercog of Slovania 6-0,6-2 to reach the last eight stage of China open. Radwanska, 2011 champion, will face Angelique Kerber who beat her in quarterfinals of Tokyo last week. Meanwhile Serbian former world number one Jelena Jankovic double bageled Carla Suarez Navarro in her third round match to clash Lucie Safarova. Safarova knocked out Andrea Petkovic in a three set marathon 6-4,6-7,7-6.

New milestone for Williams

World number one Serena Williams saved three set points on her way to edging Russian Maria Kirilenko 7-5 7-5 on Thursday to advance to the quarter-finals of the China Open with her 70th win of the season. Williams became the first woman since Justine Henin (2007) to pass 70 wins in a year.

Kvitova sets Li clash

Li Na kept alive local hopes of a first homegrown champion in the China Open when she reached the quarter-finals with a tough 7-5, 6-4 win over Sabine Lisicki of Germany on Wednesday. Li will face recent Tokyo champion Petra Kvitova, who beat Sara Errani in three sets 6-4,6-7,6-3.

2013 China Open First Round Results

                                                    

Serena Williams def. Elena Vesnina 6-4,6-2
Agnieskza Radwanksa def. Stefanie Vogele 4-6,6-4,6-4
Urzula Radwanska def. Simona Halep 7-6,7-6
Li Na def. Daniela Hantuchova 6-0,6-4
Lucie Safarova def. Samantha Stosur 7-6,6-3
Francesca Schiavone def. Alize Cornet 3-2 ret.
Sloane Stephens def. Alexandra Wozniacki 6-4,6-4
Monica Niculescu def. Annika Beck 7-6,6-4
Medison Keys def. Domanika Cibulkova 6-4,6-3
Robreta Vinci def. Elena Svitoliva 6-2,6-2
Luara Robson def. Klara Zakopalova 7-6,4-6,6-1
Sara Errani def. Kirsten Flipkens 7-6,6-1
Varvara Lepchenko def. Heather Watson 1-6,6-3,6-
Carla Suarez Navarro def. Kristina Mladenovic 6-2,3-6,7-5
Kaia Kanepi def. Julia Goerges 7-5,6-4






Lauren Davis def. Mona Barthel 6-0,5-7,6-4
Maria Kirilenko def. Zheng Jie 7-5,6-2
Misaki Doi def. Silvia Soler Espinosa 6-1,6-1
Sabine Lisicki def. Chanelle Scheepers 6-3,6-2
Ana Ivanovic def. Flavia Pennetta 7-6,6-1
Bojana Jovanovski def. Sorana Cirstea 6-3,6-2
Eugenie Bouchard def. Magdalena Rybarikova 6-4,6-1
Jelena Jankovic def. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 1-6,6-4,6-0
Galina Voskoboeva def. Sharon Fichman 6-4,6-3
Shuai Zhang def. Peng Shuai 6-3,6-3
Svetlana Kuznetsova def. Su-wei Hsieh 6-1,6-1
Polona Hercog def Monica Piug 6-1,6-4
Andrea Petkovic def. Victoria Azarenka 6-4,2-6,6-4




* Tokyo semi finalists who received first round byes in Beijing are Petra Kvitova, Angelique Kerber,
Caroline Wozniacki and Venus Williams.

Kvitova takes Tokyo title

Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic beat Angelique Kerber of Germany 6-2, 0-6, 6-3 in the Pan Pacific Open final Saturday for her second title of the year. Kvitova, the 2011 Wimbledon champion, will move up to No. 7 in the world rankings from her current spot of 11th.

Beijing draw

2013 China Open women's singles draw.

Serena Williams year end number one

Serena Williams will end the year as the number one female player in the world after a phenomenal campaign which saw the American win two Grand Slams. Williams became the oldest player to hold the number one position when, aged 31, the 17-time Grand Slam winner replaced Victoria Azarenka in February. It is the third time she has topped the rankings at the end of a calendar year.

Kvitova, Kerber advance to Tokyo final

Petra Kvitova rallied to defeat Venus Williams 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(2) and advance to the Pan Pacific Open final. She will meet Fifth-seeded Angelique Kerber of Germany who beat fourth-seeded Caroline Wozniacki 6-4, 7-6(5) in the other semifinal.

Kvitova beats Kuznetsova, Radwanska loses

Former Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova defeated two time grand slam champion Svetlana Kuznetsova to set up a blockbuster semifinal clash against Venus Williams. The Czech outclassed the Russian in straight sets 6-4,6-1. Meanwhile number 2 seed Agnieszka Radwanska lost to Germany's Angelique Kerber in straight sets 6-4,6-4. Former world number one Dane Caroline Wozniacki battled past compatriot Lucie Safarova 2-6,6-3,6-2 in another quarterfinal encounter.

Venus first into semis

Venus Williams has been enjoying her best tournament of this year as she reaches the first semi final of the season after beating Eugenie Bouchard of Canada in the last eight stage of Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo. Williams, who beat world number two Victoria Azarenka in round 2, needed three sets 6-3,6-7,6-3 to overcome the Canadian teenager to gain a semi final spot for the first time in Tokyo. Williams will play either Svetlana Kuznetsova or Petra Kvitova in semis.

WTA Tokyo - 3rd round results

Angelique Kerber def. Ana Ivanovic 6-4,6-2
Agnieszka Radwanska def. Dominika Cibulkova 6-3,6-4
Petra Kvitova def. Medison Keys 6-2,6-2
Eugenie Bouchard def. Jelena Jankovic 7-5,6-2
Caroline Wozniacki def, Magdalena Rybarikova 6-1,6-1
Lucie Safarova def. Samantha Stosur 6-4,6-4
Venus Williams def. Simona Halep 4-6,7-5,6-3
Svetlana Kuznetsova def. Sorana Cirstea 7-6,6-1

Serena Williams withdraws from Tokyo

World number one Serena Williams of the USA has pulled out of the Pan Pacific Open to recover from a busy summer playing schedule.The top-ranked Williams, who won her 17th Grand Slam singles title at the US Open, said Thursday in a press release, “unfortunately with the number of matches I have played throughout the summer, I need more time to properly recover.” Williams said she expects to play in the September 28-October 6 China Open in Beijing.Williams withdrawal means Victoria Azarenka will be relegated the number one seed for years final premier 5 event.

Kim Clijsters Welcomes Baby Boy

Kim Clijsters and her husband Bryan Lynch welcomed a new baby boy into the world this week. The new baby, who was born in September 18, was given the name Jack Leon Lynch. Clijsters wrote on her twitter "Jack Leon Lynch is born! Born at 7:06 p.m. tonight and we are both doing well. His big sister, mama and daddy are very proud and happy!”

Kim Clijsters and her husband Bryan Lynch welcomed a new baby boy into the world this week.
Read more at http://www.inquisitr.com/957811/kim-clijsters-welcomes-baby-boy/#VFUzzZiDDpkeu1J9.99

Kim Clijsters and her husband Bryan Lynch welcomed a new baby boy into the world this week.
Read more at http://www.inquisitr.com/957811/kim-clijster 

Kim Clijsters and her husband Bryan Lynch welcomed a new baby boy into the world this week.
Read more at http://www.inquisitr.com/957811/kim-clijsters-welcomes-baby-boy/#VFUzzZiDDpkeu1J9.99

Kim Clijsters and her husband Bryan Lynch welcomed a new baby boy into the world this week.
Read more at http://www.inquisitr.com/957811/kim-clijsters-welcomes-baby-boy/#VFUzzZiDDpkeu1J9.99

Kim Clijsters and her husband Bryan Lynch welcomed a new baby boy into the world this week.
Read more at http://www.inquisitr.com/957811/kim-clijsters-welcomes-baby-boy/#VFUzzZiDDpkeu1J9.99

Jovanovski wins Tashkent

Top-seeded Bojana Jovanovski earned her second career WTA title on Saturday by outlasting Olga Govortsova 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (3) in the final of the Tashkent Open. Jovanovski is now 2-0 in WTA finals, winning another International-level hardcourt title at Baku last year. Govortsova fell to 0-4 in WTA finals, a runner-up at Memphis in 2008, Moscow in 2009 and Ponte Vedra Beach in 2010

Chakvetadze retires from professional tennis

Former world number five and US open semi-finalist Anna Chakvetadze has announced her retirement aged just 26 due to chronic back injuries after a career blighted by an horrific armed robbery in 2007. Chakvetadze earned nearly £2.5 million in prize money over a career that spanned a decade and included a semi-final at Flushing Meadows in 2007, eight WTA singles titles and two Fed Cups with Russia.

 "I no longer see myself in professional tennis so I am ready to say that may career is over,"
 

"Of course, this was a difficult decision and I thought hard about it but now it is finally taken. I understood that the point of return to tennis was behind me."

"I have a chronic back injury. So I took the decision to stop and start a new life."

Jovanovski, Govortsova make Tashkent Open final

Top-seeded Bojana Jovanovski of Serbia and unseeded Olga Govortsova of Belarus earned straight-set victories Friday to reach the Tashkent Open final. Jovanovski  defeated Maria-Teresa Torro-Flor of Spain 6-2, 6-2 while Govortsova beat Mandy Minella of Luxembourg 6-2, 7-5.

Sharapova withdraws from Rogers Cup

World no. 2 Maria Sharapova has withdrawn from the Rogers Cup due to a hip injury. Sharapova suffered the injury during a fall in her loss to Michelle Larcher de Biro.

Sharapova, who has been working with Jimmy Connors as her new coach since Wimbledon, commented, "I'm extremely disappointed that I'm unable to play in Toronto next week as it's one of the best and most important tournaments of the year. I was looking forward to making a healthy return to the courts in front of my Canadian fans but unfortunately I'm just not recovered yet."

Bartoli creates history, wins Wimbledon

Marion Bartoli outclassed German Sabine Lisicki 6-1,6-4 to win her first grand slam at Wimbledon lawn tennis championship. Bartoli, beaten finalist in 2007 here to Venus Williams, never looked back after easing passed the Lisicki in the opening set. This was Bartoli's 47th Grand Slam tournament, the most ever played by a woman before earning a championship. She is the only woman in the 45-year Open era to win Wimbledon playing two-fisted shots off both wings. Bartoli became the first woman in the Open era to win Wimbledon without facing anyone seeded in the top 10 - her highest-rated opponent was No. 17 Sloane Stephens of the United States in the quarterfinals. That's in part because of all of the injuries and surprises, including exits for No. 2 Victoria Azarenka, No. 3 Maria Sharapova, No. 5 Sara Errani, No. 7 Angelique Kerber, No. 9 Caroline Wozniacki and No. 10 Maria Kirilenko by the end of the second round.

Kvitova out, new grand slam champion to be born

With Petra Kvitova and Li Na crashing out to Belgian's Kirsten Flipkens and Agnieszka Radwanska respectively, a new grand slam champion will be born on Saturday. Kirsten Flipkens stuned Petra Kvitova, 2011 Wimbledon champion, to book her first ever semi-final place meanwhile Li Na lost to last year's runner up Agnieszka Radwanska. Sabine Lisicki beat unseeded Estonian Kaia Kanepi 6-3 6-3 to back up that Monday's shock victory over red-hot favourite Serena Williams. Lisicki, trying to become Germany's first grand slam singles champion since Steffi Graf in 1996, will take on fourth seed Radwanska on Thursday while Flipkens will play 2007 Wimbledon runner-up Bartoli, who beat Sloane Stephens of the USA 6-4 7-5.

Manic Monday shocker for Williams

The defending champion and five-time Wimbledon winner Serena Williams failed to close out her fourth round match after leading 3-1, 40-15 in the decider. After losing the first set 2-6 Serena came back strongly to bread stick the German in the second. However she failed to close out the match despite the 3-1 40-15 lead. Lisicki will play Kaia Kanepi next, who beat Laura Robson in straight sets.

Li Na also reached the last eight, beating Robreta Vinci 6-2,6-0.

Kvitova first into Quarters, Flipkens joins

Former champion Petra Kvitova became the first player to reach the quarterfinals at this year's Wimbledon, beating Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain 7-6 (5), 6-3. She was joined minutes later by Kirsten Flipkens of Belgium, who reached her first career Grand Slam quarterfinal by ousting Flavia Pennetta of Italy 7-6 (2), 6-3. Agnieszka Radwanska, Sloane Stephens and Marion Bartoli also joined Kvitova and Flipkens after winning their fourth round matches.

Former champ Kvitova through, Radwanska struggles

2011 champion Petra Kvitova overcame an inexplicable mid-match lapses to eliminate Russian 25th seed Ekaterina Makarova 6-3 2-6 6-3. Kvitova was down a break when the match got suspended but fought back to clinch the match eventually. Agnieszka Radwanska, who lost to Williams in last year's Wimbledon final, was pushed to three sets by 18-year-old American Madison Keys before winning 7-5, 4-6, 6-3. Meanwhile Li Na of China, the sixth seed and 2011 French Open champion, took two hours to win 4-6, 6-0, 8-6 over Klara Zakopalova.

Serena too strong for Date Krum, Robson marches on

The defending champion Serena Williams used eight aces and 11 return winners to power past 42-year-old Kimiko Date-Krumm of Japan 6-2, 6-0 in 61 minutes. Date Krumm was the oldest woman to reach the third round at Wimbledon in the 45-year Open era. Serena will play Sabine Lisicki who defeated Samantha Stosur of Australia in three sets. Crwod favourite Laura Robson produced a stunning fightback to beat Marina Erakovic and become the first British woman to reach the last 16 at Wimbledon since 1998.The British number one was three points from a straight-sets defeat on Court Two, but recovered to win 1-6 7-5 6-3.

Kanepi edges 7th seed Kerber

 

Kaia Kanepi of Estonia knocked out seventh seed and last year’s semifinalist Angelique Kerber of Germany, 3-6, 7-6(6), 6-3, at Wimbledon Friday to book a spot in the third round. Kanepi will next meet wildcard Alison Riske, who recovered from a set down to defeat Urszula Radwanska, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. Flavia Pennetta bounced back from a 6-0 defeat in the first set to edge 29th seed Alize Cornet, 0-6, 7-6(4), 6-2, and reach the fourth round against 20th seed Kirsten Flipkens, a 6-4, 6-2 winner over Vesna Dolonc. The crowd favourite Laura Robson defeated Mariana Duque, 6-4, 6-1.

Kimiko Date advances with a record, Serena awaits

At the age of 42 Kimiko Date-Krumm has become the oldest woman to advance to the third round of Wimbledon in the Open era with a 6-4, 7-5 victory over Romania’s Alexandra Cadantu. Sje will play Serena Williams in third round who beat Caroline Garcia 6-3,6-2.

Black day for number ones

After Vicotira Azarenka pulled out due to a knee injury four other former world number one players lost their second round matches.

Former Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova was knocked out in the second round by qualifier Michelle Larcher De Brito 6-3,6-4. Sharapova also lost in the fourth round last year. Former world number ones Ana Ivanovic and Caroline Wozniacki also suffered surprised second round defeats to Canada's Eugenie Bouchard and Petra Cetkovska respectively. Bouchard beat the Serbian 6-3,6-3 meanwhile Cetkovska eased passed Wozniacki 6-2,6-2

Williams starts title defense, Radwanska advances

Top Seed Serena Williams extended her unbeaten run to 32 games after her 6-1 6-3 win over Mandy Minella of Luxembourg to start her title defense at Wimbledon. The American, 16 time grand slam champion, is aiming for her 6th title at SW19. Agnieszka Radwanska, last year's runner up to Williams, also opened her campaign with a comfortable victory over Yvonne Meusburger of Austria.

Home town girl Robson upsets Kirilenko

 

Laura Robson became the first British woman to defeat a top-10 player at the All England Club in 15 years when she beat 10th-seeded Maria Kirilenko 6-3, 6-4 in the first round. 7th seeded Angelique Kerber and 6th Li Na also won in straight set in their openers at SW19.

Puig upsets Errani, Azarenka through

Puerto Rican teenager Monica Puig had 38 winners and eliminated fifth-seeded Sara Errani of Italy 6-3, 6-2 in her first grass tournament as a pro. Errani, world number five, has also suffered a humiliating exit by Yaroslava Schvedova last year. The Italian went an entire set without winning a point en rout to that defeat. Errani is the third top-5 women's seeded player who has lost in the first round at Wimbledon since 2001. The others were Martina Hingis in 2000 and Francesca Schiavone in 2010.

 World number two Victoria Azarenka eased through the opening set against Maria Joao Koehler and was one point away from going 2-0 up in the second when she slipped behind the baseline while trying to reach a shot. The Belorussian fought back to clinch the match 6-1 6-2 to reach the second round.

Sharpaova, Ivanovic advance, Kvitova survives

Third-seeded Maria Sharapova, the 2004 Wimbledon champion, came through a first-set tiebreaker and beat 37th-ranked Kristina Mladenovic of France 7-6, 6-3. Petra Kvitova has survived a scare in the opening round at Wimbledon to progress to the second round. The eighth seed was forced to a deciding set by American Coco Vandeweghe before recording a 6-1 5-7 6-4 win.

Former world number one Ana Ivanovic of Serbia moved into the second round of the Championships thanks to a 7-6, 6-0 victory over Frenchwoman Virginie Razzano. Ivanovic will take on Canada's Eugenie Bouchard in the second round. Another former world number one Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark beat Estrella Cabeza Candela in her first-round match. The Dane won 6-0 6-2 and will play Petra Cetkovska, who beat rising star Donna Vekic, in the second round.

Venus Williams withdraws from Wimbledon

Venus Williams has withdrawn from Wimbledon because of continuing issues with her lower back. Williams, who turned 33 on Monday, withdrew from the doubles competition at the French Open after losing her opening-round singles match citing the same lower back injury.

The statement: "Unfortunately, I will not be able to participate in Wimbledon this year. I am extremely disappointed as I have always loved The Championships, but I need to take time to let my back heal. I look forward to returning to the courts as soon as possible, with my goal being to return to Mylan World Team Tennis on July 8th in Washington DC. Many thanks to my fans for the love and support and I will be seeing you very soon back on the courts."

Serena Williams champion again

World number one Serena Williams clinched her second French Open title when she beat defending champion Maria Sharapova of Russia 6-4 6-4 in the final. The 31-year-old American, who won her first Roland Garros title in 2002, became the oldest player to win the French Open in the open era. Williams also improved her head to head record to 14-2 against the Russian meanwhile extending her career best win streak to 31. The victory completed the No. 1 ranked Williams' rebound from a shocking loss to Virginie Razzano in the first round at Roland Garros a year ago. Since that defeat she's 74-3.

Brutal Serena embarrasses Errani in French Open semi

Serena Williams of the US was in a brutal form in her semi final match against last year's finalist Sara Errani; the American world number one reached her first French Open final in ten years beating the Italian 6-0,6-1. Serena sealed the encounter in 46 minutes. Williams will take on Maria Sharapova in the final on Saturday.

Defending champion Sharapova battles into French final

Maria Sharapova, the defending champion, overcame 11 double faults and earned a return trip to the French Open final, beating Victoria Azarenka, 6-1, 2-6, 6-4, in a rain delayed match.

Azarenka, Sharapova battle into semis

 

Vcitoria Azarenka booked her place in the semi finals of the French Open for the first time beating Maria Kirilenko 7-6,6-2.  She will face reigning champion Maria Sharapova, who edged into the French Open semi-finals with a battling victory over Jelena Jankovic. The Russian second seed fought back from a first-set whitewash to claim a 0-6 6-4 6-3 success at Roland Garros.

Serena ends quarter final curse in Paris

The last four times 2002 champion Serena Williams had reached the last eight at Roland Garros, she had been sent packing, in 2004, 2007, 2009 and 2010. In 2009 and 2010 she was very close to win, in fact she had match points in 2010, yet she was eventually stopped at the last eight hurdle. Making it to a dramatic end, Serena battled past the 2009 champion Svetlana Kuznetsova, who in fact beat Williams in the same stage in that year, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3. Williams, who has won 15 grand slam titles but only one at Roland Garros, will face fifth seed Sara Errani, who beat Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska 6-4, 7-6(6).

Sharapova, Azarenka into quarters

Defending champion Maria Sharapova returned to the French Open quarterfinals by beating 17th-seeded Sloane Stephens of the United States 6-4, 6-3 on Monday. She will face No 18 Jelena Jankovic in the quarterfinals. Jankovic, the 2008 U.S. Open runner-up, advanced with a 6-0, 6-2 victory over 54th-ranked Jamie Hampton of the US.  Third seed Victoria Azarenka beat Francesca Schiavone to reach the quarter-finals in another round four encounter. Australian Open champion triumphed 6-3 6-0 to face Maira Kirilenko of Russia, who ended  the run of Mattek-Sands with a 7-5 6-4 victory.

Radwanska, Errani book last eight spots

Fourth-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska beat 2008 champion Ana Ivanovic of Serbia 6-2, 6-4 on Sunday to reach the French Open quarterfinals. The 14th-seeded Ivanovic has now lost seven straight matches to Radwanska, who next plays last year's runner-up, Sara Errani of Italy. The fifth-seeded Errani earlier rallied to win 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 against 20th-seeded Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain.

Serena rolls into quarters, Kuznetsova next

Serena Williams extended her career-best winning streak to 28 matches by beating No. 15-seeded Roberta Vinci 6-1, 6-3 to reach quarter finals of 2013 French Open. Williams was tested in set number two though the American was still too good for the Italian. Serena will take on two time grand slam champion Svetlana Kuznetosva in the next round. Svetlana Kuznetsova has booked her spot in the quarter finals of the French Open courtesy of a 6-4 4-6 6-3 victory over Angelique Kerber.