Kleybanova Upsets Dementieva for First WTA Title

No. 26 ranked Alisa Kleybanova upset top-seeded No. 7 ranked Elena Dementieva in an all-Russian final at the 2010 WTA Malaysia Classic played in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Feb. 22-28. It was an easy victory for Kleybanova who won in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2.

Dementieva had not lost a set on her route to the final, but she struggled on serve and two breaks allowed her Russian compatriot to take the first set 6-3 in Kuala Lumpur.

Kleybanova, the fourth seed, playing in a tour final for the first time, showed no sign of nerves as she continued her impressive display to close out the second set for a comfortable 6-3 6-2 win.

Fernandez and Zvereva Elected to International Tennis Hall of Fame Class of 2010

Gigi Fernandez and Natasha Zvereva have been elected to the International Tennis Hall of Fame Class of 2010 in recognition of their competitions and contributions, a tribute to the game of doubles.

Fernandez and Zvereva won more women’s doubles titles (38) and Grand Slam women’s doubles championships (14) together than any other team since Martina Navratilova/Pam Shriver. They won six consecutive Grand Slam tournaments from 1992 Roland Garros through 1993 Wimbledon (Navratilova/Shriver won eight consecutive Grand Slam titles from 1983 Wimbledon through 1985 Roland Garros).

Venus Williams Wins Second Straight at Abierto Mexicano TELCEL

Venus Williams won her second straight title in Acapulco, winning the Abierto Mexicano TELCEL for the second time in a row. But it was not an impressive win. It took Williams three sets to defeat No 60 ranked Polona Hercog of Slovenia. Hercog has never won a WTA singles title, yet took the first set off of Williams 6-2 before losing the final two sets 2-6, 3-6.

The first two rounds went by fine, but in the quarterfinals against world No.399 qualifier Laura Pous Tio, Venus was 5-1 down in the third set before pulling off one of her biggest career comebacks. The following semifinal against world No.164 Edina Gallovits of Romania was also a three-setter with the final score being 6-4, 2-6, 6-2.