Zheng advances when Wozniacki retires with injury

Fifth seeded Jie Zheng of China advanced to the Semifinals of the 2010 WTA Polsat Warsaw Open Thursday when No. 2 seed, Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark could no longer continue after the 1st set due to pain from an ongoing ankle injury. The matched ended “6-3 retired”.

Caroline sprained her right ankle in the semifinals in Charleston on April 17, and has gone 2-4 since then, with losses to Lucie Safarova, Maria José Martinez Sanchez, and Alona Bondarenko. She is playing with her ankle taped.

Dementieva upset in Warsaw

Tsvetana Pironkova, a qualifier from Bulgaria, pulled a huge upset over No. 2 seed, Elena Dementieva of Russia, in round 2 of the Polsat Warsaw Open.

Pironkova, 22-years-old, played a great match, taking almost three hours to win in 3 sets against Dementieva, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4. Dementieva was up a break twice in the deciding set, but didn’t manage to capitalize on the advantage.

Pironkova is currently ranked No. 101, but has a career-high ranking of No. 40. It was Tsvetana’s biggest win since she defeated then #3 Ana Ivanovic in the 2nd round in Rome in 2008, 6-4, 5-7, 6-2.

Zakopalova downs Bartoli in Warsaw Open

No. 78 seed, Klara Zakopalova of the Czech Republic, defeated 13th seeded Marion Bartoli of France to advance to the 2nd round of the 2010 WTA Polsat Warsaw Open being played May 17-22 in Warsaw, Poland.

The 28 year-old 2005 champ at Hertogenbosch and Portoz lost the 1st set 4-6, then dominated the final two sets 6-1, 6-2 for the win. Bartoli, 25 years old, was the 2009 champ at Stanford and Monterrey.

It was the second week in a row that Klara has scored a big 1st round victory; last week in Madrid she defeated #5 (and former #1) Dinara Safina in the 1st round, 7-6(1) 7-6(3).

Hingis’ comeback rumors false, but will play World Team Tennis

Swiss tennis legend Martina Hingis apparently will not attempt a comeback. On The Baseline reports that they have confirmed via one of Martina Hingis’ agents at Octagon today that her comeback rumors are just that—-rumors.

Hingis turned pro in 1995, but chronic foot injuries caused her to retire in 2003 at the age of 22. She remained retired for three years, returning to tennis in 2005, winning three titles and reaching a ranking of No. 6.

Rezai claims championship over Venus Williams

Aravane Rezai of France won the biggest title of her career by defeating Venus Williams of the USA 6-2, 7-5 in the 2010 WTA Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open.

It was unseeded Rezai, last year’s champion at Strasbourg and Bali taking on 4th seed Williams, this year’s champ in Dubai and Acapulco in the Final. Rezai put down the former world No. 1 in what she described as the best week of her career.

Aravane Rezai reaches Madrid Final with win over Safarova

Unseeded Aravane Rezai of France will meet Venus Williams of the USA in the Final of the 2010 WTA Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open after defeating Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic. The match against Safarova ended after just one set which Rezai won convincingly, 6-1. Safarova could no longer continue due to a left thigh injury and retired from the match.

That was not the way Rezai would have chosen to win the match, but it placed her in the final. She should be well rested and ready to play when she faces Williams in the Final.

Venus Williams routs Shahar Peer to reach Madrid Masters Final

Venus Williams made quick work of her Semifinal match against Shahar Peer of Israel to reach her first Madrid Masters final. The match, which was over in two quick sets, 6-3, 6-0, took just 66 minutes.

Williams, seeded 4th in this tournament, has built an impressive record of 12-1 on clay this year. Earlier in this tournament, she defeated No. 21 ranked Vera Zvonareva of Russia, No. 15 seed, Francesca Schiavone of Italy, and No 8 seed, Samantha Stosur of Australia.

Venus Williams only seed in Semifinals at Madrid Open

Venus Williams of the USA is the only seed left entering the Semifinal round at the 2010 WTA Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open being played in Madrid, Spain May 8-16. Seeded No. 4, Williams will go up against unseeded No. 22 ranked Shahar Peer of Israel.

The other Semifinal match sees unseeded No. 30 ranked Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic taking on unseeded No. 24 ranked Aravane Rezai of France.

En route to her Semifinal berth, Shahar Peer knocked off No. 5 seed, Svetlana Kuznetsova, and No. 13 seed, Na Li.

Clijsters Withdraws from French Open

Kim Clijsters of Belgium has officially withdrawn as of Friday from the upcoming French Open because of a foot injury suffered during Fed Cup play last month. Though she has resumed hitting, despite her efforts to recover in time for the major tournament, the injury hasn’t fully healed and she has opted to skip the competition.

A CT scan today revealed the injury was healing, but fluid is still building up around her ankle and she has opted to miss the second grand slam of the year and end her clay-court season.

Henin Defeated by Rezai in 1st Round at Madrid

No. 22 Aravane Rezai of France took out last week’s champion in Stuttgart, No. 19 Justine Henin of Belgium in the 2010 WTA Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open currently being played in Madrid, Spain.

It took three sets, but Rezai, last year’s champion in Strasbourg, came out on top 4-6, 7-5, 6-0.

Henin has been suffering from nose and throat infections for the past week, which certainly would affect one’s play on court. Her infections probably didn’t feel as bad as the bagel she was served in the 3rd set.