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Kleybanova Upsets Dementieva for First WTA Title

Filed under: Results - 01 Mar 2010

Alisa KleybanovaNo. 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.

Henin Survives Scare From Kleybanova

Filed under: Australian Open - 21 Jan 2010

Justine Henin photo Justine Henin had her toughest match yet in the first Grand Slam since coming out of retirement, surviving a scare in a close 3-set match against No. 27 ranked Alisa Kleybanova.

In the 3rd round match, Kleybanova won the first set 6-3. She then broke Henin to go up 3-1 in the 2nd set before Henin went on a run winning 8 of 9 games to take the second set 6-4 and go up 3-0 in the 3rd set. Kleybanova fought back winning her serve, then breaking Henin to get back on serve 3-2. Henin then took the next three games to win the 3rd set 6-3.

Wickmayer Sends No. 12 Pennetta Home From Australian Open

Filed under: Australian Open - 20 Jan 2010

Yanina Wickmayer photoJust two months ago, Belgium’s Yanina Wickmayer wasn’t going to be able to play tennis all year. Now she is into round 3 of the 2010 Australian Open after downing No. 12 ranked Flavia Pennetta in straight sets.

Wickmayer grabbed the momentum in the first-set tiebreaker, winning the tiebreaker easily 7-2. She then broke Pennetta 3 times in the second set for a 7-6(7-2), 6-1 win which took only 87 minutes.

Serena Williams Seeded No. 1 For 2010 Australian Open

Filed under: Australian Open - 14 Jan 2010

Serena Williams photo Serena Williams is seen here at her book signing at Harrods department store in London, on November 2, 2009. Now it’s time to put the books away and focus on tennis. Williams, who is currently ranked No. 1 on the WTA Tour is seeded No. 1 for the 2010 Australian Open set to begin Jan. 18 in Melbourne. Yes, Grand Slam tennis is about to get under way.

Tournament officials could have used a discretionary seeding to place Justine Henin in the draw, but they chose not to. So the Belgian former champion playing in her first Grand Slam tournament since announcing her return from retirement will be a dangerous threat, possibly meeting some of the top seeds in the opening rounds.