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World No. 2, Dinara Safina of Russia, has been forced to pull out of next week’s Dubai Tennis Championships because of ongoing back problems.

She said on her website, “Unfortunately, I will not be able to play the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships this year because of the back injury that’s been bothering me since the end of last season. I wish the tournament the best of success on its 10th anniversary and hope to be back next year, as it’s one of my favorite events.

Thanks to all my fans for their support during this difficult period. Keep checking my site for updates on my recovery.”

Unseeded Maria Kirilenko of Russia advanced to the Quarterfinals of the 2010 Australian Open when compatriot, Dinara Safina suddenly retired with an injury during the 1st set of their 4th round match.

No. 2 Safina was facing set point, trailing 4-5 and serving at 30-40, when she limped to her changeover chair for a few moments, then walked up and shook Kirilenko’s hand.

Kirilenko ousted another Russian, Maria Sharapova in the first round, and it is the first time Kirilenko has reached the Quarterfinal of any Grand Slam.

Day one of the 2010 Australian Open went pretty much according to plan with only one major upset. No. 58 ranked Maria Kirilenko upset No. 14 seed, Maria Sharapova, in a long 3-set match, 7-6(7-4), 3-6, 6-4. Kirilenko is seen here being congratulated by Sharapova after their match.

All other seeded players playing the first day advanced to the second round, including No. 15 seed, Kim Clijsters, who is one of the favorites to win the tournament after winning the U.S. Open last year in her first Grand Slam appearance after coming out of retirement.

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.

The current world No. 2, and 3-time Grand Slam finalist, Dinara Safina of Russia, is pulling out of the Brisbane International scheduled for January 3-10, 2010, because of a lingering back injury. The back pain forced Safina to quit in tears after just 12 minutes and two games into a match against Jelena Jankovic at the WTA Championships at Doha in October. Going into the tournament she was ranked No. 1, and was working to end the year at that spot. The meltdown caused her to eventually lose the top WTA ranking to Serena Williams.

Two-time Grand Slam champion Amelie Mauresmo is calling it quits, announcing her retirement Thursday, December 3, 2009. Finishing this season at No. 21, the 30-year-old Frenchwoman says she no longer has a burning desire for competition.

“I don’t want to train anymore,” Mauresmo said after shedding tears about the decision. “I had to make a decision, which became evident in the last few months and weeks. When you grow older, it’s more difficult to stay at the top.”

Amidst controversy and spectacular play, Serena Williams of the United States ends 2009 ranked No. 1 in the world on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour. Once before in her 14 year career she achieved the No. 1 year-end ranking, seven years ago in 2002.

Just three years ago, in 2006 she had dipped to No. 95 at year’s end following an injury-plagued season. She lost in the 3rd round at the Australian Open to Daniela Hantuchova. Williams then withdrew from all events until summer with a left knee injury, including Roland Garros and Wimbledon. She spent 18 weeks outside of the top 100 during that time. Then after starting up again, she lost at the U.S. Open in round four, ending the year at #95. In 2007 she started her climb back up the rankings, moving up to No. 7 at the end of the year, and finishing 2008, No. 3.[SonyEricssonWTATour.com]

Serena Williams solidified her World No. 1 ranking by winning the Sony Ericsson Championships on Sunday, November 1, 2009 in Doha, Qatar. She claimed the championship with a straight-sets win over her sister, Venus Williams, and a 5-0 record for the tournament. Venus was back to defend her title from last year, but Serena made sure that did not happen.

The Final was competitive between the two sisters. However, both were struggling with injuries and had heavy taping on their left legs. Serena was dominate in the opening set, winning 6-2. Venus then stepped up her game in the second set, managing to force a tiebreak. However, Serena came out on top, winning the match 6-2, 7-6(4).

The seeding has been done for the French Open Tennis Tournament which begins May 24, 2009 in Paris, France. Coming in at the No. 1 spot is Dinara Safina from Russia. She is followed on the seeding chart by Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Elena Dementieva, and Jelena Jankovic, Vera Zvonareva, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Ana Ivanovic, Victoria Azarenka, and Caroline Wozniacki to fill out the first 10 seeds.

My predictions for the French Open women’s draw are that the following will reach the semifinals: Dinara Safina, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Jelena Jankovic, and Ana Ivanovic, with Dinara Safina getting all the way through to win her first Grand Slam title.