Makarova downs Serena Williams in stunning upset

In a stunning upset, No. 56 ranked Ekaterina Makarova of Russia defeated No. 12 seed, Serena Williams of the USA in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3 in round 4 of the Australian Open.

Williams had seven double faults, several to set up break points, to allow Makarova to earn one of the biggest wins of her career. Makarova now advances to the quarterfinals against either 2008 champion Maria Sharapova or Sabine Lisicki

Williams came into the tournament with a badly-injured left ankle that forced her to pull out of a warmup tournament in Brisbane two weeks ago. In the match she appeared to be moving well, but made 37 unforced errors and had her service broken while trying to stay in the match.

Makarova stuns Zvonareva in round 3

In an all Russian match, No. 56 ranked Ekaterina Makarova stunned No. 7 seed, Vera Zvonareva in straight sets, 7-6(7), 6-1 in the 3rd round of the Australian Open.

The first set was hard fought and very competitive, coming down to Makarova pulling out a hard-fought tie-break. The 2nd set was all Makarova, with Zvonareva breaking down in tears just before match point. Apparently, Zvonareva still hasn’t conquered her emotions afterall.

The unseeded Russian nailed crucial break points in the second and the sixth games to wrap up victory with a breadstick at 6-1, marching into the fourth round of this Grand Slam event.

Ivanovic upset by Larsson in 1st round of French Open

Former French Open Champion, No. 20 seed, Ana Ivanovic of Serbia was among the 1st round upsets as she was taken down by Johanna Larsson of Sweden 7-6(7-3), 0-6, 6-2.

Ivanovic struggled through a first close set, which she lost in the tie-break due to unforced errors and poor serving. However, she seemed to have found her form again rolling over Larsson 6-0 in the 2nd set playing top-notch tennis. In the third set, Ivanovic returned to lack-luster play, losing in one hour and 49 minutes when she netted a routine forehand.

Ivanovic upset by Makarova at Australian Open

No. 19 seed, Ana Ivanovic of Serbia, took a 1st round exit from the Australian Open, blaming an injury for the loss.

Ana’s departure came at the hands of No. 49 ranked Ekaterina Makarova of Russia who won the thriller 3-6, 6-4, 10-8.

While it was a close match, it was very disappointing for Ana, who was hoping to make a good run at this Grand Slam with her new coach, Antonio Van Grichen (who replaced Heinz Günthardt) at her side. But it wasn’t to be, and Ana said an abdominal strain suffered during this month’s Hopman Cup in Perth, where she withdrew from the final, had hampered her preparation.

Venus Williams cruises into 4th round

Five-time Wimbledon champion, and current World No. 2, Venus Williams, advanced to the 4th round of Wimbledon 2010 without really being challenged.

Her victims have been , 6-3, 6-2, Ekaterina Makarova, 6-0, 6-4, Alisa Kleybanova, 6-4, 6-2.

Venus’ next opponent will be No. 92 ranked Jarmila Groth.

Venus has had a rather easy draw. Looking ahead if she wins her next two matches, she could face Jelena Jankovic, Kim Clijsters, or Justine Henin in the semifinals.

Makarova defeats Azarenka for title at WTA AEGON International

Ekaterina Makarova of Russia won the women’s final against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus at the 2010 WTA AEGON International held in Eastbourne, England June 14-19. Ekaterina won the match in straights sets, 7-6(5), 6-4.

Ekaterina is ranked No. 103, and was a qualifier, while Victoria was also unseeded but ranked much higher at No. 15.

Ekaterina defeated #10 Flavia Pennetta, #13 Nadia Petrova, #19 Svetlana Kuznetsova, and #7 Samantha Stosur on her way to the final, making this by far the best week of her career. She did not lose a set along the way.

Wozniacki, Schiavone, Radwanska and Pennetta among upsets at the 2010 AEGON International

Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark was among the early upsets at the 2010 WTA AEGON International being played June 14-20 in Eastbourne, England. The No. 1 seed was defeated in the 1st round by Aravane Rezai of France 6-4, 1-6, 6-3.

The Wimbledon warmup claimed other top seeds in the 1st round, including No. 2 seed and 2010 French Open champion, Francesca Schiavone of Italy who was eliminated by Sorana Cirstea of Romania 7-5, 6-3.

It appears the warmup is getting the unseeded players more warmed up than the top seeds. It could be an interesting Wimbledon. Warm up your TV sets by Monday, because here we go!

U.S. Seals Berth in Fed Cup Final

Bethanie Mattek-Sands celebrates at the end of her 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 match against Ekaterina Makarova in their Fed Cup singles match Sunday, April 25. Her victory kept the United States’ Fed Cup title hopes alive tying the semifinal matchup with Russia at 2-2.

That brought it down to a decisive doubles match with Mattek-Sands teaming up with Liezel Huber against the Russian team of Elena Dementieva and Alla Kudryavtseva.