Sharapova ousted by Pennetta at US Open

No. 3 seed, Maria Sharapova of Russia, went down in defeat today to No. 25 ranked Flavia Pennetta of Italy 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 in round 3 of the U.S. Open.

Maria’s serve was part of the problem that led to her early exit, committing a dozen double-faults. That really came as no surprise, as Maria’s serve has been causing her lots of problems since her shoulder surgery. What was surprising though was that Maria’s shots let her down in the third set. Maria was unbeaten this year in 12 previous matches that went three sets. But today she dropped the last seven points in a match that lasted 2 1/2 hours. After trailing 3-0 and 4-1 in the last set, Maria turned things around briefly, getting to 4-all, 15-30 on Flavia’s serve, looking once again like she might be able to pull out a come-from-behind 3-setter. But the 2006 U.S. Open champion wouldn’t win another point.

Stosur upset by Kvitova at Australian Open

In a major disappointment for home-town folks down under, No. 5 seed, #6 Samantha Stosur of Australia had her hopes dashed for a 1st Grand Slam title by No. 25 seed, # 28 Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic 7-6(7-5) 6-3 at the 2011 Australian Open in Melbourne.

The 3rd round match began with a tense 63-minute 1st-set battle in which Stosur succumbed 5-7 in a tie-break. Stosur never seemed to recover, being bludgeoned by 35 clean winners from Kvitova, compared to Stosur’s 11 winners. The match was over after a 32 minute 2nd set 6-3 pounding by Kvitova, one hour and 35 minutes total match time.

Hantuchova, Pennetta lead early WTA withdrawal list

Daniela Hantuchova is among those on the early injury and illness bug list as the WTA season gets set to begin.

Hantuchova is suffering with an achilles tendon tear. Flavia Pennetta has pulled out of Brisbane with a stomach bug. Yaroslava Shevdova has pulled out of the Hopman Cup with a knee injury, and Anastasija Sevastova if out of Auckland with illness.

This is certainly not a good start to the WTA season. We hope this is not a preview of what is to come throughout the season. However, fans, buckle your seat belts and get ready. The season is about to begin.

Kim Clijsters – 2010 WTA Player of the Year

Kim Clijsters of Belgium was voted Player of the Year for the 2nd time in her career. She first earned that honor in 2005.

The 27-year-old from Belgium won five titles in 2010, including her second U.S. Open crown in a row. She won at Brisbane, Miami, Cincinnati, and the season-ending WTA Championships in Doha, as well as taking her third title at Flushing Meadows.

Just one year after making a comeback following a break to rest injuries and start a family, Clijsters was voted the top honor in a balloting of players as well as the Player Service award given to the woman who did the most to support her fellow players through the WTA players’ council or other initiatives.

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!

Sharapova Ousted in 1st Round by Safarova

No. 11 seed, Maria Sharapova of Russia, was sent packing after the first round of the 2010 WTA Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open being played in Madrid, Spain this week by No. 30 ranked Lucie Safarova. It was a straight sets match for 23-year-old Safarova from the Czech Republic.

It is the first time these two have met on court. Sharapova undoubtedly didn’t like this introduction.

Dementieva Seeded No 1 at WTA Open GDF Suez

No. 7 ranked Elena Dementieva of Russia is seeded No. 1 for the $700,000 WTA Open GDF Suez being played in Paris, France, February 8-10, 2010. After a 1st round bye, Dementieva will take on Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia who was a 1st round winner over Iveta Benesova of the Czech Republic.

The top seeds include:

Wickmayer Sends No. 12 Pennetta Home From Australian Open

Just 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.

Day One of 2010 Australian Open Dishes Up Just One Upset

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.