Chakvetadze faints in match against Wozniacki

Ana Chakvetadze of Russia crumpled to the court during her match against World No. 2 Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark at the 2011 WTA Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships in Dubai, UAE.

Chakvetadze had dropped the first set to Wozniacki but led 5-3 in the second when she suddenly collapsed. She was out before she hit the ground. She lay motionless for an instant before doctors and trainers attended to her, propped her up and checked her vital signs.

The 23-year-old rested for a few minutes before returning to play one point. She wisely retired before the next point, giving the win to Wozniacki 6-1, 3-5.

Clijsters upset by Kvitova in Paris final

The day before the rankings showed Kim Clijsters has ascended the ladder to World No. 1 once again, she was upset by Petra Kvitova in the final of the Open Gaz de France, 6-4, 6-3.

”I would like to dedicate this trophy to my grandfather, who passed away last week,” Kvitova said. ”I played for my grandfather. I’m happy I won the tournament for him.”

Kvitova has now won 16 of 17 matches this season, and earned the WTA Newcomer of the Year award last season. Kvitova is ranked No. 14 in the new rankings that came out today.

Clijsters replaces Wozniacki at No. 1

Kim Clijsters has taken over the World No. 1 ranking, as the new rankings will reflect when they come out on Monday.

Clijsters achieved the honor after defeating Jelena Dokic of Australia in the Quarterfinals, 6-0, 6-3 at the WTA Open GDF Suez in Paris, France. She will replace the current No. 1, Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark.

It has been 256 weeks since Clijsters’ last stretch at No. 1. That is the second longest in ATP or WTA history, beaten only by Serena Williams at 265 weeks.

Clijsters wins first Australian Open

The 9th time was a charm for Kim Clijsters of Belgium as she claimed her first Australian Open Championship over tough competitor Na Li of China at Melbourne.

It took a new decade, as Clijsters had played eight times from 2000 to 2010. Finally in 2011 she was able to accomplish the feat, winning a hard-fought 3-setter 3-6, 6-3, 6-3. Clijsters had reached the final only once before in 2004, and managed only the 3rd round last year.

It was Clijsters’ 4th career Grand Slam singles title. The other three have all been at the U.S. Open, three in a row – 2005, 2009, 2010. She did not play in the U.S. Open from 2006-2008.

Clijsters defeats Zvonareva to reach final

No. 3 seed, #3 Kim Clijsters of Belgium won in straight sets over No. 2 seed, #2 Vera Zvonareva of Russia to reach the Final of the 2011 Australian Open.

Clijsters handled Zvonareva quite easily winning 6-3, 6-3, hitting 18 winners with 18 unforced errors compared to Zvonareva’s 14 winers and 21 unforced errors. Clijsters scored on 4 of the 7 break points she reached against Zvonareva, while Zvonareva converted only 1 of 3 break points against Clijsters.

Li upsets Wozniacki in semifinal

No. 9 seed, Na Li of China, upset World No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark in a thrilling 3-setter, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 at the 2011 Australian Open.

Wozniacki won the 1st set 6-3, looking like she would easily take the match. She continued looking good in the 2nd set, serving for the match at 5-4. Wozniacki reached match point at 40-30, but Li won the point and the game to break even at 5-5. Li went on to win the set 7-5.

Clijsters destroys Safina at Australian Open

In a clash between two who were formerly ranked World No. 1, Kim Clijsters completely annihilated Dinara Safina of Russia, handing out a humiliating double-bagel, 6-0, 6-0.

Dinara, the Australian Open 2009 finalist, became the first former No.1 in Open era history to suffer a double bagel defeat at a Grand Slam. Dinara has struggled since returning from back injury last summer. However, she never anticipated being hammered the way she was.

Li upsets Clijsters at Sydney

No. 8 seed, Na Li of China upset No. 3 seed, Kim Clijsters of Belgium at the 2011 WTA Medibank International played in Sydney, Australia on Friday.

It was the fourth career WTA title for 28-year-old Na, and she became the first Chinese player to ever win a “Premier” level title.

Kim, 27 years old, jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the 1st set before Na came back to win the set in a tie-break 7-3. Na said: “I was 5-0 down and saw the time, it was only 15 minutes. I thought, ‘Yeah, the fans, they pay a lot of money and the match will be over in half an hour.’ One or two points changed it, and it turned around like that.”

Clijsters and Li reach semifinals of 2011 WTA Medibank International

World No. 3, Kim Clijsters of Belgium, and World No. 11, Na Li of China, are the only seeded players to reach the semifinals of the 2011 WTA Medibank International being played Jan. 10 – Jan. 16 in Sydney, Australia.

Kim ousted World No. 10, Victoria Azarenka of Belarus in the quarterfinals, 6-3, 6-2. Kim has been playing well, and remarked: “I think it’s a lot to do with feeling comfortable on the surface—I think I see the ball better on the blue courts.”

Henin, Clijsters might play doubles together at the 2012 London Olympics

Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters are exploring the possibility of playing doubles together at the 2012 London Olympics.

The two comeback kids from Belgium said at a press conference on Thursday that they are open to the idea but need to overcome scheduling difficulties. Both reached the No. 1 ranking before retiring and making comebacks. Clijsters is currently ranked No. 3, while Henin has dropped to No. 12 due to being sidelined with an injury the last part of last season.

They teamed up once before, losing in doubles to Russia in the 2006 Fed Cup quarterfinals.