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A first round bye – never an advantage for Hantuchova who tends more often than not to play herself into form during a tournament, was followed by a second round match up with Katarina Srebotnik a wily and consistent player who has never beaten Hantuchova in their previous six meetings. A fine first set from both players was followed by a 6-1 drubbing by the Slovenian Srebotnik. Hantuchova’s game had deserted her and all of the mental frailties and clueless shot-making which has dirtied her game for the past few years reared its head once more. Daniela regained her composure and her winners, to seal the third but it was a tough game.

Agnes Szavay yet another ‘wonderkid’ this time from Hungary is a difficult player as Hantuchova herself, Jelena Jankovic and Nadia Petrova all found out last year  but her form has been indifferent in 2008 so far. Another huge lead was blown by Hantuchova in the first set (points for 5-1) and after losing the tiebreak it was a repeat of the Srebotnik second set drubbing 6-1.

Is the Slovak a little complacent now after cementing herself solidly in the worlds top 10? Perhaps, and if that is the case then the hope will be that over the years she has matured enough to conquer such feelings which no doubt contributed to her downfall in 2003 when she was at a similarly lofty ranking.

Sharapova won the first set 6-4. It was on serve at 3-3 when the number 3 seed broke the unseeded player. Then the 18 year old held on to her serve to go up 5-3. Raymond held serve to stay in the set but then Maria served out the set.

The second set was all Sharapova winning 6-0 and so after 70 minutes the match ended.

Maria will now play twenty first seed Shahar Peer in the fourth round. Peer beat Daniilidou 4-6 7-6 7-5 in her third round match. The two have met once with Maria winning in Beijing last year in three sets.

A first round bye – never an advantage for Hantuchova who tends more often than not to play herself into form during a tournament, was followed by a second round match up with Katarina Srebotnik a wily and consistent player who has never beaten Hantuchova in their previous six meetings. A fine first set from both players was followed by a 6-1 drubbing by the Slovenian Srebotnik. Hantuchova’s game had deserted her and all of the mental frailties and clueless shot-making which has dirtied her game for the past few years reared its head once more. Daniela regained her composure and her winners, to seal the third but it was a tough game.

Agnes Szavay yet another ‘wonderkid’ this time from Hungary is a difficult player as Hantuchova herself, Jelena Jankovic and Nadia Petrova all found out last year  but her form has been indifferent in 2008 so far. Another huge lead was blown by Hantuchova in the first set (points for 5-1) and after losing the tiebreak it was a repeat of the Srebotnik second set drubbing 6-1.

Is the Slovak a little complacent now after cementing herself solidly in the worlds top 10? Perhaps, and if that is the case then the hope will be that over the years she has matured enough to conquer such feelings which no doubt contributed to her downfall in 2003 when she was at a similarly lofty ranking.

This weekend sees the opening round of the Federation Cup and unfortunately for the tournament, the weakest field of players in years. In newly crowned Australian Open Champion Maria Sharapova there is a controversial but much needed top ten player to liven up the competitions’ star-starved first round fixtures.

Defending champions Russia travel to Israel in what is the standout battle of the four ties. Israel are flying high on confidence after winning their last ten ties and are hardly a team of minnows with the likes of Shahar Peer. Nevertheless it is unlikely that the World Group debutants will cause much of an upset against a team boasting the talents of four top 100 players. Whether fellow top ten player Anna Chakvetadze (who was somewhat less than complimentary of teammate and semi-compatriot Sharapova), world number 16 Dinara Safina or Elena Vesnina (number 53) will play in complete harmony and to the very best of their ability will be an interesting notion. Barring a complete and utter breakdown of relations however, there is no other winner than Russia here.

In the other ties it is the lack of big names that is causing a stir. USA who host Germany will be without the firepower of either Williams sibling. The Americans, who have won a record 17 titles in the past – but none since 2000 – do still have strength. Comeback mum Lindsay Davenport, despite looking rusty against Sharapova in Australia is still the best player on show, she is joined by veteran Lisa Raymond and two competition debutants in Laura Granville and Ashley Harkleroad. The Germans are also sporting newcomers in an inexperienced squad. Anna-Lena Groenefeld is both their best and most seasoned campaigner. If she is playing to her best and Davenport – the heart of the home side – falters then a much closer contest will be in store.

China are the favourites in their home tie against a much-weakened French side. The 1997 and 2003 champions are without their top three players Marion Bartoli, Tatiana Golovin and Amelie Mauresmo. Whether an in-form Virginie Razzano can carry the team to victory over a Chinese side which includes the dangerous world number 32 Li Na and two time Grand Slam doubles champions Yan Zi and Zheng Jie is questionable.

Lastly, 2006 champions and last year’s finalists Italy will play host to five times winners Spain. The visitors have a proud cup history bit have not reached a final since their 2002 loss to Slovakia and will be under-nourished with only Annabell Media Garrigues representing top 30 talent. The Italians have the ever-consistent Francesca Schiavone and Tathiana Garbin plus the talented Flavia Pennetta. If the Italians continue their good Fed Cup form then this will be their match.

Well, after a fortnight of some superb tennis in the women’s game and a fair slice of drama we have reached the final stage.Early predictions, despite her indifferent early form at the start of the year saw world number one Justine Henin as favourite to at least reach the last hurdle here, the tournaments form player put that to rest. Maria Sharapova has produced a ruthless standard of tennis over the last fortnight and is clearly back to her devastating best after a year niggled by injury for the most part. Fitter, stronger and with an improved, much more varied gameplan. The technique has been sharpened up and the Russian now stays in longer rallies with ease and as a result of her extra strength usually wins most.
Her place in the final is no surprise. Her opponent from the other half was never as predetermined. Venus was probably the safest bet, but Svetlana Kuznetsova has always been capable of turning on the heat at the biggest stages, regardless of her in-going form. However it is no surprise either that tomorrows other finalist is Ana Ivanovic. The Serbs have attacked Australia with real force and – with the exception of the aforementioned Russian and a certain Frenchman – have  become the stars of this 2008 tournament.

The 20 year old from Belgrade may display the odd bit of youthful over-excitement at key points in matches, and this has cost her in the past. In her last dramatic steal in the semi-finals she often played with fire at critical moments (going for a forehand winner down the line at deuce 2-3 in the third), but owing as much to her opponents renowned tendency to crumble as her ability to grind out results against anyone has seen her through to her second Slam final.

What is so impressive about Ivanovic is her weight of shot matched with some sublime defensive play.

It is an interesting final to predict, yes Sharapova’s form has been even greater than her normal high level, and one cannot forget Ivanovic’s utter capitulation in the final of the French last year – yet another disappointing finish to the women’s competition at Roland Garros. But even after just eight months it is a different Ivanovic. Much wiser in just a short space of time and enjoying a greater level of support both compared to the Justine-heavy Parisian crowds and probably more than her opponent tomorrow.

But however great the support will be for such an idolised player like Sharapova, it will be nothing to the volume of pro-Serbian followers – as fellow beauty Hantuchova found out all to well.

Who will triumph? The two are equal in head to head meetings with their last encounter at the quarter final stage of the season ending championships seeing Sharapova crush the Serb 6-2, 6-1, but the result that will always give Ivanovic hope is that semi final trouncing of the former number one with an identical scoreline.

I fancy Sharapova, purely because her level of play has reached another level, at least during the tournament. Sharapova’s one dimensional game will mean that players like Justine and Ivanovic will beat her at least once by the years end, but not quite yet.

01/10/08 Antwerp, Belgium – Justine Henin will come to the Diamond Games after all. Serena Williams also confirmed her entry. Organiser Bob Verbeeck is very pleased by Justine’s decision.

Justine Henin had many doubts after an absence of several years from this tournament. In 2002 she played the final of the 1st edition of this WTA-tournament and lost to Venus Williams. In 2003 she was beaten by Kim Clijsters in the semi-final and in 2004 Justine retired at the very last moment.

Since then Henin skipped the tournament in favour of the Middle-East WTA tournaments.

When Clijsters retired from the tour, the organisers made a lot of effort convincing Justine Henin to attend and finally the latter could be convinced.
The competition will be tough for Justine since 7 of the top 10 of players will attend including Serena Williams, Tatiana Golovin, Daniela Hantuchova ad Anna Chakvetadze all signed up already. Defending champion Amélie Mauresmo has not confirmed yet..

It will be the last time this tournament will be on the WTA-tour.
Belgian fans much moved
On her website Justine Henin claims that it was the Belgian crowd that convinced her to come to Antwerp and play at the Proximus Diamond Tournament. She was touched by the many requests to attend the last edition of the Belgian tournament.

Because Henin plays, the tournament will take place again in the “Sportpaleis”. Without a Belgian topplayer the tournament would have moved to the “Lotto Arena” nearby.
Henin will play her 1st match on Thursday 14th February at 19.30 hrs CET.

LONDON (AP) — Martina Hingis was banned for two years Friday for testing positive for cocaine at Wimbledon last year.The International Tennis Federation said an independent anti-doping tribunal found that Hingis, who announced her retirement Nov. 1 on the day she revealed the positive test, had committed an offense.

The 27-year-old Hingis denied using cocaine, but the tribunal rejected suggestions there were any doubts over her sample.

Although the five-time Grand Slam winner is now retired, Hingis’ suspension is backdated to Oct. 1. She has three weeks to contest the ruling and punishment.

The ITF disqualified Hingis’ results from last year’s Wimbledon and any subsequent tournaments she played in. She also forfeits any ranking points gained and $129,481 in prize money.

Hingis provided the sample after losing 6-4, 6-2 to Laura Granville in the third round at Wimbledon.

There was no immediate reaction from Hingis, who dominated women’s tennis between 1997-2000 by winning three straight Australian Opens, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. She was twice a runner-up at the French Open where her loss to Iva Majoli in 1997 stopped her winning all four Grand Slams that year.

Hingis returned to the sport in 2005 after a four-year absence because of injuries.

When announcing her retirement at a news conference in Zurich, Hingis denied ever using cocaine.

“I find this accusation so horrendous, so monstrous that I’ve decided to confront it head on by talking to the press,” she said. “I am frustrated and angry. I believe that I am absolutely 100 percent innocent.”

Larry Scott, chief executive of the WTA Tour, said Friday his organization was saddened by the outcome of the case.

“As a signatory to the WADA Code and a founding member of the Tennis Anti-Doping Program, the WTA Tour is committed to ensuring the integrity and competitive fairness of women’s professional tennis, and ensuring the heath and well-being of our athletes,” Scott said.

“We are saddened by this news as Martina has meant so much to fans the world over and made many positive contributions to the sport.”

ST. PETERSBURG, FL, USA – Australian tennis legend Evonne Goolagong Cawley has been officially recognised as one of only 16 women to have attained the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour’s World No.1 singles ranking since computer rankings were introduced in 1975.

It was recently discovered that Goolagong ascended to the top spot for one ranking period (rankings were issued bi-monthly during 1975-1990) shortly after her gripping 63 57 63 win over Chris Evert at prestigious 1976 Virginia Slims Championships held at the Forum in Los Angeles.

The belated accolade comes about following a recent search in the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Rankings archive in St. Petersburg, Florida, which revealed that a handful of paper records were in fact missing between April and July 1976, most notably was the ranking period April 26 to May 9.

On looking at the point differential between No.1 Evert and No.2 Goolagong on the April 12 printout, there was little separating the two. When the Jenkins method was applied to compute the rankings following the results of the Virginia Slims Championships on April 17, and with the 1975 Family Circle Cup points (which Evert won) from the 52 weeks previously coming off on April 26, Goolagong moves into the No.1 spot by 8/10ths of a Rating Point.

Two weeks later on May 10, when Evert’s victory at the 1976 Family Circle Cup and Goolagong’s non-entry are factored in, the American moves back into the No.1 spot for and would continue to hold it for 112 consecutive weeks until Martina Navratilova’s victory at Wimbledon in 1978.

To celebrate the achievement, the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour sent Goolagong Cawley a Waterford Crystal trophy, something new No.1s in recent years have received. She is pictured in this story with the trophy.

“I’m simply delighted,” said Goolagong Cawley from her home in Noosa, Queensland. “In Australia at the end of 1975 and during the ‘76 Virginia Slims Tour (which finished just before Easter – Chris and I then played World TeamTennis with no more official tournaments until the WTT break for Wimbledon) I played at the highest level, the most consistent tennis of my career. The tournaments were on grass and on mostly quick carpet which helped the serve and volley part of my game and for five or six months I felt virtually unbeatable.

“Prior to this time, I had lost to Chris a number of times in a row mostly on clay – her best surface – but strangely during that time it was my ground strokes that improved and subsequently gave me such an edge on everyone, including her. Today I am happy and gratified that what I felt at the time has now been recognised officially. It’s personally very satisfying and this has been the best Christmas present.”

“Evonne was always one of the most beloved and gracious of champions,” said Sony Ericsson WTA Tour CEO & Chairman Larry Scott. “We felt once it came to light that she did in fact assume the No.1 ranking for a period in 1976, it was important to recognise the achievement, just like we had with all the other 15 women who have achieved that pinnacle in women’s tennis.

“Unfortunately our record keeping wasn’t perfect in those early days of women’s tennis and our ranking system was viewed as a means of just accepting tournament entries. It wasn’t until the early 1980s that the media and players started to pay attention to the changes in the rankings during the year as opposed to only the end of season rankings. Media coverage has evolved to the point now when a player cracks the Top 10 for the first time or attains the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour No.1 Ranking that it attracts world-wide attention and deservedly so.”

Veteran observers of the tennis writing community had this to say:

“Back in the Seventies, most of us as tennis writers didn’t pay much attention to the weekly rankings; we were more concerned with where the players stood at the end of the year, and that was when we paid serious attention. The computer rankings in the seventies were only just evolving and most of us were still writing on typewriters; of course there was no internet.

“Hence, when the WTA, through an innocent mistake, did not give Evonne Goolagong the honor she deserved as an authentic No.1 in 1976, that error went right by us in the press. We knew that Evonne was having a great year and was involved in an exciting battle for the top spot with Chris Evert, but the oversight regarding her rise to No.1 during that season was simply not noticed. Blame that on the times, the circumstances, and the fact that the week in, week out rankings were not a top concern of many writers, and that is why Goolagong never got her due.

“She was one of the great players of the Open Era and it is a very good thing for all of us historians that she is finally getting recognition for having achieved the No.1 ranking in the world. It adds to her legacy of seven Grand Slam singles championships and a wonderful overall record through the years.

“I do not blame the Tour in the least for what happened; in fact, it is setting the record straight now, and 31 years later Goolagong is at last being officially given an honor she deserved long ago. It is good for her and good for the game. When historical errors are made, they should be corrected, and that is the case right now. Good for the Tour and good for Goolagong, because now everyone will know that she was indeed the No.1 player in the world during her prime.”
Steve Flink

“Evonne was certainly one of the most graceful and charming of champions – a delight off the court and on. She was very shy as a young player and I think she surprised many of us by maturing into a powerful advocate for the Aboriginal people. I would imagine a strong family life when she got married helped her develop the confidence off the court and on it. 1976 was most certainly her most consistent year.

“The rankings were, indeed, less noted on the women’s tour than the men’s in those early days and records were badly kept so week by week would have been difficult to check at the time. It’s terrific that she gets her just reward now. But Evonne’s game transcended statistics. As Bill Tilden might have said, she played her own sweet game.”
Richard Evans

“Hurrahs to the diggers who discovered that Evonne Goolagong should have been ranked No.1 during 1976, not No.2. It took a while, but never too late for justice. This fact will be noted in the next edition of my Tennis Encyclopedia in 2008.”
Bud Collins

The seventh-ranked American, whose fitness problems have been well documented over the years, told organisers that she cannot arrive in time to partner Mardy Fish in a tournament-opening tie against India at the mixed teams event.

The Florida-based former world number one is to be replaced by Meghann Shaughnessy, ranked 52nd, who will carry the load against Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna in the first tie.

Few details on the nature of the Williams complaint were made available as organisers scramble with the possible loss of a drawcard and the defending Australian Open champion.

Williams has told officials she will arrive sometime over the New Year’s weekend. Shaughnessy can play as substitute until Williams may or may not step in to take her place.

The French have also made a team change, with veteran and former Australian Open finalist Arnaud Clement replacing young gun Gael Monfils, down with a knee injury.

The 21-year-old could be in doubt for the first Grand Slam of the season starting January 14. He joins compatriot and Adelaide tournament absentee Richard Gasquet in pulling from an Aussie event due to knee problems.

Clement, the 2001 Australian Open finalist against Andre Agassi, played the Hopman five years ago. He will partner Tatiana Golovin at the Burswood Dome.

France is competing in the competition, which consists of men’s and women’s singles plus mixed doubles, for the 14th time without winning a trophy.

Teams: Australia (Alicia Molik, Peter Luczak), Serbia (Jelena Jankovic, Novak Djokovic), Czech Republic (Tomas Berdych, Lucie Safarova), France (Tatiana Golovin, Arnaud Clement), India (Sania Mirza, Rohan Bopanna) Argentina (Gisela Dulko, Juan Chela), US (Serena Williams, substitute Meghann Shaughnessy, Mardy Fish) and Taiwan (Su-Wei Hsieh, Yen-Hsun Lu). – From DPA