TennisToday

Hey Ana Ivanovic - Use the Potty on Your Own Serve

Sheesh. The nerve of some stars.

So Ana, playing a match in Linz, starts the match serving. Feels ill from some bad yogurt and leaves the court after holding serve to use the facilities. She uses the restroom for whatever reason (pee, puke, the big D?) only to return to court with the score tied at 1-1.

Ana shrugged of the game penalty and wiped away (really bad pun) Zahlavova Strycova, 63 62.

Tsk tsk - the rules clearly state that you must excuse yourself before your own serve.

After the match Ana said to an Austrian TV reporter, "I felt a bit sick, so I had to go to the toilet. I asked the referee and I thought he granted me permission to go so, I was really surprised to be punished."

She continued, "It did not disturb my concentration, and it didn't really matter because I won the match."

Tomorrow Ana will play Julia Goerges for a spot in the semifinals.

Just stay away from the yogurt.

Caroline Wozniacki New World #1 in Women's Tennis

You're looking at her - the new world #1, Caroline Wozniacki. With her 63 62 win over Petra Kvitova in the 3rd round at the women's stop in Beijing Caro jumps over Serena Williams to take over in the top spot.

On Monday Caroline will become the 20th women ranked at #1 (the rankings began in 1975). Many will argue that this feat should have an asterisk having not yet won a Slam. But it is not unprecedented - Clijsters, Mauresmo, Jankovic and Safina have all done the same. And what do they all have in common? They all played during The Williams Sisters time on tour... just saying.

Caroline has had an impressive year. Her W/L is 56-15 which includes 5 titles: Ponte Vedra Beach, Copenhagen, Montreal, New Haven and Tokyo. And had she not sprained her ankle in Charleston no telling how many more she might have collected.

Her blemish however has been in the Slams this year. She reached the 4th round at the Australian, Qf at Roland Garros, 4th round at Wimbledon and Sf at the US Open. All four of those loses were straight set blow-outs - if I'm being honest. She'll have to better that in 2011 and learn from Safina to keep journalistic pressure at bay.

Back to Beijing. Caro will face Ana Ivanovic in the Qf's. In their two previous matches Caro failed to win a set though both matches were played in '08 when Ana was ranked in the top 3 and Caro was in diapers.

Not a lot of women's players can check being #1 off of their list so big congratulations are well deserved in the Wozniacki camp today. Well done.

Photo: Reuters

Ana Ivanovic Attends Kids Tennis Clinic in Tokyo

One thing you'll learn from this video is that she has big feet.

Kim Clijsters Storms into Quarterfinal at US Open

US Open - Women's Fourth Round

2 Kim Clijsters d Ana Ivanovic - 62 61

FIFTY-NINE MINUTES

Ok. I think we all knew Kim would win but not quite this easily.

Kim is on an 18 match winning streak at the Open. Winning in '05 & '09.

In 8 trips to Flushing the defender has reached the Qf's 5 times: 3-1.

She'll next face the winner of tonight's Dementieva/Stosur match.

Against both ladies combined she is H2H 14-3 (Elena: 11-3, Sam: 3-0).

As for Ana - she's played pretty well this summer.

She lost 1st round at the Open last year so her ranking will get a nice bump.

She'd be well served to use the rest of the season to get more match tough.

Vanity Fair Serves Up a Tennis Player Photo Spread

Hey, well done Vanity Fair! See the other photos at their website.

 

 

 

Photos: Justin Bishop for Vanity Fair

Kim Clijsters Thru to Final as Ana Ivanovic Retires with Injured Foot in Cincinnati

Cincinnati WTA - Semifinal

4 Kim Clijsters d Ana Ivanovic - 21 ret'd

Ah Ana... just when you were turning the career around. Bad luck.

Doubtful, but let's just hope this is behind her for the US Open.

Ana told Kim at the net that she "felt a crack in her foot."

Didn't that just happen to Kim? Kept her out of the game for 6 weeks...

***

KIM CLIJSTERS

In only her 8th tournament for the 2010 season this is her 3rd final: 2-0.

Cincy is where exactly a year ago Kim made her return to the tour.

She made it to the Qf's before losing to Safina - after beating 2 seeds.

Since returning she's titled 3 times: US Open in '09, Brisbane & Miami in '10.

This week she is guaranteed the #5 ranking - a win moves her up to #4.

Mama done good!

Photos: AP

Kim Clijsters Leads Semifinalists at WTA Cincinnati

Cincinnati WTA - Semifinals

4 Kim Clijsters (above) vs Ana Ivanovic - H2H: 1-0

Here's a potential fun one between 2 former #1's.

Kim's win yesterday will move her up to #5 in the rankings on Monday.

Winning the tourny will probably get her up to #4 - in only 9 events played.

Ana's showing will help her ranking as well - into the top 40. US Open seed?

Welcome back to weekend play Ana - let's make it a habit, shall we!

***

10 Maria Sharapova vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova - H2H: 0-0

First time: I actually spelled Pavlyuchenkova's correctly name without looking.

These battling Russian's are both looking for their 3rd titles of the year.

Killer stat: In 10 events played in '10 Maria will play her 5th Sf: 4-0.

Except for the little hiccup at the end - her match last night was full-flight.

***

Quarterfinal Results

Ana Ivanovic d Akgul Amanmuradova - 61 63

That had to feel good to kick some ass.

4 Kim Clijsters d 11 Flavia Pennetta - 76(6) 64

Mom had a tight fight but got it done.

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova d 12 Yanina Wickmayer - 75 36 61

Yanina better get it going - she has a ton of points to defend at the Open.

10 Maria Sharapova d 16 Mraion Bartoli - 61 64

Maria Maria Maria... that shoud have been 61 62!

Photo: Getty Images

Ana Ivanovic Wins a 3rd Match in Cincinnati

Cincinnati WTA - 3rd Round

Ana Ivanovic d Elena Vesnina - 60 63

Ana is on fire this week - well, on fire for Ana these days.

This is only her third trip to a tour Qf this year: 2-0.

The win turns her W/L for '10 to the good: 15-14.

She'll face either Jankovic or Amanmuradova (!) in the Qfs.

Post match: When you're winning you're in a good mood the whole day.

I am actually having fun playing tennis again!

***

Drama: Rogers Cup reversed their decision & finally offered her a wildcard.

She basically told them to eff off. Go girl.

Photo: Reuters

Ana Ivanovic Wins 2-in-a-Row at WTA Cincinnati

Cincinnati WTA - 2nd Round

Ana Ivanovic d Yaroslava Shvedova - 61 75

This is only the 3rd time she's won 2 back-to-back matches since Wimby '09.

Thought I'd never say this but that jack-knife fist pump is a welcome sight.

Ana is currently ranked #62 and has been a non-factor for well over a year.

She will next face Elena Vesnina: H2H: 1-0. This too is winnable Ana. Do it.

Photo: Getty Images

Wimbledon's Fallen Seeds & Notables on Day 1

The Men

Peter Luczak d 30 Tommy Robredo - 26 76(3) 62 75

Michal Przysiezny d 17 Ivan Ljubicic - 75 76(5) 63

Denis Istomin d 20 Stanislas Wawrinka - 67(5) 61 26 76(4) 63

Daniel Brands d Igor Andreev - 76(5) 76(4) 75

Arnaud Clement d Janko Tipsarevic - 63 36 64 75

The Women

Vera Dushevina d Francesca Schiavone - 67(0) 75 61

Greta Arn d 34 Kateryna Bondarenko - 76(1) 36 63

Shahar Peer d Ana Ivanovic - 63 64

Angelique Kerber d Sania Mirza - 64 61

Yung-Jan Chan d Patty Schnyder - 60 62

Karolina Sprem d Bethanie Mattek-Sands - 63 64

Photo: Reuters

Ana Ivanovic - '08 Roland Garros Champ - OUT in 2nd Round

28 Alisa Kleybanova d Ana Ivanovic - 63 60

Roland Garros '08 was Ana's 1st Slam and the last title she has won on tour.

After her win in Paris Ana moved to #1 and then completely folded.

She is currently #42 but with 4th round points to defend she will slip, again.

At 23 she still has time to turn things around & she seems to have the drive.

Let's see what she's gonna give us on the grass.

Photo: Reuters

Roger Federer Hits Practice Court at the French Open

The defendning champ looks good as he strides onto Court Philippe Chatrier.

During his practice he ran into Serbs Novak Djokovic & Ana Ivanovic.

Photos: FFT

Battle of Serbs: Jelena Jankovic Beats Ana Ivanovic in Madrid

7 Jelena Jankovic d WC Ana Ivanovic - 46 64 61

Don't look now but Jelena is putting together a pretty decent year.

She began the year at #8 and has since halved that - to #4 this week.

Her upward trend is due to winning Indian Wells & being runner-up in Rome.

With her fine play in '10 she may well nudge her way to a higher ranking soon,

as she failed to make the quarterfinals at Wimbledon & Roland Garros in '09.

Hard to see that happening again this year.

I have a friend who is her biggest fan & he is quite please with this prospect.

Photo: Getty Images

Jelena Jankovic & Martinez-Sanchez Play for Rome Title

Tomorrow's Final

7 Jelena Jankovic vs Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez - H2H: 1-1

That Jankovic loss was back in '01 - what was she 11?

Jelena is looking for her 3rd Rome title following wins in '07 & '08.

Jelena is looking for her 13th title (& 2nd in '10) - Maria her 3rd.

***

Semifinal Results

7 Jelena Jankovic d 1/WC Serena Williams - 46 63 76(5)

Sloppy match filled with unforced errors and double faults.

But entertaining none-the-less.

Serena even revisited her hand-up while oponent is serving tactic again.

Jelena becomes the 7th player to beat the Williams Sisters back-to-back.

Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez d Ana Ivanovic - 64 62

It's the 1st time in over a year Ana's won 4 matches in a row.

Photo: Getty images

Serena Williams Leads Semifinalists in Rome

Tomorrow's Semifinals

1/WC Serena Williams vs 7 Jelena Jankovic - H2H: 4-3

Welcome back Serena. The game has missed you.

It's a battle of former Rome winners: Serena in '02 - Jelena in '07 & '08.

Ana Ivanovic vs Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez - H2H: 0-0

Welcome back Ana. The game has missed you.

Too close to call - this match could go either way.

Ana has never been past the 3rd round in Rome.

*****

Today's Quarterfinal Results

1/WC Serena Williams d Maria Kirilenko - 61 64

Rusty no longer!

7 Jelena Jankovic d 4 Venus Williams - 60 61

One game?

Ana Ivanovic d 14 Nadia Petrova - 62 75

Who is this Ana girl?

Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez d Lucie Safarova - 76(6) 64

4 names makes me wanna route against you.

Photo: Reuters

WTA Rome: Wednesday's Results

No Ana, you were #1 - at the moment you need to add another 57 to that.

THIRD ROUND

1/WC Serena Williams d Andrea Petkovic - 62 36 60
Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez d 2 Caroline Wozniacki - 64 62
4 Venus Williams d 16 Shahar Peer - 63 64
Ana Ivanovic (above) d 6 Elena Dementieva - 61 76(5)
7 Jelena Jankovic d 11 Yanina Wickmayer - 62 60
Lucie Safarova d 8 Agnieszka Radwanska - 16 63 76(1)
14 Nadia Petrova d Alexandra Dulgheru - 60 36 62
Maria Kirilenko d Dominika Cibulkova - 46 61 61

Photo: Ana Ivanovic - Getty Images

Ana Ivanovic Wins & Dinara Safina Loses Today in Rome

Ana Ivanovic d 9 Victoria Azarenka - 64 64 - 2nd Round

This is only 2nd time Ana has won back-to-back matches since Wimbledon.

She will next play Elena Dementieva - can she make it 3 matches in Romes?

Alexandra Dulgheru d Dinara Safina - 64 67(5) 61

Dinara's comeback hit another snag as she crumbled in the 3rd set.

She now falls 1-2 in her return to the WTA tour.

As the defending champ in Rome she will likely take a rankings hit.

*****

Other winners today include:

1/WC Serena Williams d Timea Bacsinszky - 76(2) 61
2 Caroline Wozniacki d WC Maria Elena Camerin - 61 60
4 Venus Williams d Patty Schnyder - 62 62
6 Elena Dementieva d Yaroslava Shvedova - 64 75
7 Jelena Jankovic d Q Bethanie Mattek-Sands - 63 36 61

Photos: AP

Svetlana Kuznetsova Upset in Rome

Maria Kirilenko d 5 Svetlana Kuznetsova - 62 36 64 - 2nd Round

And so Sveta's miserable year continues...

She has failed to reach the quarters in all 7 tournaments played this season.

This, as Roland Garros looms - where she is the defending champion. Um...

1st Round Winners Today Included:

11 Yanina Wickmayer d Q Karolina Sprem - 63 16 64
12 Flavia Pennetta d Q Akgul Amanmuradova - 62 63
13 Francesca Schiavone d Daniela Hantuchova - 36 62 62
Ana Ivanovic d Elena Vesnina - 61 63
Q Bethanie Mattek-Sands d Melanie Oudin - 61 63

Photo: Getty Images

Sean Jay & Mel B take the Court with Novak Djokovic & Ana Ivanovic for Glam.Set.Match to begin Play in Miami

The beautiful people have hit Miami.

Why are there about five fans in the stands?

Tip: Don't fall back on your forehand.

Mel B to Ana: Well, you could always try Dancing with the Stars.

Sean Jay to Novak: I've been to #1.

Fila?

Photos: Getty Images

That is NOT Ana Ivanovic!

So I was watching this gal warm up a few minutes ago and some guy runs over to his friend and says, "Oh my god, that's Ana Ivanovic!" Overhearing his error I had to correct him, "No no, that is not Ana Ivanovic." He insisted, "That photographer over there said it was Ana." I said, "Well, he is wrong." Then he said, "Well then, who is it?" I confessed that I didn't know and he said, "Well if you don't know then it's probably Ana." I rolled my eyes, "I know who it's NOT. Besides Ana Ivanovic is over 6 feet tall, this girl is maybe five-six." Then he yelled to her coach who was busy coaching, "Hey, who is that?" The coach looked surprised at the interuption and said, "Sorana Cirstea of Romania." The guy looked at me and said, "So you're right." Then he huffed off.