Rome Womens Results: Ivanovic, Serena, JJ and Martinez Sanchez into Semis

After Ana Ivanovic beat Elena Vesnina in the first round we were all happy that she atleast won a match. After she took out Victoria Azarenka, we were impressed, but made sure we didn't hype this whole thing up too much. Then she gritted out her match with Elena Dementieva and beat one more Russian, Nadia Petrova, today, 6-2, 7-5, to reach the semis. Now I think it's appropriate to conjure up the possibilities of Ana *gulp* possibly becoming a contender again. She has been extremely poised all week while managing her usually erratic ball toss and keeping those fiery emotions in check.

Next, she'll take on Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez, who beat Caroline Wozniacki on Wednesday and Lucie Safarova 7-6 (6), 6-4. The Spaniard hit 7 aces in the win, which was interrupted by a 15 minute rain delay near the end of the first set.

If anyone has shown that they are ready to contend at the French open, it's Jelena Jankovic. After dominating Yanina Wickmayer, the Serb played even better today, if that's possible, in steamrolling Venus Williams 6-0, 6-1. When asked if she was expecting to beat venus so easily, JJ replied, "Of course not. I had so many tough matches against Venus. It’s great to win—6-0, 6-1 is really unbelievable."

Things won't get any easier for the top-ranked Serb, though, as next up is Serena Williams, amazed she is still in the tournament despite coming off numerous injuries. Serena played her best match of the tournament in dispatching Maria Kirilenko 6-1, 6-4. Williams struggled mightily with her serve but was solid off the ground, preventing Krilenko from getting back in the match during a rough stretch in the second. "My knee is feeling good so far," the world number 1 said. "I can’t believe I’m still in the tournament—it’s weird."

Rome Womens Results: Ivanovic Notches a 3rd Straight W, Wozniacki Upset

Despite the heavily-hyped return of Serena Williams to the WTA Tour, it's the more under-the-radar players who are impressing in Rome. Jelena Jankovic and Yanina Wickmayer were expected to be caught in a closely played match, but their encounter turned out to be completely one-sided, as the 7th seeded Jankovic blew the 11th-seeded Wickmayer off the court, 6-2, 6-0. Another Serb, Ana Ivanovic, proved just how far a slight ounce of confidence can take you, as the former number 1 followed up her win over Victoria Azarenka with a straight-set victory against Elena Dementieva. Nadia Petrova fought hard to earn a 3-set win over Alexandra Dulgheru while Lucie Safarova upset Agnieszka Radwanksa 7-6 (1) in the third.

Both Serena and her sister Venus reached the quarterfinals on Wednesday, and with one more win by each, could face off in the semis. Serena took out Andrea Petkovic 6-2, 3-6, 6-0 in an erratic performance that the American described as "rusty". Venus, on the other hand, had a much easier time, defeating Shahar Peer 3 and 4. Maria Kirilenko dropped the first set against Dominika Cibulkova only to come roaring back, taking the next two 6-1. In the biggest story of the day, Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez shocked Caroline Wozniacki 6-4, 6-2.

Aussie Open Day 9: Murray Romps Rafa, Cilic Fights off A-Rod, Zheng, Henin to Meet in Semis

Let me start by saying HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY to all of those down under.

Anywaysss...

As good as Andy Murray has looked at this year's Australian Open, it was hard to see him playing at an even higher level, but the Scot did just that Monday night, as he used a perfect balance of offense and defense to pulverize Rafael Nadal. The 5th seeded Murray clicked on all cylinders in the 1st set, winning it 6-3 before Rafa turned it up a notch and took the 2nd set to a tiebreak. After that, things were only negative. The Spaniard was pushed around in the breaker, losing it 7-2. In the 3rd set, Murray jumped out to a 3-0 lead before the same injury that forced Nadal out of the 2009 Wimbledon Championships returned. The world number 2's famed knee tendinitis forced him to retire from the match at 3-6, 6-7 (2), 0-3.

Let's all pray that this injury doesn't hinder Rafa for long. He looked like he was ready to return to his summer 2008 form. What a bummer.

Justine Henin reached the semifinals after she successfully kept her title hopes alive with a straight-set win over Nadia Petrova. At times we saw the old Petrova, the head cased one that over-hits her shots at unnecessary times, but overall, both ladies were playing high-level tennis, and it was Justine that had the fire lit within her. The Belgian told the press, "I think it (the Australian Open) was the best place for me to start again. So it’s just great. Here in Australia I had different feelings in the past. But for me, I mean, when I lost to Sharapova, it was a difficult moment in my career. When I had to retire in the final in 2006, it was one of the worst moments of my career. But I just keep positive things."

The other men's semifinal, between Marin Cilic and Andy Roddick, had plenty of momentum changes, but it was the 6'6 Croatian who rode the final wave of confidence, outlasting Roddick in 5 sets to reach his 1st Grand Slam semi and win his 3rd 5 setter of the tournament. Cilic hit 63 winners and 20 aces, outplaying Roddick in both categories by 12 and 5 respectively. The American was complimentary of his younger opponent afterwards, stating that, "He keeps it together real well. Unlike a lot of the young guys who are very emotionally up and down, he doesn’t beat on his chest, he stays the course, he’s very deliberate, he hits the ball very well. Doesn’t give an inch on the baseline. He literally sets up shop right behind the baseline and isn’t going to be moved."

Wonder if Marin will be able to recover in time to play his semifinal match vs. Murray.

The most under-the-radar of the remaining contenders in men's and women's singles is Jie Zheng, but 5'5 Chinese didn't play like it on Monday. Her on-point shot placement and great movement caused problems for her Russian opponent, Maria Kirilenko, as Zheng dominated for a 6-1, 6-3 win. This is her 2nd GS semifinal appearance, and her compatriot, Li Na, will have a chance to join her in the final 4 tomorrow. After the match, Zheng told the press of her admiration for her semifinal opponent, Justine Henin, saying "Yeah, first of all, I favor her for her is have the so strong the mentally. I watch her play always ‑ how you say ‑ enjoy to watch her for play. For second I think is tough match for me, is big challenge. But I like it. I want do something, yeah"

Aussie Open Day 1: Rafa, Clijsters, Murray Advance, Sharapova Bows Out

It sure didn't take long for an upset to occur on day 1 of the Australian Open. First up on Rod Laver Arena were Maria Sharapova and Maria Kirilenko. After Sharapova blew the first set, losing in a tiebreak, she recovered to win the second set. Kirilenko jumped out to a 5-2 lead in the deciding set, and battled her nerves to hold on for the victory. “It’s just a bad day, and a bad day is not going to stop me from doing what I love. I’m still going to go back on the court and work hard and perform. I’ll be back here on the Saturday of a second week. You’ll watch," said Sharapova, who commiteed an embarrasing 76 errors in the first round loss, her first at a mjor since the 2003 French Open when she was 16.

Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray, both in the fourth quarter of the men's draw, advanced in three sets. Nadal wasn't his best in the 7-6 (0), 6-1, 6-4 victory, while Murray was lights out, crushing Kevin Anderson 6-1, 6-1, 6-2. Ivo Karlovic took out 13th seeded Radek Stepanek in five sets, joining Aussie Bernard Tomic and Ivan Ljubicic in the second round.

Justine Henin and Elena Dementieva both cruised to victory to set up an exciting second round match between the two. In that same quarter, Kim Clijsters crushed Valerie Tetreault 6-0, 6-4, Svetlana Kuznetsova surrendered just three games in a win, and Flavia Pennetta advanced in a tight three-setter.

Dinara Safina looked shaky in her two-set win, while the majority of the other matches in the bottom section were delayed due to rain.

Andy Roddick looked extremely impressive in a straight-set win over Thiemo de Bakker, and Juan Martin del Potro, the highest seed in the third quarter of the draw, was hampered by a wrist injury in his four-set win over Michael Russell. The Argentine claimed his wrist hurt him "a little bit". Fernando Gonzalez, the tournament's 12th seed, also advanced in four sets.

Best of '09- Style

It's time for the next top ten list, and this time we're recalling the most stylish on-court outfits of the past year. This countdown will only include women, considering it's pretty hard for the men to look fashion-savvy in a shirt and shorts, unless of course, you're Roger Federer.

Here we go:

10. Venus Williams in Australia

Venus debuted this bright yellow dress at the Australian Open this year. Although she had worn this neckline at 2 Grand Slams in 2008, this ensemble was my favorite version, and it contrasted perfectly against the blue courts down under.

9. Caroline Wozniacki in Doha

Wozzi's Stella McCartney dresses were a huge hit this year, and she most definitely saved the best for last, as the Danish beauty wore this teal ruffled tank-dress at the last tournament of the year, in Doha. Let's hope she can keep her stylish ways going in 2010.

8. Viktoriya Kutuzova in New York

Kutuzova isn't very well-known, but her opening round match against Kim Clijsters at this year's US Open got her national recognition for her Nike green dress, with charcoal ruffles cascading down the bottom. It was originally meant for Maria Sharapova at the 2009 Australian Open, but Kutuzova was the perfect gal to debut the outfit.

7. Serena Williams in Paris

Serena Williams' styles have always been somewhat outlandish, but the world number 1's French Open Nike color-block dress was tamed down, and perfect for the clay courts at Roland Garros.

6. Ana Ivanovic in New York

Ana Ivanovic had a miserable year tennis-wise, but that didn't mean the Serb couldn't redeem herself fashionably. She bowed out in the first round at the US Open, but her dark blue asymmetrical ruffled Adidas dress was a knockout.

5. Jelena Jankovic in Fed Cup

JJ started her own line of dresses with Chinese sporting-brand Anta in the beginning of the year, and the pairing was very successful, producing cute and fashionable outfit's like the royal blue one Jankovic wore in Fed Cup play.

4. Maria Sharapova in New York

Maria Sharapova is a consistently stylish dresses on the WTA Tour, and her US Open Nike night dress was no exception, with metallic silver strips asymmetrically striped around the neckline. Her long matching headband complimented the outfit.

3. Maria Kirilenko in Australia

Maria Kirilenko is a regular in the best-dressed lists, and her Stella McCartney get-up in Australia proved that the Russian can almost do no wrong. The high-waisted skirt was pleated to perfection and the color worked well with her skin tone.

2. Maria Sharapova in Paris

Sharapova's first Grand Slam back from her layoff from a shoulder injury proved to be a stylish one, with the Russian wearing a one-shouldered two-toned blue dress with a light overlay
at the bottom. The color was a stellar pairing with the red clay courts of Roland Garros and it fit Shazza like a glove.

1. Maria Sharapova in Warsaw

And the number 1 outfit of 2009 is.......Maria Sharapova's Warsaw ensemble. This was the 23 year old's first tournament back after 9 months, and she returned with a bang, wearing this white dress with a bright-orange high-waisted overlaying skirt. Every part of this outfit was relevant and extremely stylish, proving Maria's dominance over The WTA in style standards.

Leave a comment and tell me what you think!