Happy birthday, Ana Ivanovic

Ana Ivanovic was able to celebrate his 24th birthday raising his glass to the champion of the Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions in Bali after the final defeating Anabel Medina.

Anabel Medina blamed fatigue from previous rounds (where he defeated Marion Bartoli and Lisicki Sabine ) and ended up losing to a superior now Ana Ivanovic by an aggregate score of 6-3, 6-0 in one hour and two minutes of play. The first set was hotly contested, with both players highlighting the service, which were very safe. Exchanges from the bottom were intense and continuous. The small details, in this case, awarded to the most insistent Ivanovic, who signed a ball break of five possible options to take advantage on the scoreboard. Night and day between the first and second acts. Anabel collapsed and could not stop the whirlwind of a game to Ivanovic smile that was removed from his face. What better way to celebrate his birthday with his first title of the season and the eleventh of his career! The Serb, who arrived in Bali on the condition of 'wild card' resurrection returns to glimpse a view to next season. Anabel, for its part, has demonstrated a gap between the best players on the planet.

In the match for third and fourth, Sabine Lisicki was replaced by Daniela Hantuchova injury. The over Slovak declining to Nadia Petrova by a score of 6-2, 5-7, 6-0 in one hour and fifty-seven minutes in the crash that opened the day in Bali.

Equality between Russia and Czech Republic at the end of the first day

Russia and Czech Republic tie (1-1) in the first round of the Fed Cup final is being played this weekend at the Olympic Stadium in Moscow, and in which the world No. 2 Petra Kvitova beat Maria Kirilenko (6-2,6-2), but Kuznetsova gave the hosts a draw by beating Safarova (6-2,6-3).

In the first game of the morning, the world No. 2 dumped Kvitova Kirilenko of Russia, the world number 27, in two sets (6-2,6-2) fast and strong, drawing most of the balls' breaks' which was available.

The veteran Czech player had a large percentage of points earned in his first serve at will and managed to Maria Kirilenko, who looked like he could not do damage with his tennis and just ran from one side to another of the track trying to return a ball .

The first set, which completely dominated the Czech Republic, marked from the beginning what would be the meeting between the players and although Russia began the second set with more force, faded away and imposing Kvitova victory.

After an initial point for the team against Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova showed why it was favored by the party and not dangerous at any time. After a comfortable home party for Russian tennis player was 4-0, Safarova put the batteries and got two games to finish the first leg 6-2.

In the second set, the Czech fought over the party and making things more difficult for the local player, who always knew how to play and hurt Safarova. In a disputed manga (6-3).

With this result, this Sunday will decide the champion in Fed Cup singles confrontations between the winners of today Svetlana Kuznetsova and Petra Kvitova, and a second individual meeting between the defeated Maria Kirilenko and Lucie Safarova. The last match of the day will double between Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova / Elena Vesnina and Lucie Hradecka / Kveta Peschke.

Anabel Medina Garrigues in the final major of his career

The Spanish Anabel Medina qualified for the final tournament in Bali, the most important of his career, against Serbia's Ana Ivanovic, defending champion, beating Germany's Sabine Lisicki, who retired from the meeting in the third set, because to a back injury.

Medina had won the first set 6-3, lost the second 6-4. Lisicki asked for treatment in this second set, and as could be done with this part, but then chose to leave after two hours of fighting when he gave up a 4-0, due to pain in that area.

Anabel won 18 of the first 22 points of the third quarter, when Lisicki could no longer maintain the pace of the game.

Thus, Medina reached the final after his two opponents in the tournament to withdraw through injury. In the previous encounter the same thing happened against France's Marion Bartoli, with which he had to save two match points.

"I have not had many retreats in my career and now I have two at once," said Medina. "I feel bad for Sabine, I noticed that he was wrong in the second set but won it, but in the beginning of the third saw that was wrong."

"Today was a little nervous, but I'm happy to be in the final," added Medina. "I feel very good on this track. I've been practicing all week and I have been attaching great. I feel great in Bali, and the only treatment is to enjoy my game now."

Before, Ivanovic had broken the Russian Nadia Petrova 6-1, 7-5, after a great start in which he won nine consecutive games. Petrova slightly recomposed their schemes and managed level the second set, and even got to have a set point with 5-4, but Anna was saved and then won the last game to reach the final.

"With 6-1 and 2-0 I noticed that she went in level, started serving better and make fewer mistakes. But I'm happy because I was able to concentrate again and close the match in two sets," said Ivanovic.

Ivanovic will be the fifteenth to the end of his career (10-4) and the eighteenth Medina (11-6). Of Serbia, one of the world exnúmero, will play his first final since winning the title last year and Medina is the most important of his career.

Ivanovic Anabel Medina and have met three times, with 2-1 for the Serbian player who has won his two matches on the ground: Roland Garros 2007 and 2009 Fed Cup, while Anabel won his fast surface: Luxembourg, 2004.

Anabel Medina gets into the semifinals of Bali

The Spanish tennis player Anabel Medina has sealed his move to the semifinals of the tournament in Bali, scoring for the WTA and distributed $ 600,000 in prizes (about 435,832 euros), to be benefited by the abandonment of Marion Bartoli.

The torrentinos saved two 'match-points in the second set before the gala, the first top seed in the tournament with eight players in the box, was forced to retire with a sprained right ankle with 4-6, 7-6 (7) and 1-0 in the mail.

Bartoli, who also retired at the end of 2009, scored the first set, but errors increased its service, changing racket several times, and wasted two match points. The first Medina saved him, but in France's second double-faulted - six in the whole game -.

And at the very beginning the final set, with 'break' and against, Bartoli was injured ankle. Despite receiving treatment and leave the court, failed to resume the game. In the next round, Medina will intersect with the winner of the clash between the Slovak Daniela Hantuchova and German Sabine Lisicki.

Serena Williams and the Panic Room

Do not tell anyone if we say that a player has been plagued by a past supporter of turns. Yes it would if we relate the scare was Serena Williams Halloween night, when one of these confused mereoradores with a vampire Anti-Doping Agency who visited to ask a sample of urine. The U.S. is locked in the panic room of his house and called police, who went to his mansion to solve the mess. Trick or treat?

Steffi Graf , Monica Seles , Anna Kournikova , Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams have been some of the celebrities from the world of bats that have been sunset with better or worse luck. The U.S. decided last May for Patenema Ouedraogo , a man of 40 who had long been lurking your home and the police caught trying to enter the residence to declare his love for tennis. The man, who ended up in jail in Palm Beach, was sentenced to Padar and accept $ 25,000 for a restraining order of 150 meters above the player.

The younger of the Williams sisters was ready to enjoy Halloween night when he noticed a man loitering in the vicinity of his home in Los Angeles, according to TMZ count. The cameras captured and Serena, thinking it was a stalker or a robber, he turned to close in the panic room , a sort of bunker with some celebrities at home to prevent thieves, should enter the enclosure to rob, steal your life also. From there, the U.S. called the police, who quickly come to your home. It was then that a man was feted by the authority and when questioned, replied that it was an employee of the World Anti house was going to surprise Serena to request a urine sample. At the end of the story was just a scare.

Petrova and Ivanovic hit first in Bali

Nadia Petrova and Ana Ivanovic are the first semifinal of the Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions in Bali after defeating Peng Shuai and Roberta Vinci respectively. This Friday will complete the quarter-final duels between Anabel Medina and Marion Bartoli and Lisicki Sabine and Daniela Hantuchova.

Nadia Petrova , No. 31 in the WTA ranking, qualified for the tournament in Bali after winning in College Park. The Russian was framed in the draw with China's Peng Shuai , one of the 'wild cards' issued by the organization, which passed by an aggregate score of 6-4, 6-3 after an hour and twenty minutes of play Center Court at the Bali International Convention Centre. After an even game early, Petrova was able to impose his experience in the final rush of the first set to solve the first race in his favor. Less channel soon the second act, signing a break in the early stages, ending with the party also solve the rest.

Ana Ivanovic , number 26 in the WTA ranking and one of the beneficiaries of an invitation from the organization, beat Italy's Roberta Vinci by a score of 6-3 and 6-3 after one hour and ten minutes. After a brilliant start of Serbia (4-0), the transalpine reacted, making up the result against the first set and take the lead in the second. The comeback seemed possible, especially when Ivanovic had to be considered by the physiotherapist on track by problems in his right ankle. It was then when he breaks the chain of a situation from which the Balkan fared better, who met his move to the next stage in the fast lane. Petrova, and Ivanovic have been measured to date eleven times, with a background of 6-5 in favor of Belgrade.

Spanish participation in Bali is reduced to the figure of Anabel Medina , who will play their quarter-final against France's Marion Bartoli this comes from 10.30 Spanish time. "It's the fastest track in which I have ever played," admitted the torrentinos before leaving the tournament of champions.

Anabel Medina will face Marion Bartoli at its premiere in Bali

Anabel Medina has been paired with Marion Bartoli in the draw box at the Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions in Bali. Nadia Petrova, Shuai Peng, Ana Ivanovic, Roberta Vinci, Sabine Lisicki and Daniela Hantuchova complete the list of participants.

Anabel Medina , winner of the tournament in Estoril and Palermo this season, has been framed in the quarter-finals of Bali with Marion Bartoli after the draw held at the International Convention Centre on Tuesday. The match between the Spanish and French, which has eight previous (6-2 in favor of the show) not take place until Friday at 10.30 Spanish time.

The duels will take place Thursday between Russian Nadia Petrova and China's Peng Shuai of Serbia and Ana Ivanovic and Italian Roberta Vinci , while on Friday completed the quarter-final clashes duel between the German Sabine Lisicki and Slovakian Daniela Hantuchova . The winners of each match will play the semifinals on Saturday and Sunday will take place fighting for third and fourth, and final.

Anabel Medina and the prize of playing in Bali

Anabel Medina will culminate the season at the Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions in Bali, where they will be the eight best players of the year with titles on the payroll who have not played the WTA Championships in Istanbul last week. The torrentinos, No. 28-ranked and champion in Estoril and Palermo, hopes that the enthusiasm and confidence he has in his game to more than physical setbacks drag at this point.

After last year signed a gray season ended in the post 78 of the WTA ranking, Anabel Medina has been known to reinvent, restore confidence in his play and enthusiasm for a sport that continues to fill. The Valencia admits that the change of chip arrived in Bogotá, where curiously fell in the first round at the local Catalina Castano : "I lost in the tie-break of the third set, but I realized I had played a good game and I could do better . From there I knew I could win or lose a game, but he would fight until the last ball had been at stake. " True to his words, Anabel signed Acapulco semifinals in the tournament came next, gradually going over to win the Estoril tournament (winning the final against Kristina Barrois ) and Palermo (winning the final against Polona Hercog ) .

The fastest track in which he played
The award for their good work comes at the end of the season, where he has earned his ticket to the tournament in Bali, where he will share track with Marion Bartoli , Andrea Petkovic , Shuai Peng , Sabine Lisicki , Ana Ivanovic , Roberta Vinci and Daniela Hantuchova . "It's a different tournament because I played only eight players to elimination system. I intended to do a good job and try to exploit the opportunities available to every game. All the forces arrived and just thinking about the holidays and it can foster. To me it is a prize to be here, "says torrentinos, who arrived in Bali on Sunday after dispute with the Club de Tenis Valencia Spain Championship team in Barcelona this weekend. Anabel and played the first edition of this tournament in 2009, making it an authoritative voice to highlight the conditions of a particular track, "It is the fastest in the circuit. The fastest that I have ever played! The ball goes very fast and is very difficult to get beat. " The pupil of Gonzalo Lopez arrives at the appointment with his right knee problems-problems that drag from the U.S. Open, and in his right elbow, but with the intention to "give my best."

After this tournament, Anabel will shelve the season and a few days rest before facing the next season. "It was a very good year for me. I needed to recover these feelings after a year more irregular. I think winning two titles is a sign of good health and confidence to tackle an important year," he says. The Valencian begin his season at Valencia, but Australian land depart before the end of the year, it will be next to Fernando Verdasco duo representing Spain in Hopman Cup to be held in Melbourne from December 31 to January 7 in Melbourne and the Spanish duo will debut the first day of the year to the local Jarmila Gajdosova and Lleyton Hewitt : "It's a very nice tournament play. I was fortunate enough to participate in recent years with Tommy Robredo as a couple and although we lost in the end, the experience was positive. " Then come the Australia Open, defending points and the London Olympic Games, a reference in the calendar next year. "Of course I hope to be there! The Games are a special event, very different from the rest of the circuit. The idea was to cushion points this season to get to court (after Roland Garros) without problems and I think the goal has complied with. I cross my fingers that all goes well and can be there, "he says. What is unclear is whether in addition to the individual level, patterns played doubles and mixed doubles and with whom. "It is too early to decide, there will be time to talk to my colleagues, but of course I put it as an option to me," recalls Anabel, silver in Beijing 2008 with Virginia Ruano and winner of 18 doubles tournaments (including two Roland Garros).

Schnyder's Farewell

There are players and players that beyond what they have achieved in his professional career, have an aura that engages the viewer. To my mind the case of Switzerland Patty Schnyder , who was honored after the final match at the WTA Championships Istanbul to hang the racquet at age 32 and after 17 seasons in the elite. We join the tribute.

Although his last game in the circuit data of the first round of Roland Garros 2011 (lost to Sorana Cirstea in its 59th appearance in a Grand Slam) the dismissal of Schnyder to his companions and his audience took place at the WTA Championships, a tournament that she played it three times. After the final, the Swiss were called to court, where Mary Pierce gave him a picture book that summarized a prolific career in the racket, which has been a basic part in the Swiss Fed Cup team, won 11 singles titles and 5 more in the discipline of doubles, reached number 7 in the world, was 94 weeks in the Top-Ten World reached a semifinal of Australia Open 2004 ... and was a benchmark for a generation that learned from his master.

Animal lover (he has two cats, Mister and Gizmo, and a dog-Tucker-), billiards and golf, Schnyder said more than once that when you hang up the racket would like to settle in Australia, a country that is in love. She works with her ​​husband Rainer Hofmann in his autobiography 'The White Mille "(" The White Mile ") that attempts to summarize a lifetime full of anecdotes. We are left with is hooked he had with our Conchita Martinez , which refused the salute after losing to her in the semifinals of Charleston in 2004.

Santana: "We will win the Davis Cup final clearly"

Showing signs of optimism and stressing the quality of Spanish players. Manolo Santana, a benchmark in the world of the racket, believed that Spain is the clear favorite in Davis Cup final to be held in Seville from 2 to 4 December and in which the 'Armada' could win its fifth Salad .

"Spain is clearly the favorite because the Spanish final on clay are almost insurmountable. Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer are masters in this area and I think that will earn their credit points. My question lies in the doubles, so I bet by the 4-0 or 5-0 to the final against Argentina. They will come with desire for revenge after the end of Mar del Plata in 2008, but I think we are much higher, "said Santana radiolabeled Monday. "I know it is unusual for me as emphatic a statement, but unless a last-minute setbacks, I think our players are much better than rivals," he adds.

For the Spaniard, who played and lost two Davis Cup finals in Australia as a player (1965, 1967), the competition "is much higher for those who live from the inside because sometimes gives the impression that is lost in the overburdened calendar with the players. " Santana carefully analyzed the possibilities of the Argentine team, " David Nalbandian has been injured and will miss the final of match fitness and Juan Martin del Potro , perhaps his best man, pays much more on fast track, where you can leverage your remove and right, on clay, where their weapons are diluted a bit. " He himself was present as a spectator in 'Marplatazo' 2008. "There is no Rafa won with his team playing dress and cement. Now we play with Nadal, on land and to an audience that will take us in a twinkling. How will you escape the final," he says.

On the possibility of players' strike and the vindication of these against the ATP and the ITF, Manolo speaks from experience: "The players are right in their requests. It is logical that four days after the final play Rafa U.S. Open in Cordoba had to play the Davis Cup semifinals, neither Federer after being eliminated in the United States had to travel to Australia to play for their country, nor five days after the Masters Cup final and Rafa David may be playing in Cordoba. is necessary to reach an agreement because the players are the stars of the sport and the most affected are themselves and the audience. "

Although there are still seven months for you roll the Mutua Madrid Open 2012, Santana, as director of the event, he admits that is already working on it. "For nosotrso is important to have the best players and players in the international arena. Novak Djokovic and Petra Kvitova , numbers 1 and 2 of their rankings, are the last champion of the tournament and show the quality that this treasure, "he says. "We are working on the construction of four new tracks of ground training to meet the demands of the ATP and WTA and the players do not have to go to train an alternative club as it was before." On the eternal debate of the blue track, the director pulls balls out: "Of those subjects is responsible Ion Tiriac , but considering that it is Taurus, it will not stop until it succeeds. I think the tournaments are slowly innovating and for us it is very important this change. not only favors the view of the ball, but it goes in our line of innovation."

Kvitova points to the top

Petra Kvitova was proclaimed champion Championships WTA Championship in Istanbul at the final bend to Victoria Azarenka. The Czech, due out on Monday as the new No. 2 world ranking, is the seat of Caroline Wozniacki at only 115 points.

When Petra Kvitova started playing tennis, was a Czech shone on the horizon. Your name, Martina Navratilova , arguably one of the biggest names the sport has given. Although comparisons are odious in every circumstance of life (and most ruthless in sport), as she was left-handed and played, until he had dual nationality, under the same flag. The Bílovec player debuted on the professional circuit in 2006 and won his first tournament in 2009 (Hobart), but did not leave his business card until last year, a season in which his best result was the semifinals of Wimbledon and the that after finishing in the No. 34 ranking was named "Newcomer of the Year '. Beyond believe it or show irregular, Petra, at 21 years, has continued to grow. He has won six tournaments (Brisbane, Paris, Madrid, Wimbledon, Linz WTA Championships), making hits on all surfaces, winning his first Grand Slam title and getting a Masters rookie who came and who has won the five games he has played.

His last victim, the Belarusian Victoria Azarenka , which overcame by an aggregate score of 7-5, 4-6 and 6-3 after two hours and twenty minutes in a clash played at Central Track Stadium Sinam Erdem. We had to wait 25 minutes for Azarenka, used to get the rhythm of their parties, could join the first game in his locker. Until then, the left-handed Kvitova was marking the dotted line to follow, showing both the service intractable as the rest. But in the tennis world until it gets the last point there is nothing to celebrate and seemed to be a top Czech missed. Azarenka, who despite the bad start never gave up, picked the fruits of their insistence equalized (5-5), recovering the two breaks against and had to show as another player with a great future. By then it was she who was involved in track, giving a display of character and physical deployment. However, once again, spent braking in the exchange from the bottom of track and, after getting up in the waiting room a 15-40 tie-break, giving the set ended with an error with his right.

Slide feelings
With the resumption of the party under pressure showed that females respond better to rest than to the service. Hence it addresses three of the first five games in dispute be resolved by subtracting. David Kotyza (PSS Kvitova) and Sam Sumyk (Azarenka coach) sent their pupils knowing glances ordering them calm. Who took advantage of this correcalles was the Belarusian, who won the race to match and force the third set. It is the sixth time in recent years the WTA has to be solved in this manga. Azarenka who was able to put the sink on his rival, but squandered a 0-40 in the opening game of the third act. And when you forgive before a player can move up and down as fast as a roller coaster, you end up paying. Wounded in his pride, Kvitova put on her overalls, which combines long rallies from the bottom flat of the track with left and topspin rival that moved from one side to another of the game's limits. Income taken in the early stages (3-0) and sweated to drive away ghosts of the past. This time, keep her wrist to close down the party ... and a season and never forget you can still put the icing on the Fed Cup final (Russia, Czech Republic).

Never before had managed to gain a debutante the WTA Championships without having dropped a single match. Kvitova is the first. With this victory, the Czech entrenched in second place in the world rankings and is number 115 of only 1 of the Danish Caroline Wozniacki . The 2012 is raised entertaining ...

The other battle settles Masters of shouts and silences

The WTA have decided, finally, take action on the matter. At first, the screams and you currently can not be screaming call Did grace to many, including the public, which flocked to Maria Sharapova matches, Victoria Azarenka Portuguese Michelle Larcher or De Brito, the champion scream, reaching over 110 decibels. But now the reviews have begun to arrive from all sides: from their own players and opponents and the public that a match between Sharapova (101 decibels) and Azarenka (95), has to endure when it surpasses in every scrimmage, and far the limit set by the World Health Organization (70 decibels).

In the past U.S. Open Serena Williams was fined because, with their cry, had bothered to rival Australia's Samantha Stosur. That is precisely what many, including world number one, Caroline Wozniacki, fear: that the maximum power screams become an element of the game. "I think some do it on purpose. In practice do not scream, "said the Danish so one of the` affected ¿, Victoria Azarenka, Istanbul Masters semifinals, along with Czech Petra Kvitova, answer "not trying to mislead, is a part of me. I can not change and I will not do it. " It so happens that the players who are screaming in the hit from the same school: the Bollettieri Academy. Be the first to visit the WTA to try to avoid the situation in the future. In competition, Wozniacki added a second defeat could mean his farewell, something that kept beating Radwanska Zvonareva eliminated. The Danish depends on the match between Agnieszka and Kvitova. If Poland wins a set, the number one will go home.

Azarenka and Kvitova already in semifinals

Victoria Azarenka and Petra Kvitova remain undefeated in the WTA Championships in Istanbul, where he reached the semifinals yesterday. The Belarusian fourth in the world, passed over China's Li Na for a double 6-2. Before, he had defeated Samantha Stosur.

Meanwhile, the Czech Kvitova surprising champion at Wimbledon this year, took advantage of the fatigue that showed Caroline Wozniacki (even the doctor had to take full advantage tension) to defeat 6-4, 6-2. The Danes, who thanks to Sharapova's bad tournament (two defeats and withdrawal) will end up as number one, you still have options to contest the semi-finals as one Zvonareva defeated Radwanska who squandered three match.

The second target group it played between Na Li and Samantha Stosur.

The Danish Wozniacki will end the year as number one female circuit

The tennis player Caroline Wozniacki on Wednesday it has secured the end of the year as the number one women's tour, once Russia's Maria Sharapova lost in the Masters tournament on the WTA Tour to China's Li Na, which has meant that the Russian can not reach the Norse.

Wozniacki, 21, completed the second year running at the top of the WTA women's rankings. The Danish, who succeeded to the world's No. 1 October 11, 2010, this condition has only left in the hands of Kim Clijsters for a week in February this year. In this way, Wozniacki accounted for 64 weeks as leader of women's tennis despite Wednesday's defeat to Russia's Vera Zvonareva, seeded sixth in the tournament Russian, who does not restrict you from the fray. In addition, Wozniacki joins a long list of historical and nine players who have managed to stay only for two years at the helm of the classification. The Danish link your name to others such as Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf, Monica Seles, Lindsay Davenport, Justine Henin and Martina Hingis.

Sharapova's second defeat in the WTA

Russia's Maria Sharapova , second favorite, squandered almost all his options past the first round of the WTA Championships , after conceding to China's Na Li (7-5, 6-4) their second loss, while Viktoria Azarenka of Belarus, fourth, achieved at the Australian Samantha Stosur a debut victory. The second setback for the player embedded in Istanbul Siberian aspirations smashed out of the competition with the world number one under the arm, I had to reach the final. But Sharapova held to Na Li unstable tone and offered in its premiere on Tuesday, against Australia's Samantha Stosur. The second player in the world, however, overwhelmingly began to Li, who responded and solved the imbalance (4-1) who had at first. The part went to the tiebreaker, the player who won a 7-4 Eastern. Maria Sharapova , which can only tie to mathematics and a cannon to see their slim chances of qualification after two defeats in two games, blamed the loss of first set on a plate and put his opponent the victory (5-2).

Li, however, was to close the match against Sharapova, whom he had defeated in the last three clashes (latest in Roland Garros months ago) of the eight that have settled. The Russian stood with 5-4 and two break options to match five, but the player hit China pulled for his first win in the competition. Na Li was added, therefore, the Belarusian Victoria Azarenka , who earlier beat Australia's Samantha Stosur clearly (6 -2 and 6-2). The accused ocean greatly the effort Tuesday, when it closed the session with a laborious victory over Sharapova. The recent winner of the tournament in Luxembourg forcefully pulled his debut in the competition, especially on the serve. Only lost five points in seven games with his serve. While broke four times that of Stosur. "I feel great. I did not expect to play so well in my first match here , "said Azarenka. "I served very well and I like to keep playing well." It is the sixth consecutive win of Azarenka led the Red Group with a victory, like China's Li Na, both with a single match played. Stosur has one win and one loss and Sharapova, closed the table with two losses.