Hot shot: Serena & Nadal playing on water!

Standing on top of a 110 foot swimming pool at the new Gansevoort South Hotel’s exclusive 22,000 square foot rooftop retreat, Serena Williams enjoyed a friendly hit with ATP star Rafael Nadal.
It took an underwater construction crew seven days to build two invisible platforms at either end of the pool using a combination of acrylic sheets and tubes.

WTA ranking as of 24-Mar-2008

Jelena Jankovic climbs to #3 after reaching the semis in Indian Wells and Daniela Hantuchova falls one spot to #9 after bot being successful in defending her title. Agnieszka Radwanska moves 3 up to a career-high of #16. American Ashley Harkleroad goes from #73 to #60 thanks to her 4th round in Indian Wells, while Russians Alla Kudryavtseva and Galina Voskoboeva break into the Top 100 to #86 and #90 respectively.

Cur	Prv	Name	Country	Rank pts.	Tours.
1	(1)	Justine Henin	BEL	6330	15
2	(2)	Ana Ivanovic	SRB	4296	19
3	(4)	Jelena Jankovic	SRB	3790	27
4	(3)	Svetlana Kuznetsova	RUS	3750	18
5	(5)	Maria Sharapova	RUS	3671	13
6	(6)	Anna Chakvetadze	RUS	2845	23
7	(7)	Venus Williams	USA	2771	16
8	(9)	Serena Williams	USA	2297	12
9	(8)	Daniela Hantuchova	SVK	2267	25
10	(10)	Marion Bartoli	FRA	2198	29

Player of the week: Ana Ivanovic

20 yo Serbian Ana Ivanovic enjoyed a fantastic 2007 season reaching her first Grand Slam final at Roland Garros, winning 3 titles and reaching #4 in the rankings. This season it seems that she is not only to confirm what she showed in 2007, but to reach even higher goals. She got to her second Grand Slam final in Australian Open which she lost to an unbeatable Sharapova. She reached #2 in the rankings. And this week she has confirmed her good shape getting the title in the Tier I of Indian Wells, with most of the top players there. She has defeated #3 Svetlana Kuznetsova and #4 Jelena Jankovic in straight sets on her way to the title.
Fitter than ever, with a lot of confidence and her devastating forehand, her goals now must be winning a Grand Slam title and the #1 in the ranking. Be aware Justine.

Week #13-14 preview: Miami

Miami (USA), Tier I, $3,770,000

The fifth Grand Slam, as Sony Ericsson Open in Miami is known, will feature another exciting two weeks of tennis, with all the top players fighting for the title. As the event is mandatory, just injured players will miss the event. Maria Sharapova will be amongst them due to fatigue. The weak season so far of World #1 Justine Henin opens the possibilities for the rest of the players. Svetlana Kuznetsova, Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic showed a great form last week in Indian Wells and are also fighting for the 2nd place in the ranking. Last year's champion Serena Williams is always a big threat, and so is sister Venus. These are the main contenders for the title, but players such as Chakvetadze, Dementieva, Hantuchova, Davenport and Radwanska will be looking forward to reach the final rounds and may put some of the favorites in problems.

Week #12: Ivanovic dominates in California

With the absence of WTA #1 Justine Henin, the Tier I of Indian Wells became a fight between the other players in the Top 5, not only looking for the title, but also for #2 in the rankings. And so Russians Maria Sharapova and Svetlana Kuznetsova and Serbians Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic got to the semis and set up an exciting battle for the title. Ivanovic played her best tennis to overcome Jankovic and Kuznetsova in straight sets, getting the title and securing #2 in the ranking. Good result also for quarter-finalists Lindsay Davenport, Vera Zvonareva, Agnieszka Radwanska and Daniela Hantuchova.

Indian Wells (USA), Tier I, $2,100,000
Final: Ana Ivanovic (SRB) def Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) 6/4 6/3

Player of the week: Serena Williams

Although she didn't need to play her best to get the title in Bangalore, featuring a weak field for what could be expected in a Tier II tournament, Serena Williams signed the most remarkable performance of the week. Highlight of the tournament was the semifinal between both Williams sisters, Venus and Serena, which was considered an anticipate final. They didn't dissapoint the crowd and the thrilling match was decided in a third set tie-break where Serena hold her nerves best. As expected the final was easier for Serena, although Patty Schnyder showed some opposition in the first set, but in the end it was 7/5 6/3 for Serena.
Maybe it's not mos remarkable performance for Serena, but at least it means that she's back after missing some tournaments due to physical problems. So rivals must keep an eye on her in Miami, because Serena is always a threat if she keeps healthy.

WTA ranking as of 10-Mar-2008

Serena Williams gets back into WTA Top Ten after her victory in Bangalore, climbing two spots up to #9. Semifinalist Zi Yan breaks into Top 50 for the first time in her career going from #53 to #43. Also career-high for quarter-finalist Agkul Amanmuradova who moves from #83 to #69.

Cur	Prv	Name	Country	Rank pts.	Tours.
1	(1)	Justine Henin	BEL	6330	15
2	(2)	Ana Ivanovic	SRB	3896	19
3	(3)	Svetlana Kuznetsova	RUS	3750	18
4	(4)	Jelena Jankovic	SRB	3685	27
5	(5)	Maria Sharapova	RUS	3526	13
6	(6)	Anna Chakvetadze	RUS	2875	24
7	(7)	Venus Williams	USA	2771	16
8	(8)	Daniela Hantuchova	SVK	2617	25
9	(11)	Serena Williams	USA	2297	12
10	(9)	Marion Bartoli	FRA	2198	29

Week #11-12 preview: Indian Wells

Indian Wells (USA), Tier II, $2,100,000
Big two-week Tier I tournaments will take place in March in USA in Indian Wells and Miami. Despite the absence of world #1 Justine Henin and the Williams sisters, the Californian tournament will feature 4 of the Top 5 players. Top favorite will be Maria Sharapova who remains unbeated this season so far. Svetlana Kuznetsova, Jelena Jankovic, Ana Ivanovic and defending champion Daniela Hantuchova will be among the favorites too. And also interesting will be to watch the performance of Lindsay Davenport finally playing a big tournament.

Week #10: Serena gets the title in Bangalore

After missing some tournaments due to physical problems, Serena Williams seems to be fully recovered after winning the title in Bangalore. Serena defeated Patty Schnyder in the final, although many people considered that the semifinal against her sister Venus was an anticipated final. Chinese Zi Yan completed the semifinals after upsetting 1st seed Jelena Jankovic in the quarters.

Bangalore (IND), Tier II, $600,000
Final: Serena Williams (USA) def Patty Schnyder (SUI) 7/5 6/3

On fire: Flavia Pennetta

Italian player Flavia Pennetta had a horrible 2007 spring and summer. She suffered a slump in her game, losing many 1st round matches and falling out of Top 50. She broke up with boyfriend and ATP player Carlos Moya, who at the time was caught having an affair with an spanish actress. And for a while Flavia looked extremely thin and unhealthy. Although it's not known if all these facts are directly related.


She started her recovery in late 2007 and this 2008 she's focused on getting back to her best. And it seems she is succeeding. She has already captured two titles in the last three weeks, Viña del Mar and Acapulco, which confirm her as one of the best players on clay. She's back on Top 30 and her climb could continue in the following weeks as clay season is close and she has very little points to defend. And most important she has recovered her confidence and her smile.


Flavia is also considered one of the hottest players on WTA Tour. Dark haired, tanned and passional, Flavia represents the latin beauty among lots of blond eastern european players. Furthermore she's one of the most open, nice and funny players, appreciated by players and fans.


You can watch Flavia's gallery here

Hot shot: Sharapova on cover of Ocean Drive magazine

Player of the week: Elena Dementieva

Elena Dementieva enjoyed a fantastic week as she captured her 9th WTA title in Doha. 2007 wasn't a good season for Elena, as she missed part of the season due to a rib injury and was dropped out of the Top 10 after 186 consecutive weeks in it. But season ended with a hopeful victory her home tournament in Moscow.


And on 2008 things seem to go better for Elena. After her victory in Doha she's back on Top 10 and what's better, she feels she can beat the top players. At least she did in Doha, where she defeated world #2 Ana Ivanovic and world #3 Svetlana Kuznetsova. She made it in her own style, coming back from a set down in the quarters, semis and final against Ivanovic, Schiavone and Kuznetsova respectively. A real fighter that truly deserves our Player of the week title.

WTA ranking as of 3-Mar-2008

Elena Dementieva gets back to WTA Top Ten after her victory in Dubai, climbing one spot up to #10. Memphis champion Lindsay Davenport gains 10 places up to #36, while runner up Olga Govortsova goes from #49 to #41. Finally Marina Erakovic is the greatest gainer as she moves from #125 to #98 to get into the Top 100 for the first time in her career.

Cur	Prv	Name	Country	Rank pts.	Tours.
1	(1)	Justine Henin	BEL	6330	15
2	(2)	Ana Ivanovic	SRB	3896	19
3	(3)	Svetlana Kuznetsova	RUS	3750	18
4	(4)	Jelena Jankovic	SRB	3685	26
5	(5)	Maria Sharapova	RUS	3526	13
6	(6)	Anna Chakvetadze	RUS	2875	24
7	(8)	Venus Williams	USA	2646	15
8	(7)	Daniela Hantuchova	SVK	2617	25
9	(9)	Marion Bartoli	FRA	2198	29
10	(11)	Elena Dementieva	RUS	2180	21

Hot shot: WTA Tour goes to India

WTA stars Serena Williams, Venus Williams and Jelena Jankovic modelled with typical Indian costumes (sari) as the WTA Tour goes this week to Bangalore (India)

Week #10 preview: Bangalore

Bangalore (IND), Tier II, $600,000
This season Bangalore tournament has become a Tier II, although participation won't be as good as last week in Dubai. Jelena Jankovic, Serena Williams and Venus Williams will be the Top 10 players here and main contenders for the title, but Doha runner-up Vera Zvonareva should be also taken into account.

Week #09: Titles for Dementieva, Davenport, Pennetta

Elena Dementieva played her best to beat WTA #2 Svetlana Kuznetsova and WTA #3 Ana Ivanovic en route to the title in Dubai. With this victory she gets back into Top 10, but it wasn't easy as she had to come back from a set down in her matches against Ivanovic, Schiavone and Kuznetsova. On the other hand world #1 Justine Henin is not at her best moment as she was defeated in the quarter finals by Francesca Schiavone.

After her victory in Viña del Mar two weeks ago, Flavia Pennetta confirmed in Acapulco her domination on the South American clay season taking 2 out of 3 tournaments. Teen French Alize Cornet was the runner-up.

In Memphis Lindsay Davenport continued with her victorious comeback and got another minor title. Davenport was very superior to all her opponents and won easily all her matches, although the highest ranked player she faced was runner-up Olga Govortsova (WTA 50) who upsetted 3rd seed Shahar Peer in the semis. Top favorites Venus Williams and Tatiana Golovin were defeated in 1st round by Petra Kvitova and Bethanie Mattek respectively.

Dubai (UAE), Tier II, $1,500,000
Final: Elena Dementieva (RUS) def. Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) 4/6 6/3 6/2

Acapulco (MEX), Tier III, $180,000
Final: Flavia Pennetta (ITA) def. Alize Cornet (FRA) 6/0 4/6 6/1

Memphis (USA), Tier III, $175,000
Final: Lindsay Davenport (USA) def. Olga Govortsova (BLR) 6/2 6/1