Defending champion Serena Williams advanced to her fifth Australian Open final after a patient 7-6, 7-6 victory over China's Li Na Thursday.
The return of Maria Sharapova, Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin to the Australian Open, which begins on Monday, has added even more spice to a women's tournament already overflowing with talent.
Images from the matches being played at the Australian Open, Day Three
Sania Mirza's campaign in the Australian Open ended on Wednesday when she and her Czech partner Renata Voracova crashed out of the women's doubles, losing in straight sets to top seeds Gisela Dulko and Flavia Pennetta in the opening round in Melbourne. Argentina's Dulko, who is the World No 1 doubles players and her World No 2 Italian partner Pennetta, outplayed the Indo-Czech duo, winning the contest 6-4, 6-1 in just over 60 minutes.
Roger Federer opens his title defence while Tim Henman starts another year of hope at Wimbledon on Monday.
The competitive fire is still burning in Venus Williams and, unlike some of her contemporaries who extinguished their careers early, the five-times Wimbledon champion plans to stick around until at least the 2012 Olympics.
Defending champion Serena Williams was knocked out by Jelena Jankovic in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open.
Serena Williams and Justine Henin fought off nerves and tricky conditions in their first-round matches at the Australian Open.
Samantha Stosur has paid her dues, now she is reaping the rewards as what was a relatively low-key professional career has suddenly taken off.
The intensity is there, the serve is improving with each match and the determination to win never waned as Maria Sharapova quietly works her way back to where she belongs - competing for Grand Slam titles.
A list of high-profile tennis players and other sportspeople who called time on their careers at a young age.
Serena Williams overcame an even-numbered year hoodoo and the fairytale return of an opponent once ranked number one in the world to claim her 12th Grand Slam singles title at the Australian Open on Saturday.
With Justine Henin-Hardenne withdrawing from the Grand Slam, Maria Sharapova was elevated to the top spot.
Since Justine Henin's departure the field is without a clear leader.
The top seed withdrew from the Stuttgart Grand Prix without playing a match, suffering from a right shoulder strain.\n
World number two Ana Ivanovic suffered a surprise 6-2, 7-5 defeat by Elena Dementieva in the semi-finals of the German Open.
World number one Amelie Mauresmo lost 6-4, 7-5 to defending champion Lindsay Davenport in the New Haven quarter-finals.
Champion Serena Williams, top seed Justine Henin and Rafael Nadal had things their way while booking fourth round slots at the Australian Open.
Former winner Maria Sharapova, her Russian compatriot Anna Chakvetadze and Serb Ana Ivanovic joined world number one Justine Henin in the semi-finals of the WTA Championships on Thursday.
Martina Hingis of Switzerland climbed 232 places to number 117 after reaching the quarter-finals of the Australian Open.
This year's WTA championships pays the winner $1 million, equalling the largest prize in women's sport.
Venus Williams secured her place in the semi-finals of the WTA Championships when she completed her round-robin matches with a comprehensive 5-7, 6-1, 6-0 win over her sister Serena on Thursday. It was the first time Serena had lost a set 6-0 since the 2007 Miami final, after which she recovered to defeat Justine Henin for the title.
Champion Venus Williams was knocked out of the Family Circle Cup beaten 7-5, 6-4 by 17-year-old Tatiana Golovin of France.
After a Wimbledon tournament full of shocks, Martina Navratilova said it was time the top women players "stepped up" following the shock retirement of Justine Henin.
Serena Williams beat France's Mathilde Johansson 6-2, 7-5 while Andy Murray disposed clay-specialist Jose Acasuso 6-4, 6-0, 6-4.
Having made it to the top-300 on the WTA, 23-year-old Mumbai lass Isha Lakhani is eyeing the qualifiers of the Grand Slams.
Serbia's Jelena Jankovic said she feels ready to take retired Justine Henin's French Open title and her world number one slot after winning the Italian Open for the second consecutive year on Sunday. Jankovic beat France's Alize Cornet 6-2, 6-2 in the final to claim her sixth career title.
Dinara Safina of Russia came from a set down to win the German Open on Sunday with a 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 victory over seventh-seeded compatriot Elena Dementieva.
Dinara Safina won a great scrap with fifth seed Serena Williams 2-6, 6-1, 7-6 to reach the German Open semi-finals.
Defending champion Ana Ivanovic came through a tough first set to beat Akgul Amanmuradova of Uzbekistan 7-6, 6-2 and reach the third round of the German Open on Wednesday.
It was the eighth seed's first trophy since she won in Moscow in October while Kuznetsova suffered her second defeat in the final here, having also lost to Justine Henin in 2004.
Top seed Amelie Mauresmo, second seed Kim Clijsters and number three Justine Henin-Hardenne also won their quarter-finals.
The Indian will take on seventh seed Elena Dementieva in the first round at Wimbledon
Hsieh Su-wei proudly flew the Taiwanese flag on Friday when she became the first player from her country to reach the last 16 of a Grand Slam tournament. The 22-year-old qualifier edged out France's Aravane Rezai 6-2, 6-7, 6-4 and now plays top seed and world number one Justine Henin of Belgium.
The women's singles at Wimbledon will boil down to a contest between Russian grace and American gristle.
Justine Henin is likely to be favourite to win the Australian Open but Serena said she believes she could retain the trophy.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances