Kim Clijsters Defeats Li Na In Australian Open 2011 Finals To Claim Second Straight Grand Slam Tournament Title

World No. 3 Kim Clijsters, the tennis equivalent of a grizzled veteran at 27, beat relative upstart No. 9 Li Na to claim her first Australian Open title and her second consecutive Grand Slam tournament win.

After an opening set in Rod Laver Arena that made it seem all but certain this one would go the other way, No. 3 Kim Clijsters rallied to defeat Li Na, 3-6 6-3 6-3, in the finals of the Australian Open 2011. Li is the first Chinese player, male or female, to reach the finals of a Grand Slam event. She will not be the last, and she may yet be the first player to win a tournament of this magnitude, but when Clijsters is having one of her night's, it's proven quite difficult for it to be anybody else's night.

Following a largely unremarkable first set in which Clijsters seemed more than a little discombobulated, the two women traded breaks to open the second set in a fit of mutual ineptitude, but trailing 3-4 in the second, it became uncomfortably apparent that Li was feeling the pressure.

From there, it was as good as over. Kim Clijsters is a player on a comeback tour, but she's never lost her afterburners, and she reeled off the final set with every bit of her vaunted fierce concentration on display.

Since turning pro in 1997, Clijsters has won three U.S. Open titles, reached the finals at Roland Garros in 2003 and the finals here in Melbourne in 2004. Her Waterloo seems to be Wimbledon, but after winning two consecutive Grand Slam events, who's to say she couldn't make a run at the gold at the All England Club this summer? If this is indeed the farewell leg of her tour before retirement, what a note to depart on.

And it's far from over for Li, if she can rebound mentally for this. She beat Clijsters at the last tournament in Sydney before the first Grand Slam event of the season, and she has the support of a massive nation behind her. And as of right now, she's been here before.

2010 Players Of The Year - Djokovic, Murray, Soderling

by ATP Staff
09.12.2010

ATPWorldTour.com reviews the best players of the year, beginning with the World No. 3 to No. 5.

Novak Djokovic

For the fourth straight year, Novak Djokovic finished as the world’s No. 3 player. But in contrast to the previous seasons, 2010 was crowned not by his individual achievements, but by the collective effort of the Davis Cup team.

Djokovic was the backbone of the Serbian squad, going 7-0 in singles rubbers to lead the nation past the United States, Croatia, the Czech Republic and France. In the final, he kept the country’s hopes afloat after it’d fallen behind 0-1 and 1-2, drawing Serbia level with France each time and giving countryman Viktor Troicki the chance to become the hero with victory in the Cup-clinching fifth rubber.

Showing their solidarity, the 2008 Australian Open champion and teammates followed through on their promise of shaving their heads if they won the Davis Cup, each taking turns to complete the ritual on centre court at Belgrade Arena. Djokovic stated afterwards, “This is by far, individually and for the team, the best achievement in our career by far… Definitely the best feeling that we have experienced on a tennis court, ever."

In 2010, Djokovic also managed to break – albeit temporarily – the stronghold of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal at the top two spots in the South African Airways ATP Rankings, holding down the No. 2 position for 26 weeks during the season and entering Roland Garros in a three-way battle for the No. 1 ranking.

At the US Open, Djokovic took part in one of the most memorable matches of the season when he saved two match points to defeat Federer in a five-set semi-final. Though he lost to Nadal in his third appearance in a Grand Slam final, Djokovic collected titles No. 17 and 18 during the season as he successfully defended his crowns at Dubai and Beijing.

But he finished the year with two question marks going into 2011. Can he finally push higher than No. 3 in the year-end rankings next season, and will he go a third year without adding to his first Grand Slam title won at the 2008 Australian Open?

Andy Murray

The weight of a nation’s expectations was never more evident than at this year’s Australian Open. Andy Murray had fueled Great Britain’s hopes of its first Grand Slam champion since 1934, getting his 2010 campaign off to a stellar start as he made his way into the championship match without losing a set. But in a repeat of the 2008 US Open final, the Scot came up short to Roger Federer and said during a tearful trophy presentation, “Sorry I couldn't do it for you tonight. I can cry like Roger, it's just a shame I can't play like him.”

But Murray showed that he could indeed play like Federer; his best results of the 2010 season would come against the Swiss, whom he would meet on the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 stages at Toronto and Shanghai. He defeated Federer in straight sets on both occasions to claim the titles, with his triumph at Toronto made sweeter by his victory over Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals. Murray, who became the fifth different player to defeat Federer and Nadal in the same tournament, said, “Winning a tournament is always great, but it's the first time I beat Roger and Rafa in the same tournament, which is probably the most pleasing thing, and then didn't drop a set against either of them.”

Murray also posted solid results in the U.K. capital, reaching the Wimbledon semi-finals for a second straight year – with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in attendance – and the semi-finals at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, where he lost to Nadal in one of the best matches of the year. Murray reclaimed the No. 4 ranking with his showing at the season-ending finale, marking the first time in 25 years that the same quartet of players finished among the Top 4 for three straight years.

Robin Soderling

Robin Soderling’s 2010 season started off with surprising first round exits at Chennai and the Australian Open, leaving some observers to wonder if his stunning 2009 breakthrough was a one-off.

But the Swede brushed aside memories of the rocky start by winning the ATP World Tour 500 title in February at Rotterdam and continued his climb in the South African Airways 2010 ATP Rankings with semi-final showings at the hard-court ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami and a runner-up finish on clay in Barcelona.

One year removed from his breakout performance at Roland Garros, the Swede proved that his run was no fluke. He played the role of giant killer for a second straight year, ousting defending champion Roger Federer in the quarter-finals, and finished the week second to only Rafael Nadal. He continued to prove his status as one of the circuit’s best as he reached the quarter-finals at Wimbledon for the first time and at the US Open for a second straight year.

Soderling’s consistency following the year’s final major helped him attain a career-high No. 4 ranking, as he reached the quarter-finals or better in all six of his tournament appearances to conclude the regular ATP World Tour season, capped by his first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title at the BNP Paribas Masters.

“I feel like I’m improving and I like being a top player," said Soderling, who finished the year at No. 5. "It is what I have worked hard for. This is where I want to be.”

Elena Dementieva Retires: Farewell to the last Girl Scout

World No.9 Elena Dementieva has announced her surprise retirement from tennis while still near the top of the game, a 6-4, 6-2 loss to Francesca Schiavone at the WTA Championships counting as the last of the consistent Russian's 847 matches over 13 seasons.

The Beijing Olympic gold medallist and two-time grand slam finalist revealed her decision at an emotional on-court presentation attended by her peers, having qualified for the championships for the 10th time in 11 years. Dementieva, 29, won 16 career titles, including two — the Sydney International and Paris Indoors — in 2010, and was runner-up at both the French and US Opens in 2004.

She reached a career-high No.3 in singles in April, 2009 and was also a top-five player in doubles. Her serve was often a liability, but her groundstrokes and athleticism among the best in the game over a sustained period.

"This year is very special for me becuase this is my last tournament," Dementieva told the crowd at the Khalifa Tennis Complex, as the likes of Kim Clijsters and Victoria Azarenka shed tears near the net. She paid tribute to her mother Vera, who has also been her coach and constant companion, while compatriot Vera Zvonareva paid tribute to Dementieva's contribution to the game.

Her 576th and last match win was against Australian Sam Stosur on Thursday night

Muster celebrates Tour comeback at 43

By ERIC WILLEMSEN
Associated Press Writer
Associated Press Sports

VIENNA (AP) -Former top-ranked Thomas Muster will celebrate his return to the ATP Tour at the age of 43 at the Bank Austria Trophy on Austria's National Holiday.

Muster will play fellow Austrian Andreas Haider-Maurer on Tuesday in his first match back on the tour since losing in the first round of 1999 French Open.

Muster was handed a wild card and was scheduled to play fifth-seeded Ernests Gulbis, but organizers said Monday that the 24th-ranked Latvian had withdrawn for "personal reasons" and will be replaced by lucky loser Haider-Maurer.

"For me, every opponent would have been a huge challenge," Muster said before being told of Gulbis's withdrawal. "I have one advantage - I won't freeze when I enter the Stadthalle. It's a usual feeling to me."

Muster first played in the Vienna event 26 years ago, reaching the final three times but failing to win the tournament.

The 157th-ranked Haider-Maurer pulled out of qualification with a thigh injury earlier Monday but expected to be healthy again for Tuesday's match.

"I will only go on court when I am 100 percent fit," the 23-year old Haider-Maurer said. "On paper, Thomas Muster is one of the easiest draws in the first round but with his experience and the spectators getting behind him, he will play his best tennis."

Muster became Austria's most successful tennis player ever by winning 44 titles, most notably the French Open in 1995, and holding the No. 1 spot for six weeks the next year.

By then, Muster had already staged a remarkable comeback to professional tennis.

His career was almost ruined when he severely damaged his left knee when his car was hit by a drunk driver before the final of the 1989 Key Biscayne tournament. He was back on tour less than six months later.

Muster never formally retired from professional tennis but said in 1999 he would "go on a holiday."

Muster has since been playing on the Champions Tour but suddenly announced his comeback to competitive tennis in June.

"(I'm) getting better every day, feeling the ball well, playing great shots, that still gives me a kick," said Muster, who managed just one win in seven matches on the second-tier Challenger circuit this season.

"I won't set my goals too high but will just play my best tennis and we'll see where it brings me," he said. "Many players ask me if I want to train with them. That's the biggest reward I could possibly get."

Muster returns to the main tour at 43, the same age as Jimmy Connors when he retired in 1996.

Manager Ronnie Leitgeb, who coached the Austrian in his heyday, is skeptical about his former pupil's comeback.

"I am really worrying that he might overdo it physically," Leitgeb said. "He is at an age now with physiological borders, which you can't and shouldn't pass."

Muster, who earned career prize money of more than $12.2 million, denied that his return to top-level tennis is a one-off and said he aims to play as many as 25 tournaments in 2011.

"Next season will be a mix of Challenger events and some of these (like Vienna)," Muster said.

Muster said he has been working hard on coordination and physical fitness but admitted he is lacking match practice.

"It's like completing a puzzle," he said. "There still are several pieces which have to fit in."

The final four at WTA Championships, Doha

DOHA, Qatar - With an ace on match point, Kim Clijsters defeated Victoria Azarenka in a competitive three-setter, 64 57 61, and locked in the final four line-up at the WTA Championships - Doha 2010. Clijsters, Samantha Stosur, Caroline Wozniacki and Vera Zvonareva will be in the semifinals.

After losing an incredibly tight 65-minute second set it was all Clijsters in the third, as she needed just 26 minutes to prevail, her ninth win in a row on the WTA (she went 7-0 to win the US Open and also won her first match here).

"It's a matter of time. It's work, and I know I'm going to improve. I just need more time," Azarenka said after the match. "Next year I'm going to be stronger."

Clijsters is now 2-0 in her group, as is Zvonareva; the two will meet on Friday, with the winner to finish No.1 in their group and the other No.2. Azarenka and Jelena Jankovic, both 0-2 so far, will also play to determine No.3 and No.4.

The Top 2 in the other group were settled, with Stosur No.1 and Wozniacki No.2. Elena Dementieva and Francesca Schiavone will play for No.3.

Victoria Azarenka reaches Kremlin Cup final in Moscow

From BBC News


Victoria Azarenka booked her place in the final of the Kremlin Cup with a 6-3 6-3 win over Spain's Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez in Moscow.

The Belarussian, in her fourth final of the year, will play Maria Kirilenko, who beat Vera Dushevina 6-1 6-1.

Azarenka is chasing her fifth career win and second this year after beating Maria Sharapova in Stanford in July.

The 21-year-old has already qualified for next week's season-ending WTA Tour championships in Doha.

Azarenka saved two break points in the opening game and did not face another one in the rest of the match. She broke the 28th-ranked Sanchez in the sixth game of the first set and in the first and eighth games of the second.

"Sanchez is such a player that you never know what to expect from her," said Azarenka, who lost to the Spaniard twice earlier this season.

"I've chosen the right tactics against her today and didn't allow her to change the rhythm or advance to the net to attack as she likes doing. I've fought for every ball and that was the key to my victory."

On the men's front, Uruguay's Pablo Cuevas takes on Serbian Viktor Troicki in the first semi-final followed by fourth-seeded Cypriot Macos Baghdatis against Uzbekistan's Denis Istomin.

Victoria Azarenka secures WTA Tour final place

Source: BBC News

Victoria Azarenka secures WTA Tour final place

Victoria Azarenka has clinched her place in next week's season-ending WTA Tour Championships for the second year in a row.

The Belarussian world number 10 achieved the feat by beating Andrea Petkovic in three sets to reach the second round of the Kremlin Cup.

Azarenka will replace Serena Williams in the event which starts on Tuesday in Doha, Qatar.

Williams withdrew on Tuesday because of a re-torn tendon in her right foot.

Azarenka and Li Na of China were the two substitutes for the tournament, but Li, who was five points ahead of Azarenka in the standings, lost in the first round in Moscow and will remain top substitute.

Azarenka, who won the last five games of the match to beat Petkovic 6-4 2-6 6-1, said afterwards: "My nerves were right on the edge.

"Every player wants to play in Doha and I'm happy I turned the match my way in the third set."

The men's tournament lost three of its leading players after Russian defending champion Mikhail Youzhny pulled out with a virus after losing a doubles match while top seed Nikolay Davydenko and eighth seed Janko Tipsaravic were knocked out.

Davydenko was shocked 7-6 (8-6) 7-6 (7-5) by Pablo Cuevas of Uruguay while Tipsaravic, who struggled with pain in his lower back, was upset by Horacio Zeballos of Argentina 4-6 6-4 6-3.