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Post by jimm on Dec 31, 2007 11:32:18 GMT
Davenport cruises into second round at ASB Classic 2:57PM Monday December 31, 2007 Lindsay Davenport. Photo / Reuters
Lindsay Davenport's tennis comeback continued apace with a comfortable first round victory at the ASB Classic in Auckland today.
Davenport had little trouble disposing of fellow American Laura Granville 6-2 6-3 in dull weather on the Stanley St centre court.
The former world number one off the women's tour for 11 months while pregnant and after her first son Jagger was born in June. But she has won two of her three tournaments since returning to the women's tour in September.
Davenport's second round opponent will be the winner of the clash between Spanish fifth seed Anabel Medina Garrigues and Australian Nicole Pratt.
In an earlier match, sixth seeded Austrian Tamira Paszek beat Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium 7-6 6-1.
- NZPA
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Post by jimm on Dec 31, 2007 11:34:48 GMT
Tears flow as Russian retires from ASB Classic 8:40PM Monday December 31, 2007 ASB Classic
Sympathy was low for Anastassia Rodionova as she tearfully lost the plot in her ASB Classic tennis tournament appearance in Auckland today.
Rodionova was in tears for most of her first round clash with third seed Katarina Srebotnik of Slovenia before retiring halfway through the second set when down 0-6 0-3.
She was reportedly crying because of a problem with the strength of her contact lenses meant she couldn't see the ball properly.
But she exerted little effort during the match, often not running for balls hit into her court, and showed little of the professionalism that would be expected for a 25-year-old ranked 78 in the world.
Rodionova's player profile in the tournament programme describes 2007 as her best year ever, reaching a career-high ranking of 63 and twice reaching the second round at grand slam tournaments.
But she also became just the second player to be disqualified from a WTA tournament when she launched a ball at three spectators during a tournament in Cincinnati in July when at one set all in a first-round match against Angelique Kerber of Germany.
Rodionova had complained about the fans during the match but later said she had not aimed at them and couldn't understand why she was ejected.
Rodionova retired on two other occasions during 2007.
Once was due to heat illness during the semifinal of the Guangzhou tournament - her best performance of the season - and the other due to a left knee injury.
Srebotnik, who beat Rodionova in the first round of the French Open earlier this year, said it was not the way she would wanted to have won.
"It was a strange game. I didn't really get much rhythm, the points were quite quick and I was hoping to get a little bit closer match to get going, especially in my first match of the year," she said.
"Obviously she was having some problems but I was able to not let it distract me."
- NZPA
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Post by SuperMarion on Dec 31, 2007 19:54:35 GMT
Lindsay in cruise control. Srebotnik was in my dream lastnight Something about a last 16, but I dont know where.
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Post by jimm on Dec 31, 2007 21:23:01 GMT
masha will beat her (I hope)
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Post by jimm on Jan 4, 2008 12:30:33 GMT
Decision in the case of Martina Hingis Released
The International Tennis Federation announced today that an independent Anti-Doping Tribunal convened under the 2007 Tennis Anti-Doping Programme has found that Martina Hingis, a 27-year-old Swiss tennis player, has committed a Doping Offence.
Following a two-day hearing in December 2007, an independent Anti-Doping Tribunal found that a sample provided by Ms Hingis on 29 June 2007 at the Wimbledon Championships in London, England, had tested positive for a metabolite of cocaine. Cocaine and its metabolites are Prohibited Substances under WADA’s 2007 List of Prohibited Substances and are therefore also prohibited under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme.
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Post by jimm on Jan 4, 2008 12:45:55 GMT
Hingis returned to tennis in 2006 after a three-year hiatus
Former world number one Martina Hingis has been handed a two-year ban after being found guilty of a doping offence.
The 27-year-old Swiss star was found to have tested positive for cocaine while competing at Wimbledon last year.
The International Tennis Federation has rejected Hingis's appeal and handed out a ban starting on 1 October, 2007.
Hingis, who has since retired from the sport, has also had to forfeit ranking points and prize money from Wimbledon and any subsequent tournaments.
The five-time Grand Slam winner, who returned a positive result from a routine urine sample taken after losing to Laura Granville in the third round of the Championships, had previously insisted she was "100% innocent".
She claimed that her innocence was backed up by a negative result on a hair test, which can show whether or not someone has taken cocaine.
606: DEBATE What do you make of Hingis's revelation?
Last November, her agent Mario Widmer told BBC Sport: "She will be fighting this, of course. You can be clear about that."
However, a statement from the ITF said: "Following a two-day hearing in December 2007, an independent anti-doping tribunal found that a sample provided by Ms Hingis on 29 June 2007 at the Wimbledon Championships had tested positive for a metabolite of cocaine.
"The tribunal rejected the suggestion made on behalf of Ms Hingis that there were doubts about the identity and/or integrity of the sample attributed to her.
"The tribunal also rejected Ms Hingis's plea of no (or no significant) fault or negligence, on the basis that no mitigation was possible as it had not been shown how the cocaine entered her system."
Hingis, who spent three years out of the sport before returning in 2006, won 43 WTA singles titles during her career.
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Post by jimm on Jan 4, 2008 15:38:12 GMT
ITF Press Release Decision in the case of Martina Hingis London, ENGLAND, 04 Jan 2008 - The International Tennis Federation announced today that an independent Anti-Doping Tribunal convened under the 2007 Tennis Anti-Doping Programme has found that Martina Hingis, a 27-year-old Swiss tennis player, has committed a Doping Offence. Following a two-day hearing in December 2007, an independent Anti-Doping Tribunal found that a sample provided by Ms Hingis on 29 June 2007 at the Wimbledon Championships in London, England, had tested positive for a metabolite of cocaine. Cocaine and its metabolites are Prohibited Substances under WADA’s 2007 List of Prohibited Substances and are therefore also prohibited under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme. The Tribunal rejected the suggestion made on behalf of Ms Hingis that there were doubts about the identity and/or integrity of the sample attributed to her. It therefore found that she had committed a Doping Offence under Article C.1 of the Programme (presence of a Prohibited Substance in player’s sample). The Tribunal also rejected Ms Hingis’ plea of No (or No Significant) Fault or Negligence, on the basis that no mitigation was possible as it had not been shown how the cocaine entered her system. It therefore ruled, in accordance with the sanctions prescribed by the World Anti-Doping Code, that Ms Hingis be suspended from participation for a period of two years, commencing on 1 October 2007, and that her results from The Wimbledon Championships and subsequent events should be disqualified, with the resulting forfeiture of the ranking points and repayment of the prize money (totalling a sum of $129,481) that she won at those events. The Tribunal’s written decision with reasons is available below. Any party wishing to appeal the decision has three weeks to do so from receipt of the written decision. The Tennis Anti-Doping Programme is a comprehensive and internationally recognised anti-doping programme that applies to all players competing at tournaments sanctioned by the ITF, ATP and WTA Tour. Players are tested for substances prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency and upon a finding that a Doping Offence has been committed sanctions are imposed in accordance with the requirements of the World Anti-Doping Code. More background information on the Programme, sanctions, tennis statistics and related information can be found at www.itftennis.com/antidoping. Martina Hingis Tribunal Decision (136 KB) View this PDF document in a new window 04 January 2008 " Read Martina Hingis Tribunal Decision (136 KB). It has more holes in it than sieve.
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Post by jimm on Jan 4, 2008 16:33:17 GMT
Career Sony Ericsson WTA Tour singles titles 43 Sony Ericsson WTA Tour doubles titles 37 ITF Women's Circuit singles titles 2 ITF Women's Circuit doubles titles 1 Prize Money $20,130,657 Win Loss Record - Singles 548-133 Win Loss Record - Doubles 286-54 What a loss too Tennis
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Post by SuperMarion on Jan 5, 2008 12:19:58 GMT
Why do you say that Jim? This decision was expected.
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Post by jimm on Jan 5, 2008 14:56:38 GMT
I meant that the incident happened Alice, not the outcome of the tribunal
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Post by jimm on Jan 5, 2008 15:11:23 GMT
Venus Williams beats Maria Sharapova to win Hong Kong exhibition The Associated PressPublished: January 5, 2008 HONG KONG: Venus Williams beat Russia's Maria Sharapova in straight sets 6-4, 6-3 Saturday to win the JB Group Classic exhibition in Hong Kong — a warmup for the Australian Open. Both players were holding serve comfortably in the early games, but the Russian faltered first. Serving at 4-5 in the first set, Sharapova sent a backhand into the net after a long rally and then missed another backhand to give the American a one-set lead. Sharapova, who has won Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, was erratic in the second set. Down 3-2, she double-faulted and missed a forehand to give the reigning Wimbledon champ the crucial break. Sharapova did save two match points in her final service game, but Williams held to love to take the match, closing out the game with a forehand winner. Today in Sports IHT global sports forum with Christopher Clarey: Part 8 Clemens admits receiving trainer's injections, but denies doping Dakar Rally is called off amid fears of attack "It's very exciting, especially going into the Australian, having played very well against someone of her (Sharapova's) caliber," Williams said. The Australian Open will run from Jan. 14-27. Williams, a six-time Grand Slam winner, complained Friday of an unspecified injury but appeared unaffected Saturday. She said the nature of the injury still wasn't clear but she felt better after treatment. Williams also said she fell on her left wrist while practicing in Hong Kong but that the wrist felt 100 percent Saturday. "I just had the opportunity to get my racket on the ball and play it deep. I guess I served well. I returned OK. So I guess it was about doing everything good," she said. Sharapova said she took some chances because she was playing against an opponent that was playing well. "When your opponent is serving big and serving consistently, you've really got to take your chances on opportunities, on second serves, which I did a poor job of," she said." I like Venus I think she a brilliant player, better than her sister as far as I'm concerned.
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Post by jimm on Jan 6, 2008 18:43:35 GMT
Amelie Mauresmo, Li Na withdraw from Sydney International because of injuries January 6, 2008
SYDNEY, Australia (AP) -- Amelie Mauresmo and China's Li Na have withdrawn from the Sydney International, the last major tuneup event before the Jan. 14 start of the Australian Open.
Mauresmo has a left adductor strain and Li has a right knee injury, tournament officials said Sunday.
"Unfortunately I have re-injured my left adductor," Mauresmo said in a statement. "I felt it yesterday during my training session and did not practice today. This is an injury that I am familiar with and know that it will not get better overnight."
Mauresmo won the tournament in 2000, and was a finalist in 2004.
Li, the last player into the main draw, won the Australian women's hardcourt on the Gold Coast on Saturday in her first tournament back after a six-month layoff due to a rib injury.
"The problem with my knee seemed to get a little worse after I tried to practice this morning and I just could not move very well," Li said.
In first-round women's play, the Czech Republic's Lucie Safarova beat Alicia Molik 7-6 (2), 7-6 (12-10). The Australian wild card had beaten Safarova in straight sets at the Hopman Cup in Perth nine days previously.
Updated on Sunday, Jan 6, 2008 2:18 am, EST
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Post by jimm on Jan 7, 2008 0:39:09 GMT
Sharapova surprised by Hingis ban Two-time grand slam champion Maria Sharapova admitted she was surprised to see childhood idol Martina Hingis handed a two-year ban following a doping offence. Hingis tested positive for cocaine following her defeat by Laura Granville at Wimbledon last year and on Friday was handed the ban by the International Tennis Federation. And Sharapova had nothing but praise for the Swiss star, saying: "Martina has always been super nice to me. It is definitely sad to see as to this day I think she is an incredible champion and in front of my eyes she has always been an incredibly hard worker from spending extra hours on the court to extra time in the gym." She added: "She has been one of the toughest examples, especially when I was growing up, to see the work ethic she put in to what she did was incredible. "I think it is just as surprising to me as it is to anyone else." The 27-year-old, who spent three years away from the sport before returning in 2006, retired from tennis last November after revealing she had tested positive. The former world number one and five-time grand slam winner returned a positive result from a routine urine sample following the defeat by Granville, but has previously insisted she was "100% innocent". Good fer you Big Masha
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Post by jimm on Jan 7, 2008 13:45:33 GMT
Sharapova sharp at first practice session Monday, 7 January, 2008 By Adele Holland A relaxed Maria Sharapova practised at a deserted Rod Laver Arena today, concentrating on her powerful serve and her return. The Russian was chatty as she prepared for next week’s Australian Open, laughing with her hitting partner and coach. Sharapova did not seem phased by the hot sun pouring through the open roof at Rod Laver, nor jetlag, having only arrived in Melbourne this morning after playing in a tournament in Hong Kong. The unmistakable cries from last year’s runner-up filled the empty arena, which in less than a week will be jam packed full of fans. Her strong forehand was creating havoc, after apologising to a staff member for hitting him with the ball he yelled back, “It’s okay, if she hits me in the leg, I’ll never wash it again,” to which she laughed in return." Go Big Masha
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Post by SuperMarion on Jan 7, 2008 16:43:03 GMT
Oi! You secretly desire a Sharapova forum too! tut tut Yes I like Venus. She is more personable and fun than Serena. Despite Richard's infamous prediction, Venus has probably achieved even more than Serena has. Nevertheless, Serena's demolition of Sharapova at last years A0 was special. Think maybe your heart was ruling your head though when you tipped Maria to be #1 at the end of the year! Mind you, I can talk.
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