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Sports Line Archive
January - June 2006
Groenefeld wins, eases into Eastbourne
Quarters
(June 22) Anna-Lena Groenefeld has advanced
to the quarterfinals of the USD 600,000 Hastings Direct International
Championships in Eastbourne, England. Seeded seventh, the
21-year old from Nordhorn, Germany defeated Russian opponent
Vera Dushevina (WTA 40) 6-4 and 6-1.
Awaiting her in the quarterfinals is fourth seed Svetlana
Kuznetsova (WTA 6), also from Russia. This year’s French
Open finalist defeated Japanese veteran Ai Sugiyama (WTA 22)
in second round action on Tuesday.
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Groenefeld advances in Eastbourne
(June 21) Anna-Lena Groenefeld (WTA 16)
has advanced to the second round at the USD 600,000 Hastings
Direct International Championships in Eastbourne, England.
The 20-year old Norhorn native defeated French woman Marion
Bartoli (WTA 27) 2-6, 6-4 and 6-2.
Second round action will see her square off against Russian
Vera Dushevina (WTA 40), who defeated Anne Keothavong of Great
Britain in straight sets. Dushevina leads the head-to-head
series against Groenefeld with 2-1.
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Smashnova wins Prostejov Challenger
(June 11) Anna Smashnova (29) has won the
USD 75,000 ITF Challenger tournament in Prostejov, Czech Republic.
The ITMS Sports client defeated Italian counterpart Romina
Oprandi (WTA 96) by walkover.
With the win, Smashnova improved her WTA Tour ranking by
eight spots and now ranks at No. 42.
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Smashnova advances, reaches Prostejov
final
(June 9) ITMS Sports client Anna Smashnova
(WTA 50) has advanced to the final of the USD 75,000 ITF challenger
tournament in Prostejov, Czech Republic. The 29-year old from
Herzelia, Israel, defeated third seed Akiko Morigami (WTA
69) 75, 36 and 64 today.
Smashnova will now await the winner of today’s second
semifinal match between Romina Oprandi (ITA) and Katerina
Bohmova (CZE). A winner of eleven career WTA Tour titles,
Smashnova will appear in her first tournament final in 2006.
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Groenefeld reaches quarterfinals in
Paris
(June 4) Anna-Lena Groenefeld (WTA 14) has
reached the quarterfinals of the EUR 14,265,800 French Open
in Paris. Playing on her 21st birthday, Germany’s No.
1 defeated Argentine Gisela Dulko (WTA 35) 6-3 and 6-4 to
reach the quarterfinals of a grand slam event for the first
time in her career.
Waiting for her on Tuesday is fifth seed and defending champion
Justine Henin-Hardenne (WTA 5) from Belgium. It will be the
first career meeting between the two, with Henin-Hardenne
bringing the experience of eleven career grand slam quarterfinals
to their encounter on court Suzanne Lenglen.
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Groenefeld defeats Jackson, moves on
in Paris
(June 2) Anna-Lena Groenefeld has moved
into the third round at the EUR 14,265,800 French Open in
Paris. In a rematch of this year’s Fed-Cup quarterfinal
tie against the USA, she defeated 19-year old Jamea Jackson
(WTA 82) 6-7, 6-2 and 6-1.
Waiting for her in the third round is 20th seed Maria Kirilenko
(WTA 22) of Russia. A win would move Groenefeld into the round
of 16, where she’d face the winner of Gisela Dulko (ARG)
vs. Shenay Perry (USA).
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Groenefeld advances in Paris
(May 30) Anna-Lena Groenefeld (WTA 14) has
advanced to the second round at the EUR 14,265,800 French
Open in Paris. Fresh of her third semi-final appearance of
the year in Istanbul, the 20-year old Norhorn native defeated
French woman Camille Pin (WTA 97) 6-1
and 6-1.
Second round action will see her square off against American
Jamea Jackson (WTA 82), who defeated Zi Yan Chn of China in
straight sets. In their one and only head-to-head meeting
so far, Groenefeld fell to the 19-year old Atlanta native
as the USA defeated Germany 3-2 during first round Fed-Cup
action in Ettenheim this past April.
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Groenefeld to meet Peer in Istanbul
semis
(May 25) Anastasia Myskina of Russia and
Anna-Lena Groenefeld of Germany both won their quarterfinal
matches on Thursday to advance in the Istanbul Cup in Turkey.
Joining the pair of Top 15 players in the final four will
be teens Shahar Peer and Michaella Krajicek.
Second seed Groenefeld was a 6-4, 6-4 winner over unseeded
Karolina Sprem of Croatia while first seed Myskina beat No.
6 Catalina Castano of Colombia 6-4, 7-6. Fourth seed Shahar
Peer of Israel beat Mara Santangelo of Italy 6-1, 6-2 and
Michaella Krajicek of the Netherlands advanced after beating
Anastasiya Yakimova of Belarus 6-1, 6-0.
Groenefeld will face Peer on Friday, while Krajicek will
play top-seeded Anastasia Myskina.
This is only the second Istanbul Cup, which is a tuneup for
the French Open starting May 28
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Groenefeld advances in Istanbul
(May 24) Anna-Lena Groenefeld has advanced
to the quarter finals of the USD 200,000 Istanbul Cup. The
20-year old from Nordhorn, Germany defeated Swiss veteran
Emmanuelle Gagliardi (WTA 97) 7-6 and 6-2 in second round
action today.
Next up for Groenefeld is an encounter with Croatia's Karolina
Sprem (WTA 72), who won her second round match against American
Mashona Washington (WTA 84) in straight sets. The match-up
between Groenefeld and the former world number 17 (October
2004) is scheduled for Thursday.
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Smashnova advances in Strasbourg
(May 24) ITMS Sports client Anna Smashnova
has advanced to the second round of the USD 175,000 Internationaux
de Strasbourg. The 29-year old from Herzelia, Israel defeated
British qualifier Anne Keothhavong (WTA 141) 6-3 and 6-1 in
first round action on Monday.
Next up for Smashnova is a rematch of last year's first round
match-up with Jelena Jankovic (WTA 38) in Paris. Back then,
Smashnova defeated the Belgrade native in straight sets to
advance to the second round of the 2005 French Open.
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Groenefeld advances, reaches last 16
in Rome
(May 18) Anna-Lena Groenefeld has reached
the third round at the USD 1,340,000 Internazionali d' Italia
in Rome. Playing live on Eurosport for the second straight
day, Germany's marquee player defeated Japanese challenger
Aiko Nakamura (WTA 56) 6-4 and 6-3.
Round of 16 action will now see her square off against fifth
seed Elena Dementieva (WTA 8) from Russia. Groenefeld, who
fell to the 24-year old Moscow native in their lone previous
meeting in Bali in 2003, is looking to reach the quarterfinals
of a Tier I tournament for the second time this year.
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Groenefeld advances at Internazionali
d’Italia
(May 17) Anna-Lena Groenefeld has reached
the second round at the USD 1,340,000 Internazionali d’Italia
in Rome. In a match covered live by Eurosport, the 20-year
old Norhorn native defeated French veteran Virginie Razzano
(WTA 64) 6-2, 4-6 and 6-4.
Next up for Groenefeld is an encounter with Japanese product
Aiko Nakamura (WTA 56). The 22-year old from Osaka, Japan,
defeated Marta Domachowska (POL) in straight sets.
In other second-round action yesterday, ITMS Sports client
Anna Smashnova (WTA 49) fell to seventh seed Svetlana Kuznetsova
(WTA 10) 1-6 and 3-6.
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Smashnova reaches second round in Rome
(May 16) Anna Smashnova (WTA 49) has reached
the second round of the USD 1,340,000 Interazionali d’
Italia in Rome. The ITMS Sports client defeated Maret Ani
(FIN) 4-6, 6-0 and 6-4 in opening day action at the Foro Italico
on Monday.
Next up for Smashnova is an encounter with seventh seed Svetlana
Kuznetsova (WTA 10) from Russia. Enjoying a bye in the first
round, the Nasdaq 100 Open Champion will make her debut on
the red clay courts of Rome.
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Smashnova advances in Berlin
(May 9) ITMS Sports client Anna Smashnova
(ISR) has reached the second round of the USD 1,340,000 Qatar
Total German Open in Berlin, Germany. Coming back from a 0-3
deficit in the third set, the winner of 11 career WTA Tour
titles defeated Ekaterina Bychkova (RUS) 6-4, 4-6 and 6-4.
Next up for Smashnova is an encounter with 58th ranked Virginie
Razzano of France, who upset 14th seed Ai Sugiyama in three
sets. Razzano and Smashnova have faced each other two times
before, with each player winning once.
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Veic triumphs, earns wild card for BMW
Open 2007
(May 9) Antonio Veic (ITF 12) of Croatia
is the winner of the AS Gebäudeservice Junior Cup 2006.
Veic (18), a Split native, defeated local prospect Marc Sieber
(18) to earn the wild card for the 2007 BWM Open qualifying
tournament.
An eight player invitational tournament, the Junior Cup annually
brings some of Europe’s best junior talent to the ATP’s
BMW Open in Munich. This year’s field, led by ITF world
No. two and current European champion Thiemo De Bakker (NED),
featured four of the world’s twelve best players, including
Veic, his countryman Luka Belic and Australian Open champion
Alexandre Sidorenko (FRA).
Completing the field where top German prospects Peter Gojowczyk,
Nico Hegge, Marc Meigel and eventual runner-up Marc Sieber.
In its third year, the tournament is organized by ITMS Sports.
Results:
1st Round:
Thiemo De Bakker (NED) d. Marc Meigel (GER) 7-6(3) ret.
Marc Sieber (GER) d. Luka Belic (CRO) 6-4, 2-6, 6-6 (1-1)
ret.
Antonio Veic (CRO) d. Nico Hegge (GER) 3-6, 6-1, 6-1
Alexandre Sidorenko (FRA) d. Peter Gojowczyk (GER) 2-6, 6-3,
6-3
Semi-finals:
Marc Sieber (GER) d. Thiemo De Bakker (NED) 7-6(3), 6-7(10),
6-3
Antonio Veic (CRO) d. Alexandre Sidorenko (NED) 7-6(1), 6-4
Final:
Antonio Veic (CRO) d. Marc Sieber (GER) 6-2, 3-6, 6-4
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Perebiynis advances in Warsaw
(May 2) ITMS Sports client Tatiana Perebiynis
(23) has advanced to the second round at the USD 600,000 J&S
Cup in Warsaw, Poland. Playing in her third match in two days,
the Ukrainian standout defeated fellow qualifier Galina Voskoboeva
(RUS) in three sets.
The win over Voskoboeva marked Perebiynis fourth straight
win and her 18th since coming back from glandular fever in
February. Formerly ranked inside the WTA Tour’s top
75, the Kharkov native will next face third seed Elena Dementieva
of Russia.
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Groenefeld moves on in Charleston
(April 13) Successful start for Anna-Lena
Groenefeld at the USD 1,340,000 Family Circle Cup in Charleston,
SC. The 20-year old from Nordhorn moved into the third round
of the Tier I event with a 6-1 and 6-4 defeat of Virginia
Ruano Pascual (ESP).
Round of 16 action will now see her square off against 9th
seed Anabel Medina Garrigues, also from Spain.
In doubles, Groenefeld and partner Nadia Petrova are set
to play the winner of Huber (RSA)/Peschke (CZE) vs. Bachmann
(GER)/Henke (GER) in the quarterfinals.
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New career-high ranking for Anna-Lena
Groenefeld
(April 10) Anna-Lena Groenefeld has reached
a new career best ranking this week. Following her quarter-final
appearance in Amelia Island last week, the 20-year old German
has broken into the WTA Tour’s Top 15 for the first
time in her career.
Currently ranked 15th, Groenefeld is the first German player
since Anke Huber to reach such heights. Ranked 21st at the
beginning of the year, the Nordhorn native used her first
WTA Tour title in Acapulco and a quarter-final appearance
at the Tier I Pacific Life Open to establish herself among
the world’s Top 15 players.
A winner of four doubles titles over the past 15 months,
Groenefeld is also ranked 7th on the latest WTA Tour doubles
ranking.
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Groenefeld advances in Amelia Island
(April 6) Anna-Lena Groenefeld has advanced
to the third round of the USD 600,000 Bausch & Lomb Championships
in Amelia Island, FL with a straight set win over 46th ranked
Vera Zvonareva from Russia.
Next up for Groenefeld is a clash with another young Russian,
9th seed Dinara Safina (WTA 20). The two will meet for the
third time on the WTA Tour, with each one being able to secure
one match so far.
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Japan beats Cuba to claim first WBC
title
(March 21) Baseball fans around the globe
have long been clamoring for an authentic world champion.
Finally they have one.
Japan is the winner of the inaugural World Baseball Classic.
And now, baseball is not only spoken here, it is spoken everywhere.
It was an entertaining final in the World Baseball Classic,
with Cuba making it tense after falling behind by four runs
in the first inning. But Japan, playing without top slugger
Hideki Matsui, who declined an invitation, earned bragging
rights, holding on for a 10-6 victory.
But whether the tournament proves which is the best baseball
nation or which was just the most prepared to play is a matter
for debate that could continue until the next WBC, in 2009.
Commissioner Bud Selig declared the tournament a success
and said it will be back in three years. "No question
about it," Selig said.
Japan's Daisuke Matsuzaka, Monday night's starter and winner
and the tournament's MVP, thought his team had accomplished
plenty. "We came over to the States with a lot of responsibility
and a lot of pride," he said through an interpreter.
"We wanted to show that our baseball was at the top level."
They did, according to Japan's manager, the legendary home-run
king Sadaharu Oh. "I thought I would never, never get
a chance to manage a team like this," Oh said.
Japan had a rough night in an area it usually thrives in
- fundamentals - making three errors. But it did several other
little things - Tsuyoshi Nishioka's bunt single prolonged
the ninth inning and helped lead to a terrific slide into
home by Munenori Kawasaki in which he avoided an out by getting
his hand around Cuba catcher Ariel Pestano's leg.
The Japanese, who were 1-2 in the second round and only advanced
because they beat Team USA in the runs-allowed tie-breaker,
celebrated near the mound, crowding around their 65-year-old
manager and tossing him in the air. Seconds before the final
out, several Japanese fans near the press box stood holding
digital cameras poised to take snapshots of the final, historic
moment. After an awards ceremony, Team Japan did a lap around
the field holding a giant flag with the rising sun on it.
Matsuzaka, who earned three of Japan's five victories and
had a 1.38 ERA, topped the all-tournament team, which also
included Derek Jeter and Ken Griffey Jr.
Jeter and Griffey were the only Americans on the squad, which
had only five major-leaguers in its 12 spots.
Akinori Otsuka, the only major leaguer in the game beside
Ichiro Suzuki, notched a save. He came in in the eighth and
struck out Cuba's best player, Yulieski Gourriel, to end the
game, a moment that will be frozen forever in Japan's baseball
history.
Japan held a 6-1 lead going into the bottom of the sixth,
but Cuba rallied to pull within 6-5 after eight. The Japanese
kept their poise, scoring four insurance runs in the ninth,
one on Kawasaki's slide into home on a single to right by
Ichiro and two on Kosuke Fukudome's pinch-single.
It was the second consecutive big hit for Fukudome, who was
put on the roster when Matsui decided not to play and started
the tournament 2-for-19. Fukudome hit a pinch-homer in the
semis against Korea.
The Cubans go home to a disappointed Fidel Castro, but perhaps
already had proven the point about the quality of their baseball
by advancing past teams that were filled with major leaguers.
They were in deep trouble early, when they yanked their starting
pitcher, Ormani Romero after he had thrown only 23 pitches,
and they didn't stop making mistakes even after rallying -
third baseman Michel Enriquez made an error to start the ninth
inning, sparking Japan's big frame.
At least the world got a look at Cuba against major leaguers.
And it had a chance to experience some of their quirks, such
as players on the bench throwing water on the field while
Cuba is hitting, believing it makes runs rain down.
The rain fell for Japan on Monday night, though. It was the
second big international victory for the Japanese over Cuba
in the last three years - Matsuzaka beat Cuba in Athens in
2004, the first time Japan ever had beaten Cuba in the Olympics.
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Groenefeld reaches Indian Wells Quarters
(March 15) Anna-Lena Grönefeld (WTA
18) has reached the quarter finals at the USD 2,100,000 Pacific
Life Open in Indian Wells. In control from the outset of yesterday’s
match, she defeated unseeded Estonian Maret Ani (WTA 77) 6-1
and 6-4.
Next up for the 20-year old German No. 1 is an encounter
with former world No.1 Maria Sharapova (WTA 5), whom she last
played last October in Moscow. In that match, Groenefeld led
by a score of 6-1 and 4-1 before suffering a serious ankle
injury that not only forced her to retire from the match a
couple of points later, but also ended her season prematurely.
Now back to her old self, Groenefeld will bring an eight
match winning streak into tonight’s feature match against
the 2004 Wimbledon Champion. A win would mark the first time,
the Nordhorn native would advance into the round of the last
four in one of the six biggest tournaments of the world.
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Groenefeld prevails in ITMS Sports duel
(March 14) Anna-Lena Groenefeld (WTA 18)
has reached the fourth round at the USD 2,100,000 Pacific
Life Open in Indian Wells. In a battle of two ITMS Sports
clients yesterday, she defeated Israeli veteran Anna Smashnova
(WTA 41) 2-6, 6-1 and 6-2.
The third round encounter marked the third head-to-head meeting
between the two, with Groenefeld prevailing in all three of
them. She did, however, drop her first set ever to Smashnova,
who had temporarily raced to a one set to love lead on the
heels of a very strong performance in the first set.
Next up for Groenefeld is an encounter with surprising Maret
Ani (WTA 77) from Estonia. Another victory would then set
her up for a potential quarterfinal match-up against Russian
teenage standout Maria Sharapova (WTA 5).
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Groenefeld wins first WTA singles title
in Acapulco
(March 6) Anna-Lena Groenefeld (WTA 18)
won her first career WTA Tour singles title at the USD 180,000
Abierto Mexicano TELCEL presented by HSBC, defeating defending
champion and top seed Flavia Pennetta, 6-1, 4-6 and 6-2.
Seeded second, Groenefeld dominated the first set over Pennetta,
who was unable to find her shots and get into a rhythm. The
German raced to a quick 4-0 lead, keeping her Italian foe
under constant pressure with her big serve and trademark aggressive
game.
Pennetta, however, was able to change the tide in the second
set. Capitalizing on a couple of mistakes by the 20-year old
Nordhorn native, the Italian veteran took advantage and forced
a decisive third set when Groenefeld netted a forehand volley
at 4-5.
In the third set, it was Groenefeld who once again was back
in the driver’s seat. Her impressive game clearly frustrated
Pennetta, as she continued to come up on the short end of
several crucial rallies. After realizing a second break of
serve at 4-2, Groenefeld eventually served out the match for
her first-ever Tour singles title.
"I started very well, and then in the second set, I
made more errors," Groenefeld admitted. "But I felt
comfortable after the second set. I just tried to tell myself
to keep being aggressive and going for my shots. I knew this
was going to be the key today if I was going to keep her behind
the baseline and keep her on the move."
Groenefeld also won the doubles title, pairing with Meghann
Shaugnessy to capture the team's second career doubles crown
with a dominating 6-1 and 6-3 performance against the second
seeded tandem of Shinobu Asagoe (JPN) and Emilie Loit (FRA).
With the win, Groenefeld became the first player to win singles
and doubles titles at the same tournament this year, a feat
that was achieved only four times in 2005.
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Perebiynis fights back in Memphis opener
(February 22) Successful start for ITMS
Sports client Tatiana Perebiynis (WTA 131) at the USD 175,000
Regions Morgan Keegan Championships in Memphis, TN. Coming
back from one set down, the 23-year old from Kharkov, Ukraine,
defeated Hungarian veteran Melinda Czink (WTA 94) 4-6, 6-2
and 6-2 in their first round match-up on Tuesday.
In the next round, Perebiynis will now take on fourth seed
American Laura Granville (WTA 47), who defeated fellow American
Meghann Shaughnessy (WTA 64) in straight sets.
Wednesday’s match between Granville and Perebiynis,
who leads the head-to-head series 2-1, will be the fourth
career meeting between the two.
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Groenefeld advances at Regions Morgan
Keegan Championships
(February 21) Anna-Lena Groenefeld has advanced
to the second round of the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships
in Memphis, TN. Seeded second, she defeated Korean standout
Yoon Jeong Cho (WTA 75) 6-3 and 6-2.
Next up for the 20-year old from Nordhorn is a second round
match-up with American Shenay Perry (WTA 135). The Washington
DC native upset 68th ranked Ekaterina Bytchkova (RUS) in other
first round action on Monday.
In doubles, Groenefeld and her partner Meghann Shaughnessy
(USA) advanced with a dominating straight set win over Tiffany
Dabek (USA) and Meng Yuan (CHN).
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Smashnova advances at Open Gaz de France
(February 8) ITMS Sports client Anna Smashnova
(ISR) has advanced to the second round of the USD 600,000
Open Gaz de France in Paris. Playing in her third tournament
of the year, the 29-year old from Herzelia, Israel, defeated
French lucky loser Severine Bremond (WTA 101) 6-1 and 6-2.
Next up for Smashnova is an encounter with third seed Nadia
Petrova (WTA 7) from Russia. In their only head-to-head match
up to date, Smashnova defeated the Moscow native in straight
sets in 2003.
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Wozniak advances at Pattaya Women’s
Open
(February 8) ITMS Sports client Aleksandra
Wozniak (CAN) has defeated Chinese standout Na Li (WTA 62)
6-3 and 6-1 to reach the second round of the USD 170,000 Pattaya
Women’s Open in Pattaya City, Thailand.
Na Li, who just recently gave Serena Williams all sorts of
troubles in their first round match in Melbourne, became the
fourth consecutive player to fall victim to the powerful ground
strokes of the 18-year old Quebec native. Ranked 145 going
into the tournament, Wozniak did not lose a set in qualifying
for WTA Tour Tier IV event for the first time in her career.
Wozniak will next play fifth seed Nuria Vive Llagostera (ESP)
for a spot in the tournament’s quarter finals.
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Perebiynis reaches quarters in first tournament back
(February 2) ITMS Sports client Tatiana
Perebiynis has reached the quarter-finals of the USD 75,000
ITF challenger in Val Gardena, Italy. The 23-year old from
Kharkov, Ukraine, led eight seed Sandra Kloesel (GER) 7-6
and 2-0 when Kloesel retired with arm problems.
Playing in her first tournament since contracting glandular
fever in July, Perebiynis will next battle Anastasia Yakimova
(BLR) for a spot in the tournament’s semi-finals.
In doubles, Perebiynis and partner Barbora Strycova (CZE)
will face the Romanian pair of Romy and Gabriela Nicolescu
in their quarter-final match.
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Perebiynis comes back with straight-set win
(January 31) Successful comeback for ITMS
Sports client Tatiana Perebiynis (23) at the USD 75,000 ITF
Challenger tournament in Val Gardena, Italy. Returning to
competitive tennis for the first time since contracting glandular
fever last July, last year’s Wimbledon mixed doubles
championship runner-up defeated Evgenia Grebenyuk (RUS) 6-4
and 6-2.
Perebiynis, who entered the tournament with a protected ranking
of 131, will next face German veteran and eight seed Sandra
Kloesel (WTA 91). Kloesel defeated wild card Claudine Schaul
(LUX) in straight sets on Tuesday.
In doubles, the top seeded combination of Perebiynis and Barbora
Strycova (CZE) will play Severine Bremond (FRA) and Mervana
Jugic-Salkic (BIH) in first-round action on Wednesday.
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Groenefeld moves on twice in Melbourne
(January 24) Two more wins for German tennis
hopeful Anna-Lena Groenefeld in Australia. Back-to-back victories
on Tuesday moved the 20-year old from Nordhorn into the next
round of both the doubles and mixed doubles competitions at
the Australian Open in Melbourne.
Wednesday’s doubles semi-finals will now see her and
partner Meghann Shaughnessy (USA) pinned against the top-seeded
American-Australian combination of Lisa Raymond and Samantha
Stosur. After defeating the third seeded Russian duo of Elena
Likhovtseva and Vera Zvonareva 6-3 and 6-3 in the quarters,
Groenefeld has reached the doubles semi-finals of a Grand
Slam tournament for the second time in a row.
Together with partner Frantisek Cermak (CZE), Groenefeld has
also reached the quarter-finals of the mixed doubles competition.
They will battle Leander Paes (IND) and Nathalie Dechy (FRA)
for a spot in the semis.
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Groenefeld advances in Melbourne
(January 17) Successful start for Anna-Lena
Groenefeld at the Australian Open in Melbourne; the 20-year
old from Nordhorn, Germany advanced to the second round with
an impressive come-from-behind victory against Spaniard Laura
Pous Tio (21).
Groenefeld, still recovering from a severe ankle injury suffered
last October, saved several match points and came back from
a 3-0 deficit in the third set to earn herself a spot in the
second round of the year’s first grand slam tournament.
Next up, she will face Maria Sanchez Lorenzo (ESP), who defeated
Czech upstart Lucie Safarova (18) in straight sets.
40th ranked Anna Smashnova (ISR), also an ITMS Sports client,
wasn’t so fortunate: The 29-year old from Herzelia,
Israel lost her first round match against Slovakian Martina
Sucha (25) in three sets.
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Strong Grand Slam debut by Wozniak
(January 13) ITMS Sports client Aleksandra
Wozniak (CAN) is off to a good start at the Australian Open
in Melbourne. Playing in the very first Grand Slam tournament
of her career, the 18-year old Quebec native is through to
the last round of the qualifying tournament after convincing
wins over 24th seed German Sabine Klaschka ((WTA 142) and
former Top 50 player Denisa Chladkova (CZE).
Next up for Aleksandra is an encounter with Belarus hopeful
Victoria Azarenka (WTA 155). The winner of their third-round
match will qualify for the main draw at the year’s first
Grand Slam tournament.
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Australian Open kick-starts new tennis year
(January 12) The new tennis year, barely
two weeks old, is rapidly approaching its first major highlight.
The Australian Open, the Grand Slam of Asia/ Pacific, will
get under way this Sunday at Melbourne Park.
Among the 128 players competing for the coveted ladies singles
crown are no less than four ITMS Sports clients. While German
hopeful Anna-Lena Groenefeld (20) and Israeli veteran Anna
Smashnova (29) have earned themselves a direct spot in the
main draw, newcomers Sunitha Rao (USA, 20) and Aleksandra
Wozniak (CAN, 18) will have to prove themselves through the
early qualifying rounds. Wozniak, who turned heads late last
year reaching four ITF challenger finals (winning two) in
five weeks, is also set to make her Grand Slam debut down
under.
Missing in action will be another ITMS Sports client, 23-year
old Ukrainian standout Tatiana Perebyinis. The newly wed from
Kharkov is set to return to action in February after missing
the second half of the 2005 season due to a lengthy viral
infection.
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