Venus Williams to play Hobart WTA event

American star Venus Williams has been confirmed as a starter in the Hobart WTA International in January, organisers said on Wednesday. The seven-time Grand Slam champion, now ranked 48, will be making her first appearance in the tournament in the run-up to the Australian Open in Melbourne.

"The tournament is played on the same surface as the Australian Open, so it will be a great place to get some good match practice against tough opponents before I head to Melbourne," Williams said in a statement.

She will join Australia's former US Open champion Sam Stosur in the event from January 5-11.

More: http://www.hindustantimes.com/sports-news/Tennis/Venus-Williams-to-play-Hobart-WTA-event/Article1-1150535.aspx

‘Would love to win another Grand Slam’

Two-time Grand Slam winner Sania Mirza feels she is going through one of the best phases of her career and as such is not even close to thinking about quitting the sport within the next couple of years.

“Right now, I am enjoying every bit, and to win five WTA titles in a year is by no means an ordinary achievement. I wish to continue this impressive run, which was possible because I was injury-free,” said the 25-year-old here.

Referring to her twin triumph in women’s doubles in the Pan Pacific and China Open, partnering Zimbabwean Cara Black, Sania feels she is learning a lot from her partner, who, she believes, is playing the best tennis of her career.

“The best part is that Cara is a doubles specialist, who trains and does so many things differently.

“I am really enjoying every moment of my partnership with her,” Sania said.

Asked whether the two WTA titles in the space of a few days would mean setting new targets, Sania said, “Every time I set a new target, I mostly get injured. So this time around, I am not going to think too far, and instead take it event by event. I can confidently say I will be there on the circuit next year, and probably think of other options later on. But, there is one thing I would love to do — win another Grand Slam before I really contemplate quitting the sport.

“As in life, you tend to keep learning right through. I never thought I was a complete player. Definitely, I am more mature right now, have achieved what many would have never thought I would when I first started playing tennis,” she said.

On the academy

On the Sania Mirza Tennis Academy near Hyderabad, Sania wished she had a similar facility while growing up in the big league.

“Things would have been much easier; and the reason why our family set up this academy was to provide an answer to the big query — who after Sania?” she remarked.

“There is no doubt I am thoroughly enjoying the second half of my tennis career, if one remembers the frustrating phase when I could not even comb my hair because of a wrist injury, leave alone hold a racquet.

“It is a great feeling to be back and winning some major titles,” said the World No. 7 in women’s doubles.

“Let me enjoy the sweet success I have had in the past 15 days, take a break from the sport for three weeks to spend some time with my husband Shoaib ,” Sania signed off after spending some time with the trainees at the academy.

Credits: thehindu

Sania-Black upset Errani-Vinci to enter final

Sania Mirza and Cara Black on Friday shocked top seeded Italians Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci to storm into the summit clash of the women’s doubles at the ATP and WTA China Open, extending their unbeaten run to eight matches now.

Sania and Zimbabwe’s Black, who came into the tournament after winning the Tokyo event, swept aside the challenge of formidable Italians 6-4, 6-4 in one hour and 12 minutes.

Sania has been doing well consistently despite not getting a long-term partner.

Now she has the opportunity to win her fifth title of the season.

In Friday’s match, converting three of the four break chances in the second set sealed the deal for Sania and Black.

Nadal in last four

Meanwhile, world No. 2 Rafael Nadal said he felt no extra pressure heading into a semifinal which could see him return to the top of the men’s rankings.

The No. 2 seed in Beijing staged an extraordinary comeback against Fabio Fognini in his quarterfinal match to keep alive his hopes of unseating Novak Djokovic at the top spot.

Nadal looked to be heading for a crushing defeat in his quarterfinal after Fognini claimed the first set and powered to a 4-1 lead in the second.

But Nadal broke the Italian’s serve in the seventh game, before winning the next three to take the second set 6-4.

Fognini, who is ranked 19th in the world, won the opener of the third set. But Nadal sealed his passage through to the semifinals by claiming victory in the remaining games to seal the match 2-6, 6-4, 6-1.

Reigning China Open champion Djokovic has spent 101 weeks at No. 1, but can only remain top of the rankings if he reclaims his title and if Nadal fails to reach the final.

Tomas Berdych earned his place in the semifinals with a convincing 7-5, 6-2 victory over American John Isner.

Also through to the last four are France’s Richard Gasquet, after the fifth seed sent third seed Spaniard David Ferrer packing 6-3, 6-4.

Easy for Serena

Meanwhile, in the women’s tournament, Serena Williams defeated Caroline Wozniacki 6-1, 6-4.

It was heartbreak for Chinese star Li Na, who lost 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 to Petra Kvitova in the quarterfinals.

Kvitova will face Jelena Jankovic in the semifinals. The Serb defeated Czech Lucie Safarova after an early scare, eventually beating her opponent 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-4.

The results:

Men: Quarterfinals: Rafael Nadal bt Fabio Fognini 2-6, 6-4, 6-1; Tomas Berdych bt John Isner 7-5, 6-2; Richard Gasquet bt David Ferrer 6-3, 6-4; Novak Djokovic bt Sam Querrey 6-1, 6-2.

Doubles: Quarterfinals: Leander Paes & Daniel Nestor bt David Marrero & Fernando Verdasco 7-6(8), 6-3.

Women: Quarterfinals: Jelena Jankovic bt Lucie Safarova 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-4; Petra Kvitova bt Li Na 4-6, 6-2, 6-4; Serena Williams bt Caroline Wozniacki 6-1, 6-4; Agnieszka Radwanska bt Angelique Kerber 7-6(7), 6-4.

Doubles: Semifinals: Cara Black & Sania Mirza bt Sara Errani & Roberta Vinci 6-4, 6-4.