Kim Clijsters and Venus Williams marked their returns to the WTA Tour with victories in the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami.

Clijsters, playing for the first time since her Australian Open semi-final defeat to Victoria Azarenka, had skipped last week’s Indian Wells tournament to rest her injured ankle and was forced to dig deep for a 4-6 6-1 6-0 win over Australia’s Jarmila Gajdosova to reach the second round . And the 28-year-old, a winner of the Miami event in 2005 and 2010, overcame a sluggish start to book her place in round two, where she will next play 14th seed Julia Goerges for the first time in her career. It’s always tough to get that first match rhythm under your belt,” Clijsters told the WTA website. “When it comes down to my game I felt I wasn’t quite going through my shots as I should have. I was just trying to find that rhythm, but on the other hand forgetting to still play aggressive tennis. “But as I started to feel more comfortable with the conditions and being in a match situation again I was hitting better, and that showed in the second and third sets.” Clijsters also said the ankle that kept her out since Australia is 95 per cent good now. “It had been a while since I played a match,” she added. “My last tournament was in Melbourne, a good month and a half or two months ago, or even longer. I was home rehabbing my ankle and had a really good practice and physical schedule. But it’s just a matter of getting those matches again. “One thing I can count on is I have the experience, though. It doesn’t take me that long to get used to it again. But it has become tougher.”

Venus Williams also made a winning return to action as she beat Japanese veteran Kimiko Date-Krumm 6-0 6-3. The seven-time Grand Slam champion, who has not played a WTA event since pulling out of last year’s US Open, cruised to victory in 77 minutes. The American fired down five aces and landed 56 per cent of her first serves while surrendering only one service break. She will now take on Czech third seed Petra Kvitova, who had a first-round bye, in the second round. Williams announced at the 2011 US Open she had been diagnosed with the auto-immune disorder Sjogren Syndrome, an illness which saps energy and causes joint pains.

 

 

Kimoko Date-Krumm pushes Venus to the limit in one of the best Women’s matches ever played on Wimbledon’s centre court.

Venus Williams rallied from a set down to beat Japan’s Kimiko Date-Krumm in a match of breathtaking drama under the roof on Wimbledon’s Centre Court. Date-Krumm took an incredible first set on a tie-break but only after Williams had battled from 5-1 down and saved a total of seven set points. At times, the tennis was of the highest quality as Date-Krumm attacked Williams’ serve and the American scrapped her way back into the set. Eventually, the 40-year-old Date-Krumm – a Wimbledon semi-finalist in 1996 – clinched the first set in one hour and four minutes but by then Williams had found her rhythm. The American moved a break up early in the second set to draw level in the match before prevailing in a hard-fought third to clinch a 6-7 (6/8) 6-3 8-6 victory in nearly three hours. Williams will face Spaniard Maria Jose Sanchez Martinez in round three after she beat Monica Niculescu 6-3 6-0.

The roof was closed over Centre Court as the rain fell over the rest of Wimbledon – but Williams and Date-Krumm offered the watching Duchess of Cornwall some high-class entertainment. Date-Krumm broke in Williams’ first three service games as she raced into a 3-0 lead in just nine minutes, and then opened a 5-1 advantage. Williams’ year has been badly disrupted by a hip injury she suffered at the Australian Open and she only returned to action at Eastbourne last week. Date-Krumm was too hot for Williams to handle in the opening exchanges and she raced into a 3-0 lead in just nine minutes with some pinpoint baseline winners. Williams secured one break back but immediately lost it again as Date-Krumm added some dream volleying to the winners she had been peppering past the American. But Williams refused to buckle. Her grunting got louder and she saved three set points to string together five consecutive games to heap the pressure back on Date-Krumm.

Date-Krumm twice failed to serve out the match but she was happy to attack Williams’ powerful serve and opened a 6-2 lead in the tie-break to earn four more set points. Williams hit back again, saving all of them to draw level before Date-Krumm finally edged a set ahead. It was an impressive show of mental fortitude from Kimiko-Date, who spent 12 years in retirement before returning to the circuit in 2008. On the way to holding serve in the first game of the second set, Date-Krumm switched her racquet from right hand to left to play a lob after she had been forced out wide. She is naturally left-handed but learned to play with her right to fit in with Japanese custom. But Williams levelled with a blistering winner and then sealed the first break of the second set after Date-Krumm, who had volleyed with such dexterity, planted one into the net. Date-Krumm earned two break back points but Williams’ serve had cranked up a gear and she saw them off to wrap up the set before quickly moving a break up in the decider on the back of her powerful forehand. Williams gifted Date-Krumm a break back with only her second double fault of the match after being deceived by a flick of the net cord earlier in the game. Date-Krumm had to save three break points to hold in a 10-minute game, one of them on a challenge which showed the ball had just brushed the line. Each game was fiercely contested but, with Williams’ power and some great volleying from Date-Krumm, the set went with serve until it was 7-6. And it was Date-Krumm who blinked first. Serving to stay in the match for the third time, she conceded two match points and Williams wrapped up a memorable victory when Date-Krumm’s backhand crept wide.

 

Ivanovic makes an impressive start, but how far will she go?

Ana beat Kimiko Date-Krumm 6-2, 6-0 in the second round of the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami. The 23-year-old quickly found her feet against the elder Japanese, hitting freely to all corners of the court. The 19th seed will next meet France’s Virginie Razzano in round four.

Kim Clijsters won her first match of the Sony Ericsson Open over qualifier Anastasiya Yakimova. The mother of one and 2011 Australian Open champion closed out the match in 50 minutes, allowing Yakimova to take only two games. Clijsters claimed the first set 6-1 and broke Yakimova to go up 4-1 in the second set. At 5-2, with Clijsters up 30-0, Yakimova won two points in a row to hold off a break, but Clijsters answered with two points to take the match 6-1, 6-1. The No. 2 seed could face Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez in the next round.

Other winners in the day session were No.9 seed Agnieszka Radwanska, No.12 seed Petra Kvitova, No.15 seed Marion Bartoli, No.24 seed Maria Kirilenko, No.25 seed Dominika Cibulkova, No.28 seed Jarmila Groth and unseeded players Virginie Razzano, Ekaterina Makarova and Lourdes Domínguez Lino. Razzano pulled off the biggest upset of the day so far, edging No.14 seed Kaia Kanepi in a competitive two-setter, 63 76(5). In her first match since reaching the final of Indian Wells last week and making it back into the Top 10, Bartoli beat Ayumi Morita in a see-saw duel, 63 26 61. Bartoli lost seven of eight games from 63 10 up, finding herself down 1-0 in the third set; but she caught fire again and reeled off six games in a row to win.

Kirilenko also pulled off a comeback win, winning 11 straight games from 75 31 down to dispatch qualifier Sania Mirza, 57 63 60. Next up for Kirilenko is Radwanska –

 

 

 

Serbian duo post early wins at Indian Wells.

 

Ana Ivanovic defeated Japan’s Kimiko Date-Krumm 6-4, 6-2 to step into the third round of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. The 23-year-old showed great consistency and never lost serve during 71 minutes of play on the Stadium 1 Court. Ana started brightly and broke Date-Krumm in the opening game of the match. Although the 40-year-old veteran posed a continuous threat with her typically solid play, Ana held the advantage and sealed the set. The former world No. 1 made an impressive start in the second set, breaking the Japanese to love, followed up by a classy service game with big first serves and a number of piercing forehand winners. She broke once more in the fifth game and raced out to a 5-1 lead. With the end in sight, Date-Krumm wangled her first break points, but Ana was determined not to spend more time on court than necessary. She saved both break points and clinched the match. Ana will face world No.57 Barbora Zahlavova Strycova in round three on Sunday. Zahlavova Strycova recovered from a set down to upset 12th seed Petra Kvitova 3-6, 6-2, 7-5.

Jelena Jankovic defeated Coco Vandeweghe 6-2 6-1 to stay on course for a successful defence of her BNP Paribas Open title. The former world number one – currently ranked number six – is bidding to become the only woman to win at Indian Wells two years in a row since Martina Navratilova completed the feat in 1991. Australian Open winner Kim Clijsters, a two-time former winner, needed just 51 minutes to see off Alla Kudryavtseva 6-2 6-0.

Elsewhere in the second round there were wins for Vera Zvonareva, Francesca Schiavone, Yanina Wickmayer, Marion Bartoli, Sara Errani, Alize Cornet, Barbora Zahlavova Strycova and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.

“I’m not a robot, I’m only human,” said Date Krumm.

Kimiko Date Krumm is targeting the Grand Slams in what is set to be the 40-year-old’s final season on the WTA Tour in 2011. The former top-10 ranked player returned to the tour this year following a 12-year absence, proving herself to still be a force as she ended the season as world number 46. However, the Japanese veteran admitted the efforts have taken their toll and she intends to play a more selective schedule next season. “I’m not a robot, I’m only human,” said Date Krumm, after losing in the semi-finals of the Asian Games in Guangzhou. “It’s been a good season but I’m exhausted now. “I’m not sure whether or not I can manage to play until the end of next season. I need to recharge before I can think of competing next year. “Hopefully I can have some good results at the Grand Slams.” Japan’s most successful player produced a number of fine efforts this year, including a first round victory at the US Open against former number one Dinara Safina.

Ana on a ‘Bali-high’ as she humbles Pavlyuchenkova.

Ana Ivanovic is the first winner at the Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions 2010, beating Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-0 6-1  “It is hard not to be relaxed here,” said Ana, laughing when asked about her mood entering the final event of the WTA Tour calendar. “The surroundings here are so beautiful, everyone is so laid back and friendly. But at the same time, there are only eight players here, they are all quite highly ranked and it’s a different feeling from a regular tournament. In some ways, it’s more intense. “I’ve practised with a few of the players in the draw, and I’m getting used to the conditions. It’s obviously very hot here, and very humid, so actually I am happy that we play indoors. The court is very fast, so it’s going to be important that I made a good start, and that my timing is there.

The second match of the day was far closer, with one of the tournament’s two wildcards, Kimiko Date Krumm, edging No.1 seed Li Na, 64 36 64. Date Krumm burst out to a 5-1 lead, and although she did win the set 6-4, by then Li had found her range, and the Chinese No.1 took the second set, 6-3, and built a 3-1 lead in the third. But it wasn’t over for the Japanese No.1, who won five of the last six games of the match to steal the victory, closing it out on her fourth match point when Li double faulted serving 4-5, ad-out. “Li is a very tough player, but when I was losing in the third set, I just tried to push myself,” Date Krumm said to the crowd after the match. “I still enjoy myself on the court and am focusing and trying my best every match.” Ivanovic and Date Krumm will play for the first time in the semifinals. “I’ve never played Ana before. She’s tough, and so is everybody here,” Date Krumm added. “Ana won Linz a few weeks ago. I’m just going to continue to try my best.”

One for the ‘oldies’ in Osaka.

Tamarine Tanasugarn kept Kimiko Date Krumm from a fairytale ending but wrote her own in Osaka on Sunday, claiming her fourth career Sony Ericsson WTA Tour title at the second annual HP Open.

With a combined age of 73, two of Asia’s most recognizable female athletes, the Japanese and Thai No.1s, were playing the oldest known final ever. For three hours and seven minutes, the two battled it out on Centre Court with their pinpoint groundstrokes and world class tenacity. It was Tanasugarn’s match early on, as she built a 75 31 lead; Date Krumm fought back to take it to a third set, but once she got there maybe her earlier matches caught up to her, as Tanasugarn cruised to a 75 67(4) 61 victory and her fourth career title. “I tried to be more aggressive in the third set and I finally made it,” Tanasugarn commented after the victory. “Osaka is a great city. This is a great feeling and hopefully I can continue to play like this and get a good start to 2011. Now I’ll have three days vacation on the beach when I get back, then I’ll be playing in Taipei and probably Toyota, followed by the Asian Games.” Tanasugarn’s first three titles came on hardcourts at Hyderabad in 2003 and on grass courts in ‘s-Hertogenbosch in back-to-back years in 2008 and 2009.

Krumm hoping to become the oldest player to win a WTA title.

Veteran Kimiko Date Krumm reached the final of the Japan Open with a 3-6 7-6 (7-5) 7-5 victory over third seed Shahar Peer in Osaka. Krumm made history on Friday as she became the first woman in her 40s to defeat a top-10 player, beating Sam Stosur of Australia 5-7 6-3 7-6 (7-4). The 40-year-old, who ended a 12-year spell in retirement in 2008, is a four-time winner of the Japan Open title. She will play Thailand’s Tamarine Tanasugarn in Sunday’s final in Osaka.

Tanasugarn, 33, who is also unseeded, saw off French second second seed Marion Bartoli 6-2 7-5. The oldest player to win a WTA singles title was all-time great Billie Jean King in 1983 when she was 39 years, seven months and 23 days old. Tanasugarn, ranked 94th in the world to Date’s 56th, will be chasing her fourth career WTA Tour title.

Top seed Stosur ousted by veteran Date Krumm.

Home favourite Kimiko Date Krumm upset top seed Sam Stosur to book her place in the semi-finals of the HP Open in Osaka. The 40-year-old Japanese fell behind early in the contest but fought back before clinching the match on a tie-break for a 5-7 6-3 7-6 (7/4) win. The result means Date Krumm becomes the first player over the age of 40 to defeat a player ranked inside the world’s top 10 on the WTA Tour.

The sixth seed’s opponent in the last four will be number three seed Shahar Peer, who barely broke sweat as she saw off Iveta Benesova 6-2 6-0 in their quarter-final tie. Second seed Marion Bartoli of France also eased into the semis, dispatching Jill Craybas 6-1 6-2. Bartoli will next face Tamarine Tanasugarn, a 6-3 2-6 6-4 victor over Chang Kai-Chen.

Ivanovic, Stosur and Kuznetsova all ousted in 2nd round.

It was a good day for the German contingent with Andrea Petkovic sealing a surprise 6-3 7-5 victory over 2009 French Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia, and Julia Goerges knocking out Samantha Stosur of Australia. Japan’s Kimiko Date Krumm celebrated her 40th birthday by beating Daniela Hantuchova to reach the third round. The former world number four, who stunned defending champion Maria Sharapova in the first round, delighted the home crowd with a 2-6 6-0 4-0 after her Slovakian opponent retired with a shoulder injury. “It’s a miracle I was able to stand up after yesterday’s match,” said Date Krumm. “Maybe some luck rubbed off on me because it was my birthday.”

Former Wimbledon finalist Marion Bartoli, the 11th seed from France, crushed Serb Ana Ivanovic 6-2 6-1. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia set up a meeting with Wozniacki with a 6-2 6-1 win over Kateryna Bondarenko of Ukraine.