Justine ready for Roland Garros

The top-ranked player in the world announced on her website that she is physically fit and ready for Roland Garros which starts on Sunday. She has no more injuries. Respiratory problems she had in Miami are now over. "In Berlin you seen that in spite of the scheduled matches, despite the fact that I played more than seven hours and four matches in two days I still held my fitness level," Justine said.

While the Belgian was elaborate when talking about her physical health, she hasn't commented much on the other contenders in Paris. She said that she has great respect for all the WTA players - all the way from the first round opponents. Still, she pointed out the two players that have been very successful lately — world No. 4 Jelena Jankovic, who won the tournament in Rome on Sunday, and world No. 3 Svetlana Kuznetsova, who was a runner-up four times this year. However, Henin added that other players can be a challenge as well. (source: Justine Henin's site)

Jankovic lifts her second Tier I trophy

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Jelena Jankovic defeated world number three and second seed Svetlana Kuznetsova 7-5 6-1 to win the Internazionali BNL d'Italia and join Justin Henin as the only WTA players who have won three tournaments this year. In January, Jankovic took the Tier IV title in Auckland, then the Tier I in Charleston last month, and today another Tier I in Rome.

Today's victory takes the 22-year-old Serb to number 4 in the world. In addition, this trophy, being her second on clay this year, establishes her as one of the favorites for Roland Garros.

As for Kuznetsova, this is the fourth final she lost in 2007. The Russian was also runner-up in Doha, Indian Wells, and Berlin. (source: ESPN)

The third-seeded JJ reached the final of Italian Open by beating Tamira Paszek, Alona Bondarenko, Elena Dementieva, and Patty Schnyder.

After beating Kuznetsova, Jelena was very excited. She said that the victory in Rome means a lot to her; last year, from late January to early May, she hasn't won a single match and she was thinking about quitting tennis!

Superb Jankovic reaches Italian Open final

Third-seeded Jelena Jankovic convincingly beat Patty Schnyder 6-1, 6-3 to advance to her first Rome final.

JJ showed a high level of tennis — she moved brilliantly, and with great precision hit the lines and the corners. The Swiss, on the other hand, failed to hold her serve once and had more than 30 unforced errors. Ok, she had some fantastic drop shots and serves, but that wasn't enough to level up her forehand and backhand errors.

"I was expecting a more difficult match," Jelena said afterwards.

To enter the semis the Swiss had a thrilling three set match against Serena Williams, so the Serbian paid tribute to Schnyder saying: "She played unbelievably yesterday and it's really hard to play two days in a row like she did."

JJ's shots were extremely precise, her concentration was on a great level and it's no wonder that she's ranked 5th in the world. On Sunday, the 22-year old will have a chance to fight for her second Tier I title — in mid-April she won the $1,340,000 Family Circle Cup. Her opponent in the final will be either second-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova or ninth-seeded Daniela Hantuchova.

If Jelena takes the trophy, she will move up to number four in the world. (source: Internazionali BNL d'Italia official site, BBC Sport)

Maria to play on clay for the first time in 2007

Maria Sharapova has been sidelined by shoulder and hamstring injuries since the early April. Now she's finally coming back. World No. 2 will appear on clay for the first time this season; she'll play at the $200,000 Istanbul Cup which starts on May 21. Then, she flies to Paris to compete in the second Grand Slam of the year. (via Maria's official website)

Hingis pulls out of Roland Garros

Martina Hingis withdrew from the French Open, the only Grand Slam she hasn't won in her career. After losing to compatriot Patty Schnyder in Berlin, Martina admitted having back and hip injuries.

World No. 6 pulled out of the Italian Open, hoping she would recover till Roland Garros. However, the Swiss stated that she won't play in Paris unless she's 100% ready.

It seems she didn't manage to recover that quickly.


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