Two-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova needs to win more titles if she wants to silence the critics. In 2007 the 20-year-old Russian has been victorious at only one tournament, the Acura Classic in San Diego.

"She's still the No. 2 player in the world, and only winning one title is not something I think you should see from the No. 2 player in the world," Jelena Jankovic, who is ranked one spot behind Sharapova, said Monday. Read more »

World No.16 Nicole Vaidisova won’t participate at the August 13-19 Rogers Cup in Toronto, and even her appearance at the US Open is under question.

The best Czech tennis player has still not recovered from glandular fever which has been bothering her since Wimbledon (where she lost to Ana Ivanovic in the semi-finals, but only after having knocked out defending champion Amelie Mauresmo). Read more »

Caroline Wozniacki is the latest women’s tennis player to be featured in a Sony Ericsson ad. The 17-year-old from Denmark, currently ranked 82nd in the world, advertises the new W580 slider Walkman phone. In the commercial Wozniacki uses the shake function of her W580, which makes her tennis ball machine transform into a robot. The sound effects perfectly suit the on-court action, I like that.

(via Just Another Mobile Phone Blog)

World No. 7 Amelie Mauresmo withdrew on Monday from both the Rogers Cup (August 13-19, Toronto, Canada) and Pilot Pen (August 19-25, New Haven, CT, USA). The Frenchwoman said that she still hasn’t fully recovered from an appendectomy in March (this surgery really ruined her season). "I rushed back too quickly because there was a lot at stake for me, especially on grass," Mauresmo said. "Unfortunately my body did not cooperate.” There is even a chance that the 28-year-old will miss the US Open!

On Tuesday, world No.14 Venus Williams too pulled out of the Rogers Cup and the reason is tendonitis in her right knee. "I should have planned my schedule better. I'm feeling maxed out," she said. Next tournament for the four-time Wimbledon champion is the US Open. (sources: ESPN, Reuters)

The new statistic in women’s tennis made its debut at the Acura Classic tournament, and it’s about determining how hard a player hits the ball.

The "power index" takes into account player's fastest groundstroke (forehand or backhand), first serve, second serve, first-serve return, second-serve return and smash or volley. It is measured by ball-tracking technology from Hawk-Eye Innovations company.

"We’re excited about the introduction of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Power Index and think it’s another great way to recognize the extraordinary talent, athleticism and sheer power of our top players," said Stacy Allaster, President of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour.

Like every novelty, "power index" has supporters and critics. In this case, I understand both sides, but the opinion I find worth reading is one of Richard Vach from Tennis X: Read more »

New WTA Tour rankings have come out today, and top 10 looks the same. Justine Henin is still the leader with 4457 points, while Maria Sharapova remains second ranked, despite 430 points earned with the victory at the Acura Classic in San Diego on Sunday. Read more »

In the Acura Classic final on Sunday, world No. 2 Maria Sharapova of Russia won her first title of the year overcoming world No. 17 Patty Schnyder of Switzerland in three sets 6-2 3-6 6-0.

What I can say about the match is that Schnyder, seeded 11th, was excellent on numerous occasions throughout the final, but the player with consistent domination was top-seeded Sharapova. Read more »

Second-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland won her first WTA Tour singles crown with a dominant 6-1, 6-1 victory over Russia's Vera Dushevina in the Sunday final at the Nordic Light Open.

Winning this Tier IV tournament, the 18-year-old Radwanska became the first Polish WTA player to win a singles title. The final in Stockholm was Radwanska’s first career singles final; she had previously reached a semifinal at Luxembourg last year and pair of quarterfinals this year — in Istanbul and Palermo. Read more »

To defend her Acura Classic title, top-seeded Maria Sharapova of Russia will have to overcome 11th seeded Patty Schnyder of Switzerland.

In the semifinals, Maria Sharapova beat fellow Russian Anna Chakvetadze 6-3 6-2 and in that way ended the third seed’s hard-court run of 12 straight victories. However, soon after the loss to Sharapova, the 20-year-old Chakvetadze together with Victoria Azarenka of Belarus reached the doubles final by defeating Ai Sugiyama of Japan and Katarina Srebotnik of Slovenia 6-2, 3-6, 10-6. Read more »

In contemporary tennis world, personalized sneakers are a must-have. The customization is a symbol of success, but can also minimize confusion in the locker room – Jelena Jankovic won’t accidentally put on Shahar Peer’s tennis shoes any more, since Reebok has customized the gear of both players. Maria Sharapova, of course, isn't legging behind, she has her distinctively designed sneakers as well.

Anyway, if I were a tennis player, I wouldn't have written my name on my gear. I don't like self-centered people in love with their name, their image in a picture, people who promote themselves all the time. Ok, I understand that in tennis it's all part of the industry, but still,… it's kind of cheesy. (Tennis Served Fresh and Tennis Country, thanks for the inspiration)