Third seed Anna Chakvetadze succumbed to fellow Muscovite Dinara Safina 7-6 (8-6), 6-2 at the $1.34 million Kremlin Cup on Thursday. Chakvetadze’s defeat is just a continuation of a series of upsets at the Moscow tournament.

World No.6 Chakvetadze held two set points in the first set tiebreak and couldn’t convert them. In the second, set she saved two match points, but eventually fell to the world No.17.

Safina heads into Friday's quarterfinals against another countrywoman, Vera Zvonareva, who is working to regain her former high standing on the tour. (source: Women Who Serve, photo via The Anna Chakvetadze website)

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Former world number one Martina Hingis has called an early end to her 2007 season after failing to recover from a hip injury. The season has been predominantly unsatisfactory for the five-time singles Grand Slam champion; she won only one title, the Toray Pan Pacific Open in February.

The Swiss tennis star was hoping to be able to compete in the next week’s Zurich Open, but unfortunately, she was forced to pull out because of the injury.

"I'm very disappointed that I have to withdraw from the Zurich Open," Hingis said.

"I've done everything I can to be able to compete, but since Key Biscayne I've had problems with my hip which are stopping me from playing any more tournaments this year and even from practicing properly."

Hingis’ statement that she’ll take "as much time as it needs to get fully fit again" has led to speculation in the Swiss media that she may be about to retire again. (via ESPN)

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With the exception of two tennis stars, there was nothing but rain, heat, and upsets in Moscow and Bangkok on Wednesday.

Who fell?

Before the start of the third round, the Kremlin Cup was left without four of its top eight seeds.

Second seed Maria Sharapova played her first match since the US Open and lost it in straight sets. The Russian was defeated by world No.32 Victoria Azarenka 7-6(9) 6-2.

Fifth seed Marion Bartoli was knocked out of the tournament by world No.46 Vera Dushevina. The Wimbledon finalist captured the first set 6-2, only to surrender a bagel set before losing 2-6, 6-0, 6-4. Read more »

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I came across this wonderful photo at one website about Monica Seles, and I am so happy to have found it. Monica looks so adorable! Her hairstyle, the look on her face, her little dress, the racket – she’s so cute! And I like the fact that the picture is black and white, really beautiful.

Interesting fact: Monica Seles won her first tournament at the age of nine, despite not fully understanding the scoring system of the game and having only a vague idea of whether she was leading or trailing her opponents during matches.

Reminder: The former world number one won fifty-three singles titles (nine of which come from Grand Slams), and six doubles titles.

What is Seles doing these days? Well, the latest thing I know is that she beat Martina Navratilova in an exhibition match in the second half of September, in New Orleans. Take a look at a video from the exhibition.

I’ve already featured young pictures of Ana Ivanovic and Kim Clijsters, and I have two more players in mind (surprise!). Do you have some childhood photos of a women’s tennis player to enrich my collection?

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Wii remote for playing the Nintendo’s revolutionary Wii video game, currently the most popular video game console in the world, will soon have a new add-on for playing tennis — a Prince Wii Tennis racket. It is a small racket, available in three colors, designed to provide a more realistic and fun experience for the gamers.

The Prince Wii Tennis rackets ($14.99) will be available beginning November 15, 2007 at all Circuit City locations as well as online at Circuit City. (source: IGN)

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