Earlier this month, former world number one and holder of five grand slam titles Martina Hingis announced her second retirement from tennis under a cloud of suspicion that she had used cocaine during Wimbledon. The 27-year-old Swiss believes she’s “one hundred percent innocent”, and world’s top-ranked male tennis player Roger Federer is on her side.

"I can't ever imagine in any way that she took drugs," Federer said in an interview with a Swiss newspaper. "I hope that she can prove her innocence. I support her."

Federer, who was once a ballboy for Hingis, has been friends with his compatriot for many years. They played — and won — the Hopman Cup together back in 2000, which he still remembers with pride.

"I know she has said she was proud to have helped me at the beginning of my career," he said. "At the time, playing in doubles with her, was a privilege for me."

Martina Hingis will fight to clear her name and the latest news is that she has asked the WTA Tour to help her do that. They will, however, get involved only after doping authorities hand over a report on the case.

"We let that process happen independently and then, depending on the findings of the tennis anti-doping committee, we'll be there to support Martina," WTA Tour president Stacy Allaster told The Associated Press at the Sony Ericsson Championships.

World number one Justine Henin continues her domination on the WTA Tour winning the season-ending Sony Ericsson Championships for the second time and in that way collecting her tenth title of season.

Superior Justine Henin defeated determined Maria Sharapova 5-7 7-5 6-3 in a dramatic final lasting 3 hours and 25 minutes.

Sharapova won the first set characterized by a marathon twelfth game (Henin’s service game). The Belgian saved seven break/set points and there were ten deuces, but she couldn’t resist Sharapova pressure longer than that, and the fighting Russian took the first set 7-5.

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Justine Henin booked her place in the final of the Sony Ericsson Championships with a 6-4 6-4 win over Ana Ivanovic. The 20-year-old Serb was a tough opponent, but Henin is Henin.

World number four Ivanovic started the match with a 2-0 lead, but the Belgian quickly recovered and forced Ivanovic to battle from behind in both sets (in the first set from 5-2 down and from 3-0 in the second). Fighting Ivanovic offered glimpses of hope to her fans when she rebroke Henin in both the first and the second set. However, the Serb couldn’t keep up that tempo and in the end lost to the superior world number one.

To defend her title, the Belgian will need to overcome in-form Maria Sharapova who advanced to the final defeating Anna Chakvetadze. The two former champions of this important tournament will face each other at 4 p.m. (Madrid time) on Sunday.

World No.6 Maria Sharapova defeated Russian compatriot Anna Chakvetadze 6-2 6-2 on Saturday at the Sony Ericsson Championships in Madrid.

World No.7 Chakvetadze started the match well, winning her first service game and even having a break point on Sharapova’s serve. However, Sharapova won the game with a fantastic second serve to even the score to 1-1. Since then, the 20-year-old Sharapova broke her opponent twice and took a 4-1 lead. This vividly demotivated Chakvetadze, and it became clear that the first set was over for her.

The second set was a continuation of a desperate situation for Anna Chakvetadze. Sharapova had an opportunity to break her opponent in the first game of the set! And what happened…Chakvetadze gave away her first service game by foot faulting and then making her second double fault. Chances of Chakvetadze bringing back her mental strength and hope then became minimal.

In this match, Sharapova obviously showed much better tennis than Chakvetadze, but Chakvetadze could have increased her chances only if she had converted some of five break points she had.

Even though she lost this semifinal, Anna Chakvetadze can be very satisfied with what she has achieved, both at the tournament in Madrid and in 2007 season.

The Sony Ericsson Championships order of play for Saturday, November 10, 2007:

From 11.30hrs (Madrid time)

1. Chan/Chuang vs. Srebotnik/Sugiyama
2. Chakvetadze vs. Sharapova (not before 14.00hrs)
3. Henin vs. Ivanovic (not before 16.00hrs)
4. Black/Huber vs. Peschke/Stubbs

World number nine Daniela Hantuchova saved five set points and eventually won the opening set, and after that the Slovakian quickly overcame Russian world number two Svetlana Kuznetsova. Final result: 7-6(7) 6-0.

Kuznetsova started the first set with a 3-0 lead, but battling Hantuchova fought back and took the set to a tiebreak. The tiebreak was tight, but the Slovakian stayed strong and won it. Hantuchova was clearly dominant in the second, and here’s the fact — Kuznetsova scored only four points in the first four games of the second set. How disappointing from the second-ranked player in the world. (photo via Getty Images)

Maria Sharapova beat Ana Ivanovic 6-1 6-2 Friday at the Sony Ericsson Championships in Madrid. World number four Ivanovic played great, but Sharapova was extraordinary! I have no words to explain the Russian’s performance. She was strong, dominant, energetic, and … perfect, like she was not from this planet. Definitely her best performance in 2007.

Ivanovic was a tough opponent, even though you wouldn’t tell that from the result. I think that the Serb has nothing to regret after this match, she played well, only her serve could have been better. But even if her serve was at a fantastic level, she probably wouldn’t have defeated inspired Sharapova, only the result would have been different.

If Maria Sharapova continues this amazing form, she will take the word “favorite” from world number one Justine Henin at the season-ending Championships.

Anyway, Sharapova will next face Anna Chakvetadze, while Ana Ivanovic will play Justine Henin. (photo via Getty Images)

Jelena Jankovic retired after trailing 6-1 1-0 to Marion Bartoli. The reason for the Serb's withdrawal is illness. At the start of the second set she said:

I don't feel good, I don't feel good. I have problem with the breathing, I can't even…

The world number three's busy schedule has taken its toll once again. It's somewhat symbolic that the busiest player of the year finishes the season with a withdrawal. I hope that in the future she will have her health in mind before organizing her year.

The Sony Ericsson Championships order of play for Friday, November 9, 2007:

From 18.00hrs (Madrid time)

1. Jelena Jankovic vs. Marion Bartoli
2. Ana Ivanovic vs. Maria Sharapova (not before 20.00hrs)
3. Svetlana Kuznetsova vs. Daniela Hantuchova