Jelena Dokic’s big plans of competing at the 2008 Australian Open are over as she failed to qualify losing 6-2 6-1 to Tamarine Tanasugarn of Thailand in the second round.

What was one of most anticipated matches of the day turned out to be a one-sided affair. The former Wimbledon semi-finalist, who reached a career-high ranking of fourth in 2002, was outplayed by Tanasugarn, who broke early in the first set and never looked back.

The 24-year-old Dokic will have to be patient and try to impress us at some other tournament. I hope her comeback will turn into a successful one. (photo via Australian Open)

World No.1 Justine Henin of Belgium won the Medibank International in Sydney, while world No.42 Eleni Daniilidou of Greece won the Moorilla Hobart International in Hobart.

Justine Henin won her 28th match in a row beating world No.2 Svetlana Kuznetsova 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 in the final of the Medibank International. It was not an easy victory for Henin, but she overcame the challenge and beat Kuznetsova for the 16th time in her career. Read more »

Seedings for the 2008 Australian Open were announced on Thursday and world number one Justine Henin has been named as top seed.

Here's the list of the seeded players on the women’s side: Read more »

Rumors are flying that six-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams and PGA Tour golfer Hank Kuehne took their about-a-year-long relationship to the next level.

Reportedly, the couple got engaged over the weekend, but they are trying to avoid the media attention in order not to distract Venus who is currently preparing for the Australian Open. It’s said that Venus is very happy, so we can all be happy for her and wish them all the best.

Due to an ankle injury, Jelena Dokic was unable to finish her second round match at the Moorilla Hobart International, and had to withdraw from the tournament. The 24-year-old will decide on Thursday whether or not to enter the Australian Open qualifying.

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Our series of tennis players as kids continues… The latest photos I dug up are those of Wimbledon finalist and France’s No.1 Marion Bartoli. You can see little Marion receiving a trophy, skiing, cooling off in a small pool, and not so little Marion with her father Dr. Walter Bartoli. Enjoy!

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What? This was supposed to be Maria Sharapova’s Australian Open outfit! Even though the dress is called Nike Sharapova Australian Open Flora dress, slender Daniela Hantuchova is the one working it these days at the Medibank International in Sydney.

I'm confused now. Will both of them wear it at the Australian Open?

The outfit fits Maria’s style, but if I were Hantuchova I would have opted for something completely different. And, even though I admire both the design and color of the dress, I find the sweat marks totally unflattering. (via Down the Line)

Former world No.4 Jelena Dokic continues her comeback with a 6-4, 0-6, 6-2 win over Germany's Martina Mueller at the Moorilla Hobart International on Monday.

Jelena had to win three rounds of qualifying to reach the main draw of the Tier IV tournament in Hobart, and soon she might face a dilemma because she wasn't given a wildcard for the Australian Open. If she defeats Italy’s Flavia Pennetta in the second round, she will need to decide whether to continue playing in Hobart or go to Melbourne and try to qualify for the Australian Open. The qualifying will start on Thursday.

Dokic said she would play her match against Pennetta and then decide on her next move. (source: CBS, photo via Yahoo!)

Amelie Mauresmo and Na Li have withdrawn from the Medibank International, the last major tuneup event before the Australian Open.

Mauresmo has re-injured her left thigh, while Li has a right knee injury.

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China’s Na Li couldn’t have started her comeback in a better way. The 25-year-old won the Mondial Australian Women's Hardcourts with a 4-6 6-3 6-4 triumph over Victoria Azarenka of Belarus.

Li was sidelined by serious rib injury for six months, but she has returned to the winner’s circle with fierce determination and big strength. Read more »