Venus Williams was too strong for world No.1 Jelena Jankovic at the JB Group Classic in Hong Kong, defeating the Serb 6-2 6-2.

Was Jankovic’s hard training during the off-season fruitful enough? This loss makes me doubt that, although, the excuse could be that Jankovic wasn’t motivated enough because the JB Group Classic is only an exhibition event. The Australian Open will definitely be the best place for players to show what they’ve really got.

When you look at the score, this is Williams’ most decisive victory over Jankovic, although she trails Jankovic 4-5 in head-to-heads.

Jankovic’s loss means that Team Americas and Team Europe are now leveled at 1-1, as Team Europe won doubles yesterday. The winner of the clash between Gisela Dulko (Americas) and Agnes Szavay (Europe) will face Russia in the gold group final of the JB Group Classic. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images via Sony Ericsson WTA Tour)

Top seed Ana Ivanovic of Serbia was upset by Amelie Mauresmo 6-3 6-2 in the Brisbane International quarterfinals.

World No.5 Ivanovic struggled for rhythm throughout the match and was shaky on serve, losing five of her last six service games after leading 3-2 in the first set.

In a battle between two former world No.1s, the 23rd-ranked Mauresmo scored her first triumph over a Top-10 player in almost two years.

"I’m very proud of the way I played today from the first one to the last," said the 29-year-old Mauresmo.

The fifth-seeded Mauresmo faces third-seeded fellow Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli in the semifinals, while Ivanovic now heads to Melbourne to prepare for the Australian Open. (source: Brisbane International)

Jelena Jankovic’s contract with Rebook has expired and there was no announcement on which brand would be her new sponsor. However, we have some hints!

Examining Jelena Jankovic’s new on-court fashion in today’s doubles match at the JB Group Classic in Hong Kong, we were perplexed because of not being able to determine which brand JJ was sporting. Thanks to the community over at Down the Line we have a resolution: the world No.1 was wearing a Chinese brand called Li Ning.

We’re still waiting for Jankovic herself to disclose whether Li Ning is really her new sponsor or she's wearing the brand temporarily.

Top seed Ana Ivanovic had been on the verge of defeat by Italian qualifier Roberta Vinci in the second round of the Brisbane International, before reaching the quarterfinals with a 6-7(4) 7-5 6-1 win. Ivanovic had to save match points in this encounter that lasted more than two and a half hours.

The world No.82 Vinci broke Ivanovic’s serve in the fifth game, and had a set point at 5-4. The Roland Garros champion Ivanovic managed to level, but eventually lost the set in the tiebreak.

In the second set, Vinci was again the first one to break her opponent’s serve, for a 3-1 lead. Even though Ivanovic broke back immediately, she was still struggling and faced two match points when serving at 4-5, 15-40. The 21-year-old Serb saved both, won nine of the remaining ten games, and with them the match.

"I'm glad I hung in there to the end and believed in myself," said Ivanovic. "I just kept thinking about all the hard work I put in during the last few weeks and I didn't want to lose here this early."

Ana Ivanovic will face fifth seed Amelie Mauresmo in the Brisbane International quarterfinals, which will be their eighth career meeting. Mauresmo advanced by beating fellow Frenchwoman Julie Coin 5-7 6-2 7-6(11). (source: Ana Ivanovic's official website, photo: Ralf Reinecke)

British world No.1 Anne Keothavong has launched her official website AnneKeothavong.co.uk.

The website features news, results, blog, profile information, on and off-court photos, video, Twitter, details of Anne’s schedule and gives users the chance to quiz the Londoner on every aspect of life as a pro tennis player in the Ask Anne section.

AnneKeothavong.co.uk has been produced and will be managed by the team behind tennishead, the new brand in British tennis.

I browsed through the website a little bit, and it looks neat. From what I’ve noticed so far, they did a great job, having made a very informative and easy to use website with many kinds of content.

World No.60 Keothavong, who hit the headlines in 2008 when she became the first British woman to enter the world top 100 for nine years, is currently in Auckland, playing ASB Classic. (photo: AMN Images)

Global sports and entertainment company IMG announced on Tuesday that world number one Jelena Jankovic has signed with them for exclusive, worldwide marketing and management representation effective January 1, 2009.

The 23-year-old Jankovic will also join IMG Models, the world's number one international model management firm.

"We are extremely pleased to add a player of Jelena's caliber to the list of great champions we represent. Her reputation, both on and off the court is unparalleled," said Fernando Soler, Head of IMG's Tennis Division.

"IMG is a global company and a leader not only in tennis, but entertainment, fashion and modeling as well. I'm very excited to partner IMG and look forward to working with them on a variety of exciting tennis, marketing and endorsement opportunities," said the tennis star from Serbia.

IMG, the leading client management company in tennis, represents some of the world's leading ATP and WTA players, such as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Maria Sharapova, Venus Williams and James Blake. In addition, IMG owns, manages or represents many of the world's leading tournaments including Sony Ericsson Open, Australian Open, Chennai Open and Wimbledon, among many others. (source: Yahoo, photo: Ralf Reinecke)

Ana Ivanovic and her boyfriend Fernando Verdasco were playing matches one after the other at the Brisbane International’s Monday night session and here’s what they said on watching each other play when they are at the same tournament.

Verdasco’s viewpoint:

I think that when we are in the tournaments we are working and we are doing our jobs.  We are here now to play the tournament, not to be (spending) time together, or stay like a normal couple. So I will try and she will try her best in the tournaments and then after the tournament we will have time together, maybe.

Hmm, maybe? Read more »

Seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams still feels like she has a lot of things to achieve in tennis and doesn’t see herself retiring, despite watching many of her competitors hang up their rackets in recent years.

"I love my job. I love hitting balls, running, jumping, chasing after that ball. I love what I do, so that's what keeps me motivated," the 28-year-old Williams said Tuesday in Hong Kong ahead of the JB Group Classic exhibition event.

"I haven't won the French or the Australian (Opens), although I've come pretty close, so those are definitely on my list," said the world No.6, adding that reclaiming the No.1 ranking this year is a realistic goal.

In addition, Venus feels healthy and ready to start the new tennis season.

"Nothing to complain about right now," she said.

The JB Group Classic exhibition starts on Wednesday and it will be Venus’ only preparation for the Australian Open. The Team Americas' captain has apparently arrived in Hong Kong, despite not being seen at the players gathering.

Thanks to Venus' fan Bobby who told me about this story. (source: FOX Sports, photo: Tennis Channel)

Players have arrived in Hong Kong for the JB Group Classic exhibition, which starts on Wednesday. One thing has been noticed, however: Team Americas' captain Venus Williams wasn’t seen at the gathering. Where could she be?

The tournament features Team Russia, Team Asia/Pacific, Team Americas and Team Europe. Here you can read more about the event, just remember that Maria Sharapova withdrew and has been replaced by Anna Chakvetadze, while Vera Zvonareva replaces Sharapova as Team Russia's Captain. (via Down the Line)

As you know, world number one Jelena Jankovic celebrated New Year with boyfriend Mladan Janovic in Belgrade, Serbia. A few more photos from the party have been disclosed, even more interesting than those we've seen.

Jelena was caught on camera while kissing her boyfriend as well as dancing, like only she can. Good times!

Thank you Srdjan for telling me about these pics. (via Crazy World of Tennis)