German Andrea Petkovic came to the semifinal against struggling Maria Sharapova with the confidence of upsets over world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki in the fourth round and sixth seed Jelena Jankovic in the quarterfinals, but in the second and third sets the Russian showed the form that brought her so many titles and number one ranking to win the match 3-6 6-0 6-2.

Petkovic was dominant in the first set and it looked as if we were in for another Petko Dance. However, the match turned into a one-sided affair, to Sharapova's advantage. The Russian won 11 straight games, building a 5-0 lead in the third set, and Petkovic’s inspiring performance at the Sony Ericsson Open had a rather flat end. And this amazing result for Sharapova came despite her grueling 3-6 7-6(6) 7-6(5) win in the previous round against Alexandra Dulgheru, and an ankle injury she suffered then.

All in all, Sharapova forced a perfect revenge for her shockingly easy 6-2 6-3 loss to Petkovic at the 2011 Australian Open.

World No.23 Petkovic will crack the Top 20 when the new rankings are released on Monday, while the 13-ranked Sharapova is ensured a spot in the Top 10 again.

Even though Sharapova played the Sony Ericsson Open final in 2005 and 2006, she will try to win her first title at the tournament, either against Vera Zvonareva or 2009 champion Victoria Azarenka.

Reminder: Do join our contest for a chance to win Maria Sharapova’s Nike dress! (photos: Tidalist, © Neal Trousdale)

Just as promised a few moments ago when I announced the birthday celebration week, here's the first contest and your chance to win valuable and beautiful women's tennis apparel worn by tennis stars such as Daniela Hantuchova, Ana Ivanovic and Maria Sharapova.

Keller Sports, a German company which has a wide selection of the best brands in women’s tennis apparel and equipment, gladly agreed to give me my top choice of tennis outfits. So here's what I picked for you guys:

• adidas Adizero tank and skort – not only that it's worn by beautiful tennis stars Ana Ivanovic and Daniela Hantuchova, the outfit is simply amazing, from top to bottom, and I'm really excited to be able to give it to one of you! Specifications: Adidas W Adizero Skort SS11 (tag inside says it's a German/EU 38, and it's 73 cm around the waist with a length of 23 cm) and the Adidas W Adizero Tank SS11 (tag inside says it's a German/EU 2XS, and it is 74 cm across the ribs).

• Nike Maria Sharapova Oz Open Ace dress – how can I not include the dress worn by the fashion queen of tennis? Not only is the dress made by a top sports manufacturer, it's worn by a tennis champion who also happens to have an outstanding sense of style. Specifications: Size S, which is a German/EU 36.

There will be one winner of the contest and if you are the lucky one you will choose either the ensemble of adidas Adizero tank and skort or Nike Maria Sharapova Oz Open Ace dress.

HOW TO ENTER – there are 2 steps, pretty simple:

Step 1: In the comments below, answer the following question: Which WTA player is giving the most justice to her apparel sponsor? Just write your opinion, there is no right or wrong answer. Please provide your valid email address, so that I can contact you if you win. Also, write your real name, or the one you're using on Facebook, just so that I could identify you in Step 2 of the contest.

Step 2: On the wall of Women's Tennis Fans Facebook group, write which of the two tennis outfits you'd like to receive if you win the contest.

If you complete both the steps, you will become eligible to win the contest. Of those of you who qualify, I will randomly pick one winner.

The contest starts right now and entries are open until Sunday, April 3rd, 1 p.m. CET. Do join and tell your friends as well!

If you have any questions or uncertainties about the rules of the contest, feel free to ask me. My goal is that as many of you successfully complete all the steps and qualify to win the prize. (photos courtesy of Keller Sports and Tidalist)

Update: This contest is closed now. Entries are not being accepted any more.

Dear readers,

I'm excited to announce that Women's Tennis Blog is four years old now and that I've made sure to celebrate the birthday in style – by organizing three giveaways. During the next seven days, and starting today, you will have an opportunity to WIN FREE STUFF HERE!

Before proceeding to prizes, I'd like to shortly reflect on the four years behind my work here at Women's Tennis Blog. My first article was published on March 31, 2007 and back then I simply started blogging because I had a lot of free time and I thought that writing online would be an interesting new thing to try out. I wasn't even thinking long-term, but I fell in love with blogging and the fact that I am a persevering person happened to make this blog what it is today.

Blogging has given me many rewards: writing about the sport that I love, meeting numerous good people from all over the world (it's wierd, but for the long period of four years I received maybe only 3-4 insulting comments, and you know how people can be harsh online), I've perfected my knowledge of the English language, and I've learned many things about the Internet world and trends. All of these things are giving me a sense of accomplishment, especially that I've been maintaining Women's Tennis Blog pretty much by myself for the whole time.

Rewards are also the praise you receive from people, as well as links from authorities such as BBC, Sports Illustrated, The New York Times, Blic (one of leading Serbian news sources) and many influential blogs. Also, I've never even imagined that I would interview tennis greats such as Lindsay Davenport, Tracey Austin and Chris Evert.

Moreover, how great it is to be able to obtain things for free and make people happy by giving them presents. In the coming days, actually starting from today, there will be three contests on Women's Tennis Blog and you will have a chance to easily win the following prizes:

1. Adidas Adizero tank and skort or Maria Sharapova's Oz Open Dress provided by Keller Sports

2. Fetch t-shirt

3. A pair of vintage earrings from Stevie's Artisans urban folk art shop

What do you think about the prizes? I think they're pretty cool!

Stay tuned, the first contest will be announced in just a few moments!

The semifinals of the Sony Ericsson Open are shaping up. By defeating Agnieszka Radwanska on Wednesday, Vera Zvonareva became the third Miami semifinalist this year, and her opponent in the final four will be either Kim Clijsters or Victoria Azarenka.

In the match against ninth-seeded Radwanska, Zvonareva double faulted at 4-5, 30-all in the first set to give the Pole a set point. However, she saved it with an ace and won three games to win the set. The second set was easier for the Russian, who has a chance to return to No.2 ranking, and she advanced to the semis with a 7-5 6-3 victory.

The other semifinal will feature Andrea Petkovic, who toughed it out against Jelena Jankovic, and Maria Sharapova, who had her fair share of hard time against Alexandra Dulgheru in the quarterfinal match that lasted almost three and a half hours. (source: WTA Tour, photo: sr_cranks)

The National Foundation for Cancer Research is currently doing a nationwide yearlong fundraising campaign entitled "Game, Set, Match!" and I am glad to help them spread the word about it (obviously, the country in question is the USA). The campaign invites tennis teams to commit to donating proceeds from at least one match (or special event) to NFCR. The money raised would fund lifesaving research, and it’s a great way to utilize your passion to make a difference. The official press release follows.

Bethesda, Md. – March 30, 2011 – The National Foundation for Cancer Research is teaming up with tennis players around the country for a nationwide fundraiser entitled "Game, Set, Match!" Any tennis team, whether high school, college, or community-based, can participate by dedicating proceeds from one or more matches to be donated to NFCR.

"There are countless ways you can help fund cancer research, but a great place to start is by utilizing the talents you already possess," said Franklin C. Salisbury Jr., President of NFCR. "Fundraising programs like 'Game, Set, Match!' allow you to do what you love and help save lives at the same time." Read more »

Ana Ivanovic has a lot to regret after her fourth round match against Kim Clijsters at the Sony Ericsson Open. The 19th-ranked Serb was so close to recording what would be a huge confidence-boosting victory and in fact one of the biggest wins of her career, but the outcome of the match made her break her racquet and cry a bit as she lost 7-6(4) 3-6 7-6(5) despite a 5-1 lead  and five match points in the deciding set.

Stunning facts of this rain-delayed encounter are that Ivanovic converted only 5 of 22 break points and she finished the match with more points and games won than defending champion and world No.2 Clijsters!

Ivanovic was also in doubles competition with Andrea Petkovic, but since both are tired from their last singles matches (Petkovic had a tough victory over sixth seed Jelena Jankovic in the quarterfinals), they have withdrawn from doubles. (photo: © Neal Trousdale)

In a long and closely-fought rain-interrupted Sony Ericsson Open quarterfinal, Andrea Petkovic followed up her win over world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki with a 2-6 6-2 6-4 upset of sixth seed Jelena Jankovic, Miami runner-up to Serena Williams in 2008.

In the first set, the seventh-ranked Jankovic faced no break points and won 80% of points on her serve, compared to Petkovic's 49%. Also, she won 51% of return points, compared to Petkovic's low 20%.

German world No.23 Petkovic established a 2-0 lead in the beginning of the second set and even though Jankovic had multiple break points in the third game, after a long fight Petkovic increased the lead to 3-0 and solidly went on to win the set 6-2.

In the decider, it was Jankovic who was first in the better position, leading 4-2, but it was obvious it wouldn't be an easy job for her. Petkovic took charge and even though Jankovic kept fighting, and maintained the match thrilling until the end, Petkovic won four straight games to reach the semifinals of the $4,500,000 tournament. (photo: sr_cranks)

World No.23 Andrea Petkovic recorded her first victory over a top-ranked player in her first meeting with Caroline Wozniacki, beating the Dane 7-5 3-6 6-3 in the fourth round of the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami.

The 23-year-old Petkovic had a precise strategy for this encounter and she managed to stick to it. Also, the facts that Wozniacki wasted three set points at 5-4 in the first set, committed more than 50 unforced errors in the match and converted only 5 of 17 break points helped Petkovic become the first German woman since Steffi Graf in 1999 to beat a reigning No.1

"I didn’t try to overpower her because she’s so good at bringing the ball back, so I tried to mix it up a little bit," Petkovic told Tennis Channel.

Wozniacki, who won her 14th career title a week ago at Indian Wells, will remain No. 1 through at least April 18. Read more »

Serbia’s Bojana Jovanovski played a crucial role in her country’s close 3-2 victory over Canada in the Fed Cup World Group II first round, absolutely completing the void left when Serbia’s major strengths, Jelena Jankovic and Ana Ivanovic, said they wouldn’t compete, and her efforts, crowned with amazing result, have now been further recognized with the 2011 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Heart Award.

The 19-year-old Jovanovski has been awarded in the World Group and World Group II first round category, while the Zone Group I winners are Belarus’ Victoria Azarenka, Peru’s Bianca Botto and Japan’s Ayumi Morita. The winners receive a Baccarat bracelet and a cheque which they can donate to a charity of choice. A total of six players will be recognized this year.

2010 Hearth Award winners
Francesca Schiavone (ITA) World Group semifinals
Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) World Group / World Group II play-offs
Jelena Jankovic (SRB) World Group / World Group II first round
Maria-Fernanda Alves (BRA) Americas Zone Group I
Kimiko Date-Krumm (JPN) Asia/Oceania Zone Group I
Katarina Srebotnik (SLO) Europe/Africa Zone Group I

(source: On the Baseline, photo: © Neal Trousdale)

Ana Ivanovic advanced to the fourth round of the Sony Ericsson Open after coming back from a set down and then earning a double break in the decider when her opponent, Virginie Razzano, retired with a thigh injury.

The 23-year-old Ivanovic broke the 101st-ranked Razzano in the opening game, but failed to hold her own service game right afterwards and Razzano cruised through the rest of the first set. In the second set, Ivanovic fought off five break points in the sixth game to earn a 4-2 lead and then efficiently went on to win the last set of the match that was finished before Razzano’s retirement. Final score: 2-6 6-2 3-0. Read more »