After ousting third seed Monica Niculescu 6-0 6-4 and Tsvetana Pironkova 6-3 6-2, the 24-year-old Chakvetadze won the first set 6-4 against the sixth-seeded Peer, but even during that set she started experiencing the injury. Chakvetadze then lost the second set and retired after dropping serve initially in the decider at the score 4-6 6-4 1-0.

Chakvetadze was once No.5 in the women's standings but the horrifying robbery, string of injuries and illness dragged her down to her current 234th position in the WTA rankings. Hobart was the Russian’s first tournament since Wimbledon in June. During her golden career year of 2007, Chakvetadze won four WTA titles, including Hobart, and played the quarterfinals of the Australian Open. (photo: © Neal Trousdale)

Anna Chakvetadze has recently become engaged in politics and she’s already been voted the sexiest woman in the field. On top of that, we’re receiving good news regarding her tennis career – the 24-year-old will play the Moorilla Hobart International tournament in January 2012.

Russian internet users were asked to vote for a Russian politician they find the sexiest and Chakvetadze took the honor, beating some all-time favorites on the way.

When news of Chakvetadze's political engagement surfaced in September it made us question her further interest in tennis, as she already hadn’t played much during the 2011 season due to health problems. However, Chakvetadze is returning to tennis in a month, at the Hobart tournament she won in 2007, the brightest year of her career, when she reached her career-high ranking of No.5 and won four WTA titles.

In the entire 2011 the Russian played just 14 matches and won only six of them. She's currently No.231.

Additional info: On December 4 there were State Duma elections and Chakvetadze's Right Cause Party did not cross the 5% election threshold for a seat in the Parliament. (photo: Ralf Reinecke)

Women’s rights and children’s sports are areas Chakvetadze would focus on. Here’s what the 24-year old said about her political engagement:

I joined the Right Cause party because it's a young party. All of its members are young people, who have many fresh ideas. I believe I also can bring some fresh ideas into this project. I'd like to be involved in deciding the questions concerning the sports sphere in case we manage to enter the State Duma. I am especially interested in children's sports. I believe the state should support the children's sports activity, making it completely free of charge.

In 2007 the fifth-ranked player in the world, Chakvetadze is now number 157, having not played because of health problems since losing in the first round of Wimbledon to Maria Sharapova. In March, April and May she had also skipped tournaments because of illness.

Recently I read some rumors that Chakvetadze might retire. No mention of that now, but if she gets really absorbed in politics it will be hard to balance it with tennis career, and fellow Russian Maria Sharapova stated she was "not really sure" whether Chakvetadze was still going to play or commit herself to politics. (source: Fox Sports, photo: Ralf Reinecke)

After the great feedback on the article "Top 5 emotional players in womens tennis", with many of you providing some perfect tips on other potential candidates, I have compiled a follow-up on the previous chart.

Dinara Safina

In any sport pressure of expectations and criticism can either make you or break you. Dinara’s story is unfortunately based on the second scenario. Hot temper runs in Safin family, just look at her older brother Marat who also could put on quite a "show" back in his playing days. Mental resilience is not Safina's strength. Especially her Grand Slam performances had shown how much the pressure can get to her head. Instead of a great triumph at several Grand Slam finals, fans saw her playing an unusually mediocre game after a series of great performances.

Victoria Azarenka

It is nothing more frustrating for the player than to lose a match which they started off in an impressive fashion or were very close to winning. There was a time when no lead was safe in Victoria’s hands and she often ended up in an emotional turmoil because of that. Sometimes venting helped because she raised the level of her performance, but sometimes she just broke a few rackets.

Anna Chakvetadze

Hot temper can be put to the best use if you use it to pump yourself up. Anna is pretty good at it and sometimes it helped her to overcome tight and stressful situations. An example is a match in Fed Cup against Israel where she was fighting the adversity of the crowd with loud come-ons after every point she scored.

Caroline Wozniacki

This choice of the readers surprised me because Caroline usually shows off a very laid-back personality. Well who would not be relaxed in her situation? Her performance is rock-solid and it is becoming unusual to see her lose. Anyway, Sunshine has also been "covered by clouds" sometimes. When the things do not go as smoothly as she is used to, usually she resorts to throwing a racket or quarrelling with herself. The only emotionally difficult times for Wozniacki occur during Grand Slams. The rumour goes that after her loss at the Australian Open 2011 she spent a long time in tears back in the locker room.

Aravane Rezai

Aravane is a player you cannot overlook. Apart from eye-catching dresses, she possesses a great fighting spirit and has "in it to win it" attitude no matter who she stands up against. The will to win is obvious from her body language when almost every won point is celebrated with fist pumps and jumping around. On the other hand, when the tactic does not work she is shouting at herself after every lost ball. (photo: © Neal Trousdale)

World No.2 Caroline Wozniacki has a chance to regain her No.1 ranking from Kim Clijsters if she reaches the semifinals of the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships and she's on a good way, having overcome Anna Chakvetadze after a first-round bye. Actually, if it can be perceived as a victory, because Chakvetadze collapsed during the match and retired right afterwards.

The 51st-ranked Chakvetadze lost the first set 6-1, but was up in the second, serving at 5-3 when she fell to the ground with her eyes rolling. Upon receiving medical attention, Chakvetadze wanted to continue the match, but had to give up after just one point. The Russian was later diagnosed with gastroenteritis.

It’s a disappointing end to Chakvetadze’s appearance in Dubai, as she won the battle of former Top 5 players by defeating Hantuchova in the first round, the winner of last weekend’s Pattaya tournament, and was pretty optimistic about her current game.

Here’s what Chakvetadze said after beating Hantuchova:

I think I'm going in the right direction. At least now I feel I'm playing tennis. A year ago it was something different. I don't want to expect too much, I just want to enjoy practicing, then enjoy the matches and try to win. I don't want to put pressure on myself. It's the beginning of a new career for me. I don't think about three years ago. Of course it gave me some experience, but it will also put more pressure on me.

Pity, the outcome was that Chakvetadze suffered her first straight-set loss to Wozniacki in their four meetings, and is now 0-4 against the Dane.

Additional info: Besides the top-seeded Wozniacki, all the seeds advanced to the third round, with just one exception of No.5 seed Li Na, who fell to Yanina Wickmayer 6-7(6) 7-6(6) 6-2. Those that were victorious include: Vera Zvonareva, Francesca Schiavone, Samantha Stosur, Jelena Jankovic, Victoria Azarenka, Agnieszka Radwanska, Shahar Peer, Marion Bartoli, Flavia Pennetta, Kaia Kanepi, Alisa Kleybanova, and Svetlana Kuznetsova. (photo: Ralf Reinecke)

The 68th-ranked Chakvetadze won the Kremlin Cup in 2006, when she played fellow Russian Nadia Petrova in the final.

There was another notable upset in the early stage of the $1,000,000 Kremlin Cup and was also executed by an unseeded local favorite. Elena Vesnina defeated fifth seed Flavia Pennetta 6-4 2-6 6-2. The 55th-ranked Vesnina got the first break of the match in the sixth game, and although Pennetta broke back immediately it was the lower-ranked Vesnina who won the opening set. Pennetta was better in the following set, but in the decider Vesnina established a 4-1 lead and didn’t look back to seal victory.

Vesnina has been playing the Kremlin Cup every year since 2003 and lost in the first round four times, including the previous two years. (photo: chascow)

Let's start with the bright examples. Venus Williams and Maria Sharapova were spot on. Their dresses are perfect fits and just right for the occasion.

Defending champion Serena Williams looked like a pop star and I'm sure this profile picture will stay remembered for a while. Dinara Safina was having one of her better appearances, although I'm convinced this is not the best she can offer.

Sorana Cirstea and Ana Ivanovic look young and cute, although I'm not sure about Ana's choice of the dress, but when you get to see Francesca Schiavone you suddenly become less critical of the others. Sorry dear Francesca.

Gisela Dulko and Flavia Pennetta, as well as Vera Zvonareva and Anna Chakvetadze didn't opt for glamor, but looked nice – casual and friendly.

Anna Keothavong was elegant in the long gown, while Kimiko Date Krumm wore clothes perfect for the day and not a night event.

Jelena Jankovic has kept her recognizable style with mandatory unnecessary details. Although, boyfriend Mladjan Janovic is not a bad accessory.

There's even a video from the pre-Wimbledon party. Enjoy!

(images via Great Tennis Photos)

Anna Chakvetadze ended her two-match winning streak by losing to Tamarine Tanasugarn in the quarterfinals of the PTT Pattaya Open. Yes, winning back-to-back matches is news when we’re talking about Chakvetadze, once ranked No.5 now No.74,  as she had been failing to achieve that since August 2009.

The Russian had defeated Jill Craybas 6-1 3-6 6-3 in the first round of the PTT Pattaya Open, then Anastasia Rodionova 6-4 6-1 in the second round, before falling to home favorite Tamarine Tanasugarn 6-1 6-4 in the last eight.

Chakvetadze’s losses this season, prior to this latest one, include: first-round exit at Auckland, final round of qualifying at Hobart, and first-round defeat at the Australian Open. (photo: Ralf Reinecke)

The 22-year-old Russian said:

The doctors gave me this boot that I have to use for the next three or four weeks. I must admit having them on is like weird and funny. I feel like I’m a pirate.

Chakvetadze may play the October 19 – 25 Kremlin Cup in her home Moscow. (source: Women Who Serve, photo: Ralf Reinecke)

Not only is Jankovic still in the mud, and she lost in the first round of a tournament, but she lost to Anna Chakvetadze, who herself said "I am pleased with every win right now because it's very important to me to get back my confidence."

Jankovic has started losing in the very beginnings of tournaments, and plus, to insecure players. Chakvetadze had last defeated a Top 10 opponent when she beat Marion Bartoli at the Paris Indoor event.

Jankovic’s excuse for the defeat was the change of surface: "It was obviously my first match on grass." However, the 24-year-old also mentioned her worrying lack of motivation: "I'll play Wimbledon and then we'll see. At least I can take a few weeks off then. I wish I could take a break now. I need to get to where I want to play tennis again."

It could make Jankovic any better that second seed Svetlana Kuznetsova lost to Aleksandra Wozniak in straight sets 6-0 6-3, just days after lifting the French Open trophy, while fourth seed Vera Zvonareva fell to Amelie Mauresmo 6-3 1-6 6-3, in the opening round as well. (via M&G, photo: Ralf Reinecke)