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. Read more »

Former world No.5 Anna Chakvetadze had lost her opening matches on her three previous appearance at the Kremlin Cup, but this time the Muscovite thrilled the home fans with a 6-4 6-2 upset of third seed Li Na in the first round. Despite the low percentage of points won on first serve in the first set, Chakvetadze had a good conversion of break points (3 out of 4). Chakvetadze's serve improved in the second set, not allowing Li a single break opportunity, and she powered into the round two.

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)

Wimbledon is just days away and the annual party celebrating the tournament was held at the Roof Gardens in West London's Kensington last night. As usual, the WTA players gave their best to look good and glamorous, and oh well, as usual, their success was sporadic.

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. Read more »

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)

World No.59 Anna Chakvetadze is expected to skip all the tournaments in the next four to six weeks due to a stress fracture in her right foot.

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)