Nadia Petrova still sending big names home, moves into Australian Open quarters

Nadia Petrova at the 2010 Australian OpenSeed No.19 Nadia Petrova crushed former world No.1 Kim Clijsters in the third round and her new attitude towards tennis is still proving to be fruitful as she has now knocked out third seed Svetlana Kuznetsova.

On the same court where she scored a ruthless 6-0 6-1 victory over Clijsters, Petrova defeated French Open champion Kuznetsova 6-3 3-6 6-1 to reach the Australian Open quarterfinals.

"When I played Kim, before going on court, I said, 'it's all or nothing, I gotta to give everything' (and) I did," said world No.19 Petrova.

"Same thing happened today. If I can continue doing this, I can get even further."

Petrova’s next opponent will be seven-time Grand Slam champion Justine Henin, who advanced to the last eight despite sustaining an ankle injury in the third set of her fourth-round match against fellow Belgian Yanina Wickmayer. Henin defeated Petrova in 12 of their 14 encounters, including their meeting at the Brisbane International this season. However, Petrova is very likely to test Henin’s physical readiness. (photo via Australian Open)

Kim Clijsters suffers worst loss in 555 matches

Kim Clijsters at the 2010 Australian Open

Former world No.1 Kim Clijsters suffered the worst loss of both of her careers which featured 555 matches, losing to seed No.19 Nadia Petrova 6-0 6-1 in the third round of the Australian Open in just 52 minutes.

The 15th-seeded Clijsters, who won the US Open last season and the Brisbane International just before coming to the Australian Open, scored only five points in the first set and made 17 unforced errors.

The Belgian couldn’t find her game throughout the match:

The way I played today, I was completely off and I didn't feel the ball at all. She was good, but she really didn't have to do much. She served really well and was aggressive, but that's because I let her play into the court.

Before this one, Clijsters’ worst defeat came nine years ago in Miami when she lost to Serena Williams 6-0 6-2. (photo via Australian Open)

Justine Henin continues successful warm-up in exhibitions

Justine Henin

Justine Henin won a match in Cairo, Egypt, one more successful exhibition ahead of her eagerly-anticipated comeback in January.

In an exo just about a week ago, Henin had beaten world No.12 Flavia Pennetta, and now her latest victim was world No.20 Nadia Petrova. Final score in the Cairo exhibition event held over the weekend was 7-6 6-2.

Additional info: Serena Williams was defeated by Melanie Oudin 7-5 in an exhibition match in Athens, Georgia. (sources: CCTV, photo: Ralf Reinecke)

Serena Williams loses to Nadia Petrova in China Open third round

Nadia PetrovaHas the No.1 jinx already transferred to Serena Williams? Just one round after securing to be ranked No.1 in the next week’s rankings the American lost to Nadia Petrova 6-4 3-6 7-6(5).

The 13th-seeded Petrova and second-seeded Williams each won a set of their third-round match and in the decider they both held serve until tiebreak, having each faced only one break point in that final set. Petrova raced to a 5-0 lead in the tiebreak and although Williams showed resistance the Russian managed to close it out.

Before this encounter, Petrova had defeated Williams only once in their seven previous meetings. (photo courtesy of Women Who Serve)

Top seed Nadia Petrova out of Bell Challenge

Nadia Petrova

Defending champion Nadia Petrova had to retire from her quarterfinal match at the Bell Challenge due to a viral illness.

The top-seeded Petrova was playing against fifth seed Melinda Czink, and retired after losing the first set tiebreak.

The Hungarian will play home hope Aleksandra Wozniak, seeded third, for a place in Sunday's final. (source: Sky Sports, photo courtesy of Women Who Serve)


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