Two Russians took the two tournaments that finished this weekend: Elena Dementieva won the Open GDF SUEZ in her ninth attempt, and Vera Zvanareva successfully defended her PTT Pattaya Open title.

Dementieva, top-seed and last year’s finalist in Paris, recovered from losing the first set to beat Czech Lucie Safarova 6-7(5) 6-1 6-4 and finally win the indoor event in the capital of France.

"I have been trying to win this tournament for so many years – it's been one of the most difficult wins of my career and I am so happy," said Dementieva after winning her second title of 2010.

Meanwhile, in the other part of the world, Vera Zvonareva won the PTT Pattaya Open for the second successive year and thus became the first player to do such a thing in the 19-year history of the tournament. Top-seeded Zvonareva beat home favorite Tamarine Tanasugarn 6-4 6-4 in the final and collected her 10th career title. (photos via Sony Ericsson WTA Tour)

Share This

World No.9 Vera Zvonareva ended the 2009 season with a right ankle injury and a surgical procedure, but the Russian is getting back into form at the IMG Bollettieri Tennis Academy, preparing for the next year.

Zvonareva had a great start of 2009. She reached Australian Open semifinals, and won titles at Pattaya City and Indian Wells. Then she sustained the ankle injury at Charleston in April, which put her away from competition until June. At the end of the season, she withdrew from the Sony Ericsson Championships with the same injury.

(source: Nick's Picks via Ehm Seeker)

Share This

The Sony Ericsson WTA Tour interviewed Vera Zvonareva, Elena Dementieva, Jelena Jankovic, Samantha Stosur and Svetlana Kuznetsova about their favorite place for a holiday.

Poor Samantha Stosur, she had to go to Bali instead of Hawaii.

Share This

World number nine Vera Zvonareva had a surgery on her right ankle in Rotterdam, and is now resting in an Amsterdam hotel.

In her latest diary entry on her new official website, the Russian is sharing details about the procedure and her future plans.

All seem to be fine; no pain in my leg so far but certainly there is some inconvenience.

The surgery was done in one of Rotterdam’s clinics, so on Thursday I had to move to Amsterdam but I was picked up and transported by the car. At present I walk on crutches. The operation was performed by a reputed surgeon Nick Van Dyke who operated on many football players and now helps Cristiano Ronaldo.

Zvonareva will stay in Amsterdam for two weeks. Afterwards, she will travel to Florida to practice.

The 25-year-old is hoping to be ready for the Australian Open. (photo: chascow)

Share This

It didn’t look like that in the beginning, but the match between Caroline Wozniacki and Vera Zvonareva turned into a dramatic encounter at the Sony Ericsson Championships.

Wozniacki let a 6-0 5-2 lead slip when Zvonareva evened at one set apiece after the second-set tiebreak in which she even saved two match points. Wozniacki built a 3-1 lead in the third set, but the leg that caused her withdrawal from Luxembourg last week stated hurting again. Then Zvonareva won four of the next five games for a 4-3 lead. Still, Wozniacki didn’t give up and despite pain and tears that I have to admit frightened me, the Dane won the match 6-0 6-7(3) 6-4.

The match against Zvonareva was Wozniacki's second marathon in two days. In her previous match she beat Victoria Azarenka after losing the first set and saving a match point in the third.

Zvonareva was last year’s runner-up and this year she entered the Championships as an alternate, after Dinara Safina’s withdrawal. (photo: Ralf Reinecke)

Share This