The final of Wimbledon 2010 will feature first-time Grand Slam finalist Vera Zvonareva and 12-time major singles champion Serena Williams as they overcame their unseeded opponents in the semifinals.

The first to advance was seed No.21 Zvonareva with a 3-6 6-3 6-2 over surprising semifinalist Tsvetana Pironkova, who had defeated the Russian in their only previous meeting. The world No.82 Pironkova, who stunned Venus Williams in the quarterfinals even though she had never been past the second round of a major, started the match well, but Zvonareva managed to hang in and turn it around.

Prior to this year’s event, Zvonareva hadn’t been to the second week of Wimbledon in six years. She will mount back to the Top 10 in the rankings, from her current position No.21. Read more »

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 »

Samantha Stosur won her second singles title on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour by impressively storming past Vera Zvonareva 6-0 6-3 in the final of the Family Circle Cup in Charleston.

Before we knew it the first set was over, the Australian won it in 18 minutes! The second set started in a similar fashion, with Stosur racing to a 3-0 lead. In the tenth game, Zvonareva woke up, won her first game, and soon followed it by winning two more games. However, the match remained in Stosur’s hands and she wrapped up victory on her first match point.

The fourth-seeded Stosur was a favorite on paper compared to the seventh-seeded Zvonareva. In addition, Stosur had entered the final leading their head-to-head series 4-2. However, Zvonareva had started the match with ten singles titles to her name, compared to Stosur’s one.

World No.11 Stosur earned $107,000 with the victory in the Family Circle Cup final, while world No.22 Zvonareva earned $55,500 for her runner-up position. (photo: sr_cranks)

Top seed Caroline Wozniacki fell during the first set of her semifinal against seventh seed Vera Zvonareva at the Family Circle Cup, injured her right ankle, retired and ended her eight-match winning streak.

The semifinal started off in favor of Zvonareva, who raced to a 3-0 lead. Last year’s Charleston finalist Wozniacki, after short consultations with her father, won her first game in the match, but shortly after, during one point in the seventh game, she fell and lay on the green clay in tears.  A medical timeout followed and even though Wozniacki returned to the court she very soon retired, at 5-2 in the first set.

The world No.2 Wozniacki should next play the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, if her injury heals in time.

Zvonareva's opponent in the final will be the winner of the match between Samantha Stosur and Daniela Hantuchova. (photo: © Neal Trousdale)

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)