Venus Williams hasn’t lost one singles match at the JB Group Classic in Hong Kong, and her last victim was Russian world number seven Vera Zvonareva.

The 28-year-old American rounded off her only preparation for the Australian Open with a 6-2 6-2 victory over Zvonareva.

From what we’ve seen of the world number six this week, she’s on a great way to win her first Australian Open title.

Prior to beating Zvonareva, Williams had defeated Anna Chakvetadze 7-6 6-3, and world number one Jelena Jankovic 6-2 6-2.

Williams' win helped Team Americas claim victory over Team Russia in the JB Gold Group final. Other members of Team Americas were Gisela Dulko of Argentina and American Coco Vandeweghe.

Hard-hitting Venus Williams defeated Anna Chakvetadze 7-6(1) 6-3 at the JB Group Classic in Hong Kong, while Vera Zvonareva came from behind to beat Gisela Dulko 6-4 0-6 6-3 which means that Team Americas and Team Russia are tied at 1-1 in the JB Gold Group.

Chakvetadze played well in the first set, but the Russian couldn't maintain her form in the second.

Williams will play Zvonareva and Dulko faces Chakvetadze on Saturday, before a final doubles match.

Just for the record: Don’t forget that Williams crushed world No.1 Jelena Jankovic on Thursday. And by the way, Team Europe captain Jankovic, paired with Michelle Larcher de Brito, lost to Zheng Jie and Sania Mirza 6-1 6-1 in doubles on Friday. Also, Mirza upset Hungary's Agnes Szavay 6-3 6-4, so Team Asia-Pacific beat Team Europe 2-0. (source: ESPN, photo: Ralf Reinecke)

Venus Williams was too strong for world No.1 Jelena Jankovic at the JB Group Classic in Hong Kong, defeating the Serb 6-2 6-2.

Was Jankovic’s hard training during the off-season fruitful enough? This loss makes me doubt that, although, the excuse could be that Jankovic wasn’t motivated enough because the JB Group Classic is only an exhibition event. The Australian Open will definitely be the best place for players to show what they’ve really got.

When you look at the score, this is Williams’ most decisive victory over Jankovic, although she trails Jankovic 4-5 in head-to-heads.

Jankovic’s loss means that Team Americas and Team Europe are now leveled at 1-1, as Team Europe won doubles yesterday. The winner of the clash between Gisela Dulko (Americas) and Agnes Szavay (Europe) will face Russia in the gold group final of the JB Group Classic. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images via Sony Ericsson WTA Tour)

Jelena Jankovic’s contract with Rebook has expired and there was no announcement on which brand would be her new sponsor. However, we have some hints!

Examining Jelena Jankovic’s new on-court fashion in today’s doubles match at the JB Group Classic in Hong Kong, we were perplexed because of not being able to determine which brand JJ was sporting. Thanks to the community over at Down the Line we have a resolution: the world No.1 was wearing a Chinese brand called Li Ning.

We’re still waiting for Jankovic herself to disclose whether Li Ning is really her new sponsor or she's wearing the brand temporarily.

Players have arrived in Hong Kong for the JB Group Classic exhibition, which starts on Wednesday. One thing has been noticed, however: Team Americas' captain Venus Williams wasn’t seen at the gathering. Where could she be?

The tournament features Team Russia, Team Asia/Pacific, Team Americas and Team Europe. Here you can read more about the event, just remember that Maria Sharapova withdrew and has been replaced by Anna Chakvetadze, while Vera Zvonareva replaces Sharapova as Team Russia's Captain. (via Down the Line)

Maria Sharapova was supposed to finally make her comeback from shoulder injury at the JB Group Classic in Hong Kong, but the Russian hasn’t had sufficient training to compete at the high level this event demands. However, the Australian Open champion is hitting tennis balls again, and the injury should be a thing of the past.

I miss competing so much. I am trying to do everything possible to be ready for Australia, but I have promised my doctors, coach and family that I will not rush back. Since I only started practicing 16 days ago,  I have only been able to practice so many hours at a time which is why I don't feel like I am ready to compete at a high level right now and this is why I need to pull out of the exhibition in Hong Kong.

In her latest doodle, Sharapova explains in detail how she was healing her injury. In short, she was working on her strength and on building up all the muscles around her shoulder with shoulder rehab specialist in Arizona for 10 weeks. However, the pain didn't go away. Then she resorted to plan B, which was a minor arthroscopic surgery that lasted 22 minutes. The procedure was successful, and after 14 days she had full range of motion.

I know my shoulder will be 100 percent by Australia, I just need to see if I have enough tennis training to be ready for that level.

Anna Chakvetadze will play instead of Sharapova at the JB Group Classic. Replacing Sharapova as Team Russia's Captain will be Vera Zvonareva. (photo: Ralf Reinecke)

The J B • GROUP Classic 2009, a tennis exhibition in Hong Kong set to take place January 7th-10th, will have a star-studded lineup. There will be four groups of players and Jelena Jankovic, Maria Sharapova, Venus Williams and Zheng Jie will lead their groups.

The event will feature teams of three players from four regions of the globe, Team Europe, Team Russia, Team Americas and Team Asia Pacific. The third player in each group is a possible Star of Tomorrow.

Team Europe
Jelena Jankovic (Serbia) – World No.1
Agnes Szavay (Hungary) – China Open Champion 2007
Michelle Larcher De Brito (Portugal) – Portuguese No.1 Read more »