World number one Serena Williams reached the quarterfinals of the Open GDF Suez without losing a single point on her first serve against Croatian qualifier Karolina Sprem in the second round.

The American top seed defeated Sprem 6-1 6-2 and will face France's Emilie Loit for a place in the semifinals.

Other quarterfinal pairs include Amelie Mauresmo vs. Agnieszka Radwanska, Alize Cornet vs. Jelena Jankovic, and Elena Dementieva vs. the winner of the Natalie Dechy vs. Patty Schnyder match which is currently in process. (photo: Ralf Reinecke)

World number three Jelena Jankovic reached the quarterfinals of the Open GDF SUEZ with a 6-0 3-6 6-2 victory over China’s Li Na.

Due to a right knee injury, Li hadn’t played any tournaments in 2009 prior to this one in Paris, and after the first set it looked as if Jankovic would make short work of the Chinese world No.28.

The second set continued in the similar manner, with Jankovic dominating, but after a 3-1 lead for the Serb, Li won all the following games in the set.

Eventually, Jankovic managed to win the third set, finishing it with being two breaks up.

Fifth seed Alize Cornet, who defeated Daniela Hantuchova 1-6 6-4 6-2 earlier today, will be Jankovic’s opponent in the quarterfinals. (photo: Ralf Reinecke)

World number one Serena Williams advanced to the second round of the Open GDF SUEZ with a 6-1 6-4 victory over Czech Iveta Benesova on Wednesday.

Hehe, check out this amazing quote of Serena’s: "For now, my goal is to win the French Open and all the tournaments I play. Starting with this one!" Wow, that's called setting your goals high. Respect.

Williams, the top seed, will next face qualifier Karolina Sprem of Croatia for a quarterfinal spot.

By the way, take a look at Ralf Reinecke’s photos of Serena. They are fresh, taken in Paris today.

Serbia's Jelena Jankovic replaced the injured Maria Sharapova in the main draw of next week's Open GDF SUEZ.

World No.3 Jankovic joins top-ranked Serena Williams and Olympic gold medalist Elena Dementieva in the Paris tournament.

As you know, Sharapova, who hasn’t competed for six months, withdrew because of her shoulder injury. In her latest diary entry the Russian talks about her rehab. Here's just an extract:

I have been training in Florida the last few weeks and really working hard on getting the strength back in my arm […] And the only way to get back into good shape is by playing tennis. Unfortunately just because the doctor fixes the problem and gives you the green light to practice doesn't mean that you can just go out there playing tournaments. Yesterday I played my first few points with serves in about 6 months which was pretty exciting! Right now I'm aiming for Palm Springs, or Miami, depending on how things shape up.

(photos: Ralf Reinecke)

Yesterday I wrote that Maria Sharapova’s participation in the Open GDF SUEZ and Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships was doubtful, but now it’s been confirmed on her official website that she won’t play those events which start on February 9th and 16th.

The reason for Sharapova’s withdrawal is of course the infamous shoulder injury. It’s worrying because she withdrew from the Australian Open saying her shoulder was doing great, adding that she just wasn’t at the high enough level to compete at such a tournament.

However, now she’s pulling out of Paris and Dubai saying: "My shoulder continues to improve every day and I am working very hard on the practice court. I'm looking forward to being back on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour very soon." (photo: Ralf Reinecke)

Maria Sharapova’s injury layoff has been too long and all of us impatient to see the Russian play again, can hope to watch her at the Open GDF SUEZ in Paris.

The indoor event starts February 9th, and Maria Sharapova is occupying one spot in the main draw. Have a look at the list of 24 players who are expected to play at the 17th Open GDF SUEZ. (photo: Ralf Reinecke)

Top seed Anna Chakvetadze defeated seventh-seeded Agnes Szavay 6-3 2-6 6-2 and became the Open Gaz de France champion for the first time in her career.

With this victory, the Russian extended her perfect career record in finals to 7-0.

At tomorrow's new ranking, Anna Chakvetadze will be one spot higher, at No.6, while Agnes Szavay will reach No.18 for the first time in her career (if she had won the tournament in Paris she would have become world No.17).

On her way to the title Chakvetadze defeated three home favorites Nathalie Dechy, Amelie Mauresmo and Marion Bartoli, and of course Hungarian Agnes Szavay in today’s final.

The titlist Chakvetadze collected $95,500, while Szavay earned $51,000. I hope the prize won’t bring back the thieves to Chakvetadze. (photo via Yahoo!)

Hungarian teenager Agnes Szavay and top seed Anna Chakvetadze of Russia will battle for the Open Gaz the France title in Sunday's final.

In today's semis seventh-seeded Szavay, who won her first two singles titles (Palermo and Beijing) and reached the US Open quarterfinals last year, defeated Elena Dementieva 6-3 1-6 7-5. Chakvetadze advanced to the title match with a 2-6 6-2 6-0 win over local favorite Marion Bartoli. Bartoli made a promising start but then collapsed against Chakvetadze, who made her breakthrough last year by winning four titles and reaching the US Open semifinals. Read more »