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 »

Top seed Russian Anna Chakvetadze beat home favorite and former world number one Amelie Mauresmo 3-6 6-3 6-3 to reach the Open Gaz de France semifinals where she will face another Frenchwoman, Wimbledon finalist Marion Bartoli.

The victory is Chakvetadze’s first in four meetings against Mauresmo. The two-time Grand Slam champion Mauresmo won the Parisian tournament in 2001 and 2006 and was the runner-up in 1999, 2003 and 2005. We’re still waiting for her to start making such good results again after a disappointing season 2007 which ruined her confidence.

After the tough and more than two hours long quarterfinal, world number seven Chakvetadze is tired and said it won't be easy to recover and enter the semifinal clash against third seed Bartoli really fresh. Chakvetadze and Bartoli have met only once so far, that was in Luxembourg last year, and Bartoli won in three sets.

In the other semifinal, Hungarian Agnes Szavay and Russian Elena Dementieva will face each other. (photo via Getty Images)