Nalbandian ousts Reynolds in Stockholm

By Misha Japaridze (AP)

Venus Williams was upset in the opening round at the Kremlin Cup, losing 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 to Flavia Pennetta.

The eighth-ranked American, who also lost in the first round of a tournament in March in Memphis, Tenn., dropped to 1-3 against Pennetta.

"I totally came here because I love winning," Williams said. "I have never won this title, but I just had a day where I could not control my game. She played well."

Pennetta and Williams traded breaks in the first set. The Italian broke decisively on her third chance in the ninth game with a lob.

Williams broke twice in th...

By Matthias Schrader (AP)

New No. 1 Jelena Jankovic won her second title in two weeks, defeating Nadia Petrova of Russia 6-4, 6-3 Sunday in the final of the Porsche Grand Prix.

The 23-year-old Serb also won the China Open last week and the Italian Open earlier this year.

"I am really proud of myself," she said. "I am playing with a lot of confidence and I played some good tennis this week."

Jankovic was assured of taking the top ranking Monday from Serena Williams regardless of the outcome of the final. She already held the No. 1 spot for one week in August.

"I feel that every day I am g...

By (AP)

Two former No. 1 players, Ana Ivanovic and Amelie Mauresmo, lost in the second round Wednesday at the Kremlin Cup.

Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia staved off two match points to upset Ivanovic 3-6, 6-2, 7-6 (4). Mauresmo lost 6-7 (2), 6-4, 6-4 to second-seeded Dinara Safina, who has reached her seventh straight quarterfinals.

Advancing to the quarterfinals were two Russians: defending champion Elena Dementieva, seeded third, and fifth-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova.

On the men's side, second-seeded Igor Andreev and third-seeded Mikhail Youzhny were ousted in...

By (AP)

The 2009 Australian Open will offer $15.6 million in prize money next year, with the men's and women's singles winners receiving an 18 percent increase.

Tournament officials said Wednesday the singles winners will receive about $1.15 million each based on current exchange rates.

The Australian Open, the year's first Grand Slam event, will be held Jan. 19-Feb. 1. It will feature the prospect of Roger Federer winning his 14th major title to equal Pete Sampras' record.

Federer lost in the semifinals at Melbourne Park to Novak Djokovic this year, then fell to Rafael Nadal ...

By (AP)

Former world No. 1 Leyton Hewitt will make his comeback from hip surgery at the Sydney International tournament in January ahead of the Australian Open.

Hewitt said his recuperation from an operation after the Beijing Olympics was going well.

"My recovery is going well and I am really looking forward to the Australian summer," he said in a statement Tuesday. "It is an exciting time for me. I am already feeling refreshed, reinvigorated and excited about the challenge ahead."

Hewitt has won the Sydney title on four occasions, most recently in 2005.

"Sydney is a ha...