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Updated: Anna figths to second round

April 30, 2007

Anna Chakvetadze beat Jill Craybas of the United States 7-6 (6), 7-5 in theng round of the J&S Cup on Monday.

The sixth-seeded Russian was broken when serving for the first set at 5-4.

With Craybas serving at 6-6 in the tiebreaker, Chakvetadze hit a backhand crosscourt winner to earn her third set point. Craybas then netted a backhand to give the 20-year-old Chakvetadze the set.

The players traded breaks early in the second set.

Craybas had a chance to force a third set, serving at 5-4. But Chakvetadze hit a deep backhand to force an error from the American to lead 40-30, then knocked a forehand intocourt for the break to level at 5-5.

The Russian held serve to love, then earned a match point when a backhand by Craybas sailed long

Russia secure Fed Cup semi final berth

Russia crushed Spain 5-0 in their Fed Cup quarter-final, setting up a possible mouth-watering clash with the United States in the last four.

 

Fed Cup First Round - Russia vs. Spain Preview

This is the fourth meeting between the two nations and Russia holds a 3-1 advantage. However, the last meeting of these two nations came in 1990 when Russia was playing under the banner of USSR.

Matches will be played at Small Sports Arena 'Luzhniki', Moscow, Russia.

Stadium Capacity: 6545

The play starts at 14:00 hrs (10:00 hrs GMT) on Day 1(21 April) , and at 13:00 hrs (09:00 hrs GMT) on Day 2 (22 April)

Surface: Clay (Red Clay) - Indoors; Ball Type: Wilson USRegular Duty

Official Team Nominations

Svetlana Kuznetsova
Nadia Petrova
Anna Chakvetadze
Elena Vesnina
Captain: Shamil Tarpischev

Miami Semifinal Interview

March 29, 2007

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. What was your strategy going into the match?
ANNA CHAKVETADZE: When you play the way I played today, you know, it's not even the strategy to think if you can't hit more than three balls over the net. It's your problem, so, yeah.

Q. Why didn't you play that well today?
ANNA CHAKVETADZE: Well, I think Justine played pretty solid today, but I don't know, I just felt very tired. I felt I couldn't run. You know, something wrong happened, and actually, I'm still pleased with the result because I had no confidence when I came here, after I played one of my worst matches this year, and I didn't have confidence at all.
And the goal for me was pass one round. And when I passed it I just felt a little bit better. Then second round, Golovin, also pretty easy, I was surprised.
Yeah, it's still a good result, but I'm just feeling that I'm not in a good shape right now.

Q. It's strange, because you are coming into Top 10 and you turned around?
ANNA CHAKVETADZE: Yeah, I know, that's strange. If I would feel good then maybe I would be Top 5. But no, the thing is that of course I got lucky with the draw. It was very tough match for me against Na Li, she just didn't use her opportunities, that why I won. It was very lucky, so yeah, I'm happy it was a semifinal.
But today in the match, Justine, she was controlling all games. She just start to miss a little bit in the end of the second set, so I won a few more games.

Q. You're not giving yourself much credit?
ANNA CHAKVETADZE: No, not really, but I am telling the truth.

Q. You always tell the truth?
ANNA CHAKVETADZE: Well, I'm trying to.

Q. Can you explain how you improved so much in one year?
ANNA CHAKVETADZE: Well, I just got more confidence, you know, against top players. I got confidence after I won my first tournament in China. And then the next week I won a home tournament in Kremlin Cup in Moscow. Yeah, I beat like three Top 10 players, and after that I just felt that I can play better and better.

Q. You have no coach?
ANNA CHAKVETADZE: No, my dad is with me here, and my hitting partner.

Q. Why? Don't you want to have a coach?
ANNA CHAKVETADZE: I actually was practicing before Indian Wells with Robert Lansdorp in L.A., and I liked it a lot. But he can't travel, so probably I'll go to see him later when I go play USseries.

Q. Did he teach something special to you?
ANNA CHAKVETADZE: Well, I don't know, maybe. Something special? He had great players; he was coaching Sharapova, Myskina, and Sampras, I don't know. He doesn't like to compare. I liked it, you know, he's very nice guy, and we practice good together.

Q. Did you feel flat from the very beginning of the match? Like could you see that I'm just not feeling like I'm going to have my rhythm today?
ANNA CHAKVETADZE: Yes, as I said, I don't know why I felt tired. I didn't run, and I was not in the match today. Yeah, but you know, sometimes this happens and I look forward to playing on clay courts.

Q. Did you feel that in the warm-up before the match?
ANNA CHAKVETADZE: I actually felt like today, yeah, I felt it actually yesterday that I'm a little bit tired. I was a little bit dizzy in the evening, but I felt maybe I would get through that, but no.

Q. What do you expect for the next tournament?
ANNA CHAKVETADZE: Well, I'm going back home and I'm going --

Q. In Russia?
ANNA CHAKVETADZE: In Russia, yes, in Moscow. I'm going to play Fed Cup and practice on clay, outdoors. Then I play Warsaw Berlin, Rome, week off and then French We'll see how it goes.

Q. Just a word about Justine. She seems to be much less powerful than a lot of other players, and she's No. 1. What has she got that the others maybe don't have?
ANNA CHAKVETADZE: Well, she plays -- she sees the ball very good, you know. She likes when someone hit flat against her. Well, all girls mostly playing like that, that's how I played today as well, I don't know why. It's not my style of the game.
Well, yeah, she's a great champion. I don't know. They look a little bit similar with -- no, she hit actually flatter than Mauresmo does. But they both have one-hand backhand and serve pretty good, so yeah.
They don't play the same tennis as others play. Because usually girls play very flat, and powerful, and Justine, she can mix her game. That's why she's No. 1.

Q. Do you think you can come in the Top 5 this year?
ANNA CHAKVETADZE: Well, hopefully. That's my goal, yeah. I'll try to do my best this year. Hopefully I will play better.

End of FastScripts

Henin to strong

Anna lost in the semi finals of the Sony Ericssonto World No. 1 Justine Henin 2-6, 3-6

Chakvetadze into semis

Russian Anna Chakvetadze becomes the first to reach the semi-finals in Miami coming back from a set down to beat China's Na Li .

She will play against world No. 1 Justine Henin for the place in the final.

Henin and Chakvetadze have played just once before, with the Belgian winning in two easy sets, 62 63, in the third round of Wimbledon last summer.

But it is a different Chakvetadze now; the Russian, who just turned 20 years old, has had seven of her eight career Top 10 wins since that match, and also made her debut in the Top 10 earlier this year, having been a much-lower No.34 at Wimbledon

Chakvetadze comes good

Russia's Anna Chakvetadze overpowers Italian Mara Santangelo 6-1 7-5 to advance to the quarterfinlas at WTA Miami.

Anna moves on

Anna moved past French teenager Tatiana Golovin to the fourth round of the Sony Ericsson The No. 9 seed needed little over one hour to clinch a comfortable 6-1 6-3 victory.

Anna crushes Bardina

Anna needed 54 minutes to book a place in the Sony Ericsson third round with impressive win over fellow Russian Vasilisa Bardina 6-1 6-0.

She will now face Tatiana Golovin.

Anna vs. Bardina

Anna will play her second round match against fellow Russian world No.61 Vasilisa Bardina on Friday. The match is scheduled forth on Court 3. The play starts at 10:00AM local time. The pair have met earlier this year, in Hobart. Anna won that match in straight sets, 6-3 7-6(3).

Next stop - Miami

Anna will play at Sony Ericson Championship in Miami which begins on Wednesday. Anna is one of the 32 seeds, so she receives a bye into round two and she will play her first match on Friday or Saturday.
She reached fourth round at this Tier I event last year, where she lost to Anastasia Myskina 6-3 6-2.

Anna crushes Kirilenko, Peer next

Anna overcame compatriot Maria Kirilenko 6-4 6-1 in the third round of the Pacific Life

She will now play the No.11 Seed, Shahar Peer of Israel, who beaten Lucie Safarova .

Anna has beaten 19-year old World No.16 in their two previous meetings - at Miami (6-1 6-2) and Montreal ) last year.

Anna beats Lucic

Anna has reached third round of the Pacific Life by beating Croatin Mirjana Lucic in two sets, 6-2 7-5.

She will play fellow Russian Maria Kirilenko in the next round.

Anna vs. Lucic

March 09, 2007

Anna’s second round opponent at the Pacific Lifeis Croatian wild card Mirjana Lucic, who defeated qualifier Lindsey Nelson 6-4 7-6 in theng round

The match is shedulled fifth on Stadium 2. The play starts at 2:00pm local time.

If she overcomes Lucic, Anna will play either Maria Kirilenko or Lourdes Domingez Lino in the third round.

Pacific Lifedraw

March 07, 2007

Anna’s second round opponent at the Pacific Lifewill be either Croatian wild card Mirjana Lucic or a qualifier. That match is set to take place on either Friday or Saturday. Since she is seeded eighth, she receives a first round bye.

Playing in her first event since she is no longer a teenager, Anna is seeded to meet fellow Russian Maria Kirilenko in the third round. Shahar Peer from Israel and Lucie Safarova  are possible fourth round opponents, while Martina Hingis could await her in the last eight stage.

Anna is in the same half of the draw as the top seede world No.1 and the defending champion Maria Sharapova.

Chakvetadze moves into top ten

February 19, 2007

Russia's Anna Chakvetadze has revealed that she has already realised her ambition for 2007 of breaking into the women's top 10 rankings for the first time.

Chakvetadze's semi final showing at the Diamond Games in Antwerp - where she lost to eventual winner Amelie Mauresmo - meant she moved two places up the rankings to number ten in the world.

"Before I had said I wanted to be in the top ten," the 19-year-old said.

"For me it's more important now to improve my game and to win some matches and tournaments. The first thing is my fitness.

"I'm working on it. I have some parts of my game which I know I have to work on too. My serve and a couple of things I don't want to tell you about. We will see."

It was Chakvetadze's unforced error count that allowed Mauresmo to win a comfortable third set and progress into the final.

"I lost concentration for three of four games in the third set and that's why I lost the match," Chakvetadze added.

"I just have to gain more confidence when I play more important players. To win you have to play all important balls with a bit more aggression.

Chakvetadze - who is now one of five Russians in the top ten - had previously stated she wanted to be in the world's top five within three years but the Australianquarter finalist refused toy declare a time span on winning a grand slam.

"A lot of players will talk about it," she said.

"It's a dream for everyone. Of course I would like to win a grand slam but I don't know when and I don't want to talk about it.

"For me I'm getting tired if I play too many matches. I need some rest afterwards so I think I will play three tournaments on clay this year.

"Hopefully I will be ready for three in a row."

Russia 's newest wonder girl: Chakvetadze breaks Top 10

February 17, 2007

Anna Chakvetadze keeps on churning and after her 6-3, 6-4 win over Nadia Petrova in the quarter-finals of the Proximus Diamond Games , cracked the Top 10 for the first time.

Amazingly, the 19-year-old is 4-0 against her elder Russian, who has been a solid Top-10 player for two years.

"I don't know if her game suits me, I think she made a lot of unforced errors today," Chakvetadze told after that match . "But she played a lot of matches lately so she could be tired. I didn't know I could reach the Top 10 today. It's nice, but I won't play in Dubai and Doha the next weeks so I will drop out again. I don't really care that much about my ranking anyway. I just want to improve my game, win matches and then my ranking will take care of itself."

Chakvetadze is not your average up-and-comer. Where most talented youngsters bring a flat-out power game to the court, Anna C. plays a little more with her head.

"First of all, I'm not as tall as [Nicole] Vaidisova or [Ana] Ivanovic," she says. "I can't hit as hard, so I need to find other ways to win. I try to look for weaknesses in my opponent's game and play accordingly."

The inventive and quick Russian, so reminiscent of Martina Hingis, had her breakthrough year in 2006, starting the season just inside the Top 40, but finishing strong with a career first title at the Tier III in Guangzhou and a Tier I win in Moscow. Her impressive year end run put the 19-year-old among the world's best 15 players.

"I never thought I would win a Tier I last year. When I won my first tournament in Guangzhou , that gave me a lot of confidence. This helped me to do well in Moscow ."

In her early days on tour, Chakvetadze frequently lost control of her emotions on court, breaking into tears when a match didn't go her way. She starts laughing and says, "You haven't seen me play in the Under -14s."

On the Sony Ericsson Tour website, Chakvetadze has said she wants to break the Top 5 within three years. "No, no, that's not true," she said. "The WTA wanted to know my goals so I just said 'Top 5 would be nice,' but it's not something I'm really aiming for."

In order to settle in amongst the elite, Chakvetadze knows she still has work to do. She's 14-2 in 2007, and has won 24 out of her last 27 matches. "I need to further improve my confidence so I can play well on the important moments. And my serve and fitness need to get better, too."

At the Australian Chakvetadze faced top-seeded compatriot Maria Sharapova in her first ever Grand Slam quarterfinal. She served for the first set at 5-4, but eventually went down in straight sets. She moved the ball around nicely, but couldn't hit her spots when it counted.

"People said I played well that match, but I didn't win the important points. Maria played better than I did that day, but it was good I made the quarters."

One might think that Chakvetadze would have Parisian dreams, but likes the bright big Apple better.

"I would love to win the US It was the first Grand Slam I played in 2004 and I beat [the then No. 3 Anastasia] Myskina when I was just coming up. I just love the whole atmosphere in New York . I also have a lot of friends there."

by Abe Kuijl, TennisReporters.net

Updated: Anna defeated by defending Champion

February 17, 2007

Anna lost to defending Champion and first seed Amelie Mauresmo in the semi-finals of the Proximus Diamond Games.

Mauresmo's win over Chakvetadze was a rematch of their quarterfinal in Paris last week, which Mauresmo won in two sets.

Following a litany of unforced errors by her 19-year-old opponent, Mauresmo broke serve for the first time in the seventh game and went on to take theng set.

The world number 12 hit back, breaking Mauresmo's serve in the fourth game of the second set and holding off two break points of her own in the next to level the match.

Despite suffering some pain in her upper legs, Mauresmo moved up a gear in the final set and took control of the tie.

After losing theng service game, Chakvetadze capitulated and Mauresmo made easy work of taking the decider.

Chakvetadze admitted: "I lost concentration for three or four games in the third set and that's why I lost the match.

"But it has definitely been a good tournament for me, despite losing today. I just have to gain more confidence when I play more important players."

Chakvetadze into Antwerp semi-finals

February 16, 2007

Russian seventh seed Anna Chakvetadze has beaten third-seeded compatriot Nadia Petrova 6-3, 6-4 to qualify for the semi-finals of the 600,000-dollars WTA event.

Petrova had won in Paris the previous weekend and hence had been one of the favourites to claim a second, successive title. The 19-year-old Chakvetadze however played a solid game with few errors to beat an uninspired opponent in one hour, 26 minutes on Friday.

Chakvetadze will now meet top seed Amelie Mauresmo of France.

Updated: Anna beats Bammer

February 14, 2007

Seventh-seeded Anna Chakvetadze rallied to beat Sybille Bammer 4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-2 Wednesday and advance to the quarterfinals of the Diamond Games.

Bammer fought off five match points before giving in to fatigue and her opponent.

Bammer, playing her third match in four days, won the Pattayaon Sunday. She then played in the first round in Antwerp on Tuesday.

Eighth-seeded Ana Ivanovic of Serbia beat Anastasiya Yakimova 6-3, 6-2.

Kim Clijsters, in her farewell season, plays Olga Poutchkova later Wednesday in her last home tournament.

Two-time defending champion Amelie Mauresmo her campaign for the diamond racket trophy on Thursday. If the top-seeded Frenchwoman wins the tournament this week, she get to keep the gold and gem-encrusted racket.

Chakvetadze advances in Antwerp

February 12, 2007

Seventh-seeded Anna Chakvetadze of Russia beat Eleni Daniilidou of Greece 6-4, 6-2 on Monday to reach the second round of the Diamond Games WTA event.

Double defending champion and top-seeded Amelie Mauresmo received a bye in the first round. Mauresmo, who beat Kim Clijsters in last year's final, can win the diamond-studded racquet trophy for good if she wins the tournament in any of the next three years.

Fourth-ranked Clijsters is in her farewell season and the Antwerp event is her last tournament in her home country.

Clijsters also received a bye in the first round and makes her debut at the 10,000 capacity Sports Palace on Wednesday.

Eight of the top 15 players take part in the weeklong tournament.

Career high ranking

February 12, 2007

Anna has reached career high ranking. She is No.12 in the latest Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Rankings, which are published today.

Due to her quarter-final appearace at last week'sGaz de France, she now has 1539 points, and she has closed the gap between herself and world No.11 Dinara Safina; the difference is only nine points.

Anna has only 1 point do defend from last year, so she could reach new career high ranking next Monday, depending on her performance in Paris.

Against Daniilidou in Antwerp first round

February 11, 2007

Anna has been drawn against world No. 39 Aleni Daniilidou in the Proximus Diamond Games, a Tier II event that begins in Belgium on Monday.

The 24-year-old player from Greece has beaten Anna in their only previous meeting, at US2004, 6-4 6-2.

If she overcomes Daniiliodou, Anna will meet either world No.61 Sybille Bammer or a local player, world No.235 Caroline Maes in the second round.

Third seed and newly crownedGaz de France Champion Nadia Petrova is Anna's seeded quarter-final opponent.

The match will be played on Monday, on Center Court , at 12:00pm.

Relive the chat session with Anna Chakvetadze

February 10, 2007

Here are the highlights of Thursday afternoon's chat session with Anna Chakvetadze.

Anna fails to defending Champion

February 9, 2007

Mauresmo battled for two hours to get past No.8 seed Anna Chakvetadze, 76(5) 75. It was a struggle from start to finish; she broke for a 5-3 first set lead, but watched as the in-form teenager, who had won 20 of 22 matches going in, broke back and took that set to a tie-break. The players were also neck-and-neck in the second set, with the Frenchwoman finally securing a break in the penultimate game before serving it out. She is now 2-0 lifetime against the Russian.

Chakvetadze books quarter-final place at Paris Open

February 8, 2007

Russian Anna Chakvetadze recovered from a shaky start to reach the Paris quarter-finals with a victory over Spaniard Anabel Medina on Thursday.

Eighth seed Chakvetadze will next play defending champion Amelie Mauresmo, who defeated Nathalie Dechy in an all-French second round clash 6-3 6-2.

Medina converted one of her two break points to edge the first set but Chakvetadze's efficient groundstrokes eventually saw the Russian through after two hours and nine minutes.

Chakvetadze storms through Parissecond round

February 7, 2007

Russian Anna Chakvetadze powered through the second round of the Paris with a 6-2 6-0 demolition of compatriot Olga Poutchkova on Wednesday.

Eighth seed Chakvetadze won 10 games in a row to wrap up a straightforward win in 52 minutes.

She will meet either Spain's Anabel Medina Garrigues or Frenchwoman Severine Bremond for a place in the quarter-finals.

Later on Wednesday, top seed Justine Henin makes her much-awaited comeback with a second-round tie against France's Emilie Loit.

Third seed Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia, who was also granted a bye for the first round, takes on Slovenian Katarina Srebotnik.

Anna said after the match: «My opponent did not play very well today, I guess she had troubles with the surface here, which she had not had the opportunity to practice on yet. At times, she was almost not there, but I know that is not her usual level because I have had much tougher matches against her in the past. I lost my first matches here two years in a row, so I am definitely not going to complain after this win! If I reach the quarterfinals, I will have to face a French player and I know the fans will not be cheering for me, far from it. But that is sport, and I am the one helped by the fans when I play in Moscow. I will try to remain focused and to pay to much attention to how spectators cheer for my opponent. »

Poutchkova first in Paris - February 4, 2007

Anna is drawn to face fellow Russian, world No. 34 Olga Poutchkova in the first round of theGaz de France tournament, witch begins on Monday in Paris.

This will be the pairs fourth meeting, with Anna winning on her way to capturing titles this year in Hobart , and last year in Guangzhou , while the younger Russian won in their only meeting on clay, 6-1 6-2, at Palm Beach Gardens in 2003.

This Tier II event is Anna's third tournament of the season, and first after her quarter-finals defeat to Maria Sharapova at Australian She comes here with 9 wins of 10 matches she has played this year.

If she overcomes Poutchkova, Anna will play either Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain, or one of the local favorites, Severine Brémond in the second round.

The No. 2 seed and defending champion Amelie Mauresmo is the most likely 3 rd round opponent, while another Russian, world No. 7 Nadia Petrova could await in the quarter-finals.

Justine Henin and Svetlana Kuznetsova are top seeded players in the first half off the draw, and Anna can not meet them until the finals.

Interview with Anna - January 24, 2007

Q. Was it a matter of survival of the fittest at the end, who was the stronger at the end?

ANNA CHAKVETADZE: Well, definitely Maria was today. She is stronger. I guess she played very well. She's a great fighter. I think she deserve this win. I can just wish her good luck in semis.

Q. Was she a little more aggressive than you?

ANNA CHAKVETADZE: Yes. I think I need to improve to be more aggressive on important points especially because, yes, she was a little bit more aggressive than me.

Q. You seemed quite nervous at the start. Did it take you a while to settle down?

ANNA CHAKVETADZE: No, I wasn't nervous at all, not at all. Maybe on the tiebreak because I was up like 5-3 and I had so many opportunities. I just didn't use it. That's, you know, a little bit strange because on the tiebreak, so many points are lost so easy balls.

I don't think it's because nerves. I just need to be more aggressive on the important points. That's what I think.

Q. What do you do about that? Will that be something you'll pick up on the next tournament, being more aggressive?

ANNA CHAKVETADZE: Yeah, definitely I will work on it. But, you know, it's tough to be aggressive because Maria, she's hitting the ball so hard. Especially in the warmup, I thought she will kill me (laughter). I couldn't put one ball on court because she played one ball on me, and the other ball like somewhere. I couldn't, you know, get where is the ball going, she was hitting so hard.

It's also tough to play aggressive against these kind of players because they play aggressive and you should mix your game a little bit more. But important balls, of course, you should be more aggressive.

Q. On speed and placement, you were staying with her.

ANNA CHAKVETADZE: Yes, but I think she won all the important balls. I didn't use my opportunities in the first as well as second set because it was like two or three games Love-30 on her serve. I just didn't use them. That's why I lost.

It was close match, but Maria won. I think she played better today than me and she deserve it, definitely.

Q. Your shoulder, what happened?

ANNA CHAKVETADZE: It was tight in the morning. I had some treatment on it. During the match I felt pain, strain from the backside. I definitely should call the trainer earlier, not after first set. I think I should call it before I'm serve on that game at 5-4. Maybe it would help me.

I got some antiinflammatories and pain gone in second set after few games.

Q. What is the problem?

ANNA CHAKVETADZE: Strain, right shoulder strain.

Q. You hurt it before the match?

ANNA CHAKVETADZE: No, it was really tight before. As I said, I had a treatment on it. I felt it okay. But maybe Maria's hitting so hard, my shoulder was getting tighter.

Q. Was it bothering you in previous matches or only this one?

ANNA CHAKVETADZE: Well, you know, that's amazing because something is happen when I'm playing important matches. Like against Hingis in Montréal I had injury, again, my right hand. Here, as well. I should do something to myself. Should stay healthy, you know, to beat these kind of players.

I mean, it was my tenth match in a row. I felt tired. I just need to stay healthy and maybe not play tournament before a Grand Slam.

Q. You seemed to be having her running more than you were running a lot of that match. You had her moving a lot. Is that a good sign for your future?

ANNA CHAKVETADZE: Well, that was my game plan, you know, to move her. If I would play all balls to her, it will be very difficult. Yes, you know, I was running I think well today. But my hands and my arms was little bit sore and stiff. You know, especially those easy shots, I couldn't put it where I wanted. That was the problem, especially important points.

Q. You're the same age as Maria. When did you first know her or meet her?

ANNA CHAKVETADZE: Good question actually. I think I saw her on TV when I played juniors and she played main draw of USor something. It was on TV. I think she beat someone the first round. I just remember her dress, that's it (smiling).

Q. Why is that?

ANNA CHAKVETADZE: It was pink dress. I just remember the color actually. Sorry.

Q. Do you remember what year that was?

ANNA CHAKVETADZE: Year?

Q. 2002?

ANNA CHAKVETADZE: I don't really remember. Sorry.

Scrappy Sharapova battles past Chakvetadze - January 24, 2007

Top seed Maria Sharapova reached her third successive Australian semi-final with a hard-fought 7-6, 7-5 victory over fellow Russian Anna Chakvetadze today.

Often struggling to find her rhythm, the 19-year-old Sharapova was broken twice in each set and her court speed was often exposed by the 12th seed, before she prevailed in two hours and 14 minutes of scrappy action on Rod Laver Arena.

Chakvetadze, who received a medical time-out after the first set for a shoulder problem, looked edgy and missed several easy winners before belatedly finding her form in the second.

Sharapova served six double faults, some at key moments, but wrapped up victory when the 19-year-old Chakvetadze netted a straightforward forehand.

She will play Belgium's Kim Clijsters or Martina Hingis of Switzerland for a place in Saturday's final, with the two set to play each other in their quarter-final today.

Interview with Anna after win over Patty Schnyder - January 23, 2007

Q. Not so good early on, but then it all changed very quickly. Anything you can put your finger on that turned it around for you?

ANNA CHAKVETADZE: Yes, I started very slow today. But you have to get used to Patty's game because she play with so much spin. Ball is bouncing so high here. Vodafone is a little bit different court because I played outside courts all my matches.

I just had to get used to it, then I found my rhythm and played better.

Q. Did you step more inside the court? Is that what you did?

ANNA CHAKVETADZE: Yeah, I just started play more aggressive.

Q. So you were pretty composed out there the whole time. How does it feel to be in the quarterfinals?

ANNA CHAKVETADZE: Well, I'm happy to be in quarterfinals, for sure. I didn't expect that when I came here because usually I play very bad in Australia (smiling). I'm happy to be in quarterfinals.

Q. Mentally were you nervous at all going into the match knowing you were playing a veteran player?

ANNA CHAKVETADZE: Well, I just try go to the court, just to win. I'm not thinking about who is my opponent.

Before the match, of course, I'm thinking. But during the match, I just thinking about how to beat her, and which level.

Q. You might have Sharapova in the next round. You played her twice. Didn't get the chance to play her in Moscow. You almost beat her in 2005.

ANNA CHAKVETADZE: Yeah, almost. But I lost. She have to beat Zvonareva first. I think it will be very difficult match today. Zvonareva is playing pretty good here. I mean, they both are tough, so we'll see how it goes.

Q. Can you talk about if you have to play either one, what you have to do against each other.

ANNA CHAKVETADZE: They both play pretty similar. They hit very flat, good serve. Better backhand, I think. Well, I played against Vera on grass and I lost very close match. I don't know. They both very tough opponents. I have to be ready.

Q. Do you feel you're a much better player now than you were when you lost to Maria the last time you played her?

ANNA CHAKVETADZE: Yes, I think so because now I have more confidence and I know how should I play. I mean, if I will play -- if I use my game plan, you know, right, then I can win I think.

Q. Your anticipation seems to be a strength. Is this a natural gift, something you're conscious of that you work on?

ANNA CHAKVETADZE: Yeah, I'm trying to work than it. Sometimes it really happen, but sometimes I have bad days and I just can't play.

Q. Bad days, you mean you guess the wrong way to go?

ANNA CHAKVETADZE: What?

Q. You guess the wrong way. You seemed today to guess the right way every time.

ANNA CHAKVETADZE: I'm just trying to watch her racquet, where she want to hit.

Q. I think there are 27 Russian women and girls here competing. It's easy for the media to think of them as a group. Do you look upon the other Russian girls as friends or rivals?

ANNA CHAKVETADZE: Of course friends because we spend so much time on the tour. You can't be friends with everyone because it's different personalities, all the players. But most of them are very nice. I'm friends with them.

Q. Is it important for you to beat them as rivals and to sort of work your way up, get a profile for yourself?

ANNA CHAKVETADZE: I'm not thinking to beat them. I just want to, you know, play one more match and get one more match. I'm not thinking about that she's from my home country.

Of course, it's mentally a little bit different because we know each other better. But I'm not thinking like, Okay, she's Russian, I have to beat her.

Q. Patty didn't fight very much today. Have you been surprised by her behavior?

ANNA CHAKVETADZE: Yes, I actually was surprised. But I was trying to play concentrate second set because I knew that she's a fighter.

If she win like two easy points, she can start to fight. I think I served pretty well. That helped me a lot, especially in the second set.

Q. You're on a real winning streak at the moment. Can you ever remember being as confident going into matches as you are now?

ANNA CHAKVETADZE: No.

Q. That's a real noticeable thing to you, very important?

ANNA CHAKVETADZE: Uh-huh. I won like 20 matches I think, 19 or something. So, yes, I get more confidence of course. But it's also depends against who are you playing. I mean, I think here I have pretty good draw, especially first two rounds. It can be tricky when you play like first round.

Maybe she's like Mirza or Chinese, maybe she's not seeded, but she's good player. And here I think draw was good for me.

Q. So you're not giving yourself a lot of credit?

ANNA CHAKVETADZE: No, not really (smiling).

Q. Are you pretty hard on yourself?

ANNA CHAKVETADZE: Yes, I am.

Q. Is that good or is that bad?

ANNA CHAKVETADZE: Well, I don't know. You tell me if it's good or bad. I don't know. I mean, that's how I'm thinking. I don't know.

I don't want to talk, like some of the players, they like to say, I will win a Grand Slam. I mean, all the players want to win a Grand Slam. All the players, they want to win their match.

Anna making an impression - January 22, 2007

Anna Chakvetadze may not have the profile of many of her compatriots - and there are 11 of them ranked inside the women's top-50 - but there's no Russian woman in better form at Australian2007.

The women's 12th seed reaffirmed her growing reputation with a commanding 6-4 6-1 fourth round victory over veteran Swiss lefty Patty Schnyder at Vodafone Arena on Day Eight to qualify for her first Grand Slam quarterfinal where she'll play, who else, another Russian, the winner of the evening's feature match at Rod Laver Arena between Maria Sharapova and Vera Zvonareva.

Chakvetadze told her post-match media conference that she was a little surprised to have made it into the second week of the tournament because, as she put it, "I usually I play very bad in Australia."

Once upon a time, perhaps, but not now.

The 19-year-old right-hander showed she was primed for an outstanding campaign when she claimed her third career title at the Moorilla Hobart International in the second week of January where she defeated, yes, another Russian, Vasilisa Bardina 6-3 7-6(3) in the final.

The transition to Melbourne Park has been seamless.

Going about her business quietly and efficiently, Chakvetadze has conceded just the one set to her four opponents so far and found victory over Schnyder - Alicia Molik's third round conqueror - a little easier to achieve than she expected.

After trailing 2-4 in the first set, the Russian surged to claim 10 of the next 11 games to win easing up.

She blamed the slow start on the extra spin that Schnyder imparts and the fact that she had played all of her lead-up matches on outside courts.

"I had to get used to it, but then I found my rhythm and played better. I just started to play more aggressive," Chakvetadze said.

"I actually was surprised (with the ease of the win) but I was trying to concentrate in the second set because I know that she's a fighter and if she wins two easy points then she can start to fight."

"I think I served pretty well today and that helped me a lot, especially in the second set."

While the rankings suggest that Sharapova will be her next opponent, Chakvetadze rates Zvonareva highly and believes the No.22 seed is more than capable of upsetting the No.1

Chakvetadze is 0-2 against both players discounting a walkover victory against Sharapova in Moscow last year, but she believes she is a much more complete player now that when she lost to Sharapova in Los Angeles in 2005.

"I think so because now I have more confidence and I know how I should play and if I use my game plan right then I can win, I think," she said.

"I have won 19 matches, I think, from 20, so yes I get more confidence of course but it also depends on who you are playing."

"I don't want to talk like some of the players who like to say they will win a Grand Slam. All the players want to win a Grand Slam and all the players want to win their next match, but I just like to play and we will see what happens."

Chakvetadze said it was neither a help nor a hindrance to be playing one of her many fellow Russians on the tour.

"Of course we're friends because we spend so much time on the tour but you can't be friends with everyone because we're different personalities … but most of them are very nice and I'm friends with them," she said.

"I just want to play one more match and win one more match. I'm not thinking, 'OK, she's Russian, I have to beat her."

Anna moves on - January 22, 2007

Anna Chakvetadze recovered from 1-4 down in the first set to power her way into the quarter finals of the Australiandismissing Patty Schnyder 6-4 6-1 on Monday.

The 19-year-old Russian - who won in Hobart two weeks ago - lost only one game after recovering from the early break in the third set to progress to her first ever Grand Slam quarter final as she made light work of world number nine Schnyder.

Chakvetadze will now play either Maria Sharapova or Vera Zvonareva who play in the first of the night matches on Monday.

Chakvetadze powers on - January 19, 2007

No.12 women's seed Anna Chakvetadze has continued her strong progress through the early rounds of Australian2007, winning her delayed third-round match against Jelena Kostanic Tosic in straight sets.

Chakvetadze, who won the Moorilla Hobart International in the lead-up to this tournament, has now dropped just one set in herng three encounters and will play Swiss No.8 seed Patty Schnyder in the fourth round on Day Eight after her 6-4 6-4 win.

Kostanic Tosic had herself to blame for losing the first set after squandering no fewer than 10 break-point opportunities. Chakvetadze won just eight points on the Croatian's serve for the set, but got them when they mattered, converting her only break-point chance and wrapping up the set in 42 minutes.

Kostanic Tosic finally got the break she was looking for in the second set, but Chakvetadze broke her twice, dominating the Croatian's serve for much of the set. She wrapped up the match in an hour and 19 minutes for her second appearance in the fourth round of a Grand Slam tournament.

Anna vs. Kostanic - January 19, 2007

Anna plays world No.67 Jelena Kostanic Tosic in the third round of the Australianon Saturday. It will be the pair's second meeting after Anna beat the Crotian last year in San Diego 6-4, 6-3.

26-year-old Kostanic didn't have a bright start of the season, losing in the first rounds at Auckland and Hobart , but it seams she is improving – this week she scored wins over Sophie Ferguson and local favorite Samantha Stosur.

The match is scheduled as the second on Show Court 2. The play starts at 11am local time (1am Central European Time).

If she overcomes the World No.67, Anna will play either Alicia Molik or the No.8 seed Patty Schnyder for the place in the last eight.

Anna vs. Granville - January 17, 2007

Anna's second round opponent is Laura Granville, who defeated Yulia Beygelzimer 6-2 6-3 in her first round match.

This will be Anna's first meeting with 25-year-old American, ranked 72. in the world.

The tie is scheduled as the first on Court 19 and will begin at 11am local time (1am Central European Time), weather permitting.

If she overcomes Granville, she will play either Jelena Kostanic Tosic from Croatia , or the N.24 seed and local favorite Samantha Stosur in 3 rd round.

Anna in round two - January 16, 2007

Russian No.12 seed Chakvetadze, who is fresh from winning her third career title last week at the Hobart Moorilla International, was pushed in booking her own spot in the round of 64, seeing off Austrian Sybille Bammer 6-4 7-5 in a 95-minute battle.

Chakvetadze's second-round opponent will be American Laura Granville, who defeated Ukrainian Yulia Beygelzimer 6-2 6-3.

Anna against Sybille Bammer - January 15, 2007

Anna will play world No.42 Sybille Bammer in the first round of the Australianon Tuesday. Anna is seeded 12th at the year's first Grand Slam, and comes into this event with 5-0 record.

Anna has never before played the 26-year-old Austrian.

The tie is scheduled as the first on Court 13 and will begin at 11am local time (1am Central European Time.

Click here for live scoring.

Should she overcome Bammer, she will play either Yulia Beygelzimer or Laura Granville in the second round.

Chakvetadze clinches Hobart title - January 12, 2007

Top seed Anna Chakvetadze tuned-up for next week's Australianby winning the Hobart International title with a 6-3 7-6 win over little-known Russian compatriot Vasilisa Bardina on Friday.

Chakvetadze overcame a stomach strain to claim her third WTA trophy but said an early wake-up call meant she would have to put her celebrations on hold.

"I have a flight at six in the morning tomorrow so probably I'll sleep all day and then have a practice on Sunday," said Chakvetadze, who has been drawn to face Austrian Sybille Bammer in the first round at Melbourne Park.

"When you win a tournament it's a pleasure. It's tier IV but it's a win and it feels good."

Bardina, who had to qualify for the tournament, said she finally ran out of puff.

"I tried to play well but I was so tired," said Bardina, who will have to recover quickly as she has been drawn to play Kim Clijsters in the first round of the Australian

"I'm glad that it's my best result and hopefully it won't be my last (final)."

Russians Chakvetadze and Bardina to play for Hobart crown - January 10, 2007

Russians Anna Chakvetadze and Vasilisa Bardina were semifinal winners Thursday at the Moorilla Hobart International tennis event.

Chakvetadze To Hobart Semifinals - January 10, 2007

Top-seeded Anna Chakvetadze needed three sets Wednesday to advance to the semifinals of the Moorilla Hobart international tennis tournament in Australia.

Chakvetadze beat the only other seeded player remaining in the field, taking out seventh-seeded Jie Zheng, 4-6, 6-1, 6-1 in a quarterfinal match.

She faces Sania Mirza in the semifinals. Mirza ousted doubles partner Alicia Molik, 6-4, 6-1, in the only straight-set quarterfinal decision.

The other semifinal in the Moorilla Hobart tournament pits Vasilisa Bardina, who defeated Catalina Castano 3-6, 6-2, 7-5, against Sybille Bammer, who beat Serena Williams 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 in her quarterfinal.

Anna makes last eight in Hobart - January 9, 2007

Top-seeded Anna Chakvetadze beat Russian compatriot Olga Poutchkova 7-6 7-5 and advanced to the quarter-finals of the Hobart International.

Updated: Top seed advances on rain-plagued first day - January 7, 2007

Top-seeded Anna Chakvetadze of Russia beat Lourdes Dominguez Lino of Spain 6-0, 6-4 Sunday in the only completed first-round singles match at the rain-delayed Hobart International tennis tournament.

"I am happy to win my first match of the year, but it was pretty tough," the Russian said.

"Especially the second set. The score was easy but it was tough to play because it was very windy. But I am happy I got through and now we will see what will happen second round."

Steady showers forced postponement or suspension of most of the first-round and qualifying matches Sunday.

On Monday, former world No. 1 and seven-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams plays her first-round match against Sofia Arvidsson of Sweden.

Draw held for Moorilla Hobart International - January 6, 2007

The draw for the Moorilla Hobart International was made this afternoon, giving former world No.1 and seven-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams plenty of opportunity to progress in her comeback tournament.

Williams will start out against Swede Sofia Arvidsson (pictured) , ranked 63, in their first meeting. Should she succeed, Williams' likely future opponents include No.8 seed Martina Muller (GER) and a potential quarterfinal clash with No.2 seed Anabel Medina Garrigues.

Alicia Molik, 2003 champion, has the upper hand over her first round rival, Croatia 's Jelena Kostanic .

Molik won in each of their three previous encounters, most recently in Tokyo in 2006. No.6 seed Alona Bondarenko, who defeated Molik in Bali in 2005, is a possibility in the second round, and Russia 's latest glamour girl, No.4 seed Maria Kirilenko, looms for the quarterfinal.

Molik defeated Kirilenko twice in 2002.

Aussie wildcard Jessica Moore (WA) faces No.6 seed Alona Bondarenko in a tough first round assignment. Should she advance fellow Aussie Alicia Molik is likely to be waiting.

The 2006 champion, Michaella Krajicek , is unseeded and meets Severine Bremond (FRA). Krajicek won their only encounter on clay in 2004.

Persistent rain has kept the players indoors today, although it is hoped some qualifying matches will be completed. Remaining qualifying matches will be completed tomorrow.

Hobart joy at arrival of Williams - December 30, 2006

She hasn't won a title in more than a year, but the arrival of former world No. 1 Serena Williams in Tasmania this week has local tennis fans scrambling for tickets.

The glamorous star, a seven-time grand slam winner, will arrive in Hobart on Friday for next week's Moorilla Hobart International, and tournament director Michael Roberts can hardly believe his luck.

"We have been pretty lucky this year," Roberts said. "We've got 17 of the world's top 50 players coming, but getting Serena is huge. She's known around the world, so it's created a lot of interest."

Williams is one of only five players to have held all four grand slam singles titles at once. She won the French Wimbledon and UStitles in 2002 before winning the Australian title in 2003.

If Williams wins through to the final in Hobart, the 1600-seat stadium will almost burst.

Adding to the hype has been a debate sparked by Roberts, who referred to Williams as "arguably the highest profile athlete … from any sport" to compete in Tasmania. "I did say arguably," he told The Sunday Age.

Williams' third-round defeat in the 2006 Australianheralded a disappointing year that included six months on the sidelines with knee problems. Now, as the 25-year-old attempts to climb back into the top, Roberts suspects she needs this tournament as much as the tournament needs her.

"I think it's the perfect tournament for her at the moment," he said. "Somewhere she can play some tennis and get some time on the court."

Chris Fyshe, a barman at Montgomery's Hotel in Hobart, said having her play in this year's tournament has rivalled interest in the Sydney to Hobart and Melbourne to Hobart yacht races.

"It's great," he said. "Even people who don't know much about tennis know Serena Williams' name."

The draw includes rising Russian star Anna Chakvetadze, the top-ranked entry, at No. 13 in the world. Alicia Molik is also returning to the tournament she won in 2003.

The prospect of Molik and Williams meeting in the final was part of the reason the press box has been expanded. "In terms of world sport, Serena is huge," Roberts said.

Hobart grabs another seven stars - December 12, 2006

Seven more of the world's top 50 women tennis players will contest the Moorilla Hobart International in January, further boosting the tournament's strongest player field.

Tournament organisers announced today that Fed Cup winner Flavia Penetta, Russian glamour girl Maria Kirilenko, world No.32 Alona Bondarenko, defending champion Jie Zheng, rising Russian 19-year-old Olga Poutchkova, world No.39 Severine Bremond from France and former top 15 player Elena Lekhovtseva from Russia would contest the title.

The player list now boasts 17 of the world's top 50 players, headlined by seven-time grand slam winner Serena Williams and world no.13 Anna Chakvetadze.

Zheng, the world No.33 from China, had her best year on tour in 2006, winning two singles titles, including the Hobart tournament, and six doubles titles, including the doubles crowns at both the Australianand Wimbledon.

Penetta, the world No.28 and three-time WTA Tour title-winner, helped Italy record its first ever Fed Cup crown earlier this year, while world No.30 Kirilenko collected $547,400 in prize money this year and made the third round at the Australian, French and US.

Teen sensation Poutchkova began 2006 with a world ranking of 197 but jumped an astounding 159 places after reaching two WTA Tour finals, one semi-final and two quarter-finals.

Tournament director Michael Roberts attributed the record breaking player field to the investments made in both the Moorilla Hobart International and Australianseries.

"This year there have been some bold new changes and investments in both this tournament and the AustralianSeries as a whole, and we have been rewarded with an exceptional player field," Roberts said.

"Tennis Australia, along with the state member associations, have put a lot of effort into ensuring these tournaments are taken to the next level.

"In Hobart, the prizemoney has reached its highest ever mark of US$170,000 ($216,400), while players, fans and officials will enjoy an $800,000 facilities upgrade.

"To have another seven top 50 players, six of whom are ranked inside the top 40, is brilliant news for the tournament."

The Moorilla Hobart International, part of the AustralianSeries, will run from Friday 5 – Friday 12 January, 2007, at the Domain Tennis Centre.

Hobart International announces Strongest Ever Field - December 1, 2006

The Hobart International will boast the strongest player field in the tournament's history, with 10 of the world's top 50 players signing on for the event, organisers announced today.

Headlined by one of the biggest names in sport – Serena Williams – in addition to world No.13 Anna Chakvetadze of Russia and defending champion Michaella Krajicek of the Netherlands, the Hobart International will be staged from Friday 5 – Friday 12 January 2007 at the Domain Tennis Centre.

Tournament Director Michael Roberts said, “I'm thrilled to announce the strongest field in the tournament's history, with 10 of the world's top 50 players heading to Hobart.

“The momentum leading into the 2007 event has been really incredible. In addition to prizemoney being lifted to its highest ever mark of US$170,000, and a A$800,000 facilities upgrade, the announcements that Serena Williams and world No.13 Anna Chakvetadze will headline the player field have resulted in record ticket sales.

“We have all the semifinalists from this year's event returning and many of the players achieved their career-best ranking during 2006. There are going to be great match-ups from the first day.

“The event has attracted media interest from Australia and all around the world, and we have international coverage secured in the Asia/Pacific and Russia,” Roberts said.

The announcement that seven-time Grand Slam singles winner Serena Williams would compete for the first time in Hobart has resulted in ticket sales for the event reaching record levels. The American, aged 25, has won singles titles at all four of the majors and accumulated more than US$16 million in prizemoney. Williams has traditionally played well in Australia, being a two-time winner at Melbourne Park in 2003 and 2005, and will be looking for some solid performances at Hobart to take her into theng Grand Slam of the year.

The highest-ranked player to have competed at the Hobart International will be Anna Chakvetadze. The 19-year-old Russian has quickly risen up the world rankings during the last couple of years, culminating in her victory at the prestigious Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Tier I Kremlin Cup in Moscow in October. On her way to the title, the Russian achieved impressive victories against three top 10 players: Dinara Safina, Elena Dementieva and Nadia Petrova in the final.

Dutchwoman Michaella Krajicek (ranked No.35 in the world) will be back to defend the title she won in January with the loss of only one set from five matches. The 17-year-old had a very successful year, winning another title in s'Hertogenbosch and reaching the semifinals at Istanbul, Budapest, Stuttgart and Hasselt. She also scored victories over top 15 players Dinara Safina, Elena Dementieva and Ana Ivanovic.

A finalist at Hobart in 2002, Spaniard Anabel Medina Garrigues (27) is the second highest ranked woman to enter the tournament. Medina Garrigues won two titles in 2006, taking out Canberra and Palermo, and making the last four at Strasbourg.

Former world No.6 and Hobart champion Chanda Rubin (special injury ranking 29) will be looking to start the year on a winning note after an injury-plagued year in 2006. The American has finished inside the world's top 15 on five occasions and has reached an Australiansemifinal and three quarterfinals at Roland Garros.

Hard-hitting left-hander Lucie Safarova last competed in qualifying at Hobart in 2005 as a 17-year-old ranked 196 in the world, but will return in 2007 as world No. 42 with three Sony Ericsson WTA Tour titles to her name.

Only seven players have managed to defeat world No.2 Maria Sharapova in 2006, and one of those is Jamea Jackson (45). The American was a finalist at Birmingham in June, defeating Sharapova in straight sets in the semifinals. Currently sitting on a career-best ranking, Jackson reached the quarterfinals in Tokyo and the third round at Miami, and represented the United States in Fed Cup.

A superstar in her native India, Sania Mirza (66) will be competing at Hobart for the second time. Mirza had a breakthrough year on the WTA Tour in 2005 when she became the first Indian woman to break into the top 50 and reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam at the US This year she captured two doubles titles at Bangalore and Kolkata, and in singles reached the semifinals at Kolkata and the quarterfinals at four events, including Seoul, where she defeated Martina Hingis in three sets.

Popular Night Sessions to Continue

The popular night sessions at the Hobart International will continue at the 2007 tournament. Night sessions will be played from Monday 8 – Friday 12 January with the singles and doubles finals once again being held on the Friday night. All sessions start at 7.00pm.

Chakvetadze to play in Hobart - November 1, 2006

World No.13 Anna Chakvetadze of Russia has been confirmed for the 2007 Moorilla Hobart International , tournament organisers announced.

Chakvetadze (pronounced chuk-veh-TAHD-zeh), aged 19, has quickly risen up the world rankings during the last couple of years, culminating in her victory at the prestigious Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Tier I Kremlin Cup in Moscow two weeks ago. On her way to the title, the Russian achieved impressive victories against three top 10 players: Dinara Safina, Elena Dementieva and Nadia Petrova in the final.

"I am extremely excited to begin the 2007 season playing the Moorilla Hobart International," Chakvetadze said. "I have heard many great things about the event from my friends and I am looking forward to competing in Hobart for the first time."

Moorilla Hobart International tournament director Michael Roberts said, "To have a player of Anna's talent and ranking commit to the tournament well in advance of the player entry deadline is a coup for the tournament.

"She will be the highest-ranked player to have competed at Hobart, and is one of the fastest rising stars in women's tennis. Anna has represented Russia in Fed Cup, recently won a Tier I event in Moscow and has a string victories over top 10 players all at just 19 years of age.

"This news, along with the tournament's prize money being boosted to US$170,000 and our facility upgrade almost complete, shows that we're well on track for a fantastic 2007 Moorilla Hobart International," Roberts said.

The US$170,000 Moorilla Hobart International is part of the AustralianSeries and will be staged from Sunday 7 – Friday 12 January 2007 at the Domain Tennis Centre .

Six of the world's top 11 players have previously competed at the Moorilla Hobart International and the tournament's honour roll boasts names such as Kim Clijsters (2000), Alicia Molik (2003) and this year's winner, world No.35 Michaella Krajicek.

Stosur beats Chakvetadze at Generali - October 26, 2006

Samantha Stosur beat seventh-seeded Anna Chakvetadze 6-4, 6-4 on Thursday in the second round of the Generali Ladies.

Chakvetadze, who won the Kremlin Cup in Moscow this month, struggled with her serve and hit five double faults. She allowed 12 break points and was broken three times.

Chakvetadze maintains winning momentum - October 24, 2006

Russian Anna Chakvetadze continued her winning form to sweep aside Slovenia's Katarina Srebotnik 7-5 6-2 at the Linzon Tuesday.

Chakvetadze, playing her first match since lifting the Kremlin Cup title nine days ago, needed patience to come out top in a baseline battle against Srebotnik.

After four consecutive breaks in the middle of the first set, Chakvetadze broke to love to lead 6-5 and served out the set. She then finished strongly in the second, breaking for 3-2 and again for a 5-2 lead before serving out the match.

She will now play Samantha Stosur for the place in the quarterfinals.

Ana has reached her highest ever singles ranking - October 16, 2006

In the latest Sony Ericsson WTA tour lists, published today, Kremlin Cup Champion has risen 8 places to world No.16., after a straight-sets win over compatriot Nadia Petrova in the Kremlin Cup Final.

In the Porsche Race, she moved 7 places, to No.20.

Moscow champ Chakvetadze pulls out of Zurich- October 16, 2006

Anna Chakvetadze has pulled out of the Zurichwith a shoulder injury, organizers said Monday.
The 19-year-old Russian strained her left shoulder during Saturday's Kremlin Cup semifinal against compatriot Elena Dementieva , according to an official WTA injury report. Chakvetadze defeated Nadia Petrova in the final on Sunday.

Chakvetadze, ranked 16th in the world, was scheduled to meet French wild card Nathalie Dechy in the first round of the Zurich

Dechy will instead play Slovakia 's Jarmila Gajdosova , ranked 75th.

Chakvetadze Beats Petrova For Kremlin Cup Title - October 15, 2006

With 15 Russians in the draw, the Kremlin Cup crowds were optimistic that one of their own would end up hoisting the trophy on Sunday. But, few would have predicted which Russian would eventually make their hopes come true. Capping the week with a 64 64 championship victory over Nadia Petrova, Anna Chakvetadze won her second and biggest career Sony Ericsson WTA Tour title at the Tier I Kremlin Cup.

Despite coming off her maiden title two weeks ago at the Tier III in Guangzhou, Chakvetadze came into the Kremlin Cup unseeded, and thus largely unheralded. But that did not get in the way of one of the fastest-rising stars around; she made a dream run to the final, beating Top 10 stars Dinara Safina and Elena Dementieva, as well as world No.12 Francesca Schiavone, en route to her first Tier I final.

In Petrova, she was facing a player who had been struggling mightily with injuries in the days leading up to the final, but coming off her fifth title of the season in Stuttgart and battling through to this week's final, the No.5 seed left it all on the court anyway. The two players served strongly and traded solid groundstrokes throughout the one-hour, 31-minute final, and aside from a slight comeback in the second set, where Petrova cut a 4-1 hole down to 4-3, Chakvetadze was in comfortable control throughout, finally improving to 3-0 against her compatriot.

The 19-year-old Muscovite was ecstatic after the straight set championship win, which represented her sixth career Top 10 victory; her fourth and fifth came earlier in the week with the aforementioned defeats of Safina and Dementieva.

"I'd come to watch the Kremlin Cup with my parents from the age of six, and I never thought I'd play in this tournament," Chakvetadze said afterwards. "To win the title here is just unbelievable – a dream come true.

"Having won my first title recently I had an even better week here, beating three Top 10 players, so I'm definitely going to buy myself something as a reward for this victory. I'm also going to celebrate this victory with my family and friends."

Anna Breaks New Ground - October 14, 2006

Anna Chakvetadze won an all-Russian match with Elena Dementieva, . The unseeded teen struggled with her left shoulder early on, even getting medical treatment after three games, but she still managed to win the first set. The No.4-seeded Dementieva won the second but appeared to have used up all her energy and Chakvetadze pounced, losing a total of six points in polishing off her fifth career Top 10 victory and reaching her first Tier I final.

"I still can't believe I'm in the final of the Kremlin Cup," Chakvetadze said. "For Russian players this is a very important tournament, and I'm so happy to be just one match from possibly winning the title."

"I was too tired in the end and couldn't bring my best tennis to the court today," Dementieva said. "I had two very tough matches this week and was trying very hard to be fully fit after I had some trouble with my leg last week but in the third set she was simply fresher than me."

Chakvetadze had already taken out four Top 10 players prior to Saturday's win, but this is the first time in her career she has done it twice in one week. In theng round here, she ousted new world No.10 Dinara Safina in straight sets.

A lot on the line in Sunday's final; Chakvetadze leads series, 2-0

For both players, winning the Kremlin Cup would be one of their greatest honors. Although Petrova has already won six Sony Ericsson WTA Tour singles titles (five in 2006) and a pair of Tier Is (Charleston and Berlin, both this past spring), she hasn't won on home soil yet; and for Chakvetadze it would be her first Tier I title, having won her first title two weeks ago at the Tier III event in Guangzhou.

But for Petrova, not only is there a title within reach, there is also a chance for vengeance. Between her stellar clay court season and her equally-impressive indoor season thus far, Petrova went through a hip injury-induced summer slump, the lowest points coming during the summer hardcourt season leading up to the US where she failed to win a match in four tournaments. Two of those losses came to Chakvetadze.

Petrova was upended by her young countrywoman in herng match at San Diego, , as well as in her first match in Montréal, 61 64. But things seem a lot different for the 24-year-old Muscovite since hitting the indoor courts of Stuttgart last week, where she won her fifth title of the year.

"It's a dream to be playing the Kremlin Cup final," Petrova declared. "I really hope I can bring my best tennis to the court tomorrow."

"I've been playing very well all week," Chakvetadze said of her Kremlin Cup run, "so hopefully I can keep it going for just one more day."

The match starts at 13:30pm local time (11:30am CET).

Moscow semifinal: Anna vs. Elena - October 14, 2006

This is Anna's second Tier I semifinal of the year. If she wants to reach the final in her hometown, she must overcome Russian compatriot, World No.7 Elena Dementieva.

The pair has met twice before. Both encounters were last year, with 6 years older Russian winning in straight sets at Australian6-2 6-1, and in three tough sets at US).

The match is scheduled as second on Center Court . It follows other women's semifinal, the match between Nicole Vaidisova and Nadia Petrova. The play begins at 1:00pm local time (11am CET), and Anna's match is expected to begin sometime around 14:30pm local time (12:30pm CET).

Anna moves to Semis - October 13, 2006

Anna is in her second Tier I Semifinal of the year, after the No.2 seed Maria Sharapova withdrew due to right foot injury.

She will play against compatriot Elena Dementieva for the place in the final.

"I'm disappointed not to play, especially with Maria here in Russia," Anna said. "I'll try to use my time off to relax and get ready for my semifinal match. I have played Dementieva before and she has beaten me every time, but I'm a stronger player now and I think I have a chance to win."

19-year old Russians showdown: Anna vs. Maria - October 12, 2006

Reigning USchampion stands in Anna's way to the semifinals of this Tier I event.
The No.2 seed Sharapova had beaten a month older compatriot in two previous occasions last year – at French6-1 6-4, and at Los Angeles .

Considering that this will be only second match since winning the USin September for the World No.3, and a tough match last time they've played when Anna was ranked 31 st in the World, this should be a very interesting match, hopefully leading Anna to her first semifinals at her hometown event.

The match is scheduled as fourth on Centre court on Friday, and will not begin before 16:30pm local time (14:30pm) CET.

Anna moves past Schiavone - October 12, 2006

Anna beat world No.12 Francesca Schiavone  7-6(3), 6-4 to move into the third round of the Ladies Kremlin Cup. She completed a hard-earned victory in one hour and 39 minutes.

She hit six aces, and committed three double faults. The Italian had five brake points, but Anna saved two. On the other side, the Russian capitalized on 4 break points, from six opportunities she had. 19-year old made 35 unforced errors, and won 73 points in total.

She will face No.2 seed Maria Sharapova in quarter-finals on Friday after the Russian beat Ekaterina Bychkova  6-4, 7-5.

Anna vs. Schiavone in Round 2 - October 11, 2006

Anna's second round opponent is World No. 12, Francesca   Schiavone. Italian was a runner-up at this event 12 months ago, losing to Mary Pierce 6-4 6-3.

The two have meet once before, last year in Filderstadt, with 26-year old winning in straight sets 6-3 6-3.

The clash is scheduled as first match on Central court, and begins at 11am local time (9am CET).

Defeat in doubles - October 11, 2006

Anna and Elena Vesnina lost in first round of doubles competiton at Ladies Kremlin Cup. They were beaten by another all-Russian team - Maria Kirilenko and Vera Douchevina .

Doubles first round - October 10, 2006

Anna is in action again tomorrow, she plays first round match in doubles competition alongside fellow Russian Elena Vesnina. The pair meats another all-Russian team - Maria Kirilenko and Vera   Douchevina.

Anna's partner Elena is ranked 38 th in doubles ranking, which is her best career ranking, and has won one doubles title so far, while Anna, who is the younger one in the pair, is yet to win a doubles title, and is currently on the 66. position in doubles ranking, what is her best ranking as well.

Maria Kirilenko, who usually plays doubles with Serbian player Ana Ivanovic, has two doubles titles, and is at No. 28 in the rankings. 20-year old Dushevina has never won a doubles title, but her ranking is better then Anna's – she is at 52. place, but she was ranked higher – at No. 36 in earlier this year.

The match between four Russians is scheduled as third match on Court 2 on Wednesday, after men's singles matches. The play starts at 12pm local time (10am CET).

Anna moves to second round - October 10, 2006

Ana is through to the second round of the Ladies Kremlin Cup after a convincing 6-1, 6-2 victory over the No. 7 seed Dinara Safina.

Anna hit five aces and broke her opponent six times during the 56-minute match. She made one double fault. Safina managed to hold serve only two times during match, and broke Anna's serve once.

The younger Russian made less unforced errors (only 13, while Safina made 26), and won 57 points in total.

Anna will play Francesca  Schiavone  from Italy in round two, who has beaten Maria Kirilenko 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 in their first round match.

Anna in action on Tuesday - October 9, 2006

Anna's first round match against the No. 7 seed Dinara Safina will be played on Tuesday. It is scheduled as a third match on the Central court, and is expected to begin after 3pm local time (1pm CET).

In doubles competition, Anna will play alongside fellow Russian Elena Vesnina. They are drawn against another Russian pair, Maria Kirilenko and Vera Douchevina, in first round.

Ladies Kremlin Cup draw released - October 8, 2006

Anna's first round opponent is Dinara Safina, the No. 7 seed. The pair had met two times before, with the older Russian winning in both occasions – in Moscow two years ago , and this year in Paris 6-2 6-1.

If Anna overcomes Safina, her second round opponent will be either Maria Kirilenko, or Francesca Schiavone. The most likely 3 rd round opponent would be Maria Sharapova.

Anna Chakvetadze Wins Guangzhouin China - October 1, 2006

After reaching the semifinals at several high-profile events and notching a cluster of victories against the game's elite, she was being touted as one of the next big things in the women's game. But over the weekend in Guangzhou, Anna Chakvetadze finally placed herself at the forefront of the young Russian movement, winning her first ever Sony Ericsson WTA Tour singles title, capping the run with a 61 64 win over Anabel Medina Garrigues.

Chakvetadze, the No.3 seed at the Tier III event, was navigating uncharted territory by even reaching the final, where she was facing an opponent who already had six titles to her name. But her unblemished head-to-head against Medina Garrigues, which included straight set wins in all three of their previous encounters, was kept intact on Sunday. Chakvetadze belted the ball with conviction and accuracy throughout the one-hour, 35-minute affair, dominating the Spaniard in the first set and holding her off in the second for her career-first Tour title.

"I knew I had to be really aggressive today, and it worked," who has still never been pushed beyond 6-4 in a set against Medina Garrigues. "Maybe the score looked easy but it was a very difficult match. She is a top player and it was not easy to beat her. I just took my chances; fortunately I came out on top today."

Towards the end of the match, it seemed as though Medina Garrigues was finding her range and hanging tough with Chakvetadze, mixing in a larger variety of pace and spins to bring a halt to the momentum. But even a rain delay didn't phase the Russian from attaining her goal.

"When the rain started, I wanted to keep playing but she wanted to stop; I just felt like I didn't want to lose the momentum," Chakvetadze said. "In the end the rain stopped after only a few minutes so fortunately we were able to continue and I managed to win in straight sets."

Although the rankings have become increasingly populated with young, up-and-coming Russians, Chakvetadze is one of only two teenagers from her nation this year to stand in the winner's circle at a Sony Ericsson WTA Tour singles event, joining fellow 19-year-old Maria Sharapova, who has made title runs this year at Indian Wells, San Diego and, of course, at the US Needless to say, Chakvetadze was excited to be in such exclusive company.

"I am so happy to win my first Sony Ericsson WTA Tour title," Chakvetadze added. "I have been working and hoping for this for a long time."

Medina Garrigues fell to 6-3 lifetime in Tour singles finals with the loss. The Spaniard has been one of the few multiple titlists this year, winning Tier IV tournaments at Canberra and Palermo, and was searching for her second Tier III title, having won in Strasbourg last year. But perhaps her marathon semifinal win over Tzipora Obziler caught up with her in the final.

"I was really tired from the three hour match yesterday," said the Spaniard, who stopped the surprise semifinal run of Israeli veteran Obziler in three tough sets. "Anna also was playing really well. The heat was affecting me and I just felt like she deserved to win today."

Coming in ranked No.26, Chakvetadze is projected to surpass her previous high of No.24 come Monday's rankings, at No.22 or No.23. World No.31 Medina Garrigues will re-enter the Top 30.

The Guangzhou International Women'scrowds had been anticipating a championship match-up between top seeds Jelena Jankovic and Li Na, but in the end that wasn't to be. Jankovic was forced to stop during her semifinal against the eventual champion as the hot, humid weather finally took its toll on the explosive Serbian; Li, who has set several records for Chinese tennis throughout the last few months, was a quarterfinal victim to Obziler.

In the doubles draw, Chinese pair Li Ting and Sun Tiantian delighted the home crowd with an epic 64 26 75 championship victory over Vania King and Jelena Kostanic. The No.2-seeded home favorites edged the unseeded, first-time pairing in a thrilling third set battle to capture their ninth Tour doubles title as a team, adding to an already fantastic resumé highlighted by their 2004 Athens Olympics gold medal run.

Chakvetadze in first WTA final - September 2006

Fourth-seeded Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain ground out a 7-5, 2-6, 6-4 win over Tzipi Obziler of Israel on Saturday to advance to the Guangzhoufinal.

Medina Garrigues will face No. 3 Anna Chakvetadze of Russia in Sunday's title match after top-seeded Jelena Jankovic of Serbia retired in the second set of their semifinal trailing 7-5, 2-0.

Chakvetadze will contest her first WTA final, while Medina Garrigues is chasing her third tournament win this year after claiming the Canberra and Palermo titles.