Good evening, lurkers.

If you’ve picked up a copy of the latest Western Front, you probably know exactly what I’m going to say. Remember that WTA meeting that happened this past Thursday? Here’s the idea that they arrived at for Whatcom County residents to vote on in April: increase taxes two-tenths of one percent to avoid WTA service cuts. According to this article, this small tax increase would prevent a 14% service cut that the WTA has been forced to consider because of financial woes.

I don’t know about you, lurkers, but I feel strongly that if it takes an itty bitty tax increase to save 14% of WTA’s amazing services from disappearing, then so be it! If you read this blog, you probably use this service on a regular basis and appreciate how hard the WTA’s staff members work to keep our bus system running smoothly. According to an article in the Bellingham Herald, it is estimated that “80 percent of travel in the city now relies on single-occupancy vehicles.” That means that four fifths of people on the road are driving alone in their car. I’m pretty shocked at this percentage, lurkers, and I don’t think it’s the best idea to make bus service cuts if the City of Bellingham is concerned that too many people are flying solo, so to speak.

I’d love to say that I’m not trying to press my bias on you, but that would be a whopping lie. I think this is a pretty important issue, so I’m going to keep an eye out for any more news. One thing is for sure: I’ll be voting on this in April. I hope you do too, lurkers, whatever stance you choose to take.

OH and don’t forget to contact me if you need help getting home for the Thanksgiving holiday! That’s what I’m here for, so ask away.

Camila Giorgi n°285 della wta vince il torneo di Toronto di categoria ITF , battendo in tre set l’ungherese Aniko Kapros in tre set da andamento piuttosto curioso.

Nel primo la Giorgi era partita benissimo andato in vantaggio fino al 4-2 , ma poi entra in black-out facendosi rimontare e poi superare dall’avversaria più esperta che chiude 6-4.Nel secondo parziale succede la stessa identica cosa , solo che a parti invertite . Kapros avanti 2-0 poi 4-2, Camila da qui in rimonta fino ad aggiudicarsi il secondo set 6-4.Si va al terzo dove però non c’è partita con l’italiana che ingrana alla grande vincendo con un eloquente 6-0 l’incontro e il torneo.

Russian women continue to dominate the ladies WTA tour rankings. Will North America have any representation when the Williams sisters retire? Is this a statement about US Tennis? Kim Clijsters fared well considering playing in only 4 tournaments.

Just in at Tenniswarehouse.com.

No, you will not be seeing me wearing this Tail’s Nantucket Original Tank anytime soon. Ok, I play tennis – why should I wear a top with another woman playing tennis, on it?

Now that the WTA season is over and the ladies are resting up for Australia, I thought it was time to look ahead and give my predictions for 2010. 2009 was a drama filled year and I expect even more next year. Players will be “ranked” according to what I think their year-end ranking will be for 2010.

1. Serena Williams – Even with the return of Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters, I don’t expect anyone to take over the top spot from Serena and expect her to win at least two Slams for 2010.

2. Caroline Wozniacki - “Sunshine” as she’s known on the tour will have another consistent year and will find herself in another Slam final. If she can win a big one remains to be seen but it will be hard to bet against her next year. Conditioning and her excessive match play may hurt her down the road.

3. Dinara Safina – A lot depends on Safina’s current back injury and her mental toughness for 2010. I can see her in a Slam final but she will have to dismiss whatever demons she has in order to make it back to the top spot.

4. Svetlana Kuznetsova – Despite her mental flaws, “Sveta” will always be a factor in 2010 and will probably make it to another Slam final. If she wins a Slam next year is entirely up to her. Watch out for her at the Australian Open as she finished 2010 in good shape healthwise.

5. Venus Williams – 2010 will be the last chance at glory for Venus as she turns 30 this year. Aside from Wimbledon, she’s not been a factor for a while at the other Slams and her knee could be a big issue. Plus the fact that no one tour is afraid of playing her could may next year very tough.

6-9. These slots will change depending on the names, i.e. Jelena Jankovic, Victoria Azarenka, Elena Dementieva, etc. They could breakthrough and win a Slam, but let’s face it, shouldn’t they have done so already?

10. Kim Clijsters – Everybody keeps salivating over Henin’s return but Clijsters, who played lights out tennis at the U.S. Open, will still go into every tournament with nothing to lose and thus no pressure. I expect Kimmie to be a factor in Australia and a heavy favorite at the U.S. Open again.

Wildcards – Justine Henin will be the story at the Australian Open win or lose. It will all depend on her draws and I actually think the clay court season is where she will find the most success. She has more to lose than Kim Clijsters in her comeback so a Slam victory in 2010 is paramount.

Sam Stosur – Stosur finally won a WTA event in ‘09 and will probably break into the top 10 next year. She’s got the game to win a big one, maybe even Wimbledon, but does she believe she can win is the question.

Maria Sharapova – Sharapova is finally getting back on track after a rocky 2009. If her serve starts clicking again, she could be a factor but probably not until Wimbledon.

Ana Ivanovic – 2010 will define Ivanovic’s entire career. If she can get over her mental and physical fatigue, she could work her way back into the top ten again. If she can’t, I could see her retiring early. Hope I’m wrong.

Melanie Oudin - Next year will be the real test for the feisty American to prove the U.S. Open run was no fluke. I definitely see her in the top 20 before too long. Perhaps the French Open will be her next surprise Slam as she says she likes the clay?

Amelie Mauresmo - There’s been no word yet on Mauresmo’s potential retirement but even if she decides to stick it out, 2010 will probably be her last year. Maybe she will finally go for broke and play with nothing to lose? If so, we could be in for a real treat.

Let me know what you think!

Shows you how much I followed this tournament. Very irresponsible blogger/tennis fan, I am. Apologies. But honestly speaking, who wouldn’t forget this?

Aravane Rezai won the all-French final at the Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions. She got a retirement from Marion Bartoli in the finals 7-5, dead ret.

Oh, you so predictable, WTA. And Marion. That’s the way to end a season!

Image via Getty

Con la vittoria in due set di Flavia Pennetta con la giovane Melanie Oudin in due set 7-5 6-3 in meno di un’ora e mezza, l’Italia di Corrado Barazzutti vince a Reggio Calabria la sua seconda Fed Cup della storia.

Nel  primo match della finalissima della Federation Cup 2009 Flavia Pennetta number one italiana batte 6-1 6-1 l’americana Glatch senza nessun problema  e porta in vantaggio le azzurre: 6-1 6-1 appunto in 66 minuti il punteggio.

Saranno la statunitense Alexa Glatch e Flavia Pennetta ad aprire l’attesa finale di Fed Cup tra Italia e Stati Uniti a Reggio Calabria.Azzurre favorite sopratutto dalla assenza delle sorelle Williams che ora come ora sono per quanto mi riguarda le più forti tenniste del mondo.

Il programma odierno : Pennetta-Glatch , a seguire Schiavone-Oudin

Questi i precedenti del mach :

Italia -Stati Uniti 0-9

2003, Washington (Usa), Quarti World Group, H
Usa b. Italia 5-0
Shaughnessy (USA) b. Schiavone (ITA) 63 64
Rubin (USA) b. Grande (ITA) 63 63
Rubin (USA) b. Schiavone (ITA) 57 64 60
Shaughnessy (USA) b. Grande (ITA) 63 75
Raymond/Stevenson (USA) b. Garbin/Serra-Zanetti (ITA) 61 62

1999, Ancona (Italia), Semifinali World Group, C
Usa b. Italia 4-1
V.Williams (USA) b. Grande (ITA) 62 63
Farina (ITA) b. Seles (USA) 64 46 64
V.Williams (USA) b. Farina (ITA) 61 61
S.Williams (USA) b Grande (ITA) 61 61
S.Williams/V.Williams (USA) b. Garbin/Serra-Zanetti (ITA) 62 62

1986, Praga (Repubblica Ceca), Quarti World Group, C
Usa b. Italia 2-1
Cecchini (ITA) b. Evert-Lloyd (USA) 36 64 63
Navratilova (USA) b. Reggi (ITA) 62 64
Navratilova/Shriver (USA) b. Garrone/Reggi (ITA) 63 61

1984, San Paolo (Brasile), Quarti World Group, C
Usa b. Italia 2-1
Horvat (USA) b. Cecchini (ITA) 63 75
Reggi (ITA) b. Garrison (USA) 62 75
Jordan/Smith (USA) b. Cecchini/Reggi (ITA) 63 61

1973, Bad Homburg (Rep. Federale Tedesca), 1° turno World Group, C
Usa b. Italia 3-0
Hogan (USA) b. Bassi (ITAQ) 64 60
Tuero (USA) b. Nasuelli (ITA) 62 61
Hogan/Walsh (USA) b. Bassi/Marzano (ITA) 63 36 62

1971, Perth (Australia), 1° turno World Group, G
Usa b. Italia 3-0
Walsh (USA) b. Porzio (ITA) 36 62 62
Hogan (USA) b. Nasuelli (ITA) 62 60
Hogan/Walsh (USA) b. Nasuelli/Porzio (ITA) 62 63

1969, Atene (Grecia), Quarti World Group, C
Usa b. Italia 3-0
Richey (USA) b. Riedl (ITA) 60 60
Heldman (USA) b. Pericoli (ITA) 61 62
Bartkowicz/Richey (USA) b. Bassi/Pericoli (ITA) 46 86 60

1965, Melbourne (Australia), Quarti World Group, G
Usa b. Italia 3-0
Moffitt (USA) b. Pericoli (ITA) 63 61
Graebner (USA) b. Gordigiani (ITA) 61 60
Graebner/Moffitt (USA) b. Gordigiani/Pericoli (ITA) 60 62

1963, Londra (Gran Bretagna), 1° turno World Group, G
Usa b. Italia 3-0
Hard (USA) b. Pericoli (ITA) 64 26 62
Moffitt (USA) b. Lazzarino (ITA) 68 61 62
Caldwell/Hard (SA) b. Lazzarino/Pericoli (ITA) 64 61

Roddick out of Paris.
Andy Roddick’s knee injury is either more serious than he’s letting on or he’s just playing it safe for 2010. Either way, he’s withdrawn from the Paris Masters next week according to ESPN.com. He’s still officially playing the Barclays ATP Masters in London but I doubt he’ll be a factor.

Oudin Leads the U.S. Fed Cup Team.
Remember when Serena Williams said she would play the penultimate Federation Cup tie against Italy even if she had “to play in a wheelchair”. Well Serena backed out of that promise last week and so now it’s to American phenom Melanie Oudin to lead the charge this weekend. In an earlier post, I didn’t think it was fair to let Serena in the final due to her lack of commitment for U.S. Fed Cup all year. Despite playing on red clay, I still give the Americans a chance as they’ve been underdogs all year.

Gasquet, Wickmayer and Agassi Playing Defensive.
In what seems a tidal wave of stories about drug use and doping, this past week saw the withdrawal of rising Belgian star Yanina Wickmayer out of the WTA Bali event after she was given a one-year suspension for failing to show up for three drug tests in a row though she plans to appeal. Xavier Malisse was handed a similar ban and in his press conference he cried through tears that this could be the end of his career. Richard Gasquet is set to defend himself before the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland for his alleged “cocaine kiss” incident. The ITF and WADA still seek a one or two year ban for Gasquet though an independent bureau cleared him for play in August. And of course, Andre Agassi is set to defend himself and his book “Open” on 60 Minutes this weekend. Not exactly the best way to end the year for the sport.

Verdasco on the Verge.
And yes the ATP Masters points race still has some drama left as Fernando Verdasco and Nikolay Davydenko appear to be in good shape to secure the final two remaining spots as both have reached the semifinals of the Valencia event.

Top seed Marion Bartoli joined French compatriot Aravane Rezai in the semifinals of the Bali Tournament of Champions with a 6-3, 6-2 defeat of Shahar Peer of Israel on Friday.

Bartoli completed the weekend line-up at the 600,000-dollar tournament comprising the 10 highest-ranking players who have won a WTA International title this year but who did not compete in the season-ending WTA Championships in Qatar, which finished Sunday.

Two wildcards were also included.

Saturday’s line-up will pit Bartoli against Japan’s Kimiko Date Krumm, while Rezai faces Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez.

Rezai, with a perfect 2-0 group record like Bartoli’s, on Thursday was the first to reach the final four at this resort island.

Date Krumm earned a place earlier Friday when Belgian Yanina Wickmayer quit on news of her one-year ban for missing doping tests.

Wickmayer, the world number 18, was suspended Thursday by the Flemish Doping Tribunal (VDT) for failing three times to fulfill the controversial “whereabouts rule.”

Her withdrawal after the ban, which can be appealed at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, put 39-year-old Date Krumm through. The Japanese veteran is the only Asian in the 12-woman field.

Wickmayer’s spot in the field was taken by Russian alternate Vera Dushevina, who finished off three days of group competition with a meaningless 2-6, 6-1, 7-5 defeat of Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain.

Date Krumm was joined in the last four by Spain’s Martinez Sanchez, a winner over Australian second seed Samantha Stosur 7-6 (7/4), 7-5.

Bartoli’s victory was never in doubt in her 76-minute duel with Peer, who was controversially given a visa to enter Indonesia, a mostly Muslim nation, only at the last minute.

Bartoli advanced on the first of three match points after four breaks of her opponent’s serve.

“I had to stay really focused at the end because there are so many matches against Shahar when I was winning a set and 4-1 or 3-0 and she was coming back to beat me in three sets,” said Bartoli.

“When I was 4-2 up and 15-40 down and still held my serve was really important. My groundstrokes were really strong and deep and I was not doing a lot of mistakes from the baseline.

“My power was pretty high so I was putting a lot of pressure on her. It helps when you hit a lot of winners and few mistakes — usually you win the match.”

Stosur, a doubles standout who is trying to fashion a top-level singles career after reaching the Roland Garros semis this season, was unable to capitalise against Martinez Sanchez in their group showdown.

Stosur fired seven aces but was weighed down by six double-faults in a patchy serving effort.

The 25-year-old broke her Spanish opponent twice in the second set but dropped her own serve three times to eventually go down after a struggle of just over two hours.

“It was a really tough match,” said the winner. “It was really close in both sets. You’ve never won until the last point. She was fighting and fighting and in one moment I was doubting.” Stosur was a late qualifier for the Bali field thanks to a title in Osaka, the first of her singles career.

“She played very well today and I played well, and it’s just one of those things,” said Stosur.

“There was nothing glaringly obvious, just a couple of points here or there or a couple of returns here or there. Before you know it, the match is over.”

According to the SEWTA Tour, US Open semifinalist, Yanina Wickmayer, has voluntarily withdrawn from the Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions (read: ladies who won random tournaments this year) in Bali, Indonesia. The “voluntary” part is in question.

This withdrawal is following news of Yanina facing a year long suspension due to whereabouts issues. She allegedly failed to provide her “whereabouts” three times in an 18-month span hence the suspension. She is allowed to appeal the case and reports say she will be.

“The password you gave me is no bueno, damnit.”

Image via AP

La tenista estadounidense Serena Williams derrotó a su hermana Venus en la final del Sony Ericsson Championship de Doha por 6-2/7-6(4) el pasado fin de semana. Serena con este resultado se coloca como la número 1 del mundo en la WTA. La campeona de 11 títulos de Grand Slam se embolsó $1.55 millones por su victoria en tierras qataríes.

En dobles destaca el campeonato conseguido por la pareja española formada por Nuria Llagostera y María José Martínez contra Cara Black de Zimbabue y Liezel Huber de Estados Unidos por 7-6(0)/5-6/[10-7] en la gran final.

La lesión de la rusa Dinara Safina en el tercer game que disputó en el torneo fue la gran nota negativa, ya que la ex-número 1 no pudo seguir en carrera por el campeonato y tuvo que ser sustituida.

RESULTADOS

White Group

(6) V. Azarenka (BLR) a (8) J. Jankovic (SRB) 6-2/6-3
(4) C. Wozniacki (DEN) a (6) V. Azarenka (BLR) 1-6/6-4/7-5
(8) J. Jankovic (SRB) a (1) D. Safina (RUS) 1-1 (retiro)
(4) C. Wozniacki (DEN) a (*) V. Zvonareva (RUS) 6-0/6-7(3)/6-4
(8) J. Jankovic (SRB) a (4) C. Wozniacki (DEN) 6-2/6-2
(*) A. Radwanska (POL) a (6) V. Azarenka (BLR) 4-6/7-5/4-1 (retiro)

Maroon Group

(5) E. Dementieva (RUS) a (7) V. Williams (USA) 3-6/7-6(6)/6-2
(2) S. Williams (USA) a (3) S. Kuznetsova (RUS) 7-6(6)/7-5
(2) S. Williams (USA) a (7) V. Williams (USA) 5-7/7-4/7-6(4)
(2) S. Williams (USA) a (5) E. Dementieva (RUS) 6-2/6-4
(7) V. Williams (USA) a (3) S. Kuznetsova (RUS) 6-2/6-7(4)/6-4
(3) S. Kuznetsova (RUS) a (5) E. Dementieva (RUS) 6-3/6-2

Semifinales

(2) S. Williams (USA) a (5) C. Wozniacki (DEN) 6-4/0-1 (retiro)
(7) V. Williams (USA) a (4) J. Jankovic (SRB) 6-2/6-7(4)/6-4

FINAL

(2) S. Williams (USA) a (7) V. Williams (USA) 6-2/7-6(4)

NOTA: (*) A. Radwanska y V. Zvonareva jugaron los partidos que debía disputar Dinara Safina.

Hi, lurkers. As you may or may not have heard, there was a fire at Whatcom Middle School early this morning that was damaging enough to close the school down for at least a week. You can read all about it here. Whatever the cause was, thankfully it appears that no one was hurt.

Now, as the title of this entry implies, this slightly effects those of you who take WTA’s bus 15. If you’re riding the 15 and the bus ventures into unfamiliar territory for a few minutes, don’t fret — it’s a detour because of the work being done on the school.  You can check out the WTA’s Rider Alert page to get the details. The route should return to normal when school’s back in session.

WTA BALI

Marion Bartoli (FRA) – Shahar Peer (ISR)

Shahar Peer a 2.29 en Bwin

Stake 4 (8€)   RESULTADO: 6-3 / 6-2

Aravane Rezai of France qualified for the semifinals of the Tournament of Champions on Thursday when she defeated Hungary’s Melinda Czink 6-3 7-5 in the second of her round-robin matches.

That victory added to her Wednesday win against Sabine Lisicki and left her top of Group D.

Shahar Peer overcame Slovak Magdalena Rybarikova 6-1 7-6, and the Israeli will play Marion Bartoli on Friday to determine who will win Group A. Spain’s Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez will play Samantha Stosur to decide the winner of Group B after beating Agnes Szavay of Hungary 4-6 6-4 6-0.

The outcome of Group C remained in the balance after Japanese 39-year-old Kimiko Date Krumm defeated Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain 6-4 6-3.

Date Krumm is now 1-1 after her two matches, with Belgium’s Yanina Wickmayer to play Medina Garrigues on Friday. If the Spaniard wins to leave all three players with a 1-1 record, the winner will be decided by sets won.

Peer seemed to be coasting to victory over Rybarikova, leading 6-1 4-1. But the Slovak broke Peer to love in the next game to begin a comeback that netted four straight games and left her leading 5-4. Peer held on to take the set to a tiebreak, which she won 7-4.

“At 4-1 she played a little bit better,” Peer told reporters. “She started to change her game, she came more to the net and I was a little bit defensive. She had to change something because I was cruising the whole match, but I’m happy I could find a way to win this match in two sets.”

Rezai suffered a similar crisis against Czink, taking the first set 6-3 but then slipping behind 5-1 in the second. Czink held a set point in the next game but the Hungarian left-hander made a forehand error and Rezai held serve to win the first of six consecutive games.

“It was very tough, a very difficult set,” said Rezai. “Mentally I was down and it was difficult for me to continue fighting.

Szavay added 11 double-faults to the 12 she hit in her opening match to allow left-handed Martinez Sanchez a comfortable victory, and Kimiko Date showed astonishing speed and athleticism as she defeated Medina Garrigues.