Sunday, February 26, 2006

This week's results

In Rotterdam this week, Radek Stepanek, ranked 23 in the world, beat No. 52 Christophe Rochus 6-0, 6-3 to win the ABN/AMRO World Tournament. It's Stepanek's first career title in ten years as a pro.

Right now, Tommy Haas is up a set on Robin Sodering, ranked 87, in the finals of the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships in Memphis. Haas is enjoying a nice comback from injuries (ranked 30 right now) over the past couple of years. On the women's side, No. 47 Sofia Arvidsson, defeated No. 51 Marta Domachowska, taking her first career title.

In Bogota, Lourdes Domingues Lino beat Flavia Pennetta to win the Copa Colsanitas Seguros Bolivar.

Olympic gold medalist Nicolas Massu won the Brazil Open, beating Alberto Martin, 6-3, 6-4. Also of note was the return of Slam winner Gustavo Keurten, who lost in the first round to countryman Andre Ghem 6-3, 3-6, 4-6. The popular Brazilian has served notice that he will retire this year if he doesn't perform to his standards.

Justine Henin-Hardenne beat Maria Sharapova in the finals of the Dubai Open 7-5, 6-2. Sharapova hasn't had a sniff at Henin-Hardenne since she beat her the first time they played. Since, JHH has won four straight matches.
Martina Hingis fell to Maria Sharapova in the quarters of this tournament. After her return in Australia this year, Hingis finds herself ranked No. 50.

The Davis Cup tie between the U.S. and Brazil will happen in Rancho Mirage, California. Home sweet home (court).

Next week:
The Doha Qatar Total Open. We'll see Amelie Mauresmo, Hingis and Sania Mirza in action at the $600,000 tournament.
The men will shift over to Dubai, with defending champion Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Agassi Agassi competing. In addition to Agassi, Marat Safin will be making a long-awaited return to the tour.

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