Team Americas wins Hong Kong exhibition

Venus Williams defeated Vera Zvonareva 6-2, 6-2 today to claim a 3-1 victory for Team Americas in the Hong Kong exhibition tournament, in which the final is a three-out-five affair. Williams was undefeated in Hong Kong. Her teammates are Gisela Dulko and Coco Vandeweghe.

Team Americas leading 2-1 in Hong Kong exhibition final

When Gisela Dulko defeated Anna Chakvetadze 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in Hong Kong today, she put her team in a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five final between the Americas and Russia. Next, Venus Williams plays Vera Zvonareva. If Williams wins, the trophy goes to Team Americas; if not, a doubles match will decide which team is the winning one.

Jankovic withdraws from Hong Kong exhibition

From Forty Deuce, I just learned that Jelena Jankovic has withdrawn from the Hong Kong exhibition because of illness. She said she had felt very ill for a couple of days and had seen a doctor, and that her immune system was down. I certainly hope that Jankovic is not going to make the same over-training error that Henin made.

Great. JJ is sick, Amelie is injured. What next?

Szavay's 2009 season, so far, resembles her 2008 season

Defeated in Hong Kong by Gisela Dulko a few days ago, now Agnes Szavay has been defeated there by Sania Mirza.

Both Dulko and Mirza are fine players, and--on a good day--can defeat top competitors. But for Szavay to lose to both of them in one tournament does not bode well for how things are going for her. Her 2008 season was dreadful; she repeatedly went out in the first round.

Williams defeats Jankovic in Hong Kong exhibition

Venus Williams posted a significant victory over world number 1 Jelena Jankovic yesterday in the Hong Kong exhibition tournament, defeating her 6-2, 6-2. Jankovic said that she now has a bulkier body from all the training she had done, and she had some problems moving. Moving is, of course, what Jankovic does best, so we hope she can get used to her new physique quickly.

Team Americas scored a second victory over Team Europe when Gisela Dulko defeated Agnes Szavay, 6-4, 6-7, 6-3.

Jankovic and Larcher de Brito win Hong Kong exhibition match

World number 1 Jelena Jankovic and her doubles partner, Michelle Larcher de Brito, took Team Europe to a doubles victory in the Hong Kong exhibition tournament today. They defeated Team Americas--Venus Williams and Coco Vandweghe, 6-4, 7-5. Jankovic and Williams will play one another tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Team Russia defeated Team Asia Pacific. Vera Zvonareva, who came from behind in both sets, defeated Zheng Jie, 7-6, 6-4, and Anna Chakvetadze defeated Sania Mirza 6-4, 6-4.