Ukraine's loss is Spain's gain

The talented, but injury-plagued Julia Vakulenko has become a Spanish citizen. Vakulenko has lived in Spain for a long time, so this move was probably not a surprise to her countrywomen. As a fan of Ukraine tennis, I hate to see Ukraine lose one of its top players. But she will certainly be an asset to her new Spanish colleagues.

Szavay says goodbye after first round

Yuliana Fedak took Agnes Szavay out in the first round at Gold Coast

Agnes Szavay, considered one of the brightest up-and-coming stars on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, failed to shine bright enough to beat an in-form Yuliana Fedak, who defeated her 3-6, 7-5, 6-2 in the first round at Gold Coast. Fedak has inconsistency problems, but when she's on, she can be a threat. In the last year--like her countrywomen, Julia Vakulenko and Kateryna Bondarenko--Fedak has raised the level of her game considerably. Unfortunately, at the same time, Ukraine's top player, Alona Bondarenko, has struggled.

I think the injury-plagued Vakulenko has the most potential, but Kateryna Bondarenko is also looking quite promising.

Vakulenko withdraws from Gold Coast

If I had to guess who would be the first player to get injured this season, Julia Vakulenko would be one of my guesses. She has hurt her right wrist, and has withdrawn from the Mondial Women's Hardcourts tournament. Also, Yaroslava Shvedova retired during her first qualifying round against Zheng Jie; I do not know the reason for the retirement.

Davenport wins Bell Challenge

Lindsay Davenport, playing in her third tournament since returning from what we thought was retirement, defeated Julia Vakulenko, 6-4, 6-1 today to win the Bell Challenge in Quebec City. This was Vakulenko's first final of her career, and--unfortunately--she played it with an injured ankle. Vakulenko hurt her ankle during her semifinal match, and Davenport was expecting her to withdraw, but she went ahead and played.

Hantuchova says goodbye

Julia Vakulenko of Ukraine defeated 9th-seeded Daniela Hantuchova today in the first round of the U.S. Open

I knew that an in-form Julia Vakulenko could take out Daniela Hantuchova, but since her excellent performance at Wimbledon (almost taking out Svetlana Kuznetsova), Vakulenko--perhaps hampered by a pre-Wimbledon ankle injury--has been off her game. But, as I wrote a few days ago, if she were to get back into form, she could escort Hantuchova out of the U.S. Open, and she did: 6-4, 3-6, 6-1.

Wimbledon, Day 2

Julia Vakulenko of Ukraine lost her nerve and missed a chance to eliminate Svetlana Kuznetsova in the first round

Today was "Close Call Day" at Wimbledon, when two important players teetered at the edge of upset. The first was Venus Williams, who faced Russian upstart Alla Kudryavtseva in the Graveyard Court of Champions, and almost left with a Round 1 burial. Kudryavtseva was up and down, and given to a lot of court emotion (which is not necessarily a bad thing), but when she was up, she was deadly. Kudryavtseva had several episodes of free-swinging success, and she was also able to take advantage of the errant Williams forehand and the fact that the ball coming off of the Williams racquet was often flying all over the place.

Williams' sister, Serena, was yelling encouragement at her, and Williams said that was what got her through. It didn't hurt that the young Russion was so inconsistent. With a bit of maturity, though, she could become dangerous. Final score: 2-6, 6-3, 7-5

Number 5 seed Svetlana Kuznetsova had her own problems in an injured Julia Vakulenko, who took the first set and looked poised to take the second until things turned around with a break at 4-all. Vakulenko's service game--both first and second serve--was outstanding, and she often stood in the middle of the court and pulled Kuznetsova back and forth repeatedly as though she were on a string. In the end, though, she caved, presumably from nerves, and Kuznetsova used her athleticism and experience to take the match. This was a clean, exciting, very well-played match--they should all be this good. Final score: 4-6, 6-4, 6-3

Player of the day: Julia Vakulenko, who should have stood her ground and taken Kuznetsova out, but who nevertheless put on yet another display of wonderful tennis.