Jankovic and Schiavone out of Italian Open

Blogger has been down for maintenance for a couple of days, so I haven't been able to post anything. The tournament in Rome has really captured my attention, however. It's now close to being in the semifinals, so--before we forget--there are a couple of players who made noteworthy runs, even though they've been beaten.

Polona Hercog, who went out in the first round of qualifying in Madrid, upset 15th seed Andrea Petkovic in straight sets in the second round in Rome. Hercog, who had to go through qualifying, also defeated Alexandra Dulgheru, who is known for her clay court savvy. Hercog lost to 6th seed Sam Stosur in the third round.

Greta Arn had a good run, too. Arn upset 12th seed Svetlana Kuznetsova 3-6, 7-6, 7-6 in a first round match that lasted three hours and 22 minutes. Arn then defeated wild card Alberta Brianti, and she defeated (an injured) Elena Vesnina in the third round (also, 3-6, 7-6, 7-6). Finally, Arn met her match in 4th seed Li Na.

Rome is, of course, generally where Jelena Jankovic "finds herself." She lost the final last year, but her run was nevertheless top form--she defeated both Williams sisters. Today, however, she was beaten in three sets by top seed Caroline Wozniacki. Jankovic made an abundance of unforced errors, helping Wozniacki to send her out of her beloved Rome.  The top seed will play Li in the quarterfinals.

Also making it to the semifinals was Sam Stosur, who took out home favorite and 2010 French Open champion Francesca Schiavone in straight sets. Stosur will face wither Victoria Azarenka or Maria Sharapova next.

Miscellany

Caroline Wozniacki has been training for Indian Wells in a boxing gym in Copenhagen.

It's worth Getting To Know Polona Hercog.

Melanie Oudin has signed a one-year endorsement deal with Virgin Mobile.

Sabine Lisicki, who has been training in Las Vegas, recently got in some hitting with Steffi Graf.

USA Fed Cup captain Mary Joe Fernandez says feels optimistic about one of the Williams sisters playing in the Fed Cup semifinal in Birmingham next month. It would appear that that sister would be Venus. April 24 is a long way away, though, in tennis time.

Venus defends her title in Acapulco

It wasn't exactly smooth going for Acapulco defending champion Venus Williams for much of this year's tournament. Pushed hard in the quarterfinals and the semifinals, she was pushed again--at least for a time--in the final. But Polona Hercog's serve deserted her often enough for Williams to move in and claim the title again. Her 2-6, 6-2, 6-3 victory gives her not only consecutive wins in Mexico, but also back-to-back consecutive wins, since she also defended her Dubai title last week.

"Never count out a Williams sister" is, as always, a good rule. Credit also, to Hercog. The world number 60 took out the 2nd seed and reached her first tour final. She and partner Barbora Zahlavova Strycova also won the doubles championship. Hercog and Zahlavova Strycova defeated clay court specialists Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci 2-6, 6-1, 10-2.

Williams and Hercog to meet in Acapulco final

Defending champion Venus Williams defeated Edina Gallovits 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 today, and will get a chance to defend her Acapulco title against first-time Polona Hercog. Hercog, seeded 8th, defeated 5th seed Carla Suarez Navarro 6-3, 7-5.

In doubles, both top teams were upset in the semifinals. Sara Errani and Roberta Vince took out first seeds Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka, and will play Hercog and her partner Barbora Zahlavova Strycova, the 4th seeds. Hercog and Zahlavova defeated 2nd seeds Vladamira Uhlirova and Renata Voracova.