Auckland qualifiers set

Top ASB Classic qualifying seed Mathilde Johannson was defeated 6-4, 6-4, by Aiko Nakamura in the final qualifying round. Second seed Ayumi Morita also came through, defeating wild card Michaella Krajicek. The other two qualifiers are Kristina Barrios and and Alberta Brianti.

Stosur wins opening round in Brisbane

Samantha Stosur's first round was postponed, but she was ready. She defeated Ai Sugiyama, 6-2, 6-3 to advance to the second round.

Lei Clijsters has died

Lei Clijsters, former Belgian football star and the father and former manager of Kim Clijsters, died of lung cancer today. Clijsters was 52. Women Who Serve joins the tennis world in sending condolences to Kim.

Peng gets new coach

Peng Shuai has engaged Tarik Benhabiles as her coach. Benhabilies, who owns a tennis academy in Florida, has coached Andy Roddick, Ivo Karlovic and Gael Monfils. Benhabiles ended his ATP career in 1992.

Pennetta wins Hopman Cup doubles match

There is no byline, but I feel confident that Chris Pike wrote the match summary of the Safin/Safina-Pennetta/Bolelli Hopman Cup match. I say that because the Italians are described as "desperate." Their alleged desperation paid off, too. Flavia Pennetta and her partner, Simone Bolelli, won the match, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6. The Italian team plays France next.

Kanepi is first seed to go in Brisbane

Number 6 seed Kaia Kanepi lost her first Brisbane International round to Alisa Kleybanova. Kleybanova defeated Kanepi, 6-1, 6-4,to advance to the second round.

Qualifiers for Brisbane are now in place: Top qualifying seed Anna-Lena Groenefeld (who had to go three sets against Julie Coin), Sesil Karatantcheva, Melinda Czink, and Roberta Vinci.

Safina wins first Hopman Cup match

Dinara Safina has defeated Flavia Pennetta, 7-5, 6-3, in the women's singles portion of the Hopman Cup contest between Russia and Italy. Safina will face Pennetta again in doubles.