Petrova wins Bell Challenge

She had to play three sets, but Nadia Petrova defeated Bethanie Mattek yesterday to win the Bell Challenge, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1. It was Petrova's second singles title this year.

Mattek and Petrova in Quebec City final

Lucky loser Angela Haynes had a big win over Nathalie Dechy in the Bell Challenge quarterfinals, but she wasn't lucky enough to get past top seed Nadia Petrova in today's semifinal match; Petrova won, 6-1, 6-3. Meanwhile, Canada's top player--Aleksandra Wozniak--lost to Bethanie Mattek. Mattek, who has had a bit of a low profile lately, defeated Wozniak 7-6, 6-3.

Oudin out in Quebec City, but she had a good week

Melanie Oudin's run at the Bell Challenge ended today when she was defeated in the quarterfinals by 6th seed Bethanie Mattek, 7-6, 6-1. Nevertheless, Oudin made a good showing, taking out number 2 seed Sybille Bammer in the first round, and defeating Olga Pouchkova in the second round.

Friday cat blogging--sleepy friendship edition

She's number 1

Greg Garber writes on Jelena Jankovic's well-deserved number 1 ranking.

Quote of the week

"She plays without being perfectly fit. Some players are afraid to go out there at anything less than their best."

Pam Shriver on Jelena Jankovic

Safina recants talk of boycott

After learning that the Moscow Open will have no limits on top players in 2009, Dinara Safina--who had talked about a player boycott of the tour--has toned down her rhetoric. Safina is now saying that she withhold judgment of the new tour calendar:

I support the direction the tour is taking--especially as it relates to steps taken to create a healthier calendar for top players--though I of course want to wait and see how the Road Map develops before coming to final opinions on the many reforms that will part of the new system. I do hope that I and other top players will have an opportunity to sit with the tour leadership in the coming weeks to discuss certain elements of the Road Map where I think there is still room for improvement.