Li Na, Kimiko Date, Klepac, Kapshay, Marosi, Jurak at Pro-Am Tennis Tourney

Six professional and four amateur players participated in the WTA Malaysian Open 2010’s inaugural Pro-Am this morning at the Bukit Kiara Equestrian & Country Resort.

The pro players were Li Na, Kimiko Date-Krumm, Andreja Klepac, Veronika Kapshay, Katalin Marosi and Darija Jurak. The amateur players including Y.Bhg. Dato’ Ahmad Shabery Cheek, Minister of Youth and Sports and renowned local singer Ning Baizura.

Local celebrity Ning Baizura getting signatures from Jurak and Kimiko.

After the match, my sister managed to take picture with her idols Li Na and Kimiko.

Ain't Li Na cute with that smiley face? And Kimiko sure knows how to pose for an elegant shot ;)

(Images by Carbon Media, HSFoo)

WTA Malaysian Open 2010: Day 3 Results & OOP for Day 4

Ayumi Morita

Elena Dementieva and Alisa Kleybanova seeded first and fourth respectively, maintained their winning form and progressed to the next round of the Malaysian Open 2010 at Bukit Kiara Equestrian & Country Club today.

Dementieva proved too strong an opponent for Bojana Jovanovski, winning comfortably 6-2, 6-3.

Kleybanova had a tougher match however, as she was pushed to three sets by Alla Kudryavtseva nder the sweltering afternoon heat, but prevailed in the end with a 7-6 (4), 3-6, 4-6 score.

In another mamatch Yan Zi, who knocked out fifth seed Melinda Czink in the first round, lost to Ayumi Morita 6-2, 6-1.

In doubles, second seeds Chan Yung-Jan and Zheng Jie booked their place in the next round against Vitalia Diatchenko and Chanelle Scheepers after defeating Yayuk Basuki and Yurika Sema 1-6, 6-3, 10-3.

Check out the complete results below and followed by today's OOP.

Click on images for larger view

Today's singles feature match will see promising youngster Chang Kai-Chen take on third seed Zheng Jie at 6pm on Centre Court.

In doubles, first seeds Alisa Kleybanova and Yan Zi will face the pairing of Anastasia Rodionova and Arina Rodionova.

(Via Carbon Media)

WTA Malaysian Open 2010: Taste of Tennis in Kuala Lumpur

Yesterday, the WTA players including Veronika Kapshay, Ksenia Palkina, sisters Anastasia and Arina Rodionova and Ekaterina Ivanova had the opportunity to learn about Malaysian cuisine.

In a cook-along session, held at the Bukit Kiara Equestrian & Country Club the players learned how to make local food such as roti canai and roti jala.

(Image by Carbon Media)

Amanmuradova, Kustova, Scheepers, Zhang Shuai, Kimiko Date, Grandin & Diatchenko visit children's home

Seven players from the WTA Malaysian Open 2010 visited the Taman Megah’s Handicapped & Disabled Children’s Home yesterday, bringing smiles to the underprivileged kids living there.

They were Akgul Amanmuradova, Darya Kustova, Chanelle Scheepers, Zhang Shuai, Kimiko Date-Krumm, Natalie Grandin and Vitalia Diatchenko who handed out oranges and goodie bags to the kids.

Chanelle Scheepers handing out oranges to people at the Home.

Kimiko Date-Krumm handing out goodie bags.

(Images by Carbon Media)

WTA Malaysian Open 2010: Day 2 Results & OOP for Day 3

Newly crowned world no.10 Li Na crashed out of the Malaysian Open after losing to Tatjana Malek (GER) 1-6, 7-5, 2-6.

Top seed Elena Dementieva and no.3 seed Zheng Jie both progressed to the second round after her easy defeat over Russians Ekaterina Bychkova and Elena Bovina respectively.

Other singles matches saw young Asian players like Chang Kai-Chen and wildcard recipient Noppawan Lertcheewakarn move into the next round.

Here's the complete results for Day 2 at the Sony Ericsson WTA Malaysian Open:

Singles
Alla Kudryavtseva (RUS) def. Chan Yung-Jan (TPE) 6-0, 3-0 (ret)
Chanelle Scheepers (RSA) def. Stefanie Voegelle (SUI) 6-2, 6-1
Chang Kai-Chen (TPE) def. Zhang Shuai (CHN) 7-6 (4) 7-5
Magdelena Rybarikova (SVK) def. Tamarine Tanasugarn (THA) 7-5, 6-3
Noppawan Lertcheewakarn (THA) def. Ksenia Pervak (RUS) 6-1, 6-4
Akgul Amanmuradova (UZB) def. Yurika Sema (JPN) 6-3, 6-2Zheng Jie (CHN) def. Elena Bovina (RUS) 6-4, 6-3
Sybille Bammer (AUT) def. Anna Gerasimou (GRE) 7-5, 6-4Tatjana Malek (GER) def. Li Na (CHN) 6-1, 5-7, 6-2
Elena Dementieva (RUS) def. Ekaterina Bychkova (RUS) 6-2, 6-1

Doubles
Anastasia Rodionova (AUS) and Arina Rodionova (RUS) def. Yuliya Beygelzimer (UKR) and Yuliana Fedak (UKR) 7-6 (4), 4-6, 10-6
Alisa Kleybanova (RUS) and Yan Zi (CHN) def. Melinda Czink (HUN) and Natalie Grandin (RSA) 6-2, 6-1
Vitalia Diatchenko (RUS) and Chanelle Scheepers (RSA) def. Trang Huynh Phuong Dai (VIE) and Jawairiah Noordin (MAS) 6-4, 6-2
Akgul Amanmuradova (UZB) and Darya Kustova (BLR) def. Olga Govortsova (BLR) and Ipek Senoglu (TUR) 6-3, 7-5

Meanwhile here's the OOP and event highlights for Day 3:

Click on image for larger view

11AM-12PM: Players’ visit to Taman Megah Handicapped and Disabled Children’s Home
1PM: Start of main draw
3PM: Malaysian Cuisine Cooking session with players at Bukit Kiara Equestrian Resort
4.30-5.00PM: Autograph session
6.00PM: Feature Match of the day
7.30-8.00PM: Autograph Session

(Via Carbon Media; Li Na's image by Bazuki Muhammad/Reuters)

Kimiko Date-Krumm out of Malaysian Open but in for the spa

Kimiko Date-Krumm may have pulled out from the Malaysian Open 2010 due to ankle injury but she is still committed to the tournament's promotional event.

Together with Andreja Klepac, they spent a relaxing day at The Golden Horses Health Sanctuary yesterday's afternoon, receiving pampering foot reflexology spa treatment.

(Images by Carbon Media)

WTA Malaysian Open 2010 officially kicks off!

I had a soaking wet yet awesome time at the Malaysian Open 2010 yesterday. Met a lot of friends whom I got to know from ATP Malaysian Open last year.

Especially thanks to Dunlop Sporting Goods director Mr Alan Tang who gave me tickets for the entire tournament week. Now I have a lot of ticket allocation job to be done so that most friends, if not all have the opportunity to witness this inaugural tournament.

It was really hot at the tournament site. So my advice is don't dress in black, wear a cap and bring mini towel, umbrella and enough WATER!

So, yesterday, the four qualifier spots in the main draw of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Malaysian Open 2010 were decided today at the Bukit Kiara Equestrian & Country Club.

The singles matches of the main draw also kicked off in the afternoon, even though there was a brief delay due to rain.

Ksenia Pervak, Anna Gerasimou, Yurika Sema and Elena Bovina all overcame their opponents in the final round of qualifying and will continue to battle in the US$220,000 tournament.

Check out the complete Main Draw singles here.

Click on image for larger view

In yesterday's earlier singles Main Draw, Anastasia Rodionova defeated 8th seed Belarusian Olga Govortsova 6-4, 0-6, 7-5 while another Belarusian Darya Kustova fell to Ekaterina Ivanova, also in three sets.

The Official Opening Ceremony of the event also took place yesterday evening on Centre Court with Y.Bhg. Dato’ Ahmad Shabery Cheek, Minister of Youth and Sports, in attendance as the Guest-of-Honour.

He officially opened the tournament after a lion dance performance and a short sparring session with Kimiko Date-Krumm as his partner against China’s Li Na and Yan Zi.

Today's singles matches will feature the tournament’s 1st seed Elena Dementieva and 2nd seed Li Na in action.

Check out the OOP for Day 2 below.

Click on image for larger view

Other highlights for today include a players’ visit to The Mines Resort & Golf Club at 11AM as well as two autograph sessions which will be held at 4.30PM and 730PM in the Bukit Kiara Equestrian & Country Resort Sponsors Village.

(Images by Carbon Media)

WTA Malaysian Open 2010: Main draw & OOP unveiled

The main draw for the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Malaysian Open 2010 was held on Saturday afternoon and was attended by Elena Dementieva and Ekaterina Ivanova.

Both Zheng Jie and Li Na are placed in the opposite sides of the draw; setting up a potential all-Chinese final between the two.

Check out the complete Main Draw Singles and OOP below.

Click on the images for larger view

And here's the Doubles Main Draw.

Click on the image for larger view

Too bad many players did not turn up at this tournament, which includes crowd-puller at the recent Asia/Oceania Fed Cup Kimiko Date-Krumm, Sania Mirza, Sabine Lisicki and Jelena Dokic.

(Image by Carbon Media)

Czink, Molik, Voskoboeva, Kai-Chen, Yan Zi, Lertcheewakarn visit to the Kassim Chin Humanity Foundation

Melinda Czink, Alicia Molik, Galina Voskoboeva, Chang Kai-Chen, Yan Zi and Noppawan Lertcheewakarn took time out to visit to the Kassim Chin Humanity Foundation this morning.

Melinda Czink hands out Mandarin oranges and a red packet to the children.

Alicia Molik with the children from the Kassim Chin Humanity Foundation.

The players were greeted by more than 60 children from the Foundation.

Malaysian Open 2010's 5th seed Czink said, “We players, lead a privileged life and it is great and necessary for us to give back to the kids who are not as privileged. It helps put things into perspective and I hope we can try and motivate and encourage them through this visit today. It is important for them to know that they can achieve what they want through hard work and perseverance.”

Interacting with the kids, Molik said, “These small gifts that we have are great. It obviously means a lot to them and it is great to see the smile on their faces. If I would bring a gift from Australia, I would bring Vegemite, which is something traditional to Australia”.

Thanks to Carbon Media for the press release.

WTA Malaysian Open 2010: Tickets giveaway for Astro Sports subscribers

ASTROLIFE IS GIVING YOU A CHANCE TO WATCH MALAYSIA OPEN 2010

100 winners for the Prelim Round Court (a set of tickets from 22nd to 25th Feb)
25 winners for the Season Centre Court (a set of tickets from 26th to 28th Feb)

Those interested please email below details to astrolife@astro.com.my:

Name:
IC No:
Astro Account No:
Contact No:

T&C Astro account must be active and subscribed to sports package.

Hurry! Send in your details before the end of this Sunday (deadline: Feb 21 before midnight).

WTA Malaysian Open 2010: Qualifying OOP

Here's what you've been waiting for - the qualifying OOP for the WTA Malaysian Open 2010!

Please click for larger view.

As mentioned in the local papers, Malaysia no.1 Jawairiah Noordin did not get Wildcard into the Main Draw due to her poor performance in the Asia/Oceania Zone Fed Cup recently. Better luck next time girl!

So if you're into short skirts and tennis, head to the Bukit Kiara Equestrian and Country Resort tomorrow onwards as the Sony Ericsson WTA Mini Asian Tour will take place from February 22 – 28.

Qualifying matches will start at 10AM. Free admission.

And please don't forget to head to the practice courts too. That's the best place and time to meet the players!

It's been awhile...

It's been awhile since I update this blog...

I've lost my passion to blog ever since I started believing that this is the beginning of the end of Rafael Nadal's career.

I hope I'm wrong just like this picture of Nadal and Shakira...

Nadal starred in Shakira's new music video 'Gypsy' which took place in the city of Barcelona.

Both of t were seen also having dinner at a restaurant in Barcelona during the filming, fueling suspicions of a possible romance.

Well, Nadal aside, I think I better start working on some posts for the WTA Malaysian Open which is just three days away.

Later.

Malaysian Open Women's Tennis 2010: Key players announced!

The Malaysian Tennis Classic 2010, which is part of the Sony Ericsson WTA Mini Asian Tour is now officially known as The Malaysian Open.

Thanks to Joash of Carbon Media Management for sending me the press release of this women's tennis tournament as I couldn't make it to their presser due to work commitment.

The WTA event will take place at the Bukit Kiara Equestrian and Country Resort from February 22-28, 2010 right after the Chinese New Year.

The players list released by the organiser, Carbon Media Management are Elena Dementieva, Li Na, Sabine Lisicki, Jie Zheng, Melinda Czink, Magdalena Rybarikova, Jelena Dokic, Sania Mirza, Kimiko Date Krumm, Tamarine Tanasugarn.

Unofficial names of players who may also be gracing the Malaysian shores are Vania King, Chang Kai-cheng, Lucie Safarova and Sybille Bammer.

The tickets are extremely affordable! Regular season ticket only costs you RM328!

You can get your tickets via TicketPro outlets or via their ticketing hotline +603 7880 7999 or website.

Rewind: Unseen before footage from the Malaysian Open '09

I had too much free time last weekend so I decided to put some of the unused footage clips from the Malaysian Open back in September into some sort of a music video.

As usual, I appreciate off court a lot, so you'll only find off court footage in this MV.

HCFoo's Top Ten Malaysian Open Moments Wrap-up

1. The whole world witnessed Fernando Verdasco and Feliciano Lopez touchdown in Kuala Lumpur with their identical LV bags :)

2. First meeting with tennis idol, Asia's no.1 Rendy Lu Yen-hsun.

3. Uncut exclusive interview with Fernando Verdasco.

4. A conversation with chair umpire Carlos Bernardes on the Centre Court.

5. From bad to lasting good impression - Robin Soderling smiled and said 'hi' to me when I first arrived at the Putra Stadium. So, I forgive him for beating Rafael Nadal at the French Open earlier this year.

6. Signature photo shoot at KLCC with Nikolay Davydenko, Fernando Verdasco, Robin Soderling and Fernando Gonzalez - one of the most important off-court moments for the Proton Malaysian Open.

7. The other off court event at KL Tower with David Ferrer, Feliciano Lopez and their parrot friend was really fun!

8. Our favourite match was the one between Rendy Lu and Marcos Baghdatis! Rendy saved three match points to take the third set into a tiebreak. Although Rendy lost to Baghdatis we truly enjoyed the match on the first day of the Malaysian Open tennis tournament.

9. Attending the Main Draw Ceremony.

10. We met so many tennis friends this week - Zahirah, Joash, Ong, Giri, Eugene, Ron, Ann, Mei Kiteroad, Nazz, Peter, Claire, Tracy, Lynthia, Sammie, Su Lynn, CK, Danny, Lim, Darren, Joshua, Asri and the gang, etc. (let me know if I missed out your name). We even bumped into our 'FB friend' and former host of tennis magazine (ESPNStar) ACE, Georgina Chang!

We would like to say thank you to the organiser IMG and sponsor Astro for given us so many opportunities throughout this ATP tennis tournament.

(Photo credit to HSFoo/hcfoo.com)

Unseen before practice photos: Lesson learnt

Practice court supposed to be a popular hangout place for tennis fans during any tennis tournament.

However, it was a different case at the PROTON Malaysian Open last week.

The seats at the practice courts (gym hall) were empty. Popular players came in and out without being mobbed by fans simply because there were almost none.

The crowd was slightly better when the players practice on Court 1, behind the Centre Court.

Hopefully the number of fans at the practice courts improve next year.

We attended a few practice sessions and here are some of the pictures we've got.

Left - Thumbs up from Rohan Bopanna
Right - Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi experimenting a simple yoga position

Igor Kunitsyn - "What are you looking at?"

Mikhail Youzhny - Maybe it's a Russian thing. They are not impressed with Nikon-toting mamarazzi

Tennis talk - David Ferrer, Andre Sa, Marcelo Melo, Jose Acasuso

Left - Marcelo Melo says hi to Jose Acasuso
Right - Ferrer crotch grab picture revealed

Keep your chins up, Acasuso

Happy people are beautiful people - Jose Verdasco, Fernando Verdasco and Feliciano Lopez

Fernando Gonzalez arrives at the practice court with his entourage

(Photos credit to HSFoo/hcfoo.com)

Weekend winners: Nikolay Davydenko, Gilles Simon, Maria Sharapova

Top seed Nikolay Davydenko defeated Fernando Verdasco 6-4, 7-5 to win the Malaysia Open on Sunday.

Poles Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski took the doubles title after beating Igor Kunitsyn and Jaroslav Levinsky 6-2, 6-1.

In Bangkok, Gilles Simon won the Thailand Open after down Viktor Troicki 7-5, 6-3 for his first ATP title of the year and sixth overall.

In the doubles final, Americans Eric Butorac and Rajeev Ram beat Guillermo Garcia-Lopez and Mischa Zverev 7-6(4), 6-3.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, Maria Sharapova won her first tournament since returning from a 10-month injury layoff when Jelena Jankovic retired because of an arm injury in the first set of the Toray Pan Pacific final.

Sharapova was up 5-2 at Ariake Colosseum when the seventh-seeded Serb took a timeout to have her right arm examined by the trainer. Jankovic returned to the court and lost the first two points of the eighth game before retiring.

(Via AP; Images via Yahoo! Sports)