WTA Tour Budapest Players' Party

Check out what the WTA players' were up to while "partying" on a cruise ship in Budapest in conjunction with the GDF Suez Grand Prix recently.

Click here for more pictures.

(Via WTA Tour Budapest official website)

Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez wins Swedish Open; spoils Caroline Wozniacki's birthday

Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez beat top-seeded and defending champion Caroline Wozniacki 7-5, 6-4 Saturday to win the Swedish Open for her second WTA Tour title.

The unseeded Spaniard won her first title in Bogota in February.

“This was the most enjoyable tournament for me so far this season,” Martinez Sanchez said.

“I felt right at home here and I hope to come back next year. I played very well today and I’m happy I played my own game.”

“I’m sorry I spoiled your (birthday) celebrations, but I promise I will buy you something instead,” Martinez Sanchez told Wozniacki at the post-match news conference.

Wozniacki, who turned 19 Saturday, is ranked ninth in the world and has won five WTA titles.

“Maria played better than me. She played smart and it was difficult to get a rhythm with her stop volleys,” Wozniacki said.

“But I’m still happy to have reached the final.”

In the doubles final, Gisela Dulko and Flavia Pennetta denied Martinez Sanchez a double, who partnered with Nuria Llagostera Vives with a 6-2, 0-6, 10-5 victory.

The men’s Swedish Open starts Monday.

(Via AP; Images via Swedish Open Women's Flickr photostream)

Si Yew Ming delivers all 3 points to help Malaysia stay in DC Group II Asia/Oceania Zone

Malaysia no.1 Si Yew Ming helped Malaysia sealed their campaign with a 3-1 win over Kuwait in the Davis Cup BNP Paribas Group II Asia/Oceania Zone 2009 relegation play-off at the National Tennis Centre in Kuala Lumpur today.

Yew Ming had minimal problems defeating Kuwaiti player Hassan Al Moussa 6-2, 6-1, 6-1 in under two hours in the 4th rubber.

The second singles match of the day was called off after the Kuwaiti team decided not to field their player who was injured.

The win ensures Malaysia stays in Group II of the tournament.

An elated Yew Ming credited the team for his excellent performance throughout the three day tournament.

“It was a team effort. We all played our parts well,” said Yew Ming.

“It’s a whole new experience for me in the Davis Cup and everything is going well. We’re getting better after every tournament and it’s a good sign.”

Yew Ming stressed he will continue training hard to improve his playing ability.

Thanks to Rahida for the press release.

(Image by LTAM)

Monica Seles inducted into Hall of Fame

Monice Seles was enshrined in the International Tennis Hall of Fame during a ceremony on Newport’s grass courts on Saturday.

She was the world’s no. 1 women’s player for 178 weeks overall and a winner of nine Grand Slam singles titles.

“I would like to thank all my tennis fans who were there from Day One when I was No. 1, through my stabbing, and my comeback,” Seles said.

The attack shocked the sports world. Seated during a changeover at a match in Hamburg, Germany, Seles was stabbed between the shoulder blades by a crazy Steffi Graf fan.

During the ceremony, Seles, playfully, gave one more grunt "for old, good time sakes".

(Via AP; Image via Yahoo! Sports)