WTA Malaysian Open 2010: Day 5 Results & OOP for Day 6

Alisa Kleybanova

Top seed Elena Dementieva displayed her class and was hardly pushed throughout her two-set encounter with Magdalena Rybarikova.

The Russian triumphed in just 1 hour and 2 minutes to win 6-0, 6-3, setting up an exciting semifinal match against no.6 seed Sybille Bammer, who overcame Chang Kai-Chen 6-3, 3-6, 3-6.

In another match yesterday, Ayumi Morita played strongly to defeat Chanelle Scheepers 6-3, 7-5 and progressed to the other semifinal where she will meet Alisa Kleybanova who defeated Anastasia Rodionova 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

In doubles, second seeds Chan Yung-Jan and Zheng Jie booked their place in the semifinals after overcoming Vitalia Diatchenko (RUS) and Chanelle Scheepers (RSA) 4-6, 4-6.

Here's the complete results for yesterday.

Click on image for larger view

Today’s singles semifinal matches will see Alisa Kleybanova take on Ayumi Morita at 2pm on Centre Court. That match will be followed by the second singles semifinal featuring Elena Dementieva and Sybille Bammer.

The final match of the day will see a doubles semifinal between the pairing of Chan Yung-Jan and Zheng Jie against Alla Kudryavtseva and Galina Voskoboeva. The winners will play against sisters Anastasia and Arina Rodionova.

Click the following image for the OOP on Day 6.

Click on image for larger view

(Via Carbon Media)

Happy Birthday Li Na!

Today is Li Na's 28th birthday and I'm lucky enough to be invited to her surprise birthday bash.

Together with the linesmen, ballboys/ballgirls, media and organisers, we started off by singing the birthday song (Malay version) and followed by the English version.

The bouquet of flowers was from HCFoo's Tennis Blog ;-)

Hope Li Na will have a great year ahead and perhaps win the Grand Slam this year ;)

(Images by HSFoo)

WTA Malaysian Open 2010: Day 4 Results & OOP for Day 5

Magdalena Rybarikova outplayed young Thai star, Noppawan Lertcheewakarn 6-4, 7-5 to book her place in the quarterfinals.

In another match, Tatjana Malek, who pulled off an upset by defeating Li Na on Tuesday, lost to Channelle Scheepers in three sets 4-6, 6-2, 6-3.

In doubles, sisters Anastasia Rodionova and Arina Rodionova pulled off an upset by defeating first seeds Alisa Kleybanova and Yan Zi in two sets 6-3, 7-6 (5).

Here's the complete results for Day 5.

Singles
Sybille Bammer (AUT) def. Akgul Amanmuradova (UZB) – 6-3, 6-0
Chanelle Scheepers (RSA) def. Tatjana Malek (GER) – 4-6, 6-2, 6-3
Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) def. Noppawan Lertcheewakarn (THA) – 6-4, 7-5
Chang Kai-Chen (TPE) def. Zheng jie (CHN) -6-2, 6-3

Doubles
Anastasia Rodionova (AUS) & Arina Rodionova (RUS) def. Alisa Kleybanova (RUS) & Yan Zi (CHN) - 6-3, 7-6 (5)
Alla Kudryavtseva (RUS) & Galina Voskoboeva (KAZ) def Sarah Borwell(GBR) & Kops-Jones (USA)
Ekaterina Dzehalevich (BLR) & Tatjana Malek (GER) def Akgul Amanmuradova (UZB) & Darya Kustova (BLR)

Tomorrow’s singles feature match will see Rybarikova take on first seed Elena Dementieva at 6pm on Centre Court.

Another match worth watching for is the one between up and coming Chinese Taipei player Chang Kai-Chen who will be meeting Sybille Bammer.

In the doubles match, Vitalia Diatchenko and Chanelle Scheepers will take on Chan Yung-Jan and Zheng Jie.

Here's the OOP for tomorrow.

(Via Carbon Media)

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)