Keothavong shocks Sprem
Tennis story by sport.co.uk, Tue, 23 Feb 2010 09:09:55GMT

There were mixed fortunes for two British women in the quarter-finals of the Cellular South Cup as Anne Keothavong moved into the last four while Elena Baltacha lost to top seed Maria Sharapova.Keothavong caused an upset by beating Croatias Karolina Sprem 6-4 6-3 and will now face Swedens Sofia Arvidsson, who thrashed second seed Melanie Oudin 6-1 6-3, in the semi-finals.It has been an excellent week for Keothavong who is playing in her first WTA main draw event after more than...

Keothavong: First serve let me down
Tennis story by sport.co.uk, Tue, 23 Feb 2010 09:09:53GMT

Anne Keothavong blamed her misfiring first serve for defeat to Swedish qualifier Sofia Arvidsson in the semi-finals of the Cellular South Cup.The 26-year-old slumped to a 6-4 4-6 6-4 defeat in Memphis in what was the British number threes first WTA tournament after over six months out with a knee injury."It wasnt to be," she said. "Its been a long road back and I have to put everything into perspective."Sofia was the more consistent player but I felt like the more...

Sharapova races to Memphis title
Tennis story by sport.co.uk, Tue, 23 Feb 2010 09:09:51GMT

Maria Sharapova took the honours at the Cellular South Cup in Memphis by thrashing Swedens Sofia Arvidsson 6-2, 6-1 in a one-sided final.The 22-year-old Russian, a three-time Grand Slam winner and former world number one, was rarely tested by Arvidsson as she showed no signs of the injury problems which have blighted her in recent times.She said after her victory: "I feel great, I came here for matches - I got five and I got the win, so it was a...

Federer pulls out of Dubai
Tennis story by sport.co.uk, Tue, 23 Feb 2010 09:09:44GMT

World number one Roger Federer has been forced to pull out of the Dubai Championships because of a lung infection.The 28-year-old Swiss star, who has played no tennis since winning last months Australian Open, could be sidelined for a fortnight."I cant play, its too risky," said Federer. "Its a lung infection. Its the first time Ive had it. My breathing was difficult. Im still very tired and a bit slow with everything."I hope to be back for Indian Wells. Right now,...

Another award for Federer
Tennis story by sport.co.uk, Wed, 23 Dec 2009 09:34:16GMT

Roger Federer and Serena Williams have been named as the International Tennis Federation mens and womens champions for 2009.Both players ended the year top of their respective rankings, with Federer having broken the all-time record for mens Grand Slam titles earlier this year.The Swiss master followed victory at the French Open with a 15th Grand Slam title at Wimbledon, edging out Andy Roddick in an epic five-set final.Federer said after receiving his latest award: "It is an honour for me to...

Banned duo cleared by court
Tennis story by sport.co.uk, Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:53:56GMT

Yanina Wickmayer and Xavier Malisse have had their one-year bans suspended by a Belgian court.Last month the two players were banned by the Flemish anti-doping tribunal after failing to report their whereabouts on several occasions.Under the World Anti-Doping Agencys new rules, elite athletes must make themselves available for out-of-competition testing for one hour a day, 365 days a year.However, the agency has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport because it believes the pair should have been given two-year suspensions.Kristof...

Gasquet to learn his fate
Tennis story by sport.co.uk, Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:53:55GMT

The Court of Arbitration for Sport is set to announce whether Richard Gasquet will have to serve an extended doping suspension.The 23-year-old Frenchman failed a test for cocaine in March and was forced to serve a two-and-a-half-month ban.After explaining that the drug was only in his system because he had kissed a woman at a nightclub, the International Tennis Federations independent disciplinary panel cleared him in July.However, the ITF and the World Anti-Doping Agency have since appealed against the decision and...

Gasquet escapes further ban
Tennis story by sport.co.uk, Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:53:53GMT

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has cleared Richard Gasquet of any wrongdoing over his doping charge.The 23-year-old Frenchman had been handed a provisional 12-month ban by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) in March after testing positive for cocaine.An ITF panel found him guilty in July but accepted his explanation that the substance had got into his system after he had kissed a woman in a Miami nightclub.CAS has now rejected an appeal against the decision to overturn the ban...

Keothavong pencils in cup return
Tennis story by sport.co.uk, Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:53:49GMT

British number one Anne Keothavong is to make her return from injury in a Fed Cup round-robin event in February.The 26-year-old world number 100 has been out of action since damaging knee ligaments in July."Im absolutely delighted to be included in the AEGON GB Fed Cup Squad," said Keothavong ahead of the Europe/Africa Zone competition in Lisbon. "Its a team event and one that is really important to me."To make my comeback from injury at the Fed Cup will be tough...

Mixed doubles in London games
Tennis story by sport.co.uk, Tue, 15 Dec 2009 09:43:17GMT

Mixed doubles will be part of the tennis tournament at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.The event has been introduced alongside the mens and womens singles and mens and womens doubles, but will only be open to competitors already taking part in one of the existing four draws.An International Olympic Committee statement read: "The changes reflect the IOCs desire to continually refresh the programme, as well as its commitment to increase womens participation."The inclusion of the tennis mixed doubles event will...