Tennis News
US routs Belarus, on to Fed Cup playoff (AP)
After hitting her first competitive serve in five months just long, Venus Williams relaxed, recoiled and fired off another that was too much for Anastasiya Yakimova. Williams' comeback was off to a good start that just got better as she teamed with Liezel Huber for a 6-1, 6-2 doubles victory over Yakimova and Darya Kustova that capped a 5-0 Fed Cup shutout for the United States against Belarus
Kvitova rallies, Czechs top Germany 4-1 (AP)
Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova rallied to beat Germany's Sabine Lisicki on Sunday, sending defending champion Czech Republic into the semifinals of the Fed Cup. Angelique Kerber later beat Lucie Hradecka 6-4, 6-4 to salvage some pride for the hosts. It was the 24-year-old German's first Fed Cup win.
Kuznetsova helps Russia beat Spain 3-2 (AP)
Russia advanced to the Fed Cup World Group semifinals with a 3-2 win over Spain on Sunday in their first-round series. Svetlana Kuznetsova clinched the victory with a 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 win against Silvia Soler-Espinosa in the second reverse singles. Maria Sharapova and Kuznetsova easily won their opening singles matches on Saturday, but Carla Suarez Navarro narrowed the gap when she routed Nadia
Berdych beats Monfils for seventh title (AP)
Tomas Berdych won his seventh career title Sunday, beating defending champion Gael Monfils 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 in the Open Sud de France final. The top-seeded Czech broke for a 5-3 lead in the final set on a double fault from Monfils. He wrapped it up with his 12th ace. "It was very close in the end. I'm happy that I was able to do it," Berdych told Canal Plus television.
Youzhny tops Lacko to win Zagreb Indoors (AP)
Mikhail Youzhny beat Lukas Lacko 6-2, 6-3 on Sunday to win the Zagreb Indoors in his 18th career final. It was the first title for the 29-year-old Russian since St. Petersburg in 2010. Youzhny faced no break points and lost only 12 points on serve during the 68-minute match. After both players won opening service games, Youzhny won eight of nine games, winning the first set and three games in the
Monaco wins VTR Open for fourth title (AP)
Juan Monaco beat Carlos Berlocq 6-3, 6-7 (1), 6-1 in an all-Argentina final at the Vina del Mar VTR Open on Sunday for his fourth ATP title. The top-seeded Monaco claimed his first title since winning three in 2007 -- and all have come on clay. The victory marked a breakthrough for the 27-year-old Monaco, who lost in the final at this tournament in 2008 and 2010.
Pennetta helps Italy get past Ukraine (AP)
Flavia Pennetta shook off a sore back and paired with Roberta Vinci to secure the decisive doubles point for Italy in a 3-2 win over Ukraine on Sunday that put the country in the Fed Cup semifinals. Pennetta missed the singles matches but looked sharp in a 7-5, 0-6, 6-1 win over Lesia Tsurenko and Olga Savchuk.