The Baseline Report: July 31, 2006

On Court:

The Acura Classic officially began today in San Diego, California. This Tier I tennis tournament features a stellar field of Kim Clijsters, Maria Sharapova, Martina Hingis, and defending champion Mary Pierce. You can read On the Baseline’s tournament preview by clicking here.

Last Week’s Recap:

Kim Clijsters won her second Sony Ericsson WTA Tour title of 2006 Sunday at the Tier II Bank of the West Classic in Stanford, California. Clijsters, the 2001, 2003, and 2005 champion, barely faced any opposition from a languid Patty Schnyder during the straight sets 6-4, 6-2 win. The No. 3 doubles team of Anna Lena Groenefeld and Shahar Peer defeated the No. 4 pairing of Maria Elena Camerin and Gisela Dulko 6-1, 6-4 to claim the ladies doubles trophy.

No. 8 seed Anna Smashnova successfully defended her 2005 title at the Tippmix Budapest Grand Prix yesterday in a decisive 6-1, 6-3 victory over fifth-seeded Lourdes Dominguez Lino. No. 3 doubles seeds Janette Husarova and Michaella Krajicek defeated Lucie Hradecka and Renata Voracova in three close sets 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the doubles final.

Ups and Downs:

The top ten remains in place, and the only player who added points was Patty Schnyder because of her finalist finish in Stanford. No. 10 Lindsay Davenport also dropped a point, making her just twelve points ahead of Anastasia Myskina.

Tatiana Golovin is back in the top thirty after reaching the semis of the Bank of the West Classic, rising from No. 32 to No. 26. Venus Williams is out of the top thirty; she fell from No. 24 to No. 32. Australian doubles specialist Samantha Stosur reached a new career singles high today; the co-ranked doubles No. 1 is now at No. 39.

Belarus’ Anastasiya Yakimova is at a new high of No. 49, Germany’s Martina Muller jumped from No. 74 to No. 60, and Italy’s Romina Oprandi is inside the top seventy for the first time at No. 65.

As of July 31, 2006
1. Amelie Mauresmo - 3692 points
2. Kim Clijsters - 3377 points
3. Justine Henin-Hardenne - 3093 points
4. Maria Sharapova - 2400 points
5. Nadia Petrova - 2134 points
6. Elena Dementieva - 2040 points
7. Svetlana Kuznetsova - 1995 points
8. Patty Schnyder - 1733 points
9. Mary Pierce - 1636 points
10. Lindsay Davenport - 1587 points

SONY ERICSSON WTA Media Information System

2005 Ranking Points which came off today: Stanford, Budapest

Injury Roster:

No. 32 - Venus Williams - left wrist injury (pulled out of Acura Classic)
No. 64 - Anna Smashnova - right shoulder injury (withdrew from Acura Classic)
No. 108 - Serena Williams - wrist inflammation (left knee still recovering)

Acura Classic Information Online:

Official Tournament Website
Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Tournament Profile
Main Draw
Live Scoring
Television Listings

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