Madrid Wrap Up: Day One at the Sony Ericsson Championships

The 2007 Sony Ericsson Championships kicked off on Tuesday in a predictable fashion as defending champion Justine Henin cruised past Anna Chakvetadze 6-1, 7-6(4).

Maria Sharapova scored her first win since the second round of the US Open today with a solid 6-4, 7-5 defeat of Daniela Hantuchova. Her serve is still a liability, but if she can maintain the form she displayed today for the next three days, she will be a favorite to reach the semifinals.

The final round robin rubber of the opening day was contested between Svetlana Kuznetsova and Ana Ivanovic. Kuznetsova mounted a late charge, but still went down to the birthday girl in three sets 6-1, 4-6, 7-5.

Wednesday’s schedule will feature Justine Henin vs. Jelena Jankovic, Serena Williams vs. Anna Chakvetadze, and Daniela Hantuchova vs. Ana Ivanovic.

Match Reports

Justine Henin d. Anna Chakvetadze
Maria Sharapova d. Daniela Hantuchova
Ana Ivanovic d. Svetlana Kuznetsova

Current Standings

Wednesday’s Television Listings

Singles Round Robin (3 Matches) - VERSUS - 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm (LIVE)
Match of the Day - VERSUS - 11:00 pm to 12:30 am (Match re-aired)

Did You Know?

- Three of this year’s competitors have previously won the title at the season-ending Championships, namely Serena Williams (2001), Maria Sharapova (2004) and Justine Henin (last year).

- Daniela Hantuchova (who fell in the first round of her only previous appearance at the Championships in 2002) and debutantes Anna Chakvetadze, Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic are all seeking their first wins in the season-ending tournament.

- Only two women have won the Championships title in their debut year, those being Serena Williams in 2001 and Maria Sharapova in 2004.

Jelena Says

About the documentary being produced on her:
“There’s always something strange going on around me, I don’t know why the funny stuff always comes to me! I have cameras following me around. They are doing a documentary about me, and I have two cameramen with me for a few hours every day.

And when I go to sleep, I’m having dreams about them filming me when I’m asleep. It’s pretty creepy but I know it can’t be real because that would be the most boring documentary in the world. See, this is what happens when you do too many things, you just go on overload and it starts messing with your mind! I just need to calm down, I’m a little out of control.”