Road to the Australian Open: Women’s Tennis Update

January 10, 2009  – Top-ranked Jelena Jankovic pulled out of a team exhibition tournament today due to illness, leaving her with little match practice before the Australian Open. 

Belorussian Victoria Azarenka beat Marion Bartoli in the Brisbane International final to win her first WTA Tour title.

Slovakia claimed a surprise win over Russia’s Dinara Safina and brother Marat in the final of the Hopman Cup after winning both singles matches.

After crashing in the Brisbane quarterfinals, Ana Ivanovic is recovering from a stomach illness and resting up in Melbourne.

Elena Dementieva has won the ASB Classic womens singles final defeating Elena Vesnina 6-4 6-1 and achieving the 12th tournament title in her career.

Venus Williams hasn’t lost one singles match at the JB Group Classic in Hong Kong most recently beating Russian world number seven Vera Zvonareva. Williams’ win helped Team Americas claim victory over Team Russia in the JB Gold Group final and set her up nicely for the AO.

With the Australian Open just about a week away, record prize money has been approved for the Grand Slam winners.