Jankovic, Almagro, Karlovic Win Titles; Americans Skip Monte Carlos

Posted on April 16, 2007

Family Circle Cup
Charleston, S.C.

(2) Jelena Jankovic d. (4) Dinara Safina 6-2, 6-2

The Serb wins her first Tier I title Sunday, benefiting from almost all the marquee players (Maria Sharapova, Justine Henin-Hardenne, Amelie Mauresmo, Svetlana Kuznetsova, etc.) pulling from the event, and will rise to No. 7 in the world. Jankovic topped Venus Williams in the semis, while Serena Williams withdrew during a match with injury. The final was played amidst gusty conditions and tornado warnings earlier in the day that caused tents on the site to be evacuated. The WTA injury bug was not only apparent in the plethora of withdrawals, but when Safina was the beneficiary of injury retirements in her quarterfinals and semifinal matches.

Open de Tenis Communidad Valenciana
Valencia, Spain

(3) Nicolas Almagro d. Potito Starace 4-6, 6-2, 6-1

The Spaniard successfully defends his title from 2006 when he won as a qualifier. Last year's Valencia crown is his only other title. Crown Prince Felipe was among the spectators. "I thought it was a joke when they told me he was going to come," Almagro said. "I thought, 'Why would he come and watch a final between Almagro and Starace?'"

U.S. Men's Clay Court Championships
Houston, Tx., USA

Ivo Karlovic d. Mariano Zabaleta 6-4, 6-1

The 28-year-old 6-foot-10 Croatian didn't mind the change from the slower red to the quicker green clay at the Westside Tennis Club, powering past the Argentine for his first ATP title, putting on a serving display all week. It was the first title in the third final for Karlovic who entered Houston ranked outside the Top 100. Zabaleta, ranked outside the Top 150 entering the event, upset top seed James Blake in the semis.

Fed Cup

The Fed Cup quarterfinals get underway this weekend featuring Belgium at the U.S., Spain at Russia, Japan at France, and China at Italy.

Masters Series-Monte Carlo
Monte Carlo, Monaco

Since the ATP is trying to cut Monte Carlo out of top level of events in their 2009 calendar, Andy Roddick, James Blake, Mardy Fish -- and all the Americans -- have decided to again skip Monte Carlo, which world No. 1 Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and others see as an integral part of preparing for Roland Garros.

Only one upset Monday at Monte Carlo, where Max "The Beast" Mirnyi put on an aggressive net display in taking out slumping No. 14 seed Marcos Baghdatis.

Seeded winners on the day were (9) David Nalbandian (d. (Q) Luzzi from a set down), (13) Mikhail Youzhny (d. Moya who retired with a left adductor injury), and (16) Juan Carlos Ferrero (d. Henman).

Other winners Monday were Italian qualifier Andreas Seppi (d. (Q) Gabashvili), Frenchman Marc Giquel (d. Mayer in three), Belgian Kristof Vliegen (d. Mathieu), Swede Robin Soderling (d. O.Rochus), Czech Radek Stepanek back from injury (d. Monfils who retired with a hamstring injury), Argentine Gaston Gaudio looking to pull out of a slump (d. Tursunov from a set down), and Russian Igor Andreev (d. Acasuso).

Matches of interest Tuesday in Monte Carlos include (11) Richard "Baby Fed" Gasquet vs. Fernando "Hot Sauce" Verdasco, (1) Roger Federer vs. (Q) Andreas Seppi, and former No. 1 Marat Safin vs. Kristof Vliegen.