Ivanovic has had a difficult 12 months since winning last year’s french title, suffering a thumb injury which led to a bout of self-doubt.

“I don’t know about you, but 75,000 is a lot of money to me,” said Williams on being fined for potentially skipping Madrid. “I’m redecorating a house and $75,000 is my furniture budget…I can’t just go writing cheques for $75,000 in this economy.”

Aussie Sam Stosur took the highest-seeded scalp, ousting No. 10 Agnieszka Radwanska 7-6(4), 6-1.

“I think yesterday’s match really helped me to push myself to play my best,” Safina said, referencing her win over Venus Williams. “Really, really I think I played one of my best matches yesterday. Against Kuzy, I had in my head that I had lost three finals this year. I didn’t want to have a reputation that I’m losing finals.”

“John McEnroe turns 50 tomorrow — it’s incredible how well this guy still plays,” Sampras said following the match. “I’m in awe of it actually. At 50, it’s amazing to move that well. It’s pretty incredible.” McEnroe beat Sampras last year en route to the Boston title. Todd Martin won the third-place match when Jim Courier pulled out with a bad back.

If China is so “crazy for tennis” as one ESPN writer put it, how come there were so many empty seats at the Masters Cup matches, even the final? Fans are so crazy they forgot to go to the event?…

If the Williams sisters were to retire with Davenport as of this writing, the U.S. would have no women in the Top 40, and three players in the Top 100 (including the 30+ Jill Craybas, and Ashley Harkleroad who is pregnant). In other words, by the time the Williams retire, U.S. women’s tennis will virtually retire with them.