Quality falls off the table after Sharapova and Oudin — Barrois seeded? Ouch; (1) Sharapova opens against resurgent American Shenay Perry (who had to sit out Fed Cup last weekend with injury) and could face another American in the second round in Mattek-Sands

In the semis she will face a US Open rematch against Elena Demetieva, one of four Russians she beat at last year’s Open. On Friday Oudin outlasted Agnes Szavay 2-6, 6-4, 6-2, while Dementieva also endured a tough encounter against Andrea Petkovic 3-6, 6-4, 6-2.

I’m asking who among the next generation of American players will take home a Grand Slam title.

In the semifinals the U.S. will host Russia in April after the Russians defeated Serbia 3-2. In the deciding doubles match Svetlana Kuznetsova and Alisa Kleybanova defeated Jelena Jankovic and Ana Ivanovic 6-1, 6-4 to advance.

Weak field for such a storied event; Oudin looking to keep the mojo alive after leading the U.S. to a first-round Fed Cup win; one Top 10-er in Dementieva; openers of interest include (7) Razzano vs. Schnyder, (6) Peer vs. Cornet; Dementieva lost to Amelie Mauresmo in last year’s final

he only thing that’s happened at these events is a bunch of qualifying matches have been played.

These are the people who made their first splash in the 2009 season, and we will almost certainly be seeing more of them in the future.

The 2009 Tennis-X.com Year-End Awards.

“It’s a very nice feeling. We worked hard to get to this point, finally we made it,” Pennetta said. “In the beginning of the week everyone expected so many things…now we are 3-0 and we can enjoy it.”

The power couple of former No. 1 Chris Evert and golf champ Greg Norman have a announced their separation.