PARTING SHOTS. US Ambassador Kristie Kenney says it is a heartbreaking to think of leaving the Philippines, where she has endeared herself to many people with her down-to-earth and charming ways.

Friday, November 20, 2009 SYDNEY: Russia's world number three Svetlana Kuznetsova on Thursday became the fifth top 10 player to commit to January's WTA/ATP Sydney International, organisers said.

Melanie Oudin remains feisty, but the teen will need more work on her game to take the next step forward in her young career.

Justine Henin-Hardenne gave her age away yesterday. She said the tension of waiting for a major final gave her positive energy.

When Justine Henin decided to step down and relinquish her hold on the No. 1 ranking, she effectively knocked down the retaining wall sustaining women's tennis prior to the commencement of the French Open in 2008.

A Belgian anti-doping tribunal has suspended U.S. Open semifinalist Yanina Wickmayer for one year for allegedly failing to report her whereabouts to anti-doping officials three times.

Flavia Pennetta and Francesca Schiavone each had straight-set wins Saturday to give Italy a 2-0 lead over the United States in the Fed Cup final.

Jarkko Ruutu helped the Finnish national team win a silver medal at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin.

Serena Williams has set a single-season prize money record on the women's tennis tour by earning $6545586 in 2009, according to the Women's Tennis Association.

Former University of Kentucky basketball coach Billy Gillispie pleaded guilty Monday to driving under the influence of alcohol and apologized for what he called a mistake.

HENIN HAS LOFTY GOALS The moment Justine Henin realized her tennis career wasn't finished came this past June, when she watched Roger Federer finally hoist the French Open trophy, the one Grand Slam title he was missing.

DOHA: Serena Williams heads for 2010 as world number one, WTA Championships, Australian Open and Wimbledon champion, but there's a worrying storm gathering over women's tennis.

Serena Williams won her second career WTA Championship title on Sunday with a commanding 6-2 7-6 victory over sister Venus, a triumph which earned her a cool $US1.55 million .

The moment Justine Henin realized her tennis career wasn't finished came this past June, when the Belgian watched Roger Federer finally hoist the French Open trophy, the one Grand Slam title he was missing.

Caroline Wozniacki hits out during her clash with Jelena Jankovic in Doha. Picture: AFP AT 19, Caroline Wozniacki is a fresh-faced grand slam finalist and, at No.

Two days after tearfully pulling out of the WTA Championships with a serious back injury which she thought could jeopardize her Australian Open campaign in January, Dinara Safina has entered the Brisbane International _ a tournament scheduled two weeks ahead of the first Grand Slam of 2010.

The mouthwatering double return of Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin in 2010, as well as a shorter playing season, could guarantee a new golden era in women's tennis.

Serena and Venus Williams think Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters' return to competitive tennis is good for the game.

VENUS and Serena Williams, ghetto-kids turned multi-millionaire senior citizens of women's tennis, go into the WTA Championships here insisting that retirement is not an option.

Former world number one Justine Henin will make her return to tennis at the Brisbane International in January.