tennis news

Henin wins opener at Indian Wells (AP)

Justin Henin beat Magdalena Rybarikova, 6-2, 6-2, in the first round of the BNP Paribas Open on Wednesday, her first competitive match since a surprising run to the Australian Open final in January. Henin, who is playing in this tournament for the first time since 2006, held the No. 1 ranking when she unexpectedly retired in May, 2008.


Clijsters juggling motherhood, tennis (AP)
Kim Clijsters is still adjusting to her second career as a tennis player. The first full season of the U.S. Open champion's comeback is presenting new challenges: figuring out a balanced schedule, needing more rest than she used to, traveling with her 2-year-old daughter Jada. Oh, and getting everyone fed on time.

Serena wins second Laureus Award (AP)
Usain Bolt won his second Laureus Sportsman of the Year award, and Serena Williams won the woman's prize. Bolt won three gold medals at last year's track world championships and set world records in the 100 and 200-meter races. Williams, who also earned the award for a second time, won the Australian Open and Wimbledon titles and regained the No.

Serbia tops US in 1st round of Davis Cup (AP)

The Davis Cup run for the United States is over in the first round. Novak Djokovic withstood 24 aces and outlasted John Isner 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 6-7(6), 6-4 on Sunday, giving Serbia a clinching 3-1 lead against an American team looking for its 33rd Davis Cup title. In the last rubber, Sam Querrey beat Viktor Troicki 7-5, 6-2 to make the final score 3-2.


Nadal to prep for Wimbledon at Queen's (AP)
Rafael Nadal will return to Queen's this year after he was unable to defend his title at the grass-court tournament in 2009. In 2008, Nadal was the first man to win at the French Open, Queen's Club and Wimbledon in the same year, but his persistent knee problems prevented him from defending his titles on grass at Queen's and Wimbledon last year.

Pavlyuchenkova wins first WTA title (AP)
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia defeated Slovakia's Daniela Hantuchova 1-6, 6-1, 6-0 for her first WTA title at the Monterrey Open on Sunday The 28-year-old Pavlyuchenkova came back from a set down to overwhelm Hantuchova in the final of the hard-court tournament. Pavlyuchenkova also defeated Hantuchova earlier this season in a hard-court match in Dubai.

Chile secures spot in Davis Cup quarters (AP)
Chile secured a spot in the Davis Cup quarterfinals Monday after Fernando Gonzalez defeated Dudi Sela of Israel 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 to give the South Americans an unassailable 3-1 lead in their first-round series. In the second, largely meaningless singles match, Jorge Aguilar of Chile beat Harel Levy of Israel, 7-6 (3), 6-1, to make the final score in the match 4-1.