Curtsying at Wimbledon had always been one of Serena Williams’ dreams and the top women’s player is not hiding her disappointment that the tradition has come to an end.

DEFENDING champion Serena Williams raced into the third round of the French Open along with Belgian fourth seed Justine Henin-Hardenne. However, Slovak ninth seed Daniela Hantuchova and former champion Yevgeny Kafelnikov headed for the exit.

WHEN it comes to timing you can be sure the Swiss have covered all the angles. As the countdown clock on the Austria-Switzerland EURO 2008 bid website clicks down to mere hours and minutes, decision day is almost here and the Alpine countries’ campaign seems to have peaked at just the right time.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA flew out of Dublin at 5am yesterday but that didn’t mean there weren’t many other attractions awaiting the fans at the Trilogy Challenge in the RDS.

THOSE of us who rarely, if ever, have the chance of watching the world’s top players in action delighted in last night’s action at the Trilogy Tennis Challenge at the RDS.

Top international women tennis stars were today preparing to compete in a three-day charity tournament in Dublin.

It is day one of the Collins Cup at the RDS.

THE difficulties between the organisers of next week’s multi-million euro Trilogy fashion, music and tennis festival and the charity set to benefit from the event, The Chernobyl Children’s Project, have been settled.

PHOTOGRAPHERS at the ready, loaded lads be prepared — Anna Kournikova will be coming to Dublin in early December for a Ryder Cup-type event between the cream of the female tennis world.

Just two years ago Justine Henin was the up-and-coming player tilting at the top stars of the women’s game.

The seedings for the 2002 Wimbledon Championships have been announced by the All-England Club in London.

Jennifer Capriati is through to the quarter-finals of the US Open after beating Barbara Schett in straight sets.

Jennifer Capriati was today hoping to continue the tennis adventure of a lifetime.

Venus Williams shook off a few flakes of rust this afternoon to take her place in the Wimbledon second round.

Top seed Martina Hingis is through to the quarter-finals of the Tennis Masters Series in Indian Wells.

Anna Kournikova's doubles match at the Australian Open was interrupted by a flare thrown onto the court.

Lindsay Davenport at last started to look like the defending women's champion at the Australian Open as she beat Italian Silvia Farina Elia 6-2 6-1 in the third round.

The Australian Open has a cracking first round women's clash between holder Lindsay Davenport and 17-year-old Australian Jelena Dokic.

Venus and Serena Williams suffered defeat for the first time in 18 months on their return to the court on which they won Olympic gold together just over three months ago.