Maria Sharapova recovered from a poor second set to dump fellow Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova out of the Cincinnati Open in the first round on Tuesday night.

Former world number one Ana Ivanovic fought from a set down to dump ninth seed Victoria Azarenka out of the Cincinnati Open on Monday night.

VENUS WILLIAMS was made to fight for the first set of her Wimbledon campaign despite a blistering start against Paraguay’s Rossana de los Rios at SW19 yesterday.

Fifth seed Elena Dementieva ensured the anticipated second-round meeting with Justin Henin will take place after beating Vera Dushevina 6-2 6-1 at the Australian Open today.

Former champions Kim Clijsters and Venus Williams stayed on course for a last-16 showdown at Flushing Meadows after both coming through their US Open second-round ties.

Third seed Venus Williams survived a major scare at Flushing Meadows as she came from a set down to beat Vera Dushevina on the first night at the 2009 US Open.

Andy Roddick showed no ill-effects from a late start at Flushing Meadows or his crushing Wimbledon final loss to Roger Federer as he blasted his way into the US Open second round in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

The Czech Republic’s Lucie Hradecka will face Russian Vera Dushevina in tomorrow’s Istanbul Cup final.

DEFENDING champion Venus Williams launched her bid for Wimbledon singles title number six with a 6-3 6-2 win over Stefanie Voegele yesterday.

SECOND seed Roger Federer remains on course for his first title of 2009 after continuing his almost total domination over Andy Roddick at the Madrid Open yesterday.

Top seed Ana Ivanovic was stunned at the US Open as she was defeated 6-3 4-6 6-3 by Julie Coin in the second round.

RICHARD GASQUET’S stay at the US Open was a short one after he lost 6-7 (3-7) 6-4 5-7 7-5 6-2 in the first round to Tommy Haas.

ROGER Federer began his attempt to lift a sixth consecutive Wimbledon crown with a fashion statement when he walked on to Centre Court in brilliant sunshine wearing a cashmere cardigan.

Top seed Maria Sharapova admitted she only had herself to blame as she came close to becoming the first high-profile casualty in this year’s French Open.

Top seed Justine Henin powered into the last 16 of the US Open as she opened third-round play at Arthur Ashe Stadium with an easy victory over Russian qualifier Ekaterina Makarova.

Tim Henman will return to the show court at Louis Armstrong Stadium tomorrow as he bids to continue his grand slam farewell run at the US Open in New York.

TOP SEED Justine Henin coasted into the Wimbledon third round yesterday insisting her bid for a first All England Club crown would remain unaffected by a recent injury scare.

Justine Henin, the world number one who has never won Wimbledon, and Serena Williams who is looking to match her sister Venus’ three of All England Club crowns, are set to lead the parade of Championship contenders in the second round today.

Second-seed Maria Sharapova put aside her injury problems to breeze past America’s Jill Craybas in straight sets in the second round of the French Open.

Second-seed Maria Sharapova put aside her injury problems to breeze past America’s Jill Craybas in straight sets in the second round of the French Open.

AMELIE MAURESMO barely broke sweat in cruising past Vera Dushevina to secure a place in the quarter-finals of the Dubai Tennis Championships yesterday.

WORLD number ones Roger Federer and Amelie Mauresmo overcome dark, distracting conditions at the French Open yesterday in their drive for a claycourt grand slam title.