Ferrer, Berdych, Gasquet reach semis; Hewitt loses in Tokyo

Tokyo, Japan (Sports Network) - Top-seeded Spaniard David Ferrer, second- seeded Czech Tomas Berdych and third-seeded Frenchman Richard Gasquet posted quarterfinal wins, while former champion Lleyton Hewitt came up a loser Friday at the $832,000 Japan Open.
The world No. 8 Ferrer, a U.S. Open semifinalist last month, grounded his 10th-seeded countryman Feliciano Lopez 6-4, 6-4, while the former world No. 1 and 2001 Tokyo titlist Hewitt, seeded fourth this week, gave way to seventh- seeded Croat Ivo Karlovic 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (8-6) at Ariake Colosseum.
Ferrer will meet the 6-foot-10 Karlovic in Saturday's semifinals here. During his victory over Hewitt, the massive-serving Karlovic became only the fourth player since 1991 to swat 1,000 aces in a season, as he drilled 25 bombs against the return-of-serve artist Hewitt...Full Story

McCline-Peter fight on despite reported steroid scandal

New York, NY (Sports Network) - The heavyweight title fight between Samuel Peter and Jameel McCline scheduled for Saturday at Madison Square Garden will go on despite a report that McCline received illegal drugs over the last two years.
According to the New York Daily News, McCline (38-7-3, 23 KOs) received more than $12,000 worth of steroids, human growth hormone and related drugs from the Boca Raton, Florida-based Infinity Longevity, a clinic associated with the Signature Pharmacy scandal.
Citing an unnamed source, the newspaper alleged that McCline received testosterone, Stanozolol and Nandrolone, along with human growth hormone and Tamoxifen between March 2005 and December 2006.
"It seems clear that professional athletes from different disciplines are being investigated as it relates to steroids," New York State Athletic Commission chairman Ron Scott Stevens said in a statement. "That being said, the NYSAC will continue to vigorously enforce our steroid policy, that is, we will continue our policy which mandates that we test pre and post-fight boxers for anabolic steroids, performance-enhancing drugs and any illegal substances. The NYSAC will cooperate with law enforcement agencies on this matter."
McCline and Peter (28-1, 22 KOs) are scheduled to meet for the WBC interim heavyweight title.

Ivanovic, Golovin post wins; Petrova loses in Luxembourg

Luxembourg City, Luxembourg (Sports Network) - French Open runner-up Ana Ivanovic and last week's Portoroz champion Tatiana Golovin were among the winners Wednesday, while third-seeded Russian Nadia Petrova went by way of the upset at the $600,000 Fortis Championships.
The second-seeded Ivanovic moved into the quarterfinals by handling a wild card, Luxembourg's own Anne Kremer, 7-5, 6-4, while the eighth-seeded Golovin stayed hot by downing Romanian wild card Sorana Cirstea 6-3, 6-1 to reach the second round on the indoor hardcourts at CK Sport Kockelscheuer. The Serbian Ivanovic and three other seeds received opening-round byes this week.
The French Golovin has won her last six matches, including a victory against Katarina Srebotnik in this past Sunday's finale at the Slovenia Open. Her second-round opponent here on Thursday will be last year's Luxembourg runner- up, Francesca Schiavone.
Surging Belarusian Victoria Azarenka ousted Petrova in 6-2, 6-1 fashion to reach the quarterfinals...Full Story

Goodwood Stakes features Lava Man

Arcadia, CA (Sports Network) - Defending champ Lava Man returns to face nine rivals in Saturday's $500,000 Goodwood Stakes at Santa Anita Park. The winner of the race will gain automatic entry into the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic as part of the "Win and You're In" program.
Lava Man, owned by STD Racing and Jason Wood, can become the third horse to repeat as the winner of the Goodwood. Lord At War won in 1984 and 1985, and Pleasantly Perfect posted consecutive victories in 2002 and 2003.
Trained by Doug O'Neill, Lava Man will be ridden by Corey Nakatani from post seven. The six-year-old gelding is coming off a rare loss, he was sixth in the Pacific Classic at Del Mar. This year he repeated as the winner of the Santa Anita Handicap and won his third straight Hollywood Gold Cup.
Lava Man has won 17 of 41 lifetime starts for more than $5.2 million...Full Story

Davis Cup final will be played in Portland

White Plains, NY (Sports Network) - The 2007 Davis Cup World Group final between the host United States and defending champion Russia will be staged at Memorial Coliseum in Portland, Oregon.
The best-of-five tie will be played from November 30-December 2, on a surface yet to be determined, and will mark the first Davis Cup final on American soil in 15 years. The Americans topped the Swiss in the 1992 finale in Fort Worth, Texas.
The U.S., captained by Patrick McEnroe, featured Andy Roddick, James Blake and the twin Bryan brothers, Bob and Mike, in its 4-1 semifinal victory against host Sweden last week, while the Russian team, skippered by Shamil Tarpischev, boasted Nikolay Davydenko, Igor Andreev, Dmitry Tursunov and Mikhail Youzhny in its home win against Germany.
The Americans hold a record 31 Davis Cup titles, but haven't won the championship since 1995, when Pete Sampras led them to a 3-2 victory over Russia in a final in Moscow.
The Russians beat Argentina in last year's finale, in Moscow, and captured the first of their two titles in 2002...Full Story

Marion wants out of Phoenix

Phoenix, AZ (Sports Network) - According to a published report, Phoenix Suns forward Shawn Marion feels it is time to move on and for the franchise to trade him.
According to the Arizona Republic, Marion is unhappy that the team has not initiated talks concerning a contract extension and of hearing his name in various trade rumors.
"I'm tired of hearing my name in trades," Marion told the paper late Tuesday. "I love my fans in Phoenix but I think it's time for me to move on."
Marion, who has two years left on his current contract, averaged 17.5 points and 9.8 rebounds per game last season for the Suns.
For his eight-year career with Phoenix, the former UNLV product has career averages of 18.6 points and 10 boards.

Cibulkova wins Guangzhou opener

Guangzhou, China (Sports Network) - Fourth-seeded Slovakian Dominika Cibulkova was one of 12 first-round winners Wednesday at the Guangzhou International women's tennis event.
Cibulkova handled Belarusian Tatiana Poutchek 6-0, 6-3 at the Tennis Courts of Fangcun Sports Center.
A trio of upsets occurred, as American qualifier Julie Ditty dropped fifth- seeded Russian Olga Poutchkova 6-4, 2-6, 6-4, Romanian Ioana Raluca Olaru topped seventh-seeded Spaniard Lourdes Dominguez Lino 6-2, 6-4 and France's Camille Pin took out eighth-seeded Alla Kudryavtseva 6-1, 4-1, as the Russian retired due to a right knee injury.
Sixth-seeded Belarusian Olga Govortsova avoided an upset by drubbing Slovakian Jarmila Gajdosova 6-1, 6-3 at this hardcourt tournament...Full Story

Kirilenko stays hot; Muller loses in Seoul

Seoul, Korea (Sports Network) - Last week's Kolkata champion Maria Kirilenko posted a first-round victory, while sixth-seeded German Martina Muller came up a second-round loser Wednesday at the $145,000 Korea Open.
The fourth-seeded Kirilenko won her sixth straight match by handling Korean wild card So-Jung Kim 7-5, 6-3, while Muller failed to reach the quarterfinals here when Colombian Catalina Castano erased her in 6-4, 6-2 fashion on the hardcourts at the Olympic Tennis Courts. The Russian Kirilenko corralled her second career WTA Tout title in India this past Sunday.
In other second-round action, Japan's Ayumi Morita edged out France's Mathilde Johansson 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 and Italian Flavia Pennetta handled Frenchwoman Pauline Parmentier 6-4, 6-4.
One other opening-round bout saw Polish qualifier Marta Domachowska dismiss Italian Alberta Brianti 6-3, 6-2.. Full Story

Berdych, Haas advance; Roddick pulls out in Bangkok

Bangkok, Thailand (Sports Network) - Seeds Tomas Berdych and Tommy Haas were among Wednesday's first-round winners, while former world No. 1 Andy Roddick pulled out of the $550,000 Thailand Open, citing a left foot injury.
The second-seeded Roddick was scheduled to meet Taipei's Yeu-Tzuoo Wang on Day 2 here, but the American, fresh off his Davis Cup action in Sweden, withdrew due to the foot problem suffered during practice here on Tuesday. Roddick helped the United States beat Sweden 4-1 in last week's Davis Cup semifinal in Gothenburg.
Roddick was the 2004 Bangkok runner-up to Roger Federer.
Top-seeded U.S. Open finalist Novak Djokovic pulled out of the draw here on Tuesday, citing a back injury, while world No. 2 Rafael Nadal withdrew from the event on Sunday due to a knee injury, leaving this watered-down tournament without three of the top-five players on the planet...Full Story

Koubek, Rochus win at rain-plagued Mumbai event

Mumbai, India (Sports Network) - Sixth-seeded Austrian Stefan Koubek and eighth-seeded Belgian Olivier beat out the rain on Wednesday and posted first- round wins at the $416,000 Kingfisher Airlines Tennis Open.
Koubek clobbered Chilean Paul Capdeville 6-3, 6-2, while Rochus routed Dutchman Robin Haase 6-2, 6-2 on another wet day at the Cricket Club of India. Rain has disrupted play on all three days of main-draw activity here.
One other Day-3 result saw Italian Fabio Fognini drive out Indian wild card Somdev Dev Varman 6-3, 7-6 (10-8). Fognini is rewarded with a second-round match against top-seeded Frenchman Richard Gasquet....Full Story

Street Sense versus Hard Spun in Kentucky Cup Classic

Florence, KY (Sports Network) - Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense and Derby runner-up Hard Spun top a field of five for Saturday's $350,000 Kentucky Cup Classic at Turfway Park. The 1 1/8 mile race will be the first start for Street Sense on an all-weather surface.
Street Sense, owned by James Tafel, is the 3-5 morning-line favorite and will be ridden by regular rider Calvin Borel from post three. Both he and Hard Spun are facing older horses for the first time.
Street Sense won both starts at Saratoga this summer, capturing the Jim Dandy and Travers Stakes. Trained by Carl Nafzger, the colt has won six of 11 career starts for more than $4 million...Full Story

Vick tests positive for marijuana

Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) - Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick is facing more legal trouble after testing positive for marijuana.
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Vick tested positive for a urine sample submitted on September 13. As a result, federal court probation officer Patricia Locket-Ross petitioned judge Henry Hudson to impose stricter pretrial release conditions on Vick.
In court documents filed Wednesday, Hudson ordered that Vick must submit to any method of testing, "for determining whether the defendant is using a prohibited substance."
Vick is also restricted to his Virginia residence from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. everyday, and will be required to wear an electronic monitoring device and must participate in substance therapy and mental health counseling...Full Story

NASCAR announces 2008 Sprint Cup Schedule

Daytona Beach, FL (Sports Network) - The 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup (formerly Nextel Cup) scheduled was released on Wednesday. The 36-race schedule is similar to last year's schedule with no new venues and little change in the order of races.
The season will open on February 17th with the 50th running of the Daytona 500 and will end at the Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 16th.
The first open weekend will take place after the fifth race. In 2007 the first open date was after California, the second race of the season. Another change will be at the Chicagoland Speedway where the race will take place on Saturday night instead of Sunday afternoon.

2008 Sprint Cup Schedule -

February 9 - Budweiser Shootout, Daytona Beach, FL

February 14 - Gatorade 125s, Daytona Beach, FL

February 17 - Daytona 500, Daytona Beach, FL

February 24 - California Speedway, Fontana, CA

March 2 - Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas, NV

March 9 - Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton, GA

March 16 - Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol, TN

March 30 - Martinsville Speedway, Martinsville, VA

April 6 - Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth, TX

April 12 - Phoenix International Raceway, Phoenix, AZ

April 27 - Talladega Superspeedway, Talladega, AL

May 3 - Richmond International Raceway, Richmond, VA

May 10 - Darlington Raceway, Darlington, SC

May 17 - NASCAR Sprint All-Star Challenge, Concord, NC

May 25 - Lowe's Motor Speedway, Concord, NC

June 1 - Dover International Speedway, Dover, DE

June 8 - Pocono Raceway, Long Pond, PA

June 15 - Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn, MI

June 22 - Infineon Raceway, Sonoma, CA

June 29 - New Hampshire International Speedway, Loudon, NH

July 5 - Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL

July 12 - Chicagoland Speedway, Joliet, IL

July 27 - Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis, IN

August 3 - Pocono Raceway, Long Pond, PA

August 10 - Watkins Glen International, Watkins Glen, NY

August 17 - Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn, MI

August 23 - Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol, TN

August 31 - California Speedway, Fontana, CA

September 6 - Richmond International Raceway, Richmond, VA

September 14 - New Hampshire International Speedway, Loudon, NH

September 21 - Dover International Speedway, Dover, DE

September 28 - Kansas Speedway, Kansas City, KS

October 5 - Talladega Superspeedway, Talladega, AL

October 11 - Lowe's Motor Speedway, Concord, NC

October 19 - Martinsville Speedway, Martinsville, VA

October 26 - Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton, GA

November 2 - Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth, TX

November 9 - Phoenix International Raceway, Phoenix, AZ

November 16 - Homestead-Miami Speedway, Homestead, FL

McLaren won't appeal spying verdict

Woking, England (Sports Network) - McLaren Racing has decided not to appeal the verdict of the World Motor Sport Council in the spying scandal on the Formula One circuit.
The September 13 ruling included penalties of a $100,000 fine and a forfeiture of points in the constructors' standings for the 2007 season.
"We believe the time has come to put this huge distraction behind us," said McLaren chairman and CEO Ron Dennis in a statement. "McLaren wants to win races and world championships. We are fortunate to have, and continue to receive, unwavering support from our employees, sponsor partners and Formula One fans across the world -- all of whom are equally keen that we totally focus on winning this year's Drivers' Championship and the remaining three races of the season."
Despite the loss of constructors' points, the team's drivers were not affected and can capture the championship.
Lewis Hamilton still leads the standings with 97 points, two ahead of teammate Fernando Alonso.
Last week's penalties stem from an investigation that found a McLaren employee had possession of confidential technical data belonging to rival team Ferrari.
Earlier this year, news broke that a Ferrari employee apparently gave documents to McLaren chief designer Mike Coughlan. Ferrari mechanic Nigel Stepney, accused of supplying those documents to the rival team, was subsequently fired. Coughlan was suspended.
McLaren has admitted that information from Ferrari was in the possession of one of its employees at his home, but has always denied that the team used that knowledge to gain an advantage.

"It is clear from the full judgment that the World Motor Sport Council concluded that the charge that a McLaren employee had 'unauthorized possession of documents and confidential information' was proven," Friday's statement from McLaren read.

"Despite the existence of no evidence that the information was applied, tested or shared with the engineering team (which it was not), this possession constitutes a breach of the Code. For this breach of Article 151c, a very heavy penalty has been imposed on the team.

"The major principle of the issue for McLaren is: this information was not used to gain advantage on its cars."

Just three races remain on this year's Formula One schedule, starting with next weekend's Japanese Grand Prix.

Jankovic, Davenport reach semis; Mauresmo falls in Beijing

Beijing, China (Sports Network) - World No. 3 Jelena Jankovic and former No. 1 Lindsay Davenport posted quarterfinal wins, while third-seeded Frenchwoman Amelie Mauresmo came up a loser Friday at the $600,000 China Open.
The second-seeded Jankovic handled Japan's Akiko Morigami 6-3, 7-5, while the unseeded Davenport won her eighth straight match by ousting fourth-seeded Russian Elena Dementieva 7-6 (7-1), 6-1 at Beijing Tennis Center.
Jankovic and the three-time major titlist Davenport will now meet for a second straight week, as the 31-year-old American doused the Serbian star in last week's quarterfinals on her way to a title in Bali. Last week marked Davenport's first WTA Tour singles action since last September. She gave birth to her first child, a son named Jagger, in June of this year.
Davenport is a perfect 4-0 lifetime against Jankovic.
The former top-ranked and two-time major champion Mauresmo succumbed to Chinese crowd favorite Shuai Peng 4-6, 6-4, 6-2. Mauresmo was last year's Beijing runner-up to Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova, who pulled out of this year's event on Wednesday due to an injury...Full Story

Roddick gives U.S. 1-0 lead against host Swedes

Gothenburg, Sweden (Sports Network) - Andy Roddick handled Joachim Johansson in straight sets in Friday's opening singles rubber in the Davis Cup semifinal between the United States and host Sweden.
The former world No. 1 Roddick recorded a 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 victory in 1 hour, 53 minutes in a hard-serving affair on an indoor carpet at Scandinavium.
Roddick launched 30 aces at the 6-foot-6 Johansson, who countered with 23 bombs in a losing effort. The rusty Johansson, who hasn't played on the ATP since the Australian Open back in January due to ongoing shoulder problems, piled up seven double faults on his way to surrendering the first point to the formidable Americans.
The former U.S. Open champ and three-time Grand Slam runner-up Roddick is now 24-9 in his career Davis Cup singles matches.
Friday's second singles rubber will James Blake against the hosts' Thomas Johansson, who is not related to Joachim. Blake is 11-7 in his career Davis Cup singles action...Full Story

Boxing's Huge Fall Season

Hatboro, PA (Sports Network) - The NFL season just kicked off and the baseball season is ending with some very interesting pennant races. So sports fans have their pick of what they want to watch on the tube. But perhaps the most intriguing sport this fall will be boxing, as it is lining up the best fall fight season in recent memory. There are plenty of exciting bouts, including Manny Pacquiao vs. Marco Antonio Barrera II on Oct. 6th, and Ricky Hatton vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr on Dec. 8th, but two others in particular are most worthy of your attention:

Saturday September 29th, Live on HBO

Middleweight Championship Bout: Undefeated World Champion Jermain Taylor (27-0) vs. Undefeated Number 1 Contender Kelly Pavlik (31-0)

This action-packed affair, is a potential fight of the year candidate. These former amateur rivals have a lot to prove. Taylor has to show that his recent lackluster performances can be attributed to a lack of a marquee opponent, while Pavlik will be out to show that he is a supreme Middleweight knockout artist.

I really believe Pavlik will knock out Taylor, as Jermain has gotten complacent. Whether you attribute it to money or a lack of focus, no one can deny that Taylor is not fighting up to his potential. His last fight against Cory Spinks was one of the worst boxing bouts in the last five years. Pavlik, on the other hand, has looked spectacular, and his win over Edison Miranda was fantastic.

Saturday November 12th Live on HBO PPV

Sugar Shane Mosley (44-4) vs. Miguel Cotto (30-0) for the WBA Welterweight Championship of the World

Rarely do we get a fight where you are going to be guaranteed action, but this is one such event. Make no mistake, if you have the opportunity to scrounge up 50 bucks for this fight, do it. Or if you are on a budget, get your buddies to go 10 dollars a piece. This fight will be worth it.

The bout has it all. A legend who is a little bit past his best - Mosley - and a young superstar looking to ascend to the top of his profession - Cotto. A Mosley victory will put him among the top-5 fighters of the last 20 years. A Cotto victory will propel him into the Puerto Rican legend status that Felix Trinidad once owned. The fight will take place in New York's hallowed Madison Square Garden, home of some of the greatest fights in history. This one might take its place as one of those classics.

You want a pick? Well it's tough, a pick 'em fight in my opinion. I am leaning towards Cotto's youth, but the 36-year-old Mosley is not to be slept on. He is a special fighter and may be able to put together another great performance.

Watch this fight!

NOT GOOD FOR THE GHOST

You have to feel bad for IBF Featherweight Champion Robert 'The Ghost' Guerrero (20-1-1). First, respected hard-hitting Rocky Juarez backed out what would have been a title defense for Guerrero, instead jumping at an opportunity to engage top-10, pound-for-pound fighter, Juan Manual Marquez. Guerrero acquired a different opponent on the same card, Martin Honorio (23-3-1), only to find out the September 15th date was cancelled due to a Marquez injury.

But the best things come to those who wait, and the Ghost will get his opportunity to fight Honorio on Showtime on November 3rd. A prime time date, and he hopes it will be a prime time performance.

"I was a little bit disappointed, but this is boxing and you just have to be ready. I am excited to defend my title," explained Guerrero.

The Ghost is training with his father for this fight and is hoping to join the ranks of some other successful father-son teams, namely Shane Mosley and Jack Mosley. Ironically, he has had an opportunity to work out with the Mosley's.

"There is nothing better to accomplish something huge with your father. It is also a great opportunity to be working out with a great fighter like Shane Mosley," said Guerra.

Guerrero's opponent, Martin Honorio, is not a marquee name, but Guerrero will not be looking past him. "He ain't a pushover. And he will come to fight. You can't look past anybody, because anything can happen."

ESPINO EMERGING

Some might remember Middleweight contender Miguel Espino (16-2-1) from his experience during the first season of 'The Contender.' But since his close loss to Peter Manfredo on that show, he has won seven fights in a row. And he will be fighting Friday, September 21st against journeymen Arturo Ortega (12-5-1), and will be trying to make his way up the Middleweight ladder.

"I am like a mechanic, I like hands-on training," said Espino.

If he keeps on winning, there will be more opportunities out there for him. He is a tall rangy middleweight who can box, and has a chance to do some damage in the near future.

Top seeds Golovin, Bammer ease into Portoroz QFs

Portoroz, Slovenia (Sports Network) - This week's top seeds -- France's Tatiana Golovin and Austrian Sybille Bammer -- highlighted Wednesday's second- round winners at the $145,000 Slovenia Open.
Golovin grounded Italian Karin Knapp 6-4, 6-3, while Bammer blitzed Russian Elena Likhovtseva 6-3, 6-2 on the hardcourts at SRC Marina in the beautiful coastal city of Portoroz.
Two other seeds moved into the quarterfinals here, as No. 5 Russian Vera Zvonareva held off Frenchwoman Nathalie Dechy 6-0, 5-7, 6-4 and No. 8 Russian Vera Dushevina doused Czech Iveta Benesova 6-4, 6-4. Zvonareva and Dushevina will square off in an all-Russian quarter on Friday.
The first round finally concluded on Wednesday, with three matches that were either suspended or postponed because of rain and/or darkness here on Tuesday. Seventh-seeded Argentine Gisela Dulko dropped Swiss Emmanuelle Gagliardi 6-3, 6-4, while ninth-seeded American Meilen Tu got past Croat Jelena Kostanic Tosic 6-4, 7-6 (7-3) and Russian Elena Vesnina outlasted Slovenian wild card Polona Hercog 6-3, 6-7 (6-8), 6-4...Full Story

Golovin, Srebotnik post easy wins in Portoroz

Portoroz, Slovenia (Sports Network) - Top-seeded Tatiana Golovin and Slovenian crowd favorite Katarina Srebotnik highlighted Monday's first-round winners at the $145,000 Slovenia Open.
The Russian native Golovin, who plays under the French flag and lives in Florida, snuck past American Lilia Osterloh 6-1, 1-6, 6-1, while the fourth- seeded Srebotnik dismantled her wild card countrywoman Masa Zec Peskiric 6-0, 6-0 on the hardcourts at SRC Marina.
One other opening-rounder saw Russian veteran Elena Likhovtseva sneak past Czech veteran Klara Zakopalova 7-6 (10-8), 6-2.
The 2007 Portoroz winner will pocket $21,140. Austrian Tamira Paszek beat Italian Maria Elena Camerin in last year's finale.

Kirilenko wins Kolkata opener

Kolkata, India (Sports Network) - Fourth-seeded Russian Maria Kirilenko highlighted Monday's first-round winners at the $175,000 Sunfeast Open.
Kirilenko handled American qualifier Neha Uberoi 6-2, 6-2, while another seed posted a Day-1 victory, as No. 8 Yung-Jan Chan of Taipei double-bageled helpless Indian wild card Kyra Shroff 6-0, 6-0 at Netaji Indoor Stadium.
Up next for Kirilenko will be Russian Ekaterina Ivanova, while Chan will battle Slovakian Jarmila Gajdosova.
In other opening-round play, Aussie Casey Dellacqua drilled Canadian Aleksandra Wozniak 6-2, 6-3, the qualifier Ivanova held off British qualifier Naomi Cavaday 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 and Gajdosova grounded France's Youlia Fedossova 6-3, 6-4.
This week's top seeds are Wimbledon runner-up Marion Bartoli of France and last week's Bali runner-up Daniela Hantuchova. Bartoli will open up against American Vania King, while the Slovakian Hantuchova will encounter Poland's Marta Domachowska...Full Story