Anna-Lena Grönefeld without a chance against Venus Williams

Stuttgart. Anna-Lena Grönefeld’s loss on Tuesday means there is no German player left in the singles at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. The 23-year-old lost 6-1, 6-2 against Venus Williams (USA). Qualifiers Tsvetana Pironkova (Bulgaria) and Kateryna Bondarenko (Ukraine) pulled off surprises in today’s first round matches.

“As a sportswoman one’s never satisfied after a defeat,” said Anna-Lena Grönefeld after her match. “But I took a positive feel away from the match. Venus played unbelievably well and gave her all. I played aggressively but she was simply too good for me today. I didn’t have a chance but I really enjoyed playing again in Germany. It’s something special playing in front of one’s home crowd. It spurs you on even more.”

Venus Williams’, the current world No. 8, appearance in Stuttgart was her first for ten years. “It was time to play this tournament again,” said the 28-year-old American. “I’ve heard how wonderful the tournament is and I had to come. And they’re right, it’s first class for the fans, players and sponsors.”

In the second round Venus Williams will take on Kateryna Bondarenko. The 22-year-old Ukrainian reached the first round of the 650.000 dollar tournament via qualifying and advanced to the next stage after beating Flavia Pennetta (Italy) 4-6, 6-2, 6-1.

Tsvetana Pironkova (Bulgaria) was another player to win through to the last 16. She also had to come through qualifying to get to the top class main draw line up, where she was a convincing 6-2, 6-1 first round winner over Alize Cornet (France). The 21-year-old will now face Dinara Safina (Russia), who, as the world No. 3, had a first round bye.

Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli overcame Dominika Cibulkova (Slovakia) 6-3, 6-1 and is also through to the next stage as are Victoria Azarenka (Bulgaria) and Agnieszka Radwanska (Poland). The 19-year-old Bulgarian won 7-5, 6-3 against Agnes Szavay (Hungary) whilst the 19-year-old Pole was a 6-3, 6-2 winner against Sandra Zahlavova (Czech Republic). They now have to play each other in the second round of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. In the final Centre Court match, Nadia Petrova (Russia), the winner of the 2006 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, came through her opening game against Barbora Zahlavova Strycova (Czech Republic). Her 6-2, 6-2 win means she will now face the winner of the match between Patty Schnyder (Switzerland) and Svetlana Kuznetsova (Russia).

There were wins in the doubles on Tuesday for the Germans Andrea Petkovic/Jasmin Wöhr who got by the Czech pair Eva Birnerova/Vladimira Uhlirova 6-2, 4-6, 1-0. A second Czech team was more successful. Andrea Hlavackova/Lucie Hradecka beat Maria Elena Camerin/Flavia Pennetta from Italy 6-3, 6-3.

In the second round Venus Williams will take on Kateryna Bondarenko. The 22-year-old Ukrainian reached the first round of the 650.000 dollar tournament via qualifying and advanced to the next stage after beating Flavia Pennetta (Italy) 4-6, 6-2, 6-1.

Tsvetana Pironkova (Bulgaria) was another player to win through to the last 16. She also had to come through qualifying to get to the top class main draw line up, where she was a convincing 6-2, 6-1 first round winner over Alize Cornet (France). The 21-year-old will now face Dinara Safina (Russia), who, as the world No. 3, had a first round bye.

Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli overcame Dominika Cibulkova (Slovakia) 6-3, 6-1 and is also through to the next stage as are Victoria Azarenka (Bulgaria) and Agnieszka Radwanska (Poland). The 19-year-old Bulgarian won 7-5, 6-3 against Agnes Szavay (Hungary) whilst the 19-year-old Pole was a 6-3, 6-2 winner against Sandra Zahlavova (Czech Republic). They now have to play each other in the second round of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. In the final Centre Court match, Nadia Petrova (Russia), the winner of the 2006 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, came through her opening game against Barbora Zahlavova Strycova (Czech Republic). Her 6-2, 6-2 win means she will now face the winner of the match between Patty Schnyder (Switzerland) and Svetlana Kuznetsova (Russia).

There were wins in the doubles on Tuesday for the Germans Andrea Petkovic/Jasmin Wöhr who got by the Czech pair Eva Birnerova/Vladimira Uhlirova 6-2, 4-6, 1-0. A second Czech team was more successful. Andrea Hlavackova/Lucie Hradecka beat Maria Elena Camerin/Flavia Pennetta from Italy 6-3, 6-3.

30/09/2008