Tennis Briefs - Sania Mirza praised for her athleticism

The Press Trust of India, NEW DELHI:Renowned fitness trainer Gil Reyes, who has worked with top stars like Ana Ivanovic and Fernando Verdasco, on Monday lauded Sania Mirza's 'athleticism' after working for one week with the Indian tennis ace. For more click here

Daily News & Analysis, NEW DELHI: The All India Tennis Association (AITA) secretary, Anil Khanna, feels the game can become the most high profile one in the country with the help of the government and sponsors. For more click here

The Times of India, BANGALORE: Focusing on hard facts instead of tradition, the Indian Davis Cup team have chosen hardcourts over the old favourite grass, for their upcoming tie against Australia. For more click here

ATP RANKINGS (9 March 2009)
(in brackets - positions lost/gained since last week)
SINGLES
150 (0) Devvarman, Somdev
192 (+1) Amritraj, Prakash
317 (+3) Bopanna, Rohan

DOUBLES
5 (+1) Paes, Leander
8 (-1) Bhupathi, Mahesh
79 (-7) Bopanna, Rohan

WTA RANKINGS (9 March 2009)
(in brackets - positions lost/gained since last week)
SINGLES
88 (+1) Mirza, Sania
224 (-5) Rao, Sunitha
363 (-1) Lakhani, Isha

DOUBLES
71 (+1) Mirza, Sania
249 (-1) Rao, Sunitha
295 (+1) Uberoi, Shikha

Tennis Briefs - Sania Mirza loses Pattaya Open final

Reuters, BANGKOK: Russian top seed Vera Zvonareva overcame a tough challenge from a battling Sania Mirza to win the Pattaya Open final 7-5 6-1 on Sunday. For more click here

Indo-Asian News Service, SAN JOSE: India's Rohan Bopanna and Jarkko Nieminen of Finland went down to Czech Radek Stepanek and German Tommy Haas in the $600,000 SAP Open final here. For more click here

Indo-Asian News Service, ROTTERDAM: India's Leander Paes and Czech Lukas Dlouhy went down to top seeds Serbian Nenad Zimonjic and Canada's Daniel Nestor 2-6, 5-7 in the World Tennis Tournament final here Sunday. For more click here

ATP RANKINGS (16 February 2009)
(in brackets - positions lost/gained since last week)
SINGLES
154 (+1) Devvarman, Somdev
198 (+1) Amritraj, Prakash
321 (+4) Bopanna, Rohan

DOUBLES
5 (0) Bhupathi, Mahesh
7 (0) Paes, Leander
78 (+7) Bopanna, Rohan

WTA RANKINGS (16 February 2009)
(in brackets - positions lost/gained since last week)
SINGLES
87 (+39) Mirza, Sania
221 (-5) Rao, Sunitha
361 (-2) Lakhani, Isha

DOUBLES
63 (+7) Mirza, Sania
213 (-3) Rao, Sunitha
306 (-5) Uberoi, Shikha

Tennis Briefs - Injury forces Sania Mirza out of Fed Cup

The Press Trust of India, NEW DELHI: In a big setback to the Indian Fed Cup team, Sania Mirza will miss the upcoming Group I Asia/Oceania zone tie, citing an abdominal injury. For more click here

Indo-Asian News Service, MUMBAI: India's star tennis player Sania Mirza said on Monday that winning the Australian Open mixed doubles title with Mahesh Bhupathi was the best way she could make a comeback in the international circuit. For more click here

The Press Trust of India, NEW DELHI: India's first Australian Open boys' singles champion Yuki Bhambri returned to a warm reception at the Indira Gandhi International airport in New Delhi on Monday. For more click here

Business Line, MUMBAI: With brands turning cautious on ad spends in the wake of the economic slowdown, it is unlikely that tennis stars Sania Mirza and Mahesh Bhupathi would see a fresh line-up of endorsements, despite the duo clinching the mixed doubles finals at the Australian Open tennis tournament. For more click here

ATP RANKINGS (2 February 2009)
(in brackets - positions lost/gained since last week)
SINGLES
153 (+2) Devvarman, Somdev
205 (+4) Amritraj, Prakash
326 (-9) Bopanna, Rohan

DOUBLES
6 (0) Bhupathi, Mahesh
7 (+3) Paes, Leander
84 (-8) Bopanna, Rohan

WTA RANKINGS (2 February 2009)
(in brackets - positions lost/gained since last week)
SINGLES
127 (-19) Mirza, Sania
201 (-5) Rao, Sunitha
360 (+1) Lakhani, Isha

DOUBLES
72 (-13) Mirza, Sania
211 (+7) Rao, Sunitha
305 (+4) Uberoi, Shikha

Tennis Briefs - Sania Mirza in Round 2 of Australian Open

Agence France-Presse, MELBOURNE: Sania Mirza made a successful return from a long-term wrist injury on Monday when she downed Marta Domachowska of Poland in straight sets (6-1, 6-4) at the Australian Open. For more click here

The Press Trust of India, NEW DELHI: His phenomenal performance at the Chennai Open has re-ignited the passion in the men's game in the country but Sania Mirza is hoping that Somdev Devvarman's success will do more than just help tennis shoot up the popularity chart. For more click here

Indo-Asian News Service, NEW DELHI: While Somdev Devvarman is fast emerging as a new Indian tennis star, Yuki Bhambri is seen as another one in the making. For more click here

The Press Trust of India, KOCHI: The four-day All India Lotus Trophy Tennis Tournament will commence here from January 21. For more click here

ATP RANKINGS (19 January 2009)
(in brackets - positions lost/gained since last week)
SINGLES
155 (-1) Devvarman, Somdev
209 (0) Amritraj, Prakash
317 (-1) Bopanna, Rohan

DOUBLES
6 (0) Bhupathi, Mahesh
10 (0) Paes, Leander
76 (0) Bopanna, Rohan

WTA RANKINGS (19 January 2009)
(in brackets - positions lost/gained since last week)
SINGLES
108 (-1) Mirza, Sania
196 (0) Rao, Sunitha
361 (0) Lakhani, Isha

DOUBLES
59 (+1) Mirza, Sania
218 (0) Rao, Sunitha
309 (0) Uberoi, Shikha

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW - Somdev Devvarman

Indian tennis sensation Somdev Devvarman spoke to The Indian Tennis Blog about life after his giant-killing run to the final of the 2009 Chennai Open.

How helpful was the 3-week training with Andy Roddick before the Chennai Open. Did it play a part in your performance last week?
It was an incredible experience, training with Andy. He and Coach Larry Stefanki gave me some really good tips. Also training with someone who has been in the top 10 of the world for many years gave me great insight into how hard I need to work. It definitely had a big role in my performance in Chennai.

Any ranking goals for 2009?
I've never set any goals for myself as far as rankings are concerned. I just want to keep working hard and enjoying the hard work. The rankings will take care of themselves.

Any expectations from the Australian Open?
I go into the Australian Open with a lot of confidence as I feel I'm playing well. I have worked hard in the off season to prepare for a good showing in the Australian Open.

Which is your favourite career win - Moya, Karlovic, Kendrick (Lexington)...?
Probably Moya. He has been a former world No. 1 and he has been in top flight tennis for over a decade.

Given the Somdev-mania in India right now, it seems only a matter of time before you are offered your first ad. Will we see you endorsing something soon?
Well, I don't really concern myself with it. I have an excellent Management company in Mamba International and they will look after that aspect. I just want to keep my focus on playing tennis.

(Click here for another interview by Somdev Devvarman to The Indian Tennis Blog in October 2007, more than a year ago -- when he hadn't turned professional yet)

FROM THE ARCHIVES
Somdev Devvarman wins at Lexington, his fourth title in a row

Somdev Devvarman misses out on ACC player honour

Twin triumph for Somdev Devvarman at Rochester

Somdev Devvarman's twin triumph at Florida

Tennis Briefs - Somdev goes down fighting in Chennai

Reuters, CHENNAI: Third-seeded Croatian Marin Cilic defeated Indian wildcard Somdev Devvarman 6-4 7-6 to win the Chennai Open on Sunday. For more, click here

The Press Trust of India, CHENNAI: The Chennai Open will remain in the city for at least another five years with increased prize money and a title sponsor. For more, click here

The Times of India, BANGALORE: Comeback girl Sania Mirza made a strong statement in the World Team Challenge tennis tournament in Hong Kong on Friday when she dismissed world No.25 Agnes Szavay of Hungary to give the Asia Pacific team a 2-0 win over a Europe side led by world No.1 Jelena Jankovic. For more, click here

Sportstar: By winning the singles title in the under-18 section of the Orange Bowl in Miami, the 16-year-old Yuki Bhambri has not only become the No. 2 in the world junior rankings but also the best hope for 2009. For more, click here

ATP RANKINGS (12 January 2009)
(in brackets - positions lost/gained since last week)
SINGLES
154 (+48) Devvarman, Somdev
209 (-3) Amritraj, Prakash
316 (+16) Bopanna, Rohan

DOUBLES
6 (0) Bhupathi, Mahesh
10 (0) Paes, Leander
76 (0) Bopanna, Rohan

WTA RANKINGS (12 January 2009)
(in brackets - positions lost/gained since last week)
SINGLES
107 (-7) Mirza, Sania
196 (0) Rao, Sunitha
361 (0) Lakhani, Isha

DOUBLES
60 (+1) Mirza, Sania
218 (+1) Rao, Sunitha
309 (+1) Uberoi, Shikha

Tennis Briefs - Security tight for Chennai Open

Reuters, NEW DELHI: Security will be tightened ahead of next week's Chennai Open ATP tennis tournament following the militant attacks in Mumbai, a tournament official said on Monday. For more, click here

The Hindu, HYDERABAD: Ace tennis player Sania Mirza conducted a coaching camp organised by corporate giant GVK Group here on Saturday. For more, click here

The Telegraph, KOLKATA: Indian tennis ace Leander Paes hopes that the next year will be a great one for him in the doubles circuit saying that the indications were already there. For more, click here

The Press Trust of India, NEW DELHI: Sports Ministry's decision to bar athletes with foreign passports from representing the country in international events contradicts the government policy on People of Indian Origin and hence should be reconsidered, Rajya Sabha member Rajeev Shukla said here today. For more, click here

ATP RANKINGS (29 December 2008)
(in brackets - positions lost/gained since last week)
SINGLES
204 (0) Devvarman, Somdev
210 (0) Amritraj, Prakash
333 (0) Bopanna, Rohan

DOUBLES
6 (0) Bhupathi, Mahesh
10 (0) Paes, Leander
78 (0) Bopanna, Rohan

WTA RANKINGS (29 December 2008)
(in brackets - positions lost/gained since last week)
SINGLES
101 (0) Mirza, Sania
197 (0) Rao, Sunitha
365 (-3) Lakhani, Isha

DOUBLES
61 (0) Mirza, Sania
221 (0) Rao, Sunitha
312 (+26) Uberoi, Shikha

Tennis Briefs - Somdev Devvarman training with Andy Roddick

The Press Trust of India, NEW DELHI: Indian Davis Cupper Somdev Devvarman is capping an eventful year with a 10-day training stint with American world number eight Andy Roddick. For more, click here

The Hindu, BANGALORE: Mahesh Bhupathi is hungry for more, now that he has clicked in a big way with his new partner, Mark Knowles of Bahamas in the 2008 season. For more, click here

The Times of India, BANGALORE: Sania Mirza, who until three months ago was struggling to grip a glass of water in her right hand, is back to striking her dreaded forehand with military firepower. For more, click here

The Press Trust of India, KOLKATA: Indian tennis ace Leander Paes has been elected as one of the seven vice-presidents of Bengal Tennis Association (BTA). For more, click here

ATP RANKINGS (8 December 2008)
(in brackets - positions lost/gained since last week)
SINGLES
204 (+1) Devvarman, Somdev
211 (0) Amritraj, Prakash
332 (-13) Bopanna, Rohan

DOUBLES
6 (0) Bhupathi, Mahesh
10 (0) Paes, Leander
78 (0) Bopanna, Rohan

WTA RANKINGS (8 December 2008)
(in brackets - positions lost/gained since last week)
SINGLES
101 (0) Mirza, Sania
199 (+1) Rao, Sunitha
341 (+1) Lakhani, Isha

DOUBLES
61 (0) Mirza, Sania
219 (+1) Rao, Sunitha

Tennis Briefs - Somdev Devvarman, Prakash Amritraj get wildcards for Chennai Open

The Times of India, MUMBAI: These are good times for Somdev Devvarman. Following his success of becoming the highest ranked Indian (201) on the ATP Tour, the 23-year-old has been given a wildcard for the singles main draw of the $450,000 Chennai Open. For more, click here

The Hindu, CHENNAI: IOCL's Rohan Bopanna served his way to the PSPB inter-unit tennis title, defeating defending champion Sunil Kumar Sipaya (IOCL) 6-4, 6-4 in the final at the SDAT Nungambakkam Stadium on Friday. For more, click here

The Press Trust of India, NEW DELHI: Indian junior tennis team remained unconquered to win gold medal at the inaugural Junior South Asian Tennis Championship, which concluded in Dhaka, Bangladesh recently. For more, click here

ATP RANKINGS (17 November 2008)
(in brackets - positions lost/gained since last week)
SINGLES
204 (-3) Devvarman, Somdev
210 (+4) Amritraj, Prakash
314 (+6) Bopanna, Rohan

DOUBLES
6 (0) Bhupathi, Mahesh
10 (0) Paes, Leander
67 (-6) Bopanna, Rohan

WTA RANKINGS (17 November 2008)
(in brackets - positions lost/gained since last week)
SINGLES
99 (0) Mirza, Sania
205 (+1) Rao, Sunitha
298 (-6) Lakhani, Isha

DOUBLES
61 (0) Mirza, Sania
227 (+2) Rao, Sunitha

Tennis Briefs - Somdev Devvarman loses in Nashville final

Indo-Asian News Service, NEW DELHI: India's Somdev Devvarman fought hard but could not stop local favourite Robert Kendrick from winning the $75,000 ATP Challenger in Nashville, US. For more, click here

The Press Trust of India, PUNE: Somdev Devvarman, country's newly-crowned number one singles player, will spearhead the Indian challenge at USD 1,00,000 Asia Cup -- a team event restricted only for Asian players -- to be held here from December 27. For more, click here

ATP RANKINGS (10 November 2008)
(in brackets - positions lost/gained since last week)
SINGLES
201 (+40) Devvarman, Somdev
214 (-1) Amritraj, Prakash
320 (0) Bopanna, Rohan

DOUBLES
6 (0) Bhupathi, Mahesh
10 (0) Paes, Leander
61 (+1) Bopanna, Rohan

WTA RANKINGS (10 November 2008)
(in brackets - positions lost/gained since last week)
SINGLES
99 (0) Mirza, Sania
206 (0) Rao, Sunitha
292 (0) Lakhani, Isha

DOUBLES
61 (+1) Mirza, Sania
229 (-25) Rao, Sunitha

Tennis Briefs - Paes, Bhupathi to take part in 2009 Chennai Open

The Hindu, CHENNAI: Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes confirmed on Monday that they would participate -- with their partners -- in the Chennai Open next year. For more, click here

Courier-Journal, LOUISVILLE: Prakash Amritraj and Jesse Levine defeated Frank Dancevic and Dusan Vemic 6-3, 7-6 (12-10) in the doubles final at the Ford Tennis Championships. For more, click here

The Press Trust of India, NEW DELHI: Yuki Bhambri stamped his authority in the Asia/Oceania zone by wining both the singles and doubles titles in the junior closed championship, which concluded in Indonesia on Sunday. For more, click here

ATP RANKINGS (3 November 2008)
(in brackets - positions lost/gained since last week)
SINGLES
213 (+1) Amritraj, Prakash
241 (-1) Devvarman, Somdev
320 (+3) Bopanna, Rohan

DOUBLES
6 (+1) Bhupathi, Mahesh
10 (-2) Paes, Leander
62 (0) Bopanna, Rohan

WTA RANKINGS (3 November 2008)
(in brackets - positions lost/gained since last week)
SINGLES
99 (-2) Mirza, Sania
206 (0) Rao, Sunitha
292 (+27) Lakhani, Isha

DOUBLES
62 (0) Mirza, Sania
204 (-45) Rao, Sunitha