Future Tennis Stars

Maria Sharapova and Daniela Hantuchova grabbed the final two spots for the year end WTA Championships on Monday. Venus Williams pulled out of the event with dizzy spells that she’s had since the US Open. Marion Bartoli is the first alternate.

Justine Henin and Jelena Jankovic qualified long ago and Svetlana Kuznetsova, Ana Ivanovic, Serena Williams and Anna Chakvetadze quickly followed.

With her health problems this year, Sharapova was a question mark going into next week’s Championships but she assured everyone that she is ready to go.

“This has been a very frustrating year for me physically but I’m a big competitor and am determined to compete at the Sony Ericsson Championships,” Sharapova said.

The Championships represent the final test this year for Serb’s Jankovic and Ivanovic to grab a major title.

Notable Matchups For Tuesday, Oct. 23/07

In Basel, top seeded Roger Federer will face Michael Berrer, Paul Henri Mathieu will play Frank Dancevic and Fernando Gonzalez will play Jerome Haehnel.

In St. Petersburg, Andy Murray will play Max Mirnyi.

In Linz, Michaella Krajicek will play Karin Knapp, Maria Kirilenko will face Julia Vakulenko and Alicia Molik will play Agnieska Radwanska.

Justine Henin and Jelena Jankovic join Svetlana Kuznetsova and Ana Ivanovic at the Zurich Open. Sharapova pulled out of the event and Marion Bartoli was moved up to the 9th seed.  The seeds are:
1. Henin
2. Kuznetsova
3. Jankovic
4. Sharapova (withdrew)
5. Ivanovic
6. Serena Williams
7. Hantuchova
8. Mauresmo
9. Bartoli

Shahar Peer, Dinara Safina, Nicole Vaidisova, Michaella Krajicek, Maria Kirilenko and Tatiana Golovin will also be in Zurich. Golovin and Kirilenko will face each other in the first round in a test of two players who have been on a roll.

See the full draw