 Alisa Kleybanova: Champion of Malaysia Classic, Kuala Lumpur, 22 February
Alisa Kleybanova claimed a stunning victory over top seed Elena Dementieva in Kuala Lumpur, and Venus Williams did a double/double, winning Acapulco immediately after winning Dubai for the second straight year as both champions set foot on the Road to Bali.
It was a double first in Malaysia as Kleybanova celebrated her first ever career title at the first ever Malaysian Open, beating the Olympic gold medal holder 6-3 6-2. The 20-year old Russian had already demonstrated her promise by reaching the semi-finals in three other events last year, in Fès, Toronto and Moscow, as well as taking three doubles titles. Now she has used her power to overcome one of the most consistently top-ranked players of the last 10 years. Significantly, she won a higher percentage of points on her second serve than Dementieva could win on her first!
"I´m just so happy to win tonight," said the delighted champion. "It´s a great way to end the week. I´ve been working and training hard this past few years and it´s great that I was able to put a great game together today. I would like to thank all the sponsors and everyone involved in the event for helping me feel at home this past week. I also want to thank all the fans and I wish to be back next year!"
Venus Williams: Champion of Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC at Acapulco, 22 February
Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, Venus Williams was successfully defending her title at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC in Acapulco. She defeated eighth seeded Slovak Polona Hercog, but she had to come from behind to earn her 2-6 6-2 6-3 victory. It was Williams’ 43rd career title and her ninth on clay, while 19-year old Hercog was playing her first Tour singles final.
But to earn her victory Williams had earlier needed to pull off one of the biggest comebacks of her career, recovering from 5-1 down in the third set to beat Spanish qualifier Laura Pous Tio in the quarter-finals. She was also taken to three sets in the semifinals by Edina Gallovits.
"I don't want to stop here - hopefully next year I can win this one three times," said Williams. "I definitely expected her to play tough. She didn't miss too many shots and I have to give her credit, not just for today but for her whole week. Even though she was playing well, I had to find a way to make my game better."
Kleybanova and Williams have now added their names to those hoping to qualify for one of only eight places available for the prestigious Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions, which takes place at the Bali International Convention Centre, The Westin Resort, Nusa Dua from 4th to 7th November. They join Yanina Wickmayer, Kim Clijsters, Alona Bondarenko, Mariana Duque Marino, Maria Sharapova and Vera Zvonareva as contenders, as the International Series now moves on to Monterrey.
 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova : Winner of Monterrey Open, Mexico
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova became the third first-time winner of a Sony Ericsson WTA Tour title in three weeks when she defeated Daniela Hantuchova 1-6 6-1 6-0 to claim the Monterrey Open crown and a place on the Road to Bali. Her success follows the maiden title runs of Mariana Duque Marino at Bogota and Alisa Kleybanova in Kuala Lumpur.
The 18-year old Russian had to work especially hard for her victory, as she first had to take care of a semi-final that had been delayed from Saturday by rain. That was a tough assignment, as she needed three sets to overcome Anastasija Sevastova 6-3 2-6 6-1. Then after a short break she was back on court again to face up to the vastly more experienced Slovak, but she was equal to the task as she recovered from dropping the opening set and saved four of six break points in the match to claim the trophy.
"After the first match, it was hard to concentrate," said Pavlyuchenkova, explaining her slow start in the final. "I was not feeling the ball and was not playing well. Daniela played a very solid first set. Then I won against her by watching and understanding her game, but (I told myself) the most important thing is that I must enjoy the game.
"As I said, she played well the first set, I was tired, without emotions. So I put more energy in the game and fight point by point. You never understand when you won a final, you feel a lot of emotions, but in few days I will get it."
Hantuchova admitted she had been outplayed after the first set.
"After the first set she started to play very aggressive, almost with no mistakes," said Hantuchova. "I was waiting for her to make mistakes but really she played unbelievable. I was always under pressure."
All the players now move on to Indian Wells and Miami, and the International Series resumes on 5th April at Ponte Vedre Beach in Florida, and in Marbella as the European clay court season begins. All the winners of the International Series are hoping to earn one of only eight places available for the prestigious Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions, which takes place at the Bali International Convention Centre, The Westin Resort, Nusa Dua from 4th to 7th November.
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