Women sport news

The favourites all survived the last second round matches at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. Jelena Jankovic (Serbia), the new No. 1, and Nadia Petrova (Russia), the 2006 winner, both advanced to the quarterfinals of the 650,000 dollar tournament, as did Venus Williams (USA) and Dinara Safina (Russia).

Defending national champion University of Minnesota Duluth remained in the top spot on this week's USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Women’s College Hockey Poll. The Bulldogs accumulated 17-of-19 first-place votes for 188 points and will open the season Friday (October 3) in a non-conference match-up at Niagara University at 7 p.m. ET.

England Women's team made their travelling band of supporters sweat in Spain tonight before earning a 2-2 draw to secure their place in the UEFA 2009 European Championship Finals, topping Group One. photo FA

European Athletics is pleased to confirm that the Norwegian city of Bergen will host the first ever edition of the European Team Championships First League on June 20/21, 2009.

Sara Slattery has been named USA Track & Field's Athlete of the Week after winning the 2008 USA Women's 8 km Championship Saturday in Akron, Ohio.

outh Korea silenced the cheering home crowd with their consistently spectacular play to pull off a scintillating come-from-behind 3-2 (18-25, 25-19, 21-25, 27-25, 15-9) victory over Thailand in their opening match of the inaugural Asian Women’s Cup Volleyball Championship on Wednesday. photo FIVB

The Chinese Na Li sprung the surprise of the day at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix but for Serena Williams (USA) it was an unexpected exit. The world No. 1 and winner of the US Open, who had a first round bye, was defeated 0-6, 6-4, 6-1 by the No. 30 on Wednesday and was clearly disappointed.

Monthly words from Lexus Cup 2008 Captains Annika Sorenstam and Se Ri Pak. With the event coming up soon, the competition for places will be tough and both Captains are eager to lift the trophy so selection and preparation will be key.

The crew of the Swedish Linda Rahm continues to lead the Tróia Portugal Women's Cup, after the second day of racing.

Adelaide Thunderbirds coach Jane Woodlands has been named the Australian Netball Diamonds assistant coach for the Holden Netball Test Series against England. The opening duel against world number three England and the Diamonds is this Saturday, October 4 at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre, followed by a second match in Adelaide on October 8.

Stellar Fabiana Claudino blocked for seven points on the way to a match-high 15 points, helping her Rexona-Ades club stay perfect in three outings in the women’s Salonpas Cup. photo FIVB

The women’s championship also reached a notable climax as Yorkshire club Pontefract celebrated their seventh consecutive appearance in the final – with Rebecca Botwright, from Manchester, playing a part in each of the campaigns!

In an unexpected all-English climax to the Women's Pepsi Max Enschede Open, fourth seed Sarah Kippax beat Laura Hill, the No8 seed, in straight games in the final of the $8,000 WISPA World Tour squash event at De Twentehallen in Enschede to stretch her unbeaten record in the Dutch city to eight matches.

Jelena Jankovic is again the No 1 in women’s tennis. Though she will only start her Porsche Tennis Grand Prix campaign on Thursday she will head coming Monday’s rankings. The 23-year-old Serbian will replace Serena Williams (USA) at the top after the US Open winner surprisingly lost her opening match in the Porsche Arena against Na Li from China.

Read the second Slazenger EHL newsletter of the Season after this weekend’s exciting opening matches. photo John Coxon

England and Great Britain midfielder Jennie Bimson has today officially confirmed her decision to retire from international hockey with immediate effect.

The Cricket Australia women’s National Selection Panel today announced the 14-player Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars squad for the approaching series against India in Australia.

Germany’s Anja Monke captured her maiden Ladies European Tour title on Sunday by winning the Vediorbis Open de France Dames at Le Golf D’Arras.

SAN ANTONIO (WNBA) – Not a day went by during the women’s basketball tournament at the Beijing Games this summer when someone failed to refer to the controversial decision by American-born Becky Hammon to play for Russia photo FIBA

In the past the Women’s tour has only consisted of up to six events now with the support of Roxy it has increased to nine. Two of those events will be the first time women’s pro surf events have taken place in these regions; Scotland and Tynemouth. The third will be a return for the second time to Portrush in Northern Ireland. photo Jason Feast

The capital's premier roller derby team, the London Rollergirls, are proud to announce their three permanent teams and upcoming 2008-2009 bouting season, to start on Saturday 27 September.

The Porsche Tennis Grand Prix got off to a flying start yesterday in Stuttgart. Biggest upset of the day saw Li Na def nicole Vaidisova 61-62. Alona Bondarenko and Sybille Bammer also continued their campaign through to the second round.

The 2009 roster for the U.S. Cross Country Ski Team is stacked with talent and full of determination and momentum for the coming season. photo Doug Haney US Ski Team

OBERSTDORF, Germany (Sept. 26) - The U.S. Ski Jumping Team's Jessica Jerome (Park City, UT) pulled in her third Continental Cup podium in a row Friday as she finished third in the season's seventh event in Germany.

Swift Racing is looking to find a new title sponsor for its team for 2009. The teams head sponsors are finding times very hard and have had to pull away from the team for the time being.

Ann-Marie and Angel our taking our youngest members of the LA Boxing Fight Team to compete at the National PAL's in Oxnard, CA Sept 27-October 4th.