The Belgians, Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin, made some noise when they renew their rivalry at Brisbane International, a warm-up event leading to the Australian Open, whereas Serena Williams suffered her first loss of the year at Medibank International Sydney final to Elena Dementieva. With Clijsters and Dementieva, claiming their first title of the year, they both carry high hope going in the year's first Grand Slam.
The interesting stories Down Under continues since the start of the year, when former champion Maria Sharapova was stunned in the first round. It is followed by Clijsters who was downed by Nadia Petrova in round three. In the quarterfinals, Victoria Azarenka almost won her match against Serena but ended up losing in a 4-6|7-6(4)|6-2 tight contest and Li Na upset Venus Williams 2-6|7-6(4)|7-5 to spoil the all-Williams semifinals.
