Sharapova wins in Memphis

Maria Sharapova bagged her first title of the year in Memphis last night with victory over Sofia Arvidsson 6-2 6-1.

The former world no.1 has been in top form all week did not drop a set on the way to winning her 21st career title.

Top seed Sharapova who had struggled for form this year going out in the first round of the Australian Open to fellow Russian Maria Kirilenko and was clearly hungry to make amends this week.

"I served and returned well, two things that are very important indoors. I did the right things against Sofia today. I worked hard after the Australian Open and little by little things are coming along." said Sharapova.

There was also a strong British contingent in action with Elena Baltacha, Anne Keothavong and Katie O'brien all in the main draw.

Baltacha came into the event on the back of winning a 100k title in Michigan and extended her winning streak to eight matches before falling to Sharapova in the Quarter finals.

However it was Keothovong continuing her return from injury who went furthest with impressive wins over sixth seed Kristina Barrios and Karolina Sprem to reach the semi finals.

Comeback Queen?

Earlier this week former world no.1 Justine Henin won her first match of her much anticipated comeback. As the Belgian looks to add to her grand slam tally in 2010 Tennislane takes a look at other comebacks on the women's tour.

Kim Clijsters:

Another Belgian following a series of frustrating injuries the widely popular Clijsters retired from tennis to start a family back in May 2007. Upon her retirement the 2005 US Open champion and former world no.1 had enjoyed a hugely successful career. Yet some were left feeling that Clijsters retired with some unfinished business, 1 victory from 5 grand slam finals perhaps one of her most frustrating statistics.

So when Clijsters announced her return to the tour ahead of the 2009 US open it was expected she was gearing up for an assault on the game's elite in 2010. Few could have predicted the fairytale tournament which saw her become the first unranked women in history to win a grand slam title. Clijsters has undoubtedly returned with a bang now we wait to see how her comeback continues in 2010.

Jennifer Capriati:

A teenage sensation becoming the youngest ever semi finalist at Rolland Garros, Capriati seemed destined for the top. But by the end of 1993 it seemed that her time in the game was coming to an end. Despite winning gold at 1992 Olympics in Barcelona Capriati was struggling with the pressure of life on tour. Arrested for shoplifting and later cannabis possession Capriati decided to take a break.

Capriati's return in 1996 was more low key than others and it took time for her to climb her way back up the tennis ladder. Her ranking slowly improved and in May 1999 she won her first WTA tournament since her return in Strasbourg. Perhaps it was this victory that gave her the belief and impetuous that had been lacking as 2001 was to prove to be the most successful year on tour. Winning her first grand slam at the Australian Open, Capriati added the 2001 French Open title, rose to no.1 in the rankings before successfully defending her maiden grandslam in 2002. Although injury may have cut short her time on tour Capriati's comeback must be regarded as one of the most successful in modern times.

Monica Seles:

Perhaps one of the greatest tragedies in tennis history is the stabbing of Monica Seles in 1993 by an obsessed fan of her rival Steffi Graf. At the time Seles was undoubtedly the best player on the planet. World no.1 and already a 8 time grand slam champion the world may have been robbed of her peak years.

However the comeback that Seles made from 1995 onwards was not only brave but very successful. After winning her first tournament back, Seles reached the final of the 1995 US Open losing out narrowly to Graf in three sets. However 1996 was the year which saw her return to the top. Triumph at the Australian Open was her ninth and final grand slam title and although she did not return to the dominance she had enjoyed in the early 90s Seles became a hugely popular player and a ever present top 10 player through to 2003.

Brits gear up for 2010

As the 2010 tennis season kicks off there are positive signs for British tennis in 2010.

Elena Baltacha, the British number one and James Ward have both qualified for the main event at Auckland and Channai respectively.

Baltacha, who is currently sitting at a career high ranking of 84 cruised past Canada's Stephanie Dubois 6-3 6-1 and will feel confident going into her first round match against Ioana Raluca.

If she can overcome that hurdle then a possible match up against no.3 seed Yania Wickmayer will certainly show Baltacha how far she has come ahead of the Aussie Open.

Meanwhile the 22 year old Ward defeated two higher ranked players including a convincing win over Israel's Naom Okun at Channai.

However Ward who is beginning to like the best choice for Britain's second Davis cup slot will now face a sterner test against world no.91 Marcel Grannolers.

Grannolers although primarily a doubles specialist is ranked over 170 places above Ward and certainly knows his way around a tennis court.

New Season - New look

Welcome to a revitalised Tennislane!

To co-incide with the launch of the new tennis season tennislane has re-launched with a brand new look.

Over the course of the season we will be following all the major tennis stories across the globe as well as keeping you up to date with Britain's homegrown stars so come back soon!