Following his victory at the US$12,000 Genworth Financial CVITT(2) earlier this summer in North America, Martin Sayer took his fine form across the Atlantic to compete in several open tournaments in England. The HK Davis Cupper managed to capture the 87th Bournemouth Open in Dorset before he was finally halted in the semifinals of the St. George's Hill Open the following week in Surrey.

At the US$10,000 ITF Women's Circuit in Nonthaburi, Thailand, qualifier Jessica Yang was gunning to reach her first pro circuit quarterfinal when she fell to No. 8 seed Lavinia Tananta of Indonesia (WTA 560), in the second round, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1.

Junior world No. 25 Jessica Yang qualified for her third straight C10 tournament on the pro circuit after she easily defeated unranked Kobkanok Upapong of Thailand in straight sets, 6-3, 6-1, earlier this afternoon at Nonthaburi in Bangkok, Thailand.

Earlier today at the sun-drenched, 34°C ITF Women's Circuit in Khonkaen, qualifier Venise Chan defeated China's 994th-ranked Lu Jia-Xiang, 7-6(3), 6-3, to reach her fifth pro circuit final since debuting in November 2005.

At the US$10,000 ITF Women's Circuit at Khonkaen, Northeastern Thailand, Venise Chan defeated 1069th-ranked Korean qualifier, Kang Seo-Kyung, 6-2, 7-5, to progress to the last four. She will next face China's Lu Jia-Xiang (WTA 944) for a place in the final.

Although Ankita Bhambri (WTA 520) has won six C10 titles in her career and finished runner-up on a half dozen other occasions, qualifier Venise Chan advanced to the quarterfinals of the US$10,000 ITF Women's Circuit at Khonkaen when she disposed of the fifth-seeded Indian in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4, earlier today.

At the C10 Khonkaen in Northeastern Thailand, qualifier Venise Chan defeated 825th-ranked Vietnamese Thuy-Dung Nguyen, 6-1, 6-1, to set up a round two clash with No. 5 seed Ankita Bhambri of India (WTA 520) with a place in the quarterfinals at stake.

On a day when the Beijing 2008 Olympic Tennis Event was drawing to a close, some 1,800 miles away from the prying eyes of televisions and cameras, Hong Kong's Venise Chan and Jessica Yang were both gunning to qualify for the maindraw of the US$10,000 ITF Women's Circuit in Khonkaen, Northeastern Thailand.

Both Li Na in the women's singles, and Zheng Jie/Yan Zi (CHN) in the women's doubles, came away second best against seeded opposition in the semifinals that denied them a place in the respective gold medals games at the Beijing 2008 OTE. However, a medal is still on the cards for the trio should they triumph in the playoffs for bronze on Sunday.

With prolonged rain delays threatening to wreak havoc on the Beijing 2008 OTE, the women's singles gold and bronze medal games have been rescheduled for Sunday (Aug 17). Today, Li Na (CHN) will face No. 6 seed Dinara Safina (RUS) in the semifinals after the Russian had eliminated No. 2 seed Jelena Jankovic (SRB) yesterday.