TORONTO, Canada - She keeps going from strength to strength. Last fall she cracked the Top 20, earlier this season she broke into the Top 10 and now Anna Chakvetadze sits at a career-high No.6 in the world, hot off of the heels of consecutive titles at Cincinnati and Stanford. Now, she heads to Toronto in the hunt for her second career Tier I title, and brings us all along for the ride in the latest Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Player Blog.

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Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Well I had my first match of the week today but unfortunately was unable to finish it because of this virus I've been talking about. I felt fine and ready to play going into the match, and I began the match well also, going up 3-0. But suddenly I started to feel my power go away. And we were having pretty long rallies too, which was tougher on me. After I lost the first set I played a few more games and that was it, I had nothing left. Sometimes stuff like this happens. It's sad, but what can I do? Hopefully I'll recover soon.

I was fine before the match. If I knew I wouldn't be able to finish the match, I would never have started it. But I think my practice leading up to today didn't prepare me for playing against Virginie. I'd hit for maybe an hour each day at most and do typical things like crosscourts and only a bit of running. I think Virginie is playing really well and I just didn't have enough energy in me today.

It's strange, I haven't had any injuries all year, but I've been sick like this three times now. I had it before Indian Wells and during Roland Garros. Roland Garros was particularly bad timing because I was in the quarterfinals. But in San Diego there was something going around and I guess I got it too. I think some time off is in order - maybe three or four days without tennis. I haven't decided whether or not I'll stay here or go to New York, but maybe a change would do me good.

I've really enjoyed my stay here in Toronto. Where we're staying is very nice, very quiet, and there's a lot of restaurants nearby too, and it's not that loud or crowded, like other areas. There was also a nice view of the city from my hotel room. The tournament was well-organized too. It was a pleasure for me to be here this past week, it's too bad it had to end this way...

I'm looking forward to going to New York. I've already talked about how shopping is a very important thing for me but I have a lot of friends there too, and it's very lively, very many people. It's like you're always on the move. And I've done well at the US Open before so I'm looking forward to playing there again.

It's a pity my week has come to an end, because I've got semifinal points to defend at this tournament and I really like to play here. But also it means my blog will come to an end much earlier than I had hoped :(

Hopefully, though, you've liked reading it as much as I enjoyed doing it, and I'll definitely be doing it again sometime so I'll talk to you all soon enough!!

Take care,

Anna :)

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Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Hello again everyone!

Like yesterday, I didn't do all that much today either but that's probably a good thing, because like I said, I'm trying to save my energy for my match tomorrow.

The first thing I did today was sleep in very late and miss breakfast. Now my dad has been telling me I need to eat it every day, but this is the third day in a row I haven't gotten up in time. Anyway, today I went to the tournament site and had what was sort of breakfast and lunch at the same time :) Then, I watched a bit of the match between Razzano and Rezai, which I'd play the winner of Wednesday.

Razzano won, and after what I saw, I'll have to play my best tomorrow. She's in good shape and had good results last week in Los Angeles. I've played her twice before and beaten her both times, but neither match was easy. The last time we played was at Miami last year and I think we've both improved since then. She's had injury problems but she's a fighter and that's why she's always dangerous.

I didn't practice for too long after that; maybe 30-40 minutes. I feel my energy coming back. I feel I'm playing well but I'm not moving much in practice because I want to be fresh tomorrow. We didn't play a set or anything, just other things...

After practice I didn't do anything interesting at all. Well I went to the mall, which is not that far from my hotel, but when I got there all the shops were closed so no shopping for me today. I can't wait until next week - I am going to New York a week before the US Open starts - so I'll definitely get some good shopping in :)

I think all girls like shopping. But what I shop for depends on what's there. I just go to the shops and see what I like and don't like, and just buy what I like. It can be handbags or clothes - actually it's mostly handbags or clothes. Of course, shopping is best with my mom - she can go all day long and can even outlast ME. Shopping with my dad is a different story... We'll go into a store and he'll tell me to just find what I want and get it so we can leave. My dad is the one with me in Toronto so that's what I'm looking forward to here! My mom and brother were with me for a month, but after San Diego they went home because my brother (who is nine) had school coming up. I was alone in Los Angeles for a few days, but my dad came back from Moscow to join me in Toronto. So here we are!

My dad travels with me more as my mom can't travel too much because of my brother. I think he probably belongs with her anyway, because she helps him with school and keeps him under control. My dad can't handle it. He's such a kind father - too kind maybe! My brother gets away with not doing his homework and just playing his video games when my dad is in charge, whereas my mom would hide the video games if he didn't do his homework! I never really got into video games. I watch him play them sometimes. Sometimes I'll go back and he has a bunch of things he wants to show me - like once I came back and he had five cartoons ready to go and wanted to watch them with me! I do like them though. My favorite was Shrek - it was very funny, especially the donkey. But anyway...

I'll probably get some more rest tonight to be as ready as possible tomorrow. Hopefully, I can continue to play well like I have been doing this summer.

I'll talk to you all after the match!

Anna