Stuttgart, Tokyo, Metz, Oh My!

Serena Williams and Svetlana Kuznetsova are underway in their quarterfinals at the Tier II event in Stuttgart this week. I can't imagine a more dream draw for such an event. Justine Henin, Jelena Jankovic and Tatiana Golovin are already into the semifinals.

While some people moan and groan about the fall season (I tend to join in on that chorus usually), I'm really digging the competition lately. Davis Cup week supplied us with plenty of inspiring stories, and the women seem to be in make-up mode for such a boring summer by playing every fall event they can.

In Tokyo, Venus Williams will meet Virinie Razzano (newly tagged on AIPT) in the finals. Razzano benefited from depleted draws to have a hot summer and has gained confidence into fall, especially after winning a career-first title in Gangzhou last week.

Also in Tokyo, Lleyton Hewitt couldn't be more frustrated after holding serve 12 times (and not facing a break point) but still losing to Ivo Karlovic. With 25 aces in the match, Karlovic joins the 1,000 Ace Club. Karlovic is just the fourth man to complete this feat (1,000 aces in one year) in history. (See ATP link for graphic.)

Andy Murray continued his comeback from a mid-year injury that forced him to sit out Wimbledon. The Scot defeated Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in Metz to advance to the semifinals Friday.

No YouTube clip has shown up yet from Stefan Koubek's meltdown over a linecall. The search continues...