Auckland, Doha, and Brisbane Crown Champions..

Yanina Wickmayer came out like a ball of fire in the final of the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand.  Flavia Pennetta was unfortunately on the receiving end of the beating in the final.  The Belgian took control early and didn't let up, taking the championship 6-3, 6-2.....It is not known if Wickmayer was "roided" out for this tournament or not....allegedly, possibly, but doubtful.

In a battle between two comeback Belgians, Kim Clijsters took the title in Brisbane, Australia, defeating Justine Henin in a long, tough match 6-3, 4-6, 7-6.  Both women will be huge factors when the Australian Open begins in little over a week.

The Qatar Open in Doha, Qatar crowned the first mens tournament winner of the new year.  In the final Rafael Nadal faced Nikolay Davydenko in this years final.  Davydenko had to defeat Roger Federer, while Nadal made easy work of Viktor Troicki to make it to the finals.

In the first set Nadal stormed out and didn't look back taking the first set easily over Davydenko 6-0.  In the 2nd set Davydenko finally settled in and found his feet.  Grinding out a tough 2nd set and fighting off 2 match points for Nadal.  Davydenko takes the 2nd set 7-6 in a tiebreaker.  Nadal in the 3rd set takes the early lead after a break of serve and leads the final set 3-1.  Its looking as if Nadal will cruise to a victory, as Davydenko looks at his foot and grimaces in pain....Well not so fast, Davydenko wins the next 3 games and takes a 4-3 lead and puts the match back on serve.  Nadal then holds evening the match 4-4.  Davydenko barely holds serve, Nadal had his chances to break here, but its 5-4 Davydenko on-serve.  Davydenko in the next game breaks Nadal to secure the championship 0-6, 7-6, 6-4.  Beating Federer and Nadal on consecutive days, along with his year-end title makes Davydenko one of the favorites for the Australian Open.

There are still a couple tournaments still going.  Both mens finals in Chennai, India and Brisbane, Australia have yet to be played.  Both will be played either today or tomorrow (depending on where you live).  Here are the final matchups:

The mens final in Brisbane, Australia, Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic, the defending champion will defend his title against Andy Roddick of the United States.....Unfortunately I think Roddick will take this match.

In Chennai, India defending champion Marin Cilic goes against Stanislas Wawrinka in the final.... I like Cilic to defend his title in a close match.