Tennis Country’s snapshot of the memorable moments on the women’s pro tennis tour during the Fourth Quarter…

•    Greatest Accomplishment:

o    The “new doubles team on the block”, Nuria Llagostera Vives and Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez, beat Serena Williams and Venus Williams, as well as the top–ranked duo of Cara Black and Liezel Huber en route to the title at the year-end Sony Ericsson Championships.  Can they establish themselves as a force in women’s doubles in 2010 and beyond?

o    Dinara Safina’s season ended on the worst possible note when she retired in the middle of her match at the year-end Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Championships with a back injury.  Safina indicated that the back had been bothering her for a while and might prevent her from playing at the 2010 Australian Open.  After her Grand Slam meltdowns earlier in the season, Dinara probably needs some time away to regroup and recover her confidence.

o    Former Wimbledon and Australian Open Champion, Amelie Mauresmo, announced her retirement from professional tennis at the age of thirty.  Amelie said that she no longer had the desire to train as hard as necessary to compete at the top level of the game.  Tennis will miss her talent and her grace…

o    2009 French Open semifinalist, Australian Samantha Stosur, finally won her first singles title in Japan this fall.  For Stosur, who has won Grand Slam doubles titles, it’s a milestone in her career.  Stosur reached a career-high ranking of 13th this fall and therefore she will face heightened expectations when she competes in the Australian summer swing this month.  At the same time, “Sam” will receive tremendous support from the hometown Aussie fans.  Can she crack the top ten in 2010?