Aravane Rezai

Aravane Rezai (Latin alphabet: Aravane Rezaï, born March 14, 1987) is an Iranian-French tennis player born in St. Etienne, France to Iranian parents. Rezaï took up tennis after a childhood stint as her older brother's ball-girl.

Career

2001 and 2005: Women's Islamic Games

She competed for Iran at the Women's Islamic Games winning Gold in 2001 and 2005.

2006: U.S. Open

At the 2006 U.S. Open, she reached the fourth round, her career best Grand Slam singles result. Her current ranking as of May 30, 2007 is 43rd.

2007

At the international clay tournament of Istanbul (Turkey) Rezaï reached the final by beating American World No. 29 Venus Williams in the 2nd round (6–4, 6–4) and Russian World No. 2 Maria Sharapova in the semi-final (6–2, 6–4). In the final she lost to Russian Elena Dementieva due to retiring, trailing 6–7(5) 0–3. In spite of her good performance in the international clay tournament, she lost the week after 6–2, 6–4 to countrywoman Marion Bartoli in the first round of the 2007 French Open. In her first appearance in Wimbledon she defeated Shenay Perry from the U.S. in the first round 6–2 7–6 and Francesca Schiavone from Italy the 29 seed in the second round, 6–4 2–6 6–4. However, in the third round she was defeated by Ana Ivanović from Serbia by 6–3, 6–2.

2008

She reached the final of the 2008 ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand, despite being unseeded. She lost to American, Lindsay Davenport, 6–2, 6–2.

At the Australian Open, Rezai reached the third round, beating thirteenth seed Tatiana Golovin in the second round 6–3, 3–6, 6–3 before losing to Hsieh Su-Wei 6–2, 6–7, 6–4.

Finals

Runner-up (2)

Legend

Grand Slam

WTA Championships

Tier I

Tier II

Tier III

Tier IV

No.	Date	Tournament	Surface	Opponent in the final	Score
1.	26 May, 2007	Istanbul, Turkey	Clay	Elena Dementieva	7–6(5), 3–0 ret.
2.	January 5, 2008	Auckland, New Zealand	Hard	Lindsay Davenport	6–2, 6–2

External links

• Official Website