Photos from Wednesday’s Day Session at the LA Women’s Tennis Championships.

Interesting results so far:

Safina def. Hantuchova: 6-2, 6-4
Zheng def. Vesnina: 6-4, 4-6, 6-0
Stosur def. Kirilenko: 6-2, 6-4
Chakvetadze def. Kleybanova: 6-3, 3-6, 6-1
A. Radwanska def. Sugiyama: 6-2, 6-1
U. Radwanska def. Cibulkova: 6-4, 6-7(6), 6-4
Li def Wozniak: 4-6. 2-6, 6-3
Petrova def. Peer: 6-4, 2-6, 6-3
Pennetta def Vandewegh 6-2, 6-4

Sharapova vs. Azarenka and Wozniacki vs. Cirstea are up tonight. We’ll post photos later!

FYI – LA Women’s Tennis Championships is offering a crazy 3 for 1 deal for Friday’s night session!

http://www.latennischamps.com/

 

The LA Women’s Tennis Championships kicks off today in Carson, California, a WTA Tour Premier Level event with a solid draw that includes Dinara Safina, Ana Ivanovic, Caroline Wozniacki, Vera Zvonareva and Maria Sharapova.

The top seeds attended today’s all-access media hour, here’s some of what they had to say:

Ana Ivanovic on moving up and down the rankings: “I put lots of pressure on myself – and I still do – but I didn’t realize how good pressure was until I didn’t have it anymore. All of the sudden when I didn’t have pressure, I realized how much I missed it and how much it made me sharper and more focused. I want the pressure back.”

Dinara Safina on Serena Williams (who is not playing in L.A.) and the No. 1 ranking:

“Ranking is ranking. I didn’t do the ranking system. . . It’s the result of the way you play the whole year, not just the Grand Slams. If she (Serena Williams) has some questions she can go to the WTA.”

Caroline Wozniacki on her goals: “Today I’m No. 8 in the world and it feels really good, but I still have seven spots left to where I want to be.“

Vera Zvonareva on coming back after ankle injury: “I think at the moment it’s a little bit like starting over for me.“

Vera had much more to say about her comeback – I’ll post my interview with her later, as well as photos and comments from Maria Sharapova’s match against Jarmila Groth tonight.

Click here to visit the LA Women’s Tennis Championships website.

 

Roger & Mirka and Steffi & Andre may have formed the ultimate tennis love-matches, but there are many more tumultuous examples: Kim Clijsters & Lleyton Hewitt, Jimmy Connors & Chris Evert and Radek Stepanek & Martina Hingis broke off their engagements, for example, while Verdasco & Ivanovic, Pennetta & Moya and Stepanek & Vaidisova experienced well-documented courtships and break-ups (yes, ladies, “The Worm”  is back on the market, per Tennis.com!)

With the increase in co-ed tournaments and prize money (get thee back, gold digging groupies!), The Wall Street Journal claims that love is in the air – and on the courts – more than ever. I’d argue that Marat Safin’s imminent retirement has dashed the hopes of lusty WTA players, making Radek et. al. more appealing, but what do I know?

Here are some excerpts from Hannah Karp’s WSJ article called Tennis Gets Hot and Heavy: Increase in Co-Ed Events Sparks More Love Matches; Federer as “Eye Candy.” (Click here for the full article and thanks to Forty Deuce for posting on this.)

The allure of The Worm, explained:

Defending the title of ATP playboy, though, is Czech Radek Stepanek. He was engaged to Martina Hingis, is (not) dating Nicole Vaidisova (anymore) and is known for charming ladies with his sense of humor and a victory dance he calls “the worm,” which he debuted at a player party in the Austrian Alps several years ago after a big win and a little too much Schnapps.

“Everyone was very impressed,” recalls Mr. Stepanek, adding that he hopes his popularity with beautiful women, a subject of much speculation on tennis forums, is “because of who I am as a person.”

Federer “as eye candy.” (No surprise, Marion Bartoli’s quoted on this one!)

Much to the dismay of many female players, Mr. Federer married one of their own in April, former pro Mirka Vavrinec, and is officially off the market. “He was great eye candy,” says France’s Marion Bartoli, who took his picture off her wall after she heard the news.

Tennis players are just like bloggers:

Thirty years ago, just catching a glimpse of players of the opposite sex at the four Grand Slams each year was a thrill. Leslie Allen, a former WTA player who joined the tour in 1977, recalls an early WTA ritual: ranking the male tennis players based on their looks. “We’d choose a captain and a co-captain—we had a whole ranking system,” says Ms. Allen, now a coach at Riverdale Country School in New York.

Forget “Mars vs. Venus”, it’s “Neanderthal vs. Jonas Brother fans”:

“It’s kind of an incestuous world,” says Dr. Mayer (a sports psychologist). When it comes to romance, he says, even the most accomplished male players tend to behave like “neanderthals” and female players like “giggly Jonas Brothers fans.” This often results in “very adolescent” relationships, he says, that last an average of three to four months and tend to have noticeable effects on a player’s performance at various stages.

In the seduction or “wooing” period, Dr. Mayer says, performance generally peaks. Canada’s top player, Frank Dancevic, for example, says he achieved the best result of his life the first time he brought his girlfriend to a tournament in Indianapolis two years ago. “I think I was just trying to show off—I didn’t want to look like a wuss,” says Mr. Dancevic.

As relationships progress, however, things can get complicated. Dr. Mayer says he watched one tour relationship hit the skids after the male player repackaged a watch given to him by a major tour sponsor and sent it to his girlfriend, another pro player, fibbing that he’d bought the watch in Paris—not knowing that his girlfriend had received the same watch from the same sponsor.

Any guesses on who the re-gifter was? URGH! I’m dying to know! The article does mention one cad by name, when Dominika Cibulkova’s coach describes her ex-beau, Gael Monfils, as charming but not “a relationship guy.” We know what that means!

Here’s an audio-visual guide to famous tennis couples (player-on-player and otherwise) – the Roddick photo at the end is priceless!

This calls for a poll!

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One of the most awesome shots I’ve seen all tournament: Sam Stosur’s inside out forehand while down 2-5 in the second set tiebreak against Kuznetsova.

If you missed it – the shot is at the 60 second mark in this video. Also, check out Dinara Safina’s reaction, while watching the match in the ESPN studios:

Her forehand may be Gonzo, but Sam’s guns are Rafaesque:

Stosur looked great coming out of the second set but couldn’t maintain the momentum. Svetlana Kuznetsova did her own Nadal impression, staying mentally tough enough to close out the match 6-3 in the third.

With Dinara Safina beating Dominika Cibulkova in the other semi, we now have an all Russian final. Dinara leads the head-to-head 8 to 5, but the compatriots have split their past two finals on clay this season. So who’s stepping up on Saturday to do the ultimate Rafa impersonation?:

Even if Sveta loses, she should get a trophy for her press conferences. Today she spoke in depth on a range of topics including Boris Yeltsin, hip hop and American sneaker sponsorships (click here). She also told this amusing story about the first time she played Dinara:

Oh, yeah. This story goes way back. I was like 12 or 13, and Dinara was unbelievable girl. She’s one year younger than me. I had no chance playing against her. I remember I lose to her 6‑1, 6‑Love or something, but it was no chance.

I used to be girl from St. Petersburg, she was Moscow and her mom is huge coach who been coaching her. I mean, she was No. 1, No.2, always great. I don’t even know what number I had.

But then I talk to her. I said, Dinara, do you remember something? She says, Yeah, I remember you coming with rock shirt, because I was big fan of the rock band and with big bottle of Coke to the match.

It’s fun, you know. She tells me back then this is what she remembers. She was very good then, and then her brother was huge. I was coming to Marat, Hey, I know your sister Dinara. Can you give me autograph? You know, it was funny.

It’s quotes like this that make me want ol’ Kuzy to win the French Open. But then I hope Dinara wins it, if only to shut Serena up (footage from yesterday’s press conference showed Williams smirking when she said that Safina deserved the No. 1 ranking.)

I’m really torn. What do you think?

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Sam “.357″ Stosur:  photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images Yahoo!Sports

Serena Williams lost her Roland Garros quarter final today in an exciting three-set match against Svetlana Kuznetsova. It was big hitting tennis from both sides, with balls streaking down the lines and into the corners of the court. Kuzy ripped some screaming forehands and Serena served huge at clutch moments.

Even more impressive than the shotmaking was Kuznetsova’s new-found mental toughness. After failing to serve out the match in the second set, I thought Kuzy was ready to pack up her brain and very soon after, her bags. She’d lost the same opportunities to Serena in Australia this year, and we all know how that turned out. The third set just belonged to Serena, even more so after she saved two match points on her serve.

Kuzy thought so, too:

“It was same scenario as Australian Open. It was identically. In second set, third set I was pushing myself to fight, and still she was break up. With her it’s a big difference. She started to serve great, and I’m very proud that I push myself and I could fight still for the third set.”

Maybe she noticed during her bathroom break that Sam Stosur was into the semis and remembered: Nothing goes as expected at this year’s French Open.

Another shocker – Serena Williams abdicated her “Real No. 1″ position in the post-match press conference:

Q. If Safina wins the title here, will that authenticate her as the world No. 1, do you think?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, I already think she’s definitely authenticated as the world No. 1. She’s there. She has won four tournaments.

The “Battle of the Real No. 1s” final isn’t meant to be. So now I’m hoping for the “Battle of the Super Talented Russian Headcases,” who are also the best two players on clay this season.

Of course, Cibulkova and/or Stosur may throw a wrench into the twisted, churning works of Roland Garros. Normally, I’d say “no chance” (Stosur hasn’t won a singles title on tour) but at this point, who the heck knows what’s going to happen? And it’s hard not to root for someone when she says things like this:

Q. The first time reaching a Grand Slam semifinal. How do you feel?

SAMANTHA STOSUR: Um, just over the moon, happy, excited. Every single positive emotion I think possible at the moment.

For what it’s worth: Kuznetsova and Stosur have only played once – five years ago in Bali, with Kuznetsova winning. Safina and Cibulkova have met two times, both on hardcourts in 2008, with Safina dominating with straight set victories.

Both women’s semi final matches will be played tomorrow (Thursday) on Court Philippe Chatrier. Click here for the T.V. schedule.

Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, forget about Australia: AP Photo/Bernat Armangue via Daylife.

This crazy French Open is making me queasy.

I’m discombobulated. . .bitten by the upset bug. . . suffering from clay-induced vertigo. . .my thoughts are bobbing up and down like buoys in a stormy sea. . .then diving and leaping like Gael Monfils on a clay court.

Excuse me while I get my bearings. Or should I say: barings?

From GTT’s legal department: No comments printed in this post shall be found to “jinx” Roger Federer, regardless of the outcome of this tournament. (I’m so superstitious, I might add this disclaimer to the top of the home page.)

The best commentator-speak of the moment: Suddenly, the French Open men’s draw is as open as the women’s. At least the ladies have a former RG champion still in the mix, along with the World No. 1/last year’s runner up. Roger Federer stands alone on the men’s side, like a solitary polar bear roaming the icy tundra in a nature documentary. Will the earth crack beneath him before he snags his prize?

Fedophile test: What do you feel when looking at the following head-to-heads?

• Federer vs. Gonzalez: 12-1
• Federer vs. Monfils: 4-0
• Federer vs. Del Potro: 5-0
• Federer vs. Robredo: 8-0
• Federer vs. Soderling: 9-0
• Federer vs. Murray (who lost today to Gonzo): 2-6

Fed Fan = surging emotions of excitement and happiness

Fedophile = a slow, creeping sense of impending doom

Change of topic: Who is crying harder right now, Novak Djokovic or Rafael Nadal? (I pick Nole, for losing to Kohlschreiber, who then lost to Robredo in the next round.)

Have the hiccups? This should help: Robin Soderling, 2009 Roland Garros Champion.

Guess who texted Soderling: “Congratulations, and thank you for not letting Nadal break my record.’”?

Please Tennis Gods, stop the madness and give us a Safina vs. Serena final!

If forced to root for dark horses, I’d pick Monfils and Stosur. Does Kuznetsova qualify as a long shot, or not?

The cheering hierarchy of the Parisian crowd:

1. French
2. Underdogs
3. Players on the brink of straight-set demolition (which explains Sharapova’s unexpected boost today while flaming out to Cibulkova)
4. Anyone not named Serena Williams or Rafael Nadal (at least after what Uncle Toni said.)

We need a little help from our friends: Please join us on Wednesday for a Tennis Party! We’ll send an invite via Twitter – or just check in during Fed vs. Monfils.

I know how you feel, Andy: Photo by REUTERS/Regis Duvignau (FRANCE SPORT TENNIS) via Daylife

Fed Bear bares it all: AP Photo/Bernat Armangue via Daylife

Young up-and-comers Azarenka, Cibulkova, Alona Bondarenko and Chakvetadze go cheesecake for French FHM.

I’d prefer a Tonsga, Monaco, Ferrer and Bolelli bikini shoot, but I guess these photos weren’t meant for me.

On a newsy note, Cibulkova beat Bondarenko in the first round of Roland Garros. Azarenka is  still in it but Ana was knocked out of Paris in the first round.

 

via WTA Hotties

This silly Stuttgart promo is worth watching just for the ending, when Dominika Cibulkova (who was routed by Jelena Jankovic, 6-1, 6-1, in the first round) holds a plate of sausages up to her face, and says “Really, what more can I say?” Also,  Bethanie Mattek-Sands enjoys a gallon-sized stein of beer. That’s my girl!

This week’s action from Stuttgart’s Porsche Tennis Grand Prix should be fantastic. We already have some tasty second round match ups in store: Safina vs. Hantuchova (who beat Alize Cornet in the first round), Jankovic vs. Lisicki (this could be the final), Li Na vs. Kuznetsova, Wozniacki vs. Bartoli and Dementieva vs. Szavay.

The big storyline for me is Dinara Safina – as the newly-minted No. 1, I think the pressure is on her to take the title in Stuttgart. Especially since Serena Williams isn’t playing. Also fun to watch:  Jankovic’s return to form and Lisicki enjoying her new-found fame in front of a home crowd.

I’d like Safina to meet either Jankovic or Lisicki in one semi, and for Li Na to play Wozniacki in the other. We should also look out for clay court specialist Gisela Dulko, who beat Azarenka in the second round and will face the winner of Li vs. Kuznetsova.

Click here for the tournament website and here for the TV schedule.