PHOTO OP: Nando grabs cover in Kooyong but keeps legs on display (phew)

Fernando Verdasco was spotted getting some cover during his match in Kooyong today. In a battle of "Nandos", the sexy Spaniard dismissed Fernando Gonzalez 6-4, 6-3 to win the third place playoff.

Well I can't say I'm disappointed to see Nando covering up that hairy situation with a new-fangled adidas head wrap. Maybe he ditched that 'do and will reveal his own Aussie Open surprise to us all.

Let's just hope he doesn't cover up those legs, though.

*gawks shamelessly*



(images via Getty)

WEEKEND WINNERS: Fed, Nalby, J.Martin, Elena, Petra

Roger Federer completed his preparation for next's Aussie Open by comprehensively crushing doubles partner, good friend and potential quarterfinal foe Stanislas Wawrinka 6-1, 6-3 in 57 minutes to earn his second Kooyong title.

No real surprise here but it's still a good confidence win for Fed before the year's first major. But the big question is: when did Stan leave adidas and join Lacoste?


Fed's longtime nemesis David Nalbandian is up to his usual tricks again. After a relatively non-existent 2008, the enigmatic Argentine stormed back to take the Sydney title by defeating Jarkko Nieminen 6-3, 6-7(9), 6-2 for his 10th career title. Regal Rog owns a 10-8 lead in their head-to-head and the pair, who sit in the same half of the draw, could meet in the semifinals.


Speaking of Argentines, Juan Martin del Potro has picked up where he left off last season when he won his first four titles consecutively and reached a major quarterfinal for the first time at the US Open. The 20-year old defeated American Sam Querry 6-4, 6-4 to capture the Auckland title and is the eighth seed next week. He sits in the bottom quarter of the draw that features Fed + Stan, Marin Cilic, Marat Safin, and controversial Aussie prodigy Bernard Tomic.


In a rematch of the Beijing Olympics gold medal round, Elena Dementieva won again and evened her head-to-head series with Dinara Safina to 5-all by pulling out a 6-3, 2-6, 6-1 over her compatriot in Sydney and earning her second title in as many weeks (Auckland). She's the form lady baller going into Melbourne and if her legs stay under her, watch out.


Congrats to Petra Kvitova who defeated her Czech compatriot Iveta Benesova 7-5, 6-1 to win her maiden WTA title in Hobart. She sits in the bottom quarter of the draw that features 9-time Grand Slammer Serena Williams.

(images via Getty)

SIGHTING: Andy Roddick joins shirtless brigade during Kooyong Classic

Our lucky day: So we found more gratuitous shirtless shots - this time of Andy Roddick, who dropped his cute Lacoste tennis duds for a practice session during the Kooyong Classic.

The defending champion reached the final today by easily defeating another shirtless wonder, Russia's Marat Safin 6-3, 6-3.

(images via WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images)

SIGHTING: Roger Federer back in action, preps for Aussie Open campaign

Back in action: Roger Federer, who pulled out of the Kooyong Classic with a stomach virus, looks to be in good physical shape based on these photos of a recent practice/fitness session in Melbourne. In fact, the World No. 1 has an opportunity to play some matches at Kooyong now that David Nalbandian, who we thought had a good chance of challenging Fed at the Australian Open, has pulled out of the tournament with back spasms.

According to tournament director Colin Stubs,

"[Federer] said he would like the match practice, [...] We can slot a match outside the format. Federer, (James) Blake, (Novak) Djokovic are not out of the equation for a fourth match outside the bracket."

For his part, the Swiss Stylist said,

"I hung around and I definitely think [the decision is] going to turn for the good and I'll be 100 per cent, really, before the (Australian Open) starts."

(images via AP Photo/Andrew Brownbill)

SIGHTING: David Nalbandian looks primed for Aussie Open challenge

Spoiler alert? Former Wimbledon finalist and current Roger Federer nemesis David Nalbandian was spotted training in Melbourne recently for the Australian Open.

From these photos the man with the lethal double-fisted backhand looks in great shape to spoil Fed's chances at the first Grand Slam of the year. After all, he did beat the World No. 1 the last 2 times they played - in Master Series events no less (not to mention 2 straight defeats of World No. 2 Rafael Nadal as well.)

The Argentine will also be part of the elite 8-man field at the Kooyong Classic this week. Unfortunately, we won't get to see a rematch between the two just yet as Fed pulled out of Kooyong with a severe stomach virus. More to look forward to in Melbourne, we suppose...

(images via WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images & AP Photo/Andrew Brownbill)