(UPDATED) THE LOW DOWN: Did Maria Kirilenko end it with Alex Ovechkin over this Instagram photo?

Is this photo the reason why Maria Kirilenko called off her engagement and ended her relationship with Alex Ovechkin? According to Sports Illustrated, this picture of Ovechkin with gymnast Karolina Sevastianova taken by the hockey star's friend, Russian basketballer Russian basketballer Vitaly Fridzonon, and posted on his Instagram feed led to the breakup.

In the statement released to Russia's R-Sport by Kiri, she said there were "a lot of reasons" for the breakup but did not go into detail. It may look harmless, but there's probably more going on there than meets the eye if the reports are true.

UPDATE: Kiri was interviewed by Sovetsky Sport and denied this image had anything to do with the breakup. Via Deadspin:

Maria, can you comment on the story about the pictures with Sasha and [gymnast Karolina Sevastyanova] on social networks, which are being so vigorously discussed in the media?

Maria Kirilenko: Believe me, over the years I have seen so many pictures of Sasha in the company of young ladies, that I have gotten used to it. That is normal. We are public figures, and people often want to take pictures with us. This is the first time I heard about this girl, and I made my decision to break up the engagement long before these pictures appeared on the social networks. It is laughable to point to them as the main reason behind the breakup – after three years together couples do not break up over a couple of pictures. There are much more significant reasons. I will not go into any more details about them. But let's just say it is not a secret for anybody that Sasha has certain habits and particulars of behavior that I did not consider worth tolerating anymore.

"Certain habits"? "Particulars"? Bueller? Bueller?

 [Photo(s) credit: rsport.ru]

PHOTO OP: FED CUP's best fist pumps

Maria Kirilenko

FED CUP kicked off this weekend. And, even though Fist Pumping Lifetime Achievement Award winner Ana Ivanovic pulled out of Serbia's tie against the Slovak Republic after injuring her shoulder at the Australian Open, there were still plenty of lady ballers willing to take her place and throw up a fist in her honor (that part is TOTALLY made up). See the results here and click the headline to see the best of this weekend's FED CUP fist pumping.

PHOTO OP: Here's a Hot Shot for you, WTA

With skills like this it's surprising Maria Kirilenko didn't make the Xperia cut.

Oh well, your loss.

[Photo(s): Reuters]

Kirilenko upsets defending champ Kuznetsova in Roland Garros third round

(Just a quick note: It's Memorial Day weekend here in the U.S. so posting may be sporadic over the next few days; regular posting will resume on Monday. I'll make sure to have an extra beer for each and every one of you to make up for it. You're welcome.)


Maria Kirilenko continued her Grand Slam giant-killing ways ousting defending champion Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 in the third round of Roland Garros today. The 30th seed began the season by knocking out Maria Sharapova in the first round of the Australian Open back in January.

Although on paper it goes down as an upset, Sveta's form has been less than stellar winning a total of one match in the lead up to Paris (d. Srebotnik, Stuttgart.) Actually, I thought she might go out in her first round match against Sorana Cirstea, a quarterfinalist last year, but managed an easy win. This was also her second consecutive loss to Kiri having just lost to her in Rome in the opening round.

With this loss the 2-time Grand Slammer will fall out of the Top 10 for the first time in four years. Ouch.


As for Kiri she next faces Francesca Schiavone, the crafty Italian veteran who's been playing well and who Van Sias bravely picked to get far in his VANtage Point bracket breakdown (ok, I thought it was a long shot too - what the hell do I know?) It's a winnable match for her though the victor will face either Flavia Pennetta or Caroline Wozniacki, a tough prospect either way.

But confidence is a funny thing and a big win in a Grand Slam over the defending champion could be just what Kiri needs.

[Photo(s): Reuters]

HE SAID/SHE SAID: Oz Open Day One

Q. You seem a bit slimmer than last year, a bit lighter.

RAFAEL NADAL: Can we bring scales tomorrow? Everybody ask me the same. If we bring something here, I gonna put... I have the same weight than last year. I weigh the same five years ago. I didn't change.


Q. Is it hard as a returner to know what to expect with Maria's serve?

MARIA KIRILENKO: I mean, yes, her serve ‑‑ she didn't do too much double‑fault actually today. I expected to get more (laughter).


Q. Who takes care of your dog when you're away?

ANDY RODDICK: Who takes care of my dog when I'm away? Questions I didn't think I was going to get today.

Q. You tweet about your dog.

ANDY RODDICK: Yeah, my dog is at the in‑law's right now. Sometimes when I leave, the dog wants to stay in Austin, because it just tells us, and my friend Neal Boban, who graduated from Dartmouth, takes care of it, takes it out thrice daily, emails us updates (laughter).


Q. What do you think about the comeback of Justine Henin? You were the one who beat her, and now she's come back.

DINARA SAFINA: I think it's great for her that she's back.

Q. And for women's tennis?

DINARA SAFINA: I guess so.


Q. Having changed your buildup to this Open, starting with a new sponsor, does it feel different this year in any particular way?

ANDY MURRAY: Yeah, a lot of things have changed, you know, especially in the buildup to the event. Obviously I got here a lot earlier. Today was the first, you know, match on the tour, I guess, after quite a long break.

So that changes things a little bit, whereas I've come in the last years having played a lot of matches in Doha. Obviously, play with new clothes and changed the weight and stuff of my racquet a little bit at the end of the year. Less people with me this year. So changed quite a few things up. [Hmmm, talking about Kim perhaps?]


Q. Did you think it was wrong you had to play qualifying?

YANINA WICKMAYER: Well, I'm 16 in the world, so I think I should be main draw. I mean, I've asked myself that question a lot of times. I knew I was going to have to play quallies. I knew it a couple of weeks before, so I could prepare myself for the qualifying matches, which was, in a way, positive. I knew I was gonna play them and I could prepare myself mentally.


Q. But you are playing well, too, now.

ELENA DEMENTIEVA: You're asking me or you're telling me?

Q. Telling you or asking you. Whatever.

ELENA DEMENTIEVA: Telling me. Thank you (laughter.)

[Photo(s): AP, Getty]

A tale of two Marias: Kiri shocks Shrieka in Australian Open first round

It's probably not the way Maria Sharapova wanted to kick off her 2010 season. Just a guess.

The 3-time Grand Slammer was shell-shocked at the Australian Open, falling 7-6 (4), 3-6, 6-4 to compatriot and good friend Maria Kirilenko in the tourney's first round. But if you look at the stat sheet it was littered with reasons: 45 winners against 77 errors, 11 double faults and 31% conversion on break points (5 of 16.) It was Shrieka's first opening round loss at a major since falling in the same rounds as a qualifier at Roland Garros in 2003.

Kiri will now face Austrian Yvonne Meusbuger for a spot in the third round.


The former No. 1 was questioned about her confidence at the moment in her post-match presser:

Q. In Grand Slams, you've always given the impression of knowing exactly where the ball is going. Have you lost a little bit of the belief that where you hit it is where it's going to land?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I wouldn't say it's 'belief.' I think 'belief' is either something you have or you don't have. Whether it's just a little bit of, uhm, you know, maybe confidence, uhm, obviously it's the first tournament of the year and, you know, I just came up against somebody that just played really good tennis. That's just the way it goes.

Q. How would you describe your sense of confidence right now?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Uhm, well, I'm leaving on Monday of the first week, so that explains a lot.

As for Kiri, it was probably the biggest win of her career - first round of a Grand Slam, taking down a former Oz Open champ and No.1. So why tell her box to shut their pie holes after taking the big match?

Q. You put your fingers to your lips late in the match. Was that to get the crowd to quieten down?

MARIA KIRILENKO: It's unbelievable. I got so many questions in the locker room, in the players' lounge. What did you do? What does it mean? I don't know. Everyone can think what does that mean.

Normally, it was for me actually, that everything is calm, you know. Because, you know, of course it's a great win, but it's only the first round I pass. It's nothing big happens actually.

Q. Do you know that usually [Andrei] Arshavin does the same when he kicks the goal?

MARIA KIRILENKO: Yeah, that's true. That's what Kuznetsova just told me. Because she thinking that I was watching Arshavin before the match.

But that's not it. I said, No, I didn't watch.

BIG props to Kiri for not getting down when she lost the second set. She kept fighting and stuck to her game plan which was to be the steadier one on the court and move Shrieka around. As we've all seen, it's not easy playing someone so familiar and she did a great job of leaving their friendship on the sidelines - they way her more accomplished friend does so well.

Shrieka will be disappointed not just for the obvious reasons but because she was in the softest part of the draw littered with mental midgets i.e. Dinara Safina, Jelena Jankovic. She was the fave to get through this section and now it's been blown wide open. She hasn't played much since the U.S. Open (playing two tourneys and one exo, winning one title in Tokyo) so I do think she'll get better as the season progresses. But this one will definitely hurt.

[Photo(s): Lucas Dawson/Getty Images]

FASHION FIX: Some ladies were looking lovely, some others not so much

Venus Williams struggled mightily in first round match at the US Open last night and I'm not just talking about her game. The 2-time champ was pushed to the brink by a left knee injury and Russia's Vera Dushevina but pulled through with a 6-7 (5), 7-5, 6-3 victory. She cracked 54 errors - a defeat for most lady ballers - but balanced it out with 53 winners.

Papa Richard was interviewed by ESPN's roving reporter Pam Shriver (buh-bye Michael Barkan and your awkward interviews) and revealed V has been dealing with the injury for 5-6 weeks now but refused to pull back on her practices. Tsk, tsk.

The latest EleVen by Venus Williams dress was also a mess last night with its pepto pink color and strange looking etched hairy crown design on the back. I was dead serious when I wondered if this line should be retired and this latest look did nothing to change my mind.


Here's a first look at Daniela Hantuchova working her new adidas duds during her 6-2, 4-6, 6-1 opening round win over American Meghan Shaughnessy. The slender Slovak is wearing the Fall Adilibria Tank ($55) paired with Fall Adilibria Skort ($50). Now that Dani is with adidas, she may have been a better pick for adidas by Stella McCartney than Caroline Wozniacki but I guess they have a longer term prospect with Wozzi who's only 19-years old.


Former "It Girl" for the aforementioned adidas by Stella McCartney line, Maria Kirilenko, crushed the Ukraine's Mariya Koryttseva 6-2, 6-1 in her first round match. Fine she may have been given the boot from the brand's more fashion focused line but Kiri still looks great in the regulation adidas Fall Competition Tank ($60) and the Fall Competition Skort ($50).


Alas, we've arrived at your fave fashion disaster and mine Bethanie-Mattek Sands. The American grabbed a nice looking win over a great looking, Reebok-wearing Iveta Benesova ousting the Czech 6-3, 6-4. I suppose BMS wouldn't be the same if she didn't scare us a little with her Grand Slam stylings, though these knee socks are tame in comparison to some of her past violations.

I got to see some of this match live and took some pics of both lady ballers which I'll post later. Bennie was looking quite lovely.

(images via ap, tennisforum)

Wozzi gives better face than Kiri for adidas by Stella McCartney

Wozzi is IN, Kiri is so OUT. Finally.

According to the double bagel, Stella McCartney has dropped the struggling Russian and has chosen the rising Dane as the new global face for her eponymous line with adidas.

Via Politiken:

Stella McCartney has been directly involved in the selection of the main model for the new design, which launches across the world while at the same time, Caroline Wozniacki as the only player on the top level using it during the U.S. Open.

“It obviously feels good, that I was chosen and that Stella has also said that she would like me to represent her line. She will always have something that is new and fresh. She constantly seeks new inspiration, and I just think that she thought that I am new and on the way up and would be a good role model for the clothes, ” sounds Caroline Wozniacki’s own opinion on why she now become the subject of a worldwide campaign for the company she has been associated for several years.

Hmmm, World No. 9 with a bullet vs. World No. 58 and tumbling? No brainer. I guess those are the breaks Kiri. I mean, you're cute and all but Stella would like to sell some clothing. Plus, it'll be nice to finally see the clothing and often - if Wozzi keeps winning, that is.

Thanks ALLISON!

(image via getty)

MEDIA MASHUP: Tati, Dani, and Kiri featured in Sports Illustrated 2009 Swimsuit Issue

The Sports Illustrated 2009 Swimsuit Issue featuring Tatiana Golovin, Daniela Hantuchova, and Maria Kirilenko has been released and showcases the lady ballers on the beaches of the Dominican Republic working designer swimwear.



SI.com has also provided some behind-the-scenes footage of the shoots with the ladies.

CHECK IT:





Click here for more images from the Swimsuit Issue. Tati, Dani, + Kiri also sat down for an interview with the mag (click on their name to read the piece.) The most memorable lines?

Tati: Who's your dream guy? "I think I found one. I've been dating my boyfriend for a year." [Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri].

Dani: Every girl has her dating checklist. What are your top three deal breakers when dating? "I don't like when the guy is late, speaks only about himself and doesn't open the door for me."

Kiri: People have said that I look like..."Not sure who do I look like, but people say I look like a princess."

Thanks to DtL readers Jason + Sarah for the tip!

(images via Sports Illustrated)

Kiri dumps coach, talks Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue

Like Ana Ivanovic, Maria Kirilenko has also made some changes in her personnel to help awaken her slumbering game.

The Russian, who fell in the first round to Sara Errani at the Aussie Open, has dumped her coach, Eric Van Harpen, for someone a little closer to home - her father Yuri Kirilenko:

It’s like in the life, sometimes you feel you need to change something. Especially in sport, when something doesn’t work. Eric helped me a lot, I learned a lot of new things thanks to him. We are still good friends with him and his daughter Laura.

Good news Kiri fans! It seems she's never had a clear idea of what her strengths and weaknesses are and, therefore, never had a solid game plan when taking the court. Hopefully, this new arrangement will spark new energy for the petite lady baller.


And, thanks to DtL reader Damien for tipping me off to Kiri's thoughts on her upcoming spread in this month's Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue:

I have very good memories of the photo shooting for Sports Illustrated. I went to Dominican Republic with my mother. I was there for three days and I had a great time ! All days on the beach posing :-) I can tell I was busy all the days but it was so nice ! A great team worked with me. The great photographer Walter Iooss, I think it is a greatest photographer I ever work with. So, I can’t wait when the pictures come out ! There are coming 15th of February I guess.

Here we go again. I'll be curious to see if this lady baller can pull off the whole modeling/sex kitten moment.

*sigh*

(images via Getty)

FASHION FIX: Maria K still struggling with her tennis and her style

Maria Kirilenko seems to be going the way of Agnes Szavay.

The once rising Russian was quickly ushered out of the Aussie Open first round today by Italy's Sara Errani 6-0 6-4 in a paltry 91 minutes. In fact, Maria K hasn't even seen beyond the second round of any tourney since winning the title in Seoul last September. What gives?

Anyway, the soon-to-be 22-year old (January 25) is, of course, working adidas by Stella McCartney from the designer's Spring 2009 Collection. The baby-doll style is similar to JJ's ANTA dress but at least this one looks made of more substantial fabric (read: doesn't look flimsy, won't fall apart) though I prefer the color of the Serb's choice. The pink fluorescent piping on the straps, however, is a nice touch as is the intricate detailing at the hem.

I'm sure it's very comfortable to wear in the searing Aussie heat but I'm not really feeling this look. Maria K is dressed like she should be sleepwalking her way to a lady baller slumber party and not onto the courts of a major tourney.

Maybe that's why she's out.

(images via Getty)

FASHION FIX: Maria K continues losing streak in tennis + style

After triumphing in Seoul a few weeks ago Maria Kirilenko's game has stalled. The Russian lost her second match in a row today when she was beaten by compatriot Vera Zvonareva 6-4, 6-4 in Moscow's opening round; she also lost her first match in Tokyo last week to Czech Klara Zakapalova. I'm thinking fitness is a factor here - bad news for Maria.

What's also bad news is she's still working the adidas by Stella McCartney Tennis Tank Dress in black with white detailing this time, which is the same dress she wore last week but in all white. Time to send this one to eBay, Maria.

So, is it just me or does this version remind anyone else of a court jester's duds? Check it:

Ewww - maybe that's why this dress creeps me out. Court jesters are scary! Or maybe it reminds me of the outfit on the William Shakespeare action figure:

Not the best source of inspiration for women's wear, I don't think...

(images via Getty and healthstones.com)

WEEKEND WINNERS: A-Rod, Jo-Willy, JJ, Maria K

Andy Roddick - Beijing

A-Rod earned his third title this season (San Jose, Dubai) when he struggled to beat Israel's Dudi Sela 6-4, 6-7(6), 6-3 in Beijing. Afterwards, the American baller donated $25,000 of his winnings to the Chinese Tennis Association to help with the earthquake recovery in the Sichuan Province:

I would really like to contribute a part of my prize money to those families affected, to those who lost everything they had, suffered painful injuries or lost loved ones in the earthquake. It’s my great honor to be in Beijing to work with CTA to assist those kids who are in need. It is an athlete's privilege and responsibility to give back.

Great moment - kudos to you A-Rod!

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - Bangkok

Unbelievably, Jo-Willy earned his very first ATP title in Bangkok when he defeated top seed Novak Djokovic 7-6(4), 6-4 in a rematch of the Aussie Open final where the Serb earned his maiden Grand Slam trophy (karmic brothers maybe?). If he can keep his injury woes at bay, this winning run should boost his confidence and make the Frenchie a big threat the remainder of the season and beyond.

Jelena Jankovic - Beijing

In a battle of mental midgets, JJ avenged her loss to Svetlana Kuznetsova in Tokyo, routing the Russian baller 6-3, 6-2 and earning her second title this year. The Serb stopped a run of four straight hard court losses to Sveta and continues her run towards the WTA Penthouse. I suppose whomever is left standing after everyone else implodes will win titles this fall - how entertaining.

Maria Kirilenko - Seoul

The Russian didn't let the fashionable bloomers she was working here stop a run to the title. Maria, the top seed, stopped a three-match losing streak by defeating Aussie Samantha Stosur 2-6, 6-1, 6-4 in Seoul earning her third Tier IV title of the season (Estoril, Barcelona). So when is Maria going to step up and take her game to the next level? Winning is winning for sure, but it makes me think the 21-year old is destined to be a second-rate baller in a (sometimes) pretty dress.


(images via Getty)

FASHION FIX: Maria K starts strong in Seoul, still working bad bubble trend though

Maria Kirilenko chose to avoid the top lady ballers in Beijing and travel to Seoul as the top seed at the Hansol Korea Open. The stylish Russian got off to crushing start disposing of Lenka Wienerova 6-2, 6-0 in the first round.

Although I was loving the adidas by Stella McCartney Tennis Mesh Tank + Skirt Maria was working in Tokyo, I'm not feeling this Tennis Mesh Dress mainly because of the dreaded bubble skirt. Why, oh why would Stella McCartney want to pull an old, bad trend for her Fall 2008 collection? I just don't get it.

Plus, doesn't it look like Maria's wearing bloomers in the far left image? Probably not the best look for a young lady baller.

Side note: The website for the Korea Open is pretty awful. The home page is showing Martina Hingis and the 2006 draw. Tsk, tsk.

(images via Getty)

FASHION FIX: Maria K's game falls but style rises in Tokyo

Maria Kirilenko didn't have the tournament she was hoping for in Tokyo. The Russian was completely dismantled by Frenchie Marion Bartoli 6-2, 6-2 in the first round. Ouch.

At least Maria looked pretty while losing: she worked the Tennis Mesh Tank in light clay and the Tennis Skirt in chalk 2 both from the Fall 2008 adidas by Stella McCartney collection.


I'm loving the detailing including the buttons on the tank top and the duel-tiering and pleating of the flirty skirt. Plus, the silhouette is quite striking. But the color combo is pretty bland and completely whitewashes the Russian.


Overall a great look for Maria - she wears it very well.

(images via Getty, adidas.com)

WEEKEND WINNERS: Fed, Rafa, Kolya, Maria K + Kateryna

Halle - Roger Federer

The 5-time defending Wimby champion made it 5 titles in Halle after easily dismissing homeboy Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-3, 6-4 and extending his win streak on grass to a record 59 matches. But with his shaky performance in the French Open final and Rafa's awesome momentum right now, Fed's reign at The All-England Club will be severely challenged this year.

Queen's Club - Rafael Nadal

Note to Roger Federer: BE AFRAID. The Mallorcan Matador made a huge breakthrough and statement this weekend when he became the first Spaniard in 36 years to win a grass-court title by defeating Novak Djokovic 7-6 (5), 7-5, extending his winning streak to 17 straight matches. All of this success bodes will for Rafa at Wimbledon where he will be a towering favorite when the Slam begins next week.

Warsaw - Nikolay Davydenko

Kolya returned to the slippery stuff (anyone know why that makes sense right now? Oh yes, ch-ching!) to claim his third title this year by conquering Tommy Robredo 6-3, 6-3 in Warsaw. Let's just say the Russian's probably not expecting much to happen in London besides maybe a lot of free time.


Barcelona - Maria Kirilenko

Maria added to her title in Estoril by crushing first-time finalist Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez 6-0, 6-2 in the championship match in Barcelona. I guess she's also looking forward to some serious free time in London, right Kolya?

Birmingham - Kateryna Bondarenko

Kateryna, of the Flying Bondarenkos, took advantage of a weakened draw (Jelena Jankovic + Dinara Safina withdrew) and earned her first professional career title on the green grass of Birmingham with a 7-6(7), 3-6 7-6(4) win over Belgian Yanina Wickmayer. Kat's clearly comfortable on the grass as she won the Wimby junior girls' title over Ana Ivanovic in 2004. Could she be a darkhorse candidate in London?

(images via Getty)

Behind-the-scenes of infamous WTA marketing campaign

So finally we get to see what all the hype was about...

Here are some behind-the-scenes images and video from the infamous WTA Tour "Superheroes" marketing campaign photoshoot that Maria "Shriek"apova made a public stink about recently. Unfortunately we don't get to see Maria in action, but we do get Maria Kirilenko, Ana Ivanovic, Venus + Serena Williams, and Jelena Jankovic.

ReRe enjoyed her experience saying,

This has been a fun experience and I love anything in front of the camera! Matthieu is a great director and I could really follow his vision.” She added, “This is a great campaign for the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour and it’s another sign that women’s tennis is the leading sport for all female athletes worldwide.

(images via Getty)

FASHION FIX: Kirilenko makes stylish moves in Estoril

Maria Kirilenko is battling ballers in Estoril this week while the top ladies are gathered in Charleston for the Bausch + Lomb Championships. The Russian took down Czech Petra Cetkovska 6-3, 6-2 in the second round.

I have to say I'm a bigger fan of Maria's fashion than her game. Though her counter-punching ways can go awry, her tennis stylish gear from adidas by Stella McCartney always hits the mark especially the Tennis Polo White top she's working here.

Can her game catch up?

(image via AP)

FASHION FIX: Morigami battles Kirilenko in stylish showdown

Fashion fight: Here's a matchup that was surely easy on the eyes - fashionably speaking. Japan's Akiko Morigami battled No. 27 seed Maria Kirilenko for a spot in the third round at the Australian Open. Although the Russian dismantled Akiko 6-1, 6-1, the fashion scoreline was much closer.

Both women showed up in one of our favorite trends -the flirty skirt. Maria was working a white tank-top and yellow skirt from Stella McCartney for adidas while Akiko showed up in a super-cute pink, white, and black Fila number. LOVE.

(images via Getty)

Venus Williams wins Korean Open, dines on cow tongue

Venus Williams made a return to the winner's circle this week at the Korean Open. Playing for the first time since her semifinal US Open loss to eventual champ Justine Henin, V played sketchy tennis at stretches to defeat Russian Maria Kirilenko 6-3, 1-6, 6-4. The finalists donned traditional Korean clothing for the presentation ceremony.

Here's what V had to say in her blog about the dress:

"I really love the dress they gave me after the final in Seoul. I was thinking about when I'd have another chance to wear it - but I don't know if I can even get it back on! The reality is probably I can't wear it again, but it was mine to keep, so I have it with me. They fitted it for me too, which was great, but with that in mind, I don't know if any other woman can wear it!"

The World No. 8 celebrated the win with some late night karaoke and a dinner that included cow tongue:

"I'd have to say the highlight of my week was the final; it was just a great final, so intense - but the most interesting part was probably getting coerced into eating tongue at this Korean barbecue last night. I almost lost it - twice. Don't get me wrong, I loved the food all week, and I ate lots. But the restaurant owner brought us some delicacies and of course, there was cow tongue. He told me to dip it in the sauce, which was vinegar, and I really don't like vinegar at all. It was just miserable! But I made it through."

(source)