PHOTO OP: Grigor Dimitrov feeling flexy

Grigor Dimitrov took out Spain's Pablo Andujar 6-4, 6-4 at the China Open and will try become the first baller to defeat Novak Djokovic in Beijing when they meet in the quarterfinals. The Serb is riding a 21-0 streak at the tourney.

Grisha doesn't seem too concerned about the world number one's record:

"[Novak] has always played well here. At the same time I like my chances. I've been practising well. I had a good block before the last bit of the season. In a way I'm excited to just come out there and play that match. Of course... I'm going to give my all." 

I actually give the Bulgarian a chance because I think he may have learned a few things from their semifinal meeting at Wimbledon. In that match, Nole was shaky and Grisha had his chances but let the moment get to him. There should be less pressure here; and the Serb has not been his supremely confident self since that championship run at the All England Club.

The ATP site also posted a Player Profile on Grisha. Check it out here.
 
[Via ATP.com; Photo(s) credit: Emmanuel Wong/Getty Images]

(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: Tomas Berdych in all his glory

Looks like Tomas Berdych, who will face Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the Marseille final tomorrow, is getting something stretched. Not sure if it's what he was hoping for, though. But he looks happy sooooooo...

This pic is in desperate need of a caption. It's calling out, crying for one. Someone? Anyone?

[Photo(s) credit: Tomas Berdych FB page]

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: Italians do it better...

...without pants.

[Photo(s) credit: Flavia Pennetta tweet]

PHOTO OP: Kuznetsova's hairy situation

Maria Sharapova showed a photo of herself with short locks over on Facebook and the tennis world went cray. Then we found out it was a wig.

Svetlana Kuznetsova showed up at the FED CUP presser in Moscow today wearing this hairy situation on her head. Then we found out it's REAL.

So...Alexandr. Give Sveta her hair back.

[Photo(s) credit: AP]

SIGHTING: Model Zaira Nara all up in Monaco's box

WAG Zaira Nara watched boy toy, Juan Monaco, back up his win over Andy Roddick by crushing Mardy Fish 6-1, 6-3 to reach the Sony Ericsson Open semifinals, his second trip to a Masters 1000. He'll face top baller Novak Djokovic for a place in Sunday's final.

It was also the Argentine's 28th birthday. Nice present, eh?

[Photo(s) credit: Al Bello/Getty Images]

PHOTO OP: Dolgopolov's hairy situation

Alexandr Dolgopolov is taking this whole "co-ed on spring break" thing a little too far. 

What's next - a tramp stamp?

[Photo(s) credit: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images]

PHOTO OP: Biljana can't contain herself

"Go Tipsy. Fight. Keep going. Don't...zzzzzzz....huh?"

Biljana Tipsarevic really should learn to be more catatonic during matches involving hubby Janko. She might inadvertently distract him with all her cheering and screaming from the baller box.

[Photo(s) credit: AP]

PHOTO OP: Simulated sex(iness)

I tried desperately to find a somewhat scintillating shot from this photo shoot featuring Rafael Nadal and Bar Refaeli in the new Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and this was the best I could do. Yeah, no kidding. I mean, I've seen more chemistry between Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. Hell, I've seen more chemistry between Serena Williams and US Open lines people.

Rafa should stick to tennis (shirt is optional there as well) and Bar should, uh, keep doing bikini-clad photo shoots. Just not with Rafa.

[Photo(s) credit: Sports Illustrated]

PHOTO OP: We found love in a hopeless place

"One day it'll be yours. No, not me silly."

 If that's the consolation prize, sign me up.

[Photo(s) credit: Pool/aaron Favila/AFP/Getty Images]

PHOTO OP: Tomas Berdych is all wet

"So, how long can you hold your breath under water? Just curious..."

I know you're just dying to see the rest of Tomas Berdych taking a swim during a break from the Australian Open. More pics after the jump - click the headline.

P.S. If I had my way around the marketing of tennis, you know this would be my strategy. All. The. Time.

PHOTO OP: Nadal's got serious game

Looks like the Davis Cup final is off to a very promising start...

So I know male athletes generally slap each other on the ass to say, "Good job!" or "Nice effort!" But what exactly does this greeting mean? We could all come up with ideas, but I'd like to think Rafael Nadal just wanted to grab it ("it" being Juan Monaco's firm Argentinean half moon)...HARD (see facial expression). And that this happens, like, lots. While in towels. Or out. And leaves an ass bruise. Like a hickey. But without the sucking. Or maybe...

You can thank reader DDM for tipping me off. You're welcome.

[Photo(s) credit: @olerafa]

PHOTO OP: Caught in mid air

This photo of a glammy Svetlana Kuznetsova (you can pull yourself up off the floor...it's really her) was shot by Chris Kolk here in New York according to @froggysveta who tweeted it. Yeah, it's pretty cool.

There's another one of Sveta after the jump. I don't like nearly as much which is kinda why it's there. Click the header y'all.

PHOTO OP: Stonefaced Murray

"Ummm...thanks?"

The art of the non-reaction. Good idea, Muzz.

So let's just say, hypothetically speaking, Andy Murray continues this tremendous run-of-form, wins either Shanghai or Paris, the season-ending Masters Cup in London and his first Slam in Oz. I think we'll look back at his demolition of Rafael Nadal in the last two sets of the Tokyo final as the big turning point. To be more specific, we can pinpoint the three consecutive bombs he threw down to save break points in the second set after earning the break over Rafa as the moment Muzz's balls finally dropped.

From that point on, he never looked back. He also never looked like the Muzz we've come to know. The one who, when things get tight, he gets defensive and even a bit edgy. This Muzz took it to the Spaniard and looked like he meant it. Not hypothetically, of course, but FOR REALS.

[Photo(s) credit: Getty Images]

PHOTO OP: Zvonareva drops trou (and then some)

Following Serena Williams's + Esther Vergeer's naked footsteps, most of Vera Zvonareva is appearing in the latest installment of ESPN the Magazine "The Body Issue". I'm a little surprised to see her flashing her half moon since, to me, she's the intellectual one of the bunch. But there's more than meets the eye (especially here) with Bepa. Just look at her game. How else do you explain reaching two major finals and the second spot in the world rankings with a game, while solid, isn't brutally powerful, sexy or flashy?

Well, I guess a girl needs to get it out somehow. Cheek-y.

[Photo(s) credit: ESPN magazine]

PHOTO OP: Wozzilreally?

Check out what Rory McIlroy gifted girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki. She tweeted the pic saying, "Here is my new club @McilroyRory made for me." Wozzilroy???

Everyone keeps comparing it to "Brangelina" and "Bennifer" which makes sense because it's a mashup of their names. Duh. Here's the big difference: I don't remember either of those couples actually coming up with the mashup themselves and celebrating it by putting it on shit. They own that Velveeta.

I suppose it's better than those "I'm with him--->/<---I'm with her" t-shirts. Uh-oh. I better not give them any ideas.

[Photo(s) credit: Caroline Wozniacki's tweet]

PHOTO OP: Tipsarevic takes it off for Extreme Intimo

Can you believe Janko Tipsarevic of all ballers is following in Rafael Nadal and Fernando Verdasco's foot steps and stripping down to his skivvies for Extreme Intimo? Let me be the first to say HE'S COME A LONG WAY.

More images from the ad campaign and behind-the-scenes video after the jump - click the header.

PHOTO OP: There's absolutely nothing awkward about this picture

Yup. Still stunned.

[Photo(s) credit: Getty Images]

PHOTO OP: High five hundred

"It's finally ov...ah crap."

Is the US Open still going on? I swear, after two straight days of canceled matches it seems like a whole new tourney, like a fifth mini-Slam or something. But don't think it was quiet around the grounds. Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Andy Roddick held hands (symbolically kids) and joined forces to bitch out US Open referee Brian Earley for scheduling them to play - and they did for a short while - when the weather forecast was gloomy at best.

THEN. The bottom half boys complained about having to possibly play four days straight since they finished their fourth rounders today and would need to complete their quarterfinal matches tomorrow, semifinals on Saturday and the final on Sunday if they got there, of course. In the meantime, water began seeping through a crack behind the baseline of Louis Armstrong Stadium forcing A-Rod and David Ferrer to move their match to Court 13. Oh yeah, the planes. Really annoying.

This US Open couldn't have been written this dramedy any better if they tried. Seriously. 

All is good now that the tourney officials made the right decision and moved the women's final to Sunday at 4pm and the men's final to Monday at 4pm. It's the fourth consecutive year the men will be balling on Monday for all the marbles. 

But now in the quarters we've got Rafa facing A-Rod, Muzz taking on John Isner, and Roger Federer battling Jo-Wilfried Tsonga tonight. Top baller Novak Djokovic is already through to the final four after Janko Tipsarevic retired from their match with injury.

As for the ladies, Serena Williams downed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and will face Caroline Wozniacki, who beat Andrea Petkovic, in the semis. Sam Stosur ousted last year's finalist, Vera Zvonareva, and will face super-surprise semifinalist Angelique Kerber (don't even say you thought she might, because you didn't).

[Photo(s) credit: Getty Images]