MEDIA MASHUP: WTA celebrates year-end Championships, launches new logo

Seven of the eight lady ballers who qualified for the Sony Ericsson WTA Championships in Doha made their way to the official draw ceremony last night. Roland Garros champ Francesca Schiavone, US Open champ Kim Clijsters, Wimbledon + US Open finalist (edit: and new World No. 2 today) Vera Zvonareva, World No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki, Jelena Jankovic, Elena Dementieva and Roland Garros finalist Sam Stosur got their glam on before making their way to the event. The eighth qualifier, Victoria Azarenka, was busy beating Maria Kirilenko in Moscow for her second title of the year and fifth overall.

The tourney begins tomorrow and features a round robin format with the lady ballers broken out into two groups. The Maroon group features Wozzi, Fran, Sam and Elena while Kimmie, Bepa, Vika and JJ make up the White group. View the full singles draw here.

The ladies also helped tour Chairman & CEO Stacey Allaster, joined here by President of the Qatar Tennis Federation Nasser Ghanim Al Khelaifi (4th from left) and Tournament Director of the WTA Championships Doha 2010 Karim Alami (5th from left), launch the revamped identity for the WTA brand including a new logo. Via the WTA tour:

The new mark is designed to serve as a distinctive and modern reminder of the captivating athleticism and excitement that has driven the international popularity and growth of women's pro tennis and placed it firmly at the nexus of sport and entertainment.

The design of the new brand image departs from conventional sport logos by not featuring a figure of a female tennis player, but rather putting the emphasis on the letters W, T and A. The symbol also incorporates subtle references to the sport: the oval shape of the mark is a reference to both the imprint a tennis ball leaves on the court and to the shape of a racquet, while the yellow circle as the crossbar of the A recalls a tennis ball. The new core brand identity will be fully integrated throughout the WTA and women's tennis, including in TV graphics, print materials, tournament branding, advertising, promotion and digital and social media in all its forms throughout the 2011 season.

Here's some video promoting the new logo:



Check out more images from the draw ceremony here. Listen, I know I didn't comment on each lady baller's outfit but I didn't want to sound like a broken record. You guys know how I feel about their repeated attempts at 'fashion' for these events. At least their consistency gives me comfort, like a pair of ratty, worn-in sweatpants. Heaven.

Today, the ladies were given the chance to leave their mark on this year's Championships by offering up their hand prints before heading to their pre-tourney pressers. Here's Wozzi's helping:

BONUS: Hello make up man. Even Elena looks intrigued. Who you be?

[Top image + video: WTA tour, Elena image: Getty Images]

PHOTO OP: Surprise!

"Somebody pinch(ed) me."

Former World No. 3 Elena Dementieva, who now sits at No. 10 in the WTA rankings, seemed to shock even herself after reaching her first final since Kuala Lumpur back in February defeating Roland Garros champ Francesca Schiavone 6-4, 7-5. She'll face off against Caroline Wozniacki, who gave up a 5-0 lead in the decider before finally closing out Victoria Azarenka 6-2, 6-7(3), 6-4, for the title.

Elena has become such a sympathetic figure on the tour particularly after her heartbreak in Paris earlier this year. But even before that moment, the well-read Russian always came across as someone who worked extremely hard at her game (was there any other way to fix that serve?) but never got the big pay off she deserved. And her fans. The ones who, even though she's ballin' big and torching her draw, live with the dreaded feeling that something will go terribly awry. And they're usually right.

Let's be honest, though. The 28-year old has had her chances including two major final appearances. Will she get another opportunity to enter the tennis history books? It's hard to say. Elena will need a few things to fall in her favor during the two weeks of a Slam for her to make that breakthrough. There are some who have completely written the Russian righty off, though, and point to this year's Roland Garros as the last, best chance she had at winning that maiden major. But I have only one thing to say to those doubters: SCHIAVO.

[Photo: AP]

PHOTO OP: "Commence Dragulation...Dragulation Complete."

For the first time in I think EVAH I'm pretty much stunned into typing submission. But I'll try.

I haven't the slightest idea what Elena Dementieva was doing this shoot for or why but I don't even care: I. LOVE. IT. It's so over-the-top tranny trash I can't peel my eyes away even for a second. It's like watching a train wreck on crack or every episode of Drag U.

I'm thinking the inspiration here must have been Valley of the Dolls meets 70's satanic movies meets Siegfried and Roy all wrapped up in sequins and foil. Well, at least the tennis racquet is. No, really. IT IS:

Fab. You guys, I'd die to do a photoshoot this awful. Big hair, bad fashion, and fire. Everything I've ever dreamed about this Russian barbie gets to live out. Like Jujubee she's aspirational. There, I said it. Sue me.

I'm sure Maxim Afinogenov enjoyed this Elena as much as I'm doing right now. Uh, wait probably more. In a hetero way of course.

[Photo(s): tennisforum.com] 

Dementieva pulls out of Wimbledon with injury

Elena Dementieva has pulled out of next week's Wimbledon with the calf injury she sustained in her second round match at Roland Garros. The Russian was forced out of her semifinal against eventual winner Francesca Schiavone because of the injury, her first retirement in 43 major appearances.

I still have fond memories of that epic Wimby semifinal last year between Elena + Serena Williams, the best ladies' match of 2009. *sigh* The World No. 5 will take a huge hit in the rankings since she won't be able to defend those points.

Can you imagine a WTA Top 10 without a single Russian holding court? Bizarro.

[Photo(s): Getty Images]

It's Sam vs. Fran for the ladies' Roland Garros crown!

Okay, ready for my imitation of the Roland Garros ladies' semifinals?

*zzzzzzzzz*

Let's start with the first semi which saw Francesca Schiavone reach her first ever Grand Slam final when Elena Dementieva retired with the recurrence of the left calf injury she sustained during her second round match with the score at 7-6 (3) in favor of Fran.

The pair played their tried-and-true games: the Russian blasted groundies and worked to control the center of the court while the Italian played D until she had a ball she could pummel with heavy topspin. However, the injury was already taking its toll and once Fran took the set Elena called it quits - the first time in 43 major appearances.

Fran was asked about this surge so late in her career:

Q. Okay. Second one: Is why is that success coming so late for you?

FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE: Why late? I think everybody are different. Could be late for you, could be good for you. I think it's my time now. Maybe before I wasn't ready.
Maybe before I had the chance I didn't catch, so I think now I have just to live and to keep going to work like I did for many years.

Q. What are your chances for the final? You think you can win the final on Saturday?

FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE: I don't know. I really don't know, but I'm really happy to be here. I will go on the court and I will fight at the best that I will do it, that I can do.
Now is time to relax, and Saturday will be the time to put everything that I work until now.

It was sad to see Elena in tears both because of the pain but also because you know she was very disappointed at losing another opportunity to grab that major. Her chances are dwindling and the draw really did work itself out for someone to finally break through. She will be skipping Eastbourne and is unsure about Wimbledon for now. Tough stuff.

The second semifinal saw the giant-killer Sam Stosur comprehensively destroy Jelena Jankovic 6-1, 6-2 from every part of the court: serve, return, groundies, defense, etc. It was a remarkable performance from the Aussie who will go in as the heavy fave to capture her first Grand Slam crown.

She made JJ look like an amateur out there with her big game yet calm, quiet demeanor - a silent killer if you will. The Serb never had the opportunity to use her backhand into Sammie's weaker backhand because of the 7th seed's ability to run around and hit her forehand and control points. JJ was left scrambling and hitting off balance - a perfect recipe for unforced errors (22 UEs against only 9 winners.)

Surprisingly Sammie never showed any signs of mental fatigue or an emotional letdown which you would expect after having defeated Serena Williams + Justine Henin, past champs here and lady ballers with a combined 19 major singles titles between them. She was very workwomanlike and played like she owned Philippe Chatrier Court. Well she did own it today and wiped it clean with JJ.

So what's the biggest difference in the Aussie's game is now versus a few years ago? She told the press:

Oh, I think it's a lot of things. It's not just one aspect. My fitness and strength is something I've been working on for probably a good five years very seriously. That hasn't been an overnight process. And, you know, really understanding my game and how to use it and my strengths and weaknesses and all that, I've got a lot better at understanding everything that I can do over the last few years a lot better.
And then self belief and starting to win big matches. So I think it's a combination of lots of things all coming together.

So it's Sam vs. Fran and their new fangled and apparently effective Babolat black RPM Blast String for the whole damn thing (incidentally, just got my racquet strung with these babies!) I mean, WHO WUDDA THUNK IT? And if you say "me" then you're a liar, except for Van Sias who somehow picked the Italian to make the final in his VANtage Point post.

I raise my glass of sangria to you, sir. Cheers!

[Photo(s): Getty Images]

HE SAID/SHE SAID: Roland Garros Day 10

Q. Two years in a row you beat the title holder. How it feels to be a giant killer?

ROBIN SODERLING: Hey, of course it's nice to beat the world No. 1 two years in a row on the center court. I think both times I play really good tennis. I think it's a great feeling.

Q. What about the statistics and now finally winning Federer?

ROBIN SODERLING: Well, of course I didn't think about it that much. As I said, I think even though I lost so many times, I always have a chance to win. I came close a couple of times before, and I really feel like one or two times I actually been a little bit unlucky.

With a little bit of lucky I could have won before. Now I'm here finally with a win, and it's great.

Q. Are you still based in London?

FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE: No.

Q. Why did you leave?

FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE: Eh, daddy, mommy. They say, Come back home. I say, No. They say, Yes. At the end they won.

Q. Who will win next match with Elena Dementieva?

FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE: Who will win between me and her?

Q. Yes.

FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE: Io (Me.) (laughter.)
Will be very interesting match. I know her. I think she know me. We grow up a little bit together. We played many tournaments together. I respect her. She's a great athlete. You know how she is, Elena. But will be good match. We are good athletes physically and mentally strong. I think who going to win really the best one Thursday.

Q. Do you think it will be easy or difficult to stay focused for the next match for you?

FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE: Oh, yes. Always. For me, is always difficult to stay focused. It's difficult. But now that I am focused, I am enjoying more. Now I don't know, because when I am in the court, I can't tell you how will be.

But I look forward. I am curious to know how I can feel Thursday. Very curious. (laughter.)

Q. Your moment of triumph of was so special. Your face was filled with joy. I know it's difficult, but can you try and talk about emotion, the role of emotion and your play, your feeling at that moment?

FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE: Heart attack.

Q. Hard to put in words, is what I meant to say.

FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE: Maybe I can tell you in Italian; is more easy.

Q. In Italian is fine.

FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE: No, that's okay. I think in that moment you remember many things from when you are when you were young. Is special because is your space, is your time, is your opportunity. I felt alone, but with all the love around me is bo. (I don't know.) It's like if I ask you, How did you feel when you married? You say, It's not easy to explain.
Is not enough?

Q. More than enough.

Q. Have you ever played such a big hitter as Soderling today?

ROGER FEDERER: Yes.

Q. Who?

ROGER FEDERER: Del Potro. You've forgotten him because he's injured.

Q. What's the feeling when you have such a powerful ball in your racquet?

ROGER FEDERER: Well, it can be pleasant and unpleasant because you have less to do and you can't play your game, you can't impose your game.

As for me, I'm strong on both sides if I have to attack and if I have to defend and take the speed of the other player. That's why I had such a good record against him. So not too much of a problem for me, but today he played very well. He was impressive.

Q. Am I wrong if I say that you are in semifinal without playing your best tennis?

ELENA DEMENTIEVA: Well, it's not about, you know, showing your best tennis. It's about winning matches. Once again, in this kind of weather conditions, you really have to, you know, push yourself very hard and, you know, stay positive, try to win no matter what. I think I had some good tennis here and there, but it was difficult.

Q. When I see your serve, you have done a great evolution. The double faults were there, but you are serving much better. Did you do something special or you change the movement or what? Because you're serving great.

ELENA DEMENTIEVA: Thank you. First time I hear this (laughter.) in my whole career. Well, I think with my serve it's all about rhythm. When I'm able to give the right rhythm on the match, it goes well.

I'm really working a lot on my serve. You know, it's not the biggest weapon in my game, but I think I've done a good work. It is a little bit better now, so I'm still I keep working on it, but it's a big advantage when you are feeling more comfortable in your service game. It's just a different attitude when you're playing.

Q. Is there an area of your game that you have worked on specifically this year? Anything that you would pinpoint that's been an improvement for you?

TOMAS BERDYCH: Well, yeah. I mean, it's gonna be couple of things. The first one, which is not only for this year, that's my movement on the court. You know, because with my tall and everything, my well, big body, it's really tough to move well on the court, and that was the thing what I needs to improve. So far it looks like that it works, and it was a good job made with my coach.

The other thing, of course, I mean, I was kind of guy who just liked to play really aggressive, but sometimes I was maybe too much, you know, just go too much for every shot. Then you just come with the mistakes, and that's not the way of the modern tennis. I still need to play really aggressive but with more control, and, you know, be a little bit patient on the court. That's what it is.

But, yeah, it's gonna be some more other things, but this one I would say it's me.

[Photo(s): Getty Images]

PHOTO OP: HUNGRY EYES

"You're so pretty. I should be asking YOU questions."

Justine Henin jumped an enormous hurdle by the name of Elena Dementieva in Melbourne today on her quest for an second Aussie Open crown and eighth major title.

Fortunately for the fans and viewers the pair played a spirited match featuring high quality shot-making in an almost 3 hour second round battle making it feel more like a semifinal or final match. Unfortunately for Elena she ended up on the losing side of things falling 7-5, 7-6(6). JuJu will face off against a second consecutive Russian, Alisa Kleybanova, for a spot in the Round of 16.

The Belgian has to be feeling pretty confident about her chances after beating the World No. 5 this early in a Slam in only her second tourney back. And, after watching her compete in this match it seems JuJu really hasn't lost a step after being out 20 months, but may in fact have added a few more.

She really could win this whole damn thing, huh?

[PHOTO: AP]

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]

PHOTO OP: She totally deserves this win

"...but I AM happy for her. I'm smiling. See?"

Once again, Elena Dementieva got the best of Serena Williams in Sydney. Could it be a good sign for next week's Australian Open? Well, not exactly.

The Russian knocked the apparently injured top seed all around the court grabbing a convincing 6-3, 6-2 win ahead of the year's first major. Last season, after winning in Auckland a week earlier Elena crushed ReRe 6-3, 6-1 in the final four here and entered Oz as one of the faves to take the title. Unfortunately she get her arse spanked by the 11-time Grand Slammer 6-3, 6-4 in the semifinals of Melbourne ending her hopes of a first major championship.

For her part, the world's top lady baller preferred to blame the loss not on the injury to her left knee but on her unforced errors...oh, and Elena's good play of course.

“I made about a thousand and two unforced errors … it’s better now than later, I guess. I was struggling a little bit, but, you know, I hate to make any excuse. I think she definitely deserves all the credit for what she did.”

Classic. I wonder how severe this injury is to her surgically repaired knee, though. It's certainly not the way she wants to go into the defense of her title. Elena, however, has other things to worry about Down Under besides ReRe - like a possible showdown with Justine Henin in Round 2.

[Photo(s): GREG WOOD/AFP/Getty Images]

Top lady ballers dress it up in Doha, attend draw ceremony for WTA Championships

The top eight lady ballers in the world have gathered in Doha for the 39th WTA year-end Sony Ericsson Championships.

They have been divided into two groups for the round robin format based on the colors of the Qatari flag: the White group features No.1 seed Dinara Safina, No.4 seed Caroline Wozniacki, No.6 seed Victoria Azarenka and No.8 seed Jelena Jankovic. The Maroon group is made up of No.2 seed Serena Williams, No.3 seed Svetlana Kuznetsova, No.5 seed Elena Dementieva and No.7 seed Venus Williams, who is the defending champ.

Alternates Vera Zvonareva + Agnieszka Radwanska also made the trip to Doha.

Check out the official site here.

Images of the ladies going glam for the draw ceremony below. My fave? Elena. Simple elegance. My least fave? V. It's not your 1985 senior prom girl.

Dinara

ReRe

Sveta

Wozzi

Elena

Vika

V

JJ

(Photos: Getty, Reuters)

Elena pulls no punches, gives credit where credit is due

Listen up lady ballers: Elena Dementieva was the picture of graciousness in her post-match presser after her disappointing second round loss to Melanie Oudin. Some of you (I won't mention names but you know who you are) could learn a few things here:

Q. Considering how well you've been playing this summer, if you could, just talk about your expectations coming in and just how disappointing it is to make an early exit.

ELENA DEMENTIEVA: Yeah, for sure it is disappointing. You know, I was really hoping to play well here, but just didn't feel, you know, the way I should feel about the match today was not exciting. Maybe overplayed a bit in the summer.
But I think she played really well. She was very positive and going for the shots, going for the winners. Just was a very solid game from her.

Q. She's playing of course in front of a New York crowd, a largely U.S. crowd. Di you really feel that the feeling was that she had crowd support out there and just the atmosphere?

ELENA DEMENTIEVA: I feel she had a very good attitude today in the court. She was really using all the positive emotions from the crowd, you know, support and she was really into the game and, you know, really playing at her best today.

Q. She upset Jelena I remember at Wimbledon, and now you. What kind of future do you think she has? Not that I want to talk not about you and the others, but that's two big wins for her.

ELENA DEMENTIEVA: Yeah, for sure. You know, I think she's very talented. She was in the court and not afraid to play. She was playing very aggressively, really enjoying this atmosphere, you know, the crowd support and really going for the winners.
So it's just the beginning, but it looks like she has a good future.

Q. Does she have enough power? If I remember right, Jankovic was saying she wasn't really doing much. I'm the one making the mistakes.

ELENA DEMENTIEVA: No, I feel she has a great variety. She can go for the slice, dropshot, and forehand winners, also. Today she was definitely in the court trying to hit down the line.
So no, I think she has a very solid game.

Q. She's not the biggest girl in the world. Do you think in this time with a lot of bigger girls around that she can hang with some of them?

ELENA DEMENTIEVA: I think she moves really well. You know, the footwork is really great. She was really fighting for every point, playing everything back, just waiting for the you know, she's very patient on the court. She knows what is her strength. She's just waiting for the moment to attack the ball.
So even with she's not very tall, but still, you know, she's very athletic.

Q. Do you feel like you lost this match more than she won it, or...

ELENA DEMENTIEVA: No, I think she won it.

Q. Came with a good game plan?

ELENA DEMENTIEVA: Yeah.

Q. I think the first time she called the trainer was before your serve. I'm wondering if that disrupted your momentum at all?

ELENA DEMENTIEVA: No, not at all.

Wow, not an excuse for miles and great words directed at the talented up-and-coming teen.

Nice moves, E.

(Photo: AP)

2009 US OPEN PREVIEW: The Ladies

The WTA tour continues to be the place where the phrase “expect the unexpected” remains the constant theme, right? Well, not if you look at Serena Williams at the majors. She’s the defending champ at Flushing Meadow and also holds this year’s Oz Open + Wimbledon titles. So, should we just pack up our tennis bags and head home? Perhaps, but it IS the year’s final major so expect some of the leading ladies to lay it all on the line and make a big push towards the final Saturday.

Let’s take a look at the leading contender’s for the US Open ladies' title!

Who can really argue against picking the holder of three out of the last four Grand Slams and 11 career majors to win in two weeks? Fine, Serena Williams is not technically the top lady baller according to the WTA rankings and she hasn’t won a non-Grand Slam tourney since ’08 Charleston but when it comes to gutting out matches and winning on the biggest stages in the sport, Serena Williams is the best – hands down. The defending champ had uneven results during the US Open Series racking up losses to Sam Stosur, Sybille Bammer, and Elena Dementieva but as we all know she brings the big guns to the majors. A fourth US Open title is certainly well within her dramatic reach.

The newly-crowned Rogers Cup champ has had chances to make a major breakthrough this year. Elena Dementieva entered the Aussie Open as the smart pick with two tourney titles under her Yonex belt but fell from fatigue and ReRe’s game in the semifinals. In Paris a streaking Aussie Sam, who eventually made it to the semifinals, knocked her out early in shocker. But it was her epic, now classic heavy hitting bout with ReRe in the Wimby semifinals that finally gave Elena the belief she could go toe-to-toe with the Big Babes. And she’ll need this belief if she makes it to the second week in Flushing Meadow where surely another rematch with the defending champ could be waiting – in the final, no less.

Oh what a strange and confusing year it has been for Jelena Jankovic. The Serb began this year as the top lady baller with the dream of a first major title within her grasp. However, according to JJ, a muscle-building off-season regiment slowed her down and the result was an early loss in Oz and a big dent in her confidence. Though she won on the clay in Marbella, the inconsistency continued until Cincinnati where she gutted out a lopsided, three-set win over Elena in the semifinals then showed her best stuff crushing top seed Dinara Safina in the final for her 11th career title. Can last year’s finalist take that next step and earn her maiden Grand Slam?

Perplexing. That’s the best word to describe Dinara Safina this year. In her last matches at each of the Grand Slams – finals in Oz + Paris, semis at Wimby – the Russian was betrayed by her nerves and routed each time. However, she managed to grab the keys to the WTA Penthouse and has been housed there since April. The word is out on D, though: pressure her early, rush her long, loopy swings and she’ll fall to pieces as evidenced by the collapse of her serve and her double fault gift bags. Her most recent losses are the most worrisome: in her Cincy loss to JJ she couldn’t find the tennis court and during her opening round loss to Aravane Rezai in Toronto she seemed like mental toast. I could see D going out early or repeating her semifinal appearance from last year. Like I said, PERPLEXING.

The only reason Venus Williams is considered a contender at all is because of her glittering resume showcasing 7 Grand Slam titles including 2 US Opens, and certainly not because of her most recent results including a strange, opening round loss to Kateryna Bondarenko at the Rogers Cup last week. Unlike sister ReRe, you can’t always rely on V to bring her best stuff to any of the majors besides her fave Wimby (think second round loss in Oz to Carla Suarez Navarro and third round loss to Agnes Szavay in Paris this year.) But if she brings an attacking mentality to the fast Flushing Meadow courts and a laser-like focus, she has the experience and skills to earn her first US Open title in 8 years.

ON THE RADAR:

MARIA SHARAPOVA – Okay, so she’s still serving doubles in large doses. But Maria Sharapova has been improving with each week and made the first final since her comeback from injury in Toronto losing to Elena. She’s a former champ (2006) who loves the bright lights, big city vibe of New York and matches Gotham in its intensity. But again, it’s all about Shrieka’s serve: if it holds steady she’s a threat, but if it remains wonky she may not see the second round never mind the second week.

VICTORIA AZARENKA – I’ve been waiting, like many others, for Victoria Azarenka to make her major breakthrough. Yet, for some reason, she’s at a quarterfinal standstill reaching this stage in Paris and at Wimby. Moreover, her results during the US Open Series signal some possible physical, or more likely mental, fatigue for the 20-year old. I’m not sure Vika will make that long-awaited breakthrough here especially with Kim Clijsters + Venus Williams lurking in her quarter of the draw but hard-courts are her fave so who knows?

KIM CLIJSTERS – All hail the welcomed return of ’05 champ Kimmie! It’s the Belgian’s first major since leaving the tour a couple of years back and fans couldn’t be more excited though the lady ballers may feel otherwise. I mean, talk about a dangerous floater! She’s had impressive wins in her comeback over the likes of Vika, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Marion Bartoli, and Patty Schnyder so keep both eyes peeled for Kimmie.

(images via getty, ap)