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: 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]

Kvitova kinda likes winning

She's so close, but in my book (and this blog) she's World No. 1. Fuck what the WTA rankings say. Petra Kvitova's only a measly 115 points behind Caroline Wozniacki after ending the year with 6 titles including Wimbledon and the WTA Championships. She's riding Wozzi's ass the way Pocket Golf Boy wishes he could - hard. And, to top it all off, she led the Czech Republic to the FED CUP title with a 3-2 triumph over Russia this weekend. Props.

Obviously, the FED CUP win doesn't count towards the single rankings but it counts in other big ways besides a win for her country and the team. Look what winning Davis Cup last year did for Novak Djokovic this year. I'm not saying Kiva will go undefeated in the first part of next season and bag three majors, but it cemented her as THE lady baller of the WTA after a dismal post-Wimby stretch that ended indoors this fall. She has the all of the momentum going into 2012 after a spectacular end to 2011.

Is she flawless? Hardly. Kiva still has bouts of inconsistency, but where those moments used to do her in during big matches in key moments she's found a way to work through it and pull out the win. Hell, she's got the weapons to turn any match around in her favor. And let's face it: When she's on court with most lady ballers, save for the Sisters Sledge and, perhaps, Kim Clijsters, the match is in her hands.

And, at the end of the day, that's a nice place to be.

[Photo(s) credit: Kirill Kudryavtsev /AFP/Getty Images]

FED CUP Chronicles: Russia and Czech Republic reach final and other notables

The FED CUP final was set over the weekend with Russia and the Czech Republic coming out on top in their respective semifinals.

Vera Zvonareva sealed the win for the Russians when she defeated Roberta Vinci 6-4, 6-2 to give them an unbeatable 3-0 lead. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova defeated Sara Errani in the fourth rubber while Pavs + Ekaterian Makarova teamed up to defeat Alberta Brianti + Maria-Elena Camerin in the fifth to give the Russians a full sweep. The team also guaranteed home court advantage for their attempt at a fifth FED CUP crown.

In the other semifinal the doubs team of Iveta Benesova + Barbora Zahlavova Strycova clinched the tie for the Czech Republic 3-2 over Belgium when they defeated Yanina Wickmayer + Kirsten Flipkens 6-4, 6-4 in the fifth and deciding rubber. It's their first appearance in the final since becoming an independent nation in 1994; the won it 4 out of 6 times as Czechoslovakia in the 1980's.

And there's more!

- Roberta had a little something to say about her missing FED CUP teammates after getting blasted 0-5 by the Russians: "If they didn't want to come it's their problem. I don't care about Schiavone and Pennetta, they are not on this team. Right now I'm number one for Italy and Sara (Errani) is number two. We're here and we try to give our best." Yikes.

- Dominika Cibulkova may need to wear body armor if she ever decides to visit Serbia or get back on Twitter after remarks she made during the Slovak Republic's tie against Serbia. Don't think the apology is helping Domi. Nice try.

- Speaking of Serbia, congrats to them as well as Spain, Germany and the Ukraine for returning to the World Group next year. Bad news for the USA + France who were relegated to the World Group II after their losses to Germany and Spain, respectively. It's the first time in both country's histories they won't appear in the top tier group. Times are a changin' peeps.

- Check out some of the FED CUP outfits that caught my eye for one reason or another (read into it what you will):

[Photo(s): Getty Images, AP]

MEDIA MASHUP: All things must come to an end

With all my time away from the keyboard vacaying and stuff I missed coverage of the ladies' year-end tourneys including the WTA Championships, Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions and FED CUP.

Here's a quick recap:

WTA Championships, Kim Clijsters d. Caroline Wozniacki 6-3, 5-7, 6-3

Kimmie won her third year-end championship and fifth title of the year. She also denied Wozzi, who clinched the year-end top spot for the first time, the exclamation point on the best season of her career so far. Compared to the rest of the lady ballers who actually made it to Doha the Belgian had the best year of 'em all in terms of quality wins so it was a fitting end for her.

Woz played more, is ranked No. 1 and earned more titles than anyone else (six) but fell short at the big ones. I've heard some say she's just another Jelena Jankovic - all defense with no clear weapons. But I tend to disagree. She's more athletic, more of a "jock" than the Serb and can get gritty when down which will continue to serve her well. The Dane will enter 2011 with an enormous target on her back, though, so the path to her first Grand Slam won't get any easier.



Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions, Ana Ivanovic d. Alisa Kleybanova 6-2, 7-6(5)

Ana Ivanovic seems to have discovered some of the confidence that has alluded her since winning Roland Garros in 2008 and residing in the WTA Penthouse. She won at Linz a few weeks ago and capped off her season by grabbing Bali over Kleybs.

Interestingly, NaturAna parted ways with Coach Heinz Gunthardt during this span. I always find it puzzling when a coaching relationship comes to end right when it seems a baller has turned a corner after struggling for a while. But, sometimes it's really not in their control if the coach wants out for some reason, in this case Heinz's desire not to travel full-time. It'll be interesting to see if NaturAna starts 2011 coachless or secures someone during the off-season. I'd hate for her to lose this momentum she's worked so hard to find.

BTW, ain't she so pretty all gussied up in her Bali-wear?

FED CUP, Italy d. USA 3-1

A big "BRAVA!" to Italy for defending their FED CUP championship over the USA. The Italians had so much experience on their side not to mention a Grand Slam champion in their midst (that would be Francesca Schiavone, duh.) And they got even more help with Coach Mary Jo Fernandez's inane decision to bench Melanie Oudin for Coco Vandeweghe in the opening rubber. Listen, I know Mels has been in slump city but she certainly has light years more experience, relatively speaking, in pressure moments on the big stage than Coco. That counts in FED CUP play. One has to hope the tears the young American cried after losing the final rubber over Flavia Pennetta don't haunt her. It was a bad move on MJ's part. Coco never really had a chance.



Elena Dementieva says BUH-BYE and the ladies pay tribute.

Come to think of it, maybe I should just cover the WTA. You know, the longer off-season and stuff...

[Photo(s): Getty Images]

Working the system Williams-style

The suspense was unbearable! But, in the end, she did the unthinkable: Serena Williams called it a season today ending any hopes of her participation at the WTA Championships in Doha or the Fed Cup final versus Italy taking place in San Diego. The 13-time Grand Slammer "re-tore" the tendon in her right foot during practice and underwent another "procedure" to repair it. See? Only fashion shows, parties and trips to the beach for ReRe from now on!

I mean, like me, you must've been at the sitting at the edge of your couch in anticipation of this news after she announced she re-injured the foot and pulled out of Linz. But seriously, even if she were completely healthy she nor her sister, Venus, are ever a lock to play Fed Cup or at any point during the fall season. This news is hardly a surprise to hardcore tennis fans.

But will ReRe's withdrawal from the FC final, which takes place November 6 - 7, hurt her chances to compete in the 2012 Olympics in London? Well, according to Olympic rules a lady baller need only make herself available to play in two calendar years of the four leading up to the next Olympics to qualify for the team. Talk about being vague. So, was her cry of "I wanna play the final!" before pulling out with injury enough to count as "being available?" Perhaps. She must, according to this article by tennis scribe Paula Vergara, be present on-site for the tie in order to fulfill her commitment for this year. She would then need to be available next year or in 2012 to make the team that same year. For what it's worth, Venus Williams is in the same boat. 

Coach Mary Jo Fernandez knows that even in 2012 the Sisters Sledge will be the team's best chance at climbing the podium. It will be on grass and they have been so dominant on the surface collecting a combined 8 singles titles, 4 doubles titles and 1 mixed at Wimbledon.

I honestly can't think of any scenario where the Sisters Sledge won't make the Olympic team in London unless they completely opt out of all upcoming Fed Cup ties (which is not happening) or either one is severely injured. In the end, all parties involved need to make sure they've been or at least look like they've been "available."

Something tells me me we may be seeing them limping around San Diego. But, screw playing. Leave that to the kids.

[Photo: Getty Images]

Overcoming must feel awesome, or so they say

Fernando Verdasco was seemingly struck by a severe case of amnesia this week in Barcelona. After being absolutely annihilated by Rafael Nadal 6-0, 6-1 in the final of Monte Carlo a week ago the Spaniard gathered himself, threw on his best Calvin Klein undies (crotchless, perhaps?) and made his way to the final where he bested Robin Soderling 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 for his fifth career title.

It really does say something about a baller's state of mind and confidence when they can be utterly stomped on one week and come back and fight through some tough matches to take the crown the next week. I'm not saying he's going to win Roland Garros but these are the moments you can see a baller's growth and hard work paying off. He still has some demons to conquer (beating Rafa on ANY surface, for instance) but he seems to be moving in a positive direction and lifting his game at the right time.


Bethanie Mattek-Sands was the unlikely choice to play heroine at during this weekend's FED CUP semifinal bout between the U.S. + Russia but she's never been one to be conventional.

After being dealt a 1-2 deficit when Melanie Oudin went down to Elena Dementieva 7-6 (4), 0-6, 6-3 in the third singles rubber, BMS seemed to understand the moment, digging in and using her all-court game to tough out a 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 win over Ekaterina Makarova and evening things up with the Russians. She returned to the court with Liezel Huber for the deciding doubles rubber against Elena + Alla Kudryavtseva, and the pair clinched the tie with an easy 6-3, 6-1 decision. The U.S. will now face a rematch of last year's FED CUP final when they face defending champs Italy in November.

BMS had all the pressure after Mels went down to Lena but she came through for the team when it really mattered, staying aggressive against Katia by serving-and-volleying at times, taking returns early and attacking the net when she could. I loved watching her game do the talking this time and not her fashion, which still has a lot to say that's not worth listening to. So stick to the tennis BMS, it's working for you. The other thing? Not so much. But you knew that.

[Photo(s): Getty, AP]

(UPDATED) PHOTO OP: Sveta *smile* spam

"OK, who cut it?"

Svetlana Kuznetsova was cuttin' it up big time during a presser in Belgrade for this weekend's FED CUP tie versus Serbia. Doesn't it kinda make you wish you were there? I'm cracking up just looking at her crack up.

Anyway, it's good to see Sveta so relaxed, and her laugh and smile are infectious even through these pics. Now if she could only be this relaxed on court...

"It was you."

"Y'all think it was me?"

"BUSTED - I cut it! BWAHAHAHA!!"

[Photo(s): Reuters]

UPDATE: After some JJ-style drama the Serb has decided to play this tie over the weekend. Thanks vw!

Italy wins second Fed Cup title, stomps all over U.S. 4-0

A big congrats to the Team Italy - Francesca Schiavone, Flavia Pennetta, Roberta Vinci, Sara Errani - on winning their second Fed Cup title and first since 2006.

They played an overmatched U.S. team in the final and dominated the series 4-0. On Day 1, Flavia beat Alexa Glatch, 6-3, 6-1, while Francesca defeated Melanie Oudin, 7-6(2), 6-2. Day 2 saw reverse singles with Pennetta clinching an insurmountable 3-0 lead by upending Mels 7-5, 6-2. The doubles rubber was still played with Sara + Roberta edging the Liezel Humger and partner Vania King, 4-6, 6-3, 11-9. The last singles rubber was canceled.

Mels made some interesting comments after the U.S. loss eluding to the absence of some lady baller on the team:

I wanted to come here. I wanted to play for my country. Other people choose different things. Some people I guess didn't want to play as badly as I did.

But I think that the team that we had here really wanted to be here. You don't want people here that don't want to be here. Even if you lose, if you give it everything you have, then that's the best you can do.

Hmmm - I wonder who she could possibly be speaking about here?

(Photo: Reuters)

VANtage Point: Monte Carlo musings, FED CUP preview

Ahhh, nothing like basking in the glow of victory!

After picking the first correct champ in weeks here at VANtage Point, I decided to treat myself to a mini-vacation: I figured since I was down in Monte Carlo watching VP pick Rafael Nadal storm his way to victory, I might as well stay down there a few extra days. I deserved it after all those missed calls. And let me tell you, there’s nothing like Monte Carlo in the springtime!

(I can dream, can’t I?)

Anyway, now that I’m back (to reality) it’s VP time!

A Look Back: So this might’ve been the biggest no-brainer pick of them all that I’ve made, but Rafa took home his fifth Masters 1000 Monte Carlo title in a row, beating Novak Djokovic in a pretty decent three-setter. Nadal was my only semifinal pick to get that far: Andy Murray, Djoko and Stanislas Wawrinka, who beat the newlywed Roger Federer, all had better runs than I expected. I might have to revise my original train of thought about Murray on the dirt this year. And I think Djokovic will have a pretty strong clay-court season, too.


This Week’s Spotlight: “Hey, where are all the WTA tournaments this week?” you might be asking yourself. Well, readers, the answer is the calendar’s cleared off this week for Fed Cup. (“VANtage Point: Where we have all the answers”!) The WTA’s Davis Cup counterpart is down to the semifinals this weekend with national powerhouse and defending champs Russia traveling to Italy and the little-underdog-that-could U.S. squad heading to the Czech Republic. There’s also some intriguing playoff ties, such as Serbia vs. Spain and France vs. Slovak Republic, among the match-ups.

Players to Watch: Russia has three top 10 players it’s throwing out there—Vera Zvonareva, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Nadia Petrova—but I’m not tagging them as the ones to watch. (New world number-one Dinara Safina and number-three Elena Dementieva aren’t making the trip.) Rather, I think you should watch out for their Italian opponents, particularly Flavia Pennetta, Francesca Schiavone and Roberta Vinci. Schiavone and Vinci have been playing really well the past few weeks, and Pennetta’s always pretty tough. Even though on paper, they’re the underdogs, you have to wonder what playing at home will do for them on their favorite surface.


As for the other semifinal, the top U.S. player on the team, Bethanie Mattek-Sands, is making her Fed Cup debut—and doing that on the road in a later round is always tough, no matter who you are. For the Czech squad, I really want to see what Lucie Safarova does. She was supposed to be a solid top-tenner by now, but we all know that hasn’t happened. If she’s chosen to play, can she be a possible weak link?

And while it’s just a playoff tie, that Serbia-Spain one can be a dogfight with all the players on both squads going all-out.

And the Winners Are: You know what? I’m going to go with Italy in the upset, taking the tie 3-2. As for the other one, I think the matches will be closer than anyone would expect, but I still see the Czech Republic beating the U.S. 4-1.

Van Sias writes the blog Tennis Talk, Anyone?

(images via getty)

The FED CUP Chronicles: Flavia's "Fingergate" highlights opening weekend

The quarterfinal round in FED CUP action took place this weekend with the following results in the World Group Play0ffs:

US 3, Argentina 2

France 0, Italy 5

Czech Republic 4, Spain 1

Russia 5, China 0

The biggest news coming out of this weekend's ties was "Fingergate", an incident that occurred during Flavia Pennetta's match against Amelie Mauresmo. The Italian baller became irate and flipped off Chair Umpire Louise Engzell after she overruled an in-call during the tense second set tie-break; she received a warning for her bhavior.

The overrule gave Amelie a match point but the Frenchie, who was clearly still feeling the effects of the moment, double-faulted and proceeded to lose the match 2-6, 7-6 (9), 6-4. Suffice it to say the 2-time Grand Slammer was not pleased with Flavia's behavior or Engzell's reaction to the incident:

At that moment, I didn't really see and cotton on. She gave the finger - she should have been removed right away.

There are rules and the rules need to be applied. When Zidane head butted in the World Cup final he was thrown out of the match, the same thing should have been done here.

The French team submitted a complaint to the FED CUP committee but ITF Executive Vice President Juan Margets made it known they will choose whether or not to receive it, but the "chances of the score being reversed is pretty unlikely."

I'm not clear on the exact wording of the rules here so I won't speculate, but what seems obvious is Amelie should have closed out this match, regardless of the questionable decision-making by the chair. But it's not surprising - it's just an another unfortunate moment for her during a very unfortunate turn-of-events.

(image via AFP)

PHOTO OP: Madona in full dress, served bagels by Galina

Madona Najarian was spotted in Perth battling Galina Voskoboeva in their Asia/Oceania Group FED CUP tie today. Unfortunately the Iranian was served double bagels by her Kazakhstani foe - ouch.

Regardless, what a stirring image it is to see a lady baller in full Islamic dress cracking groundies in a FED CUP match. You can never say tennis isn't a truly international, far-reaching sport, eh?

(image via TONY ASHBY/AFP/Getty Images)

Russia defeats Spain, earns fourth Fed Cup championship

There were hugs all around for the Russian Fed Cup team this weekend.

The defending champions, led by Svetlana Kuznetsova, defeated Spain going 4-0 to win their fourth Fed Cup championship in the last five years ('04, '05, '07, '08.) They now stand behind the US (17), Australia (7), Spain and the Czech Republic (5) in terms of total Fed Cup titles.

So the Russians owned the medal stand at the Olympics and have now won their fourth Fed Cup title all without their top lady baller, Maria Sharapova. Seriously, either their pool of talent is scary deep or their need for Shrieka is truly overhyped.

(image via Getty)

PHOTO OP: The incredibly disappearing Ana

Ana Ivanovic defeated fashion disaster Nika Orzegovic 7-5, 6-1 in the Fed Cup World Group II play-offs to help Serbia enter the World Group over Croatia.


But is it me or does Ana look like she's slowly beginning to disappear? She's looking thinner than she ever has - and not in a healthy way. Could it be due to overtraining??

(image via Getty)

Fed Cup Chronicles: Russia + Spain to battle for championship

The Fed Cup final is set: Russia vs. Spain.

Russia won their tie 3-2 over an fresh-faced US team while Spain dominated their Chinese opponents 4-1. Russian owns three Fed Cup crowns - '04, '05, '07 - while Spain owns five.

The final takes place from September 13 - 14.

Question: when are they going to follow Davis Cup's lead and announce ranking points for Fed Cup play? It's only fair.

(images via Getty)

Fed Cup Chronicles: Russians to face inexperienced US team

The Russian Fed Cup team featuring Elena Vesnina, Vera Zvonareva, Anna Chakvetadze, Svetlana Kuznetsova and headed by captain Shamil Tarpischev will battle a decimated US team featuring Vania King, Ahsha Rolle, Liezel Huber, Madison Brengle and coach Zina Garrison during this weekend's semifinal tie in Moscow.

No Venus, Serena, Lindsay or even Ashley? Oh, so that's why the Russians are smiling!

(image via Getty)

The WTA's hairy situation still growing, Francesca Schiavone to blame

A growing problem: We were hoping Alona Bondarenko's hairy situation was an isolated incident on the WTA Tour - but we were so wrong. We found our second culprit in Italy's Francesca Schiavone, who displayed her muffin-top hairdo (left) during this weekend's FED CUP tie versus Spain.

It seems, though, that we somehow we missed the Italian's dust-mop moment (right) at last month's Aussie Open. But no worries, Francesca - we'll never miss another messy moment again...never.

(images via MARIO LAPORTA/AFP/Getty Images & PETER PARKS/AFP/Getty Images)

A hairy situation now growing on the WTA Tour, Alona Bondarenko to blame

More WTF: What is happening to the female tennis ballers during this weekend's FED CUP competition? First we get Nika Ozegovic's circus outfit, and now we have a hairy situation blooming on the WTA Tour to rival the ATP's issues.

The culprit is Alona Bondarenko, who took on Kristen Flipkens of Belgium during the Ukraine vs. Belgium World Group II tie. It seems the Ukrainian took a lot of time to make her hair look that bad.

When will this FED CUP madness end?!

(image via AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

FASHION FIX: Maria Sharapova debuts in FED CUP, gets sexy with Nike

Maria "Shriek"apova, who's been playing down tensions on the Russian FED CUP team this week, played her first official tennis match in FED CUP play, battling Israel's Tzipi Obziler for a 6-0, 6-4 win and bringing the Russians even at 1-all with their Israeli opponents.

We're loving this Nike outfit on the Russian fashionista. Representing her country's red and white colors, the new Aussie Open champ looks sexy and confident in this clean + simple tank dress.

Now this is how you pull off a red + white number Nika.


(images via AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

FASHION FIX: What was Nika Ozegovic thinking?

WTF moment: OMG - we're speechless, so it's good thing we're writing about this outfit. Nika Ozegovic of Croatia was spotted working this mess at this weekend's FED CUP tie versus Japan. There are no words to describe what's going on in the picture. Our Croatian friend could seriously use a real Fashion Fix right about now.

The shorty-shorts are bad enough, but matched with loose-leggings? And the top...what's that?? What's happening here - did she get dressed in the dark this morning???

Okay, we have to stop...

(image via TORU YAMANAKA/AFP/Getty Images)