(UPDATED) Dinara downs Dani in LA, reveals left knee injury sustained in April

"First my left knee, now my left hand? WTF!"

Dinara Safina knew something we didn't know - she was playing with pain.

After easily defeating Daniela Hantuchova 6-2, 6-4 in LA, the world's top lady baller revealed she's been competing with pain in the patella of her left leg beginning at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix back in April through Wimbledon and had been taking anti-inflammatory meds along the way. The pain was so bad a times she would "see stars" every time she would bend.

Dinara explained why she never revealed the information publicly saying,

I don't like to find excuses. This is my personality. On the court, I will never call trainer if I have a headache. If I call for somebody, it must be really bad.

I can appreciate that reasoning and it could explain why she lost so badly in big matches. But why has Dinara decided to reveal this information now? Is it to "explain" some of her recent, crushing defeats at the majors and rebuff the claims she doesn't have what it takes to be a "true" No. 1?

Let's be honest, though. By her own account she wasn't dealing with this patella issue in January during the Oz Open when she couldn't serve her way out of a corner and was routed by Serena Williams in the final. But it certainly couldn't help the serving issues having her left knee, which is used to push off during serving for a righty, get wonky.

Dinara isn't a great mover and her serve, like Shrieka's, is vital and sets up the rest of her game. Without it, she's toast. However, now that the issue is resolved it'll be interesting to see how her game evolves during the US Open Series and whether her on-court issues were due more to her knee problems or to her shaky mentality.


UPDATE: Congrats to D for becoming the first lady baller to qualify for the year-end WTA Championships!

(image via getty)

Shrieka tops Vika in LA - grunts, fist pumps, headbands and all

In the Headband Hall of Fame's most high-profile lady baller battle thus far, Maria Sharapova grabbed the biggest win in her comeback to date knocking off World No. 9 and third seed Victoria Azarenka 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-2 in LA's second round.

Apparently, the Russian relished the challenge Vika presented:

I loved it. You expect that against her. She's a great retriever and makes you hits tons of balls. I had to come in with a good game plan and a smart one. I think I did good job adjusting out to the circumstances. I am pleased.

I knew I was going to have to dig deep and try to find ways. I'm pretty happy with the way I was able to hang in with her and really step up when had to. That was the difference between us.

And what of the unexpected third shrieker in the match: the crying baby in the crowd? "Did I hear the baby? My mother in Russia heard the baby," the 3-time Grand Slammer replied.

Sarcastic much? Anyway, great win for Shrieka. This victory should do well for her confidence going forward since Vika is a strong ball striker on the rise and fights to the end. As for the Belarussian, the loss shouldn't hurt her too much since she's playing her first tourney since Wimbledon. She'll have plenty of time to get her game in gear for Flushing Meadow.

And what of this fist pumping, headband-wearing craze? Well it seems the ladies aren't alone in their love this week:


(images via getty)

PHOTO OP: Becks gives Wozzi a hand

So not only does Caroline Wozniacki now get to be the only lady baller to officially wear adidas by Stella McCartney on the WTA tour but the Dane got to meet none other than David Beckham, who is also sponsored by adidas, while in LA for the Women's Tennis Championships.

It's either me or the pic's perspective but Wozzi's making Becks actually look, eh, human size. Slight even. Who said the footballer is larger than life?

(image via SEWTA)