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.

WEEKEND WINNERS: Rafa, Dinara, Sara

Rafael Nadal - Toronto

Rafa continued his dominance of the ATP Tour this past week by winning his second Rogers Masters shield by dismissing surprise finalist Nicolas Kiefer 6-3, 6-2. His current stats are gawdy: 29 straight wins, 61 match wins and 7 titles this season, 12 Masters Series shields, 30 career titles (3rd youngest to reach 30 behind Bjorn Borg + Jimmy Connors respectively), and a 30-8 record in ATP finals. The Spaniard has a strong chance of taking the top ranking this week in Cincinnati - a fitting prize for the best baller this year.

Dinara Safina - LA

Dinara is looking all the part of a future Grand Slam champion these days. The big-balling Russian earned her second title this season by dismantling Italy's Flavia Pennetta 6-4, 6-2 in LA. Oh yeah - she also stopped Jelena Jankovic's continuing quest for the top ranking by defeating the Serb in the semifinals. Does anyone else see shades of Lindsay Davenport in the game of the evolving Russian?

Sara Errani - Portoroz

Sara continued her Rafa-inspired trophy-biting ways this past weekend, earning her second consecutive title by defeating Anabel Medina Garrigues 6-3, 6-3. The 21-year old has now won 10 consecutive matches.

WEEKEND WINNERS: Fabrice, Tommy, Juan Martin, Victor, Sara, Alize

Fabrice Santoro - Newport

The Frenchie baller worked his magic at the Hall of Fame Championships, "santorizing" Indian wild card Prakash Amritraj 6-3, 7-5 and becoming only the third man to defend his crown in Newport. This title was the sixth for Fabrice, who will be retiring at the end of the season.

Tommy Robredo - Bastad

The Spaniard earned his first title of the season at the Catella Swedish Open when he easily dismissed Czech headcase Tomas Berdych 6-4, 6-1.

Juan Martin del Potro - Stuttgart, Victor Hanescu - Gstaad

Juan Martin and Victor both grabbed the first titles of their career this weekend. The Argentine defeated a resurgent Richard Gasquet 6-4, 7-5 to win the Mercedes Cup and a new white Mercedes-Benz SLK 350. See what good hair can do for your confidence?

Victor became the first Romanian since Ilie Nastase in 1973 to win in Gstaad dismissing Russian Igor Andreev 6-3, 6-4.

Sara Errani - Palermo, Alize Cornet - Budapest

Both lady ballers also secured maiden career titles this weekend. Click here to read more about Sara's unfortunate trophy-biting win. Up-and-coming Frenchie Alize took out unseeded Andreja Klepac 7-6(5) 6-3 and finally won a tournament final after two previous tries this season. To top it off, both women also won the doubles titles at their respective tourneys. Nice week ladies!



(images via Getty, ATP, AP)

PHOTO OP: Errani grabs first title, bites first trophy - head cold to come

Sara Errani won her first career title in Palermo, easily defeating Mariya Koryttseva 6-2, 6-3.

But what's up with this trophy biting trend most famously performed by Rafael Nadal? It was cute at first but frankly it's nasty and the best way to catch a head cold - who knows how many random, grimy hands have touched that thing? Ick.

(image via Getty)