9 Hottest Female Tennis Players At The 2011 U.S. Open

From: http://www.totalprosports.com/

301diggsdigg

The U.S. Open kicked off earlier this week. This is great news for me, and for two reasons: because (1) I am a big fan of tennis, and because (2) I am an even bigger fan of beautiful talented women. Now, my needs as a tennis fan planning to watch matches on television were taken care of by the U.S. Open selection committee. They seeded the top 16 players so that the tennis fan part of me would have an idea of what matches might be exciting. But what my needs as a fan of hot ladies? Well, I had to take care of that myself. Here, for my own benefit as well as yours, is a list of the 9 hottest women playing in the 2011 U.S. Open. Set your Tivo accordingly.
9. Jelena Dokić

Age: 28

Home Country: Australia (born in Serbia and Montenegro)

Current Ranking: 73

Highest Career Ranking: 4 (2002)

U.S. Open Seed: n/a


Status: will face Jelena Jankovic in round 2 (battle of the Jelenas)
Okay, so I know this photo is a little scary. Jelena is in the process of pulverizing a tennis ball, and is making the typical facial expression that accompanies the tennis-grunt. But if you will just kind of block that facial expression out for a moment, you’ll see that Ms. Dokic is blessed with one seriously impressive physique.
8. Vitalia Diatchenko

Age: 21

Home Country: Russia

Current Ranking: 139

Highest Career Ranking: 105 (2009)

U.S. Open Seed: n/a


Status: eliminated in round 1 by Zheng Jie
Sadly for fans of beautiful women, poor Vitalia Diatchenko has already been eliminated from the 2011 U.S. Open. Have a good long look at her photo here, then cue up Sarah McLachlan’s “I Will Remember You” in your head and imagine a slow-motion montage of this beautiful Russian. Whether or not you employ the Ken Burns effect for your imaginary slideshow is up to you.
7. Petra Cetkovská

Age: 26

Home Country: Czech Republic

Current Ranking: 32

Highest Career Ranking: 32 (2011)

U.S. Open Seed: n/a


Status: will face #16 Ana Ivanovic in round 2
The good news about this Czech hottie is that, despite her advanced age (for women’s tennis she’s kind of old), she is currently on the rise in the world rankings, with her current position being her best to date. So, if all goes well, we may be seeing a lot more of her at future tennis tournaments. Unfortunately, there is also some bad news. Have you figured out what that is yet? If not, keep reading.
6. Gisella Dulko

Age: 26

Home Country: Argentina

Current Ranking: 51

Highest Career Ranking: 26 (2005)

U.S. Open Seed: n/a


Status: will face #4 Victoria Azarenka in round 2
You’re probably thinking, “hey, look, finally a hot female tennis player not from Eastern Europe.” Well, while Latin women are often some of the sexiest on the planet, I must tell you that Dulko here is of—drumroll—Hungarian descent. Dulko didn’t sound Spanish to you, did it? So if you are keeping score at home, so far that’s Eastern Europe 4, Rest of the World 0.
5. Caroline Wozniacki

Age: 21

Home Country: Denmark

Current Ranking: 1

Highest Career Ranking: 1 (2010)


U.S. Open Seed: 1

Status: will face Arantxa Rus in round 2
Now it’s Eastern Europe 5, Rest of the World 0. Yes, although Wozniacki was born and raised in Denmark, her parents are from Poland originally. They relocated when Caroline’s father, a pro soccer player, signed with a Danish team. Of course, in this photo the tennis superstar is looking an awful lot like the all-American girl next door.
4. Alona Bondarenko

Age: 27

Home Country: Ukraine

Current Ranking: n/a

Highest Career Ranking: 19 (2008)


U.S. Open Seed: n/a

Status: eliminated in round 1 by Sabine Lisicki
After a prolonged injury, Alona Bondarenko was able to get into the 2011 U.S. Open thanks to what is known as a “protected ranking.” Basically, what this means is that a player with a significant injury is allowed to return to action at the rank she (or he) held before the injury. That way, the player won’t have to start all over by having to qualify for every single tournament. Unfortunately for Alona Bondarenko—and tragically for the rest of us—a “protected ranking” status doesn’t help you shake off the rust. She lost in the first round.
3. Maria Sharapova

Age: 24

Home Country: Russia

Current Ranking: 4

Highest Career Ranking: 1 (2005)


U.S. Open Seed: 3

Status: will face Anastasiya Yakimova in round 2
Sharapova became etched in the hearts of tennis fans and sexy female-loving men around the world when she won Winbledon at the age of 17 back in 2004. Back then, if you talked about how hot Sharapova was you were a total pervert. Today the gorgeous Russian is 24, so it’s totally cool.
2. Dominika Cibulková

Age: 22

Home Country: Slovakia

Current Ranking: 15

Highest Career Ranking: 12 (2009)


U.S. Open Seed: 14

Status: will face Irina Falconi in round 2
I don’t know about you, but it makes me feel better knowing that the hottest women’s tennis players at this year’s Open are also some of the best. That’s because I can follow their progress closely without feeling shallow. If anyone asks why I care so much, I can honestly say “because ‘so-and-so’ is a phenomenal talent.”
1. Ana Ivanović

Age: 23

Home Country: Serbia and Montenegro

Current Ranking: 19

Highest Career Ranking: 1 (2008)


U.S. Open Seed: 16

Status: will face Petra Cetkovska in round 2
I doubt anyone will have any real objection with my putting Ana Ivanović at #1. But just in case, my logic was as follows: while there may be (and almost certainly are) women’s tennis players that are hotter than Ivanović off the court, there is no one in the world who is hotter than her on the court. So as far as watching this year’s U.S. Open is concerned, that makes Ana Ivanović the cream of the crop. Sadly, either Ana or #7 Petra Cetkovská will be heading home after the next round, because they are facing off against each other.
Oh, and in case you lost track…
Final Score: Eastern Europe 9, Rest of the World 0.

By: Julian
From: http://www.popcrunch.com/

With Wimbledon upon on us, we’re set to be served up a feast of top level tennis, accompanied not just by strawberries and cream, but by some of the loudest female grunting this side of the San Pornando Valley. Martina Navratilova called for grunting to be stamped out of women’s tennis – the former World No.1 describing it as “cheating pure and simple” – but if anything the grunts are getting louder. And more orgasmic. Let’s see who’s leading the list of those dishing out the decibel damage, distracting already overheated audiences and opponents in equal measure. Insert ear plugs.

10. Elena Dementieva

Elena Dementieva has been accused of throwing opponents off with her yelp – a “wha-unhhh” that rises from a sharp cry in typical rallies to a screeching crescendo when the pressure tells. The current World No.5 is one of several hot Russian blonds on our list, and while her bedroom noise levels fall at the more socially acceptable end of the range, three years ago she was said to belong to the big league of female grunters, peaking at 95.3db. Strange then that she once slated the volume of compatriot grunter Maria Sharapova following a 2006 Wimbledon quarter-finals loss. Bad loser or grunter’s envy?

Decibel reading: 73

9. Kim Clijsters

Another women’s tennis star who’s been known to let her “ooohs”, “aaahs” and “eeeaahhs-urrrrrrs” get the better of her, Kim Clijster’s grunt only becomes apparent those times she applies herself particularly hard to her strokes. I say. When the Belgian comeback kid is on song, her timbre is characterized by a low guttural sound as she strikes the ball with especial gusto. Currently ranked No.9 in both the World and grunting rankings, the 27-year-old mother may not be a flashy, grunting teenager she once was, but she’s still making a decent fist of it with her suggestive sound pollution.

Decibel reading: 75

8. Anna Kournikova

Anna Kournikova is a special case. For one, she’s as much known as a smoking hot model as she is a tennis player – and everyone agrees she’s babalicious beyond. Does this make her grunting frolics more excusable? We’re going to stick our necks out here and say, yes we think it does. The Russian superstar, now retired from tennis, is said to have let out a more genuine – if scarcely less ear-splitting – grunt, and only when exerted; compare the more contrived shrieks of some of her peers. To be honest, though, in your case, Anna, we wouldn’t mind whether you were faking it or not.

Decibel reading: 78.5

7. Elena Bovina

With a sneeze-like groan that’s loud if not quite deafening, Elena Bovina could be seen as something of a journeyman grunter on the women’s tour. Still, if noises like hers were emanating from the honeymoon suite next door to your hotel room, you might be tempted to complain… or worse. The former World No.14 makes a sound that’s been interpreted as erotic by some ears in need of cleaning, though the strapping 6′2″ Russian’s penetrating bellow has been said to distress some witnesses. Apparently, she generates decibel levels similar to a pneumatic tool from 15 metres. That’s quite some din.

Decibel reading: 81

6. Victoria Azarenka

Victoria Azarenka’s piercing cry might lead daydreamers to believe they are in a Central American rainforest, so much like howler monkeys on heat do they sound. The girl from Belarus emits a short, high pitched noise that’s been dubbed ”terrifying” and “alarming”, and she’s one of those at the centre of the grunting debate today. Azarenka has called for people to “respect all the players who grunt, which are about 70% of the whole tour,” after the crowd mimicked her “woo-woo” wails during a second round victory in Wimbledon last year. That’s right kids – respect the grunt.

Decibel reading: 83.5

5. Venus Williams

Only just quieter than her younger sibling, Venus Williams has a grunt verging on a scream. High-pitched and topped off with a trill, is this is a groan of angst… or ecstasy? While many find the noise upsetting – reminiscent of an animal in distress – Venus might actually be said to have a grunt that chimes with her love goddess’ name. Either way, the World No.2 is one of the more notable grunters of our time. Though never penalised for her grunting misdemeanors, she did feature in a memorable 2007 gruntathon with Maria Sharapova which set commentators sniggering. Verdict: orgasmic.

Decibel reading: 85

4. Serena Williams

Closely matched with Venus in the grunting stakes as is in everything else, Serena is bequeathed with a more masculine rumble than her sister. Forceful and deep, but at times higher pitched when she is excited, the current world No.1’s grunt is the sort that might startle spectators as well as challengers. She claims she’s “not conscious” when she’s doing it and that other players grunting “doesn’t really affect” her. The sometime model permitted a bit of flirtatious banter with British chat show host Jonathan Ross when teased with repeated recordings of her on-court antics. Saucy if not serene.

Decibel reading: 88.9

3. Monica Seles

Widely credited as the original female grunter, Monica Seles singlehandedly inspired the Centre Court ‘grunt-o-meter’, used by British newspapers covering Wimbledon when the svelte Yugoslav first began grunting her way through matches. Notable for the double-bang quality of her grunt – a moan followed by a louder, shriller groan – Seles got all the noise complaints in the 90s. Famously, after the threat of a fine, she clammed up for her 1992 final with Stefi Graf – a match she was promptly thrashed in. She now regrets this, and grunters these days are more reluctant to contain themselves.

Decibel reading: 93.2

2. Maria Sharapova

Maria Sharapova’s frenzied moan is a porn star grunt to match her porn star looks – though she says it’s been that way since she started playing tennis aged four. Sharapova’s scream has officially been clocked at 101 decibels, the equivalent of a police siren, so when the ex-Wimbledon champion wails you know the crowd takes notice. Accused by three-times former Wimbledon champ Chris Evert of raising the volume of her grunts to win crucial points, the Russian hottie has urged the snooping media to “just watch the match”. We would, but we’re arrested by you and your noises, Maria.

Decibel reading: 101

1. Michelle Larcher de Brito

The big noise last year was about then 16-year-old Michelle Larcher de Brito, who emits less of a grunt than a squeal akin to an airplane taking off. During the 2009 French Open, opponent Aravane Rezaï complained to the umpire about the racket the Portuguese teen was making, which led to a Grand Slam official being brought to the net. No action was taken against the new Queen of Screams, but she was booed off the court. De Brito has said: “If people don’t like my grunting, they can always leave”. We’re sure they have. In droves. A shriek that brings to mind the image of a banshee in estrus.

Decibel reading: 109

Isner beats Mahut in epic 11-hour match

Associated Press
From: http://sports.espn.go.com/

Isner Wins Historic Match

John Isner broke Nicolas Mahut to win the fifth set 70-68

• Human Spirit Endures In Epic Match

  ESPN analysts discuss the historic match between John Isner and Nicolas Mahut
  Tags: Tennis, John Isner, Nicolas Mahut
  
  

Long day's journey

John Isner's 70-68 win over Nicolas Mahut in the fifth set at Wimbledon ended the longest match in tennis history. Some of the marks:

Longest matches:
• 11 hours, 5 minutes -- John Isner def. Nicolas Mahut, 2010 Wimbledon 1R
• 6:33 -- Fabrice Santoro def. Arnaud Clement, 2004 French Open 1R
• 6:22 -- John McEnroe def. Mats Wilander, 1982 Davis Cup, World Group QF
• 6:21 -- Boris Becker def. John McEnroe, 1987 Davis Cup, World Group Playoff
• 6:04 -- Horst Skoff def. Mats Wilander, 1989 Davis Cup, World Group QF
• 5:59 -- Radek Stepanek def. Ivo Karlovic, 2009 Davis Cup, World Group SF
• 5:46 -- Arnaud Clement def. Marc Rosset, 2001 Davis Cup, World Group QF
• 5:45 -- Mehdi Tahiri def. Gilles Muller, 2005 Davis Cup, Europe/Africa Zone 1R Playoff
• 5:31 -- Alex Corretja def. Hernan Gumy, 1998 French Open 3R
• 5:28 -- Greg Holmes def. Todd Witsken, 1989 Wimbledon 2R

What it bettered
• Previous longest singles match, games: 112 -- Pancho Gonzales def. Charlie Pasarell, 22-24, 1-6, 16-14, 6-3, 11-9 (1969 Wimbledon 1R)
• Previous longest doubles match, games: 122 -- Stan Smith and Erik Van Dillen def. Patricio Cornejo and Jaime Fillol, 7-9, 37-39, 8-6, 6-1, 6-3 (1973 Davis Cup, United States vs. Chile, American Zone final)
• Previous longest fifth set in Grand Slam men's singles: 21-19 -- Andy Roddick def. Younes El Aynaoui, 4-6, 7-6, 4-6, 6-4, 21-19 (2003 Australian Open QF)
• Previous longest fifth set in Wimbledon men's singles: 20-18 -- Mark Philippoussis def. Sjeng Schalken, 4-6, 6-3, 6-7, 7-6, 20-18 (2000 Wimbledon 3R)
• Previous longest men's singles set at a Grand Slam: 25-23 -- John Newcombe def. Marty Riessen, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 25-23 (1969 US Open R16)

-- The Associated Press

WIMBLEDON, England -- When John Isner finally won the longest match in tennis history, he collapsed on the Wimbledon grass and then summoned one last burst of energy, springing to his feet and applauding along with the crowd.

The American hit a backhand up the line Thursday to win the last of the match's 980 points, and he beat Nicolas Mahut in the fifth set, 70-68.

The first-round match took 11 hours, 5 minutes over three days, lasting so long it was suspended because of darkness -- two nights in a row. Play resumed Thursday at 59-all before an overflow crowd on cozy Court 18 and continued for 20 games and 65 minutes before Isner won 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (7), 7-6 (3), 70-68.

"When you come out and play a match like this, in an atmosphere like this, you don't feel tired really out there," Isner said, "even though that's exactly what we both were."

Isner finished with 112 aces, and Mahut had 103, with both totals eclipsing the sport's previous high of 78.

"It stinks someone had to lose," Isner said. "But to be able to share this day with him was an absolute honor. I wish him nothing but the best, and maybe I'll see him somewhere down the road, and it won't go 70-68."

Missing the end of the marathon was Queen Elizabeth II, who had already departed the All England Club following her first visit to Wimbledon since 1977. She watched Briton Andy Murray win his match on Centre Court.

Isner won a match that was by far the longest in the sport's history in terms of games or time. The fifth set alone took 8 hours, 11 minutes, surpassing the previous longest match, which took 6 hours, 33 minutes at the 2004 French Open.

"We played the greatest match ever in the greatest place to play tennis," Mahut said. "John deserved to win. He just served unbelievable."

Chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani said he didn't have a chance to feel tired, even during Wednesday's seven-hour session.

"I travel economy," he said. "Seven hours sitting still on court is nothing."

The crowd roared when the players walked on the court Thursday. Mahut wore an intense expression, while Isner smiled and waved. The electronic scoreboard was again working after it froze and then went blank as the fifth set approached 100 games Wednesday.

When the match resumed and Isner held after reaching deuce, the chair umpire announced the score.

"Isner leads 60 games to 59, final set," he said. The crowd laughed.

Both players continued to dominate with their serves. Mahut, always trailing when he served, held at love five times, and appeared to be the fresher player.

He hit a leaping overhead to end one exchange and skipped to the baseline following a changeover, while the 6-foot-9 Isner moved deliberately between points. But in the 183rd and final game, the Frenchman sailed a forehand long and netted a drop shot on consecutive points to fall behind 15-30.

Isner hit a forehand winner for the first break-point chance of the day. Then he cracked the backhand winner for the victory -- just the third service break of the match, and the only one in the fifth set.

Seeded 23rd, Isner will be back on court for a fourth day in a row Friday to play a second-round match.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

The Sexy Women of Wimbledon

By Adam Tod Brown

27Share

More

From: http://funnycrave.com/the-sexy-women-of-wimbledon/15256/

Wimbledon starts on Monday. Last year, controversy surrounded several of the matchups after Wimbledon officials admitted that looks played at least some role in what female players were matched up to play on the famous center court. Will it be that way this year also?

If so, here are some of the lovely ladies you should expect to see rocking center court.