Video: To Add Injury To Insult

Not only did the US Fed Cup team get relegated to World Group II for the first time in history, but Germany had to go and physically beat up the players too!  In this video, Liezel Huber gets struck in the face (on accident) by Julia Goerges during the doubles rubber.  Ouch.

Australian Open Day 5: Oh Yes It's Ladies Night

Since my site has been a little ATP heavy recently, I decided to dedicate this post to the Ladies who kicked ass and took names today so please feel free to listen to the music as you read.

First off, I've got to hand it to Caroline Wozniacki, who got a little feisty today in her post-match presser after defeating Dominika Cibulkova.  She said she heard through the grapevine that the media thought she was BORING because she always gives the same answers to questions.  (In her defense they always ask her the same silly questions like........."Do you think you deserve to be number one?" What the hell is she supposed to say?  No?)  So she took it upon herself to change that, and she spent the 1st 1/2 of the presser addressing the criticism, and then when she was done, her press conference took an odd turn and morphed into a episode of The Bachelorette/Millionare Matchmaker:

Q. When are you going to get married and how many kids are you going to have?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: First I have to find a guy.

Q. What do you expect in a guy?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: What do I expect? Honesty. Understanding what I'm doing. Maybe a sports person himself.

Q. You're not going to find it in here.

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: You know, sometimes the media is too good looking here, so I can't really focus on what I'm supposed to say (laughter).

You can get the full transcript here.

Francesca Schivone who is a little ball of Italian flair, and my favorite WTA player to watch, clawed her way back in the 2nd set to defeat Monica Niculescu and advance to the round of 16.  I mean really, how can you not love a face like this:

Maria Sharapova and Julia Goerges put on a forehand clinic during their 3 set match, with vintage Masha coming out on top.  But outside all the impressive shot making, the thing that caught my attention most? 

Julia is HOT.

A slimmed down Svetlana Kuznetsova battled some serious nerves today trying to serve out the match against Justine Henin who has had her number more times than not.  But, Sveta hung in their and closed it out in 2 sets.  Up next........Franny, and that should be a Doozie.

Photo:  Getty Images

And last but definitely not least Venus Williams.  At press time, she hasn't begun playing her 3rd round match, but I anticipate it will be good.  However, there are only 2 reasons I really want to watch:

1.  Will Venus be too injured to play her best tennis? (because I think that's the only way Andrea Petkovic is going to win)

and

2.  If Petkovic does win, will she have the balls to do her Petko Dance in front of Venus? (Because I'd be scared) 

I'll keep you updated.

Oh yeah, and Li Na and Victoria Azarenka advanced too.

Update on Friday, January 21, 2011 at 6:25AM by [OnTheGoTennis]

Well, now I feel bad.  Venus played 1.5 games and then let out another scream and had to retire for the FIRST time in a Grand Slam. 

I hope she gets healthy soon.  She's still so badass.

Celebrating Titles Fashionista Style

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the ultra-glam WTA winners from this weekend. Ana Ivanovic, looking stunning in her traditional Indonesian attire, defeated Alisa Kleybanova on Sunday in the Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions in Bali.   With this win she will jump to number 17 in the world, which is remarkable since she was as low as number 65 in July.  I think we can all breathe a sigh of relief that Ana's got her mojo back.

And yesterday the Italian women gave Team USA a royal beat down, as they won the Fed Cup finals 3-1 in San Diego.  To celebrate they all dressed up in blazers, high heels, and short skirts.

Work it girls!

Hey Franny-what's with the hand placement.  I know Flavia is hot, but Dayum!