In Their Words: Aussie Open Interviews Days 7-12

Ekaterina, is that you?

 No, the Italian food, I really like it (smiling).

-Ekaterina Makarova on how she doesn't like being called Macaroni but likes the food

I know her, but I don't think that we look similar.  You like strange questions (laughter).

-Ekaterina Makarova on being told she looks like Gwyneth Paltrow

I have spoken to her years ago, but, you know, she was all about Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve.

-Martina Navratilova on Margaret Court's view on same-sex marriage

No, she did ask me like what kind of shoes should I take to walk on the course.  Just the most comfortable ones. 

-Ana Ivanovic on the golf questions Caroline Wozniacki asks her

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What Lies Beneath: Svetlana Kuznetsova

While in Auckland, Svetlana Kuznetsova displayed a new tattoo on the inside of her right arm which says, 

Pain doesn't kill me, I kill the pain.

With all the injuries happening early in the 2012 season, I hope this tattoo gives her some sort of magic shield against getting injured herself.

Sveta already has two other tattoos (that I am aware of).  One on the inside of her left arm which is Russian for "Only God is our judge"

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Video: Svetlana Kuznetsova's Trick Shot

Move over Roger Federer, because another player is coming to steal your trick shot crown. 

The folks over at ASB Auckland have done it again, with another hilarious video featuring Svetlana Kuznetsova attempting to knock a bottle off the head of James McOnie, reporter for The Crowd Goes Wild.  Does she do it? Watch the video to find out!  Enjoy!

Svetlana Has 99 Problems but the Apocalypse Ain't One

With Doomsday approaching in December 2012 (no I don't actually believe it's going to happen.....I think) the ASB Classic decided to ask some players, "What do you want to do before the world ends?"  Sania Mirza wants to win a slam, Flavia Pennetta wants to have a baby (calling all men, calling all men!), and Svetlana Kuznetsova......she refuses to give the poor guy an answer because she thinks it is a silly question.  Apocalypse?  Gurl please...... I love Sveta.  Check it!

Glamour Shots: Svetlana Kuznetsova

Wow!  Svetlana Kuznetsova looks uber glam in a photo shoot in NY by Chris Kolk.   The dresses, the hair, the makeup, the cheekbones......I want more of this Sveta please!  Enjoy!

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Qualifiers Prove Their Quality To Record Cincinnati Crowd

By JAMES HENRY
OnTheGoTennis

CINCINNATI – Everywhere fans look, tennis is being played or practiced across 16 courts at the Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati.

A whopping 38 first-round qualifying matches were contested – 14 for the ATP World Tour and 24 for the WTA. Of those 76 competitors, half will vie today for spots in the main draws.

That main draw action actually begins today with marquee matches between Juan Martín del Potro and Andreas Seppi, scheduled not before 2 p.m., and Marcos Baghdatis and James Blake, scheduled not before 7 p.m.

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I'm On Top Of The World!!

Caroline Wozniacki didn't really say that, but after this week, that is where she sits, World Number 1. She regained her number 1 ranking after reaching the semi-finals in Dubai, and today she decisively beat Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-1, 6-3, to win her first title of the year and her 13th career title.  So the question is always asked, "is a slam in her future?"  I believe that if she continues to play like this.....yes.  

Here is the video that Caro sent to her fans after regaining the number 1 ranking:

Funny side note:  When Caro regained the number 1 ranking and tweeted it, Kim Clijsters (who had just received the number 1 ranking the week before) tweeted back:

@CaroWozniacki Congrats :-) ha ha

Kimmie is a good sport.