Dementieva takes Dubai

Again, the line from the pros: "Russia's Elena Dementieva poses with her trophy and unidentified dignitaries after beating compatriot Svetlana Kuznetsova at the WTA Dubai Tennis Championships March 1, 2008."

Photo sources: Yahoo! News/REUTERS/Steve Crisp; Yahoo! News/REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah

Ana in Doha

Photo source: Yahoo! News (not MSN News)/REUTERS/Fadi Al-Assaad

Talking about who is: is this the same Nathalie Dechy I have seen before but never seen before?

Svetiana Kuznetsova defeated the Fremchwoman on February 22nd

Kutzy

Kutzy vs Nathalie in Doha

Photo sources: (in order) Yahoo! News/REUTERS/Fadi Al-Assaad; Yahoo! News/REUTERS/ Fadi Al-Assaad; Yahoo! News/oops; Yahoo! News/REUTERS/ Fadi Al-Assaad; Yahoo! News/REUTERS/ Fadi Al-Assaad; Yahoo! News/REUTERS/Fadi Al-Assaad; Yahoo! News/REUTERS/ Fadi Al-Assaad;Yahoo! News/RREUTERS/ Fadi Al-Assaad; Yahoo! News/oops; Yahoo! News/RREUTERS/ Fadi Al-Assaad; Yahoo! News/RREUTERS/ Fadi Al-Assaad

Speaking of the two American beauties, they were at Madison Square Gardens March 1st for the Tyson American Cup

Shawn Johnson

Nastia Liukin

I was so very impressed at the smile that Shawn maintained even as she saw her lead slip away to Nastia (though Nastia is the press poster person, Shawn is the reigning artistic world champion.) I thought that a beautiful spirit (enviably beautiful 'cause I just don't got it.) The question is if the Chinese will find that spirit indomitable.

Photo sources: (in order) Yahoo! News/REUTERS/Brian Snyder; Yahoo! News/REUTERS/Mike Segar; Yahoo! News/AFP/Gabriel Bouys; Yahoo! News/AP Photo/Frank Franklin II; Yahoo! News/REUTERS/Mike Segar ; Yahoo! News/REUTERS/Brian Snyder; Yahoo! News/REUTERS/Mike Segar ;Yahoo! News/REUTERS/Ruben Sprich. (The screen shots: The use of these images is not intended to defeat the owner's copyright interest, but are used under the "fair use" exception to the copyright laws for public comment on a public broadcast of an event of public importance. The use here implies no copyright interest of any sort in the images.

Here's the nothing: nothing for nothing

I just finished watching my taping of the Milrose (track and field) Games aired just prior to the US Figure Skating nationals exhibitions on NBC February 2nd. The message was too clear: expect nothing of US women at the Olympics. (Okay, okay: expect nothing of women period; it is oppressive for me to impose my expectations on women as women move to consolidate sisterhood around the world.) So watch Olympics, be ready to hurl. That's fine: then the Chinese women can win their team gymnastics gold before their hommies, per the national sisterhood. I'm for that, though America's two beauties Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin may not be feeling with the half-heartedness and the immense pressure that the seemingly always so delicate Chinese women gymnasts are facing.

Now, I'm caught up.

Sharapova takes much coveted Qatar Open loot

Much has been happening in women's sports, and then nothing. But this something demands notice, explicit notice (and I will try to be caught up by worlds.) I don't represent no "heads" ("hard heads", "dudes") here, but I am a photographer and this first photo speaks. Again back to my (segregated) elementary school, the only thing worse than not thinking was the mindless regurgitation of someone else's thinking, even the teacher's. You could do about anything but plagiarize: you'd do it once, and your ears would be booming "Your own words. Your own words. Your own words." for months. Your own words: But I have to borrow Reuters pics and words here; sorry (abdicating responsibility for political correctness to the pros):

"Maria Sharapova (C) of Russia holds up the Golden Falcon award, with Ali Shareef al Emadi (L), Philippe Guys (2nd L), Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al Thani (2nd R) and Sheikh Mohammed bin Faleh al Thani after Sharapova defeated compatriot Vera Zvonareva in the final of the Qatar Open tennis tournament in Doha February 24, 2008."

The official site is here, but be forewarned: draw and schedule information is in pdf format (sonebody has too much money, needs a real job.)

For her part, Justine Henin (below)a week earlier took Antwerp's Proximus Diamond Games tennis tournament title.

Photo sources: Yahoo! (shudder, and already shaking) News/REUTERS/Fadi Al-Assaad; Yahoo! (shudder; steady) News/AP Photo/Abdul Basit; Yahoo! (shudder) News/AP Photo/Abdul Basit; Yahoo! (shudder) News/REUTERS/Thierry Roge