Who is?

Hint:

The use of these images is not intended to defeat the owner's copyright interest, but the images 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.

Wimbledon '08: week 1; second pass

In women's singles: the second round stats for Ana Ivanovic "over" Nathalie Dechy were 6-7 (2-7) 7-6 (7-3) 10-8 with elapsed time by set of 58, 63 and 83 minutes. Sharapova did lose in round 2.

Wimbledon '08: week 1, first pass: Sharapova's tux

Perhaps it is ill-advised to remind other competitors that you are the highest paid woman in all of sports; I mean, they have their complete lack of sympathy for Anna Kournikova as a predicate.

Photo source: Yahoo! News/AFP/Carl de Souza

Wimbledon '08: week 1, first pass: Venus, round 2, form

Photo sources: (in order) Yahoo! News/AP Photo/Alastair Grant; Yahoo! News/REUTERS/Alessia Pierdomenico; Yahoo! News/REUTERS/Alessia Pierdomenico; Yahoo! News/REUTERS/Alessia Pierdomenico; Yahoo! News/AP Photo/REUTERS/Alessia Pierdomenico

Wimbledon '08: week 1, first pass: Ana's loss in the second round that she won

When I first saw this photo of Nathalie Dechy during her second round match with Ana I sensed a disbelief on her part that Ana was still out there. It is not a look of respect or admiration, just disbelief: "I can't believe you're still out here!" Perhaps Nathalie watched (the US) coverage of the French Open final where they talked about nothing but how Ana's team shielded her from this and didn't tell her that. Well, they couldn't shield her from the shock of what Nathalie put on her buck. Ana won, but she . . . herself . . . does not know how. And in that she lost: she lost what made her number one. This could have repercussions well beyond this season: she has got to reclaim what made her number one, and take that to the next level (and that "and" is a "must!")

Wimbledon '08: week 1, first pass: Ana, round 1 , form

Photo sources: (in order) Yahoo! News/REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque; Yahoo! News/REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque; Yahoo! News/AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus; Yahoo! News/AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus; Yahoo! News/AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus

Wimbledon '08: week 1, first pass: Venus, round 1, form

Photo sources: (in order) Yahoo! News/AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus; Yahoo! News/AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus; Yahoo! News/AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus; Yahoo! News/REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

Wimbledon '08: week 1; first pass

I've actually been right on top of Wimbledon this go round, but that is in terms of my image surfing. At this point, I have not visited the official site, or looked at schedules or perused the draw, but I have seen some things: Venus' form, Ana Ivanovic's loss in the second round she won, and I think I've seen suggestions that Sharapova is out. I want to take a quick pass at these, then go out and get some official information for the coming week . . ..

pre-Wimbledon '08: Jelena's smileys

It's a good thing that, though I am a computer geek, I am not a nerd (well not too much of a nerd), because I would have a field day and a half making smiley gifs of Jelena Jankovic pre-Wimbledon practice "I-am-so-upset-that-Ana-has-gotten-a-ticker-tape-parade-and-all-kind-of-attention-and-I-am-going-to-win-this-tournament-and-have-me-a-ticker-tape-parade-and-none-of-you-clowns-had-better-get-in-my-way" smileys.

Below, world number 1 Ana Ivanovic of Serbia in Serbia June 10, 2008.

Photo sources: Yahoo! News/AP Photo/Alastair Grant; Yahoo! News/AP Photo/Alastair Grant; Yahoo! News/AP Photo/Srdjan Ilic

Now . . . French Open '08: Ana!

Photo sources: (both) Yahoo! News/AP Photo/Christophe Ena

French Open '08: it was Ana, but wait . . .

Ana held, but wait . . .

French Open '08: through day 12: Dinara

In Berlin she took out Justine Henin then Serena back to back. Here in Paris she sends her then favored home sister Sharapova packing 6-7 (6-8) 7-6 (7-5) 6-2, sidesteps homegirl Dementieva 4-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-0, then just walks on home people Kutzy 6-3 6-2.

The finals (Saturday morning here) is going to be 'da bomb: Ana, Dinara: both young (notice Dinara's stamina in her third sets), both pretty eager for a slam title. Both seeing this as a superb opportunity to get that first slam title. Both knowing that if it's going to happen soon, it going to be here. Can't wait. This is game.

women's singles draw

French Open '08 (in Henin's absence): through day 4, results best left without comment

women's singles draw

2004 . . . even the queen . . . in the final attempt to take Olympic gold in her signature event . . .

. . . and the not so royal dismounted Canadian, who alone gives all the women in America a run for their money on "sharin' 'da lub'" . . .

>

Used without permission under the Fair Use Exception to the Copyright Laws for public comment on issues of public importance.

Ana in Berlin May 7th during her unsuccessful title defense this year . . .

My bad in my post May 12th: Ana did not successfully defend in Berlin this year, and the caption I was looking at clearly said "2007 German Open tennis tournament, in May 2007, in Berlin". Ana actually lost in the semifinals May 10th to Dementieva (right below) (and I saw that). Elena defeated Serbia's Jelena Jankovic in the quarters.

More importantly, Russia's Dinara Safina, left above, took out Justine Henin 5-7 6-3 6-1 on May 8th, then Serena 5-7 6-3 7-6 (7-5) in the quarters the next day on the way to the title.

And this has to be like day 6 of the French Open . . ..

US gymnasts are in Houston this week . . .

Well, were here at least. It was VISA Championships for the men (wrapping up even as I . . . type . . ..) But it was also determinative to the US Rhythmic contingent to Beijing, and important for qualification for twelve to the women's VISA Championships next month. More as I sort my images (yes, from a digital original capture device, thank you) . . ..

2004 . . . missed the teddy bears . . .

. . . missed the podium. . .

Used without permission under the Fair Use Exception to the Copyright Laws for public comment on issues of public importance.

Ana during her title win in Berlin May 7th

. . . and in Key Biscayne March 27th.

Photo sources: Yahoo! News/AP Photo/Miguel Villagran; Yahoo! News/AFP/Getty Images/File/Matthew Stockman

2004 . . . even Venus faltered

What was this like Mary Pierce's first ever win over Venus this century?

Used without permission under the Fair Use Exception to the Copyright Laws for public comment on issues of public importance.

2004 . . . (and 2000 and 1998)

Used without permission under the Fair Use Exception to the Copyright Laws for public comment on issues of public importance.