Maria Kirilenko dumps Igor Andreev for NHL MPV player

Yahoo Sports reported that Russian tennis hottie Maria Kirilenko is currently romantically involved with Washington Capitals star forward Alex Ovechkin. 


The NHL player was said to have posted a photo of himself and Maria on his Twitter account with a message referring to Kirilenko as his "girlfriend." 

So it looks like Kirilenko is no longer with her long time boyfriend Igor Andreev, also a fellow Russian tennis player and former doubles partner.


(Via Yahoo Sports)

Australian Open Day 2 Wrap-up: Roger Federer survives scare

Roger Federer may have problem living up to his usual game but at the end of the day, he still won.

Igor Andreev had been challenged by his girlfriend Maria Kirilenko to take Federer down after she knocked out Maria Sharapova in the first round on Monday. Perhaps it was too much pressure for the Russian.

Here's the rest of the results from the Australian Open singles first round on Day 2 (prefix number denotes seeding):

Round 1 - Men's Singles
26-Nicolas Almagro (ESP) bt Q-Xavier Malisse (BEL) 7-6(12) 6-4 2-6 4-6 8-6.
Denis Istomin (UZB) bt 32-Jeremy Chardy (FRA) 6-2 6-2 6-0.
Q-Donald Young (USA) bt Christophe Rochus (BEL) 1-6 7-5 6-2 6-4.
Marco Chiudinelli (SUI) bt WC-Marinko Matosevic (AUS) 7-6(7) 7-6(3) 4-6 6-3.
3-Novak Djokovic (SRB) bt Daniel Gimeno (ESP) 7-5 6-3 6-2.
Stephane Robert (FRA) bt Potito Starace (ITA) 6-3 7-6(2) 7-6(4).
Michael Berrer (GER) bt Kristof Vliegen (BEL) 6-1 6-2 6-1.
Benjamin Becker (GER) bt Q-Grega Zemlja (SLO) 7-6(5) 7-5 7-5.
Victor Hanescu (ROU) bt Juan Ignacio Chela (ARG) 6-4 6-3 7-6(2).
Jan Hajek (CZE) bt Robby Ginepri (USA) 7-6(2) 7-5 6-1.
Q-Ivan Dodig (CRO) bt 23-Juan Carlos Ferrero (ESP) 2-6 1-6 6-4 6-1 6-1.
22-Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) bt Q-Ricardo Hocevar (BRA) 6-1 6-2 6-3.
31-Albert Montanes (ESP) bt Oscar Hernandez (ESP) 7-6(5) 2-2 ret.
Taylor Dent (USA) bt Fabio Fognini (ITA) 6-1 6-3 6-3.
Janko Tipsarevic (SRB) bt WC-Ryan Harrison (USA) 6-2 6-4 7-6(3).
Michael Llodra (FRA) bt Martin Vassallo Arguello (ARG) 6-3 7-5 6-4.
Alejandro Falla (COL) bt Marcos Daniel (BRA) 7-5 6-3 6-1.
Q-Antonio Veic (CRO) bt Daniel Kollerer (AUT) 6-4 3-6 6-7(3) 6-1 6-4.
18-Tommy Haas (GER) bt Simon Greul (GER) 6-7(5) 6-4 6-2 6-1.
Marcos Baghdatis (CYP) bt Paolo Lorenzi (ITA) 6-2 6-4 6-4.
Q-Illya Marchenko (UKR) bt Carlos Moya (ESP) 7-6(2) 7-5 6-3.
17-David Ferrer (ESP) bt Frederico Gil (POR) 6-0 6-0 2-0 ret.
Q-Stefan Koubek (AUT) bt Rajeev Ram (USA) 4-6 6-3 5-7 6-1 6-3.
10-Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) bt Sergiy Stakhovsky (UKR) 6-3 6-4 6-4.
30-Juan Monaco (ARG) bt Ernests Gulbis (LAT) 6-3 7-6(5) 6-1.
Marcel Granollers (ESP) bt 8-Robin Soderling (SWE) 5-7 2-6 6-4 6-4 6-2.
1-Roger Federer (SUI) bt Igor Andreev (RUS) 4-6 6-2 7-6(2) 6-0.
Santiago Giraldo (COL) bt 16-Tommy Robredo (ESP) 6-4 6-2 6-2.
Marc Gicquel (FRA) bt Simone Bolelli (ITA) 7-6(2) 7-6(3) 6-3.
Florent Serra (FRA) bt 28-Jurgen Melzer (AUT) 6-1 6-7(3) 6-4 4-6 6-3.
Julien Benneteau (FRA) bt Q-David Guez (FRA) 0-6 6-4 7-6(4) 7-6(2).
Lukas Lacko (SVK) bt Leonardo Mayer (ARG) 6-4 6-4 6-0.
Lukasz Kubot (POL) bt Mischa Zverev (GER) 6-3 6-3 6-3.
James Blake (USA) bt Arnaud Clement (FRA) 7-5 7-5 6-2.
27-Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) bt Horacio Zeballos (ARG) 6-1 7-5 6-1.
Rainer Schuttler (GER) bt 25-Sam Querrey (USA) 6-3 2-6 6-4 6-3.
29-Viktor Troicki (SRB) bt Nicolas Lapentti (ECU) 4-6 6-3 6-1 6-3.
19-Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) bt Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP) 6-3 6-3 6-2.
Thomaz Bellucci (BRA) bt Teimuraz Gabashvili (RUS) 6-3 7-5 4-6 6-4.
Q-Ivan Sergeyev (UKR) bt Dudi Sela (ISR) 6-3 7-6(3) 4-6 7-6(8).
Feliciano Lopez (ESP) bt Pablo Cuevas (URU) 6-1 6-4 7-5.
33-John Isner (USA) bt Andreas Seppi (ITA) 6-3 6-3 3-6 5-7 6-4.
6-Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) bt Q-Dieter Kindlmann (GER) 6-1 6-0 6-3.
9-Fernando Verdasco (ESP) bt WC-Carsten Ball (AUS) 6-7(4) 7-6(1) 7-5 6-2.
12-Gael Monfils (FRA) bt Q-Matthew Ebden (AUS) 6-4 6-4 6-4.
LL-Marsel Ilhan (TUR) bt WC-Sebastien Grosjean (FRA) 6-4 6-3 7-5.
14-Marin Cilic (CRO) bt Fabrice Santoro (FRA) 7-5 7-5 6-3.
Igor Kunitsyn (RUS) bt Jose Acasuso (ARG) 6-1 2-6 6-4 6-2.
Q-Louk Sorensen (IRL) bt Lu Yen-Hsun (TPE) 6-4 3-6 6-2 6-1.
Evgeny Korolev (RUS) bt Daniel Brands (GER) 6-2 7-5 7-5.
21-Tomas Berdych (CZE) bt Robin Haase (NED) 6-0 6-3 6-3.
Jarkko Nieminen (FIN) bt WC-Nick Lindahl (AUS) 6-2 7-5 6-4.


Round 1 - Women's Singles
Julie Coin (FRA) bt WC-Alicia Molik (AUS) 3-6 7-6(4) 6-3.
17-Francesca Schiavone (ITA) bt Alize Cornet (FRA) 0-6 7-5 6-0.
Alberta Brianti (ITA) bt Varvara Lepchenko (USA) 6-0 3-6 6-1.
21-Sabine Lisicki (GER) bt Petra Martic (CRO) 6-1 6-4.
Sybille Bammer (AUT) bt Arantxa Parra (ESP) 6-3 6-2.
Gisela Dulko (ARG) bt Q-Zuzana Kucova (SVK) 6-0 5-7 7-5.
Alla Kudryavtseva (RUS) bt Melanie Oudin (USA) 2-6 7-5 7-5.
Petra Kvitova (CZE) bt Jill Craybas (USA) 6-1 7-5.
6-Venus Williams (USA) bt Lucie Safarova (CZE) 6-2 6-2.
10-Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) bt Tatjana Malek (GER) 6-1 6-0.
Karolina Sprem (CRO) bt 25-Anabel Medina (ESP) 6-3 6-2.
Roberta Vinci (ITA) bt Anna-Lena Gronefeld (GER) 7-5 6-4.
Andrea Petkovic (GER) bt Q-Renata Voracova (CZE) 6-2 6-4.
Kristina Barrois (GER) bt Akgul Amanmuradova (UZB) 6-0 7-6(6).
31-Alona Bondarenko (UKR) bt Q-Kathrin Worle (GER) 6-2 6-2.
32-Carla Suarez (ESP) bt Ayumi Morita (JPN) 7-5 6-4.
WC-Casey Dellacqua (AUS) bt Anastasiya Yakimova (BLR) 6-2 3-6 6-4.
8-Jelena Jankovic (SRB) bt Monica Niculescu (ROU) 6-4 6-0.
Sorana Cirstea (ROU) bt WC-Olivia Rogowska (AUS) 6-3 2-6 6-2.
Kaia Kanepi (EST) bt Chan Yung-Jan (TPE) 7-6(4) 6-2.
Vania King (USA) bt 23-Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) 6-3 6-7(5) 7-5.
1-Serena Williams (USA) bt Urszula Radwanska (POL) 6-2 6-1.
Barbora Zahlavova Strycova (CZE) bt Q-Regina Kulikova (RUS) 7-6(5) 6-7(10) 6-3.
Tamarine Tanasugarn (THA) bt WC-Sesil Karatantcheva (KAZ) 6-1 7-6(0).
Polona Hercog (SLO) bt Q-Yuliana Fedak (UKR) 6-4 6-0.
13-Samantha Stosur (AUS) bt Q-Han Xinyun (CHN) 6-1 3-6 6-2.
Sara Errani (ITA) bt Klara Zakopalova (CZE) 6-2 7-6(5).
19-Nadia Petrova (RUS) bt Edina Gallovits (ROU) 6-3 6-4.
Q-Angelique Kerber (GER) bt Olga Govortsova (BLR) 6-3 6-3.
Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) bt 18-Virginie Razzano (FRA) 6-2 6-3.
11-Marion Bartoli (FRA) bt Rossana De Los Rios (PAR) 6-4 6-1.
Katie O'Brien (GBR) bt Patricia Mayr (AUT) 6-3 6-3.
26-Aravane Rezai (FRA) bt Sania Mirza (IND) 6-4 6-2.
Sandra Zahlavova (CZE) bt WC-Coco Vandeweghe (USA) 6-0 6-1.
20-Ana Ivanovic (SRB) bt Q-Shenay Perry (USA) 6-2 6-3.

2009 Davis Cup Quarterfinals matchups

As usual I'm not too keen about Davis Cup.

That simply because I don't get to watch the events LIVE on TV in my country.

Besides with Rafael Nadal, David Ferrer and Andy Roddick out of this team competition, it just gives me more reasons not to watch it on live stream.

If you can't watch it on TV in your country, you can always count on atdhe.net.

Anyway here are the matchups and photos (can't find Team Argentina, Team Israel and Team Czech Republic photos yet).

The Davis Cup world group quarterfinal ties beginning Friday (all times GMT).

CROATIA v UNITED STATES
Venue: Sportska Dvorana, Porec, Croatia
Surface: Indoor clay
Times: Friday (1400), Saturday (1330), Sunday (1400)
Head-to-head: Croatia lead 2-0

CZECH REPUBLIC v ARGENTINA
Venue: Cez Arena, Ostrava
Surface: Indoor hard courts
Times: Friday (1300), Saturday (1200), Sunday (1100)
Head-to-head: Czech Republic lead 2-1

ISRAEL v RUSSIA
Venue: Sport Palaces, Tel Aviv
Surface: Indoor hard court
Times: Friday (1000), Saturday (1200), Sunday (1200)
Head-to-head: Russia lead 1-0

SPAIN v GERMANY
Venue: Plaza de Toros de Puerto Banus, Marbella
Surface: Outdoor clay
Times: Friday (1100), Saturday (1400), Sunday (1100)
Head-to-head: Germany lead 9-5

SPAIN team: Fernando Verdasco, Tommy Robredo, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Feliciano Lopez; Captain: Albert Costa

GERMANY team: Philipp Kohlschreiber, Nicolas Kiefer, Mischa Zverev, Andreas Beck; Captain: Patrik Kuhnen

RUSSIA team: Igor Kunitsyn, Marat Safin, Igor Andreev, Mikhail Youzhny; Captain: Shamil Tarpischev

UNITED STATES team: Mardy Fish, James Blake, Mike Bryan, Bob Bryan; Captain: Patrick McEnroe

The other members of the following teams are:

CROATIA: Marin Cilic, Ivo Karlovic, Roko Karanusic, Lovro Zovko; Captain: Goran Prpic

CZECH REPUBLIC: Tomas Berdych, Radek Stepanek, Ivo Minar, Lukas Dlouhy; Captain: Jaroslav Navratil

ARGENTINA: Juan Martin del Potro, Jose Acasuso, Leonardo Mayer, Juan Monaco; Captain: Tito Vasquez

ISRAEL: Dudi Sela, Harel Levy, Jonathan Erlich, Andy Ram; Captain: Eyal Ran

(Images via Getty Images)

Roger Federer stumbles but not fall; The GOAT praises Rendy Lu

Ouchhhhh!

There was one moment in the fourth game of the third set, when Rendy Lu Yen-hsun manoeuvred Federer around the baseline so effectively that a disguised forehand winner down the line had the unofficial-GOAT (Greatest of All Times) sprawling as he tried to change direction.

However that wasn't enough to stop Federer.

It was a frustrating loss for Rendy but nevertheless he was "excited" playing at Centre Court against the GOAT.

Yen-Hsun Lu already did his best before losing the first round match 7-5, 6-3, 6-2.

During the press conference after the match, Laura raised this question to Federer:

Q. Can you make some comments on Lu's game?

ROGER FEDERER: I mean, I thought he played excellent, you know. He's a wonderful player. He has got a nice forehand, a nice backhand, very sound game all around. He's good all around. Seems like can he play well, especially on the quicker courts, hard courts and grass courts. I knew the danger today. He's beaten good players in the past. I knew that as well, too, obviously. That was a tough first set. He actually remained tough throughout the match, which was good to see, in a way.

Rendy's journey does not end there.

He will play in the doubles event partnering with German Bjorn Phau. Their first opponents in the first round are Russian hotties Igor Andreev and Evgeny Korolev.

(Via AP, buzzle.com; Images Carl de Souza/AFP/Getty Images)

Hugo Boss celebrates its 10-year anniversary of partnership with Kremlin Cup

Hugo Boss, an international group for fashion and style, will celebrate its 10-year anniversary of partnership as an official sponsor, which provides clothing for Kremlin Cup.

This year Kremlin Cup will be held in Moscow on October 4-12.

While celebrating this big event, a rout of special VIP-guests, players and media will be held on weekend in Boss hall. The hall with modern design and sport history data is an exclusive place to organize meetings for different political, economic, sport, media and public figures.

Successful cooperation with “Kremlin Cup” since 1999 appears to be an important component of this traditional tennis tournament.

As before Hugo Boss will provide clothing from special Boss Green collection for ball boys, while the official representatives will be in Boss Black.

Linesmen will also appear in Boss Black on important matches.

By the way, the draw ceremony of the “Kremlin Cup-2008 was held last weekend at the “Olympisky” stadium.

Igor Andreev surrounded by the press.

Maria Kirilenko at the draw ceremony.

Igor Andreev and Maria Kirilenko were there at the ceremony.

Go to Kremlin Cup official website to find out the complete draws.

(Via Kremlin Cup official website)

Argentine, Russian teams train for Davis Cup

Argentine and Russian teams trained on Monday in the central stadium of Roca Park in the city of Buenos Aires, where on Friday they will open the semifinals of the Davis Cup.

Argentine team formed by David Nalbandian (world no.7), Juan Martin Del Potro (13th), Agustin Calleri (51st) and Guillermo Canas (55th), trained in the morning under the supervision of their coaches and the captain Alberto Mancini.

The players complained about the conditions of the court.

On the same day, Russians Igor Andreev (19th) and Dmitry Tursunov (26th) arrived for training but Nicolay Davydenko (6th) is nowhere to be seen.

In Russian team, the main last-hour news was the confirmation that Marat Safin (38th) will not compete in the Davis Cup.

The other semi final will be played between Spain and U.S. in Madrid.

Here are some of their practice photos.

Argentina's Captain Alberto Mancini drinks a tradtional drink called "mate".

Russia's Dmitry Tursunov wishes he had some boobs.

Argentina's Guillermo Canas serves during a practice.

Argentina's David Nalbandian returns a ball during a practice.

Russia's Igor Andreev, says hi to Argentina's Alberto Mancini during a tennis practice.

Igor Andreev, the Russian PR guy greets Argentina's Agustin Calleri during a practice.

Argentina's Juan Martin Del Potro getting some advice from Captain, Alberto Mancini.

(Via www.chinaview.cn, Images by Yahoo! Sports)

Will be back next Monday

Younes El Aynaoui and Igor Andreev pose for photos at the BMW Open player part.

Tommy Haas plays an interactive golf computer game.

While the players at BMW Open are taking a break to attend the player party, I'll be taking a break from tomorrow onwards till Monday.

I'll be back again with more tennis updates in and off courts next week.

(Images from ATP)