Ai Sugiyama, Rendy Lu Yen-Hsun bow out at Aussie Open

Now, China's Zheng Jie and Peng Shuai are Asia's last hopes after Ai Sugiyama and Rendy Lu Yen-Hsun failed to convert their 3rd round matches into victory.

Veteran Sugiyama, playing in her 60th Grand Slam (!) put up a brave fight on centre court against Jelena Jankovic before losing 4-6, 4-6.

Sugiyama said the heat affected her, but doesn't know why as she usually handles it well.

Asked if she was happy with her performance, she said: "Yes and no."

"My expectation was a little bit higher. I don't know why but I couldn't breathe properly today, somehow it was very shallow and I had cramping towards the end."

"It's strange because normally I'm good at playing in the heat. I usually like it but today I wasn't feeling great."

Sugiyama called a medical time-out in the second set, telling officials she was having trouble breathing as trainers placed bags of ice on her legs.

She said she would consult a doctor but believes it was only minor dehydration.

On the men's singles, Rendy who had his biggest win against David Nalbandian on Wednesday, was brought crashing back to earth by Tommy Robredo 6-1, 6-3, 6-2.

Rendy missed the chance to play against Andy Roddick in the fourth round.

Asian hopes now rest with Zheng and Peng.

They play their third round matches today with Zheng Jie having the easier task up against Kateryna Bondarenko.

Peng Shuai will face world no. 2 Serena Williams in a match that I hope will be an upset.


(Via AFP; Images by Franck Robichon/Greg Wood/AFP/Getty Images)

Nadia Petrova babysits for a day, advances to the fourth round

Looks like Nadia Petrova had lots of fun playing with the kids and walking along the Brighton Beach on day five of the 2009 Australian Open.

In the third-round match yesterday, Petrova advanced when Galina Voskoboeva was forced to retire with a back injury after losing the first set 6-1.

She will face seventh-seeded fellow Russian Vera Zvonareva, who beat Italian Sara Errani 6-4, 6-1. Petrova holds a 5-1 record against her countrywoman.

Petrova's shortened match could be a boon for her, who has been struggling to recover from the meningitis that forced her to withdraw from a tournament in Auckland early this month.

"It is very nice and it is very unexpected because I got ready for a battle out there," Petrova said.

"I really wanted (to win) this match not only because I made the fourth round last year but for proving to myself that after such a hard time that I can still come back and perform at the top level."

"I'm good, quite happy actually. I had a difficult week in Sydney (she lost in the first round). I wasn't strong enough and I really didn't trust my body up there, so I just wanted to test the waters.

"But I'm very happy with my general feeling right now. I feel like every day I'm getting stronger and it's really helping me in my matches."

(Via theage.com.au; Images by Scott Barbour/Clive Brunskill/Getty Images AsiaPac via zimbio.com)

You'll only get this in Australian Open (WARNING: NUDITY)

We all know that tennis is not a classy, gentlemen's sport in Australia.

But come on, tennis is no football.

Please stop the hooliganism and thuggery acts in big tennis event like this.

(Image via Forty Deuce)

And if that's not controversial enough, here's another one today.

A streaker runs across Court 3 during the second round doubles match between Venus Williams and Serena Williams and Ayumi Morita and Martina Muller!

WTF!

Stop giggling and run for your life!

The unidentified man sprinted across the sidelines and made several dance moves before heading toward an exit. And only from there, he was met by security guards who later arrested and banned him from the event.

Australian Open officials said the streaker was on the court for 14 seconds.

So why did they take so long to react? Here are their explanations.

“The focus of the on-court security team is always on player protection,” a statement from tournament officials said.

“They are instructed not to chase offenders as their focus at all times must remain on the players."

"The on-court actions of the security personnel reflected this focus on player protection.”

Now seriously, Australia, please buck up the securities at Melbourne Park!

What if these fanatic fans really jump into the court and hurt the players? We don't want to see a repeat of that Monica Seles stabbing incident.

If you can't step up to all these challenges then bring this Grand Slam event somewhere else in the Asia Pacific.

(Images via Getty Images)

Fernando Verdasco's new companion

After their breakup, Ana Ivanovic wouldn't want to be seen in photos together with Fernando Verdasco anymore.

So for the Australian Open off court photo shooting, the best partner that they could find for Nando is a little penguin at Melbourne Aquarium.

At least its as adorable as Ana and Nando seems contented and happy with his new found companion.

But I doubt this going to last too.


(Images Fiona Hamilton/AFP/Getty Images)