WOOOOOOOO! Or, a US Open Finals Recap

If I knew how to Googlebomb, I’d make sure this image appeared anytime someone Googled “fierce.”

How excited am I about this year’s US Open champions? Well, I’m posting two days early, for one thing. But I also had to engage in a serious internal debate about whether to post Serena’s picture or Andy’s first. Ultimately, I decided on Serena because …well, look at that picture. That woman had a life-threatening pulmonary embolism last year, and this year she won two Grand Slams and two Olympic gold medals. (Her victory celebration reportedly included a karaoke rendition of “I Will Survive.”)

What Happens After A French Open Final

REUTERS/Benoit Tessier

Look, it’s just like in 5th grade when your school got the really cool photographer who let you bring props and pose in front of cool fake backdrops.  Of course, when you win the French Open, you get a real Eiffel Tower and a real trophy.

Advent Calendar of Hotness 2011: Day 5

Well hello there! So sorry for my absence – I have missed reporting on the status of my beloved Bills and ogling gents across multiple sport lines to an unreasonable amount, but I am finally back! And what a great way to celebrate my new marriage to Mr. Buffalia (aka Hawk) then to jump right on in to the ACoH!

Say ohai to tennis player Marat Safin!

Eye Candy Break!

Sorry, lovely readers, but my brain heard there was a three day weekend coming and decided to take off early.  Please to enjoy this sampling of Jo-Wilifried Tsonga, surprise Wimbeldon semifinalist after his upset of Federer yesterday.  Jo-Wilifried has previously appeared on Ladies… when I was desperate for a third French athlete to fill out the “three French men” in my Twelve Days of Christmas post a couple years ago; now he gets a post all to himself. You will not be disappointed.

Why yes, it IS time for the French Open!

Maria, you're dating Sasha Vujacic. Don't get so excited about the Rafa pics.

We’ve been very team-sport oriented around here lately (though not without reason), so I thought I’d take a moment to skip across the Atlantic and check in on the French Open, which begins semifinal play on Friday (NBC just informed me that they will have live coverage Friday morning, for those of you who have summer work schedules.)

Despite the fact that no one has been paying attention, some interesting storylines are developing at Roland Garros. Chaos has broken out in the women’s draw, where the top seeds remaining are last year’s champ Francesca Schiavione (the 5 seed), and a rejuvenated Maria Sharapova (the 7 seed). The men’s draw has been by-the-numbers, with the top four seeds winding up in the semifinals.  This does not, however, mean these matchups are lacking in excitement — or pictures.

Five Ways To Spend Labor Day

Yes, some people have to work today.

Happy last weekend of summer as we know it! For those of you not spending it at work, or moving to your dorm, or counting down the hours until you can put the kids on the school bus, we bring you five ways to spend that (hopefully) least of laborious days.

2010 French Open Digest: Why Yes, That Does Mean New Rafa Pictures

Nothing sadder than an about to be defeated millionaire tennis player in the rain.

I’m back from my brief moving-related hiatus just in time: the French Open wraps up this weekend, and I’d hate to think we missed the chance to bring you new pictures of certain tennis players who may or may not be the favorite to win this event for the fifth time, especially now that Federer is out.

Yes, that’s right: for the first time in six years (that’s 23 consecutive Grand Slams), Federer lost before the semifinal round of a Grand Slam tournament …

Hanukkah Hunks: Night 5

Better late than never, right?  Sorry for the delay, but I promise to make this Hanukkah Hunk worth it.  One sport that barely gets any love from us Ladies is tennis!  It’s one of my favorites, so tonight I bring you retired American tennis player Justin Gimelstob!

Check out some more hunkiness after the jump.

Hit and Run: Keeping it Canadian

Two tennis greats are no match for the geek-out allure of what looks like an iPhone. (AP)

Monday Morning Manflesh

It’s the dog days of summer and getting moving on Monday morning can be a little rough, so I thought I’d post some pictures to get the heart rate elevated and the blood pumping.

This week, I’m going with some of the lesser known and enjoyed hotties.

Is there a better way to start a week than that?

In which we yell YOU GO GIRL at Serena and congratulate the record-breaking Federer

While many things in sports occurred this fine holiday weekend including some tragedy (RIP McNair), obviously the record-breaking performance by Swiss gent Roger Federer at this year’s Wimbledon tourney, along with a vindicating answer back from last year’s loss to her sister by Serena Williams were the talk of the water coolers this morning.

Theme Thursday: Tennis Edition

This week's theme is NOT: hedgehogs, first aid, or Beatrix Potter characters.

Theme Thursday makes a triumphant return with our first “themed” Theme Thursday, in honor of the Wimbeldon tournament currently underway.  Which means this week’s answer is a little more complicated then just “they’re all tennis players,” okay?  I won’t promise it’s as complicated as the last round, which Dakota ultimately won, but it wouldn’t be fun if it was too easy.

Let’s begin, shall we?

You go girl: Melanie Oudin

Having turned professional just 16 months ago, 17-year-old Melanie Oudin has advanced to the fourth round of Wimbeldon after defeating world #6 seed Jelena Jankovic in three sets.

Though she was pretty dominant in juniors – at one point she won 27 matches in a row – she has only advanced past the first round of a tournament once since turning pro.

She’s been the surprise of Wimbeldon – to everyone including herself. Turns out she and her coach had already purchased plane tickets home, apparently assuming she wouldn’t make it very far. But she joins Venus and Serena as the only Americans to advance to the fourth round.

From what I’ve read, American tennis fans are looking to her to be the next big American hope. It’s been 12 years since the Williams sisters came on to the scene and everyone has been looking for the next American sensation.

It’s the “big” part of that equation that are leaving people wondering if Oudin can be the new American tennis star. She’s just 5’6″ in a world of Amazonian women – Serena is 5’10” and Venus is 6’1″.

I don’t know enough about tennis to tell you any more than that, but I’m always all about a girl kicking butt.

Love Match: The Ladies… do Wimbledon!

In honor of the current fortnight of tennis being played, I thought I would do a review of my trip to Wimbledon last summer. I was lucky enough to be able to finally take my dream European vacation last July. One thing I knew when I started to plan my trip was that when I got to London, I was going to Wimbledon.

Originally my vacation started out as a week-long trip to London for the Championships at Wimbledon, but with the GBP being double that of the USD at the time, I opted to do a European tour instead. Our last stop was London. Unfortunately, the tour did not coincide with the tournament. But that was fine with me. I could still visit the hallowed grounds of the All England Club.

Dear Mr. Roddick

It's become rather easy to find pictures of Andy looking dejected. That does not make this tennis fan happy!

Andy, Andy, Andy…what are we going to do with you?  While you may have reached the round of 16 at the French Open for the first time in your career, I can’t help but be disappointed in your recent play.  Andy, this isn’t even the tip of the iceberg.  There are many more things that need to be brought to your attention. Just follow me after the jump, hon.

Hit and Run Too: The one without the basketball

This Yankee fan will start with the Red Sox, only because showing y’all FOREARMS is more important than my pinstriped pride. You can thank me after the jump.

Theme Thursday: What do these guys have in common?

It’s Thursday and everyone’s getting antsy waiting for the weekend, so let’s play a little game.  A game involving pictures of hotties — that will make the day go faster, right?  Anyway, below you will find pictures of three different, well-known (both in the wider sports world and on this site) male athletes.  Can you guess what they have in common?  First person to get it right gets … bragging rights.  (Sometimes that’s all you need.  Just ask my brothers, who I totally beat in our NCAA tourney pool this year.)

Our Year End Hump Day Hottie Spectacular!

Chances are you’ll be reading this in 2009. That’s okay. It’s a holiday and you were preparing yourself for the New Year’s Eve celebrations. But if you are reading this in 2008 then let’s go through a review of what happened this year. Specifically what happened every Wednesday of this year. Yes, we’re going to be taking a look back at the Hump Day Hotties that have graced our blog in the ’08. Why? Because how could you not want to take a trip down memory lane and remember Ryan Lochte?

So let’s go back through the year that was and enjoy our hotties one more time before we sing “Auld Lang Syne.” And if you’re reading this in 2009, remember when Lochte was so smoking in 2008 he made the Ladies… HDH? Yeah, that was awesome.

The Ladies… Gift Lists

Chances are if you’re reading this blog then you are a sports-minded lady. Do you know what to ask for from your family and/or friends? Maybe you have a certain special female  in your life that love sports more than you? Do you know where to start in purchasing her the perfect gift this holiday season?

I thought not. So take a gander at the Ladies… gift lists and get inspired. It’s not all tickets. Someone wants this.

Hottie Hit & Run: Hot men are evidence that God exists…

O Hai there Ryan Lochte and Jay-Z. Is it some sort of rule that Olympic medalists have to carry those things around for the entire year after the games are over? That would get annoying. I mean they don’t really go with anything… On the plus side, I was super-afraid Lochte was going to fade into obscurity after the Olympics whilest The Phelps took over the stinking world. But no. He’s staying out in the limelight, looking hot, and quite dapper I might add. So keep it up Ryan, I love the suit. Although I prefer the Speedo, I’m okay with Armani as well.

Hump Day Hottie: US Open

With football about to get started this week and the Olympics winding down to a close (not to mention the continued play of baseball) you might not have realized that the last tennis major of the year has started. Yes, the US Open has begun (with a damn good first night match I might add) and with that the return of all the gorgeous men that play the sport. I’ve made known my love for Rafael Nadal and we’ve shared the hotness that is Novak Djokovic. I’m sure everyone here knows all about Andy Roddick and James Blake and Richard Gasquet (underrated hottie in my opinion). But how many of you know of Paul-Henri Mathieu?

That’s why this week’s HDH is going to profile the tennis players seeded lower than 10 at the US Open. There are some downright hot players out there that don’t have all the limelight on them. Shame really.

Hit and Run: Just When It’s My Turn to Post

My Cubs were on a 14-game home winning streak going into last night’s game. Nothing lasts forever, of course, but couldn’t they have made it one more game so that I could write about a win? Nope. Brian Roberts, who almost was a Cub, decided to show the Cubs’ management exactly what they missed out on. He had three hits, and George Sherrill struck out the side, after loading up the bases, in the bottom of the ninth. Alas. At least we’re still the best team in baseball.

They might have lost, but they are still adorable! ((AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

A bit late, but worth the wait! Rafa wins 4th consecutive French Open

No, the Ladies… have not turned into a Rafael Nadal fangirl site. Nonetheless, I will be the first to celebrate his awesomeness and overall hotness at each and every occasion. So here’s to you Rafa. Congrats on doing what only Bjorn Borg had managed to do before you: win 4 consecutive French Open titles. Here’s to continuing that streak (you are only 22 after all) and repeatedly dominating that most wretched of all players, Roger Federer, on the beautiful red clay. We here at Ladies… salute your triumph.

Hump Day Hottie: Rafael Nadal

The French Open started this week which means we get to fawn tennis hotties again. And who better to make our HDH this week then the king of clay Rafa Nadal? We love him around Ladies… headquarters and we’re sad that he hasn’t been able to play an entire set yet (much less a match) because of the rain in Paris. French weather-get your act together! There is only so many days we can go without the smoking Spainaird.

So here’s the HDH to tide you over until we get some Rafa goodness.

French Open Tennis: First Round Hotties

Tennis is probably the sport I have spent the most cumulative hours watching in my lifetime. That, and NASCAR. Why? Well one, my mom is a tennis freak. So if there is a Grand Slam on TV (i.e. US, French, or Australian Opens and Wimbledon) we were watching it. Each Grand Slam is a 2ish week tournament. Two solid weeks of tennis on the TV every single day. So thats 8 weeks each year of at least 3 hours a day… I don’t feel like doing that math, but it seems like a lot.

Wow, that was a boring story, the point of which being that I still watch a lot of tennis. And this year’s French Open is packed full of man-candy. The first round is still underway, but here is a compilation of hotties who have, so far, played their hearts out in the opening round of this tournament on clay. Enjoy.

Why must you insist on breaking my heart?

I’m sure many of you have heard that Andy Roddick recently got engaged to Sports Illustrated swim suit model Brooklyn Decker. I’m not quite sure what he sees in her…

There is also a rumor floating around that Dreamboat and that supermodel he refuses to break-up with are making it official. Now, I doubt the Roddick thing is going to work out (the girl is only 20 after all) and chances are Bunchface is just another womb in which Tom Brady can implant another illegitimately beautiful baby. But I am saddened nonetheless. Hot pieces like that shouldn’t just go off the market! How dare they find beautiful, successful, women to settle down with when they haven’t even met ME yet?? So I decided to compile a list of the top 3 male (pro) athletes that it would break my heart to heart to hear that some wench has made off with them.

Hump Day Hottie: Novak Djokovic

Tennis is about the only sporting comfort I have to get me through the long dark offseason. Ain’t many gents take a finer picture than Novak Djokovic. And he beat Fedy darling in the Australian Open, but went on to win the damn thing, so I suppose that’s all right.

A note for our tennis fans before we commence to ogling:  Interested in winning tickets to that Sampras-Federer matchup?
Kaleidoscope of djeliciousness after the djump:

Thursday’s Hottie Hit n Run

Bronx Hottie Alex Rodriguez became the first Yankee to homer twice in one inning since Cliff Johnson did it in June 1977. Nicely done, A-Rod. The club had been planning on taking Rodriguez out of the lineup last night because of a hurting ankle, but he insisted on playing and it obviously paid off as they beat the Mariners 10-2, giving them a 3-game lead in the Wild Card race. Also, my law school fantasy team thanks you for the two homeruns. [Two Homers in an Inning? That’ll Do, Pig.]

Levitating bat!
Toss him in the river, see if he floats!

Hit & Run

I’m hopped up on Ny-Quil, and slightly delirious after the Mets’ sweep of the Braves, so bear with me.

The Mets division lead is back up to 5 games, thanks to said weekend sweep of the Braves, and yesterday’s 10-4 win over the Reds. Well, I guess I also have to thank the Marlins for taking 2 of 3 from the Phillies, and the Braves for beating the Phillies today (whew!). Pedro pitched 5 good innings, giving up 3 runs, 2 of them earned. The Mets’ offense woke up: Moises Alou, David Wright and Carlos Delgado all homered for the Mets. Let’s see if the bats can stay awake during this final stretch run.

Hit and Run: A change was made uptown/And the big man joined the band

Today’s Hit and Run is all about the big dudes, so stock your fridge and don’t be surprised when you find canoe-sized shoes at the foot of your bed.

Ry Ho and Shane share a tender moment.

Let’s start with Ryan Howard’s walk-off two-run opposite field blast to lift the Fightins over the Mets 4-2. (Yes, I know Metsy started with a Phillies item yesterday, but it’s my Hit and Run, I’ll do what I want!) I was there for last night’s game and to say the mood in the CBP was euphoric would be an understatement of the highest degree. I high-fived people I’d never met and I heckled a group of kid Mets fans. It was fabulous.

Before the game, I hung over the bullpen railing and watched Tom Glavine warm up. (I refuse to hear you say I’m a turncoat. How many times in your life do you get to watch a 300-game winner warm up from 15 yards away?) Dude is INTENSE. From where I was sitting, it looked like he p4wned the Phillies over seven strong innings, but according to the NYT’s article about the game, he was gassed: “Glavine scattered eight singles in seven scoreless innings but had thrown 102 stressful pitches, he said, and could not go out to start the eighth.”