Posted on 06/22/2004 9:09:04 AM PDT by presidio9
MALE tennis fans were distraught to hear pin-up Anna Kournikova won't be playing at Wimbledon this year.
But now they have three other reasons to tune in to the action at the All England club to see a trio of Russian babes waiting to take over Anna's crown as the top babe in tennis.
But unlike Anna, below, whose looks are far more impressive than her results, these girls are real contenders for the title.
Raven-haired Anastasia Myskina is sure to wow the crowds.
The 23-year-old is the number two seed, second only to Serena Williams.
But while her ability on the court is not in question, her efforts to be taken more seriously than Anna suffered a setback recently when pictures emerged of her topless, posing astride a horse.
The next smasher who'll be setting male fans' hearts aflutter is 23--year-old blonde Elena Dementieva.
Seeded ninth, she started playing aged 10 and trained with Anastasia at Moscow's Spartak Club.
The pair are used to playing competitively when they trained together, the loser would have to pay for the post-match pizza.
The third member is Maria Sharapova. A svelte six-footer from Siberia, the 17--year-old is seeded 15.
Fiercely patriotic, Maria finds it easy to get motivated for big games, saying: 'Drive and determination hail from my Russian blood.'
Meanwhile, weather forecasters warned that today's opening matches in the tournament could be washed out.
They were predicting heavy showers as the sunshine of recent weeks give way to clouds.
Britain's Alex Bogadnovic, 20, is due to face top seed and defending champion Roger Federer on Centre Court today.
But Lucy Verasamy, of the PA WeatherCentre,said: 'Monday looks quite bright in the morning with a few scattered showers. In the afternoon, there will be more showers and some could be heavy enough to stop play.'
She added that the rain looked set to keep falling on Tuesday when Tim Henman, 29, is due to start his campaign against little-known Spaniard Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo.
Anastasia Myskina of Russia (Front) and her compatriot Elena Dementieva hold their trophies after the women's final of the French Open (news - web sites) tennis tournament at Roland Garros stadium in Paris,June 5, 2004. Myskina won the final 6-1 6-2. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer
Please.
don't you know the rules... (Anna mentioned)
Sharpova's somewhat better, but I can think of two things missing in this photo...
The brunette is a hottie. Every man has a heart attack just looking at her! ;-)
Anna was much better looking.
I have seen pictures of Anna, sorry ladies, your no ANNA!
Anna Kornikova is the most over hyped, under producing sports figure in world history.
Anna IS much better looking.
*nod* I agree, the brunette is a hottie. Sharpova's pretty cute too. But that Dementia chick... ewwww.
Qwinn
Anna IS much better looking.
I thought she wasn't in tennis anymore. Either way, she's better looking than these two girls.
What's with all the guys that like an overbite?
Are you including me in that? Cause the one of the three that looks like she has the worst overbite is the one I said "ewwwww" to :)
Qwinn
Yeah, that's such a shame ...
any volunteers?
The brunette looks as if she could be registered with the American Kennel Club.
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