Notes and Photos From the Western & Southern Open (Women's Draw)

Venus Williams practicing her serve.

As with the men's draw, a busy summer tennis schedule and the Olympics have adversely impacted the women's draw at the 2012 Western & Southern Open.

Most notably, Victoria Azarenka and Maria Sharapova, the two top ranked women in the world, are absent from Cincinnati. Additionally, No. 10 seed Ana Ivanovic was forced to pull out of the tournament with an injury to her right foot.

On the plus side, all the remaining players seeded in the top 10 have advanced to the round of 16, with the exception of France's Marion Bartoli who was defeated in her opening match by Johanna Larrson of Sweden.

Fresh from her Olympic gold medal victory in London, Serena Williams opened her campaign with a straight sets win and has to be considered the favorite at this point. Several other women could present challenges to Williams though, including older sister Venus and top-seeded Aggie Radwanska of Poland.

Incidentally, Aggie Radwanska's sister Ursula is also a professional women's tennis player - and interestingly, Ursula has also made the round of 16. Unfortunately for Ursula, her next opponent is Serena, so it is unlikely that she'll advance and it won't be possible for both sets of sisters to make the final eight.

One final name to note in the women's field is Sloane Stephens, a young American hopeful who has been climbing the rankings and whose first two showings in Cincinnati have been impressive.

Okay, on with the photos!

Serena looks intense even during her practice session.

Sam Stosur (Australia) - 2011 U.S. Open champ.

Venus Williams shows off the wingspan.

Lisa Raymond and Liezel Huber - 2011 U.S. Open Doubles champs.

Jelena Jankovic (Serbia) - practicing her volley.

Sloane Stephens (U.S.) charging hard up the rankings.

Caroline Wozniacki (Denmark) - former world #1.

Caroline W's famous boyfriend and
world #1 golfer, Rory McIlroy.

Turn Style - Female Saudi Olympians Debut

For the first time in modern history, Saudi Arabia has allowed women to represent their nation at the Olympic Games.

Sarah Attar ran the 800 meter race in track and field, and Wojdan Shaherkani represented the Saudi kingdom in women's judo competition.

The 19 year-old Attar, who ran her race completely clad from head to toe, finished last, but received a standing ovation as she crossed the finish line.

Photo: Daniel Ocho De Olza / AP

Shaherkani, who is just 16 years old, only lasted 82 seconds in her judo match, but she proudly made history, nonetheless. 

Photo: Chang W. Lee / New York Times

Reflecting on the praiseworthy accomplishments of these two women stirs up contradictory emotions. It is gratifying to see that a nation as fundamentalist as Saudi Arabia is at least beginning to move in the direction of women's rights, but it is simultaneously horrifying to imagine a place where half the human population still lacks the right to vote or even drive a car.

Imagine living in a land where religious traditionalists can deny even the most basic of human rights to a particular sect of the population, simply because of who they were born to be? Which reminds me, anyone visited Chick-Fil-A lately?

Cincy Tennis - Day 3

Big things happening in Cincy! Today the "Round of 16" wrapped up and so the Quarterfinals begin tomorrow. In the men's draw, 7 of the top 8 seeds are in the QFs so there will be some terrific match-ups tomorrow of the world's best tennis players. The women's draw, on the other hand, is wide open as many top players have been beaten already. It's anyone's game, though I am pulling for Aussie Sam Stosur.

Today I am going to feature (mostly) pictures of the women players we saw in action this afternoon and evening. There is also a special ESPN behind-the-scenes pic. More pics of top men players are coming soon. I knew I would see them in the quarterfinals and semis this weekend, so I spent time earlier in the week with the other guys and girls. Enjoy the pics.

Na Li of China. She won the French Open this year becoming the first person from an Asian country to win a Grand Slam singles title.

Marion Bartoli of France. She jumps around so much before a point that you feel compelled to sedate her...but it seems to keep her focused.

Jelena Jankovic of Serbia. Kinda whiny and bitchy and annoying.

Francesca Schiavone of  Italy - she won the French Open Grand Slam title in 2010. She plays with so much obvious passion that she's a total fan favorite.

Ever wonder what those on-the-scene ESPN broadcasters are wearing under that desk? Chris Fowler (above) and  Patrick McEnroe both had on shorts and sneakers tonight to complete their shirt/tie outfits.

Weather has been great with highs in the low-mid 80s (not too hot Greg Fugate!). This was a nice shot of the night sky at sunset  taken from inside the "Grandstand" arena, the second largest court.