Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams pulled out of the Dubai Open which starts tomorrow. It has left Dubai tourney officials scrambling to bring other big names to the $1.5 million dollar event. Amelie Mauresmo flew in on short notice to help out since the tourney was in a pinch. That’s cool and all, but does Amelie look like the picture above?

The thicker and more mighty Serena Williams overpowered Maria Sharapova 6-1 6-2 last night in the Australian Open Final. Serena was ranked #81 before this tournament, but came into the Australian Open with a head of steam and destroyed the competition. The precious Maria Sharapova fell, but became the #1 ranked women’s player in the world after her excellent showing.

The real question is does the WTA Tour test for performance enhancing drugs? I mean Serena Williams looks like she is on a healthy diet of steroids for breakfast, lunch and dinner with animal adrenaline for dessert. I think it might be time to start the investigation. ;-) 

The lovely Sharapova became the first Russian woman to make the Australian Open Final early this morning after she made short work of Kim Clijsters. Maria won 6-4 6-2 and will face Serena Williams in the final. Serena is currently unseeded, but she has won this main event twice and is back to her old game in this Australian Open.

Sharapova will face Kim Clijsters in the semifinals of the Australian Open.  This is more of an opportunity to show a picture of such a lovely specimen.  Go Maria!

As referenced earlier this week, Rafael Nadal loves him some clay surface.  Nadal has now won 60 games in a row on clay after defeating Roger Federer in the finals of the French Open yesterday.  This is two in a row now as a French Open champion and he is quickly becoming as big of a star as Federer.  Oddly enough, Federer actually extended his lead as the number one player of the WTA due to the fact he performed better at Roladn Garros this year then last.  I swear the rankings in golf and tennis are so screwy it’s not even funny!

Nadal extended his winning streak to 57 games in a row on clay at Roland Garros today. Rafael is now in the quarterfinals of the French Open after beating Lleyton Hewitt in four sets. Nadal’s overall record at the French Open is 11-0 and he appears to be headed for a showdown with superstar Roger Federer in the finals. Professional tennis needs a clash of titans sort of match and this would certainly be one. Federer has definitely dominated for quite some time, but Nadal is just the man to knock him of the summit especially on clay.