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While most of the blogosphere is focusing on how performances like Absinthe impact the Australian Open, folks like DC Scrap have been doing a great job of documenting the more well-known tennis hotties that have been appearing down under to play a little tennis; but that doesn’t mean there isn’t more to contribute, because there is. We all know about the Ana Ivanovics and Maria Sharapovas of the world, but the list doesn’t start and end with those two.

No, women’s tennis is like an untapped natural resource of attractive women and me being the enterprising content producer I am, it would be remiss of me if I didn’t do my part and bring you these lovely ladies.

More ladies of the Aussie Open after the jump >>

Image courtesy of Ian Walton/Getty Images
Ana Ivanovic’s stay in London was short-lived as she was beaten down removed from the Wimbledon competition must unceremoniously by Zheng Jie, 6-1, 6-4. Jie, from China, is ranked 133rd in the world. Ivanovic was ranked first after winning the French Open. Ivanovic’s ouster comes on the heels of Maria Sharapova and opens the door for any number of the remaining women, including both of the Williams sisters.

Considering the way both Venus and Serena have played thus far, you have to think one or both will have something to say about how the title will be decided.

While the men are deciding who plays on Sunday — Rafael Nadal already advanced, beating Novak Djokovic, 6-4, 6-2, 7-6 while the Federer/Monfils match is currently in-progress — the Women’s Final is all ready to go. The match will feature Ana Ivanovic taking on the upstart Dinara Safina tomorrow afternoon on the Chatrier court.

To advance, Ivanovic outlasted Jelena Jankovic, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4. In the other semi-finals match, Safina beat Svetlana Kuznetsova, 6-3, 6-2. Looking at the scores, you have to believe because Safina had the easier match and therefore, expended less energy than her opponent, she’ll have much more than a fighting chance on Saturday. Of course, most of the Eye Candy appreciators will be watching for Ivanovic’s striking appearance but unfortunately for her, these things aren’t decided by how good you look.

And it’s hard to find anyone on the women’s side of the French Open who has been playing better tennis than Safina. In three straight matches, she’s beaten the Women’s number 1, 7 and 3rd ranked players in the world. Will she be able to beat the Women’s number 2 in Ivanovic? We’ll find out tomorrow.

To say the Slavic countries are well represented in this year’s 2008 Women’s French Open Final Four is an understatement. On one side, we have Jelena Jankovic and Ana Ivanovic, two Serbians, going against each other. On the other side of the draw, we have Svetlana Kuznetsova versus Dinara Safina. Each represents Russia.

Both Kuznetsova and Safina won matches earlier this morning to propel them to the semi-final round.

However, most of the attention will probably be on the other match when Ivanovic and Jankovic square off against each other. Because of Justine Henin’s shocking retirement, these two were considered two-of-the-three favorites to win the French Open. The other, Maria Sharapova, was ousted by Safina earlier this week. However, because the two Serbs are the default favorites does not mean the winner of their match will simply be able to stroll their way to French Open championship.

Once their match is complete, one of them will have to face the winner of Safina/Kuznetsova. Safina has turned heads because of the Sharapova and Elena Dementieva dispatches whereas Kuznetsova is merely ranked fourth in world and already has made one French Open final in 2006.

Of course, another reason for all the attention being paid to the Ivanovic/Jankovic match-up might have something to do with this:

Just a thought.

The matches are scheduled to take place on Thursday.

The alluring tennis player understands what her audience wants to see and she’s obliging them; well, at least her masculine fans. For the upcoming Sony Ericsson Open in Miami, Ana has agreed to wear a shorter skirt in order to attract more male fans (I doubt that’s a problem when she’s playing).

In case you are wondering, Ana’s tennis skirt will be two inches shorter:

“She’s a wonderful tennis player and a beautiful woman, but let’s face it, guys go to women’s matches to watch their skirts flip up while serving,” said Alan Garver, a representative from IMG. “Catching a glimpse of peach-colored panties, as delicate beads of perspiration slowly cascade down tight and tanned thighs, can be a splendid thing.

It often inspires the older male fans to harken back to their innocent youth and the days of grabbing their first breast or swapping spit with their cousin’s older girlfriend. So, on a business level, the hiking of the skirt works.”

Goodness. I didn’t realize the WTA was into the Letters to Penthouse industry. How come other sports spokespeople don’t try frame their offering like IMG is doing Ana?

I’m sure this is exactly what Billy Jean King envisioned when she whipped Bobby Riggs’ ass: shorter skirts on the attractive female players (actually, this is something BJK might support) and their representatives pitching it like it’s a Skinemax movie.

In other news, you gotta love The Sportsman Daily. Good stuff, as always.