Russian third see Svetlana Kuznetsova was upset by China’s world No 43 Li Na in straight sets in the first round of the Beijing Olympics.

The  No 3-ranked Maria Sharapova has announced on her site that she is pulling out of the Beijing Olympics and the US Open because of her injured right shoulder.

“It hurts me so much to miss the Olympics and the U.S. Open, you have no idea,” she said. “Just to type those words hurt!!” Sharapova said she would go to Arizona to work with a specialist for rehabilitation and strength work. She hopes to be ready  to play again in  two to three months.

This must be really hard for her–especially missing the Olympics. My impression was that she really, really wanted to play for Russia in Beijing. It could also greatly contribute to her image promotion in the world.

In the last two days, Dinara Safina has earned her new name — the Giant Killer. She took her second major victory in two days as she sent former world number one Serena Williams out of the German Open just a day after dispatching world no. 1 Justine Henin.

Young, famous, rich, AND outspoken.

After months of endless buzz around her pregnancy, Russian tennis star Anastasia Myskina gave birth to a healthy baby boy early Tuesday, Russia’s tennis chief Shamil Tarpischev said. Interestingly, the baby named Zhenya shares the same birthday with Andre Agassi.

Myskina’s biggest accomplishment (aside from her son) was 2004 Roland Garros. She also holds 10 WTA tour titles and was ranked No 2 in the world in September 2004. Anastasia turns 27 on July 8th. Congratulations!

Russian tennis star and Goodwill Ambassador of the UN Development Program Maria Sharapova will visit Chernobyl this summer to draw attention to problems still facing the regions worst hit by the 1986 nuclear disaster. (Ria Novosti).

Maria Sharapova has made an appearance on CBS’ Late Show last night, where David Letterman presented her with a can of tennis balls with a bow on it. World No. 3 Sharapova was in New York to celebrate her 21st birthday. If you missed the show, you still can check it out at Down the Line.

Anastasia Rodionova has to continue playing for Russia since it looks like her road to Australian citizenship is not going to be as easy as she has thought before. Rodionova, currently ranked 88th in the world, has been living in Melbourne since meeting partner Lorne Padman during the Australian Open three years ago. At this year’s Australian Open in January she was entered as an Australian player. However, a Russian sport site reports that the Australian authorities demand that she reside in the country at least two full years to be eligible for the Australian passport. Thus, ITF has informed her that she has to continue displaying the Russian flag next to her name in the tournaments.

Russian tennis player Elena Vesnina (ranked 53rd) has joined her countrywoman Vera Zvonareva and blogs for Russian sport site Championat.ru. She talks about everything–Fed Cup, partying in Miami, playing doubles, and even taking a shower under flashlight due to a power outage in Amelia Island, and more. Check out Elena’s Google-translated blog here.

World number four Svetlana Kuznetsova will lead Russia’s Fed Cup team in next month’s semi-final against the United States in Moscow.

“We had an agreement with Kuznetsova and Sharapova that one of them would play against Israel and the other against the US,” Tarpishchev said. “Sharapova had already played in Tel Aviv, so now it’s Kuznetsova’s turn. It was sort of a trade-off because both of them have very busy schedules.

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