Are you ready world, for Anna Kournikova III?
A year after Kournikova-clone Maria Sharapova won Wimbledon to take the world by storm, yet another attractive-blond-Russian-star-turned-model is anxious to make a splash off the court.
Question is, can Vera Zvonareva measure up?
Let’s take a look.
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Vera Zvonareva
WTA RANK: Nr. 11
BABY’S GOT BACKGROUND
The 20-year-old Moscow native turned pro in 2000. She recently was featured in Russian Tennis magazine and Justine magazine, and she is looking to do more photo shoots.
LET’S TALK FIGURES
5-7, 130 pounds.
INTERESTS INCLUDE
The color blue, yellow roses, strawberries and Mikhail Bulgakov, author of “Master and Margarita.” Sports interests include volleyball and hockey.
PRONUNCIATION IS THE KEY
It’s “zvon-a-RAY-vuh.”
HOW MUCH BLING DOES SHE BRING?
She has earned $100,712 in prize money this year; more than $1.7 million in her career.
TITLES ANYONE?
On Feb. 19, she successfully defended her title in the Cellular South Cup in Memphis for her third WTA singles championship.
HEAD-TO-HEAD-TO-HEAD
Trails Kournikova 0-1. Tied 2-2 with Sharapova.
Anna Kournikova
WTA RANK:
Not ranked. (Darn that nagging back injury.)
BABY’S GOT BACKGROUND
The 23-year-old Moscow native turned pro in 1995. If the thousands of photos aren’t enough to convince you of her international adoration, consider that Anna has her very own stalker. She is reportedly married to singer Enrique Iglesias.
LET’S TALK FIGURES
5-8, 123 pounds.
INTERESTS INCLUDE
The color black, animals, art, fashion, the ocean and beaches. Sports interests include the NBA, hockey and Major League Baseball.
PRONUNCIATION IS THE KEY
All together, “kor-ni-KOH-vuh.”
HOW MUCH BLING DOES SHE BRING?
She has won almost $3.6 million in prize money in her career. Estimates of her endorsement earnings range from $10 million to $15 million a year.
TITLES ANYONE?
It’s impolite to even ask.
HEAD-TO-HEAD-TO-HEAD
Forced to withdraw in 2003 from only match against Sharapova (darn that nagging thigh injury). Leads Zvonareva 1-0.
Maria Sharapova
WTA RANK: Nr. 14
BABY’S GOT BACKGROUND
The 17-year-old Siberian turned pro in 2001. She signed with IMG Models in November 2003.
LET’S TALK FIGURES
6-0, 130 pounds.
INTERESTS INCLUDE
Fashion, singing, dancing and movies.
(Her favorites are “Mona Lisa Smile,” “Something’s Gotta Give” and “Love Actually.”)
PRONUNCIATION IS THE KEY
It’s easy: “sha-ra-POH-vuh.”
HOW MUCH BLING DOES SHE BRING?
She has earned $394,477 in prize money this year; $3.1 million in her career. Her off-court endorsements are reported at more than $15 million this year.
TITLES ANYONE?
She won her latest of eight singles titles Feb. 6 in Tokyo’s Pan-Pacific Open. Oh, and she won Wimbledon in 2004.
HEAD-TO-HEAD-TO-HEAD
Tied 2-2 with Zvonareva. Never played Kournikova (see aforementioned thigh.)
SOURCE: WTA.COM, SOUTH FLORIDA SUN-SENTINEL
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Edited by the sports staff of RedEye.
