“I don’t see how I got a blister after sitting on my [expletive deleted] for two days,” Azarenka said.

“We play tournaments every week and it’s our job,” Zvonareva said. “We are used to it, so that doesn’t matter. But it’s difficult for the fans. We see a lot of people walking around with umbrellas. We really appreciate them coming and trying to watch us play. They have been great all week, so supportive of all the players. We can only imagine how disappointing it has been for them.”

The development was that Montreal’s star power suddenly began to dip with all the pull-outs, and Lapierre came back to Ivanovic with the wildcard offer — which she promptly told him, in so many words, to stick up his ass.

David Nalbandian won his first title in approximately 19 months on Sunday, defeating Marcos Baghdatis 6-2, 7-6(4) for the ATP Washington crown. He is the third straight Argentine winner after Juan Martin del Potro won in 2009-08.

Loaded non-seeded field with former No. 1s Ivanovic and Safina, and former No. 2 Kuznetsova unseeded; first-round match-ups of interest are (6) Bartoli vs. Hantuchova, (7) Peer vs. (WC) Ivanovic, (8) Wickmayer vs. Kuznetsova, and potential second-round match-ups after seeded byes (1) Jankovic vs. Rezai and Stosur vs. Azarenka or Oudin

Wow, Kuznetsova unseeded after her ranking falls to No. 19; openers of interest include (1) Wozniacki vs. Rezai (winner to play Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez vs. Vera Zvonareva victor), (4) Radwanska vs. Azarenka, (5) Clijsters vs. Wickmayer in an all-Belgian; (2) Schiavone looking at a meeting with Kuzy second round

Venus Williams and her commando dress has become the story of the French Open.

The elder Williams sister drew whistles and cat-calls from the French fans when she took to the court in a dress of her own design, resembling a black nightie with red lace trim.

Roger Federer is in action Tuesday at Madrid.

You really can hit a winner off a moonball, watch Maria Kirilenko do it.