So Long, Wimbledon. See You Next Year!

Rick Chandler|published: 06/29/2006, 2:30pm EDT

This image was lost some time after publication.

Well, we missed possibly the greatest match ever in women's professional tennis. Damn it. Earlier today, Russia's Maria Sharapova met Ashley Harkleroad of the U.S. in Day Four Qualifying at Wimbledon, with the fourth-ranked Sharapova coming away with a 6-2, 6-2 victory (like the score mattered). Missing this really frosts our nibblets. We even had a backup plan, but of course our TiVo recorded The Rockford Files.

In case you're in the same boat, well, enjoy these photos. If you wondered why women's tennis always gets better ratings than men's tennis, wonder no longer. Not that you really wondered. Oh, and also headlines such as these.

Sharapova Declares Her Love For Grass [Wimbledon Official Site] Maria Sharapova [Official Site] Ashley Harkleroad.Com [Official Site]