Tension is growing among fans of attractive women in short white pleated skirts as the annual Ladies Prettiness Championship entered its second week at Wimbledon. And, despite complaints in some quarters that the standard of gorgeousness is not what it used to be, there have been plenty of surprises along the way.
Long-time no-hoper Venus Williams surprised many observers by getting to the second round by means of an unusual style of dress, while plucky Brit Laura Robson managed to outscore Italy's Francesca Schiavone on face, legs and shape alike, before inevitably succumbing to the honey-toned loveliness of Serbia's Ana Ivanovic in round three.
Meanwhile, five-time champion Maria Sharapova, who breezed past several excessively muscular also-rans in the first week, barely scraped through to the quarter finals over her compatriot Alona Bondarenko. Sharapova forged an early lead with her searing blonde strokes but was pegged back by Bondarenko's superbly tanned legs and only won on a tie break after her orgasmic shriek was decisively preferred to Bondarenko's guttural moan.
Many Prettiness observers believe that this could be the year of pony-tailed Danish stunner Caroline Wozniacki. However, some say that whilst she has often flattered to deceive in brightly coloured clothing, Wozniacki's body simply does not suit the all-white dresses required to take Wimbledon. China's Li Na is also not given much chance, her recent victory in a French beauty tournament dismissed as a typically perverse French preference for skinny legs.
'It's anyone's contest now,' said renowned sports analyst Tim Henman, who happened to be in town to cover a mens' sporting contest. 'I quite fancy Jankovic, or Maria Kirilenko, or Jelena Dokic - actually I just fancy them to be honest. Except Simona Halep, obviously. I'm told she actually had a breast reduction so that she could play tennis better. Honestly, what was the silly mare thinking of?'
