The WTA tennis season has kicked off with the new year, and that means Putin's Russia is already awash in humiliation. Italy's Tathiana Garbin (world #36) shocked the tournament's second seed Russian Nadia Petrova (pictured, paunchy, pouting) of Russia (world #14) 5-7, 7-5, 6-3 in the first round of the Australian women's hardcourt tennis tournament in Gold Coast, Australia on Monday. Only one Russian surname representing a player who actually lives in Russia is ranked in the world's top 10 at present.

The domination continues apace.

Not that Russia is safe in other areas, of course. America, for instance, just whipped Russia at the World Junior Hockey Championships to set up a bye into the semi-finals, and Canada handed Russia another loss on the rink at the Spengler Cup. Rubbing salt into Russia's wounds, the Canadian coach remarked: "It's not absolutely the best team Canada can put together, but these guys are just as proud to wear the Canadian sweater as the top guys."

Ah, the magnificence of Vladimir Putin's Russia!