Mikhail Youzhny

Mikhail Youzhny is a Russian tennis player who has reached the semifinals of the 2006 U.S. Open and the quarterfinals of the 2008 Australian Open. After winning a match, Youzhny gives the crowd a Russian military-style salute with his racquet. Youzhny is an emotional player who often screams in frustration (or joy) during his matches; this emotional was on display on March 31, 2008, when, frustrated that he had hit a light return into the net, smashed himself in the head with his own tennis racquet. In November 2007, Youzhny was on the doubles team representing Russia in the Davis Cup when German player Tommy Haas became sick and was unable to play. Haas later speculated that members of the Russian team may have poisoned him and, as a result, underwent toxicology tests. The tests came back negative. The high point of Youzhny's career to date was when he beat tennis champion Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open in 2006.

• Amazon: Buy the racquet used and endorsed by Mikhail Youzhny! (Partner)

• Google Blog Search: Mikhail Youzhny