No Aravanes were hurt in the making of these clothes: Even with Aravane Rezai out early at the Sony Ericsson Open — the 20th seed got upset by Peng Shuai in her opener — golden fashion lived on via Maria (Nike); in that flattering Sergio Tacchini dress on Dinara Safina; in the simple details of Radek Stepanek‘s normally eccentric clothes from Alea; and on Marcel Granollers‘ crew, by Joma.
(images via Getty Images)
Here’s Maria Sharapova at the Sony Ericsson Open, hitting before her semifinal match against Andrea Petkovic. Petko was ailing (shoulder) and Maria ran away with it: 3-6, 6-0, 6-2.
(practice pic by Forty Deuce.)
Jelena Jankovic became one of Andrea Petkovic‘s scalps at this week’s Sony Ericsson Open, losing 6-2, 2-6, 4-6 to the German upstart in the quarterfinals. If it’s any consolation, Jelena’s put together a decent run so far in 2010: one final (Monterrey), two semis (Dubai and Qatar), and the fourth round at Indian Wells.
Anta: Jelena’s moved on from the pink dress she used to start the beginning of this year. Same slinky shape, but now in orange, with two blue stripes curving their way down the left side; the lines frame an odd print of fading circles and yellow stars. We saw the dress up close (while on Jankovic) but couldnt tell whether the pattern was a burnout.
Not her best (and really, we miss the ginormous white bags that came with last year’s clothes!), but props to Jelena for infusing our spring with even more neon.
In the trenches: Speaking of Petko, she’s currently playing for a spot in the SEO semis against Sharapova (as of this post, Andrea won the first set but is down a bageled set and 0-3 vs. the Russian). Maybe Maria’s getting tired of that dance.
(images via Getty Images)
TSF was heartbroken to find out that Dmitry Tursunov wasn’t going to play at Indian Wells and Miami this year. Tournaments just aren’t the same without his pastiness hanging out in the practice courts (exhibits A and B). So as we felt the withdrawal kick in during our first days in the desert, this man saved the day.
Ridic.
Anyway, Igor Andreev made it as far as the second round at this week’s Sony Ericsson Open in Key Biscayne, where he lost to John Isner 4-6, 7-5, 6-7 (2). But that’s okay, Igor: winning isn’t why we keep you on our radar.
The tennis: Roger and Rafa play their quarterfinal matches today (vs. Simon and Berdych, respectively). The winner in that top half of the draw will play the winner of the Fish/Djokovic semi. We expect Nole to take this whole thing. Who’s your pick for the winner? (Browse: SEO Draws)
And in case you’re interested in seeing Igor clothed, some pics of his current Sergio Tacchini kit below.
(practice image by TSF; match images via Getty Images)
By Benjamin Snyder
Flip flop: As the Sony Ericsson Open winds down, two very different players are working their way up in the rankings. For the men, it’s Mardy Fish, who overtook Andy Roddick as the top American man with a win over David Ferrer in the quarterfinals. A sick Roddick succumbed to Pablo Cuevas in the second round of the huge hard court Miami event and was bounced out of the top ten for the first time in some years.
Maria’s back in the habit: While the Williams sisters fall outside of the top ten with illness and injury, Maria Sharapova is rising back to the top tier with decent showings at Indian Wells and this week in Miami. Masha has Andrea Petkovic in the semis, a player who flattened her when the two met Down Under in Melbourne. (More Maria: Those earrings!)
… but no royal wedding, yet: Apparently, the 23-year-old Maria is in “no rush to get married,” according to Show Biz Spy. And why should she be? We’d like to see Maria win two or three more Majors – she’s got them in her, we think – before strolling down to take Sasha’s hand. Meanwhile: No playoffs for his Nets.
But seriously, is Maria just getting cold feet? “In the beginning I was really, really excited, and all my friends were giving me like wedding magazines and wedding books. But I was quite overwhelmed with it, and then I just put them down and said, ‘Okay, I have plenty of time.’ We’re still very young.”
TSF Exclusive: Rumors say Djokovic has strolled down the aisle
Swan song for Petko’s dance? While Petkovic even has the ever-awkward Ana Ivanovic shaking her tail feather on the tennis court, the German – who is matching her play to her popularity this week – is retiring her famous jig following this week. She told the press that it’s time to move on from the ditty, which became an underground hit in tennis realms. Is she lending her dance skills to B-Spears? We sure hope so. But notice: She said “move on.” We’re sensing another dance number folks, just something new and, well, so Petko.
Rum like Rafa: Rafael Nadal recently signed a deal with Bacardi, receiving some backlash in the process. Says Nadal, “I am not presenting alcohol party, you know. It’s a responsible campaign, a social campaign. Anyway, I think alcohol is inside our lives, so is nothing new, no?” No Rafa, it’s nothing new to us. And we appreciate your push for responsibility. More: YouTube channel | Facebook
‘Round the world: Then there are the two Missoula, Montana, teens who just broke the Guinness World Record for the longest singles tennis match, ever. Isner-Mahut looks like a Roehampton side court to this Centre Court effort. The two high school seniors clocked in nearly 61 hours of tennis over three days before collapsing, raising $7,000 for charity in the process. Snaps for those court warriors.
(Image by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Is that a dog on your finger? Or is your ring just really fluffy? (PacificCoastNews.com photo)
Sources tell TSF exclusively that Novak Djokovic and longtime GF Jelena Ristic tied the knot in a small, intimate ceremony in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, small islands in the Caribbean. The two were said to be staying at the Palm Island Resort in early March, which landed during Djoko’s time between Dubai and Davis Cup.
TSF was unable to confirm such rumors. So they remain just that – rumors. The Palm Island Resort would not confirm if Djokovic had stayed there in the recent past, and emails to his agent, Benito Pérez-Barbadillo, have gone unanswered this week. No mention of the trip was made on Djoko’s website. One local resident of the island confirmed Djokovic had been there, but did not want to be identified.
Nole and Ristic have been a solid couple the last few years, the two vacationing together quite often and recently pictured in Dubai over the holidays holding hands and strolling on the beach. Whether or not one of those hands has a big rock – metaphorically or not – on it now, remains to be told.
When in Florida, do as the Miamians do — show skin! The ladies playing in this week’s Sony Ericsson Open did their part, with keyholes and other cutouts showing up in kits during match play.
From left to right: Dominika Cibulkova in Lacoste; Kim Clijsters in Fila‘s Center Court Cap Sleeve Top (Buy); Ana Ivanovic in the adiZero Dress (Buy). Not pictured: the adidas Response tank, worn by the likes of Andrea Petkovic during practice; see it here.
Brackets: Kimmie is still in the running for the SEO title after that super-close three-set fourth-round match against Ivanovic (poor Ana was up 1-5 in the third and had five match points). She now faces Vika Azarenka for a spot in the semis. (Browse: SEO Draws)
(images via Getty Images)
Maria Sharapova took over three hours to defeat 26th seed Alexandra Dulgheru 3-6, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5) in the quarters of this week’s Sony Ericsson Open in Miami. Up next will be Andrea Petkovic, who’s already upset Caro Wozniacki and Jelena Jankovic on the way to the semis. And things don’t look good for Maria: Petko’s already beaten her once this year, at the fourth round in Melbourne.
In the bottom half of the women’s draw, the Radwanksa/Zvonareva and Clijsters/Azarenka matches’ll determine who ends up with spots in the semis. (Scan: SEO Draws)
But who cares about Masha’s ugly stats — 17 double faults; twice as many unforced errors as Dulgheru — or that she rolled her ankle late in the third set? Take a look at those turquoise teardrop earrings from Tiffany! Matches her turquoise dress, of course.
Buy: Elsa Peretti Teardrop earrings, $725, tiffany.com.
(image via Getty Images)
What an apropos shirt on Juan Martin del Potro, who — even though he fell to Mardy Fish 7-5, 7-6 (5) in the fourth round of this week’s Sony Ericsson Open — has continued to work his way back to the top of the game after last year’s debilitating wrist injury: he followed up two early round losses in Sydney and Melbourne with three semi appearances (San Jose, Memphis, Indian Wells) and a title at Delray Beach. Next week’s rankings should put him just inside the top 50.
Draw: Up next for Fish is a possibility of taking over the top American spot on the ATP (ousting Roddick). He’ll need to defeat David Ferrer to get this done. (Scan: SEO Draws)
We couldn’t find this yellow Nike crew on any retailer’s site, but we’re all about the subtle circles up top and the honeycomb columns on the bottom. Looks like an equalizer display, no? (Update: This is the Showdown Movement Top, $55. The polo version is available at Tennis Express.)
Two shots: More Delpo after the cut…
Fundraiser: Kim Clijsters did her part to raise awareness and funds for those affected by the tsunami that hit Japan while the tennis world had all eyes at Indian Wells. Working with her sponsor, Fila, a shirt was designed and turned around in about a week — ready for sale at the Sony Ericsson Open in Key Biscayne. All proceeds will be donated to relief efforts.
Info: We’re not really big on wearing autographed things, but this one’s an exception: men’s versions available for $30 (in red or navy); women’s in black and red for $28. Unfortunately, only for sale at the tournament. They’re selling like hotcakes, so hopefully those who want it can get it.
Brackets: Kimmie is still in the running for the SEO title. She faces Ana Ivanovic today for a spot in the quarters. The winner will meet Vika Azarenka. (Draws: SEOpen)
Group Shot! Two more images of the players wearing their Japan shirts after the cut. We love Victor Troicki‘s photo face! (more…)
No words for this Joma shirt on Feliciano Lopez. Was a half-erased whiteboard the inspiration for this print pattern? In their defense, the other tee floating around at this week’s Sony Ericsson Open in Miami — that blue crewneck on Marcel Granollers — gets high marks, esp. for that gold print on the collarbone.
Meanwhile, Feli’s out early again, this time losing to Rafa Nadal in the third round (and after two tight three-setters before that). And life goes on…
Browse: This shirt isn’t for sale (thank god?) but you can check out the rest of the Joma goods here.
(images via Getty Images)
Stock up: There’s always room for classic tennis wear in your wardrobe, so if you’re low on the solid-color polos, consider the current sale at Athletic DNA: buy one Verge Polo and get two more for free. Until supplies last!
(screengrab via Athletic DNA)
Shirtless: Some footage from behind the scenes during Rafael Nadal‘s photo shoot for Armani (you know, this one). View: Click on the image above to watch the video from Vogue Spain’s website.
(screengrab from vogue.es; tip via Kat)
Rafa‘s back in graphic print at this week’s Sony Ericsson Open in Miami. The design’s nothing to write home about — another nod to that rebel/youth market that Nike‘s had since Agassi — but we paid attention to the green and yellow meshy overlay on the Courtballistecs. Still, there are some who want tenis a la Nadal, so here you go: Nike Rafa Tennis Crew, $85; Courtballistec 3.3, $125; Rafa Tennis Jacket, $90.
Spanish brawl: Rafa took care of Kei Nishikori and will next face fellow Spaniard Feli Lopez for a spot in the Round of 16. (See the SEO draws.)
Browse: That green and yellow has us thinking about how to spruce up our spring with colors of the Hi-liter rainbow — read on!
Remember these fellas? This was Roger and Rafa‘s second meeting ever, a year after Rafa had beaten Rog 3 and 3 in the third round at Miami. Nadal led this final two sets to love only to fall 2-6, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (5), 6-3, 6-1. Nadal would win their next five encounters before falling to Federer in the 2006 Wimbledon final.
TSF Vault: First-ever Roger post (Feb. 2007)
(Image by Sports Illustrated via Getty)
The bigger the giant, the harder the fall. So who here is the bigger giant? Sure, we’ve been following Andy Murray much more closely over the last few years and he’s been in multiple Major finals, but what about Li Na? She’s arguably one of China’s biggest athletes. And should we remind you that Britain’s population is about one twentieth of China’s?
Here’s the bigger question: Who will fall longer and harder? As we told you yesterday, neither player has won a match since their semifinal victories at the Aussie, but can either top ten player pick up the pieces and start anew? (Fact: the two were a combined 16-8 on clay last season.)
(Getty Images/Illustration by TSF)
Spring blues: Andy Roddick hobbled his way to an early exit at the Sony Ericsson Open on Saturday. He finished the match but seemed bothered all along by an unidentified injury and some chest congestion (whatever it was, he needed three visits from the trainer). Draw: Cuevas will face Gilles Simon in the third round; Simon beat Rainer Schuettler 6-4, 6-3.
Buy: Lacoste Johnny Collar Super Dry Tennis Polo; in White/Blue, White/Black, and Black/White colorways; $85; tennisexpress.com.
(image via Getty Images)
Sam Querrey is through to the third round at the Sony Ericsson Open after defeating Mikhail Kukushkin 6-3, 6-2. He’s now among a small group of Americans still in the running: the seeded Fish and Isner; the tattooed Bogomolov; and James Blake. Top American Andy Roddick lost to Pablo Cuevas today 6-4, 7-6 (4). Up next for Sam is Victor Troicki. (Brackets: SEO Draws)
Fashion: We are all about the Lichtenstein-esque spots on these K-Swiss polos. Buy: Fading Stripe Crew, $45, tennisexpress.com.
More: Two more pics (including one of his tummy!) after the cut…
Gut check: Things can’t be feeling very good for Australian Open finalists Li Na and Andy Murray. The two runners-up are a combined 0-9 since making their respective runs to the Melbourne title matches (including their losses there). Murray hasn’t won a set since beating David Ferrer in the SFs Down Under, losing to no. 143 Donald Young in straights at Indian Wells two weeks ago and following that up with a startlingly embarrassing loss to Alex Bogolomov Jr. 6-1, 7-5 yesterday in Miami.
Things have been a little brighter for Li – but not much. Following a hard-fought three-set loss to Kim Clijsters in Melbourne, she’s traded sets with countrywoman Peng Shuai and another Belgian, Yanina Wickmayer, only to fall in three. In Miami this week, little-known Johanna Larsson (who had never even played a top 25 player) beat Na 7-6 in the third set after the Chinese no. 1 had multiple match points.
“I just didn’t have that spark,” Murray explained after his loss yesterday. Yeah, we noticed.
(photo by Getty Images)
Maria Sharapova beat Czech Petra Martic in her opening round of play at the Sony Ericsson Open in Key Biscayne. Her 6-3, 6-2 victory was also the debut for her new Nike outfit, the Cross Court Statement. It’s refreshing to see Nike go back to using a more sophisticated trim, with gold lines criss-crossing across the front and back of the dress. (Does anyone even remember Roger‘s gilded Wimbledon shirts?). Note that her shoes also had blue/gold detail.
Speaking of throwbacks, this was Maria’s first time playing the Miami tour stop in three years. “This is one of my favorite events,” she shared with Tennis Panorama. “It’s crazy that I’ve missed it this many years because of injuries. So I’m just so happy to get back on that court today and just I love playing in front of the crowd. They’re so enthusiastic. They love their sports and have that Latin flavor about them. You know, it’s fun.” She next plays Sabine Lisicki. (Draw: Sony Ericsson Open)
Buy: Nike Maria Sharapova Cross Court Statement Dress, in Blue Chlorine, $110, nike.com.
(front image via Getty Images; back and shoe detail by JD Bloom for Tennis Panorama News)
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