top seed wozniacki sends off ’04 winner kuznetsova

Top seed Caroline Wozniacki came back from a set and a break down to swat down 2004 champ (and 15th seed) Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-7 (6), 7-5, 6-1 and reach the quarterfinals of the 2011 U.S. Open. (Draw: Women’s Singles)

Sveta battled Danish scuba gear while wearing the Pierluigi pieces from Fila‘s fall Heritage collection. This is named after Pierluigi Rolando, Fila’s first designer and the creative lead from 1970-1984; he designed the brand’s famous logo and collections for Borg, Becker, Goolagong, and others.

As Fila brainstormed about how to celebrate its 100th anniversary (what made the cut: resurrecting Goolagong’s outfits for Clijsters in Melbourne and Seles’ for Roland Garros; staging an exhibit at the Tennis Hall of Fame; creating interactive marketing campaign), they also looked through Rolando’s archives in Italy for some inspiration.

Buy: Fila Pierluigi Women’s V-neck Top, $58; Women’s Racerback Tank. $64.

More: A few other looks at Kuznetsova’s Pierluigi pieces

men in stripes: roddick, haase, and blake

The few: Only a handful of ATPers dared to venture into stripes for this year’s U.S. Open: Andy Roddick wore a piece from his Lacoste collection (Buy: Striped Polo, $88); Robin Haase, as the lone mascot for Robey, dared to go diagonal (Info: Top spin Polo); and James Blake tickled us with his Fila design (Buy: TR engineered polo, $55).

Draw: Roddick’s still in it after schooling American upstart Jack Sock in straight sets on Ashe. Up next for Andy is Benneteau, then likely a tough fourth-round match vs. Ferrer. If he survives that, it’s a QF date with Rafa!

Haase ground out Andy Murray before losing 6-7 (5-7), 2-6, 6-2, 6-0, 6-4 (yikes!). Muzz should be okay to beat Feli Lopez in the third round, but could run into trouble against Donald Young in the round of 16 or Isner (or Delpo, or Simon) in the quarters.

Blake lost to Ferrer in straight sets.

Scan: See the entire 2011 U.S. Open Men’s Singles draw here.

More: See pics of Roddick’s, Haase’s, and Blake’s polos — all

fila’s 100 years on display at the hall of fame museum

Fine time for Fila: Monica, Boris, Kim and others are all hanging out at the International Tennis Hall of Fame and Museum — well, at least their clothes are. As part of the celebration of Fila turning 100 years old, a rotating collection of the company’s clothes through the last century is on display at the museum over the next 10 or so months, after the exhibition began in mid June. Fila is also featuring an interactive microsite, Fila.com/100, which we wrote about last month. Fans can scroll through the outfits of Monica Seles, Bjorn Borg and Guillermo Vilas and click on whether they would wear such threads today (do we sense an upcoming retro line?!). Our fave part of the microsite? The umpire collections from past US Opens. Seriously, bring back those umpire polos from the 1989 USO! We love, love, love!

But the Fila folks didn’t just through this celebration together with a few fun things to click on and leave it at that. On the microsite is an entire interactive timeline of the 100 years of the company, which takes you through the brand’s early development starting in 1911 and then looks at its growth to eventually include tennis greats like Pam Shriver and Evonne Gollagong, while looking at the brand’s dabbling in sailing, golf, skiing, swim and other sports wear. We dig it. You can even watch old Fila commercial (we recommend Monica’s 1990 spot), as well. And the brand even explores its basketball roots, looking at famous 90s stars Grant Hill and Jerry Stackhouse. Remember when?! | TSF Vault: Fila

Browsing: But if you want more of an in-person experience rather than online, the Hall of Fame exhibition will be up until around June of 2012. While it features the likes of Seles (top of the post) and a look through the men’s wear on court through the years (above), it will include four totally different shows from the brand, each living in the museum for about three months. The Hall of Fame Museum is open 9:30 to 5 everyday of the year, sans Christmas and Thanksgiving. Plan your visit.

After the cut: our favorite pieces from the Fila 100 collection and a one more look at the Museum display.

fila’s 100th anniversary marketing campaign

Fila continues to ride on its 100th anniversary by launching a multi-tired marketing initiative centered around a microsite at fila.com. We’re excited about that they’ve opened up the company’s archives for us to browse.

More: The the full write-up

fashion focus: for fila, kimmie does the monica

The 80s are back with a vengeance in Fila‘s Spring Collection, worn by Kim Clijsters as she makes a run for a French Open title after two months on the sidelines. This small throwback line (top, jacket, visor, skirt) is listed in the company’s lookbook as the “Monica” — referring to Monica Seles, of course — but it turns out there’s a more personal story for Kimmie:

This collection’s inspired by an outfit she received as a Christmas gift from her parents in the mid-80s (and 80s it is — part Balzac, part L.A. Gear!), and keeps with Fila’s campaign to fete the 100th anniversary of the brand. Their first Champions collection debuted at the Australian, when Kim played in a green outfit similar to one worn by Evonne Goolagong-Cawley back in the day.

Dust off the rust(-colored clay): The second-seeded Clijsters is onto the second round of the French after taking out Anastasiya Yakimova 6-2, 6-3. She will next face qualifer Arantxa Rus. (Draw: RG Women’s Singles)

The clothes: The color palette includes fuschia, white, and deep blue. Note the jacket constructed in shiny crinkle taslin — the fabric used for most of activewear back in the day (sadly, they left out the shoulder pads!). It might be overkill to wear all the pieces together, so we suggest picking up the skort and that warm-up jacket. (What do you think of the collection? Too much? Just right? Tell us!)

Buy: Fila Champions Collection – Vintage Top, $41.99; Tennis Skort, $36.99; Tennis Jacket, $52.99; Tennis Visor, $18.99.

(Full-body match photo by AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau; other match photo by Jacques Demarthon/AFP/Getty Images)

in miami, a stroll down peekaboo street

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)

clijsters lends her hand(writing) to the japanese cause

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!

sightings in the stands: neve campbell and jj feild

Lovebirds Neve Campbell and J.J. Feild took in yesterday’s finals at the BNP Paribas Open. These were the first matches Neve have ever been to — she picked a good day to watch!

FYI, Neve’s going to be in Scream 4, opening April 15th, and Feild will be in Captain America: The First Avenger, which comes out this summer.

Buy: On Feild, the Fila 100 year jacket, $120, fila.com.

(photo by Bill Schlueter)

practice makes perfect: from russia, with love

Svetlana Kuznetsova lost in her opening round of the BNP Paribas Open to American (and wildcard) Christina McHale, who took her out 7-6 (4), 7-6 (7). While Sveta looked good — like, dropped-pounds-in-the-double-digits good — she was simply outplayed from the baseline by the more consistent McHale. McHale lost a three-setter to Nadia Petrova in the subsequent round. (Draw: Women’s Singles.)

For the curious: that Fila shirt on Sveta’s only for practice, alas, and is not for sale to the public. Sometimes a girl has to have something that’s just hers, yknow?

(image by TSF)

WANT: from ruffles to duffles

Fine, fine. The cheese stands alone. No one’s into that Caro dress except for me (and hopefully Woz herself). You should see it up close, though, if you can. I think that’s how I got sold on it. But that then raises the question: who are you selling for — the person wearing it or those who have to look at it from afar?

Anyway, while snooping through the stores on the grounds of the BNP Paribas Open, we ran across this duffle from Fila, part of their 100-year collection. It’s in a quilted navy blue nylon with tan leather trim and gold hardware. These were flying off the shelves, so we think the public agrees with us loving this piece.

Sadly, we didn’t take one home with us; no more bag purchases until we thin out the stock in the TSF West accesories closet!

Buy: Fila 100-year duffle bag; peacoat (navy blue); $120; fila.com.

(screengrab via fila.com)

short balls: from melbourne and beyond

Melbourne movie makers: While the Australian Open has always been known as the “fun” Major, it can also be tapped for the way it approaches things differently than the other three in the Western Hemisphere. This year, one aspect setting the AO apart is its tennis film festival, called Changing Ends Take Two. The festival describes itself as “an independent short film event for budding filmmakers to submit a film with the theme ‘Take Two’ as part of the Tennis Film Festival to be shown during Australian Open 2011.”

There are certainly plenty of entries to sift through. If you want to take a glance, start off in the 2010 tab to take a look at what was popular in 2010, including the most-viewed vid, “When You Have Tennis:”

And we kind of agree: who needs girls? | TSF Vault: More of the off-court tennis world in video

Admirable action: Remember Hudson Taylor? We do. He’s the former Division I all-star wrestler that is straight and is taking it upon himself to be one of the loudest non-gay voices for gay rights. Someone fighting for the well being of others?! Go figure. Recently Taylor launched AthleteAlly.com, in which visitors are asked to sign a pledge to support an accepting community in their own athletic worlds. So far, Hudson has 1,000+ signatures. All hail (and visit) a good cause.

Me, too: While hubby Andy Roddick gets plenty of ink about his form at the Aussie, Brooklyn Decker is sure to get some press on her own. The model/ actress (yes, actress) reportedly told Self that Papa Decker had to have an intervention with the youngster when she began her career so as not to “wreck her body.” Guess the talk worked.

Picture this: While everyone is clad in bursts of pastels and bright colors, we’re digging Sophie Ferguson in red, white and blue Fila. | More Fila on TSF

(“changing ends” screen shot via ao.com; ferguson via getty)

ao flashback: monica, 1992

Monica Seles clad in a tangerine Fila top (complete with shoulder art – and we don’t mean tats!) during the 1992 final of the Australian Open, which she won against BFF Mary Joe Fernandez 6-2, 6-3. | Monica on TSF

(photo by woowoowoo via flickr)

on the 8th day of giftmas: excess baggage

‘Tis the season of choices, no? We give you five (count ’em, 5!) bags to pick from this holiday season. From the super-chic and trendy Soho choice to a bag that couldn’t be more Apple Pie America to another selection (after the cut) that you might want to buy alongside a pair of sunglasses. No, really… at least for the kids. Batter up: LAYERxlayer is catching our eye this year with their trendy, made-to-order approach of bags that you can really take anywhere. The Wayfarer pack, seen below, is $189 online and couldn’t be better for a city dweller that wants a good, sturdy bag that can withstand a daily commute on the 6 Train. 100% denim body.

Say what you will about the simplicity of the Fila (or Ralph Lauren) color palette, sometime tennis (with it’s bright yellow balls, purple courts and god-forsaken plaid shorts) needs a little grounding. That’s why this year, we’re digging this three-racquet bag from Fila, which is the perfect gift for any regular club or competitive player in your life. And serse, for $39.99, there just isn’t anything better than red, white and blue. (Available on Tennis Warehouse.)

And while after the cut we have two somethings for the ladies, we figured we’d throw a bone for our dudes on this next choice. While we were drooling over Roger’s RF bag earlier this fall, Nike has the next best thing in the small, classic duffel bag in black. The bag, just $60 on their web site, is the perfect carry-on, carry-to-the-court or carry-my-stuff-around-all-day selection for a sporty fella in your life.

After the cut: a look at a tennis bag that is (still) on our radar (and a nice surprise).

shirtless: andreas seppi

A few more US Open pics before we close out the year…

TGIF: We spotted Italian Andreas Seppi hitting out in the outer practice courts at the USTABJKNTC on the eve of the 2010 US Open.

At this week’s Shanghai Rolex Masters, Seppi upset 14th seed Marin Cilic in the opening round (2 and 2) and lost in the third round to Roger Federer. (Draw: The men’s semis are set. Check out the quartet.)

(photos by TSF)

tattoo watch: svetlana kuznetsova gets another

Svetlana Kuznetsova gave us a little peep show before her early exit at this week’s China Open in Beijing. The Russian, seeded tenth at the event, lost to qualifier Roberta Vinci in three sets.

Can’t wait to see the site (or possibly another tattoo)!

China Open: The final four on the women’s side of this combined event: Caro vs. Peer and Li Na vs. Zvonareva. (Draw: here.)

More: Pic of the tattoo up close (but blurry, le sigh)

trophy watch: simon’s egg, kleybanova’s unveiling, etc.

It doesn’t really matter to us who ends up winning that trophy from the Open de Moselle in Metz, as long as it gets a photograph taken once a year. Of course it doesn’t hurt that daddy Gilles Simon, who took out Mischa Zverev 6-3, 6-2, is the one in the picture.

More: Winners in Bucharest, Seoul, and Tashkent — all

fila rises to davis cup challenge

Kudos to Fila for stepping up to the challenge of dressing their athletes in some festive clothing as they compete in this weekend’s Davis Cup ties. Janko Tipsarevic, currently embroiled in a close match against Tomas Berdych (the Serb is up in the match two sets to one; they’re on serve in the fourth), wears a crew with the country crest on the chest. In the tie’s first rubber, Radek Stepanek took out Troicki in four. (Follow: Tie info and live scores available here.)

In Sweden, Italian Fabio Fognini had a bright blue canvas on which to showcase his country’s red/white/green flag. He lost his singles rubber to Robin Soderling, putting them at 1-1 against the Swedes (Potito Starace won the other match against Vinciguerra).

No word yet from Fila about whether Janko’s Davis Cup crew is for sale (much like how they did it for Marin Cilic‘s Croatia shirt).

Update: Checked with the Fila folks and they said Janko’s shirt will be eventually on sale at TW.

(images via Getty Images)

shirtless: dmitry tursunov

What would a tournament be without a shirtless Dmitry Tursunov?

On the eve of the 2010 US Open, we caught a peek of the Russian in the outer practice courts of the USTABJKNTC.

Dmitry faced the 13th seed, Jurgen Melzer, in the first round, and he lost in five sets.

More: A few more images of Dmitry

tipsarevic rolls to beat of his own drum

We already know that Janko Tipsarevic is different from the average bear, but he has shown this even more so while in Los Angeles for the Farmers Classic ATP Tour Stop. Over at Sweet Spot, James LaRosa got some taxicab confessions out of our munchkin Serb (something about sheep looking at doors?).

And earlier this week he mentioned a racquet bag change via Twitter. He rolled out the new look for his opening dubs match with Feli.

They’ll resume their partnership for a match today against the team of Ross Hutchins and Jordan Kerr.

Draw: See who’s left playing singles and doubles at the Farmers Classic in Los Angeles.

(bag image by TSF; screengrab from Twitter; match images via Getty Images)

in los angeles, james blake takes you to the limit

James Blake, who’s slated to play at next week’s Farmers Classic in Los Angeles, will be stopping by a local Sport Chalet to meet up with fans. He’ll be available for pics and autographs; everyone who comes can win a J-Block shirt (by his sponsor, Fila) and other merch.

If you decide to pick up one of the fan tees, proceeds from the sale will benefit Blake’s foundation, The Thomas Blake Sr. Memorial Research Fund.

The rest of the pack: Other ATP stags in the Farmers Classic barn include Novak Djokovic, Sam Querrey, and the Bryan Brothers. And the tourney’s Monday night extravaganza will feature Andre Agassi and John McEnroe. More info here.

(image courtesy of Fila)