VIDEO VAULT: A thinking man's chorizo

Here's a new Spanish language adidas ad starring Fernando Verdasco riding around in the backseat of a car presumably reminiscing about his career so far (feel free to translate in the DtL Peanut Gallery.)

I love the shot of him peering out of the car only to see a 40 foot ad of himself from the Calvin Klein X Underwear campaign. I wonder if that would be exciting or ick-inducing to see a huge image of yourself in only your skivvies.

With a bod like that I guess it would be the former.

P.S. Have a great weekend y'all!

SIGHTING: SexGawd + Nole = *droolfest*

If ever there was a pairing to make my gonads explode, you've found it. So I felt obligated to share Marat Safin's visit with Novak Djokovic in Serbia because I'm not a completely selfish bitch. Well, not often anyway.

Now for some private time with the boys. And the gonads.


[Photo(s): DerangedSoviet]

Shrieka offers on-court beauty advice - are you listening JJ?

In honor of her imminent return to the tour next week in Madrid (she's even practicing now - see above photo!) I bring you a new video Q & A with Maria Sharapova brought to you by your friends at the WTA. It's an absolutely frivolous interview that focuses mostly on her on- and off-court beauty regiments and fave foods - a PERFECT piece for you guys.

Click here to enter Shrieka's oh-so-glam world.

Thanks to the "other" Maria at The Double Bagel for the photo tip!

QUOTE OF THE DAY: Nole

I’ve been going through a difficult period over the past couple of months. It’s springtime and I have a strong allergic reaction to pollen. It’s never been this bad and no medications are helping it. A quarterfinal and a semifinal at [Monte Carlo and Rome] are quite good achievements, but in the past I’ve been known to win these events. I probably could have done better this year. But I have fierce competition who also wants to be on top.

- Novak Djokovic on his struggles during this clay-court season

Does this quote really need a comment? Ok fine. Nole, please find your balls before Roland Garros. Or 2011. Kthx.

[Photo(s): Getty]

SIGHTING: Verdasco is so very at Costume Institute Gala

A dapper looking Fernando Verdasco was spotted wearing a chic, dark grey suit from the Calvin Klein Collection on the red carpet at the Costume Institute Gala's opening of the 'American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity' exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum on Tuesday evening in New York City. He's currently starring in the sexy global ad campaign for the design house's X Underwear line.

Seriously can Nando ever look bad? He really pulls off a handsome look here which is SO much more than I could say for Tina Fey:


I bet there's one pissed-off person looking for his missing coveralls and I think I may have found him (he's got a hammer in his hand and isn't afraid to use it, btw.) I don't think he'll take them back though - the corset alteration might be a bit too much for him to take.

Damn you Liz Lemon. Damn you.

[Photo(s): Getty Images]

QUOTE OF THE DAY: NaturAna

I'm very happy with this victory. I knew I had it in me, I've been improving a lot over these past few weeks, playing really well in practice and this time I was able to take something like that kind of play into a match.

- Ana Ivanovic on defeating ninth seed Victoria Azarenka in the second round in Rome, her first Top 10 win since 2008 (Linz, d. Zvonareva) and first back-to-back wins since the Australian Open

Those are some serious monkeys to kick off your back. But let's put the facts on the table before we get our panties all twisted either way shall we? First off, Vika was clearly hampered by the leg injury she sustained in Marbella last month so she wasn't fully fit. But who is fit right now? Tell me. Check.

Secondly, NaturAna still had to win. Yes, she still had to close out match point and that wasn't a sure bet even with a one-legged Belarussian hopping around the other side of the net. And as we tennis fans all know, dealing with an injured opponent is a big mental test never mind having to deal with your own injured psyche. Double check.

Regardless of the circumstances this win will be confidence-boosting. No doubt about it. So I'm happy to see NaturAna string together a pair of nice wins. Next up: Elena Dementieva. Will she win three-in-a-row? Who knows. I mean it's the WTA we're talking about, right?

[Photo(s): Getty]

Del Potro undergoing wrist surgery, could be out 3-6 more months

Juan Martin del Potro, who hasn't played since losing to Marin Cilic at the Australian Open, has confirmed he will be undergoing surgery to his right wrist today according to a report by ESPN Deportes.

The 21-year old has traveled to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota to be treated by a specialist.

“I decided to write because I want them to know by my own words of what is happening to me. Throughout this year I wanted to avoid surgery with different treatments, but obviously the injury was more serious," said Del Potro.

He also denied rumors the long break was due to panic attacks or "stage fright." The recovery may take 3-6 months.

Here's to a 3-month recover Delpo though stay out if you need more time to rehabilitate the wrist. That's your career right there.

[Via: Tennis-X.com]

PHOTO OP: "And the Victory Vinaigrette goes to..."

"Why wasn't the cap on tighter? Now I've made a mess of this skirt."

Justine Henin needed three sets and a lucky broken finger to earn the first title since her returnament defeating Sam Stosur 6-4, 2-6, 6-1 and ending the Aussie's 11-match win streak.

It sure seems like old times what with Justine back and in winning form on clay and Rafa ravenously scooping up clay-court Masters 1000 shields like it's going outta style. It's too bad she isn't playing in Rome where Serena Williams is finally returning to the WTA tour, her first tourney since winning the Australian Open in January.

Their matches are always very compelling on both the physical but especially the mental side. And even though the Belgian owns a 4-1 edge in their H2H on the clay a meet up in Rome would've been a nice teaser for Roland Garros if they were to meet up there.

I guess we'll have to wait until Madrid where they're both slated to play (as of today.)

P.S. - Justine, dab on some seltzer water to get those stains out. And remember JUST DAB - NO RUBBING!

[Photo(s): Reuters]

Rafa takes Rome, ties Agassi for all-time Masters Series 1000 titles

A big "FUCK YEAH!" goes out to Rafael Nadal who defeated compatriot David Ferrer 7-5, 6-2 to win his fifth Rome Masters title and tie Andre Agassi with the most ATP Masters 1000 shields with 17 total championships.

The 6-time Grand Slammer was asked about reaching the milestone and tying the tennis legend who won his last shield at the tender age of 34 in Cincinnati:

"I am 23 and sure 17 is a very important number for me. There are some tournaments coming up – Madrid is coming up soon – and so I'm going to try to keep winning, but these tournaments are very difficult and some of the best players in the world are there."

After going 11 months without a single title Rafa hit his fave surface and never looked back winning two consecutive Masters 1000s while being oh so smart about adjusting his schedule this year and adding in some much needed time off in between the tourneys i.e. skipping Barcelona. And according to Uncle Toni, the trend will most definitely continue.

Now onto Madrid in a week's time where the he'll will have the chance to break Agassi's record on his home turf in front of his people and take a nibble out of another trophy. Although if he breaks the record I think he should just swallow the whole damn thing. He deserves it, no?

Check out some highlights from the final:



[Photo(s): Reuters]