FASHION FIX: Where do we go from here, JJ?

WRONG.

What else can you say about what Jelena Jankovic showcased at Roland Garros today? When she first debuted this ANTA style earlier in the season I wasn't feeling the design much. However, it was more fun and playful than her dresses from earlier in the season which reflected her personality better. But, talk about taking something way too far. Sheesh.

It's going to be hard for me to watch her matches because I'll be completely distracted by not only the dress or the shoes but the whole damn thing. I mean, the color combo is just fug. Even the picture is giving me vertigo. MUST. LOOK. AWAY.

At least she got past the first round. There's a plus.
   
[Photo(s): Getty Images]

FASHION FIX: Jankovic 'blossoming' in game and style

So I got my first real glimpse at the new ANTA number Jelena Jankovic debuted in Charleston while watching her pummel the young American, Christina McHale, 6-2, 6-0. She'll battle current World No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki for a spot in the tourney final.

It's a green floral tank dress with fluorescent green straps - a sharp detour from dresses the Chinese brand had been giving JJ to wear which tended to be - what's the word? - BORING. She was asked about the new design in a post-match presser and gave a JJ-style answer:

It’s a nice color for spring, and I have these flowers so it’s kind of like the spring blossom. I’m blossoming.

'Blossoming' would be the appropriate word since her game seems to be turning a corner these days. But back to the important stuff. If I'm being honest I don't like it from an aesthetic point-of-view; I don't find it visually appealing. The flowers are okay but the top part of the dress with strapping looks very strange. However, the cut is spot on and shows off that enviable bod (does she look fitter to anyone else?) and it's definitely more fun and loud which reflects her personality more than the dresses she's been wearing lately. And she's right - it's very spring.

So I'm a bit torn on this one. But hey, JJ's having fun again so that's a HUGE plus.

P.S. - Check out Bobby Chintapalli's Q & A with the Serb for TENNIS.com.

[Photo(s): AP, Getty Images]

FASHION FIX: Venus + JJ both win but one loses the style battle - who is it?

Venus Williams had a few stumbles in her opening round match at Wimbledon but still managed to defeat Rossana De Los Rios 6-3, 6-2. The 5-time champ had 5-0 leads in both sets but allowed her Paraguayan opponent to pull out a few games. Her stats, though, look relatively clean: 31 winners/15 UEs, 6 aces, 57% first serve, broke 5 of 8 times and made 5 of 9 net approaches. She'll face Eastbourne champ Ekaterina Makarova, who defeated Agnes Szavay 6-4, 7-6 (2), in the next round.

This latest EleVen outfit, inspired by Tina Turner apparently, is a real about face from her Moulin Rouge number from Roland Garros. Firstly, she's got on normal knickers - phew. Secondly, she pulled a mullet moment here taking two different dresses and sewing the business top of one to the party bottom of another. The end result looks really disconnected. Not the best design EVAH.

Jelena Jankovic made her way into the second round with a 6-3, 7-6 (5) win over local fave Laura Robson. It wasn't the cleanest performance by the Serb, who was broken twice, but her stats looked good: 31 winners/12 UEs, 71% first serve, 4 aces and 7 of 8 net approaches. I'm still curious to see how her game develops in each match especially since she opted out of warm up tourneys this time around. JJ's never made it past the fourth round at Wimby so it was somewhat of surprise not to see her get any match play in before the Slam started.

The fourth seed debuted her new ANTA number which, like V's, features a simple design on top with some fluffy frills on the skirt. But I think this execution is much smoother and it flows nicely - not as jarring at the Americans. At first glance I thought it was a bit boring but, honestly, how much can you really do under the AEC's dress code?

On a side note, it looks like JJ's been getting her accessory stylings from Roger Federer:


[Photo(s): Getty Images]

FASHION FIX: Jankovic beats Molik, goes yellow-gold with ANTA

Jelena Jankovic began her campaign for a maiden Grand Slam title with an easy 6-0, 6-4 defeat of Aussie veteran Alicia Molik in the first round of Roland Garros. The fourth seed cracked returns brilliantly, hit 24 winners against 12 errors, and served well with a 69 first serve percentage for the match and 6 aces. Nice moves.

JJ will next face big hitting Estonian Kaia Kanepi for a spot in the third round.


The former top lady baller also debuted a new ANTA dress that, I have to say, is one of my top faves of the tourney. It's a relatively simple tank dress design with some pleating at the neckline and super cute tiering at the hem. But I think the bright yellow-gold color way makes it stand out from the rest and plays well against the backdrop of crushed red brick.

You see? You don't need to get all crazy with design trickery to make something that is both fashionable and functional. K, Shrieka?

[Photo(s): Getty Images]

FASHION FIX: Zheng beats Bart, shines in ANTA blue

Jie Zheng caused another upset, albeit a minor one compared to Nads', when she toppled 11th seed Marion Bartoli 5-7, 6-3, 6-0 in the Australian Open third round. She hit 38 winners against 22 errors, 76% success on first serve deliveries, converted 7 of 9 BP chances and made 13 of 14 net approaches - impressive stats for sure.

She'll meet JJ-killer Alona Bondarenko for a spot in the quarterfinals.


And speaking of JJ-killing, I think the Chinese lady baller's uber-cute ANTA outfit (which looks like a v-neck tank paired with a skirt) totally outshines the Serb's party pinata. It fits her perfectly and features some subtle detailing that gives this simple design some pop like the white piping on the neck line, ruching at the bust and pleating on the skirt that reveals an eye-catching pattern when in motion. I even love the matching ribbon tie Jie's wearing in her hair - it really pulls it all together.

It would've been great to see it in another color but this one will work.

[Photo(s): Reuters]

FASHION FIX: Jankovic downs Niculescu, debuts latest ANTA party piñata

Jelena Jankovic made a strong start to her campaign for a first Aussie Open crown and maiden major title.

The former No. 1 faced a tough opening set against Monica Niculescu but served the Romanian a bagel for brunch reaching the second round with a 6-4, 6-0 victory. She'll face Brit lady baller Katie O'Brien for a spot in the third round.

Well, what more can I say about JJ's piñata tendencies when it comes to her ANTA fashion? She debuted another gem in this series of party pieces, though this blue tank dress featuring front ribbing and a multi-colored triple-tiered skirt isn't SO frightening (if you need a reminder of 'frightening' click here - you've been warned.) It's too bad the designers couldn't find a way to make the unfortunate sweat marks a little less conspicuous as well.

BTW, if anyone's interested I think I found the designer's inspiration.

[Photo(s): Getty]

FASHION FIX: JJ booted from Beijing, looks pretty in ANTA purple

Jelena Jankovic still seems to be bothered by the arm injury which forced her to retire from the Tokyo final last week against Maria Sharapova.

The defending champ played well at the outset during her first round match in Beijing, and even served for the match in the second, but couldn't sustain her level of play and succumbed to homegirl Shuai Peng 4-6, 7-5, 6-2. Ugh.

JJ also debuted this new ANTA number and FINALLY sent the red version of the pinata dress to pasture (let's hope there's no returnament in that thing's future tennis career, k?) It looks like something she could've worn during a US Open night match with the deep purple coloring, gathering along the chest, shiny embellishments on the waist + skirt, and a pleated second-tier underneath. And let's face it, anything would look great after THAT other one.

Too bad we won't see it anymore...at least this week.

(Photo: Getty)

FASHION FIX: Pretty or piñata? You decide.

Let's start with the positives - shall we? (Note to Sara: pipe in at ANY time here. Oh wait, you can't. See you in the DtL Peanut Gallery I guess.)

Jelena Jankovic got past Maria Kirilenko in Cincinnati today, besting the Russian cutie 7-6 (6), 6-3 in the tourney's second round. Good stuff.


Now for the bad: WTF is up with this ANTA dress JJ? *pulls out hair* The color is a bit too canary yellow for my taste but that's not the worst part. The dress is a manic mess of ruffles, raised seams, layers, and frills. The designers need to pick one concept or two at the most and stick to it. The color with a simple design would suffice here.

I swear there's a crying child somewhere longing for their party piñata so give it back JJ. Or at the very least tie a rope around your waist, hoist yourself up onto a tree branch, and let the kiddies have at it.

(images via getty)

FASHION FIX: JJ pummels Petra, shines in ANTA blue dress debut

Not to be outdone in the blue dress debut department, Jelena Jankovic showcased her new ANTA gear during her opening round match at Roland Garros today. The slidin' Serb cruised past Czech Petra Cetkovska 6-2, 6-3 and will face Slovakian Magdalena Rybarikova in the second round.

I def liked this dress when I previewed it late last week and I have to say it didn't disappoint especially now that we can see the interesting design on back:


This choice is much better than the ANTA dresses she's been wearing of late and I'm excited they gave JJ something special to wear in Paris.

So whose blue dress debut did you like the best: JJ's or Shrieka's?

DO TELL!

(images: getty)

FASHION FIX: ANTA reveals Roland Garros dress for JJ + Lefty

Here's the ANTA dress Jelena Jankovic + Lefty will be wearing as they go for their first major at Roland Garros.

It's hard to see the detailing here but the blue color is really striking and should pop nicely against the backdrop of red clay.

But, why do JJ + Lefty look like they're becoming more Chinese here? Do you think that was part of the sponsorship agreement??

(via Women's Tennis Blog)

FASHION FIX: JJ defeats Yvonne, debuts an ANTA dud in Melbourne

Jelena Jankovic got off to a flyer in Melbourne today. The top lady baller easily dismissed Yvonne Meusburger 6-1, 6-3 in the Aussie Open first round hitting 27 winners against 24 errors and keeping 73% first serve percentage - nice. She'll face Belgian Kirsten Flipkens in round two.

Some of my anticipation and curiosity was settled earlier yesterday when JJ announced her new sponsorship with ANTA via her website yesterday. But I still was very excited to see what incredible fashions the top baller in the world would debut in the first Grand Slam of the year.

To say I was disappointed (and I did) to see JJ walk out in this boring green sheet would be an understatement. WTF?!

I like the color - it's bright, summery, and perfect for the season. The element of fun infused her past duds, however, is def missing (plus the sweat marks are unsightly.) Don't get me wrong, I didn't particularly love the past "designs" of her other fashions, but there was something carefree and humorous about them nonetheless.

This one? MEH.

Onto Round 2.

(images via Getty)