FASHION FIX: Fila's kits for the 2015 Australian Open

Fila has released the gear their ballers will be working at the 2015 Australian Open. The new Platinum collection offers a cohesive range of fashions, marked by fresh new fabrics, design details that showcase a high-end flavor, and stand-out styles. Training pieces were created to complement tennis apparel, for complete looks that can easily be worn on and off-court. As Fila’s most advanced line yet, technology is a crucial component of the Platinum story.

Jelena Jankovic, pictured above, will be wearing the Platinum dress ($90) in white and, appropriately, diva pink.

Germany's Julia Goerges will be sporting the Platinum wide racerback tank ($75) in diva pink/pirate charcoal and the Platinum skort ($75) in diva pink/pirate charcoal.

The women's collection also features a range of complementary pieces highlighted by the Platinum woven jacket, in silver/diva pink, which features embossed FILA neck taping, a bungee puller and stopper at curved bottom hem, a hood with drawcord, and front zippered pockets with lockdown pullers. The Platinum full zip jacket and pant, Platinum shorts, and Platinum capris with tennis ball pockets on the sides round out the collection.

American Sam Querrey will be wearing the Platinum zip placket polo shirt ($75) in white/navy power and the Platinum short ($60) in navy power/shocking orange.

Italy's Andreas Seppi will be sporting the Platinum laser cut top ($65) in navy power/shocking orange and the Platinum short ($60) in navy power/shocking orange.

The Platinum half-zip top and pants complete the men's collection. All styles are available at Fila.com. 

[Photo(s) credit: Fila]

SIGHTING: Tennis ballers by the water!

 

Even though there are some smaller tourneys going on, a bunch of ballers are taking this down time between Wimbledon and the start of the North American hard-court season to hit the beach, the pool, or both. Now, none of them went full-on Beyonce/Drunk in Love because that would be weird (good effort, JJ).

After a tough Wimbledon, Rafael Nadal stole some time away in Ibiza and brought along some questionable fashion decisions. Monochromatic pink was very hit or miss with the Rafanatics. I'm not even sure what to call this look.

Ana Ivanovic has been looking relaxed on vacation even though she's currently without a coach. Good sign I guess. It's funny she's trying to be demure here; but there's only so much demureness you can give when you're working a popsicle.

Grigor Dimitrov earned his vacation after his best Grand Slam result at Wimbledon. Not only was he was spotted with Maria Sharapova, but he was also seen coming close to hitting the edge of a pool with his noggin. Coach Rasheed was none too pleased:

@GrigorDimitrov Take a look at that vision, not far from the side wall on landing hey, good judgement or lucky ?? Have fun…..
— roger rasheed (@roger_rasheed) July 9, 2014

Safety first, Grish!

Jelena Jankovic probably needed a long vacay after her first-round loss at SW19. She, of course, brought along her bestie, Lefty. She never goes far without her. Because biology.

Fernando Verdasco, also a first-round loser at Wimbeldon, is in Bastad preparing for next week's Swedish Open. On his downtime, he's soaking in the views and the beach with his doubles partner David Marri.

[Photo(s) credit: Fernando Verdasco FB, JJelicious Instagram, Grigor Dimitrov FB, Ana Ivanovic FB, Xposurephotos.com]

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]

FED CUP Chronicles: Russia and Czech Republic reach final and other notables

The FED CUP final was set over the weekend with Russia and the Czech Republic coming out on top in their respective semifinals.

Vera Zvonareva sealed the win for the Russians when she defeated Roberta Vinci 6-4, 6-2 to give them an unbeatable 3-0 lead. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova defeated Sara Errani in the fourth rubber while Pavs + Ekaterian Makarova teamed up to defeat Alberta Brianti + Maria-Elena Camerin in the fifth to give the Russians a full sweep. The team also guaranteed home court advantage for their attempt at a fifth FED CUP crown.

In the other semifinal the doubs team of Iveta Benesova + Barbora Zahlavova Strycova clinched the tie for the Czech Republic 3-2 over Belgium when they defeated Yanina Wickmayer + Kirsten Flipkens 6-4, 6-4 in the fifth and deciding rubber. It's their first appearance in the final since becoming an independent nation in 1994; the won it 4 out of 6 times as Czechoslovakia in the 1980's.

And there's more!

- Roberta had a little something to say about her missing FED CUP teammates after getting blasted 0-5 by the Russians: "If they didn't want to come it's their problem. I don't care about Schiavone and Pennetta, they are not on this team. Right now I'm number one for Italy and Sara (Errani) is number two. We're here and we try to give our best." Yikes.

- Dominika Cibulkova may need to wear body armor if she ever decides to visit Serbia or get back on Twitter after remarks she made during the Slovak Republic's tie against Serbia. Don't think the apology is helping Domi. Nice try.

- Speaking of Serbia, congrats to them as well as Spain, Germany and the Ukraine for returning to the World Group next year. Bad news for the USA + France who were relegated to the World Group II after their losses to Germany and Spain, respectively. It's the first time in both country's histories they won't appear in the top tier group. Times are a changin' peeps.

- Check out some of the FED CUP outfits that caught my eye for one reason or another (read into it what you will):

[Photo(s): Getty Images, AP]

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]

PHOTO OP: Fisting it

 

"Ok, just smile and pump, smile and pump..."

See what I mean? It's just a pre-presser for Tokyo and not the baller party but they've still got them doing some freaky stuff on stage. Let's hope that whatever they've got in store for them at the actual party has nothing to do with fists or pumps. *shivers*

In any case I bet JJ's channeling her best NaturAna. I mean, it's not like she hasn't done THAT before.

 [Photo(s): Getty Images]

PHOTO OP: Just rub it (in), JJ

The first question that came to my mind after seeing this picture of Jelena Jankovic and her water polo-playing man piece Mladjan Janovic wasn't "What's with the all-white, Dance Fever get ups?" but rather "Where is the rest of Lefty's arm and what exactly is it doing at the moment?" Shocker, I know!

So here are the choices:

A) Rubbing his well-muscled back

B) Rubbing his well-muscled ass

C) Rubbing his, well, yes it reaches that far

I'm thinking choice 'C' which is completely based on that I-can't-believe-you're-doing-this-but-don't stop smirk. Not that I've EVAH been in that situation before. With Mladjan, I mean.

One more shot after the jump (click headline.)

Fourth-seeded Jankovic ousted by Kanepi in US Open third round

Jelena Jankovic's summer of misery came to a fitting end today at the US Open. During a windswept Day 6 the fourth seed, who had only earned one win in three tourneys during the US Open Series, was defeated by hard-hitting Kaia Kanepi 6-2, 7-6 (1) in the third round. The pair struggled to keep the ball inside the lines combining for 78 errors against only 32 winners. The 31st seed will face last year's semifinalist Yanina Wickmayer for a spot in the quarterfinals.

JJ blamed the tough, blustery conditions on-court for her struggles today but credited Kaia for managing her game better under the circumstances:

Q. How bad was the wind and how did you try to manage playing into the wind when you were against the wind?

JELENA JANKOVIC: Oh, the wind was really tough. The conditions were really, really tough, you know, to play. I had a really hard time, you know, hitting the balls. You know, obviously they were going all over the place. The wind was really strong, and she handled these kind of conditions a lot better than I did. You know, that was the case today. It was really tough to play tennis, because, I mean, it's tough to serve, tough to hit the balls. The balls move all over the place, and I had a really hard time over there. Unfortunately, I lost.

Q. How close to unplayable was it?

JELENA JANKOVIC: I don't know, but it's, you know, to be honest, you can't you know, I had a hard time serving. You toss the ball, and it was all over the place. And then you hit the ball one direction, it goes another. You're just getting ready to hit the ball and just moves away from you. So it was really hard out there. But like I said, she handled the wind a lot better than I did. She was the better player today. Congrats to her.

Regardless of the conditions this result is not a big surprise. As I mentioned earlier JJ has been struggling to find her best form all summer long after rolling her ankle in Portoroz. I think under normal circumstances (read: having actual confidence) the Serb would've out-steadied the Estonian in these tough conditions, but it wasn't to be today.

[Photo(s): Getty Images]

(UPDATED) He Said/She Said: Wimbledon Day One

Q. How did you find the speed of the court?

ROGER FEDERER: Well, the thing here, there's no bad bounces. You can just stick at the baseline, half volley, not panic when a guy moves in. You can always flick it at the end. Obviously they're not the fastest courts anymore. Depends obviously how you play, as well.

If you've got a massive serve and you can just outright overpower a guy, then obviously it's fast. But a guy who is that agile at the baseline like Falla makes it very difficult to play against, because he can neutralize you, plays a flat ball, doesn't miss much. You've got to take chances. Today the chances I took were not working.

Q. You'll see a more muted response here to what you were wearing here than in Paris?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Here it's all about white. There is no illusion this time. My dress was inspired by Tina Turner. So, you know, still had the lace motif. I think it's just a fun, elegant dress.

Q. How inspired by her?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Tina Turner? I love her. I love Tina Turner. Obviously, she's just an amazing, amazing artist, just a survivor. She reinvented herself. Plus she looks great. I've loved her forever. So the dress is really inspired by her.

Q. You had to wait over four hours to get on Court 1 today. What did you do in that time?

ANDY RODDICK: Play some Monopoly. Dominated some Scrabble. I watched some tennis. Watched some football. That was pretty much it.

Q. Trying to win here was your major motivating force I think for coming back. Does that put a lot of pressure on you?

JUSTINE HENIN: No, I don't ‑‑ I mean, it's been one of the reasons why I decided to come back. When I saw Roger winning the French Open, I started to say, Well, I miss Wimbledon. That will be fantastic. I don't know if it will happen one day.

That remains a dream for me. In another way, I'm very realistic as it's a year of transition, and I had some opportunities in the past, you know, that I could never take.

But still a few more to come. But I don't put a lot of pressure on myself at the moment as I know it's been very good things in this season, but some ups and downs.

The pressure of a Grand Slam is always different. Physically, mentally and emotionally it takes much more from you.

So if I can make it one day, that would be, I mean, an amazing achievement, you know, thinking about this little girl that was dreaming of winning a Grand Slam. It's the only one I never won in the past, so that would be fantastic.

I hope it become a goal one day and true. But it's still very early to think about this.

Q. After the match, Roger Federer said he should have lost that match. Do you agree with that?

ALEJANDRO FALLA: Of course. I knew I had a big chance serving for the match. He told me that I play amazing after the match. So it's true. I knew I was playing very well since the beginning. I just wanted to go out to the court and play my best.

I played him three times in one month, in the last three tournaments. So I was kind of used to play against him. But, well, I am happy because I play a great match. I got to keep working because I have to improve still a few things. But I'm happy because I play very well today.

Q. Months after the US Open, how do you look at that period of your life?

KIM CLIJSTERS: I mean, I don't look back at it that much. Obviously, I kind of live in the moment. But it's a beautiful memory, obviously. You know, I was very happy that I was able to share it with my family.

But it was at the time also confusing, just because of the changes, you know, throughout that whole year that had happened. But it's a beautiful memory. Yeah, we cherish it very deeply.

THE MODERATOR: Can we change language now?

KIM CLIJSTERS: Chinese (laughter)?

Q. Is this the trickiest Grand Slam for you? Because you say you have to adapt fast to grass and get your act together as quick as possible.

JELENA JANKOVIC: Yeah, you know, it's a totally different game. You know, the points are very short. Uhm, there's not really much time for anything, you know. You got to get your first ‑‑ you know, whoever gets the first strike most likely wins the point. And especially serving well and returning well are the most important things.

You know, adjusting, finding your timing and your movement, I think it's completely different, of course, to, you know, clay courts or hard courts. But I'm trying my best, you know, to get used to it.

Q. Would it be to you the most elusive of all the Grand Slams for you to win, the most difficult to win?

JELENA JANKOVIC: Probably this one (laughter). Especially for me, I didn't have much time to practice on grass. You know, I didn't play any warmup tournament before this. So today was my first match. It's never easy. You know, it's a completely different game.

Q. Sport and tennis is a game of highs and lows. I guess you've gone from being incredibly high in Paris last month to being very disappointed today. What went wrong out there for you?

FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE: Was tough match. Was different surface, different feeling.

But she played very good and I didn't take my chance maybe in the second set. It's much more easy when you don't serve so good and when you don't catch your chance, particularly on the grass.

Q. How has the last month since Paris been for you? How have you celebrated? What have you done to get focused again?

FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE: I work like every day I did in my life. Of course, you can enjoy. But at the end you have to come back to work.

***I may update this post with a Nole and/or Rochi quote about their 5-setter. That's if they give as good as the gave today.

UPDATE:

Q. Do you feel like you got out of jail tonight?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Meaning on...

Q. As in you were lucky to escape with a win tonight?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I don't think I was too lucky. Actually, I had a kind of big match and big challenge with myself. As soon as I was starting to play aggressive and well, I

was winning in the match. Fourth and fifth set, especially in the fifth set, I showed the real game, the game that I should play.

You know, it was great match, of course. Rochus is a very tricky player, especially on grass. He has a very low balance and he rarely gives you free points. You have to work for all the points.So I dropped the level of serve, and I started to give him too much opportunities and he used it. So that's why I did have a big struggle against him. But I was very happy that in the end I managed to find the real game.

Q. Whenever you went off for the break to bring the roof across, what did your team say to you to get you geared up for the remainder of the match?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, you know, it is all part of the sport, and you have to deal with it. I think the break kind of helped me a little bit, because I didn't feel great at that moment on the court. So to have a little half an hour of the break and just relax and focus and reset my game and my mind was helpful.

[Photo(s): 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]

It's Sam vs. Fran for the ladies' Roland Garros crown!

Okay, ready for my imitation of the Roland Garros ladies' semifinals?

*zzzzzzzzz*

Let's start with the first semi which saw Francesca Schiavone reach her first ever Grand Slam final when Elena Dementieva retired with the recurrence of the left calf injury she sustained during her second round match with the score at 7-6 (3) in favor of Fran.

The pair played their tried-and-true games: the Russian blasted groundies and worked to control the center of the court while the Italian played D until she had a ball she could pummel with heavy topspin. However, the injury was already taking its toll and once Fran took the set Elena called it quits - the first time in 43 major appearances.

Fran was asked about this surge so late in her career:

Q. Okay. Second one: Is why is that success coming so late for you?

FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE: Why late? I think everybody are different. Could be late for you, could be good for you. I think it's my time now. Maybe before I wasn't ready.
Maybe before I had the chance I didn't catch, so I think now I have just to live and to keep going to work like I did for many years.

Q. What are your chances for the final? You think you can win the final on Saturday?

FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE: I don't know. I really don't know, but I'm really happy to be here. I will go on the court and I will fight at the best that I will do it, that I can do.
Now is time to relax, and Saturday will be the time to put everything that I work until now.

It was sad to see Elena in tears both because of the pain but also because you know she was very disappointed at losing another opportunity to grab that major. Her chances are dwindling and the draw really did work itself out for someone to finally break through. She will be skipping Eastbourne and is unsure about Wimbledon for now. Tough stuff.

The second semifinal saw the giant-killer Sam Stosur comprehensively destroy Jelena Jankovic 6-1, 6-2 from every part of the court: serve, return, groundies, defense, etc. It was a remarkable performance from the Aussie who will go in as the heavy fave to capture her first Grand Slam crown.

She made JJ look like an amateur out there with her big game yet calm, quiet demeanor - a silent killer if you will. The Serb never had the opportunity to use her backhand into Sammie's weaker backhand because of the 7th seed's ability to run around and hit her forehand and control points. JJ was left scrambling and hitting off balance - a perfect recipe for unforced errors (22 UEs against only 9 winners.)

Surprisingly Sammie never showed any signs of mental fatigue or an emotional letdown which you would expect after having defeated Serena Williams + Justine Henin, past champs here and lady ballers with a combined 19 major singles titles between them. She was very workwomanlike and played like she owned Philippe Chatrier Court. Well she did own it today and wiped it clean with JJ.

So what's the biggest difference in the Aussie's game is now versus a few years ago? She told the press:

Oh, I think it's a lot of things. It's not just one aspect. My fitness and strength is something I've been working on for probably a good five years very seriously. That hasn't been an overnight process. And, you know, really understanding my game and how to use it and my strengths and weaknesses and all that, I've got a lot better at understanding everything that I can do over the last few years a lot better.
And then self belief and starting to win big matches. So I think it's a combination of lots of things all coming together.

So it's Sam vs. Fran and their new fangled and apparently effective Babolat black RPM Blast String for the whole damn thing (incidentally, just got my racquet strung with these babies!) I mean, WHO WUDDA THUNK IT? And if you say "me" then you're a liar, except for Van Sias who somehow picked the Italian to make the final in his VANtage Point post.

I raise my glass of sangria to you, sir. Cheers!

[Photo(s): Getty Images]

Ivanovic + Jankovic letting the cattiness out of the bag

NaturAna + JJ in happier times...or were they???

So yesterday we got the Rezzie/Bart blowup and today we're treated to Ana Ivanovic + Jelena Jankovic being asked to revisit the leaked Madrid scene from "WTA Girls Behaving Badly." And, boy, are they EVAH right now. The WTA rocks!

CHECK IT:

Q. This is going back a little bit, but you lost to Jelena in Madrid. I was wondering when you heard about that fist pump imitation she did after the match and just what your reaction was.

ANA IVANOVIC: You know, it's very, very hard for me to comment on that, you know. You know how they say: Sport doesn't build character. It shows it. Yeah, it's very hard for me to say.

------------------------------------------------

Q. So apparently Ana was talking about what happened in Madrid after the match with you and the fist pump. You want to talk about, you know, your version of that? I know it was a big win for you, but why you decided...

JELENA JANKOVIC: What was her version?

Q. Well, she basically said that, you know, sports reveals character. That's what she was saying.

JELENA JANKOVIC: For me, you know, I don't need really to comment on that, you know. I don't think it's a right time to comment on this kind of thing.

But for me, as a player, it's ‑‑ every player has their way of, you know, motivating themselves and pumping themselves up, you know, if you win a point or you didn't win a point. But I don't think it's nice to put it, you know, the fist in their face. That's what can be a little irritating. That's the only ‑‑ but all the players, they do, you know, different kind of gestures, you know, with their hands.

But, you know, it's a little bit ‑‑ when you do that in the player's face, and especially after not winning a point after your opponent missed an easy ball, I don't think it's ‑‑ I don't think that's fair play.

That's just my opinion, and that's what I, as a player, don't like to do to other players. If I'm ‑‑ if I win a point or something, I do it, but I don't go like that in your face (holds up fist). That was only ‑‑ and especially when it comes to maybe me and Ana, we are two girls from the same country, and it's nice to have a nice relationship and play a normal match. Somebody has to win, and that's normal.

We're both professionals. We want to do our best on the court, and I think we should play fair. That's just my opinion. I have nothing, you know, against her or fist pumps or whatever. I play my game. I have my personality. I'm myself, and it's none of my business what Ana does or all these other girls on the court. But for me, I prefer to this kind of way like I already explained.

The competition between lady ballers from the same country is fierce right now, eh? Plus I love how JJ says she won't comment and then gives a huge diatribe about the incident. Hilarious. The fist pumping does get fatiguing I must say espesh after every. single. point. FPF isn't something I enjoying feeling during my tennis viewing time.

Anyway, the fourth seed was also asked about the other leaked scene from the hit reality show this time involving something Serena Williams whispered to her at the net in Rome:

Q. One more question: You had that great win over Serena in Rome, and then at the end there was the whole thing about the hand. Then she came up to you at net and appeared to apologize in some way, saying she wasn't trying to stop it? Did she say, I'm not Justine, or I'm not like Justine? What do you remember?

JELENA JANKOVIC: I don't want to comment on that, because that's between me and Serena, and, you know, she said that I have a nice dress and a nice size, you know, after the match. (laughter.)

So I don't really want to comment on whatever she said. It doesn't really matter for the public. It's ‑‑ you know, we are ‑‑ we played a tough match. It was a great match. We played good tennis, and that's what matters.

Sometimes there are gonna be some weird moments, but because we're very competitive, we want to ‑‑ we want to win. I mean, it's not like we are having a picnic out there or a charity match. This is a professional sport. We want to ‑‑ I mean, both of us want to win, and that's actually ‑‑ it's a big battle, and sometimes things happen, but sometimes you don't mean it, and you're under this atmosphere whereas sometimes you cannot control your emotions and that can be difficult.

Overall, you know, it was a good match. That's what I want to remember it as, and I won both ‑‑ I won against both Williams sisters in less than 24 hours, so it was a pretty good tournament for me, and, you know, it was really good for my confidence.

I got two wins against No. 1 and No. 2 in the world, so that means something.

Oh JJ, you are SO in your element. And loving it I bet.

[Photo(s): tennisplanet.com]

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]