FASHION FIX: Nike spring looks for Serena, Sharapova, Azarenka, and Li

It's spring, right?! Uh, not quite. Winter is still hanging on here in NYC, clinging to life with its frozen talons (can you tell I hate winter?). At least there are parts of the world and this country where it's bright, warm, and people are half dressed. Miami is one of those places, and it's where the ATP and WTA tours are heading for the second Masters 1000 and Premier tourneys, respectively, at the Sony Open. You can see the draws here.

It's also where Nike is debuting some of their spring looks for their lady ballers. Check 'em out:

Top seed Serena Williams will be wearing the Force Pleated Knit Dress. The spring-esque color blocking, which I love, reminds me that spring is officially starting tomorrow. BUT YOU WOULDN'T KNOW IT BECAUSE IT WAS SNOWING HERE. YEAH, SNOWING.

Indian Wells champ and third seed Maria Sharapova will be, of course, working duds from her eponymous collection for Nike including the Premier Maria Tank paired with the Premier Maria Skort. Nice green.

Why does it always seem Victoria Azarenka, the No. 2 seed, always gets the short end of the fashion stick with Nike? Her Australian Open dress was a flop, and this outfit - the Force Printed Tank with the Force Flouncy Woven Skort - isn't going to blind you with its incredibly fashionable design. And that includes the disco print on the straps.

Here's the plus and it's a big one: SHE'S BACK. It will be fantastic to see fifth seed Li Na in action after being out since rehabbing the ankle she injured during her run to the Australian Open final. She'll be working the Force Pure Tennis Top paired with the Pleated Knit Skirt. Pretty basic and typical for her. I'm just excited she's showing up at all.

[Photo(s) credit: Nike Tennis Facebook Page]

SIGHTING: Model Zaira Nara all up in Monaco's box

WAG Zaira Nara watched boy toy, Juan Monaco, back up his win over Andy Roddick by crushing Mardy Fish 6-1, 6-3 to reach the Sony Ericsson Open semifinals, his second trip to a Masters 1000. He'll face top baller Novak Djokovic for a place in Sunday's final.

It was also the Argentine's 28th birthday. Nice present, eh?

[Photo(s) credit: Al Bello/Getty Images]

PHOTO OP: Serena Williams is aghast

"The purple thing with the white lines...put the ball there!"

Serena Williams couldn't find her game and Caroline Wozniacki took full advantage, ousting the 5-time Sony Ericsson champ 6-4, 6-4 in the quarterfinals and earning her first win over ReRe. The Dane will face off against Maria Sharapova, who finally beat Li Na 6-3, 6-0 after losing the last four, in the semifinals.

Yeah, Wozzi did her usual counter-puncher-thingy but with a little bit more...er...aggression? It's true. She hit her first serve with some pop at times and her forehand held up against ReRe's which found the net more than anything else. Maybe being knocked from the WTA Penthouse will end up being the best thing that could've happened to Wozzi. Maybe.

[Photo(s) credit: Michael Regan/Getty Images]

PHOTO OP: Rafa wears white, like, REALLY well

I swear the Rafarse has never met a pair of white shorts it didn't like. And it doesn't hurt when they're soaked with sweat. Here's more proof so click and zoom people. CLICK and ZOOM.

[Photo(s): Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)]

Staying with it

After the men's final yesterday I seriously needed a drink. Or four.

Novak Djokovic kept the winning streak alive - bringing it to 24 straight matches this season - after he defeated Rafael Nadal 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4) in one of the most exciting Sony Ericsson Open finals in my recent memory. It was his second straight defeat of the world's top baller and second straight time he came back from a set down to do it. Regardless of ranking, if he isn't considered the best baller in the world after this opening season streak I don't know who is right now. Let's give it up to him people. *clap-clap-clap*

The start of the match did not portend of things to come with both boys struggling to find rhythm and consistency in their games. The tension was palpable. It was obvious how much badly these two wanted this win and all that comes with it but it seemed to hinder their games at start, a bit more for Rafa than Nole it seems:

Maybe because I was a little bit more nervous than other days, second final, maybe because I never won here and this is the third chance. I played against a player who's playing well, and I lost last week.  All of these facts maybe can affect a little bit to be a little bit more nervous, and the serve is a little bit part of that.

The second set saw both ballers still struggling with Nole feeling his game a bit more than Rafa. But by the third the shit was AWN. The incredible physicality needed for the kind of shot-making and defense these two can produce was on full display. Did I also mention it was blistering hot? By the closing moments of the match you could see the affect the heat had on Rafole - and they admitted as much afterward - but they kept on gunning for their shots and retrieving like you would expect these two champs would do. By the tiebreak, Nole seemed to be the more focused and calm fighting for a quick lead in the tiebreak before closing it out.

It was the kind of awesome display of tennis we don't get to see every day (hence the post-match drinkfest.) We were treated to something really special and as fans we're better for it. It was a massive exclamation point on this first part of the season.

So now we move to the clay and the biggest question, of course is whether the World No. 2 can continue the streak and transfer his confidence and game to the slippery stuff. He's never beaten Rafa on clay but he's also never been on a streak like this one. But this part of the season is owned by Rafa and he isn't going to budge easily if at all. We all know what stepping on the crushed brick does to the 9-time Grand Slammer and his confidence (think pre- and post-Monte Carlo last season.)

In any case there's a new top rivalry in town and it's not named FEDAL.

Victoria Azarenka had a standout tourney easily dismissing Kim Clijsters and Vera Zvonareva earlier in the week and capping it off by winning her second title in Miami over an erratic Maria Sharapova 6-1, 6-4. The Belarusian basher played her typically uber-aggressive style but added quicker movement and some stand out defense. Oh, and some perspective and a new attitude:

Well, you always care to win.  What I meant by not caring about losing is not to create such a big drama out of it.  If you lose the match, I mean, you just lose a tennis match.  It's not the end of the world. You can see so many things happening in the world, and I know it sounds a little bit out there, but look what happens in Japan, for example, and we're here playing tennis, being able to do something that we love. So, I mean, why make a big deal out of it?

Uh-huh. To say Vika suffocated Shrieka with her D would be a bit of hyperbole on my part but she made the court seem small enough to coax errors out of the Russian or opened it up enough to crack a winner. She did most things better than the 3-time Grand Slammer on the day and stayed focused and calm even when Shrieka finally began making her move in the second set - a move that was a little too late. Vika was rewarded with the big win and a career-tying 6th spot in the rankings today. I don't know how much this win will help her during the clay season - not her best surface - but confidence is good no matter what.

As for Shrieka, she'll need to wait a little longer for that big win. Her tourney was plagued by bouts of severe inconsistency - solid play mixed with in buckets of errors and double faults. More of the same, I guess. Until she gains more confidence in her serve and it finds the box and its spots with more regularity she'll continue to struggle. But she's in the Top 10 again, so that's something.

[Photo(s): Getty Images]

PHOTO OP: Before & After (with Body Bonus!)

Here's Roger Federer + Rafael Nadal posing for pics before beginning play in their 23rd career meeting at the Sony Ericsson Open semifinals in Miami. Oh the possibilities!

Fast forward. Here's Fedal after Rafa dismantled a seemingly frustrated and error-prown Fed 6-3, 6-2. The match certainly did not live up to the lofty expectations but, in all honesty, it rarely can save the classic 2008 Wimbledon final. There's an interesting perspective here : Rafa getting the winner's treatment while Fed walks past alone, hands to head as he takes in this brutal loss. Even the raucous crowd chanting, "Ro-jah" (or something like that) couldn't get him going. The pair seem even further apart than the rankings might suggest after tonight.

Bring on Rafole, bitches.

Get your Body Bonus after the jump - click the head.

PHOTO OP: "Preparing for take off..."

I can't make up my mind here. It looks like Novak Djokovic is getting ready to: A) take flight as he's known to do or B) put a hurt on all comers. Uh, keep it clean guys.

[Photo(s): Reuters]

Learning to keep two left feet on the ground

If you think everyone out there has sad face about the end of the Petko Dance and all it has given to society you would be...uh....WRONG. I mean, really wrong.

Just ask Maria Sharapova. Well, I guess you can't and somebody else already did so read on:

Q. She said that one of the things that makes you such a good champion is that you sense right away a weakness in the other player and basically you jump on that. She said that she felt that you sensed she was hesitating, whatever. Can you talk about that?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Well, to be honest, I felt like I was just making a lot errors in the first set and I wasn’t moving my feet at all. And especially with the wind I wasn’t moving towards the ball and letting the ball come to me and not really being aggressive. That’s what’s won me so many matches in my career is when I step in and I hit my strokes and they come deep. I just wasn’t doing that.

So first and foremost I felt like I had to start doing that and making little steps and adjusting my game a little bit. More than anything, I sensed that she was tired probably a lot of the dancing that she’s been doing and I took advantage of it.

Q. She thought you would be tired in the third after the long match you had the previous night. Didn’t seem to be that way.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Because I didn’t do the dance after. I wasn’t tired.

Meow meow, kitty.

I wonder what got under Shrieka's Nike dress (hint: IT WASN'T ME)? Oh yes, it must have been their match at the Australian Open when the German torched her 6-2, 6-3 in the fourth round then proceeded to rub Petko Dance all up in her post-match mug. I guess Shrieka wasn't feeling that. Or maybe it's because her moves aren't very, uh, dancey.

Speaking of that Oz Open match the 3-time Grand Slammer did say something back then that struck me after watching her reach her third Miami final:

I was happy that I was down the last two matches and able to find the level again and do the right things to win the match and pick it up. I wasn't able to bring that today. I didn't build on what I gained in the last two matches.

It seems Shrieka, with the help of Coach Hogs, has filled in that gap. She gave us an uber-scratchy performance against ever ready Alexandra Dulgheru, including those 17 DFs, and began the semifinal in the same way. But she made the right adjustment in the second set to her opponent and the conditions (windy, much?) and started moving her feet and cracking her trademark returns. Next thing you knew Shrieka was on a run of 11 straight games. Whatever she picked up in that last match she brought to this one and, as she said, built on it.

Speaking of returns I always think of it as being such a natural part of her game, that it would come much easier than say her serve since she's reacting to the ball, getting pace and not dealing with her all the intricacies of a service motion. Moreover, it sets her up for first strike tennis and dominating rallies - a winning game plan for her. But without the confidence it becomes another liability. But she learned and she gained from the Dulga match and even her Oz match with Petko and now she's in the Sony Ericsson Open final where she'll face Victoria Azarenka. Damn, that's gonna be loud as all hell.

[Photo(s): Al Bello/Getty Images]

VIDEO VAULT: Babies under assault, targeted at major tennis tourneys

Click here to watch full video

Did you hear that David Ferrer went all Charlie Sheen during his 7-5, 6-2 loss to Mardy Fish in Miami? It's true. He beamed a crying baby in the stands with a ball then grabbed the unconscious child, ran to the players' area, shoved it in a locker, had a massage and a quick bit to eat then came back and resumed his match. Blasphemy! Outrageousness! Impressive!

Actually, the baby was crying and it was an annoyance and he did lob the ball in that direction in the stands but it didn't come close to the child. The crying did stop, though. Afterward he told the press, "It was in one moment of the match, but nothing special. It was not the problem." The problem, according to Ferru, was a stomach thingy.

I agree it wasn't the most professional move; he should have just tried to ignore the crying and kept playing. I also think the parent(s) of the child should have left the stands if the crying could not be controlled. You know, respect for the ballers playing the match and the other fans watching. But if you go by how the U.S. national media, in this case ABC News, described it in their segment and on screen you'd think he went on a rampage and all but bit the child's head off on the changeover. Literally.

It's a real shame the only coverage tennis seems to get these days in the U.S. national media is crap like this "story" or incidents like Serena Williams going ballistic on a linesperson at the U.S. Open. I have yet to see anyone cover the tours efforts to raise funds for the relief efforts in Japan which occurred at major U.S. tourneys in the last few weeks. If you're not a hardcore fan of this sport you would not know about it since you're probably not living on the sites, blogs or other social media where the game is dissected to its minute detail daily. You might have the impression that tennis was only comprised of privileged athletes (there are some) who have temper tantrums (some do) on the regular and do not have control over themselves or their emotions. I understand sensationalism sells and grabs eyeballs but they really could cover both angles if they wanted. Step it up, guys.

[Video: ABC News]

QUOTE OF THE DAY: Novak Djokovic

Being able to get to the match points and then not finish off, you know, it's very unfortunate. But hopefully she can recover from that loss and take the best out of it and continue on playing well.

- Novak Djokovic on Ana Ivanovic's devastating loss to Kim Clijsters in Miami

We'll see how NaturAna recovers from this latest setback. The mental/emotional distress from a loss like this one can last a long time in tennis. We've all seen it.

[Photo(s): Matthew Stockman/Getty Images]

(UPDATED) A view from the other side

Talk about two lady ballers on opposite sides of the tennis spectrum, eh?

Andrea Petkovic + Ana Ivanovic, whose pairing on the doubles court at the Sony Ericsson Open was all the rage with fans and online, are both 23-years old, Serbian by birth (Petko plays for Germany of course) and floating ever closer towards the Top 10 but now seem to be on decidedly different paths after yesterday's fourth rounders.

Petko was already having a career tourney in Miami after defeating top lady baller Caroline Wozniacki in three sets in the fourth round. She offered a 4-page presser filled with quotables after the big win and her soon-to-be retired Petko shuffle has been discussed at length in all kinds of media. She even got NaturAna to participate (with hilariously mixed results - see here if you dare.)

The German was guaranteed entry into the Top 20 for the first time in her career after ousting Wozzi so no one would've blinked if she had a let down in her next match. But she didn't and impressively outhit Jelena Jankovic posting a 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 win for a spot in the semifinals. This girl is soaring.

NaturAna seemed to be playing with the same kind of confidence in her match against defending champ Kim Clijsters winning the second set after losing the first and going up 5-1 and 40-0 on the Belgian's serve in the decider. But after saving the three match points Kimmie tapped into her own reserve of confidence and experience (like winning the last two majors) saving two more MPs and earning an exhilarating 7-6(4), 3-6, 7-6(5) win.

We all know the struggles NaturAna has undergone since reaching the pinnacle of this sport and what a win over a lady baller like Kimmie could do for her game and state-of-mind. But as soon as it seemed the Serb would finally overcome a major hurdle it was gone in a flash. All credit to Kimmie for sure but this crushing loss will hurt. I mean, just ask Yonex:

"It's very hard, yeah - you should see my racquet," said Ana.

Not surprisingly, the doubs pairing that had become so popular this tourney was over. They were slated to meet Peng Shuai + Shahar Peer in the quarterfinals but called it quits. NaturAna explained after her loss:

"I'm just like exhausted. It's been a lot. Andrea also had a tough match today, and we were both very, very tired."

I'm sure they are, but in very different ways.

UPDATE: NaturAna has withdrawn from Marbella citing a need for rest. She also credits her doctor saying "it's only thanks to the brilliance of my doctor that I've been able to compete in Indian Wells and Miami."

[Photo(s): Getty Images, AnaIvanovic.com]

PHOTO OP: Juan Mardy share post-match MOMA in Miami

Juan Martin del Potro + Mardy Fish shared some post-match MOMA after the American won their fourth round encounter 7-5, 7-6(5) in Miami. He's aiming to become the top-ranked baller in the States but will need to get by David Ferrer in the quarterfinals to accomplish the feat.

The two are apparently pretty good friends and are planning to pair up again in Madrid for doubs. You know, I love when boys play nice this way. Carry on, Juan Mardy.

[Photo(s): Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images]

PHOTO OP: Throw your hands up!

The girl def had reason to dance today.

Andrea Petkovic came through big in Miami upsetting top lady baller and seed Caroline Wozniacki 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 in the fourth round. Petko held strong through some scratchy play from both ballers and took advantage of Wozzi's faltering forehand and atypical flat-footedness (yeah, it's a word...now.)

You just knew this kind of day was coming for the Dane especially after her tremendous post-Oz effort reaching three finals and winning two - Dubai + Indian Wells. She was bleeding UEs all day and couldn't seem to find that extra gear consistently. I'm sure a few extra days off will do her nicely.

But the day belonged to Petko. The 21st seed had her own issues particularly on key points but remained positive throughout. She stuck to her "strict game plan" of mixing it up as she mentioned in the on-court interview she gave right after celebrating with her trademark Petko shuffle [edit: word on the digital street is she's retiring the dance. Boo.] The German opened up the court with fine angles, threw in some slices and denied Woz the opportunity to control the center. And it worked. Great win.

[Photo(s): Al Bello/Getty Images]

PHOTO OP: He's got wings!

The Falcon has landed.

Novak Djokovic and his latest, greatest hits made their hilarious entrance into the Sony Ericsson Open for their opening round match last night in Miami. The Serb donned the helmet and goggles from his recent HEAD masterpiece and carried his racquet in a hard shell case with a shout out to his sponsors Facebook page. You guys, I need a Nole in my life. Seriously.

 
He and a number of other ballers including his opponent Dennis Istomin also wore red t-shirts with Japanese flags to acknowledge the devastation in Japan; the ballers walked the stands to collect donations from fans for the relief efforts:

All told they raised $300,000 including contributions from the WTA women's tour, the ATP World Tour, the International Tennis Federation and the four Grand Slam tournaments.

Nole took to Twitter after crushing Isto 6-0, 6-1 (extending his winning streak to 19) saying, 

Had a loooot of fun tonight on the court. Especially coming in with suitcase,glasses,hat.. Hope you guys liked it too :-)) p.s. It worked !

I know I'm biased but the tennis community, led by Nole, deserve HUGE props for the attention and effort they continue to give towards the relief efforts in Japan including the football/soccer match and gala dinner. And like Rafole, a number of the top ballers recorded video messages of support to the stricken country (to be released shortly.)

Whenever there's a global crisis you just know the tennis world will come together and show support. Kudos.

More images from last night after the jump - click the head.

Yup, it's worse

Luke: "I don't believe it."

Yoda: "And that is why you fail."

The slow slide into insanity continued today for a befuddled Andy Murray in Miami as the Brit baller fell to American qualifier Alex Bogomolov, Jr. 6-1, 7-5 in his opening round match. He stumbled at the same hurdle last year as defending champ - not the record he was looking to match me thinks.

"Wait a minute. He's ranked WHAT?!?!"

The fifth-ranked Muzz has now gone 0-9 in sets dating back to the Australian Open finals - a worrying stat for someone of his quality particularly since his loss today and at Indian Wells (to Donald Young) were to ballers ranked outside the Top 100 (Donald was ranked 143rd; Alex is ranked 118th.) He's not even winning sets off these guys and almost ate a bagel in the first set today.

So what's going on here? 

Well, Muzz may have given a clue in his post-match presser today saying,

I was trying to get myself back into the match, trying to find ways. But I just didn’t have that spark.

Ah, yes. That "spark" as in that desire, will and belief perhaps to push through tough moments in matches and pull out the win when your game is faltering. Muzz seems burnt out from his own self-induced pressure. Sure, he feels it from the media and fans but he's his own worst enemy. A frenemy, if you will.

"Mine eyes are empty."

And let's not underestimate what that loss to Novak Djokovic in Oz did to him. As much as they talk publicly of being good friends after coming up together, they're fierce competitors at heart. I'm sure it was tough for Muzz to watch his boy grab a Grand Slam first but even worse to lose a third major final to him, too. Not cute. He's falling further behind quickly - as if he needed more pressure. 

Too bad Yoga isn't available for coaching. He'd smack some sense into Muzz (who's kinda reminding me of petulant Luke in that clip above) not to mention making him raise crazy shit with his super Scottish powers. Plus, he wouldn't look half bad in a headband and adidas track suit. Don't get it twisted, y'all.


[Photo(s): Clive Brunskill/Getty Images]

VANtage Point: Breaking down the Sony Ericsson Open

Hello, and Happy New Year! Granted, that sentiment might be a little late, but this is the first VANtage Point of 2011 and it would be rude for me to proceed without the proper salutations!

And if you’re wondering what VANtage Point is, it’s where guest blogger Van from Tennis Talk, Anyone? (that’s me) pops in on DtL and gives a breakdown of some of the biggest events on the ATP and WTA calendars. So let’s get into it, shall we? First, with …

This Week’s Spotlight: I’m taking my tournament-predicting talents to South Beach* - the scene of the Sony Ericsson Open - and what many in the tennis world consider the unofficial “Fifth Slam.” The defending champs are Andy Roddick and Kim Clijsters who are both back in the field with all of the game’s elite. You know, players like Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Caroline Wozniacki, Novak Djokovic and Vera Zvonareva—yeah, those guys!

Players to Watch: It’s funny to write this but keep your eye on that Federer fella. It’s hard to gauge how his season has gone so far: He’s made deep runs at every event he’s played—as he’s apt to do—but he keeps losing to Djokovic, who even took away Fed’s number-two ranking after capturing the crown in Indian Wells last week. Djokovic has a nice big bagel sitting in the loss column for the year, but can he keep the run he’s going on through Miami? Also, watch out for Andy Murray, who could possibly be a blink-and-you’ll-miss-him seed in Florida.

On the women’s side, I’m going to actually point out a whole quarter for you to watch! Check out the one where Zvonareva is the high seed. I think there are all types of players that could get far in the draw that aren’t the world number three. She could go out in the second round after playing the winner of the Dinara Safina-Jelena Dokic first-rounder. You also have last week’s Indian Wells finalist, Marion Bartoli, lurking. Higher up in that quarter, top-10 seeds Francesca Schiavone or Agnieszka Radwanska have a great shot at getting to the semis.

The Final Fours: For the men on the top half, I’m going with the dream match-up—Federer vs. Nadal with Federer winning. On the bottom half, I have a little bit of a surprise with Stanislas Wawrinka over Djokovic. As for the women, on the top half, I like Wozniacki to take out Svetlana Kuznetsova, then Schiavone falling to Clijsters.

And the Winners Are … : Federer and Clijsters: two future Hall-of-Famers getting it done. Enjoy the tournament.

*And a special kudos to you if you can figure out where I got that asterisked sentence from, tennis fans!

Van Sias writes the blog Tennis Talk, Anyone?. Follow him on Twitter @ttanyone and Facebook here.

[Photo(s): ]