FASHION FIX: Victoria Azarenka loses to Venus Williams but wins in Nike

Last night we were treated to an all out battle of WTA titans when former top lady ballers Venus Williams and Victoria Azarenka faced off in the Stanford second round. There was much anticipation for this match up and it didn't disappoint. They both hit stinging groundies and created acute angles as they ran each other to all parts of the court.

The pair had played three times before this match with the American winning all in straights sets. During the match, you could see why. Vika's favorite pattern is to go cross court with her backhand to open up her opponent's forehand side for her down-the-line shot. But Venus' backhand is also her favorite and she holds her own, and then some, against the Belarusians' play. In fact, Venus' all-around game, when at her best, is superior to Vika's. And last night it was again. Since Wimbledon her game has been on point. Vintage, I dare say.

It was Vika's 25th birthday yesterday and, unfortunately, she was hit with another loss to Venus, this time 6-4, 7-6 (1), and a fall out of the top 10 to number 11 in the WTA rankings (switch places with Ana Ivanovic). It's not a surprise since she has tons of ranking points to defend after her great summer last season. She's still shaking off the rust from her injury layoff and should be back to full form soon.

Vika did get some new Nike duds for her birthday match. The now 25-year old was working the Fall Premier Sleeveless Polo in fuchsia and grey and the Fall Victory Short in grey. It's a very sporty look with the classic sleeveless polo getting a severe update. The shorts, of course, are MAGICAL for Vika. If you remember, she first starting wearing shorts for matches during her victorious run to the 2012 Australian Open title. Even though other lady ballers have worn shorts, they've become something of a trademark for her. Sadly, the MAGIC didn't rub off last night.

There was plenty of grumbling on Twitter about this kit. Some liked it while others just hated on it (try "horrid" and "terrible"). Personally, I liked the look for her. It's bold and she prefers to be a little out of the box (think: RedFoo). It certainly doesn't resemble anything else out there right now and that's a good thing. When Nike tries to put her in uber-feminine looks, it never works. Vika has the body type and attitude to pull this look off. One thing: She did seem to be fiddling with the top a little bit which could mean a fit issue or something. Otherwise, it's a winner for me.

[Photo(s) credit: Getty Images]

PHOTO OP: It's the cheesiest!

Stanford: Serena Williams d. Marion Bartoli 7-5, 6-1

There were a lot of ballers in action this past week with Stanford and College Park for the ladies and L.A., Gstaad and Umag for the boys all going on. But only five of them walked away winners, and they made sure to show off their best oh-my-GAWD-I'm-smiling-so-hard-my-face-might-shatter-into-a-gazillion-pieces reactions. That's what winning looks like guys. 

One side note: I couldn't find a good shot of Nadia Petrova winning the College Park final. But knowing Nads I'm sure she treated the crowd to a full set of teeth and possibly some gums.

Gstaad: Marc Granollers d. Fernando Verdasco 6-4, 3-6, 6-3

Los Angeles: Ernests Gulbis d. Mardy Fish 5-7, 6-4, 6-4

Umag: Alexandr Dolgopolov d. Marin Cilic 6-4, 3-6, 6-3

[Photo(s) credit: Getty Images, AFP, AP]

(UPDATED) PHOTO OP: The Folsom Street Fair has a stall with Ivanovic's name on it

 

"How can I make some cash off this thang?"

Ana Ivanovic + The Fist Pumps (think Gladys Knight and the...well, you get it) were in a winning mood last night. The former top lady baller defeated current nemesis Alisa Kleybanova 6-3, 6-2 in her opening match at Stanford. NaturAna had lost the last two matches to the Russian, including at Roland Garros in May.

For some reason, the Serb was looking something close to stunning yesterday - maybe it's the slightly longer locks, the lighting, the actual smile on her mug or a new found belief in her game. Who knows (edit: blame this.) But the FPF was in full effect, per the usual, and I guess it actually stood for something this time around.

NaturAna should count herself lucky that she's in Stanford and not in San Francisco. I'd hate for her to wander into the Folsom Street Fair while in FPF mode (yes, I imagine she fist pumps while shopping, sight seeing, and using the loo - "Fist pump, Ajde!, Flush...")

The boys, ladies and "ladies" would put her talent to good use. Well, good for some and TERRIFYING for others. Like me. Icks. No, seriously - ICKS.

UPDATE: NaturAna made her first remarks about the whole Montreal/Wildcard brouhardyha (via Rogers Cup FB):

“Montreal was the first big tournament that I won and it was a special place for me and I do feel a little hurt and dis...appointed by their decision and it’s hard, but I have to prove otherwise and play well,” she said.

“When I need a wildcard I see how low is my ranking and that’s the hard part. But even though my ranking is quite low I feel I’m playing better than that, I just have to go out and prove it. Other players went through that like Agassi going back to playing Challengers, so you have to stay tough and not feel sorry for yourself.”

I love that she made the Agassi comparison as did I when I wrote about it. Yes, it's a sport (and her job) in the end and there's no room for feeling self-pity. Maybe it's me but I can't imagine going to my boss and getting upset because I wasn't given a project I wanted or my favor wasn't granted.

Like the champs always say, that great win or moment was in the past and today is a new day with new challenges. Right the ship, NaturAna, and all will be well.

[Photo(s): Getty Images] 

Serena won't be playing with spin anymore - at least not on heels

"I've got a dance move for you Czink. Take that!" (insert grunt)

Serena Williams has famously attempted acting and is currently attempting screenwriting. But the 11-time Grand Slammer has decidedly given up her attempts at dancing - at least on stacked heels.

After defeating pesky Melinda Czink 6-3, 7-6(7) in Stanford ReRe finally revealed the cause of the left knee injury that ultimately required surgery. She told the press she tweaked it getting her groove on at a club back in 2002:

I went into this little spin move out there on the floor and I could feel something go in my knee. I did my move and thought, ‘Oh, no, Serena. This can’t be good'... Whenever I go out now I always bring a pair of flats.

Hysterical - I can SO see this happening in my head. So why did it take so long for her to come clean?

I just didn’t want my parents to know. I don’t think they know yet. I’m still a little nervous about that.

But there was a silver lining to all of this for the former top baller: more time with sister Yetunde Price, who was murdered not soon after her surgery back in 2003:

It was good because I ended up spending the whole summer with my sister, so I have zero regrets. Maybe it happened for a reason….I just thought it was all worth it at the end.

It's a good thing ReRe was able to spend time with her sister before she was brutally taken away. But why would she be nervous about her parents knowing the reason? Are they anti-club, anti-dance, anti-heels, or all of the above?

*scratches head*

(image via getty)

JJ vs. Bart: Say what, MF?!

Marion Bartoli on facing Jelena Jankovic in the Stanford quarterfinals:

There should be a lot of good tennis. I always beat Jankovic so who do you think I want to play?

JJ's response?

She talks like she's Serena Williams. Who is she? She's just another player on the tour.

*sssssslap*

ROFL. Uh, newsflash Bart: Your head-to-head with the Serb stands at 4-3, though you've won the last three matches. A bit of verbal vomit on your part me thinks.

In any case, bring it ladies.

(images via getty)

FASHION FIX: Shrieka pushed by Ai, unveils minty Wimby dress in Stanford

Maria Sharapova played her first competitive match since being knocked out of Wimbledon's second round by Gisela Dulko.

The Russian lady baller was pushed to the limit by veteran Ai Sugiyama in their opening match at Stanford even losing a 5-2 lead in the second set and two match points in the tiebreak before prevailing 6-4, 6-7(6), 6-1.


Shrieka also debuted a minty version of her Nike Wimby dress for the tourney, which didn't look like bondage-wear at the All England Club but certainly does now. Dominatrix duds perhaps?

Anyway, it seems like there's a lot going on with all the lines including on the visor. The Wimby white + gold version was much more subtle and classic. But all in all it's not so bad.

(images via getty)

PHOTO OP: Elena's all thumbs - and she likes it

"I wanna do that super cool "thumb-in-the-pocket" model thing for this shoot. Is this right?"

"Fine. How 'bout this? No?? What do you mean "more bests"???

"Ah yes. Breasts. Duh!"


Elena Dementieva works it at San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge + Coit Tower before heading south for this week's Bank of the West Classic in Stanford.

(images courtesy of Bank of the West Classic)

VIDEO VAULT: Do we have another "Shriek"apova on our hands? You be the judge.

Rising Portuguese baller Michelle Larcher de Brito made noise and then some in Stanford, defeating Argetine Gisela Dulko 7-5, 7-6 (1) in the first round. The 15-year old qualifier will next face 8-time Grand Slammer Serena Williams for a spot in the third.

But what about the siren sound that comes out of Michelle's mug? I'm smelling Maria 2.o people and it's not pleasant. Are you?

MICHELLE LARCHER DE BRITO 6 juin 2007
by tennisphotos

(image via Getty, video via Forty Deuce)