PHOTO OP: Bringing the brightness

"Let me shine the light."

Rafael Nadal made the smoothest of transitions from his fave clay to the grass today at Queen's Club. The Roland Garros champ defeated Brazilian Marcos Daniel 6-2, 6-2 in his opening round match to extend his winning streak to 23 matches. It was also Rafa's first match on grass since since winning the Wimbledon crown in July 2008. He'll face Denis Istomin of Kazakhstan in the next round.

I love the perspective of this photo where the 7-time Grand Slammer seems to tower over the crowd, and the contrast of the dark background against the brightness of his outfit and accessories.

And speaking of accessories, what's up with that ginormous Nike bag and what's inside? Curious minds want to know.

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

FASHION FIX: Shrieka defeats Viktoriya, goes ultra minimal in Nike

She's all business this year.

Maria Sharapova dropped her shorty-shorts and other fashion foibles from last year's disastrous Wimbledon and has gone decidedly demure in her attempt at a second title at The All England Club.

The 2004 champ went down in more ways than one - two double breaks in the first set and two awkward slips on the slick stuff - to Viktoriya Kutuzova but managed to eek out a 7-5, 6-4 win. She'll next face Gisela Dulko for a spot in the third round.


So there's not much to say about the white Nike tank dress Shrieka's working her besides the subtle gold trimming that zig-zags around the dress - pretty. However the "warm up jacket", like Fed's, looks military inspired though she looks more like a drum majorette - not pretty.

I have to say I'm really liking her Nike satchel actually. It has an interesting graphic and adds some punch to an otherwise "meh" outfit.


I can't believe I'm saying it but I want those shorty-shorts back...and not for me, silly.

(images via getty)

Ana looks to revive game, performs equipment switch-a-roo in Tokyo

Change seems to be the word surrounding Ana Ivanovic these days and it continues this week in Tokyo.

Apparently, the French Open champ is looking to tweak her once explosive game and has switched to the Yonex RQiS 1Tour XL, a model not yet on sale publicly and only used by Ana in the professional ranks. She revealed the reason for the switch in her diary saying,

Talking of rackets, I have a new one! Yonex have made a slightly lighter racket for me, which helps because I can get a little more head speed. It’s a new design too, which I really like.

And no girl would be caught dead with an old style bag to lug around her shiny new stick so the Serb will be toting around an new, exclusive racquet purse:

Ballers are usually very sensitive to even minute changes in racquets, stringing, balls, etc. so it'll be interesting to see if her results change either way.

We'll all be watching Ana.

(image via anaivanovic.com)

FASHION FIX: Fed defeated in Toronto - could bad accessorizing be to blame?

Can Roger Federer's season get any worse? Quite possibly.

With the Beijing Olympics mere weeks away, the "official" world no. 1 was unceremoniously booted from the Rogers Masters by the streaking Gilles Simon 2-6, 7-5, 6-4 in the second round. I'd say this one has to hurt but at this point the Swiss Stylist must be feeling numb, burnt or a sprinkling of both.

And, call me crazy but I don't think his choice of on-court accessories is helping his cause either. Seriously, why is he carrying an orange + black patent leather bowling bag? I don't really understand what he could be keeping in that small "murse" besides headbands, socks and possibly concealer.

Maybe it's Mirka's method of punishment for losing. That's tough love for ya, I guess.

(images via Getty)