THE LOW DOWN: Rafa + Nole to battle for no. 2 ranking - who wants it more?

Okay tennis heads, the stage is set for a blockbuster showdown in Hamburg! Rafael Nadal will face Novak Djokovic in the semifinals with nothing on the line but the no. 2 ranking - that's all folks.

Rafa, who recently acknowledged he could lose his position sooner than later, crushed his old friend and mentor Carlos Moya 6-1, 6-3 and hasn't shown any signs of the Barcelona blisters. Nole was almost as dominating in his 6-2, 6-3 dismissal of Albert Montanes and has looked determined to make his move towards the top.

I don't think we'll see a retirement from Nole after his Monte Carlo fiasco; he's also been very clear that the no. 2 spot is a bump on the road to his ultimate goal of world no. 1. But Rafa has held the spot for a record 147 weeks and he's not giving it up without an epic fight. And to top it all off, the on-court tension between these "card-playing pals" is pretty palpable - which will only add to the drama.

Who will seize the moment and take it?

(images via Getty)

FASHION FIX: Fun in the sun for Tipsarevic + Men's Vogue

The fashionistas are really soaking up the Serbians these days.

We all know their love for Ana Ivanovic and Novak Djokovic and now Janko Tipsarevic has entered the glamour game. The 23-year old is featured in a June story called "Storming the Beach" for Men's Vogue.

The editorial highlights all things summer and showcases the world no. 33 in Y-3, Bottega Veneta, DKNY, Osklen, CP Company, and Prada.



(images via Men's Vogue, photographed by Matthew Brookes)

VIDEO VAULT: Has Serena lost her mind? You be the judge.

Serena Williams sent a video message from Rome - more evidence, clearly, that ReRe has lost her marbles:



(via serenawilliams.com)

PHOTO OP: Kiefer returns to form, shares joy (and abs) with the world

Nicolas Kiefer continued his renaissance (not to mention his disrobing) in Hamburg today.

The German giant-killer earned his second top-10 scalp of the week taking out world no. 4 Nikolay Davydenko 7-5, 6-3 and making the quarterfinals for the first time this year. Nicolas also took out world no. 10 Stanislas Wawrinka earlier in the week.

Doesn't he seem like a man possessed, enjoying every moment and sharing his joy (and body) with the world? I say "onward man"!


(image via AP)

Quote of the Day: Sharapova

The ranking has never been a big deal for me. Whether I'm No. 1 or 5, my main goal is just to keep winning tennis matches and the ranking will take care of itself if I keep winning.

- Maria "Shriek"apova on taking over the no. 1 ranking from Justine Henin

Okay, all together now..."BORING!"

(image via Getty)

A-Rod pays tribute to Agassi for TIME's 100 most influential people

Tennis legend Andre Agassi made TIME magazine's 5th annual list of 100 of the world's most influential people this year and Andy Roddick was given the honor of writing his tribute:

Andre Agassi

By Andy Roddick

"From what we get, we can make a living; what we give, however, makes a life." —Arthur Ashe

Arthur could well have been talking about Andre Agassi. We are all aware of his tennis accomplishments, the brilliance and flash of his career. It's impossible to forget his epic U.S. Open victories, and also—though he might want us to forget—the mullet and acid-washed jeans. But the greater challenge for an athlete is to have a positive impact away from the cameras. I've been privileged to witness firsthand Andre, 38, do just that.

When I was 17 years old, we were on a flight together. I was very nervous, but Andre was kind and encouraged me to ask him questions. When I asked about his biggest regret, I expected some answer related to our profession. Instead he said it was not starting his charitable foundation earlier. I was shocked that a person who has set such a high bar for athletic philanthropy still felt like he could do more. But that is Andre.

There are most likely plenty of kids at Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy, a model K-12 charter school for disadvantaged children in Las Vegas, who have never watched a match of his. I promise you that Andre could not care less. He would rather be viewed as the man who gives them dreams and opportunities.

(image via Getty)

FASHION FIX: Uninspired Sharapova still regurgitating looks - is she bored by fashion?

Maria "Shriek"apova, the almost world no. 1 after Justine Henin's shocking retirement yesterday, played a rematch of the Amelia Island final defeating Dominika Cibulkova 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 in the second round of Rome.

The Russian fashionista also sported the same style Nike duds in this match that she worked in Amelia Island but wore the Nike Paris tank in dark obsidian and the Paris skirt in lilac. I much prefer the color combo from Amelia Island - I've always thought a dark top over a lighter bottom looks strangely unflattering.

Anyway, in more Maria news here are a few captures of the 21-year old in the now infamous "Superheroes" WTA photoshoot. Is this what all the drama was about? Maybe she was really pissed that there wasn't a stylist on set, because she's still having bad fashion flashbacks:




(images via Getty)

THE LOW DOWN: Gasquet may skip French Open - did he read my open letter?

Sometimes it's fun to think that you write these posts, blogging about things you think you know about and maybe, just maybe, some of the ballers are actually reading them. Fine - not likely but weirder things have happened (right Justine?).

Such is the case with Richard Gasquet. I wrote an open letter to the Frenchman laying out the terrible start to his year and suggesting he skip Roland Garros and take a sabbatical - well, more to the effect of taking time off to hook up with one of Amelie Mauresmo's fave sports shrinks.

Now comes word today that Richard, who lost in Hamburg's second round today 6-3, 6-2 to Andrea Seppi, is considering skipping his country's Slam to catch a break after a successful 2007:

I am completely burned out. I haven’t fully recovered from the efforts I made last year. And I am paying for it at the moment. I am not fit to play tennis - running, moving, everything is becoming difficult.

I am going to cut myself off for the week. Forgetting about my racquet can’t do me any harm. For Roland Garros, we will see. Don’t expect a big tournament from me if I take part in it.

It is nearly two years since I have had a break. I miss that. Imagine what I would do at Roland Garros, it would not be nice for anyone.

Hallelujah! No Richard, it wouldn't be nice for anyone, including yourself, to see you struggle and lose early in Paris in front of the notoriously fickle French fans.

Who knows what could happen as you perform the walk of shame towards the locker room - barraged by baguettes? made to eat cake?? Again, ask Amelie because she's been there. You two could be BFF's right now sharing war stories about life on the tour, being too self-conscious, lacking real tenacity and grit, etc. You know what I'm talking about...

Anyway, take the break. I wouldn't say you've earned it per se but you certainly need it.

(image via Getty)

Behind-the-scenes of infamous WTA marketing campaign

So finally we get to see what all the hype was about...

Here are some behind-the-scenes images and video from the infamous WTA Tour "Superheroes" marketing campaign photoshoot that Maria "Shriek"apova made a public stink about recently. Unfortunately we don't get to see Maria in action, but we do get Maria Kirilenko, Ana Ivanovic, Venus + Serena Williams, and Jelena Jankovic.

ReRe enjoyed her experience saying,

This has been a fun experience and I love anything in front of the camera! Matthieu is a great director and I could really follow his vision.” She added, “This is a great campaign for the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour and it’s another sign that women’s tennis is the leading sport for all female athletes worldwide.

(images via Getty)

BREAKING: Henin to announce retirement today according to Belgian newspaper

Is Justine Henin retiring from professional tennis? Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad is reporting the world no. 1 will announce her retirement today. Justine has been struggling of late and I wondered where all the talk of retirement had been coming from - now we know where her mind has been recently.

This news would truly be shocking.

Stay tuned - she is scheduled for a news conference at 10am EST.

UPDATE: Justine announced her official retirement from professional tennis in a news conference in Belgium. She has been considering the decision for the past six months or so, said her agent Ken Meyerson:

She's simply burned out and has no more juice to go on. I was surprised at the urgency of the decision. We, as agents, like long farewells. I'm really sad. She did so much for the game, and we need her in the women's game. Pound-for-pound, she was one of the best tennis players in history. She was an underdog. She was someone we could relate to.

"It's the end of a wonderful adventure but it's something I have been thinking about for a long time," Justine said about her career.

(image via Getty)