(UPDATED) Ana Ivanovic's struggles continue, suffers foot injury in Cincinnati

Ana Ivanovic finally seemed destined to get her game back in track after hitting through her draw and reaching the semifinals in Cincinnati. But, after sustaining a left foot injury during her match against Kim Clijsters, she's in a race against time to be fit for the Pilot Pen where she grabbed a wild card and the U.S. Open.

The former top lady baller suffered the injury while hitting her fave forehand in the fourth game of the first set. After receiving on-court medical treatment she tried to play but could only get through two points before leaving the court in tears. Here's what she had to say about that moment in the match (via AnaIvanovic.com):

"All of a sudden on that one shot I felt like something crack a little bit. I was very scared. I'm obviously disappointed the way it finished, because I felt like I had a really good run and it was a good start to the match for both of us, I think.

(photo courtesy of GVTennisNews)

And just on that one forehand when I went to step around it, I just felt like pain all of a sudden, so much pain in my foot and I couldn't step on it anymore. I tried a bit of tape, but I could not put any weight on it, and there was no point in me continuing."

She left afterward to have an MRI done on her foot and said she would release a statement after the tests were completed.

As if the Serb needed more frustration and disappointment here comes more. You've got to feel for NaturAna right now - she's really going through it with her struggling game, the Montreal brouhardyha and now this injury. She was playing confident, inspired tennis and for the first time in a long time looked happy and relaxed out there.

Ironically, Kimmie also suffered a similar injury earlier in the season and described hearing a "crack" in her foot. Unfortunately it knocked her out of the entire clay season including Roland Garros. Let's hope there's better news for NaturAna. *fingers crossed*

UPDATE: It appears based on the MRI that she's suffered strained ligaments in her ankle and not a bone fracture according to her website. No word on the recovery time as of yet.

[Photo(s): Getty Images]

VIDEO VAULT: The secret to Maria Sharapova's (recent) success

So I've found the reason why Maria Sharapova's been playing some inspired tennis of late. Is he available for my matches? Shirt not required. Or shorts.

[Video: WTA]

FASHION FIX: Rafael Nadal returns in Nike solar red

Like Roger Federer a day before, Rafael Nadal made his return to the ATP World Tour last night, playing his first match since winning his second Wimbledon championship and eighth major title. And like Fed, it was a predictably rusty performance from the top seed who scraped through the first set of his match against Stanislas Wawrinka at the Rogers Cup (playing the longest tie-break of his career) before earning a tough 7-6(12), 6-3 win. He'll battle Kevin Anderson for a spot in the quarterfinals.

The Mallorcan Matador also showcased a new colorway in the Nike Vamos Lawn Crew ($65) he worked during his Wimby win. There was a bit of discussion over Twitter about what color this is (I was all for salmon pink while I also "heard" watermelon, bubble gum, neon + flamingo pink) but here's the official color name: solar red. Hmph.

It was paired with the same white Vamos Woven Short from his All England Club run.

I'm so not a fan of this style or colorway at all. It's like something borrowed from Tron's color-blind cousin. But, if I had to choose I guess I'd go with the white version from Wimby which looks like a basic v-neck tee. But please don't make me. I beg of you.

P.S. - Can you imagine a watching a Fedal final with these duds on display? I'm doing that right now and I still can't watch.


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

BALLER BLOGS: Caroline Wozniacki

Caroline Wozniacki, who apparently won dinner after capturing Copenhagen last week (see pic), explains her latest 'do and what she's been up to since arriving in Cincinnati for this week's Western & Southern Financial Group Women's Open in her latest blog.

Side note: I don't know why it gives me the lulz to hear Rihanna playing on Wozzi's website. I guess I pictured her to be more a Taylor Swift kinda girl. But based on those corn-rows she's working the Dane has a hidden wild side just waiting to burst out. Or not. Sometimes a hair-do's just a hair-do, right?

 [Photo(s): CarolineWozniacki.dk]

Ana Ivanovic gets the final say in Montreal brouhardyha

Shot. Dead.

The Rogers Cup made the fatal mistake of coughing up a wild card at the eleventh hour to a lady baller they royally pissed off - that being Ana Ivanovic - and now they're eating their own foot whole.

With Serena Williams pulling out, Venus Williams not a sure bet to show up after injuring her knee and homegirl Stephanie Dubois almost guaranteed a WC as the Canadian No.2, the Montreal tourney made the super smart move of going back on their decision to deny NaturAna and offered the Serb direct entry into the main draw this past Tuesday. Can you guess what she decided? No really, take a guess. Exactly.

The former top lady baller had already made her disappointment known publicly but went into more detail, even accusing the tourney of "stepping over the line" with the comments to the Montreal Gazette and "misrepresenting" their discussion. (via AnaIvanovic.com):

"I would have loved to have played in Montreal, but I was quite hurt by the comments of Mr Lapierre that I was shown in The Montreal Gazette recently. I don’t think his comments were necessary, and they contradicted everything he had told my management previously: that I was not getting a wild card because I am not Canadian.


"The fact that my original request was turned down isn’t really an issue. I would have been happy to play qualifying, but I felt that they kind of stepped over the line with this interview, making public our correspondence and even misrepresenting it. Unfortunately I don’t feel welcome at this tournament.


"Even though I haven’t played many matches, the training and travel take their toll, and I think this is the right decision to make, for several reasons.

Talk about dumb-dumb. You've already made your decision and made public (though, allegedly, not quite as accurate as you claimed) the reasons why you came to that decision, drawing ire from the baller and her loyal fans. And then you do what? Insert tail between legs and crawl back when you realize you may be lacking in star power or you had one to spare? Pretty pathetic.

I still think they had the right to deny the WC and explain it honestly if asked, but this re-approach was just an embarrassing move by Lapierre and the rest of the Rogers Cup officials. You should've just left well enough alone. The damage was done. And now you may have lost her FOREVAH. Sucks to be you.


[Photo(s): Getty Images]

FASHION FIX: Roger Federer thinks pink in Toronto

Last night Roger Federer played his first ATP World Tour match since losing to Tomas Berdych in the quarterfinals of his beloved Wimbledon. The Swiss maestro defeated Juan Ignacio Chela 7-6 (7), 6-3 in the second round (his opening match) at the Rogers Cup Masters 1000. He'll face either Nicolas Almagro or Michael Llodra in the next round.

Fed also broke out a mostly new Nike kit for his play leading up to the season's final major, the U.S. Open. He's working the Victory RF Lawn Polo ($80) that he wore at the All England Club but this time in a new colorway: perfect pink. Right. More on that a little further down.

The polo is paired with the Victory Men's Tennis Short (about $39 - UK) that he, again, wore at Wimbledon but this time in dark khaki (I couldn't locate a specific name given to this colorway.)

Overall I'm liking this change in color direction for Fed's duds particularly the move away from black, navy and white for his shorts. You don't really see brown tones used much at all on the courts. And, while it's quite preppy it's absolutely refreshing.

That being said, I prefer my pinks brighter and not as dusty or as pastel as the shade he's wearing in Toronto. Perfect it is not in my book. What I'm really looking forward to, however, is his U.S. Open day outfit where he's slated to showcase a light blue polo with the dark khaki short. That blue looks on point. Yum.

BONUS: Does anyone know what these letters 'V S W' stand for on the World No. 3's practice tee? *scratches head*

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

PHOTO OP: Peter Polansky has skills apparently

"You. Me. And this. Are ya in?"

Peter Polansky, the homeboy holding a wild card, brought down the house after upsetting 13th seed Jurgen Melzer 7-6(6), 6-4 in the first round of the Rogers Cup last night.

So I keep wondering where I've seen that expression before? Ah, yes. On every first date I've ever had. Silly me.


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

PHOTO OP: The Rafole doubles debut was short but the Rafolove was sweet

 

Rafole made their mouth-watering doubles debut last night at the Rogers Cup and although they own a combined 9 Grand Slam titles they were no match for the power of Canadian wild cards Vasek Pospisil + Milos Raonic. The pair defeated their infinitely more famous foes 5-7, 6-3, 10-8.

Regardless of this outcome Rafole was a huge PR win for Rafa (like he needed it), Nole (it couldn't hurt) and the Rogers Cup (let's count the cash!) I don't think anyone expected them to get far in their draw, but the media and fan attention the pairing brought to the tourney is priceless.

Unfortunately I, along with many disappointed fans, was unable to watch any live action because streams were unavailable to the masses. If you really need to see some action from the match, though, a reader over at Nadal News recorded some TV footage with their iPhone. Now that's Rafolove for you.

Two more images from Rafole's match below!

 

 

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

QUOTE OF THE DAY: Ana Ivanovic

It's huge.

- Ana Ivanovic on defeating Stanford champ Victoria Azarenka 2-6, 7-6(8), 6-2 in the first round of Cincinnati today after being down a set and a break.

In this context size does matter. Good win NaturAna.

[Photo(s): Getty Images] 

VIDEO VAULT: Rafael Nadal draws a crowd wherever he goes

Over the weekend Rafael Nadal took part in the draw ceremony for the Rogers Cup in Toronto. The world's top baller rode an elevator to the top of the CN Tower to participate in the event which was broadcast live on LoveMeansNothing.ca, the new online home for Tennis Canada. He answered questions from the media about his game and his season so far.



Afterward the Mallorcan Matador was flown via helicopter to the Rexall Center where he took in a late hit with German baller Michael Berrer.



And, of course, the HAWTNESS factor at the Rogers Cup was taken to its ultimate limit with the highly-anticipated doubles pairing of the Rafa + Novak Djokovic aka Rafole. The two met up on the practice court over the weekend for some footie fun in front of fans. It's the first time the World's No.1 + No. 2 ranked ballers have come together for doubs duty since then top-ranked Jimmy Connors paired with second-ranked Arthur Ashe 34 years ago.

I wonder if Rafole's worked out a post-point celebratory dance a la the Bryan Brothers. If not, no worries. I've got a few body bumps they could use during their matches. But I'll need to teach them myself. Privately, of course.

[via RafaelNadal.com]