PHOTO OP: The 2013 BNP Paribas Open Player Party

I love a good party. It's a chance to dress up, perhaps in something you wouldn't usually wear, have a few laughs and get totally smashed. On second thought, you never want to be that person at the party who ends up seeing their drunken escapades on YouTube. And, I'm not speaking from experience. Pinky swear. 

Anyway, some of the ballers on the ATP and WTA tours put on their party best (or worst, in some cases) for last night's BNP Paribas Open Player Party held at the IW Club. Let's have a look.

THE BOY BALLERS: 

Novak Djokovic: Dayum. Oh right. I actually love the monochromatic look here. It helps to dress up the casual but very classic look. Great navy suede bucks to break it up.

Click on the headline for more looks from last night's bash!

Surprise?

Geez. Where do I even start?

So Venus Williams was defeated by her Wimbledon nemesis Tsvetana Pironkova 6-2, 6-3; Serena Williams was beaten by Marion Bartoli with a more respectable 6-3, 7-6 (8); and Caroline Wozniacki fell to Dominika Cibulkova 1-6, 7-6 (5), 7-5.

The result that I'm least surprised about is actually Bart's win over ReRe. The Frenchie's been in stellar form ever since Paris and her win in Eastbourne gave her the confidence she needed on the slick stuff. Her serving was uber-impressive, though, so it's fitting she won on another unreturnable that the 4-time champ could barely get her racket on. As for ReRe the rust really showed today in her movement, shot selection and groundies. We really shouldn't be surprised since she's been out for a year but it's ReRe we're talking about here; she's like the tour's Wonder Woman. She can make anything happen on-court, right? But, if this tourney showed us one thing about her it's that she's human.

Woz's loss to Domi was somewhat surprising to me. No, I'm not surprised she ended up on the losing side because she's been susceptible to the big hitters in Slams these days. But she started off well playing pretty aggressively in the first set. Once the Slovak started feeling the forehand, though, Woz reverted back to her natural form: defense. And as we all know, once you're on defense on the grass it's hard to find your back on the front foot. In the end, Domi was the braver of the two and she won. Simple.

For me V's second consecutive loss by the same scoreline to Tsveta on Centre Court is mind boggling. The Bulgarian couldn't buy any match wins since last year's Championships but found the right formula to fuck up the 5-time champ once again. It almost seems like V can't even believe she's falling victim to Tsveta's peculiar mix of pace and spin and, when she does, it all starts to unravel. And to lose so meekly and not even push it to a third set? MIND BOGGLING.

But in the end I give kudos to the ladies who stood up to the big stars of the tour on a huge occasion and earned the win. Seriously, who wants this thing?

[Photo(s) credit: Getty Images]

SIGHTING: Night & Day

Last night, Maria Sharapova and fiance Sasha Vujacic (no doubt Ice Rink was there, too) were spotted hand-in-hand leaving a Madrid restaurant. It's rare to see Sasha at her matches (probably 'cause he's kinda busy ballin' himself) but he's been there all week fist pumping and cheering her on. Cuteness. As I type this post Shrieka is battling Dominika Cibulkova in the third round of Madrid. Here's some trivia for your ass: They've never played against each other on any surface besides clay. It's true.

Five more images of Shrieka + Sasha after the jump.

Today, Cristiano Ronaldo joined Fernando Verdasco in the Magic Box to watch Rafael Nadal crush Marco Baghdatis 6-1, 6-3 and Roger Federer save match point and edge out Feliciano Lopez 7-6 (13), 6-7 (1), 7-6 (7) in an absolute second round thrillfest. While Cristiano seemed calm during the Fed-Feli match Fer couldn't help but rise up out of his seat to urge his boy on. In the end, a determined Fed and a shanked overhead by Feli told the tale. That one's going to huuuurt.

Two more pics of Cristiano & Co. after the jump.

FED CUP Chronicles: Russia and Czech Republic reach final and other notables

The FED CUP final was set over the weekend with Russia and the Czech Republic coming out on top in their respective semifinals.

Vera Zvonareva sealed the win for the Russians when she defeated Roberta Vinci 6-4, 6-2 to give them an unbeatable 3-0 lead. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova defeated Sara Errani in the fourth rubber while Pavs + Ekaterian Makarova teamed up to defeat Alberta Brianti + Maria-Elena Camerin in the fifth to give the Russians a full sweep. The team also guaranteed home court advantage for their attempt at a fifth FED CUP crown.

In the other semifinal the doubs team of Iveta Benesova + Barbora Zahlavova Strycova clinched the tie for the Czech Republic 3-2 over Belgium when they defeated Yanina Wickmayer + Kirsten Flipkens 6-4, 6-4 in the fifth and deciding rubber. It's their first appearance in the final since becoming an independent nation in 1994; the won it 4 out of 6 times as Czechoslovakia in the 1980's.

And there's more!

- Roberta had a little something to say about her missing FED CUP teammates after getting blasted 0-5 by the Russians: "If they didn't want to come it's their problem. I don't care about Schiavone and Pennetta, they are not on this team. Right now I'm number one for Italy and Sara (Errani) is number two. We're here and we try to give our best." Yikes.

- Dominika Cibulkova may need to wear body armor if she ever decides to visit Serbia or get back on Twitter after remarks she made during the Slovak Republic's tie against Serbia. Don't think the apology is helping Domi. Nice try.

- Speaking of Serbia, congrats to them as well as Spain, Germany and the Ukraine for returning to the World Group next year. Bad news for the USA + France who were relegated to the World Group II after their losses to Germany and Spain, respectively. It's the first time in both country's histories they won't appear in the top tier group. Times are a changin' peeps.

- Check out some of the FED CUP outfits that caught my eye for one reason or another (read into it what you will):

[Photo(s): Getty Images, AP]

VIDEO VAULT: Charlie called. He wants his Angels back.

Maria Sharapova and WTA tour sponsor Sony Ericsson revealed the six lady ballers who will be taking part in the Xperia Hot Shots initiative during a launch party in South Beach, Miami ahead of the Sony Ericsson Open.

Bethanie Mattek-Sands, Heather Watson, Alize Cornet, Sabine Lisicki, Sorana Cirstea and Dominika Cibulkova were chosen to take part in the web-based series which will help them "realize their dreams" (aren't they doing THAT already?) by giving them exclusive access to a bunch of really cool events thereby helping grow their Facebook fan base (see the page here.) The lady baller with the biggest base gets a "support deal" from Sony Ericsson. No idea what that means exactly.

There's also a dedicated YouTube page where these webisodes will premiere. It's a bit Charlie's Angels to me - not that there's anything wrong with that. But the girls need more high-waisted pants, hair flipping and background explosions. Yes, definitely more explosions!



[Via: MariaSharpova.com]

VIDEO VAULT: Vika, Chaky, Alona, and Domi flash flesh for FHM

Victoria Azarenka, Anna Chakvetadze, Alona Bondarenko, and Dominika Cibulkova will be appearing in the August issue of lad rag FHM and here's some behind-the-scenes footage of the shoots.

Nice spreads ladies. But questions: what's up with Chaky's bangs? You could sweep a floor with them. And obvs, this is a boy's mag and all but don't Vika + Chaky look like they're about to swap spit?



(via HCFoo)

PHOTO OP: Slovaks lift Hopman Cup trophy, edge out Russians

A big congrats to Team Slovakia, Dominik Hrbaty + Dominika Cibulkova, who defeated the favored Russian team of Marat Safin and sister Dinara Safina to win the Hopman Cup today!

Both matches went the distance with Domi defeating Dinara 6-7 (3/7), 6-1, 6-4 and The Dominator edging out Marat in an epic thriller 6-7 (5/7), 7-5, 7-6 (7/3).


It's good to see The Dominator back in action after his recent injury woes. And Dominika, well, she just looks happy to have those lips on that shiny, new ball.

Jurgen's gonna be jealoussss.

(images via Getty)

SIGHTING: So Dominika's the stylish, pretty one in this relationship, huh?

Dominika Cibulkova and boyfriend Jurgen Melzer were spotted together at an award presentation in Slovakia where the diminutive baller won the Women's Tennis Player Award 2008.

I have to say Dominika looks cute enough in her silk black ruffled halter dress, but what's up with Jurgen's spread collar/choker moment and square-toe black lace ups? Ick - that's straight up cheese and I haven't even started on his hairy situation.

Sorry Domi but La Monf has much better style. Strike one.

(images via womenstennisphotos.co.cc)

PHOTO OP: Jurgen + Dominika vacation together, play water sports in the Maldives

Thanks to an anonymous DtL reader for sending these images over of Jurgen Melzer and Dominika Cibulkova already enjoying their off season together vacationing in the Maldives.

The Slovak has most definitely moved on from Frenchie Gael Monfils. Was that fast or what?

Anyway, it looks like they're pretty happy and having a grand ol' time in the water but I have to say they don't come anywhere close to Anando, the hottest couple in tennis at the moment. Nice try, though!

FASHION FIX: Dominika goes down in Moscow, but Lacoste style hits high

Diminutive Dominika Cibulkova, who was spotted getting double teamed in Red Square, had her trip to Moscow cut short (no pun intended, I swear!). The Slovak was bundled out of the tourney's quarterfinals today by Vera Zvonareva 7-5, 6-4.

I'm liking these new Lacoste duds Dominika is working here. The polka-dot graphic design on the polo adds some nice pop but I really love the skirt. The periwinkle blue is fresh, the striped waist band looks inspired by preppy grosgrain ribbon belts, and the front features functional pockets outlined with white piping.

Sporty, cute, and fun - everything you need in great tennis fashion.

(images via Getty)

PHOTO OP: Dominika gets double teamed in Moscow's Red Square

Dominika Cibulkova, who helped the continuation of Ana Ivanovic's miserable Serbian Slide down the rankings with a 3-6, 6-2, 7-6 (4) defeat of the Roland Garros champ, was spotted getting double teamed by some guards in Moscow's historic Red Square.

Check out their faces. One word: creepster.

(image via Getty)

PHOTO OP: Agnes + Dominika are cute but Caroline is a real drag

Here's a promotional image for a new series of Bluetooth watches launched this week by Sony Ericsson and starring Agnes Szavay, Dominika Cibulkova, and Caroline Wozniacki.

The watches can control a cellular phone and "with a glance at your watch you can see who is calling, what the time is and with a push of a button you can change your music or use it as a music remote control when your phone is on the other side of the room– all in one stylish device.”

How convenient indeed. But what happened to Caroline in the promo? Agnes and Dominika look fine and all but the 18-year old Dane looks like a 40-year old West Village drag queen. Someone get Wozy to a piano bar stat.

C'mon people - can't we just let kids by kids? Geesh.

(via Women's Tennis Blog, image via Sony Ericsson)

Dominika downs Jelena, denies Serb top ranking

Dominika Cibulkova was all smiles today in Montreal after defeating Jelena Jankovic 7-5, 6-2 in the quarterfinals of the Rogers Cup. The win also prevented the Serb from attaining the coveted top ranking from compatriot Ana Ivanovic again.

Great win for the Slovak but JJ is a mess and clearly not ready for the big time. Isn't this the third time she's been on the brink and couldn't close the deal?

Get thee to a serving specialist!

(image via Getty)