PHOTO OP: Things are looking bumpy for JJ in Hong Kong

Thanks to DtL reader Allison for sending over this image of Jelena Jankovic at a Hong Kong presser.

The top lady baller's road to her first Grand Slam in Melbourne just got a little bumpier when she pulled out of this weekend's JB Group Classic team competition with the flu.

But her path isn't the only thing that's gotten bumpy: her skin here is looking a bit suspect. Click on the above image for closer inspection (if you dare). Egads!

I guess that's why JJ likes to blind as batty with glitter and pancake the makeup. Wise choice on both accounts though the on-court towels might (and do) say differently.

THE LOW DOWN: Serbs suffer early season ugliness, games not in gear just yet

The Serbs are suffering from some ugly, early season losses already.

At the Brisbane International in Queensland Novak Djokovic got blasted by Ernest Gulbis 4-6, 4-6 in his opening round and Ana Ivanovic got dumped out of the quarterfinals 3-6, 2-6 by a revived Amelie Mauresmo.

And now in Hong Kong, Venus Williams completely crushes top lady baller Jelena Jankovic 6-2, 6-2 in their opening match.

These are pretty awful looking scorelines - I mean, not even a third set sniff? Granted, Ernests is screaming with potential while Amelie + Venus are crafty veterans with Grand Slam resumes, but don't think these ballers won't be sitting somewhere in their draws. Plus, none of these three have shown the skills yet to work their way into match shape (a la the Sisters Sledge) while competing in a major.

Their games are def not in gear yet so I'm chalking these losses up to early season cobwebs. With the Aussie Open a little over a week away, however, I'd say they have their work cut out for them.

But a Serbian Slide is not out of the question.

(image via Getty)

(UPDATED) FASHION FIX: First look at JJ's new on-court fashion in Hong Kong - which brand is it?

Here's a first look at top lady baller Jelena Jankovic and the new on-court fashion she's working at the JB Group Classic in Hong Kong. She paired up with Portuguese shrieker Michelle Larcher de Brito for some doubles action at the tourney today.

The rumor mill was buzzing after the slidin' Serb left Reebok recently and no announcement was made about her new sponsor.

Does anyone have an idea what brand JJ's wearing here?

UPDATE: Thanks to an anonymous commenter who wrote, "There are people saying it's LiNing..". So being the dutiful blogger I am, I did some research and, voila! It IS a Chinese brand called Li Ning and they have a pretty cool looking website though I can't read a lick of it (watch it.)

Here's more from another anonymous reader on the brand:

Li Ning is a Chinese brand, owned by a former Chinese world-record 400m runner of the same name. That's the guy who lit up the Olympic torch in Beijing while suspended high up above the stadium.

The brand is becoming huge, they've dressed several complete national teams during the Olympics (Spain comes to mind: red official suits for the opening ceremony and white track suits, plus various gears for all sports).

Remember when Rafa's bags got lost in flight at the beginning of the Olympics, so for the first couple of days he practiced in those yummy low-slung rainbow bermudas and white tee with tacky gold lettering? That was Li Ning (he borrowed those). Also, he wore their white track suit on the podium for his gold medal award.

JJ's outfit is not a dress, but very short shorts and baby-dollish top with criss-crossed back straps.

I wonder if this move to Li Ning is temporary and just for the JB Group Classic or it's a true sponsorship?

(images via AP)

PHOTO OP: Venus finally appears in Hong Kong, should've stayed in bed

Venus Williams, who went MIA at the photo call for next week's JB Group Classic, was spotted looking completely excited at the opening ceremony for the exo tourney.

I guess when you've been on the WTA Tour for almost 15 years these ceremonies can become, well, tedious.

Just focus on the appearance fee V - that always helps (yeah right, like I'd know.)

(image via Getty)

PHOTO OP: Where in the world is Venus?

Some of the top lady ballers have gathered in Hong Kong for next week's JB Group Classic, the revamped exo now pitting four teams comprised of three ballers each representing the Americas, Europe, Russia, and Asia-Pacific.


Sania Mirza, Zheng Jie (Team Asia Pacific captain), Vera Zvonareva (Team Russia captain), Alexandra Panova, Jelena Jankovic (Team Europe captain), Anna Chakvetadze, Agnes Szavay, Michelle Larcher de Brito, Gisela Dulko and Coco Vandeweghe took part in a pre-tourney photo call for the event.

But Team Americas' captain, Venus Williams, was nowhere to be found. Where could she be?

(image via AP, JBGroupClassic.com)