FASHION FIX: Maria Sharapova purges bad energy, auctions off Nike US Open day dress

Ask and you shall receive: Wow, this never happens. We previously posted about Maria "Shriek"apova's unfortunate deja vu moment - wear the Nike US Open day dress and get unceremoniously booted by an 18-year-old upstart, this time at the Tier 1 Kremlin Cup.

Well, it looks like the Russian has taken our advice: according to her website, the dress has been autographed by Maria and is being auctioned off to benefit her Foundation. The auction will end on Wednesday, October 31st, at 3pm eastern time.

To bid on the dress, click here. Caution: buyer beware.

FASHION FIX: When in Russia, doo as the Russians doo

We're not feeling this look at all: Igor Andreev, competing at the Kremlin Cup this week, has decided that the Under Armour doo-rag works much better than a baseball cap, a headband, nothing at all? It seems the Russian decided to go back to his roots - it definitely gives him the bubushka look, that's for sure.

At least Igor has his notorious hair situation finally under control. Maybe the doo-rag IS much better than nothing when you have those kinds of issues...

FASHION FIX: US Open Nike dress brings Maria bad luck, loses at Kremlin Cup

Maybe it was per Nike's request, but we thought this Nike day dress was made especially, and only, for Maria "Shriek"apova to wear at the US Open. She may not want to wear it again, though - it's bringing all sorts of bad luck.


She worked this dress for the first time at the Open as defending champ and lost to 18 year old Agnieszka Radwanska. This week at the Kremlin Cup, the Russian fashionista, looking to reestablish her game, donned the dress again. The result: a loss in the second round (her first match though) to another 18 year old - Belarus's Victoria Azarenka.

We think it's time to retire this dress - for good.

THE LOW DOWN: Maria & Serena look to recapture early season magic

A tale of two seasons: When the 2007 tennis season began, Maria "Shriek"apova was the reigning US Open champion on the brink of becoming the World No.1. Serena "ReRe" Williams was coming off a mostly inactive 2006 and looking to get her career back on track. These 2 champions worked through their respective Australian Open draws and met in a much-anticipated final with a shocking result: ReRe demolished Maria for the title, 6-1, 6-2. Regardless, they established themselves as the players to beat after the first Grand Slam of the season.


Fast foward to the Fall indoor European season - Maria lost her US Open crown to a relative newcomer in the 3rd round and, sitting at No. 4 in the world, was rumored to be retiring for the season to rest her sore shoulder. ReRe was beaten handily by Justine Henin in the quarterfinals of the Open and last week suffered a disappointing 6-3, 6-3 loss to Svetlana Kuznetsova at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. Both players are competing at this week's Kremlin Cup, a Tier 1 in Moscow, Russia. A win here could help build some confidence for both women going into the Sony Ericsson Championships and 2008.

Maria had this to say at a press conference for the Kremlin Cup this week:

"I have been training in a normal regime and I am physically 100 % fit [...] But for me the main thing is health. I am 20 years and I have a long career ahead of me". [...] I have been spending more time in Moscow than at home lately [...] It was great to be here and see our girls to win the Fed Cup."

ReRe also spoke to the press and had this to say:

"I am happy to come to Moscow - I was here way back when so now it feels like it's my first time here" [...] "The surface of the court is kind of weird [...] It is rather slow and the ball bounce is sometimes high, sometime low, it is kind of unusual for me because indoor courts are typically faster. The tournament in Moscow has a strong draw - but I feel fit and am ready to fight for the victory."

(source, images courtesy of AP Photo)