(UPDATED) FASHION FIX: Shrieka falls on dirt, debuts new Nike Maria Sharapova Collection duds

Maria Sharapova played her first match in almost two months falling 6-4, 6-3 to Lucie Safarova in the first round of Madrid. After going down 0-4 in the opening set the former top lady baller fought back to 4-all but her Czech foe clinched the next 8 out of 10 games for the win.

Shrieka will have another chance to find her clay-court feet before Roland Garros when she travels to Strasbourg next week for the Internationaux de Strasbourg.


The 23-year old also debuted some new stylings from the Nike Maria Sharapova Collection including the Golden Set Tank in fennel with deep burgundy (underneath the fennel 3/4 sleeved cover up - $55) and the Golden Set Skirt in ($60) fennel w/lilac + deep burgundy.

I think the fennel colorway is pretty against the crushed red brick but the skort design with its multi-colored asymmetrical mesh overlay is a bit jarring. I mean you'd think Shrieka would've given up on the overlay concept after failed with this dud, but give her credit for being persistent. I'm all for the use of color but the execution here is a bit off for my tastes.

So my overall reaction to this outfit? MEH.

UPDATE: So an anonymous commenter tipped me off to discussions in some forums about a possible racquet sponsor switch that may be in the works for the Russian. Notice the missing branding and stencil in the photo? If you have any info, 'fess up. Pretty please.

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

FASHION FIX: Serena grounds Alexa, goes overkill with orange

Serena Williams is trying to make history again here in Miami and the defending champ got off to a fine start.

The top lady baller, who will hold the record for the most Sony Ericsson Open titles by winning for the sixth time here, defeated teenage compatriot Alexa Glatch 6-2, 6-3 in a 63-minute mismatch. She'll face China's Shuai Peng in the next round.

ReRe debuted some new Nike duds as well in her first match. She was working the Serena Dri-FIT Sony Ericsson Women's Tennis Tank Top in orange paired with what looks like Nike Woven Pleated Tennis Skirt in orange (can someone confirm?). ReRe also busted out a colorful, iridescent-looking satchel on-court:


I'm really not into the whole matchy moment here. I mean, this orange is a great color when used as an accent here 'n there to add pop but now she looks like a walking, ground-stroke slapping popsicle. That being said, the bright orange does play well against her darker complexion and the brightness fits Miami.

Now this shade of orange doesn't work on everybody, but ReRe can def pull it off. Just don't wear it head to toe people. I BEG of you.

(images via getty)

FASHION FIX: Shrieka's stylish return to tennis, defeated in doubles action at Indian Wells

She's baaack! Well, kinda of course.

Maria Sharapova made her long-awaited return to tennis action at Indian Wells yesterday after seven months on injured reserve for a balky right shoulder. The Russian glamazon teamed up with compatriot Elena Vesnina for doubles but the wildcard pair were narrowly defeated by Ekaterina Makarova + Tatiana Poutchek, 6-1, 4-6, 10-7.


Afterwards, Shrieka told the press she was anxious to see how her shoulder would hold up and what she was hoping to achieve in her return:

It feels very good to be back, I just wanted to test it out. I started training a couple of months ago. I just wanted to... test it out in a match situation and get a little different scenery than the practice court and play in front of the crowd, so that was exciting.

The main goal for here was just to get out there and be in that atmosphere again. The hump I've got to get through right now is to put together two weeks of coming out to the court and playing two or three sets every day, and doing that for seven or eight days in a row. Right now I'm able to do maybe three days or four days and then I have to take it easy on the fifth.

The 21-year old was also asked about the next steps in her recovery. "I'm done with setting a timetable for myself. Those days are over," said Shrieka. Alrighty then.


I LOVE these new Nike duds Shrieka was wearing in her match. She has one of the best eyes for style on the court and this ensemble is quite fitting for her: a simple cream tank paired with an elegant high-waisted gauzy skirt in a pale yellow-green colorway featuring a gathered waistband. Quite the stylish return indeed.

These pieces don't seem to be part of Nike's Spring/Summer '09 collection so I'm thinking they were specially designed with Shrieka in mind. I'll be sure to let you know if they do eventually become available for purchase.

In any case, welcome back Shrieka. You've been sorely missed!

(images via ap)

FASHION FIX: Serena defeats Dinara, works classic Nike stylings

Serena Williams finally made her debut at the WTA Championships in Doha. The 9-time Grand Slammer wasted Russian Dinara Safina 6-4, 6-1 in her opening Maroon group match and will face sister Venus next.

ReRe also debuted a new Nike style during her match - she's working the Court Tank and the Court Skirt both in aqua grey from their Holiday collection. It's a classic look paired with the layered mesh ruffles on the skirt and black accents on the straps and the ruffling to give it texture.

I'm not blown away here, but ReRe always look best when she let's her tennis do the talking and not her fashion.

Good choice.

(images via Getty)

FASHION FIX: Sharapova debuts Paris Tennis tank + skirt, one French Open mystery solved!

Maria "Shriek"apova made her debut at the Bausch + Lomb Championships on Amelia Island and reached the quarterfinals after fighting her way to a tight 3-set win over Spaniard Anabel Medina Garrigues.

The Russian fashionista also debuted the Nike Paris Tennis tank + skirt, an outfit some thought she might wear to Roland Garros. I like the femininity of the whole look and the beautiful detailing on the tank, but the color white-washes Maria. In any case, one mystery solved!

I still think she'll wear the Paris Dress in dark obsidian + chalk but based Nike's sneaky Aussie Open switch-a-roo, we can't be too sure (good luck buying your French Open fashions retailers.)

(images via AP)