SIGHTING: Verdasco is so very at Costume Institute Gala

A dapper looking Fernando Verdasco was spotted wearing a chic, dark grey suit from the Calvin Klein Collection on the red carpet at the Costume Institute Gala's opening of the 'American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity' exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum on Tuesday evening in New York City. He's currently starring in the sexy global ad campaign for the design house's X Underwear line.

Seriously can Nando ever look bad? He really pulls off a handsome look here which is SO much more than I could say for Tina Fey:


I bet there's one pissed-off person looking for his missing coveralls and I think I may have found him (he's got a hammer in his hand and isn't afraid to use it, btw.) I don't think he'll take them back though - the corset alteration might be a bit too much for him to take.

Damn you Liz Lemon. Damn you.

[Photo(s): Getty Images]

QUOTE OF THE DAY: NaturAna

I'm very happy with this victory. I knew I had it in me, I've been improving a lot over these past few weeks, playing really well in practice and this time I was able to take something like that kind of play into a match.

- Ana Ivanovic on defeating ninth seed Victoria Azarenka in the second round in Rome, her first Top 10 win since 2008 (Linz, d. Zvonareva) and first back-to-back wins since the Australian Open

Those are some serious monkeys to kick off your back. But let's put the facts on the table before we get our panties all twisted either way shall we? First off, Vika was clearly hampered by the leg injury she sustained in Marbella last month so she wasn't fully fit. But who is fit right now? Tell me. Check.

Secondly, NaturAna still had to win. Yes, she still had to close out match point and that wasn't a sure bet even with a one-legged Belarussian hopping around the other side of the net. And as we tennis fans all know, dealing with an injured opponent is a big mental test never mind having to deal with your own injured psyche. Double check.

Regardless of the circumstances this win will be confidence-boosting. No doubt about it. So I'm happy to see NaturAna string together a pair of nice wins. Next up: Elena Dementieva. Will she win three-in-a-row? Who knows. I mean it's the WTA we're talking about, right?

[Photo(s): Getty]

Del Potro undergoing wrist surgery, could be out 3-6 more months

Juan Martin del Potro, who hasn't played since losing to Marin Cilic at the Australian Open, has confirmed he will be undergoing surgery to his right wrist today according to a report by ESPN Deportes.

The 21-year old has traveled to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota to be treated by a specialist.

“I decided to write because I want them to know by my own words of what is happening to me. Throughout this year I wanted to avoid surgery with different treatments, but obviously the injury was more serious," said Del Potro.

He also denied rumors the long break was due to panic attacks or "stage fright." The recovery may take 3-6 months.

Here's to a 3-month recover Delpo though stay out if you need more time to rehabilitate the wrist. That's your career right there.

[Via: Tennis-X.com]

PHOTO OP: "And the Victory Vinaigrette goes to..."

"Why wasn't the cap on tighter? Now I've made a mess of this skirt."

Justine Henin needed three sets and a lucky broken finger to earn the first title since her returnament defeating Sam Stosur 6-4, 2-6, 6-1 and ending the Aussie's 11-match win streak.

It sure seems like old times what with Justine back and in winning form on clay and Rafa ravenously scooping up clay-court Masters 1000 shields like it's going outta style. It's too bad she isn't playing in Rome where Serena Williams is finally returning to the WTA tour, her first tourney since winning the Australian Open in January.

Their matches are always very compelling on both the physical but especially the mental side. And even though the Belgian owns a 4-1 edge in their H2H on the clay a meet up in Rome would've been a nice teaser for Roland Garros if they were to meet up there.

I guess we'll have to wait until Madrid where they're both slated to play (as of today.)

P.S. - Justine, dab on some seltzer water to get those stains out. And remember JUST DAB - NO RUBBING!

[Photo(s): Reuters]

Rafa takes Rome, ties Agassi for all-time Masters Series 1000 titles

A big "FUCK YEAH!" goes out to Rafael Nadal who defeated compatriot David Ferrer 7-5, 6-2 to win his fifth Rome Masters title and tie Andre Agassi with the most ATP Masters 1000 shields with 17 total championships.

The 6-time Grand Slammer was asked about reaching the milestone and tying the tennis legend who won his last shield at the tender age of 34 in Cincinnati:

"I am 23 and sure 17 is a very important number for me. There are some tournaments coming up – Madrid is coming up soon – and so I'm going to try to keep winning, but these tournaments are very difficult and some of the best players in the world are there."

After going 11 months without a single title Rafa hit his fave surface and never looked back winning two consecutive Masters 1000s while being oh so smart about adjusting his schedule this year and adding in some much needed time off in between the tourneys i.e. skipping Barcelona. And according to Uncle Toni, the trend will most definitely continue.

Now onto Madrid in a week's time where the he'll will have the chance to break Agassi's record on his home turf in front of his people and take a nibble out of another trophy. Although if he breaks the record I think he should just swallow the whole damn thing. He deserves it, no?

Check out some highlights from the final:



[Photo(s): Reuters]

SIGHTING: Rafole on break, checks out football match in Rome

The pugilist, the subtlist and their matching Blackberry's were spotted taking in a Champions League football match between Tribuna Roma and Sampdoria at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. The pair are still on a collision course to meet in the Rome Masters final on Sunday.

Rafole sure looks like they're enjoying themselves especially Rafa who's all smiles and gaping pie hole. As for Nole, I think he forgot he was at a football match and not competing. Silly boys.

[Via: TennisConnected.com, Photo(s): Zuma Press]

THE FUNNIES: Nole and the art of subtlety

[Via: Galantz Tennis Cartoons]

PHOTO OP: Southpaw pugilist

"I'd like to plant one on ya. Pucker up."

Rafael Nadal continued to show the dominant form he displayed in winning Monte Carlo crushing Philipp Kohlshreiber 6-1, 6-3 in his opening match in Rome today. All in all the defending champ has lost 18 total games in the six consecutive matches he's won to date. That's straight up SICK y'all.

Rafa looks like a uber-confident prize fighter in this photo, ready to take down all pretenders in his court. Now all we need is the shirt to be off and the high beams to be on full display. That's PERFECTION.

[Photo(s): AFP]

QUOTE OF THE DAY: CURLBIS

Well, I shit my pants a little bit, excuse my language.

- Ernests Gulbis on needing seven match points to put away Roger Federer 2-6, 6-1, 7-5 in the second round of the Rome Masters 1000

Oh Curlbis. You and your lovely locks have been on everyone's radar for a while but now it seems you've gotten all serious about your career. You've got a HUGE game and Hernan Gumy sure knows what to do with it.

We like. Lots.

[Photo(s): Reuters]

Overcoming must feel awesome, or so they say

Fernando Verdasco was seemingly struck by a severe case of amnesia this week in Barcelona. After being absolutely annihilated by Rafael Nadal 6-0, 6-1 in the final of Monte Carlo a week ago the Spaniard gathered himself, threw on his best Calvin Klein undies (crotchless, perhaps?) and made his way to the final where he bested Robin Soderling 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 for his fifth career title.

It really does say something about a baller's state of mind and confidence when they can be utterly stomped on one week and come back and fight through some tough matches to take the crown the next week. I'm not saying he's going to win Roland Garros but these are the moments you can see a baller's growth and hard work paying off. He still has some demons to conquer (beating Rafa on ANY surface, for instance) but he seems to be moving in a positive direction and lifting his game at the right time.


Bethanie Mattek-Sands was the unlikely choice to play heroine at during this weekend's FED CUP semifinal bout between the U.S. + Russia but she's never been one to be conventional.

After being dealt a 1-2 deficit when Melanie Oudin went down to Elena Dementieva 7-6 (4), 0-6, 6-3 in the third singles rubber, BMS seemed to understand the moment, digging in and using her all-court game to tough out a 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 win over Ekaterina Makarova and evening things up with the Russians. She returned to the court with Liezel Huber for the deciding doubles rubber against Elena + Alla Kudryavtseva, and the pair clinched the tie with an easy 6-3, 6-1 decision. The U.S. will now face a rematch of last year's FED CUP final when they face defending champs Italy in November.

BMS had all the pressure after Mels went down to Lena but she came through for the team when it really mattered, staying aggressive against Katia by serving-and-volleying at times, taking returns early and attacking the net when she could. I loved watching her game do the talking this time and not her fashion, which still has a lot to say that's not worth listening to. So stick to the tennis BMS, it's working for you. The other thing? Not so much. But you knew that.

[Photo(s): Getty, AP]