FASHION FIX: Jankovic beats Molik, goes yellow-gold with ANTA

Jelena Jankovic began her campaign for a maiden Grand Slam title with an easy 6-0, 6-4 defeat of Aussie veteran Alicia Molik in the first round of Roland Garros. The fourth seed cracked returns brilliantly, hit 24 winners against 12 errors, and served well with a 69 first serve percentage for the match and 6 aces. Nice moves.

JJ will next face big hitting Estonian Kaia Kanepi for a spot in the third round.


The former top lady baller also debuted a new ANTA dress that, I have to say, is one of my top faves of the tourney. It's a relatively simple tank dress design with some pleating at the neckline and super cute tiering at the hem. But I think the bright yellow-gold color way makes it stand out from the rest and plays well against the backdrop of crushed red brick.

You see? You don't need to get all crazy with design trickery to make something that is both fashionable and functional. K, Shrieka?

[Photo(s): Getty Images]

HE SAID/SHE SAID: Roland Garros Day Three

Q. What about the circumstances in general, or the weather conditions, rather? In Madrid it was sometimes warm or cold. What do you prefer?

RAFAEL NADAL: The sun. I love the sun. The sun is like happiness. When it's a bit like a dull‑type of weather like this, I don't really like this type of weather. When I play tennis I'd rather play in the sun.

The ball bounces higher. When it was really sunny, I can tell you the balls are a lot lighter. Today it was a bit heavier, so I didn't play really well.


Q. You remember last time you won against a top 10 player?

KIMIKO DATE KRUMM: Maybe top 10 player? (Through translation.)

He told me 1996. That time, the Championships in Madison Square Garden in New York. I beat Monica Seles in the first round. She retire. (laughter.) And the second round I lost against Martina Hingis.

Q. Just after Miami, you made the decision clearly you needed some time off. You wanted to rest the body. But now thinking back, would it have been a good idea to play Rome, or is it basically you didn't know you were going to get sick in Madrid?

ANDY RODDICK: Well, I didn't know I was going to get sick in Madrid. That was my preparation last year and I had my best ever French Open.

Also I have responsibilities elsewhere, you know. It was my first anniversary and I hadn't seen Brook in a while. I think at that point in the year, that was always gonna take precedence for me. That was a time that we had blocked out for us, and you know, that's necessary.

Q. You obviously have a little bit of history with [fashion] as well. Refresh my memory about what you've been fined and where the line was drawn. As you understand it, what's the line that they've kind of drawn?

BETHANIE MATTEK SANDS: For clothing? It's really hazy, actually. I think the book says, "proper tennis attire." That could be depends who's the supervisor, what tournament you're at. I mean, obviously some are more lenient than others on what you can wear.

But I've pushed the line a few times. It's really a hazy line. So I think it's cool when people push it, though. I like it. I think it brings more interest. I mean, obviously everyone is talking about it, so it's great. Tennis is getting in the news. It's on the front page when I open up my browsers and everything just because she's we are something different.

So I think it's great.

Q. How many times have you been fined and how much and when?

BETHANIE MATTEK SANDS: Um, I was fined ten grand for wearing a hat at US Open like five years ago. I was fined I think for a shirt that was like sheer, two grand. I think that's it.

For a while I actually had to bring my clothes in and get them approved. That's how they prevented me from actually, like, wearing something that I shouldn't on the court.
Since this last year I've been a little more conservative as far as the clothing goes.

Q. Sam, you've had some good results on clay. You won Belgrade, won Houston. Are you fighting sort of a Jeckyll/Hyde part of yourself here?

SAM QUERREY: A little bit. Those are 250s, and they're great. I love you know, a tournament win is a tournament win. A final is great. It builds my confidence, but I won Belgrade and my ranking didn't move. I'm kind of past that point right now. Those 250s do nothing for me ranking wise. It's all about the Masters Series and the Grand Slams.

That's where I just have not been playing well. You know, I just need to mentally get it together in my head. I need to enjoy myself out there. I need to enjoy playing. You know, if a guy has a breakpoint against me, I should know, Hey, I've got one of the biggest serves out there. Let's see you win this point off me.

But like I said, I just tank some points. (UGH, Samurai.)

Q. You looked very happy at the end of your match. It must be great to be back at the place you've had success in the past.

JUSTINE HENIN: Yeah, I was feeling very happy just to be back on center court, and it's something that I never expected in the past anymore.

It was the case again today. I really, this morning, when I woke up and before walking on the court, I didn't know really what to expect and how I was going to deal with my emotions. At that time I felt like, well, I've never played on this court, you know. I've played so many times on that court.

But as soon as I walked in and I was into my match, I felt a lot of things were coming back. It was just fantastic to share this again with the crowd as they gave me one more time great support. So it was very good to be back. It was an honor for me to be scheduled on the center court. It was very nice from the organization, also.

Q. And your immediate goals for this year are what?
DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: Media goals?

Q. Immediate goals.
DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: I thought, media goals, wow, I would never set those goals. (Laughter.) Yeah, I want to be the most famous.

Just improving my game. You know, obviously getting back to top 10 would be great, but I understand that's a long process. I just have to give my best in every match.

Q. If I recall correctly, you recently expressed some interest in getting involved in politics. What was that about?

DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: I never ever said that. Never. I'm the farthest thing away from that. (Laughing.)

[Photo(s): Getty Images, AP]

FASHION FIX: Nadal + Sharapova get their style games on at Roland Garros

Rafael Nadal began his quest for a fifth title at Roland Garros today defeating talented 18-year old Gianni Mina 6-2, 6-2, 6-2. The Frenchie gave good game but Rafa was never really in trouble in this match. However, the second seed probably won't be thrilled with his game particularly the uncharacteristic unforced errors (28 in total against 20 winners.) He'll face Argentine Horacio Zeballos for spot in the third round.

So onto the more serious matter of his new Nike on-court fashion which will be paired with the ultra-lux Richard Mille RM027 Tourbillon watch valued at $525,000 he'll be sporting on his right wrist - *gulp*:

Men's Summer Rush & Crush Clay Crew in neptune blue w/turbo green, electric green and white ($60)

Men's Rush & Crush Clay Short in white ($34)

Color me so happy that Nike decided to ditch the striped shirt matched with plaid shorts horrendousness they forced Rafa to pimp out of late - it was distracting. I'm liking the strong color blocking here and yes, it seems he and Roger Federer are wearing the same shorts this time around (feel free to correct me if I'm wrong!)

Edit: And I was SO wrong. Check the Fed/Nike post for the real deal on the Swiss right now. The Rush & Crush Clay Short is all Rafa's.


Maria Sharapova got off to a much better start here than at the Oz Open where she went out in the first round to good friend Maria Kirilenko. The Russian fashionista defeated compatriot Ksenia Pervak 6-3, 6-2 and actually had good stats to prove it including 27 winners/21 UES, 5 aces and ONLY 5 double faults. For reals. Her movement also looked pretty smooth on the slippery stuff.

She'll next face Belgian Kirsten Flipkens with a possible blockbuster third round match against Justine Henin awaiting. *grins widely*

Like Shrieka, I'm also a big fashion freak so let's move on to which Nike dress, which will be paired with Elsa Peretti Mesh Earrings by Tiffany & Co., she debuted for Roland Garros:

Women's Maria Sharapova Clay Court Dress in wolf grey w/deep burgundy & stealth grey ($110)

'Wolf' and 'stealth' grey? Gotta love those descriptors. Anyway, let's start with the big positive: it's light years better than the Oz Open catastrophe (still trying to burn that one from my memory bank) or even the yellow thing from the warm up tourneys.

But I don't understand her obsession with the layering of fabrics especially for on-court play when the seam work is iffy and pulls at her in all these weird places. It's not going to be flattering unless you're a Blondzilla...and it probably won't work even then.

[Photo(s): Getty Images, Reuters]

Date Krumm stuns Safina in first round of Roland Garros

Seniors Tour her ass.

Thirty-nine year old Kimiko Date Krumm made it seem like the 1990's all over again - complete with a continental FH - when she shocked last year's finalist Dinara Safina in the first round of Roland Garros today. The Japanese lady baller hobbled back on one good leg (she had her right calf heavily taped) from 1-4 down in the decider to earn the big win. She became the second-oldest woman to win a match at Roland Garros in the Open Era after Virginia Wade in 1985. Awesome.

Kimi will face Aussie Jarmila Groth for a spot in the third round.


She knew, as we all did watching, that her Russian foe was feeling the moment:

"I didn't want to stop," Date Krumm said. "My condition was very bad, but she was getting a little nervous, and she started making mistakes. So I tried many things, like drop shots and hitting wider, slower... and she kept making mistakes. I tried everything."

As for Dinara it was a disastrous performance particularly by PUTA!, her nasty wayward serve that gave up 17 double faults. She'll most likely fall back into the 20's when the rankings are released after RG. Add to this her split from coach Zeljko Krajan prior to the start of the tourney and her recent injury woes and you have one scattered lady baller on your racquet.

P.S. Loving the adidas duds Kimi!

[Photo(s): Getty Images]

HE SAID/SHE SAID: Roland Garros Days 1 + 2

DAY 1

Q. Have you seen Amélie Mauresmo?

Svetlana Kuznetsova: Yes. I texted her this morning going to the club. I say, Hey, you told me you gonna be here a few days. I didn't see you. So she said, I don't want to disturb you. I said, Come on, you're my friend. You cannot disturb. You're former player, no? So she said, Oh, yeah, one day I come to your match. Sure. You have a ticket.

So she would supported me and she supported me before the match. So we had a chat in the locker room. So I appreciate her coming a lot. She's very good friend of mine and I'm happy to see her again. I miss her.

Q. What were the feelings being out there back a year after making your first Grand Slam final in that court?

Robin Soderling: It's nice, you know. Now I don't think about it too much. That was all last year. I have to start over again. Focus on every match. But of course it's always nice to come back to a place where you did well last year. Gives you good feelings.

Q. What would you have to do to prove there was a really big deal if you just smashed a racquet and that's not a big deal, what would be a really big deal?

Ernests Gulbis: What would be a really big deal? Hmm. I don't know. I have to think. That's a good question, actually. Thank you. (laughter.)

I don't know what would be a big deal. Minimum three racquets smashed, throw them to the stands, hit somebody with a ball. I don't know. I have to think about it. I'll get back on you, yeah. I'll think about it.

DAY 2

Q. Tell us about your Twittering, your tweeting and what you enjoy doing about that. And secondly, I asked your sister the same thing about your outfits. How many outfits do you bring to every tournament?

Serena Williams: Well, I tweet a lot. I have just really I don't know. I think it's cool. Sometimes I just tweet what's on my mind and sometimes maybe a little too much. I have a lot of fun with it. I think it's a cool way of connecting with, you know, the die hard fans. For me, I follow Green Day on Twitter, and whenever they tweet I get incredibly excited. I'm like, Oh, my God. I'm so happy and I really like to know what's going on in their lives because I'm a die hard Green Day fanatic.

For those people that like me half as much as I like them, I like to keep them in the loop with my life. I always have seven outfits for singles and six for doubles.

Q. Is it fair to say that the last maybe year or year and a half has not been very much fun for you on the tennis court?

Ana Ivanovic: Not fun at all. You know, it was and also lots of tears and lots of hard times and lots of doubts and fears, everything, but, you know, it's something that you learn. And if you overcome it, it's you learn from it and it makes you better player and person after that.

I have really good people around me now, and I trust them a lot. They're very supportive, and they believe in me when I didn't believe in myself. So that's great to see.

Q. If you ended up trying to tailor your game, or if Americans did, would that not negatively effect how they play on the other hardcourts or anything?

John Isner: No, I disagree. Practicing on clay, even in the hardcourt season which I sometimes do is great. It makes your legs stronger. You're seeing more balls. The points aren't as quick.

I think practicing on clay is it's not a disadvantage at all. If anything, it's gonna help you on every other surface.

Q. Is your coaching situation the same, or has something changed?

Jelena Dokic: I'm alone.




Q. Is your problem of allergic completely resolved now, or you're afraid that it could come back?

Novak Djokovic: Well, look, you know, the thing is that this year has been a struggle for me because it was the first time that I had such a strong reaction, so the season or the Spring already started, and you couldn't do too much with it, so it's still a little bit active, but it's much less than it was in last two months.

So I'm happy that the tough period is behind me, and now I can focus on the court on what I do and try to do it best. For next year I will prepare myself better health wise.

Q. Now, for a while, people have said that Roland Garros could be relocated outside of Paris. What do you think about this at the end of your career to play in Versailles, Gonesse, or Marne La Vallée close to Euro Disney?

Roger Federer: Well, yes, that's a question that people keep on asking during the Grand Slam, that is, people can no longer buy the tickets. The people, the media, ask more. We want to have more, and it's not easy for the tournament, but we have to do our best, and do the best for the tournament.

So if we move elsewhere, does it make sense? I don't know. People will decide. There is a lot of money at stake, and there's a new site, and that means with the new site it means, how can I say? What about the soul of Roland Garros? This is what we might miss after.

So let's think twice before we act. Now, Melbourne, you know, is considering a major change for the years to come. Wimbledon I think will never change. They still have leeway with the golf course. At the US Open they did something new, as well. But I think it was 10 years ago. And it was the old stadium 10 years ago, if I'm not mistaken.

In any case, everybody's always upgraded with the new Lenglen court, with the new Chatrier court. It's changed here at Roland Garros. It's smaller here, the site is smaller. So the question is more important here than anywhere else.

Q. Do you feel like in the last few weeks that it was a good idea to play so many tournaments or do you think it would have been better to take a little time off?

Caroline Wozniacki: Well, you know, there are some rules on the WTA Tour, and we have to follow those rules. Maybe it would have been better if I could have taken a few weeks off, but those are the rules, and I did what I had to do.

Q. When you say those are the rules, it's mostly a question of fines and money. Can you talk about how you juggle that? Why not just pay the fine and take the week off?

Caroline Wozniacki: It's not just a fine. It's also commitment tournaments, zero pointers. Yeah, some other things that plays in mind, and if you read the rules, you'll know. I think we should talk about other things. About my match today, maybe.

[Photo(s): Getty Images]

(UPDATED) FASHION FIX: Top seeds begin Roland Garros campaign, debut new Nike duds

As reigning Australian Open champs top seeds Roger Federer + Serena Williams own the first leg of the Calendar Slam and are faves to grab the second leg in Paris. They both played their first round matches today and debuted new gear from Nike.

The Swiss stylist began the defense of his Roland Garros crown easily defeating Peter Luczak 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 in his typical, sweatless style. His stats told the tale: 34 winners/11 errors, 7 aces, and 71% success on first serves deliveries winning 80% of the time.

So what new styles was Fed working during this drubbing?

Mens All Court RF Clay Polo in bluegrass + white ($80)

Rush and Crush French Men's Tennis Shorts in white ($34)

Lunarlite Vapor Tour in obsidian + white ($120)

There isn't much you can do with menswear especially with someone who tends to stay with the classics like Fed. However, I was loving the henley-style tops he was wearing during the warm up tourneys because it was a nice change up from the polos he's always outfitted in by the Nike designers. That style is a nice compromise between a polo and a t-shirt. Oh well, it's a hard habit to break I guess.


ReRe had a bit more trouble in the opening set of her first round match, particularly with her serving, but showed her world-class quality in the second closing out Stefanie Voegele 7-6 (2), 6-2. She managed 28 winners against 22 errors, threw down 10 aces, and converted all 3 break point chances against her Swiss foe.

Here's a closer look at the 12-time Grand Slammer's stylish gear for her campaign, sans the sexy knickers:

Women's Electric Love Game Dress in marina blue + electric green ($90)

Air Max Mirabella II in marina blue, cool mint and electric green ($85)

I love this dress although, as I tweeted during her match, it seems a bit more Oz Open than Roland Garros. But it's fun, bright and the pleated trim is a pretty touch.

I say ReRe wins the Williams battle of the knaughty knickers over sister Venus pants, er, hands down.

UPDATE: I found it! Here's the short style Fed is wearing - the All Court Men's Woven Tennis Short. And yes it matters that much to me.


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

PHOTO OP: Turn to the left and cough

"Wonder Twin powers: ACTIVATE!"

Richard Gasquet needed more legs and an oxygen tank than balls today during his 4-6, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-2, 6-1 first round defeat to Andy Murray at Roland Garros today.

The Frenchie had just won his first tourney in almost 3 years at Nice this past weekend and that effort seemed to take his energy from under him. Although he requested a Tuesday start to recover a bit from his tourney win RG officials weren't in the giving mood and denied him the later start. Pretty rough if you ask me...and him.

I was in the camp that believed we would be served an Upset Special on our viewing plates today but it wasn't meant to be. Reeshard was was playing really well and could've won the match in three sets until his energy began to wane and the errors crept in. As for Muzz, he hung in there and made the Frenchie grind, something the one-hander - who was looking all sorts of aggressive today, was not looking to do under the circumstances.

Let's hope we get a rematch at Wimbledon in a months time.

Next up for Muzz? Juan Ignacio Chela.

[Photo(s): Reuters]

Gulbis + Martinez Sanchez came in with a roar, went out with a wimper

Two ballers who made big impressions during the warm-up tourneys leading up to Roland Garros had their campaigns come to a crashing halt today, destroying my racket brackets in the process.

Ernests Gulbis had his best result in Rome defeating Roger Federer for the first time en route to the semifinals where he ran into Rafael Nadal - and lost. He also grabbed quarterfinal appearances in Barcelona + Madrid.

So, upon entering Roland Garros, Curlbis was favored to make a deep run and give Fed another tussle in a potential quarterfinal match. Well, the top seed is probably breathing a bit easier (not to mention Marin Cilic + Robin Soderling) now that the Latvian lad is out of the tourney and the top quarter, suffering a leg injury and retiring from his opening round match against Julian Benneteau.

"I stretched my leg, my hamstrings, and I heard two cracks," he said about the moment the injury occurred. "I don't know why, so I'm going to go to MRI to hospital in 20 minutes and check it. I hope it's nothing serious, because it can be anything, but it's for sure a little stretch of the muscle.

"It's also an experience I never [had during] a match before. I always finish the match until then but this time it was I think a little bit worse than I ever had for injuries."

This so sucks. I was expecting not only a deep run but precious presser quotes all fortnight. Now? NOTHING. Absolutely fucking nothing. *super sad face*

Get better Curlbis.


Rome was also the site of Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez's biggest tourney win defeating then World No. 2 Caroline Wozniacki before outplaying an in-form Jelena Jankovic in the final. The Spaniard then landed in the bottom quarter of the RG draw where the highest seeds are No. 2 Venus Williams, who hasn't been past the third round since 2006, and the slumping fifth seed Elena Dementieva.

Unfortunately, MJMS felt discomfort in her neck during the warm up for her first round match against Akgul Amanmuradova and had to call the trainer later on eventually losing 6-2, 6-4.

I fought till the end, it's the most important tournament for me," she said afterwards.

What a way to go out. At least they'll always have Rome which is more than I can say for me and my wrecked racket bracket. Ugh.

[Photo(s): Getty Images]

FASHION FIX: Venus pounds Patty in Paris, laces up in EleVen (with Booty Bonus!)

Venus Williams usually lets her tennis do the talking but this time her dress had the last word.

The second seed easily dismissed fellow veteran Patty Schnyder 6-3, 6-3 in the first round of Roland Garros. She cracked 25 winners against 21 errors, had success on 53% of her first serve deliveries but threw in 8 double faults. Not too shabby for an opening round match on clay by the former top lady baller.

She'll face either Spain's Arantxa Parra Santonja or Japan's Kurumi Nara for a spot in the third round.


Now onto the EleVen dress: it's the same "Can-Can" inspired design she debuted at the Sony Ericsson Open in March. But this version is all-black lace with red piping and def more sheer, inspiring cat calls and whistles from the Parisian crowd.

"The outfit is all about illusion," she said. "That has been a lot of my motif there year, illusion, and it's about kind of having that illusion of wearing lace and not having anything take away under it. These days I have a lot of fun with my designs."

I'm a fan of this design especially after having to look at that damn Goddess dress for so long. It's flirty and fitting for Paris and she wears the hell out of it with her long lines and confident strut on the red clay courts. So she looks a bit like a showgirl for hire - they deserve love too, no?

BOOTY BONUS: For all those who may appreciate the return of her flesh colored knickers...


[Photo(s): AP]