The 2012 WHITE Fashion Scoop

Every summer, Wimbledon is home to a white fashion showdown, with the world's best players putting on their all white garments to comply with the strict regulations of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. 

Although these rules restrict creativity and limit variety, they also force designers to push themselves and come up with really outstanding pieces. It is extremely difficult to distinguish oneself in a pretty homegenous environment, that's why there are very few Wimbledon looks that are memorable. However, the ones that are so are guarantee to pass the test of time. Compared to last year when Venus Williams wore the infamous lace jumpsuit, this season there wasn't really any garment to match those standards. There were some cute clothes, but they all lacked that extra bit of something that makes them stand out.

As far as trends are concerned, many manufacturers opted for transparency. It's the case of AdiZero, EleVen or Stella McCartney. Also, both Fila and Lotto produced some golden encrusted pieces to add a bit more glam and sophistication to their lines.

Sorana Cirstea - AdiPure

Maria Kirilenko - AdiPure

This really cute AdiPure baby doll dress is actually my favorite of this edition. The mix of fabrics and the dark green lines give it a vintage look which very matches the history richness of the tournament. The brand's main ambassador Maria Kirilenko looked divine, but the team added a new beauty, 'stealing' Romanian Sorana Cirstea from AdiPure.

Ana Ivanovic - AdiZero

Fernando Verdasco - AdiZero

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - AdiZero

AdiZero maintained its cool, fresh vibe producing some stunning pieces for its players. The pink stripe sweetens the clothes, gives them some warmth as well as it produces a great visual focus point.

Caroline Wozniacki - Adidas by Stella McCartney

Wozniacki's camp is struggling at the moment. Beaten in the first round by Tamira Paszek, the Dane failed to also impress fashion wise, wearing the white version of the dress she showcased earlier this year at the Australian Open.

Roger Federer - NIKE 'Roger Federer' Group

Serena Williams - NIKE

Serena Williams and Roger Federer are two players known for their Wimbledon extravaganza. While the Swiss toned it down, giving up his infamous RF blazers, Serena returned to her 'blazer' days. She was successful when she wore them in the past, so it's expected that, once again, the American will be amongst the ones to beat.

Victoria Azarenka - NIKE

Julia Goerges - NIKE

Maria Sharapova - NIKE 'Maria Sharapova' Group

Nothing else that really caught my eye in the Nike camp. Sharapova is still not at the fashion utmost best, but the Russian kept faithful to the direction she pursued since the start of the season with that small touches of neon flashes. 

Venus Williams - EleVen

After she made a much anticipated fashion return with another sensational EleVen line, I was expecting Venus to really shine at her favourite venue. The five times Wimbledon champion though, opted for a shock-less dress, a great design which still retained some of the American's edgy side.

Vera Zvonareva - FILA

Kim Clijsters - FILA

It wasn't to be a golden last Wimbledon for Kim Clijsters, but the Belgian looked very much like the tennis royalty she is in this golden encrusted Fila garment. She may have lost fourth round to Angelique Kerber, but she will always remain the Golden Kimmie!

Bethanie Mattek-Sands - UnderArmour

Words are not enough to describe Bethanie Mattek-Sands' style. The American, a regular feature of the fashion scoop, has one big quality though: she knows how to draw attention. This time around she dyed her hair in a strange mixture of purple, red and green, while retaining the trademark knee-high socks and the special make-up.

Mike & Bob Bryan - K-Swiss

Marion Bartoli - LOTTO

David Ferrer - LOTTO

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Kirilenko Takes A Chance

Known more for her beauty than for her on-court performances, Maria Kirilenko has been working hard recently to turn things around. After a fulminating emergence on the WTA tour, the Russian has slipped under the radar. The lack of results derailed a once promising career, leaving Maria stranded outside the top 20. The last couple of years changed the situation a bit, but she has yet to really make her move on the big scenes. Her best result to date is a quarterfinal in Melbourne, in 2010, when she took out Maria Sharapova in the first round, before succumbing to Chinese Jie Zheng.

After critising her for failing to take her chances when they come, Kirilenko has finally proved me wrong today when she booked her berth in the last eight at Wimbledon. Taking advantage of a relatively easier side of the draw, the Russian quietly marched through the first three rounds, disposing of Romanian Alexandra Cadantu, Spanish Lourdes Dominguez Lino, respectively another Romanian, Sorana Cirstea, without losing a set. Facing a fourth round opponent who clearly isn't in her best form, Maria saw a golden opportunity arising on her horizon. It wasn't easy though, but she came through, showing some newly found mental strenght to regroup after the loss of the second set. Chinese Peng Shuai refused to give in, but she eventually bowed out 1-6,7-6,3-6. 

To add some more meaning to her winning run, she needs to produce a stunning display against in-form Agnieszka Radwanska. A victory over the Pole and her world suddenly opens up to a whole new set of possibilities. Best of luck, Maria!

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The Emotional Lisicki Is Back

The last couple of months have definitely not been kind to Sabine Lisicki. After twisting her ankle during her quarterfinal clash with Serena Willaims at Charleston, the German has failed to win back-to-back matches at any of the events she entered. Consequently, her Wimbledon campaign was seen with disbelieve by many. 

It shouldn't be forgotten though, that grass is a surface that brings out the best in her. Last year's semifinalist took it baby steps, and, little by little, she fought her way back again. After a relatively straight-forward victory over dangerous Croat, Petra Martic, Sabine found herself in deep trouble against the shooting star, Bojana Jovanovski, in the second round. Recovering well after the loss of the first set, she eventually managed to succumb the Serbian's ressistance, winning 8-6 in the decider. Things didn't get any easier though, but after battling young American, Sloane Stephens, Lisicki managed to set up a meeting with her 2011 Wimbledon nemesis, world number 1, Maria Sharapova. 

The head-to-head record, the current rankings, the form, all seemed to indicate an easy passage to the quarterfinals for the Russian. However, rediscovering the Wimbledon magic that carried her to the semifinals the year before, Lisicki was fierce from the get-go. After overcoming a minor mid-set crisis, the German regrouped to take the opener 6-4. It was a simpler affair in the second, an early break of serve proving decisive in sealing a 6-4,6-3 victory. In the trademark Lisicki fashion, pure happiness and strong emotions followed, a picture we've seen so many times during the 2011 edition, and so few on other occasions. Next up is compatriot Angelique Kerber, who ended Kim Clijsters' last bid of adding an elusive Wimbledon crown to her resume. Kerber has won all four previous encounters with Sabine.

For Sharapova however, the consequences of losing so early are huge. Starting on Monday, Agnieszka Radwanska or Belorussian Victoria Azarenka will take over as the number 1 player of the world.

Sabine Lisicki obtained a well-deserved revenge over Maria Sharapova, beating the world number 1 6-4,6-3 to continue her Wimbledon adventure.

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Cold Blooded Rosol Knocks Out Nadal

Until today, Lukas Rosol was a no-name on the ATP tour. However, a stunning display against world number 2 and recent French Open champion, Rafael Nadal, in the second round at Wimbledon would change all that. Showing nerves of steel, serving impeccable and hitting some killer groundstrokes, the Czech shocked Nadal, succumbing the Spaniard's resistance for an epic 6-7,6-4,6-4,2-6,6-4 victory. 

Lukas might have been ranked number 100 in the world before Wimbledon, but he played this match like a genuine top 4 contestant. The way he served for the match was sublime. While many crumbled under pressure, Rosol kept his cold blood, serving three aces to seal to love the biggest win of his career. “Before the last game, I was not sure if I will be shaking or not because it was the first time against Rafa and the first time also in Wimbledon Centre Court,” he said. “You never know what to expect, so it was not easy, and I survived." Commenting on what the result means to him, Lukas concluded: "Today I was somewhere else and I'm really happy for this. Still, I cannot find the words. I still can't believe it. It's like a dream for me.”

Nadal's loss marks the end of a disappointing grass-court season. After failing to Philipp Kohlschreiber in the quarterfinals in Halle, this is going to be the first year since 2005 that the Spaniard will not contest the Wimbledon final (in 2009 he did not participate due to an injury). With the Olympics just around the corner, Rafa needs to adjust his game immediately if he wants to stand a chance of repeating his 2008 Beijing triumph.

Rosol became the only player to beat Nadal in the first week of a Slam since Gilles Müller achieved the same feat at the 2005 Wimbledon. The loss also marks the Spaniard's first Wimbledon defeat before the final since that 2005 edition.

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Where Does Wozniacki Go From Here?

Wozniacki's much disputed reign at the top of the WTA rankings came to an end in January, when her loss in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, collaborated with Azarenka's run to the title, saw the Belorussian become the new world number 1. Although at the time the Dane threatened to reclaim her crown, so far she failed to even stay in contention.

After failing to defend her titles at Indian Wells, Dubai and, most heartbreakingly, in Copenhagen, and a disappointing third round exit to Kaia Kanepi at the French, the popular Dane has slipped to 7 in the rankings. The problem with her is that she does not have the weapons to hurt the big hitting players. This is actually why she has not won a Grand Slam yet. Even when she dominated the tour, claiming title after title, on the big occassions there was always someone to stop her quest. 

With a new addition to her team, i.e. the former Australian Open champion, Swede Thomas Johansson, Wozniacki was hoping to make an impression during the grass-court season. Her game betrayed her once again though. Even though she won the Eastbourne title in 2009, Caroline has never felt at ease on a surface on which her defensive game is not really efficient. She lost first round in Eastbourne to tenacious American, Christina McHale, and, most worring, she succumbed to revigorated Austrian, Tamira Paszek, at Wimbledon.

Although many were expecting the loss of her number 1 status to actually help Caroline fulfill her potential, it seems the blow has actually crushed her confidence and shattered her game. It remains to be seen if she would be able to reconstruct herself and restore her invincibility aura. There's one thing to be considered though, the game seems to belong to hard-fitters. The likes of Sharapova, Azarenka, Kvitova or the Williams sisters are the main contestants to win the big prizes and there are few who can battle them, the last exception being crafty Italian, Francesca Schiavone, who took home the 2010 Roland Garros.

As far as Wozniacki is concerned, she definitely needs to adjust something as soon as possible. However, I am not sure with what weapons she can come up to stand a chance against such powerful rivals. As things have unfolded since January, her promise of regaining her number 1 position until the end of the year seems far-fetched. If she regains her consistency, she might making it back into the top 4, even win a Slam if she's lucky (Stosur did it, Schiavone did it, even Sara Errani played a Grand Slam final), but she surely does not have the pedigree of a legendary champion. This could be a huge blow for all the companies that invested enormeously in acquiring her image.

Caroline's Grand Slam ambition hit rock bottom after she lost first round at Wimbledon 7-5,6-7,4-6 to rejuvenated Austrian, Tamira Paszek.

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Roddick Rekindles Grass Magic

Riding on a six match losing streak, Andy Roddick was desperately needing a confidence boost heading into Wimbledon. After a disappointing showing in Queen's, where he lost first round to unknown Frenchman Edouard Roger-Vasselin, the American requested a wildcard for Eastbourne. 

The draw was not kind to a player whose last win came in Miami, in March, i.e. the infamous win against Roger Federer. However, benefitting from the withdrawal of compatriot Sam Querrey, Andy obtained his first win in months. The result ignited the American and little by little, he was able to reproduce flashes of his superb grass-court game. Surviving two tricky encounters with Frenchman Jeremy Chardy, respectively Italian Fabio Fognini, only made Roddick stronger. He needed to come out on top of some tough battles to regain his momentum. Once this happened, the rest of the tournament proved a walk in the park for the popular American. He obtained his 600th career victory taking advantage of yet another injured opponent, Belgian Steve Darcis retiring while trailing 6-3,3-1. In the final, his first since Memphis 2011, Andy proved too strong for defending champion, beating Italian Andreas Seppi 6-3,6-2 to secure the perfect preparation ahead of his favourite Grand Slam.

As Haas did last week, Roddick proved the old guns shouldn't be written off just yet. Wimbledon can be a pretty challenging tournament for unexperienced players and the American's pedigree on grass could just be his biggest weapon in his quest of achieving his biggest career dream.

photo: AFP

Tennis Moods Style: Dressed for Grand Slam Success - Part II

On June 21st, London's Kensington Rooftop Gardens were once again home to a fabulous party to mark the 126th edition of Wimbledon. All WTA's brightest stars teamed up with the world's most prestigious designers hoping to make an impact as they walked through the red carpet. Continuing last year's tradition, Ana Ivanovic wore Matthew Williamson, Caroline Wozniacki remained faithful to Stella McCartney and Serena Williams chose Burberry.

While Sorana Cirstea, Ana Ivanovic, Jelena Jankovic, Venus Williams and Maria Sharapova all went for ivory gowns, the likes of Serena Williams, Elena Vesnina and Petra Kvitova made some big statements, opting for bold colors.

SORANA CIRSTEA showcased a fresh look, dressed in Alexander McQueen from head to toe.

ANA IVANOVIC continues to dazzle. She looked stunning in a sensational Matthew Williamson mini dress.

JELENA JANKOVIC produced another fashion faux pas wearing a cheap looking Vivienne Westwood tight dress.

NA LI was very doll-like in a silver Giles Deacon dress. Unfortunately though, the blue shoes with that horrible huge ribbon did not match the rest of the outfit.

World number 1, MARIA SHARAPOVA, chose to go overboard wearing an asymmetric sequin Antonio Berardi dress. She styled it with a pair of burgundy sandals and some matchy diamond earrings.

VENUS WILLIAMS wore an elegant Amanda Wakeley gown. Her not-so-sophisticated hairdo though, ruined the overall look.

AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA was top notch class wearing a sheer black Mulberry dress.

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI remained faithful to designer Stella McCartney, but failed to impress in this quite dull lbd.

SERENA WILLIAMS looked imperial in Burberry. The American stole the show in a great purple dressed styled with a pair of black sandals and some big silver accessories.

Russian ELENA VESNINA reproduced a royal look wearing a bright green long gown.

The defending Wimbledon champion, Czech PETRA KVITOVA, may have teamed up with fashion legend Alexander McQueen but her dress was ill-inspired. Although the colour choice is great, the emphasis on her hips is not at all flattering.

ANNE KEOTHAVONG was the epitome of elegance in an embroided dark green dress.

Check out the 2011 Wimbledon Players Party!

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The Renaissance of Alizé Cornet

Bursting on the tennis scene with some extraordinary results, talented Alizé Cornet quickly established herself as one of the young guns on the WTA tour. A maiden title in Budapest and two runner up efforts in Acapulco and Rome guaranteed the Frenchwoman her first top20 season finish in 2008. However, just when everything seemed to be heading in the right direction, her world collapsed. The turning moment came at the 2009 Australian Open. Facing world number 1, Dinara Safina, in the fourth round, Cornet built a 5-2 up advantage in the decider and looked poised to collect the biggest win of her career. However, after failing to take the 2 match points she held at 5-4, her game crumbled allowing Dinara to win the match.
The loss completely shuttered Alizé's confidence. Although she set a career high ranking at number 11 in February, she was never quite the same player afterwards. What followed was total misery, the French woman losing ten times in the first round.

After enduring her trials and tribulations, years in which she struggled with frustration, lack of confidence and poor results, Cornet looks to have finally found herself again on a tennis court. The first signs came in Strasbourg, on home clay, where she reached her first final in four years, losing a tight encounter with former Roland Garros champion, Italian Francesca Schiavone. A disappointing first round defeat at the French Open did not hinder her momentum though and she finally grabbed that elusive second career crown at Bad Gastein, one of her favourite stops on the tour.

Without dropping a set all week, Alize defeated the likes of Edina Gallovitz-Hall, Sacha Jones, Estrella Cabeza Candela, Ksenia Pervak, and, ultimately, Yanina Wickmayer, to ensure one of the sweetest victories of her career. "It has been four years I haven't won a singles title, so it's just happiness now. I'm so happy," declared an enthusiastic Cornet. "It's been a super week. I really love this tournament. I love the people here and I feel everybody loves me as well. I'm not Austrian, but I feel like I'm Austrian when I'm here. It's my favorite tournament. What more can I ask for than winning it?"
Should this triumph revigorate her career remains to be seen, but, much like Germany's Tommy Haas, the French player proved she is not giving it up without a fight.

photos: AP

Tommy's Lucky #13

A couple of weeks ago Tommy Haas stirred some waters with a stunning victory over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in München, but it's only now after the German denied Roger Federer a 6th Halle crown that his comeback is starting to gain true momentum.

Although at the prime of his time he showed flashes of brilliance, reaching four Grand Slam semifinals and the Sydney Olympics final in 2000, the former world number 2 failed to fulfill his entire potential. Battling injuries and family problems for most of his career, Haas became more like a part-time player on the ATP tour. He took a 14 months break to undergo a hip surgery in February 2010 and even though he returned in May last year, the recovery was tedious. 

Ranked outside the Top 200 at the start of the season, the German star had to start again from scratch, having to play qualifyings in order to reach the main draw. Although doubting his decision, he went through with it and his hard work eventually paid off. A semifinal in München, a third round at Roland Garros and most importantly, a 13th career title in Halle. 

Returning to the grass-court tournament for the first time since the title run in 2009, Tommy reproduced his best tennis, defeating the likes of Bernard Tomic, Marcel Granollers, Tomas Berdych, Phillipp Kohlschreiber, and ultimately, the king of grass, Swiss Roger Federer, to win collect one of the sweetest crowns in his career. 

Having lost the last nine encounters with Federer, Haas was keen to get his revenge. Although the Swiss was quicker off the blocks, breaking serve in the first game of the match, the German kept his cool. Soon the unforced errors started pilling up for the Swiss and Haas took full advantage of his opponent's erratic display, closing out the victory in two sets.

“I don’t have many words to say really, except that it is an amazing feeling to win another title in Germany,” an emotional Haas said after the match. “[Winning] my thirteenth title was a goal of mine to maybe achieve in the next coming months, years or however long I am going to play. To have somebody across the net like Roger is a real honour for me. To have that picture with the winning trophy and Roger next to me is something really special, something I’ll obviously never forget. I’m just really happy and proud.”

For Federer, the loss marks another poor performance, very similar to the one against Djokovic in the semifinals of the French Open. With Wimbledon and the Olympic Games nearing up, Roger needs to readjust his game in order to be competitive enough to beat his arch rivals Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. 

Due to his success, Federer quickly became a royalty in the small German town of Halle. To mark his committment to the Gerry Weber Open, the Swiss received a street named after, the 'Roger Federer Allee'. However, although hot favourite to bag his 6th crown, he was denied by the revigorated German Tommy Haas, who ensured a 7-6,6-4 win in the final.

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