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Serena Williams used a conservative Nike outfit — the Doubles Dress from this Spring’s tennis collection — to end the run of soon-to-be Playboy bunny Ashley Harkleroad.
The top-ranked American, who went with a heart theme for her jewelry, next faces Mathilde Johansson of France.
Buy: Nike Doubles Dress, $75 at TW.
(photos by Getty Images)
Instead of patting James Blake on the back for being an American who makes it past the first round of the French Open — he beat Rainer Schuettler 6-4, 6-1, 7-6 (3) — take that hand and just smack him upside the head. This Nike Summer Global Power Crew is in the running for most boring outfit of the fortnight!
Buy: Summer Global Power Crew, $55, available in Black/Pacific Blue and White/Olive Khaki.
(photos by Getty Images)
Even though most of the ATP and WTA tours have already flocked to Paris for the French Open (which started on a Sunday this year), there were still titles contested in some nearby warm-up tournaments.
Kolya announces his intentions to challenge Rafa and Roger for the French Open title with his win over Juan Monaco (6-2 2-6 6-2) in Poertschach, Austria.
Monaco failed to defend his title from last year. Nikolay was bothered by a thigh injury (he had to have it taped), but assured the press that it wouldn’t affect his play in Paris.
Robin Soderling, Robert Lindstedt, Thomas Johansson, and coach Peter Carlsson pose with their hardware after taking out the Russian tennis team (of Dmitry Tursunov, Igor Andreev, and Mikhail Youzhny 2-1 in the ARAG ATP tennis World Team Cup in Dusseldorf.
Anabel Medina-Garrigues shows off her trophy (from Baccarat) after winning the Strasbourg International against Katarina Srebotnik. Scoreline: 4-6 7-6 6-0.
23-year-old Gilles Simon beat countryman Julien Benneteau 7-5, 6-2 at the Grand Prix Hassan II in Casablanca, Morocco.
And Agnieszka Radwanska became the first Polish woman to crack $1 million in career earnings after winning the Istanbul Open over Elena Dementieva. Agnieszka beat the Russian 6-3, 6-2.
(photos by Getty Images)
Chris’ picks for the women’s second week… (He has Jelena winning a Grand Slam singles title before Ana!)
Quarterfinals: The Russians dominate the top half with Sharapova winning over Zvonareva and Chakvetadze beating Dementieva. The other half has Jankovic defeating Venus and Serena defeating Ivanovic.
Semifinals:
Sharapova d. Chakvetadze
Jankovic d. Serena
Final:
Jankovic d. Sharapova
Chris has the Williams sisters duking it out against the Serbians in the bottom half of the 2008 French Open women’s draw. See his breakdown after the cut…
Chris P breaks down the less interesting women’s draw for TSF. (Even with the vacuum left by Justine’s retirement, he says the men have a more exciting lineup!)
Read his thoughts on the top half after the cut…
After a shaky start that saw Roger and Rafa hobbling to titles, Chris P thinks that the 2008 Roland Garros tournament will stick to the status quo: Rafa on top and Federer a runner-up.
French Open Men’s Draw
Quarterfinals: Ironically enough, each of the final eight will have the challenge of facing a countryman. Federer beats Wawrinka in 4, Ferrero takes out Robredo in 4, Tipsarevic pushes Djokovic to 5 before losing, and Nadal handles Almagro easily.
Semifinals: Federer vs. Ferrero; Nadal vs. Djokovic
Finals: Federer vs. Nadal
Winner: Nadal
Chris P continues with his thoughts about the bottom half of this year’s men’s French Open draw.
Read Chris’ picks after the cut…
TSF bracketologist Chris P tells us who he thinks will take the titles at this year’s French Open.
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Before the draws for this year’s Roland Garros came out, I have to say I was eagerly anticipating the women’s draws as their field of competitors has been far deeper for the past few years. Much to my surprise, when the draws were announced, it was the men’s I was most excited about.
The men’s first round is loaded with great matches.
Read Chris’ picks for the top half of the men’s draw after the cut…
I’m at Sussel’s wedding (without reliable internet access) so I’ll be back to my regular posting schedule on Monday.
I know that there are lots of fashion bits to go over (the adidas Roland Garros line, Guga’s last outfit as a singles pro, Nike’s kit for Rafa and Roger, etc.), and we will show you all that.
BTW, I guess the Harkleroad story is out of the bag now, and contrary to our initial report (oops), Ashley did indeed show off her body for the magazine. I’m sure the WTA is thrilled.
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Have a nice and safe Memorial Day. And whether or not you love our current government’s actions and decisions, you should still take a moment to remember all the folks who have given their lives for our country.