Tennis: Serbian showdown

I didn't realize this when I was looking at Rome's women's draw, but Jelena Jankovic is playing Ana Ivanovic today at Madrid! These two aren't enemies, but they also aren't the best of friends, both are from Serbia, both are famous athletes in their home country, both have been world #1, both have been struggling a bit this year and both have recently started to pick up their form, which only means this will be one heck of an intriguing showdown.

This really can go either way, I secretly wish a Serbian showdown is going to stir up the same excitment in me as when a Williams showdown happens, but one can only hope, and let's see if this one delivers.

p.s: I mentioned in a previous post that Andy Roddick isn't here, but apparently he is and he'll be playing today also.

Fashion: Is the rolled up pants/jeans look over-played?

As I stumbled upon yet another lookbook/fashion shoot with men styled with roll-up pants, I ask myself if this is getting over played. Fashion is the most exciting when it's new and it refreshes your perspective about what is cool and what is good looking. I have to admit, when this trend first came about, I first resented it because I thought it was impractical for many occasions. But as my life transitioned into jobless and much more casual dressing, I started to adopt to this style along with its ease and nonchalance.

But, BUT, after a few seasons, this look is starting to look weary, over-used, and opposite of how I have come to know it. Every big and small brand from Gap to Armani is utilizing this silhouette and its identity is getting lost. I'm starting to long for a clean slim pant with sleek shoes, the kinds that elongate one's figure instead of breaking it up in the exchange of a Californian look. I can understand how a brand like Band of Outsider will continue to employ such trick, but I think it's time for the more conventional look to make a comeback, and it is time for yet another breath of fresh air in men's style. Polished, put-together, and sleek minimalism.

Tennis: Serena: "I'm definitely not cheating, I'm not Justine Henin"!!!!

During Serena's semi-final lost to Jelena Jankovic, an exact versed replica of what happened between Serena and Henin in the 2003 French Open took place. Here's a bit of a background, in 2003, when Serena was on her 4 grand slam run, she ran into Justine Henin at the FO, and at one particular point, when Serena was serving, Justine Henin raised up her hand, a signal to stop, which means they'll have a re-do. But after Serena missed that serve, Justine refused to admit putting her hand up (despite video evidence proving otherwise), and Serena went on to double fault on her second serve. That was a huge scandal, especially since the crowd somehow got on Serena's case, and thus embarrassing the French internationally. Although both players are cordial nowadays, the press wouldn't let it go most of the time, and it seems like Serena hasn't completely let it go yet either.

This is what happened last week at Rome. When Serena was playing Jelena, it was Jelena who was serving and Serena put up a hand because an audience in the stand was still moving. Jelena didn't see it and served and of course aced (since Serena didn't make a move for it). Jelena was furious and said that ace should've counted, but the umpire saw the hand gesture and ruled a re-do, this got Jelena super mad.

She then went on to win and beat Serena, and I saw the match, when they met each other at the net Serena was saying a bunch of things to Jelena and I couldn't make out what exactly it was. But now that I watch the clip on youtube again, it's quite clear (despite the noise in the background), that she said something along the line of, "I don't cheat, I would never do that to someone else, (lean in to Jelena), I'm no Justine Henin, you understand?"!!

Oh man, if this gets bigger, this could get ugly at the French, the timing is just perfect, obviously someone hasn't let it go, and from Serena's book, we all know how much she hates cheaters. This could get interesting, watch below to see/hear the conversation.

View the video here.

Tennis: Another week, another tournament: MADRID

From one great European city to another, this week, the men's and women's tour catch up with each other in Madrid for the combined super event, the 3.5 million eruo Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open, held in the Magic Box.



The draw for the women's side seems particularly werid/interesting at first glance. The bye rounds appeared randomly assigned, but not random enough since Serena Williams, the No.1 Seed, got a bye into the 2nd ground, and 7th seed, Jelena Jankovic received one too, but werid enough No. 3 seed Venus did not as well as the other seeds. Then after revisiting the draw, I realized the four byes are awarded to the semi-finalist of last week's tournament in Rome.



It seems like the tour has back to back important tournaments three times a year, Indian wells/Miami, Rome/Madrid, Tokyo/Beijing, and the players decided not to have a break in between Indian Wells/Miami, but for the two other occasions (this being one of them), in order to take care of the players who go deep in the first tournament, the semi-finalists are awarded byes in the next tournament.



So far, Henin, who's a favorite to win the French Open, lost in the 1st round alongside Maria Sharapova, who's coming back from a shoulder injury since Indian Wells. Both Williams sisters are in the draw, as well as most of the top 20 in the world, this should be a real good indicator of what to expect in French, which is happening in a little more than two weeks. I'm not one to make prediction, Jelena should do quite well, some tennis forum poster referred to her as the "green thing", I thought it was crude, but her dress is REALLY green, with Clijster out, Henin losing early, Sharapova failing in her first comeback attempt, the attention is all on the Serbian duo (Jankovic and Ivanovic), who're both sort of on a comeback trail, as well as the Williams sisters.



Something note-worthy is that Chinese player, Li Na, has decided to donate her prize money from this tournament to the victims in the most recent earthquake in China. My thoughts and prayers are out to the victims and their families in the devastating disasater.

Tennis: What does Federer's lost to Montanes mean?

What is going on? This must be the question in the head of all Federer's fans. Many have thought that a W in Estoril is a sure thing once Federer got himself in the semi, after all, the man rarely loses after reaching this far, especially in a semi-small tournament. But, long and behold, Federe lost, and in only 2 sets, to a player no one will think twice about on a regular basis. Where does he go from here?

Is the problem technical, mental, physical? Or is Federer just getting older? While modern sports science/techonologies are helping athletes to prolong their career, in the contrary, technological advancements in the game of tennis seems to shorten the careers of most pros. The imporved equipments augment the importance of physicla fitness and exposes the problems with aging (28 to 30 is relatively old in the game of tennis). Balls are being striked harder, your reaction seems a fraction slower, the court is THAT MUCH bigger, and you feel that extra bit of tireness the morning after a long battle.

Only Federer will know what is going on in his head, or in his body. And while re-grouping is definitely in order, should he keep playing or take some time off? After all he's the defending champion at Roland Garros and given that Nadal is in the field this year, I'm sure Federer is looking for a strong showing. But unless something clicks, we might be expecting a quarter-final lost. An early exit from the clay grand slam might be better, since he can call it a fluke, but if he loses around the round of 16, it means he's losing to quality, not great, but quality players, which would spell trouble. Federer had been in slumps before and bounced back, and he has set the standard SO high, it'll be interesting to see if he can climb back to the top of Mount Federer again.

Fashion/Art: Otis graduate show: Helen Ko and others

I was invited to go view my friend Helen Ko's graduate exhibit at OTIS, a design and art school in Los Angeles. I was so proud of Helen since her exhibit was amazing, understated but very cool, it definitely has her point of view. I worked with Helen briefly during the summer and I always knew she was talented.

This sort of exhibit is always exciting for me, I get to see a lot of really creative creations plus the atmosphere is really energetic. Too bad I was only able to stay for 20 minutes, not even time to walk around one floor. The whole thing was one huge modern art compilation.

So, for Helen's exhibit, she did a series of shirts/shirt-dresses. I wish I could ask her more about the thinking and concept behind it, but so far I only have pictures to show you how awesome it is. The fabric choices are more leaning toward menswear, and the silhouette is rather loose. I really like the orange shirt, if it comes in my size, I'd wear it =)

There was this one guy who's also obsessed with mixing fabric and texture, and his two jackets (after you see the pictures, you might be able to tell how laborous it was) are basic hoodies with a major twist. The front or most of the bodice is made from layered horizontal strips of fabric and then instead of sewing them onto each other, they're connected by a couple diagonal seams running through the layers, sort of like a vent, I want to ask him if it's for sale!

And then another graduate is obviously dying to be the next costume designer for Lady Gaga. Theatrical ensembles with tons of fabric and plenty of drama.

There are also furnitures and other types of product developement work, I always believe that fashion can be driven by architecture and furniture, there's something about the geometry and the shape of these two disciplines that can inspire endless fashion possibilities.

Anyway, I really enjoyed my night and all the best to Helen!

Tennis: Jelena beats (somehow...) Serena in 3rd set Tie-break 7-5

This match was bizarre, but CONGRATULATION to Jelena for taking down another Williams sister in consecutive days!

Image via Getty

She didn't play nearly as well, or Serena played way better than Venus did, but either way, it was a scrappy match. Serena started out alright, but finished in a bizarre fashion, even she herself said on Twitter that it was a "MAJOR CHOKE!!!"

The tie-break was weird too, at first Serena jumped out to a 3-0 lead with good serving, then she can't return at all, and again her serve got her to 5-3, and then she lost 4 points in a row...it was just weird, but still better than watching the massacre that happened yesterday with Venus.

Fashion: McQueen's label was in financial Jeopardy before his death?

Times UK reported two days ago that there were signs McQueen's label was suffering to turn a significant profit.

This was shocking and puzzling to the journalist as well as the rest of us, and the main question is: If McQueen, whose been around for 10 years and has a loyal following of merchandisers and fans, cannot turn a profit, then what hopes are there for other young and new designers??

Does this add an extra layer of mystery over the real reasons behind McQueen's death?

Read the article here.

Tennis: Jelena evens it out with a 2nd set win

Jelena Jankovic wins the 2nd set 6-3 after Serena just mentally went away in the last two games. It seems like she was doing fine, and all of a sudden she couldn't find the court with her shots and quickly lost the last game at love to hand the 2nd set to Jelena.

Off we go to a 3rd and deciding set, let's see who will come out fighting more. If only either of them can feel the coliseum atmosphere of the stadium and the city of Rome in general.

Tennis: Serena Up 1 set to 0 on Jelena Jankovic

Serena Williams won the first set 6-4 in the Rome semi-final against Jelena Jankovic. There was a lot of speculations about how this match will turn out since Jankovic demolished Venus yesterday, but so far Serena is fairing a lot better than older sis.