PALIN MITENK BLOG

By Maysa Rawi and Tamara Abraham

Strawberries and cream: Serena Williams celebrates her debut on Centre Court today in red shorts inspired by the Wimbledon dessert


There were strawberries and cream on court as well as off at Wimbledon today when Serena Williams stepped onto Centre Court in red and white.

While hemlines continue to dominate headlines, Serena failed to disappoint in an off-white 'Control Lawn dress' by Nike, inspired by the British dessert synonymous with the tournament, featuring bright piping and matching hotpants.

The defending champion not only co-ordinated her socks and trainers with bright red laces, but also showed off intricate nail art with silver sequin polish and capital S painted on her finger.


Fashion statement: Serena turned heads in a matching outfit designed by Nike and even co-ordinated her laces


But of course it was also her tennis that was the focus as Williams beat Portugal's Michelle Larcher De Brito 6-0 6-4, sailing through to the next round.

On the warm, sunny afternoon, Williams won all 27 points on her first serve, including an ace with her final shot.

De Brito played it safe in a classic white dress with navy trim but also matched her Nike shoes, proving fashion on court is fast becoming a necessary prerequisite to big tournaments.


Bling: Serena shows off her sequined nail art with initial embellished in red...and her toned physique


But after four British women's hopefuls were knocked out yesterday, it was bad news again for Anne Keovathong, who lost to Russian-born Anastasia Rodianova on Court 12.

Keovathong lost six games in a row to throw away the decider to Rodionova 6-4.

The Hackney-born player - sporting yellow hotpants under her white skirt and vest - was is visibly upset after losing 3-6 6-2 6-4, reminiscent of her tears last year.


Defeat: Portugal's Michelle Larcher De Brito picks herself up after slipping as she loses today's game


Meanwhile Andy Murray flashed a rare smile as he arrived at the club for practice this morning, while Rafael Nadal was seen training ahead of his match this afternoon against Japanese player Kei Nishikori.

Nadal, the 2008 champion who missed out on defending his title last year due to tendinitis, returned to a Centre Court basking in 80-degree heat with ready to win as he claimed the opener 6-2 in the first-round contest.


Shady: A tired Andy Murray takes a break after a nervy start against Jan Hajek


Murray also seemed in high spirits today as he updated his fans on Twitter.

He wrote:'Solid chicken and pasta for lunch. Thanks for all the support and see u out there!'

And the fans were out there in the hundreds, queuing with their picnics according to Wimbledon tradition.


High spirits: Murray opts for classic Adidas as he puts on a passionate display


Show of support: Mother Judy Murray and girlfriend Kim Sears (right) turn out to watch Murray play


But frustrated tennis-lovers had to wait a while before seeing Murray on court as there was at least another set to be played by Robert Kendrick and Jo-Wilfired Tsonga before the British no1 took to the court.

Looking smart in Adidas, Murray's mother Judy and girlfriend Kim Sears turned out to watch him up against Jan Hajek.

The pair were pictured together yesterday in a rare romantic display after reuniting last month following a split last November.


On fire: Britain's Anne Keothavong (left) playing on Court 12 today before losing to Australian Anastasia Rodionova (right). The hopeful is just three games away from a place in the second round


There was plenty in the way of celebrities to entertain between matches - albeit in the safety of a VIP area rather than with the hordes outside.

Bear Grylls, Grace Jones and Trinny Woodall were among the unlikely group in the Evian suite.

They were joined by T4 presenter Jameela Jamil, Skins star Nicholas Hoult and singer Victoria Hesketh, a.k.a. Little Boots.


Lovely ladies: T4 presenter Jameela Jamil, left, Victoria 'Little Boots' Hasketh and 90210 star Jessica Lowndes enjoy the day from the VIP Evian suite


90210 actress Jessica Lowndes, who caused a stir at Richard Branson's pre-Wimbledon party.

Tens of thousands of fans have been flocking to the All England Club since the humid opening day's tennis yesterday.

Some had camped out for three days to be at the front of the queue that snaked through SW19, and if they were hoping to enjoy a strawberry they were soon put off with the price of £2.50 for a little punnet.






All on the same day, the beauty, the high and the mighty of the women's game
By paul harris

Packing a punch: Sam Stosur's thighs ripple as she plays yesterday


It used to be so genteel – flowing skirts, frilly knickers and deliciously well-turned ankles.

But at Ladies’ Day yesterday, the girls proved that in the modern game, power and efficiency are much more their style.

Australian Sam Stosur may have followed convention by wearing a dress, but it barely contained her muscular thighs.

The 26-year-old regards her power as one of the great ‘weapons’ in her tennis armoury, as she puts it – and that drive helped propel her to number six seed.

However, power isn’t everything, it seems.

She lost in straight sets to Kaia Kanepi yesterday.

At 6ft 3in, it may not be a surprise to see world number 93 Akgul Amanmuradova, from Uzbekistan, dressed in an outfit more akin to the men’s game.

After all, she’s taller than most of them. Besides, towering 1ft above the tournament’s shortest player, Jill Craybas, from the U.S, may make it unlikely that she’d ever find a skirt to fit.

But the height advantage of the 13-stone builder’s daughter, who turned down a place on the national basketball team in favour tennis, couldn’t guarantee her victory either.

The player, who is 26 today, was defeated by Russia’s Svetlana Kuznetsova


Tall order: Akgul Amanmuradova towers above a line judge at 6ft 3in. Right, Maria Sharapova on her way to winning


At least Maria Sharapova proved that a little polish can pay off. Wearing a flouncy skirt layered to resemble an upturned white rose, the 16th seed made her 6-1, 6-0 victory over Anastasia Pivovarova, look effortless.

Perhaps it was those £1,200 Tiffany ear-rings tickling the 23-year-old’s neck which gave her game that extra sparkle...


source: dailymail