Zheng Jie Hot

2010 US Open fourth seed Jelena Jankovic wasn’t really in the conversation as a gunner for this year’s title, as seen by her immediate hiccup in the first round against Simona Halep, who served for the match against the Serbian before falling 7-5 in the third. JJ also needed three sets to beat qualifier Mirjana Lucic (two snaps to her for making it to the main draw, btw) and then fell to Kaia Kanepi in the third round.

We love that she added the pink sports bra and hot pants under the purple ANTA dress that she’s been wearing for the summer hardcourt swing; way to rejuvenate an outfit, no? Note the purple detail in her shoes, and the pink in her fingernails.

Zheng Jie Hot
Zheng Jie Hot
Zheng Jie HotAnother early exit at Wimbledon for 2008 semifinalist Zheng Jie, who followed last year’s early loss to Dani Hantuchova with a 4-6, 6-2, 2-6 performance against Petra Kvitova in the second round of the 2010 tournament. Ever since her run to the semis in Melbourne this year (save for an uptick at Warsaw, where she got to the final), Zheng’s been sputtering. What gives?

ANTA scales back: Unlike all the crazy — dare we say gratuitous — use of fabric at this year’s draw, the normally ruffled Zheng went for a simple look, even down to her puffed-sleeve warm-up.

Draw: Kvitova next plays Azarenka. Both are in the top half of the draw with Serena.
Zheng Jie Hot
Zheng Jie Hot
Zheng Jie Hot
Zheng Jie HotZheng Jie put on a show in front of the Southern California crowd in attendance at last weekend’s session at the BNP Paribas Open when she took out Maria Sharapova in the third round. The loooong match, which Zheng won 6-3 2-6 6-3, lasted for about three hours; it didn’t help that Masha has a Mary Pierce-like pre-serve ritual; neither did the multiple games with multiple deuces.

But what does it matter when you’ve got a hot baller boyfriend? Or when you’ve out-accesorized your opponent? There were the green drop earrings; the warm-up jacket in a Victorian silhouette; the Prince racquet bag, prettier (in person) than we’d expected it to be; and the gym duffle (“Valentine”) from her line with Cole Haan. The duffle reminds us of Masha’s black and silver dress from the 2009 U.S. Open.

Zheng Jie

LONDON - Zheng Jie created history at Wimbledon on Tuesday, becoming the first Chinese player to reach the semifinals of a Grand Slam tournament. Zheng Jie of China reacts during her quarter-final match against Nicole Vaidisova at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London July 1, 2008. The Chinese ace beat Nicole Vaidisova, of the Czech Republic, 6-2, 5-7, 6-1 to set up a semifinal clash with former winner Serena Williams of the US.

Earlier, Zheng had put paid top seed Ana Ivanovic's hopes of winning her first Wimbledon crown. She beat Hungary's Agnes Szavay in the fourth round on Monday.
Nicole Vaidisova of the Czech Republic reacts to a missed point during her quarter-final match against Zheng Jie of China at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London July 1, 2008.

The 24-year-old Zheng also becomes the first wild-card entrant to reach the semifinals at the All England Club and the second at any Grand Slam.

Zheng, playing at Wimbledon for only the third time, is now just two wins away from completing a dream run.

Zheng Jie
Zheng Jie
Zheng Jie
Zheng Jie
Zheng Jie
Zheng Jie
Zheng Jie