By Liza Horan, Editor

 

Despite having the least amount of practice time than ever for a major, Maria Sharapova dazzled fans and dissed Michaella Krajicek. Well, not really on the latter, but a 6-3, 6-0 win in 59 minutes was no social call.

 

The downpours and lack of indoor courts at the USTABJKNTC* prevented Maria from practicing as much as she would've like prior to her first-round match, but it didn't matter. Would she have double-bageled?

 

The Russian posted a staggering first-serve percentage of 82, which looks even better next to Krajicek's 43%. But give the Richard's little sister a chance, she's never played at Flushing Meadows and she opened on Arthur Ashe Stadium against the highest paid female athlete in history—at primetime. The 17-year-old is ranked No. 36, and already has three singles titles and two doubles titles on her record.

 

Now, back to Maria. Her amazing first-serve percentage made for 10 aces and winning 86% of first serve points.

 

"That was probably one of the best service displays I've had in my career," she said. "I actually didn't think I was hitting my serve big, but I was placing it really well. That's a big key for me...consistently placing it. I don't really think how hard I'm going to hit it."

 

In every post-match interview the questions about tennis are rightly posed first. When it feels like the match has been sufficiently addressed, then reporters move on to other things. Tonight I wanted to ask her about her custom Nike performance dress, but first I asked about her cell phone, which she loosely clutched and handled while answering prior questions.

LH: Are you expecting a call, or is having you phone with you part of your contract?

MS: It's just a natural habit. I can't live without a phone.

By the way, she's moved past the pink Motorola Razr that was made available to her exclusively, well before the public was able to purchase it. Now she's sporting the gold D&G model. Yes, that's "Dolce & Gabbana" and it retails for $599. Sorry, but it's sold out at Motorola.com, so try Bloomingdale's.

 

That was just a lead in to my real question about her black Nike dress, which she helped design. With capped sleeves and a crystal-encrusted neckline in front, Maria looked sleek, elegant, chic and uninhibited in movement. Her after-play jacket was more collar than anything—harkening back to her intended Audrey Hepburn look, though it bordered on Elvis—and the long belt-like tied waist suited her slender body. I'm a fan (of the dress).

 

Her quote from the press release issued by Nike, for the TV ad featuring the dress, summed up the philosophy behind the piece, though didn't hint at her momentary Hepburn obsession.

"I'm excited about this ad because not only is Nike drawing attention to women's tennis, but there's also an empowering message for female athletes that it's okay to be fierce and competitive on the court and still have a feminine side off court," said Sharapova.

Back to my follow-up question...

LH: Can you talk about the dress? You hinted that you have a different fashion for daywear.

MS: The whole inspiration for the night dress was Audrey Hepburn.  I'm really inspired by her.  I'm in a phase where I'm like watching all her movies.  I haven't seen "Breakfast at Tiffany's" since, like, three weeks ago, then I saw "Roman Holiday," then I read some books about her.  That's where the inspiration came off.       

It's classy, it's elegant.  I love the neck of it.  That was kind of my input towards the design [and] all the crystals and everything.  I'm very excited.  It's one of my favorite dresses that I've ever worn.  It's pretty cool.

 

The day dress is a little different. It's not as exciting as the night dress, I'll tell you that.  But it's kind of a lavender color, has some lace mesh material.

As for being taken with Hepburn, that came while shopping at Anthropologie a couple of months ago.

 

"I love all their books.  I picked one book up about her and I read it," Maria explained. "I just thought that she was amazing. I didn't realize what she did—she was just an actress, but she was an ambassador for UNICEF...all the things she did for children in her life. She never expected to be the best at what she was, but she always put that effort in."

 

Maria admits that this could be a passing fancy. No surprise because trends come and go and, after all, she is on the cutting edge of fashion and pop culture.

 

"I just started watching her movies and reading about her.  I go through phases.  I'll be in another phase next month," she said.

 

What might be in store for the Australian Open? Maybe from Holly Golightly to Holly Hobby? The dress she wore at the Dacor Taste of Tennis last Thursday (see second article from bottom) was a peasant dress of a pattern that seemed inspired by India.
 

By the way, after the match, USA Network's Michael Barkann asked Maria on court if she'd be sticking around to watch the Andy Roddick-Kristian Pless match (Andy won in three sets).

 

"No comment," she said with a big laugh (right).

 

Both Maria and Andy were asked if they were romantically involved.

She said: I really don't talk about my personal life.  And, you know, when two tennis players know each other and are friends, and are known around the world, there's ‑‑ people are gonna talk.  That's exactly what's happening.

 

He said: We're not dating. I've said it a million times already, but you guys refuse to write it. Uhm, you know, we're friendly. We're in the same places. I think she's a great girl. We'll talk. That's about it...It's a little bit of a stretch when we both travel. I can't say enough nice things about her.

You decide.

 
*USTABJKNTC: U.S. Tennis Association Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Yep, get used to one more acronym in this sport...