Bethanie Mattek Sands lost in the first round of Wimbledon to Misaki Doi 6-4 5-7 7-5 but that sole American’s match would be enough for her Wimbledon 2011 appearance to be remembered, definitely in the years to come (she is in the doubles draw, partnered with Meghann Shaughnessy). What else would be the reason than Bethanie’s famous fashion!

As promised, the 31st-ranked Mattek Sands appeared on the court in a daring design resulting from her cooperation with Alex Noble, who is the name behind some of Lady Gaga’s outfits. It was a fringed jacket adorned with white tennis balls. Bethanie left the heavy jacket on the chair and played in a tight dress with sleeves of different length. Also, her trademark tube socks were accompanying the look. Read more »

Maria Sharapova outclassed Anna Chakvetadze in an all-Russian match in the first round of Wimbledon, 6-2 6-1. The 52nd-ranked Chakvetadze broke Sharapova's serve only once, in the beginning of the second set, and Sharapova won all the following games.

Besides Venus and Serena Williams, Sharapova is the only WTA player in the draw who has won Wimbledon. The former world No.1 Russian followed her 2004 Wimbledon triumph with two semifinal showings, but has since failed to go past the fourth round. This year she is one of the favorites for the title, if not the biggest favorite (which our poll results are currently demonstrating as well), especially because of her recent form shown in Rome and Paris. Read more »

World No.1 Caroline Wozniacki and twice defending champion Serena Williams both won their opening matches at Wimbledon 2011.

The top-seeded Wozniacki complained about the wind which was changing the course of her shots, but still she straightforwardly won her first match on grass this season 6-2 6-1 against world No.105 Arantxa Parra Santonja. Wozniacki's number of winners was not much greater than her opponent's, just 14 to 11, but the greater discrepancy in unforced errors gave Wozniacki the obvious advantage, 4 to 15.

Remember that as a Wimbledon warm-up Wozniacki played, and won, a hard-court tournament?

Serena had a tough test in the first round against world No.61 Aravane Rezai and after a 6-3 3-6 6-1 victory sealed with her 13th ace, Serena, who had been away with injury and illness for almost a year, was overwhelmed with emotions, put her head in a towel and wept. I'd like to mention that Serena hit 9 aces more than her opponent, but when it comes to winners, she had just two more, 24 to 22.

As I'm talking about Serena and Caroline in the same article, I'd like to mention Serena's recent interview in which she actually praises the current state of women's tennis.

I think the tour's doing fine. Great new campaigns going on, so much going on in women's tennis. There's so much depth in women's tennis. It's good. Everyone's playing so hard.

Fashion info: Wozniacki is sticking with her weird Adidas by Stella McCartney ruffles, only now in white. Serena is sporting a Fila-like Nike dress with a deep V-neck and a vertical black line as an accent. The name of the dress is Nike Women's Fall Smash Lawn Dress. (photos via Wimbledon)

Venus Williams once again made an outfit pushing the fashion limits, only this time in a much better way than her shocking Australian Open 2011 choices and the most of the provocative 2010 season dresses. The American five-time Wimbledon champion (2000, 2001, 2005, 2007, 2008) cruised into the second round 6-3 6-1 without facing a break point against Akgul Amanmuradova in a white EleVen clothing item with a dominant zipper in the middle. When I first saw it I first called it a thing, because it is not a dress, it is not a two-piece outfit, but Venus herself later clarified the situation: Read more »

Bethanie Mattek Sands always grabs attention with her tennis clothes and the Wimbedon player party dress was not all the fashion fun she prepared for us this grass season. Her cooperation with Alex Noble, Lady Gaga's designer, is reaching the tennis courts as well, and its first showing will be at Wimbledon, the most strict and traditional tennis tournament. Bethanie will not cross the boundaries of the all-white clothing rule, but her outfit will be over-the-top.

We can expect white tennis balls to adorn her outfit, some sort of accessory, that's all we know now. Here's Bethanie's hint:

I have something of his that I'm going to wear onto the court, but I can't play in it. It's my big surprise for Wimbledon.

Additional info: Bethanie is having the seeding of No.30 at this year's Wimbledon and it's actually the first time she's seeded in a Grand Slam event. Bethanie's opponent in the first round will be Japan's Misaki Doi ranked No.133. (photo via lucas67, source: ESPN)