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new Quadra Quartz for Kournikova

Anna Kournikova, tennis star and brand ambassador for Omega flaunts her favourite watch, 'Quadra Quartz' from the Constellation series. The Constellation Quadra has a refreshing design with its contoured square case and integrated bracecet which fits perfectly around the wrist. It has a quartz precision movement with rhodium-plated finish and a power reserve of 32 months. The dial is in white mother-of-pearl studded with diamonds.

Omega Constellation has always been up-to-date with the latest fashion, yet it remains ever the timeless classic.

Roland Garros laddies predictions

1.  Justine Henin-Hardenne - It's an obvious pick to win it all but I don't see anyone knocking her off.

2.  Amelie Mauresmo - I don't think even Yannick Noah can convince her she can win this tournament. 

3.  Serena Williams - Her casual attitude toward tennis is finally catching up with her.  She'll go far but she won't win.

4.  Maria Sharapova - She'll win until she runs into Henin-Hardenne.

5. Venus Williams - A non-factor.

7.  Anastasia Myskina - Last year's winner, but could anyone possibly come in with less confidence?  Out in the first round.

8.  Elena Dementieva - Last year's finalist has never gotten on a roll this year so I don't see her matching last year's effort.  Too bad - I wanted her to win a slam this year.

9.  Patty Schnyder - Like I said, everyone needs a long-shot pick to win it all.  She should be brimming with confidence after her performance last week in Rome and her game drives the other players batty - especially on clay.

10. Ana ivanovic - she is the 10th favourite by the bookis.

Sony Ericsson Interactive Tennis Experience

Join the ‘Girls on Tour’ with Sony Ericsson Interactive Tennis Experience.New online services connect fans with the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour.

Sony Ericsson’s sponsorship of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour is bringing tennis fans closer to the stars and action as today the company launches a series of innovative, tennis-related interactive services connected to the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour. At the heart of these services is a new website, Girls on Tour, offering unique content and experiences, including the chance to see behind-the-scenes shots and footage of the glamour and action of women’s tennis, and the first ever personally recorded ringtones from the game’s top players. Launched to coincide with the start of the Telecom Italia Masters in Rome, Girls on Tour will be closely followed by supporting mobile services, allowing fans to feel part of the action wherever they are.

“Our sponsorship of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour allows us to make the best use of mobile and online technology to open up a world of experience for tennis fans," says Dee Dutta, Head of Marketing for Sony Ericsson. “In fact, these new services give such direct access to the game and stars that it’s easy to imagine what life is like on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour."

“This is one of the exciting new ways that Sony Ericsson’s technology and vision are helping to connect fans with our internationally-recognized players,’’ says Sophie Goldschmidt, VP Marketing and Sponsorship for the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour. “The integration of technology, as well as fashion, music and design, into women’s tennis is a natural fit, and this is the first of many ways that the Tour and Sony Ericsson will enhance the entertainment value of women’s tennis for our fans.’’

Girls on Tour offers unique, fresh content that involves the biggest stars in women’s tennis and is focused on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour circuit. The site contains the following three key areas and will expand during the tennis season:

Behind the Scenes – If you’ve ever wondered what happens when the world’s best tennis players walk off court, take a browse through Player Diaries, a library full of shots and video clips that players have taken with their Sony Ericsson camera phones.

Passing Shots – Professional photographers are let loose off the courts with the latest Sony Ericsson cameras phones. The results are an inspiration to anyone who wants to take great shots around the tournaments.

Downloads – Star players have for the first time recorded personal messages to create irresistible ringtones. Fans can enjoy being alerted to incoming calls by Serena and Venus Williams, Amelie Mauresmo, Alicia Molik, Anastasia Myskina and more. Star players are also featured in screen savers and wallpapers in this unique area of the site.

Also featured are the latest Sony Ericsson WTA Tour news, a Tennis Challenge where visitors can show off their knowledge of the game plus opportunities to win tickets to Sony Ericsson WTA Tour tournaments in their area.

Girls on Tour is a global site with English language content as well as additional local content in 8 languages. It can be found on www.sonyericsson.com/tennis

sharapova in Desperate Housewives

Tennis star Maria Sharapova has reportedly been offered a role on Desperate Housewives.

She was overheard at her 18th birthday party saying she had been offered a guest role on the hit series, currently airing on RTE2 here in Ireland.

    The six-foot-tall blonde Russian star last year became the second-youngest Wimbledon champion ever after defeating Serena Williams in straight sets.

    Eighteen months ago she signed a contract with IMG Models and has appeared in fashion shoots for several leading fashion and celebrity magazines.

source: xinhuanet

SVETLANA WHO?

While Sharapova has become a worldwide superstar since her Wimbledon victory, fellow Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova has not quite had the same impact.

According to the Times newspaper, the US Open champion was almost refused entry into the Rot-Weiss Club in Berlin, which hosts the German Open.

The security guard only agreed to let the 19-year-old in when she pointed at a promotional poster with her picture on it.

Sharapova endorsing the 'Lady Speed Stick' deodorant

The good news just keeps coming for Maria Sharapova, who celebrated her 18th birthday last month with a Motorola-sponsored party in New York.

According to ESPN, the Russian has signed a three-year endorsement deal with Colgate-Palmolive worth £1m a year.

Sharapova will reportedly begin by endorsing the 'Lady Speed Stick' deodorant.

The Wimbledon champion, who is close to becoming world number one, also has deals with Tag Heuer, Canon and Motorola among others.

She has also become the first tennis player since Anna Kournikova to be named in People magazine's 50 most beautiful people.

"I have always followed the voting. It's nice to be one of the most beautiful people," she said.

England footballer David Beckham is the only other sportsperson on the list.

Dokic return would save career

AFTER seeing her career ranking plummet from No4 in the world three years ago to 450, a desperate Jelena Dokic is considering a return to Australia in a bid to save her tennis career.

Dokic, 22, has told friends that Australia is a viable option as she looks at ways to stop her rankings free-fall.

Following another early loss in Portugal last week, Dokic almost made a cry for help. "I need to start at the beginning, like I did when I was 14 or 15," she said.

Australia is the place where she can receive that support and Fed Cup captain John Alexander said Dokic would be welcomed back with open arms, provided she showed a real commitment to play for her adopted country.

"Coming back to Australia for Jelena [would be] a rebirth for her," Alexander said. "It could be the making of her and the coming of age, where she started as an 11-year-old.

"Jelena must have a genuine commitment to Australia and the partnership of which our players enter to represent our nation."

Dokic left Australia in a blaze of acrimony in 2001.

She represented the country with distinction at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and no-one has ever doubted her talent after she reached the Wimbledon semi-finals that same year as a precocious 17-year-old. But the career highlights have been shrouded in controversy and the public spat that saw her leave Australia to represent Serbia-Montenegro, her country of birth.

Because she represented Serbia-Montenegro in Fed Cup tennis last year, Dokic is ineligible to play for Australia in the prestigious team competition until 2007.

But that doesn't deter Alexander, who hopes to build a strong team on the dual foundation of top-10 player Alicia Molik and Samantha Stosur. A rejuvenated Dokic would certainly add depth and versatility to the squad.

Alexander is confident that Dokic could find a home in Australia and it could kick-start her tennis after she reached a career-high of No4 in 2002.

"She has a lot of friends in Australia and this is where she learnt the game," Alexander said. "She has demonstrated the trademark of being a great fighter and with talent. The best future for her is in Australia.

"If she returns, she will eventually win her way back into the Fed Cup. But she must have the commitment."

Argentina's Dulko upsets Hantuchova in Berlin

Former world number five Daniela Hantuchova was bundled out of the Berlin Open on Tuesday, beaten 6-4 6-4 by Argentine 20-year-ol d Gisela Dulko.

The Slovakian, seeded 15, was put under pressure from the start against Dulko who proved the more consistent player throughout the contest.

Sharapova Named One of People Magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People"

Maria Sharapova has been named one of People Magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People" in a special issue that hits newsstands on Friday. Sharapova joins English soccer star David Beckham as the only athletes named to this year's list.

The magazine, which features Julia Roberts on its cover, includes Sharapova along with Hollywood stars like Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Jamie Foxx and Hilary Swank.

Others named to the list include Misha Barton, Eva Longoria, Oprah Winfrey, Jennifer Lopez, Alicia Keys, Usher, Seal, Heidi Klum, Penelope Cruz, Matthew McConaughey, Jude Law and Sienna Miller.

This year's list was put together based on results from an online poll that triggered more than 500,000 votes.

The current world No.2 isn't the first Russian tennis star to be featured in the popular issue of People. In 1998, Anna Kournikova was named one of the magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People".

wild card Julia Schruff conquers Myskina

French Open champion Anastasia Myskina crashed out of the German Open 6-2 1-6 6-4 to German wildcard Julia Schruff.

The Russian third seed, who had a bye into the second round, fought back well after a poor start.

But she was undone by unforced errors in the decider and 22-year-old Schruff, ranked 107, clinched a popular win.