After much hype, tennis - and fashion - lovers have been following court action with anticipation since Wimbledon began on Monday.
And despite sneak previews into the outfit provisioned for Maria Sharapova's debut match, the glamour girl still managed to cause a jaw-dropping stir.
Although Nike had released early designs of the shorts and t-shirt combo, the piece-de-resistance, a see-through top, ensured Maria came up trumps in the style stakes today.
The Russian beauty arrived on court in an elegant blazer but quickly stripped off in a move that was likely to set pulses racing.
With little more than a sports-bra covering her modesty, Maria, 21, showcased the revealing outfit as she battled against Stephanie Foretz in the women's singles round on day two of the tournament.
The outfit did little to distract the tennis ace from her game though and she went on to win her first match, 6-1, 6-4.
Who will claim Wimbledon victory has yet to be determined, but after today, 6ft 2 Maria is almost certainly leading in the race to most stylish player.
Day one, however, saw some serious contenders as Serena Williams and Roger Federer also looked to the catwalk for inspiration.
The 26-year-old American insisted on wearing a trendy Burberry raincoat as she warmed up for her Court 1 match against Estonian Kaia Kanepi.
The outfit didn't seem to have boosted Miss Williams' confidence though as she made relatively heavy weather of beating her unfancied opponent 7-5, 6-3.
Despite her athletic skills, fashion dominated the press conference that followed.
Serena said: 'It's definitely not athletic attire.
'But it's ladylike and I'm very ladylike. It goes perfect with my personality and everything else.'It's definitely kind of retro inspired; buckles on the wrist, thewaistband tie। You can tie it or button it.
'I don't think it's going to keep the rain away but we can always hope.'After his dapper white blazer of last year, Roger Federer revealed his new look to be a 1920s-style cream cardigan.He said: 'I thought, let's move on to something a little bit different.'We thought about something nice like a cardigan, a jumper. I think the result is nice. It's a little easier to wear than the jacket to be honest.'
And despite sneak previews into the outfit provisioned for Maria Sharapova's debut match, the glamour girl still managed to cause a jaw-dropping stir.
Although Nike had released early designs of the shorts and t-shirt combo, the piece-de-resistance, a see-through top, ensured Maria came up trumps in the style stakes today.
The Russian beauty arrived on court in an elegant blazer but quickly stripped off in a move that was likely to set pulses racing.With little more than a sports-bra covering her modesty, Maria, 21, showcased the revealing outfit as she battled against Stephanie Foretz in the women's singles round on day two of the tournament.
The outfit did little to distract the tennis ace from her game though and she went on to win her first match, 6-1, 6-4.
Who will claim Wimbledon victory has yet to be determined, but after today, 6ft 2 Maria is almost certainly leading in the race to most stylish player.
Day one, however, saw some serious contenders as Serena Williams and Roger Federer also looked to the catwalk for inspiration.
The 26-year-old American insisted on wearing a trendy Burberry raincoat as she warmed up for her Court 1 match against Estonian Kaia Kanepi.
The outfit didn't seem to have boosted Miss Williams' confidence though as she made relatively heavy weather of beating her unfancied opponent 7-5, 6-3.
Despite her athletic skills, fashion dominated the press conference that followed.
Serena said: 'It's definitely not athletic attire.
'But it's ladylike and I'm very ladylike. It goes perfect with my personality and everything else.'It's definitely kind of retro inspired; buckles on the wrist, thewaistband tie। You can tie it or button it.
'I don't think it's going to keep the rain away but we can always hope.'After his dapper white blazer of last year, Roger Federer revealed his new look to be a 1920s-style cream cardigan.He said: 'I thought, let's move on to something a little bit different.'We thought about something nice like a cardigan, a jumper. I think the result is nice. It's a little easier to wear than the jacket to be honest.'
Tottenham hope to finally end their search for a new goalkeeper this week by securing a £10million deal with PSV Eindhoven for Heurelho Gomes.
Spurs head coach Juande Ramos has been looking at candidates to replace Paul Robinson for the past six months and has decided to go for Gomes.
Tottenham hope to finally end their search for a new No 1 goalkeeper this week by securing a £10m deal with PSV Eindhoven for their highly-rated Brazilian stopper Heurelho Gomes.
Spurs head coach Juande Ramos has been looking at candidates to replace Paul Robinson for the past six months - and has decided to go for Gomes, who stands 6ft 4in and has won 17 caps for his country.
The two clubs are close to agreeing a fee and Tottenham hope to be given permission to talk terms.
The 27-year-old has been one of many names on Tottenham's shortlist, but he made a big impression when he helped knock Spurs out of the UEFA Cup in March.
In the Eredivisie, he is known for his reflex saves and his ability to throw the ball deep into the opposition half.
Gomes fell out with PSV earlier in the season and asked for a transfer after they clinched the championship.
He said: 'I don't think the club want me to stay here. Something drastic has to change to keep me here.'
PSV held talks with Gomes and his agent last week in a bid to get him to stay at the club, but it appears they have lost the fight.
If Spurs secure the transfer as expected they will still need to find another keeper to act as back-up on the bench as Czech Republic No2 Radek Cerny, who took over when Robinson was axed by Ramos last season, has joined QPR.
Robinson's future has still to be decided, but he has been resigned to leaving White Hart Lane since January and is believed to have already bought a new home in the north of England having already attracted interest from Aston Villa and Middlesbrough.
Spurs head coach Juande Ramos has been looking at candidates to replace Paul Robinson for the past six months and has decided to go for Gomes.
Tottenham hope to finally end their search for a new No 1 goalkeeper this week by securing a £10m deal with PSV Eindhoven for their highly-rated Brazilian stopper Heurelho Gomes.
Spurs head coach Juande Ramos has been looking at candidates to replace Paul Robinson for the past six months - and has decided to go for Gomes, who stands 6ft 4in and has won 17 caps for his country.
The two clubs are close to agreeing a fee and Tottenham hope to be given permission to talk terms.
The 27-year-old has been one of many names on Tottenham's shortlist, but he made a big impression when he helped knock Spurs out of the UEFA Cup in March.
In the Eredivisie, he is known for his reflex saves and his ability to throw the ball deep into the opposition half.
Gomes fell out with PSV earlier in the season and asked for a transfer after they clinched the championship.
He said: 'I don't think the club want me to stay here. Something drastic has to change to keep me here.'
PSV held talks with Gomes and his agent last week in a bid to get him to stay at the club, but it appears they have lost the fight.
If Spurs secure the transfer as expected they will still need to find another keeper to act as back-up on the bench as Czech Republic No2 Radek Cerny, who took over when Robinson was axed by Ramos last season, has joined QPR.
Robinson's future has still to be decided, but he has been resigned to leaving White Hart Lane since January and is believed to have already bought a new home in the north of England having already attracted interest from Aston Villa and Middlesbrough.
Rafael Nadal today won the Artois Championships at Queen's Club just seven days after claiming his fourth straight French Open title.
Nadal said: "This week has been amazing for me.
The 22-year-old became the first Spanish male to win a grass court title since 1972 by beating Novak Djokovic 7-6 (8/6) 7-5 in two hours and 15 minutes on centre court.
He trailed 3-0 in the opening set and was a point away from being 4-0 down before fighting back in typically tenacious fashion to win it on a tie-break.
The Spaniard is the first player to win at Roland Garros and Queen's in the same year since the tournament began in its current format in 1979, although Ilie Nastase captured the French Open and London Grass Court Championships in 1973.
In a battle of this year's grand slam winners, the French Open and Australian Open champions produced some fantastic tennis, with many rallies more suited to a clay court than grass.
Djokovic held one set point at 6-5 in the tie-break but Nadal took the next three points to win it 8-6 in 74 minutes, the Serbian throwing his racket to the turf in frustration.
Nadal seemed on course to race through the second set when he broke for a 2-0 lead, but Djokovic refused to concede and broke straight back.
The next six games went with serve but only after Djokovic saved two more break points to make it 4-4, Nadal almost producing one of the best shots of all time after slipping over and hitting a diving forehand volley from behind the baseline which flew just wide.
Djokovic looked to have made the most of his reprieve, breaking to love in the next game only then to lose his serve straight back while serving for the set.
And Nadal made the world number three pay the price for such profligacy, holding serve to lead 6-5 and then breaking Djokovic again to secure victory.
Djokovic said: "I tried, it was a great match.
"It's been a terrific week. I've only been playing on grass for three years so it's quite an improvement for me to get to the final."
Nadal said: "This week has been amazing for me.
The 22-year-old became the first Spanish male to win a grass court title since 1972 by beating Novak Djokovic 7-6 (8/6) 7-5 in two hours and 15 minutes on centre court.
He trailed 3-0 in the opening set and was a point away from being 4-0 down before fighting back in typically tenacious fashion to win it on a tie-break.
The Spaniard is the first player to win at Roland Garros and Queen's in the same year since the tournament began in its current format in 1979, although Ilie Nastase captured the French Open and London Grass Court Championships in 1973.
In a battle of this year's grand slam winners, the French Open and Australian Open champions produced some fantastic tennis, with many rallies more suited to a clay court than grass.
Djokovic held one set point at 6-5 in the tie-break but Nadal took the next three points to win it 8-6 in 74 minutes, the Serbian throwing his racket to the turf in frustration.
Nadal seemed on course to race through the second set when he broke for a 2-0 lead, but Djokovic refused to concede and broke straight back.
The next six games went with serve but only after Djokovic saved two more break points to make it 4-4, Nadal almost producing one of the best shots of all time after slipping over and hitting a diving forehand volley from behind the baseline which flew just wide.
Djokovic looked to have made the most of his reprieve, breaking to love in the next game only then to lose his serve straight back while serving for the set.
And Nadal made the world number three pay the price for such profligacy, holding serve to lead 6-5 and then breaking Djokovic again to secure victory.
Djokovic said: "I tried, it was a great match.
"It's been a terrific week. I've only been playing on grass for three years so it's quite an improvement for me to get to the final."
Aaron Ramsey revealed Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was "a big factor" in him signing for the Gunners rather than Manchester United.
At 17, the Wales midfielder was one of the hottest properties in the British transfer market this summer, and Cardiff reluctantly agreed to let him talk to Barclays Premier League club after three, the other being Everton, met their £5million valuation.
However, the prospect of working with Wenger - who has nurtured so many talented youngsters and personally met with Ramsey when Arsenal flew him out to Switzerland - proved even more of a lure than joining last season's Premier League and European champions.
"I am so happy to have signed for Arsenal. I am joining one of the biggest clubs in the world and can't wait to meet my new team-mates," said Ramsey after his move was officially confirmed. "I recently met with Arsene Wenger and he was a big factor in my decision to join Arsenal.
"He talked to me for a long time about the club and the plans for the future, which really excites me."
Wenger has always put his faith in youth, although that was not enough last season as the young Gunners came up just short in the race for the title and in Europe.
Those honest discussions with Ramsey - who impressed as a substitute during the FA Cup final defeat against Portsmouth at Wembley - convinced him to opt for north London instead of the north-west and an immediate chance to make an impact on the first team rather than wait in line at Old Trafford, in a deal which actually would have seen him loaned back out to the Coca-Cola Championship club next season.
However, the teenager knows he cannot rest on his laurels if he is to cement a place in Wenger's first team at Emirates Stadium alongside the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Theo Walcott.
He said: "Arsenal is a club which always gives young players an opportunity at the highest level of the game and I am going to work my hardest to be part of future successes here."
Cesc Fabregas
Thinking of home: Cesc Fabregas - on Euro 2008 duty with Spain - hopes Alexander Hleb will stay at Arsenal
Ramsey came through the youth ranks at Ninian Park, and admitted it was something of a wrench to leave the Wales club.
"It was a really difficult decision to leave Cardiff City, they are my local club with great supporters and I would just like thank everyone at Cardiff City for their support and help in my early career," he said.
"I will still look out for their results and there will always be a place in my heart for the Bluebirds."
The capture of Ramsey is something of a coup for Wenger, snatching the promising youngster from under the nose of rival Sir Alex Ferguson.
"Aaron Ramsey is a young player who has shown huge potential," said the Arsenal manager. He is still only 17, but has already shown that he is a very intelligent and mature player with great quality.
"Although he mainly plays in midfield, Aaron is a versatile player and can also play across the defence. We are all looking forward to welcoming Aaron to the club for our pre-season preparations."
Wenger is keen to add more players to his squad before they depart on Gunners' pre-season training camp in Austria at the end of July.
However, Bayern Munich and Barcelona continue to be linked with a move for winger Alexander Hleb. Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas - currently on international duty with an impressive Spain squad at Euro 2008 - hopes the Belarussian will stay at Emirates Stadium.
"I have always said that Hleb is an incredible footballer and what he has done is underrated, well, everything that he does, because he is still an Arsenal player," Fabregas told Spanish daily newspaper El Pais.
"That kind of footballer deserves more credit, but I tell it to you, he is an incredible footballer. I hope we will carry on playing together for years."
Wenger is expected to tie up a £13million deal for long-time target Samir Nasri, the Marseille midfielder, after Euro 2008 while Ivory Coast international Gervinho claims Arsenal have made inquiries to Le Mans about his availability.
Reports in Italy continue to line up Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor with a move to AC Milan, although Wenger - at the European Championship as a media pundit - last week gave any notion of letting last season's leading scorer leave short shrift.
Arsenal, meanwhile, have paid tribute to former player Derek Tapscott, who died aged 75. Welshman "Tappy" signed in 1954 from Barry Town and played some 132 games
At 17, the Wales midfielder was one of the hottest properties in the British transfer market this summer, and Cardiff reluctantly agreed to let him talk to Barclays Premier League club after three, the other being Everton, met their £5million valuation.
However, the prospect of working with Wenger - who has nurtured so many talented youngsters and personally met with Ramsey when Arsenal flew him out to Switzerland - proved even more of a lure than joining last season's Premier League and European champions.
"I am so happy to have signed for Arsenal. I am joining one of the biggest clubs in the world and can't wait to meet my new team-mates," said Ramsey after his move was officially confirmed. "I recently met with Arsene Wenger and he was a big factor in my decision to join Arsenal.
"He talked to me for a long time about the club and the plans for the future, which really excites me."
Wenger has always put his faith in youth, although that was not enough last season as the young Gunners came up just short in the race for the title and in Europe.
Those honest discussions with Ramsey - who impressed as a substitute during the FA Cup final defeat against Portsmouth at Wembley - convinced him to opt for north London instead of the north-west and an immediate chance to make an impact on the first team rather than wait in line at Old Trafford, in a deal which actually would have seen him loaned back out to the Coca-Cola Championship club next season.However, the teenager knows he cannot rest on his laurels if he is to cement a place in Wenger's first team at Emirates Stadium alongside the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Theo Walcott.
He said: "Arsenal is a club which always gives young players an opportunity at the highest level of the game and I am going to work my hardest to be part of future successes here."
Cesc Fabregas
Thinking of home: Cesc Fabregas - on Euro 2008 duty with Spain - hopes Alexander Hleb will stay at Arsenal
Ramsey came through the youth ranks at Ninian Park, and admitted it was something of a wrench to leave the Wales club.
"It was a really difficult decision to leave Cardiff City, they are my local club with great supporters and I would just like thank everyone at Cardiff City for their support and help in my early career," he said.
"I will still look out for their results and there will always be a place in my heart for the Bluebirds."
The capture of Ramsey is something of a coup for Wenger, snatching the promising youngster from under the nose of rival Sir Alex Ferguson.
"Aaron Ramsey is a young player who has shown huge potential," said the Arsenal manager. He is still only 17, but has already shown that he is a very intelligent and mature player with great quality.
"Although he mainly plays in midfield, Aaron is a versatile player and can also play across the defence. We are all looking forward to welcoming Aaron to the club for our pre-season preparations."
Wenger is keen to add more players to his squad before they depart on Gunners' pre-season training camp in Austria at the end of July.
However, Bayern Munich and Barcelona continue to be linked with a move for winger Alexander Hleb. Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas - currently on international duty with an impressive Spain squad at Euro 2008 - hopes the Belarussian will stay at Emirates Stadium.
"I have always said that Hleb is an incredible footballer and what he has done is underrated, well, everything that he does, because he is still an Arsenal player," Fabregas told Spanish daily newspaper El Pais.
"That kind of footballer deserves more credit, but I tell it to you, he is an incredible footballer. I hope we will carry on playing together for years."
Wenger is expected to tie up a £13million deal for long-time target Samir Nasri, the Marseille midfielder, after Euro 2008 while Ivory Coast international Gervinho claims Arsenal have made inquiries to Le Mans about his availability.
Reports in Italy continue to line up Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor with a move to AC Milan, although Wenger - at the European Championship as a media pundit - last week gave any notion of letting last season's leading scorer leave short shrift.
Arsenal, meanwhile, have paid tribute to former player Derek Tapscott, who died aged 75. Welshman "Tappy" signed in 1954 from Barry Town and played some 132 games
