Never one to be knowingly underdressed, Maria Sharapova has disclosed that she will defend her US Open title in a flame-red, crystal-encrusted outfit which has been inspired by the lights of the New York skyline.

In her red dress, with over 600 Swarovski crystals on the neckline, the Russian will look as though she is ready for an evening in a Man-hattan cocktail bar rather than a game of tennis at Flushing Meadows in blue-collar Queens, where the US Open starts on Monday. Indeed, Sharapova launched the dress, which she will wear for her night matches under the lights of the Arthur Ashe Stadium, at a fashion event in the Rockefeller Centre in Manhattan, looking out over the city.

These days, it seems that the build-up to every grand slam has to include the world No 2 talking about the finer points of her wardrobe. Sharapova does not just wear dresses; she launches them. At Wimbledon, her outfit was partly based on a swan, here it is the New York skyscrapers. What else? "The designs are inspired by the city itself," said Sharapova.

As well as the red number, she has a customised black-and-white dress for day matches. The world's highest-earning sportswoman knows how to look the part. Her love of fashion attracts extra attention on tennis.

"It's always important to feel comfortable in what you're wearing when you're playing, but in tennis, you can do so many things with your wardrobe," she said.

Rating: 3

Just because one is known to dressed to the nines doesn't automatically mean they are best dressers. She could be wearing a great dress (like Sharapova's green sheath) but has the wrong shoe (Maria has blue pumps) and very weird looking accessory (a tarantula looking neck piece if you ask me) So, you are left with nothing but bad taste, poor style and should-I-fire-my-stylist dilemma.

[Source]