Rafael Nadal, Ana Ivanovic to play in Richard Branson's event this week

While Novak Djokovic is back to Belgrade to play in the Davis Cup final against the Czech Republic this weekend, Rafael Nadal is already in the Caribbean for Richard Branson's Necker Cup.

Nadal with girlfriend Maria Francisca and baby Kristian Kriek in a car ride to the hotel in Necker Island

The Necker Cup is an exclusive Pro-Am event held on Sir Richard Branson’s private island Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands held on November 12-16th. If the Necker Cup is not exciting enough for you, then it has to be Super Bowl to be held in February next year in New Orleans. To get yourself prepared for more winning moments, visit Super Bowl XLVIII Bets.

Cirstea and Ivanovic on a private flight to the Necker island

Back to the Necker Cup, some of us may not be too familiar with the event. Sixteen (16) ATP/WTA Tour Players/Legends are paired up with sixteen (16) amateur teams of all levels to compete in the fun tennis event. A handicapped scoring format is implemented to make it competitive for every player. Each team consists of one pro and up to two amateurs. Teams will compete to win their bracket and earn a chance to play in the Necker Cup Finals.

Of course besides playing tennis, participants also get to do a lot of island activities.

(Images via Facebook, Instagram)

Australian Open 2011: Crown's Tennis Players' Party

Every year, tennis players will show up at the luxurious Crown Casino for its annual players' party prior to the Australian Open.

Among the players who turned up this year were Rafael Nadal, Maria Sharapova, Robin Soderling with girlfriend Jenni Moström and David Nalbandian.

Rafael Nadal in his Emporio Armani wear and Richard Mille watch.

Marion Bartoli seriously need a haircut.

That transparent top with inner black tube on Maria Sharapova is just so wrong...

The usual laidback David Nalbandian...

Sweet sweet Sorana Cirstea...

I admit Robin Soderling and girlfriend Jenni Moström do look lovely together.

(Images by Graham Denholm/Getty Images AsiaPac via zimbio.com)

Is this Sport or Maternity Fashion Awards?

Caroline Wozniacki, Sofia Arvidsson and Sorana Cirstea attended the "2009 Sport Fashion Award" held in conjunction with the Collector Swedish Open on Friday.

Luckily, Cirstea's sweet little pink dress and her Jennifer Aniston look saved the day.

(Image via Swedish Open Women's Flickr photostream)

Guess what song is Caroline Wozniacki singing?

Since Caroline Wozniacki and Sorana Cirstea are in Bastad, Sweden right now, what else do you expect them to sing?

Of all ABBA's greatest hits, I bet there's one particular song that makes Wozniacki sing her heart out... yep, this is the one...

Sorana Cirstea defeats Sabine Lisicki for first career title

Two of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour's brightest young stars went to battle in the Tashkent Open final on Sunday.

It was Sorana Cirstea who rose to the top on this occasion, coming back from the brink in the third set and edging Sabine Lisicki in a third set tie-break to capture her first title at the Tier IV event.

"I'll cherish the title in Tashkent forever as it is my first title; I was desperate to take my first title!" Cirstea added.

"I've been improving a lot since my first final, and I'm looking for many more titles. I'm also extremely happy to wear the traditional Uzbek dress, which has become the trademark of this event."

Cirstea was a runner-up in her first career final, losing to Gisela Dulko in three sets on the clay courts of Budapest last spring.

But it was second time lucky in Tashkent this year, as the 18-year-old came back from the brink to emphatically beat her 19-year-old opponent, who was playing in her first career final.

"I made some mistakes and missed too many easy shots; it was my first final and I'm happy to have come so far, but I'm sad to lose," Lisicki said.

"Although I might have missed a lot of shots today, in the future these shots will be my weapons. My goal is to be a Top 10 player and I'm going to work even harder."

With Cirstea, Lisicki and Peng all reaching the semifinals, the only Top 4 seed not reaching the semifinals was No.2 seed Olga Govortsova.

In her stead it was No.5 seed Magdalena Rybarikova who reached the final four before retiring against Cirstea due to illness after dropping the first set, 6-3.

Also making noise in Tashkent was Portuguese phenom Michelle Larcher de Brito, who reached a Tour quarterfinal for the first time in her very green career.

The doubles final took the court on Saturday as well, with Ioana Raluca Olaru and Olga Savchuk beating Nina Bratchikova and Kathrin Woerle in a match tie-break, 5-7, 7-5, 10-7.

Both Olaru and Savchuk picked up their first Tour titles of any kind; and while Olaru had reached one Tour doubles final - at Budapest earlier this year, finishing runner-up - Savchuk was playing her first Tour final of any kind.

(Via sonyericssonwtatour.com, Image via Yahoo! Sport)