What to wear to win at the Beijing Olympics?

Red is thought to bring good luck for Chinese and is the color of items ranging from packets of lucky money (ang pow) handed out at Lunar New Year to lanterns and wedding dresses.

In sports, Tiger Woods famously wears red on the last day of a golf tournament for luck.
And what do Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal's Beijing Olympic gears tell you? Gold medals in the making?
Perhaps Nadal has an extra edge over Federer. Check out the tribal markings at the back of Nadal's red shirt. Isn't that warrior motif already send out a strong message to his competitors? Could he be the luckier one?
Newlycrowned world no.1 Jelena Jankovic is wearing red too but I don't think she'll be the lucky one in the women's singles. Nah, it's not the threats from the Williams sisters nor Dinara Safina, but it's her awful 'milkmaid' red dress. That sends a bad chi, isn't it?

But you know what? Sometimes you don't have to wear red to be a winner. Janko Tipsarevic is one example. He might have lost in the second round to Olivier Rochus, but he's still a winner here (read: sexy and drives thousands of traffic to my blog). But having the combination of both like Federer would be the best.

(Images by Clive Brunskill/Julian Finney/Getty Images, mentennisforum.com)

Andy Murray suffers early Olympic embarrassment, crashing out to Lu Yen-Hsun

Andy Murray (Great Britain), who is fresh from winning the Cincinnati Masters, could have go far in the men's singles at the Beijing Olympics.

However it turns out to be the biggest upset today, after Murray losing in the first round to Rendy Lu Yen-Hsun (盧彥勳) of Taiwan in straight sets 7-6 (5), 6-4.

Murray, the world no. 6, only had himself to blame for his early embarrassing departure after failing to take advantage of the chances that came his way and allowing Lu, world no. 77 to score one of his career-best wins.

Murray's only hope of securing an Olympic medal now rests with the doubles event, in which he was still set to start alongside brother Jamie because of the delayed schedule.

Other top favourite players in the men's and women's singles such as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams and Dinara Safina survived the first round. Click here to find out the complete list of men and women players who made it through the next round.

(Images via AFP/AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Roger Federer celebrates his birthday with Swiss team

Wonder how Roger Federer celebrate his birthday this year? Here are a few photos for the fans out there. Esther, thank you for the tips.

The entire Swiss team gathered and celebrated Roger Federer's 27th birthday before the Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony, which he was the flag bearer for the Swiss team. Everything was perfect for the Swiss team except their shoes.


(Images via menstennisforum.com)

Juan Martin del Potro defeats Andy Roddick at Los Angeles final

Andy Roddick thought he can save his sorry career by snatching a couple of titles while most of the top players are fighting for medals at Beijing Olympics.

He wouldn't have thought that Juan Marton Del Potro will beat him in straight sets with a 6-1, 7-6(2) victory at the Countrywide Classic final.

This is Del Potro's third title in less than a month.

“I think it’s my biggest victory,” Del Potro said.

This title was Del Potro's first on hardcourt, which is Roddick’s best surface.

Roddick was his usual old self, throwing his racquet to the court when he had a bad shot.

Well Roddick, I still don't think skipping Beijing Olympics will help you in preparing yourself for the US Open. It doesn't really make a difference. Unless you can defend your title at the Legg Mason Tennis Classic or win the Pilot Pen title for the next two weeks.

(Image by Jonathan Moore/Getty Images)