Serena to wow US Open with Virgil Abloh outfits

New York. After turning heads in Paris with her black catsuit, Serena Williams is out to wow the US Open in her brand new "Queen" collection for Nike, designed by American stylist Virgil Abloh, the sportswear giant said Monday.
Abloh -- artist, architect, friend of Kanye West and artistic director of Louis Vuitton -- created two dresses for the court, one for the day in white and one for evening in black. It is said to be inspired by the six-time US Open singles champion's love of ballet.
They feature breathability in a dance-inspired skirt evoking a tutu and a bodice cut out that looks like a ballerina's; it looks completely off the shoulder but is a visual trick -- while still giving support and motion on both sides.
"With Serena, we have one of our generation's most powerful, inspiring athletes as the muse," Abloh said. "I was trying to embody her spirit and bring something compelling and fresh to tennis."
In addition to the two dresses, the "Queen" collection will also feature a bomber-style jacket, which the champ will wear off the court, a bag and three pairs of shoes, a pair of Nike Court Flare 2 as well as two pairs of The 10 in limited edition.
The market welcomed the news. Nike's share value gained 3.05 percent Monday to 82.18 dollars.
Meanwhile; World number one Simona Halep withdrew from the WTA Connecticut Open on Monday with a leg injury, the day after losing the Cincinnati final to Kiki Bertens.
The Romanian, who cited soreness in her right Achilles, said she still plans to take part in the upcoming US Open. "I need to recover in time for the US Open," she said.
This would have been Halep's third tournament in as many weeks. She won the WTA Montreal event before being runner-up in Cincinnati, losing in three sets to Dutchwoman Bertens on Sunday.
"I really wanted to play it (Connecticut) and I saw that many fans bought tickets to see me here, but I feel very sore with my Achilles, and I need some rest," she added.
"I had so many matches in the last two weeks, so it's tough. See you next year, and all the best." The 26-year-old Halep will be replaced in the draw by lucky loser Belinda Bencic of Switzerland.
American CoCo Vandeweghe also pulled out of the hardcourt tournament in New Haven on Sunday with a sore right ankle.
In Monday action, two-time Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova  overpowered 2016 champion Agnieszka Radwanska 6-1, 7-6 (7/3) and fourth-seeded Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic was knocked out by Russian Ekaterina Makarova 6-1, 6-3.