Project Putaway: Grading the U.S. Open Fashions

The U.S. Open wraps up this weekend and we have seen some great tennis being played, as well as the possible birth of a new teenage superstar in Melanie Oudin, who took everyone by storm this week.

But tennis majors are not just a place to flaunt your ability, they are also a place to show off your fashion sense. Rafael Nadal debuted a new hairstyle and dozens of lovely young ladies showed that you can be athletic and still look good in the process.

Here are some of the best and worst fashions of the 2009 U.S. Open.

Best: Caroline Wozniacki

Caroline Wozniacki may have played the role of spoiler this year, defeating Cinderella story Melanie Oudin, but at least she looked good doing it.

The dark tan dress looked sporty, yet stylish at the same time. The short, layered skirt was a sexy look for her that she pulled off very well.

Grade: A

Worst: Kim Clijsters

Kim Clijsters seems to have taken a page out of Tiger Woods' book by wearing a red shirt this tournament. It seems to have worked so far, but she's really going to need the power of red when she faces Serena Williams in the Semis.

One way it hasn't worked is in the fashion sense. The shirt, skirt, and visor combination is just boring and doesn't do anything to bring out Clijsters' femininity.

Grade: C-

Best: Vera Zvonareva

Normally, I'm not a big fan of long sleeves at athletic events, but Zvonareva pulls it off nicely. The red shirt and maroon skirt actually look pretty good together.

Although she flamed out in the first round, Vera left a lasting fashion impression on everyone watching.

Grade: B+

Worst: Victoria Azarenka

Victoria Azarenka is actually a very attractive woman, but her clothing choice really does nothing to accentuate that. In fact, she looks like she just stepped out of a 1980's workout video.

Just looking at the yellow I've already got the song "Walking on Sunshine" in my head.

Grade: C

Best: Ana Ivanovic

Ana Ivanovic doesn't really have to do much to pull off a great outfit. She's beautiful enough that anything looks good on her.

This dress fits her body nicely and doesn't try to do too much. What it does is show off a little leg for the male viewers. We don't mind that at all.

Grade: A-

Worst: Elena Dementieva

When you're showing up to a tournament with all of these other women dressed in great outfits, the last thing you want to do is be caught wearing something that looks like you bought it at the pro shop ten minutes before you went out to play.

Sadly, that's the impression I get from Elena Dementieva, who has the "Middle-Aged Women Taking Her First Lessons" look going on.

Grade: D

Best: Jelena Jankovic

Jelena Jankovic looks like she's going to a ball instead of hitting one. The ruffles and bright red seem fit for Prince Charming to come sweep her off her feet. Somehow she can play tennis in it as well.

I'm giving her props for being able to pull off an outfit and smash some forehands at the same time. Actually, she only lasted to Round 2, so staying she could play in that outfit might be a stretch. Oh well.

Grade: B

Worst: Daniela Hantuchova

Daniela Hantuchova is 26 years old and can actually look good. So why does she look like a pre-teen on her way to a Jonas Brothers concert?

Come on, Daniela, you can do better than that. Now you're just making guys feel creepy for thinking you were hot before.

Grade: D+

Best: Vania King

Vania King may have lost to Hantuchova, but she was definitely a winner in the style category. The black and neon pink was a good look for her.

I wouldn't expect anything less from my cousin. What? You don't see the family resemblance?

Grade: B+

Worst: Michelle Larcher De Brito

Michelle Larcher de Brito could have showed up in the best outfit of the event, but I would have put her in the "Worst" category because she annoys me so very much with her on the court screaming and antics.

But the fact that she was rocking a boring blue combo made this one easy for me. She also squealed her way to a second round loss, which made the rest of the tournament easier on the eyes and ears the rest of the time.

Grade: C

Best: Melanie Oudin

The teen sensation made waves this U.S. Open by knocking off No. 4 Elena Dementieva, No. 13 Nadia Petrova, and No. 29 Maria Sharapova. She also made waves with her shoes.

Although her outfit as a whole was nothing special, Oudin rode her kicks all the way to the quarterfinals. There is only one way to describe her pink and yellow foot gear: fresh.

Grade: A

Worst: Maria Sharpova

Normally, Sharapova graces the "Best" portion of lists like this with ease. Not this year. I didn't really mind her dress all that much, but the headband that flowed back down behind her? Sorry, it just reminded me too much of Daniel-san.

I kept expecting Maria to crane-kick Melanie Oudin during their match. No need to cover up any of the that pretty face.

Grade: D+

Best: Serena Williams

Serena is always at the top of her fashion game it seems like.

The woman who brought us the lycra catsuit and made muscular sexy did it again this week with a nice pink dress with black edges to once again remind us that she is not only tennis' most dominant athlete, but she also dominates in style.

Grade: A+

Worst: Venus Williams

The Williams sisters play this tournament really echoed their fashion selections this year. While Serena was looking good in her pink dress and cruising through the tournament, Venus tried rocking her very own pink outfit, which fell as flat as she did in the fourth round.

Something about Venus' dress just doesn't work. Maybe it's the shade of the color, but it definitely makes me think of "A Christmas Story". It can best be described as a pink nightmare.

Grade: F