Haute court-ure in Melbourne

Hello boys: Venus Williams displays her talents

Venus Williams has opened a new front in her battle to be the number one attraction in tennis with a revealing outfit.

The Wimbledon and US Open champion struggled through her first round match at the Australian Open against Spanish qualifier Maria Jose Martinez 6-3 2-6 6-0.

But the number three seed guaranteed a healthy quota of media coverage by wearing a low-cut, blue and black combination which drew gasps from the crowd at Melbourne Park.

Hingis: The long and short of it

Venus, who has studied fashion design university in Florida, was a little more coy when it came to describing her new look.

"I think you'll do a better job than I would," she told reporters admiring the outfit which was complemented by two gold earrings in each ear, a golf-style visor and a choker.

Not to be outdone - or outshone - Martina Hingis sported her own unique look for her 6-1 6-1 demolition of Hungary's Katalin Marosi-Aracama.

The world number one wore a white top with one long and one short sleeve which she claims aids her service action.

Pierce: Pretty in pink

France's Mary Pierce also made a fashion statement, wearing a 1970s-style pink and white creation for her first round 6-1 6-3 victory over Sylvia Plischke.

The 1995 Australian Open champion said: "I think it's great to see everybody really getting into what they're wearing and getting involved in design and fashion and colour."