Victorious Stepanek shows off his worm while Vaidisova watches

As usual, Radek Stepanek saved his best move for last.

"The Worm" caused another huge upset in Rome defeating Roger Federer in the quarterfinals 7-6(4), 7-6(7) and denying the Swiss his first title here. And guess who was there to cheer on the Czech?

Why none other than girlfriend Nicole Vaidisova who had time to watch her beloved compete since she was a first-round loser in Berlin. I hope she picked up some helpful hints on how to play elite-level tennis again.

(images via Getty)

SIGHTING: Vaidisova + Stepanek enjoy a break together at Indian Wells

Love is in the air: Nicole Vaidisova and Radek Stepanek took a break and made a very public outing together during this week's Pacific Life Open. The pair had been spotted spending time together in Sydney back in January and by the looks of this photo, things are going well.

The Czech may want to spend some time focusing on her tennis, though. Her best result this year? A semifinal showing at the Medibank International, losing to Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova.

(image via AP Photo/Mark Avery)

THE LOW DOWN: More insider info on Stepanek + Vaidisova romance

Some insider 411: So a reader tipped us off to some more info on the rumored romance between Czech mates Radek Stepanek + Nicole Vaidisova. Her spy spotted the couple numerous times in a Sydney hotel together during the Aussie calendar swing and said he...

"always saw these two leave Radek's room - they always headed out in the evening together. She was definately (sic) staying in his room. It's not as if it was kept a secret or anything, but then again your regular Sydney-sider wouldn't even care or know who they are were so I guess they didn't feel the need to hide it? He reckons that Radek seems like a pretty cool guy always really friendly and joking around with the staff."

We're sure Radek's a really friendly guy, but we still can't get over what hottie Nicole sees in "the worm". He must have something going on that we're not aware of...go figure.

Radek Stepanek + Nicole Vaidisova caught together on video, relationship rumors grow

I spy: It's good to know there are nosey people with video cameras in the world - they make our jobs so much easier. We stumbled upon images of the rumored relationship between Czech mates Radek Stepanek and Nicole Vaidisova in action. Though this is certainly not full-proof evidence that they're together, the Czechs look very comfortable and friendly in this exchange.

These still images were taken from this video - nice work spy!

(via womenstennisblog.com)

THE LOW DOWN: Czech mates? Stepanek and Vaidisova rumored to marry

We couldn't believe the rumors swirling around this past weekend about Radek Stepanek and 18-year old Nicole Vaidisova. According to the Bradenton Herald in Florida, the Manatee County Clerk of Circuit Court said the pair, who are both from the Czech Republic, applied for a marriage license on December 10. Huh?

Remember not so long ago, the 29-year old Radek was on the fast track to becoming Mr. Martina Hingis until their engagement was ended before the US Open in August under mysterious circumstances (we're thinking her failed drug tests might have been a reason). Talk about moving on.

In any case, to say this news is shocking is an understatement. No word yet today on whether the pair has confirmed the engagement. Stay tuned...

(images via AP Photo)

PHOTO OP: Novak Djokovic bends back for victory

Wow - there are so many visuals going through our heads right now that we don't know where to start. Novak Djokovic celebrated his 5-set win over Czech Radek Stepanek at the US Open today by showing his fans more of what his body can do. Keep it up Nole - we'll be watching...

+ THURSDAY NETCORDS: Fed, Nole, Alona, Martina the black widow...Rafa's injuries worry, Lleyton is ready and more

- Pulling a fast one: Is the hardcourt surface at the US Open faster than the Wimbledon grass? The debate rages on...

- Far and Wide, an AP news blog, reports on the gender-biased fashion news coverage from the AP's reporting on the US Open. Mentions: Women -1077, Men - 0. Clearly they need to start tracking Down the Line's! consistent coverage of the Open...we LOVE the men over here.

- Is Rafa's playing style catching up to him? Bonnie D.(esimone) Ford of ESPN opens up the conversation.

- Ready to go: Darren "Killer" Cahill, part-time ESPN broadcaster and Lleyton Hewitt's fill-in coach at the US Open, says the Aussie's game is in good form and he's up to challenging the top players - namely Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer. "...his game at the moment is in terrific form. His practice sessions have been great leading into the US Open. He's been working hard the last six or seven months and obviously his form in the last three months is getting back to where he's challenging the top players in the world."

- Notorious NY gossiper Page Six has called out TENNIS magazine for labeling Martina Hingis a "black widow" after injuries plagued past boyfriends including Radek Stepanek, Magnus Norman, and Justin Gimelstob. Conspiracy or coincidence???

- Get to know Alona Bondarenko

- More Borg-inspired trainers: check out these kicks from Diadora

+ MONDAY NETCORDS: Daniela, Radek leaves Martina, Bjorn on Novak...Player progress report, Gwyneth Paltrow in W and more

(image courtesy of lynn.berenbaum)

- Heartbreak hotel: Czech Radek Stepanek calls off his engagement to Swiss star Martina Hingis and no reason has been given. Isn't the not knowing the worst part?

- The heir apparent: Ted Robinson says to Novak Djokovic: "This is your NOW." And Bjorn Borg believes the Djoker has Grand Slam written all over him.

- Pro tennis players are giving advice on how to stay healthy on and off the courts. Daniela Hantuchova says, "I think taking just as much time for regeneration as you do for practice, is the key to being healthy all the time," [...] "Most of it comes down to staying positive and being at balance with yourself - I think that can really help to prevent a lot of injuries."

- The much beloved, yet much maligned (read: Federer), Hawk-Eye line calling system will make its FED CUP debut in the upcoming final between mother Russia and defending champions Italy

- Progress report: Yahoo! Eurosport grades the players on their summer so far and, no surprise, the Serbians are head of the class

- Doing nothing to dispell the image of the pampered pro-athlete, the ladies of the WTA Tour will be receiving Caribbean hand and foot treatments, seaweed masques, facial cleansing, and more at The Rogers Cup this week, all courtesy of Aveda

- Scoring Serena: Here's a peak inside the player wheeling-and-dealing that goes on behind the scenes to get top players at tournaments

- Even World No. 1's have bad luck

- OFF TOPIC ALERT: Gwyneth is back...in W magazine (images courtesy of style.com)

Radek Stepanek worms his way to a win, Blake falls

Unseeded Radek Stepanek, also known as the future Mr. Martina Hingis, won the ATP Countrywide Classic on Sunday besting No. 2 seed James Blake in 3 sets. After dislocating a disk in his neck last year and losing the use of his right arm, Stepanek can hardly control his excitement, busting out the "worm" for all the lucky spectators. Could he BE any happier?

But what about Blake? Peter Bodo says the book on how to beat him is out there and it's not the one he wrote himself.

(images courtesy of AP Photo)