BEIJING, March 27 -- Maria Sharapova took on a dramatic new look when she steps on the court Saturday at the Nasdaq-100 Open on Key Biscayne.

    A vast departure from the traditional pink tennis dress she wore in last year's tournament, Sharapova's new outfit is unusual because it's a form-fitting two-piece number: a short black skirt and a tight black-and-white corseted top. It was inspired by Nike's dance fitness line worn by Rihanna.

    Sharapova asked Nike's designers to adapt the fitness dance style into a two-piece tennis outfit with a longer top.

    "The corset is definitely something you don't see much on the tennis courts, but Nike made it very comfortable to wear and the vents keep me cool," Sharapova said in a statement. "I'm sure that my fans are going to think it's different because I've never worn anything like this, but I'm excited about it. And since it's Miami, you can get away with things being a little edgier."

    (Source: chinadaily.com.cn)