| Maria Sharapova's US Open Second Round Interview |
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| August 31, 2011 |
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| Question |
Is it tough to be the second night match on and now you're going to be up late no matter what? |
| Maria Sharapova |
I think this was the first time for me at the Open actually being the second one on. Not sure. I think maybe in Miami I was at the Sony Ericsson Open and I played second one night. I think as far as New York, this is probably the latest time I started. It was good that I finished quickly enough, yeah.
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| Question |
What is the difference between being on the court at 12:00 a.m. versus noon? |
| Maria Sharapova |
Well, you have to get up a lot earlier. You don't have an afternoon nap. |
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| No problem this time: Maria Sharapova Eases Through to Third Round of US Open 2011 |
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August 31, 2011
The third-seeded Russian Maria Sharapova wasted no time and shifted into a higher gear on Wednesday as she overwhelmed unseeded Anastasiya Yakimova of Belarus with the loss of just two games to surge into the third round of the US Open. Maria won 6-1 6-1 on Wednesday night in 70 minutes - a far cry from the more than 2 1/2 hours she needed in a three-set win over Heather Watson in her opener two days before..
"I think I improved my intensity a lot," Sharapova, 24, a three-time grand slam winner said. "I was moving a lot better, just hitting a lot freer. |
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| Maria Sharapova Talks Tennis, Travel, and Her Sweet Tooth |
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It's official, NYC has tennis fever! The courtside champs have been spotted around the Big Apple as they're in town for this week's US Open Tennis Championship.
Selfers mingled with tennis greats at the 12th Annual BNP Paribas Taste of Tennis including James Blake, Rafael Nadal, Mardy Fish, and Vera Zvonareva were also in the house.
I caught up with Maria Sharapova and Novak Djokovic at HEAD's Head-to-Head event (say that 10 times fast) to help kick off their new campaigns, including one where number-one ranked Djokovic does his best courtside Sharapova impersonation.
Sharapova, a self-proclaimed bag lover, recently designed a few stellar tennis bags (pictured after the break) for the premium sports equipment company HEAD. Her favorite part is that they don't automatically scream "I'm a tennis bag;" they'd also work as a cute weekend (or overnight bag the way I pack!).
She sat down to share some of what keeps her going during tournament season.
Read on for Self's interview with tennis star Maria Sharapova. |
| August 31, 2011 |
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| Question |
What's your go-to snack? |
| Maria Sharapova |
I'm an afternoon tea type of girl. I come from a Russian background where we love our teas. So between lunch and dinner after training I come home and I love a nice cup of tea with jam in it, as we drink it there. Black English Breakfast with raspberry jam is my favorite.
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| Question |
What's your favorite splurge? |
| Maria Sharapova |
I have a very big sweet tooth and I love treating myself to something that I wouldn't necessarily eat during the tournament such as a nice-sized cake. |
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| InStyle.Com: Look Of The Day |
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August 31, 2011
Maria is featured on InStyle.Com's Look of the Day section for the dress that she wore last week at the Cole Haan Fall Collection Launch in New York.
InStyle.Com said: "Sharapova debuted her latest Cole Haan collaboration in the brand's gray accessories. A chiffon Vera Wang dress and Tiffany & Co. jewelry completed the look." |
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| Maria Sharapova’s Path To The U.S. Open Final Is Getting Easier And Easier |
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August 31, 2011
Maria Sharapova may be the biggest benefactor of three big-name women bowing out of the U.S. Open early.
Maria would have probably had to face the No. 5 seed and Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova in the quarterfinals. But Kvitova lost in the first round yesterday. |
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| Maria Sharapova vs Anastasia Yakimova - 2011 US Open Match Preview |
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August 31, 2011
2006 US Open champion Maria Sharapova takes on Belarusian Anastasia Yakimova for a place in the third round of the 2011 edition of the season's last Grand Slam, US Open, being played here at Flushing Meadows in New York, USA.
Former World No.1 Maria Sharapova is enjoying an incredibly successful season with a Grand Slam final and two premier level titles in Rome and Cincinnati. Seeded third at this year's event, Sharapova is playing great tennis at the moment, and has a title from the last fortnight she captured on American soil in Cincinnati. Sharapova's semifinal run in French Open also helped her strengthen her position in the top 10 and with a runner up finish at Wimbledon, the Russian announced her return to the elite in women's tennis. The opening round match came as a scare for the Russian star who was down a set and break against Britain's Heather watson before making a comeback to keep her title hopes alive. |
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| Eight years ago.. |
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August 30, 2011
I just want to go out and just perform well and play some good tennis and get as much experience as I can 'cause that's really important right now for me. You know, hopefully play some top players and do well and, you know...
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| Maria Sharapova's US Open First Round Interview |
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| August 30, 2011 |
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| Question |
Where would that rank as tough first round matches in a Grand Slam? |
| Maria Sharapova |
Yeah, no doubt that it was one of the toughest that I've had. To be honest, it’s quite expected. Obviously not really knowing too much about my opponent and not facing against her before, I don't know, she just came out and played really smart. There’s no doubt that I wasn’t playing my best tennis. She was smart in making me hit another ball. I was making so many errors out there. She stuck to her game plan. She kept grinding. Yeah, for me it was just a matter of trying to be consistent out there and winning not just one, two, but three points in a row.
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| Question |
Is there a human tendency to think that reputation could be a strong intangible asset in a first round match? Does that play into any part of this, the mental aspect? |
| Maria Sharapova |
Well, I think the opponent, that’s one of the reasons I say that I think it’s such a boring answer but taking it one match at a time. Because no matter what your opponent is ranked, if they’re young or old, if you've played them or not before, it’s a new match, it's a new day, and they’re going to go out there and try to beat you. |
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| Maria Sharapova battles through in New York |
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August 29, 2011
Maria is through to the second round of the US Open after she defeated 19-year-old Heather Watson of Great Britain 3-6 7-5 6-3 in 2 hours and 34 minutes.
Maria started the match slowly as she was broken in her first service game and was broken again in the middle of the first set. Watson took the first set 6-3. |
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| In Maria Sharapova's Words |
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August 29, 2011
Defined as she is by how she plays and what she wears on the tennis court, Maria Sharapova is far from a one-hit wonder, as indicated by her many interests.
Despite having nearly 5.4 million Facebook fans, she insists on remaining a private person.“I’m so bad at saying things about myself even though I have to do this all the time,” the tireless competitor said. But throughout a two-hour interview, the 24-year-old proved to be candid about a number of subjects — from how she likes nothing more than doing a puzzle with her grandmother to the fun of having a Russian tea party with her friends. |
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| Maria Sharapova: Golden Girl |
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August 29, 2011
Still in her Nike practice gear with her ponytail swinging and her forehead faintly perspiring, Maria Sharapova would have been tough to miss recently in a quiet Toronto hotel, even if she hadn’t introduced herself. Minutes after politely excusing herself for a quick change, the striking 24-year-old reappeared in a designer-without-trying-too-hard look.
It all may appear to come easily to Sharapova, but her cool demeanor on court and in public masks an industrious work ethic and competitive fire that are evidenced by her status as the world’s highest paid female athlete. Whether slamming serves on the court, poring over sales reports for her Nike-designed line or tidying up before the cleaning woman’s arrival, the tennis champ is not one to leave anything to chance. She certainly has had plenty of practice, beyond the four hours she trains each day with racquet in hand and another hour in the gym. Sharapova was only 11 when Nike first signed an endorsement deal with her. Last year the activewear giant upped its commitment considerably with a reported $70 million deal with Sharapova that extends through 2018. |
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| Super ‘Pova |
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http://www.nypost.com/
By Serena French
Tennis ace Maria Sharapova has developed a rising rep as a fashionista. Here, she serves up her style secrets
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| August 29, 2011 |
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| Question |
The Post: You've just won the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati, but Facebooked that it wasn't your best tennis. Why? |
| Maria Sharapova |
: It was a really long and tough physical match, over three hours, so I was quite happy to be the champion in the end.
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| Question |
Going into the US Open, you're ranked No. 4. You've come a long way in two years, when a shoulder injury sidelined you and you were ranked No. 126. How did you do it? |
| Maria Sharapova |
It's been a tough road back to the top, but it's really part of an athlete's life. One day you're healthy, another you find yourself recovering from an injury. It's always about keeping a good perspective on life, whether you win or lose, [are] healthy or injured. I've worked hard to get back to where I am, but I can still improve and get better. |
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| Maria Sharapova vs Heather Watson - 2011 US Open Match Preview |
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August 28, 2011
Former World No.1 Maria Sharapova takes on Britain's Heather Watson to kick start her title campaign at the 2011 US Open, season's last Grand Slam, being played here at Flushing Meadows, New York.
Sharapova is enjoying an incredibly successful season with a Grand Slam final and two premier level titles in Rome and Cincinnati. Seeded third at this year's event, Sharapova is playing great tennis at the moment, and has a title from the last fortnight she captured on American soil in Cincinnati. Sharapova's semifinal run in French Open also helped her strengthen her position in the top 10 and with a runner up finish at Wimbledon, the Russian announced her return to the elite in women's tennis. |
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| Maria Sharapova to begin US Open campaign on Monday |
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August 28, 2011
Maria will start her US Open campaign on Monday against Heather Watson of Great Britain who Maria has never played before. The match is the second match on Arthur Ashe Stadium and the schedule of play begins at 13.00 local time.
The US Open website gave an update after Hurricane Irene:
"The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center came through Hurricane Irene with minimal damage. We are currently preparing the venue for the gates to open at 10 a.m. ET as scheduled. Play around the grounds will commence as close to 11 a.m. as possible with the first match on Arthur Ashe Stadium starting at 1 p.m." |
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| Maria Sharapova's US Open 2011 Pre-Tournament Interview |
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| August 27, 2011 |
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| Question |
How do you feel going into this tournament winning in Cincinnati? Must have given you a lot of confidence. |
| Maria Sharapova |
How do you feel going into this tournament winning in Cincinnati? Must have given you a lot of confidence.
It was great to win the tournament. I beat some really good opponents, played some good matches. You know, the final was a little whacky, but I just managed to win that one.
Yeah, it's great. Obviously coming into the Open it's great to have a title under your belt.
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| Question |
How different are you this year compared to last year at the same time for the US Open? |
| Maria Sharapova |
Well, I'm seeded higher. I've won two titles this year. You know, I feel like my tennis is at a much better level than it was last year. Yeah, I'm a better player, definitely. |
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| Wall Street Journal Article |
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August 27, 2011
http://online.wsj.com
Check out a scan of the article here
By Ray A. Smith
Tennis champ Maria Sharapova is known as a tough, aggressive player. Her grunting during matches is as legendary as her signature swinging volley. When off court, she's a striking blend of steeliness and unabashed femininity. She loves high heels but also tough Rick Owens leather jackets. She loves Pippi Longstocking books and fluffy rom-coms and the challenging paintings of experimental artist Ed Moses. That mix of girliness and brass has made the Russian-born 24-year-old a favorite in the sports and fashion worlds. |
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| Maria Sharapova: Cole Haan & Head Launch! |
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August 27, 2011
http://justjared.buzznet.com
Maria Sharapova celebrates the launch of her new Fall 2011 collection byCole Haan on Thursday (August 25) in New York City.
he 24-year-old Russian tennis champ (wearing Vera Wang with Cole Haan accessories and Tiffany & Co. earrings) also previewed the special edition Air Bacara Ballets, which she helped co-design. |
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| Maria Sharapova |
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August 27, 2011
Tennis champ Maria Sharapova is known as a tough, aggressive player. Her grunting during matches is as legendary as her signature swinging volley. When off court, she's a striking blend of steeliness and unabashed femininity. She loves high heels but also tough Rick Owens leather jackets. She loves Pippi Longstocking books and fluffy rom-coms and the challenging paintings of experimental artist Ed Moses. That mix of girliness and brass has made the Russian-born 24-year-old a favorite in the sports and fashion worlds.
Brands including Evian, Tag Heuer and Sony Ericsson have asked her to work on endorsement deals, and Cole Haan tapped her to design a line of shoes and handbags in 2009. Her ballet flats, featured in Vogue, among other fashion magazines, have become one of the brand's top-selling shoes. She also has an apparel line with Nike, Cole Haan's parent company. |
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| Cole Haan Fall 2011 Collection Launch Event |
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August 26, 2011
Maria and Cole Haan hosted an event in New York to celebrate the launch of her Fall 2011 collection by Cole Haan, guests had the first opportunity to preview her special edition Air Bacara Ballets as well as shop her Fall collection for the first time.
On September 8th, Cole Haan and design collaborator Maria Sharapova will be releasing two special edition Air Bacara Ballet Flats inspired from the colorways of Maria's 'day' and 'night' dresses created by Nike for this year's Flushing Meadows tournament in New York. |
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| Maria Sharapova to wear Tiffany earrings in New York |
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August 26, 2011
Tiffany & Co. today announced that Maria will wear diamond drop earrings from the new Tiffany Grace collection at the 2011 US Open, August 29-September 11, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, New York.
The Tiffany Grace collection features princess-cut diamonds that are bezel set in square designs and paired with round brilliant diamonds in platinum. The collection's earrings that Maria has selected radiate glamour with every movement, reflecting Tiffany's heritage of legendary style. |
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| US Open 2011 Draw: Previewing Maria Sharapova's Draw |
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August 26, 2011
Maria Sharapova has been placed in the third quarter of the 2011 US Open women's singles draw. How does the path ahead look for her?
The third seed is gunning for her second US Open crown after winning the tournament for the first time in 2006. She is also coming off a stellar summer in which she reached the final of Wimbledon and won the Cincinnati Masters. |
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| US Open Tennis 2011: Maria Sharapova and Three Women with Best Chance to Win |
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August 26, 2011
Kim Clijsters has claimed the last two US Open titles. But she's not going to be in New York to defend her throne, which leaves the women's field more open than it usually is.
Still, there are some women that have a much better chance at claiming victory than others. Okay, that's obvious, but there are a few clear favorites. |
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| Maria Sharapova, Novak Djokovic seems favorite at US Open |
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August 26, 2011
The World No. 1 Novak Djokovic and Russian Maria Sharapova looks hot favorite to clinch the title at US Open championship this year at Flushing Meadows Park of Queens in New York.
The 24-year-old Djokovic has been looking good form, where he has made 57-2 win loss record in this year. Serbian, who has lost just one match to Roger Federer in the French Open semi finals and retire from the Cincinnati Masters final to Andy Murray, due to shoulder injury last week. Djokovic has won two Grand Slam events at Australian Open in January and 2011 Wimbledon on last month. |
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| Tennis Star Maria Sharapova Shines |
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http://hamptons-magazine.com/
By Jill SIERACKI
In the first six months of this year, Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova, 24, zigzagged across the globe to tournaments in Auckland, Madrid, Miami, Stanford and Rome, where she won her first championship of 2011. Going into this weekend's US Open, Sharapova is ranked fifth in the world and hopes to once again lift that championship cup (she first won in 2006).
After going pro in 2001, Sharapova has been ranked the top-earning female athlete by Forbes magazine for the past seven years-and remains a fan favorite for her fashion collections for Nike and Cole Haan, as well as her foundation that provides scholarships to students in Belarus. Here, the Tag Heuer brand ambassador offers her advice to the next generation of tennis professionals and our local amateurs.
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| August 26, 2011 |
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| Question |
What would you say to any new athletes playing in their first US Open? |
| Maria Sharapova |
Embrace the atmosphere. The nerves will be there, but so what? Enjoy every second of it.
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| Question |
Porsche Cayennes, trophies and big checks are nice, but how do you personally celebrate a big win? |
| Maria Sharapova |
By purchasing the quickest ticket back home. There is nothing like coming back to your own bed and your favorite cup of coffee. |
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| Game On: U.S. Open Contender Maria Sharapova Celebrates Her Newest Designs for Cole Haan |
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August 25, 2011
Maria Sharapova’s on-court ensembles are anything but classic tennis whites—just take the Audrey Hepburn–inspired, crystal-studded LBD she made famous during her winning streak at the U.S. Open in 2007; the pale yellow number with bold corsetlike stitching she wore at the French Open in May; or the dove-gray minidress with chartreuse accents she’s expected to wear when the 2011 U.S. Open starts next week. Sharapova’s off-court attire gets its share of attention, too: Unwaveringly loyal to designers like Rick Owens, Dries Van Noten, Lanvin, and Stella McCartney, she can rock a cherry-red slit-shouldered dress by Alexander McQueen as effortlessly as she can, say, snap off a reverse forehand.
“I have been living in Isabel Marant silk pants with simple white tees,” Sharapova says of her summer wardrobe. But as the fourth and final major tournament of the annual tennis season officially kicks off, she’s swapping silk trousers for Nike’s Legend Capris as she fine-tunes her game at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing, Queens. “All the main practice and work goes on weeks before the tournament,” says the 24-year-old, who is the number-3 seed at the Open. “Now it’s about maintaining a good balance between practice and rest.” |
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| Keys in Maria Sharapova's quarter |
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August 25, 2011
No. 3 seed and past champion Maria Sharapova would stand between Madison Keys and a berth in the United States Open semifinals, but you can rest assured the 16-year-old Keys isn't looking anywhere near that far ahead as she readies for next week's debut in a major tennis tournament.
Keys, 16, will face American Jill Craybas, a 37-year-old American who is ranked 111th in the world, in first-round Open play next week at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. |
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| Heather Watson to Face Maria Sharapova |
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August 25, 2011
Briton Heather Watson will play Maria Sharapova in her first-ever match at the US Open next week.
Watson, who won the junior title at Flushing Meadows in 2009, was drawn against the former champion on Thursday. |
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| US Open 2011 Draw Released |
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August 25, 2011
The draw for the fourth and final Grand Slam of the year at the US Open has been released and Maria is seeded No.3 and will face Heather Watson of Great Britain in the first round. Maria has never played Watson before.
The first seed Maria can meet is No.26 seed Flavia Pennetta of Italy in the third round. Chinese No.13 seed Shuai Peng could be a possible opponent in Round 4. Maria is seeded to meet Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova in the quarters. No.2 seed Vera Zvonareva could be a possible opponent in the semis. Top seed Caroline Wozniacki, No.3 seed Victoria Azarenka and No.28 seed Serena Williams round off the draw in the top half. |
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| Maria Sharapova Celebrates new Cole Haan designs |
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August 25, 2011
NEW YORK CITY—Tennis stars Novak Djokovic and Maria Sharapova took some time out from their US Open preparations to discuss their latest venture with tennis racquet manufacture HEAD on Wednesday, at New York City’s Benjamin Hotel.
To start the very playful press conference, Djokovic came out in a blonde wig, proclaiming to be Sharapova, causing the press club to break out in a roar. The banter was a live version of the latest TV ad for HEAD, released just in time for the US Open, which can be found on YouTube. |
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| US Open Tennis 2011: Maria Sharapova Rightful No. 1 Player |
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August 25, 2011
Caroline Wozniacki will be the top seed at the US Open. The USTA has a history of following the world rankings when they seed the US Open, so this does make sense.
Wozniacki has earned her No. 1 ranking. Still, don't expect her to actually be the top player when the tournament is over. |
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| Tennis Stars Maria Sharapova Talk About New Racquets |
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August 25, 2011
NEW YORK CITY—Tennis stars Novak Djokovic and Maria Sharapova took some time out from their US Open preparations to discuss their latest venture with tennis racquet manufacture HEAD on Wednesday, at New York City’s Benjamin Hotel.
To start the very playful press conference, Djokovic came out in a blonde wig, proclaiming to be Sharapova, causing the press club to break out in a roar. The banter was a live version of the latest TV ad for HEAD, released just in time for the US Open, which can be found on YouTube. |
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| Maria Sharapova & Novak Djokovic HEAD-to-HEAD |
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August 24, 2011
Maria and Novak Djokovic were on hand in New York for HEAD's HEAD-to-HEAD event.
The audience expected Maria on stage first. However, the audience was surprised, but amused, by the appearance of Novak, donning a blonde wig. Novak stayed in character and responded calmly as Maria to questions by master of ceremonies Bill Macatee.
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| Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova and the Search for a Rivalry |
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August 24, 2011
In advance of the 2011 U.S. Open, you can find plenty of compelling stories on the women's side: Andrea Petkovic's rise from dark horse to real contender; American Christina McHale's surprising summer and increasing potential for getting past Week 1; or the vacuum left by Kim Clijsters' withdrawal.
But the spotlight is on the return of a relatively healthy and nearly in-form Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova, the two biggest stars on the women's tour. |
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| Maria Sharapova, Zvonareva talk about upcoming trip to Taiwan |
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August 22, 2011
Taipei, Aug. 22 (CNA) Tennis stars Maria Sharapova and Vera Zvonareva of Russia greeted Taiwanese fans on Monday over the phone ahead of their September visit to Taiwan.
The two top players will showcase their skills in an exhibition match at Taipei Arena on Sept. 22. |
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| WTA ‘Strong is Beautiful’ Campaign |
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August 22, 2011
Maria is featured in the WTA campaign "Strong is Beautiful". Through all of life's difficult circumstances, the players’ love for the sport and determination to succeed prevails. The new ad campaign is a life example that being physically and mentally strong is beautiful.
Drawing upon athleticism and grace - a unique combination that has turned the stars of the WTA into the most recognizable and followed female athletes on the planet - the campaign places the personal stories, pressures and dreams of the players front of stage. The creative is designed to support the WTA's efforts to establish a deeper engagement with fans around the world and to promote both the sport's next generation of players along with current established names. |
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| Women's Tennis Power Rankings: Maria Sharapova Leads The Way To New York |
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August 21, 2011
The green lawns of the All England Club and the red dirt of Roland Garros have faded into the background and the U.S. summer hard court season is quickly accelerating to its final and ultimate destination: the US Open.
After back-to-back Premier Mandatory events in Toronto and Cincinnati, only the top two in the last women's power rankings managed to stay in the top 10 this time. |
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| Maria Sharapova fights back to clinch glory in Cincinnati |
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August 21, 2011
(CNN) -- Maria Sharapova fought back from one set and a break down against Jelena Jankovic to clinch the Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati.
Sharapova, a beaten finalist at the tournament in 2010, battled to secure a 4-6 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 win in a marathon encounter which lasted two hours and 49 minutes at the Lindner Family Tennis Center. |
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| Maria Sharapova is Very Much Still Here |
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August 21, 2011
How can I put this? It’s been an “interesting” US Open series. For fans of tennis, this part of the year is great because there is almost non-stop tennis for four solid weeks on both the WTA and ATP tours. It hasn’t been without its fair share of drama, however. The Rogers Cup tournaments in Toronto and Montreal read like the book of revelations with biblical strength rainstorms, stadium lights falling from the sky, blackouts, and the two no.1s (Nadal and Wozniacki) going down in their first matches. If you were any sort of top player, you wouldn’t have been faulted for keeping one eye open at night, which is what I’m sure the eventual champions Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic were undoubtedly doing.
When the world seems to be in chaos it’s no surprise that the one player we might be able to look to as our rock, the kind of solid player that we can look to for comfort and assurance that things are going to be OK is Maria Sharapova. The most amazing thing about Maria is that nothing seems to faze her. No matter how poorly she plays, even as the double faults enter that double-digit stage and we watch another forehand spray out by inches, she has been the only drama-free part of the past few weeks. |
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| Maria Sharapova's Western & Southern Open 2011 Final Interview |
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| August 22, 2011 |
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| Question |
Kind of a topsy-turvy crazy game really. |
| Maria Sharapova |
It was a really tough one out there. It was so physical, and obviously it's something to expect when you're playing Jelena. You know, there is no secret she's a great mover and gets so many balls back.
Yeah, in the end, it could have gone either way. We kept breaking each other in the beginning. Felt like one of us played a few good points and than the other one and the levels were up and down throughout the match.
So, yeah, I'm just fortunate that at the end of the day I'm the winner.
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| Question |
At 2-3 in the second set tiebreaker, you were down and went on a run of life 5 straight points to win the second set. What was the key to putting those 5 points together to really get back in the match? |
| Maria Sharapova |
Yeah, that's pretty much it: Putting 5 points together that were well-played. I think I really forced her to make those mistakes. I hit the ball deeper than I probably was.
But, yeah, like I said, there were ups and downs. You know, I felt like when I had my chances and breakpoints, I would go for the shot and then sometimes miss quite long. Sometimes it was only an inch.
It was like when are you actually going to put a few games together and things are going to go your way. It's a little frustrating.
Overall, on a day like this when it's up and down and you're not playing your best tennis, sometimes it's even better when you end up being the winner. |
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| Maria Sharapova Survives Letdown: Wins 2011 Cincinnati Champion Title |
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August 21, 2011
CINCINNATI (AP) - Maria Sharapova overcame a first-set letdown on Sunday, rallying to beat Jelena Jankovic 4-6, 7-6 (3), 6-3 in the finals of the Western & Southern Open.
The fourth-seeded Russian survived a match full of service breaks - 16 in all, seven in the final set alone - for her second title of the season. Sharapova won the last five games of the second-set tiebreaker to keep it going. The match lasted 2 hours, 49 minutes and had a pair of brief rain delays.
The 14th-ranked Jankovic extended her streak of 17 months without a singles title. She won in Cincinnati in 2009, but hasn't gotten a championship since Indian Wells on March 21 last year.
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| Maria Sharapova vs Jelena Jankovic: 2011 Cincinnati Open Final Preview |
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August 21, 2011
In a battle of former World No. 1s players, current World No. 7 Maria Sharapova of Russia will take on World No. 14 Jelena Jankovic of Serbia, who is chasing her first title of 2011, in the final of the 2011 Cincinnati Open. Sharapova has had got the better off the Serbian in their past meetings and we can expect something of that sort in this final too, until Jankovic produces something sparkling.
Besides adding substantial points to their Rankings, a title win here will certainly come as a momentum-booster for former World No. 1s, Maria Sharapova and Jelena Jankovic – they will square off in the final of the 2011 Cincinnati Open, a WTA Premier Event, being played here at Cincinnati, Ohio. |
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| Maria Sharapova's Western & Southern Open 2011 Semi Final Interview |
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| August 21, 2011 |
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| Question |
You talked to your coach after the first set. What did he say to you and how did that affect you going on? |
| Maria Sharapova |
I didn't do a lot of talking. He talked most of the time. Yeah, I think when I called him I just felt like I needed a little bit of energy, something that was really missing in the first set.
I was late on a few shots, and when I had a few chances to put pressure on her in 30-All or deuce games on her serve, I made an unforced error. I really didn't let her think out there.
I felt like the second set, if I could just be more aggressive, move my feet a little bit more, I could change a few things around.
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| Question |
What exact changes did you make in your service game in terms of being able to break her later in the match a lot more, obviously, than the first set? |
| Maria Sharapova |
Yeah, looking back at the first set, I felt like, I mean, most importantly was when I did have those chances I really didn't take them. Like in the last few matches I really felt like I stepped it up in those situations, those positions, and I just didn't have that in the first set today.
Sometimes it happens. Best-case scenario is that you change it around; I did today |
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| Maria Sharapova battles through to Cincinnati 2011 Final |
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August 21, 2011
The fourth-seeded Maria Sharapova is through to her second final at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati after she defeated No.2 seed Vera Zvonareva of Russia. She was completely off her game in the first set, she barely able to score points against the world’s second-ranked player. Maria started the match slowly as she quickly lost the set 6-2 to Zvonareva.
This is Maria's fourth final of 2011. |
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| Maria Sharapova's Western & Southern Open 2011 Quarter Final Interview |
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| August 19, 2011 |
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| Question |
Can you comment on the speed of the courts here in Cincinnati compared to what you've experienced the rest of the summer and how it may compare to New York? |
| Maria Sharapova |
Well, I think, I mean, obviously the court always changes depending on the weather and the conditions a little bit. You know, when it’s as warm as it gets here, it’s obviously not only the court but the ball flies a little bit more.
I’d probably say it’s medium speed, but I think the speed varies with tournaments, you know. It’s just about adjusting, I guess. |
| Question |
You must be pretty pleased with this win. She's been in good form. |
| Maria Sharapova |
Yeah, I mean, I played a really great match, and, yeah, did many good things today, you know, which caused her trouble. I was aggressive; I didn't give her much time to do things that she likes to do when she plays well.
Yeah, felt like I controlled most of the points. |
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| Maria Sharapova vs Vera Zvonareva in Cincinnati Masters preview |
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August 19, 2011
With the world's No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark struggling losing her last two matches and No. 3 Kim Clijsters of Belgium bowing out of the U.S. Open due to a stomach ailment, new No. 2 player in the world Vera Zvonareva of Russia could be the next No. 1 player in the women's circuit after the fourth Slam of the year.
Zvonareva ousted unseeded Slovakian Daniela Hantuchova today 6-3, 7-6(6) and will face fellow Russian (4) Maria Sharapova who beat Australian (10) Samantha Stosur 6-3, 6-2 for the ninth time on the WTA Tour in the first Western & Southern Open Quarterfinal of the day. |
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| Maria Sharapova through to Cincinnati Semi Finals |
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August 19, 2011
MASON, Ohio — Fourth-seeded Maria Sharapova of Russia advanced easily into the semifinals of the Western & Southern Open with a 6-3, 6-2 win over 10th-seeded Samantha Stosur on Friday.
The seventh-ranked Sharapova, who lost in last year’s finals to Kim Clijsters, won a challenge on match point to improve to 3-0 this year and 9-0 in her career against Stosur. |
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| Maria Sharapova vs Samantha Stosur 2011 Cincinnati Masters |
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August 19, 2011
Here comes an exciting quarter’s knockout, as the former No.1, Maria Sharapova will be taking on Australian world No.10, Samantha Stosur to advance into the finals four of the 2011 Cincinnati Masters.
World No.5, Maria Sharapova will be facing No.10 player, Samantha Stosur in the quarterfinals of the 2011 Cincinnati masters tournament on Friday, August 19, 2011 at 15:05 GMT, in the $2,050,000/Premier WTA World Tour Masters 1000, which is being held Cincinnati, Ohio. |
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| Maria Sharapova through as Grand Slam champions fall |
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August 19, 2011
The Cincinnati Open claimed two more high-profile victims yesterday with grand slam champions Li Na and Petra Kvitova crashing out, while Russian pair Maria Sharapova and Vera Zvonareva crunched their opponents en route to the quarter-finals.
Li, China's first grand slam singles winner, was also beaten last week in Toronto by the Australian, who will meet Sharapova in the last eight. |
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| Maria Sharapova in easy win |
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August 19, 2011
Three-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova wasted little time asserting herself in the Western & Southern Open, ousting qualifier Anastasia Rodionova 6-1, 6-3 in a 71-minute second-round match.
Sharapova said earlier this week that the W&S was "a great test" providing much-needed participation as she tuned up for the U.S. Open. She made an early exit from last week's Rogers Cup had only played four matches in her last two tournaments combined. |
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| Maria Sharapova's Western & Southern Open 2011 Third Round Interview |
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| August 18, 2011 |
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| Question |
Just a quick question not related to the match. I saw that you changed back into your white Wimbledon dress for today. You were wearing the darker outfit for the rest of the US Open Series. Was that a heat consideration? |
| Maria Sharapova |
Unfortunately you didn't look close enough, because that wasn't a dress. It was a top and a skirt. Mistake number one.
You got the second part right. When it's this hot outside, I don't want to wear too dark of a color. I prefer to wear it for the night matches since we usually play a lot during the US Open Series. |
| Question |
Talk about you win today. How did you feel out there? |
| Maria Sharapova |
I felt really good considering I was playing a pretty tough opponent. We've had really tough matches in the past, usually three-setters. So it was quite nice to get that win in two.
She's someone who has a tremendous amount of experience and is a really solid player, always dangerous. So, yes, it was a good win. |
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| Missing a Wedding and a Fiance |
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August 18, 2011
MASON, Ohio — Serena Williams was not the only tennis player invited to this weekend’s royal Hollywood wedding. Also on the guest list was Maria Sharapova, whose fiancé, Sacha Vujacic, played on the Nets with Kris Humphries, who is marrying the reality TV star Kim Kardashian.
Neither Sharapova nor Vujacic will be able to attend. In her final tune-up for the United States Open, Sharapova advanced to the quarterfinals of the Western & Southern Open on Thursday with a 6-2, 6-3 victory against Svetlana Kuznetsova. The semifinals are scheduled for Saturday, with the final on Sunday. |
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| Maria Sharapova vs Svetlana Kuznetsova in Cincinnati Masters preview |
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August 18, 2011
The World No. 7 ranked Maria Sharapova and Svetlana Kuznetsova will clash in the third round of the 2011 Western & Southern Open tournament in Cincinnati. The match will begin at 16:30 GMT on Thursday.
The Russian star Maria Sharapova has reached the third round, after smashing World No. 12 ranked Anastasia Rodionova in the second round of the 2011 Western & Southern Open event. Sharapova has been impressed with her performance in this season, where she has reached the semi final at French Open and 2011 Wimbledon final. |
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| Maria Sharapova's Western & Southern Open 2011 Second Round Interview |
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| August 17, 2011 |
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| Question |
So how did that match go? Pretty much as you anticipated? |
| Maria Sharapova |
Yeah, I started off the match quite well. Few ups and downs in the second set, but I finished it well.
Yeah, it was good to play a match tonight. |
| Question |
Maybe a little challenge might be what you need in the second set, a little adversity so you don't get too cocky, I guess, or whatever? Or would you prefer to just sail right through? |
| Maria Sharapova |
Well, whichever situation you're put in, the goal is just to get through it and challenge yourself if it occurs that you find yourself in that position, just to challenge yourself and find a way to get through it. |
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| Maria Sharapova through to Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati's 3rd Round |
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August 17, 2011
Maria defeated qualifier Anastasia Rodionova of Australia 6-1 6-3 in 71 minutes to advance to the third round of the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati.
The first set was over in 25 minutes as Maria won it with a down-the-line forehand winner on set-point. |
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| New HEAD Racquet Bag Collection |
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August 16, 2011
Arguably, there is no other player who embodies the symbiosis between performance and style in tennis as impressively as Maria Sharapova. Now HEAD is offering the iconic Sharapova Style to female players around the world with a brand-new tennis racquet bag series designed by and for the three-time Grand Slam champion.
Together with Maria Sharapova, HEAD developed a bag series to satisfy women's needs for functionality and style on the tennis court. The HEAD Maria Sharapova tennis racquet bags blend HEAD's traditional technological innovation with personal style and design elements of the Russian tennis star. |
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| WTA Cincinnati Masters: Maria Sharapova vs Anastasia Rodionova |
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August 16, 2011
2011 Wimbledon finalist, Maria Sharapova will be battling against Anastasia Rodionova
To enter into the third round of the 2011 Cincinnati masters.
Former Russian No.1, Maria Sharapova will be taking on the Australian, Anastasia Rodionova in the second round of the 2011 Western & Southern Open on Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at 23:05 GMT, in the $2,050,000/Premier WTA World Tour Masters 1000, which is being held Cincinnati, Ohio. |
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| Roger Federer, Maria Sharapova excited to see newly combined event |
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August 16, 2011
The Sixteen-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer, three-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova and World No. 2 ranked Vera Zvonareva have praised the Western & Southern Open’s development to a men’s and women’s mutual tournament in 2011.
The 30-year-old Roger Federer said that he is very excited to return back into the tournament, where the tournament officials have done very well from the several years. He added, it was little bit difficult to get down for practice in 2010, but it has been changed a lot this year. Federer has been seeded at No. 3 in the Western & Southern Open tournament in Cincinnati and might face 2011 Rogers Cup champion Novak Djokovic in his draw. |
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| 10 things you don't know about Maria Sharapova |
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August 16, 2011
1.Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova, the No. 4 seed in this week's Western & Southern Open, hopes to someday meet U2 frontman Bono and do charity work with him.
2. At 6 feet 2, Sharapova is the same height as Bengals linebacker Rey Maualuga. At 130 pounds, Sharapova weighs exactly half of the 260-pound Maualuga. |
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| Win Court Time with Maria Sharapova! |
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August 15, 2011
HEAD is running a contest to win court time with Maria. The prize is Maria visiting your tennis club and hitting with you and 2 friends. Maria will also hold an autograph session at your club.
Entering is easy, all you need to do is click here and say why Maria should visit your tennis club in 250 words or less. |
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| WTA Rankings Following Toronto: Maria Sharapova, Kim Clijsters Down |
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August 14, 2011
The WTA have updated their rankings following the results from the Premier Mandatory event in Toronto and there have been several changes in the top 10.
Caroline Wozniacki, despite the early loss in Toronto, is still on top of the world but Kim Clijsters and her bothersome stomach muscle have slid down to third.
Maria Sharapova is another player who fell a couple spots as the Russian, who suffered an upset loss in Toronto, is now ranked seventh. |
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| Maria Sharapova meets Kristen Borland in Toronto |
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August 13, 2011
Maria met one of her biggest fans at the Rogers Cup in Toronto this week. Nine-year-old Kristen Borland is an up and coming tennis player and uses the same racquet as Maria.
Kristen is being featured on CityNews "Athlete of the Week" sports segment which follows her journey to meet Maria. |
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| Cincinnati 2011 Draw Released |
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August 12, 2011
The draw for Maria's third and final event before the US Open has been released. Maria is playing the Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati and is seeded No.4 and has a bye in the first round. In the second round Maria will play either Polona Hercog of Slovenia or a qualifier. Maria has never played the 40th ranked Slovenian before.
The first seed Maria can meet is No.14 seed Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia in the third round. No.5 seed Li Na of China or Serena Williams are possible opponents in the quarters. No.2 seed Vera Zvonareva of Russia and No.8 seed Marion Bartoli of France round off the draw in the bottom half. World No.1 Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark and third seeded Victoria Azarenka of Belarus are both in the top half of the draw. |
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| Maria Sharapova's Rogers Cup 2011 Third Round Interview |
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| August 11, 2011 |
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| Question |
When the week began, everyone was talking about the parity on this tour. Was today an example of that? |
| Maria Sharapova |
About what?
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| Question |
Was today an example of the parity on this tour about how many dangerous players there are? |
| Maria Sharapova |
Well, obviously she played really well this tournament. You could tell today that she came to the match with a lot of confidence, swinging away, you know, going for the first serve and her shots.
You know, I think if she consistently could play like that, obviously, you know, she wouldn't be ranked where she is today. She showed that she can play really great tennis. |
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| Maria Sharapova loses in Third Round |
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August 11, 2011
TORONTO -- In a season full of talk about the parity in women's tennis, unheralded Galina Voskoboeva became the latest to step up and prove that point.
The 26-year-old from Kazakhstan, ranked just 135th in the world, beat fifth-seeded Maria Sharapova 6-3, 7-5 on Thursday at the Rogers Cup as two recent Grand Slam champions also lost. |
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| Maria Sharapova's Rogers Cup 2011 Second Round Interview |
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Maria is featured in the latest edition of LiveSpa magazine and she talks about what inspires her, how she unwinds and, ultimately, live the spa lifestyle. Here is the interview:
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| August 11, 2011 |
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| LiveSpa |
What was more difficult, the wind or your opponent? |
| Maria Sharapova |
Well‚ I expected my opponent to play well today‚ because she’s someone that's dangerous. Although she’s a qualifier‚ she’s someone‚ you know‚ that’s moving up and young and eager and has beaten, you know‚ good players before.
You know‚ she’s on her way up, so I knew that that was gonna be a dangerous round‚ knowing she played a few matches already and this was my first match.
So I was happy with the way I played in the first set, and then I was up and down a little bit in the second. But overall I thought‚ for a good match, it was good.
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| LiveSpa |
Can you talk about the wind? You were having trouble obviously with the serve and all the service breaks in the second set. |
| Maria Sharapova |
Yeah. You know, the conditions I think were tough for everyone today. It's not always the best tennis when, you know, when you're facing those conditions.
But I think it's -- it goes both ways; not just for yourself but also for the opponent. So I think it's just a matter of who handles it better, who adjusts and makes adjustments at the right time. The sooner, the better. |
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| Maria Sharapova vs Serena Williams Showdown Brewing at WTA Toronto? |
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August 11, 2011
The Premier Mandatory event in Toronto has seen the top two players in the world fall in the early rounds as Kim Clijsters retired from her match against Jie Zheng with an abdominal problem while top-ranked Caroline Wozniacki was not able to fend off an upset on Wednesday as Italy's Roberta Vinci pulled off the stunner.
However, the women's draw at WTA Toronto still features several top players, including French Open champion Na Li, Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, third-ranked Vera Zvonareva and No. 4 seed Victoria Azarenka. |
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| Maria Sharapova vs Galina Voskoboeva in Rogers Cup 2011 Preview |
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August 11, 2011
The World No. 5 ranked Maria Sharapova is set to meet Galina Voskoboeva in the third round of the 2011 Rogers Cup tournament at 19:05 GMT on Thursday, 11th August at the Rexall Centre in Toronto.
The 24-year-old Maria Sharapova has overcome against Serbian Bojana Jovanovski in straight sets with a 6-1 and 7-5 in the second round at Rexall Centre in Toronto on Thursday. The Russian star has been playing well in this season, where she had appeared in the Wimbledon final at All England Club and semi final at French Open event at Roland Garros. She also won the Rome Masters title in this year. |
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| Maria Sharapova progresses in Toronto Rogers Cup 2011 |
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August 10, 2011
Maria defeated qualifier Bojana Jovanovski of Serbia to advance to the third round of the Rogers Cup in Toronto. Maria won 6-1 7-5 in 1 hour and 33 minutes.
The first set Maria came out firing and dropped only one game, the second set was a lot closer with both players fighting for every point. Jovanovski took a 4-2 lead but Maria showed her legendary fighting spirit by taking five of the next six games to take the match. |
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| Maria Sharapova vs Bojana Jovanovski Rogers Cup Preview |
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August 10, 2011
The former World No. 1 Maria Sharapova will play against Bojana Jovanovski in the second round of the 2011 Rogers Cup tournament. The Match will begin at 23:05 GMT at the Rexall Centre in Toronto.
The 24-year-old Maria Sharapova is one of the toughest contenders in the Rogers Cup event, a WTA premier event being played here in Toronto. Sharapova has played well in this season, where she had reached the final at Wimbledon and semi final at French Open. In the West Classic tournament, Sharapova has lost to Serena Williams in the third round in straight sets with a 6-1 and 6-1 of the event. |
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| Kelly: Cup’s just heating up for Maria Sharapova and pals |
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August 09, 2011
While the lesser lights were struggling out in the heat, the belles of this particular ball were being put through their media paces Monday afternoon.
The top eight ranked players at the Rogers Cup were loosed amongst the assembled press for a series of penetrating questions. |
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| Toronto Rogers Cup 2011 Update |
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August 07, 2011
Maria will begin her Rogers Cup campaign on Wednesday night against either Jelena Dokic of Australia or qualifier Bojana Jovanovski of Serbia.
Maria was practicing on one of the outside courts today with Nadia Petrova, check out some photos here. |
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| Maria Sharapova strives to be more than a ‘tennis babe’ |
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August 05, 2011
“Being a tennis babe doesn’t do it for me. If that’s what people are hoping for, then I’m afraid they’re going to be disappointed.” — Maria Sharapova, 2004
Those words were spoken seven years ago, before the wins at Wimbledon (2004), the U.S. Open (2006) and the Australian Open (2008), before Martina Navratilova called Maria Sharapova “the best thing that could have happened to women’s tennis” and before the blonde-haired Russian essentially became a brand whose endorsement contracts have made her the wealthiest female athlete. |
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| Maria Sharapova's one of the faves |
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August 05, 2011
Don't ask Maria Sharapova to gaze into her crystal ball and tell you who will win the Rogers Cup in Toronto.
Not going to happen.
Not when the top 25 players in the world, plus the higher-ranked Williams sisters, will be gathering at Rexall Centre next week to compete in Canada's biggest tennis tournament. The WTA tour is too deep, too wide open almost, for any kind of rash statements. |
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| Rogers Cup Toronto 2011 Draw Released |
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August 05, 2011
The draw for the Rogers Cup in Toronto has been released and Maria is seeded No.5 and has a bye in the first round. In the second round on either Tuesday or Wednesday, Maria will play either Jelena Dokic of Australia or a qualifier.
The first seed Maria can face is No.9 seed Marion Bartoli of France in the third round.
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| Rogers Cup 2011: Maria Sharapova ready to fight in Toronto |
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In the morning of Thursday, Maria Sharapova, who prepares itself for the match of the Rogers Glass, spoke in a telephone conference.
First of all, Maria says to feel flattered by mass media of Canada, also spoke on her special relation with the capital of Ontario.
“She enchants to Me to go to Canada” -, Maria said, - “Toronto -. One of my favorite cities I came for the first time to Toronto when she was a girl.”
The journalists did a series to them of different questions.
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| August 04, 2011 |
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| LiveSpa |
Maria I congratulate, it that finally one has recovered of the injuries and showing to a shining game this season in all the you cut. |
| Maria Sharapova |
Thank you very much.
- The last time that we saw ourselves here in Toronto (2009), which I played in the end (against Elena Dementieva).
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| LiveSpa |
All the athletes long for the victory. Nevertheless, really it is necessary to evaluate his strongpoints after Wimbledon. you think that you can show that moment in Toronto? |
| Maria Sharapova |
Each player of tennis, and I among them, to end to gain the match in which she participates. By all means, I want to gain any competition, when I go to the court. |
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| Maria Sharapova Highest Earning Female Sports Star |
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August 04, 2011
The draw for the Rogers Cup in Toronto has been released and Maria is seeded No.5 and has a bye in the first round. In the second round on either Tuesday or Wednesday, Maria will play either Jelena Dokic of Australia or a qualifier.
The first seed Maria can face is No.9 seed Marion Bartoli of France in the third round. |
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| Maria Sharapova: Proof That You Don't Need to Be the Best to Make the Most |
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August 03, 2011
As evidenced by the fact that she has just four singles victories since 2009, Maria Sharapova is not the best player in women's tennis. Because of that, it goes without saying that she's not the best female athlete currently walking the earth.
But she gets paid like she is.
According to Forbes (via the New York Post), Sharapova is the highest-paid female athlete in the world. They have her annual earnings at $25 million, twice as much as the next name on the list. Coincidentally, that would be Caroline Wozniacki, the No. 1 player in women's tennis. |
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| US Open Rumors: Is Maria Sharapova's Career on the Way Down? |
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August 03, 2011
Maria Sharapova’s ouster at the hands of a resurgent Serena Williams at the Bank of West Classic in Stanford legitimizes growing concerns that the Russian’s career is heading in the wrong direction.
Serena Williams, playing her third tournament since winning the 2010 Wimbledon, made an outright mockery of the world No. 5. Williams needed just over an hour to demolish Sharapova 6-1 and 6-3. |
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| The Highest-Paid Female Athletes |
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August 01, 2011
Maria Sharapova struggled in recent years with injuries and inconsistent play on the tennis court. Her worldwide ranking plummeted to a low of No. 126 in 2009 and she was rarely a factor in Grand Slam events. But this year Sharapova has rebounded and won 80% of her matches. She is now ranked No. 5 in the world and reached the Wimbledon finals in July; her first Grand Slam final in more than three years.
While Sharapova has bounced back on the court, off the court she never left. Sharapova is the world’s highest-paid female athlete for the seventh straight year and this year it is not even close. Sharapova earned $25 million over the last 12-months, double the amount of any other female athlete in the world. |
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| HEAD - New Instinct Commercial |
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August 01, 2011
In a new HEAD Instinct Commercial, Maria talks about her game and her new HEAD Instinct racquet.
Click here to see the video. |
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| Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams bring back entertainment to WTA Tour |
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July 31, 2011
Double fault, long, and on break point. Double fault again, long — again on break point. And there would be five more doubles for Maria Sharapova in this extremely disappointing performance against Serena Williams in the Stanford quarterfinals late Friday night.
I haven’t watched much women’s tennis since Wimbledon because the spirit hasn’t moved me to tune into a herd of players who are, yes, pretty good but who don’t have the qualities necessary to be great. |
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| Serena Williams downs Maria Sharapova |
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July 30, 2011
While she may only be ranked 169 in the world ranking, American Serena Williams dominated second-seeded Maria Sharapova 6-1, 6-3 in the Stanford quarterfinals. The one-sided affair lasted only 69 minutes.
Following the match, Williams discussed her dedication to fitness, saying, “I had to do something different, like actually warm up. I was really disappointed at Wimbledon...it’s time to get serious not only at the Slams but at every other tournament as well.” |
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| Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova – The Best and Worst of Times |
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July 30, 2011
Recently, my life has taken a turn for the busy. No longer do I have the luxury of planning my study schedule around the order of play of the French open, nor do I have the permanent impression of my rear in my couch from watching Wimbledon 24-hours-a-day. The current stage of my life requires, above all, attendance, which has put a serious dent in my ability to keep up with the goings-on of the ATP and WTA.
Imagine my delight when the first moment I have to watch a full match on TV is a Friday night showdown between Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova. The tennis gods must have a soft spot for me. I had looked forward to this match all day, forcing a Red Bull into my belly just so I didn’t get the sleepys before the match aired at 11pm. |
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| Maria Sharapova Hires Full-Time Hitting Partner Vladimir Voltchkov |
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July 30, 2011
Maria Sharapova recently confirmed that she has hired Vladimir Voltchkov as a full-time hitting partner. Sharapova will be seeking to continue her intense preparations for the summer hard-court season, and the help from Voltchkov, with whom she has worked earlier in the year, may be just what the Russian superstar needs to get back to the top.
On Friday, Sharapova suffered a difficult straight-set loss to Serena Williams in Stanford, but the Russian will be looking to continue her improvements on the hard courts in preparation for the U.S. Open. |
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| Maria Sharapova featured on World of Tennis |
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July 29, 2011
Maria took part in the World of Tennis series on The Tennis Channel. Maria was interviewed by former player Justin Gimelstob and she talks about many things including her childhood, her foundation and comeback from shoulder injury.
The annual eight-week series takes an inside look at the sport, from the professional tours to the history of the game. The magazine-style show covers the sport in a way that no one else does, providing something unique for tennis fans. |
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| Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova will meet in Bank of the West quarterfinals |
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July 29, 2011
Maria Sharapova versus Serena Williams is a match fit for Centre Court at Wimbledon, or the bright lights of a night session at the U.S. Open.
Or, as it turns out, the cozy confines of Stanford's Taube Family Tennis Stadium. |
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| Maria Sharapova vs Serena Williams - 2011 Bank of the West Classic Quarterfinal Preview |
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July 29, 2011
In a much anticipated clash between WTA legends, Maria Sharapova challenges the hegemony of Serena Williams in the quarterfinal of WTA event in Stanford. Who will have an edge?
Former World No.1 Serena Williams takes on arch rival Maria Sharapova in an attmept to win her first title on home soil in almost three years as the two supertars clash in the quarterfinal of the 2011 Bank of the West Classic, WTA's oldest women-only event being played here in Stanford, California. |
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| Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova: Mutual Admiration |
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July 28, 2011
Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova may not have always had the warmest relationship in the past, but the former No. 1s, two of tennis’s biggest superstars, have recently expressed a mutual respect for each other and a desire to square off against each other this summer.
Williams and Sharapova are currently competing in Stanford’s Bank of the West Classic, where they are slated for a potential quarterfinal-round clash that has tennis fans on the edges of their seats. |
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| Maria Sharapova Eyes Rematch with Serena Williams in Stanford |
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July 28, 2011
Second-seeded Maria Sharapova is holding strong as she awaits the outcome of tomorrow's match between Maria Kirilenko and Serena Williams.
Sharapova ousted Slovakia's Daniela Hantuchova 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 Wednesday night at the Bank of the West Classic at Stanford University. |
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| Maria Sharapova Prevails In Tough Three-Setter To Reach Quarterfinals |
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July 28, 2011
STANFORD, Calif. (www.BankOfTheWestClassic.com) – Returning to the Taube Family Tennis Stadium for the first time since last year’s runner-up finish, second-seeded Maria Sharapova survived a scare from Daniela Hantuchova and registered a 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 victory on Wednesday night at the 2011 Bank of the West Classic.
Playing in her first tournament since reaching the final at Wimbledon, Sharapova opened her tournament run with a hard-fought three-set victory over Hantuchova, who entered the night having lost seven of eight overall in the all-time series. |
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| Confident Maria Sharapova gears up for steamy hardcourt summer |
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July 28, 2011
That was clear earlier this week when Maria Sharapova talked about the prospect of another grueling summer on steamy North American hardcourts, which culminates at next month's U.S. Open.
“You have to understand, although you have your difficult moments, it’s a pretty good gig,” the three-time Grand Slam champion said as she kicked off her cement campaign at the Bank of the West Classic here. |
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| Maria Sharapova vs Daniela Hantuchova - 2011 Bank of the West Classic Match Preview |
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July 28, 2011
Russian superstar Maria Sharapova has finally returned to the elite group in women's tennis with her fabulous runs in Rome and Wimbledon. Will Stanford bring title glory on hardocurts for the Russian?
Former World No.1 Maria Sharapova takes on Slovakian giant-killer Daniela Hantuchova for a place in the next round of the 2011 Bank of the West Classic, a WTA premier event being played here in Stanford, USA. |
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| Maria Sharapova believes auspicious for Tennis Career |
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July 27, 2011
The World No. 5 ranked Maria Sharapova, one of the famous personality in the tennis history had experienced ups and downs in her tennis career.
The 24-year-old Sharapova, who lost her Wimbledon crown to Petra Kvitova in the finals, as she want to make a strong come into the Bank of the West Classic at Stanford. Sharapova has seeded No. 2 in the tournament ahead of World No. 3 Victoria Azarenka. The other players like Marion Bartoli, Samantha Stosur, and Agnieszka Radwanska are also the heavy favorites to clinch the Bank of the West Classic championship. |
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| Maria Sharapova happy away from spotlight |
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July 26, 2011
STANFORD, Calif. -- Ah, the hard-court summer. The concrete, the heat, the humidity, the long matches and the crammed, grinding schedule leading up to the U.S. Open at the end of August. Ready to go?
“That makes me want to go home,” laughed Maria Sharapova, who is kicking off her U.S. Open Series campaign this week at the Bank of the West Classic in Stanford. |
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| Maria Sharapova looking ahead to renewing rivalry with Serena |
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July 25, 2011
(Reuters) - The prospect of renewing her long rivalry with Serena Williams has provided Maria Sharapova with added incentive to win this week's Stanford Classic.
The Russian and the American are both on comebacks from health problems and could meet in the quarter-finals at Stanford as they launch their U.S. hard court seasons in California. |
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| Maria Sharapova graces LiveSpa Magazine |
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July 25, 2011
Tennis superstar Maria Sharapova recently featured in the latest edition of the LiveSpa magazine and talked about a lot more than just tennis.
Arguably the most popular female athlete at the moment, Maria Sharapova has frequented the fashion and lifestyle magazines like no one else and the latest addition to her fashion visibility is her appearance in the LiveSpa magazine, which is a consumer magazine dedicated to the Spa goers and answers a variety of questions by experts along with interesting interviews and features. |
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| Maria Sharapova readies for Open Series |
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July 25, 2011
Talking about her game, tennis superstar Maria Sharapova said she sees both progress and imperfections.
Sharapova spoke to reporters Tuesday in preparation for the U.S. Open Series, a group of American hardcourt tournaments leading up to the U.S. Open. |
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| Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams May Meet in Stanford |
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July 24, 2011
In a conference call earlier this week, Maria Sharapova expressed a desire to face Serena Williams during the hard-court season, despite the fact that she has a losing record against the American.
I love playing against her,” Sharapova said. “We’ve had very, very tough matches against each other. I don’t have a great record against her, and I would love to change that. There is no doubt I would love to play her this summer at some point.” |
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| Stanford 2011 Draw Released |
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July 22, 2011
The draw for Maria's first event of the US Open series at the Bank of the West Classic in Stanford has been released and Maria is seeded No.2 and has a bye in the first round. In the second round on Wednesday night at 19.00 local time Maria will play either Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia or a qualifier.
The first seeded player Maria can meet is No.6 seed Julia Goerges of Germany in the quarters - former world No.1 Serena Williams is also in Maria's quarter. |
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| Maria Sharapova is back to hopefully prove a point at Bank of the West |
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July 21, 2011
Maria Sharapova erased all doubts concerning her return to tennis following a shoulder injury by reaching the finals of Wimbledon this year. She hopes to carry that success through the summer U.S. Open Series competition, beginning with her appearance in the Bank of the West Classic next week at Taube Tennis Family Center on the campus of Stanford University.
Ranked fifth in the world, Sharapova will play her first match at Stanford on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. against an opponent to be determined. The draw will be held Friday at the Stanford Shopping Center, a nice touch for Sharapova, who lists Peet's Coffee among her favorite places. |
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| Maria Sharapova in LiveSpa Magazine |
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Maria is featured in the latest edition of LiveSpa magazine and she talks about what inspires her, how she unwinds and, ultimately, live the spa lifestyle. Here is the interview:
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| July 21, 2011 |
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| LiveSpa |
After winning yout first major tennis title, the 2004 Wimbledon, what was you greatest splurge? |
| Maria Sharapova |
I splurged at Harros in London the next day with a Marc Jacobs jacket.
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| LiveSpa |
As a competitive athlete, you breathe and live the concept of winning and losing. How do you recover from a defeat? |
| Maria Sharapova |
Defeats are always tough, but it's the perspective you have after a loss (that matters). Sometimes you learn more from a loss than a win. |
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| Maria Sharapova in US Weekly |
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July 21, 2011
Maria is in the August 1st edition of US Weekly in a feature titled "Stars Scarlet Fever!". Maria is pictured wearing the red Alexander McQueen dress that she wore at the Pre-Wimbledon Party last month. Other stars featured are Brooklyn Decker, Diane Kruger, Nicole Kidman, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Jennifer Lopez.
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| Olympus US Open Series Conference Call |
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| July 20, 2011 |
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| Question |
We'll ask Maria to talk about her preparations for Bank of the West and her plans for the summer. |
| Maria Sharapova |
I'm certainly excited for the US Open Series. It's quite close to home. After a long European trip which I had great success in, it's great to be playing tournaments that I love very much and I've had great success at.
So it's great to be back at this part of the year. |
| Question |
Looking back to 2006 and your win in the US Open over Justine Henin in the final, what stands out about that match to you five years later? |
| Maria Sharapova |
Well, I thought it was a really great performance from me. It was a title that I came so close to and had lost in the semifinals. So actually when I won my semis and beat Amelie Mauresmo in three sets, I was quite ecstatic to and so excited to be in that final stage of the US Open.
I just thought I played really, really great match against Henin who was in really top form at that event. I was very happy that I was able believe to beat her at such a high stage. |
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| Maria Sharapova eager to face Serena Williams this summer |
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July 20, 2011
Maria Sharapova has clearly mentioned prior to her hard-court season that she is expecting an encounter against Serena Williams this season.
Former Number one, Maria Sharapova will kick start her hard-court summer session next week in Stanford along with Serena Williams. She says that she would like a shot at the 13-time Grand Slam champion this summer. Three time Grand Slam champion Sharapova surprised Serena the first time they met, in the 2004 Wimbledon final, but then Williams has showed Russian the exit in the last five times they have faced each other. Sharapova and Serena are scheduled to play four of the same events, including Cincinnati, Stanford, Toronto and the U.S. Open. |
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| Maria Sharapova upbeat, says she's improving, still on the rise |
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July 20, 2011
Maria ShaWith each tournament she plays, Maria Sharapova said her game has been progressing.
The three-time Grand Slam singles champion and former world No. 1 was the runner-up at Wimbledon earlier this month and a semifinalist at the French Open in June.
She enters the Bank of the West Classic at Stanford University, which begins Monday, ranked fifth in the world. It's the first time she has been in the top five since 2008, the same year she had surgery on her injured shoulder. |
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| Maria Sharapova to play in Taipei against Zvonareva |
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July 19, 2011
On September 22nd, Maria will play against Vera Zvonareva at the Taipei Arena in Taiwan.
Here is what Maria and Vera say: |
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| Maria Sharapova on Vogue's ‘10 Best Dressed’ list |
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July 18, 2011
On Maria is on this week's Vogue '10 Best Dressed' List for the outfit she wore at the ESPY awards in Los Angeles last week.
Maria wore head to toe Alexander McQueen including a navy chiffon custom made dress. |
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| Has Maria Sharapova Cracked in the Big Moments in 2011? |
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July 17, 2011
In 2004, a fearless Maria Sharapova rose to prominence as a 17-year-old phenomenon, upsetting Serena Williams in the Wimbledon final to win the first Grand Slam title of her career. The young Russian achieved great success as a young woman, ascending to No. 1 in the rankings in 2005 before going on to win the 2006 US Open and the 2008 Australian Open. Sharapova looked poised to have a promising future ahead of her.
But at the end of 2008, Sharapova sustained a shoulder injury that required surgery and intensive rehabilitation. By the time she was ready to make a return to the tour, Sharapova had dropped in the rankings to No. 126. |
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| ESPN ESPY Awards 2011: Maria Sharapova Shows off Sexiness on Red Carpet |
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July 14, 2011
TESPN Espy Awards 2011 Red Carper Feautres Maria Sharapova
Maria Sharapova looked to show off her good looks on the red carpet as she wore a stunning backless dress that showed off her physique.
She was certainly a hit on the red carpet, but her man and New Jersey Nets basketball player, Sasha Vujacic was nowhere to be found, thankfully. |
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| Maria Sharapova, Li to lead charge in Tokyo |
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July 14, 2011
TOKYO - Wimbledon finalist Maria Sharapova, French Open champion Li Na and world No 1 Caroline Wozniacki will headline this year's Pan Pacific Open, Tokyo organizers said on Tuesday.
Russian Sharapova, stunned by Czech Petra Kvitova in the women's Wimbledon final earlier this month, has twice won the $2.05 million Tokyo event, which begins on Sept 25.
Sharapova and Danish rival Wozniacki, the defending champion, will fly to Japan early to take part in charity events in support of the victims of the deadly earthquake and tsunami on March 11. |
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| Maria Sharapova: 2011 ESPY Awards! |
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July 13, 2011
Maria attended the 2011 ESPY Awards at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live in Los Angeles and presented the award for Best Upset alongside NBA player Amar'e Stoudemire and actress Rachel Nichols.
Maria was wearing head to toe Alexander McQueen including a navy chiffon custom made dress. |
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| Cole Haan in the Media |
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July 12, 2011
The Maria Sharapova Cole Haan collection is featured in three media outlets as listed below:
- People Stylewatch August issue profiles the Air Alexis OT Ankle Bootie in Black/Black Embossed Lizard, Military Wide Belt in Black, as well as the Air Alexis Short Boot in Greige.
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| No Maria Sharapova for the ASB Classic |
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July 12, 2011
ASB Classic tournament director Richard Palmer is philosophical about losing this year's main drawcard, Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova, to the upgraded Brisbane International next year.
The world No 5 and three-time grand slam champion has opted to tune up for January's Australian Open by playing in Brisbane, which has been upgraded to premier status by the WTA.
That means there is more prizemoney on offer in Brisbane and no restrictions on the number of top-10 players organisers can attract. The ASB Classic can only have one top-10 player and has a fifth of the prizemoney on offer across the ditch. |
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| Maria Sharapova, Caroline Wozniacki, Li Na in Pan Pacific Open |
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July 12, 2011
The top tennis players Maria Sharapova, Carline Wozniacki and Li Na are going to participate in Pan Pacific Open.
On Tuesday, the tournament organizers have announced that world no.1, Carline Wozniacki, Wimbledon 2011 finalist, Maria Sharapova and French Open 2011 Champion, Li Na have agreed to play in Pac Pacific Open. |
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| Maria Sharapova Brisbane-bound |
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July 12, 2011
Former world number one Maria Sharapova will start her 2012 season at the Brisbane International.
Organisers today revealed the Russian, one of the WTA's highest-profile stars, would make her first appearance at Pat Rafter Arena in January.
Today the 24-year-old said the event, won last year by Czech Petra Kvitova, would be the ideal start to her 2012 campaign as she looks to add to her three Grand Slam titles. |
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| Maria Sharapova meets, Serena Williams’ favorite to win 2011 US Open |
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July 11, 2011
The two top players in the Women’s tennis Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams are looking huge favorite to the US Open championship this year.
The 24-year-old Sharapova’s has been playing well over the last couple of months, where she won the championship at Rome Masters and reached semi final at Roland Garros. She also entered into the final at Wimbledon 2011 tournament, where lost to No. 8 seed Petra Kvitova in straight sets with a 3–6 and 4–6. Sharapova has climbed to her season’s best rank in the WTA Rankings to No. 5 spot. |
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| Maria Sharapova meets Indy de Vroome at Wimbledon |
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July 09, 2011
Maria met Indy de Vroome at Wimbledon this week. Indy has been wearing the Nike 'Maria Sharapova Collection' since Roland Garros.
Indy is 15-years-old and recently won the AEGON Junior International in Roehampton.last week and she got to the semis of the junior event at Wimbledon this week. |
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| Maria Sharapova will be back as No 1 |
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July 09, 2011
Her second comeback in 2011 may not have been as dramatic as her first in 2008, but she is not finished yet. Maria Sharapova will regain her No 1 status and remain a top player for a few more years. Expect her to storm back into reckoning even after her unexpected defeat in the final hurdle at the just-concluded Wimbledon.
The Russia born US resident has her personal planets in Aries, Sagittarius and Pisces. Aries is responsible for her phenomenal power and aggression, Sagittarius makes her mentally tough and competitive and Pisces blesses her with fluidity and athleticism. She has Sun — the planet of glory, Venus—the planet of beauty and ‘Planet-Z’ — a powerful exoplanet, all three in exaltation. |
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| Maria Sharapova: A lost champion? – Tennis Special |
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July 08, 2011
Rated at number five in WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) world rankings, Russia’s Maria Sharapova is one of the few women tennis stars who have achieved a great deal of fame in the shortest possible time.
Former world number one, 24-year-old Sharapova has bagged 23 WTA and 4 ITF (International Tennis Federation) championship titles in her 10-year illustrious professional tennis career. She reached the top of women’s tennis rankings in 2005 and has won three Grand Slam tournaments till date.
The Russian beauty came under lime light seven years ago when she wore the Wimbledon Championships crown in 2004, at the age of 17. Sharapova is the third youngest women tennis player to have won a Wimbledon singles title, after Lottie Dod and Martina Hingis. She climbed to the world number one spot the very next year and carried on her sublime form to win her first US Open title in 2006. |
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| Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova coming to town, Goldstar tix available |
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July 06, 2011
Two of the top ladies in tennis and fitness -- Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova -- are coming to Silicon Valley July 25-31 for the Bank of the West Classic and check it out: discount tickets (46% off) are available today as a featured offering on Goldstar.
Grab these hot tix fast, because at $26-$34 this is a great chance to catch exciting women's tennis action as 13-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams, three-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova and defending champion Victoria Azarenka compete in the longest-running women only professional tennis tournament. Featuring a 28-player singles draw and a 16-team doubles draw, the Bank of the West Classic features $700,000 in prize money. |
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| Maria Sharapova counts on experience in Wimbledon final |
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July 06, 2011
WIMBLEDON, England—Seven years after winning Wimbledon as a 17-year-old, Maria Sharapova is back in the final, this time as a three-time Grand Slam winner and heavy favorite.
Petra Kvitova is preparing for her first Grand Slam final. The 21-year-old Czech might be dreaming of a debut like that of her Russian rival, who overpowered the top-seeded Serena Williams 6-1, 6-4 in 2004 to make her mark as a future superstar of the game. |
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| Women's Tennis: Too Much Focus on Sex Appeal and Stars Are Why No One Watches |
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July 05, 2011
Can you imagine Marion Bartoli or Sabine Lisicki playing against Petra Kvitova in the Wimbledon finals?
I can. Bartoli and Lisicki both had a chance to make the finals this year—not by chance, but by quality of play.
Maria Sharapova made the finals, which NBC was happy about.
In women’s tennis these days, networks care about one thing only: sex appeal. |
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| Does Sasha Vujacic "Deserve" Maria Sharapova? |
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July 05, 2011
As I watched Sasha Vujacic cheerlead for Maria Sharapova at Wimbledon, I couldn’t help but think, “Sasha Vujacic? Really? The guy with the shoe string headband? The guy whom the Lakers traded away because he was worse than Steve Blake?”
Whom do professional athletes deserve to date? Are they allowed to search for someone who “truly makes them happy” or are they forced to evaluate their legacy when they select a partner? |
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| From Glaswegian grammar to Maria Sharapova's glamour |
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July 05, 2011
For most people taking tennis player Maria Sharapova or Russian football star Andrei Arshavin for a dinner is nothing but a dream.
But for Richard Wallace reaching out to the stars is an everyday event – his company delivers hospitality services and organises high-profile events with Russian and international sport stars.
But the key to this glamorous world was an unlikely one – a hard-edged language teacher from Glasgow. |
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| Maria Sharapova To Buy £10,000 House In Burnley, Lancashire |
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July 04, 2011
Beaten Wimbledon Ladies Singles finalist, Maria Sharapova has been outed as the mystery buyer of a £10,000 terraced house, on Pritchard Street, in Burnley, Lancashire.
It is an established fact that Maria Sharapova has a massive fan base in the Lancashire mill town, and that she wanted to buy a retreat for herself, where she can relax and be among friends. |
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| Success would be sweet for ‘Sugarpova’ Brand Maria would be boosted by slam title |
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July 02, 2011
Prepare to have a cannon filled with blond hair, glitter and $100 bills fired into your face.
If Maria Sharapova beats Petra Kvitova today -a young Czech making her first appearance in a grand slam final -and wins the Rosewater Dish for a second time, this match could resonate far beyond the lawn and the tennis hard-core. |
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| Wimbledon 2011: Petra Kvitova vs Maria Sharapova analysis |
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July 02, 2011
Venue: All England Club, London Date: 20 June-3 July Coverage: Live on BBC One, Two, 3D, HD, Red Button, online (UK only), Radio 5 live, 5 live sports extra; live text commentary from 0900 BST on BBC Sport website (#bbctennis); watch again on iPlayer
Former tennis stars and BBC pundits Virginia Wade and Tracy Austin analyse Petra Kvitova's 6-3 6-4 win over Maria Sharapova as the Czech eighth seed secures her first Grand Slam title on Centre Court. |
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| Tears Maria: Sharapova can't complete her Wimbledon dream |
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July 02, 2011
Tearful Maria Sharapova couldn't realise her dream of a second Wimbledon title after coming up against the greatly unfancied Petra Kvitova in the ladies singles final.
The 6ft 2ins Russian, who hadn't lost a set in the previous rounds, struggled to find her form against the determined Kvitova who won in straight sets.
Sharapova, 24, who took the title in 2004 at the tender age of 17, seemed close to tears as she collected her runners-up trophy. |
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| Return to the Grand-Slam mix is no fairytale, says Maria Sharapova |
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July 02, 2011
LONDON: After uprooting from Russia and leaving her mother behind when she joined Nick Bolletieri's Florida academy as a nine-year-old, Maria Sharapova knows better than most about the sacrifices needed to succeed at the highest levels of sport.
So it was not surprising that she bridled at the suggestion that had she triumphed at Wimbledon on Saturday in her first Grand Slam final for three years it would have been a fairytale comeback after years of injury problems.
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| So who do you think is louder... Maria Sharapova, KISS or a freight train? |
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July 02, 2011
She may have lost on Saturday but nobody could say that Maria Sharapova went quietly.
Even as her tennis game was silenced by Petra Kvitova, the screams that accompany every shot the 24-year-old Russian plays these days continued to echo round Centre Court. |
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| Maria Sharapova's Wimbledon 2011 Final Interview |
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| July 02, 2011 |
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| Question |
Can you talk a bit about the difficulties of playing a lefty. |
| Maria Sharapova |
Uhm, yeah. Well, she used that to her advantage a lot today. Uhm, obviously there are a lot more righties on the tour than lefties. This was the second lefty I played in the tournament.
But, yeah, besides that, she played a terrific match.
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| Question |
Can you elaborate on that. What was so difficult about what she showed today? |
| Maria Sharapova |
Well, you know, she was hitting really powerful and hitting, you know, winners from all over the court. She made a defensive shot into an offensive one.
And, yeah, you know, just kind of laid on a lot of those shots. I think she was just more aggressive than I was, hit deeper and harder, and got the advantage in the points. |
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| Petra Kvitova defeats Maria Sharapova at Wimbledon 2011 |
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July 02, 2011
Maria's run at Wimbledon is over as she lost 3-6 4-6 to No.8 seed Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic in the final in 1 hour and 25 minutes.
Maria won the toss at the net before the match and elected to receive, and she broke for a 1-0 lead as Kvitova missed three forehands. Maria's serve was then tested for the first time in the next game, and Maria was broken when she hit a forehand long. Maria had a chance to break in the next game but was unable to take it. A few games later Kvitova broke Maria to lead 4-2 when Maria double-faulted. Both players held their serves in the next two service games and then Kvitova held her serve to take the set 6-3. |
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| Maria Sharapova Voted Sexiest Armpits at Wimbledon |
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July 02, 2011
Wimbledon, which some think is mostly a British event, has come under a barrage of new international scrutiny for by the IAFA, the International Armpit Fetish Association.
Ivan Pectoralva, president of the IAFA announced that tennis is the greatest armpit spectacle in the world, "Where else can you see the most underrated part of the body exposed every few seconds. It is magnificent sport! Every time somebody serves, the IAFA membership wins! This year our 11 members have voted Maria Sharapova to have the sexiest armpits at Wimbledon." |
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| Maria Sharapova Interview before facing Petra Kvitova in Wimbledon 2011 |
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| July 01, 2011 |
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| Question |
Will you do anything special to prepare for the final? |
| Maria Sharapova |
Maybe a little longer nap this afternoon. That's about it (smiling).
It's a pretty similar routine. Yeah, nothing special. Maybe watch some of the tennis. .
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| Question |
Do you ever have problems sleeping if you have a big match? |
| Maria Sharapova |
I love to sleep. Nothing usually bothers me in that term.
Yeah, no, I'm pretty good with that. |
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| Maria Sharapova's Wimbledon 2011 Semi Final Interview |
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| June 30, 2011 |
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| Question |
How does it feel to be back in the Wimbledon final? |
| Maria Sharapova |
It's a great feeling. It's been many years, but it's a really great feeling.
Today wasn't my best match of The Championships so I was real happy to get through in two sets. But, yeah, it's pretty amazing to be back on that stage.
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| Question |
Your start wasn't very good. |
| Maria Sharapova |
No. |
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| Wimbledon 2011: Maria Sharapova vs Petra Kvitova Finals Preview |
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July 02, 2011
Tennis fans around the globe are eagerly waiting for finals of 2011 Wimbledon, since two weeks to know, who will be the 2011 Women’s Wimbledon Champion.
Here comes the finals encounter at Wimbledon 2011 between Maria Sharapova vs Petra Kvitova, as they battle to clinch the Wimbledon Championship title at the All England Club in London. |
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| Wimbledon women's final between Maria Sharapova and Petra Kvitova is a study in contrasts |
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July 01, 2011
Saturday's match pits 24-year-old Sharapova, a veteran who won Wimbledon in 2004 at age 17 and knows what it's like to be a brash upstart, against Kvitova, an actual upstart in her first major final.
Reporting from Wimbledon, England — Someone who should know has a simple conception of how the Wimbledon women's final Saturday between 2004 champion Maria Sharapova and major final rookie Petra Kvitova will turn out. |
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| Maria Sharapova back at last where she belongs |
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July 01, 2011
WIMBLEDON, England — It all happened so quickly for Maria Sharapova the first time around. She was 17, just 10 years removed from leaving her home in Siberia with her father to move to Florida to become a better young tennis player. And now, there she was, the Wimbledon champion of 2004.
"In a tennis life, everything happens automatically," she said Thursday. "You know when the next tournaments are. You wake up in the morning, you know you're going to go to practice. You know you're going to have a couple of days off. Everything is kind of on autopilot. |
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| Maria Sharapova wary of lefty Petra Kvitova |
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July 01, 2011
(Reuters) - Having brushed aside the rank and file, the stage is set for Maria Sharapova to reclaim her Wimbledon crown on Saturday but one pesky upstart still threatens to ruin her big day.
Czech Petra Kvitova does not have the glamorous appeal of the ice-cool Russian, her face will probably never adorn billboards and magazine covers and advertising executives will not be clamoring for her signature but she does boast a slicing left-handed serve which is no respecter of reputations. |
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| Maria Sharapova va Petra Kvitova: It Ain't Ova for the - Ovas at Wimbledon |
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June 30, 2011
With the Wimbledon women's semifinals just completed, one thing is certain: It ain't ova for the - Ovas.
One corner will feature the eighth seeded Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic, a 6-1, 3-6, 6-2 mild-upset winner ova Victoria Azarenka of Belarus.
In the other corner will be Russia's fifth-seeded Maria Sharapova, who defeated unseeded German Sabine Lisicki, 6-4, 6-3. |
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| Former Champion and New Face in the Final |
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June 30, 2011
WIMBLEDON, England — There were some strange twists on Centre Court on Thursday. The women’s semifinalist with by far the most experience at this heady stage of a Grand Slam tournament was the shakiest at the start. The match that deserved to end with a double fault did not, but the other did.
But it all worked out sensibly in the end as Petra Kvitova and Maria Sharapova advanced to the Wimbledon final. |
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| Maria Sharapova can noise up title rivals |
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June 30, 2011
MARIA SHARAPOVA’S name is one of the most googled in tennis, her body one of the most ogled.
The draw has opened up for the Russian lovely after Meltdown Monday when the Williams sisters and world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki fell by the wayside, such a dangerous area it really should be signposted. |
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| Service not included! Maria Sharapova powers to final despite suffering double fault despair |
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June 30, 2011
Seven years ago, a beaming and carefree 17-year-old Maria Sharapova won the ladies' singles title on a sun-kissed Centre Court.
The more pragmatic lady of 24 will be hoping for rain on Saturday and a closed roof, judging by the havoc that the merest whiff of wind is wreaking with a serve that has become a liability. |
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| Maria Sharapova, Petra Kvitova reach Wimbledon final |
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June 30, 2011
WIMBLEDON, England - Maria Sharapova overcame 13 double-faults today to reach her second Wimbledon final, where she will meet Petra Kvitova.
Sharapova, who won the first of her three Grand Slam titles at the All England Club in 2004, defeated Sabine Lisicki 6-4, 6-3. Kvitova reached her first major final by hitting nine aces in a 6-1, 3-6, 6-2 win over Victoria Azarenka. |
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| Maria Sharapova through to second Wimbledon final |
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June 30, 2011
Maria is through to her second Wimbledon final after she defeated Sabine Lisicki of Germany. Maria won 6-4 6-3 in 1 hour and 27 minutes..
This is Maria's first Grand Slam final since the beginning of 2008 at the Australian Open.
Lisicki got off to a strong start in the first set as she built a 3-0 lead. Maria got the set back on serve at 3-2 when Lisicki hit the ball into the net. At 4-4 Maria broke Lisicki to serve for the set and and then Maria holds her own serve to take the set 6-4 when she serves an ace down the middle. |
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| Maria Sharapova serves up double act |
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June 30, 2011
Sport's latest star pairing is centre stage at Wimbledon, writes Karen Crouse.
WATCHING Maria Sharapova's power and precision, the centre-court crowd at Wimbledon fell into an awed silence on Tuesday, one that was broken before or after some points by the clapping of one person. Without a word, Sasha Vujacic was communicating everything his fiancee, Sharapova, needed to hear during her 6-1, 6-1 quarter-final victory against Dominika Cibulkova. |
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| Tennis Princess Maria Sharapova, Azarenka close on noisy final |
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June 30, 2011
(Reuters) - Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka will ratchet up the decibel levels later on Thursday when two of the loudest women players on tour look to win their Wimbledon last-four encounters and set up a noisy final.
Fourth seed Azarenka of Belarus, whose wailing during matches has upset the All England club, meets Czech Petra Kvitova in the first semi on Centre Court. |
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| Maria Sharapova the Veteran Among Women at Wimbledon |
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June 30, 2011
Once a teen sensation, Maria Sharapova is the elder stateswoman at Wimbledon this year.
At 24, the Russian is the oldest of the women's semifinalists at the All England Club, and by far the most experienced. Being the veteran is new for Sharapova, who was just 17 when she won her only Wimbledon title in 2004. |
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