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.
“I really like playing Maria and I really admire her and never giving up and developing the confidence that she has,” Williams told reporters. “Always just walking around and having so much aplomb, it’s good. I always admired that, it’s really cool.”
Williams, who demolished first-round opponent Anastasia Rodionova, 6-0, 6-0, in Stanford, currently sits at No. 169 in the world but anticipates a return to the top of the rankings.
“I want to get back to the top,” Williams added. “And I have no patience. But maybe this is teaching me to be more patient. And it’ll come, but not necessarily — number one is great, but I really want to be able to do well in the Grand Slams.”
The 13-time Grand Slam champion has three U.S. Open titles to her name. After winning in 1999, 2002, and 2008, Williams will be seeking to make her mark at the hard-court events leading up to the U.S. Open and give a strong performance at the final Grand Slam event of the year.
Meanwhile, in a recent conference call to promote the U.S. Open Series, Sharapova expressed her desire to take on Williams on the hard courts this summer.
“I love playing against her,” Sharapova had said of Williams, who has defeated the Russian in their last five meetings.
“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.”
Sharapova—the No. 2 seed at Stanford—is currently ranked No. 5 in the world. The 2006 U.S. Open champion has been looking solid recently, reaching the final round at Wimbledon as she creeps closer to the top of the rankings once again.
On Wednesday, Sharapova fought past Daniela Hantuchova, 6-2, 2-6, 6-4, to secure her quarterfinal berth. Williams will face Maria Kirilenko on Thursday for the opportunity to meet Sharapova in the quarterfinals.
The winner of the quarterfinal clash could potentially meet No. 4 seed Samantha Stosur or No. 5 seed Agnieszka Radwanska in the semifinals. On the other half of the draw, top seed Victoria Azarenka and No. 3 seed Marion Bartoli are on track for a potential semifinal meeting of their own.
What do you think of the recent comments made by Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova? Who do you think will win the Bank of the West Classic?
Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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