Maria, back at Wimby 2010

Because of excitement on Wimbledon 2010, I can't help but update this blog and post more about my fave players again. Many things has happened on the tennis world beginning this year and I was not able to deal with that because of personal stuffs. But now, I think I'll be updating more with regards to this All-England Championships 2010.

Sharapova blows a kiss to the crowd after her victory over Anastasia Pivovarova.

An article from wimbledon.org on her win:

" There is a feeling among the experts that Maria Sharapova is once again approaching the kind of form that makes her a contender at Grand Slam events and judging by her tennis during her opening victory at the 2010 Championships she can look forward to a lengthy stay in SW19.

Perhaps Sharapova expected a tougher test against a player who had enjoyed a fabulous run at Roland Garros - she qualified and reached the third round. Pivovarova had impressed too during the qualifying event in Roehampton last week where she cruised through three matches for the loss of just ten games.

But against a player as focused and as effective as Sharapova on Wimbledon's turf she simply had no answers to the world No.16's power. Sharapova was ruthless on serve in a one-sided 30-minute opener, dropping just three points on her own delivery, and was just as effective when returning, breaking the qualifier twice.

The second was even more lop-sided as Sharapova dropped just four points on serve and broke another three times, wasting only 24 minutes to complete a straight-sets passage into the second round."The goal today was to come out and just figure things out pretty quickly and I did a good job of that," the Russian said afterwards. "I feel good. My body feels good. I'm in much better condition than I was last year."

Sharapova also revealed that her time away from the game during 2008 and 2009 due to shoulder problems has left her even hungrier for success on the world's biggest stages. "My joy in the game is pretty much up there with what it was before I got injured. Maybe even more so because it was taken away from me for such a long period of time that it made me realise how blessed you are when you're actually on the court [and] are able to hit a tennis ball for an hour a day - and be good at what you do."

Maria and her Cole Haan Collection

Maria has been showing her fashionable side lately. Right after the Finals in Roger's Cup, she was then seen partying with actress Blake Lively with a piece of birthday cake in honor of Blake Lively's 22nd birthday at their game hosted by InStyle and Tiffany & Co. at The Cooper Square Hotel - Penthouse on August 25, 2009 in New York City. This cocktail party was made to honor herself and Frank Gehry, a famous architect who created the sterling silver and diamond earrings especially for Maria to wear at the US Open.



And just the other night, she was also sited at Rockefeller Center Store on August 27, 2009 in New York, New York unveiling her own Cole Haan Collection which includes a ballet flat, an ankle-wrapped stiletto, a flat over-the-knee boot, an ankle bootie and a strappy platform sandal. With prices ranging from $138 - $328, the collection offers luxe options at an attainable level.

"It's my hope that other young women will embrace the spirit of the collection; it's fun, chic, fashionable and most importantly, able to take you from day to night," says Maria.

And here is one Maria's lovely pics during the event:


SEE MORE OF MARIA SHARAPOVA HERE.

You can also subscribe to her pics at zimbio.com.

Sharapova makes winning return to AEGON Classic

After the tiring French Open Grand Slam, here is Maria Sharapova again competing at the AEGON Classic Tournament in Birmingham as a preparation for the next Grand Slam which is the Wimbledon.

Maria Sharapova made a winning start to her AEGON Classic campaign at the Edgbaston Priory Club, Birmingham today as she continues her comeback from shoulder surgery.

The two-time former champion recovered from a slow start to defeat Canadian Stephanie Dubois 6-4 6-2 in one hour 13 minutes to book a second round date with American Alexa Glatch.

“I thought I did a really good job of getting into the groove of playing on grass again," said Sharapova. "My goal today was to get used to the grass and my opponent, who I hadn’t played before.

“I have tremendous memories from here. It seems that the fans have grown up with me here as I have played here since I was younger. That’s one of the reasons why I keep coming back."

The Road to Bali reaches its half-way mark in Birmingham this week with the AEGON Classic, the 15th of 30 International tournaments on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour's calendar. The 56-player, $220,000 event also heralds the start of the four week grass court swing, with all roads leading to Wimbledon at the end of the month. Hoping to find their footing on the turf, five of the Top 30 are present, along with two-time champion Maria Sharapova.

Sharapova, who first won the Birmingham title as a prelude to her Wimbledon triumph in 2004, defended it the following year and was also runner-up to Jelena Jankovic in 2007, promises to steal much of the spotlight. Considering her lack of recent match play the Russian was hugely impressive at the French Open, fighting her way to the quarterfinals on her least favorite surface to lift her ranking into the Top 75. Back on more comfortable terrain she'll be even more dangerous, despite missing out on a seeding.

More information about the tournament here and about Maria here.

Click here for more information about the tournament and the order of play and draws.

Sharapova will be seen next at AEGON Classic Tourney

Since Maria is out of the picture already from the French Open, she will be seen next at AEGON Classic, an International series tennis tournament on the WTA Tour held at the Edgbaston Priory Club in Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom. It will start on June 6-14, 2009, U.K. time of course. Held at this location since 1982, the tournament is played on outdoor grass courts. It is seen as a major warm up tournament for Wimbledon and a sister tournament to the men's Queen's Club Championships.

Maria has been a 2-time champion in this tournament and will be looking forward on her next win.

“I’m really excited about getting back on to the grass courts again and playing in the AEGON Classic,” said 22-year-old Sharapova.

“Birmingham is a really special tournament for me and I always get great support. I’ve won there twice before and I always feel very welcome - it’s excellent preparation for Wimbledon.”

Click HERE for full details about Maria.

And HERE for the final entry list of main draw players.

Roland Garros: In the Semis

Wow..too many upsets for this year’s RG Cup. Robin Soderling defeated the defending Champ Rafael Nadal, No7 seed Svetlana Kuznetsova defeated No2 seed Serena Williams and women’s defending champ defeated by No.9 seed Victoria Azarenka. I have been really upset for the defeat of the defending Champs and Maria. But as what Maria had said, that’s tennis and that is sport. No one is really invincible.

As you have read from my previous posts, I am following this tournament because of my fave players. But now that they’re out (Maria, Ana, & Rafa), I’ll now be cheering for world’s WTA #1 Dinara Safina and ATP’s #2, Roger Federer. So now, I make myself satisfied that Dinara is still on the go for the cup and will be facing No7 seed Svetlana Kuznetsova who just defeated No.2 seed Serena Williams. Hurray! Dinara for the win!

On the other hand, since Rafa is out of the way, I would love to see Roger Federer getting the RG crown. For now, I will be following the semi-finals round of both the men’s and women’s and I bet that the top 2 seeded players will go victorious, I hope so!

Click this link to see on who will be vying the Semi-Finals Round for the women.

And here for the men’s.

You will also see further stories at the right sidebar of this blog. Enjoy Reading!

Rafa out, Ana out -- I still can't believe it...

As you would know, it has been a habit of me nowadays to check out on the Roland Garros site for updates on the ongoing French tournament on Tennis and to get sight of my faves namely the defending Champs Rafa Nadal and Ana Ivanovic. And since Maria Sharapova is now back on the tennis world, it made me visit the site more for updates and to see who's advancing up to the finals. Since the tournament is a Grand Slam, many players all over the world are participating hoping to grab the crown one day. It has also been a reason on why I have subscribed to Google news for more updates on the tournament.

But sadly, upon visiting my site this morning for new updates, it broke my heart to see that defending Champs Rafa and Ana has been eliminated from the tourney by Robin Soderling and Victoria Azarenka respectively in the 4th round of the tourney. Click here for the details of what really happened on the May 31st games. As what Rafa has said, "This is not a tragedy, losing here in Paris. It had to happen one day, and this is an excellent season for me. Of course it's a bit sad, but I have to overcome this as quickly as possible.”

Despite of that, I am still not totally down because my fave of them all, Maria, is on the go and advances to QF defeating the 25th seeded Na Li from China.


More Power Maria and Good Luck!

For the detailed articles, click the story on how the Stunning Soderling dethrones Nadal.

Maria Saharapova advances to the 4th round..

" Maria Sharapova hit back from losing a 6-1 set for a second successive match as she battled her way into the fourth round of the French Open."

Just like her game against fellow Russian and 5th seeded Nadia Petrova, Maria bounced back after being left behind for the 1st set against Yaroslava Shvedova of Kazakhstan on the 3rd round of the Roland Garros tournament.


As Skysports has reported, Sharapova has endured a tempestuous relationship with the Roland Garros crowd in the past - she was booed off after being knocked out in 2007 and 2008.

But she said she was enjoying playing the role of the underdog after seeing her ranking slide during her enforced absence.

"You're ranked outside the top 100, so people like you," she quipped. "When you're number one in the world, for some reason they don't like you anymore. It's amazing how the society works.

"Especially here in France, I think they always love the underdog, and they always love the one that comes back from behind, or the one that's not expected to win. I'm probably that person,"

She will now take on another player returning from injury in Li Na of China for a place in the last eight.

Despite favoring other top-seeded players like Dinara Safina and former French Open title holder Ana Ivanovic, I would love to see Maria advanced up to QF, then SF, and hopefully in the Finals. I just love her - her fighting spirit and her strong mentality to win. And besides, seeing her dressed up with her Nike-sponsored sports outfit makes me root for her more. Good luck Maria!

Sharapova stuns Petrova in thriller

Yey! My Maria won.. I've really been a fan of her since she won that Wimbledon Cup 2 years ago. And now, she's back to fight in the recent French Open held in Paris. Here's an article from the site sighting her second win in the tournament defeating 11th seeded and fellow Russian Nadia Petrova.

Maria Sharapova edged past fellow Russian Nadia Petrova on Suzanne Lenglen court, hanging tough in a nail-biting third set before seizing her opportunity to clinch a 6-2 1-6 8-6 triumph in 2 hours 12 minutes.

Sharapova may be diminished by her recuperating shoulder, but the former world No1 has clearly lost none of her legendary will to win. Trailing 4-2 in the third set and seemingly for the count against No11 seed Petrova, she hauled herself back into the match by sheer force of will.

The first two sets were contrasting affairs, as the score-line suggests. Sharapova found her groove quickly, and a mixture of powerful winners and unforced errors on the part of her opponent saw the statuesque Siberian wrap up the opener 6-2 in just 32 minutes.

Petrova refused to crumble however, and knocked Maria off her stride in the second set when it was her turn to find the lines and force the error. In just 29 minutes she was level.

Then began an epic third set which saw Petrova make the first break to lead 3-2, then 4-2 and even miss a break point at 30-40 for a 5-2 lead. Had she broken then, Sharapova would surely have found no way back, but as it was the 22-year-old former Wimbledon, US Open and Australian Open champion held on, and broke back to 4-4.

Petrova carved out further break points that would have seen her lead 5-4, but could not take them, and then at 6-7 30-all, the 2003 and 2005 semi-finalist cracked. She double-faulted, disputing the first serve and losing her concentration, then hit an unforced forehand wide on match point to hand victory to her thrilled compatriot.

On the tentative road to full fitness, Sharapova will be delighted at showing such resilience in the face of an onslaught. Petrova, not for the first time against Maria in a Grand Slam, is left with regrets at what might have been.

Clay courts should help Maria Sharapova regain her footing

By Douglas Robson, special for USA TODAY

PARIS — The player whose drive on the court is matched perhaps only by her business acumen off it returned to Grand Slam tournament tennis Monday in the French Open with an atypical mind-set: understated ambitions.

"I think this is the first time in my career where I can really say I don't have any expectations. I don't know how things are going to work out," Maria Sharapova said after her first win in a Grand Slam tournament since Wimbledon nearly a year ago.

Sharapova, who played with strips of white tape on her rehabbed right shoulder, shook off a sloppy start to beat Anastasiya Yakimova of Belarus 3-6, 6-1, 6-2. Next up is a tough second-round test against 11th-seeded compatriot Nadia Petrova.

Sidelined since August, Sharapova had arthroscopic surgery on her serving shoulder and is competing in her second tournament in singles in the last 10 months. She played one doubles match in March at Indian Wells and won two singles matches in an event last week in Warsaw.

A year ago, now-No. 102 Sharapova came into the French Open seeded No. 1 after the sudden retirement of Justine Henin.

During her time away, the Siberian-born, Nick Bollettieri-trained three-time major champion said she didn't touch a racket for three months and gained some mellowing perspective.

For instance, she won't take losses as hard as she once did.

"It was a little calming," the 22-year-old Russian said.

Her famous fighting instinct, however, is intact. It helped her battle through the "sloppy" start Monday and the long and often frustrating rehabilitation at a facility outside Phoenix.

"If I was a mentally weak person or individual, I think I wouldn't be here today," she said. "I'd be on some island ... with a nice, cold piña colada and a nice cold towel they hand around at the pools."

Her hunger to be back playing big-time tennis is likewise palpable, even if she's been relegated to a dangerous floater in the draw.

"I've always made a point about not really caring who's on the other side of the net and knowing that I have to go out there and just compete and try to win the match," said Sharapova, who won Wimbledon in 2004 at age 17.

Like most things in Sharapova's life, the decision to resume play on her least comfortable surface is a calculated one.

Sharapova, whose best result in Paris was the semifinals in 2007, can get needed matches, reacquaint herself with the pressures of Grand Slam tennis and prepare for the upcoming grass and hardcourt seasons where she thrives.

"It's kind of a Wimbledon tuneup," says her longtime coach and hitting partner, Michael Joyce.

"When she gets on surfaces she likes better ... all of a sudden it's not a new experience."

"It's a great strategy," ESPN analyst Mary Joe Fernandez says. "She needs matches. And if she can win a few and get confidence, it will do a world of wonder for her on grass."

Because clay is slower than other court surfaces, it is also where any lingering weaknesses from her shoulder will be less noticeable.

Sharapova lost her serve once after dropping it three times in the first set Monday.

She averaged just over 100 mph on her first serve, lower than before her injury but not glaring considering that many players aim for a high percentage of first serves on clay. Her fastest delivery was 115 mph.

As the tour's most marketable player — Sharapova earns an estimated $25 million-$30 million annually and was ranked No. 1 on Forbes' list of female athletes last year — her return is a boon for the game, if not for opponents on the other side of the net.

No. 3 Venus Williams said it's always good when a big star comes back: "That's just a no-brainer."

For more sports news, click here.