Sharapova Has It Easy in Hong Kong

Women’s tennis’ biggest draw card, Maria Sharapova, is expected to have an easy run in the opening round of a Hong Kong Invitational after being paired with Chinese doubles star Yan Zi, organisers announced on Tuesday.

If she wins, she will play the winner of a tough fight between Czech Nicole Vaidizova, ranked 10th, and world No 8 Russian Elena Dementieva in the four day event beginning January 3 next year.

In the other first-round matches, world No 5 Kim Clijsters of Belgium will face China’s Zheng Jie, and American Lindsay Davenport will take on fourth-ranked Russian Svetlana Kutzezova.

The friendly tournament is considered an important part of players build up to the Australian Open, which begins on January 15.

Sharapova’s Close Season Update

Here is what Maria Sharapova had to say to her fans about this season on her site MariaSharapova.com:

Hi everyone!

I have had such a great year this year! Winning the US Open in New York was the highlight of course but it feels great to be playing well and injury free. The turning point was being able to practice a lot after Wimbledon and all that hard work paid off by winning San Diego and everything came together then.

Madrid came at the end of a very long year and of course I am disappointed that I lost but I can now look forward to my vacation!

Even though I won’t be playing again until January, keep coming back to the website for news, photos, videos and more!

Last, but not least, I cannot thank you enough for your amazing support this year. You guys make me realize how important it is to have such great fans. It’s been so fun, and I look forward to working hard for another successful year!

See you in 2007!

Maria

Maria Sharapova Denied Top Spot By Justine Henin-Hardenne

Justine Henin-Hardenne defeated our russian beauty 6-2, 7-5 (5), in the semifinals of the WTA Championships on Saturday which ensured that Sharapova will not get the coveted number 1 spot in woman’s tennis.
Henin-Hardenne beat Sharapova for the third time in four meetings this year, the loss coming in the United States Open final.

It’s a minor blow to what has already been a magnificient season for Sharapova and few would bet against her clinching the top spot early next year.

We shall wait and see

Maria Sharapova Is In The Semis..

Sharapova produced another ruthless display to blow away fellow Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-1 6-4.

U.S. Open champion Sharapova, who extended her winning streak to 19, tops the red group and will play Henin-Hardenne, her rival for the year-end number one spot, in the semis.

Sharapova must beat the French Open champion and win the final to deprive the Belgian of finishing the year top of the rankings.

Sharapova continued her imperious progress as she blasted past Kuznetsova, who beat her in straight sets the last time they met this season in April’s Miami final.

But the 19-year-old was clearly in no mood to risk a repetition of that defeat as she broke to love in the opening game and then raced through the set in just 22 minutes.

Kuznetsova managed to put the brakes on in the second and even broke the Sharapova serve but it was still not enough to stop her opponent running out a comfortable winner.

Sharapova Marches On…

With the impressive form that Maria Sharapova is in it will be just a matter of time before she get’s the number one spot (she is currently 2nd).

She racked up her 18th win in a row with a 6-4 6-4 victory over Kim Clijsters in the round robin stage of the season-ending WTA Championships on Wednesday.

The 19-year-old, who is competing with Justine Henin-Hardenne and Amelie Mauresmo for the year-end number one spot, tops the red group after two straight sets victories and has one foot in the semi-finals of a tournament she won in 2004.

“I’m definitely playing some really good tennis,” Sharapova told reporters. “I know I’ve played a lot of matches and I feel good about my game.”

Mario Sharapova Meets The Real Madrid Team

Maria Sharapova is in Madrid and she had the opportunity to meet most of the Real Madrid football players.

Here’s some photos of Sharapova with David Beckham,Ruud Van Nistelrooy,Robinho and co.

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