Sharapova withdraw from Dubai Tennis Championships

Organizers of Dubai Tennis Championships confirmed on Thursday the withdrawal of two leading players Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams for health reasons, the tournament’s official website reported.

Sharapova, world number one and Dubai Women’s Open 2006 runner-up, has withdrawn from the tournament because of a hamstring injury that she suffered during the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo, the report said.

“I am very disappointed to have to withdraw from the Dubai Tennis Championships because the hamstring that I injured in Tokyo is not yet healed. I tried to do everything possible to be in condition to play in Dubai as it is one of my favorite tournaments, but unfortunately I’m not ready. I’m looking forward to continuing to recover as quickly as possible so that I can get back on the court competing,” Sharapova was quoted as saying.

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Serena Williams Defeats Sharapova

I have to say today’s Australian Final is the first time i’ve seen Maria Sharapova in total disarray.
Serena Williams practically had the easiest game of the tournament today as she brushed aside what looked like a tired, unmotivated Sharapova.

In the end Serena won 6-1, 6-2 in over an hour and she actually deserved it.

”I don’t know where to start,” said the 81st-ranked American, who tossed her racket in the air and fell on her back before tearfully dedicating her win to half-sister Yetunde Price during the on-court trophy presentation.

Price, 31, was killed in a drive-by shooting near the neighborhood in Los Angeles where the Williams sisters grew up.

Six months ago, Williams was ranked No. 139, hadn’t reached a final in two years and arrived in Australia with six events under her belt in the previous 13 months. It was her first title in 15 tournaments since winning the 2005 Australian Open. Before this tournament, she was written off as no more than a dangerous floater.

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Two Titles In A Row for Maria Sharapova

Maria Sharapova’s impressive form has continued as she beat Nadia Petrova in straight sets 7-5 6-2 to win the General Ladies Linz. The was the 2nd straight tournament success for Sharapova following on from her win last week in the Zurich Open.

Sharapova added to her victories at the
U.S. Open, Indian Wells, San Diego and Zurich. By reaching the final the 19-year-old will overtake Justine Henin-Hardenne as the world number two when the rankings are announced on Monday.

Top-seeded Sharapova is also in contention, along with the Belgian and Amelie Mauresmo of France, of finishing the season at number one, a position she last held on October 23, 2005.
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Shorter Tennis Season? - Sharapova Supports It.

Russian pin-up Maria Sharapova added her voice to calls for the women’s tennis season to be slashed after figures showed an alarming rise in the number of top players hobbling out of events.

The US Open champion, and former world No. 1, fell victim to the curse herself on Friday when a hip injury forced her to withdraw from the Kremlin Cup quarter-finals in Moscow.

“I feel strongly that the tennis season needs to be made shorter, with more breaks for players to rest in order to be in peak condition when we do play,” said Sharapova, the world No. 3. “I know the Tour is taking this issue seriously and I’m looking forward to the changes that will lead to a healthier schedule.”

The WTA Tour on Friday released figures showing that top player withdrawals have reached an all-time high this season.

The report showed that top 10 player withdrawals from the Tour’s high-profile tournaments have more than doubled [from 13 to 31] from last year to this.

In the last five years, the figure has increased by 72 percent.

WTA Tour chief executive Larry Scott has organized a committee to develop specific rule changes for next year that he hopes will improve the situation.

Scott also confirmed the need for the Tour’s `Roadmap 2010′ plan to be accelerated by one year, to 2009.

This plan is aimed at creating a more suitable schedule, a longer off-season and more breaks for top players.

“Fans and tournaments deserve to see the top players and to be able to count on them to show up, but injuries and withdrawals from a season that overtaxes our players is hurting the fan experience,” Scott said. “Women’s professional tennis needs to enact bold reforms in the name of player health and the continued global growth of the game.

More: Taipei Times

Sharapova Confident ahead of the U.S. Open

Maria Sharapova says she’s feeling confident that she will capture the U.S. Open title for the first time this year.

The Russian world number four has won two titles this year, in Indian Wells and San Diego, and has reached the semi-finals or better in nine of her 10 tournaments.

“I’m really excited because I’m going into a grand slam with a lot of good matches under my belt, a good title, and, most importantly, I feel healthy,” the 19-year-old said.

“It’s good to be back and ready.”

Let’s wish the best for Sharapova, i do hope she wins it, and for your info the U.S. Open begins next week.

more at Reuters