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Maria Sharapova: Grand Slam
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A brilliant tennis player with a deadly backhand, Maria Sharapova was the youngest titlist on the WTA Tour in 2003. Although she has since curbed her enthusiasm somewhat, she used to be called the "Siberian Siren" because of her extremely loud grunting whenever she hit the ball. After winning the 2008 Australian Open, Maria found herself one tournament away from completing a career Grand Slam in singles.
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One of world's biggest tennis stars, Maria Sharapova, said she would probably decide to put an end to her fabulous tennis if she loses the motivation for the game of tennis. Moreover, Sharapova said that she was harboring family plans. The 19-year-old star said she eagerly wanted to win more Grand Slams, although she ... wanted to settle down, start a family and have children.
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When Maria Sharapova walked on court for the Australian Open final, she kept thinking about the sage advice of another champion. "Champions take chances, and pressure is a privilege," Billy Jean King had written in a text message that Sharapova saw when she woke up. "I took mine," fifth-ranked Sharapova said after beating Ana Ivanova 7-5, 6-3 Saturday for her third Grand Slam title.
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New York - Maria Sharapova broke through her semi-final troubles to reach a first Grand Slam final in two years with a 6-0, 4-6, 6-0 win over top seed Amelie Mauresmo at the US Open Friday. more
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Sharapova was the top seed at the Australian Open because of World No. 1 Justine Henin's withdrawal. Sharapova defeated the 62nd-ranked Camille Pin in the first round 6-3, 4-6, 9-7 on her fourth match point in air temperatures that exceeded 40 °C (104 °F) and on-court temperatures that exceeded 50 °C (122 °F). In the semifinals, Sharapova defeated fourth-seeded Clijsters to reach her first Australian Open final and gain the opportunity to win the only Grand Slam singles title that a Russian woman had not yet won. However, Serena Williams, ranked World No. 81, overpowered Sharapova 6-1, 6-2 in the final. Reaching the final allowed Sharapova to recapture the World No. 1 ranking.
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Russian starlet Maria Sharapova earned her third career Grand Slam crown Saturday defeating Ana Ivanovic7-5, 6-3 to win the Australian Open women’s singles title in Melbourne. “It's amazing,” said Sharapova who struggled with injuries and serving problems last year.
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