By Mike McIntyre
Maria Sharapova was defeated in the 2nd round of Wimbledon on Wednesday for the second year in a row. The Russian went down 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 against Gisela Dulko. Sharapova, the 2004 Wimbledon champ, still has a long way to go towards regaining her form after a nine month layoff from shoulder surgery. While this one will be called an upset, Sharapova has only played in four tournaments since returning to the tour.
From The Herald Sun: Outrage at heat policy
MARIA Sharapova had a mental meltdown yesterday in scorching conditions she later branded inhumane.
On a day when all outside matches were cancelled as the temperature soared, the Australian Open's No. 1 seed was forced to endure searing sun for almost three hours against Frenchwoman Camille Pin.
"It's unhumanly possible to play three hours in that kind of heat. I don't think our bodies were made to do that," Sharapova said.
"I was so delusional. Technically, you're not really thinking. When it's that hot outside, your mind doesn't work properly." ...
From The Sydney Morning Herald: Sharapova fights back from the brink
Top seed Maria Sharapova has narrowly averted a shock first round defeat to little known Frenchwoman Camille Pin at the Australian Open.
In a marathon match played in soaring temperatures at Melbourne Park, the Russian beauty overcame heat exhaustion to win 6-3, 4-6, 9-7 in two hours and 51 minutes...
Oh, the awards people come up with. I'm sure Maria Sharapova will be proud to put this one on her mantel when she retires.
Not a bad publicity ploy by the dentists though.
From Kommersant: Sharapova's smile called world's best
Tennis star Maria Sharapova won the best celebrity smile survey conducted by American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) to find out who of the Hollywood stars and athletes had the star-worthy smiles.
The 42 percent of respondents said tennis star Maria Sharapova had the best female athlete smile.
Just noticed on WTAWorld someone post a recent diary entry from Maria Sharapova's official site. She actually sounds like a normal 19-year-old.
Why is it that so few of the players' personalities manage to come through with reporters, but put them directly in touch with fans and they suddenly becoming different people?
From mariasharapova.com: My trip to Costa Rica (vacation pictures too if you go to the site)
I just got back from Costa Rica, and it was amazing! There are not too many times in a year when I can wake up and have no sense of time. And not too many times you hear growling monkeys in the middle of the night. As my friend said, it's either the sound of monkeys or dying birds. Our villa was in, what seemed like, a jungle so I am going to assume it is monkeys. The resort was absolutely beautiful, and we had perfect weather for tanning. I can finally say that I finished filming the sequel to 'ghost'! I don't think I have ever looked so pale, as I did after Madrid...
I still think model ball boys or girls are a terrible idea - but I can't say it's not entertaining.
Here's a Eurosport videoclip of the model ballboys and Maria Sharapova giving her thoughts on them.
All of the sudden, many journalists and quite a few players seem to have decided that Maria Sharapova is ready to be the dominant player in women's tennis. We'll see.
From The Telegraph: Sharapova the No. 1 attraction
Dress and enormous high heels on, Maria Sharapova sauntered through the lobby of a Madrid hotel yesterday and the sight of her was enough for all the other guests just to turn and stare. At 6ft 2in barefoot, the Siberian was probably another half a foot taller wearing those heels – and you did fear for some of the hotel's low-hanging chandeliers.
She'll play against Spain in April. One less thing for the Maria-haters to complain about now.
Frank Deford has a good piece about Federer, Tiger Woods and American myopia when it comes to foreign athletes (and non-intranational team sports) in Sports Illustrated. Read 'American Underdogs'
ETA: And while you're over there, be sure to check out Jon Wertheim's first post-US Open mailbag, which talks bananas, fingers and Sharapova, as well as the (legit?) return of Andy Roddick, and more; and Richard Deitsch on the incestuous bonds between the tennis media and the players (ie. Mary Jo Fernandez and her IMG agent husband; the McEnroe brothers in Sharapova's 'I Feel Pretty' Ad). Scroll down to read "The Bottom One."
Well, Shark-apova did it. As much as I prefer Justine's game and am irritated by the shriekiness, I've got to hand it to Maria for coming out, guns blazing. Sure she's a cash whore, but the girl's got a champion's heart and drive. Kudos!
But have you guys read/seen Maria's post-match press conference? I saw it on The Tennis Channel, but the transcript is up. Lots of banana and on-court coaching talk--apparently her hitting partner/coach Michael Joyce held up four fingers. Sharapova, clearly irritated, dodged the question several times. I didn't see the majority of the match, so I missed it. Did anyone catch this? And was it clear on-court coaching?
ETA: Pete Bodo has a great column on Sharapova's win over at tennis.com.
Martina Navratilova also went out on top, winning the Mixed Doubles title thanks to some clutch serving by Bob Bryan and her own deft touch. And so ends the career of possibly the greatest tennis player of all time. Bravo, Martina!
I miss Misha Youzhny. But am pleased for Federer-Roddick. Fed has looked a little shaky and Roddick has looked crisper and more obnoxious than ever...but may the best Swiss win. Can't wait til tomorrow!
