February 9, 2005: Maria Sharapova pulls out of the Open Gaz de France because of a respiratory illness

Sharapova, the recipent of a first round bye, had been scheduled to play her opening match on Thursday. But after arriving in the French capital on Monday, a day after beating world number one Lindsay Davenport to claim the Pan Pacific Open title in Tokyo, 17-year-old Sharapova said she did not feel up to playing. Sharapova, the revelation of 2004 after winning her first Grand Slam title and the Masters in Los Angeles, said that she was suffering an upper respiratory illness. "I'm very disappointed I won't be playing in Paris this year," said Sharapova. "I'm not in my best condition and will not be able to perform at my best. I hope I can come back next year and play in front of the Parisian crowd," added the Russian who next plays at the Qatar Open in Doha on February 21

 

February 6, 2005: Maria Sharapova triumphes over Lindsay Davenport and wins her 8th title

Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova dashed the hopes of world number one Lindsay Davenport for a record fifth victory here by wresting the singles title at the Pan Pacific Open tennis tournament. The 17-year-old Russian starlet, who defeated Davenport on her way to her first Grand Slam victory at the All England Club in their only previous meeting, triumphed 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 (7/5) Sunday. "I'm very happy of course, there's no better way to say it, but it's a great feeling to win, of course. Lindsay played an amazing match and it came down to the tie-breaker so it was obviously a tough match," said Sharapova. The two players appeared evenly matched in the first three games. But Davenport, with her left thigh taped, lost the following four games in succession without even taking a game point on her serve to go down 1-6. She took a medical time out at the beginning of the second set. Davenport could not move well and used her big serves and fine placing to jump ahead 3-0 in the second set. She went on to keep the lead before hitting an ace to even the contest at one-all. Neither could break each other in the final set, with Davenport concentrating on holding her serve and saving one break point in the fourth game. But Sharapova fired a fine service return winner to take a 4-2 lead in the tie-breaker and then a 5-2 lead thanks to a backhand error by the American, before taking a commanding 6-2 lead. Davenport saved three match points but Sharapova hit a forehand winner to finish off the one-hour-48-minute contest at her fourth attempt. "I believed in myself. Lindsay was serving so well. I just tried to hold my serve until what happened in the tie-breaker. It was very, very close," said Sharapova. "It (hitting a good serve) is very important especially on this (fast) surface. If you can serve well it puts pressure on the other girl to hold her serve and if you can break her once and keep your serve, you have a better chance to win." Tokyo is a happy hunting ground for the world number four Sharapova. She captured her first career WTA titles at the Japan Open two years ago and enjoyed her first defence of the title last season. It was Sharapova's eighth career WTA singles title and she collected a winner's check of 189,000 dollars. Her new career-high ranking of third will be announced Monday. Davenport, the winner here in 1998, 2001 and the last two years, said she strained her left hamstring in a warm-up Sunday morning and had it taped during the match. "When I went back, I just tried to keep the points really short. I was surprised at what actually turned out because I didn't expect us to stay close, for sure, becuase I couldn't really move well," said Davenport, 28. "The difference was just a few points in the tie-breaker -- she came up with some good shots and I didn't feel I could run down any balls. With the match that close, she just came up with some great shots at the end."

 

February 2, 2005: Maria Sharapova's top priority is defending her Wimbledon title this year!

Maria Sharapova will give top priority to the defense of her Wimbledon title this year after insisting the world number one ranking can wait. "Being number one is not for this year, I don't think," Sharapova told Reuters in an interview Tuesday. "For this year, I would love to defend Wimbledon. It's what drives me." "My main goal is to be number one in the world of course," added the Russian, who is playing at this week's Pan Pacific Open tournament in Tokyo. "But if it's not tomorrow, or not in a year then, you know, if it will happen it will happen -- if not, whatever." Sharapova was less ambivalent when asked about her fierce rivalry with Serena Williams, who she beat in last year's Wimbledon final and at the season-ending WTA Tour Championships. But the world number four squandered match point in a 2-6 7-5 8-6 loss to Williams in last week's Australian Open semi-finals, leaving them tied at two apiece in their head-to-head record. "With Serena, it probably is the biggest rivalry (in women's tennis) because we have such great matches," said the 17-year-old. "It's great for the game. It's amazing." Williams rose from seventh to second in the rankings after beating Lindsay Davenport in the Australian Open final to win her seventh grand slam title. "It was good experience," Siberian-born Sharapova said of the match against Williams. "Obviously, it was disappointing to lose when you're a point away from winning the match. But you know, I have no regrets. "I still have a lot to learn. Next time, I'll know I've been in this situation and I think I'll be a little smarter." Sharapova has received a frenzied welcome in Japan, with reporters tripping over themselves to get near her, forcing the teen-ager to seek sanctuary in a Tokyo temple earlier this week. But the Florida-based player, a part-time model who, like Williams, also has ambitions as a fashion designer, has made it clear she is in Japan on business. "It's exciting," said Sharapova. "But whoever's across the net, I want to beat them -- no matter how small or big, or difficult or easy they are."

 

January 29, 2005: Maria Sharapova donates all of Porsche' to Belsan victims

Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova (news) on Friday handed over more than $50,000 to victims of last year's school siege in Beslan, Russia. The 17-year-old Siberian signed over the proceeds of an auction she held for the Porsche car she won at the season-ending WTA Tour Championships. Sharapova's auction raised $56,300. "Making this donation was the least that I could do to help the innocent victims in my country who were tragically affected by this senseless act," Sharapova said. "I encourage everyone to do as much as they can to bring at least a little bit of comfort and support to these victims and their families who are still stricken with grief and sadness." Mainly Chechen separatists took over a school with 1,300 hostages last September and held it for two days. An operation by Russian security forces to end the siege collapsed in chaos and bloodshed in which 330 people -- half of them children -- were killed.

 

 

January 27, 2005: Maria Sharapova loses to Serena Williams in three tight sets in the Australian Open Semi-Final

Serena Williams produced another Australian Open Houdini act, saving three match points before clinching an epic semi-final victory over teenage prodigy Maria Sharapova. Former world number one Williams three times clawed her way back from the brink of defeat against the Russian 17-year-old, winning a gripping 2hr 39min battle 2-6, 7-5, 8-6 on the Rod Laver Arena. It was a case of history revisited for Williams, who saved two match points in her semi-final against Belgium's Kim Clijsters two years ago before eventually going on to win the title. Williams, who will now world number one Lindsay Davenport in Saturday's final, lost to Sharapova in last year's Wimbledon and WTA Tour Championship finals. But the 23-year-old American star avenged those defeats in thrilling fashion as Sharapova's inexperience told on several crucial points when she was within touching distance of victory. Williams said afterwards the memory of her victory over Clijsters in 2003, when she fought back from 15-40, 2-5 down in the final set, had kept her going. "I thought 'Okay, Serena, you're down match point but that's okay, you've been down match-point before.' So I thought 'Okay, I could do this'," she said, praising Sharapova's battling spirit. "I definitely think she has a fighting spirit, and I think that's gotten her to where she is today. But I'm still a fighter too ... top fighter out there." Sharapova was downcast but took positives from her campaign, saying that her tender years meant she had plenty of other opportunities ahead of her. "I gave it everything I had. I didn't take my chances and that is what this game is all about -- you take your chances or you lose," said Sharapova, saying Williams' extra experience had been decisive. "I think she's one of the best competitors out there. She's been in those situations when she was down in the third set and out of nowhere she knows how to to turn it around. "Again, that comes from experience, that comes from her fighting spirit. Hopefully I'll learn and improve. "I think she got better as the match went on and she started to pick up her level. In my previous matches, I took my chances. In this match, she took her chances. That's why she won. Sharapova said she was proud of her performance and was looking forward to challenging for my titles. "Of course I'm sad, and it's a tough one to lose. But I've got a long way ahead of me. "I'm 17-years-old and I got to the semi-finals of the Australian Open. Nothing's negative." Williams had looked to be facing another defeat to Sharapova as the US-based youngster from Siberia served for the match in the 10th game of the final set after the first two sets had been shared. But Sharapova, who had also served for the match in the second set only to be broken, blew three match points in the face of a ferocious rearguard action from Williams, who regained the initiative to level. The next two games went with serve but Williams was in trouble in the 13th game, and had to stave off three break points that would have handed Sharapova a vital 7-6 advantage and left her serving for the match. But yet again the young Russian was unable to make it count, and Williams held to maintain pressure on her opponent. Sharapova's resistance finally crumbled in the 14th game and she netted to hand Williams two match points. A forehand down the line clinched victory for Williams, who bounced in the air and screamed with joy as a disconsolate Sharapova could only look on. It was a remarkable turnaround for Williams, who had looked sluggish and out of sorts as Sharapova ran away with the first set. She improved her serve in the second set but was let off the hook after Sharapova broke her to lead 5-4. But she broke back immediately as Sharapova served for the match, and then broke her again to take the set and level.

 

 

January 15, 2005: Maria Sharapova is all set and ready to go for the 2005 Australian Open

Maria Sharapova is a self-described "girlie girl," a teenage tennis champion who enjoys posing for a photo shoot as much as winning tournaments. Of the seven Russians ranked in the top 15 in women's tennis, the 17-year-old Sharapova may have the brightest future. The Wimbledon champion's still-improving game and model looks make the lanky 6-footer a star on and off the court. But there are clearly tensions with some peers — particularly compatriot Anastasia Myskina — as they prepare for the Australian Open. Sharapova deftly sidestepped questions Saturday about what appears to be a growing feud with French Open titlist Myskina. At No. 4, Sharapova is seeded one spot behind Myskina at the Australian Open. Asked how important it is for her to overtake her compatriot in the rankings, she smiled and said: "It's not as important as being No. 1 in the world, I'll put it this way." Sharapova is younger than the 23-year-old Myskina and the other top Russian women. Though she considers some of them friends, the age difference means she doesn't have much in common with them. Sharapova's rapid rise to Wimbledon champion has been well chronicled — she was spotted at age 5 at a clinic by Martina Navratilova, and moved to Florida at 7 with her father to get the best coaching despite having only $700. Her mother was left behind due to visa problems, and Sharapova moved into a dormitory with older girls. When Myskina won the French Open last year, she was a national hero. There was a more subdued reaction when Sharapova won Wimbledon a month later, with many noting that she calls Florida home now. "She speaks Russian with a coarse accent," Myskina sniped in November, when she threatened to quit Russia's Federation Cup team if Sharapova joined the squad, saying she doesn't like Sharapova's father, Yuri. Myskina lost to Sharapova at the season-ending WTA Championships, then accused Yuri of illegally coaching his daughter from the stands. "He was just yelling and screaming instructions to her, and I thought he just might jump right on the court at one point in the match," Myskina said. Sharapova was assessed a code violation for being coached by her father during her victory over Serena Williams in the final. The incident doesn't seemed to have fazed Sharapova, who claims she only plays tennis because it's fun. "I'm just enjoying life, enjoying what I do, and just working hard, hoping to be No. 1," she said Saturday. "If it doesn't happen, I'm not going to, you know, die. Many things can happen in life. You can get injured, and your career is over." "I don't think that people really understand that I am only 17." View Pictures

 

 

January 06, 2005: Elena Dementieva beats Maria Sharapova

Russian world number four Elena Dementieva defeated Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova with a come-from-behind 6-7 (2/7), 6-3, 6-1 victory to make a winning start in the Watsons Water Champions Challenge. Dementieva didn't let the loss of an opening set distract her as she won the all Russian encounter in just under two hours with her brand of power tennis. Dementieva, 23, who reached last years Grand Slam finals at the French and US Opens, said she was pleased to have beaten Sharapova having lost to her rival three times from four previous encounters. "I think its a very nice start for the year, especially against a good player. I did a lot of positive things today. I did pretty good for my first match," said Dementieva, who is making her fourth visit to Hong Kong. "My serve needs improving and I think it was probably the weakest link of my game last year. My game is improving. It (my serve) really helped me today and it was nice to play like that. "Its the second time I have beaten Maria. We have played four times before. Shes a good player and its always tough to play her because she got such a good serve. I tried my best today," said Dementieva. Asked when she could win a Grand Slam having come so close last year, Dementieva replied: "I dont know. I am really trying hard. I hope it will be this year. I went close last year and maybe with a better serve, I have a chance of doing it. Dementieva was quietly confident of winning the Hong Kong tournament but warned it would be tough "because there are so many top players." Sharapova offered few excuses for her surprise loss, but said she was distracted by several line-calls and a ball thrown by a fan during the first set. The ball was thrown by a young man with Down's Syndrome just when she was about to serve. "I worried about my own safety. I want to protect myself. I want to be protected," she said about the thrown ball. "I have to feel safe in order to perform well," said Sharapova. "I didnt play that well. If I had to give myself points from one to 10, I would give myself a three. "I should have played better. I wasnt that consistent. I didnt do what I had planned to do. There were some line calls which were bad for me and some were bad for Elena too." View Pictures

 

 

December 31, 2004: Maria Sharapova donates $10,000 for tsunami relief

Tennis star Maria Sharapova scheduld to play an exhibition match in Thailand against Venus Williams, Thursday handed Thailand's prime minister a check for $10,000 US for victims of the tsunami disaster. The 17-year-old Russian made the donation at the Government House where she met with Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. "It happened unpredictably. I was shocked," Sharapova, the Wimbledon women's singles champion, said of the tsunamis. "Obviously many people have been devastated by this." Sharapova was on a beach in California when she heard the news of the killer waves which, by latest official count, killed nearly 2,000 people in southern Thailand. The death toll is expected to soar. "Life is unpredictable. We have to live every second not knowing what is going to happen. However, life must go on and we have to look forward to good things," she told a news conference. As a warm-up for next month's Australian Open, Sharapova is scheduled to play former top-ranked Venus Williams in the northern province of Chiang Mai on Sunday. Williams was to arrive in Thailand later Thursday. "Sharapova and Venus come here not only to show their tennis talents but to help regain the reputation of local tourism. Their presence in Thailand could render moral support to victims of the tragedy," said Suwat Liptapunlop, president of the Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand. The two tennis players will also act as presenters in a Thai tourism promotion video. "After taking a break I have been practicing hard and seriously. I would like to test it in the match with Venus," Sharapova said. Sharapova beat Venus' sister Serena Williams in the Wimbledon final earlier this year to claim her first Grand Slam title and stamped her authority over her opponent at the season-ending WTA Championships which bumped her up to a career high No. 4 ranking. She is looking for even better things in 2005. "I hope to achieve more great things next year and hope to defend my title at Wimbledon. One of the goals is also to be No. 1 in the world but I don't want to put pressure on myself," she said. Sharapova will rest at a spa in the seaside resort of Hua Hin Friday before moving on to Chiang Mai. They had been scheduled to join Thaksin for a New Year's Eve countdown party but this was canceled after the government announced the country should abstain from celebrations as it mourned victims of the tragedy.

 

 

December 13, 2004: Maria Sharapova signs a multi-million dollar deal with Tag Heuer

TAG Heuer, the prestigious Swiss sports watch and chronograph brand and the fourth largest luxury brand in the world watch market, is proud to announce that the young and charismatic tennis champion Maria Sharapova becomes its newest brand female ambassador. As, the new star of world tennis and, at 17-years-old only, already the winner of 2004 Wimbledon and WTA year-end championships, Maria Sharapova has signed a long-term ambassador agreement with the Swiss watchmaking legend, covering product development, advertising, public relations and merchandising. "I am ecstatic," says Maria Sharapova, the 17-years-old Russian tennis star, and the third youngest Wimbledon Champion in WTA history. "To represent a brand as legendary as TAG Heuer is a great honor. TAG Heuer has been teaming with the greatest champions in the history of sports, renowned athletes like Carl Lewis, Ayrton Senna or nowadays Tiger Woods, and famous teams like Ferrari and McLaren. To me, TAG Heuer is the most prestigious luxury partner I can dream of, as legendary and glamorous as the individuals and teams with which it is so closely related, and yet at the same time ultra-fashionable and feminine. It's a perfect fit for me, as I love high tech, glamour and winning. I look forward to building a strong relationship with TAG Heuer in the coming years." "In just two seasons Maria Sharapova has made her mark on the WTA pro tennis circuit, quickly advancing to the 4th singles 2004 WTA rankings, and winning two of the most famous tournaments in tennis," says Jean-Christophe Babin, TAG Heuer's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Off the court, her beauty and grace have romanced the fashion world, with profiles in leading fashion magazines, and the launch of her own perfume. She is truly a phenomenon. Determined, passionate and audacious, she has shown extraordinary character in taking on the best players in professional tennis and winning. At the same time she is graceful and extraordinarily feminine. Maria Sharapova works hard to be the best she can be, yet remains true to the joy and passion she feels for the game. Nobody in the world of sports better than Maria embodies the fusion of sport with glamour, and therefore TAG Heuer core positioning". "She's the perfect TAG Heuer Ambassador, an ideal representative of the brand's core values of passion, prestige and performance, which have driven the TAG Heuer brand in its pursuit of perfection for 145 years. We are very excited that she is joining the TAG Heuer Team, and she will go a long way toward reinforcing the brand's profile in the professional tennis world, which goes back to our "Inner Strength" campaign in the 1990s, when Boris Becker and Monica Seles were TAG Heuer Ambassadors." Mr Babin concludes. Maria Sharapova and the TAG Heuer Formula 1 and 2000/Aquaracer series Like her fellow TAG Heuer Ambassadors, which include golfing legend Tiger Woods, Formula 1 race driver Kimi Raikkonen and world freediving Champion Tanya Streeter, Maria Sharapova will be directly involved in the development of new TAG Heuer products. In particular, the new ambassador will share her insights on the TAG Heuer Formula 1 and 2000/Aquaracer series, which reflects her sporting allure and distinctively young and feminine appeal. Read Full Article

 

 

November 16, 2004: Maria Sharapova wins the WTA Tour year ending championship over Serena Williams and takes home $1,000,000

Maria Sharapova added another chapter to her short, but already storied career on Monday - overcoming a 4-0 deficit in the decisive set to win the WTA Tour Championships presented by Porsche. The Russian teen won six consecutive games in a thrilling final set to defeat Serena Williams, 46 62 64. For her efforts, Sharapova collects 1 million dollars as winner of the championships, along with a brand new Porsche Cayenne. "I don't think I could have asked for anything better this year," Sharapova said. "And to finish it off just beating players that are the best in the world, I am really sort of speechless because I have had an amazing year. I have accomplished so much." During the on-court ceremony where Sharapova received her million dollar check and a large Porsche key, Sharapova announced she would be donating the vehicle to the victims of September's school hostage tragedy in Beslan, Russia. The victory also lifts Sharapova to a career-best No.4 in the world - a remarkable rise after finishing last year ranked No.32. "It just shows that I have come a long way in a short period of time," Sharapova said. "It is just really unbelievable." The match opened with some tremendous serving performances by both players. Sharapova began the match by holding serve and each player continued the trend until 4-4 when Williams picked up the first break of the match when Sharapova double faulted on break point. Williams then served out the first set for 6-4. After beginning the second set at 1-1, Williams held a pair of break points on Sharapova's second service attempt of the match, but the Russian was able to use a cross-court forehand to get the game back to deuce. But Williams used an exception cross-court forehand return to give her another break point opportunity and once again, Sharapova double faulted on break point to hand Williams a 2-1 lead. However, Williams lead didn't last long as Sharapova got back on serve with her first break of the match on the following service game to keep things even at 2-2. After holding serve for 3-2, Sharapova records her second straight break on Williams serve for 4-2. She then survived a break point chance on her next serve to extend her lead in the set, 5-2. Williams then called for the trainer to take a look at an abdominal strain she suffered during the match. After briefly leaving the court, Williams returned but the injury clearly was affecting her service game and Sharapova quickly closed out the set at 6-2. Before leaving the court to get looked at, Williams' serves were clearly hitting above 100 mph, including a fault that was blasted at 129 mph. But after her return to the court, Williams serves were coming over in the high 70s and lower 80s, which Sharapova was quick to return and win the set. With the injury limiting Williams' motion on her serve, the American took advantage of her opponent's service game, breaking Sharapova at love to begin the third set. And though the pace came off her serve, Williams was able to use a string of winners to hold serve for 2-0. After the match, Williams said she felt a pain in her stomach during the first game of the match. As the match progressed - and especially after dropping the second set - Williams said she knew she had to put everything she had left into her shots. "I just started hitting every ball as hard as I could," Williams said. "And I think I lived off of her mistakes. Once she stopped making them, she was able to come back and win the match. I don't know how I was able to stay out there." Williams continued to rely on her groundstrokes during Sharapova's next serve... Read full article