Maria in Australia

"A great start to my trip...just checked in at Virgin Australia and they're playing some snazzy music. If only every check in was this smooth. And the scarf? Yep it's new and oh so ready to keep me warm for the 14 hour flight. Thanks Santa! "

See you guys in 2012 ! Happy new year to all !!!

GO MARIA !!!

Photo & text: http://www.facebook.com/Sharapova

Message from Maria

Hi everyone, Unfortunately, I had to pull out of the Brisbane tournament yesterday. My ankle only recently started feeling good and therefore I want to make sure I'm fully ready for the coming year by not rushing into things too fast.

On the other hand, its Christmas Eve and you know how much I love to play Santa! Still have a few presents to wrap. Got a bit carried away at the Grand Bazaar in Turkey a week ago, so many beautiful things!

Wishing everyone a wonderful Holiday!

Text & photo: www.mariasharapova.com

Maria asks Maria

Maria asks: what is the best part of the Holidays?
Maria answers: what a stupid question! We're off to a terrible start already. What could possibly not be fun about the Holidays? You get to shop, stuff your face with yummy food, open presents, decorate the tree, and the list goes on and on.

Maria Asks: what is the worst part of the Holidays?
Maria Answers: I always have to leave the day after Christmas. Between the unwrapped presents, and the unpacked bags, my room is a hazardous disaster.

Maria Asks: what is the best gift to give or receive?
Maria Answers: this is a tough one. I love beautiful china especially tea cups, I know thats an odd one. Sending an elegant winter bouqet of flowers will never dissapoint. And a personalized candle is always a no brainer...I like the ones from LeLabo.

Maria Asks: everyone knows you like food, a little too much apparently. So what are your favorites during the month of December?
Maria Answers: what a kind comment! Thank you for that. I do appreciate good food. And I appreciate it in quantities. Its either all or nothing. Smoked ham with mashed potatoes, some cranberry sauce on the side. Warm apple cider with peppermint bark. Not sure I have time to answer this question fully.

Maria Asks: do you prefer to shop for presents with friends or alone?
Maria Answers: Solo. I am much more focused.

Maria Asks: what is the ultimate Christmas morning?
Maria Answers: waking up an hour earlier, putting on a cashmere robe, heading down to the kitchen to make a cup of expresso with some home made milk foam for everyone (i think thats called a cappuccino), turn on the only Holiday CD I own( I think its all about Rudolph, the red nose reindeer), sit around the tree and open the presents s-l-o-w-l-y.

Maria Asks: what do you do if you dont like a certain present?
Maria Answers: It depends who the gift is from but I am pretty much an open book when I dont like something. I dont directly ask for the gift receipt but I do find a way to change it.  But luckily I have not received many bad gifts.

Maria Asks: well thats all the time we have today. Thank you for answering these.
Maria Answers: thought this would never end! Happy Holidays everyone!




So funny ! :))




Photo & text: www.mariasharapova.com




GO MARIA !!!

2011 results

Now when is only one month left of 2011,  here are Maria`s results of this year. We all hope that 2012 will be better than 2011 !

Auckland - Quarterfinal

Australian Open - 4th Round

Paris - Withdrawn

Dubai - Withdrawn

Indian Wells - Semifinal

Miami - Final

Charleston - Withdrawn

Madrid - 3rd Round

Rome - Winner

Roland Garros - Semifinal

Birmingham - Withdrawn

Wimbledon - Final

Stanford - Quarterfinal

Rogers Cup - 3rd Round

Cincinnati - Winner

U.S. Open - 3rd Round

Tokyo - Quarterfinal

GO MARIA !!!

Next year schedule

According to the official site www.mariasharapova.com here it is the first 7 months of 2012 schedule:

January
Jan 1 - Brisbane International, Australia.
Jan 16 - Australian Open.

February
Feb 4 - Fed Cup vs Spain, Russia.
Feb 6 - Open GDF Suez, France.

March 
Mar 7 - BNP Paribas Exhibition Match, New York.
Mar 20 - Sony Ericsson Open, Miami.

April
Apr 23 - Porche Tennis Grand Prix, Germany.

May
May 5 - Mutua Madrid Open, Spain.
May 14 - Internazionali BNL d`Italia, Italy.
May 27 - Roland Garros, France.

June
Jun 25 - Wimbledon, .U.K.

July 
Jul 28 - Olympics, U.K.



GO MARIA !!!

Tag Heuer event in Istanbul (PHOTO)

GO MARIA !!!

Latest news

Maria withdrew from WTA Championships. It seems that the ankle didn`t recover totally.

Hope she is O.K.


GO MARIA !!! 

Goodbye, Istanbul !

It`s almost impossible to think that Maria can qualify for the next phase at WTA Championships after she lost today against Na Li in straight sets: 6-7, 4-6 after one hour and 56 minutes.

With 2 losses and without any set, Maria is almost eliminated from WTA Championships held in Istanbul.

The 3rd match is going to be against Victoria Azarenka, a match for statistics and to avoid the last place in White Group. For that Maria must won in straight sets and wait to see the score between Stosur and Li !!!


GO MARIA !!!

Maria vs Samantha Stosur - Highlights

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Maria defeated in Istanbul

Stosur won her first match against Maria in Istanbul: 6-1, 7-5 for the australian player and forces Maria to win her next match against Na Li for a chance to semifinals at WTA Championships.

The match against Na Li will be played today and its going to be the 2nd one at Sinan Erdem Arena.


GO MARIA !!!

Press Conference in Istanbul (VIDEO)

GO MARIA !!!

GO MARIA !!!

WTA Championships will begin tomorrow and we know Maria`s opponents. There are two groups: White and Red and Maria will play in White Group with Victoria Azarenka, Na Li and Samantha Stosur.

1st place and 2nd place from each group will advance to semifinals.

Maria is tied at 3 with Azarenka, leads against the chinese player 4-3 and 9-0 with Samantha Stosur.


In Red Group will play: Caroline Wozniacki, Petra Kvitova, Vera Zvonareva and Agnieszka Radwanska


GO MARIA !!!

Maria in Istanbul (PHOTO)

Photos: http://www.facebook.com/WTA


GO MARIA !!!

Are you ready?

Maria will be present at WTA Tour Championships - Istanbul. She is qualified beacuse she is No.2 in WTA rankings.

The first eight players in WTA rankings will play in Istanbul. Beside Maria in Istanbul will play: Caroline Wozniacki, Victoria Azarenka, Na Li, Petra Kvitova, Vera Zvonareva and Samantha Stosur.

The 8th place is still available. Agnieszka Radwasnka, Marion Bartoli and Andrea Petkovic are fighting for a place in Istanbul.

The tournament starts on October 25th.


GO MARIA !!!

It happens...

Maria had to to retire during the match against Kvitova, after some problems at the ankle. After she served, she stepped wrong and it was obvious that the match is over. When she retired from the game the score was: 4-3 for Kvitova and Maria was on serve.

Fortunately she posted a message on Facebook, where she said that the injury is not bad.

Hope that she will recover soon !


GO MARIA !!!

Maria vs Julia Goerges (VIDEO)

GO MARIA !!!

Maria wins big battle

Maria managed to reach in quarterfinals at Toray Pan Pacifc Tour, after she defeated Julia Goerges in straight sets: 7-6, 7-6 in 2 hours and 4 minutes.

Two long sets, but that`s why this victory is so important. Maria demonstrated that she is physically and mentally strong.

After thi big battle, Petra Kvitova awaits Maria in quarters. So, another tough match. The overall score between Maria and Kvitova is tied at 1.


GO MARIA !!!

3rd Round in Tokyo

Maria won her first match in Tokyo, she defeated Tamarine Tanasugran of Thailand in straight sets: 6-2, 7-5 after one hour and 31 minutes.

In 3rd Round, Maria will play either Julia Goerges of Germany or Greta Arn of Hungary.


GO MARIA !!!

Practice in Tokyo (VIDEO)

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Thank You !

Will Maria manage to reach number one in WTA rankings? At this question 88% of those who voted said "Yes", 12% - No.

Thank you all for voting, the poll is now closed. Let`s hope that Maria can be No. 1 again in WTA rankings !

Once again, thank you for your vote and good luck, Maria !


GO MARIA !!!

Guess who is No. 2 ?

Yes ! Even if she was eliminated a little bit too soon from U.S. Open, in the news rankings, Maria is up two places and it`s now on the second place in WTA Rankings.

Maria has 6226 points and this number of points and this position confirms that overall she had a good year. Looking forward to see her in Tokyo. The tournament begins on September 25th.


P.S. : don`t forget to vote ! There are only 8 days left !!!



GO MARIA !!!

Goodbye, New York !

In my opinion, Maria was eliminated too soon from the U.S. Open 2011. She lost in 3rd Round in front of Flavia Pennetta in 3 sets: 3-6, 6-3, 4-6.

The next tournament where we can see Maria is Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo which she won in 2009.


GO MARIA !!!

Maria`s dresses for US Open

GO MARIA !!!

Maria vs Yakimova (PHOTO)

 Photos: womentennisnow.com


GO MARIA !!!

Easier than 1st Round

Maria advanced to 3rd Round at U.S. Open after she defeated Anastasiya Yakimova in straight sets: 6-1, 6-1 after only 70 minutes.


In 3rd Round, Maria will play against Flavia Pennetta of Italy. The overall score between Maria and Pennetta is 2-1 for Maria. The match is scheduled on Friday.



Photo: http://www.facebook.com/WTA

GO MARIA !!!

Maria Sharapova vs Watson (PHOTO)

Photos: womentennisnow.com


GO MARIA !!!