Road to Season 2005

Maria's road to next season starts friday with an exhibition match in Baltimore. Maria will go head-to-head against world #1 Lindsay Davenport of the United States.


This is the first time the two will meet since Sharapova’s victory over Davenport in an epic semifinal duel at the 2004 Wimbledon Championships, where Sharapova prevailed in three sets (2-6,7-6 (5),6-1) on her way to winning her first Grand Slam title.



The event, billed as the Mercantile Tennis Challenge presented by the Baltimore Sun is played to benefit the Baltimore Community Foundation (BCF), a publicly endowed nonprofit organization that donates proceeds to area children’s charities. Since the event’s inception in 1986, over $3.4 million has been distributed through the BCF Tennis Challenge Fund to child-related causes.


The match will start at 7.00PM. Tickets for this event can be purchased at the 1st Mariner Arena Box Office 410/347-2010 and all Ticketmaster locations.


Hurricane Tennis Slam

One day later, saturday 18 december, Maria will play Jennifer Capriati at the St. Pete Times Forum to raise money for the Florida Hurricane Relief Fund.
When the tennis stars were spared, they agreed to do something for those not as fortunate. The event, billed as the Hurricane Tennis Slam also will feature appearances by Gov. Jeb Bush, local celebrities and a doubles match with other top players on the WTA Tour.


"It was devastating to see such damage," Sharapova said. "This is going to be a fun afternoon of exciting, entertaining tennis for our fans.


"Best of all, this is a great way for us to give back to the communities we call home. And I can think of no better time to do this than the holidays."


Before the exhibition, players will participate in a free kids clinic at the St. Petersburg Tennis Center, which will include renowned tennis instructor Nick Bollettieri.


The match starts at 3.00 PM. Tickets for this event can be purchased at all Ticketmaster locations.