Maria lost her semifinals match against Svetlana Kuznetsova 2-6 2-6. The conditions were very windy and Maria made too many mistakes while Kuznetsova was playing very well. The match lasted 63 minutes.

On the 19th of April 1987 a new tennisstar was born in Nyagan (Russia). At the age of four Maria picked up a racket and started playing tennis.


In 1992 Maria was spotted at a Exhibition Tournament in Moscow by tennis legend Martina Navratilova who recommends her Nick Bollettieri's Tennis Academy in Bradenton (Florida/USA).
Maria and her father Yuri Sharapova decided to follow Martina's advise and moved in 1995...

Maria is comfortably through to the quarters at the China Open in Beijing after she defeated Tatiana Panova 6-1 6-1. Maria was in command right from the start, winning her first two service games at love and breaking Panova's service just 10 minutes in. Maria wrapped up the first set in less than 20 minutes.



Here is what Maria said after her win: "I think that the fast court sort of suited my game better. I just had to go out and play my game, and that's what I did."



In...

Maria and her partner Vera Zvonareva of Russia are out of the doubles in Beijing after they lost 6-1 3-6 4-6 to the Japanese duo of Shinou Asagoe and Rika Fujiwara.



This was Maria's second appearance with Zvonareva after they reached the final in Memphis earlier this year.



Tomorrow Maria will play her second round match against Tatiana Panova of Russia. It is the first match on Centre Court and the schedule starts at 13.00 local time.

Tatiana Panova will be Maria's second round opponent in Beijing after Panova won through after Tina Pisnik retired injured. Maria has played her compatriot once before in Memphis earlier this year when Panova retired after Maria was 2-1 up in the first set.