Maria Sharapova and Svetlana Kuznetsova will represent Russia in the women's singles at the Beijing Olympics, the country's federation chief Shamil Tarpishchev said Monday.

"We can send four single players and two doubles to Beijing," Tarpishchev told the press. "Sharapova and Kuznetsova will definitely play in the women's tournament, while the other girls will fight it out for the two remaining places."

Three times Grand Slam tournament winner Sharapova is set to become one of the biggest names competing in Beijing and is certain to attract huge media attention.

The fashion and entertainment elite came out to celebrate Maria Sharapova’s 21st birthday last night at a party hosted by luxury watch brand TAG Heuer.
The invitation-only event for the three-time Grand Slam winner drew several celebrities including Michelle Trachtenberg and Dave Annable. Vogue’s Anna Wintour also made an appearance at the party, along with designers Vera Wang, Doo.Ri and Brian Wolk and Claude Morais of Ruffian.

TAG Heuer President and CEO Ulrich Wohn welcomed Sharapova's friends and family and toasted the 21 year-old before presenting her with an elegant white and pink eight-tier cake.

Russia's Maria Sharapova climbed to the third spot in the WTA women's tennis rankings released Monday.

Maria gained 110 points in Charleston and has a total of 3986 points and is closing the gap on #2 as she is only 171 points behind Ana Ivanovic.  This is Maria's highest ranking of the year.

WTA top 10 as of April 21 (previous ranking in brackets):

1. (1) Justine Henin, Belgium, 6,105; 2. (2) Ana Ivanovic, Serbia, 4,157; 3. (4) Maria Sharapova, Russia, 3,986; 4. (3) Svetlana Kuznetsova, Russia, 3,905; 5. (5) Jelena Jankovic, Serbia, 3,775; 6. (9) Serena Williams (USA) 2,726; 7. (6) Anna Chakvetadze, Russia, 2,665; 8. (7) Venus Williams, United States, 2,586; 9. (8) Elena Dementieva 2,440; 10. (10) Daniela Hantuchova, Slovakia, 2,257.

Maria Turns 21 Today! Congratulations and Happy Birthday!
Make sure to wish Maria a Happy Birthday in the comment section.

Maria's Charleston campaign is over.  Maria lost 5-7 6-4 1-6 to #5 seed Serena Williams of the United States in the quarters. 

Maria fought hard in a tough battle that lasted well over 2 hours but couldn't overcome Williams.  Maria has had a good 2 weeks on the green clay by winning her 1st tournament of her career in Amelia Island last week so the confidence is there for a good shot on the red clay of Europe.

Maria now has a match record of 22-2 for the year and is only 3 matches away from having 300 match wins, a feat which will 99.9% happen in the red clay season.