Match Reports
Sharapova Strides On
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Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Defending Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova brushed aside
Nuria Llagostera Vives of Spain in 58 minutes, with a
performance which showed the much-vaunted Russian has not
been distracted by all the attention she has been receiving
this week. The Russian advanced to the second round, 6-2, 6-2.
Sharapova has spent the last 12 months getting used to life as
holder of the most famous women's title in tennis. She has been
feted in all corners of the world, picking up a string of
endorsements that have reportedly netted her around $20m. She
has even had a perfume named after her during a period in which
she has become arguably the most famous sports woman on the planet.
And it all comes back to her achievement at Centre Court last year
when she ended the hopes of a hat-trick of titles for Serena Williams
in the final.
It was as unexpected as it was thrilling for those who promote young
prospects. She was only the 13th seed, for pity's sake. Many 18-year-olds
might have had their heads turned by the hoopla and general hype that
has surrounded her since the day she won. But not Sharapova, who has
shown a maturity beyond her years, albeit mixed with the disarming
giggles of a teenager. She has never forgotten what is No.1 in her
professional life: tennis.
This attitude was reflected as she stepped on court today. She was
all business. The champion strode ahead of Llagostera Vives, dwarfing
her opponent who is a whole foot shorter than the 6ft 1in statuesque
champion. There appeared to be no smile as she was given warm applause
by a two-thirds full Centre Court crowd. She unzipped her white top to
reveal an elegant white summer dress. But she says that feeling good
is more important to her than looking good.
And it was clear she was feeling fine. Her statement of intent came in
the opening game. She attacked the net and unleashed a double-hand
backhand driving volley that would have split her Spanish opponent in
two had she been able to get anywhere near the shot. Just for emphasis
Sharapova repeated the shot to win the game on the next point.
She had crushed Llogostera Vives, unseeded and world No.36, in their
only previous meeting at the French Open in Paris recently. And the
hapless 25-year-old Catalonian seemed intimidated by the power and
presence of the champion. Llogostera Vives was given sympathetic
applause when she finally won a game to make it 3-1 in the opening set.
But it was clear the match was only going one way. The second set
provided more of the same as Sharapova maintained consistency to
achieve a result that surely eased any nerves she may have had.
The second seed did not allow her focus to slip despite the ease
with which she was winning, but a smile finally broke out on her
face as she sealed her place in the second round after just 58 minutes.
Written by Mike Donovan
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