French Open: Nadal, Sharapova and Safina Reach Third Round

The unstoppable Rafael Nadal beat Gabashvili of Russia in straight sets 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 to reach the third round. In doing so, Nadal has set a new record - this was his 30th consecutive win at Roland Garros. Nadal is becoming a legend in his own life-time.

Maria Sharapova beat 11th-seeded Nadia Petrova 6-2, 1-6, 8-6 to reach the third round. This is her first Grand Slam tournament since Wimbledon last year. She had been nursing a shoulder injury since August and is now ranked no. 102.





Dinara Safina, meanwhile, won also in straight sets 6-1, 6-1 over 18-year-old Russian Vitalia Diatchenko.

Wimbleon 2008 - All the Women's Top Seeds Out of Wimbledon

Second seed Jelena Jankovic is out of Wimbledon. She's lost to Tamarine Tanasugarn 6-3 6-2 in the fourth round. Her injured knee let her down. At least she can blame it on an injury. The fact that she had to play early in the day, despite an ailing injury, obviously did not help.

Maria Sharapova's (third seed) defeat by Alla Kudryavtseva in the second round was complete humiliation. She lost 2-6 4-6. She just never got into the game. Her loyal supporters feel bitterly betrayed. What's happened to her?

Ana Ivanovic, the top seed, crashed out of the third round, beaten by Jie Zheng (world number 133) 6-1 6-4. Her exucuse? She was recovering from her French Open win, and failed to take time to adjust to grass.

So all the top three seeds are out. Upsets are always to be expected. But this is too much!

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Maria Sharapova Ousted from French Open

Maria Sharapova gave us some scares and now she has stopped our hearts dead. She exits the French Open, defeated by her fellow Russian Dinara Safina 6-7(8-6), 7-6(7-5), 6-2.

She had a real chance in the second set, but Safina managed to save a match point at 5-3, and she never turned back. Sharapova seemed to be screeching with every shot in desperation but to no avail.

The crowds were not pleased with Sharapova's disappointing performance. She was booed and whistled at as she left the court. What an inglorious exit.

Maria, Maria, what have you done?

Maria Sharapova - 17 Double Faults | French Open

The scores were 6-1, 3-6, 8-6. They tell how close to defeat Maria Sharapova was in her match against Evgenigya Rodina. Not only did she commit 17 double faults, she also made 68 unforced errors.

In the final set, Rodina managed three break points at 4-3. But in the end Sharapova pulled through.

Wonderful Sharapova. Let's hope she doesn't give us more scares.

Maria Sharapova Loses to Svetlana Kuznetsova | Indian Wells Pacific Life Open

Maria Sharapova ended her 18 straight wins record by losing the semi-final to Svetlana Kuznetsova, also from Russia.

The match lasted over 2 hours with the final scores at 6-3, 7-6, 6-2. Though Sharapova managed to get the closely fought second set, she more or less fell apart in the final set. In her own words, she said Kuznetsova just "steamrolled" in the third set.

And Sharapova just wasn't at her best. Kuznetsova conceded as much, but also added that she herself wasn't playing at top form. She will face Ana Ivanovic in the final on Sunday. This will be her second straight year in the final.

Unstoppable Maria Sharapova | Indian Wells Pacific Life Open

Maria Sharapova had to pull out of the Dubai Championships because of illness. She is now back on the courts at Indian Wells.

And in tremendous form.

She has consolidated her unbeaten record of 14-0 straight wins, with another victory. In the second round of the Pacific Life Open at Indian Wells, she beat Stephanie Cohen-Aloro 6-1 6-0, in just under one hour.

I am becoming quite a fan of Sharapova.

Maria Sharapova Wins Qatar Open

Maria Sharapova beat her fellow Russian opponent Vera Zvonareva 6-1, 2-6, 6-0 to clinch the Qatar Open.

With this win, Sharapova has secured a winning streak of 14 matches this year.

It was a little scary with the second set resulting in a loss at 2-6, but Sharapova managed to stride back with a scintillating 6-0 in the third.

Maria Sharapova Wins Australian Open

Maria Sharapova has won the Australian Open in two sets 7-5, 6-3 against Serbia's Anna Ivanovic.

This has been a tremendous tournament for Sharapova, and consolidates her position as one of the greats in the world of tennis.

Maria Sharapova Makes Mincemeat of Jelena Jankovic | Australian Open

Maria Sharapova seems to be in top form. She easily won the semi-finals against Jelena Jankovic by 6-3, 6-1. I think Sharapova must now be the hot favourite to win the Australia Open title.

Meanwhile, the other Williams sister, Venus, lost to Ivanovic at 7-6, 6-4.

Maria Sharapova Crushes Justine Henin | Australian Open Quarter-Finals

Maria Sharapova has just had a great triumph over Justine Henin at the Australian Open quarter-finals.

Henin's winning streak in her last 30 odd matches was abruptly put to an end in humiliating circumstances.

Maria played a brilliant game. After winning 6-4 in the first set, she crushed Henin in the second set by 6-0.

Sharapova has sometimes been somewhat unpredictable. Perhaps her recent win against Lindsay Davenport has boosted her confidence. Her next opponent is Jelena Jankovic, who had a surprise win in her last match against Serena Williams.

It seems like her alliance with Sony Ericsson as their ambassador has not distracted her. Maybe it even helped her to focus.

A great performance.

Sharapova Beats Davenport | Australian Open

Maria Sharapova, who is seeded no.5, came on real strong by beating Davenport 6-1,6-3 on Day 3 of the Australian Open. She played a powerful game and led 5-0 in the first set.

Davenport conceded that Sharapova was “head and shoulders” better than she was.

Justine Henin and Serena Williams also won their matches, and all three are headed to the third round. Photo Credit: iShot71 CC flickr.com

Maria Sharapova Becomes An Ambassador

Maria Sharapova has signed an agreement with Sony Ericsson to be their first “global brand” ambassador.

This will no doubt boost the sales of Sony Ericsson’s mobile phones and accessories, and it's also a lucrative deal for Sharapova.

Tennis stars are no strangers to increasing their income off-court. It's all part of the game, I suppose.

Sharapova beats Chakvetadze in Exhibition Match

In an exhibition match in Singapore Sharapova won against Chakvetadze in two straight sets.