Sharapova Wins Noisy Debut (the "new Kournikova" is home schooled!)

Wimbledon Online ^ | 06/24/03 | Henry Wancke

[theFIRMbss]

Maria Sharapova, the Queen of Scream as she was dubbed in Birmingham, produced another ear-splitting performance to not only outwail but also outplay Ashley Harkleroad 6-2, 6-1 on her debut at The Championships.

The 16 year-old Russian, who first came to the public's attention last year when she was runner-up in the Girl's event, has progressed rapidly up the senior rankings with her powerful groundstrokes and aggressive, fist punching style of play, all moulded in the cauldron of the Nick Bollettieri Academy in Florida.

There is no give in her game, all shots being met while the ball is on the rise thereby giving little chance for opponents to settle or maintain some sort of balance with all her winners eliciting a clenched fist and the cry of 'Buena Baby'.

This proved effective in Birmingham where she reached the semi-finals collecting some memorable scalps en-route, amongst them that of her compatriot Elena Dementieva.

So it was understandable that under such an onslaught, 18 year-old Harkleroad should visibly wilt though on several occasions, she showed she had the game to punish Sharapova.

Desperation eventually crept into the American's play as she continued, from one-all in the second set, in her vain attempts to stem the tide of missiles being launched at her, all of which accompanied by that intimidatingly explosive shriek.

The match itself took just 59 minutes with Sharapova dominating with her serve, despite striking just 53% of her first serves in from which she claimed 83% were winners. In contrast, Harkleroad, with a higher percentage of first serves, could only convert 66% into winners and as a result was broken four times.

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[interview excerpt]

Q. Every time you have spoken in press conferences, you've impressed people with your literacy and your ability to speak very fluidly, intelligently. What's the origin of your education in the United States? Who is responsible for your education?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I've always been home schooled. But for high school I'm online, it's called Keystone National High School. They just basically send me the books, all the work. My mom rips apart all the books so I don't have to carry all the books, separates them into lessons. I do the lessons. I take the exams on line. It's been really working really, really well.

[theFIRMbss]

Holy smokes! The "new
Kournikova" is sexy,
smart AND can play great!

[RonF]

Mmm, looks pretty skinny to me. I thought those Russian girls carry a bit more cushion, generally.

[Drango]

Twiggy? Olive Oil? Mia Farrow?

[goldstategop]

Yep... another Russian beauty only she'll be noted more for her skills with the backhand instead of just her looks. ;-)

[Always Right]

She is only 16, I am sure she will mature and look even better.

[goldstategop]

Too bad she's not of an age where us older guy Freepers can date her, LOL.

[Always Right]

Too bad she's not of an age where us older guy Freepers can date her, LOL.

Hey, I get first dibs when she turns 18.

[theFIRMbss]

Nationality - RUS
Residence - Bradenton, Florida, USA
Date of Birth - April 19, 1987
Birthplace - Nyagan, Russia, Siberian Region
Height - 5'9'' (1.75 m)
Weight - 112 lbs. (50.8 kg)
Next opponent - Elena Bovina

[finnman69]

WOW she is much prettier than Anna.

[finnman69]

hot russian tennis star ping...(and it's not who you think it is)

[7 x 77]

WOW! She is much prettier than Anna.

[theFIRMbss]

I've got sign off
for the night, but here is one
more Sharapova...

[Larry Lucido]

Anna is prettier and legal.

[rudypoot]

Her nickname is Maria KornaCLONE-a. hehehe

[L.N. Smithee]

Yeah, OK...she's a babe. But between the statuesque barely-teen Michelle Wie and Ms. Sharapova, I am more than a little uncomfortable drooling over the pics.

Now that the guilt is gone regarding Anna, she's all but disappeared from the sport. Whatta shame.

[nothingnew]

"Anyone For Tennis" was one of my least favorite songs by Cream...and that's how much I know about tennis.

FMCDH

[theFIRMbss]

>"Anyone For Tennis" was one of my least favorite songs by Cream...

Twice upon a time in the valley of the tears
An auctioneer is bidding for a box of fading years
And the elephants are dancing on the graves of squealing mice.
Anyone for tennis, wouldn't that be nice?

And the ice creams are all melting on the streets of bloody beer
While the beggars stain the pavements with flourescent christmas cheer
And the bentley-driving guru is putting up his price.
Anyone for tennis, wouldn't that be nice?

[eric clapton [!] and martin sharp]

[theFIRMbss]

>Yeah, OK...she's a babe. But ...

I suppose we should
be like objectivists and
use words carefully...

Anna is sexy
AND pretty. Sharapova
might be prettier,

but I think Anna
has eyes that give her a "look"
that is sexier.

Maybe when she gets
older, Sharapova will
get the eye thing, too...