2006 PACIFIC LIFE OPEN INTERVIEWS. March 29

after M. Sharapova - A. Myskina (6-3, 6-3)

Q. Can you talk about Golovin and your next round match, what kind of challenges she presents?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, well, she's had a really good week here. She's beaten some good players. Just have to keep improving with every match. It's going to get tougher and tougher as you go along in the tournament. I think I played a lot better than I did in my three previous matches, which is a really good sign, and hopefully I keep improving in my fifth.

Q. 26 winners tonight. Did you feel more consistency in going for your shots?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, well, I knew I had to be consistent against her. That's her biggest strength, being consistent. She's not going to overpower me on the court. She's just going to try to make me hit another ball. I thought I did that really well. I took my opportunities, took my chances, and that was important.

Q. What's the difference between her now and French Open champion? MARIA SHARAPOVA: I don't know. It's been a while. I really don't know.

Q. Were you pretty pleased with the way you played? MARIA SHARAPOVA: Am I, yeah. I'm very pleased. I definitely stepped it up in this match, and I knew I had to. You know, kind of had some letdowns in my first three matches, and I knew that wouldn't be able to get away with it today. So it was very important that I did step it up.

Q. How many challenges did you have today?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I'm not sure. One, I think one.

Q. You haven't gotten one right?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: No, it's pretty sad. Some are pretty close, though. Actually, the one tonight was really close. I'll keep trying.


Q. Are you of a mind when you only challenge when you really are sure that you saw it as being the other way, or would you take a chance when it is a close call?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I think it depends on what point it is in the match and how many challenges you have left. If it's later in the set and I feel like, you know, I'm not too sure, and I still have two challenges left, I'm definitely going to ask. You know, why not? It's not going to hurt me.

Q. Have you changed your mind at all about the way the officiating -- your preconceptions about officiating and whether officials are wrong a lot or right a lot because of this whole HawkEye system?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I never really thought they were wrong all the time. It's just that crucial, crucial situations in a match, it can be a little frustrating, especially, you know, when it can cost you the match. So you can tell that the umpires are not making as many overrules as they, you know, were before. You know, they just let the calls kind of go into our own hands. They want us to challenge it if we feel like the call is wrong. You know, we have to challenge it.

Q. Do you like that?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I mean, in a way, sometimes I feel like if they really saw it clearly, then I'd rather them overrule it than having me challenge it. Then the girl can challenge it if she feels that was the wrong overrule. I mean, I don't know.

Maria hits Nasdaq-100 Open quarter-finals

Maria Sharapova is through to the quarter finals in Nasqaq-100 Open in Miami. In a match-up between Russian glamour girls, Maria rallied after compatriot Maria Kirilenko won the first set to advance with a 3-6 6-4 6-1 victory.

"I basically just tried to hang in there - I wasn't playing my best, that's for sure," Maria told BBC Sport. "She put pressure on me and kept me on the defensive. It came down to a few points in the second set and I picked it up in the third." "I basically just tried to hang in there," Maria said. "I wasn't playing my best tennis, for sure, but I started to pick it up in the third.''

Maria advanced at "2006 NASDAQ-100 Open"

Maria Sharapova saved eight set points before finally grinding out a 6-2 7-6 third-round victory over Maria Elena Camerin at the Nasdaq-100 Open on Sunday.

Maria, debuting a new black corset-look top, advanced despite making 38 unforced errors against the Italian ranked 79th. She faced a battle in the second set, trailing 1-4 before salvaging victory in one hour, 44 minutes with a backhand winner.
She now faces fellow Maria Kirilenko.

Maria Sharapova Debuts Custom-Designed Nike Apparel At Miami's Nasdaq-100 Open This Week

Miami, FL (23 March, 2006) – Fresh off her win at last weekend’s Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells, Calif., Maria Sharapova will step onto the tennis court at the NASDAQ-100 Open tennis tournament in Miami, Fla., and debut new custom made Nike apparel that features a unique Dri-FIT sport corset and skirt that are adapted from Nike's fitness dance collection.

After learning of Maria's interest in Nike's fitness dance collection, Nike designers adapted two key pieces for Maria to wear on the tennis court. The Nike Speed Corset is pearl and black and features a state-of-the-art ventilation system in the front and back for breathability to keep Maria cool while playing in Miami's heat. The black Nike Shimmer Mix Skirt is made of moisture-wicking Dri-FIT fabric and features an adjustable roll top waist that allows for a custom fit. Nike’s proprietary, tested and re-tested, moisture-wicking technology, Nike Dri-FIT helps sustain body temperature by drawing sweat away from the skin and moving it to the outside of the fabric where it quickly evaporates.

Maria, who traditionally has preferred playing in dresses, was so pleased with corset and skirt design that she decided to wear the separates.

“The corset is definitely something you don’t see much on the tennis courts, but Nike made it very comfortable to wear and the vents keep me cool,” said Maria Sharapova. “I’m sure that my fans are going to think it’s different because I’ve never worn anything like this, but I’m excited about it and since it’s Miami you can get away with things being a little edgier.”

“Maria loved the current Nike fitness dance collection so for the NASDAQ-100 Open, we acted quickly to create a special look for Maria,” said Mindy Grossman, Vice President of Global Apparel for Nike. “Nike designers translated the fitness dance apparel into a corset and skirt that offer bold style, but also provide the performance features critical for the heat and elite level of play in Miami.”

Maria's Nike apparel will be available in a limited quantity at the NASDAQ-100 Open retail tent on site at the tournament and Nike’s current fitness dance collection is available at nikewomen.com and at sporting goods retailers across the country.

Nike

Maria Sharapova wins Women's Pacific Life Title!

Maria defeated Elena Dementieva 6-1, 6-2 Saturday in an all-Russian final.

2006 PACIFIC LIFE OPEN INTERVIEWS

M. SHARAPOVA/M. Hingis 6-3, 6-3


THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Do you remember a better match you played recently?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Uhm, I think the level of tennis was definitely higher, uhm, that I've played in the last few months, yeah. But, uhm, thank god it just went my way. I think I played a great match in Australia in the semis and it didn't go my way. So, you know, it was a good end to the day.

Q. Your defense seems to be getting better and better every single month. Was that pretty much the key today: you being able to stay in those points and not getting tired, not hitting off balance?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, that's also very important. But I think to see the opportunities when they come, especially on short balls, taking those opportunities, not letting her get back in the point. That's what she does great, you know, is getting a lot of balls back, seeing the ball and making you hit an extra shot. You know, I wanted to see the ball faster and take my opportunities, see the short ball and try to come in and hit the next ball out of the air.

Q. You were taking the ball on the rise better than I've seen you do before.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I've never gotten so many compliments in a press conference before. I must say. My defense is good, I'm taking the balls on the rise. I mean, wow!

Q. Swing volley was pretty good, too.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Swing volley. Serve was terrible, but okay (smiling).

Q. We won't talk about the serve.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: No (smiling).

Q. Was that accurate, that you were intentionally taking the ball on the rise?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah. I think I did a lot of things well. That's what it takes in order to beat a top player. But, uhm, you know, on any given day you can do some things really well and some things not. I served really well throughout the tournament. I wasn't serving great today. You know, but I did other things a lot better. You know, I was moving a lot better. I did take a lot of balls on the rise, yeah.

Q. She was suggesting a few moments ago this is probably the best you've played against her. Do you feel that?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, probably. Yeah, I think out of the three matches, this probably was. I think she played a lot better than she did the second time we played against her. You know, when your opponent plays better, especially after you've had a few matches in the tournament, you know, you're able to step it up when you're playing against someone that is better than the opponents in the previous rounds.

Q. Every time you lost your serve, you broke back.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I tended to lose the serve when I was playing against the wind. She was hitting a lot of balls deep. Yeah, I made a few double-faults. Other than that, I didn't feel like I was doing too many things wrong. Changing sides and going with the wind, that really helped me, especially off her second serve.

Q. Did you intentionally step your game up after you lost your serve?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Well, I mean, obviously, yeah, after you lose your serve, you know if you keep losing the games, you know, good things aren't going to happen.

Q. Can you talk about how satisfying it is to beat a player like Hingis?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, definitely it is. Like I said, especially when the match is so physically and mentally tough. I think every point, we were both fighting for every point out there. You know, just having really long rallies and recovering from them. I mean, yeah, it's satisfying at the end of the day to come off, you know, with a really good win. Yeah, you know, for sure.

Q. You seemed pretty emotionally engaged. You fist pump every match, but today they were a little stronger.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, I was really ready today. I really was. I knew it was going to be tough. I didn't underestimate her level of play. I knew it was going to be a very tough match and I need to be ready for it. Also the crowd got me better. In the second set, someone yelled, "Martina, she's getting tired." That kind of pumped me up a little bit. I hit two winners in a row. I looked back at them, and I'm like, tired, my butt. So don't mess with a truck. You're going to become a pancake.

Q. Don't mess with what?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: A truck. You're going to get run over really fast.

Q. You seem to be moving faster. Is that something you've been working on?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, the physical part. I've said this like 30 times. I feel like I'm saying it again. The physical part of my game is very important right now. It's what I'm working on. That's what's been improving. I mean, if you look at me a year ago, I don't think I was at this point physically. So I know -- it didn't take five days, it didn't take a month. It took a whole year to progress and get better. I think that's how much time it's going to take. It's going to take years in order for me, you know, to be physically moving great, you know.

Q. The issue with the trainer just a matter of blisters?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah. I think from the heat or something, my skin was sensitive. I don't know.

Q. Can you talk about your potential two opponents.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, to tell you the truth, I'd love to play Henin again. I know I've lost to her the last few times, so it would be -- it's physically challenging for me, you know, to play her. But that's why I love this game, is because of the challenges.
I don't like to lose against players many times in a row. It's getting too much. So I think, you know, I'd love to play her. Elena, I haven't played her in a while, so it would be interesting. But, yeah, either way, I'm really happy to be in the finals.

Q. Back to your comment about flatten them like a pancake, was the spectator sitting behind you or on the side?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Behind me. Behind me, yeah. The funny thing is he started clapping for me after that. I think he got scared (laughter). Then when I was waving to that side, he's like (coyishly waving).

Q. Did you shake your finger at him?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, that was to him (smiling).

Q. This is your second final since winning Birmingham last year. Nine months without a title. Obviously that's a bit frustrating.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: No, it's not. Not frustrating at all.

Q. Is it something that when you get to a final, if it doesn't happen, you get to a semi or it doesn't happen, you look on?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Oh, yeah, for sure. I mean, I said this before. I'm very happy to be one of the most consistent players. At my age and at my level at this point, I think that's great. I mean, I don't expect myself to win every single tournament right now. Every time I do well, every time I beat a great player, every time I come off a match that was tough but I feel like I played well, it encourages me even more to do better and work even harder. Even after losses. I've had losses in my career where, yeah, it's disappointing. But I look into the future and I think, you know what, there's a lot of room for improvement. Hey, I played a great match. I still have a lot to look forward to. There's no disappointment in not winning a tournament, however long it is. I'm more than happy to be doing as well as I am right now.

Q. Take us through your serve. You start very slow, then suddenly you seem to uncoil like a spring.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, I've done it most of my career. That's how basically I've served. I think you don't see too many of the service motions like that in a game. I mean, I don't know how to describe it. Actually, I look at tapes, and it's actually pretty elegant, to tell you the truth (laughter). I'm not trying to compliment myself, but I just did, right?

Q. Does it matter to you if the crowd is behind you?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: No, it doesn't matter.

Q. The one fan seemed to make a difference.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: No, it doesn't matter. It's just when everything was quiet, all of a sudden he's right behind me and yells that right in my ear.

Q. The crowd seemed to be very much behind Hingis, her whole comeback.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, I mean, that's great. I love being the underdog. I love being the favorite. Whatever. I even like not being the favorite because I even play better, so...

Q. If you do play Elena, how is it different playing another Russian compared to any other nation?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: It's not any different when you actually step out on the court, to tell you the truth. I don't worry about that when I'm on the court playing against her, or any other Russian. Yeah, it is more challenging, I guess, you know, knowing that she's from the same country. But I don't think when you step out on the court it makes that big of a difference.

Q. Martina said please don't start talking about the power, it wasn't the power, it was the placement, playing smart. Is it possible to separate the two?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Uhm, is it possible to separate the two? I don't know. I mean, I think the game is not all about power, and I don't think it's all about finesse. I mean, I don't know. It's difficult to say. I think if you have a little bit of both and you're quick and you see the ball good, I mean, I guess then you're the perfect package. But, you know, I don't think anyone's perfect. I don't think anyone has everything in their game. They find a way to win with their strengths.

Q. Do you take any satisfaction in that a few years ago everybody was looking forward to this event, to Maria Sharapova playing Sesil Karatantcheva?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: You'd be the only person to ask this question.

Q. Do you ever reflect on that?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: No, no, I forgot about that a long time ago.

Q. Elena said part of the thing about trying to beat Justine is she's the most mentally tough player on tour.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I agree.

Q. Talk about that challenge.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I think she's probably -- I would say she's one of the toughest players mentally to play because she can keep her level for a long period of time. She can keep that high level. You know, it's difficult. It's difficult to keep playing at a high level throughout a whole match - especially a three-setter. It's very difficult. I think that's what makes her very tough, is she is able to do that.

Maria and Elena set for Final!

T O D A Y !!!

V S

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

Maria downs Anna-Lena

Maria Sharapova overpowered Germany's Anna-Lena Groenefeld 6-1 6-3 on Wednesday

to reach a mouth-watering semi-final with Martina Hingis at Indian Wells.

2006 PACIFIC LIFE OPEN INTERVIEW

Q. Kind of took a while to get going tonight?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: No, I started off okay. I just tried to get used to her timing on our serve. It was a little bit difficult. She wasn't making a lot of first serves. The second serve kicked up pretty high. It took me a while to get used to that, try to attack it.
As the match went on, I felt more confident about it. You know, should have taken my opportunity at 5-3, at 5-4, especially serving for the set. I don't think I should have let it go to a tiebreak.

Q. Are you happy with the way things are going so far for you in this tournament?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, I am. You know, I played under the lights almost every match. I'll be playing again tomorrow. It's kind of different. Usually you play some at night, usually you play some at day. I've been playing under the lights.
The conditions are a little bit heavier than usually when I practice during the day, so it's a little bit different. But I've adjusted well. I'm looking forward to improving the next round.

Q. Even though that first set was so close, were you at all concerned or did you feel you were pretty much in control of the match?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, I was. But a lot of players can play well when they're behind. That's just the way it is. They have nothing to lose. 3-1, then 5-3. They just start playing a lot better simply because they have nothing to lose. They're down a break.
I guess that's when you need to be extra careful because out of nowhere your opponent can start playing really well. It's important to close it out if you can.

Q. Last year you played soccer here a little bit. When you play soccer, is that, in a sense, also some kind of preparation for the grass?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: No. It has nothing to do with the grass courts or anything. Just more to get your body going. I'd rather do that than run around the field for 20 minutes. It's much more exciting, much more fun. It's competitive. That's what makes it fun for me.

Q. Did you see Nadal playing soccer?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: No. But I'm sure he's pretty good. All the Spanish guys are really good.

Q. Your thoughts about the next round?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, I played Groenefeld last time in Moscow, very weird match. Unfortunately, she sprained her ankle. It will be a totally different match tomorrow. I was worried a lot about my injury in Moscow. I'm feeling a lot better about it this year. So hopefully, you know...
She's a great player. She serves really big. That's one of her biggest strengths. I want to make sure I serve well and try to put pressure on her serve.

Q. Any thoughts about the match between Lindsay and Hingis today?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: No, I didn't see it.

Q. When Groenefeld, she seems to get under the radar, and suddenly she's the No. 7 seed. MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, she's had really good results last year. I think she played really solid tennis. Like I said, she's a tall girl and uses her height really well with big groundstrokes, a big serve. I think the big serve, if you can hold your serve, against many players, that works.

Q. Ana Ivanovic, from what was once Yugoslavia, she is your age. Any perspective that you see in her as a player?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, I have not played her. It's hard for me to say. I've seen her. I've seen other, I don't want to say younger because I'm the same age, 18-, 17-year-old girls play as well. It's hard for me. I've seen them on TV. They've definitely got a lot of potential.

But I have not played her so it's hard for me to tell you her strengths or weaknesses.

Maria advanced at Indian Wells again

Maria Sharapova beat Shahar Peer 7-6 (7-2), 6-1.

Maria advanced at Indian Wells

Maria Sharapova beat Lisa Raymond 6-4, 6-0

and will meet Shahar Peer in fourth-round.

Maria Sharapova advanced to the third round

Maria Sharapova advanced to the third round of the rain-delayed Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells, California, on Friday.

Maria, the No. 3 seed, beat Jamea Jackson 6-4, 6-3.

Maria won't play for Russia against Belgium

Maria Sharapova has confirmed that she won't play for Russia as they launch their defence of the Fed Cup title against Belgium in April.

The tennis glamour girl, who has vociferously denied that she doesn't want to represent her homeland in the women's nations tournament, nonetheless said on Wednesday it would be too taxing to follow the WTA tier one hardcourt events here and in Miami, Florida, with the first-round tie in Belgium. "My body is just not ready after two tough tournaments to go and play Fed Cup," said Maria.


"It's my own personal decision, and I'm not going to be influenced by what anyone else does. "I won't be forced into it. My body just isn't ready to go from hard courts to clay courts that quickly."

Substance and Style in Focus ;)

Maria Sharapova:

Maria to appear at Gullikson Event

Martina Hingis, once the top-ranked women’s player in the world, will add a stop to her comeback itinerary along with rival and 2004 Wimbledon champion, Maria Sharapova, when they join a list of the world’s top tennis players and legends at the The Centex Destination Properties Desert Smash, at La Quinta Resort & Club, March 7 and 8.

In addition, the commitment of No. 3 doubles team of Mark Knowles and Daniel Nestor means that two of the top doubles teams in the world will share their time and talents for the event which benefits the Tim & Tom Gullikson Foundation. Bob and Mike Bryan, the world’s top-ranked duo, previously announced they would participate to help the Gullikson Foundation in its mission to fund programs that provide physical, emotional and social support to brain tumor patients and their families. Mark Woodforde, a top-ranked doubles performer in the 1980s and ‘90s, may give the youngsters a few tips on how to stay on top when he joins the star-studded roster of players.

“I’m pretty partial to good doubles,” said Foundation chairman and former world-ranked doubles player, Tom Gullikson. “That these players, regardless of their specialties, take time from a busy professional schedule to provide their talents and assist brain tumor patients and their families, humbles me.”

Tom Gullikson, the last captain to lead the U.S. Davis Cup team to a title in 1995 and who amassed16 career doubles titles, will be joined at La Quinta by former Spanish sensation, Jose Higueras. American tour professional, Mardy Fish also returns with his frequent doubles partner, James Blake, to support the Tim and Tom Gullikson Foundation in their career streak of generosity.

The golf, tennis and social event marks the second time in as many years the Gullikson Foundation has invited tennis and celebrity talent to the Desert to enjoy themselves and raise money to assist those affected by brain tumors with their daily challenges. Tennis professionals Tim and Tom Gullikson and their families founded the organization after Tim was diagnosed with brain tumors in 1995. At the time of diagnosis, Tim Gullikson was coach to then-No. 1 ranked Pete Sampras. Tim Gullikson lost his battle with brain tumors in May of 1996.