Thursday, January 24, 2008

Maria Sharapova: A Female Tennis Star

Maria Yuryevna Sharápova (born April 19, 1987) is a Russian professional tennis player and a former World No.1. As of November 19, 2007, she is the fifth-ranked female player in the world. At the end of 2006, she was the world's highest-paid female athlete.

Sharapova has won two Grand Slam singles titles. In 2004, she beat Serena Williams to take the WImbledon title at the age of 17. Two years later, she defeated Justine Henin in the final of the 2006 U.S. Open. She also reached the final at the 2007 Australian Open.

At 6'2", Sharapova is one of the tallest women currently in the women's game. Only Linsay Davenport has been a taller Grand Slam champion in the 21st Century.

Sharapova has in the past confirmed that her surname should be pronounced with the second syllable stressed, but English-speakers commonly and mistakenly stress the third syllable.

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