Sports - Maria Sharapova #10: Because she`s on a mission to get back to the top! - Page 9

**Hot Rod** · 10-26-2009, 01:44 PM

Just wanted to inform everyone that the Sony Ericsson Championships gets underway tomorrow as JJ will take on Vika in an all hotties matchup to start the tournament. This will be their second meeting of the year, with JJ winning the previous one in Cincinnati 7-5, 7-6(4). I think that we could likely have another tight match between them. I really hope that we`ll get a pretty good match between JJ and Vika. Also the YEC will be televised on The Tennis Channel from start to finish, starting tomorrow at 9 am CDT.

Also i forgot to mention yesterday that Iveta won the doubles title in Luxembourg where she and Barbora Zahlavova Strycova defeated compatriots Vladim�*ra Uhl�*řová and Renata Voráčová 6-1, 0-6, 10-7.

Good win for Iveta.

I`m really happy for her that she finally got a title win after coming up short mostly in the semifinals and the doubles final in New Haven. This is a great way for her to end the season.

Anyway here are some pics of Caroline from her press conference and practicing earlier today.

**Hot Rod** · 10-27-2009, 02:59 PM

Here is the first update from the Sony Ericsson Championships.

We got an all hotties matchup to start the tournament where Vika defeated JJ 6-2, 6-3. Good win for Vika.

She played better than i expected in her first match at the YEC. As for JJ, obviously this was a match for her to forget as she looked pretty sluggish and her forehand didn`t look good.

So that`s the story on the first day of action in Doha. Tomorrow we`ll get another all hotties matchup as Vika will take on Caroline. This is quite a hot matchup. Obviously Vika will be the favorite in the match given how much she has dominated Caroline in their last two meetings. Plus it will be interesting to see how well Caroline will play with her retirement in her recent match being investigated. I really hope that we`ll get a competitive match between the ladies.

Anyway here are some pics from today`s match.

Vika looks pretty good in her new outfit. I like the view of her nice belly.

JJ`s outfit looks pretty good too.

Vika was feeling pretty good,

while JJ was left looking for answers.

Good job Vika.

**Hot Rod** · 10-28-2009, 03:08 PM

Here is the latest update from Doha.

First of all, we got another all hotties matchup where Caroline defeated Vika 1-6, 6-4, 7-5. This was quite a battle between our top young guns. It looked like it was going to be another rout as Vika dominated the first set. However Caroline kept it together and came back to win the second set. Then in the third set, Vika went up a break four times, but was unable to shake Caroline, who broke back each time, including when Vika was serving for the match up 5-4. In fact Caroline saved a match point before leveling it at 5-5. Then in the next game, she went up 6-5 when Vika was docked a point after smashing her racket. That pretty much was the beginning of the end as Caroline clinched the match in the next game. So good win for Caroline.

I`m really pleased with how well she came back after the first and the composure she showed in the third set. As for Vika, obviously this is a very tough loss for her.

She`s going to be kicking herself over the missed opportunities in the third set. Plus i`m disappointed that she came apart mentally late in the match. I love Vika`s feistiness, which adds to her great appeal, but she has to learn to control her emotions in those tight situations.

Also JJ got a win over Dinara Safina, who retired in the first set at 1-1 due to back pain. While i`m happy that JJ got a win, i hate that it had to be like this. So Dinara Safina has withdrawn from the Sony Ericsson Championships and will be replaced be Vera Z. I`m very happy that Vera Z will be playing in Doha, which means that the White Group will be an all hotties group.

So in all it was a pretty good day for some of our favorites in Doha. I`m very happy that we finally got a pretty good match between Caroline and Vika. I hope that this will finally jumpstart their budding rivalry.

Tomorrow we`ll get another all hotties matchup as Caroline will take on Vera Z. It`ll be interesting to see how well Vera will play having to come off the bench literally. I really hope that we`ll get a pretty good match between Caroline and Vera.

Anyway here are some pics from the Caroline-Vika match.

Nice to see Vika`s nice belly again.

Caroline showing her feistier side,

while Vika shows her frustration late in the match.

She obviously needs a hug here.

Good job Caroline.

The Daywalker · 10-28-2009, 03:31 PM

I rather dig that outfit on Vika, sorta ordinary, but I like the accessorizing.

**Hot Rod** · 10-29-2009, 02:23 PM

Here is the latest update from Doha.

We got another all hotties matchup where Caroline defeated Vera Z 6-0, 6-7(3), 6-4. This was another hard fought battle between two of our favorites. Caroline really came out very strong by completely dominating the first set. Vera came back in the second set to take a 3-2 lead. Then she had to take a five minute medical break due to a nosebleed. Caroline immediately capitalized by winning the next two games at love. However Vera rebounded by not only winning the next three games, but also saving two match points down 5-6 before holding serve and turning it up in the tiebreaker. In the third set, Caroline jumped out to a 3-1 lead when her left thigh started cramping. It got so bad for Caroline that he had to take two medical timeouts and even went down on the court sobbing leading 30-15 in the last game. However she picked herself up to win the last two points to clinch the match. What a great win for Caroline.

She really showed a lot of toughness in play through the severe leg cramps. A lot of players would`ve retired in that situation, but Caroline sucked it up and found a way to get the win. As for Vera, this has to be a pretty disappointing loss for her.

She did a great job of coming back after a dismal first set, but for some reason wasn`t aggressive enough when she needed to be in the third set.

So it was another great match between two of our favorites today. Tomorrow we`ll get a couple of more all hotties matchups. First Caroline will take on JJ in the first match of the day. It`ll be interesting to see how well Caroline will play after the leg cramps. Also later on, Vika will face Vera Z. This looks like an intriguing matchup between the V Team. I really hope that all of our favorites will do well tomorrow and we`ll get a couple of more pretty good matches between them.

Anyway here are some pics from today`s match.

Poor Caroline.

I love seeing Caroline show her tougher side.

Vera pondering her missed opportunities.

Oh Caroline.

Good job in pulling out the win.

Thanks for giving us a pretty good match ladies.

**Hot Rod** · 10-30-2009, 06:07 PM

Here is the latest update from Doha where we got a couple of more all hotties matchups.

In the first match, JJ routed Caroline 6-2, 6-2. Good win for JJ.

It`s nice to see her put together a nice solid performance. As for Caroline, it was very obvious that she didn`t have much left in the tank after her two gutty wins. Still she should be applauded for going out and giving it her best.

Later in the day, Vika took on Aggie, who replaced Vera Z, who withdrew due to an ankle injury in the last match of the day. The match was a tight one for a while, but unfortunately Vika suffered injuries to her left thigh and lower back, which caused to retire with Aggie up 4-6, 7-5, 4-1. Good win for Aggie.

She did a good job of playing well in this tight match. Of course i hate that it had to end with Vika retiring. She and Caroline has really been suffering over in Doha.

They`re going to be in need of some serious TLC in the off season and of course i`m very available give it to them, preferably on some tropical island.

So in all it was a good day, except for Vika having to retire due to her injuries. Now the semifinals are finally set with JJ and Caroline advancing. Unfortunately waiting on them will be the Williams sisters.

Obviously this will be a very tough task with JJ taking on Venus and Caroline facing Serena. I really hope that JJ and Caroline will do their best and give good efforts in tomorrow`s matches.

Anyway here are some pics from today`s matches along with a couple of caps of the Radwanska sisters watching the Caroline-Vika match yesterday.

Aggie showing some frustration,

while Vika sadly was unable to overcome her injuries.

Good job JJ.

**Hot Rod** · 10-31-2009, 02:59 PM

Well our final hopes in the YEC were dashed earlier today in the semifinals.

In the first match, Caroline was forced to retire in her match against Serena Williams due an abdominal injury, trailing 4-6, 0-1. It`s sad that Caroline wasn`t able to finish the match.

Still i`m very proud of her for playing so well in such tough situations to make it the semifinals in her first trip to the YEC.

She really showed a new level of toughness that we haven`t seen from her before.

In the other semifinal match, JJ was defeated by Venus Williams 7-5, 3-6, 4-6. What a tough loss for JJ.

She got off to a good start in winning the first set. Then after losing the second set, got off to a 2-0 lead to start the third set, but wasn`t able to hold it. JJ really missed out a great opportunity to a big win. Still even with the loss, i`m very pleased with how well she played. Hopefully this will be the step back in the right direction for her.

So the drought for our favorites continues at the YEC. Coming up next week will be the Fed Cup final between Italy and USA, which will feature Flavia as one of the leading stars. We`ll get more in depth with the final in the next few days, but for now, here are some pics from today`s matches.

Caroline did her best, but wasn`t able to overcome here injury.

It was nice to see her in better spirits.

Great effort Caroline.

The various looks of frustration for JJ.

**Hot Rod** · 10-31-2009, 09:21 PM

Just dropping by to post some much needed new pics of Masha from earlier today.

Masha looks very lovely as usual in these pics.

Hopefully she`s having a great Halloween.

**Hot Rod** · 11-06-2009, 01:47 AM

Not much news involving our favorites in the last few days other than that the draw for the Fed Cup final will be revealed in Italy tomorrow. Of course i will have it here as soon as possible.

I have even better news, which are some very hot bikini pics of Caroline and the Radwanska sisters. I have to warn those of you in poor health that these pics will cause shortness of breath and accelerated heart beats. Other than that, enjoy these great new pics.

Look at all that beauty on the beach.

They`re obviously waiting on us to get the party started.

Caroline looks absolutely hot in this pic.

She`s definitely has that S.I. Swimsuit issue look.

Let me just say wow!

I`m very available to rub some suntan lotion on Caroline along with a massage.

The Daywalker · 11-06-2009, 07:21 AM

Oh Caroline.... how you doin'

**Hot Rod** · 11-06-2009, 05:39 PM

Glad that you like the pics Chris.

I`m sure you especially love that last pic.

Earlier today in Reggio Calabria, Italy, the draw for the Fed Cup final between Italy and USA was released. Flavia will take on Alexa Glatch in the opening match. This could be a tough match for Flavia, especially since she was shockingly crushed by Alexa Glatch in the first round of the French Open. However i`m sure Flavia will be very motivated to not only get some payback, but also to do her part to help bring the Fed Cup back to Italy. I really hope that she will do well this weekend.

Anyway here is another pic of Vika and Anna from the great FHM shoot earlier this spring.

Wow!

I never get tired of looking at the pics from this great shoot.

**Hot Rod** · 11-07-2009, 04:07 PM

The Fed Cup final got underway earlier today in Italy and Flavia helped Team Italy jump out to a 2-0 over Team USA by routing Alexa Glatch 6-3, 6-1. Good win for Flavia.

Obviously she looked very sharp right from the start and did a good job of keeping it going to set the tone for the tie. I`m really pleased with how well Flavia played today in getting the tie off to a great start for Italy and getting some payback on Glatch for the French Open. Tomorrow will be the reverse singles and Flavia will take on Melanie Oudin in the first match. Obviously Flavia will be the favorite in the match, but at the same time, she should be wary of Melanie Oudin, who will obviously be showing a lot of the spunk she showed in her surprising run at the US Open. Still this is a great opportunity for Flavia to clinch the title in front of the hometown fans. I really hope that she will do well tomorrow.

Anyway here are some pics from today`s match.

Good job Flavia.

**Hot Rod** · 11-08-2009, 03:49 PM

The Fed Cup is coming back to Italy as Flavia defeated Melanie Oudin 7-5, 6-2 to clinch the title for Team Italy.

What a great win for Flavia.

The first set was pretty tight until Flavia got it going late to win the last two games. Then she really took control in the second set by stepping up her play and putting her experience to good use, while Melanie Oudin came apart mentally. This is such a great win for Flavia in giving Italy it`s second Fed Cup title. It is a nice way to cap off what has been a great year for Flavia, who won five overall titles and became the first Italian woman to reach the top 10. I really hope that Flavia can build off down under in the new year.

Anyway here are some more pics from today`s match to celebrate Flavia helping Team Italy win the Fed Cup.

Viva la Flavia.

**Hot Rod** · 11-21-2009, 09:12 PM

Here is some news with a couple of our favorites.

First of all, Vera Z had arthroscorpic surgery on her right ankle last week to remove scar tissue. Hopefully the surgery was successful and Vera can get ready for next year.

Also Masha will start out the new year with an exhibition match against Venus Williams in Thailand on January 2.

Anyway here are some new pics of Sabine, Dani, Makiri and Flavia.

The Daywalker · 11-22-2009, 04:09 PM

Oh, I love that first one of Sabine.

Let's hope for a good offseason for the ladies, speedy recoveries to those going under the knife and those just resting other injuries.