Sports - Maria Sharapova #7: Because she`s reeking of talent and sex appeal! - Page 18

**Hot Rod** · 07-31-2008, 01:11 PM

This just came up at Masha`s official site:

"After yesterdays match I knew there was something seriously wrong with my shoulder. After taking a few different exams and MRI's this morning, the doctors found two small tears in the tendons of my shoulder. There are so many mixed feelings because last night they were almost positive there was something wrong with my nerve which could have ultimately been much more serious but after the tests this morning, for the first time in a while, they were able to give me a different answer and a different problem. But on the other hand this is something that needs a lot of time to heal, which really hurts me to say that I have to miss the Olympics.
I'm currently packing up really quick to hop on the plane and head to NY for a second opinion but I wanted to let all of you know first that there's no chance of me competing in Beijing. The timing is so unfortunate and this makes me more sad than anything.
I will keep everyone updated once I get a clear picture of what the next plan is..."

Not much of a surprise that Masha won`t be playing at the Olympics, but still it`s very sad that she`s going through this.

Hopefully we`ll get some good news on the second opinion, although i have to be realistic and say that there`s a possiblity of her missing the US Open. So we`ll have to keep an eye on this and hope for the best for Masha.

Meanwhile back on the court, it`s raining up in Montreal. Anna is up 6-4, 5-4 and serving for the match at deuce. Also Jelena just started her match against Stephanie Dubois, which was at 1-1 when the rain came. Hopefully the weather will clear up soon so that the action can resume.

Anyway here are some pics from Domi`s match.

Good job Domi.

**Hot Rod** · 07-31-2008, 03:49 PM

Here`s an update from the afternoon matches.

First of all Jelena defeated Stephanie Dubois 6-3, 6-2. Another good win for JJ over a hometown favorite.

I`m very pleased that she played another solid match.

In the other match, Anna took on Marion Bartoli for the second time in three weeks and unfortunately was beaten again by Bartoli 6-4, 5-7, 6-7(4). What a tough loss for Anna.

She was up 5-4 in the second set and had a chance to serve for the match, but couldn`t close it out. Then she had a couple of more match points in the third set, but couldn`t convert on either of them. It`s so disappointing that Anna once again couldn`t reach the finishing line. What makes it so frustrating is that this was a great opportunity for Anna to go on a nice run with Masha out.

So that`s the story with the afternoon matches. Later in about over half an hour from now, Ana will take on Tamira Paszek. Hopefully she can show some improvement later this evening.

Anyway here are some pics from the afternoon matches.

Anna showing her feistiness again.

I wish that she would`ve did this in the last part of the match.

Good job Jelena.

The Daywalker · 07-31-2008, 04:47 PM

It would have been nice to see Masha lead the Russians to gold, but it is best to shut it down and heal up.

I'm hoping feisty Anna means she's going to go on a run. She hasn't won since the beginning of the year and hasn't really looked too good in any tournament.

**Hot Rod** · 07-31-2008, 06:40 PM

I would`ve loved to seen that. It`s best in the long run for Masha to sit out the Olympics.

Well i hate to be the bearer of more sad news, but Ana was just upset by Tamira Paszek 2-6, 6-1, 2-6. What a disappointing performance from Ana.

Her play really went downhill in the third set where she needed it the most, especially the serve. This is another tough blow for us to lose another one of our favorites in Montreal.

They can`t seem to shake the bad karma that has plagued more of them lately. In fact it`s gotten worst. Now Jelena and Domi are last hopes in Montreal and they have to play each other tomorrow.

The Daywalker · 07-31-2008, 07:56 PM

I'd like to see Domi get one under her skirt.

**Hot Rod** · 07-31-2008, 09:08 PM

I like to see that too. Domi has played well throughout the year. I can`t get enough of seeing her matches. You just can`t help but love her spunk and fighting spirit. Tomorrow`s quarterfinal match between her and Jelena will be very interesting to watch. Also in doubles, Elena and Vera will take on Marie-Eve Pelletier and Tamarine Tanasugarn, while Flavia and Makiri will face Tatiana Poutchek and Anatasia Rodionova.

Meanwhile in Stockholm, Iveta will start out the day with her match against Vera Dushevina. Then later on she and Barbora Zahlavova Strycova will take on Emma Laine and Johanna Larsson. Also Caroline will play Anabel Medina Garrigues.

I really hope that our remaining favorites will do well tomorrow. We really need some good stuff from them tomorrow after all of the bad stuff that has been happening to most of them lately. Anyway here are some new pics of Dani to boost the morale here.

Dani looks so lovely with her mom in this pic.

God she looks so hot in this one.

**Hot Rod** · 08-01-2008, 11:23 AM

Remember when i said yesterday that there was a possiblity of Masha missing the US Open? Well it`s a sad reality.

Sharapova to miss U.S. Open with injuryUpdated: August 1, 2008, 12:36 PM EST

Maria Sharapova will miss the U.S. Open because of a bad right shoulder.

The injury she cited in pulling out of the Beijing Olympics also will sideline her for the year's last Grand Slam tournament, a U.S. Open official told The Associated Press on Friday.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because Sharapova had yet to announce her withdrawal. The player's agent informed the U.S. Open she wouldn't play, the official said.

Sharapova, ranked No. 3, won the 2006 U.S. Open for one of her three Grand Slam singles titles.

The Russian announced on her Web site Thursday she will skip the Olympics because of two small tears in tendons in her shoulder. The Olympic tennis tournament begins Aug. 11, and the U.S. Open starts Aug. 25.

Sharapova is 32-4 with three titles in 2008, including a major championship at the Australian Open, and she briefly was ranked No. 1. The 21-year-old player has become one of tennis' biggest stars, with millions of dollars in endorsement deals.

Sharapova pulled out of the WTA tournament in Montreal because of the shoulder on Wednesday night — after winning a nearly three-hour match in which she double-faulted 17 times. The right-hander was examined by a trainer midway through the three-set victory.

"After yesterday's match, I knew there was something seriously wrong with my shoulder," Sharapova said in a posting on her Web site under the headline: "No chance of me competing in Beijing."

Sharapova has been bothered off and on by her right shoulder for some time, and she pulled out of a tournament in March because of it.

"This is something that needs a lot of time to heal," she said, adding she would be getting a second opinion.

It`s not much of a surprise that Masha withdrew from the US Open. I think that she`s doing the right thing in not playing at Flushing Meadows. It`s not worth the risk of her playing. Of course this is very sad for us though, because there will be a hug void at the US Open.

The US Open without Masha is like 24 without Jack Bauer IMO. I really hope that she will get the best treatment possible for her shoulder so that she can come back strong.

Here`s the latest update from Stockholm and Montreal.

First of all in Stockholm, Caroline routed Anabel Medina Garrigues 6-1, 6-3. Another good win for Caroline.

It`s nice to see her continue her good play. Unfortunately it wasn`t all good news as Iveta was beaten by Vera Dushevina 3-6, 3-6. Tough loss for Iveta, who can`t seem to beat Dushevina.

However she did bounced back in doubles as she and Barbora Zahlavova Strycova defeated Emma Laine and Johanna Larsson 3-6, 6-3, 10-6. Good win for the Czech team.

Meanwhile in Montreal, Elena and Vera Z defeated Marie-Eve Pelletier and Tamarine Tanasugarn 6-3, 6-4. Another good win for them.

It`s nice to see them put together another solid performance.

So that`s an update on the early matches. The all hotties match between Jelena and Domi is currently going with Domi 7-5, 3-2. Also Flavia and Makiri`s match is about to begin. So hopefully they can keep their good play going in a few minutes.

The Daywalker · 08-01-2008, 01:47 PM

Great new pics of Dani.

Masha has had a really good year, so shutting it down isn't a bad thing. She can walk away with a really decent season and not thing too poorly upon missing the US Open.

**Hot Rod** · 08-01-2008, 02:58 PM

Glad that you like the new pics of Dani Chris. I can`t say enough how great she looks in them.

As for Masha, certainly this isn`t how she wanted to very likely end her year, but at the same time it`s best for her health in the long run to shut it down. Besides like you`ve said, she`s had a really good year with three titles, including the Australian Open and her first clay court title at Amelia Island. So that`s something Masha has to build on whenever she comes back. In fact here`s what she had to say about it:

“Once I’m healthy, I’m sure I’ll look at this as a blessing in disguise,” she said on the Web site Friday. “Right now it’s a bit painful, of course, but every athlete goes through these patches and I’m just grateful that this isn’t as bad as it could have been.”

It`s great to see Masha with a positive outlook on this situation.

Getting to back to the action on the court, here`s an update on the afternoon matches.

First of all Domi upset Jelena 7-5, 6-2. What a great win for Domi.

She was down 1-5 in the first set, but made a strong comeback to win the last six games to win the first set. Then she carried the great momentum over into the second set. Without question this is a huge win for Domi, who knocked off her third straight seeded opponent, and will be a big confidence booster for her. As for Jelena, what a tough loss for her.

She has become the latest of our favorites to blow a good lead. Obviously she couldn`t hold up against Domi fighting back and gradually her play went downhill as the first set progressed. I`m sure Jelena is going to be kicking herself about this match, not just for blowing that 5-1 lead, but also for blowing an opportunity to move up to #1 in the rankings for the second straight week, which she could`ve done if she had won the tournament, but Ana is still safe at #1. So with Masha out, she and Jelena will be battling it out for it. Of course there`s always the looming presence of the Williams sisters for them to look out for.

Meanwhile in the second doubles match of the day, Flavia and Makiri upset the 5th seeded team of Tatiana Poutchek and Anatasia Rodionova 6-7(4), 6-0, 10-7. Very good win for Flavia and Makiri.

They really came back strong after that first set by serving up a bagel in the second set. The super tiebreaker was a tough one, but Flavia and Makiri did a great job of grinding it out to get the win. I`m very pleased that they`ve picked up where they left off and put together another nice run.

So it was a pretty good day overall for our remaining hotties in Montreal and Stockholm. Tomorrow in Stockholm, we`ll have an all cuties match in the semifinals between Aggie and Caroline. This is a much anticipated match since the draw was released. Hopefully we`ll get a pretty good match between the ladies. Also in doubles, Iveta and Barbora Zahlavova Strycova will take on the Spanish team of Anabel Medina Garrigues and Virginia Ruano Pascual. This is a great opportunity for Iveta. Hopefully she and Barbora can step it up against the Spaniards. The schedule for tomorrow`s matches in Montreal hasn`t been released yet, but i`ll have it here later tonight.

Anyway here are some pics from the all hotties match between Jelena and Domi.

Great job Domi.

She looks so cute in this pic.

**Hot Rod** · 08-02-2008, 09:51 AM

First of all there was no matches played at Stockholm due to rain. So it looks like the matches are postponed until tomorrow.

Meanwhile in Montreal later this afternoon, our last hope in singles, Domi, will take on Marion Bartoli in the singles semifinals. Obviously this is a big opportunity for Domi. I really hope that she can keep up her good play today and get some payback on Bartoli for beating her in Paris earlier this year in the process. Meanwhile in doubles, Flavia and Makiri will play Kveta Peschke and Rennae Stubbs in their semifinal match. Obviously this will be a very tough match for Flavia and Makiri, going up against one of the best teams in the world. However i`m very confident in them and believe that they have a chance today. That match will be the only doubles match played today with Elena and Vera Z having to withdraw before their match against the top ranked team of Cara Black Liezel Huber due to logistical reasons. I`m sure they didn`t expect to get this far and needed to head over to Beijing without any complications so that they can go over there to represent Team Russia to the fullest. While on the subject of the Olympics, Vera will replace Masha in singles for Team Russia. She was already on for doubles with Elena. This is a great opportunity for Vera, which i hope she can take full advantage of. So that`s today`s schedule in Montreal. I really hope that Domi, Flavia and Makiri will do well later today.

Anyway here`s a very nice pic of Flavia and Makiri during one of their matches.

Flavia and Makiri = doubles the loveliness.

**Hot Rod** · 08-02-2008, 05:42 PM

Here`s an update on the doubles matches.

First of all in Stockholm, Iveta`s doubles match was moved in the indoors court where she and Barbora Zahlavova Strycova defeated the top seeded Spanish team of Anabel Medina Garrigues and Virginia Ruano Pascual 6-3, 6-4. Very good win by the Czech team.

I`m very pleased that Iveta has found some success in doubles.

Meanwhile in Montreal, Flavia and Makiri pulled off a huge upset earlier this afternoon as they surprisingly routed the second seeded team of Kveta Peschke and Rennae Stubbs 6-4, 6-0. What a great win for Flavia and Makiri.

I had a feeling that they would win, but i didn`t think that they would win so convincingly. This is a big statement by Flavia and Makiri to beat one of the best teams in the world so convincingly, especially with the bageling they did in the second set. Now they`re in the finals, where they`ll take on the top ranked team of Cara Black and Liezel Huber tomorrow. Obviously this will be a big challenge for Flavia and Makiri in playing the top team in the world, but they`re coming in with a lot of confidence after their rout of the third ranked team in the world. So they won`t be in awe of Black and Huber. Hopefully they can keep their good play going tomorrow.

After that match was over with, Domi took the court for her semifinal match against Marion Bartoli. She lost the first set 4-6 and was up 2-1 when it started raining. Unless the weather clears tonight, it looks like the match will be postponed until tomorrow. Hopefully Domi can keep the good momentium she had when the match was stopped going. Like i`ve said earlier, this is a great opportunity for Domi that she needs to take full advantage of.

So that`s the latest from Montreal and Stockholm. Here are some pics from Flavia and Makiri`s match.

**Hot Rod** · 08-02-2008, 08:56 PM

The weather finally cleared up in Montreal for the action to resume and Domi defeated Marion Bartoli 4-6, 6-4, 6-3. Another good win for Domi.

Not only did she rebounded nicely after the first set, but did a great job of continuing the good momentum she had going before the extended rain delay. Now Domi will be in her first Tier I final and second one of the year, where she will take on Dinara Safina. Obviously this will be a tough match for Domi, especially considering how well Dinara has played lately. However Domi has been playing well too lately and has beaten three members of Team Russia in Montreal. So hopefully she will play hard, show her fighting spirit and give it her best tomorrow.

Anyway here are some pics from Domi`s match.

The Daywalker · 08-03-2008, 08:33 AM

A little tongue action from Domi there

Doesn't look like she likes the rain though!

Makiri and Flavia look like they have fun together. We need to fly up there and take them out to dinner if they win.

**Hot Rod** · 08-03-2008, 12:22 PM

I`m all in favor of that Chris. Of course we have to take them to a movie too if we have time.

Say hello to the newest member of the Hotties Champions Club.

Caroline had a great day in Stockholm today in winning her first title of her career. First of all in the all cuties semifinal match, she surprisingly routed Aggie 6-4, 6-1. Then in the final, she destroyed Vera Dushevina 6-0, 6-2. What a great day for Caroline in winning her first title.

You don`t get much better than winning two matches in a day and a title, especially with one of those wins over a top player like Aggie. This is a great achievement for Caroline to win her first title, especially in Scandinavia. Today`s title win will get Caroline into the top 25 and will definitely be a huge confidence booster for her heading into the Olympics and US Open. I`m really happy for Caroline. She has played well throughout the year and was due for a title sooner or later. Meanwhile in doubles, Iveta finally ends her title drought as she and Barbora Zahlavova Strycova defeated compatriots Lucie Safarova and Petra Cetkovska 7-5, 6-4. Great win there for Iveta in getting her second doubles title of the year.

It`s nice to see her back in the winners` circle again. I`m very happy that we got a hotties title sweep in Stockholm, which is the third one of the year.

Also the final in Montreal ended a few minutes ago and unfortunately Domi was crushed by Dinara Safina 2-6, 1-6. What a humbling loss for Domi.

This was a match where she needed to bring her A game, but unfortunately she didn`t have much for Dinara, who has continued her good play. Dinara has really emerged as Team Russia`s top player with her great play in the last couple of weeks and with Masha now out, is their best hope of capturing the gold at the Olympics and is a dark horse favorite at the US Open. So i think that the hotties will need to step their games up should they meet up with Dinara. The doubles final will start in a few minutes. Hopefully Flavia and Makiri can have much better luck in their match than Domi did.

Anyway here are a couple of more pics from Caroline`s triumph in Stockholm earlier today.

Great job Caroline.

It`s nice to see her wearing the fingernail polish again today.

**Hot Rod** · 08-03-2008, 02:13 PM

Well Flavia and Makiri didn`t fare any better in the doubles final as they were crushed by Cara Black and Liezel Huber 1-6, 1-6. What a beatdown they got from the #1 ranked team in the world.

Obviously they needed to come out strong, but sadly didn`t have much for the the top ranked team in the world. Still it was a great run for Domi, Flavia and Makiri to get to their first Tier I final of their careers.

Hopefully they can build on their great runs in Montreal.

Anyway here are some pics from the singles final in Montreal.

Domi didn`t have an answer for Dinara in today`s match.

It`s nice to see her in good spirits despite the loss.

BTW Domi looks tiny standing next to Dinara.

Good effort Domi.

You`ll get a title sooner or later. Lets get keep it going in Beijing.