Maria Sharapova had a disappointing start to the year, losing in the first round of the Australian Open to No. 58th ranked Maria Kirilenko in a battle of Russians. However, Sharapova showed better form in her 2nd tournament of the year, defeating Sofia Arvidsson of Sweden, 6-2, 6-1 Saturday night for the championship of the
World No. 2, Dinara Safina of Russia, has been forced to pull out of next week's Dubai Tennis Championships because of ongoing back problems. She said on her website, "Unfortunately, I will not be able to play the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships this year because of the back injury that's been bothering me since the
Na Li posted a huge upset by defeating Venus Williams in a thrilling 3-set Quarterfinal match at the Australian Open. Li, seeded 16, was able to hold serve one more time in the 3rd set than 6th seeded Williams to take the match 2-6, 7-6, 7-5. It was not a day to be serving. Both
History is in the making as unseeded, 35th ranked Jie Zheng has become the first Chinese woman to reach the Semifinals of the Australian Open. She won an impressive straight-sets victory over Russia's 58th ranked giant-killer Maria Kirilenko in the Quarterfinals of the 2010 Australian Open, 6-1, 6-3. The 26-year-old Zheng's service returns were fierce
Unseeded Maria Kirilenko of Russia advanced to the Quarterfinals of the 2010 Australian Open when compatriot, Dinara Safina suddenly retired with an injury during the 1st set of their 4th round match. No. 2 Safina was facing set point, trailing 4-5 and serving at 30-40, when she limped to her changeover chair for a few
Day one of the 2010 Australian Open went pretty much according to plan with only one major upset. No. 58 ranked Maria Kirilenko upset No. 14 seed, Maria Sharapova, in a long 3-set match, 7-6(7-4), 3-6, 6-4. Kirilenko is seen here being congratulated by Sharapova after their match. All other seeded players playing the first
It was a 1st-round Russian battle between two Marias, with Maria Sharapova coming out on the short end of the deal. After almost 3 1/2 hours of play, just short of a record 3 hours 33 minutes at the Australian Open, it was 58th ranked Maria Kirilenko prevailing over 14th ranked Sharapova in a tough
Sexy cutie pie, Maria Kirilenko of Russia reached the Final of the WTA Barcelona Ladies Open held April 13-19, 2009 in Barcelona, Spain. Kirilenko's first two matches went just two sets, with wins over Camille Pin (6-2, 6-0), and Severine Bremond (7-5, 6-2). The next two matches proved to be a little tougher, but Kirilenko
Maria Kirilenko, cutie pie from Russia, retired during the 2nd round of the WTA Monterrey Open March 5, 2009, in Monterrey, Mexico. She had an inflamed left knee and was not able to continue play. Kirilenko had lost the first set 4-6, and was down 1-4 when she withdrew. Kirilenko also withdrew from the doubles
Russian cutie pie, Maria Kirilenko, is through to the 2nd round of the 2009 WTA Monterrey Open being played in Monterrey, Mexico Mar 2-8. The No. 8 seed, currently ranked 38th in the world, defeated No. 70 Marina Erakovic of Croatia. It was a straight sets victory, 6-4, 6-3. Kirilenko has lost in the 1st
