Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has congratulated Maria Sharapova for winning her third grand slam–the Australian Open title, reports Interfax news agency quoting Russian president’s press secretary Aleksey Gromov. Here is my beef with Putin. I remember somewhere (don’t remember where) reading Svetlana Kuznetsova’s interview, where she mentioned how she felt somewhat “left-out” when Putin didn’t call to congratulate her after winning the US Open in 2004. Earlier that year, Putin called to congratulate Maria Sharapova for Wimbledon, Anastasia Myskina for Roland Garros, but somehow things apparently got hectic for Mr Putin right around the time when Sveta won her title.

C’mon Putin. Pick up the phone and call to congratulate Kuzy! It is never too late…for Mother Russia!

Maria Sharapova beats Ana Ivanovic 7-5, 6-3 to win Australian Open for her 3rd grand slam title.

Check out the image slide show of the 2008 Women’s Final.

When it comes to sponsorship and mega-million dollar endorsements, many talented athletes who see only prize money in their professional career, think “it is not fair.” But tennis, first and foremost, is business.

Marketers’ joy as Ivanovic, Sharapova face off

THE Australian Open has its dream final, a “glam slam” decider tomorrow between Russian temptress Maria Sharapova and Serbian siren Ana Ivanovic.

The two most photogenic stars in grand slam tennis will square off at Melbourne Park in a confrontation which has left fans and television executives drooling. Seven spokesman Simon Francis last night declared: “We are over the moon. Ana versus Maria is the stuff of dreams.

“Sometimes in sports television you hit the bullseye. We’ve hit it. Read more »

While Maria Sharapova’s father Yuri is “making” headlines for his “intense celebration” of Masha’s win over world number one Justine Henin, Maria does some explaining with media why her mother Yelena is never visible. Maria has been playing great tennis at this year’s Australian Open, and it is somewhat stupid that Mr. Sharapov has taken some of the attention away from his daughter’s exceptional tennis.

Q. Your father’s very visible. How would you say your mother contributes in a positive way to your career?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: My mom is just ?? she brings such good energy and positive chi into myself and all the people that are around her. She’s a very quiet and intelligent woman that, you know, that just is happy with life, with her life, you know, is happy for me. Read more »

It is very unhealthy to be David Nalbandian’s fan. He is absolutely unpredictable!!! When Nalby loses, I need at least one tennis-free day to recover, to digest his “I-don’t-know-why-I-am-playing-tennis” performance, and only then continue following the action. Nalbandian (the bookmakers’ fourth favorite) lost 6-1, 6-2, 6-3 in the third round of Australian Open to 22nd-seeded Juan Carlos Ferrero. It was unwatchable.

Que paso David?

(AP Photo/Rick Stevens)

We have officially reached to the point where Russian players start eliminating each other at Australian Open.

First Elena Vesnina was crashed out of the event by fellow Russian Maria Sharapova 3-6, 0-6. The winner of the next all-Russian match was Maria Kirilenko. She successfully eliminated sixth-seeded Anna Chakvetadze.

More Russian duels are on the way. Maria Sharapova faces another tough Russian on the fourth round namely eleventh-seeded Elena Dementieva. They have encountered on nine different occasions, with seven victories for Sharapova. In another all-Russian duel, big hitting Nadia Petrova meets Ekaterina Makarova.

On the men’s side, Nikolay Davydenko will play with Mikhail Youzhny.

Sixth seed Anna Chakvetadze of Russia was upset in three sets by compatriot Maria Kirilenko, seeded 27. Both players have Martina Hingis-style of play. They play very smart tennis. There were lots of question marks about Chakvetadze’s physical and psychological preparedness after experiencing a house robbery during the off-season. In the third set, it seemed to me that Anna hardly held back her tears. Her father/coach Djambuli hasn’t even waited for the match to end to leave the stadium. Not a very smart move! Read more »

“I was not playing against her I was playing against me,” said world No. 2 Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova after crashing out of Australian Open in the third round to rising Polish star Agnieska Radwanska. Kuzy couldn’t take even a set. She lost in straight sets 6-3 6-4 to the number 29 seed.

Fans might remember the Polish teenager’s name. This is not the first time she has upset a Russian top player at a Grand Slam. In last year’s US Open, she defeated Maria Sharapova in the third round. That victory has obviously given her some great confidence. Radwanska next meets the winner of Nadia Petrova ad Ekaterian Makarova match.

(Photo: Russia Today)

• “No matter where my ranking is, I’m one of the toughest competitors out there. I never leave the court without giving a hundred percent and that’s why I think I gain a lot of respect from my fans.”
• “I am still 20 years old, I have said it many times, I don’t think this is the peak of my career. I believe that there are many more years to go, and I’m going to learn from all those experiences within those years.”
• “I don’t think I’m going to be playing for another 10 years — I’d love to have a family at 30 already! Read more »

My Dostoyevsky hero (aka Marat Safin) is out of the Australian Open. So much talent, so much passion, so much charisma…

…beaten 6-4 6-4 2-6 3-6 6-2 by Cypriot 15th seed Marcos Baghdatis in a thrilling second-round battle in Melbourne.

“Between the extended, attention-grabbing rallies, the thumps on the chest and the smashed rackets, it was quite a summit meeting for day four of a Grand Slam. But that was nobody’s fault but Safin’s. His ranking of 58 is not high enough for now to allow him the luxury of a seeding and the chance to work his way comfortably into the second week.

“I’m not going to give up straight away that I’m losing to Baghdatis,” said Safin, a Russian who will turn 28 later this month. “The year is pretty long, so I’ll have my chances, that’s for sure.” (Src)

(Photo: Reuters)