Dr. Andrew Broad
Tennis
Maria Sharapova
Wimbledon 2009 Match-Reports

Women's Singles

• First round: Viktoriya Kutuzova* (added 17th August 2009)
• Second round: Gisela Dulko* (added 13th September 2009)

Pretournament

Last year, Maria played Wimbledon as the world #2, but only the third seed, due to a quirk in the rankings that saw Jelena Jankovic ahead of her when the seedings were made. In windy conditions, she suffered an abnormal, embarrassing 6-2 6-4 loss to #154 Alla Kudryavtseva.

This year, Maria will play Wimbledon as the world #60, but elevated to 24th seed, due a quirk in the seeding-rules (normally, only the top 32 players participating can be seeded, but the seeding-committee can move them around within the top 32). Evidently, Maria's 9�-month injury lay-off has triggered some kind of "exceptional circumstances" clause.

After her exit from Wimbledon 2008, Maria withdrew from Montr�al after beating Marta Domachowska 7-5 5-7 6-2 in her opening match, and had not played singles since (she did play one doubles-match at Indian Wells 2009), until she came back at Warsaw.

Maria: "To be here is already an accomplishment. I'm still testing out where my game is, where my body is."

Maria underwent minor arthroscopic surgery on her right shoulder on 15th October 2008, but it has taken a long time to recover her fitness. Although her shoulder appears to have recovered, she is not yet back to full fitness, as all three of her comeback-tournaments have ended in a straight-sets loss after some tough three-setters.

At Warsaw, Maria beat world #68 Tathiana Garbin 6-1 6-7 (8/6) 6-3, then thrashed #209-ranked lucky loser Darya Kustova 6-2 6-0 in 57 minutes, but then lost 6-2 6-2 to #39 Alyona Bondarenko.

At the French Open, Maria won her first four matches all in three sets: #64 Anastasiya Yakimova 3-6 6-1 6-2, #11 Nadia Petrova 6-2 1-6 8-6, Yaroslava Shvedova 1-6 6-3 6-4, and #25 Li,Na 6-4 0-6 6-4. Little wonder that she had nothing left for the quarter-finals, where she was thrashed 6-0 6-2 by #19 Dominika Cibulkov�!

At Birmingham, Maria came through her first two matches with amazing power but some alarming errors, beating #103 St�phanie Dubois 6-4 6-2 and #106 Alexa Glatch 6-3 6-4 (the last five points of that match were delayed overnight). In the third round, she looked like the best player in the world as she overwhelmed #50 Francesca Schiavone 6-1 6-3, and this continued into the quarter-finals as she took the first set 6-1 against #61 Yanina Wickmayer. But she lost the momentum, struggled to a 6-1 2-6 6-3 win, then turned in a listless performance to lose 6-4 6-4 to #20 Li,Na in the semi-finals.

At least Maria's fitness shouldn't be such a big issue for Wimbledon, because she's had a week off now, she'll get days off between matches (unlike Birmingham), and grass is a much less gruelling surface than clay - grass rewards quick reactions rather than endurance.

Maria has an easy-looking opener against Viktoriya Kutuzova, and an easy-looking second round against either Gisela Dulko (whom she's always beaten easily in the past) or St�phanie Foretz (whom she beat easily in the first round here last year).

Maria could face Petrova again in the third round, but if she managed to beat her on clay (Petrova's best surface, Maria's worst), she should definitely do it on grass (Maria's best surface, although Petrova is no slouch on it either).

The fourth round should bring an intriguing showdown between Maria and Victoria Azarenka, who is intriguingly similar to Maria: tall and blonde, with very powerful groundstrokes, she shares Maria's on-court intensity, and grunts just like Maria!

Queen Victoria actually beat Maria in their only meeting (7-6 6-2 at Moscow 2007), and has had an excellent year so far, winning Miami over Serena Williams, although her form has dipped since then, and she doesn't have much experience on grass, having never got past the third round in her three previous Wimbledons, nor won a match at any other grass-court WTA tournament.

Maria could meet Serena Williams in the quarter-finals, and that could work out quite nicely for Maria, seeing as she thrashed Serena 6-1 6-4 in the Wimbledon 2004 final, and Serena has been struggling with a knee-injury and poor form in recent months. Serena also has a tricky draw, with dangerous Lucie �af�rov� in her second round, and Birmingham-champion Magdal�na Ryb�rikov� in her third round - I hope Lucie, Magda or Daniela Hantuchov� will come through instead!

Maria's pretournament press-conference

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Michael Stich said today that lady tennis-players shouldn't grunt because it makes them unsexy, and sex-appeal is the main selling-point of women's tennis. Do you have an opinion on that?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: No, I don't really have an opinion. I've been out of this game for such a long time that my focus is just to go out on the court and play tennis and do my job.
����������� My job is to go out there and perform and do the best that I can. At the end of the day, it's all about winning and losing for me.

Q. When you come back here now, what's more on your mind: how far you've had to come back after your surgery, or the victory in 2004?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, uhm, it's strange, 'cause I feel like last year's Wimbledon didn't really exist for me. So, you know, I only played a couple of matches. The grass-season basically didn't exist, as well.
����������� So, uhm, it's just - I mean, to be here, I guess, is already an accomplishment in itself, because when I look back to where I was, you know, say, 10 or 11 months ago, or even three months ago, you know, I'm definitely blessed to be here, especially after, you know, playing a few tournaments and getting a few matches on grass already, to be in the field of great players.

Q. How far back are you?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I don't know. You know, I think every single tournament right now is still a test, and it's still - I think for me, it's almost like the beginning of the season, whereas for many players, it's already the second half of the season. I'm still testing out where my game is, where my body is, you know, where my shoulder is.
����������� So, you know, it's all a process. Yeah, it's easy to forget. You get in this regime so fast, you know, playing matches, fortunately. But you tend to forget where you were only a few months ago.

Q. Can you talk a little bit about the process of coming back. Is it like learning the game from scratch, or is it different?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, I mean, you know, for me, the first couple [of] tournaments on clay I think is [sic] really important, because the clay obviously is a little bit slower than the other surfaces. I felt like I could, you know, construct points a little bit more and work on my game; whereas maybe starting on a faster surface would have been a little bit tougher, and I wouldn't have had as much time.
����������� You know, hand-eye coordination and reaction are two of the biggest things in this game. And after not playing for a long time, you know, it was the first time where I actually didn't hit a tennis-ball for three months in a row. It's definitely, you know, that process of each day trying to get better and better, trying to get your rhythm, work on your game, and your quickness and your speed, and all those things.
����������� You obviously never know when everything is going to come together, when your body is going to hold up for as many days as it needs to, and as many hours as it needs to on the court.

Q. What do you think it will be like for someone like Kim Clijsters that came back from a lot longer lay-off than what you just experienced?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I mean, I think it's a little bit of a different situation, because, you know, she also had a kid. She's also in a little bit of a different stage in her career. I didn't play - I mean, the main reason why I didn't play was because of my injury, and because I had to have surgery.
����������� I mean, look, one way or another, it's gonna take time no matter who you are, what your game is. It's always gonna take time to get back out there.

Q. We saw you throwing an American football around. Was that fun, enjoying Wimbledon, or was that for the shoulder as well?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I always do that just to warm up my shoulder, yeah.

Q. You played so many sets to start the French Open. Was that encouraging to be able to do that, or was it worrisome that you had to spend so much time?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: No, to be honest, I was just so excited that I was able to pull some of those matches out, because I hadn't been in those situations in some time. I mean, I definitely had a few let-downs that I normally wouldn't have. I think that's one of the reasons.
����������� You find yourself playing well for a few games, and you kind of get on a roll. You stop and think, "Well, wait a second. This is a little good to be true." And then you start thinking a little bit, then the level drops. You know, against anyone, you give them a little bit of air and they're, you know, they get back out there and their level rises. You know, you find yourself in a dog-fight.
����������� So, you know, I was just very happy with, you know, the way I fought back in those matches, and gave myself the opportunity to play, you know, four matches in a Grand Slam competition environment.

Q. This is the one tournament where they don't go strictly by the computer-rankings. You've been a beneficiary of that in the seedings here. Do you think that's a good system? Do you think they should continue to do that? Do you think, if you were on the other side of the coin, you might not think it was a good thing to do?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: It's strange, because I didn't really give much thought into it before it even came out. I mean: I've been out of the game for so long, I mean, you know your ranking's gonna drop. You know you're not going to be seeded. That's to be expected.
����������� Like I've always said, I don't really - you know, numbers to me don't mean much. I mean, if you're not a seed, I mean, what's the difference? You might play in the first round, second round, or third one.
����������� At the end of the day, it's really not that big of a deal. Was I surprised? I guess I'd say a little bit.

Q. Do you agree with how they do it here?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Uhm, I don't really know how they do it. I mean, I just know that they can move things around. I don't know specifically how they sit in a room, and what their thought-process is.

Q. There's a formula they use.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Is there? I'm so clueless on that.

Q. A lot of athletes say when they have to stop what they have been doing for years because of injuries, they come to realise what they really love about the sport. Can you talk a little bit about what was going through your mind in this phase being away from the game?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, there are many things I missed about the game. There's so many little things that go into the preparation of a single tennis-match, and the few hours afterwards. I miss the whole process of it.
����������� I mean, if it's the hour before the match where, you know, you're in the locker-room and you have time to yourself, you know, you're putting on your dress and you see the screen, and you know that in an hour, you're going to be on that court in front of that crowd. To the ten minutes before where, you know, you're with your team, and you're getting pumped for the match the second you go on the court, and you hear the crowd and you hear the people, and you're in that environment again. Then the competitiveness of each match and, uhm, pulling through tough situations in the match, or, you know, when you're up trying to close it out. Uhm, yeah, I mean, I missed many things of the game. I could go on and on.

Q. Was there a point in your recovery when you doubted you would be sitting here today?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: No. To be honest, not really, because I knew - I knew that, even though I had to have surgery, it was a pretty minor surgery. You know, it was only a 20-minute procedure.
����������� But it was my first one, so I think I didn't really doubt - at that point, you're not really worried about being on the tennis-court. At that point, you're just worried about getting out of that hospital-room and being healthy, you know, getting rid of that anaesthesia.

Q. Do you consider yourself ready to win another championship here, or is that too much too soon to ask after surgery and a long lay-off?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, I think it is. I think it's a little too soon to put that in my mind, you know. I mean, I certainly know that I'm capable of it, and I think if I - you know, if I do the right things and I play the right way, you know, there's always a little bit of luck involved, as well.
����������� You know, hopefully you take your chances when you have to. You know, if I don't let my opponents get back into the matches, finish them off when I have to, then, absolutely, I think I have a great chance.
����������� But, you know, I will take it one match at a time. This is definitely a time in my career where I can't look into possible third round, fourth round, you know, semis, whatever it is.

Q. What do you appreciate most about Roger Federer?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Uhm, I think the passion with which he plays the game. It's certainly not easy to play at such a high level for such a long period of time. Uhm, and, you know, I feel like he had such a long run of winning so many Grand Slams.
����������� At the end of the day, people sometimes maybe forget that in a way, he's really human, and he was able to, you know, have a few let-downs, and not win as many matches as everyone thought he should win.
����������� But then he comes out and he proves everybody wrong. You know, he's a tremendous athlete, and plays the game so well. Uhm, I mean, you know.

Q. How closely will you follow his progress, even though you're competing here on the other side?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Uhm, I mean, I love to watch the game, so whenever I'm home and I have free time or I'm getting treatment, the TV's on, I'll definitely watch the matches, for sure.

Q. What will you miss most about Nadal's absence here as it relates to Federer?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: It's definitely unfortunate. I think unfortunate for him as an individual, and as a big competitor, to be missing a Grand Slam in which he had so many great memories. As an athlete, you know, I can definitely relate to that.
����������� Uhm, and as far as Federer's chances, I mean, even if Nadal is in the draw, his chances are pretty darn good. So, I mean, can't really - that doesn't change too many things. I mean, what Federer wants to control, he'll control on the court.

Q. Do you think Venus Williams should be considered the favourite? What is it about her game that has made her so successful at this tournament?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Uhm, I mean, a few things. She has a very big game, a very powerful and steady game. You know, her serve is a big weapon. Uhm, you know, she uses a lot of her... a lot of her strengths on this surface really well.
����������� And, uhm, you know, she's just able to do it year after year after year. Certainly with her past results, I definitely think she's the favourite.

Pretournament articles

Sharapova named as seed [Teletext 495->497] (Wednesday 17th June 2009)
>>>
Maria Sharapova has been made the 24th seed for Wimbledon, despite being outside the world's top 50.

Russia's Dinara Safina is top seed ahead of Serena Williams, while Venus Williams is seeded third as she aims for her third straight title.
<<<

Sharapova models fashion-days before Wimbledon (Reuters, Wednesday 17th June 2009)
(Reporting by Catherine Bosley; editing by Sonia Oxley)
>>>
Tennis was the last thing on former champion Maria Sharapova's mind just five days before Wimbledon as she posed in the window of a luxury department-store on Wednesday.

Wimbledon runs from 22nd June to 5th July.
<<<

Sharapova comes out fighting (Ronald Atkin, www.wimbledon.org, Wednesday 17th June 2009)
>>>
With only three tournaments behind her after a nine-month absence from tennis after a shoulder-operation, Maria Sharapova is upbeat and defiant about her prospects for The Championships.

As Maria points out, she is a fighter; her presence can do nothing other than provide a huge boost to the women's field at The Championships.
<<<

Ten women to watch [Teletext 499] (Thursday 18th June 2009)
>>>
Maria Sharapova: The former champion has just returned from a long lay-off, but, although the title is probably out of her reach, the Russian will be a tough draw for anyone with her powerful game and experience on grass.
<<<

Sharapova 'glad' to be back at SW19 [Teletext 495->498] (Friday 19th June 2009)
>>>
Maria happy to be at SW19 [Teletext 498]

She said: "To be here is already an accomplishment. I'm still testing out where my game is, where my body is."
<<<

WOMEN'S SINGLES

My preview

Maria has never played the beautiful Viktoriya Kutuzova before, but my abiding memory of Kutuzova is seeing her in the crowd for Maria's first-round match at the French Open 2006!

Still only 20, Kutuzova has won four singles-titles on the ITF circuit, but none on the WTA Tour. She is currently ranked #79 - three places shy of her career-high #76 set in 2005. She has an impressive 29:13 record for 2009 so far (including Wimbledon-qualifying) - achieved by mixing WTA and ITF tournaments.

Kutuzova qualified for the Australian Open, but lost 6-3 6-0 to #69 Nathalie Dechy in the first round. She qualified for Dubai, but lost 6-2 6-3 to #51 Tsvetana Pironkova in the first round. She qualified for Acapulco, but lost 7-5 6-3 to #35 Carla Su�rez Navarro in the first round. Are we sensing a pattern here?

In March, Kutuzova reached the semi-finals of ITF Latina, but lost 7-5 3-6 6-4 to #213 Andrea Petkovic. She beat #44 Tamarine Tanasugarn in the first round of ITF Tourhout, and went on to reach the final, where she lost 6-1 6-4 to #98 Karolina �prem.

Kutuzova reached the third round of Charleston by beating #41 Alyona Bondarenko 6-4 7-5, but lost 7-6 7-5 to #57 Elena Vesnina. She then thrashed #67 Anastasiya Yakimova 6-1 6-1 in the first round of ITF Cagnes-sur-Mer, only to lose in the second round 2-6 6-1 6-4 to #660 Kristina Mladenovic (who would go on to win the French Open Girls' Singles).

Kutuzova reached the semi-finals of Strasbourg as a qualifier, thrashing #51 Tamarine Tanasugarn 6-3 6-0 in the first round, but losing her semi-final 6-4 6-2 to #79 Aravane Reza�.

At the French Open, Kutuzova beat #192 Zuzana Ondr�kov� 6-2 6-4 in the first round, but lost 3-6 6-3 6-3 to #43 Mar�a Jos� Mart�nez S�nchez in the second round. She then lost 7-5 6-1 to #117 Andrea Petkovic in the first round of ITF Marseille.

Kutuzova has only once got past the first round in four previous Wimbledons: she was due to face Kim Clijsters in the second round of Wimbledon 2006, but: "Something happened. I ate too many strawberries, and all these spots came up on my arms and my back. I could not play on the Centre Court because of that, and was defaulted. So no more strawberries for me!"

Kutuzova was the top seed for Wimbledon-qualifying, and came through with the following results:
1q + Anna Gerasimou, 3-6 6-3 6-4
2q + Lauren Riley Albanese, 6-0 6-4
3q + Shenay Perry, 6-0 6-2

So Kutuzova has had a pretty impressive 2009 so far, and that should be worth a few games against Maria, but I'm not too worried for Maria, because she's in a different class.

My TV-report

+ MARIA SHARAPOVA [24,EF] d. Viktoriya Kutuzova [Q], 7-5 6-4

After choosing to watch the end of Daniela Hantuchov� v Laura Robson during the first set, I saw the second set live. By now, I have watched the whole match on video.

In the first set, Maria recovered from 1-4* and *3-5 (saving one set-point). The second set featured seven breaks (including the last five games).

It was like Maria was playing a copy of herself out there! Both girls hit the ball very hard, and grunted very loudly! They also looked very much alike (even though Kutuzova is only 5'6" to Maria's 6'2"), with their long blonde hair in ponytails, wearing very similar white dresses with bare shoulders, and white visors. What the match lacked was a contrast of styles.

The difference - at least in the second set - was the occasional flashes of brilliance of which only Maria is capable. Examples:

• the backhand lob-winner with which Maria passed Kutuzova at *2-2 (40/15);
• the brilliant backhand return-winner down Kutuzova's backhand-sideline that Maria hit at 3-2* (15/15);
• the blazing backhand return-winner down the line that Maria hit at 5-4* (15/0*).

The match was also notable for Kutuzova not challenging four line-calls that Hawk-Eye said were wrong. She did make one challenge in the end, but ironically, that was wrong.

First set

SHARAPOV *    @* *@*@ 7
KUTUZOVA  *@*@  *     5

The match was first on Court One, and started at 13:10 BST.

Maria serving 0-0: First serve out wide + off-forehand forced Kutuzova to earth a backhand. 15/0. Kutuzova netted a forehand on the fourth stroke. 30/0. First serve: Kutuzova netted an off-backhand return. 40/0. Second serve: Kutuzova hit a forehand return-winner down Maria's forehand-line: just inside the baseline. 40/15. Short-angled ace out wide: just inside the sideline.

Kutuzova serving 0-1: With Kutuzova grunting the louder of the two, Maria hit an off-backhand winner. 0/15. On the third stroke, Kutuzova dumped a forehand halfway up the net. 0/30. Big, deep first serve down the middle forced Maria to bunt a backhand return long. 15/30. Kutuzova's penetrating backhand down the line induced Maria to hit a crosscourt forehand wide. 30/30. Big first serve down the middle - on the service-line - forced Maria to bunt a backhand return wide. 40/30. Maria went for a backhand down the line, but mishit it wide.

Excellent serving from the 5'6" Kutuzova to recover from 0/30 there!

Maria serving 1-1: Double fault (second serve into the net). 0/15. Kutuzova's penetrating off-forehand forced Maria to stretch wide and net a backhand. 0/30. Maria sprayed a forehand long. Kutuzova has won seven points in a row. 0/40 (BP #1). Kutuzova opened up the court with a deep crosscourt backhand return, but dumped a crosscourt forehand into the net. 15/40 (BP #2). Kutuzova painted the sideline with an off-forehand winner to get the first break.

Kutuzova serving 2-1: First serve out wide: Maria picked off a forehand return-winner down the line. 0/15. Short second serve: Maria dumped a cheap forehand return into the net. 15/15. Kutuzova got away with another short second serve, as Maria on the fourth stroke hit an off-forehand just long. 30/15. Great rally: Kutuzova hit a low-bouncing backhand down the line, but Maria hit a stunning short-angled crosscourt forehand onto the sideline, forcing Kutuzova way outside the tramlines as she hit a forehand down the line; Maria pushed a crosscourt backhand into the open court, forcing Kutuzova to net a defensive backhand lob. 30/30. Kutuzova's deep crosscourt forehand induced Maria to hit one long. 40/30. First serve out wide: Maria netted a forehand return.

From that game, we see that Kutuzova's weakness appears to be a short, second serve, but Maria's returns (after the first point) left much to be desired.

Andrew Castle: "Her grunts have been recorded at 101 decibels. 110 decibels is a roaring lion, and 140 decibels can be dangerous to your hearing.
����������� "Sharapova hasn't settled here; Kutuzova certainly has."

Maria serving 1-3: Double fault (second serve just long). 0/15. On the third stroke, Maria hit a backhand just long. 0/30. Double fault (second serve into the net). 0/40 (BP). Kutuzova hit a stunning backhand winner down the line to win her sixth point in a row and get the double break. Andrew Castle: "Her footwork looks spot on. She hardly had to move to that - it was just a glide."

Sam Smith: "Sharapova's missing by a couple of inches - she's just a little off at the moment. Not easy for her, when she knows her form's not quite there, to have someone that comes at her as much as Kutuzova does. For Kutuzova, it's been first-strike central. It would be fine if Sharapova was playing well - she'd enjoy this match-up normally."

Kutuzova serving 4-1: Kutuzova slugged a backhand just long. 0/15. Kutuzova hit a crosscourt backhand just inside the sideline, inducing Maria to hit a backhand long. 15/15. Short first serve: Maria's deep forehand return down the line forced a short floater from Kutuzova, which Maria dispatched with an easy crosscourt forehand winner. 15/30. Double fault (second serve into the net). 15/40 (BP). Second serve out wide: Maria's down-the-line forehand return-winner gave her one of the breaks back.

Maria serving 2-4: Deep first serve down the middle - on the service-line - forced a very short return, which Maria dispatched with an off-forehand winner. Maria said "c'mon". 15/0. Kutuzova pounced on a deep but high-bouncing forehand from Maria, and hit a crosscourt forehand winner. 15/15. Maria backhand long. 15/30. First serve down the middle forced a short return, which Maria dispatched with a crosscourt backhand winner. Maria said "c'mon". 30/30. First serve + down-the-line forehandd + crosscourt forehand drive-volley winner. Sam Smith: "Backing off to play a drive-volley, when she could have come forward and knocked off a conventional volley. She took by far the more difficult option there, but played it beautifully." 40/30. Ace out wide.

Sam Smith: "Sharapova's looking for the first serve to set up something short that she can just knock away. Really, the way she plays, she needs to dominate all the points. Doesn't want to be chasing the ball too much.
����������� "I can't quite believe how hard Kutuzova's hitting the ball. Some of these shots have got to be 80mph.
����������� "If Sharapova has to trust one groundstroke or the other, I think you'd certainly back the backhand over the forehand. Makes very few mistakes off that wing."

There was a close-up of Maria's feet wobbling as she sat at the changeover.

Kutuzova serving 4-3 (new balls): Maria hit a hard crosscourt backhand deep into the corner, forcing Kutuzova to net a backhand. 0/15. First serve forced a short ball, but Kutuzova dumped a cheap forehand into the net. 0/30. Maria dumped a backhand return halfway up the net. 15/30. Maria hit a crosscourt backhand return onto the sideline, forcing Kutuzova to net a backhand. 15/40 (BP #1). 110mph first serve down the middle (but at an angle) + crosscourt forehand winner back behind Maria. 30/40 (BP #2). Deep 109mph first serve down the middle forced Maria to hit a forehand return long. Deuce. Deep second serve down the middle induced Maria to hit a backhand return long. Ad Kutuzova. Deep first serve down the middle gave Kutuzova the initiative; she let it slip a bit by not hitting a strong backhand on the third stroke, but hit a backhand onto the baseline on the fifth stroke, inducing Maria to hit a forehand just long.

Two break-back points (15/40) go begging, but Kutuzova served very well to recover.
Sam Smith: "That's the problem when you've had hardly any matches over the last twelve months."

Kutuzova tends to stand quite far from the centre-line to serve - sometimes halfway between the centre-line and the sideline - which means that her serves down the middle have a lot more angle than most players' serves down the middle. I don't know many players who significantly vary where they stand to serve - Vera Zvonar�va is the only other one I can think of. Whereas Maria always stands within two or three lawnmower-columns of the centre-line to serve (two columns in the deuce-court, three in the ad-court).

The disadvantage of standing so far from the centre-line to serve is that it gives the receiver a wider gap to hit her return into - something Maria exploited in this match.

Sam Smith: "What Sharapova wants opponents to feel is that when you pick up a computer-game for the first time and you accidentally put it on the wrong level, and you go 'Uhhh - what's happening? I have no time' and you need to back down. That's how Sharapova wants her opponents to feel, 'cause she gives them very little time on the ball. She wasn't doing that really to Kutuzova right at the start of the match - she wasn't able to.
����������� "You just start to worry a little for Kutuzova here with her service-direction. Too many times, they're going right in the hit-zone for Sharapova, not having to move at all, particularly on the deuce-court: serving a lot to the forehand. That's just where Sharapova wants it."

Maria serving 3-5: Body-jamming first serve + crosscourt forehand winner. 15/0. Deep first serve out wide - on the service-line - forced Kutuzova to net a backhand return. 30/0. First serve down the middle + short-angled crosscourt forehand forced Kutuzova to lunge wide and bunt a forehand into the net. 40/0. Double fault (Maria went for a curling second serve down the middle, but it was just wide). 40/15. Kutuzova found great depth on her groundstrokes, then drew Maria to the net with a backhand dropshot; Maria hit a short sliced backhand; Kutuzova hit a forehand lob over Maria's left shoulder, forcing Maria to hit an awkward high left-handed forehand volley that landed very short; Maria retreated into no-man's-land, where she was passed by Kutuzova's crosscourt backhand winner. Andrew Castle: "Something of the limitation of Sharapova's movement was shown up there, getting pushed and pulled around the court." 40/30. Maria tried to overpower Kutuzova with a penetrating forehand down the line and an off-forehand, but Kutuzova defended well with a backhand skyscraper-lob and a sturdy crosscourt backhand, respectively; then Kutuzova's acute-angled crosscourt forehand induced Maria to net a forehand. Sam Smith: "That just shows you the lack of confidence that Maria Sharapova has - didn't want to take the ball out of the air; backed off and used a groundstroke instead. That just shows you where she is in her head in terms of her confidence coming into this Wimbledon." Deuce #1. Kutuzova's deep off-backhand return caught Maria in no-man's-land, forcing Maria to bunt back a short half-volley forehand; Kutuzova went to the net behind a deep crosscourt forehand, and cut off Maria's attempted crosscourt forehand pass with a forehand drop-volley winner. Ad Kutuzova (SP #1). First serve down the middle + off-forehand winner just inside the sideline. Maria said "c'mon". Deuce #2. First serve out wide (right in the corner) + off-forehand winner just inside the sideline. Ad Maria. First serve down the middle + crosscourt backhand would-be winner just wide. Deuce #3. Ace #3: out wide, just inside the sideline. Ad Maria. Big first serve out wide forced a very short return, which Maria dispatched with a crosscourt forehand winner.

Andrew Castle: "The pace of this match is unbelievable! The way they're hitting the ball, the effort they're putting into every stroke is extraordinary."
Sam Smith: "It's vital Sharapova starts to make a few more first serves - she's in the mid-fifties in percentage-terms at the moment, and she's only won two points behind her second serve, so that just shows you the problems she's having in these kind of games.
����������� "What I hear about Kutuzova is that she does back herself, but the rankings don't lie: she's number 76 in the world. This is when it matters who's down the other end. I don't expect her to completely freeze, but I do expect Sharapova to absolutely launch herself at this game."

Kutuzova serving 5-4: Double fault #2 (second serve into the net). 0/15. Body-jamming first serve + down-the-line backhand forced Maria to bunt a forehand long. 15/15. Double fault (second serve clipped the netcord and fell back on her side). Andrew Castle: "Technique on that second serve is being tested now - it's under enormous structural pressure." 15/30. Short first serve: Maria belted a crosscourt forehand return-winner, and said "c'mon". 15/40 (BP). First serve: Maria hit a deep backhand return onto the baseline to force a short, weak ball, which she dispatched with a crosscourt forehand winner to break back.

Two double faults, but the Sharapova-overdrive really kicked in there: eating up first serves like they were second serves.

Maria serving 5-5: Maria's first serve was deep, but so was Kutuzova's forehand return - just inside the baseline; Maria bunted back a deep, defensive backhand that sat up nicely for Kutuzova to clout an 85mph off-backhand winner onto the sideline. Andrew Castle: "There's plenty of men who don't hit the ball that hard!" 0/15. Kutuzova put Maria on the defensive with a penetrating off-forehand, but didn't really get up to Maria's short backhand, and netted a backhand dropshot. Andrew Castle: "Nasty little jab, wasn't it? The ball did stay low." Sam Smith observed that Kutuzova uses a big racket-head, which doesn't give her a lot of feel. 15/15. Double fault (second serve just long). 15/30. First serve down the middle forced a short return, which Maria dispatched with an easy forehand winner just inside the baseline. 30/30. Kutuzova backhand long. 40/30. Kutuzova hit a wrong-footing forehand winner down the line; Maria slipped over, and there was a patch of grass stuck to the sole of her right shoe. Deuce #1. On the third stroke, Maria dumped a forehand halfway up the net. Andrew Castle: "She might be slightly worried about her footwork now - she seemed to lean back off that ball there." Ad Kutuzova (BP). Big first serve down the middle forced Kutuzova to bunt a forehand return wide. Deuce #2. First serve out wide: forehand return just long. Hawk-Eye showed that it clipped the back edge of the baseline, but Kutuzova didn't challenge - the commentators suggested that she might have forgotten to, because she isn't used to playing on show-courts with Hawk-Eye. Ad Maria. Ace down the middle: right in the corner.

Sam Smith (at 30/30): "When Sharapova has got momentum, she hasn't been able to hold onto it, and that's been the problem with the comeback in this kind of match."

Kutuzova serving 5-6: Kutuzova backhand just long. Again, Hawk-Eye showed that it clipped the back edge of the baseline, but again, Kutuzova didn't challenge. 0/15. Kutuzova netted a forehand. 0/30. Second serve: Maria hit a pinpoint forehand winner down the line: just inside the sideline. Andrew Castle: "You give Sharapova width, and she punishes you." 0/40 (Maria SP #1). Deep first serve out wide + off-backhand winner. 15/40 (Maria SP #2). Maria went for a crosscourt backhand to the sideline, but it was just wide. 30/40 (Maria SP #3). First serve out wide: Maria's crosscourt backhand return + crosscourt forehand drew a short forehand from Kutuzova, which Maria dispatched with an off-backhand winner down the line: just inside the sideline. Maria won the first set 7-5 at 14:07 BST (57m).

Sam Smith: "Kutuzova has a very simple game: it's hard, fast and early. She's tried to go pace to pace with Maria Sharapova, and for a lot of that set, was taking Sharapova on and winning. And some of those winners were even being hit at 80 or 85mph, which is really quite something. We always associate Sharapova as a massive hitter of the ball - all the other players say, 'You don't realise, until you stand out there, how big the ball is.' Kutuzova has brought her ball out here, and it's matching up very well."

Second set

SHARAPOV  @* *@ @ @ 6
KUTUZOVA @  *  @ @  4

Maria serving 0-0: Ace down the middle. 15/0. Kutuzova painted the sideline with a roaring forehand winner down the line. 15/15. First serve out wide, but a mildly awkward crosscourt forehand return induced Maria to net a forehand. 15/30. Kutuzova off-backhand just long. 30/30. Kutuzova's crosscourt forehand clipped the netcord and turned into a very effective dropshot: it drew Maria to the net and pinned her to her forehand-line, opening up the court for Kutuzova to hit a crosscourt backhand winner. 30/40 (BP). Kutuzova broke with a gruntless crosscourt forehand winner back behind Maria.

That was the first game of this match that I watched live (after watching Daniela Hantuchov� beat Laura Robson): my early impression is that both girls are hitting the ball very hard, and grunting very loudly! They also look alike, with their long blonde hair in ponytails, wearing very similar white dresses with bare shoulders, and white visors. I like the way Kutuzova's dress is higher on one shoulder than the other.

It's like Maria's playing herself out there! What this match lacks is a contrast of styles.

Kutuzova serving 1-0: Double fault (second serve into the net). 0/15. Second serve: Maria hit a backhand return-winner down the line. Andrew Castle: "She'll move two or three foot in, plant, and then bang - normally straight down the line." 0/30. First serve out wide: forehand return just long. 15/30. Kutuzova forced a short ball from Maria, and hit a crosscourt backhand dropshot-winner - a bit of a jab, but the end-result was delectable. 30/30. Second serve: Maria's deep forehand return down the line hit the baseline, forcing Kutuzova to hit a short down-the-line backhand that sat up nicely for Maria to hit a pinpoint crosscourt forehand winner just inside the sideline. Maria pumped her fist and said "c'mon". 30/40 (BP). First serve: Maria's deep forehand return forced Kutuzova to net a forehand.

Sam Smith contrasted how Maria uses her knees when she serves - at an angle of 45� - to Kutuzova's lack of knee-action on her serve.

Maria serving 1-1: First serve out wide + off-forehand forced Kutuzova to net a running backhand. 15/0. Maria sprayed a crosscourt forehand very long off a mildly awkward short backhand return. 15/15. Maria netted a crosscourt backhand on the third stroke. 15/30. Maria went to the net behind a crosscourt backhand, but hit an inadequate backhand drop-volley that sat up nicely for Kutuzova to hit a gruntless forehand pass-winner down the line. 15/40 (BP #1). Second serve: Kutuzova slapped a cheap forehand return into the net. Sam Smith: "Tried to do the same thing as Sharapova - take on that second serve - but the difference was there: she was probably a metre and a half behind that service-line, and Sharapova's second serve kicks up off the court: it's much more difficult to beat the bounce - so not one that's easy to get on and take early." 30/40 (BP #2). Maria's deep off-forehand induced Kutuzova to hit a backhand long. Deuce. Kutuzova hit a down-the-line backhand just wide. Ad Maria. Ace down the middle: right in the corner.

Sam Smith: "What we're seeing out here from Sharapova is just remarkable in her application: the way she plays her matches. I don't think she's played particularly well, but she's battled: she's applied herself, and that hasn't changed. Okay: she may have had eight months out, but I remember the first match she came back in Warsaw in May, she was exactly the same: the mannerisms, everything was the same."

Andrew Castle: "Kutuzova could add a single-handed sliced backhand to her game, because at the moment, the errors are flying and there's nothing she can do about it on the backhand side. Mats Wilander added it, and then won three of the four Majors in 1988."

Kutuzova serving 1-2: Kutuzova backhand just long on the third stroke. 0/15. Serve out wide: Maria netted a makeable return as she ran around her backhand to hit a forehand. 15/15. Maria crosscourt forehand just wide: she challenged, and Hawk-Eye showed that it missed by about 5% of the width of the sideline! 30/15. First serve out wide: Maria netted a backhand return. 40/15. Maria hit an ill-advised backhand dropshot from the baseline just wide.

Maria serving 2-2: Kutuzova pounced on a short, weak ball, nailing a 90mph forehand winner down the line on the fourth stroke. 0/15. Virtual ace out wide: just inside the sideline. 15/15. First serve down the middle forced Kutuzova to earth a backhand return. 30/15. First serve down the middle: Kutuzova netted a forehand return. Sam Smith: "Sharapova just got a little bit of swing going on the serve there, which is when the ball hits the service-box and moves slightly to Kutuzova's right, and that makes it much more difficult to return, because it doesn't come through the court - your racket moves away from you. Not too many women can do that." 40/15. Kutuzova went to the net behind a deep off-forehand, forcing Maria to hit a very short, defensive sliced backhand; Kutuzova hit a deep forehand just inside the baseline, but Maria peeled off a brilliant backhand half-volley lob-winner.

Kutuzova serving 2-3: Maria's mildly deep backhand return induced Kutuzova to net a backhand. 0/15. Deep first serve down the middle forced Maria to hit forehand return very long. 15/15. Body-jamming second serve, but Maria hit a brilliant backhand return-winner down - and just inside - Kutuzova's backhand-sideline. 15/30. First serve out wide: Maria hit a deep crosscourt backhand return down the middle, forcing Kutuzova to spray a backhand wide. 15/40 (BP). Second serve: Maria broke with a pinpoint forehand return-winner down the line.

Maria serving 4-2: First serve down the middle: Kutuzova blocked back a deep backhand return, inducing Maria to hit a down-the-line backhand wide. 0/15. Kutuzova hit a searing deep backhand winner down the line! Andrew Castle: "Her backhand is violent, ferocious." 0/30. Kutuzova spread Maria with an off-backhand return + crosscourt backhand - two very acute angles, close to the sidelines - opening up the court for a down-the-line backhand winner. 0/40 (BP). Maria's backhand dropshot invited Kutuzova to the net; she ran it down and bunted a cute little forehand down the line; Maria hit an inadequate backhand lob, which Kutuzova dispatched with a crosscourt forehand smash-winner.

Kutuzova serving 3-4: Second-serve let... Kutuzova netted a crosscourt forehand on the third stroke, but Maria had a nasty-looking slip as she tried to turn - this time, it was her left foot that slipped, and there was grass grued into the sole of that shoe. 0/15. After a longish baseline-rally, Maria hit a deep crosscourt backhand down the middle, but Kutuzova picked off a splendid off-backhand onto the baseline... only to net a forehand on her next stroke. 0/30. Deep second serve out wide: Maria netted a forehand return. 15/30. Maria sprayed an off-forehand just wide. 30/30. Kutuzova forehand just long. 30/40 (BP). Double fault (second serve down the middle just wide - for the third time in this match, Kutuzova didn't challenge when she should have, as Hawk-Eye showed that it just clipped both the service-line and the centre-line).

Maria serving 5-3: Kutuzova's low-bouncing down-the-line backhand forced Maria to hit a short, defensive forehand lob, which Kutuzova dispatched it with a crosscourt forehand drive-volley winner. 0/15. Kutuzova spread Maria with a crosscourt backhand return + deep backhand down the line - just inside the baseline - forcing Maria to hit a defensive forehand floater, which Kutuzova dispatched with a crosscourt backhand winner. 0/30. Good first serve out wide opened up the court for Maria to hit an off-forehand, but it was too short, allowing Kutuzova to hit a pinpoint backhand winner down the line - back behind Maria. 0/40 (BP). Maria spread Kutuzova with a crosscourt forehand + down-the-line forehand, but netted an ill-advised backhand dropshot from the baseline, which Kutuzova would have reached easily.

Four breaks in a row, and a fifth would seal Maria's victory.

Sam Smith: "There's no doubt that when Kutuzova gets the 'A' game together, it's almost unplayable. Sharapova has been quite fortunate that Kutuzova hasn't been able to really play consecutive points at that level. If she could, she'd probably be the world number-one!
����������� "Whenever Kutuzova breaks Sharapova, she does it easily - either to love or 15. When she gets going on that return, she really puts it together."

Kutuzova serving 4-5: First serve was called long, Hawk-Eye said it was good, but Kutuzova - for the fourth time in this match - neglected to challenge when she should have done. Second serve: Maria hit a deep forehand return down the line, forcing Kutuzova to net a one-handed backhand. 0/15. First serve out wide: Maria hit a blazing backhand return-winner down the line. 0/30. First serve down the middle: Maria blasted a crosscourt backhand return just wide. 15/30. Body-jamming first serve forced Maria to blast a wild forehand return very long. 30/30. First serve down the middle: Maria hit a deep backhand return onto the baseline, forcing Kutuzova to net a backhand. Kutuzova challenged the call, but - ironically after the four times she should have challenged but didn't - she was wrong: it just caught the outside edge of the baseline. 30/40 (MP #1). First serve out wide: Maria hit a slightly crosscourt backhand return down the line, forcing Kutuzova to net a forehand. Maria won 7-5 6-4 at 14:52 BST (second set 45m, match 1h42m).

Andrew Castle: "It was far from easy for the former champion, Maria Sharapova. It's just a case for her of building matches, and getting in the practice of winning - getting into that habit of being able to close out and trusting herself. Kutuzova - good effort. Lots to work on, looks very good."
Sam Smith: "She finished far better than she started. The serve looked fluent in the second set - no double faults there. She said in an interview last week: 'Tennis is the driving-force in my life.' I absolutely believe her. As first-round performances go, that was pretty good."
Andrew Castle: "Nothing wrong with the ball-striking; one or two elements to work on, no doubt, on the service-motion; but what could have been a very tricky opponent dispatched in straight sets."
Sam Smith: "Kutuzova could say: 'My groundstrokes really stood up, but I need to work on my serve and my Hawk-Eye.'"

Statistics

Both girls had positive W:UE ratios, with Maria the more impressive at 29:23 to Kutuzova's 22:20. Their ratios were more impressive in the first set alone: Maria 20:15, Kutuzova 10:8.

Maria got 70% of her first serves in, but her winning-percentages were poor by her standards: just 54% of the points when she got her first serve in, and 33% on second serve. This equates to winning only 48% of the points on her serve.
����������� From the first set to the second, Maria upped her first-serves-in percentage from 62% to 81%, but her first-serve winning-percentage deteriorated from 69% to an alarming 36% (whilst winning 60% on second serve in the second set).
����������� Kutuzova's service-winning statistics were even poorer: with 64% of first serves in, she won only 46% on first serve and 39% on second serve, which equates to winning only 44% of the points on her serve. Her second-serve winning-percentage dipped from 50% in the first set to 27% in the second.

Both girls served 5 double faults (all of Maria's coming in the first set), but Maria made up for hers with 6 aces (4 in the first set) - 6 more than Kutuzova.

Maria served slightly faster than Kutuzova: fastest 112-110 mph, average first serve 103-99 mph, average second serve 92-87 mph.

Maria broke 7 times from 11 BPs (3 of 7 in the first set, and a perfect 4 of 4 in the second), although she could have made the first set a bit easier by converting the ones at 3-4* (40/15*).
����������� Kutuzova only converted 5 of 10 BPs (2 of 5 in the first set, 3 of 5 in the second): the important ones that Maria saved were the set-point at *4-5 in the first set, and *1-1 (15/40) in the second.

Maria won an impressive 10 of 11 points at the net (a perfect 9 of 9 in the first set, but only 1 of 2 in the second), while Kutuzova only won 4 of 6 (1 of 2 in the first set, 3 of 4 in the second).

In points, Maria won 69-64 (first set 41-37, second set 28-27).

Summary: in many ways, the second set was closer than the first set, despite the 7-5 6-4 scoreline.

Maria's BBC interview

RISHI PERSAD: Maria, tell us: how glad are you to be back on the grass here at Wimbledon?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, it's so wonderful, you know, after not playing tennis for such a long time, to be back not only playing, but to be on Court One at Wimbledon. You know: it's really unbelievable, and, you know, I'm just so glad that I pulled it out today against a really good opponent.

RISHI PERSAD: Did you feel you're struggling to get into a rhythm to begin with, but you felt better as the match went on?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, she didn't really give me much rhythm, 'cause, you know, she's just a very aggressive player, and she went for many shots and, erm, you know, just very freely and very loosely, and er, you know, I was just trying to hold on there, and, you know, if she can do that for two or three sets, you know, sometimes it's just too good. But erm, you know, I was able to - I was only down two breaks, and I just thought to myself, you know: "It's not over till it's over."

RISHI PERSAD: I'm sure everyone at home would like to know how the shoulder is.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: It's really well. It's really good. Erm, you know, this is my fourth tournament back, and erm, you know, I've been playing on different surfaces and different conditions, and er, my body has responded really well.

RISHI PERSAD: Thanks for talking to us. Good luck.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Thanks.

Maria's first-round press-conference

Q. In Paris, you played with a lot of enthusiasm and energy. As far as your level of fitness is concerned, are we seeing Maria almost a hundred percent or getting close to it?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I think there's still work to be done. I think, uhm, all the matches that I've been playing have really helped me, you know: definitely not just with my tennis, but also physically, you know: getting used to the movement on the court as well as, you know, moving on two different surfaces.
����������� But, uhm, you know, I always feel like I move pretty good on grass.

Q. The other day, you spoke of probably not being ready to go all the way at this particular event. How much more do you think you need to feel confident in your status right now to feel that you are ready to go all the way here?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Uhm, I think it's just a matter of a few things coming together. Uhm, you know, you never really know.
����������� You know, sometimes you produce good tennis, but it doesn't work out the way you want it, and you come out with a loss. Sometimes, uhm, you know, you don't produce exactly the right tennis that you want to, but, you know, sometimes you win.
����������� And, you know, in tennis, there's a very thin line between winning and losing, and, you know, sometimes you['ve] just got to rely on the work that you put behind you. You got to go on the court and trust that whatever you've worked on, you know, is gonna work out there.
����������� Uhm, you know, it's just the combination of a few things coming together, you know: body feeling good, you know, playing good, moving well. You know, I'm just glad, you know, I pulled through today.

Q. How much did you learn about your game, and how far along you are in today's match?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Well, I played against a really solid opponent, you know, who went for many shots, and who's just being really aggressive, you know, playing like she didn't have much to lose, which she didn't.
����������� And, uhm, you know, I knew she already had, you know, three good matches in qualifying, so I knew that she's already played on grass. You know, her game suits the grass pretty well. She can definitely be a really dangerous opponent.
����������� But, you know, if she can keep that level up the way she did in the first few games for two or three sets, then sometimes it's just too good, you know.
����������� But I was only down a couple [of] breaks, and I knew that the set wasn't over. You know, I got it back, and then just hung in there in the second.

Q. You said in the last tournament that you weren't able to put everything into your serve. How long will it take you to get that back to normal, do you think?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Uhm, you know, I think definitely time. I don't know how long. You know, I don't know how long till everything comes together. You know, that's why I'm here. You know, if I knew, maybe I wouldn't be here. If I knew I wasn't going to be at this tournament, maybe I'd be home just waiting till I knew when it would come.
����������� But, you know, you never know how you're gonna feel. You know, you look forward to the daily challenges that come your way. And, uhm, you know, I think everything is gonna take time, you know.

Q. Is it a matter of lack of confidence going flat out, or is it just caution?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: You know, it's funny, because sometimes I'll be in the middle of the match and I'll find myself thinking, like, the progression of the shoulder, how it's feeling. Uhm, obviously that's because I haven't played in so long, and because the shoulder has, you know, just been the focus in so many areas, you know, on a daily basis for the last couple of years.
����������� I think it's also just a matter of forgetting about it and just playing, you know.

Q. In all that time in Paris on the clay, is it a comfort to come to the grass?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah. I think my game, you know, suits the grass a lot better than the clay. But, you know, with that said, I also feel like the grass has changed in the last few years. It's definitely not playing as quickly as it did when I won here in '04.
����������� You know, there are many balls that come back. You know, the mentality that you have here now has to be similar to the clay. You know, you got to expect many balls to come back, and not every ball's gonna be a winner. I think the ball bounces clearly much lower than it does on clay, and that's why the serve and return are key.

Q. What aspect of your game are you most pleased with today? Is there something you plan on working on specifically at your next practice-session?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, I mean, look, I hung in there. You know, like I said, if she was able to continue at the level that she was playing in the first few games, where she was just swinging away, everything was deep and hard, sometimes it's just too good.
����������� But, you know, I was able to give her a little bit of her own medicine there. You know, I just stayed consistent. You know, I made her play an extra ball. You know, I thought I returned pretty good today. Her serve stayed pretty low.
����������� Yeah, I mean: there are definitely things I'm going to be working on the next, you know, day or so. But that's always the case at every single tournament. You always - I mean, if you feel perfect, then there's something wrong.

Q. You were away for so long. What did you miss the most about professional tennis? Now that you're back, what do you miss about having a normal life away from tennis?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Maybe you can read my transcript from the interview I did before the tournament, because I listed a few of the things that I missed.
����������� But, you know, I'm a big competitor, and I love going out on the court and competing. I love having a challenge in front of me. And, uhm, I didn't feel like I had - obviously getting back on the court was a big challenge when I was away from tennis, but I didn't feel like I had that big of a challenge.
����������� You know, whereas on the court, uhm, when you're playing in front of a crowd, the feeling is completely different, and you realise that's where I belong. You definitely miss the feeling of being in those situations in the hours before the match, the days before, knowing that you're gonna be playing, you know, at Wimbledon or the French Open.
����������� Uhm, and as far as what I miss about playing... Well, I spent so much time at home, more than I have in my career, you know, that even though I've been on the road for a few weeks now, I don't really miss much. I'm just so happy to be on the Tour. You know, whatever it takes, as many matches as I can play, I'm happy.

Q. When a player wins as much as you have...

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Wins what?

Q. Anything. Matches, titles. Isn't it difficult, at times, not to focus on results?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I think it's not so much results; it's knowing what you're capable of, and always, you know, thinking that you should be able to bring it at a certain time: at a certain point in the match.
����������� Uhm, but not so much right now. Not at this point in my career. You know, like I've said, and I'll say it again, I mean: I'm so thankful. If someone told me four months ago that I'd be here playing Wimbledon, you know, I mean, I wouldn't be surprised, but I would be really happy about the fact. And I am happy to be here.

Q. You played both Venus and Serena [Williams] here on grass. Can you describe the differences of their games on this surface?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Uhm, I haven't played them on grass in a while, so...
����������� I actually haven't played both of them in a while. So I don't know. I forgot.

Q. But you've played them before on this surface.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah.

Q. What is the difference in how their ball comes back to you?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I mean, they're both very aggressive players, and they have a very powerful game and big service-games, big return-games. You know, they're just one ball steadier - and have been in the last few years - than the rest of the field.
����������� Uhm, but I don't know. I can't really specify the differences, because I haven't played them in a while.

Q. Do you think women's tennis could benefit from becoming best-of-five sets? Any reason why women shouldn't be playing best-of-five?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I don't know. I've never played best-of-five. I don't know what that would feel like, or what that would look like. I don't know.

Q. What does Wimbledon mean to you? What's so special about this tournament?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Uhm, a few things. I think it's a little bit different than any other tournament in the feeling of where you're playing. To me, it feels like this is where tennis is meant to be played, for some reason. It feels very traditional.
����������� You know, we only play a couple [of] tournaments on grass. You know, when you get on it, it's just a feeling of, uhm, to me excitement, because I've definitely had, you know, wonderful memories here and good results in the past - ever since I was a junior. You know, winning obviously helps. Winning unexpectedly definitely helps.
����������� But, you know, it's the little things like, you know, living in a house, you know, having a normal key instead of like the hotel-key, you know, cooking your own breakfast, I don't know, making your own tea. You feel like you're a little bit - it's a little homely. Everything is close if you're in the village. You don't have to be in too much traffic, unless you're staying in London.

Articles

Sharapova battles past Kutuzova [CEEFAX 490->493]
>>>
Russia's Maria Sharapova fought hard to see off Viktoriya Kutuzova 7-5 6-4 in a lively first-round match at Wimbledon.

Ukraine's 20-year-old Kutuzova broke back immediately, only to see the 24th seed recover and wrap up the victory.
<<<

Sharapova pleased to win opener [CEEFAX 493]
>>>
Maria Sharapova was understandably delighted with her 7-5 6-4 win over Viktoriya Kutuzova on Court One.

"I was just trying to hold on there, and told myself that it wasn't over until it's over."
<<<

Sharapova [Teletext 495->498]
>>>
Victory for Sharapova [Teletext 498]

The Russian said: "It's so wonderful after not playing for such a long time. To be on Court One at Wimbledon is unbelievable, and I am glad I pulled it out against a good opponent."
<<<

Sharapova forced to fight hard for win (Kate Battersby, www.wimbledon.org)
>>>
If Maria Sharapova was seeking a useful workout as she continues her return from injury, then she got it today on Court One. She saw off a spirited challenge from Ukrainian qualifier Viktoriya Kutuzova, requiring 1h42m to gain a 7-5 6-4 victory.

When Sharapova broke for 2-4, the match looked to be done and dusted, but Kutuzova was not done yet. The Ukrainian answered to love before Sharapova broke once more. Again Kutuzova broke back - this time to love - to make it 4-5. But eventually, her problem was that she ran out of opportunities to break back. A great return gave Sharapova her first match-point, and she closed out the match with no further drama.
<<<

Sharapova overcomes shaky start to win through (Reuters, editing by Miles Evans)
>>>
Russia's Maria Sharapova gathered her poise after a poor start to claim a 7-5 6-4 victory over Ukrainian qualifier Viktoriya Kutuzova and a place in the second round at Wimbledon on Monday.

Sharapova, the 2004 winner, will face Argentina's Gisela Dulko for a place in the third round.
<<<

Sharapova overcomes early hole to win at Wimbledon (AP)
By Howard Fendrich: AP Tennis Writer
>>>
There was a time, not all that long ago, when Maria Sharapova wondered when she would be back at Major tournaments, let alone winning matches.

"There are definitely things I'm going to be working on, the next day or so. But that's always the case at every single tournament," Sharapova said. "I mean: if you feel perfect, then there's something wrong."
<<<

Sharapova glad of gymnastics-training after tumbles (Reuters)
By Sonia Oxley (editing by Ken Ferris)
>>>
Maria Sharapova twice found herself sprawled across the ground out on Wimbledon's Court One on Monday, and blamed longer-than-usual grass for her acrobatics in a testing opening-round victory.

"It's the little things like living in a house, having a normal key instead of the hotel-key, cooking your own breakfast, making your own tea," she said when asked what she liked about Wimbledon. "It's a little homely."
<<<

Sharapova slips into Wimbledon second round (AFP)
>>>
Maria Sharapova, who has already written off her chances of a Wimbledon-repeat as she feels her way back from a shoulder-injury, moved into the second round on Monday.

Monday's outing was not the smoothest performance from the 22-year-old former world number-one, as she was forced to come back from two early breaks in the first set to build a foundation for victory.
<<<

Sharapova battles past Kutuzova (BBC Sport)
>>>
Russia's Maria Sharapova fought hard to see off Viktoriya Kutuzova 7-5 6-4 in a lively first-round match at Wimbledon.

Regarding the medical status on her shoulder, Sharapova added: "It's really good. This is my fourth tournament back, and my body has responded really well."
<<<

Maria Sharapova survives first test to relief of almost everyone
By Andrew Baker (The Daily Telegraph - UK)
>>>
Television-producers and fan-site proprietors can breathe again. Maria Sharapova survived her first-round match on Court One, and can only improve as the tournament goes on.

But, unlike Nadal, she is here, and playing, and over the first hurdle. For that she is grateful, as are her fans. "I've said, and I'll say it again, I'm so thankful. If someone told me four months ago that I'd be here playing Wimbledon, I wouldn't be surprised, but I would be really happy about the fact. And I am happy to be here."
<<<

Maria Sharapova digs deep to move into Wimbledon second round (guardian.co.uk)
>>>
� Maria Sharapova recovers from 1-4 down in first set.

Sharapova, now ranked 60th in the world, was clearly not at her best, but edged ahead in the second set, and an awkward fall did not affect her confidence as she moved into the second round.
<<<

Maria Sharapova struggles through at Wimbledon (Richard Jago, guardian.co.uk)
>>>
� Sharapova has to rely on patience, not her serve.

Sharapova sounded subdued about her efforts afterwards, but the truth is that it might have been so much worse.
<<<

My preview

Gisela may be ranked #45 to Maria's #60, with her flairsome forehand and terrific all-court game, but Maria leads Gisela 2:0 head-to-head, having thrashed her 6-0 6-1 at San Diego 2004, and 6-1 6-1 at Doha 2005.

Gisela's best surface is clay, but she's had some success on grass, reaching three Wimbledon third rounds, the semi-finals of 's-Hertogenbosch 2005, and quarter-finals of Eastbourne 2008. At Wimbledon 2004, she beat a slumping Jelena Dokic and 47-year-old Martina Navr�tilov� to reach the third round, which she also reached in 2006 and 2008 (albeit on a walkover from Lindsay Davenport).

Gisela has an impressive 22:13 record for 2009 so far (including her first round here).

She reached the quarter-finals of Hobart with a 6-3 6-3 win over #24 Zheng,Jie, but lost 6-4 6-4 to Iveta Bene�ov�. She lost 6-3 7-5 to Serena Williams in the second round of the Australian Open.

Gisela was runner-up at Bogot�, beating #67 Edina Gallovits 6-2 6-3 in the semi-finals, but losing 6-3 6-2 to Mar�a Jos� Mart�nez S�nchez in the final.

She reached the quarter-finals of Monterrey, and third rounds at Indian Wells and Miami - the latter by beating #3 Jelena Jankovic 6-4 7-6 (7/5)! But she lost again to Bene�ov� in the third round: 6-3 6-2.

Gisela reached the quarter-finals of Stuttgart by beating #8 Victoria Azarenka 6-4 6-3, but lost to #9 Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-3 6-2.

After three relatively disappointing tournaments on clay, Gisela reached the third round of the French Open, beating #61 Tamira Paszek 6-1 6-3, #51 Anna-Lena Gr�nefeld 7-6 0-6 6-2, and losing 6-4 6-2 to #19 Dominika Cibulkov�.

At Eastbourne, Gisela was thrashed 6-3 6-1 by #12 Marion Bartoli in the first round. She has reached the second round here with a 6-3 7-5 win over St�phanie Foretz.

I don't expect Maria to have too many problems with Gisela.

Prematch article

One to watch: Gisela Dulko (Ian Baker, www.wimbledon.org)
>>>
Although solid and consistent, the girl from Buenos Aires has hardly forced anyone to send any postcards home about her. But that could all change as the Argentine world No.45 faces arguably the biggest match of her career on Centre Court today. Dulko kicks off the action on SW19's biggest court against 2004 winner Maria Sharapova at 1pm.

And her family and friends back home in Argentina would be only too happy to receive a postcard from London if that were to happen.
<<<

My TV-report

- MARIA SHARAPOVA [24,EF] lt. Gisela Dulko [DF], 2-6 6-3 4-6

It was an unbelievable performance by Gisela, and an amazing match in terms of the calibre of play and the drama of the contest. It was one of the greatest matches of all time - certainly greater than the Wimbledon 2008 Nadal v Federer final, for example, or the Wimbledon 2009 Dementieva v S.Williams semi-final. And that's before we even consider that it was between two very beautiful ladies!

It's just a tremendous shame that it ended in the elimination of Maria - who won Wimbledon 2004 at the age of 17 - in the second round for the second year in a row. It was certainly worthy of a Major final, rather than the continuation of Maria's abnormal, embarrassing post-2006 Wimbledon-results.

In a nutshell: Gisela played an amazing first set, her bubble burst in the second set, and Maria got tired in the third.

Gisela made an unbelievable start to lead 6-2 3-0*. Playing with dreamlike confidence, she served with pinpoint accuracy, and hit plenty of forehand winners, including several one-two punches (serve + forehand winner).

Every set ended with an amazing game. When Maria served to stay in the first set at *2-5, she recovered from 15/30 with a dropshot-winner, reached game-point (40/30) with a serve + forehand winner, and Gisela needed two set-points - she converted the second with a crosscourt forehand winner after an amazing rally.

Gisela's bubble burst at 6-2 *3-1, when a wild forehand gave Maria 15/40. Maria went to the net, slipped as she mishit a forehand volley, but Gisela netted a makeable forehand pass.

Maria raised her game to a new level of intensity and aggression, and Gisela served a quadruple fault to get broken for 3-4*.

Gisela at *3-5 led 40/15, but was upset about missing an easy forehand, then Maria hit a stunning crosscourt forehand return-winner, and another down the line to reach set-point. In fact she needed four set-points before Gisela netted a forehand to give Maria the second set.

It seemed inevitable that Maria would prevail in the third set, as she had all the momentum in her favour after winning the last six games of the second. But she looked very tired after the intensity of the second set, and Gisela made her do a lot of running throughout the match: especially running forward for dropshots.

Maria had the first break-point of the third set at 1-0*, but Gisela saved it with a serve + forehand winner, and Maria got broken in the next game on a double fault to give Gisela *2-1.

Maria - like all great champions - broke back immediately, but a quadruple fault at the start of *2-2 suggested that she was really tired. She recovered from 15/40 with an off-forehand winner just inside the sideline, and held for 3-2*.

Maria had 0/30 on Gisela's serve, but Gisela recovered, and held for 3-3* with a backpedalling forehand smash-winner, and a backhand pass-winner down the line.

Maria served another quadruple fault to trail *3-3 (0/40), and Gisela broke for *4-3 with an error-forcing dropshot. Gisela then got the better of some chess-like rallies - including one in which she picked off Maria's crosscourt forehand pass to hit a volley-winner - to hold for 5-3*.

Maria played a good service-game to hold to 15 for 4-5*, but what followed was one of the most amazing games I've ever seen.

Gisela won two amazing rallies and hit a forehand winner to reach her first match-points at 40/15. Maria saved the second with a dropshot-winner!! She also saved Gisela's third match-point with an unbelievable down-the-line backhand return-winner onto the sideline!!

At Deuce #4, Maria hit an off-forehand winner onto the sideline, but Gisela used Hawk-Eye to show that it was, in fact, wide. This gave Gisela her fifth match-point, which she converted when Maria hit a forehand over the baseline.

The way I felt immediately after the match confirms that while I am a demi-fan of Gisela, I'm not about to induct her into my Eternal Fanship. I like Gisela's looks and adorable personality, I appreciate her brilliant tennis in this match, but at the end, I felt just as depressed as I always do when Maria loses at Wimbledon - the fact that it was to Gisela did nothing to prevent my lunch from turning to ashes in my mouth.

Maria: "It was unfortunate, the timing of this being only my fourth tournament since the injury, but that is just the way it is. Just being here is a wonderful accomplishment, and I had the pleasure of playing on Centre Court again - I didn't play on it last year. I enjoy every single minute of this event.

"The losses are tough - more here than anywhere else - and it is tough to put the injury out of your mind."

Gisela: "That's the biggest win of my career. It has come in the most important tournament for me, and to beat Maria is a great day for me. She took her chance, and I didn't play very well in the second set. I was really nervous at the end, and wanted to finish there and not go to 5-5."

Maria's prematch BBC interview

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I'm a big competitor, and as an athlete, you... I mean: I personally miss that competitive spirit on the court more than anything. You know, I love... I mean: I don't certainly love to practise, <laughing> even though I know it's like gonna make me better, but erm, you know, playing matches and, you know, being in front of the crowd, that the main thing that I missed, and, you know, to have it back again is a thrill.

GARRY RICHARDSON: Equally, though, was it nice to have a break?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah.

GARRY RICHARDSON: Much longer than you would have wanted...

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah.

GARRY RICHARDSON: ...but you've been playing since virtually you were five years old, with no break.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: You know, it gives you a time to reflect on the things that you have achieved in life, and it also makes you realise that on any given day, that can be taken away from you - what you do on a daily basis.
����������� And, you know, puts a lot of perspective into your mind, and you look at your life and you look at your career from a different point of view. It was definitely helpful in some ways, because I knew that, at 22 years old, I already have, you know, what I've already achieved, and I still know that I can come back, and try to go out there and go for more.
����������� I thought that my shoulder was ready maybe two months before I had come back, but I knew I certainly hadn't played enough tennis to be back playing professional tennis again. So that's why I took my time, you know.
����������� I spent a lot of time in Florida, working under the hot sun, and playing against all the boys over there, and playing the matches, and trying to play day after day after day, to get in that tennis match-shape.

During the warm-up

TRACY AUSTIN (BBC analyst): Maria Sharapova, I think, is ready to go.

SUE BARKER (BBC presenter): She has hardly had any matches. Everyone needs matches. Do you think she's had enough, or can she just keep improving throughout this -

TRACY AUSTIN: Well, she loves this surface, first of all, and I think going into the French Open, there were huge question-marks, because she had been out for nine months, had only played in Warsaw right before the French Open.
����������� Clay is not her favourite surface, because she doesn't move well on that surface, but she got to the quarter-finals and won four matches in three sets, so she had plenty of time on the court at the French Open. So I think she really exceeded her expectations at the French.
����������� Last week, she lost to Li,Na [at Birmingham] a little earlier than she wanted to, but when she gets to here at Wimbledon, she loves the surface. Big groundstrokes: hard and flat, moves through it. The serve is big.
����������� I'm not sure she has enough under her belt, and her draw is really difficult: not necessarily her draw today - I think she'll get through this handily - but in the third round, she'd have Petrova if the seeds would hold true to form, and then Azarenka, and then Serena [Williams], so a really tough draw for Sharapova.
����������� I think now she realises how much she loves the game. She's got plenty of money; she's got plenty of titles, but she wants to win more, and you saw that at the French Open. Her competitiveness is not gone at all.
����������� I think the one scary thing, though - I would think - is that because it was the shoulder, and because she relies so much on her serve, I'm sure she was a little bit scared about how that shoulder was gonna come up.

SUE BARKER: What do you do when you're Gisela Dulko, and you look at the record - three games in two matches against Maria - what can you tell yourself coming out here today?

SAM SMITH (BBC commentator): Gisela Dulko, actually, when she played Sharapova the last couple of times - it was four or five years ago - she actually played Sharapova just after Maria had won Wimbledon, so Maria was feeling pretty good about her game. And a lot's happened in those years: Maria has a brand new serve, and she's won more Major titles.
����������� But Gisela Dulko is putting together a very nice little career - obviously not at the same level as Maria Sharapova, but she's a very solid sort of top-forty, top-thirty kind of player. She's actually beaten Martina Navr�tilov� at Wimbledon - that was the year that Maria won. I know Martina was in her forties then, but not too many people can say that.
����������� I think she's just a very useful player who competes brilliantly, and that's what she's gotta tell herself out here today.

First set

SHARA    * *   2
DULKO *@* * *@ 6

The match was first on Centre Court, and started at 13:09 BST.

Tom Fordyce (BBC Sport) (13:00): "Here come the players, stalking out onto the lush green turf - Maria with her trademark white golf-visor in place, Gisela D. with her long hair tied back in a loose ponytail, and a white headband wrapped around her tanned forehead."

Gisela serving 0-0: First serve out wide: Maria hit a deep backhand return down Gisela's backhand-line, forcing her to bunt a one-handed backhand into the net. 0/15. Second serve: Maria netted a forehand return. 15/15. Second serve out wide + crosscourt forehand back behind Maria induced her to hit a forehand just long. 30/15. Deep first serve down the middle induced Maria to net a forehand return. 40/15. First serve down the middle forced Maria to earth a backhand return.

Tom Fordyce: "Solid start from the 24-year-old Argentine: all four first serves in, and after Maria drills the first one back crosscourt, there's little the 2004 champ can do about the rest. A little background on Dulko for you: she has three pet dogs, named Goran, Guga and Nicole. The first two monikers make sense - but the third? Surely not a nod to Vaidi�ov�?"

Simon Reed: "The big question about Dulko here: has she got the firepower to keep Sharapova off her, particularly on the second serve?"
Sam Smith: "I think she's got a little more fluidity on that service-motion [than before]."

Maria serving 0-1: Maria spread Gisela with a crosscourt backhand and a down-the-line sliced backhand that curled away from Gisela with sidespin, but that gave Gisela the angle to hit a booming short-angled crosscourt forehand winner onto the sideline. Simon Reed: "Really took the slice well." 0/15. Deep first serve down the middle, but Gisela stung Maria with a deep, sharp forehand return, forcing Maria to stretch wide and bunt a forehand lob into the net. 0/30. Maria went to the net and hit an off-backhand volley with slice and sidespin, but Gisela hit a beautiful running forehand pass down the line: just inside the baseline (it was actually called out, but Gisela made a successful Hawk-Eye challenge). 0/40 (BP #1). Deep first serve forced Gisela to slice a backhand return just long. 15/40 (BP #2). Maria's deep backhand induced Gisela to net a forehand on the fourth stroke. 30/40 (BP #3). Second serve: Gisela hit a deep forehand return down Maria's forehand-sideline, forcing Maria to mishit a crosscourt forehand lob wide of the tramlines, giving Gisela the first break.

Tom Fordyce: "Interested applause around Centre as Dulko tears into the Shara serve. Maria saves one with a better first serve, but then squeaks down a smackable second, is chasing the rally all point, and ships the break as a forehand flail flies wide. Game on, eh?"

An amazing start by Gisela - full of confidence, and serving very well with a new, simpler service-motion. She's already equalled her best previous performance against Maria (1-6 1-6)!

Sam Smith: "Where Dulko's so good is that she's great at using other players' power, because she doesn't have a lot of power herself. She only weighs just over 120 pounds, so her hand-eye has to be absolutely terrific."

Gisela serving 2-0: Pinpoint second serve out wide - right in the corner - forced Maria to earth a forehand return. But Maria challenged the second serve, and it was wide by about 2% of the width of the sideline for a double fault. 0/15. First serve out wide: Maria blasted a backhand return long. 15/15. Second serve out wide + forehand winner down the line. 30/15. Second serve: Maria's backhand return forced a midcourt forehand from Gisela; Maria hit an off-forehand into the corner and went to the net, hit a low off-forehand drop-volley to force a floater from Gisela, and and backstepped into a forehand smash virtual winner onto Gisela's feet. 30/30. First serve forced a short return; Gisela tried a backhand dropshot, but it bounced too high; Maria ran it down and hit a forehand pass-winner down the line. Simon Reed: "Her movement's not the number-one quality in her game, but it's not bad, and it was impressive there." 30/40 (BP). Gisela spread Maria with a crosscourt forehand + forehand down the line, inducing Maria to mishit a crosscourt backhand just long/wide. Deuce. Gisela moved Maria around with a second serve out wide + short-angled sliced backhand to the sideline, and hit an off-forehand winner back behind Maria. Ad Gisela. Pinpoint first serve down the middle - deep and just inside the centre-line - forced Maria to stretch wide and earth a forehand return.

Tom Fordyce: "Dulkers has reached the third round at Wimbledon three times, and she's showing why here: super serving, a big forehand, and savvy on the tactics. Shara chases down a dropshot and pops it down the line to give herself a glimmer, but a forehand long and punchy Dulkers-panache squeeze her out. Maria goes to her chair, covers her bouncing legs with a towel, and stares in consternation at a spot on the turf down by her toes."

Sam Smith: "I'm very impressed with this Dulko service-action. She didn't use to get up as well, didn't use to use her legs to drive up. It just looks much more fluid - there's far fewer moving parts to it. But the second serve is really just a slower version of the first - it doesn't really have any slice on it, nor any topspin. It doesn't really do a lot - just sits in the court."

Gisela has now bettered her best previous result against Maria, and won as many games as in both their previous matches!

Simon Reed: "At the moment, Dulko's really coping with the Sharapova-power brilliantly."
Sam Smith: "Terrific counterpunching - reading Sharapova extremely well. It's almost as if Sharapova's starting to worry, 'How am I going to hit through Dulko here?' And that's maybe where some of the errors are coming from - she's really trying to go for the lines now."

Maria serving 0-3: Body-jamming second serve: Gisela ran around her backhand, and, despite being off-balance, hit a pinpoint off-forehand just inside the sideline, forcing Maria to stretch low and wide, and earth a one-handed backhand. 0/15. First serve out wide: backhand return just long. 15/15. Gisela's crosscourt forehand induced Maria to hit a forehand long. 15/30. First serve down the middle: Gisela chopped a forehand return into the net. 30/30. Body-jamming first serve: Gisela's short sliced backhand return invited Maria to go to the net behind a deep crosscourt forehand onto the baseline to force a short floater from Gisela, which Maria dispatched with a high forehand drive-volley winner crosscourt. 40/30. Deep first serve down the middle: Gisela netted an off-forehand return.

Tom Fordyce: "Smashing forehand again from Dulkers - she comes inside a serve and takes the ball early to fizz it down the line for the cleanest of winners. Shara then gets her feet moving like Flatley, comes to the net to punch away a forehand volley, and gets that first serve cooking to finally move off the bagel."
Rafa fan on 606: "I like Dulko. At her best, she's a very entertaining player, but unfortunately she can lose the plot mentally a bit."

Sam Smith (re. Maria): "She's having to play all sorts of balls in all sorts of uncomfortable places out here. It's hardly fluent; she's toiling. But she does toiling quite well."

Gisela serving 3-1: Deep second serve down the middle, on the service-line: Maria hit an off-backhand return just long, and used up a Hawk-Eye challenge. 15/0. Deep first serve out wide: backhand return long. 30/0. Deep first serve out wide forced Maria outside the tramlines to hit a forehand return long. 40/0. Deep first serve down the middle forced Maria to hit a forehand return long.

Tom Fordyce: "The easiest of holds for Dulko, and Shara can't get a sniff of a break back. Dulko lost in the first round at Eastbourne last week, but that south-coast shocker seems long gone from her memory-banks."

Gisela is serving with pinpoint accuracy.
Sam Smith: "She's getting up above 100mph, which is a great effort from her, but she's really hitting the spots really well. She's not really allowing Sharapova to get onto some of these serves without having to shift a fair way."
Simon Reed: "It's dangerous to serve to the forehand, but when you do it with pinpoint accuracy, it's okay. Sharapova really knocked sideways by the consistency of Gisela Dulko."
Sam Smith: "What's even more impressive about Dulko's returning and how she's coping with the Sharapova-serve is the fact that Sharapova's getting three quarters of her first serves in - not too many players can cope with that."

Maria serving 1-4: Deep first serve down the middle forced Gisela to earth a one-handed backhand return. 15/0. First serve out wide (on the sideline) + backhand down the line forced Gisela to net a running forehand. 30/0. Deep, body-jamming second serve forced Gisela to hit a off-backhand return wide. 40/0. First serve down the middle forced a short return, which Maria dispatched with an easy crosscourt forehand winner just inside the sideline.

Maria responds with some accurate serving of her own, and the pressure's firmly on Gisela to maintain her lead now, as Maria raises her game.

Tom Fordyce: "Only Shara's fourth tournament since her latest shoulder-problems, and there's still a little rustiness in the joints. Eyes shaded from the bright lunchtime sun, she summons up some of the old serving-juice to stay in the fight."

Simon Reed: "You wouldn't believe she was 1-4 down at that stage. She never ever looks a loser."

Gisela serving 4-2: Gisela got away with a high-bouncing dropshot on the third stroke, as Maria ran it down but hit a forehand long. Simon Reed: "That's very unlike Maria." 15/0. Gisela hit an 80mph off-forehand winner just inside the sideline, which drew a loud cheer from the crowd. 30/0. Second serve out wide + deep off-forehand winner just inside the baseline. 40/0. First serve down the middle: a deep forehand return down the middle forced Gisela to hit an early forehand into the bottom of the net. 40/15. Maria's deep crosscourt forehand induced Gisela to hit a crosscourt forehand just wide. 40/30. Virtual ace out wide.

Tom Fordyce: "Dulko gets busy with that booming forehand once again: crash! into Shara's backhand corner; wallop! to the forehand serve. A thumper of a first serve takes her to within a game of the set. Funny thing, the Argentine's name: the first part sounds as graceful as a Buenos Aires tennis-starlet's should be; her surname like the nickname of the right-back in your Sunday league football-team."

^ Dulko is actually a Polish name.

Sam Smith: "Not only has Dulko had tremendous consistency in getting back one more ball, but also, Sharapova hasn't really been able to get onto the Dulko-backhand very much. Despite all that twiddling from Dulko [whilst waiting to receive], I'm pretty sure she's standing there with a forehand-grip."
Simon Reed: "Sharapova is serving well, but she's not getting any cheap points on the first serve."

Maria serving 2-5 (new balls): Maria went to the net behind a backhand down the middle, but netted a backhand volley. 0/15. First serve out wide forced a short return, which Maria dispatched with an easy crosscourt forehand winner. 15/15. Gisela's short-angled crosscourt induced Maria to net a forehand. 15/30. First serve down the middle + backhand dropshot-winner: very high, but very short. Simon Reed: "Was that inspiration, or a little bit of desperation?" Sam Smith: "I think it's realising that she's losing the battle from the baseline, so she has to cut this up a different way. This is a shot she would have used a lot on the clay-courts - you need a dropshot on the clay." 30/30. Deep, body-jamming first serve + forehand winner down the line. Simon Reed: "That's what she wants: a one-two punch, and more and more of them." Sam Smith: "The beauty of Sharapova really is that she has the discipline to play one point at a time, as if the score doesn't matter." 40/30. Maria netted a forehand on the third stroke. Simon Reed: "Merely a routine, turning her back to the court, and then when she's moving forward, she's erased the memory of the last mistake." Deuce #1. Maria netted a forehand on the third stroke - off a mid-court return, that was really unforced. Ad Gisela (SP #1). Second serve: Gisela tested Maria with a deep down-the-line backhand return onto the baseline, and a short crosscourt sliced backhand; Maria replied with a sliced backhand; Gisela netted a forehand, and reacted with a cute little yelp, bouncing up and down on her toes. It looked more like nerves than a truly forced error. Sam Smith: "Just a little too careful, given what was at stake. She didn't want to give that the full go, because it stayed very low. She's got very extreme grips on that forehand." Deuce #2. Gisela's deep forehand down the line induced Maria to hit a backhand just long on the fifth stroke. Ad Gisela (SP #2). First serve into the net. Amazing rally: brave second serve onto the sideline; crosscourt backhand return onto the other sideline; Maria's penetrating down-the-line backhand forced Gisela on the run to chop a short forehand down the line, but Maria lost her initiative with a short, weak backhand; Gisela's deep crosscourt forehand forced a short forehand from Maria; Gisela hit a crosscourt forehand winner back behind Maria. Simon Reed: "Outstanding point, outstanding set for Gisela Dulko." Gisela won the first set 6-2 at 13:44 BST (35m).

Tom Fordyce: "Sloppy from Shara: two backhands from the baseline dragged into the net. A delightful dropper leaves Dulko alone in the wilds at the back of the court, a rapier forehand right on the line takes her to 40/30. Deuce after Gisela drills a super return back at her shins. Error again from Shara gives Dulko set-point... oh, wasted with a forehand into the tape with the court open. It's the briefest of respites for Maria, though - wonderful fetching from the back of the court keeps the point alive, Maria offers up a help-yourselfer mid-court, and Dulko creams a dreamy forehand winner crosscourt."

Simon Reed: "Wow! Sharapova wasn't that bad, making a few mistakes - a few too many at the end - but Dulko was virtually faultless."
Sam Smith: "The Sharapova onboard computer must be wondering: 'Well, I'm serving pretty well, I'm getting 65% of my first serves in.' But her groundstrokes are just not there, and I think it's the accuracy of Dulko that is the real problem for Sharapova. She's not being allowed to settle too much on the ball."
Simon Reed: "One thing's for sure: her tennis-level may not be anywhere near where it was, but her competitiveness is still there 100%, so Dulko had better watch out. Any slackening will be taken advantage of."
Sam Smith: "I think it will be fascinating to see how Dulko serves in the second set. This is probably the best I've seen her serve in a very long time, but if she starts to drop her first-serve [in] percentage [currently 65% - the same as Maria's], and she doesn't hit the spots, then it won't take much to shift this match."

Second set

SHARA    *@*@*@* 6
DULKO *@*        3

Gisela serving 0-0: Gisela tried to jam Maria with a deep second serve out wide, but Maria hit a brilliant, Seles-like backhand return-winner onto Gisela's backhand-sideline. 0/15. First serve out wide: Maria netted a wild backhand return. 15/15. Gisela caught her toss between first and second serves, and although she got a short return, she sprayed a wild forehand very long. 15/30. Second serve down the middle: Maria netted a forehand return. 30/30. First serve out wide + off-forehand winner. 40/30. First serve out wide - on the sideline - forced Maria to balloon an off-backhand return into the side-stand.

Tom Fordyce: "It's that old forehand-first-serve combo once again from Gisela, and the current incarnation of Maria doesn't have the movement or groundstrokes to deal with them. A man in the crowd wearing a straw cowboy-hat annoys the woman behind him by tilting his titfer back at an angle both rakish and view-blocking."

Maria serving 0-1: Deep first serve out wide forced Gisela to hit an off-forehand return wide. 15/0. Double fault (wild second serve down the middle very long). Simon Reed: "Now that was a worry - she really stretched for that." 15/15. First serve down the middle forced a short return, which Maria dispatched with a down-the-line forehand winner onto the baseline. 30/15. Maria tried to take the initiative with a first serve out wide + crosscourt backhand, but Gisela neutered them with two short sliced backhands crosscourt, the second of which drew Maria to the net and her backhand-sideline, inducing her to net a backhand. Simon Reed: "She's not been gifted with the greatest of touch around the net - she's been gifted with so much else - but she was always odds against for a shot like this." Sam Smith: "Didn't really get down first, did she? I think one of the reasons why she's not very keen on going to the Dulko-backhand - which I always think looks a bit shaky - is that she doesn't like the slice off it." 30/30. First serve out wide: Gisela's deep crosscourt forehand return forced Maria to bunt back a short, weak forehand half-volley; Gisela hit a backhand dropshot from the baseline, which Maria ran down but netted a forehand. 30/40 (BP #1). Maria dominated the point with a deep second serve out wide + deep crosscourt forehand to force a short ball, which she dispatched with an off-backhand winner back behind Gisela - with that lovely little wrong-footing Sharapova-delay as she waited for Gisela to commit to covering the wrong side of the court. Deuce. Second serve out wide: Gisela hit a short-angled crosscourt forehand return close to the sideline, forcing Maria to hit a forehand long. Simon Reed: "Dulko's serve out wide to the forehand is so much better than Sharapova's so far." Ad Gisela (BP #2). Second serve out wide: Gisela ran around her backhand to hit a forehand return down Maria's forehand-sideline; Maria hit a forehand onto the baseline, but didn't recover her lateral position well as Gisela hit a short-angled off-forehand, forcing Maria to net a backhand.

Tom Fordyce: "Trouble again for Shara. She flops a chased-down dropper into the net, duffs another in from the baseline, and has to find her best forehand of the match to save a break-point. Dulkers then piles in with another of those wrecking-ball forehands to set up another breaker, and when another leaves Shara stretching, the game is stolen away. Delight from the crowd, who are turning Argentine with every rally that passes."

Simon Reed: "Dulko has continued this outstanding form from the first set; in fact, she's got even better at the start of the second. You know that Sharapova will dig deep, but she's gotta find some superlative form to deal with what she finds at the other side of the net here."
Sam Smith: "With Dulko playing as well as this, Sharapova has two options: drag a better level out of herself - as a player, she's probably better than that than most other women on the Tour - or she's going to have to try and break up the play a little more: off the baseline, or try and come in, do something slightly different. That's not really what she likes to do. My bet is that she's just going to demand more of herself out here."

Gisela serving 2-0: Second serve: Maria hit a searing crosscourt forehand return to force a short ball that set up nicely for Maria to hit a backhand down the line, but Gisela's awkward forehand lob forced Maria to backstep and net a high forehand volley. Simon Reed: "Brilliant! How she got wide to that forehand, and got it back with enough on, I just don't know. She has such quick feet." Sam Smith: "And she has such a quick brain too. I mean: she's served in the danger-zone an awful lot out here, but we're seeing a very cool, quiet, efficient match from her." 15/0. Maria pounced on a short second serve to hit a roaring deep crosscourt forehand return-winner. Sam Smith: "There can be no compromise at all." 15/15. Short-angled ace out wide: on the sideline. 30/15. Second serve: Maria hit a cheap off-forehand return just long. 40/15. First serve out wide - on the sideline - was called wide but overruled by the umpire (Maria used up a Hawk-Eye challenge), so they had to replay the point. Second serve down the middle: Maria hit a backhand return just long, and there was a look of extreme frustration on her face.

Tom Fordyce: "How do you solve a problem for Maria? Even if she cloned herself, she'd have trouble against Gisela in this form. A few emails and texts about Dulko's looks - first up, that sort of sexist line of questioning has no place on a tennis-loving text-commentary like this; secondly, let's just say that she puts the 'bueno' in Buenos Aires."

^ The flaw in that pun is that 'bueno' is the masculine form of that Spanish adjective; the feminine form is 'buena'.

Simon Reed: "Just when you think Sharapova's gonna raise her level, Dulko raises hers even further. It just won't happen for Sharapova, and she's beginning to run out of time.
����������� "Sharapova is such a massive name: she's the highest earner in the history of women's sport - not necessarily for her on-court earnings, but off-court earnings. She's in the stratosphere, and even though she's undercooked - that's for sure - she's a very real contender for this tournament, and for her to go out so early would be a huge shock."
Sam Smith: "You can almost hear the murmurings around this crowd. A lot of the fans here on Centre Court probably don't know Gisela Dulko, and they're seeing what physically is a very small young woman - she's 5'7" (1.70m), but she looks absolutely tiny - literally slaying a former champion here with wonderful tennis. She's very famous in Argentina, used to be the girlfriend of Fernando Gonz�lez, has a huge profile in South America, but I'm sure a lot of the fans here don't know too much about her."

Maria serving 0-3: Deep second serve induced Gisela to net a forehand return. 15/0. Gisela netted a backhand on the fourth stroke. Sam Smith: "A slower ball from Sharapova - Dulko wasn't so keen, because Sharapova gives Dulko exactly what she wants: pace. That was all right when they played four or five years ago, when Sharapova just hit the ball so hard that no one could cope with it, and Dulko didn't have such a good serve, but it's a different story now." 30/0. Double fault (second serve just long). 30/15. Deep first serve out wide: on the sideline: Gisela tried to hit a forehand return, but it landed on her side of the net. Gisela wasted a challenge. 40/15. Gisela went to the net behind a short-angled crosscourt sliced backhand, forcing Maria to hit a down-the-line backhand pass wide. 40/30. Ace down the middle.

Tom Fordyce: "The shadow of a cloud ghosts across the Centre-Court grass as Shara finally finds her serving-spice. She needs to mix things up a little here: come in to the net, stop feeding that ravenous Dulko forehand."

Quite simply an amazing performance from Gisela so far, but if her bubble bursts, Maria could certainly turn it around...

Sam Smith: "You know Sharapova's brilliant. If she suspects any moments of weakness from Dulko - if Dulko blinks at all - it's almost over. It's extraordinary to say that when you look at the scoreline, but that's how good Sharapova is at sensing these things."

Gisela serving 3-1: Short-angled first serve out wide forced Maria to stretch and net a forehand return. 15/0. Gisela's short crosscourt sliced backhand on the third stroke invited Maria to the net; Maria's sliced backhand approach down the line bounced very low, forcing Gisela to stretch wide & low and net a forehand. 15/15. Maria's crosscourt backhand pushed Gisela back on her heels just enough to induce her to hit a backhand just long. 15/30. A deep first serve out wide forced a short return, but Gisela hit a wild forehand long, and reacted with a short, sharp, high-pitched shriek. 15/40 (BP). Second serve: Maria hit a roaring forehand return down the line, forcing Gisela to hoist a defensive lob (with a cute little anxious groan); Maria's left foot slipped, turning her ankle slightly as she went to hit a high forehand drive-volley, which she mishit down the middle, but Gisela bizarrely ran around her forehand to hit a crosscourt backhand pass into the net - a half-chance, and a real sign of panic by Gisela.

With hindsight, I believe Gisela's wild forehand at *3-1 (15/30) was the moment when she truly lost the second set.

Tom Fordyce: "Now then. Shara has a chance here: two successive Gisela forehands fizz long, and that's break-point. First serve misses, second sits up - and although Maria slips, Dulko's nerves are clang-banging like a fire-engine's bell, and she slams another forehand into the net. Maria's back in the match..."

Simon Reed: "Sharapova's almost the favourite now, at a set and *2-3 down. It would still be a fantastic match for Dulko to win from here on."
Sam Smith: "The reason why she's got to this stage, Dulko, is because she's moved brilliantly, and she's dominated the match from the baseline. This match has been played on her terms so far - I didn't think we'd be saying those words. But Sharapova's not in unfamiliar territory here - if you remember, at the French, she battled a couple of times from a set down, and all those three-setters that she had there. Quite happy to guts it out."
Simon Reed: "If it does go to a third set, Sharapova will be an overwhelming favourite to finish it. Dulko's gotta make sure it doesn't."

Maria serving 2-3: First serve down the middle forced a short return; Maria went to the net, but retreated and hit an off-forehand, then hit an off-forehand winner back behind Gisela: onto the sideline. 15/0. First serve out wide + crosscourt backhand onto the baseline forced Gisela to dump a backhand into the bottom of the net. 30/0. Maria's backhand dropshot induced Gisela to net a crosscourt forehand dropshot with the court wide open. Simon Reed: "It would have gone over in the first set." 40/0. Deep second serve out wide induced Gisela to hit a backhand return wide.

Tom Fordyce: "Have we just witnessed the turning-point? Shara's serve has bite, Dulko's groundstrokes suddenly look shaky. Maria follows the break-back with a service-game to love; big test now on the next Dulko serve."

Simon Reed: "She backs the break up with a love service-game, and it's a totally different complexion on this match now. It's an amazing sport, this, isn't it?"
Sam Smith: "You almost have got the lionness and the mouse out here now. Dulko just seems to have gone a little into her shell: she's a little passive, and Sharapova just stomping her presence on this match now."
Simon Reed: "It's as if Sharapova's saying to Dulko: 'I think you've forgotten who I am.'"

Gisela serving 3-3: Gisela netted a sliced backhand on the third stroke. 0/15. Gisela netted a cheap backhand. 0/30. Gisela hit a crosscourt backhand to the sideline, inducing Maria to hit a crosscourt backhand wide - a prime example of Maria being forced into an uncomfortable position. 15/30. Double fault #2 (second serve into the net). 15/40 (BP). Quadruple fault (both serves just long).

Tom Fordyce: "I think we have [witnessed the turning-point] - Dulko is crumbling in the face of a concerted Maria fight-back. She gives up two break-points with forehands every bit as lame as they were luscious earlier on, and concedes a fourth consecutive game with a woeful double fault."
Steveo77 on 606: "I remember seeing Dulko play in the juniors a few years back. She won the girls' doubles title, so she can certainly play on the grass."

Simon Reed: "All the fluency [of Dulko] seems to be ebbing away. Well, tennis is a game of ebbs and flows, but this is fairly dramatic, what we've seen in the last 15 minutes."
Sam Smith: "I almost think there should be the underdog's law in particularly women's tennis, because I've seen this happen a number of times. If you're going to pull off the really big win - and it looked like Dulko at 6-2 3-0 was going to do that; this match was on her terms - you have to play aggressively right to the finish-line. You have to continue to hit great shots, because the great champions - and Sharapova is a champion - do not give it away. They don't say, 'Oh well - I can't find my game today,' and they don't really have negative thoughts. They keep going; they keep dragging it out, and they do train on the fact that maybe you will blink, and you will doubt yourself, and that's their moment. And Sharapova has been brilliant at seizing her moment here. So Dulko has not followed the underdog's law, which is to be aggressive right until the final moment."
Simon Reed: "Sharapova didn't do anything different, really. She just waited, and now she's playing super."
Sam Smith: "She just went on mentally, which is what you'd expect of her."

Four games in a row to Maria from *0-3, and Gisela's bubble has certainly burst now. At the changeover, she looks a bit bewildered.

Maria serving 4-3: Gisela's short sliced forehand induced Maria to net an off-forehand. Simon Reed: "Still not all there." 0/15. Deep first serve out wide forced a short return, which Maria dispatched with a crosscourt forehand winner just inside the sideline. 15/15. Maria seemed to have the upper hand for much of a long rally, but Gisela pounced on Maria's short sliced backhand to hit a "gorgeous" crosscourt forehand winner just inside the sideline. Sam Smith: "She has to be aggressive. She's not always gone for those in that situation." 15/30. Maria hit a down-the-line forehand, went to the net and hit a backhand down the line, forcing Gisela to hit a crosscourt forehand pass wide. 30/30. Maria's short-angled crosscourt forehand induced Gisela to hit a forehand just long. Simon Reed: "That shot she could have made, should have made." 40/30. Gisela's short sliced backhand invited Maria to the net; she hit a deep down-the-line backhand just inside the baseline, but Gisela's crosscourt forehand pass forced Maria to hit an awkward high crosscourt forehand volley long. Sam Smith: "So many times in this match, she's been forced to the net against her will. If she'd have come in on her terms, she would normally just play a knock-off volley, but that one, she had to do a little more with, and that gives her forecourt-game a totally different look." Deuce. Short-angled first serve out wide (just inside the sideline) + short-angled crosscourt forehand winner back behind Gisela. Maria shouted "c'mon". Ad Maria. Deep body-jamming first serve on the service-line forced Gisela to bunt an off-forehand return wide.

Tom Fordyce: "Dulko's not done yet - she opens up the court with successive slicers to Shara's backhand corner, and then whips a a top-spinning forehand crosscourt for the winner. Deuce. Shara goes wide with a serve and powers a forehand into the spaces created to go to advantage, and seals the deal with another cruncher that Dulko can't get near. A man in the crowd grimaces at his wife."

Simon Reed: "She's still not the Sharapova par excellence - she's moving in the right direction - but she's plenty good enough at the moment. So Dulko, who was 3-0 up, now serves to stay in the set."

Gisela serving 3-5 (new balls): Three first-serve lets! Gisela's by-now-familiar sliced backhand on the third stroke drew Maria to the net; Maria's approach was too short, and she got caught in no-man's-land as Gisela hit a crosscourt backhand pass-winner just inside the sideline. 15/0. Second serve: Maria's aggressive down-the-line backhand return forced Gisela to bunt a crosscourt forehand just wide. 15/15. First serve out wide forced Maria to bunt a crosscourt forehand return wide. 30/15. First serve: Maria went for an off-forehand return, but hit it very long. Simon Reed: "She's really teeing off as if she's anxious to (continue to) make a statement." 40/15. Second serve: Maria mishit a short off-backhand return, but Gisela hit an off-forehand would-be winner just wide. She looked pretty upset that she missed that. 40/30. Double fault (second serve just long) - but Gisela challenged the call, and Hawk-Eye showed that it caught the service-line, so she got to replay the point with a first serve (stupid rule). But Maria punished a short second serve with a stunning crosscourt forehand return-winner. Deuce #1. First serve out wide: Maria hit an 88mph forehand return-winner down the line. Ad Maria (SP #1). Second serve out wide + deep crosscourt forehand just inside the baseline forced Maria to hit an off-forehand lob wide. Deuce #2. Double fault (second serve into the net - it would also have been wide of the centre-line). Ad Maria (SP #2). Gisela's deep sliced backhand crosscourt induced Maria to hit a down-the-line backhand just long. Sam Smith: "When she throws the ball up to serve, she does it with all the confidence of someone who's just bought a raffle-ticket - not sure about it at all. She's so worried about this Sharapova-return now." Deuce #3. Deep second serve on the service-line: Maria's low-bouncing down-the-line forehand return forced Gisela to earth a backhand. Ad Maria (SP #3). Ace down the middle: on the centre-line - but Maria challenged it, and it was just wide. Second serve out wide: Maria dumped a cheap backhand return into the net. Deuce #4. Deep first serve on the service-line, but it was right in Maria's hitting-zone: her deep, aggressive off-backhand return forced Gisela to hit an off-forehand wide. Ad Maria (SP #4). Deep first serve out wide: deep backhand return down the middle forced Gisela to hit a short forehand down the middle; Maria hit a searing crosscourt forehand; Gisela chopped back a deep crosscourt forehand; Maria's short-angled crosscourt forehand induced Gisela to net a forehand. Maria shouted "c'mon". Maria won the second set 6-3 at 14:30 BST (second set 46m, match so far 1h21m).

An amazing game - as I wrote the first draft of my report live, I had to mark so many points for a second look.

Tom Fordyce: "Uh-oh - Dulko's wobbling like a jelly on a washing-machine. There's a double fault to go 0/15 down, and then a forehand wide when the court was winking seductively and inviting the ball home for coffee. Maria mashes a return deep and decisively to go to set-point - saved as Dulko gambles on a big forehand onto the line. A double fault sets up another; a Maria forehand long takes us back to deuce. Feisty returning from Maria sets up yet another - and this time she takes it, her forehand pinning Gisela to the backboards until a backhand collapses into the net. Money surely on Shara in the third, you'd think..."

Simon Reed: "There's been such a dramatic shift in this match, you can almost see the pendulum moving over. Is it going to continue right the way across? In the normal order of things, the Sharapova 'A' game beats the Dulko 'A' game. We've seen the Dulko 'A' game - it's not there at the moment - but Sharapova, if she can keep moving in the right direction, should have enough."
Sam Smith: "Also, mentally, they do occupy different planets as well. Dulko is a very cool customer, but she blinked when it really mattered at 6-2 3-0. Sharapova doesn't do a lot of blinking in her matches - it's just onward and outward."

I feel the third set is almost a foregone conclusion now, as Maria is playing with her usual intensity, while Gisela's bubble has burst.

Third set

SHARA *  @*   *  4
DULKO  *@  *@* * 6

Maria serving 0-0: First serve down the middle forced a floater, but Maria surprisingly hit an off-forehand drive-volley just wide. 0/15. Double fault #3 (second serve quite long). 0/30. First serve: Gisela netted a backhand return. 15/30. First serve out wide + backhand down the line induced Gisela to hit a forehand just long. 30/30. Second serve out wide: Gisela netted a makeable forehand return. 40/30. Deep first serve down the middle forced Gisela to net a forehand return.

Tom Fordyce: "Shara shows the fistpump as she pops away a volley at the net - her forehand is now sounding sweeter than the vocals on a Camera Obscura single. Seven games in a row now for Maria - if that's not ominous, I haven't just seen Bruce Forsyth in the Royal Box."

Simon Reed: "Dulko is just a shadow of herself: the person who came out on this court 1h25m ago."

Gisela serving 0-1: First serve out wide - right in the corner - forced Maria outside the tramlines to hit a forehand return long and wide. 15/0. Deep first serve out wide: backhand return just long. 30/0. Short first serve out wide: Maria hit a 90mph rocket of a crosscourt forehand return-winner! Sam Smith: "If you serve into this danger-area, this is what happens. Dulko was getting away with this in the first set." 30/15. Short first serve out wide: backhand return down the line forced Gisela to chop back a defensive forehand; Maria's searing crosscourt backhand forced Gisela to net a sliced backhand. 30/30. Deep, body-jamming first serve forced Maria to bunt a forehand return long. 40/30. Deep first serve down the middle: Maria hit a crosscourt forehand return-winner onto the baseline - both girls looked surprised that it was in, and Gisela used up a challenge: Hawk-Eye showed that it caught the back edge of the baseline by about 30%. Deuce #1. Second serve: Maria took the initiative with a stinging forehand return down the line + searing short-angled crosscourt backhand, but Gisela countered them with a good defensive lob + sliced backhand, respectively, before slicing a backhand long four strokes later. Maria shouted "c'mon". Simon Reed: "The level is rising; the noise-level is rising too, but the returns are just ferocious." Sam Smith: "If you wanna sum up this match right now in one word, it's intensity. Intensity from Sharapova; I have to say: a lack of intensity from Dulko. It's as if someone's stuck a pipe in her arm, and sucked it all out at one of the changeovers." Ad Maria (BP). Second serve out wide: a short mishit backhand return sat up nicely for Gisela to hit a crosscourt forehand winner right in the corner. Simon Reed: "Still her best shot when she gets the curve on that forehand to take it wide." Deuce #2. Second serve down the middle: Maria hit a cheap backhand return long. Ad Gisela. She took the initiative with a first serve out wide + deep crosscourt forehand into the corner, but Maria neutered it with a good defensive skyscraper-lob; a long rally ensued; Gisela spread Maria with a crosscourt backhand + short sliced backhand down the line to strand Maria in the tramlines; Gisela mishit a forehand down the line, but luckily for her, it landed on the baseline for a virtual winner. Gisela smiled and pumped her fist.

One break-point for *2-0 went begging.

Tom Fordyce: "'Come on!' squeals Maria, as Dulko capitulates at 30/30 to offer up yet another break-point. Spectators slump back in their seats, certain of another break to be taken - only to sit up straight as Gisela goes for broke with a series of first-set-style forehand drives. She pulls Maria out wide with dippers onto the line, and then sizzles a winner deep to the backhand - and at last she's won a game. Roars of approval from the gladdening galleries."

Sam Smith: "It won't be easy for her [Maria] to maintain this momentum, and eventually - if she gets to the finish-line - close it out, because she just hasn't had enough matches recently to do that. But I have to say: she's a front-foot kind of girl - that's the way she plays her matches."

Maria serving 1-1: Gisela drew Maria to the net with a dropshot; Maria's down-the-line forehand sat up nicely for Gisela to hit a backhand pass-winner down the line: just inside the baseline. Sam Smith: "It looks like Gisela Dulko's just pushed the imagination-button in her brain. And this is what's been happening in parts of this match: Sharapova brought in, not on her own terms, and when that happens, she just looks stranded - she's not really a natural up at the net. That dropshot just breaks up her rhythm - and she'd got into a terrific rhythm." 0/15. Maria, on the third stroke, hit a cheap backhand long. 0/30. First serve out wide (on the sideline) + down-the-line forehand + down-the-line forehand winner back behind Gisela, whose legs slid apart as a result. 15/30. Short first serve out wide: Gisela's deep backhand return down the line forced Maria to net a forehand. 15/40 (BP #1). Deep first serve + down-the-line backhand + off-forehand + crosscourt backhand back behind Gisela forced her to hit a defensive sliced backhand that missed the baseline by a whisker. 30/40 (BP #2). Double fault (second serve just wide; Maria used up a challenge: Hawk-Eye showed that it was wide by about 5% of the width of the sideline).

Tom Fordyce: "Hello - the Argentine ain't for lying down. She goes back to Plan Aggression and it pays off instantly - Maria is pulled all over the shop, finds herself at break-point down, and then stumbles into a double fault to set light to most of our third-set predictions. Gisela jogs to her chair at the changeover with fresh spring in her steps, and a balding chap two rows back leans forward to capture the bounce for posterity on his glinting digital camera."

Maria's gone off the boil a bit after that amazing second set, and Gisela is beginning to regain her form, with good defensive shots against Maria's barrage of power-shots, although I wouldn't call Gisela the favourite, even with the early break. She's staring into space at the changeover.

Simon Reed: "Signs there that Dulko was getting some intensity back."
Sam Smith: "And actually respecting the underdog's law there, Dulko, because she's not going to win this match unless she's aggressive and takes risks. I think she's got a cool enough head to deal with it, but I always feel that she is a counterpuncher, and to keep herself up in the rankings, she's had to learn to be aggressive - it's not instinctive.
����������� "Maria Sharapova has a real job on her hands now, because she got terrific momentum; she got the match on her terms, wrested it away from Dulko, but she's lost a bit of momentum by not taking that break-point and going 2-0 up. Now she's got the task of getting it back, which is really tricky."

Gisela serving 2-1: First serve out wide - just inside the sideline - forced Maria to hit a forehand return very long. 15/0. Maria lapped up Gisela's short sliced backhand with a down-the-line backhand virtual winner. 15/15. Gisela netted a backhand on the third stroke, and reacted with a cute little groan. 15/30. Maria punished a short second serve with a deep forehand return down the middle - on the baseline - inducing Gisela to bunt an off-forehand wide. 15/40 (BP #1). On the fourth stroke, Maria dumped a cheap forehand into the net. 30/40 (BP #2). Maria ran down a dropshot, and hit a crosscourt backhand that forced Gisela to earth a backhand.

Tom Fordyce: "This match has got more twists than a curly-whirly straw. Just when Dulko smelt glory in her nostrils, Shara comes screaming back at her - advancing with menace on second serves, pummelling anything short, and munching backhand slicers for brunch."
Alcosaint by text: "Watching Dulko vs Shara, I find myself wondering what the maximum age for ballboys is. I'm 36. Is that wrong?"

Simon Reed: "Too many slices, it seems to me from Dulko at the moment, and Sharapova again feeling it's Christmas and birthday. That is a wonderful shot!"
Sam Smith: "She went up to that ball as if she wanted to murder it, didn't she? She's had quite enough of charging up the court for those rotten dropshots. That's not how she wants to play this match - she wants to thump shots from the baseline."

Maria serving 2-2: Double fault (second serve very long). 0/15. Quadruple fault (second serve into the net). 0/30. Deep first serve down the middle: Gisela's short return invited Maria to go to the net behind a crosscourt backhand; Maria had to backpedal for Gisela's crosscourt backhand lob, but dispatched it with an impressive high off-forehand smash-winner. Maria pumped her fist and shouted "c'mon". Simon Reed: "It seems that whatever life throws at her, she's got an answer - whether it's self-inflicted or not. Beautifully balanced - that was a difficult shot." 15/30. Deep first serve down the middle, but Gisela's deep off-forehand return forced Maria to bunt back a deep crosscourt backhand half-volley that sat up nicely for Gisela to bludgeon a short-angled off-forehand just inside the sideline, forcing Maria to bunt back a short crosscourt backhand; Gisela hit a short-angled crosscourt backhand dropshot-winner back behind Maria. Sam Smith: "Just another element of this match that is so difficult with Dulko, because [Maria] has been put in so many parts of the court where's uncomfortable - where she can't really play her best tennis." 15/40 (BP #1). Maria got a time-violation, but saved the break-point with a second serve out wide + short, pinpoint forehand winner down the line: just inside the sideline. She gave the umpire a sly look. 30/40 (BP #2). Maria's deep crosscourt backhand induced Gisela to hit a crosscourt sliced backhand wide. Maria doubled over with a fist-pump + "c'mon". Deuce. I thought Maria's down-the-line backhand was going into the net earlier in the rally, but she ran down a dropshot and hit a down-the-line forehand winner onto the baseline. Sam Smith: "What you have to love from Sharapova is the utter commitment. This is not an easy run for her - it's more will than technique, really - but she doesn't care; she just gets it done." Ad Maria. Maria's crosscourt forehand forced Gisela outside the tramlines to hit a forehand long. Maria pumped her fist and shouted "c'mon".

Tom Fordyce: "And it turns again - break-points suddenly against Shara as Dulko scampers in to the tape and pops a dropper as delicate as bone-china crosscourt. Maria glares across the net with hair-raising menace, winds up a big serve, and punches her way back into the set with squeak and sizzle."

The quadruple fault at the start of that game suggested that Maria is tired, so that was probably a vital game for her to win.

Simon Reed (re. Gisela): "She's gotta hold her nerve. It was lack of confidence, lack of aggression that changed things Sharapova's way in the second set. She can't afford to falter again."

Gisela serving 2-3: Double fault (second serve long and just wide). 0/15. Maria took the initiative with a deep, body-jamming crosscourt backhand return + crosscourt forehand to force a short floater, but hit a sitter of a crosscourt forehand smash wide... but she challenged, and Hawk-Eye showed that it clipped the sideline. Gisela claimed she had a play on it, but the umpire ruled it a winner and awarded the point to Maria without a replay. 0/30. First serve out wide: Maria, from outside the tramlines, hit a down-the-line forehand return just wide. 15/30. Deep first serve out wide: backhand return just long. 30/30. First serve down the middle forced a very short return; Gisela went to the net behind a sliced backhand; Maria tried to lob her, but Gisela, backpedalling, hit a high backhand volley-winner just inside the sideline. Simon Reed: "It's a miracle-shot. I thought the lob was nigh-on perfect!" 40/30. A nailbiting rally culminated with Maria going to the net behind an off-forehand that forced a floater from Gisela, but Maria's off-forehand drive-volley was too short, and Gisela hit a backhand pass-winner down the line: right in the corner.

Tom Fordyce: "What a match this has become now! Duggo has dulked deep - I'm sorry, Dulko has dug deep - and is fighting back with fist-clenching determination. There's a splendid exchange from the baseline, and then a punchy forehand deep - we're level again, and the crowd are relishing every delightful second."

Simon Reed: "Playing with immense pluck now. I think a few of the crowd are getting a little aggravated by the noise that Sharapova is making. There's also the underdog-element, but they're willing Dulko on."

Maria serving 3-3: First serve out wide - on the sideline - but Gisela, stretched outside the tramlines, managed to bunt an incredible short-angled crosscourt forehand return onto the other sideline, forcing Maria outside the tramlines to blast a crosscourt forehand wide. 0/15. Double fault (second serve just long/wide). 0/30. Quadruple fault (Maria went after a bad toss, and hit a second serve just long). 0/40 (BP). Gisela pinned Maria behind the baseline with a deep crosscourt forehand, then hit a crosscourt backhand dropshot from behind her own baseline, forcing Maria to hit a one-handed backhand into the bottom of the net.

Another quadruple fault again suggests that Maria is tired after such an intense match so far, and I must admit that Gisela is the favourite now. She's not having to play as brilliantly as she did for the first set and a half.

Tom Fordyce: "Now it's Maria's turn to go weak at the elegant knees - her serve has started to come apart at the seams. One double fault, another - and at two break-points down, one more to throw away the game. Gasps of pantomime astonishment fill the sun-drenched air."

Sam Smith: "I love the control that Dulko has had off that backhand-side: putting Sharapova in all sorts of nasty positions. She's put the ball in all the right places; she's got the momentum back."

Gisela serving 4-3: First serve out wide: Maria took "one giant step" and hit a crosscourt forehand return-winner. 0/15. First serve out wide: Maria's deep crosscourt backhand return forced Gisela to slice a backhand just long. 0/30. First serve out wide - on the sideline - forced Maria to net a forehand return. 15/30. First serve out wide: Maria hit a crosscourt backhand return just inside the sideline to force a floater; Maria went to the net to take it out of the air, but indecision cost her dear as she hit an off-backhand drive-volley wide. 30/30. Deep first serve down the middle + short-angled crosscourt forehand forced Maria to bunt back a defensive forehand; Gisela hit a forehand dropshot; Maria ran it down and hit a crosscourt forehand, but Gisela covered it and hit a high forehand volley-winner down the line. 40/30. Gisela got away with a short second serve; her short-angled crosscourt forehand forced Maria to net a forehand.

A chess-like game, and Gisela got the better.

Tom Fordyce: "This way, then that, back the other... Maria comes out like a gunslinger, blasting from both barrels against the serve to race to 0/30. She has a great chance to make it 0/40, but misses a nailed-on sitter to an open court, throws away another chance as Dulko's forehand fires into life, and is then left stranded as a dropper draws her into the net and leaves the court wide open for a volleyed put-away. Dulko one game from the biggest shock of the tournament so far."

Maria serving 3-5 (new balls): Good second serve out wide forced Gisela to net a forehand return. 15/0. First serve out wide + crosscourt forehand induced Gisela to hit a forehand just long. 30/0. Ace #2: down the middle, right in the corner. Sam Smith: "She just has the most amazing discipline. Would you ever doubt her for making Dulko serve out this match?" 40/0. Double fault (brave second serve down the middle wide). 40/15. First serve out wide induced Gisela to dump a forehand return into the bottom of the net.

Tom Fordyce: "Huge changeover for both players after Shara holds to keep her match alive. Dulko only has to hold to seal the biggest win of her career - but what a big word 'only' can be. Maria dabs her face on her towel, sips a little water, and prepares to make her final stand."

The moment of truth for Gisela, but it's going to take more than Gisela blinking for Maria to turn this around, with the errors she's been making in recent games and how tired she seems.

Gisela serving 5-4: Great rally: deep first serve down the middle forced a very short return; Gisela went to the net behind a deep forehand down the line, forcing Maria to hoist a defensive skyscraper-lob; Gisela, running backwards, hit a high forehand volley crosscourt; Maria hit a meaty crosscourt forehand, but was stranded in the tramlines; Gisela hit a down-the-line forehand onto the baseline, forcing Maria to bunt a left-handed forehand lob wide. Maria wasted a challenge on Gisela's forehand: it caught about 25% of the width of the baseline. 15/0. Maria spread Gisela with an off-forehand just inside the sideline + short-angled crosscourt forehand, forcing Gisela outside the tramlines to hit a crosscourt forehand wide. 15/15. Amazing rally: Gisela drew Maria to the net with a dropshot; Maria ran it down and hit a crosscourt sliced backhand; Gisela tried to pass Maria with a backhand semi-lob down the line, but Maria cut it off by leaping for a high crosscourt forehand volley; Gisela ran it down and hit a deep forehand down the line; Maria couldn't get behind it, so she attempted a one-handed crosscourt backhand volley from just inside the baseline, which unfortunately went wide - but I've never seen Maria get to play two shots like those last two before! Gisela gave a big smile and pumped her fist. Simon Reed: "Another outstanding rally, but Dulko's movement the vital key." Sam Smith: "Absolutely stunning. She just reads Sharapova so well, and I don't think I've ever seen Maria Sharapova pulled so much over a tennis-court. I don't think I've ever seen her do so much running in a match." 30/15. First serve out wide + off-forehand onto the baseline + crosscourt forehand winner onto the baseline; Maria used up her last challenge: Hawk-Eye showed that it caught the back edge of the baseline by about 30%. 40/15 (MP #1). Gisela went for an ace down the middle, but it was just wide. Second serve out wide: Maria jammed Gisela with a deep forehand return down the middle, forcing her to dump a forehand halfway up the net. 40/30 (MP #2). First serve into the net. Second serve out wide: Maria hit a deep, body-jamming backhand return just inside the baseline, forcing Gisela to hit a short off-forehand; Maria hit a backhand dropshot-winner - at match-point down!! Simon Reed: "If ever there was a shot of a champion, that was it." Sam Smith: "I remember seeing Arantxa S�nchez-Vicario do that many years ago on this very court when she was match-point down. She went on to win that match." Deuce #1. Deep first serve down the middle forced a short return; Gisela went to the net behind an off-forehand dropshot; Maria ran it down, but her crosscourt backhand pass clipped the netcord and fell back on her side. Very unlucky, but she should have gone down the line, which was wide open. Ad Gisela (MP #3). Second serve out wide: Maria hit an unbelievable backhand return-winner down the line: on the sideline!! Simon Reed: "A velvet touch and then a sledgehammer-blow have saved two of the three match-points so far." Deuce #2. First serve out wide - just inside the sideline - pushed Maria way outside the tramlines, forcing her to net a forehand return. Ad Gisela (MP #4). First serve down the middle: short forehand return down the middle; Gisela sprayed a nervy crosscourt forehand long. Deuce #3. Gisela used her by-now-familiar serve + dropshot opening to draw Maria to the net; Maria ran it down and hit a one-handed backhand down the line; Gisela framed a forehand into the bottom of the net. Ad Maria (BP). Second serve: Maria dominated the point with a crosscourt forehand return onto the sideline + short-angled crosscourt forehand + deep off-forehand just inside the baseline to force a short sliced backhand from Gisela; Maria tried to murder it with a fierce crosscourt backhand, but slapped it into the net. If she'd made that shot, it would have been *5-5. Deuce #4. Gisela, on the third stroke, hit a weak forehand down the middle; Maria hit an off-forehand winner onto the sideline, but Gisela challenged it: Hawk-Eye showed that it was wide by about 20% of the width of the sideline. Ad Gisela (MP #5). First serve into the top of the net. Deep second serve down the middle: fierce crosscourt forehand return; Gisela bunted a forehand down the line; Maria's crosscourt backhand clipped the netcord and landed just inside the sideline, forcing Gisela outside the tramlines to hit a short sliced backhand, but Maria's crosscourt forehand landed about a foot past the baseline. Gisela won 6-2 3-6 6-4 at 15:22 BST (third set 52m, match 2h13m).

Tom Fordyce: "Here we go. Dulko starts well - 15/0 as Maria goes fractionally long - but a fine return takes us to 15/15. Dulko does brilliantly to move Maria all over the place and force another point out of her - 30/15 - and then pings the very edge of the line with another forehand drive.
����������� "Two match-points... Dreadful second serve, and Maria crashes that back - one gone. Then - extraordinary - Maria somehow finds a dropshot from the back of the court to save the second.
����������� "Deuce. Dulko finds a dropper of her own for a third match-point - smashed back down her forehand side for another wondrous save. Surely this time - first serve in... no! Forehand long with the court hers. Maria is clambering all over her now - flopsy backhand into the net from Dulko - only for Maria to flap a simple forehand into the net. Is that in from Maria - the line-judge says yes, but Gisela asks Hawk-Eye and gets the answer she wants. Maria goes big with another forehand - it's long! It's long!
����������� "Extraordinary match. The crowd go ripe bananas as Dulko dances with delight - even with Sharapova's comeback still in its early days, very few people expected that. The Argentine waves to all corners, an enormous beamer of a smile across her happy chops. Maria gathers her racquets and accoutrements, and disappears into the dressing-rooms. What a start to the day."

Simon Reed: "Against all that Sharapova - all the charisma, all the ferocity of intent - she was able somehow to claw out a win."
Sam Smith: "What a match! I think it's even more impressive that not only was it against one of the toughest competitors not just in women's tennis but in women's sport, to get the first set and lead 6-2 3-0, and then lose that lead and come through in the end - absolutely terrific."
Simon Reed: "And you have to give it to Sharapova too, because she fought like the lionness that she is. Even though her form was nowhere near where she wanted it to be, the fighting-instinct and the focus never left her."

Statistics

In points, Gisela won 93-88 (first set 29-20, second set 35-26, third set 38-33).

Maria had a positive W:UE ratio of 30:27 to Gisela's negative 22:23, so the key difference was in the forced errors: Gisela forced Maria into 44 errors, while Maria only forced Gisela into 35 errors.
����������� Maria's W:UE ratio seems unusually unaggressive for the first set (7:6), better for the second (11:7), and negative for the third (12:14). Gisela's W:UE went from 8:3 for the first set to 6:12 for the second and 8:8 for the third.

Maria won only 16 of 36 points at the net (44%) - no doubt because Gisela kept using dropshots to draw Maria in and then lobbing her, as opposed to Maria approaching the net on her own terms to dispatch floaters. And Maria's forecourt winning-percentage deteriorated from set to set as Gisela made her come in more and more: 5 of 8 in the first set, 5 of 10 in the second, and 6 of 18 in the third.
����������� Gisela won 13 of 18 points at the net (72%), coming in exactly 6 times in every set (666: the Number of the Beast?), and winning a perfect 6 of 6 in the third.

Maria served faster than Gisela in all departments, but not by much: fastest 113-110 mph, average first serve 100-99 mph, average second serve 92-88 mph.

Maria served 2 aces and 9 double faults (7 in the third set), Gisela one ace and 5 double faults (3 in the second set).

Maria got 64% of her first serves in, winning 65% of the points when she did so, and 35% on second serve. These percentages were similar from set to set, except that her winning-percentages peaked in the second set: 71% on first serve, 44% on second serve.

Gisela got 57% of her first serves in, winning 63% of the points when she did so, and 49% on second serve.

Maria converted only 4 of 11 BPs, while Gisela converted 5 of 12 BPs. Gisela won the first set by 2 breaks to 0, Maria the second by 3 breaks to 1; Maria only converted 1 of 4 BPs in the third, Gisela 2 of 5.

Gisela's first BBC interview

PHIL JONES: Gisela, congratulations. The third-favourite has just been knocked out - by you. How big a win is this in your career?

GISELA DULKO: Well, I think it's... I think it's the biggest, because, you know, I'm playing on Centre Court in one... in the most important tournament for me in the world, so... and to beat Maria - great champion and past champion here - you know, it's a great day for me. I just feel really happy.

PHIL JONES: You played ever so well, and you were 3-0 up in that second set, and then she fought back. What was going through your mind, then, to turn it around for the third?

GISELA DULKO: Yeah, I think I just didn't play very good one game, you know, and when you do this with this kind of players, they just go into the match very quickly, and er, she took her chances, and, you know, I didn't play really well [in] that second set after that, but in the third, I just keep fighting, and at the end, you know, everything was good for me, so.

PHIL JONES: And she is known as a great competitor, and at the end, saving all those match-points, but you dug deep and pulled it through in the end.

GISELA DULKO: Heh! Yes, I was... I was really nervous at the end, you know. I really wanted to... to finish there, you know, not to go 5-5. Er, yeah. It was tough, you know. She's... she's very competitive to the end, and, you know. But I'm so happy. Heh!

PHIL JONES: The crowd were right behind you.

GISELA DULKO: Yes, yes. The crowd was fantastic with me. Er, I'm really thankful, and I hope they vill... they will be there for the next match.

PHIL JONES: Congratulations once again. Well done.

GISELA DULKO: Thank you. Thanks.

Gisela's second BBC interview

INTERVIEWER: The final game, with all those match-points - five match-points - did you think it might never happen?

GISELA DULKO: Well, yes, I think everything. I don't know; everything was going on in my mind. I was thinking, "Please, miss, miss. <laughing> Make a mistake; please make a mistake." Because I wanted to finish in that game; I didn't want to go 5-All. Erm... but yeah, it was very emotional game, and, you know, with deuces and ??anthantatch??, and er, you know, I'm very glad <laughing> I could make it.

Maria's BBC interview

MARIA SHARAPOVA: You know, at the end of the day, I lost the match, and er, no matter how many match-points I saved, and, I mean, I definitely, I knew that the match wasn't over until it was gonna be over, so I kept fighting, and even though I fought off a few match-points, and definitely made a few easy errors, erm, when I had the opportunities to move forward, I hit it in the bottom of the net, and yeah, I think maybe that's because I haven't played in a while, and I don't have enough match-practice, but er, you know, just the way things go sometimes.

Discussion in Today at Wimbledon

JOHN INVERDALE: Was that an example of somebody who's just lacking match-practice?

JOHN McENROE: Yeah, I think she was playing catch-up. She'd missed so much time - nine, ten months. Came [back] right the week before the French. Played a couple of matches. Four straight three-setters she won. So she shows a lot of heart and competitive zeal, she likes to battle, but erm, I think her confidence when she got here - maybe her movement - you need more of a build-up. Having said that, I thought Dulko kept her nerve, but I'm still surprised that Sharapova lost that match.

JOHN INVERDALE: They always say the last point to win is the hardest point of all, and there was the proof, because Dulko, she just couldn't win the match!

TIM HENMAN: You could see her in that last game: it was like her mouth was dry, and she was just so tight. I mean, she talked about it: she was hoping Sharapova was gonna miss. It didn't matter how she was gonna get across the finish-line as long as she did, and all credit to her. I don't expect she's played on Centre Court many times, and playing a big name like Sharapova, it's a great win for her to come through.

JOHN INVERDALE: Always the great thing about coaches saying: "Seize the moment; be positive; go for it in that last game."
����������� But there's always that little monkey on the back, saying: "Just be safe. Let them make the mistake, and I'll win it."

JOHN McENROE: Well, that's your first hope. You don't wanna double-fault, and you pray for that miss, and she admitted that. But that's the way most players approach it. If you go for it and miss it, why did you go for such a big shot and not play the percentages?
����������� I think the tough part for Sharapova was that at the French, there weren't any expectations - she didn't have any. And she made a better run than most people thought: the quarters was a pretty good result. But here, all of a sudden, it's: "Oh, okay, she's won it and she's back, and so therefore she should be one of the favourites."

Maria's second-round press-conference

Q. What are your thoughts?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Uhm, no real thoughts. I lost the match. <smiling>

Q. Do you, yourself, understand what happened this afternoon?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Uhm, yes. I mean: if I'm smart enough, I should know. It took me a while to get going. It's a little too late to start picking yourself up when you're down a set and 3-0. You know, it's a little late.

Q. Court playing fine, not slippery at all?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: What about it?

Q. It was playing fine, the footing was the same as normal?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah. I mean: after a couple days it felt, yeah, a lot better than the first day. The first day was a little bit slippery.

Q. What have you learned here about how far you have to come back to your best level?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Uhm, it's tough to assess what I learned 30 minutes after losing the match. Uhm, especially when you have a few opportunities, and, you know, not playing your best tennis, but then, you know, feeling like you still have many chances in the match.
����������� It's difficult to assess, you know, what I could have done. You know, it's too late now to assess that. But just move forward. And, you know, this is not an overnight process. It's gonna take time, as much time as it needs, as much time as I need on the court, you know, to get everything together.
����������� As much time as it needs, I'm ready for it.

Q. How frustrating is it when you play a lot of tentative shots, then you play really gutsy shots on the returns when you have match-point against you? Is it frustrating you can't do that all the time?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, there's no real grey area today. But it's just the way it was. You know, I had so many easy balls, and I just made unforced errors from those. And, you know, I don't really know if that's because I, you know, haven't played. You know, when I've had those situations before, those balls would be pieces of cake, and today they weren't. But it's okay.

Q. To what do you attribute the serving-problems you had - particularly in the third set?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Uhm, I just couldn't go up and hit the serve with the same velocity as the first two sets. You know, I served... I thought I served pretty good in the first couple [of] sets.
����������� I mean: my percentage was low. But as far as pace, I thought it really slowed down. I didn't have enough juice on it.

Q. Is that feeling tired or pain?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: No - no pain at all. It's a combination of, you know, a long match. Probably a little heavier balls than the last few tournaments I've played.

Q. You did a good job getting back into the match. You won seven straight games.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Not good enough.

Q. Obviously. But midway through the third set, you were Love/30, fifth game. Missed a couple [of] easy returns. There it seemed to slip. Were you lacking confidence in certain shots, or did she just start playing better again?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Uhm, I mean, look: I'm not gonna take anything away from how she played. She tactically played really smart, you know. For a set and a half, she had a lot of variety in her game; she chipped a lot of balls back, but I started getting onto that.
����������� You know, my bigger shots didn't allow her, you know, to do that anymore. But, yeah, I do feel like I took a little bit off the ball and wasn't going for as much. But, I mean, I just didn't do it in that match. I don't know why.

Q. How close are you to getting back to the level you want to be at? How far away from it does this match tell you you are?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I don't know. I don't really know. I mean: I'd honestly tell you if I knew. It's just one of those questions where I don't really have an answer.

Q. What does your summer-schedule look like?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: You know, hopefully play a few tournaments before the US Open. Not really sure. I haven't looked at the schedule. But maybe Stanford. That's where I'll start.

Q. Larry Scott is stepping down at the end of this month as the CEO of the Tour. Can you talk about what you think he's done - negative or positive - during his tenure?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I thought he did a wonderful job. You know, he had many plans when he stepped into the job, and he achieved many of them. He wanted a little less [sic] tournaments. He wanted more prize-money. He wanted the season to be shorter. He achieved those things. It's definitely not an overnight process.
����������� You know, a lot of the money that we're earning and, uhm, the sponsors that we have, we definitely attribute to him and his help.

Q. In a new CEO, what are you looking for?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: What am I looking for? I don't know how to answer that question right now.

Q. Will you be coming back to Wimbledon next year?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Will I be coming back? Let me take a second to answer that question. I think you know the answer to that one! <laughter> Absolutely.

Q. Every athlete is governed by his or her body. As we know, whatever the sport, you're like one injury away from a major problem. You were rolling along so well, and all of a sudden, your shoulder goes bad. Do you ever wonder, "Why me?" Do you just say, "That's just the way it is"?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Uhm, well, first of all, those injuries: you think of those injuries as basically preventing you from playing your sport. Uhm, but if you look at the bigger picture, there are many things that can happen that can limit you to doing things in life or even having a life.
����������� So at the end of the day, if you put things into perspective, uhm, when you get injured, yes. My career is a huge part of my life, and that's what I do on a daily basis. So is it frustrating when that goes away for a while? Absolutely.
����������� But if you have a good head on your shoulders, you also know that there's a life to live. And if you stay positive, everything's gonna be all right, no matter what - no matter how bad the injury is.

Q. You've always been a crowd-favourite here. Did you detect a groundswell of support for Gisela as the underdog today?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: That was the least of my worries today. I was just trying to win a tennis-match.

Q. When you started the comeback, if we told you you were going to do not bad in Warsaw, make the quarters in the French, and go out of this event with no injury, would you have been reasonably happy with that?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Absolutely, yeah. I mean, I wasn't kidding when I said just being here is a wonderful accomplishment. You know, I'm not lying about it. I had the pleasure of playing on Centre Court again. You know, I didn't play on it last year. So, you know, this whole event, there's nothing I don't like about it. I enjoy every single minute of it.
����������� You know, the losses are tough. More here than at any other tournament. But, you know, it puts some perspective into your life. It's all right. You know, I have many more years ahead of me.
����������� It's just unfortunate, you know, the timing of my comeback and this only being the fourth tournament. I would have liked to have a longer season before coming here, but that's just the way it is.

Q. Can you put the injury out of your mind? Does it play on your mind when you play in matches, or are you now far enough away from the surgery to put it out of your mind?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: It's tough to put it out of your mind completely. I sometimes do, you know, find myself in the middle of the match - even sometimes in practice - just, you know, just before a return or before a serve thinking, "Wow, it's amazing what I've been through. Here I am playing a match." I sometimes have to knock it out of myself a little bit.
����������� But that will go away in a while. I think there was such a big change in my life, such a big lay-off, that it's hard.

Q. Do you worry about it?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: No, no, no. It's not so much worrying, it's just [that] the thought comes back.

Q. You've talked about match-toughness a lot in the past, and this is four tournaments in now. Just reflect on that, and talk about how much it really means to be out there playing week in and week out, and how much that means to your game.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: It means a lot. And it's only gonna help me from here. It's obviously unfortunate that I couldn't play more matches here. But I just have to look forward to the next few tournaments and work myself... you know, work hard on the court, go out, play the few tournaments, and hopefully be ready for the US Open.

Gisela's second-round press-conference

Q. You held your nerve very well to close out that match, didn't you?

GISELA DULKO: Yes. I was very nervous in the end. The last game was forever for me. But, you know, I feel it was very important to finish in that moment. Because at 5-All, you know, third set and with her serve again, it was everything starting again, and I didn't want that to happen.
����������� So I was very relieved after that game.

Q. Did you think, with the lack of matches she played, [that] this was a good opportunity for you?

GISELA DULKO: Well, obviously, yes. She's, you know, coming back from big injury, and [this] is one of the - I don't know - second, third tournament she played after.

Q. Fourth.

GISELA DULKO: Fourth. Well, yes, of course is better to play with her now than in the past or maybe in the future. You know, it was a good moment.
����������� But, anyway, she's very tough opponent, especially here on grass. You know, her ball is coming really fast, and she hit very, very big groundstrokes.

Q. You were a very popular winner with the crowd. To what extent do you think Maria's grunting or shrieking turned the crowd in your favour?

GISELA DULKO: No, I think, you know, it was my first time on the Centre Court. Maybe the people didn't know me till today. And, well, I think I start the match really well, and maybe the people get into that and they like it.
����������� I don't think because of Maria. I think they just like the way I start to play, and the way I was in the court. They were a big support after.

Q. When the game got so tense at the end - it was a terrific game at the end - did the decibels seem to go up?

GISELA DULKO: The what?

Q. The sound of the grunting from Maria: the shouting. As a spectator, I was more conscious of it. What about you? Did it begin to get on your nerves a little bit?

GISELA DULKO: No. To be honest, I was so focused on the match. I was trying to play my best tennis. It was a big game for me. I didn't really.

Q. It didn't bother you at all?

GISELA DULKO: No, not at all, no.

Q. You played her before her injury, obviously. Did you notice much difference in her service - particularly today - from how it was before?

GISELA DULKO: Uhm, no, not really. I think today she served very well. She did some double faults. But, as well, I did. She was going for the second serve, that's why she make [sic] the mistake.
����������� But I think she's serving well, yeah.

Q. Is this the finest win of your career? You beat [Martina] Navr�tilov� here a few years ago. Is this win even better?

GISELA DULKO: Well, I think, yes, [this] is the win of my career because it was first time on Centre Court. And for me to play here on Wimbledon, I think it's the best tournament with more tradition. It's great to play on Centre Court. And to beat Maria - a great player, and past champion - as well.

Q. What happened in the second set? You were a set and 3-Love up. Suddenly she came back and won six games in a row. What happened there to you?

GISELA DULKO: I think - well, 3-Love, she hold [sic] serve. Then 3-1, I didn't play a good game there. All the match I was going forward, and this game, I don't know, maybe I get a little bit nervous. The match was close. I went back a little bit.
����������� You know, she's a great fighter also. You know, she was there. And I give [sic] her a little bit of opportunity to come back, and she did it.

Q. Can you take us through your thoughts during what wound up being the last game of the match? Five match-points. Was it tough to close it out for you?

GISELA DULKO: Yes, was tough. Was big game. Like I said, she's a fighter, and she was there till the end. You know, she didn't give any free points. She's fighting all the time.
����������� So I was feeling that. And I knew it was a big, big game. I had a big pressure to hold my serve. But, yes, at the end, I was trying to relax and enjoy the moment, yeah.

Q. Maria had a distinctive new jacket: military-style jacket. What do you think of that? What do you think of Maria's fashion generally?

GISELA DULKO: I think it's very pretty.

Q. Maria has a lot of fans, not just because she's a great tennis-player, but because she's very attractive and she does a lot of modelling. A few people have noticed you're not so bad-looking yourself. How do you feel about being a pin-up?

GISELA DULKO: Thank you.

Q. Would that be welcome attention, queen of SW19? Would that be welcome, that attention? Our publication is making you the new pin-up of Wimbledon. Would that be a welcome attention for you?

GISELA DULKO: Yeah, it's always nice. I always said I'm not only a tennis-player, I'm a woman. I didn't understand the question very well. Sorry, my English is not very good.

Q. <The question translated into Spanish>

GISELA DULKO: Oh, that would be nice. It would be nice.

Q. She got a time-violation near the end there. Did that annoy you, the fact she was trying to take her time?

GISELA DULKO: No, not really, because that took me by surprise that they did the - how do you call? - the warning, because I didn't notice that she was taking time. Like I said, I was thinking of me and very focused in the match.

Q. Do you have a boyfriend?

GISELA DULKO: We talking about tennis here. Not personal, no. I'm not gonna talk about that.

[Is she still with Fernando Gonz�lez?]

Q. I think since Sabatini, Argentina is more famous for men's players. Is there pressure on you to sort of advance the women's game in Argentina?

GISELA DULKO: No, it's not a pressure. I would like more womans [sic], you know, in the draw here in Wimbledon.

Q. Why do you think there's a difference between the two?

GISELA DULKO: Well, I don't know. It's always been like this. It's always more mens than womans [sic]. But I don't know. Fortunately, we have very good male players that they are doing great right now.
����������� For sure, I'm very proud to be the number-one of Argentina, but I really would like more players from the girls.

Q. Did the warmth of the crowd surprise you, the support of the crowd?

GISELA DULKO: Yes, really, because I felt, you know, they were with me, I don't know, since I think after the first set. I start to feel they were with me all the time and not with her, you know. It was very surprising and very nice. I was feeling great.

Articles

SHARAPOVA EDGED OUT IN THRILLER [CEEFAX 490->491]
>>>
Maria Sharapova fell to a disappointing second-round defeat, losing 6-2 3-6 6-4 to unseeded Gisela Dulko.

Both players were broken before Dulko earned the decisive advantage in the seventh game, and she broke again to win in a shade over two hours.
<<<

Dulko thrilled to beat Sharapova [CEEFAX 490->491]
>>>
Gisela Dulko was understandably delighted with her second-round win over Maria Sharapova on Centre Court.

"The crowd was fantastic. I am thankful, and hope they'll be there next time."
<<<

Sharapova philosophical on exit [CEEFAX 491]
>>>
Maria Sharapova was philosophical after losing to Gisela Dulko on Centre Court.

"I enjoy every single minute of this event. The losses are tough - more here than anywhere else - and it is tough to put the injury out of your mind."
<<<

STRUGGLING SHARAPOVA LOSES TO DULKO [Teletext 495->496]
>>>
Sharapova dream over [Teletext 496]

She said: "Being here is a wonderful accomplishment. I'm not lying about it. I had the pleasure of playing on Centre Court again. I didn't play on it last year. I enjoy every single minute."
<<<

Sharapova shocked in second-round defeat (Drew Lilley, www.wimbledon.org)
>>>
Gisela Dulko outlasted Maria Sharapova in a three-set thriller on Centre Court on Wednesday. The Russian battled back from a set down, and saved four match-points in the final game with a stunning array of audacious shots, but Dulko remained calm to best her storied opponent and set up a third-round clash with No.10 seed Nadia Petrova.

Three-time Major winner Sharapova will hopefully return fitter and stronger next year, but for a few fleeting moments in the face of adversity, she showed what the women's game has been missing during her long, enforced absence.
<<<

Match-analysis: Sharapova v Dulko (Michael Burke-Velji, www.wimbledon.org)
>>>
Maria Sharapova's second-round match today was just her 15th match since her comeback from a shoulder-operation in October. Our first match-analysis of The Championships takes an in-depth look at how the former world No.2 performed during her shock-defeat to the in-form Argentine Gisela Dulko.

But the Argentine eventually kept her cool, and, after five match-points, clinched a fine victory: 6-2 3-6 6-4.
<<<

Shoulder to blame? Maria has problems to solve (www.wimbledon.org)
>>>
You had to wonder what Maria Sharapova was up to. Was this a double bluff? Or was the 2004 winner really baring her soul to her adoring public? When she told everyone to look elsewhere for the Wimbledon-winner, should we have believed her?

With only 14 matches to her name this year coming into the second round, there were far too many rough edges to Sharapova's game for her to stand any chance of making real progress.
<<<

Sharapova sent packing by Dulko (Reuters)
By Miles Evans (editing by Ken Ferris)
>>>
� Sharapova's lack of match-practice catches up with her.
� Argentine adds Russian to SW19 scalps.

Dulko now faces a third-round contest against Russian 10th seed Nadia Petrova.
<<<

Sharapova left in the shade by Dulko (Reuters)
By Martyn Herman (reporting by Martyn Herman; editing by Ken Ferris)
>>>
� Former champion Sharapova goes out in three sets.

However, Dulko responded in a thrilling decider and, despite spurning her first four match-points, she held her nerve to make Sharapova the highest-profile casualty of the tournament so far.
<<<

Dulko silences Sharapova to restore peace (Reuters)
By Pritha Sarkar (editing by Ken Ferris)
>>>
Wimbledon saw, and heard, Maria Sharapova for the last time this year, as the shrieking Russian was booted out by Gisela Dulko following a nail-biting second-round encounter on Wednesday.

The pair drew gasps on the fifth as they lunged from side to side to belt the ball, before Sharapova clubbed a forehand long to bow out after 2h13m of tense drama.
<<<

Federer saunters through, Maria falls (Reuters)
(Reporting by Martyn Herman, editing by Ken Ferris)
>>>
� Former champion Sharapova goes out in three sets.

"It took me a while to get going," former world number-one Sharapova told reporters. "It's a little too late to start picking yourself up when you're down a set and 3-0."
<<<

Sharapova exits early at Wimbledon; Federer wins (AP)
By Howard Fendrich: AP Tennis Writer
>>>
Give Maria Sharapova credit for honesty.

"I don't really know. I mean, I'd honestly tell you if I knew," Sharapova said. "It's just one of those questions where I don't really have an answer."
<<<

Sharapova crashes out of Wimbledon (AFP)
>>>
Maria Sharapova turned her grunting up to full volume, but the 2004 champion could not find the game she needed to avoid becoming the first major casualty at this year's Wimbledon on Wednesday.

That will be against another Russian - the tenth seed Nadia Petrova - who sent Israel's Shahar Pe'er packing: 6-3 6-2.
<<<

Sharapova suffers shock Wimbledon-defeat (AFP)
>>>
Centre-Court queen Maria Sharapova - the 2004 champion - was sensationally dumped out of Wimbledon on Wednesday, losing 6-2 3-6 6-4 to Argentina's Gisela Dulko in the second round.

Sharapova saved four match-points in a tense 10th game, but Dulko claimed an emotional victory when the Russian unleashed a wild forehand.
<<<

Sharapova edged out in thriller (Ian Westbrook, BBC Sport)
>>>
Maria Sharapova fell to a disappointing second-round defeat, losing 6-2 3-6 6-4 to unseeded Gisela Dulko.

"It is tough to put the injury out of your mind completely."
<<<

Sharapova Out in Second Round (www.sonyericssonwtatour.com)
>>>
Two former champions took the courts for second-round matches on Wednesday, but only one survived, with Serena Williams easing through but Maria Sharapova falling to Gisela Dulko of Argentina.

Serena Williams had sympathetic words for Sharapova's loss: "I'm not the player that wishes someone else loses. Obviously I feel for her for being injured. I know how hard it is to come back. And she's still playing really well. I think she'll be fine. I think she's doing everything right."
<<<

Dulko Drops Sharapova (Tennis Week)
>>>
Maria Sharapova once competed on Centre Court with all the conviction of a woman playing in her own backyard. Today, Gisela Dulko deployed a disarming array of dropshots and slow slices to consistently drain the pace away from the hard-hitting Russian, and draw an unsettled Sharapova out of her comfort-zone and into the net.

Technology came to Dulko's aid as a Sharapova-forehand was ruled in by the linesperson, but Dulko challenged. Replay showed that the ball missed the sideline by a couple of inches, giving Dulko her fifth match-point, which she converted on Sharapova's forehand error.
<<<

The Evans Report: Pride And Pain (Richard Evans, Tennis Week)
>>>
Serena Williams won; Maria Sharapova lost; Roger Federer purred to victory on Centre Court like a Rolls Royce on cruise-control, and then Sam Querrey emerged to make his bow on that famous arena and did himself proud. It was a sunny and action-filled day at Wimbledon, where crowds continue to flood the grounds in record-breaking numbers, and were offered tennis to fit the occasion - not least with the day's third match on Centre, which saw Querrey eventually succumb to Marin Cilic - the powerful young Croat - 4-6 7-6(3) 6-3 6-7(4) 6-4 after 3h24m of top-quality tennis.

Despite her ranking, Sharapova had been awarded a seeded spot at No.24, which, in hindsight, proved too generous on the part of the seeding-committee. Now Dulko will have to play an even higher seed: the No.10, Nadia Petrova, who defeated Israel's Shahar Pe'er 6-3 6-2.
<<<

Maria Sharapova suffers shock defeat by Gisela Dulko
By Mark Hodgkinson (The Daily Telegraph - UK)
>>>
A beauty-contest? There were moments when this error-filled match was so ugly that someone should have put a brown paper-bag over it.

Sharapova: taller, louder, blonder, but not better than Dulko on Wednesday.
<<<

Move over Maria Sharapova! Gisela the blonde from Buenos Aires is the new glamour-queen of SW19
By Emily Andrews and Colin Fern�ndez (The Daily Mail - UK)
>>>
It was billed as Wimbledon's Battle of the Babes.

She was named the world's best-paid female athlete in 2006 by Sports Illustrated magazine.
<<<

Hail Gisela... the new queen of Wimbledon's catwalk court
By Alan Fraser (The Daily Mail - UK)
>>>
Rarely can such a commotion have accompanied the defeat of one modestly-ranked player by another also-ran so early in the Championships.

But she was to make yet another mistake when overhitting a backhand... and, with her last shriek, her championship was ended.
<<<

Maria Sharapova's return ends with a grunt, not a bang (Richard Williams, guardian.co.uk)
>>>
� Former champion loses 6-2 3-6 6-4 to Gisela Dulko.
� Centre Court turns in favour of Dulko in response to grunts.

Yesterday, however, it was the tennis-player who made the Centre Court wonder if it would ever again see the best of Maria Sharapova.
<<<

Struggling After Surgery, Sharapova Falls Early at Wimbledon (Christopher Clarey, The New York Times)
>>>
Maria Sharapova still has the trappings at Wimbledon. She gets preferential seeding and preferential treatment, with her second-round match on Wednesday scheduled on the same Centre Court where she once celebrated the title as a teenager in need of a cellphone.

Sharapova the tennis-star is not ready to resume being Sharapova the tennis-champion. At least not yet.
<<<

Matches of the tournament (Beci Wood and John Hand, www.wimbledon.org, Sunday 5th July 2009)
>>>
6. Gisela Dulko v Maria Sharapova

Argentinian Gisela Dulko outlasted Maria Sharapova in a three-set thriller, 6-2 3-6 6-4, in the second round. The Russian battled back from a set down, and saved four match-points in the final game with a stunning array of audacious shots, but Dulko remained calm to knock out the 2004 champion and set up a third-round clash with No.10 seed Nadia Petrova.
<<<

P.S. I'm very angry that Gisela lost to Nadia Petrova in the third round after beating Maria. Maria owns Petrova, and would certainly have beaten her here, but the muscular Petrova took a fourth-round place that should have been filled by a much more attractive player. :fiery: