Top-seeded Maria Sharapova, who had eight double faults, lost in 58 minutes at the Sony Ericsson Open

It was less a match than a memorandum of what Serena Williams is capable of when she puts her mind behind her might. Covering the court like a tarp, Williams suffocated top-seeded Maria Sharapova in 58 bloodless minutes Tuesday in the fourth round of the Sony Ericsson Open.The final score was 6-1, 6-1, and from high above Crandon Park’s Stadium Court, it looked more lopsided. Before the first point was tallied, Sharapova seemed to sense that she was in for a long afternoon. She kept hitting serves after the chair umpire called, “Time,” indicating the end of warm-ups. Whatever she was searching for, Sharapova did not find it, committing eight double faults.On the other side of the court, the 13th-seeded Williams was hitting on all cylinders. Her ground strokes were so grooved that Sharapova seemed to be swatting at bugs. In the sixth game of the first set, Sharapova hit a running forehand for a winner (one of eight she had) and Williams was so surprised she reflexively applauded.By the end of the afternoon, both No. 1-seeded players were gone. Guillermo Cañas, a qualifier, sent the defending champion, Roger Federer, packing for the second consecutive tournament with a 7-6 (2), 2-6, 7-6 (5) victory. Cañas’s win came 16 days after he snapped Federer’s 41-match winning streak in a second-round match at the Masters Series event in Indian Wells, Calif. Federer, who had won both tournaments the previous two years, committed 51 unforced errors to Cañas’s 15.“You know, it happens,” Federer said. “I was really happy with my level of play. I thought it was a great match, so it was disappointing to lose.”Williams was delighted to win as emphatically as she did. With every stroke, she seemed to be issuing a rebuttal to those who openly wondered if her 6-1, 6-2 victory against Sharapova in the Australian Open final had been a fluke.“I think a lot of people might have thought it was a one-off,” said Williams, who played in only four tournaments in 2006 because of injuries. “I don’t know anyone who’s won eight Grand Slams and had so many doubters in their lives. I guess just me.” She laughed ruefully. “It’s O.K.”Williams can play the media as if they were another opponent, showing humility, hostility, humor, warmth, eloquence and indifference all in one 15-minute interview. The chip on her shoulder is not an affectation but another accessory, along with the heavy hoop earrings and gaudy gold jewelry and designer handbags, that she seldom leaves home without.She uses every slight — real and perceived — to her advantage, channeling her feelings of hurt and rage into her tennis.Williams’s sense of being a perpetual outsider despite everything she has achieved in tennis was driven home to her Monday afternoon in her match against Lucie Safarova when a heckler in the stands peppered his diatribe with a racially derogatory term.The fan was escorted from the grounds, but not before everybody within earshot got a sense of how discomfiting it can be to walk in Williams’s sneakers. Her sense of alienation bubbled to the surface Tuesday when she was asked about a trip she took last year to Africa.Williams, who was born in Michigan and raised in California and Florida, toured Senegal’s Goree Island on the west coast and visited impoverished villages in Ghana as part of a Unicef delegation.“When we first landed, we had a layover in Nigeria, and I couldn’t wait,” Williams said. “I wanted to get out of the plane and just take off my shoes and start running and never come back because I just felt at home and at ease.“I mean, I’ve never felt so comfortable physically and just like mentally,” she added. “I can’t even explain it. It’s like this whole aura that just surrounds you. That’s just how I felt. I’ve never been in a place where I felt happier ever.”Williams’s voice, which had been a monotone when she was talking about tennis, grew more animated as she talked about opening a school in Senegal on land donated by the nation’s president, Abdoulaye Wade, whom she met.“If I can provide one kid with hope,” Williams said, “even if it’s just one person, it makes a whole big difference in life.”In the hallway outside the interview room, Williams’s father and coach, Richard, talked about how sad it was that his daughter should feel more at home abroad, but he said he was not surprised. “Americans here don’t think we are Americans,” he said.“If we are Americans, we sure aren’t treated like it,” he added. “Rats, roaches, even rabbits are treated better than we are here.”When he was done speaking, Richard Williams walked out to the players’ valet parking area and, surrounded by luxury sedans and expensive sports cars, he lighted a cigarillo and smoked it.

World number one Maria Sharapova retired in the second set of her Pan Pacific Open semi-final against Serbia’s Ana Ivanovic due to a hamstring injury.

Ivanovic will play second seed Martina Hingis in the final of the 1.3 million dollar tournament after the Swiss beat Russian Elena Dementieva 6-4 6-3.Sharapova, trailing 1-6 1-0, said she felt a sharp pain after serving in the second game of the first set, adding that she had been carrying a hamstring strain since the Australian Open.‘’It’s always difficult to end the tournament this way,’’ the 19-year-old Russian told reporters.‘’My left hamstring has been having tightness since the Australian Open but after a Grand Slam you are tight all over,’’ said Sharapova, who lost to Serena Williams in the Melbourne Park final last weekend.Hingis avenged her defeat by Dementieva in last year’s final to stay on course for a record fifth Tokyo title.‘’I had a bad experience against her in last year’s final and I was happy to get more than two games,’’ said Hingis, who lost 6-2 6-0 to Dementieva in 2006.

Sharapova gives cash for Chernobyl recovery

Maria Sharapova, the world's top-ranked female tennis player, became a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Development Fund and donated $US100,000 ($NZ146,000) to help victims of Ukraine's Chernobyl nuclear disaster.At a crowded press conference, Sharapova, 19, said she gave the money to eight UN development projects in rural communities in Belarus, Russia and Ukraine for youths still suffering from the April 1986 Chernobyl power plant explosion.The world's worst nuclear accident spewed clouds of radioactive dust into parts of Europe, Russia and especially Belarus, making large areas uninhabitable."My first step is to focus on the Chernobyl-affected region, where my family has roots," Sharapova said. "Today, it is poverty and lack of opportunities that pose the greatest threat for young people in the Chernobyl region."Sharapova's family left Gomel in Belarus after the Chernobyl accident. She was born in Siberia a year later but left Russia for the United States at age 9 to study tennis. She won Wimbledon in 2004 and the US Open in 2006.Sharapova earned nearly $US19 million last year in advertising endorsements and prizemoney, according to Forbes magazine.

Sharapova, Serena Williams

Tennis NewsFlorida, Feb 16: Australian Open finalists Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams have both withdrawn from next week's the Dubai Tennis Championships due to injury. No. 1 Sharapova will not play the $1.5-million event due to a hamstring injury she suffered several weeks ago in Tokyo."I'm very disappointed to have to withdraw," read a statement from the Florida-based Russian. "The hamstring that I injured in Tokyo is not yet healed."I tried everything possible to be in condition to play, but unfortunately I'm not ready. I'm looking forward to continuing to recover as quickly as possible so that I can get back on the court competing."Melbourne winner Williams continued her February string of withdrawals, having not played since lifting the Grand Slam nearly three weeks ago over Sharapova 6-1, 6-2.The American followed up her pullout from this week's tournament in Bangalore by pulling from Dubai, citing flu. Justine Henin, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Martina Hingis head the women's field.The men's event begins the following week of February 26th, where Spain's Rafael Nadal will defend his title against three-time former champion and world number 1 Roger Federer.Also confirmed for that field are Russian number 3 Nikolay Davydenko, Spain's Tommy Robredo, and German Tommy Haas. Five of the world Top Ten are due in the emirate.

Serena Williams will play at Daniel Island in FCC

Serena Williams has added the Family Circle Cup to her comeback tour in 2007.Serena Williams, reigning Australian Open champion and winner of 27 Sony Ericsson WTA Tour titles including eight Grand Slam championships, has officially entered the 2007 Family Circle Cup. Currently ranked No. 15 in the world, she will be making her fourth appearance at the Tier I tournament in Charleston. As a former World No. 1 player, Serena is one of only 15 women since computer rankings started in 1973 to hold that top honor. She will join four other players (Maria Sharapova, Justine Henin, Amélie Mauresmo and Martina Hingis) in Charleston this year that have held that elite spot in women’s professional tennis. The Family Circle Cup scheduled for April 7-15 at the Family Circle Tennis Center in Charleston, South Carolina now boasts five of the top six players in the world."Serena’s performance at the Australian Open last month was remarkable and it showed us all how determined and focused she is on getting back to the top of her game," noted Robin Reynolds, Family Circle Cup tournament director. "Serena has certainly been a crowd favorite here in Charleston over the years and we are delighted to have her back. If fans want to see the best in women’s tennis then Charleston is definitely the place to be this April."Since her arrival on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, Serena Williams has captured the world’s attention as a top player whose power and athleticism has elevated women’s tennis to a new level of competition. With over $1.25 million in earnings this year, Serena has returned to the top of her sport in stunning fashion with a convincing victory over six seeded players, including the tournament’s top seed and current World No. 1 player Maria Sharapova, at the 2007 Australian Open. With over 325 match victories, over $17 million in career earnings, and having spent nearly seven consecutive years as a Top 10 player, Serena is always a contender in each event she enters."I’m really looking forward to starting my clay court season at the Family Circle Cup," Williams said. "Charleston is a great city to visit, and I’ve always enjoyed playing the tournament."

Canon to Serve as Host Sponsor for the Annual Indian Wells Tennis Tournament and Support Spokesperson Maria Sharapova in Her Title Defense

Canon to Serve as Host Sponsor for the Annual Indian Wells Tennis Tournament and Support Spokesperson Maria Sharapova in Her Title DefenseExtending its relationship with the sport of tennis and Maria Sharapova, Canon U.S.A., Inc. today announced that they will bring the style and substance of the Canon PowerShot brand to the West Coast as Host Sponsor and official camera and photo printer of the Pacific Life Open, March 5th - 18th, in Indian Wells, Calif."The sponsorship of the Pacific Life Open gives us an ideal West Coast showcase for our exciting new line of PowerShot digital cameras and another chance to put the spotlight on our sponsorship of Maria Sharapova," said Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president, general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A., Inc. "Canon's relationship with Maria has been a perfect match. Maria's style and substance is unmatched and has helped Canon link its products, specifically the PowerShot brand, with an elite icon who continues to raise her profile on and off the court."During the tournament, which is the second most attended tournament in the United States, Canon will host a product showcase featuring Maria Sharapova, who is the tournament's defending champion and World's number one ranked female player, Tennis Channel personality Murphy Jensen, and the Maria Sharapova look-alikes as they unveil Canon's new line of PowerShot digital cameras on the Tennis Garden Village stage."I'm looking forward to helping Canon introduce the next generation of PowerShot digital cameras," said Maria Sharapova. "Canon has been a great partner not only for the sport of tennis, but in supporting me as we both strive to be the best."Canon will also have a booth in the Tennis Garden Village with a tennis timeline highlighting the history of Canon photography and Maria Sharapova, life-size Maria Sharapova cutouts where fans can take and print photographs, and a display of Canon's PowerShot digital camera line including the latest ones to be unveiled at the tournament. New cameras on display will include:In addition, Canon will offer a full line-up of innovative and diverse programs and activities during the tournament, including well marked photo stations entitled "Beauty Shots" where fans can snap photographs in front of the beautiful natural backdrop throughout the tournament venue, and a "Shoot Like a Pro" sweepstakes that will allow one fan to experience the photography pits like a professional photographer. Canon will also have the popular Maria Sharapova look-alikes on-site canvassing the grounds, taking photos with fans and participating in daily giveaways at the booth.As a Host Sponsor, Canon will also receive significant on-court signage, a full-page advertisement in the tournament program and sponsor an in-stadium "Canon Shot of the Day" promotion, which will run on the stadium video screens throughout the tournament.

Canon to Serve as Host Sponsor for the Annual Indian Wells Tennis Tournament and Support Spokesperson Maria Sharapova in Her Title Defense

Canon to Serve as Host Sponsor for the Annual Indian Wells Tennis Tournament and Support Spokesperson Maria Sharapova in Her Title DefenseExtending its relationship with the sport of tennis and Maria Sharapova, Canon U.S.A., Inc. today announced that they will bring the style and substance of the Canon PowerShot brand to the West Coast as Host Sponsor and official camera and photo printer of the Pacific Life Open, March 5th - 18th, in Indian Wells, Calif."The sponsorship of the Pacific Life Open gives us an ideal West Coast showcase for our exciting new line of PowerShot digital cameras and another chance to put the spotlight on our sponsorship of Maria Sharapova," said Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president, general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A., Inc. "Canon's relationship with Maria has been a perfect match. Maria's style and substance is unmatched and has helped Canon link its products, specifically the PowerShot brand, with an elite icon who continues to raise her profile on and off the court."During the tournament, which is the second most attended tournament in the United States, Canon will host a product showcase featuring Maria Sharapova, who is the tournament's defending champion and World's number one ranked female player, Tennis Channel personality Murphy Jensen, and the Maria Sharapova look-alikes as they unveil Canon's new line of PowerShot digital cameras on the Tennis Garden Village stage."I'm looking forward to helping Canon introduce the next generation of PowerShot digital cameras," said Maria Sharapova. "Canon has been a great partner not only for the sport of tennis, but in supporting me as we both strive to be the best."Canon will also have a booth in the Tennis Garden Village with a tennis timeline highlighting the history of Canon photography and Maria Sharapova, life-size Maria Sharapova cutouts where fans can take and print photographs, and a display of Canon's PowerShot digital camera line including the latest ones to be unveiled at the tournament. New cameras on display will include:In addition, Canon will offer a full line-up of innovative and diverse programs and activities during the tournament, including well marked photo stations entitled "Beauty Shots" where fans can snap photographs in front of the beautiful natural backdrop throughout the tournament venue, and a "Shoot Like a Pro" sweepstakes that will allow one fan to experience the photography pits like a professional photographer. Canon will also have the popular Maria Sharapova look-alikes on-site canvassing the grounds, taking photos with fans and participating in daily giveaways at the booth.As a Host Sponsor, Canon will also receive significant on-court signage, a full-page advertisement in the tournament program and sponsor an in-stadium "Canon Shot of the Day" promotion, which will run on the stadium video screens throughout the tournament.

Sharapova delighted to play part in equality movement

There was a sumptuous dinner here on Tuesday night to celebrate the securing of equal prize-money everywhere that matters in women’s tennis and, we are assured, the great and good of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour did not indulge all the extra cash wining and dining themselves.One should never forget that, after a good night out, there is usually pain the next morning and such was the reaction yesterday that one of the main strands of the 2009 Road Map proposals designed to enhance the tennis calendar has been cut. Of the four combined events scheduled in addition to the four grand-slam tournaments in two years’ time, that in Shanghai in the autumn was regarded as the Asian jewel.As part of the quid pro quo for losing its Masters Cup host status in 2009 — London is considered a possible venue but no means a certainty — Shanghai’s organisers were verbally promised that they could stage one of the revamped, ten-day combined tournaments. Having got wind of this probability, representatives from the China Open in Beijing have made a money-no-object move to whip the red carpet from beneath Shanghai’s feet.Losing a friend like Shanghai would be a bitter pill. But this reflects a feeling of unease creeping through the sport. The ATP last night announced the end of an experiment with round-robin tournaments after only five events and the return of all men’s events to the traditional knockout format. The ATP said that a 32-man hybrid format caused confusion, creating problems on deciding which players would progress from the round-robin stage.After the widespread disapproval of the round-robin format, a 60-strong petition has been signed by the leading male players deploring the idea that the Monte Carlo Open, a tournament steeped in tradition and regard, will lose its Masters status in this proposed brave new world.Rafael Nadal, the defending Monte Carlo champion, and Tommy Robredo, his Spanish compatriot, were those arguing the case that the championship has to stay as it is, which would throw the planned changes into chaos. It is thought that Roger Federer and Andy Roddick, hardly of the clay-court genre, have signed.The new purple courts here are a perfect reflection of the colour of the cheeks of those trying to drive forward changes in the sport. Maria Sharapova suits any colour. When a call came through last week from Larry Scott, the chief executive of the WTA Tour, she was reluctant to take it, because she does not like to be interrupted when shopping. But the news was that funds for next year’s spree would be more generous, because the four grand-slam tournaments had fallen into line and agreed financial equality with the men.Sharapova says she has never really looked at her cheques, only principle matters. The Russian can lay claim, though, to being one of the primary factors in the women’s cause, for no one could seriously doubt her abilities or the desire to make the most of them.The world No 2 has played three tournaments in 2007, reaching the final in the Australian Open, where she was blown away by Serena Williams, and was a little stunned last week by Vera Zvonareva, her Russian compatriot, in Indian Wells. “We all have grey moments but I don’t go in for pity parties,” she said. “It is a part of life, I realise I can’t be on top form all the time. Just because I’m not No 1 at the moment isn’t something I worry about on a daily basis.”Andy Murray has arrived here in a better frame of mind, and slightly improved physical shape, than when he left California. The British No 1’s chiropractor, Jean-Pierre Bruyere, has also arrived in Florida. Now comes the test of playing against Paul Goldstein, who is a regular practice partner, in the second round tomorrow, having received a bye.