Tennis

Kournikova Pregnant by Iglesias Friends Say

Russian Tennis star Anna Kournikova and her longtime boyfriend Enrique Iglesias are awaiting their first child, Kournikova’s unnamed friend was quoted as saying by Russian tabloid Zhizn (Life).

Popularity: 13% [?]

June 20, 2007

Sharapova Reaches Semi-Finals at French Open

World number two Maria Sharapova advanced to the semi-finals of the French Open for the first time by brushing aside fellow 20-year-old Russian Anna Chakvetadze 6-3 6-4 on Tuesday.

Popularity: 21% [?]

June 6, 2007

Maria Sharapova Drops Out Fed Cup Because of Injury

World number two Maria Sharapova has pulled out of Russia’s Fed Cup tie against Spain with shoulder and hamstring injuries, preventing her from making her long-awaited debut in the competition, Reuters news agency reported April 3.

Popularity: 23% [?]

April 3, 2007

Murray Beats Davydenko

Russia’s Nikolay Davydenko conceded to Britain’s Andy Murray 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 at the Indian Wells Masters.

Popularity: 6% [?]

March 17, 2007

Sharapova Loses First Ranking Place After Defeat by Zvonareva

Defending champion Maria Sharapova was knocked out of the Pacific Life Open on Tuesday, a 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 loss to Vera Zvonareva, The Associated Press news agency reports. The defeat will cost Sharapova her No. 1 ranking.

Popularity: 22% [?]

March 14, 2007

Russia Wins Davis Cup on Home Soil

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Marat Safin overcame a surface he hated and a stubborn Argentine opponent give Russia its first Davis Cup title on home soil, beating Jose Acasuso 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (5) on Sunday for a 3-2 victory.

Popularity: 6% [?]

December 4, 2006

Davydenko and Safin to Lead Russia in Davis Cup Final

Nikolay Davydenko and Marat Safin will lead Russia in next month’s Davis Cup final against Argentina in Moscow, the Reuters news agency reports.

Popularity: 7% [?]

November 20, 2006

Maria Sharapova Became World’s No. 2

Maria Sharapova won her fifth title of the season Sunday, beating defending champion Nadia Petrova 7-5, 6-2 in the Generali Ladies final and advancing to No. 2 in the rankings, AP reports.

Sharapova has won 16 straight matches and has not lost since before the start of her successful run to the U.S. Open title.

The top-seeded Russian overtook Justine Henin-Hardenne in the rankings and now trails only Amelie Mauresmo. Sharapova needs to win the season-ending WTA Championship in Madrid, Spain, to finish on top.

“It is my dream to end the year on the No. 1 spot again,” Sharapova said.

Petrova, seeded second, won her first career title in Linz last year.

“I am so disappointed,” the Russian said. “I really got my chances in the first set. But after missing them, I just did not play up to my usual standards anymore.”

Sharapova dominated from the start, breaking serve in the first game. But at 4-3 she double-faulted and lost her serve. Sharapova then saved two set points and later held serve and broke before serving out the set.

In the first game of the second set, Petrova lost serve again. She then had few chances against Sharapova’s strong serve.

“I started very well, but got a bit tired towards the end of the first set,” Sharapova said. “Saving the two set points gave me a huge boost. I always play my best tennis when under pressure.”

Popularity: 21% [?]

October 30, 2006