Tennis
Maria Sharapova Creams Former Champ Lindsay Davenport at Australian Open
By Dylan Vox

Jan 18, 2008

It was only a second round match up, but Maria Sharapova’s strategy to play every game like it’s a final this year seemed to play out well as she knocked new mother Lindsay Davenport out of the Australian Open. Although, Davenport has just recently returned to the circuit, she is considered an extremely powerful competitor, but could not manage a break point in the 6-1, 6-3 match up against the young Russian phenom.  

After a disappointing season on last year’s tour, Sharapova lost her top ranking, and questions began to surface about her ability to regain her position after recurring injuries began to plague the young athlete.  

At only 20 years of age, Sharapova has won Wimbledon in 2004 and the US Open in 2006 to make her mark in tennis history. Coaches felt that her still developing body may cause problems to her game play, and she was forced to withdraw from a few tournaments due to stress induced injuries.  

At the end of the season, however, she began to regain her momentum, which seems to have carried over to this seasons opening Gram Slam event.  

Davenport, who took the title in 2000, is always a worthy competitor, and although she has been away on maternity leave, she has won 14 out of the last 15 matches since her return to the sport. It was expected to be a tough trial for the young Russian born Sharapova, but Lindsay just didn’t seem to be able to find her rhythm.  

Davenport told the press before the game, "You don't often get second-round matches involving two grand slam champions and two former world No1s. I love going into a situation where I have a challenge and I have to find a way to win.”  

Sharapova’s famous serve seemed to be back on track and Davenport struggled to even hold her own.  

Sharapova now moves on to the third round where she will face fellow Russian hard hitter Elena Vesnina. If she continues to advance, she will face another tough match in the quarter finals against 2004 champ Justine Henin who hasn’t lost a match since last year’s Wimbledon.