Recently at the 2010 Australian Open 3 time grand slam champion Maria Sharapova was defeated in the first around against a very feisty Maria Kirilenko. It just seemed that she was more into her fashion statement than she was in her tennis. Sharapova’s shots not coming to her opponent as hard as it usually does. Maria probably lost this match due to her her lack of match preparation. She decided to particapate in an exhibition tournament rather than to play in a tune up event. Bad choice from the Sharapova camp. I bet that will be the last time that she does that. In Maria’s case she needs matches underneath her belt to play her best tennis. Not everyone is like Serena Williams who can work her way through a major with no match preparation.
Maria Kirilenko has a sort of counter puncher style, all she was doing was getting the ball back and making Sharapova play extra balls. That probably doesn’t seem like a good tactic but against a power player who relies on her winners and hits big babe tennis, it’s a great strategy. Kirilenko played aggressive when she received a short a ball from Sharapova, which made all the differences in this match. Sharapova was the clear favorite to win this match, but just couldn’t come up with the goods. Hopefully she can re group and get ready to play the tennis of her life. Maria Sharapova is going to have to step it up due to the fact that the Belgians are back and they aren’t taking any prisoners when they step out on the court. A bad day at the office for Maria Sharapova. Will she bounce back?
