OMG!!!! The "golden one" Sharapova is history, in the 1st round!!!

[a kennedy]

Former top-ranked Maria Sharapova was a surprise 7-6 (7-4), 3-6, 6-4 loser Monday to fellow Russian Maria Kirilenko.

........There were no nerves — "just a bad day" — for Sharapova, who was making her first appearance on Rod Laver Arena since winning the 2008 trophy. She missed the Australian Open last year as part of a 10-month layoff due to shoulder surgery, but said her shoulder did not bother her Monday.

"I could be disappointed or I could just take it as it is and just go back on the court and just keep working," Sharapova said. "I choose option two. A bad day's not going to stop me from doing what I love. I'll be back here on a Saturday of the second week, so you watch."

Sharapova rallied from 5-2 down in the deciding set, holding serve and then breaking Kirilenko to stay in the match. She dropped her own serve after giving Kirilenko double match point.

<http://www.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/2010-01-17-australian-open-day-1_N.htm>

[bigwillq]

1. Doesn't seem like she has recovered

from her shoulder injury. I don't like Maria, so no biggie.

[joeybee12]

2. After winning Wimbledom she started falling and falling, then

came back in 2007-2008...I wouldn't write her off just yet.

[bigwillq]

3. I am not writing her off

I just don't see the same Maria has during her peak years.

[joeybee12]

5. I didn't say you were...I said i wouldn't...

...she has surprised me in the past, so she could do so again.

I'm not a fan of her, either, but the women's game needs more high-caliber players now.

[trumad]

4. Yeah but she has purty lips.

[madinmaryland]

6. This needs to be said...

:D

[a la izquierda]

7. no, a rafa nadal thread is worthless without pics...

drooool....

[petronius]

9. Dude! She's not even slightly hot...

:wtf:

:)

[Ter]

22. Yeah, ok

She can play a grueling, 3 set match in 100 degree heat, and I still would...well, you get the idea. :evilgrin:

[bigwillq]

15. Nadal's a cutie.

Nice bod, too! :) :evilgrin:

[joeybee12]

16. Ugh! I don't see it at all..

...I think he looks freakish.

[bigwillq]

17. I just have a thang

for Spainish men. :evilgrin:

[joeybee12]

18. Well, Lopez, whom Roddick beat yesterday, certainly

is my cup of tea.

[El Supremo]

8. The outfit lost it for her. >>

[BlueInMass]

19. Agreed

Pics are essential to a good Sharapova thread.

[joeybee12]

10. Henin beat Dementieva...

...7-5, 7-6...I just hope this helps the women's game.

[a kennedy]

11. Oh yeah, I've really missed Justine......

and with Kim coming back too, makes for a great slam......

[joeybee12]

12. I just hope some of the others start breaking through, like

Caroline Wozniak...to name one...makes the game more interesting when there is a deeper field.

[MaineDem]

13. Kim, Kim, Kim

Who was that playing last night? What have you done with the real Kim Clijsters?

[joeybee12]

14. Yeah, that was embarassing...

...did you read anywhere that she might have been hurt?

[MaineDem]

20. She posted on twitter saying it was just a bad match

But she'll come back.

She was my pick to take the title.

[joeybee12]

21. I haven't actually picked anyone, but I was sure she'd get far...

could win it all...she just beat Justine a week ago so she seemed to be on top of things.

[joeybee12]

23. Upset on the men's side...

Juan Martin del Porto loses to Cilic...not a huge upset, IMHO

Safina retires.

[tishaLA]

24. Overall, the quality of tennis on the men's side has been exceptional

The women's? Not so much, and that's a shame because I prefer women's tennis generally. I'm very happy Henin is back because I like interesting, thoughtful tennis and Justine, despite the many loathsome things she has done on the court, has a much more interesting game than the "big babes" who go out there an hammer the ball.

I'm kinda hoping Murray breaks through and gets a Slam finally, but I suspect it's not going to happen.

[Awsi Dooger]

26. Been that way for years

This era features good looking women with limited games and frail nerves. No way a Federer or Nadal could take two years off and be immediately competitive upon return. It would be a shock to their system, losing in early rounds.

Clijsters' comeback took a major hit when Henin came back. I wasn't really surprised at Clijsters' early departure, other than the lopsided nature. Henin was always more mentally tough than Clijsters head to head in major matches. She may have beaten Henin a couple of weeks ago, but barely, and I'm sure it was a jolt to Clijsters than Henin was that sharp in her first event. As soon as they drew together in the same quarter I told my friends that Henin was more likely to get through.

I would be mega thrilled if Henin took out a Williams sister in the final, particularly Serena. The entire Williams clan would be on tilt. Serena could barely restrain her US Open-type outbursts a few years ago when Henin knocked her out in the quarters of three straight majors. No-class Serena dismissed it as one lucky shot after another. :rofl:

[joeybee12]

25. Men's Spoiler...

Roddick and Nadal are out.

[tishaLA]

27. Spoiler

Somewhat amazingly, Venus Williams lost to Na Li. The Australian Open will have 2 Chinese women in the semis for the first time ever.