The Hindu : Sport / Tennis : First title of the year for Sharapova

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Mar 20, 2006

Sport

Sport - Tennis

First title of the year for Sharapova

— Photo: AP

BLITHE SPIRIT: Maria Sharapova is joy unbounded as she poses for lensmen against the backdrop of the Santa Rosa Mountains.

INDIAN WELLS: Maria Sharapova was rock solid in the wind against Elena Dementieva in the Pacific Life Open title match. The 18-year-old Sharapova, her blonde ponytail whipping in the gusts, defeated Dementieva 6-1, 6-2 on Saturday in an all-Russian final.

In the men's semifinals, No. 12 James Blake beat No. 2 Rafael Nadal 7-5, 6-3 to move into the championship match against two-time defending champion Roger Federer. No. 1 Federer cruised to a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Paradorn Srichaphan.

In the men's doubles final, Mark Knowles and Daniel Nestor, seeded third, beat the top-seeded pairing of the Bryan twins, Bob and Mike 6-4, 6-4.

The title was the first of the year and the 11th of her career for Sharapova, the 2004 Wimbledon champion who lives in Bradenton, Florida.

After Dementieva hit a backhand into the net on match point, Sharapova beamed, did her ballerina-like waves to the crowd, then blew kisses to the fans.

"It (the wind) was difficult for both of us," she said later.

"A lot of balls, you didn't know where they were going, especially on the serve. On these kinds of days, it's not about playing great tennis; it's about finding a way to win."

The results: Women's singles: Final: Maria Sharapova bt Elena Dementieva 6-1, 6-2.

Men's singles: Semifinals: Roger Federer bt Paradorn Srichaphan 6-2, 6-3; James Blake bt Rafael Nadal 7-5, 6-3.

Men's doubles: Final: Mark Knowles & Daniel Nestor bt Bob & Mike Bryan 6-4, 6-4. — AP

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