Maria Sharapova Shocks Justine Henin, Into Semifinals
01.22.2008 MELBOURNE-- Tuesday at the Australian Open (Monday night USA) Maria Sharapova defeated world number one Justine Henin of Belgium, 6-4, 6-0, snapping Henin's 32 match winning streak. Maria displayed her best tennis since winning Wimbledon, while Henin was slowed by a knee injury. Maria's improved serve and power groundstokes were impossible for Henin to stop.

In the seminfinals Maria plays Jelena Jankovic(3) of Serbia. Head to head Maria leads Jelena 3-1, but lost their last meeting last year at Birmingham 4-6, 6-3, 7-5.

In round three Maria defeated Elena Vesnina 6-3, 6-0. In the fourth round Maria beat Elena Dementieva(11) 6-2, 6-0. Sharapova has only lost nine games in her last three matches.

Maria Sharapova Proves Critics Wrong With Davenport Win
01.17.2008 MELBOURNE-- Wednesday at the Australian Open in the second round, Maria Sharapova proved some of her toughest critics wrong by defeating former world number one and comeback mom Lindsay Davenport 6-1, 6-3. Sharapova had been picked to lose by a number of tennis writers before the match, but throughout the match Sharapova moved better and played more solidly than Davenport. Maria also did not make nearly as many errors as Lindsay.

In round one Maria defeated Jelena Tosic 6-4, 6-3 and next plays fellow Russian glamour girl Elena Vesnina. Maria has never played Vesnina before, but should win if she can stay aggressive. Should Maria advance further, she could meet world number one Justine Henin in the quarterfinals and defending champion Serena Williams in the semifinals.