Maria looks ready to take over women's tennis

[CyBorg]

I know, I know. I'm not that fond of her either, but I watch her right now and she has that Jimmy Connors mean streak going on and is in great shape. She looks like she's finally growing into her body and is moving a lot better.

I think Maria is going to rule 2 or 3 of the majors in the coming years. She has the Russian looks, but also this typical American competitive quality - the no-nonsense Connors/Serena Williams thing that everyone loves to hate. She is a hard worker, and while a brainless bimbo, seems to put all of her energy into winning.

I think that Maria's ignorance and, dare I say, obvious stupidity works in her favour. She's like the anti-Safin - one dimensional, dull, but level-headed. She's without a thought in her pretty little head and yet this will help her become a champion. She's undisturbed by anything in life but winning tennis matches. She's athletic, big, powerful, intimidating and moves well on both grass and hardcourts.

She'll win Wimbledon this year - I'm almost certain. Maybe repeat at the US Open too.

 

[Nuke]

Sharapova's confidence crumbles when she faces Serena.

 

[CyBorg]

I know but Serena's on the outs.

 

[federerfanatic]

What a ridiculous thread. Ivanovic, Jankovic, Vaidisova, other players in her age group are all closing in on Maria, possibly even passing her by. Serena and Justine will be around several more years and they kick Maria's ass repeatedly and will continue to do so. I am going to bookmark this thread just so I can bring it up to laugh at it in the future.

 

[CyBorg]

What a ridiculous thread. Ivanovic, Jankovic, Vaidisova, other players in her age group are all closing in on Maria, possibly even passing her by. Serena and Justine will be around several more years and they kick Maria's ass repeatedly and will continue to do so. I am going to bookmark this thread just so I can bring it up to laugh at it in the future.

I like Ivanovic too. Nice girl. I'm not sure what makes her better than Maria exactly. She's a better clay courter, but is also very big, not the quickest of the bunch, but nowhere near as powerful as Maria. Better looking though.

Serena is Sharapova's main competition right now, but she's not always 100% and at her age will never remain consistent. She does have a major left in her.

I don't think Justine can beat a prime Sharapova on either hard nor grass. On clay easily. Otherwise, I doubt. Of course, keep in mind that I am speaking of prime Sharapova here. I am assuming that she is about to kick it into high gear and play the best tennis of her life. If she doesn't then I can definitely see Henin winning.

In Maria I see a very dedicated tennis player. She is so incredibly by-polar as a person that I theorize that she will inevitably become the best in the game sooner than later.

 

[federerfanatic]

Maria is not suddenly going to morph into a new tennis player. She is a player with a very limited game who matured very quickly. She does not have near the capacity for growth Ivanovic, Jankovic, and Vaidisova still have, and they are already coming close to her today.

The French Open semifinal was so dominating, it would be naive to think Maria would have won that day on any surface. She was also being wiped out by Ivanovic in a match on hard courts earlier this year before withdrawing with a "injury"(coughs). Ivanovic has better technique, especialy on the forehand. Her serve is as good or better then Maria's. She has more variety then Maria.

Jankovic got her first ever win over Maria just a couple weeks ago on grass, Jelena's worst surface. She is only getting better and has a much more complete game then Maria, even if Maria has more power she doesnt have the options or capacity for growth Jelena has in her game.

Nicole is potentialy a much better version of Maria's game, and is younger then Maria too by about 2 years. She was certainly able to go shot for shot with Serena much better then Maria did at the two events both played Serena this year. She is a power player with much stronger technique then Maria, and alot more power. If she gets her mental game up to her strokes she will easily overtake Maria.

Justine is much better then Maria in everyway except power, and she is almost as powerful a hitter as well. Maria need Justine to have an injury, like her stiff shoulder in last years U.S Open final, to have any chance on any surface.

Venus will take Maria out in the 4th round here probably.

 

[CyBorg]

Maria is not suddenly going to morph into a new tennis player. She is a player with a very limited game who matured very quickly. She does not have near the capacity for growth Ivanovic, Jankovic, and Vaidisova still have, and they are already coming close to her today.

The French Open semifinal was so dominating, it would be naive to think Maria would have won that day on any surface. She was also being wiped out by Ivanovic in a match on hard courts earlier this year before withdrawing with a "injury"(coughs). Ivanovic has better technique, especialy on the forehand. Her serve is as good or better then Maria's. She has more variety then Maria.

Jankovic got her first ever win over Maria just a couple weeks ago on grass, Jelena's worst surface. She is only getting better and has a much more complete game then Maria, even if Maria has more power she doesnt have the options or capacity for growth Jelena has in her game.

Nicole is potentialy a much better version of Maria's game, and is younger then Maria too by about 2 years. She was certainly able to go shot for shot with Serena much better then Maria did at the two events both played Serena this year. She is a power player with much stronger technique then Maria, and alot more power. If she gets her mental game up to her strokes she will easily overtake Maria.

Justine is much better then Maria in everyway except power, and she is almost as powerful a hitter as well. Maria need Justine to have an injury, like her stiff shoulder in last years U.S Open final, to have any chance on any surface.

Venus will take Maria out in the 4th round here probably.

I agree with you about Jankovic. She is very good. But I don't think she's all right in the head. Maria is stronger mentally. That being said, Jankovic is intriguing. Very intriguing.

Overall I disagree about your take on Maria maturing early. She didn't mature at all. She still hasn't. The growth spurt she has had over the past year/two is an indication of that. When she won Wimbledon three years ago she was a completely different player.

I wouldn't place too much emphasis on the Ivanovic match on clay, nor would I overstate Maria's struggles since the US Open. She struggled against everyone, had serious injuries, grew a bit more and revamped her game even more. I think that the prime Maria may not come until a year from now, but she should still be good enough to take one of the remaining majors this year and I think this is the one. While her game is one-dimensional I think that she will add a tad more variety once her body adjusts.

As for Vaidisova - it's very early to say, but she doesn't come across to me as a potential multiple champion. She doesn't deal with the pressure nearly as well as many anticipated.

We'll see what happens of course, but I have a feeling Sharapova is only scratching the surface.

 

[federerfanatic]

Actually Maria has shown zero improvement since she won that Wimbledon at 17. That is why she only won 1 slam title since then, reaching only 2 finals. She has never played a better overall tournament since, nor a better match then the final she played vs Serena. Yeah she is grown alot, but I dont see any improvement in her movement.'

Even if you disagree with me on Jankovic, Ivanovic, and Vaidisova, look at where they are now compared to her as opposed to a year ago. They are much closer then they were then. Others are the ones improving more right now, not her.

Sharapova has a tough draw her at Wimbledon. She wont get through it, barring a miracle.

 

[CyBorg]

Actually Maria has shown zero improvement since she won that Wimbledon at 17. That is why she only won 1 slam title since then, reaching only 2 finals. She has never played a better overall tournament since, nor a better match then the final she played vs Serena. Yeah she is grown alot, but I dont see any improvement in her movement.'

Even if you disagree with me on Jankovic, Ivanovic, and Vaidisova, look at where they are now compared to her as opposed to a year ago. They are much closer then they were then. Others are the ones improving more right now, not her.

Sharapova has a tough draw her at Wimbledon. She wont get through it, barring a miracle.

Oh, I agree that Maria's movement has taken a hit. Look at how much bigger she is. Many times she's like a blind giraffe. Everyone knows this.

But I see some improvement at Wimbledon and I was impressed by the effort she put forward on clay - her worst surface. I see a different player - one that may never move as well at the one in 2004, but a more powerful, intimidating one. Some just don't see the necessary growing pains Maria had had to go through since her Wimbledon victory. And they're not entirely behind her yet.

As for the players you've listed - they are also young and inevitably will get better (less so with Vaidisova who has taken a minor step back). But so will Maria. I think she'll make the biggest stride - I see big potential; more than with the other girls, but we'll see what happens.

 

[Fastpace Ace]

Maria's little display today was so fake.

That was all fake intensity. I am not talking about the way she played, but all the yelling "Come On" when it wasn't even necessary. It's nothing more than a Serena Williams imitation. I think she put on that fake mean face and yelled come on so much that it totally got annoying. It's not like she was playing a top ranked player you know. She wants to wants the attention because she knows what the commentators are saying about the William sister's drive and will to win.

 

[WillAlwaysLoveYouTennis]

When reviewing the board here, the posting Davai Marat was just above this one when I logged in, and I read it wrong, combining the two. I read:**Marat looks ready to take over women's tennis!** And I thought....well THAT would truly be interesting...LOL

 

[princess bossass]

That was all fake intensity. I am not talking about the way she played, but all the yelling "Come On" when it wasn't even necessary. It's nothing more than a Serena Williams imitation. I think she put on that fake mean face and yelled come on so much that it totally got annoying. It's not like she was playing a top ranked player you know. She wants to wants the attention because she knows what the commentators are saying about the William sister's drive and will to win.

Uh...okay. But if you DON'T discount the way she played, then consider that her serve, her groundstrokes, her net game, her drop shots, her return, even her lobs--her ENTIRE GAME--looked way better than they have since the US Open last year...that might account for her excitement. Just a thought.

I also think her dress this tournament looks quite pretty on her. That monstrosity she wore at the FO made her look like an ogress.

 

[theballboy]

Maria will win about two more slams in her career, I wager. She has great work effort, is better than most player, and is very consistent. She hardly ever loses to players she shouldn't.

But look at her results for the past three years after winning Wimbledon. She reached the semis of quarterfinals of slams, only to be beaten by her opponent. The patternn is the same. She makes it deep into the draw (usually with lucky draws) only to be knocked out.

Every time she's met Serena, Henin, or Mauresmo in a slam semi of final, or YEC semifinal, she's been beaten. AO 06, Wimbledon 06, YEC 06, AO 07.

The two slams she did manage to win she beat a Serea playin the worst GS final of her career, and an injured Henin. And in the YEC 04 final, it took a Serena who couldn't do overhead serves because of injury for her to come back from 4-1 in the third.

EVen Ivanovic and Jankovic have been beatin her lately. I don't see this trend changing anytime soon- I see other players taking Serena, Henin's, and Mauresmo's spots.

Maybe if Serena loses to Henin, Henin gets injured, and Mauresmo chokes, Maria will have a chance at Wimbledon. I doubt it though.

 

[MEAC_ALLAMERICAN]

Maria will win about two more slams in her career, I wager. She has great work effort, is better than most player, and is very consistent. She hardly ever loses to players she shouldn't.

But look at her results for the past three years after winning Wimbledon. She reached the semis of quarterfinals of slams, only to be beaten by her opponent. The patternn is the same. She makes it deep into the draw (usually with lucky draws) only to be knocked out.

Every time she's met Serena, Henin, or Mauresmo in a slam semi of final, or YEC semifinal, she's been beaten. AO 06, Wimbledon 06, YEC 06, AO 07.

The two slams she did manage to win she beat a Serea playin the worst GS final of her career, and an injured Henin. And in the YEC 04 final, it took a Serena who couldn't do overhead serves because of injury for her to come back from 4-1 in the third.

EVen Ivanovic and Jankovic have been beatin her lately. I don't see this trend changing anytime soon- I see other players taking Serena, Henin's, and Mauresmo's spots.

Maybe if Serena loses to Henin, Henin gets injured, and Mauresmo chokes, Maria will have a chance at Wimbledon. I doubt it though.

HENIN was injured at the 2006 US Open????
Thats news to me....

 

[stormholloway]

Ivanovic hits a better ball.

 

[MEAC_ALLAMERICAN]

Ivanovic hits a better ball.

She looks better too...

 

[princess bossass]

Maria will win about two more slams in her career, I wager. She has great work effort, is better than most player, and is very consistent. She hardly ever loses to players she shouldn't.

But look at her results for the past three years after winning Wimbledon. She reached the semis of quarterfinals of slams, only to be beaten by her opponent. The patternn is the same. She makes it deep into the draw (usually with lucky draws) only to be knocked out.

Every time she's met Serena, Henin, or Mauresmo in a slam semi of final, or YEC semifinal, she's been beaten. AO 06, Wimbledon 06, YEC 06, AO 07.

The two slams she did manage to win she beat a Serea playin the worst GS final of her career, and an injured Henin. And in the YEC 04 final, it took a Serena who couldn't do overhead serves because of injury for her to come back from 4-1 in the third.

EVen Ivanovic and Jankovic have been beatin her lately. I don't see this trend changing anytime soon- I see other players taking Serena, Henin's, and Mauresmo's spots.

Maybe if Serena loses to Henin, Henin gets injured, and Mauresmo chokes, Maria will have a chance at Wimbledon. I doubt it though.

She just made the semifinals on her worst surface with half a serve and a shoulder injury. No excuses apply for Maria, though, right? The other time Ana beat her she retired...I believe...don't quote me on that...although it's likely someone will, LOL!

 

[federerfanatic]

HENIN was injured at the 2006 US Open????
Thats news to me....

She had a shoulder injury aggravated in her quarterfinal with Davenport, and it was affecting her serve in a very negative manner. She was having trouble getting her serve over the net even. In her semi with Jankovic and final with Sharapova, she combined for only 6 aces and 14 double faults. Her serve % in the two matches was 53 and 54%.

 

[The Gorilla]

I misread this as 'murray is getting ready to take over women's tennis' lol

 

[ACE of Hearts]

Speaking of young players, remember this name, Victoria Azarenka.Reminds me of a young Graf.She has reached the 3rd round, waiting for that breakthrough.She is only 17

 

[rafan]

I'm no fan of Sharapova but I do like the way she dresses for the job and looks the part - unlike some who look as though their gear has been shrunk in the wash - if only she could stop screeeeeeching!

 

[caulcano]

I know, I know. I'm not that fond of her either, but I watch her right now and she has that Jimmy Connors mean streak going on and is in great shape. She looks like she's finally growing into her body and is moving a lot better.

I think Maria is going to rule 2 or 3 of the majors in the coming years. She has the Russian looks, but also this typical American competitive quality - the no-nonsense Connors/Serena Williams thing that everyone loves to hate. She is a hard worker, and while a brainless bimbo, seems to put all of her energy into winning.

I think that Maria's ignorance and, dare I say, obvious stupidity works in her favour. She's like the anti-Safin - one dimensional, dull, but level-headed. She's without a thought in her pretty little head and yet this will help her become a champion. She's undisturbed by anything in life but winning tennis matches. She's athletic, big, powerful, intimidating and moves well on both grass and hardcourts.

She'll win Wimbledon this year - I'm almost certain. Maybe repeat at the US Open too.

She was actually likeable when she won Wimbledon at 17.

I think she'll add one more GS to her total and definitely Wimbledon this year, there are too many better players at this moment in time.

 

[Deleted member 3771]

I might agree with you if she had a forehand like Ivanovic or Davenport. That's the missing piece. Ivanovic, Henin , Williams, Jankovic and a few others will trade wins with her. But Sharapova she won't dominate them.

I know, I know. I'm not that fond of her either, but I watch her right now and she has that Jimmy Connors mean streak going on and is in great shape. She looks like she's finally growing into her body and is moving a lot better.

I think Maria is going to rule 2 or 3 of the majors in the coming years. She has the Russian looks, but also this typical American competitive quality - the no-nonsense Connors/Serena Williams thing that everyone loves to hate. She is a hard worker, and while a brainless bimbo, seems to put all of her energy into winning.

I think that Maria's ignorance and, dare I say, obvious stupidity works in her favour. She's like the anti-Safin - one dimensional, dull, but level-headed. She's without a thought in her pretty little head and yet this will help her become a champion. She's undisturbed by anything in life but winning tennis matches. She's athletic, big, powerful, intimidating and moves well on both grass and hardcourts.

She'll win Wimbledon this year - I'm almost certain. Maybe repeat at the US Open too.

 

[Dolphina]

I think, when Henin and Serena have retired or get injured again seriously, she could dominate. So far she has been the best of her generation, her strokes are great, but not often she has them on the highest level, only through her competetiveness she makes it so far into the slams all the time.
Ivanovic might be her biggest rival then, she has improved tremendously physically, and has big shots too. Jankovic is only as good as she is now due to her physical improvement, her strokes are actually not Top 5.
Vaidisova hasn´t improved at all, she´s a great player, but I don´t see her better than Sharapova.
But maybe there´ll be coming some great players born in the 90s, that Sharapova still would have to face, or she gets mad one day, because of her father around all the time, who knows.
But I don´t see her dominating this year.

 

[MEAC_ALLAMERICAN]

Vaidisova and Sharapova surprisingly have never played each other on the WTA tour, but I think Nicole is the better player.

As far as Sharapova dominating this year, I don’t see it anymore as a matter of fact I never did. This year the big hitters have figured her out and we will see how the rest of her year goes

 

[Rodditha]

With Serena,Ivanovic,Jankovich and Henin around Sharapova will never dominate womens tennis.These girls know how to beat Sharapova with her stupid one dimensional game.
What is making it so easy for them also is that Sharapova moves like a girafe.

 

[Bones08]

Speaking of young players, remember this name, Victoria Azarenka.Reminds me of a young Graf.She has reached the 3rd round, waiting for that breakthrough.She is only 17

Vika Azarenka will be a Champion...She dominated the Juniors...Her game is Huge...Her grunt/squeal is a bit much, but she will win Slams. I am really looking forward to her match against Nicole Vaidisova in Round 3!

 

[federerfanatic]

Vika Azarenka will be a Champion...She dominated the Juniors...Her game is Huge...Her grunt/squeal is a bit much, but she will win Slams. I am really looking forward to her match against Nicole Vaidisova in Round 3!

How old is she? I dont follow juniors too much.

 

[ACE of Hearts]

She is 17 years old.I hope she does well, her forehand is very nice to watch.

 

[mentalcase]

Sharapovas career will be similar to Venus but with more slam wins. I could see Maria retiring with 10 slams. Venus would of won 10+ slams if not for her sister. I don't see any player coming up in the wta that will challenge Maria like Serena did Venus. Ana, Jelena, Nicole are all mentally weak. They may have better game that Maria but, their mental game is weak. Marias biggest competition is Serena and Justine.

 

[federerfanatic]

Jelena and Ana are greatly improving their mental games which is why they are starting to beat Maria. You also dont know who are coming up behind them, players we dont know of yet who will have arrived by the time Justine and Serena are gone.

Venus would have 10 slams at the most but for Serena, not 10+. She only lost 5 times to Serena in slams, all in finals. She only has 5 slams. So 10 max, but probably less as probably 1 or 2 of those times she would have lost to the semifinal loser to Serena.

 

[anointedone]

Maria showed today she is continuing her "take over" of womens tennis right.

 

[CyBorg]

Yup - she sucked. I was convinced she'd kill Williams, but I was clearly wrong.

We'll see if she can rekindle the magic at the US Open.

 

[crazylevity]

I don't understand how someone who is displays mental toughness against other opponents gets trampled so badly by the Williams sisters, Henin, and Mauresmo even. She just doesn't seem to play the same when facing these other players when they are fully fit.

 

[CyBorg]

I don't understand how someone who is displays mental toughness against other opponents gets trampled so badly by the Williams sisters, Henin, and Mauresmo even. She just doesn't seem to play the same when facing these other players when they are fully fit.

Yeah - I don't get it either. I think Maria's balls shrink when she faces Nadal...errr... the Williams sisters.


Time to call the Russian mafia to take those girls out.

 

[anointedone]

Why dont you guys just see she is not that good. It has been said earlier in the thread but she is ranked as high as she is mostly by luck. She probably is still ranked #2 after this Wimbledon barely. However this summer and fall is when she starts defending all those points. Look for her ranking to take a huge nosedive. By the end of this year she wont be in the top 5 anymore, mark my words.

All she has is her power game, and she isnt even the best at that. The Williams on a good day can outpower her from every part of the court, and that is all Maria has. If she is being overpowered, or if she isnt successful winning by virtue of overpowering the other girl, she probably feels naked out there. She cant come to the net, she cant maneuver points, she cant use feel and touch shots, she cant scramble. All she has is one game and if that game is being derailed she is toast.

 

[crazylevity]

Yeah - I don't get it either. I think Maria's balls shrink when she faces Nadal...errr... the Williams sisters.


Time to call the Russian mafia to take those girls out.

?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Hehheh, yeah, those ppl calling Nadal one dimensional haven't seen Sharapova. Plan A-Hit Hard. Plan B: Hit harder. So when she's down, she hits harder, makes more unforced errors, and...hohoho, she's out of it double quick time.

 

[CyBorg]

?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Playful refrence to Wilander's quote about Federer.

I don't know what shrinks in Maria. Maybe her brain.

 

[crazylevity]

Brain? What brain?

Maybe I could get her into my school's labs and do an MRI while showing her pictures of second tier players, and compare them with MRIs while showing Williams sisters. Hmm...that would make an interesting thesis.

 

[CyBorg]

that would make an interesting thesis.

I doubt it.

 

[CyBorg]

Why dont you guys just see she is not that good. It has been said earlier in the thread but she is ranked as high as she is mostly by luck. She probably is still ranked #2 after this Wimbledon barely. However this summer and fall is when she starts defending all those points. Look for her ranking to take a huge nosedive. By the end of this year she wont be in the top 5 anymore, mark my words.

All she has is her power game, and she isnt even the best at that. The Williams on a good day can outpower her from every part of the court, and that is all Maria has. If she is being overpowered, or if she isnt successful winning by virtue of overpowering the other girl, she probably feels naked out there. She cant come to the net, she cant maneuver points, she cant use feel and touch shots, she cant scramble. All she has is one game and if that game is being derailed she is toast.

You overrate women's tennis. I probably underrated it with this post.

But, oh well. La-dee-da.

 

[anointedone]

You overrate women's tennis. I probably underrated it with this post.

But, oh well. La-dee-da.

Maybe I overrate womens tennis but how could I be overrating it so much it detracts from what I said. The only way Maria could dominate womens tennis is if you all womens tennis so hapless you just need one game style which you are very good but not dominant at, in order to dominate.

 

[CyBorg]

Maybe I overrate womens tennis but how could I be overrating it so much it detracts from what I said. The only way Maria could dominate womens tennis is if you all womens tennis so hapless you just need one game style which you are very good but not dominant at, in order to dominate.

Well, that's exactly the way I feel. Women's tennis is pretty freaking hapless.

Whatever happens, Maria will win at least two more majors in her career. She's a determined girl and I maintain that she will get better. I was foolish, however, to think that she'd overcome her issues already.

 

[THUNDERVOLLEY]

With Serena,Ivanovic,Jankovich and Henin around Sharapova will never dominate womens tennis.These girls know how to beat Sharapova with her stupid one dimensional game.
What is making it so easy for them also is that Sharapova moves like a girafe.

Sharapova is 99% hype, and for a so-called professional, she has poor movement, cannot volley worth a damn, and is psychologically crippled. Another BS, media/industry hype machine in the nature of Gerry Cooney.