I have never been her biggest fan, and part of me was rooting for Pin to win this marathon match. But what i witnessed in the last dew games of the match has definately won me over. Maria looked liked she was gonna barf on the court, she could hardly move, she knew her was game was falling apart, but she stuck her head down, focused on the job in hand and stepped up to a gear i didnt realise she had left in her. No matter how knackered she looked, she still gave the crowd waves and kisses and found the time to congratulate Pin on a great match. Sharapova has a new fan in me, i just hope she recovers in time for her next match

Well said Liam, she found some amazing shots when 6-7 down in the third when it seemed she had no energy left and then pulled out the win. She is always gracious to opponents and is a credit to the WTA tour.

True champion.

I'm not a big fan, but I have become more and more impressed with her mental fortitude and fighting qualities. If only more players had that, we'd see much better matches. :ok:

To get me as a fan she needs to improve her net play and vary her game more, relying less on power and adding skill/touch. I doubt that will happen though. She only seems to volley when she can smash it unnecessarily into oblivion. :D Also, personality wise she doesnt; appeal and I find her hard to take seriously. She is young though, and will mature. However, I do feel she is a bit silly, when I was that age I had a lot more about me when I opened my mouth (which is rarely ever shut roflmao) so the age excuse only goes so far.

I do think though that with the Williamses not at their best and other women prone to injury and mental fraillty, she could win more than oen slam this year. It won't be the French (now watch her go and win it!) but she's gotta be a hot fave for the AO along with Clijsters. JHH isnt; here, and the only other in the running for me at the mo is Mauresmo if she can keep her head. No idea what Serena is capable of right now, and of course there is a bunch of youngsters pushing for glory like Vaidisova and Jankovic. I'm keeping an eye on Safina though. I dont; get why her odds were so huge when the tournie started.

Agreed! Her fighting qualities are phenomenal. Such a steely will to win.

She has a fantastic serve too. Great technique, lovely smooth action and devastatingly effective.

Good heavy groundstrokes too. Quite a fearsome power-hitter.

On the debit side, her game is pretty one-dimensional. Plan A is just to hit the opponent off hte court, pure and simple. No plan B quite frankly. It's a good job that her plan A is so brutally effective.

She can't volley to save her life. That drive volley is effectively a glorified groundstroke. Probably the hardest hands at the net in the business. Doesn't play drop shots, and certainly her movement means that she doesn't usually retrieve them either! Overhead just a tad iffy.. and I don't think I've ever seen her hit a lob.

In short, she is manna from heaven for those fans of power-hitters. Smash! Bang! Wallop! But for those who prefer players with a bit of touch and guile in their game, watching her play is quite a joyless exercise.

And add to that the relentless 'c'mon's' and fist-pumping, face like fizz on court.. etc, etc. Hmm.. :whistle:

But as SB said, she's probably likely to win more slams this year, simply because no-one seems able to compete with her groundstrokes.. it's frustrating not seeing anyone out-think her by using some guile, like Amelie did at Wimbledon. Tall girl, hits hard? Use slice! Drop shots! Bring her to the net! But so very few girls have that sort of game, which means that her weaknesses will not be exposed.

But as SB said, Maria is young and has plenty of time to mature and maybe develop more of an all-round game, and maybe warm a little on court too?

No need for her to physically grow further though.. she's tall enough as it is!! ;)

Really thats my favourite part about her :o

I find her game uninteresting and "cloned" and I don't feel she has that champions quality yet.

But she seems really nice and :wub: and I think is a credit to the tour :D