Ranked No. 4 by the Women’s Tennis Association, Maria Sharapova aims for a second Wimbledon victory in July 2015. The Russian player’s straight-set win against Kazakhstani player Zarina Diyas on Monday, July 6 reinforced her confidence. Sharapova scored 6 aces, which is more than her usual and regardless of a few early errors, she found her rhythm. She scored a total of 77 points, while closing out the match early in a 6-4, 6-4 win.
“Yeah. I think I've worked through a few different opponents, different conditions, as well, a few different courts. I put myself in different situations, yet been able to close out the matches in two sets. That's a positive in these last eight days,” said 28-year-old Sharapova on Monday.
Sharapova is a five-time Grand Slam winner, having won titles at all four tournaments (twice at Roland Garros). She is right-handed. The 6’2” tennis player last made it to the Quarterfinals in 2011. She won in 2004. Sharapova’s next opponent is American CoCo Vandeweghe. The two players face-off on Tuesday, July 7.
Wimbledon takes play on outdoor grass courts at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London, England. Wimbledon’s five main events are Gentlemen’s Singles, Ladies’ Singles, Gentlemen’s Doubles, Ladies’ Doubles, and Mixed Doubles. It is one of four Grand Slam tournaments. The current champion is Serbian player Novak Djokovic. The winner of the Ladies’ Singles receives the silver Venus Rosewater Dish.
The prize money for 2015 is 26,750,000 euros. Wimbledon is the oldest tennis tournament in the world and is famous for its traditions of having a strict all-white clothing dress code for its players, the enjoyment of strawberries and cream for its spectators, and for its British royal patronage. Players are required to bow or curtsy in the presence of The Queen or the Prince of Wales.
