Sharapova started 2006 by losing in the semifinals of the
Australian Open in three sets to Henin, also losing a
rematch several weeks later at the Dubai Tennis
Championships, having defeated former world no. 1 Martina
Hingis and world no. 3 Lindsay Davenport in earlier rounds
of the tournament.
Sharapova claimed her first title in nine months at the Tier
I tournament in Indian Wells, defeating Hingis in the
semifinals and Elena Dementieva in the final. The following
fortnight, she reached the final in Miami before losing to
Kuznetsova.
Missing the entire clay-court season with injury, Sharapova
returned for the French Open. There, after saving match
points in defeating Mashona Washington in the first round,
she was eliminated by Dinara Safina in the fourth round.
On grass, Sharapova was unsuccessful in her attempt to win
in Birmingham for the third consecutive year, losing in the
semifinals to Jamea Jackson. Despite that, she was among the
title favorites at Wimbledon, where the eventual champion
Mauresmo ended up beating her in the semifinals.
Sharapova claimed her second title of the year at the Tier I
Acura Classic, defeating Clijsters for the first time in the
final.
As the third seed at the US Open, Sharapova defeated top
seed Mauresmo for the first time in the semifinals, and then
followed up by beating second seed Justine Henin to win her
second Grand Slam singles title.
That autumn, Sharapova won titles in back-to-back weeks at
the Zurich Open and the Generali Ladies Linz. By winning all
three of her round-robin matches at the WTA Tour
Championships, she extended her win streak to 19 matches,
before it was snapped in the semifinals by eventual champion
Henin.
Sharapova would have finished the season as world no. 1 had
she won the event. As it was, she finished ranked world no.
2, her best year-end finish yet.
Various Pictures - Maria Sharapova Photoshoot
press image for big size
Biography
Maria Sharapova born April 19, 1987) is a Russian professional tennis player. As of February 25, 2013 she is ranked world no. 3.
How the Bills pulled off the greatest comeback in NFL history
It sounds like a movie script: The home team, down 32 points, comes storming back behind the backup QB. Here's how it unfolded.
What Titans RB Derrick Henry has to do to break the career rushing record
Can he break Emmitt Smith's record of 18,355 yards?
Sources: Suns' talks with Ayton end without deal
Negotiations between the Phoenix Suns and star Deandre Ayton on an extension to his rookie contract have ended without a deal, sources told ESPN on Monday.
Harbaugh says Lamar making critics look silly
Ravens coach John Harbaugh said Monday that the critics who said the NFL was going to catch up to Lamar Jackson this season "are kind of whistling in the graveyard" now.
Meyer: Jags' emotional locker room like title wins
Urban Meyer said the intensity in the emotional Jaguars' locker room after Jacksonville snapped its 20-game losing streak was comparable to what he has experienced after winning a national title in college football.
Fisher dismissive of LSU talk, loves 'being at A&M'
Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher, who has his Aggies playing well in October, shut down rumors he would consider LSU, telling reporters Monday that "we're in the process of building something great and I plan on being here and fulfilling this contract."
Zags runaway No. 1 in AP preseason Top 25 poll
Gonzaga was the runaway top choice in the Associated Press Top 25 men's college basketball preseason poll released Monday, earning 55 of 63 first-place votes to easily outdistance No. 2 UCLA.
Vols fined for fan behavior during loss to Ole Miss
The Southeastern Conference announced it was assessing Tennessee a $250,000 fine in the aftermath of fans throwing bottles and other debris onto the field last Saturday at Neyland Stadium near the end of the Volunteers' 31-26 loss to Ole Miss.
Brogdon nets additional 2-year, $45M extension
Indiana Pacers guard Malcolm Brogdon has agreed to an additional two-year, $45 million extension -- guaranteeing him $89.3 million over the next four years -- his agent Austin Brown of CAA Sports told ESPN on Monday.
No charges after Liddell domestic violence arrest
No charges will be filed against UFC legend Chuck Liddell after a domestic violence arrest Oct. 11, per a document obtained by ESPN from the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office.
How a late-season COVID-19 outbreak reignited Xander Bogaerts and the Red Sox
Within a two-week span that saw a dozen Red Sox players test positive, pulling Bogaerts in the middle of a game was the low point. But the weeks that followed turned around not just Bogaerts' season -- but the entire team's.
For a wrestling coach and a daughter of an NHL icon, 'ALS stands for A Love Story'
Randel McCoy and Brianna LaFontaine had been dating for about six months when a devastating diagnosis changed the future they had hoped to build.
Takeaways and big questions: Ravens and Rams roll, Wentz impresses
The Ravens showed their strength against the Chargers, Carson Wentz had a big day against the Texans.
'Welcome to my world': Behind the scenes of Lane Kiffin's raucous Tennessee homecoming
You didn't expect Lane Kiffin's return to Knoxville to be normal, did you? Here's the inside story of Kiffin's wild two days back on Rocky Top.
Oklahoma's QB situation, Cincinnati's playoff position and more college football takeaways
Our reporters put Week 7 of the college football season into perspective, from Oklahoma's quarterback situation to the crowded Big Ten race.
What's next for each team in the AP Top 25?
The new poll is out. Here's a breakdown.
Marcotti's musings: Ansu Fati boosts Barcelona; Man United woe
Fati made a heroic return for Barcelona, though they don't seem far from calamity. PLUS: More questions for Solskjaer, and can anyone stop Bayern?
Pogba's, Fernandes' comments piling pressure on under-fire Solskjaer
There can be no positive spin for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after his stars called for things to change.
Parker's legacy comes full circle with second WNBA championship
Candace Parker drew on her past experiences with heartbreak to lead Chicago to its first championship.
Ten biggest questions for the WNBA offseason
As Chicago celebrates its WNBA title, many questions already linger for the offseason, including possible retirements and player movement in free agency.
Who will make the College Football Playoff?
With help from the Allstate Playoff Predictor, you can pick a title contender and play out its season.
Thrilling, dramatic and a little weird: How Atlanta has taken an NLCS lead on L.A.
The Braves have a surprising series lead over the Dodgers -- and we've learned to expect the unexpected.
Draft kit: Rankings, mock drafts, sleepers, projections and analysis
We've got everything you need to dominate fantasy basketball from every angle this season.
MMA debate: Is it perfect timing for Edwards-Masvidal? What to make of Jon Jones' suspension?
Jeff Wagenheim, Marc Raimondi and Brett Okamoto debate the long-delayed fight between Jorge Masvidal and Leon Edwards, and other trending topics in MMA.
Frightfest or spooktacular? Napoli unveil Halloween kit covered in cobwebs
Napoli claim that the jersey debuted vs. Torino on Sunday marks "the first time a football team has worn an official alternative kit for Halloween."
How Arizona Cardinals star J.J. Watt became an F1 superfan
J.J. Watt knew next to nothing about Formula One at the start of 2021. Now he's obsessed. Here's how one of the NFL's most dominant players got hooked on motor racing.
'Bills Mafia speak our language': Daniel Ricciardo on his surprising NFL allegiance
Australian F1 star Daniel Ricciardo hates the cold, but he is a member of the Buffalo Bills fan club.
MLS Power Rankings: Red Bulls on the ascent
Unbeaten in seven, the New York Red Bulls are closing in on a playoff place, and climbing the ladder of our MLS Power Rankings.
Transfer Talk: Juventus cast wide net to rebuild midfield
Juventus want to rebuild their midfield, and they have identified four players who could do just that. Transfer Talk is LIVE with the latest.
Phil Hellmuth extends record with 16th career World Series of Poker victory
Phil Hellmuth now has six more WSOP bracelets than anyone else in poker history.
Notable bets: Aaron Rodgers owns the Bears, and Chicago bettors know it
Back-to-back rough Sundays for the sportsbooks. David Purdum recaps the weekend in betting.
press image for big size
