Top five greatest wins of tennis great Maria Sharapova

The former world no.1 is one of only ten women to hold the career Grand Slam.

Maria Sharapova was a former World No 1 tennis player and a career Grand Slam winner. Moreover she is one of the ten women and only Russian to hold the career Grand Slam. Sharapova has held top spot in tennis on five different occasions for a total of 21 weeks. Considered as a “Glamour Queen” of tennis for her impeccable looks, Maria bid farewell to the sport in 2020. Today we take a look at some of her biggest wins on court.

5. Maria Sharapova vs Caroline Wozniacki (Australian Open 2019, third round)

Maria Sharapova faced off against rival Caroline Wozniacki in the 3rd round of the Australian Open. It was right at this very tournament that she had tested positive for meldonium in 2016. Sharapova got a two-year ban because of it which was later reduced to 15 months.

Sharapova had definitely come out on court with something to prove. The third seed Wozniacki was the defending champion had established herself as the new glamour girl of tennis. Morever the Danish star had also complained about Sharapova getting preferential treatment after the Russian was handed a wildcard entry right after suspension. So there was off court tension as well between the two players.

Sharapova and Wozniacki played some gruesome rallies in which the former got the upper hand. The Russian tennis star won 17 out of a total 23 rally points. As a result, the match ended with a 6-4,4-6 , 6-3 victory for Maria Sharapova.  

4. Maria Sharapova vs Sabine Lisicki (2012 London Olympics, third round)

Maria Sharapova had a competitive third round match against Germany’s Sabine Lisicki. Sabine had made her way to the 3rd round after hard fought three set victories over  O.Jabeur and Y.Shvedova. Lisicki had lost both her first set in the previous games making comebacks in the second and third.

The 15th seed Lisicki however started on the offensive this time around. She won the first set after a hard fought game which went to a tie-breaker. Sharapova used her trademark battling qualities to overcome a resilient foe. Coincidentally Maria had lost to the German a few weeks prior at Wimbledon.

The 2 hour 47 minutes match finally ended with the scoreline reading 6-7,6-4,6-3.

3. Maria Sharapova vs Serena Williams (Wimbledon 2004, final)

 Maria Sharapova’s first success at Grand Slams came at the hallowed grounds of Wimbledon. It was not just against any opponent but the mighty Serena Williams . The victory would have made Serena a consecutive three time Wimbledon champion.

But Sharapova had other plans. The Russian kept the audience enthralled during the 73 minute match causing one of the most stunning upsets in history. The 17 year old sank to her knees burying her face as Serena’s return hit the nets. Sharapova became the third youngest champion in Wimbledon history.

As the Russian lifted her trophy still in disbelief the crowd wholeheartedly applauded in appreciation. The final score 6-1,6-4.

2. Maria Sharapova vs Amelie Mauresmo ( US Open 2006, semi-final)

Maria Sharapova played one of her toughest matches in the 2006 tournament against Amelie Mauresmo. The no. 1 seed Mauresmo gave Maria a real run for her money where she seemed unstoppable.

Sharapova had only dropped one set in the entire tournament and it was in this game. The other two sets was a total one sided affair with Maurensmo failing to salvage a single point. The end result was a 6-0,4-6,6-0 victory for thev Russian earning her second Grand Slam title.

1. Maria Sharapova  vs Simona Halep ( French Open 2014,final)

Maria Sharapova won the last of her Grand Slams at the Roland Garros in 2014.She squared off against Romanian Simona Halep who was playing her first Grand Slam final.

Sharapova won the first set and Halep won the second setting up the game for a decider. Maria rolled to a victory in her final game of the match and went 40-0 up.

Halep failed to return her shot allowing Maria to lift her second French Open trophy. “I think it was one of the toughest matches I have played” said the Russian superstar as the game ended 6-4,6-7,6-4.

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