Maria Sharapova “I'm really happy one of us will have a chance to go for gold” – Tennis News
World number three, Maria Sharapova, and her 14th seed compatriot, Maria Kirilenko, have made it into the semi-final of the London Olympics. They both will square off against one another and that means one of them will
have a shot at the gold medal; confirmed silver medal and a chance to win a bronze as well.
The winner of the semi-final clash will go on to meet the successful competitor from the battle between the fourth seed American, Serena Williams, and world number one, Victoria Azarenka of Belarus. So, that means Russian team
as a whole will get an opportunity to win two out of three medals.
Most probably, it will be the Russian number one, Sharapova, who will be going out for a gold medal for her nation on her maiden appearance at the Olympics and the 15th ranked Kirilenko will have a chance to win a bronze
medal when she will lock horns with the unsuccessful player from the other semi-final clash.
Commenting about this scenario, Sharapova said, “When I was growing up, tennis wasn't very popular yet. A few men's players were, especially Kafelnikov. But apart from that, in the women's field there wasn't too much competition.
So I hoped one day that could be different.
She further added, “You've seen over the years how much it's developed in Russia, how many more opportunities there are for younger kids starting up, opportunities maybe I or the others in my age group didn't really have, as far
as facilities, coaching, all of that. I'm really happy one of us will have a chance to go for gold."
On the head-to-head basis, the blonde Russian Sharapova leads her fellow brunette compatriot 3-2. They were seen in action earlier this year during the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells. It was the girlfriend of Sasha Vujačić, Sharapova,
who prevailed supreme over Kirilenko. However, she had to bounce back a set and a breakpoint down to win the match in three sets 2-6, 7-5, 6-2. So, any result is possible but it is for sure that Russians will still be taking home silver if they lose all their
matches after this semi-final.
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