Shutter: Sharapova at Phoenix Suns game

Maria Sharapova was spotted at the Phoenix Suns home game against the New Orlean Hornets on October 30, 2008. Maria has been in and out of Arizona since she announced she was done for the year to rehabilitate her ailing shoulder. It’s good to see Maria again. She definitely knows how to keep under the radar when she needs to.

Here’s one more picture. I’m sure she cut her hair but did she get new layers?

Image via Tennisforum

Nalbandian, Tsonga remain hopeful for Shanghai

David Nalbandian and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga’s matches against the Andys were the only ones that actually completed today at the BNP Paribas Masters. David upset Andy Murray 7-6 6-3 while JW beat Andy Roddick 5-7 6-4 7-6 in an epic match that made up for Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer’s withdrawals earlier. Both players keep their hopes alive in qualifying for the Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai.

Image via AP

Early Halloween for Djerk?

I have searched all of the internets to find an answer to why Novak Djokovic wore this mask during his opening match at the BNP Paribas Masters in Paris and.. nothing. It definitely scared his opponent, Dmitry Tursunov, that he couldn’t find any sort of rhythm during their match and his shoulder came off. I was freaked by it but it was mostly because I was afraid that Novak finally wanted to show the world that he is indeed one crazy lunatic. However, he took it off before playing so I guess not. Maybe it’s all in the spirit of Halloween. Hopefully.

Image via AP

Trophy case: October 26, 2008

Elena Dementieva won her third title of the year after she beat Caroline Wozniacki 2-6 6-4 7-6 at the Fortis Championships in Luxembourg. This is her eleventh career title.

Hometown hero, Roger Federer, won his third straight Swiss Indoors title after he beat David Nalbandian 6-3 6-4. This is Roger’s fourth title of the year and fifty-seventh (!) of his career.

Ana Ivanovic finally, finally, got out of her slump and won her first title since Roland Garros earlier this year at the Generali Ladies tournament in Linz, Austria. She overcame a surguing Vera Zvonareva 6-2 6-1 to claim the title. Hopefully she keeps up this form through the year-end championships in Doha. This is Ana’s third title of the year and eighth of her career.

Andy Murray’s hard work off the court continues to pay off as he wins another title at the St. Petersburg Open in St. Petersburg, Russia. He took out a qualifier, Andrey Golubev, in double breadstick fashion 6-1 6-1 to win his fifth title of the year and eighth of his career.

Robin Soderling won his first title of the year and third of his career at the Lyon Grand Prix tournament in Lyon, France. This was Robin’s fourth indoor final of the year and was finally able to take home the title. He beat Julien Benneteau 6-3 6-7 6-1 in the finals.

Venus Williams qualifies for YEC

Venus Williams qualified for this year’s year-end championships in Doha, Qatar. This tournament features the Top 8 women in the tour. To my surprise, this is only Venus’ 3rd appearance at the event. For someone who has 38 career titles including 7 Grand Slams, I’d imagine she’d be at YEC at least during every year she’s won a major. Injuries have played part on her missing some but I’m guessing it’s mostly due to the lack of dedication both she and Serena have been constantly criticized of.