1. Ana Ivanovic - SRB
2. Maria Sharapova - RUS
3. Jelena Jankovic - SRB
4. Svetlana Kuznetsova - RUS
5. Elena Dementieva - RUS

Maria Sharapova	7	6	2
Dinara Safina	6	7	6

Sharapova triumphs in Fed Cup debut

Russia's Maria Sharapova reacts during her Fed Cup World Group first round tennis match against Israel's Tzipi Obziler in Ramat Hasharon

February 3rd, 2008

15 Comments

Posted by: Marco

Australian Open champion Maria Sharapova defeated Tzipi Obziler 6-0 6-4 in her Fed Cup debut, helping defending champions Russia level 1-1 with Israel in the first round on Saturday.

Maria Sharapova extended her fine start to 2008 with victory in her first Fed Cup match for Russia.

Earlier, Israel's Shahar Peer rallied to defeat Dinara Safina 0-6 6-2 6-2.

Sharapova led 5-1 in the second set after sweeping the first before Obziler won three straight games with the support of the 6,000-capacity crowd at Ramat Hasharon Tennis Center.

At one stage, the crowd began imitating Sharapova's grunts each time she hit the ball.

"I don't mind it," Sharapova said. "It brings out the best in me. I love the atmosphere, the crowd and their craziness. It is what we live for. I got really anxious and excited as I was close to finishing my first Fed Cup match."

Rayfa Feb 03, 2008 at 10:32

go go masha , good luck in next match , and be strong ,,,,I Love you ..

Tima Feb 03, 2008 at 11:47

Maria you're good! Prepare for the tournaments that will come soon. Good luck!

F Chi Feb 03, 2008 at 15:02

I LOVE YOU !!

g�klhan&mariam Feb 03, 2008 at 15:16

marıa ı love you good luck .beatıful girl go mariam go

sasa Feb 03, 2008 at 15:32

l love you sasa
l am chinese girl

Abdul_MannanXx Feb 03, 2008 at 15:39

Well done. I dont know. Is that
Maria's first Match for Russia

Wester C. P. de Moraes Feb 03, 2008 at 17:59

Masha,
Great victory!!! Congrats!!!!
Love,
Wester

FERNANDO Feb 03, 2008 at 19:52

BRAVO MARIA

Mustafa Bilal Feb 03, 2008 at 20:49

The 2008 Champ is Here! LOVE MUSTAFA!

Shahid Feb 04, 2008 at 08:37

Well done Marsha,
May you win many many more,

With best wishes,
Shahid

zorang Feb 04, 2008 at 12:04

Russia-Israel 4-1!!YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oscar D Feb 04, 2008 at 18:31

MARIA IS THE CHAMPION. I LOVE HER AND WILL ALWAYS.

masha Feb 05, 2008 at 17:25

omg i love you. and like i love to wachs you play tennis . i play tennis too, i have palyd for 3 years now, oh yea im russian too.

Mandy Feb 06, 2008 at 01:05

Masha,
Eerie similiarities! Do you use her ofrum at all. If so, open discussion about RG challenge? Others too! See you there soon!

don de la jolla Feb 12, 2008 at 08:26

Like what I hear about Maria's precision and concentration even though the crowd was boisterous and irritating. She did not let it affect the quality of her play.