Courtesy: Google

Courtesy: Google

Maria Sharapova, the former Russian tennis player, won her first and only Australian Open title on this day, January 25, 2008, defeating Ana Ivanovic in the final by 7-5, 6-3. Regarded as one of the best female tennis players of her generation, the 37-year-old has won five major titles in her career, including two French Opens and one each at the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and US Open.

Sharapova started her journey as the fifth seed in the 2008 Australian Open and clinched the title without losing a single set (or playing a tie-break set). On her way to the title, Sharapova defeated Lindsay Davenport in the second round and delivered three "bagels" (6-0 sets) against Elena Vesnina, Elena Dementieva, and World No. 1 Justine Henin, whom she beat impressively in the quarter-final. In the semi-final, Maria Sharapova outclassed Jelena Jankovic by 6-3, 6-1 before getting the better of Ana Ivanovic in straight sets in the Australian Open final.

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Maria Sharapova is five-time Grand Slam singles champion

Born in Nyagan, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union, on 19 April 1987, Maria Sharapova made her professional tennis debut on 19 April 2001 at the age of 14 and announced her retirement on 26 February 2020. In 19 years of a remarkable career, she won five Grand Slam singles: Wimbledon 2004, US Open 2006, Australian Open 2008, French Open 2012, and 2014. Apart from these major titles, she also won the WTA World Tour Finals in 2004 and the silver medal in the women’s singles at the Olympic Games in 2012.

Sharapova has lived in Florida and California, US, since 1994. In 19 years of professional tennis career, she won prize money of $38,777,962, 4th all-time earnings in Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) records. All in all, the Russian managed to take the women's sport to the next level.