Sharapova shows she is more than a pretty face

I have never been a big fan of Maria Sharapova’s tennis. I prefer fellow Russian Dinara Safina, who I like to nickname ‘Marata’ (her brother being Marat Safin).

Many men will prefer Sharapova for reasons other than tennis but Safina can be more enjoyable to watch on court, especially when it’s clay.

But I have to say I have become fond of Sharapova since Roland Garros started last weekend.

Her commercial approach and the new Tiffany earrings she wears just for the tournament are not to everyone’s liking but there is so much more to Sharapova and it’s not on www.mariasharapova.com.

She may live in the U.S. but she still has some hard-working Russian blood running through her veins and that’s exactly what she has been showing in Paris for a week.

Sharapova, wearing a pretty blue dress, has battled past Anastasiya Yakimova of Belarus, compatriot Nadia Petrova, Kazakh Yaroslava Shvedova and China’s Li Na.

Whatever happens in the quarter-finals, her tournament will be a success. Back from a nine-month injury layoff, she discovered what it was like to start a grand slam as world number 102.

Instead of sipping Pina Coladas by the pool listening to Amy Winehouse, she has battled back having undergone shoulder surgery.

She has been digging deep and many will hope she gets her hands on another grand slam. It probably won’t be the French Open. She does not have the game for that and Marata is in the way.

But why not SW19?