Lindsay Davenport has the experience, but teenage starlet Maria Sharapova believes she has the youthful ambition to make this year’s Wimbledon final.
Sharapova, who at just 17 reached her first Grand Slam semifinal with a brave fightback against Japan’s Ai Sugiyama on Tuesday, is ready to take the next step.
Standing in the young Russian’s way however, is Davenport, the 1999 champion who is 11 years her senior.
”I’m going to try,” said Sharapova when asked if she could make the final.
”That’s what I’m here for and I want to win this tournament, I want it very bad.
”When you have a big passion for something and you want to achieve something, I’m going to give it my all, definitely.”
But the precociously talented youngster, with the grace and poise of a supermodel, was also full of respect for her American opponent, who has hinted that this could be her last tournament at the All England Club.
”We both hit a pretty powerful ball, both have a pretty good serve,” said the statuesque blonde.
”She’s a great champion. One word about her, she’s won this tournament. And I want this tournament, so it’s going to be interesting.”
While Davenport shot past Croatian surprise packet Karolina Sprem 6-2, 6-2 to reach the semis, Sharapova had a far more difficult encounter with Sugiyama, clawing her way back from a set down to win 5-7, 7-5, 6-1 in just more than two hours.
But Sharapova, who set the crowds buzzing and the camera shutters reeling as she made her way to the fourth round on her Wimbledon debut last year, believes her game has peaked at the right time.
She made it through to the quarterfinals of last month’s French Open and then claimed victory on grass in Birmingham as the perfect warm-up to this event.
”Coming off with a title in Birmingham and knowing that this is one of my favourite surfaces, this is where my game sometimes comes together,” she said. ”So I was very happy that it came together today.”
Much has been said about the strength of the Russian women’s contingent at these Championships.
But, as the last one remaining in the tournament, Sharapova was not feeling any extra pressure.
”I’m just happy to be in the semifinals, that’s what I’m really concerned about,” she said. ”Unfortunately we don’t have any more Russians out there but I’m happy that I am the only one, of course.” — Sapa-AFP