This year's Grand Slam US Open started on August 28. As the third seed, Sharapova was placed in the 2/4 area. It is worth mentioning that China has five female players participating in this US Open, and three of them are also classified in the 2/4 area.
Among the three Chinese players in the 2/4 area, except for the 24th seed Li Na, the other two players were eliminated in the first round. However, Li Na was worthy of the title of the first lady of domestic tennis. She made great progress all the way and defeated her successively. He defeated Spain's Lorenzo and Greece's Danielli, and then met the French star Pierce, the 13th seed in the third round.
However, Li Na was very lucky. Although Pierce defeated Li Na 6-4 in the first round, his leg injury recurred during the game and he had to give up the game. Li Na successfully entered the top 16 of the US Open, which can be regarded as A big breakthrough.
The opponent Li Na met in the fourth round was Sharapova.
In comparison, Sharapova's path to promotion was much smoother. As the third seed, she easily defeated Dutch player Krajicek with a total score of 2:0 in the first round; she also won the second round with a total score of 2:0. She defeated French player Lova with a total score of 2:0, winning even more easily than in the first round; in the third round, Sharapova met her compatriot Likhovtseva, a former A player who mainly plays doubles, her highest world ranking in singles is fifteenth. There is a big gap in strength compared to Sharapova, so Sharapova still easily advanced with a total score of 2:0.
In the fourth round of the US Open, Li Na played against Sharapova. One was the No. 24 seed and the other was the No. 3 seed. From this ranking, we can see the gap in strength between the two, so the American media generally I think there is no suspense in this game. Sharapova will definitely advance with an overwhelming advantage.
But the domestic media don’t think so. In the eyes of the Chinese people, one is the top tennis lady in the country and the other is Zhang Guan’s girlfriend. The contest between the two should be a tit-for-tat showdown, so even though the US Open broadcast time is very short It is good for domestic audiences to watch the game, but there are still many people waiting in front of the TV in the middle of the night, waiting to watch this contest.
This is a game of special significance. In addition to focusing on the two players, the broadcast camera spends most of the time capturing two adjacent positions in the front row of the auditorium, where ******* is sitting. The *person, one is Li Na’s husband Jiang Shan, and the other is of course Sharapova’s boyfriend Zhang Guan.
As a result, a strange phenomenon occurred at the scene. The two players were fighting hard on the field, as if they were enemies, but in the audience, the families of the two players were joking and talking closely, as if they were brothers.
…
"How many days are you going to stay in the United States?" Jiang Shan said, looking at his wife on the court, and then shook his head slightly. This shot was too big, and Sharapova would definitely catch it. Opportunity.
"I will only stay for a little more than a week. I have to go to Greece in a few days to participate in the Track and Field World Cup to be held on the 16th." Zhang Guan then asked: "Brother Jiang, what about you? After the US Open, why don't you stay with that sister well?" How many days do you want to play?”
"You have a game on the 16th, and we also have a game on the 18th. The China Open is about to start! In the local home game, Li Na will definitely have to participate." Jiang Shan paused, and then said: "We came out together this time Among the players, Zheng Jie and the others will go back first, while Li Na and I will have to wait until the US Open match is over before returning. The organizer said that there is a charity day at the US Open, and Li Na wants to participate."
"Charity Day? What is this? I've never heard of it before!" Zhang Guan said.
"After the US Open, the players go to the community to do some fundraising. Other tennis tournaments rarely have such activities. At most, they have a dinner party. Americans like to do this kind of thing." Jiang Shan explained. .
"Then I guess Martha will also have to participate." Zhang Guan said.
Jiang Shan nodded: "That is inevitable. All the top 16 players should participate, or they may be separated. For example, a few people go to a certain community in a group. I don't know the specific situation. I will follow the arrangements then! Anyway, Americans provide food and accommodation, so we treat it as a free trip here.”
The two were chatting happily in the audience, and on the court, Sharapova had already won the first game with a score of 6-4.
Sharapova seemed very relaxed. She had entered the state. She felt that the next round should be over soon. She drank some water and then changed to a racket.
Li Na's face was very solemn. Sharapova's playing style is very aggressive. Whether it is forehand or backhand, the power and depth of the hitting are full, and she also seeks the best angle, and Sharapova likes it very much. Using powerful spinning shots instead of traditional volleys on the net made Li Na often make mistakes in his judgment.
Li Na is not yet the Grand Slam champion-level player she will be in the future. Although her forehand angle is now very reversed, her backhand style is relatively stable and her ball speed is not as fast as in the future. She does not pose a threat to Sharapova. Li Na's biggest shortcoming now is that his serve is not stable enough and his double-method error rate is very high. You must know that the future sister's serve is her main offensive weapon. Now her serve is unstable, which is equivalent to abolishing her sharpest weapon.
In the second game, Li's shortcomings of unstable serving were really revealed. She made several double faults. As a result, she quickly lost the game with a score of 2-6, and Sharapova successfully advanced. Quarterfinals.
…
In the hotel restaurant, Zhang Guanzheng accompanied Sharapova, and the two shared breakfast.
In yesterday's match, Sharapova played against French player Golevin. Golevin is the 27th seeded player in the tournament, and his ranking is still below Li Na. However, Sharapova's victory will be more difficult, although it is the total. The score was 2:0, but both games went to tie-breaks. In the first game, both sides broke serve three times, which can be said to be a fierce game.
"It seemed like you had a hard time winning yesterday." Zhang Guan continued: "It seems that Golovin knows your playing style very well."
Sharapova nodded: "Maybe it's because we are familiar with each other! Golovin was also born in Russia and later immigrated to France."
"So that's it." Zhang Guan knew about this for the first time, and then he continued: "Your opponent will be the French next! Mauresmo seems to be the top seed player at this US Open."
"Yes, I have competed with Mauresmo three times before, but never won! But I am confident to beat her in the next game! I have prepared some targeted tactics, Mauresmo is a relatively slow-heating player. , so I have to play more fiercely in the opening stage!" Sharapova said, looking up and behind Zhang Guan, and then said: "Max is here!"
Zhang Guan turned around and saw Sharapova's agent Max Eisenbud walking over.
Max Eisenbud is one of IMG's ace agents. In the future, he will also become Li Na's agent after Li Na goes solo.
IMG is also a world-class giant in sports entertainment. IMG was the first sports company to enter the Chinese market and has close ties with domestic officials. IMG is involved in domestic football A-League and FA Cup, basketball CBA league, table tennis, China Open, etc.
Sharapova and Zhang Guan stood up at the same time, and Max Eisenbad also walked over quickly. When they got close, they said: "Good morning, both of you! I'm very sorry to disturb your breakfast."
"Max, there must be something important, otherwise you wouldn't come here so early." Sharapova said.
"Yes, but Martha, I'm not here to see you this time, I'm here to see Zhang Guan." Eisenbad said.
"Looking for me?" Zhang Guan was a little surprised.
"Yes, Mr. Zhang Guan, here is an invitation letter for you." Eisenbud took out a letter from his briefcase, handed it to Zhang Guan, and said at the same time: "The organizer of the US Open invites you to participate in charity day event. They didn’t know your contact information, so they came to me.”
"Charity day!" Zhang Guan nodded. He had heard Jiang Shan talk about this before, and then he asked: "I'm not a tennis player. Why did the organizer think of me?"
"I think it's because you are Chinese!" Eisenbud continued: "The news I heard is that if you agree to attend the US Open Charity Day event, they will arrange for Martha to go with you to the nearby Queen's A charity fundraiser was held in the district, and your compatriots Li Na and his wife were also present. You know that there are many Chinese and Chinese immigrants living in Flushing, Queens. It will probably have the best effect if you attend. "
"They are really good at choosing people." Zhang Guan smiled and then said: "Martha must attend this charity day event! Then I will accompany Martha!"
"Okay, I will notify the organizer." Eisenbad said.
"I haven't participated in similar activities in the United States. I don't know what I need to do?" Zhang Guan asked.
Eisenbad thought for a while and said: "Generally, it means shaking hands with everyone, taking photos and signing autographs, and there are live performances..."
"Live performance? Show?" Zhang Guan felt a little surprised.
"No, no, no, you misunderstood, it's not an artistic performance, it's a sports performance." Eisenbud said with a smile: "For example, in basketball, you will probably let the stars show off their skills, fancy dunks or 1V1 bullfighting or something; In baseball, we will perform a few batting performances; as for tennis, we may have an exhibition match and play one or two sets live!"
"I still have to play! I can't beat Martha." Zhang Guan couldn't help but look at Sharapova and said a little discouraged.
"I definitely won't let you play with me." Sharapova interjected: "Didn't Max just say that Li Na and his wife will also go, and they will probably play mixed doubles. You and me, against Li Na Couple.”
"Fighting them? How can you beat this! Li Na's husband Jiang Shan was also a professional tennis player, and he was also the top mixed doubles player in our country! What's more important is that the couple played mixed doubles for several years! I didn't even think about it. He's just a tennis rookie..." Zhang Guan complained.
"My dear, it's just an exhibition match. You don't have to take the outcome so seriously." Sharapova smiled slyly and continued: "And you said you are a newbie in tennis. If you lose, I will take the responsibility." Push it on you.”
"Uh, okay, it seems I really have to take the blame..." Zhang Guan sighed softly.
At the same time, Zhang Guanxin had another thought:
"Take the blame? I won't take the blame! I'll give you a big surprise when I learn a few new tennis skills!"
The first chapter has been delivered, please give me a guaranteed monthly ticket. Thanks to book friend Pluto for the huge reward of 10,000 points that I have been waiting for!
(End of chapter)