Maria Sharapova enjoying her vacation in Mexico amid the drug scandal. The 28-year-old tennis star looked relaxed while having fun dancing her troubles away with good friend Chelsea Handler last Monday.
The Russian tennis star has been suspended after taking a banned substance meldonium. She looked sensational in a red bikini, her friend Chelsea, 41, is in a black two-piece bikini.
Former number 1 Victoria Azarenka from Belarus is back in her deadly form securing straight-sets victory over world number one Serena Williams to claim the BNP Paribas Open title 6-4 6-4.
This is her first title since the 2013 Australian Open at the Brisbane International in January, and added a second in 2016 with a dominant display, consigning a frustrated Williams who also lost to Angelique Kerber in Melbourne in January. This is Williams consecutive final losses for the first time since 2004.
Azarenka got an early lead of 2-0 displaying her intelligence and skills producing a brilliant ace to make up for a double-fault in her first service game. Williams was able to pull off a run to come back to 3-2, but she paid the price for a number of unforced errors 33 in total.
The Belarusian did not let up and took a 3-0 lead in the second set, with Williams' frustration evident as she subsequently smashed two racquets at a change of ends to earn a points penalty.
Williams displayed her power and determination to rally back from 5-1 and gain two break points for the opportunity to draw level in the second set. But Azarenka has another thing in her mind she recovered to serve out the match and secure a return to the top 10 in the world rankings, regaining the title she last won in 2012.
Former ranked 1 Victoria Azarenka halted the surging Zhang Shuai 6-4, 6-3 to complete the last 16 line-up in Indian Wells. Zhang Shuai of China who was able to reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open as a qualifier, and upset former No.1 Caroline Wozniacki earlier fell short against Azarenka.
Azarenka was able to strike 27 winners againt 13 from Zhang, and she managed her error count low. Azarenka showed off some impressive moves in the last game to break Zhang once more to earn the final spot in the round of 16.
Azarenka will meet No.26 seed and 2011 US Open champion Samantha Stosur.
Maria Sharapova issues a press conference to admit on Monday that she failed a drug test at the Australian Open.
Sharapova said that she got a letter from the International Tennis Foundation several days ago saying that she failed the test for a substance that had been legal until January 1, 2016.
She was taking the substance Meldonium since 2006 to aid in a variety of health problems. However, the drug was added to a banned list starting at the beginning of 2016. Sharapova conceded that she did not look at the list of newly banned substances for 2016 from the World Anti-Doping Association, and thus indicated that she failed the drug test because of ignorance.
"I don't want to end my career this way," Sharapova said. "I really hope I will be given another chance to play this game."
Sharapova, 28, is currently ranked 7th in the world. Tennis is boring without her.
Former tennis world No.1 Maria Sharapova announced that she'll be having a news conference in Los Angeles, California on Monday, and the she will make "a major announcement" which is obviously that she'll be retiring from Tennis.
Sharapova agents "IMG", did not say what it is about but they say it's a very big news.
Four days ago Sharapova withdraw from this month's BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells in California due to a persistent arm injury. She struggled with injuries in recent years.
Sharapova, who is listed by Forbes magazine as the highest-paid female athlete for 11th straight year is involved in numerous business ventures off the court like her successful candy business called SUGARPOVA. She is currently 7th in the WTA rankings.
