She's only 11 so we'll have to wait a few years before she starts playing junior tournaments but she seems sooo impressive. She just won Eddie Herr U12 without dropping a set. After destroying almost all of her opponents she beat Tornado Ali Black 6:1 6:0 in the final.
She's originally from Kazakhstan but now represents USA.
Here's an interview with her: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiMEJbECx18
Does anyone know what is going on with Maria. She hasn't been playing much and lost her singles ranking on the Pro circuit.
She also changed her trainer. She parted with Denis Pelegrin who has been her coach from the beginning at IMG and with whom she continued to work at the Pro Tennis Academy. Her new coach is Antonio Van Grichen (ex-coach of Azarenka, Ivanovic and Zvonareva).
36° Torneo "Citta Di Santa Croce" Mauro Sabatini, Italy, G1
(8)Fanny Stollar (HUN) v Bye
Vera Lapko (BLR) v (wc)Alessia Dario (ITA)
(Q)Francesca Brancato (ITA) v (Q)Maria Shishkina (USA)
(11)Ioana Ducu (ROU) v Bye
Whatever happened to her. She seems to have completely collapsed. Not only she's lost her WTA ranking, but she's also fallen out of Top 200 in juniors (after having peaked at 99) - currently #237.
So, so far this year, she's played 3 tourneys, all in May, all in Italy:
- G2 International Junior Tournament Citta' Di Prato, where she lost in R1, but only to the top seed Akvile Parazinskaite (4 & 4) - bad draw.
- then, G1 International Junior Tournament "Citta' Di Santa Croce", where she had to qualify. She did qualify, really easily, and beat an Italian fellow qualifier in R1 easily too, but then fell in R2 to (11)Ioana Ducu, 4 & 1.
- then, GA Trofeo Bonfiglio qualies. There, she lost in Q1 to Sofia Ragona (unranked player), 4-4 ret.
Injury?
Edit: I see that she's back this week, at 10K Bethany Beach, DE qualies. The qualies are really weak, no seeds, she had a bye in Q1 and thrashed her opponent in Q2 (0 & 1). One more to go. Come on Maria!
Played 10K Charlotte last week. She qualified easily there, but like the week before, she lost in R1 afterwards. It's a bit less disappointing than last time though, as it's more a case of bad luck, as she drew (2)Lena Litvak in that R1, and only lost 4-6 5-7.
Masha is playing 25K Gatineau qualies right now. She beat Reghan M Lynch 3 & 2 in Q1 , and will have to beat (7)Danielle Mills to qualify. I think it's doable - davay!
It was just alot of overhyping. She is a very good player but so are alot of girls. Her road to success is going to be the same as any of the really good top girls. I think that she will be a top player one day but just like everyone is finding out - its a longer road than it was years ago.
That's just because her first name was Maria, she was blonde, spoke Russian and was coached by Bollettieri. :shrug: And had good results as well, obviously.
You have to remember that at that time, she was Black's rival and was just as good as her, heads above everyone else. Now, it's a whole different situation. She was just left behind, while Black is now playing Slams QFs...
She's not done already, obviously not. Let's see if she can catch up.