All-round Athlete

Chapter 192: Sharapova Pairs and Plays Mixed Doubles

This year's Grand Slam U.S. Open starts on August 28. Sharapova, the third seed, is in the quarters. It is worth mentioning that there are five Chinese female players participating in this US Open, and three of them are also divided into the 2/4 zone.

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, and Li Na is worthy of the title of the first tennis sister in China. Spain's Lorenzo, Greece's Dani Lidu, and then met the French star in the third round, the No. 13 seed Pierce.

However, Li Na's luck was very good. Although Pierce defeated Li Na 6-4 in the first round, his leg injury recurred during the match and he had to give up the game. Li Na successfully entered the top 16 of the US Open, which can be regarded as Not a small breakthrough.

Li Na's opponent in the fourth round was Sharapova.

In comparison, Sharapova's road to advancement was much smoother. As the third seed, she easily defeated Dutch player Krajicek with a total score of 2:0 in the first round; With a total score of 2:0, she defeated the French player Lova, winning more easily than the first round; in the third round, Sharapova met her compatriot Likhovtseva, who is a former A doubles-based player, her highest world ranking in singles is 15th. Compared with Sharapova, there is a big gap in strength, so Sharapova still easily advances with a total score of 2:0.

In the fourth round of the U.S. 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 difference in strength between the two. Think this game is no suspense, Sharapova will definitely win the cut with an overwhelming advantage.

But the domestic media don’t think so. In the eyes of Chinese people, one is the top tennis player in China and the other is Zhang Guan’s girlfriend. It is beneficial 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. Except for the two contestants, most of the time the broadcast camera captures the two adjacent positions in the front row of the auditorium, where ***** * people, one is Li Na's husband Jiang Shan, and the other is of course Sharapova's boyfriend Zhang Guan.

So a strange phenomenon appeared on the scene. The two contestants fought hard on the field, as if they were enemies, but in the audience, the family members of the two contestants were chatting and laughing closely, as if they were brothers.

...

"Are you going to stay in the United States for a few days?" Jiang Shan said while looking at his wife on the field, and then shook his head slightly. Li's shot was too big that time, and he would definitely be caught by Sharapova chance.

"I'll stay for just over a week. I have to go to Greece in a few days to participate in the Athletics World Cup on the 16th." Zhang Guan then asked, "Brother Jiang, how about you? After the US Open, why don't you spend more time with that sister?" How many days do you want to play?"

"You have a game on the 16th, and we have a game on the 18th. The China Open is about to start! The local home game, Li Na must participate." Jiang Shan paused, and then said: "This time we came out together. Among the players, Zheng Jie and the others will go back first, and Li Na and I have to wait until the US Open is over before going back, saying that the organizer still has a US Open charity day, and Li Na wants to participate."

"Charity Day? What is this? I haven't heard of it before!" Zhang Guan said.

"After the US Open is over, the players go to the community to do some fundraising and the like. There are very few such activities in other tennis open tournaments. At most, there will be a dinner party. Americans like to do this." Jiang Shan explained .

"Then Martha must also participate." Zhang Guan said.

Jiang Shan nodded: "That's inevitable. The top sixteen players should all participate, or they may be separated, such as a group of several people going to a certain community. I don't know the specific situation. Let's listen to the arrangement then! Anyway, Americans are provided with food and lodging, so they can travel here for free.”

The two were chatting happily in the audience, but on the field, Sharapova had already won the first game with a score of 6-4.

Sharapova looked very relaxed, she has entered the state, she felt that the next round should be over soon, I saw she drank some water, and then changed a racket.

But Li Na's face is very dignified. Sharapova's style of play is very aggressive. Whether it is a forehand or a backhand, the power and depth of the shot are very sufficient, and the most angled, and Sharapova likes it very much. Replacing the traditional net volley with a strong spin shot, Li Na often made mistakes in his judgment.

Li Na is not the future Grand Slam champion player. Although her forehand angle is very different now, her backhand is relatively stable, and the speed of the ball is not as fast as in the future. She will not pose a threat to Sharapova. Li Na's biggest shortcoming now is that his serve is not stable enough, and his turnover rate is very high. You must know that the future sister, the serve is her main offensive weapon, and now the serve is unstable, which is equivalent to abolishing her sharpest weapon.

In the second round of the game, Li Na's shortcomings of unstable serve really appeared. She made several double faults. As a result, she quickly lost the game with a score of 2-6. Sharapova successfully advanced Quarterfinals.

...

In the restaurant of the hotel, Zhang Guan was accompanying Sharapova, and the two shared breakfast.

In yesterday's game, Sharapova played against French player Golevin. Golevin is the 27th seed player in the tournament, and his ranking is still lower than Li Na. However, it will be more difficult for Sharapova to win. The score was 2:0, but the tie-breaks were reached in both games, and in the first game, both sides broke serve three times each, which can be described as a fierce game.

"Seeing you win yesterday seemed to be very difficult." Zhang Guan continued, "It seems that Golevin knows your style of play very well."

Sharapova nodded: "Maybe it's because we are familiar with each other! Golevin was also born in Russia, and later immigrated to France."

"So that's the case." Zhang Guan knew about this for the first time, and then he continued: "Your opponent will still be French! Mauresmo seems to be the number one seed in the US Open."

"Yes, I have fought against Mauresmo three times before, but I have never won! But I am confident to beat her in the next game! I have prepared some targeted tactics. Mauresmo is a relatively slow player , so I want to fight more fiercely in the opening stage!" Sharapova said while looking up behind Zhang Guan, and then said: "Max is here!"

Zhang Guan turned his head and saw Sharapova's agent Max Eisenbud walking over.

Max Eisenbud is one of IMG's ace agents, and he will also become Li Na's agent after Li Na's solo career in the future.

IMG is also a world-class giant in sports entertainment, and IMG is the first sports company to enter the Chinese market, and has a very close relationship with domestic officials. IMG is involved in the domestic Football League A and Football Association Cup, basketball CBA League, table tennis, China Open, etc.

Sharapova and Zhang Guan got up at the same time, and Max Eisenbud also walked over quickly, approached and said, "Good morning, both of you! I am very sorry to disturb your breakfast."

"Max, there must be something important, otherwise you wouldn't have come here so early." Sharapova said.

"Yes, but Martha, I'm not here to look for you this time, I'm here to look for Zhang Guan." Eisenbud 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 the charity event." 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 went on to say, "The news I heard is that if you agree to attend the US Open Charity Day event, they will arrange for Martha to join you at the nearest Queen's Day." The district held a charity fundraising event, 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. If you attend, it will probably have the best effect. "

"They really know how to choose people." Zhang Guan smiled, and then said: "Martha must attend this charity day! Then I will accompany Martha!"

"Okay, I will notify the organizer." Eisenbud said.

"I haven't participated in similar activities in the United States, so I don't know what I need to do?" Zhang Guan asked.

Eisenbud thought for a while and said, "Generally, it's just shaking hands with everyone, taking photos and signing autographs, and there are live performances..."

"Live performance? Performing a show?" Zhang Guan felt a little surprised.

"No, no, no, you misunderstood, it's not a cultural performance, it's a sports performance." Eisenbud said with a smile: "For example, in basketball, maybe let the stars show off their skills, fancy dunks or 1V1 bullfighting; Baseball will show a few hits; as for tennis, it may be an exhibition game, let's play a set or two on the spot!"

"I still have to play! I can't beat Martha." Zhang Guan involuntarily looked at Sharapova and said a little discouraged.

"I definitely won't let you play against me." Sharapova interjected, "Didn't Max say just now that Li Na and his wife will also be there, I guess it's going to be mixed doubles, you and me, against Li Na couple."

"Fight with them? How can you beat this! Li Na's husband, Jiang Shan, used to be a professional tennis player, and he is also the top mixed doubles player in our country! What's more important is that their husband and wife have been playing mixed doubles for several years! He's just a tennis rookie..." Zhang Guan complained.

"Honey, it's just an exhibition match, you don't have to take the outcome so seriously." Sharapova smiled slyly, and then said: "And you said it all, you are a tennis rookie, if you lose, I will take the responsibility Push it on to you."

"Uh, well, it seems that I really have to take the blame..." Zhang Guan sighed softly.

At the same time, Zhang Guan had another thought in his heart:

"Back 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 is delivered, please guarantee the monthly pass. Thanks to the book friend Pluto for the long-awaited reward of hooking ten thousand points!