Maria Sharapova enjoyed a legendary tennis career, often producing her best tennis at the four Grand Slam tournaments.
The Russian star burst onto the scene at Wimbledon in 2004, when Sharapova defeated Serena Williams to clinch her maiden Grand Slam title.
A second title followed at the US Open two years later, as Sharapova took down Belgium’s Justine Henin in the final.
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After winning her first two major finals, Sharapova came up short against Williams in the 2007 Australian Open championship match, before returning with a point to prove in 2008.
She didn’t have things all her own way, however, as the number-five seed was drawn against a WTA Tour legend in round two.
At the 2008 Australian Open, Sharapova was drawn against Croatia’s Jelena Kostanic Tosic in the first round, but had one eye on her second-round opponent.
If she advanced past Sara Errani in her opener, American star Lindsay Davenport would await Sharapova in round two, in a battle of Grand Slam champions.
Appearing as a guest on the latest episode of ‘Served with Andy Roddick’, Sharapova recalled how she reacted to the draw.
“When the draw came out and I saw Lindsay Davenport in the second round of that draw, I told Max [Eisenbud – agent], I am not doing any sponsor visits,” she said.
“I did not even care who I was playing in the first round, my focus and my energy was preparing for Lindsay Davenport because I think Lindsay was struggling with a few injuries and was coming back and unseeded.
“So when I saw her in that section of the draw in Australia, one of her better courts, I was like, that is what I need to be focused on.
“I remember I was staying at the Crown at the time in Melbourne, and once the draw came out, I went straight to the gym and I got on the bike. There was this ‘why am I drawing Lindsay Davenport in the second round?’”
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Sharapova then explained how she prepared for her match with Davenport at the 2008 Australian Open.
“I needed to get that energy out. That was my first intention, and then for the next three or four days I just focused on serving and returning,” she said.
“I was never shy of looking at the draw, but it’s really interesting how your mind shapes the path of what you take.
“The way that I got myself ready for that match mentally and physically, and you see it with how I played and how zoned in I was, and my returns and serves.
“It’s all because once I saw her name, I was like, this is going to determine who is going to win that match.”
Sharapova was then asked if she believed she would have produced the level she showed in Melbourne if she hadn’t drawn Davenport.
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“You don’t need to draw that level unless it was her, because it doesn’t matter if you are playing her in the second round or the quarters or the finals, you know what you are going to get,” she said.
“Pace, depth, and speed, and if you break her, bingo.”
Sharapova’s preparation paid off, as she dominated Davenport 6-1, 6-3, booking her place in round three.
Did Maria Sharapova win the 2008 Australian Open?
Fuelled with confidence after her convincing win over Davenport, Sharapova stepped into another gear, qualifying for her second consecutive Australian Open final without dropping a set.
RoundOpponentResultScoreSFJelena JankovicWin6-3, 6-1QFJustine HeninWin6-4, 6-04RElena DementievaWin6-2, 6-03RElena VesninaWin6-3, 6-02RLindsay DavenportWin6-1, 6-31RJelena Kostanic TosicWin6-4, 6-3Maria Sharapova at the 2008 Australian Open
Standing between Sharapova and the Australian Open title was Serbia’s Ana Ivanovic, the number four seed.
In straight sets, Sharapova beat Ivanovic 7-5, 6-3, to win her third Grand Slam title at the age of 20.
Before retiring from tennis in 2020, Sharapova added two more majors to her collection, winning the French Open in 2012 and 2014.
Finishing up her career as a five-time Grand Slam champion, Sharapova carved out a legacy that won’t soon be forgotten.