Maria at the launch of her Cole Haan Fall 2011 Collection event in New York.Maria Sharapova
Maria at the launch of her Cole Haan Fall 2011 Collection event in New York.Maria SharapovaRussia's tennis star Maria Sharapova unveils the new Land Rover Freelander 2 at the pre-Wimbledon Women's Tennis Association party at the Kensington Roof Gardens in London, June 22, 2006.ReutersMaria Sharapova of Russia arrives at the 2012 Australian open Players Party at Crown Towers on January 15, 2012 in Melbourne, Australia.Maria SharapovaTennis star Maria Sharapova poses on the red carpet before launching her new TAG Heuer AQUARACER Steel & 18K Gold watch with diamonds and her new charity "The Maria Sharapova Foundation" at Bloomingdales in New York, August 22, 2006.ReutersMaria Sharapova of Russia poses for a photo during previews for the WTA Championships 2011 on October 23, 2011 in Istanbul, Turkey.Maria SharapovaMaria Sharapova attends a promotional event at Tiffany Ginza flagship store on September 24, 2011 in Tokyo, Japan.Maria SharapovaTennis player Maria Sharapova holds her fragrance during a news conference in Mexico City April 30, 2006. Sharapova is in Mexico to promote her fragrance "Maria Sharapova".ReutersMaria Sharapova of Russia poses during the Players Welcome Party for the Sony Ericsson Open at Paris Nightclub on March 22, 2011 in Key Biscayne, Florida.Maria SharapovaTennis star Maria Sharapova answers questions after donating $100,000 and becomes a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations,ReutersMaria Sharapova attends the TAG Heuer Formula 1 Lady Steel and Ceramic Pavee watch launch on November 1, 2011 in Istanbul, Turkey.Maria SharapovaWTA tennis star Maria Sharapova reacts on the sidelines while watching the Miami Heat play the Boston Celtics during second quarter NBA basketball action in Miami, Florida November 30, 2007.ReutersMaria Sharapova at the 13th annual ESPY Awards at the Kodak Theatre in HollywoodReutersRussia's Sharapova smiles while being interviewed at Pacific Life Open tennis tournament in Indian Wells.ReutersRussian tennis player Maria Sharapova at the premiere of "10,000 B.C." at the Grauman's Chinese theatre in Hollywood, CaliforniaReutersTennis player Maria Sharapova poses backstage at The 2011 ESPY Awards held at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on July 13, 2011 in Los Angeles, California.Maria Sharapova
Maria Sharapova, the roundly beaten finalist of the 2012 Australian Open, has suffered a second defeat... rather too soon, certainly, for the glamorous Russian's liking.
Sharapova, the top seed at the Open GDF Suez in Paris, was beaten by Angelique Kerber of Germany (the No. 9 seed), in straight sets - 4-6, 4-6.
The loss came despite the Russian breaking first in both sets.
"It was a hard day. She played extremely well," Sharapova told reporters. She, however, is not about to lose confidence: "You also have to be realistic. Sometimes you have a day that isn't a good day. You have to move on and learn from your mistakes."
The latest WTA rankings, to be released on Monday, are expected to allow Sharapova to retain her World No. 2 position.
Meanwhile, the athletic, bold and beautiful Russian diva... long admired as being one of the most fetching young women on the tour... seems to get better looking with each passing day!
Check out a slideshow of some of her more glamorous off-court moments...
