Maria very engaging this year

As well as confirming her relationship status off court by obtaining a fiancee, Sharapova is going all the way on the tennis court to obtain another status almost as important to her, that of preeminent female tennis player on the planet.
Overcoming nagging shoulder complaints has been the genesis of a dramatic rise back up the rankings and much of this due to a remarkable run on her less preferred surface - clay. Semi finals at Roland Garros may have been extended had it not been for a woeful serving exhibition, but more at home on grass, Maria has looked more impressive each round.

Her opponent in the quarters was expected to be top seed Caroline Wozniacki, but for the second time this year, Slovak Dominika Cibulkova defeated the Dane, this time slashing Caroline's hope of adding credibility to her number one ranking by taking out a Grand Slam tournament.

Historically the win was Dominika's first in Grand Slam competition against a top ten player and her hope was for two in a row against the might of Sharapova, a 30cm taller racquet wielder. I guess most of Sharapova's myriad of winners were about the same distance from the diminutive Slovak's racquet, as she desperately but in vain attempted to stay within a bull's roar of the supremely confident Maria.

The return of serve was captivating to watch on the screen in the bar with gin and ice in hand but must have impressed more in front of the live Centre Court crowd.

Powerless, Cibulkova tried within the limited abilities assigned her on the day, but Maria knew within her heart and mind that she was now the firm favorite to win this title again and was demonstrating why this should be so. 6-1 6-1. Simply awesome, simply loud.

By way of coincidence, the first and last time Sharapova won Wimbledon, was the same year I was last in Europe. Although Maria should win through to the final, I am looking forward to her returns against a more formidable serve that Sabine Lisicki possesses. I will be there live to report on it for you. (not wishing to rub it in or anything!)