Maria Sharapova recreates iconic Athena tennis poster

She stunned tennis fans with her incredible serves and forehand smashes.
But en route to victory, Maria Sharapova even found time to recreate the iconic Athena poster after the wind caught her mini-dress.
Thankfully, unlike her 1970s counterpart, Miss Sharapova had remembered to put on some underwear.

Joy! Sharapova blows a kiss to the crowd after advancing to the third round at Wimbledon

A tribute to gusto, The Athena poster of a young woman not wearing playing tennis without underwear and right, Maria Sharapova, unintentionally recreating the famous image

The Russian star unintentionally recreated the photograph that was taken by Martin Elliott in September 1976 featuring his then girlfriend 18-year-old Fiona Butler.


It was not such a glamorous story for Britain’s female tennis hopes Laura Robson and Elena Baltacha.


They came closer than might have been expected but by the end of play yesterday at Wimbledon, it was a familiar story for Britain’s girls.


Both of our remaining players in the women’s draw were dumped out of the tournament in the second round, despite valiant efforts.

Out! Laura Robson started well but lost to glamorous Russian star Maria Sharapova while, right, fellow Brit Elena Baltacha was beaten in three sets by China’s Shuai Peng

Miss Robson, just 17 years of age, had walked on to the court carrying her tennis backpack like a schoolgirl off to a particularly unpleasant exam.


Yet when the tennis started she gave her glamorous and vastly more experienced opponent, Maria Sharapova, a real scare, racing to a 4-1 lead in the first set.




But the Russian then recovered to take both that set via a tie-break and the decisive second, winning 7-6 (7-4), 6-3.


After the game, fifth seed Miss Sharapova was accused of putting off her inexperienced opponent – in the second round for the first time – by shrieking every time she hit the ball, with some spectators even putting it down to deliberate gamesmanship.

Valiant! Robson returns a shot during the match but her efforts were not enough to claim victory against the more experienced Sharapova

Winners, Shuai Peng of China reacts after winning her second round match against Elena Baltacha while right, Sharapova celebrates winning the first set against Britain’s Laura Robson

The 24-year-old blonde’s grunts even reached 116.9 decibels at one point – louder than a pneumatic drill.

But told afterwards that match commentators had remarked on how loud she was, she replied: ‘It’s not the first time I am sure.’

Asked if she thought she was too loud, the former Wimbledon champion frowned: ‘I am not sure. I think that’s your job, not mine, to judge.’

Victory, Sharapova shakes hands with Robson after winning the second round match on Day Five of the tournament

Maybe next year, Robson manages a smile as she waves to the crowd

Ian Ritchie, chief executive of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, had said earlier this week he wanted to see less grunting and it was spoiling the women’s game.

Elsewhere, there was heartache for Miss Baltacha, who was edged out by China’s 20th seed Shuai Peng.

The 27-year-old British No.1 took the first set 6-4, but lost the second 6-2.

Despite leading 4-2 in the third and final set, she was unable to maintain her advantage and was eventually defeated 7-5.

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