Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Australian Open Day 10: Makarova

Curtain Call

Player: Ekaterina Makarova
Age: 23
Nation: Russia
Current Ranking: 56
Notable Conquests: Vera Zvonareva (7th seed, Russia), Serena Williams (12th, USA) and Kaia Kanepi (25th, Estonia)
Today's Result: loss to Maria Sharapova (4th, Russia) in straight sets


Photo via Celebrities

The lefty Muscovite had the tournament of her life, attaining her career-best Slam result and taking down three seeds en route. Color commentator Chris Evert, in particular, seemed determined to belittle her accomplishment, specifically her upset of Williams, claiming "anyone" would have beaten Serena the way she played. (She almost immediately qualified the statement, saying that maybe 20 players would have beaten her) While the statement may be true, it misses the point, I believe. Makarova did the deed and fully deserves the credit.

But Pam Shriver delivered the line of the night. As Evert was prattling on about whether Makareva looks more like Steffi Graf or Gwyneth Paltrow, she said that Makarova wishes she had half of Graf's game.

Pam's retort: "Gwyneth Paltrow wishes she had half of Makarova's game."

Right on, Pam!

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