Why Sharapova-Makarova Isn't Exactly An All-Russian Semifinal
— -- MELBOURNE, Australia -- Although there is a very good chance of an All-American semifinal in the top half of the bracket -- at least one U.S. player is guaranteed to be in it -- the bottom half will have an all-Russian semi: Maria Sharapova versus Ekaterina Makarova. However, Sharapova can be considered both Russian and American.
Sharapova was born in Siberia, spent her early childhood in the much, much more tennis-friendly climate of Sochi, was the Russian flag bearer in the 2012 Olympics and has represented her country in the Fed Cup. But she has lived in the United States since moving to Florida more than two decades ago at age 6.
"Obviously, [Russia and America] are both big parts of my life,'' Sharapova said after beating Canadian Eugenie Bouchard in the quarterfinals. "I spent my childhood in Russia. I live in the United States, where I am very comfortable and very happy. I know both cultures extremely well.
"At the end of the day, I'm very happy to be representing Russia. It's more of a feeling than anything else. I have a lot of family back home that I see and speak to quite often during the year. Despite not living there, I have a very strong connection to the country, but yet I'm very happy when I'm able to go to the United States and spend my time in Florida, be around my friends. It's great to have a little bit of both, I guess.''
Asked whether she considered Sharapova part of the Russian group of Svetlana Kuznetsova, Anastasia Myskina and Anna Kournikova, who featured so prominently in the tennis limelight a decade ago, Makarova responded uncomfortably, "That's a tough question. I just want to leave it.''
Fair enough. Leave it at that. Neither player had much problem leaving her quarterfinal opponent behind. Makarova beat No. 3 Simona Halep 6-4 in the first set, then bageled her in the second, while Sharapova beat Bouchard 6-3, 6-2. Neither match was particularly exciting.
Sharapova and Makarova have played five times -- twice in the quarters here -- and Sharapova has won all five while losing only one set. She will be the favorite, but Makarova has at least one interesting item on her résumé: She is the only player who has never been ranked No. 1 but has defeated each of the Williams sisters in a Grand Slam.
She also prepared for the semifinal by playing a quarterfinal doubles match shortly after beating Halep.
"I want to go and play my doubles,'' Marakova said. "I will practice some shots which I need to practice. It's nice time. And I will have a rest tomorrow. So that's good schedule for me.''
U.S. players are repeatedly asked for their views on the state of American tennis, which is having an exceptional run here on the women's side. Makarova got the question on Russian tennis.
"I think we're still in a great level,'' she replied. "Like Maria -- she is showing the best tennis for a long time. Kuznetsova also. We have some really good girls, the juniors that are coming up, so I think we'll still be here on the top level.''
There's a good chance of that, though Sharapova wasn't quite as enthusiastic.
"Maybe today it's this way. Give it a few months, and something else will change,'' she said. "I don't think Russian tennis is as strong as it was when you had three girls [ Elena Dementieva, Dinara Safina and Vera Zvonareva] on the Olympic podium [in 2008]. But as far as being in a great position today, it's certainly nice to know that a Russian will be in a final representing the country here.''