Sports
Sharapova
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Kyle Terada
Maria Sharapova will return to the Bank of the West Classic at Stanford next week, hoping to improve upon last year’s runnerup finish.
Sharapova said in teleconference this week. “I always feel like I can be one step quicker, that I can improve moving on the court and being more aggressive. I can take a few more balls in the air.� The winner of 23 WTA Tour singles title, Sharapova returns to Stanford after losing in last year’s final, 6-4, 6-1, to world No. 4 Victoria Azarenka. “I played some great matches during last summer,� Sharapova said. “But it was not enough for the U.S. Open. That level didn’t come through when it mattered most. That happens.� Sharapova hopes to create a different atmosphere this summer as she looks ahead to the final Grand Slam event of the season. She last won a Grand Slam with the 2008 Australian Open and last won the U.S. Open title in 2006. She has three Grand Slam titles to her credit, including the 2004 Wimbledon crown. “I find myself in a rush this year after taking a break following Wimbledon,� Sharapova said. “I see the U.S. Open approaching and I want to prepare for that.� Sharapova already owns one WTA title this year, winning in Rome. She also reached the finals at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami and advanced to the French Open semifinals in May. In addition to Sharapova and
Azarenka, Wimbledon semifinalist Sabine Lisicki is also entered in the Bank of the West Classic. Thirteen-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams, 2011 French Open semifinalist and 2009 Bank of the West Classic titlist Marion Bartoli, former World No. 1 Ana Ivanovic, and world No. 10 Samantha Stosur are also in the field. Williams is returning from an injury, though Sharapova didn’t think it was wise to offer any advice. “She’s an incredible champion,� Sharapova said. “She’s come back from injuries before. She has it all figured out.� Sharapova broke onto the national stage with her win over Williams in the championship match of the 2004 Wimbledon tournament, but acknowledges there’s a slight discrepancy in their head-to-head meetings. Williams (478-103 overall) leads their series, 6-2, and has won the previous five meetings. “I love playing her but I don’t have a great record against her,� Sharapova said. “I would like to change that. I would like to play her at some point this summer.� Sharapova (401-98 on the WTA Tour) skipped the Stanford event until two years ago. Now she’s hooked. “I love the fact it’s a younger, college crowd,� she said. “It’s a lot more intimate place than a lot of other tournaments we play. It feels like the crowd is right there watching you.� Last year’s runnerup finish also sparked Sharapova’s successful
summer run. “I usually train in the Los Angeles area before going to Stanford,� Sharapova said. “I love playing in tournaments that are five hours or less away. It feels homey and I can have my own car to drive around.� Sharapova already has had her share of setbacks this year, withdrawing from tournaments with a viral illness and an ear infection. Those things are nothing compared to the constant training. “You almost put it on autopilot,� she said. “It’s a lot of work, especially when you’re on tour. It seems easier to go to the tournaments, when you aren’t practicing three or four hours a day. Those days, the days between tournaments, are a lot tougher for me mentally. There are days when I feel mentally out of it. Recovery is important. You have to keep a good balance.� Also included in the field will be two former top 10-ranked players, Daniela Hantuchova and Kimiko Date-Krumm. The Bank of the West Classic will also welcome three additional top-20 players including No. 13 Agnieszka Radwanska, No. 16 Julia Goerges, and No. 19 Yanina Wickmayer. Helping strengthen the field will be this year’s Wimbledon quarterfinalist, Dominika Cibulkova, who has been granted a wildcard into the tournament. Now in its 41st year, the women’s only tournament features a 28-player singles draw as well as a 16-team doubles draw with total prize money of $721,000. N
CITY OF PALO ALTO PRESENTS – 27TH ANNUAL
PALO ALTO WEEKLY MOONLIGHT RUN & WALK Friday, September 9, 2O11
TIME & PLACE 5K walk 7:00pm, 10K run 8:15pm, 5K run 8:45pm. Race-night registration 6:00 to 8:00pm at City of Palo Alto Baylands Athletic Center, Embarcadero & Geng Roads (just east of the Embarcadero Exit off Highway 101). Parking — go to PaloAltoOnline.com to check for specific parking locations. COURSE
5K and 10K loop courses over Palo Alto Baylands levee, through the marshlands by the light of the Harvest Moon! Course is flat, USAT&F certified (10k run only) on levee and paved roads. Water at all stops. Course map available at www.PaloAltoOnline.com.
REGISTRATIONS & ENTRY FEE Pre-registration fee is $25 per entrant (postmarked by September 2, 2011) and includes a longsleeve t-shirt. Late/race-night registration is $30 and includes a shirt only while supplies last. Family package: Children 12 and under run free with a registered parent. A completed entry form for each child must be submitted with adult registration. Please indicate on form and include $15 for t-shirt. No confirmation of mail-in registration available. Registration also available online at www.PaloAltoOnline.com. Refunds will not be issued for no-show registrations and t-shirts will not be held. SPORTS TEAM/CLUBS: Pre-registration opportunity for organizations of 10 or more runners; e-mail MoonlightRun@paweekly.com. MINORS: If not pre-registered Minors under 18 MUST bring signed parental/waiver form (online) on race night to participate. DIVISIONS Age divisions: 9 & under; 10-12; 13-19; 20-29; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59; 60-69, and 70 & over with separate divisions for male and female runners in each age group. Race timing provided for 5K and 10K runs only; not 5K walk.
COMPUTERIZED RESULTS by A Change of Pace Chip timing by A Change of Pace. Race results will be posted on the Internet at www.PaloAltoOnline.com by 11pm race night. Registration forms must be filled out completely and correctly for results to be accurate. Race organizers are not responsible for incorrect results caused by incomplete or incorrect registration forms. You must register for the event you plan to participate in.
AWARDS/PRIZES/ENTERTAINMENT Top three finishers in each division. Prize giveaways and refreshments. DJ Alan Waltz. Pre-race warmups by Noxcuses Fitness, Palo Alto PALO ALTO GRAND PRIX Stanford
Road Race Series — Moonlight Run, 9/9; Marsh Madness, 10/23; Home Run, 11/13, for more information
go to www.paloaltogp.org.
BENEFICIARY Palo Alto Weekly Holiday Fund. A holiday-giving fund to benefit Palo Alto area non-profits and charitable organizations. In April 2011, 45 organizations received a total of $240,000 (from the 2010-2011 Holiday Fund.)
MORE INFORMATION Call (650) 463-4920, (650) 326-8210, email MoonlightRun@paweekly.com or go to www.PaloAltoOnline.com. For safety reasons, no dogs allowed on course for the 5K and 10K runs. They are welcome on the 5K walk only. No retractable leashes! Please bring your own clean-up bag. Jogging strollers welcome in the 5K walk or at the back of either run.
Flashlights/head lights recommended. First aid service and chiropractic evaluations will be available.
Register online at www.PaloAltoOnline.com GOT OLD SHOES? Change someone’s world with a pair of your shoes. Bring your gently worn shoes to the Moonlight Run and they will be sent to Djibouti, Africa. *>Â?ÂœĂŠ Â?ĂŒÂœĂŠ7iiÂŽÂ?ÞÊUĂŠ Ă•Â?ÞÊÓÓ]ÊÓ䣣ÊU Page 31