As I had hoped, Masha has decided to play in New Zealand! [:D] [Y]

http://asbclassic.co.nz/...sharapova-confirmed.html 

ALSO: Though our forum remains, it appears mariasharapova.com is GONE. A NEW SITE will be announced! [:O] Check the main page.

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It's already confirmed she's palying in New Zealeand! :)

She announced it in her Facebook Page. So that means she won't play in Hong Kong? Correct me if I'm wrong please.

Whatever they pay her, she's not playing Auckland for money. Somebody claimed one time her Hong Kong fee was in the seven digits. I dunno if that's true but I doubt ASB is ponying up anything like it. She will love Auckland. It's well-attended, respectful, fun and friendly -- maybe "happy" the way they claim a certain large tourney over in Oz USED to be... [;)]

The Facebook entry:

Maria Sharapova Change, change, change!! Going to start 2011 a little different this year. I am happy to let everyone know that I will be playing in New Zealand for the first time in my career at the WTA event in Auckland. It's always fun playing in new places so I am really excited about trying something new. I hope to see all my friends in New Zealand the first week of January!

I was very happy to read it on facebook.

She is definitely interested in a good 2011 tennis year and seems she is

really focused to have a good year.

( the engagement thing --suspect, she didn't confirm or did she ?

perhaps she was not at all amused that Sasha spread the news )

I was very happy to read it on facebook.

She is definitely interested in a good 2011 tennis year and seems she is

really focused to have a good year.

( the engagement thing --suspect, she didn't confirm or did she ?

perhaps she was not at all amused that Sasha spread the news )

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Far as I know, she's declined comment on the engagement.

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Until now: http://www.showbizspy.com/artic...ring-i-feel-spoiled.html

Planetstream.tv, together with the tournament organisers and the WTA, will stream LIVE and FREE across the globe this great tennis event at www.planetstream.tv.

Watch wall-to-wall coverage of the world's top woman’s tennis stars in action from Round One through to the Finals.

The presence of Li Na in the tournament is a real treat for tennis fans and the passionate Chinese tennis fan base. While other players are expected to gain big followings too.

Anyone with a broadband connection can watch all centre court matches live, or later through video on demand. Full broadcast quality production will be distributed over multiple bitrates, along with added features around the video including a real-time chat function, and updated tournament news.  A superb online viewer experience will provide a must see event for the tennis fan wherever they are on the planet.

No big surprise to see that WTA has shouldered into the mix. [:P] Stacey's little Masters of the Universe won't leave anything tennis alone. But some gratification to see they've been unable to pressure the ASB & Planetstream into dropping coverage of the early rounds. The "players' organization" (laughingly so-called) has never wanted us seeing much before quarters--mainly because there are always too many new players & contenders persona non grata they want to hide from us.

For part of this openness, we can thank Kiwi television--starting last year, TVNZ opened the stream gates, so there is also the competition of http://tvnz.co.nz/tv Any problem getting them or Planetstream directly, no sweat--all the source page portals will access both. [8-|]

PS: Planetstream used to carry a second court. Interesting to see if they do that again.

Maria Sharapova, a three-time Grand Slam champion and one of the two aforementioned former No.1s, will be the No.1 seed. Making her first appearance in New Zealand, Sharapova has had strong results in nearby Australia, winning one of her three career Grand Slam titles at the Australian Open in 2008 (the other two majors came at Wimbledon in 2004 and the US Open in 2006).

Dinara Safina and Svetlana Kuznetsova
are Grand Slam-caliber Russians also named in the field. Safina has
reached three major finals and has been as high as No.1; Kuznetsova has
won two majors and has been as high as No.2.

Another former Top 10 player, Kimiko Date-Krumm,
hopes to continue right where she left off in the fall, looking to
become the first 40-something ever to win a WTA title. She won 11 of 16
matches in a phenomenal finish to 2010, having particular success
against the top players (she went 5-2 against the Top 20).

Former Top 20 players Yanina Wickmayer, Alona Bondarenko, Anabel Medina Garrigues and Alizé Cornet are also among a packed field, with Wickmayer the defending champion at the International-level event.

"This is a superb list of players from all over the world with plenty
of depth, experience and also new faces too," said Richard Palmer, ASB Classic Tournament Director. "Having the likes of Sharapova, Kuznetsova - two Grand Slam winners
at the ASB Classic at the same time - along with former No.1 Safina all
coming to the country for the first time is fantastic for the ASB
Classic and all sport in New Zealand. It's a field full of class and
intrigue."

For more information on the tournament, which runs January 3 to 8, 2011, visit the tournament's new official website at www.asbclassic.co.nz

WELCOME TO THE REAL WORLD