June 21, 2005
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Sharapova’s Still a Smash
Tuesday June 21, 2005 4:00AM PT
Wimbledon (+87%) is just getting under way, and already we’re wondering: Can Maria Sharapova (+47%) repeat as champion? Not only did the Russian princess come out of nowhere to win it all in ’04, she served and volleyed her way onto the Buzz A-list without breaking a sweat. Now with all eyes on her, both on court and in Search, the leggy icon will don the required white togs of Wimbledon in hopes of taking home another trophy. We’ll have to wait to see if she wins the right to curtsey before the Queen, but it’s not too early to check out how her competition stacks up in Search. Grab yourself some strawberries and cream — here we go.
Maria Sharapova
It should come as no surprise that Sharapova is the most searched-on entrant in this year’s tourney. What might raise some eyebrows is the size of her lead. The model-esque Maria has more than triple the Buzz of her nearest competitor, Serena Williams (+51%). Interestingly, the playing field remains anything but level the further down we go in the Search order. Serena’s searches are four times those of her sister Venus (+49%). And interest in Venus doubles that of number one seed Lindsay Davenport (+48%). Of course, we’re hardly going out on a limb when we say these numbers will certainly change once the inevitable upsets begin.
And speaking of inevitability, is someone new destined to rise from the ranks of this year’s class of unknowns? Or will it be “Advantage: Sharapova” all over again? You’ll know when we know. Until then, keep your eye on the ball and off Maria’s gold-encrusted shoes — the Buzz is no place for the easily distracted.
