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Sharapova Grabs Headlines in Russia Maria Sharapova not only beat Serena Williams to win the Wimbledon title, she pushed aside some of Russia's top political and business news. Her swift and efficient victory Saturday received extensive attention on Russian television news shows. Some broadcasts put the match ahead of a law-enforcement raid at the Yukos oil company -- whose troubles have been one of Russia's most prominent ongoing stories -- and the big dispute for control of the Communist Party. ``Maria has ended the hegemony of the Williams sisters,'' the newspaper Sport-Ekspress said on its Web site. ``It's the second great victory for the homeland's tennis in less than a month,'' the report added, referring to Anastasia Myskina's win at the French Open in June over fellow Russian Elena Dementieva. While the quality of play at the French Open final underwhelmed many, Sharapova displayed exceptional technique and assurance in her 6-1, 6-4 victory. ``All in all, Masha Sharapova gave up just five games to the menacing Serena Williams in the Wimbledon final!,'' said Sovietsky Sport, the country's other major sports newspaper, on its Web site, which also has included her photos in a ``Hot Five'' sidebar of beautiful female athletes. The 17-year-old Sharapova appears to be in for a tidal wave of celebrity treatment. ``All the newspapers and channels are going to be writing about the Russian victor. Glorious attention awaits Maria Sharapova ... her career is just beginning,'' said commentator Andrei Cherkasov on NTV television, which allotted nearly four minutes of coverage to her victory during its afternoon news Sunday. Russian newspapers don't publish Sunday editions, so today most likely will be the first indicator of how intense the media coverage may be. But in the competition for attention today, she faces an opponent even more formidable than Williams -- the Euro 2004 soccer final. Who Are We ? | About THISDAYOnLine.com | THISDAY People | Contact Us © Copyright 2000 Leaders & Company Limited

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