This year's Grand Slam U.S. Open kicked off on August 28. Sharapova, the third seed, was placed in the quarters. It is worth mentioning that China has five women's players participating in this US Open, and three of them are also in the 2/4 zone.

Among the three Chinese players in the 2/4 zone, except for the No. 24 seed Li Na, the other two players were eliminated in the first round, and Li Na lived up to the name of the first sister of domestic tennis, all the way to victory, defeated Spain's Lorenzo, Greece's Danilito, and then met France's No. 13 seed Pierce in the third round.

However, Li Na's luck was very good, although Pierce defeated Li Na 6-4 in the first round, but he suffered a recurrence of his leg injury during the match and had to give up the game, and Li Na successfully entered the round of 16 of the US Open, which is also a big breakthrough.

And Li Na's opponent in the fourth round is none other than Sharapova.

In contrast, Sharapova's path to qualification was much smoother, as the third seed easily defeated the Dutchman's Krajisek 2-0 on aggregate in the first round; In the second round, he also defeated France's Loy with an aggregate score of 2:0, winning more easily than in the first round; In the third round, Sharapova met her compatriot Likhovtseva, a doubles player whose highest world ranking in singles is 15th, is a big gap compared to Sharapova, so Sharapova still easily advanced with an overall score of 2:0.

In the fourth round of the US Open, Li Na played against Sharapova, one is the No. 24 seed of the tournament, and the other is the No. 3 seed of the tournament. Sharapova will definitely advance by a landslide.

But the domestic media don't think so, in the eyes of the Chinese people, one is the first sister of domestic tennis, and the other is Zhang Guan's girlfriend, and the contest between the two should be a needle-to-needle showdown, so even if the broadcast time of the US Open is very unfavorable for domestic audiences to watch the game. But there were still many people waiting in front of the TV in the middle of the night, waiting to watch the battle.

It was a match of special significance, and in addition to focusing on the two contestants, the broadcast camera spent most of its time capturing two adjacent positions in the front row of the audience, where ******** people were seated, one was Li Na's husband Jiang Shan, and the other, of course, Sharapova's boyfriend Zhang Guan.

As a result, there was a strange phenomenon on the scene, where the two players worked the field, as if they were enemies. In the audience, the families of the two players were talking and laughing intimately, as if they were brothers.

……

"Going to spend a few days in the United States?" Jiang Shan said while looking at his wife on the field, and then shook his head slightly, this ball Li is too big, and Sharapova will definitely seize the opportunity.

"I'll just stay for a little more than a week, and I'll have to go to Greece in a few days. Participated in the Athletics World Cup held on the 16th. Zhang Guan then asked, "Brother Jiang, what about you?" After the end of the US Open. Why don't you play with that sister for a few more days? ”

"You have a game on the 16th, we have a game on the 18th. China Open is about to start! Playing at home on home, Li Na will definitely have to participate. Jiang Shan paused, and then said: "Among the players who came out together this time, Zheng Jie will go back first, and Li Na and I will have to wait until the end of the US Open to come back." It is said that the organizers also have a charity day at the US Open, and Li Na wants to participate. ”

"Charity Day? What is this? I've never heard of it before! Zhang Guan said.

"It's just that after the U.S. Open, the players go to the community to do some fundraising and the like, which is rarely the case in other tennis tournaments, at most there is a dinner party. Americans like to get this stuff. Jiang Shan explained.

"Then I guess Martha will have to participate, too." Zhang Guan said.

Jiang Shan nodded: "That's inevitable, the top 16 players should all participate, or they may be separated, for example, a few people go to a certain community in a group, I don't know the specific situation, listen to the arrangement then!" Anyway, Americans have food and lodging, so they should travel here for free. ”

The two were talking happily in the audience, and on the court, Sharapova had already won the first game with a score of 6-4.

Sharapova looked relaxed, she was already in the groove, and she felt that the next round should be over soon, only to see her drink some water and change her racket.

And Li Na's face is very dignified, Sharapova's style of play is very aggressive, whether it is a forehand or a backhand, the power and depth of the shot are sufficient, and the most angled, and Sharapova likes to use a strong spin to replace the traditional net volley, which makes Li Na's judgment often wrong.

Li Na is not the future Grand Slam champion-level player, although her forehand angle is very reversed, but her backhand play is relatively stable, and the ball speed is not as fast as in the future, which is not a threat to Sharapova, and Li Na's biggest shortcoming now is that her serve is not stable enough, and the double method error rate is very high. You must know that the future sister, the serve is her main offensive weapon, and now the serve is unstable, which is equivalent to abolishing her sharpest weapon.

In the second game, Lee's inconsistent serve was evident, and she made several double errors, as a result of which she quickly lost the match with a score of 2-6, and Sharapova successfully advanced to the quarterfinals.

……

In the hotel's restaurant, Zhang Guanzheng was by Sharapova's side, and the two shared breakfast.

In yesterday's match, Sharapova faced France's Golevin, the 27th seed in the tournament, and the ranking was still below Lee, but Sharapova won more hard, although she won 2-0 on aggregate, but she reached a tie-break in both games, and in the first game, both sides had three breaks, which can be described as a fierce match.

"It seems like you won hard yesterday." Zhang Guan continued: "It seems that Golevin knows your style of play very well. ”

Sharapova nodded: "Maybe it's because we know each other better!" Golven was also born in Russia and later emigrated to France. ”

"I see." Zhang Guan knew about this for the first time, and then he continued: "Your opponent next is still the French!" Mauresmo seems to be the top seed at the US Open. ”

"Yes, I've fought Mauresmo three times before, but I've never won! But I'm confident I can beat her in the next fight! I've prepared some targeted tactics, and Mauresmo is a slower player. So I'm going to play a little more ferociously in the opening stage! Sharapova said, looked up behind Zhang Guan, and continued: "Max is here!" ”

Zhang Guan turned his head to look and just saw Sharapova's agent, Max Eschenbaard, walking over.

Max Eschenbaard is one of IMG's ace agents, and he also became Lee Na's agent after Lee Na flew solo in the future.

IMG is also a world-class giant in sports entertainment. Moreover, IMG is the first sports company to enter the Chinese market and has close ties with domestic officials. The domestic Football League A League and FA Cup, the basketball CBA League, table tennis face, China Open, etc., all have the shadow of IMG's participation.

Sharapova and Zhang Guan got up at the same time, and Max Eschenbaard also walked over quickly, and when he got closer, he said, "Good morning, both of you! Sorry to disturb your breakfast. ”

"Max, there must be something important, or you wouldn't have come here so early." Sharapova spoke.

"Yes, but Martha, I'm not here for you this time. I'm here to find Zhang Guan. Eschenbaard began.

"Looking for me?" Zhang Guan was a little surprised.

"Yes, Mr. Zhang Guan, here is an invitation letter for you." Essenbaard took out a letter from his briefcase, handed it to Zhang, and said, "The organizers of the US Open invite you to participate in Charity Day. They didn't know your contact information, so they came to me. ”

"Charity Day!" Zhang Guan nodded, he had heard Jiang Shan talk about this before, and then he asked, "I'm not a tennis player." Why did the organizers remember me? ”

"I think it's because you're Chinese!" Eschenbaard continued: "The news I heard is if you promise to attend the US Open Charity Day. They'll arrange for Martha to join you for a charity fundraiser in nearby Queens, along with your compatriots, Mr. and Mrs. Lee. You know that Flushing, Queens, is home to a lot of Chinese Americans and Chinese immigrants, and it probably would be best to have you in attendance. ”

"They're really good at picking people." Zhang Guan smiled and continued, "Martha must attend this charity day event!" Then I'll go with Martha! ”

"Okay. I will inform the organizers. Eschenbaard began.

"I haven't been to a similar event in the U.S., so I don't know what I need to do?" Zhang Guan asked.

Essenbaard thought for a moment and said, "It's usually about shaking hands, taking photos and signing autographs with everyone, and there's a live performance......"

"Live performances? Acting in a show? Zhang Guan was a little surprised.

"No, no, no, you're mistaken. It's not a theatrical performance, it's a sports performance. Eschenbaard said with a smile: "For example, basketball, it will probably let the star show off his skills, fancy dunk or 1v1 bullfighting or something; Baseball will perform several bats; As for tennis, it may be an exhibition match, and you can play a game or two on the spot! ”

"I'm going to play again! I can't beat Martha. Zhang Guan involuntarily looked at Sharapova and said with some dejection.

"I'm sure I'm not going to let you fight me." Sharapova interjected: "Didn't Max just say that the Li and his wife will also go, it is estimated that they are going to play mixed doubles, you and me, against the Li and his wife." ”

"Fight them? How can this be beaten! Li Na's husband, Jiang Shan, used to be a professional tennis player, and he is also the top mixed doubles player in our country! What's more, the couple paired up in mixed doubles for several years! I'm a tennis rookie after all......" Zhang Guan complained.

"Honey, it's just an exhibition game, don't take the victory or defeat as important." Sharapova smiled slyly and continued: "And you said it all, you are a tennis rookie, if you lose, I will put the blame on you." ”

"Uh, well, it looks like I'm really going to take the blame......" Zhang Guan sighed softly.

At the same time, Zhang Guan had another idea in his heart:

"Back to the pot? I don't carry the black cauldron! Wait for me to learn a few new tennis skills, and I'll give you a big surprise when the time comes! (To be continued.) )

PS: The first chapter is delivered, asking for a guaranteed monthly pass. Thank you book friend Hades, the waiting hook 10,000 points prize!