Maria Sharapova Meets Up With Real Madrid

Maria Sharapova, who is currently preparing for next week's season-ending Sony Ericsson Championships, was the guest of honor Wednesday night at the Bernabeu, home of Real Madrid, to watch the Spanish club's Champions League victory over Steaua Bucharest.

After the match, the world No.2 met up with a number of the victorious team members, including David Beckham, Ronaldo, Iker Casillas and Robinho.

"It was great to be able to go to a Real Madrid game," Sharapova said. "The crowd was fantastic and so passionate. It was great to meet some of the team after the game. They're players who I've followed as a fan and have a lot of respect for."

Sharapova was the third player to qualify for Madrid, doing so after capturing her second career Grand Slam title at the US Open in September. The Russian teen has won a total of five titles this year, a tally that also includes Tier Is at Indian Wells, San Diego and Zürich. She also won the Tier II last week in Linz, a win that moved the former No.1 into the Top 2 for the first time in over a year.

The Sony Ericsson Championships, which begin on November 7 at the Madrid Arena, will gather together the Top 8 singles players and Top 4 doubles teams from the regular 2006 Tour season to battle it out for the season-ending titles and a share of the $3-million prize purse. The defending champions are Amélie Mauresmo (singles) and Lisa Raymond and Samantha Stosur (doubles).

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