Posted on 07/04/2006 11:57:49 AM PDT by beyond the sea
LONDON (AFP) - Maria Sharapova turned the spotlight on to a lapse in Wimbledon security after her quarter-final win was interrupted by a streaker who performed a hand-stand in front of the Royal Box.
The appearance of a naked young man mid-way through the second set of the Russian's match against compatriot Elena Dementieva was the biggest surprise on a day in which the top four women's seeds -- Amelie Mauresmo, Kim Clijsters, Justine Henin-Hardenne and Sharapova -- booked their semi-final spots.
Sharapova said she had never felt alarmed but admitted she had been surprised by how long he had been allowed to remain within a few yards of her on Centre Court, wearing just white training shoes and black socks.
"When you look at the security guards and they are laughing, it is hard to be frightened then," Sharapova said, before joking: "I didn't really look at the guy, thank God, I didn't want to look at all the details!"
Pushed on the subject however, Sharapova, who has had to deal with the unwelcome attention from stalkers in the past, suggested she was not totally happy with the handling of the incident.
"What I would have liked was that he didn't do a cartwheel and run around the court for about ten seconds," she said.
"I'm sure they (Wimbledon officials) know it was a little bit too long."
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
lol
;)
Post 18. And I think he looks flabby.
Nice!! :D
I'd give him about a 3.5 - degree of dificulty was low and form was poor.
Nice bridge on the fingers, legs not straight, knees apart, and toes not pointed.
I think the 3.5 would have covered any other pertinent measures, also.
"Splash"
WIMBLEDON, England - About the only thing that made Maria Sharapova flinch during her Wimbledon quarterfinal was the streaker prancing around on court. Sharapova lost three of the next four games — coincidence, perhaps? — before finishing off a 6-1, 6-4 victory over No. 7 Elena Dementieva on Tuesday to reach the semifinals at the All England Club for the third straight year.
"I heard the crowd go a little wild, and I looked back and saw the man jumping up and down. It took the crowd a point or two to settle down, but I'm pretty good at keeping my focus. I don't let things like that bother me too much," the 2004 Wimbledon champion said. "Hey, you guys wanted some entertainment during a women's match — you got some."
O.K. folks, Stop posting pics of my would-be girlfriend! I'm the only stalker she needs. Thanks. :)
Flabby? You think he looks flabby?
He looks pretty fit in the second picture.
You've been spoiled girl.
Yeah.I think he looks flabby. In the 2nd pic, everything is stretched tight because he's doing a cartwheel. We should all be so spoiled! :)
Never mind my complaint about the black socks ... what's with the GREEN bracelet there?? (Though I will admit to being rather impressed that his fingertips were able to support the load ...) :D
Oh I hope not everything ... ouch. ;)
I thought of that just after I hit "post". LOL
This is the kind of story where almost anything you say is going to scream double-entendre! LOLOLOLOL!!!
Yeah it will. These threads can be verbally dangerous pitfalls for pithy comments. :)
Yowser!
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