Wimbledon 2011 Live stream

There was much hype during the 2004 Wimbledon Championships, and it was mainly due to the participation of  17 year-old Russian Maria Sharapova.

The attention initially surrounding the youngster was undoubtedly due to her flawless looks and prowess on court, with many labelling her the most beautiful woman the sport had ever seen. However there was more to Sharapova than purely being a sex symbol for the game, and during the Championships she powered her way through to the final with displays of talent, grit and pure class.

In the final, she faced previous winner and hard-hitter Serena Williams. At seventeen she was to become the youngest winner of the Ladies Singles, in an excellent final which saw her throw back everything Williams threw at her. Her success was one which pleased every neutral spectator, as a new darling of the sport was really born.