Sport Superstars Collide In Madrid

MADRID, Spain – Maria Sharapova, 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," said Sharapova, the 2006 US Open champion. “The crowd was fantastic and so passionate. It was great to meet some of the team after the game. They are players who I have followed as a fan and have a lot of respect for."

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 Sony Ericsson WTA Tour season to battle it out for the season-ending titles and a share of the $3-million prize purse. The defending champions are Amelie Mauresmo (singles) and Lisa Raymond and Samantha Stosur (doubles).