MOSCOW -- Russian newspapers on Monday hailed Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova as "Queen of England" and the savior of Russia's sports reputation after the soccer team's dismal showing at the European Championships. Her Saturday defeat of Serena Williams was the prime front-page news in the newspaper Sovietsky Sport, with the Euro 2004 final between Greece and Portugal played small at the bottom despite Russia's intense interest in soccer. "Ave Maria, Ole Russia," the headline intoned, invoking the soccer cheer that Russians had little chance to use this year. Sport-Ekspress gave the soccer story more text, but only below a 4-inch blare of boldface reading "Sharapova." "The tennis player who has lived half of her 17 years in America, won Russia its first Wimbledon," the newspaper noted. Sharapova moved to Florida from her Siberian birthplace, but that apparently hasn't discouraged Russians from regarding her as one of their own -- a new entry in Russia's long list of sports standouts. The newspaper Moskovsky Komsomolets hinted at a revival of the political superpower status that vanished with the Soviet Union's collapse. A front-page headline punning on the similarity of the Russian words for "missile" and "racket," referred to Sharapova as one of the "Intercontinental rackets protecting the honor of Russia from its soccer players." This was Russia's second major tennis triumph in a month: Anastasia Myskina won the French Open in June, defeating countrywoman Elena Dementieva. Komsomolskaya Pravda also played up the power angle, showing a photo of Sharapova shouting victoriously with an inset of Williams lying with a grimace on the grass court after lunging for one of the Russian's shots. "Maria suggested Serena Williams take a rest for the next year," the photo caption read. Even the sober-sided government newspaper Rossiiskaya Gazeta gave Sharapova front-page attention, calling her victory "a sensation." Sharapova moved into the top 10 of the WTA Tour rankings for the first time at No. 8, while two-time winner Roger Federer extended his lead atop the men's standings over Andy Roddick. Williams dropped to No. 14, her lowest spot since March 1999. She was No. 1 as recently as Aug. 4, 2003, three days after she had knee surgery. That was the last of her 57 straight weeks at the top thanks to winning five out of six Grand Slam titles. Her sister Venus fell to No. 15 after losing in the second round at Wimbledon. Despite skipping the grass-court Grand Slam tournament because of health problems, Justine Henin-Hardenne remained at No. 1 and Kim Clijsters at No. 2. Roddick failed to beat Federer in the Wimbledon final, but he probably deserves credit for a big boost in TV ratings. Federer's 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (3), 6-4 victory over Roddick for a second straight title at the grass-court Grand Slam tournament drew a 3.6 overnight rating Sunday on NBC. That's 33 percent higher than the 2.7 last year, when Federer beat Mark Philippoussis. It's also the best overnight rating for a Wimbledon men's final since 2000 -- the last time an American was in the match. Sharapova's 6-1, 6-4 upset of two-time defending champion Serena Williams in the women's final Saturday produced a 3.9 overnight rating. Basketball The Charlotte Bobcats have selected their summer league team, and top draft pick Emeka Okafor isn't on it. Okafor, the No. 2 overall pick in the NBA draft, has gone to Los Angeles to work with a personal trainer in preparation for Olympics. Marianne Stanley was hired by the New York Liberty as an assistant coach. Stanley, who coached the Washington Mystics in 2002 and 2003, will work with interim head coach Pat Coyle, who replaced the fired Richie Adubato. Hockey Free agent defenseman Eric Cairns signed with the Florida Panthers. Cairns, 30, had two goals and six assists in 72 games with the New York Islanders last season, and his 189 penalty minutes were the most among NHL defensemen. Forward Boyd Devereaux signed a one-year-contract with the Phoenix Coyotes after playing the past four seasons with the Detroit Red Wings. Horse Racing Wonder Again enjoyed a perfect trip on her way to a convincing 31/4-length victory in the $250,000 New York Handicap at Belmont Park. Stay Forever was second, a nose in front of Spice Island in the field of seven fillies and mares 3-years and older. Soccer Fearing for his safety, Bernd Stange said he has resigned as coach of Iraq's national soccer team. Stange had a contract with the Iraqi Soccer Federation that ran until 2006. The German said he was warned his life would be in danger if he returned to Iraq. Off the field A $65 million plan to be presented to Indiana University trustees this fall will propose a major addition to Memorial Stadium and new or expanded facilities for baseball, basketball, golf, field hockey, rowing, softball, tennis and volleyball. Two-time Indianapolis 500 champion Rodger Ward died at a hospice in Anaheim, Calif., Indianapolis Motor Speedway said. At 83, Ward was the oldest living winner of the race. He won in 1959 and 1962, during a six-year span in which he finished no worse than fourth. Tennis Jiri Novak opened defense of his Swiss Open title with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Jose Acasuso. Novak, seeded fourth, won this clay-court title last year with a win over Roger Federer, who captured his second straight Wimbledon title Sunday. Argentine wild card Juan Monaco upset third-seeded Nicolas Massu, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, in the first round of the clay-court Swedish Open. Monaco also beat Massu in their first meeting on clay earlier this year. Massu of Chile was ranked 12th entering this tournament. Argentina's Juan Ignacio Chela, a French Open quarterfinalist who is seeded fourth, beat Spain's Marc Lopez, 6-4, 6-0.

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