BEST Sports Photos of the Week!

Rediff.com brings a selection of the week's best photographs from the sports world.

Defending champion Sharapova was given a scare by China's Zheng Jie, recovering from a 4-1 deficit in the second set to win 6-1, 7-5.

World No 2 Tennis star, Sharapova serves to Zheng Jie of China during their women's singles match at the French Open.

Samantha Stosur of Australia crashed out in the French Open third round. Jelena Jankovic beat her 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Brazil and England fans joke before their international friendly soccer match at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

This is the first and only test match after Maracana's $500-million overhaul before the June 15-30 Confederations Cup.

England's Gary Cahill (left) challenges Ireland's Shane Long during their international friendly soccer match at Wembley stadium in London.

Bayern Munich's Philipp Lahm lifts up the trophy as the team celebrates victory over VfB Stuttgart in their German soccer cup (DFB Pokal) final match at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin.

England's captain Alastair Cook fails to reach a chance from the bat of New Zealand's Brendon McCullum during the second One-day International at the Ageas Bowl cricket ground in Southampton, England.