Maria Sharapova has positioned herself among the favorites for the 2011 French Open, the only Grand Slam the 24-year-old Russian still hasn’t won, by following up her win over world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki in the Rome semifinals with a 6-2 6-4 defeat of last year’s French Open runner-up Samantha Stosur.
When Sharapova is in a good tennis period, it’s a joy to watch her, her determination and focus combined with her powerful game produce a lot of winners that can’t leave you emotionless. I’m really looking forward to her shaking up the draw at the French Open. Not to mention that her fiancé’s engagement from the stands is really cute, it makes Sharapova’s wins even more moving.
In the first set of the eighth career meeting of Sharapova and Stosur, in which the Australian was trying to defeat the Russian for the first time, Sharapova won the first four games for a 4-0 lead and not long afterwards she took the first set, overpowering Stosur in the number of winners 7-5, but also with much less unforced errors, 5-14. After exchanging breaks early in the second set, Sharapova took Stosur’s serve in the fifth game which proved to be a crucial break, as the rest of the set went with serve.
By winning her 23rd title and her first one this year, Sharapova is projected to climb from No.8 to No.7 in the WTA rankings, while Stosur will fall to No.8 from her current standing of No.7. (photos courtesy of our reader Tony)
I can’t believe Maria won the Premier event on clay.:D I’m happy she finally won the title, after 4 lost finals. I’m not sure of her wining RG chances, she can go far, but at Wimbledon she will be a contender for the title. I’m glad she’s improving her game, and maybe she can finally go back to that stunning form from 2008. The girl is really someone to admire- she is beautiful, fashionable, superrich, engaged, has already a stunning carier, but besides all that and serious injury, she still trains and wants to win, unlike some. She’s a born fighter. 🙂 As for Stosur, this is a good result for her and a good thing for RG.
Yay! Go MaSha! 🙂
I’m so glad she won. She deserved this win…. 🙂
So happy Maria is back!!
Sharapova can be dangerous when she is focused, I remember watching the 06 us open, that was one driven russian and it wasn’t from vodka either (sorry to all russians) Sharapova is gonna get far depending on the draw.
Maria made the good and the bad weather, there were few chances for Sam, but anyway is a good result for her. I’m so glad that Maria won in Rome, a Premier event on clay! She’s very loved by the Italian public and she played really well 🙂
No words can describe, how happy I’m!!! Finally!!! I’m sure that one day she’ll holding her forth grand slam trophy. That day will come and I’ll be waiting…sorry my horrible english. Vivaaaaa Maria!!!!!!!
This title has been a long time coming. The win over Wozniacki was fantastic and the title was just the icing on the cake. It’s brilliant to see her playing so well again. RG is going to be very exciting 😀
I didn’t get to see the match, but I’m so happy that Maria won. I have really missed her fierce attitude. Women’s tennis can use some attitude right now.
Maria’s win was absolutely great! Yes, she did get a little lucky with Azarenka, but she won in straight sets against both Wozniacki and Stosur. Hopefully, she can keep us this form for the rest of the season. Who knows? Maybe another Slam will be added to her cabinet really, really soon 😀
it is such joy to see maria winning again, like a commentator said earlier, “she adds so much to the women’s game.”
I hoped so much for Sammie. She played such a nice tournament after her “Mid-Career-Crisis”. Hope, I’ll see her on the top at Roland Garros. She HAVE to win it!