Maria Sharapova is far from the best mover on clay, but this time her power was too much for Caroline Wozniacki’s defensive game, and the Russian earned her first victory over a No.1 player since her comeback from a serious shoulder injury in May 2009 and also the 24-year-old reached the final of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia tournament in Rome for the first time. Maybe her fiancé’s support made all the difference.
Sharapova won the last five games of the semifinal and the last game she won to love, while in the entire match she scored 36 winners to Wozniacki’s 15. Final result: 7-5 6-3. Not so promising prospects for Wozniacki’s French Open campaign – this year on red clay she was upset by Julia Goerges two times, in Stuttgart and Madrid, and now by Sharapova.
In the Sunday’s final of the $2,050,000 event, Sharapova will play last year’s French Open runner-up Samantha Stosur, who beat Li Na 7-6(6) 6-0 in the semis and reached her first final in almost a year. Sharapova is 7-0 in career meetings with Stosur, but they have never played each other on clay, so this time the Australian could be in a better position. (photos courtesy of Tony)
I think Caro’s reign is slowly slipping from her hands. I thought she would be dominat on clay but her ‘pusher’ style of play has finally failed her, and in a suprise the ‘ball bashers’ have been dominating the clay.
And this match will be so hard to pick a winner, Masha has the 7-0 advantage, Samantha as the clay advatntage.
Sharapova is back! It’s good to know that she was able to recover from her injury. http://www.tennisround.com
Caro has got more points on clay this year than last year
Unlike many oppinions, I don’t think Caro is that good on clay. I don’t think she’ll win the RG. Yesterday she lost in straights to a player who described herself on clay as ”cow on the ice”. Her gamestyle against good attackers is very often contraproductive. So, this is the reason why Caro will be very, very though to win a slam, unless she changes something drastic in her game. Sharapova did nothing new, she played her game, but she didn’t make much mistakes, and just like that she won. I think she has a good chance in the final, Stosur fits clay, but she is far from her last years form. Maria’s game has improved a lot, especially the forehand, and I feel like she can fight for slams again. Oh, yeah, and Saša crazy cheering up for Masha- too cute! 😀
Mirjana, I totally agree with you, there’s really nothing else to add 😀