Rome Masters: Sharapova sets final showdown against Stosur – Highlights

Salman Zahoor May 15, 2011 1

Rome Masters: Sharapova sets final showdown against Stosur – Highlights

ROME: With just about week time in French Open, Maria Sharapova of Russia and Samantha Stosur of Australia rang alarm bells for fellow tennis players as they set date in Rome Masters final here Saturday.

Maria Sharapova. Courtesy: Getty Images

Maria Sharapova, seventh-seeded, got under the skin of world number one Caroline Wozniacki as she defeated her Dane opponent in straight sets by 7-5 6-3. In another semi-final, Samantha Stosur, sixth-seeded, survived the first set before outclassing Li Na in second set as she also recorded a straights sets win by 7-6 6-0 in Rome.

Maria Sharapova. Courtesy: Getty Images

An excited Sharapova told reporters after her triumph over world number one woman tennis player, “It’s thrilling to be in the final and I’m going to go for it. I’ve beaten her in the past but it’s the first time we’ll be playing on clay where she’s had her best success. Clay seems to suit her game.”

Just like former world number one men tennis player Roger Federer, Maria Sharapova has a below-par record on clay as she has won three Grand Slams title before a long-term shoulder injury but none came on clay courts for her.

Samantha Stosur. Courtesy: Getty Images

The gorgeous Sharapova said, “It’s easy to say I haven’t had my best results on clay but at the end of the day there are many things that go into a tennis match. I’ve never said I don’t love clay. My legs weren’t as strong before as some other players on the circuit. I’m stronger physically now.”

Maria used her game style to outdo her opponent in the semi-final where she set Wozniacki, who has won three titles this year, deep back in the box with her strong strokes.

Maria Sharapova. Courtesy: AP PHOTO

Wozniacki showed some resistance in the first set and at one stage was leading 3-1 in the second but failed to continue good work as Sharapova used all her body power to come back from behind to eventually winning it as she won five straight games to win it by 6-3.

Sharapova said, “I took a dive. I thought I was on the cliffs of Italy and forgot there was no water out there.”

Maria Sharapova. Courtesy: AP PHOTO

Stosur, on the other hand, faced a lot lesser resilience by her Chinese opponent as after surviving the first set she never allowed Li Na to come back into the game.

Stosur, who has reached her first final of the year, told reporters, “It was a bit disappointing not to hold my serve in the first set and it felt like she had the momentum but I hit some good shots to come through. I haven’t played a final for about a year now so I’m looking forward to it. For sure Rome’s a lead up to the French Open but it’s a prestigious tournament in itself. Clay is my favourite surface although I grew up on hard courts. I’ve used clay to my advantage and am really comfortable on the surface now. I’d like to see more tournaments on clay.”