News

Maria played some exhibition matches last night in Prague. She defeated both Czech players: Petra Kvitova and Lucie Safarova at O2 Arena.

The format of the exhibition match was different than any usual match. She played one set with Kvitova and one set with Safarova.
Maria won against Kvitova: 6-1 and against Safarova: 7-6.

Let`s hope that Maria is OK beacuse during the match she stepped wrong and picked up and minor ankle injury.

Bellow are some photos from the last night exhibiton match:

Photo: tumblr.com


GO MARIA !!!

Maria in Prague

Her Facebook message:

Hello Prague! So many reasons to smile about right now...
I'm finally visiting Frank Gehrys building here with my best friend which has been on my to do list forever and ever. 
It's so cold brrrrrr....I better start warming up for my match! See you tonight Prague!

Photo & text: facebook.com/Sharapova

GO MARIA !!!

Only finalist...

Maria lost the final at WTA Championships in Istanbul against Serena Williams in straight sets: 4-6, 3-6 after one hour and 29 minutes of play.

In first set at 2-2, Maria lost her serve and she was leaded 2-3. After this important moment there were no more breaks and Maria lost the first set: 4-6 after 45 minutes.

In second set, Maria lost her serve in debut. At 3-5, when she served to remain in the final, Maria lost her serve, the second set (3-6) and the match.

This was the last official tournament of 2012 for Maria but we will see her in some exhibition matches.

The first 2013 official tournament for Maria is Brisbane International.



GO MARIA !!!

Maria vs Azarenka (PHOTO)

Photo: zimbio.com


GO MARIA !!!

Maria in WTA Championships Final

Maria reached to WTA Championships final after she won in semifinals against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus in straight sets: 6-4, 6-2 after one hour and 36minutes. of play.
Maria is in WTA Championships final after 5 years. Congratulations, Maria !

In first set, aat 1-1 Maria made the break but Azarenka rebreaked immediately and the score was 2-2.
The third consecutive break of the first set was made by Maria at 2-2 and leaded 4-2 after she won her serve.
In the end, Maria won the first set (6-4) after 47 minutes with 13 winners, 19 unfoced errors.

Maria started well the second set by winning on Azarenka`s serve in debut and leaded 2-0 after she won the game on her serve.
At 2-0, Maria made the second break and leaded 4-0 confortably after she won her game.
In the end, Maria won the second set (6-2) and the match with 30 winners, 26 unforced errors and 72% percentage on first serve.

In WTA Championships final, Maria will play against Serena Williams of United States. On head to head Maria is leaded by Serena Williams: 2-9. Last time when Maria won against S.Williams was in 2004 when she won the Tour Championships: 4-6, 6-2, 6-4.
The final is scheduled for tomorrow.


Photo: zimbio.com


GO MARIA !!!

White Group Final Standings

Maria will play today in the second semifinal at WTA Championships in Istanbul against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus.



GO MARIA !!!

Maria vs Stosur (PHOTO)

Photo: zimbio.com


GO MARIA !!!

Running fast to semifinals

Maria won the last match of the White Group against Samantha Stosur of Australia. She won in straight sets: 6-0, 6-3 after one hour and 5 minutes of play.

Not much to tell, it was a match at Maria`s discretion. The first set was won after only 21 minuntes.

In semifinals, Maria will play against second place of Red Group. There are two options: either Victoria Azarenka of Belarus or Na Li of China.


UPDATE: WTA Championships Semifinal: Maria Sharapova vs Victoria Azarenka 


GO MARIA !!!

Maria vs Radwanska - Highlights

GO MARIA !!!

Maria vs Radwanska (PHOTO)

Photo: zimbio.com


GO MARIA !!!

Maria in Istanbul Semifinals

Long and tough fight for Maria at WTA Championships in Istanbul. She managed to defeat Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland in 3 long sets: 5-7, 7-5, 7-5 after 3 hours and 12 minutes of play.

Even if Maria has one more match to play in this group, after this important victory over Radwanska she qualified in semifinals. Congratulations, Maria !

In first set until 5-6 there were no breaks, but at this score Maria lost her serve and the first set (5-7). This first set lasted 58 minutes and Maria had 21 winners and 24 unforced errors.

In second set, Maria started well by winning on Radwanska`s serve in debut but the polish player rebreaked and the score was 1-1.
At 3-3, Maria lost her serve but she rebreaked immediately and tied the score at 4 after she won her serve.
At 4-4, Maria made the break but when she served to win the second set Radwanska made the break.
At 5-5, Maria made once again the break and it was another chance for her to win the second set and she did it (7-5) after one hour and 8 minutes..

In 3rd set, at 2-2 Maria made the break but the score qas quickly tied at 3 by Radwanska. At 5-5, Maria made the second break of the 3rd set and she served to win the match.
In the end, Maria won the 3rd set (7-5) and the match.

In the last match, Maria will play against Samantha Stosur of Australia. Stosur replaced Petra Kvitova in Whie Group. On head to head, Maria leads Stosur: 10-2. Their last match was this year in Tokyo where Stosur won in straight sets: 6-4, 7-5.
The match is scheduled on Friday.


Photo: zimbio.com



GO MARIA !!!

Maria vs Errani (PHOTO)

Photos: zimbio.com


GO MARIA !!!

First victory in Istanbul

Maria won her first match at WTA Championships in White Group. She defeated Sara Errani of Italy in straight sets: 6-3, 6-2 after one hour and 31 minutes.

Maria started well the match against Errani. After she won her game in debut, she made the break and leaded 2-0 in first set. At 2-0, Maria lost her serve and Errani tied the score at 2 in first set.
At 3-2, Maria made the break and leaded 5-2 after she won her game.
In the end, Maria won the first set: 6-3 after 57 minutes with 20 unforced errors, 23 winners, 4 ades and 65% percentage on first serve.

In second set, Maria made the break in debut and leaded 2-0 afte she won her game. At 3-1, Maria made the second break and after leaded easily 5-1.
In the end, Maria won the second set (6-2) and the match.

The next match for Maria at WTA Championships will be against Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland. On head to head, Maria leads  Radwanska: 7-2. Their last match was this year in Miami where Radwanska won in straight sets: 6-5, 6-4.


Photo: zimbio.com


GO MARIA !!!

WTA All Access Hour in Istanbul

Photo: zimbio.com


GO MARIA !!!