Maria into RG 4th Round

Maria continues her journey in Paris after her victory against Sam Stosur of Australia in straight sets: 6-3, 6-4 after one hour and 40 minutes.

After the match, Maria said: "I was just really happy to win this one.I knew it was going to be a tough one going into the match. I just wanted to be as ready as I could, and I was really happy I was able to win it."

"Against Sam I know I have to take care of my service games because she's capable of serving really well. I'm also a tall girl, so the kick she's able to give on the second serve maybe doesn't bother me as much as other players. I quite like that ball. But we've had many tough matches despite my record, and it's not something I look at very lightly when I go up to that match. I know I have to beat a good player."

"She's been playing really well and loves playing here. So I thought it was a great result for me."

"Just getting the job done. The conditions in the first match and today have been quite tough. And in those moments it's always tough to really assess the level, because as much as you want to improve and find some sort of perfection, you never quite know where the direction will be. Especially with the spin of my opponent today, I just had to be steady and consistent, and I did that quite well."

In 4th Round, Maria will play against Lucie Safarova of Czech Republic. About her 4th Round opponent, Maria said: "We haven't played in a while.The last time was a really tough match in Stuttgart last year where she was serving for the match. I know I have a tough one ahead of me, and lefties are always tricky. It will be my firs

t one of the tournament. I will definitely need to be ready against her."

"But I know what I have to do. I just have to get it done."

On head to head, Maria leads Safarova: 4-1. Their last match was last year in Stuttgart, where Maria won in 3 sets: 7-6, 6-7, 7-6.


GO MARIA !!!

No problem in RG 2nd Round

Maria defeated Vitalia Diatchenko of Russia in straight sets: 6-3, 6-1 in 2nd Round at Roland Garros.

In 3rd Round, Maria will play against Samantha Stosur of Australia. About her opponent, Maria said: "She has a very heavy ball, and I think on clay specifically it just really penetrates through the court," Sharapova said of Stosur. "The spin she's able to create from her forehand and her serve, she has one of the best kick serves in the game. She's really able to put that power into it and kick. She also slices a lot. There are a lot of untraditional things she does, but I guess I enjoy the challenge of playing her.

"I have a pretty good record against her. I enjoy our matches. I hope I can continue that."

On head to head, Maria leads Stosur: 14-2. Their last match was last year at Roland Garros, when Maria won in 3 sets: 3-6, 6-4, 6-0.

GO MARIA !!!

Title defense started in Paris

Maria started her title defense campaign at Roland Garros with a straight set victory against Kaia Kanepi of Estonia: 6-2, 6-4 after one hour and 24 minutes of play.

After the match, Maria said: "I'm getting over it, and hopefully it will pass by soon. But obviously it was such a big occasion for me to be back out on center court, and I had a tough opponent ahead of me. And the conditions were pretty difficult as well. So I knew it wasn't just going to depend on the tennis today."

"Overall I'm just happy I got through it and have a day off tomorrow - I should be better by then."

On title defense campaign, Maria said:  "Every time is different. I think you always look back at all the different memories that you've created over the years, and I've obviously had many great ones and many tough ones.

"I always love coming back the first few days when the tournament is just getting going and you only see the staff around," Sharapova continued. "I think that's always quite special, a little bit eerie, and there's no one really there and you've able to re-live your special moment in your mind a little bit."

In 2nd Round, Maria will play against Vitalia Diatchenko of Russia. Maria never played Diatchenko before. About her 2nd Round opponent, Maria concluded: "I got to know her during Fed Cup this year," Sharapova said. "That was really the first time we spent together. I didn't get a chance to practice with her, though. I saw her play doubles a little bit - maybe it was good because it was the first time I had really seen her strike the ball. She's a big hitter."

GO MARIA!!!

Maria seeking her 2nd title of the year

Maria is in Rome final after she defeated Daria Gavrilova of Russia in straight sets: 7-5, 6-3 after one hour and 48 minutes.

In the final, Maria will play against Carla Suarez-Navarro of Spain. About her last opponent at Internazionai BNL d`Italia, Maria said: "She loves this surface. She grew up on clay. I've beaten her the last couple of times, but I've had losses against her too. I know what a difficult player she can be, and she seems like she's playing with a lot of confidence right now, especially after her win in the semifinals today."

"She has one of the best one-handed backhands on the tour. It's going to be a tough final."

On head to head, Maria leads Suarez-Navarro: 3-1. Their last match was this year in Brisbane, when Maria won in straight sets: 6-1, 6-3.

GO MARIA !!!

Maria in Rome semifinal looking for revenge

Important victory for Maria in Rome quarterfinal. She defeated Victoria Azarenka of Belarus in straight sets: 6-3, 6-2 after one hour and 32 minutes.

In semifinals, Maria will play against Daria Gavrilova of Russia. About her opponent, Maria said: "I know she's come through some tough matches.She's spent a lot of time on the court this week, and she'll spend as much time on the court tomorrow as she can to win."

"There are a lot of things I could have done better in our match in Miami, and I'll be sure to try to do all of those things tomorrow, because otherwise she's a good enough player to take advantage."

On head to head, Maria is leaded by Gavrilova: 1-0. Their only match was this year in Miami 2nd Round, when Gavrilova won in straight sets: 7-6, 6-3.

GO MARIA !!!

Quarterfinal showdown in Rome

Quarterfinal spot booked by Maria after she defeated Bojana Jovanovski of Serbia in straight sets: 6-3, 6-3.

About the match, Maria said: "Today I just had to be very patient and solid.I had a tricky opponent and not easy conditions - the wind was pretty swirly out on the court, so I just had to stay steady."

"Despite a couple of breaks back and forth in the second set, I was really happy to finish so strongly."

In quarterfinals, Maria will play against Victoria Azarenka of Belaurs. On head to head, the score between Maria and Azarenka is tied at 7. Their last match was this year in Indian Wells, where Maria won in straight sets: 6-4, 6-3.

GO MARIA !!!

Maria into 3rd Round in Rome

The 2nd Round match between Maria and Jarmila Gajdosova stopped at: 6-2, 3-1 for Maria after Gajdosova accused an injury at her shoulder.

After the match, Maria said: "Madrid was really the start of my clay court season - my preparations started a little bit later this year than in previous ones. I have to take my time and get into a groove, it's been a while since I've played that many matches within a span of six days.

"It was good to feel the physicality of it again - I think the last time was during the Australian Open. I came up short against Svetlana,  but it was good to have those matches because this will be the last preparation before the French Open."

"I think mentally and physically I improved my approach. I can withstand longer rallies - the recovery is much easier for me now - but obviously it took years. I appreciate all the hard work that's gone in and now I can enjoy the battles a bit more, knowing I don't have to save myself."

In 3rd Round, Maria will play either Bojana Jovanovski or Madison Keys. 

GO MARIA !!!

Maria @ Internazionali BNL d`Italia

The draw for the Internazionali BNL d`Italia is out and Maria has a `bye` in first round.

In 2nd Round, Maria will play either Jarmila Gajdosova or a qualifier.


GO MARIA !!!

Goodbye, Madrid!

Maria was eliminated in semifinals at Mutua Madrid Open by Svetlana Kuznetsova in straight sets: 2-6, 4-6 after one hour and 29 minutes of play.

In Maria`s schedule the next tournament is Internazionali BNL d`Italia which starts in May 11.



GO MARIA !!!

Maria defeated Wozniacki for SF spot

Another important victory for Maria in Madrid. She defeated the Danish player in 3 sets: 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 in almost 2 hours of play.

After the quarterfinal match, Maria said: "I think I became a little bit more aggressive at the end. I was so far back for a long period of time after winning the first set. I definitely thought that was an improvement, something I started doing better in the third."

"And opening up the court a little bit more and then moving forward. I was staying too far back and letting her get in the rallies, which she's really good at."

To qualify for the last act, Maria must win in semifinals against Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia. On head to head, Maria leads Kuznetsova: 8-4. Their last match was last year in Beijing, where Maria won in straight sets: 6-0, 6-4.

GO MARIA !!!

Maria into Madrid QF after tough battle

After 2 easy victories against Timea Bacsinszky and Mariana Duque-Marino, Maria had her first tough test in Madrid but she managed to defeat Caroline Garcia of France in 3 sets: 6-2, 4-6, 7-5.

After the match Maria said: "I've played against her a few times and she's been young and up and coming for a few years. She's already done a great job of getting in a good position. She's winning titles and beating top players."

"I think that the most important thing is maintaining that level and keeping that consistency. You know, I've seen many of her matches and she can come up with some great stuff. She's been able to do that against really good players."

In quarterfinals, Maria will play against Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark. On head to head, Maria leads Wozniacki: 5-4. Their last match was last year in Singapore, where Wozniacki won the group match in 3 sets: 7-6, 6-7, 6-2.

GO MARIA !!!