Story of Stuttgart final

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Three-peat

Two hours and 3 minutes needed Maria to keep her crown in Stuttgart. She defeated Ana Ivanovic of Serbia in 3 sets: 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 at Porsche Tennis Grand Prix.

Atfer the final, Maria said: "For the first half of the match I thought it might not be my day today, but somehow I turned it around. I had quite a slow beginning to the year, but me and my team have been working hard to get in the position to win titles again, and I'm so happy to be able to do it in Stuttgart."

"It's really special, and it's extra special for me because the tournament is here," Sharapova, a Porsche Brand Ambassador, added. "I feel like I'm a small part of the Porsche family. It's been an incredible few years at this tournament."

"From the first moment it was always a close match. It was always a few close balls to decide each game, and it went on the whole match. In the second set she definitely went for those big shots, though, and she made some amazing points. She's just a great player, and that's what happens when you play against great players in big matches like this. You need to use your opportunities. But there's always next time."

For Maria, Mutua Madrid Open is the next tournament. This tournament will begin on May 4th.


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3rd straight final

No problem for Maria in Stuttgart semifinal against Sara Errani of Italy. She won the match in straight sets: 6-1, 6-2 after 59 minutes of play.

After the semifinal, Maria said: "The further you go in the tournament, the harder it gets, and I really wanted to step up today and produce a good performance. The first tournament on clay is always tough - it's important to improve with each match and I think I've done that this week."

"I know how good Sara is on the surface and I was extra ready to perform against her. She has a lot of experience and really knows how to play, so I had to take care of things on my side of the net."

In Stuttgart final, Maria will play either Ana Ivanovic or Jelena Jankovic.

UPDATE: Maria Sharapova vs Ana Ivanovic 

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Press conference after Stuttgart quarterfinal

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Maria books semifinal spot

The defending champion won the quarterfinal match against Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland in straight sets: 6-4, 6-3.

After the mtach, Maria said: "I think at the start I wasn't being smart at the right times and wasn't constructing the points well on my serve. But I think the key was that game that I was able to win after being down 0-40."

"She likes moving her opponents around the court and she does that extremely well when she has time. You know, I don't want to find myself running forwards and backwards. I need to look for the opportunities when I have short ball and take advantage of that and not let her get back into the point, which she does so often. That's something that I did really well."

"Obviously it was a very difficult end and she played extremely well on some of those match points. I was happy that I stayed aggressive and I was able to win the last one. It was a really big point obviously. So, yeah it's a big win for me, probably the biggest since my injury."

The d In Stuttgart semifinal, Maria will play against Sara Errani of Italy. On head to head, Maria leads Errani 4-0. Their last match was in 2013 in Miami quarterfinal, where Maria won in straight sets: 7-5, 7-5.

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Another step forward

With 22 winners and 21 unforced errors, Maria defeated Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia in straight sets: 6-4, 6-3 after one hour and 32 minutes.

In Stuttgart quarterfinal, Maria will play against Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland. On head to head, Maria leads Radwanska: 8-2.




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WTA All Access Hour in Stuttgart

You can watch Maria from the minute 8:40. Enjoy ! :)





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Maria survives

What a match between Maria and Lucie Safarova: 7-6, 6-7, 7-6 after 3 hours and 23 minutes.

To remain in Top 10, Maria must reach semifinals at Porsche Tennis Grand Prix.

Her next opponent is Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia. On head to head the score is tied at 1. Their last match was this year in Paris, where Pavlyuchenkova won in 3 sets: 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.



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Maria & Porsche

Photo: zimbio.com



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Sugarpova new flavour - Speedy launch

Photo: zimbio.com



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Maria keeps her crown in Stuttgart

Maria defended her title that she won last year in Stuttgart. She won the final against Na Li of China in straight sets: 6-4, 6-3 after one hour and 32 minutes. Congratulations, Maria !

This is the 29th title of her all career and the second of this year after she won also the Indian Wells trophy.

The next tournament in Maria`s schedule is Mutua Madrid Open. The tournament begins on May 4th.



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Maria into Stuttgart final

Another 3 set match for Maria at Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Germany. She defeated Angelique Kerber: 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 and this is the 2nd consecutive final for her at this tournament.

In Stuttgart final, Maria will play either Bethanie Mattek-Sands of United States or Na Li of China.

UPDATE: Maria Sharapova vs Na Li


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Another tough fight

It seems that every match for Maria at Porsche Tennis Grand Prix is like a final this year. After the match against Safarova, the quarterfinal match against Ana Ivanovic was the same.

Maria managed to win the quarter match against the serbian player in 3 sets: 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 after 2 hours and 16 minutes of play.

After this great fight, Maria will play the semifinal against Angelique Kerber of Germany. On head to head, Maria leads Kerber: 3-1. Their last match was in 2012 in Beijing where Maria won: 6-3, 3-0 (Kerber retired).


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Stuttgart quarters

The defending champion had a tough match in 2nd round at Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, but Maria managed to defeat Lucie Safarova in 3 sets: 6-4, 6-7, 6-3 after 3 hours and 9 minutes.

After this great fight, Maria will play against another strong player. In Stuttgart quarters, Maria will play against Ana Ivanovic of Serbia.

On head to head Maria leads Ivanovic: 5-2. Their last match was last year in Rome where Maria won in straight sets: 7-6, 6-3.
Ana Ivanovic is No. 17 in WTA Rankings.



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Training session in Stuttgart

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WTA All Access Hour in Stuttgart

You can watch Maria from minute 13:00. Enjoy ! :)





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Maria - Porsche`s new brand ambassador

Photo: zimbio.com


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Clay season starts soon

Maria`s clay season will start soon and she must guard some points after she won 3 important tournaments on clay last year.

Maria will defend her titles in Stuttgart at Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, in Rome at Internazionali BNL d`Italia and of course in Paris at Roland Garros.

The first tournament on clay for Maria this year is Porsche Tennis Grand Prix which begins on April 22nd.



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Maria`s results in 2012

Brisbane - Withdrawn

Australian Open - Final

Open GDF Suez - Quarterfinal

Indian Wells - Final

Miami - Final

Stuttgart - Winner

Madrid - Quarterfinal

Rome - Winner

Roland Garros - Winner

Wimbledon - 4th Round

Olympic Games - Final

Rogers Cup - Withdrawn

Cincinnati - Withdrawn

US Open - Semifinal

Tokyo - Quarterfinal

Beijing - Final

WTA Championships - Final


So, Maria`s schedule included 16 tournaments + WTA Championships. Maria won this year 3 trophies ( Stuttgart, Rome, Roland Garros) and played in another 6 finals.
Maria withdrew from 3 tournaments this year ( Brisbane, Rogers Cup and Cincinnati)

Let`s hope that 2013 will be better than 2012. :)


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Best moments of 2012

                 One step too far from Australian Open trophy

                      Porsche Tennis Grand Prix Champion

                              Another trophy in Rome

                                 No.1 in WTA Rankings

                              Roland Garros champion

                                Silver medal at Olympics

And the year has not ended yet...

Photos: wtachampionships.com

GO MARIA !!!