Sharapova, Hantuchova Hook-up for Zurich Title

Posted on October 22, 2006

ZÜRICH, Switzerland - As the playing conditions quicken, certain players become even more threatening. That has certainly been the case for Maria Sharapova and Daniela Hantuchova, and on Saturday afternoon, both big-hitters powered through to the final of the indoor Zürich Open with impressive straight set victories.

Sharapova, the No.2 seed at the prestigious $1.34-million event, was the first to advance to the championship match, stopping the run of an unseeded Katarina Srebotnik, 76(3) 62. The Russian teenager came close to dropping her first set in three career encounters with Srebotnik, facing a set point trailing 6-5 in the opening set, but she pounded an ace, held, cruised in the tie-break and never looked back.

"I definitely stepped it up a bit more today; I had to because she's been playing really well, and has had a good week," said Sharapova, who extended her win streak to 11 matches, which includes a dream US Open fortnight. "I'm definitely pleased with how I served. 13 aces is a good number. I've always said, there is no substitute for playing matches; that's what I'm happiest about this week."

Although she has certainly been tested, Sharapova has reached the Zürich final without the loss of a set. Having been given a first round bye, she was pushed to the limits during a 64 76(4) win over Shahar Peer in her second round match, again saving set point late in the second set. In the quarters she had another close two-setter, stopping the run of Swiss teenager Timea Bacsinszky, 64 63.

Hantuchova, unseeded, pulled off an equal-career-best win in Saturday's second semifinal, upsetting No.3 seed Svetlana Kuznetsova in two routine sets, 64 62. The Slovak had lost her last four meetings with Kuznetsova but was on her game this time, pounding big serves and pinpoint strokes to dismiss the No.4-ranked Russian; she has never beaten a Top 3 player but now has three wins over No.4s, also Martina Hingis (2002 Indian Wells) and Amélie Mauresmo (2004 Eastbourne).

"Against Sveta today, I knew I had to be aggressive and move her around, and I couldn't be happier with how I played," Hantuchova said. "It's a great feeling to go out there, play your best and be satisfied with the results. It's funny, because I wasn't sure how fit I'd be after my opening round doubles when I got hit by a forehand; my rib was sore for a few days and my serve was definitely affected.

"But it's been getting better each day; I'm really looking forward to tomorrow."

Hantuchova has also made it through to Sunday's final without losing a set; in fact, her win over Kuznetsova was her quickest of the week. She began her week with a 62 75 win over Patty Schnyder, then toughed out a 76(7) 62 victory over Ai Sugiyama in the second round, and was granted a walkover into the semifinal round when Mauresmo withdrew from the event with a right shoulder injury.

Zürich finalists look back for motivation

Throughout her young career, Sharapova has not only been a gritty competitor on big points during a match, she has also expanded that into the bigger picture, compiling an astouding finals record: she is a solid 13-4 in Sony Ericsson WTA Tour singles finals. But one of the few blemishes on that record came here two years ago, where, seeded No.4 and a heavy favorite to capture her first Tier I title, she fell to an unseeded, surprise finalist Alicia Molik in three sets.

"I'm definitely ready for a tough one tomorrow," said Sharapova, who has since claimed a trio of Tier I titles, including two this year. "I would like to try and go one better than my last visit here two years ago."

Hantuchova can reflect back as well, but not in the same sense; the 2006 Zürich Open marks just the second time the Slovak has beaten two Top 10 players at the same event since her lone career Tour singles title run at Indian Wells, also a Tier I event, in 2002. Her wins over Schnyder and Kuznetsova are reminiscent of her wins over Justine Henin-Hardenne and Hingis four years ago, where she came out of nowhere to assert herself as one of the brightest prospects in the game.

The Slovak, a former Top 5 player, has also had success at Zurich in the past, reaching the quarterfinals twice, in 2001 (as a qualifier) and 2002. She is 1-3 lifetime in Tour singles finals, her most recent championship round appearance coming at Los Angeles last summer, where she was a runner-up to Kim Clijsters.

"I'm very happy to be back in the finals," she added. "I've been working really hard and focusing on my singles and the work is paying off. I've always enjoyed playing here in Zurich. I feel the surface suits my game and I like the city."

The two finalists have done battle five times previously and all decisions have come in straight sets. Hantuchova won their first match, at Tokyo [Pan Pacific] in 2004, but Sharapova has stormed through their last four, including once here later that year and earlier this season in the Australian Open fourth round. (WTA)