Sharapova v Petrova in All-Russian Linz Final

Sharapova and Schnyder had battled four times before, with the Russian leading 3-1 in those matches; but each one was tight, and Saturday's duel was no exception. In the first set, Sharapova went ahead 5-3 and held five set point opportunities, but watched as Schnyder rallied to even it up. In the second set the Swiss stayed even with one of the game's biggest servers through the first 10 games. But at the end of each set it was the Russian who prevailed, finishing the one-hour, 46-minute contest with her fourth ace of the match.

"I had to adjust my game since she's a tricky player, a lefty," said Sharapova, whose last loss to a lefty came to Schnyder, at Rome last season. "I let the match out of my hands for a little but I was mentally tough and able to finish the match and win. I'm happy."

This is Sharapova's first time playing the Generali Ladies Linz, and she has shown nothing less than exceptional form. It is not a surprise, considering her form the last few months: she has won 23 of her last 24 matches, claiming her second career major at the US Open and picking up Tier I titles at San Diego and Zurich. Her win on Saturday was her 15th in a row, and kept her perfect in Linz.

"It's cool being in a new country, and playing here for the first time," added the Russian superstar. "It's exciting to see the fans get into it and watch you play."

The defeat left Schnyder out of the running for one of the remaining spots for the Sony Ericsson Championships. There were two spots remaining, and she was in a three-woman race for them, alongside Martina Hingis and Kim Clijsters. A loss prior to the final this week would grant Hingis and Clijsters the last two berths.

Awaiting Sharapova in the final Sunday will be Russian compatriot Nadia Petrova, who crushed Czech phenom Nicole Vaidisova, 61 62, in 58 minutes. Petrova was solid as a rock on serve, maintaining an exceptional 89% first serve percentage, winning three quarters of those points. She broke her opponent four times.

"I had no problems, and I'm very satisfied with my game today," said Petrova, whose three previous meetings with Vaidisova were all much closer, including a third set tie-break win two weeks ago in Moscow. "I felt a little more focused than when we last played. I took my opportunities and that helped me take the lead. It worked well, I feel consistent and I was concentrated every point."

Having lost her first four career Sony Ericsson WTA Tour singles finals, Petrova's turnaround began at this event last year. She beat Schnyder in the final, and has rarely looked back; she has won five titles so far this season, tying her with Justine Henin-Hardenne, and on Sunday eyes her first successful title defense.

"I really like playing here, it almost feels like home," Petrova added. "Everyone is so nice here. I enjoy the city and everyone makes it so pleasant for me here."

Competitive Russian rivalry resumes in Sunday final

The Russians have played each other five times, before and although Sharapova holds a 4-1 lead, Petrova has always proven to be a tough customer. Two of her wins have come in three tight sets and the others have come in two tight sets; Petrova's lone win was a 61 62 thrashing at last year's season-ending event.

"I haven't played Nadia in a while but she's been playing some big tennis so I just have to go out there and find a way to win," said Sharapova on the looming duel.

"For sure it'll be an exciting final tomorrow," Petrova added. "I'm sure it will be a battle but I'm looking forward to it and just hope I hold the trophy at the end."

This will be the eighth time this season that the Top 2 seeds fight for a trophy. The No.2 seed is 5-2 in the first seven instances, and each of the Linz finalists have been a part of that, Sharapova ousting a top-seeded Clijsters in the final of San Diego and Petrova beating a favored Amelie Mauresmo in the Doha final.
-- WTA