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Sharapova Wins Australian, French Only Slam Slipping Her Grasp
Posted on January 26, 2008
Maria Sharapova defeated Ana Ivanovic in Sunday's easy-on-the-eyes Australian Open final 7-5, 6-3, collecting her third Grand Slam title of her career after Wimbledon and the US Open.
It was the second consecutive Slam win for the Russian after the 2007 US Open, but injuries and erratic play in 2007 will keep her at No. 5 on the WTA Tour Rankings as she was also defending runner-up points from last year in Melbourne.
Sharapova's run to the championship went through a tough draw including former No. 1 Lindsay Davenport and current No. 1 Justine Henin, who she fed a bagel set in a straight-set demolition.
"I was told I had a great draw at the US Open and then I played horrific tennis," Sharapova said. "You have to take it one match at a time. This was probably the toughest draw I've ever had in a Grand Slam but I'm the champion now."
Sharapova also reflected on her spotty 2007 that included the loss of a loved one.
"It was a difficult year for me as well as my coach, who lost his mother, Jane," Sharapova said. "I really want to dedicate this win to her; after that loss we all suffered I gained a new perspective on life and injuries and how to treat life with respect."
Ivanovic will rise to a new career-high No. 2 in the world, and en route to the final beat No. 8 seed Venus Williams, and No. 9 seed Daniela Hantuchova after trailing 0-6, 0-2.
"It's still a little bit disappointing because I thought I had lots of chances in the first set and didn't use them," Ivanovic said of the final against Sharapova. "But it's a learning experience for me. I fought hard. I felt a little bit let down with my forehand, making some big mistakes in crucial moments. That wasn't something I was hoping for. I'm still young and I still think I have a lot of Grand Slam finals in front of me. So it's still a learning experience."
Surprises during the event included Sharapova's 6-0 demolition of world No. 1 Henin, world No. 2 Svetlana Kuznetsova experiencing a mental meltdown in an early loss, and both Williams sisters losing in the quarterfinals. Serena complained of a mystery injury that she would not divulge, with the sisters also losing early in the doubles competition, an event they were hoping to win as a warm-up for the Olympics later this year.
Now the French Open is the lone Slam Sharapova has yet to win, with the odds stacked against the baseline-bashing Russian whose footwork has always been suspect on the slow red clay. Sharapova has her worst win-loss record of any Slam at the French, though last year she posted her best result with a semifinal effort.
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