Stosur Finally Beats Sharapova; Wozniacki Wins At WTA Championships
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It took her ten tries but Sam Stosur finally beat Maria Sharapova, and she did it at a pretty good time. The Australian upended Sharapova 6-1, 7-6 on the opening day of the WTA Championships in Istanbul, Turkey.
“Obviously it’s a big feat for me. You never want to lose to someone 10 times in a row,” Stosur beamed said. “I was feeling pretty focused, relaxed and ready to go. I did a few things differently and thankfully it paid off.”
Sharapova, a former champion at the WTA year-end event, was playing her first event in a month since injuring her ankle.
“It’s obviously tough to come back after a month and compete at this level but the good thing is I gave myself a chance and did everything I could to even be here, so I’m happy,” she said “I still have a couple of matches to go and time to improve”
Top ranked Caroline Wozniacki was also a winner, defeating Agnieszka Radwanska 5-7, 6-2, 6-4.
“In a match like this, it’s small points and small things that make a difference,” Wozniacki said. “I won most of the important points in the third set. I just kept focusing on one point at a time.”
Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova cruised past Vera Zvonareva 6-2, 6-4. With Wozniacki’s win, the lefty was all but eliminated from having a chance to finish No. 1 – the Dane needs only to play tomorrow.
The No. 1 ranking will go to either Wozniacki or Sharapova which is largely dependent upon who gets to the final between the two. Neither girl won a Grand Slam in 2011.
On day two of round robin play, Stosur returns to face Azarenka. Sharapova clashes with Li Na and Wozniacki meets Zvonareva.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Sinan Erdem Dome (from 17.00hrs)
1. Samantha Stosur vs. Victoria Azarenka
2. Maria Sharapova vs. Li Na
3. Caroline Wozniacki vs. Vera Zvonareva
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