Sharapova Beats French Open Finalist Stosur to Win Rome

by Staff | May 15th, 2011, 11:20 pm
  • 11 Comments

Former No. 1 Maria Sharapova took a giant step back toward hanging with the big dogs, on her worst surface defeating French Open runner-up Sam Stosur 6-2, 6-4 in the claycourt final of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome.

“I’m going to apologize in advance because my Italian is very poor, so I’m going to speak in English,” Sharapova said after winning the championship that was delayed three hours by rain. “Rome is such a special place and I’ve dreamed of holding up this trophy. There are a lot of tournaments coming up, and this is a great start to everything. I can’t wait to be back next year.”

Sharapova beat world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki en route to the final, capturing her third career title on the red dirt. She will next enter Roland Garros, the only Grand Slam title that has eluded her.


“I may not be the best mover or best slider on clay, or the strongest player with the strongest legs, but there’s a lot more than that in tennis,” Sharapova said.

Stosur has yet to beat Sharapova in eight career meetings.

“I’m disappointed to lose but as a whole, I thought Maria played quite well and I simply wasn’t at my best today,” Stosur said. “It wasn’t too bad, but it wasn’t the final I wanted.”


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11 Comments for Sharapova Beats French Open Finalist Stosur to Win Rome

Kimberly Says:

Thank you staff!

As I said on thebothernthread, vegas has moved sharp ova up to then third favorite status for the French, behind azarenka and woz.

At Wimbledon she is the fourth favorite with serena being one, Kim two, Venus three and Maria four.

I think Venus and serena being ahead very surprising. And vegas doesn’t think woz or azarenka can play grass? I imagine asnthe tournament nears Vegas will adjust.

Venus and Serena have hardly played any tennis for a year. I can’t imagine they could be match fit for Wimbledon.


Huh Says:

my lovely sharapova won, M SO SO
HAPPY!!! :) :) :)


Lulu Iberica Says:

Yes, thanks for this thread! Congrats to Maria, who was so strong in the semi and final! She hit some beautiful corner to corner winners. Stosur looked like a deer in the headlights the whole match. And thanks, Masha, for keeping Rome from being a total bummer for me! I hope you win at RG!

As for Wimbledon, I’ll have to root for Serena, since she is my fave. I think the Vegas odds will change, and I can’t imagine Venus doing much, but I wouldn’t bet against Serena!


grendel Says:

since when did Serena need to be match fit for anything? If she’s physically fit, then she’s the favourite for Wimbledon. Unfortunately, you get this nasty suspicion that her days of physical fitness are over. hope not.


Kimberly Says:

Grendel, i agree but she hasn’t played a match in a year? I can’t just see her winning the tournament without playing for a year. If she does, it is a testament to what a pitiful state women’s tennis is in.

Look at how Delpo has had to claw and scratch his way back to the top.

Can Serena just come in and open up a can of whoop ass on backboard Caroline Wozniaki? Or Clijsters (who is playing a mini serena in terms of her wedding injury). I guess it is possible, but that would be as big a shock as clijsters winning the US Open on her third tournament back.


jane Says:

I hope so much that Maria wins the FO. I love this photo of her with all the little boys:

http://postimage.org/image/1usegoy6c/


grendel Says:

“If she does, it is a testament to what a pitiful state women’s tennis is in.”

That’s one way of looking at it, Kimberley. The other is that Serena is simply an outrageous one off – a freak champion who would have dominated in any era; always supposing she could be bothered….


Kimberly Says:

Grendel, tale the male u think is the goat, federer in his prime. If he won Wimbledon, didn’t play tennis for one year, and then returned to the next Wimbledon with the mens game in its current state with its current condensers would you give him a shot? Have him as the betting favorite?

But vegas thinks serena can do it.


Kimberly Says:

I think I have watched the youtube highlights of the wozniaki rome seimfinal match 100 times.


Dave from Tennis DVDs Says:

Good win by Maria but perhaps a bit lucky in the quarter final against Azarenka.

I don’t think she will win the French Open unless the draw is very favourable.


Kimberly Says:

Dave from tennis DVDs

Serena was a bit lucky in her AO win when Azarenka retired one year.It happens.

I watched the Wozniaki match repeatedly and her play was spectacular. If she plays like that she has a good chance to win anything against anyone.

Azarenka is the current favorite for the French. I hope she’s in someone else’s quarter!

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