Maria Sharapova edges past Caroline Wozniacki into the title match – Sony Ericsson Open 2012
World number two, Maria Sharapova, edged past the sixth ranked Dane, Caroline Wozniacki, in a gruelling three-setter, lasting almost two hours 34 minutes at the hard courts of Miami, Florida. The Russian sneaked a win 4-6, 6-2,
6-4 and placed herself in the final of the Sony Ericsson Open that will be played on Saturday.
Sharapova commenced the proceedings in an emphatic fashion; breaking her rival’s serve in the opening game and repeating a similar performance in the fifth game to gust past with a lead of 4-1. It seemed like the former world number
from Dane will witness another heartbreaking loss that will only pile up more controversies about her game style against big guns.
However, it was not the case on Thursday. The Dane stunned everyone with a smashing comeback and broke Sharapova thrice on the trot to bag the opening set. No one ever thought that the Russian would fail to lose the set after a
blistering start.
Despite losing in such an astonishing fashion, Russian former world number one kept her concentration on the play and took a 4-0 lead in the second set. She had broken her opponent twice on her way and didn’t fall in the trap this
time; bagging an easy set triumph and enforcing the third set into play.
Wozniacki was once again under the cosh. A cautious start witnessed a couple of serve hold at both ends before the Dane stooped to the onslaught of the Russian and failed to save a breakpoint. She was broken again in the seventh
game that allowed the Russian to attain a 5-2.
The Dane won a break back in the following game and held her serve to push the scores at 5-4 but wasn’t able to repeat the heroics for the second time and lost an opportunity to qualify for the finals of the tournament.
Sharapova stated “It's always disappointing to lose in the finals, but it takes a lot to get to the final too happy. I've given myself another chance to go out there and try to change that. It would be meaningful to me because
I have come to this tournament for so many years, ever since I was a young girl. I've always dreamt of playing on this court, let alone being in the finals.”
Maria Sharapova will take on the fourth ranked Pole, Agnieszka Radwanska, for a shot at the championship trophy.
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