Maria Sharapova is eyeing to capture the US Open (Part three) – Tennis Special
Russian top ranked star, Maria Sharapova, kept momentum from her Rome success into the Roland Garros, third of the four Grand Slam events held in Paris. She extended her winning streak to 15 matches which included the French Open
title and a fourth round showing at the Wimbledon Championships.
Sharapova went berserk in her opening three matches at this major clay court event. She devastated Alexandra Cadantu with double bagels, Japan’s Ayumi Morita with double breadsticks and 28th seeded Shuai Peng in straight
sets in her opening three matches. The Russian lost her only set at this event against Czech Republic’s Klara Zakopalova but found her rhythm again at the final three stages. She blasted past Estonia’s number one Kaia Kanepi, fourth seeded Petra Kvitova and
21st seeded Sara Errani in straight sets to complete her Career Grand Slam.
The ecstatic Sharapova stated in post match press conference after achieving her fourth and final Grand Slam in Paris:
"It's the most incredible feeling. I don't know what to say. I'm so happy. I've worked so hard for this. It took a lot to get to this stage and even more to win it. It's been such a journey to get to this stage again."
Sharapova was ruled out of tennis due to a shoulder injury for almost a year. As a result, she became the first tennis player, male or female, to lift a Grand Slam title after undergoing shoulder injury. With this success, the
Russian entered the grass court season standing at the top of the WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) Premier Rankings.
Seeded top at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Sharapova carried her winning ways. She easily overpowered Australia’s Anastasia Rodionova in straight sets in her opening match in Wimbledon. She outshined Bulgaria’s
Tsvetana Pironkova and Taiwan’s Su-Wei Hsieh before bowing out to Sabine Lisicki in the pre-quarters.
The former world number one recovered from her loss at the London Olympics which was held at Wimbledon grass courts the following month. She perfected her game and not only avenged her loss against Lisicki but triumphed over Kim
Clijsters, Shahar Peer and Maria Kirilenko before setting up a date with the American number one, Serena Williams. Sharapova crashed out to the 14-time Grand Slam champion with a bagel in the title-round but managed to grab the silver medal in her first Olympics
appearance.
The blissful Russian reflected after failing to complete her Career Golden Grand Slam:
"A silver medal means a lot to me, though. It's always disappointing to lose in the final but it's great to get a medal in my first Olympic Games. For sure I'll be trying again in Rio. I want that gold medal!"
The jubilant Russian is now looking forward to conquer the US Open, last of the four Grand Slam events taking place in Corona Park in Queens, for the second time. With her current run of form, she can easily conquer anyone who
stands in her way. Sharapova may face resilience against Williams but with a little more practice, she can break the jinx and capture her fifth Grand Slam title in Flushing Meadows.
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