Maria Sharapova is hoping for a good clay court season – Tennis News
World number two, Maria Sharapova, is optimistic for a good clay court season this year.
She said, "I'm looking forward to taking a little break now and getting on the clay and starting the practice."
Sharapova expressed this after losing to Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland in the Sony Ericsson Open final yesterday.
The Russian beauty added, "I feel like I've improved with every year that I have been playing on it (clay) and I enjoy it. I feel like you learn so much about the construction of the points and the games – such a cat-and-mouse
game. I didn't necessarily like that many years back, but I feel like I'm much better at it and I have improved physically as well."
Clay is Sharapova’s least favourite surface, winning just three of her total 24 titles on that. The Russian has won all the three Grand Slams except French Open, which is held on the mud courts. Her best performance at the Roland
Garros came in 2007 and 2011, when she reached the last four, losing on both occasions.
Nevertheless, she former world number gave an above average performance during the last clay court season. After getting upset by Dominika Cibulkova in the round of 16 at the Mutua Madrid Open, Sharapova impressed everyone by beating
seventh seed, Samantha Stosur, in straight sets 6-2, 6-4 in the Internazionali BNL d’Italia final.
The Russian was looking strong to win her maiden title at the French Open but fell at the hand of Li Na after a hard fought battle in the semi-final.
Although, she has lost all three finals this year, Sharapova has had a good start to this season. The Russian began at the Australian Open and after beating the then world number two, Petra Kvitova, in the semi-final, she lost
to Victoria Azarenka of Belarus at the final hurdle.
The Florida, USA resident made a quarterfinal showing at the Open GDF Suez and then the right-hander was runner up in two back to back tournaments. The Russian lost to Azarenka and Radwanska in the final at the BNP Paribas Open
and Sony Ericsson Open respectively.
A tired Sharapova said, “These last two tournaments are always the toughest just because they're so close together and playing six matches in an event.”
The 6ft 2in tall has not made any announcement yet but most probably she will resume at the Mutua Madrid Open next month.
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