Maria Sharapova qualifies for the season-end Championship in Istanbul – Tennis News
Former world number one, Maria Sharapova, is into the semi-finals of the US Open Championships. However, this is not the only good news for the Russian superstar. She has also qualified for the TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships,
contested at Istanbul. It is a season-ending tournament that witnessed a former world number two, Petra Kvitova, as the first Champion in the maiden edition of the event, last year.
On knowing the massive achievement, Sharapova stated, "I am very happy to be returning to Istanbul. This year has been really special for me, winning the Roland Garros title to complete my career Grand Slam, rising back to No.1
for a time and of course taking home a silver medal from the London Olympics. It will be great to finish off the season in Turkey. We received such incredible support from the fans last year, so I'm looking forward to competing against the world's best players
there once again."
Last year, she had qualified for the championship but the left ankle strain forced her out of the competition and the alternative star from France, Marion Bartoli, was chosen to replace her. However, the niggling injuries are over
for the 6’2 tall Russian blonde and she is back in the business; pressing extremely hard to dethrone the likes of the reigning world number one, Victoria Azarenka.
Sharapova is glad to return to Istanbul after a depressing end to the last year’s campaign. She has high hopes from the tournament and her recent form is clearly devastating. She looks fully fit and ready to take on every challenge;
completing a Career Slam at the French Open Championship in Paris was the special moment for her. She also clinched the number one spot for a short while until her fourth round exit at the Wimbledon Championships that was a major shock to the world of tennis.
However, the race is on and a lot of tournaments are still left in the season.
Reigning world number one, Victoria Azarenka, will be looking to hold on the Russian blonde in the semi-final of the US Open. Both players are equally capable of putting up a startling show and there is no doubt that it will be
enthralling encounter probably reaching its full length of three sets. The Belarusian is the top seeded contestant and the Russian is third in that category but the talent is definitely similar in both athletes that make things interesting.
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