Maria Sharapova vs Samantha Stosur – Quarterfinal Preview: Western & Southern Open 2011
Day 5 will see the likes of former world number 1 Maria Sharapova clash against Samantha Stosur at the Lindner Family Tennis Center, Mason, Ohio during the quarter final at the Western and Southern Open 2011.
The Russian (Sharapova) has a record of winning all the matches played against the Aussie (Stosur), with an 8-0 lead in the head-to-head. Out of the total matches played against each other, 4 were on hard courts; hence, it is likely
that the 24-year-old Russian will bag yet another victory over her old fangled adversary.
The first time they crossed swords was on a grass court at the AEGON Classic in Birmingham in 2004. Maria won the match in a straight set victory of 6-2, 6-4.
The Celestial Power had made fate cross their paths numerous times but alas, the Aussie was never able to beat Sharapova even once during their professional career.
The two have met twice this year and the last time they met was at the International BNL D’Italia during the final match where Sharapova not only won the match but also her 23rd title.
The two will clash again for the ninth time today, many tennis
connoisseurs and experts are of the view that the due to her successive wins; 24-year old Sharapova has a competitive edge over Stosur. However, some are also of the opinion that Stosur will finally overcome her psychological hindrance and clobber
a match due to her vintage form.
The 27-year-old Australian has also been the world number one but in doubles with Lisa Raymond. This year she reached her career high singles ranking of world number 4 on the 21st of February but then later dropped to
world number 10, which, is also her current ranking. Her year to date win-loss record is as such that, she has won 29 matches out of the 46 played and lost only 17. Although, she hasn’t won a career title this year, she has clogged a total o f two WTA titles.
Her most notable performance came when she was a runner-up at the 2010 French Open, losing the final to Francesca Schiavone in straight sets. Samantha Stosur has won many matches against other stronger players such as Caroline
Wozniacki, Jelena Jankovic, Dinara Safina, and many more
The Russian (Maria Sharapova)is currently standing at world number 7 and after years of sharpening her tennis nous she made her professional breakthrough in 2004 when she upset the two time defending champion of Wimbledon, Serena
Williams in the final to win her debut grand slam title.
In her professional career she has played a total of 503 matches in her professional career out which she has won 403, only losing a 100 matches. Sharapova’s career high ranking was on the 22nd of August 2005 when she
was world number one.
This year she has won 34 matches and lost 10, she was also able to clench her 23rd WTA title at the International BNL D’Italia. She has contested in three Grand Slams this year and has had an experience of playing world
class players. The Rogers Cup 2011 was her last run where she lost in the third round against Galina Voskoboeva.
Nevertheless, Maria Sharapova is a laureate in tennis history and with three Grand Slams is expected to blast past the Aussie into the semi-final match.
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