Maria Sharapova vs. Sara Errani: Final preview – Roland Garros French Open 2012
Now how many times do I have to repeat this statement this year? Yes, it is again the stunning Russian beauty, Maria Sharapova, featuring a tournament final but it is something bigger this time. The world number two has ultimately
reached the final of the French Open for the first time in her career and she will face the ‘princess of upsets’, Sara Errani of Italy, in the Grand Slam title match this weekend.
The highly anticipated brawl is scheduled to take place on the coveted Court Philippe Chatrier in Stade Roland Garros, in Paris, France, on the eve of Saturday. It is the first French Open final for both contenders, no need to
mention the intensity of pressure upon the two players. Errani has qualified for her first Grand Slam title round, whilst the winner of three Majors, Sharapova, is eyeing for completing her Career Slam by bagging the missing French Open trophy.
21st seed Errani has been the surprise package of the tournament, beating the likes of top class opponents to earn a title shot. The former world number one, Ana Ivanovic, Former French Open champion, Svetlana Kuznetsova,
reigning world number 10, Angelique Kerber and the last year’s US Open champion, Samantha Stosur, are among the big guns which have been silenced by the brilliance of Errani in the tournament so far.
Sharapova has dropped just one set in all the six round matches she has played in this event and her belligerence is ever high since the start of this season. The Russian diva has already achieved her one goal in this star-studded
event and is still hungry for even bigger glory. Sharapova defeated her arch rival, the world number four, Petra Kvitova, in the semi-final round and has propelled to the world number one ranking in the WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) Premier Rankings. She
will be announced as the top player among the women tennis professionals when the latest release of WTA World Rankings will become public on coming Monday.
So, Errani is actually about to face the best women tennis player in the world this weekend. Well, this ‘world number one’ tag itself has a huge burden on the opponents, as well as the player yielding it. Sharapova will be under
pressure to perform well and go on for completing her Career Slam, whereas Errani has nothing to lose. She has been the underdog throughout the tournament but the crafty Italian has unleashed a series of upset victories to earn her place in the final showdown.
No doubt, if she has defeated other superior-ranked players in the tournament, Sharapova can be no exception.
Tennis fans will certainly rate Sharapova as the hot favourite for winning the Roland Garros final but I think Errani has a better chance of registering another huge surprise on Saturday. The Italian will have just one thing in
mind, to go out there with all guns blazing and fear nothing to lose. She has already achieved far more than she expected prior to the beginning of this tournament and a loss in the final of a Grand Slam won’t hurt her that much. Errani will have lesser amount
of pressure on her shoulders than Sharapova will bear, as the Russian has a huge accomplishment on the stakes.
It is the first ever encounter between these two contenders so keep your fingers crossed to see a nail-biter this Saturday and perhaps the rise of a new Grand Slam champion, Errani!
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