Sharapova on a losing streak
Missing yet another opportunity to advance towards a tournament title, Maria Sharapova was ousted by 21-year-old Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, losing 6-4, 6-1 last Sunday at the Bank of the West Classic final, 6-4, 6-1.
Azarenka, who had just turned 21 one day earlier, outplayed Sharapova to claim her first tournament title this year. The Belarusian was seeded at number eight for the tournament, behind Sharapova’s fifth-seed ranking.
Sharapova lacking consistency
By losing to Azarenka, Sharapova opened speculations yet again regarding her fitness level following her injury-related extended break from the game. Since coming back into play earlier last year, Sharapova has had a series of inopportune losses, including a much disappointing defeat this past July in Wimbledon, where she lost to longtime rival Serena Williams in the fourth round.
Sharapova’s loss to Azarenka was her third dismissal of a chance at a tournament title this year. Admittedly, although Sharapova has not demonstrated her once brilliant on-court prowess, her performances are far from mediocre. In fact, she had claimed victories at 17 of the past 20 matches she played.
Since coming back from her injury-induced time off, Sharapova was in fact the one to set up grand expectations regarding her performance. Expressing her ambition to claim another Grand Slam title, she is met with disappointment each time she does not deliver. Her early round defeats at the smaller tournaments have caused her to be the focus of negative commentary.
Azarenka surprised at own victory
Azarenka undoubtedly received her best birthday present to date, beating Sharapova in the Stanford final only one day after turning 21 years of age.
Sharapova was unable to hold serve, being broken by Azarenka a total of three times in the opening set. In the second set, Sharapova went on to commit a whopping 16 unforced errors, to pave the way for Azarenka to take the lead. The 21-year-old Belarusian went on to accept the Bank of the West Classic tournament title with enthusiasm, joking: "I haven't lost a match yet since I turned 21. It's great. I can have cake now."
Stepping up the first serves
Leading up to her match against Serena Williams at Wimbledon 2010, Sharapova showed confidence at her ability to overtake her on-court rival, whom she beat in the Wimbledon final in 2004, astounding the world with her dazzling performance as a 17-year-old newcomer. Yet earlier this July, Sharapova was unable to match Williams’ overall fitness level and her athleticism, eventually faltered.
Her flaky first serve percentage against Azarenka was undoubtedly a weak spot for the Russian. "I started making unforced errors off her returns and she stepped it up, took advantage and started to get on a roll," Sharapova commented. "I don't think I served that smart. I need a higher percentage of first serves in general and particularly against her."
Despite her loss, Sharapova will move up in the rankings to world number 13, her best standing since her return from taking time off to recover from a shoulder injury.
Points of improvement for Sharapova
In the past, Sharapova has been known for her ability to not lose momentum once she takes the lead in the opening set. Her best bet would be to continue this strategy, coming out full force right from the start. This would serve to put her opponents on the defensive, while giving her the confidence and mental resolve to hold serve and claim the match game by game.
It was clear to see that Azarenka was having a hard time holding her serve, yet as soon as the Belarusian was able to take the lead past Sharapova, the Russian seemed demoralized, and was incapable of breaking Azarenka’s serve to come back into the lead.
Working on her ability to come back up from being down a game or even a set, Sharapova will improve her chances at coming out victorious at Grand Slam finals. Her performance at the upcoming 2010 US Open will be critical in establishing her level of morale in the game this season.
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