US Open 2010: Does Maria Sharapova have a chance at Flushing Meadows?
The professional tennis player, Maria Sharapova is back in action at the United States Open women’s tennis tournament 2010. The 6'2" Russian beauty has already won a grass court Grand Slam, the United States Open tournament as well as the Australian Open title so far in her career. According to the experts, the 23-year-old Sharapova has bright chances of winning another US Open title this year in New York. Here are some of the reasons that support her victory this season at the US Open 2010.
1. Her Recent performances
The sizzling Sharapova lost her form over the last few years as a result of her shoulder injury that badly affected her game. However, her recent performances as well as game shows that the Russian tennis star is gradually improving but surely is not her very best.
The former top-ranked tennis player, Maria Sharapova recently made her way into the final of the Stanford tennis tournament, where she was knocked down by Victoria Azarenka in straight sets. A week later, the right-handed Sharapova reached the final of the ATP Cincinnati Masters tennis tournament 2010. However, once again she was taken down by the 2009 US Open winner, Kim Clijsters.
Moreover, Sharapova also succeeded in a couple of smaller tournaments this year such as Strasbourg and Memphis. As far as the Grand Slam championships are concerned, there were already some good performances both at Roland Garros as well as the grass court Grand Slam tournament at Wimbledon.
In Paris, Maria was defeated by the four-time clay court French Open winner Justine Henin in the round 3 of competition. While in London, the Russian was toppled by the current world number one Serena Williams in straight sets.
Therefore, stats show that Maria Sharapova has only lost against the top-ranked players probably as a result of her lack of confidence. Falling down at the hands of Serena Williams and Justine Henin after reaching the later stages of the major events is not a negative sign at all, as far as the form of the Russian tennis player is concerned.
2. Her Serve
There is no doubt about the fact that Maria Sharapova is working on her serve. Her pace, shot selection as well as ground strokes have also improved a great deal over the recent past. The Russian has previously managed to win a number of important matches with the help of her strongest weapon, her second serve.
However, her shoulder injury badly affected her serving quality and she struggled afterwards for a couple of years. The good news at the moment is that the Russian tennis sensation, Maria Sharapova is once again serving with the same motion and is soon going to develop it as one of her strongest weapons in the game of tennis.
3. Her Mental strength
If Maria is down in a match you would never get an idea by her facial expressions. The Russian is highly composed and focused and never loses control on her nerves on weak moments. Therefore, knowing well that the Russian has the ability to handle the pressure at the Flushing Meadows, no one can deny the fact that she has bright chances of winning a title this year in New York.
4. Her competitors are out of the tournament
Let us consider the stats straight about two tennis greats who could comfortably capture this season’s US Open title.
Serena Williams, who got the better of Maria Sharapova at the grass court Grand Slam tournament, is not participating in this year’s US Open title as a result of foot injury. The same is the case with Justine Henin, who got the better of Russian at the Roland Garros earlier this season. Therefore, it is a great opportunity for Sharapova to come out strongly on the courts of Flushing Meadows to capture her second US Open title of her career.
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