Former world number 1 Maria Sharapova breezed past top-ranked Caroline Wozniacki in the semis in Rome to secure a spot for herself in the final against Sam Stosur, who was the runner-up at the previous year’s French Open.
This will be Sharapova’s second final of the year and her 35th final appearance of her career. The Russian player has reached the last four in the Rome two times in the past and defeated Wozniacki in 2008. She also lost to Victoria Azarenka in March.
The match started even for both players in the second set, Sharapova made a dive for the clay trying to catch a downward shot but missed, giving her opponent a 2-0 lead. However, Sharapova recovered to win the final five games. She landed the title with the forehand return shot.
Sharapova currently owns 22 titles, with the last one won a year ago before the French Open in Strasbourg.
Sam Stosur has not reached a final since her loss to Francesca Schiavone at last year’s Roland Garros. She expressed her excitement, saying that she is more confident to compete in the finals.
“I was very disappointed and I had to look at the positive side because I had a very good tournament as well. But, at that time, it is not always easy to see those things,” she said. “I have played some good matches and tournaments in the past 12 months, but I just was not able to get the last bit again. So now that I am better, I am excited to be there.”