Sharapova delayed by rain but beats Li for title
Updated: 2012-05-21 10:41
(Agencies)
|
|||||||||||
ROME - Maria Sharapova saved a match point to beat Li Na in the Italian Open final on Sunday after a two-hour rain break effectively turned the match into a tiebreak shootout.
Heavy rain sent the players running for cover at 6-6 in the decider, shortly after the Russian had fended off a match point with a winning forehand.
When they finally returned on a damp night in the Italian capital, Sharapova won the first three points of the tiebreak. Although China's Li battled back to 4-4 and 5-5, the second seed grabbed the last two points for victory.
Maria Sharapova of Russia is congratulated by Li Na of China after she won their final match at the Rome Masters tennis tournament, May 20, 2012.[Photo/Agencies] |
"This is a great win for me going into Roland Garros," Sharapova told reporters. "I know the level she played there last year and the level she can play on clay, the way she defends and moves around and gets herself back into position, she's just a great player on any surface really. So this gives me a lot of confidence.
"It will be nice to have a week off now, after playing three tournaments in the last four weeks. I'll have to time to recover, mentally and physically."
The rain break merely added to the drama of a match which swung first one way and the other, with Sharapova saving a match point at 5-6 to force the deciding tiebreak.
With defending champion and world number two Sharapova making far too many unforced errors, eighth seed Li had led by a set and 4-0 before losing her way.
In steady drizzle, Russian Sharapova then won eight straight games on her way to leading 4-1 in the final set before letting Li back in.
After a short break at 5-5, 30-30, a determined Li saved a break point to stay ahead.
With both players hitting top form, the Chinese then forced a match point on the Sharapova serve but the Russian saved it with a forehand winner.
As heavy rain began to fall, Sharapova held for 6-6 and with the lines becoming slippery, the umpire took the players off court at 4:40 pm local time.
Li is still without a title since winning her first grand slam title at Roland Garros almost a year ago.
Maria Sharapova (C) of Russia and Li Na (R) of China pose as they hold a trophy at the Rome Masters tennis tournament May 20, 2012. [Photo/Agencies] |
Related Stories
Serena sweeps past Sharapova into Madrid semis 2012-05-12 16:15
Sharapova crushes Li to reach Key Biscayne semis 2012-03-28 13:20
Li Na bows out against powerful Azarenka in Madrid 2012-05-12 10:08
Li Na stunned by Radwanska 2012-04-28 09:18
Today's Top News
President Xi confident in recovery from quake
H7N9 update: 104 cases, 21 deaths
Telecom workers restore links
Coal mine blast kills 18 in Jilin
Intl scholarship puts China on the map
More bird flu patients discharged
Gold loses sheen, but still a safe bet
US 'turns blind eye to human rights'
Hot Topics
Lunar probe , China growth forecasts, Emission rules get tougher, China seen through 'colored lens', International board,
Editor's Picks
All-out efforts to save lives |
Liaoning: China's oceangoing giant |
Poultry industry under pressure |
'Spring' in the air for NGOs? |
Boy set to drive Chinese golf |
Latest technology gets people talking |