Maria Sharapova has a score to settle
Stuttgart. Victoria Azarenka against Maria Sharapova, the world No. 1 against the No. 2 – the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix has its dream final. For Maria Sharapova, it is an ideal opportunity to settle an old score as the top players have already this year faced each other at the Australian Open and in Indian Wells – and Victoria Azarenka won on both occasions. Below are further facts and figures for the biggest highlight in the Porsche Arena. Did you know...
...that Victoria Azarenka is appearing for the fifth time at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix whilst it is Maria Sharapova’s first time?
...that the meeting today is only the fifth time since 2006 that a WTA final has involved both the world number one and the number two. In 2006, Amélie Mauresmo and Kim Clijsters met in Antwerp final, in 2008 Justine Henin and Svetlana Kuznetsova faced each other in Sydney, at the 2010 WTA Championships it was Caroline Wozniacki and Vera Zvonareva. In 2012, the Indian Wells final was between Victoria Azarenka and Maria Sharapova, like here in Stuttgart.
...that Victoria Azarenka has won each of her four finals against Maria Sharapova, and all in two sets?
...that Victoria Azarenka is only playing in her fifth clay court final? The first was in Estoril in 2007 and the last before Stuttgart was Madrid in 2011.
...that Victoria Azarenka has already won 4,008,080 million dollars prize money this year? Maria Sharapova has amassed 2,083,350 dollar. As for career prize money, Maria Sharapova is ahead with 18,726,677 dollars (Victoria Azarenka: 12,941,437 dollars).
...that Maria Sharapova would become only the second player this year to win a WTA title after saving a match point? The other was Angelique Kerber from Porsche Team Germany when winning the tournament in Copenhagen.
...that Maria Sharapova has won at least one WTA title in every season since 2003 but is still waiting for her first one this year?
...that Maria Sharapova has won all three clay court finals she has played? They were Amelia Island 2008, Strasbourg 2010 and Rome 2011.
...that Maria Sharapova has reached the final of four of the five events she has played this year. Before Stuttgart they were at the Australian Open, in Indian Wells and Miami. In the indoor event in Paris she got to the quarterfinal. At both the Australian Open and Indian Wells, she lost to Victoria Azarenka. In Miami, she was defeated by Agnieszka Radwanska.
...that Victoria Azarenka has already won four tournaments this year. They came in Sydney, Australian Open, Doha and Indian Wells.
29/04/2012
