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Sharapova Should Thank Pennetta For Shot At Number One


By: Robert Martin Photo Credit: Tony Chang
Maria Sharapova
(October 8, 2011) When Flavia Pennetta upset World No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki, it was a huge win for the Italian to finally taste victory after five straight losses in as many attempts against the Dane. Even more importantly than the victory was for Pennetta, it proved to be even bigger for No. 2 Maria Sharapova, who now holds an outside chance of finishing the year at No. 1.

Forced to withdraw from Beijing this year due to injury, Sharapova was unable to defend a small amount of points she had earned last year before being defeated in the second round. Wozniacki was unable to defend her points as defending champion in Beijing, meaning that she will lose 750 points, shrinking the gap between Wozniacki and Sharapova to 1475 points.

Neither player is currently scheduled to play another event until the WTA Championships in Istanbul. In 2010, Sharapova did not play at all after Beijing, while Wozniacki did not complete against until the Championships in Qatar.

In addition to the point differential, Wozniacki has 890 points to defend from last year thanks to two wins in round robin and a trip to the final, while Sharapova will be playing with free points as she failed to qualify in 2010. What this means is that once the tournament begins, the point differential between the two drops to a manageable 585 points.

Given the right circumstances, Wozniacki could be knocked off her perch at No. 1 in the final week of the season, depending on her own play, as well as Sharapova, who appears to be fully recovered. Due to the nature of how the WTA awards points in the year end event, there are a number of different roads that could lead to Sharapova’s ascension.

Despite the chance to overtake the World No. 1, the consequences are still largely in the hands of Wozniacki, who can guarantee her spot if she is able to win at least two round robin matches, and then make the final. However, if Wozniacki is only able to win one round robin match, and then proceeds to make the final, Sharapova can still clinch No. 1 if she can win all five of her matches.

Assuming that Wozniacki fails to reach the final, Sharapova could see a larger window opening, but no matter the circumstances, it will be impossible to surpass the current No. 1 without at least reaching the final with only one loss. One would think that the faster surface in Istanbul will help Sharapova’s groundstrokes, but the questions regarding her serving consistency and movement can always bring potential problems.

 

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