Sharapova Defends Stuttgart Title with Victory over Li

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Sharapova Defends Stuttgart Title with Victory over Li

By Chris Oddo

(April 28, 2013) -- Last year Maria Sharapova parlayed a Stuttgart title and a brand new Porsche 911 into a French Open title. This year, after her sixteenth consecutive clay-court victory, a 6-4, 6-3 victory over second-seeded Li Na, Sharapova is hoping for déjà vu all over again.

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Sharapova’s 29th career title came against a player who had bounced her in straight sets from this year’s Australian Open. On Sunday, it was apparent that Sharapova was ready for Li from the get-go.

"She was the second seed and someone who I had lost to the last time we played, and obviously she was fresher than me going into the final, so I knew it would be the toughest match of the tournament," Sharapova said. "I really tried to do the right things from the beginning to the end and not have a letdown like I did in the other matches -- there were some struggles in those.”

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Sharapova jumped out quickly, breaking in the first game, then again to lead 4-1, but Li pushed back to win the next two games after fighting off three break points in a four-deuce game while serving to close to 4-3.

Sharapova stayed the course, and eventually served the set out to love to gain the edge.

"I was able to step it up," Sharapova would later say.

The second set was much tighter than the first, with neither player blinking until Sharapova managed the first break of the set to lead 4-3.

If there was a point that Li would probably like to have back more than any other on Sunday, that crucial break point would certainly be the one. She had the clear advantage in the point, but when she struck her midcourt forehand she failed to notice that Sharapova had cheated to the forehand side. Though Li’s shot was struck well, Sharapova was there to hammer back a reply that Li could not handle with a backhand volley.

It wasn’t Sharapova’s only brilliant moment while returning serve. The Russian broke Li’s serve four times on the day, and won 15 of 22 points against the 2011 French Open champion’s second serve.

"I was under pressure on her return, she was aggressive," Li lamented.

That pressure would prove to be too much two games later, as Li double-faulted after a Sharapova forehand winner gave her the only match point she would need on the afternoon.

But the less than desirable ending was not indicative of Li’s level on the afternoon. She was strong throughout the match, matching the power of Sharapova on many occasions.

"I'm a little sad to lose but it's a pretty good start to my clay-court season," Li said.

Sharapova, taking the ceremonial spin in her new Porsche 911 when all was said and done, had kind words for Li, and some comedy too. In her post-match remarks the marketable maven referred to the importance of defeating a Mercedes-sponsored opponent at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix with a wry smile on her face as Li looked on in laughter.

The car was a nice bonus, but the ultra-competitive Russian was no doubt happier about the fact that she had become the first player since Lindsay Davenport in 2005 to repeat as Champion in Stuttgart.

Sharapova, who famously labeled herself a “cow on ice” some time ago, has slowly become the game’s toughest out on the red clay surface. She has now won 23 of 24 matches dating back to last year, and given that clay could arguably be Serena Williams' worst surface, this spring could provide Sharapova with a chance to end a personal 11-match losing streak against the World No. 1.

For now, the reigning French Open champ can be content that another title is in the books. The victory pushes her career record against Li to 9-5.

Perhaps more telling is Sharapova’s career mark of 86-20 on clay.

The cow is now a queen, and the future looks bright for Sharapova.

(Photo Credit: AP)