• Rome Open

Sharapova too much of a handful for Stosur in Rome

ESPN staff
May 15, 2011
Maria Sharapova was a worthy winner in Rome © PA Photos
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Rome Open seedings

Maria Sharapova lifted her first WTA Tour title of 2011 with a convincing victory over Samantha Stosur in the final of the Rome Open on Sunday.

Sharapova has never been a domineering clay-court player, the French Open the only grand slam to elude her, yet she outclassed Stosur for a 6-2 6-4 victory. The Russian appears to have developed a new style for the red dirt, and it resulted in the 23rd title of her career.

Having hit 36 winners in her semi-final win over Caroline Wozniacki, Sharapova was equally aggressive against her sixth-seeded opponent, closing out victory in an hour and 23 minutes. The world No. 8 had never lost to Stosur in seven previous meetings, but this was their first on clay.

Stosur was playing in her first final since reaching last year's showpiece at Roland Garros. Back then she was beaten by Francesca Schiavone, a clay-court specialist, but she would have been expected to beat Sharapova.

The first set was almost one-way traffic, Sharapova breaking three times to one, and winning almost double the amount of points picked up by Stosur. So strong when returning, Sharapova gratefully claimed 13 of 20 points against the serve.

Stosur improved in the second, finally getting her first serve to kick out wide, but still Sharapova found two breaks to win the $2,050,000 event.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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