• Wimbledon

Sharapova expects Kvitova to be at her best

ESPN staff
July 2, 2011
Maria Sharapova expects a tough encounter with Petra Kvitova © PA Photos
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Maria Sharapova expects a strong challenge from Petra Kvitova when the pair meet in the women's final at Wimbledon on Saturday.

Sharapova is the favourite going into the contest on Centre Court, in part due to the 24-year-old's previous haul of three grand slam victories - including her first at the All England Club back in 2004.

Kvitova, in contrast, will be playing in her first ever grand slam final. But Sharapova does not expect the 21-year-old to be fazed by the experience.

"She's got a lot of confidence coming in here, the sense of feeling of having nothing to lose, as it's her first slam final," Sharapova said.

"She's also a lefty, I think that's quite dangerous on grass, because she's been using a lot of her strengths as a lefty and playing really well throughout the matches."

The Czech is confident she will be able to cope with the additional pressure the match will bring, as she will try to put out of her mind the rewards another victory will bring.

"I'm not nervous. I'm looking forward to it, for sure," Kvitova said. "I will focus only on the match and not think about the title. It will be like a normal match, like second or third round here.

"Of course I have something to lose. I'm going on the court for the win. I'm staying positive."

She also doesn't believe her comparative lack of grand slam final experience will be a problem against the settled Sharapova.

"She knows how she will be feeling tomorrow," Kvitova said. "It's good for her that she has the experience from 2004.

"But still it will be a different match, a different opponent. It will be me, so we will see."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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