It was my first time in the semi-finals of the US Open. Who has the best shot to take the WTA season finale?
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The world number one’s absence from the Singapore tournament starting on Sunday is a blow for its organisers and an injury cloud hangs over three of the players who have made the journey to southeast Asia.
“It’s different coming back this year, because it’s the second time and I have experience now”, Halep said during her All Access Hour interviews. In the final she had to scuffle past Jelena Jankovic in a tight three-setter, with the Serbian saying afterward, “Simona was unbelievable”. Pennetta was trying to play more aggressive, but could not execute. “She’s the younger one”. Halep has played lovely into the group, beating the world leader, Serena Williams with a stunning 6-0, 6-2, after defeating Eugenie Bouchard (Canada) 6-2, 6-3.
Season lowlights: The European Grand Slams weren’t so fun for Halep.
According to the draw, the qualified eight players have been put in two groups – Red and White.
“It’s a big step for me to be here and feel that I am healthy”, added Sharapova, playing in the Red group with Simona Halep, Agnieszka Radwanska and US Open victor Flavia Pennetta.
Halep, last year’s runner-up, showed no sign of the ankle injury that hampered her earlier this month.
“It was definitely tough not being part of so many tournaments the last few months”, she said. The Romanian maintained great depth on her ground strokes and defended extremely well, leaving her Italian counterpart stuck a good three to four feet behind the baseline for the majority of the rallies in the opening set. And an engrossing match, it was, too.
Surely the absence of Serena will stimulate competition.
Empowered by that stand, Sharapova danced to her left and crushed a forehand return victor down the line breaking with an emphatic strike for 2-1. She’s not one for defeatism or despondency. Williams has so many points to defend next year.
The third-seeded Sharapova was recovering from a leg injury after Wimbledon, where she journeyed to the semifinals. She hasn’t done much this fall, but power players have traditionally fared well in the Finals. That’s another level of pressure for a woman who admits that she hasn’t always handled it well. No doubt, Sharapova’s prospects have been improved by Williams’ absence.
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This marked Sharapova’s 13th career win in 15 matches played against Radwanska. She may have been surprised that she won, but it’s certainly not a surprise as to how she won.
