WTA Rome Sunday Preview

Maria Sharapova vs. Samantha Stosur

Maria Sharapova and Samantha Stosur will meet on Sunday in the final of this year’s Internazionali BNL d’Italia. Maria Sharapova produced one of her best performances of the season to get past world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki in the semi-finals of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia (7-6, 6-3).

The Russian star was at her attacking best on Saturday, and struck 36 winners en route to an impressive victory. Whilst she hasn’t always been so comfortable on clay, Sharapova has been superb this week. Sharapova is set to face Samantha Stosur in the final. The Australian initially met fierce resistance from Na Li in her semi-final clash, but picked up her game to earn a 7-6, 6-0 win. The sixth seed is now about to compete in her first final since last year’s French Open, and her recent displays suggest that we might see her challenge for the Roland Garros title again this season.

Sharapova goes into this match with a 7-0 head to head record against Stosur, though this will be the first meeting between the pairing on clay. Stosur has only ever taken two sets from Sharapova, but the switch to a clay court may well work to Stosur’s advantage.