Rogers Cup 2011 Final Preview: Serena Williams vs. Samantha Stosur

In a blockbuster Sunday final at Toronto, former World No. 1 Serena Williams will take on current World No. 10 Samantha Stosur of Australia. A title win here matters a lot for both contenders, as both have had their share of lean patch in the recent past. While, Serena had to miss out almost a season due to career threatening injuries, Stosur hit the low form in the second-part of this season and now it is a great opportunity for her to make up for the recent past mistakes. Get ready for an enthralling final of the 2011 Rogers Cup, a WTA Premier Event being played here at Toronto, where former World No. 1 Serena Williams will take on World No. 10 Samantha Stosur of Australia. Last week the Australian was evicted from the Top 10, but now she is back in the helm of the business and now just a win away from the title – that would do a lot to her confidence and performance. Stosur has a 24-16 win-loss record this year and she is chasing her first title of the season.

Stosur snapped the winning streak of Agnieszka Radwanska on Saturday to reach her second final of the year. Interestingly, Serena Williams who won her 38th title last month at Stanford, looked in her vintage form, as she subdued No.4 seed Victoria Azarenka in straight sets with a 6-3 6-3 scoreline to set up this title match with Stosur. With this win, Serena also improved to 10-0 in the summer hard-court season.

After winning the match, Serena asserted, "It was important for me to come in and take charge. I didn't have anything to lose," Williams said in her on-court interview. "It's really cool - I came to Toronto just trying to do my best, next thing I know I'm in the final. I haven't really played that much. I love the Toronto crowd. Maybe it's something to do with them.” She further added, "I just kind of knew I was playing a really, really good player today and I basically had to step up my game or go to Cincinnati."

When asked about this duel with Serena, the Australian quoted, "I've had some success against Serena, but we all know what she's capable of. She's obviously one of the best players ever in women's sport. She's a great champion. And for her to have that lay-off and already win an event and do so well, it's full credit to her."

In head-to-head, Serena leads with a 3-2 against the Australian. Last time they met in 2010 French Open quarterfinal, where Stosur beat Serena in three gruelling sets. Williams has a 38-14 win-loss record in WTA finals in her career, while Stosur has a 2-8.