Sharapova still has a chance to be No. 1
ZURICH, Switzerland (AP) – Maria Sharapova kept alive her chance to finish the year ranked No. 1, beating Katarina Srebotnik of Slovenia 7-6 (3), 6-2 Saturday despite an aching foot to reach the Zurich Open final. The second-seeded Russian will play for the title Sunday against Daniela Hantuchova, who upset third-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-4, 6-2. In the second set, Kuznetsova needed treatment for a toe blister.
Sharapova, the U.S. Open champion, is ranked No. 2 behind Amelie Mauresmo, who withdrew from the tournament Thursday with a shoulder injury.
Hantuchova reached the semis after Mauresmo withdrew and will play her first WTA final in 14 months. The Slovak’s only career title came in 2002 at Indian Wells, Calif.
“It’s been awhile,” Hantuchova said. “I guess it was time.”
Sharapova was forced from the quarterfinals in Moscow last week because of pain in her right foot. But she showed agility against Srebotnik and finished with 13 aces.
“I felt better, more in control, and was moving around the court better,” Sharapova said. “I had a few lows. I got up a break in the second and then let her back into it.”
In the first-set tiebreak, Sharapova won the final five points, the last with an ace. Sharapova broke in the second set to lead 3-0. In the next game, she saved two break points with successive aces, but a double-fault and a backhand that got caught in the net allowed Srebotnik to get back on serve.
During the 90-second changeover, Sharapova received a warning when her coach and father, Yuri, shouted from the stands. On-court coaching is allowed at this tournament – one of five this season at which the WTA is testing the concept – but only once a set and during breaks.
“It was strange because I really didn’t hear anything,” Sharapova said. “And when I asked what he’d said, (the chair umpire) said he didn’t know. So we were in the same shoes. It was strange.”
At the U.S. Open, where on-court coaching is forbidden, Sharapova’s father and hitting partner Mike Joyce sent apparent hand signals to her. Sharapova said they were reminders to drink fluids.
After Saturday’s warning, Sharapova broke twice more to reach the final.
Hantuchova took the first set against Kuznetsova and broke to lead 2-1 in the second. At 4-2, Kuznetsova took an injury break to treat a blister under her right big toe, and Hantuchova called her mother to her side for coaching. When play resumed, Hantuchova broke again for a 5-2 lead.
The Slovak had two match points in the next game and thought she had won with an ace, but the umpire overruled. She then sent the ball long and squandered her second match point by netting an easy forehand. Hantuchova converted her third match point with a crosscourt backhand.
“I did all the right things on court,” Hantuchova said. “Even if missed a shot, I just didn’t let it bother me. I just followed my plan from beginning to end.”
Hantuchova had a trying week – she was hit by a ball in the ribs and played a doubles match late into the night Friday before the semifinals.
“It was hard to find my rhythm,” she said. “I had a lot of days off but I was working hard in doubles and playing late. And Mary (Pierce) hit a huge forehand straight into my ribs in the first doubles match.”