Next up, Sharapova

Next up, Sharapova

27 Mar 2011
samstosur.com

Sam Stosur will be looking for her first win against former world No.1 Maria Sharapova when the meet in the fourth round of the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami.

The fourth seed in Miami, Stosur jumped out of the blocks early in her third-round match against Lucie Safarova before a late challenge from the Czech added some tension to the second set.

The Australian took the opening set 6-0 and racked up a 5-2 lead in the second before Safarova reeled off three-straight games to force the second set to a tiebreak.

A composed Stosur lit up the tiebreak to take it 7-1 and set up an intriguing fourth-round match.

Stosur is yet to beat Sharapova in six meetings. The 16th-seeded Sharapova won 10-straight games in her 6-2 6-0 win over German wildcard Sabine Lisicki.

When asked about her record against Stosur, Sharapova was quick to point out that their head-to-head record is irrelevant.

“It’s always a new match.  That’s why they put the nets up for us to play.  That’s why we go out there and have to play again.”

Sharapova knows Stosur has improved her game since they last played a year and half ago in Tokyo. “I have to put the previous encounters behind, take a few things that worked well for me and try to use them again, but also know that we did play a while ago.”

If Stosur can chalk up her first win over Sharapova she will secure her third-straight quarterfinal appearance in Miami.

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  • Rena_Egypt

    Wohooo Great win Sam,well done! Just like I said on your facebook fan page, this is the best gift I could get for my birthday :) Thank you ! :D

  • Anonymous

    Hi Sammy , congratulations on your first winning against Lucie ! Unbelievable opening set went to 6-0 , but it’s a pity that no TV screen to watch , so I keep following whole match at score borad , and about five thirty in the morning then I went to bed , thanks god that no school session on Sunday ! Next taking on Masha , it must be very high quality match , hope I could take a look ! Good Luck ~ : ) .

  • Beau Paris

    Go Sammy, Mix it up and wrong foot the screamitova !!

  • Jane

    Well done on your win SAMMI! Remember to stay strong and believe in yourself. Hopefully your next match will be an Afternoon match. You seem to play better in the SUNLIGHT! Goodluck.

  • Chinchilla93

    Samantha
    Go beat Maria for me!!!!!!
    You made it to the round of 16!!! Go make it to the semi finals or finals even better!!
    See you soon!!
    Win charleston for me!!
    Jillie

  • jess

    go sammy go!!!!

  • Ai

    Hi Sam, thank you for your kind message and support to Japan.I believe we can get through this because all of the world support us.
    Goog luck with your next round!! I’ll cross my fingers for you :)

  • Jef (from France)

    Hi Sam :)
    You’ve just had your 1st win on Safarova, no doubt you are to d the same to Maria. Maria knows, you know, and we know that you’ve improved your game last year…. You have to be comfident, you’ll win this one :) I hope there will be some livestream, so that I can see your match :) I can’t wait !!
    cheers,
    jf

  • Mcloutier

    Sam , I Know and you know you can take Maria out, so be confident and don’t let your emotions get in your way. You are a better player than her, and a lot quicker and just as powerful. So… kick some butt, ok?
    SOMEONE THAT LOVES TO WATCH YOU PLAY.

  • Muz

    Go Sammy, you can win this tournament, good luck!

  • boycee

    go sam, wishing and praying for you match by match…. good luck against Maria… you’ll smash her for sure!

  • Torero1919

    sam U are my best

  • Craig

    Hey Sam,
    The outcome against Sharapova is going to be based solely on ” Belief “. You have come out the wrong end of the past half dozen 3 set matches and am sure you know that those results could have easily been reversed. You have the game to beat anyone and that was evident with your wins over Serens, Justine and more importantly Elana Dementiava at last years US open. Win this match and you will come out with the conidence you should have from start to finish each time you walk on court knowing the outcome is in your hands not your opponants.
    I for 1 am very confident you will be shaking hands a winner tomorrow.

    Craig (Sydney)

  • George marshall

    Ok Sam. Stop Sharapova’s run. You can do it, slice your backhand deep and approach.
    George

  • Benna

    your comment regarding Caroline,is stuped,you can compete in tennis ,education or look.compare your money and titles she have and only 20 years old,

  • Veronika Baptist

    Sam, please don’t go to Japan. I’m worried about you, it’s really dangerous there.
    Please, I beg you!

  • Jim

    Bummer Sam, Maria was just too good today. You must be very disappointed. The main thing is to look at this loss and try to figure out what went wrong. For what it’s worth (and I’m breaking my own rule again here by offering advice from the sideline) I see a pattern here that I’m guessing you must have noticed as well. The players who give you the most trouble are girls like Maria who take the ball early and hit flat and hard as hell from the baseline. They force you to rush your shots and throw you off your rhythm. That’s the reason you do best on slower clay courts and worst on grass, where you have even less time. Everybody keeps going on about your problems being all mental, but that doesn’t explain how you beat three former or current no 1s in a row at RG, took Clijsters to 3 tight sets at Flushing Meadows, took out Wozniacki in straight sets at Doha, etc. etc. You are competitive against the top players, who are at the top precisely because they play very well against players like Maria. In my opinion your problems are mainly technical and/or tactical. I’m eternally grateful to Dave for everything he’s done for you, but I don’t see much improvement in this area under his coaching. I can’t believe I’m suggesting this, but maybe it’s time to look for help from someone else who can teach you how to play against the baseline bashers. You wouldn’t have to break with Dave altogether, just think about bringing in a temporary supplemental coach to help you in this one area, like Fed has done from time to time. But whatever you decide to do I will keep on supporting you Sam, for me you are simply the best. Love ya forever!

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