PARIS: Russia's Maria Sharapova became the 10th woman in tennis history to win all four Grand Slam titles when she defeated Sara Errani of Italy 6-3, 6-2 in the French Open final yesterday.
In what turned out to be a largely one-sided contest, the second-seed and new world number one led from the start, fixing the 21st-seed Errani with her biggest shots and giving her little chance to employ her own, more considered game. The French Open title for Sharapova follows her Grand Slam triumphs at Wimbledon in 2004, the US Open in 2006 and the Australian Open in 2008 and it crowns her return from a serious shoulder injury that nearly wrecked her career.
"It's a magical moment in my career," said Sharapova. "It has been such a journey for me to get to this stage. Eight years ago it was my first breakthrough Grand Slam and eight years later here I am.”
Sharapova sealed the match in just 79 minutes giving no respite to Errani who struggled to gain any sort of control throughout the match.
The win also made Sharapova the highest-earning sportswoman on earth. Meanwhile, despite her loss, Errani entered the top-10.
"I don't feel like top-10, but I will be in the top-10 players soon, it's incredible for me and I can't believe it,” said the Italian.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 10th, 2012.
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The king of clay and the queen of clay would make a cute and loving couple. Imagine Maria with Rafa. The couple would rock.