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| Maria Sharapova |
Another blockbuster womens final is on the cards for Sunday as Maria Sharapova will take on Serena Williams in the Madrid final. Serena was first to book her place in the final, twice coming from a break down in a closely contested first set, before easing through the second to defeat Sara Errani, 7-5 6-2. Sharapova enjoyed another straight sets win, a 6-4 6-3 victory over Ana Ivanovic. This was far easier than their most recent match-up in Stuttgart where Ivanovic pushed the Russian to three sets.
Sharapova has been the better player this week, taking out a string of hard hitters including Kaia Kanepi and Sabine Lisicki with some consistent displays. Serena has looked less at home and to be honest, her draw has been marginally kinder than Sharapova's. She did have that epic struggle with Anabel Medina Garrigues in the quarter-finals, but she ended her match against Errani playing her best tennis of her week.
In their most recent match, Serena edged Sharapova in a three set Miami final. Sharapova started extremely well, bagging the opening set, but Serena ended it on a real high winning the last ten games of the match to take the Miami crown, 4-6 6-3 6-0. On clay, Sharapova will have her best chance of beating Serena. Their recent form also works in Sharapova's favour, but there is more to this match-up than meets the eye. Serena holds a significant mental edge over Sharapova and there is no doubt about that. I am very intrigued by this final and although Sharapova has her best chance in zonks to crack the Serena code, I still think Serena is in Maria's head and will bag the Madrid title...
Prediction - Serena Williams to beat Maria Sharapova in 3 sets
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