Date: 3/29/2011
Result: Miami QF, Maria Sharapova def. Alexandra Dulgheru, 3-6 7-6 7-6
Why it matters:
-Maria will return to the top 10, and it's deserved. If you look at her results since the start of 2010, there are of course a few surprising losses (those are the ones we and the media fixate on), but in the vast majority of events, she's only losing to elite players. Of course, the problem is she should be winning some of those tough matches - that's what she was doing when she got to #1 and was winning majors - but losing to 4-time Roland Garros champion Justine Henin at the French, losing to 4-time Wimbledon champion Serena Williams at Wimbledon, etc. is completely respectable. But now having reached back-to-back semifinals in the two US spring Premier Mandatory events, she's finally done enough to be back in the elite tier of the rankings.
- Both of these players are tough fighters, but the real source of the struggle is that (despite what I said above), Sharapova is still lacking confidence to really go for her shots and put things away. I also think conditions in Miami (windier and more humid) will always be somewhat tricky for Maria's style of play; Dulgheru was able to fight and retrieve effectively and continue to frustrate Maria. Most impressive, though, did anyone think Sharapova would be able to continue after that terrible ankle turn?
- Dulgheru has to get a lot of confidence from this week. As I commented in my last post, Dulgheru is a clay court specialist, so a good run in Miami should set her in the right direction. She's still young, so there's no reason she can't continue to improve, including on hard and grass, especially if she fights the way she showed she can tonight.
Honorable Mentions:
- Miami R4, Kim Clijsters def. Ana Ivanovic - 76 36 76 - It was there for the taking for Ivanovic. The 5-1 collapse in the final set is more noticeable, but she had plenty of chances in the first set, too. I think Ivanovic really needs wins like this to completely signal a return to form, but hopefully she'll only take positives from the performance and forget the missed opportunity. For Clijsters, it shows her motivation truly is there. After her retirement in Indian Wells, there were grumblings that Clijsters was starting to get bored with the tour, but saving five match points in a non-Major is evidence that she really does care about performing week in, week out.
-Miami R4, Mardy Fish def. Juan Martin del Potro - 75 76 - I don't think this really changes the outlook for del Potro. When Fish is on, he can beat anybody, and both were putting a lot into this match. I think this may help del Potro by giving him a chance to prepare for the clay season, and potentially make an immediate impact. For Fish, he's proven that he's as hard working and motivated as Roddick, and his results over the past 12 months reveal why he's set to become the highest ranked American, should he win his next match.
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