===========
ZÜRICH OPEN (Zürich, Switzerland; indoor hard; WTA Tier I)
=========== http://www.zurichopen.net/

Although I don't have access to Eurosport, a DVD of the final has
come into my possession, so I have incorporated it into this report.

------
Photos
------

http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/news/?c=news_photos&p=hantuchova

Search Getty Images for "hantuchova"

http://www.rabble.ch/archiv/arc6_zurich_02.htm

http://www.mariasharapova.com/

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Video
-----

The whole match:
http://www.wtaworld.com/showpost.php?p=9334521

Zürich Highlights:
http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/2/multimedia/

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Final (Sunday 22nd October)
-----

Very nice winner, very nice loser:
+ MARIA SHARAPOVA [2] d. Daniela Hantuchová, 6-1 4-6 6-3

The final was a mouthwatering match - not just in superficial terms,
but in terms of the quality of the tennis, and after the first set,
it actually became a very competitive match!

Maria and Daniela are my second and third favourite players, but
it's not always the most entertaining tennis when they play each
other. Sometimes their match-ups come across as lacking a contrast
of styles, Daniela doesn't play particularly well, and therefore
it's either one-sided with a good Maria-performance (e.g. Wimbledon
2004: Maria 6-3 6-1), or closer because of a poor Maria-performance
(e.g. Zürich 2004: Maria 6-4 7-5). Their Australian Open 2006 match
featured brilliant tennis from both, but Maria's control of the
decisive moments resulted in a rather straightforward 6-4 6-4
scoreline.

This, however, was the best Maria v Daniela match I've seen,
particularly in terms of Daniela's performance. She absorbed Maria's
powerful, deep, low-bouncing groundstrokes exceptionally well, and
hit some lovely touch-volleys as well as her trademark backhands
down the line.

Daniela fought to the end and can be proud of her performance (bar
the first set). This was a different Daniela from the one who kept
letting 5-2 leads become 5-7 2-6 losses a couple of months ago! She
certainly deserves to add to her single singles-title (Indian Wells
2002), but Maria is too on-form to be denied by anyone at the moment.


Articles/Reports by other people
--------------------------------

BBC Sport:
>>>
The Russian totally dominated a nervous Hantuchová in the first set,
with the Slovakian twice dropping serve to love.

Hantuchová broke at the start of the second and, serving better,
held in an epic 10th game to level at one-set all.

But an off-key Sharapova raised her game in the decider, breaking in
game four and holding on for victory.
<<<

www.wtatour.com:
>>>
Just like she had done in her first three rounds, as well as
throughout her career in general, Sharapova battled for each and
every point in the near-two-hour final. After a lopsided first set,
the drama picked up in the second; Hantuchová broke in the opening
game, held onto the break throughout the set, and finally evened the
match at a set apiece after a tight 10th game, where she saved five
break-points, all with winners, closing it out on her third set
point. It was the first time in their last five meetings she was
able to claim a set.

Sharapova was able to turn the tides in the third, however; on the
strength of one break in the fourth game, which put her up 3-1, she
put herself back in control of the match. In the end she notched her
fifth win in six meetings with the Slovak.
<<<

Reuters:
>>>
Sharapova was far more aggressive than Hantuchová in the opening
set, especially with her returns, and she pressured the Slovak from
the start.

Hantuchová had to hold off three break-points in the first game and
then dropped her serve to love, hitting consecutive double-faults,
to fall behind 2-1.

Sharapova continued to dominate, breaking Hantuchová to love a
second time while winning 15 of 16 points to establish a 4-1 lead.
The Russian broke for a third time to take the set when Hantuchová
netted a forehand.

UNFORCED ERRORS

After calling her mother to court as her coach, allowed under rules
being tried out in Zürich, Hantuchová was far more positive in the
second set, breaking Sharapova for 1-0.

Sharapova's efforts were more muted in the second set. She made
considerably more unforced errors and failed to win a break-point to
level at 4-4 when she netted a tired forehand.

Hantuchová fought off five break-points at 5-4 to take the match to
a deciding set.

Sharapova once more showed some of the aggression that had served
her well in the first set and although she failed to take advantage
of two break points at 1-0 she broke to lead 3-1 when Hantuchová
netted a forehand.

That was enough to decide the match, which Sharapova closed out with
consecutive aces.
<<<

Erica Bulman, AP Sports Writer:
>>>
Maria Sharapova loves speed, fast cars and rollercoasters. She hates
traffic and running on foot, or anything else that can slow her down.

So it really annoyed her when she surged through an easy first set
against Daniela Hantuchová in Sunday's final of the Zürich Open, but
stalled in a sluggish, error-filled second set.

That raised the Russian's levels of frustration - and aggression -
enough to spur her into quickly breaking Hantuchová in the final set
to win 6-1 4-6 6-3 and earn her 14th career title, and fourth this
year.

Hantuchová had to save three break-points on her first serve before
Sharapova swept the next six games.

Both players took advantage of the on-court coaching, which is
allowed at this tournament, after the first set. Sharapova spoke to
coach Mike Joyce, while Hantuchová talked with her mother.

The motherly advice seemed to help. Hantuchová broke Sharapova's
opening serve in the second set and then saved five break-points in
the final game to even the match.

Before the final set, Sharapova took a bathroom break, and her
father appeared to follow. Hantuchová again spoke to her mother, but
it didn't prove to be as effective.

Sharapova broke to take a 3-1 lead in the final set, holding serve
and winning with an ace down the middle.
<<<

Wintermute <http://www.wtaworld.com/showpost.php?p=9325497>:
>>>
She made a good effort after a very nervous start. To tell the truth
the first set was abysmal! But in the past after losing the first
set to one of the top players Daniela has collapsed in the second,
so I was impressed to see her playing positive and able to fight
back to level the match.

However, in the third Maria was too good. Her serving and returning
was amazing. She was eating Dani's second serve alive. And Dani was
only serving at something like 50% in the final set which just isn't
good enough to beat Sharapova. The scoreline of this match was
almost entirely determined by first serve percentage.
<<<


My match-report
---------------

The match started at 13:37 CET, and I followed live scores at the
tournament-website. Later, I got to see the match on DVD, so what
follows is my comments as I wrote them at the time, merged with my
notes from watching the DVD.

Both girls are members of my Eternal Fanship, but I wanted Daniela
to win because winning this tournament (to go with her lone WTA
singles-title at Indian Wells 2002) would mean so much to her,
whereas for Maria it's just business as usual, and would give her
only a small fraction of the joy she feels when winning a Grand Slam
singles-title.


First set
---------

SHARAPOVA _*@*@*@ 6
HANTUCHOV *______ 1

Daniela serving 0-0: Daniela netted a forehand. 0/15. A pinpoint
backhand down the line - that caught the outside edge of the
sideline - forced a defensive forehand lob from Maria; Daniela hit a
crosscourt backhand drive-volley winner. 15/15. A deep backhand
return down the middle forced Daniela to net a forehand. Daniela
complained about some music outside. 15/30. Maria punished a short
second serve with a backhand return-winner down the line.
15/40 (2 BPs). Maria wasted the first with a netted backhand, and
the second with a forehand return wide. 40/40. Maria forehand return-
winner down the line. Ad Maria (BP #3). Daniela saved it with an
excellent wide serve to force a very short lob-return; she got away
with a weak forehand as Maria hit a crosscourt backhand pass wide.
Deuce #2. An entertaining long rally with a dropshot from Daniela,
and Maria at the net on two separate occasions, ended with Maria
hitting a backhand drive-volley just long. Ad Daniela. Service-
winner down the middle.

Good girl! It's vital for Daniela to get off to a good start,
otherwise this match could be rather short. Saving three break-
points is very encouraging, as so often Daniela is the one
squandering them.

Maria serving 0-1: Daniela forehand long. 15/0. Maria backhand just
long. 15/15. Maria forehand just long. 15/30. Daniela forehand
return just long. 30/30. Daniela backhand just wide. 40/30. Maria
held with a crosscourt backhand winner.

A half-chance wasted at 15/30 perhaps, but Maria is always
unbelievably determined to hold her serve.

Hard, flat, low-over-the-net tennis from both girls: Maria has a bit
more power and better footwork, Daniela a little more flair and
variety.

Daniela serving 1-1: Maria hit an early backhand winner down the
line. 0/15. Daniela netted a forehand. 0/30. Maria broke to love as
Daniela quadruple-faulted!

Oh dear! That's not good for the prospects of a /competitive/ match
between my second & third favourite players. :-( Daniela needs to
remember how she broke Maria's serve three times in their Australian
Open 4r, which featured good fightbacks from both players.

Maria serving 2-1: A body-jamming serve and an off-forehand forced a
floater from Daniela; Maria hit a two-handed backhand drive-volley
winner crosscourt. 15/0. Daniela netted a backhand. 30/0. Daniela
hit a brilliant crosscourt backhand winner onto the sideline. 30/15.
Maria hit an off-forehand winner behind Daniela. 40/15. Maria
punished a weak sliced backhand with an off-forehand winner.

Sam Smith said that Maria was now much more willing to go to the net
than she was before the US Open - providing she only has to hit one
volley, as "she doesn't really cover the net particularly well."

Sam Smith described Maria's on-court demeanour as "fire and ice":
she's feisty & grunting during a point, and cool & aloof between
points.

Daniela serving 1-3: Daniela forehand just long. 0/15. Maria
punished a short second serve by blasting a backhand return down the
line, forcing Daniela to earth a forehand. 0/30. A deep ball from
Maria forced a short one from Daniela, which Maria pounced on with
an off-forehand winner - just ruthless. 0/40 (3 BPs). Daniela
sprayed a backhand very long, off a short ball from Maria to give
Maria the double break.

Sorry to say, Maria is making Daniela look like a very lightweight
finalist at the moment. Daniela has only won one point in the last
three games! :-o

saki: "Dani just not executing - she knows what to do, she's just
not doing it."

Maria serving 4-1: Maria backhand winner down the line. 15/0. Maria
forehand just long. 15/15. Maria forced a short ball and hit a
crosscourt forehand winner. 30/15. A backhand return onto the
baseline forced a short ball from Maria; Daniela dominated the rally
with a crosscourt forehand to force a short lob, and a crosscourt
forehand winner behind Maria. 30/30. Ace down the middle. 40/30.
A good serve forced a short return, and Maria held with a crosscourt
forehand winner.

Daniela serving to stay in the first set at 1-5: Daniela took some
pace off her first serve, and Maria blasted a forehand return-winner
down the line. 0/15. Service-winner out wide. 15/15. Daniela
forehand wide. 15/30. Ace out wide. 30/30. Daniela came in behind a
forehand down the line that forced a short floater from Maria, but
Daniela hit an ill-advised crosscourt backhand, giving Maria a huge
gap for a backhand pass-winner. 30/40 (SET-POINT). Daniela netted a
forehand. Maria won the first set 6-1 at 14:03 (26 minutes).

A thoroughly dispapsinating set for Daniela. If she hadn't saved
those three break-points in the very first game, we could be looking
at a double bagel now! :-o

Maria has a W:UE ratio of 14:6 for the first set, Daniela 4:13. And
Maria is getting 82% of her first serves in, Daniela just 54%.

Please get your act together, Daniela! :-o

Maria spoke to her coach Michael Joyce during the set-break, as
allowed at this tournament as an experiment on the WTA Tour.
According to Chris Bradnam, he told her to expect Daniela to come
out tough and fired up at the start of the second; "P.S. eat a
banana!"

Daniela spoke to her mother Marianna at the set-break.


Second set
----------

SHARAPOVA __* * * *_ 4
HANTUCHOV @* * * * * 6

Maria serving 0-0: Double fault (wild second serve long). 0/15.
Maria forehand just long. 0/30. Daniela backhand wide. 15/30. A deep
forehand return induced Maria to hit a backhand short; Daniela hit a
deep backhand down the line into Maria's forehand-corner to force a
short, defensive lob; Daniela at the net let it bounce and hit an
off-forehand; Maria hit a crosscourt backhand pass, but Daniela
picked it off with a gorgeous backhand drop-volley winner.
15/40 (2 BPs). Maria netted a forehand to give Daniela the break.

There /is/ such a thing as winning too easily. You get a little
complacent, lose your concentration, and all of a sudden it's
competitive.

What this final needs is them both playing well at the same time.

Daniela serving 1-0: Maria forehand long. 15/0. Maria netted a
backhand. 30/0. Daniela backhand long. 30/15. A wide serve and a
crosscourt forehand forced Maria to balloon a forehand wide. 40/15.
Daniela netted a backhand. 40/30. Daniela forehand winner down the
line.

I don't believe Daniela can beat Maria or even take a set, but at
least she's got a bit of momentum now. :-)

Maria said her problem this week was that she was throwing in some
bad games during matches, and finding it hard to be totally
motivated after the US Open.

Maria serving 0-2: Daniela played a nice spreading rally, with a
forehand down the line forcing Maria to net a backhand. 0/15.
Daniela netted a backhand return. 15/15. Maria netted a backhand.
15/30. Daniela forehand wide. 30/30. Daniela netted a forehand.
40/30. Ace down the middle.

A couple of opportunities wasted (0/15 and 15/30), which is a shame
because this set would have got very interesting if Daniela had led
*3-0.

Absolutely imperative that Daniela holds serve here, because once
Maria gets that break back, she'll be very difficult to stop.

Daniela serving 2-1: Maria backhand wide. 15/0. Daniela hit a
lovely, flairsome forehand winner down the line. 30/0. Maria netted
a forehand. 40/0. A good wide serve forced a short return; Daniela
hit a crosscourt forehand winner onto the sideline... but there was
a late call of 'out'! The commentators said it was a bad call,
Daniela argued with the umpire, and the crowd - who were very much
on Daniela's side in this match - whistled. 40/15. Maria forehand
return just long.

Well done! When you're a Daniela-fan, you get quite nervous when
40/0 becomes 40/15!

Maria serving 1-3: Daniela netted a forehand. 15/0. Daniela hit a
brilliant pinpoint backhand winner down the line, just inside the
sideline. 15/15. Service-winner out wide. 30/15. Ace down the
middle. 40/15. Service-winner down the middle.

Daniela serving 3-2: Virtual ace down the middle. 15/0. A deep first
serve forced Maria to hit a forehand return just long. 30/0. Daniela
backhand long. 30/15. Service-winner out wide, right in the corner.
40/15. A good serve forced a short return; Daniela hit a deep off-
backhand just inside the sideline, forcing Maria to hit a forehand
just long.

I have to commend Daniela for hanging onto this break for so long,
and with convincing service-games too. She's doing much better than
I expected after the first set, but she's now at the scoreline
(1-6 4-2) from which Serena Williams didn't win another game in the
Wimbledon 2004 final!

Maria serving 2-4: Maria netted a forehand. 0/15. Daniela hit a
short return, and Maria a backhand winner down the line, just inside
the baseline. 15/15. A Daniela crosscourt backhand forced a weak one
from Maria; Daniela tried to put it away with a forehand punch-
volley, but unfortunately it was just long. 30/15. Ace out wide.
40/15. I thought Daniela was lucky that a backhand return landed on
the baseline, but Maria clouted a crosscourt forehand winner.

Daniela serving 4-3: A wide serve followed by a short-angled
crosscourt backhand just inside the sideline forced Maria to hit a
backhand long. 15/0. Daniela backhand just long. 15/15. A deep
backhand return forced Daniela to hit a backhand long. 15/30.
Daniela painted the sideline with an off-forehand winner. 30/30.
Daniela forehand wide. 30/40 (BP). Maria netted a forehand. 40/40.
Service-winner down the middle. Ad Daniela. She held with a super
point: a great wide serve onto the sideline; an early backhand down
the line onto the other sideline - which Maria ran down
magnificently to hit a crosscourt forehand - but Daniela's quick
thinking resulted in a forehand dropshot-winner from the baseline.
Loud cheering from the crowd.

Well saved by Daniela! She really is putting up a commendable fight
in this set, and when she had the 'ad', I just knew she was going to
hold! :-)

Now Maria's under pressure to save the set, but this is where she
has excelled so often in her recent matches - surviving her opponent
serving for the set, and saving set-points.

Maria serving to stay in the second set at 3-5: Serve + off-forehand
winner. 15/0. Ace down the middle. 30/0. Daniela went for a big
forehand return down the line, but it was just wide. 40/0. Maria hit
a short second serve followed by a short backhand, which Daniela
punished with a booming crosscourt forehand winner onto the
sideline. Chris Bradnam: "She's such a clean strike - that's why
she's feared by /everybody/ in the locker-room." 40/15. Daniela
backhand long.

The moment of truth for Daniela: can she possibly serve out this set
against one of the all-time greats? It's especially difficult when
you're serving for it by virtue of a break at the very start of the
set...

Daniela serving for the second set at 5-4 (new balls): Maria
backhand return long. 15/0. Daniela kept much better depth than
Maria, and hit a crosscourt forehand winner. 30/0. Daniela netted a
backhand. 30/15. Daniela netted a backhand dropshot from the
baseline - hardly a percentage-shot when you're serving for the set!
30/30. Daniela netted a forehand. 30/40 (BP #1). Maria hit a short
forehand return, and Daniela a fabulous backhand winner down the
line, on the sideline. 40/40. A fabulous serve down the middle
forced a short return; Daniela hit a forehand down the line, forcing
Maria on the run to hit a backhand long. Daniela pumped her fist and
said "c'mon". Ad Daniela (SP #1). Second serve: a searing crosscourt
backhand return forced Daniela to hit a weak crosscourt backhand;
Maria hit a crosscourt backhand winner and it was her turn to
say "c'mon". Deuce #2. Daniela backhand wide. Ad Maria (BP #2).
Daniela saved it magnificently: she hit a wide serve into Maria's
backhand-corner, and although Maria's crosscourt backhand return
came whizzing low and fast to Daniela's feet, she came up with a
brilliant half-volley off-backhand winner! Deuce #3. Daniela netted
a wild forehand which would also have been wide. Ad Maria (BP #3).
Daniela saved it with a fabulous service-winner down the middle, on
the centre-line (Maria, off-balance, netted a forehand return).
Deuce #4. First serve: Maria hit a stunning forehand return-winner
down the line, just inside the sideline. Sam Smith: "Poor serve,
really - just didn't go anywhere." Ad Maria (BP #4). First serve
down the middle: Maria read it, but netted a forehand return.
Deuce #5. A deep forehand from Maria forced Daniela to hit a
forehand long. Ad Maria (BP #5). Daniela saved it with a good wide
serve to force a short crosscourt backhand return, setting up a
Daniela backhand winner down the line, just inside the sideline.
Deuce #6. Ace down the middle. "C'mon," said Daniela.
Ad Daniela (SP #2). A deep, wide serve on the service-line forced a
weak backhand return; Daniela hit a deep error-forcing crosscourt
forehand (Maria on the run poked a forehand wide) to take the second
set 6-4 at 14:53 (50 minutes).

Wow! She did it! I just had to laugh when Daniela's 30/0 lead
evaporated (I can laugh because I'm a fan of both), but what a
tremendous battle of wills!

That last game was all about Daniela. Maria didn't do a whole lot
wrong; it was a mixture of brilliant winners and choky errors from
Daniela.

And the baggage of 5 missed break-points for Maria to carry into the
third set. In fact she converted 0/6 break-points in the whole
second set.

In the second set, Maria got just 58% of first serves in, Daniela
74% - such a turnaround from the first set.

Sam Smith: "[Daniela] loves naturally to [serve] out wide, because
it opens up the court for her, and then she can dominate the point.
Haven't seen her go too much at the /body/ in this match - that's
the only direction that's been missing from the repertoire."

Yuri Sharapov went to the toilet, so Maria took a toilet-break. Well
it's important to remind her to keep her bladder empty, as any good
parent would do! ;-) When she returned to the court, she was chewing
on wasps.

Daniela had some legalised coaching from her mother again.

She's obviously far from being in control at the moment, but Maria
does have an awesome ability to step it up after dropping the second
set, and to win the third 6-1.


Third set
---------

SHARAPOVA * *@* * * 6
HANTUCHOV _*___* *_ 3

Maria serving 0-0: Daniela backhand winner down the line, on the
sideline. 0/15. Deep service-winner out wide, on the service-line.
15/15. Wide serve + off-backhand winner behind Daniela. 30/15.
Ace down the middle, right in the corner. 40/15. Daniela backhand
just long.

Maria didn't get away with being broken at the start of the second
set, so she'll be determined not to be broken again. Daniela must
continue to match that determination.

Chris Bradnam: "Winning becomes a /habit/, and it makes you /fight/
when you're used to winning."

Daniela serving 0-1: Maria hit a crosscourt forehand virtual winner,
off a short ball from Daniela. 0/15. Maria forehand winner down the
line. 0/30. Maria netted a backhand return. 15/30. Maria backhand
return-winner down the line. 15/40 (2 BPs). Maria sprayed a backhand
wide. 30/40. Maria forehand just long. 40/40. Maria netted a
forehand return. Ad Daniela. She held with a short-angled serve just
inside the sideline to set up a crosscourt forehand winner, and
said "c'mon".

Just when it looked like Daniela's hopes were about to evaporate in
an early break, she's still putting up an amazing fight.

Sam Smith: "There's some real steel about Hantuchová, and one of the
reasons I think she's coping this match is: she's got /fantastic/
racket-head control - probably as good as anyone in the top ten."

And Maria has now converted 0/8 break-points since the start of the
second set.

Chris Bradnam: "There's quite a bit of /baggage/ developing here in
the mind of Sharapova. She had a lot of respect for her coming out
on this final court, and it'll surely be growing."

It's an incredible transformation from the first set, and that in
itself must be difficult for Maria to deal with, because IMO it's
the worst feeling in tennis when what seems like a routine victory
turns into a desperate fight for survival (Daniela's Wimbledon 2003
match against Asagoe,Shinobu springs to mind, where Daniela won the
first set 6-0 but was in tears as she struggled to an ultimate loss
in the third).

Maria serving 1-1: A netcord from Maria allowed Daniela to hit a
crosscourt forehand that forced Maria to hit a forehand lob long.
0/15. Ace out wide. 15/15. Service-winner out wide. 30/15. Maria hit
a searing crosscourt backhand to force a short sliced backhand from
Daniela, and hit a crosscourt forehand winner. Chris Bradnam:
"/That/ is maybe the best shot of the week from Sharapova off the
midcourt low ball. She's struggled with it all week." 40/15. Double
fault. 40/30. Daniela hit a pinpoint backhand down the line, forcing
Maria to net a forehand. Chris Bradnam: "It's scored every time it's
been employed, that down-the-line shot." 40/40. Daniela backhand
wide. Ad Maria. She hit a forehand long. Deuce #2. A body-jamming
serve forced a backhand return wide. Ad Maria. Daniela forehand just
long.

The way Daniela pegged Maria back to deuce in that game is what
Maria herself so often does to her opponents, but we haven't seen
much of that today - apart from when Daniela served for the second
set, of course.

Daniela took a change-of-attire break.

Daniela serving 1-2: Daniela forehand long. 0/15. Daniela hit a
forehand winner down the line, off a short ball from Maria. Chris
Bradnam: "That's the play: be patient, wait for the right ball. And
she's won virtually every point with its use." Sam Smith: "Just such
a great change of direction, just makes it look so solid." 15/15.
Maria played a good spreading rally, with a crosscourt backhand to
push Daniela into the tramlines, followed by a crosscourt forehand
that forced her to hit a forehand wide. 15/30. Maria hit a deep
crosscourt backhand to force a defensive backhand lob from Daniela;
Maria crosscourt forehand winner. 15/40 (2 BPs). Daniela netted a
forehand on the third stroke of the rally.

Well, I guess that's torn it for Daniela. Neither player had been
broken since the start of the second set, so any break against
Daniela in the third would have been fatal to her chances, I think.

And Maria has the advantage of serving first, so it makes the gap on
the scoreboard that much wider than it was for Daniela in the second.

Maria serving 3-1: Daniela went for a forehand winner down the line,
but it was just wide. 15/0. Maria hit a crosscourt forehand just
inside the sideline to force a short lob from Daniela; Maria
crosscourt backhand winner. 30/0. Short-angled ace on the sideline.
40/0. A crosscourt forehand return forced a short ball from Maria,
and Daniela hit an off-forehand winner. 40/15. Maria, driven wide,
hit a super crosscourt forehand deep into Daniela's forehand-corner,
forcing her to net a forehand.

Chris Bradnam: "It's tough to rebuff Sharapova in this mood."
Sam Smith: "There's times when she reminds me a little bit of Serena
Williams: the kind of wounded-animal mentality that when you hurt
her, she just goes into some sort of different mindset."

Daniela serving 1-4: A good one-two punch forced Maria to hit a
backhand long. 15/0. A good wide serve, right on the junction of
sideline and service-line, forced Maria to net a backhand return.
30/0. An excellent serve down the middle looked like it would win
the point directly, but Maria's backhand lob-return landed in, and
Daniela killed it with a forehand smash-winner. 40/0. Maria backhand
just wide.

Well held by Daniela! Still hanging in here, even though her ship
has probably sailed now.

Sam Smith: "There's no reason why it can't affect Sharapova. I think
she's shown vulnerability, she's shown inconsistency, the ability to
chuck in the odd bad game."

Maria serving 4-2: A huge serve down the middle looked like it would
win the point directly, but Daniela's lob-return landed just inside
the baseline; a long rally ensued - curiously without any grunting
from Maria, who netted a forehand on the 13th stroke. 0/15. Maria
hit a searing crosscourt backhand winner. 15/15. Service-winner out
wide. 30/15. Daniela hit a brilliant down-the-line backhand return-
winner that just caught the outside edge of the sideline... except
it didn't, in the opinion of the line-judge (no Hawkeye at Zürich).
Daniela put her hand over her mouth and looked after it wistfully.
40/15. A good wide serve forced a short return, and Maria hit an
easy (for her) crosscourt backhand winner.

Chris Bradnam: "That is so impressive from 0/15. When it comes to
digging, so often she has the golden spade."

It would be extraordinary if Maria lost a third set from 5-2*.
Can Daniela do a Safina?

Daniela serving to stay in the match at 2-5: Daniela netted a
backhand. 0/15. A good serve down the middle forced a short return;
Daniela hit an off-forehand just inside the sideline, forcing Maria
to run and hit a LEFT-HANDED forehand; Daniela came in and hit a
beautiful off-backhand drop-volley winner. Chris Bradnam: "Silky
skills." 15/15. Virtual ace down the middle (just brushed the
outside edge of Maria's outstretched racket). 30/15. Daniela hit a
short second serve, and a penetrating crosscourt backhand return
forced her to hit a backhand long. 30/30. A long rally ended with
Maria hitting a forehand long. 40/30. Maria mishit a backhand return
wide of the tramlines.

Well done, especially after 0/15 and 30/30. Now Maria has to serve
for it!

Maria serving for the match at 5-3 (new balls): Maria netted a choky-
looking backhand. 0/15. Maria hit a big serve onto the service-line;
Daniela blocked back a deep backhand return; Maria hit an off-
forehand winner onto the sideline. 15/15. Maria hit a big, deep
serve; Daniela chipped back a short sliced backhand return; Maria
sprayed a wild forehand very long & very wide. "No," she groaned.
Sam Smith: "That would suggest there may be a little turmoil under
that very cool exterior." 15/30. Maria hit a deep, wide service-
winner right on the junction of sideline and service-line, pumped
her fist and said "vamos". 30/30. Ace down the middle.
40/30 (CP #1). Maria sealed the title with an ace down the middle,
on the junction of centre-line and service-line!
Maria won 6-1 4-6 6-3 at 15:34 (third set 41 minutes, match 1h57m).

Maria raised her arms in triumph, looked upwards and smiled, but it
looked like the reaction of someone who is used to winning WTA
singles-titles, compared with Daniela's reaction to winning Indian
Wells 2002.

Some say that Daniela cried when she lost. When Eurosport's camera
focused on her, she was putting on a smile, but her eyes looked a
little teary.


Daniela's on-court interview
----------------------------

INTERVIEWER: Well first of all, I would like to thank both you girls
for a fantastic final - I think I speak for everyone - this was
truly great tennis, thank you very much. Before the match, you said
it was important that you concentrate on your own game-play, your
own game. I guess against an opponent like Maria, this is not always
possible.

DANIELA: Yeah, I have to give her the credit for the way she played,
especially the last game. She served very well and she deserved to
win today, but I also would like to thank all of you guys coming
here this week, it's been an incredible experience for me, the
support has been amazing, and I just can't wait to be back next year.

INTERVIEWER: Well, you also said the key to you playing well here
was that you're actually enjoying being out there, and I was just
wondering, when I was watching in the first set, is it possible to
enjoy it when you're being overwhelmed by an opponent like that, and
what went through your head when you were sitting down after that
first set?

DANIELA: I just tried to go back to what I did well this week, and I
was enjoying my game, and in the first set I was not really doing
that, and I guess I wanted it too much, and I was trying too hard at
the beginning, and then I sort of just tried to calm down and tried
to play my game.

INTERVIEWER: In 2002, everybody was really looking forward for you
like really doing it. What do you feel like your game is now - the
way you played this week compared to the year 2002 when you were
number five in the world. Are you back up there?

DANIELA: Definitely - I think I'm much more aware of what I'm doing
on the court, and I think I'm trying to play a smarter game, and
definitely I'm having more and more fun - heh heh!

INTERVIEWER: And we certainly would love to see you next year - how
about that?

DANIELA: Yeah, definitely I'm coming back, that's for sure. <smiling>

INTERVIEWER: Thank you very much.


Maria's on-court interview
--------------------------

INTERVIEWER: Well, Maria, you said before, maybe you hadn't showed
the best tennis yet, but I guess you saved the best for last. This
must have been pretty close - especially in the first set - to the
best you can play.

MARIA: Yeah, well I needed to, I mean, Daniela's had amazing wins
this week, she's been playing great tennis, so I knew, you know,
final of a tournament's never gonna be easy - tough opponent, tough
circumstances - so, you know, just gotta go out and perform my best,
and see what happens.

INTERVIEWER: To a lot of people, it's always surprising how a tennis-
match can turn. I mean, you must have loved your chances after the
first set. What happened in the beginning of the second?

MARIA: Well not too much, I lost the game, heh heh! <the crowd
laughed> It's pretty simple, heh heh heh! Yeah, you know, in tennis,
things can change really quickly, and that was one great example of
that, you know, but what can you do - just gotta get yourself back
together, and win any way you can.

INTERVIEWER: Well you're certainly able to step it up, and you
say, 'Well, I just hate to lose.' I'm usually a relaxed person,
certainly not on the tennis-court. What drives you more - especially
in circumstances like this in a third set where you're able to step
it up - is it the fear of /losing/ or is it the lust for /winning/,
or what is it?

MARIA: No, I mean, you know, third set of a final of a tournament,
you know, you know you gotta try to come up with the best stuff, and
that's what you hope for, you know, you go out before every point
and just hope, you know, just to hit some good shots and have great
points.

INTERVIEWER: I also read about you that you said you were a work-in-
progress - your career is a work-in-progress. Where do you want to
end up?

MARIA: Well, I mean, I don't know, I take it day by day, but of
course you try to set the highest goals for yourself. I'd love to
win many more Grand Slams, and I'd love to be number one in the
world again. But, you know, it takes a lot of hard work, and it just
doesn't happen overnight, and, you know, I think I have many years
ahead of me, and many years in Zürich too, so - heh heh heh - so it
would be good to be back.

INTERVIEWER: Well, congratulations again. Thank you very much.


Maria quotes
------------

{before the match}

"I'm definitely ready for a tough one tomorrow. I would like to try
and go one better than my last visit here two years ago."


{after the match}

"In tennis, things can change quickly, and that was one great
example. You've got to get yourself together, and win any way you
can. In the third set of a final, you know you've got to come up
with your best stuff.

"It was weird having a little letdown in the second set, at the
beginning. I had opportunities to break her again, but I couldn't
really take them, and in the last game to win the second set, she
served pretty well on the big points.

"But, saying that, I gave it to her in the first game. I felt like I
had the chances but wasn't converting them, and finally in the third
set, I did.

"She served a lot better in the second set, and in the third, I was
finally able to convert on all those break-points I had.

"I'm happy how I dealt with everything this week, and I played
really well to get out of some tough situations.

"I try to play my best at the bigger events, and this week I
improved as I went on with each match.

"I'm trying to keep my level up, because I'm aware I had a letdown
in 2004 after I won Wimbledon, so I want to make sure that doesn't
happen again.

"It's a long stretch to be away from home for that long, but the
finish-line is in sight now.

"I like it when things go fast.

"Becoming No. 1 is a huge achievement, but I don't personally think
ending the season as No. 1 is a huge deal. I honestly can't remember
who finished last year No. 1 [Lindsay Davenport]. You remember who
won the Grand Slams and who has been No. 1 - not who finished the
year No. 1.

[Re. legalised coaching]
"Well, I don't support it, but if it's there and I feel I need a
little reminder then why not? If it isn't illegal, you may as well
use it while you can.

"This is a wonderful tournament. All the players are treated first-
class here, and it's one of the most popular stops on the tour.

"After my first Grand Slam title [Wimbledon 2004], I lost my way a
bit, so to win a Tier-I event so soon after the US Open is very
satisfying.

"Celebration, what celebration? The closest thing I'm going to get
to a party will be getting on the plane to Linz tomorrow morning!"


Maria quotes in German
----------------------

"Ich bin natürlich sehr glücklich über diesen Sieg. Zu Beginn des
zweiten Satzes habe ich etwas nachgelassen. Sie hat gut serviert.
Ich hatte noch Chancen, in diesem zweiten Satz zurückzukommen, aber
ich konnte sie nicht nutzen. Im dritten Satz dann konnte ich meine
Möglichkeiten wieder umsetzen.

"Ich hatte in diesem Jahr einige harte Momente zu überstehen,
besonders in der Mitte der Saison, als ich einige Sandplatzturniere
nicht spielen konnte. Ich wußte nicht, wie schnell und wie gut ich
zurückkommen würde. Jetzt bin ich froh, daß ich wieder bei guter
Gesundheit bin – und einen weiteren Titel gewonnen habe.

"Meine Chancen, die Nummer 1 zu werden, sind besser als vor diesem
Turnier in Zürich. Aber ich mache mir nicht zu viele Gedanken
darüber. Am Ende des Jahres die Nummer 1 zu sein, ist bestimmt eine
großartige Leistung, aber dennoch scheint es mir nicht das
Wichtigste zu sein. Ich erinnere mich selber nicht an viele, die am
Ende des Jahres die Nummer 1 waren, aber an viele, die Grand-Slam-
Turniere und andere wichtige Events gewonnen haben."


Daniela quotes
--------------

"I thought it was a very good match. I felt like I had my chances,
but I have to give Maria credit for the way she closed the match
out, especially in the last game. She served very, very well. I
tried to hang in there and do whatever it took to still come back,
but she was putting a lot of pressure on me.

"I think I started off too excited in the first set. I was too eager
being in my first final again for a while.

"In the first set, I think I was trying a little bit too much. It
was my first final for a while, and I was maybe a little too
excited, and after the first set I tried to calm down, and think
more about what I had to do to come back to the match.

"After the first set, my mum just told me to calm down and not go
for crazy shots; to focus on what I had to do. I felt I turned it
around well.

"I have to give Maria a lot of credit for how she closed it out with
those two aces - that's just too good. That's the difference between
her and me at the moment: she's used to being in those situations.

"I enjoyed every minute of the week. I always enjoy playing here;
it's a terrific city. The whole week has given me a lot of
confidence; I can be proud of the fact that in the end, I gave it
everything I had in both singles and doubles.

"A lot of people ask me why I haven't won more titles, and I ask
myself that too. But it's a matter of putting it all together; I
know if I keep playing like this, it'll come. I'm definitely a much
better, more experienced player than in 2002 and 2003. I wasn't
aware of what I was doing on the court then, whereas now I am."


Daniela quotes in German
------------------------

"Ich habe mich selber auch schon gefragt, wieso ich erst ein Turnier
gewonnen habe. Wenn ich jedoch so weiterfahre wie hier in Zürich,
werde ich wohl noch ein paar WTA-Titel auf die Seite bringen können.

"Man konnte im Final sehen, daß Maria Scharapowa es besser gewohnt
ist, in diesen wichtigen Matches zu bestehen – weil sie es immer
wieder erlebt. Deshalb hatte sie sich auch mehr Selbstvertrauen.
Wenn ich nun selber immer und immer wieder in diese Situationen
komme, werden meine Zeiten sicher noch anbrechen."

-----------
UK TV-alert (the repeat)
-----------

(Transworld Sport may be televised in other countries, but the
details in this message are specific to the UK.)


There are four points from the Zürich final in this week's
Transworld Sport, which is repeated with sign-language at 04:20 GMT
on {Wednesday night/Thursday morning} on Channel 4.

The tennis was 5 minutes into Sunday's broadcast of Transworld
Sport, so I recommend 04:24 as a safe start-time for timer-record.


The points they showed:

* Maria serving 2-1 (0/0): A body-jamming serve and an off-forehand
forced a floater from Daniela; Maria hit a two-handed backhand drive-
volley winner crosscourt.

* Maria serving 6-1 0-0 (15/30): A deep forehand return induced
Maria to hit a backhand short; Daniela hit a deep backhand down the
line into Maria's forehand-corner to force a short, defensive lob;
Daniela at the net let it bounce and hit an off-forehand; Maria hit
a crosscourt backhand pass, but Daniela picked it off with a
gorgeous backhand drop-volley winner.

Sue Carpenter: "In the second, Hantuchová shows the form that saw
her reach a career-high ranking of 5 in 2003. The 23-year-old
outplays Sharapova to take the second set - the first time in the
pair's last five meetings that the Slovak has managed to take a set
off her opponent."

* Daniela serving 1-6 5-4 (ad in): A deep, wide serve on the service-
line forced a weak backhand return; Daniela hit a deep error-forcing
crosscourt forehand (Maria on the run poked a forehand wide) to take
the second set.

Sue Carpenter: "However, the US Open champion regains her composure,
sealing victory with an ace for her fourth title of the year, and
the fourteenth of her career."

* Maria serving 6-1 4-6 5-3 (40/30): Maria sealed the title with an
ace down the middle, on the junction of centre-line and service-line!

--
Dr. Andrew Broad
http://geocities.com/andrewbroad/
http://geocities.com/andrewbroad/tennis/
http://geocities.com/andrewbroad/tennis/hantu/
http://geocities.com/andrewbroad/tennis/shara/