Credit: Scott Kilbourne/Flickr/CC
Maria Sharapova on winning form at Wimbledon
Two weeks of build-up leads directly to this weekend's action - two massive finals, and today it's the turn of the women. Maria Sharapova takes on Petra Kvitova. The form that Sharapova has been on makes the outcome seem inevitable, but you never know at Wimbledon. Stranger things have happened.
Women's final today is a fascinating match up. All the signs point to Sharapova but Kvitova will have a few surprises up her Czech sleeve.
5livetennis
Here's how the pair have made their way through to the final today.
| Round | Player | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anna Chakvetadze | 6-2 6-1 |
| 2 | Laura Robson | 7-6 6-3 |
| 3 | Klara Zakopalova | 6-2 6-3 |
| 4 | Shuai Peng | 6-4 6-2 |
| QF | Dominika Cibulkova | 6-1 6-1 |
| SF | Sabine Lisicki | 6-4 6-3 |
Sharapova hasn't dropped a set, and aside from a tricky second round match with Laura Robson, hasn't really been troubled at all. The start of her semi-final with Lisicki was a little shaky, with Maria double-faulting her way to go 3-0 down, but she fought back and soon took control of the match.
| Round | Player | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexa Glatch | 6-2 6-2 |
| 2 | Anne Keothavong | 6-2 6-1 |
| 3 | Roberta Vinci | 6-3 6-3 |
| 4 | Yanina Wickmayer | 6-0 6-2 |
| QF | Tsvetana Pironkova | 6-3 6-7 6-2 |
| SF | Victoria Azarenka | 6-1 3-6 6-2 |
Kvitova had a smooth run through the competition until reaching the quarter finals, where she dropped her first set against Pironkova, and fought a three set match against Azarenka as well.
As well as the singles final today, we'll also see the Men and Ladies Doubles Finals on Centre Court. On Court 1, we've got Brit Liam Broady in the Boys' Singles Final, facing off Australian Luke Saville. It should be a good day of tennis!
Whoop whoop
I'm most interested in the ladies doubles today - Kiwi is still in! They have their semi still to complete (tied at 5-5 in the final) then hopefully a final later. If they don't make the final though Stosur/Lisicki do and I like them too :)
They are having a problem with bugs on Centre Court.
are the bees back?
Not sure. I think it was just bitty bugs.
ah, not so stingy then.
They are showing the boys final at the moment. I'm assuming this Broady is related to the other Broady we saw last week.
You can see them on Court 1 there's hundreds of them. It must be really irritating for the boys.
there was another one? I believe he does have a tennis playing sister, did you see her?
My investigations tell me that she was part of the Brit versus Brit first round battle. I recall saying: "At least we know one will get through!" It was not the Broady. :)
Where have they all come from? It wasn't like this yesterday.
heheh I did not watch that match. Clearly the next Marat/Dinara :D
I'm guessing they never play doubles together. #siblingrivalry
the safin(a)s did at the 2009 hopman cup. i love the hopman cup :D
oh maria, you make me feel bad for eating pure sugar right now :D
purple flowers!
coin spin? is that what you Brit folks call it?
Coin toss, usually.
I've always called it a coin toss. Who called it a spin?
phew
some random courtside announcer who was announcing who the charity being represented were
I think that was a wise move from Maria
Given her tightness in her first service game on Thursday
We should take bets on how many double faults from her today :)
8. I'm guessing.
7!
I was going to say 6.
we're all roughly in the same area then :)
9
In 399 days I'll be watching a ladies singles final on this very court, yaaay! I wonder who'll be in it :)
#shhhplanning
You'd think they'd want velcro or something
but its on my life list and life lists make Christine happy :D
early break point
Ok...
...i'll let you off :)
That is not so much planning really, as anticipating. I'll let it pass this time.
I think this could be over fast... :(
A break already!
heard that.
phew :)
its not my fault they sell the tickets so early :D
could be about to see a break back
Although...
never count out a break or 10 in the wta!
And there we have it... How many times will we see breaks?
That should have been my question, not silly double faults :)
This little flys are a bit annoying...
the not this
Double fault!!
Kiwi is back on court. Goooo Kiwi!
Is that two double faults in a row? That's three.
stuart pearce woulda been proud of that hit.
Kvitova's energy gel thing is in what appears to be a tube of toothpaste.
First set to Kvitova. Wowsers.
i would like this to go to three sets please.
That must be the first time you've ever said that!
I don't mind who wins, I just want to be entertained for longer :)
why does maria keep dragging her left foot like spacey in the usual suspects?
sharapova is russian for 'stroke'?
Double, double, double.
i think our estimates were too low
Incredible shot!
I missed it, my tv was showing Broady failing to win the junior boys :D
Like sister, like brother, I guess.
he's just reminding Britain that theres nothing quite like the wait for a Grand Slam champion :D
thats quite a mullet in the kvitova box
she seems to have to line her feet up after every point. you think her tracking is out?
gosh, her fiance is a sweaty man
He's a basketball player, he's used to nice air-conditioned hall to play in.
It's a bit embarrassing too. I much prefer the polite clapping form of encouragement :)
I call that "the Mirka"
I'm sure Tracy Austin keeps saying CHEESE!
whoops.
Her first "come on" of the day.
16 games, 8 breaks of serve!
6-4 double faults. I am right so far, but we should have bet on Kvitova too!
Serving for the match then! Who woulda thunkit.
what kind of evian is that?
3 match points.
I mean, 3 championship points!
Hello everyonbe :)
How is the final going?
championship points...
oooh coffee with Kait tomorrow is going to be a barrel of laughs :D
She won!
yay!
She has taken her hat off and has a line now. Oops.
I love Martina
that man doesn't have very Wimbledon hair
Imagine messing that sticker up!
from the side her fiance looks like a less-hairy Alonso
Will she go up the rankings any, Amy?
she should go up one, she'll be ahead of Schiavone
The next question is who will win in New York? My money's on Klijsters is she can return from injury.
3 in a row would be quite epic :)
Wasn't she a wildcard back in 09?
yeah
V impressive. She's probably the most talented player on the circuit, only Henin was as good technically in the past few years.
those crazy belgians.
Speaking of Belgians, when Tomic was beating Xavier Malisse, he started complaining that he thought the stringer of his racquet was Australian :D
my commentator I think secretly wants the Bryans to lose
Enric!
I rarely watch doubles but I will make an exception for a final.
they always say you can tell them apart because Bob is left handed and Mike is right handed. Which is all very well and good but I always forget whether its Bob or Mike that is the left handed one.
Our commentator said to the other one: "I can never tell them apart, can you keep pointing them out to me?"
Because that wouldn't get annoying :)
I also don't like that one is @Bryanbros and one is @Bryanbrothers on twitter. @Bob and @Mike would be much easier :D
we have switched to those guys too, which is nice, now I don't have to listen to Todd Woodbridge repeatedly pointing out that if the Bryans win they'll have the same number of slams as him.
:D
Ohhh, that's why there are two seats!
:D
It is quite hard to adjust to the new lines to watch.
I'm always like 'that was out! oh...no it wasn't'
They look like they are talking into James Bond spy watches when they lift up their arms like that.
:D
match point!
woo!
yay lisicki! i hope she wins.
oh Lisicki and Stosur are about to lose. Boo.