Maria Sharapova said it best. After her latest injury setback that forced her to retire during her opening match in Wuhan, she could have called it a season and just disappeared until next year, considering the stream of physical problems and illnesses she struggled with in 2015. But she didn’t.
– Reem’s Diary: A new star is born in Naomi Osaka
– WTA: Halep romps to straight sets win over Pennetta
– WTA: Muguruza and Safarova prepared for double duty
Instead, she flew to Europe to treat an inflammation in her left arm then went to the United States to prepare for the WTA Finals. Why? She just loves competing too much to take the easy way out.
Sharapova described her heroic comeback victory over Agnieszka Radwanska in their WTA Finals Red Group opener as a “big deal” and her reaction when she finally served out the match conveyed just how much it meant to her.
The Russian No/ 3 seed held out her arms, in a half shrug, and faced her box smiling in disbelief, donning an expression that looked like she was asking them: “How did I just do that?”
The lucky crowd at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Sunday were wondering the same thing.
Beating Radwanska is nothing new for Sharapova, who has now defeated the Pole 13 out of 15 times. But considering Sharapova hadn’t completed a match since Wimbledon early July – she had a leg muscle strain before picking up the arm problem – it was remarkable how she managed to dig deep to overcome her crafty opponent 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in a two-hour 47-minute physical and mental battle.
“Looking back three weeks ago I’m glad I did that (chose to recover and train) and got through it and gave myself a chance to play here,” said Sharapova, who won in front of a marquee audience that included Li Na, Mary Pierce, Arantxa Sanchez and Martina Hingis.
“I feel like there are a lot of things I could be doing, but I somehow always choose this. I really love it. Matches like this, I think they take a few years out of your life. God knows what is happening with my hair. I think I lost half of it.”
Those waiting to see some rustiness from Sharapova must have been sorely disappointed because the Russian was painting the lines and hitting like she’s been competing all year.
Nice to see you: Maria Sharapova and Li Na pic.twitter.com/oKje78NQmG
— Tennis Photos (@tennis_photos) October 25, 2015
Her movement was impressive as she ran down every Radwanska ball and exhibited finesse on her slices and volleys that are rarely seen from the Russian two-time WTA Finals champion.
It was a tug-of-war from the get-go as Sharapova needed 10 minutes to hold for 2-1 before Radwanska saved three break points the following game.
The human highlight reel that is Radwanska was in hot-shot mode, her no-look half volley winner in game six just one of many ridiculous moves she pulled off in the opening set.
Radwanska got the break in game nine, aided by a fifth Sharapova double fault, and the No5 seed jumped to a one-set lead on a long backhand from her opponent.
The lion-hearted Sharapova was unfazed and opened up a 3-0 gap in the second set. Radwanska broke back for 3-4 but the ex-world No1 struck again to serve for the set at 5-3. A gutsy second serve got her a set point and she found the forehand winner to level the match, belting out a massive “come on” as she strutted to her bench.
Sharapova hit three double faults and needed to save a trio of break points to hold in a 13-minute second game for 1-all in the decider. She then broke twice to open up a 5-2 lead and was ready to close out the match. But Radwanska had other plans and won the next two games to make it 5-4.
And when she got a break point in game 10, it looked like the Pole was back in it. But she hit a volley at the net right at Sharapova, who unleashed the perfect lob to get out of trouble and she sealed her victory on a netted forehand from Radwanska, who had also lost to the Russian in three sets last year in Singapore.
“We have pretty long ones,” Sharapova said of her fabled matches with Radwanska. “I really do enjoy playing against her. I feel like those are some of the matches that I like to watch on TV, when different styles of games clash against each other. Becomes that bit of a cat and mouse game.”
On her part, Radwanska rued her missed chances as she failed to convert on 11 of 14 break point opportunities.
“I think she is just kind of player that even that she didn’t play for couple months, she’s always ready to play matches and always in shape to play really good match,” said the No5 seed.
“I think we always playing three hours match in Championships, so I’m not surprised. I guess she was just better today.”
