After her close success against French Open winner Elena Ostapenko, Maria Sharapova is now facing the next high hurdle at the WTA Premier Tournament in Rome: Simona Halep.
Maria Sharapova looked up to the Roman skies rather unbelieving after her dramatic success against Yelena Ostapenko – coach Thomas Högstedt, the old Swede, however, celebrated his protégé’s victory as if he had scored the decisive goal in the final of a World Cup. Why wouldn’t I be? Ostapenko, the reigning French Open winner, started at an impressive pace, Sharapova first had to find her timing. This process lasted until the beginning of the second set, from then on a women’s match developed at an astonishing pace. Sharapova, who has already won three times in Rome, won by a narrow margin.
In the semifinal round Simone Halep is now waiting for Maria Sharapova. The Romanian will leave Rome at the top of the WTA charts, as is clear after Caroline Wozniacki’s defeat to Anett Kontaveit on Friday. Halep himself scored the only smooth victory on Friday at Campo Centrale, Carolin Garcia only won five games.
The history with Maria Sharapova is not a pleasant one for the Romanian. After all, Halep won the last game in Beijing. All other seven went to Sharapova. Like last year’s first-round meeting at the US Open. Halep had already suspected evil at the draw, the Arthur Ashe Stadium experienced a highly intensive match with the winner Sharapova, who defeated a top ten player for the first time after her doping ban.
The duel in Rome (not before 5 p.m., live on DAZN) is probably more important for Sharapova – and her coach Thomas Högstedt- than for Simone Halep: After all, the Russian is currently ranked 40th in the WTA World Ranking. Every point helps Sharapova to work his way up the charts. And to finish among the seeded at the French Open. That would not only be in Sharapova’s interests, but those of all the other top players. After all, nobody wants to open his Paris campaign against the double championess.