No Australian women are left in the singles main draw after Sam Stosur lost to Maria Sharapova on Friday night in straight sets.
SHARAPOVA 6 6
STOSUR 3 4
For the second time in two years Sam Stosur will face Maria Sharapova again at the French Open. Join The Roar for live scores of the match from around 11:30pm AEST.
363 days after their last match against each other, in Round 4 of the 2014 French Open, these two face off again in the third round of this year’s edition.
In that match, Stosur won a set, as Sharapova dominated the final two sets to lose just four games. It wasn’t bad performance by Stosur who lost to the eventual champion of the event. As they enter this year’s match, both are in form, after recent title wins.
Stosur won the Strasbourg title last week, with Sharapova winning the Rome event. They have also been in great form at Roland Garros.
Stosur has lost just five games in her first two matches with Sharapova losing 10.
While both are in form, Sharapova has dominated head to head meetings. Tonight is the 17th match between the two with Sharapova winning 14 out of the 16 contests.
On clay the ledger is 4-0 to Sharapova. Despite this Stosur is right in this match tonight.
She is settled off the court, after reuniting with Dave Taylor, and looks to be really enjoying her tennis. This is a far cry to last year where Stosur contemplated retirement after a barren run of results in the middle of the year.
With that in mind she did well to win a set from Sharapova last year. I feel she is in better form than last year and Sharapova is a little off hers which took her to the title.
While the bookies have Sharapova as the clear favourite, I see it as a genuine 50/50 contest. If Stosur can serve well, and control the baseline, then she is capable of pulling off the upset.
The head to head record is a worry though. I’ll play it safe and tip Sharapova but don’t be surprised if Stosur wins.
We’ve seen upsets already in the tournament, tonight could see another one.
PREDICTION – Sharapova 2-1
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Full report to come in the morning. It was a case of too many unforced errors for Stosur. She also didn't take her chances in the match. Night all.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
STATS - Aces - Stosur 1 Sharapova 1 Double Faults - Stosur 5 Sharapova 6 1st serves in - Stosur 41/66 Sharapova 33/63 1st serve points won - Stosur 25/41 Sharapova 25/33 2nd serve points won - Stosur 9/25 Sharapova 13/30 Net Points won - Stosur 8/11 Sharapova 1/1 Break Points won - Stosur 2/3 Sharapova 4/8 Winners - Stosur 19 Sharapova 12 Unforced Errors - Stosur 34 Sharapova 21
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Unlucky Stosur.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
A wide forehand from Stosur. Maria Sharapova is through to the 4th round. SHARAPOVA 6 6 STOSUR 3 4 There are no Australian women left in the main draw.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
A long forehand from Sharapova. Two are saved.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Stosur saves the first. Sharapova hits a ball, after a rally, into the net.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Sharapova races to 40-0. Three match points.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
A wide slice from Stosur gives Sharapova 15-0. 15-0.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Sharapova might be suffering with a cold as well. She has been coughing a lot tonight.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Stosur holds to 30. Sharapova now has a chance to serve for the match. SHARAPOVA 6 5 STOSUR 3 4
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Sharapova holds to 15. The world number 2 is one game away from the 4th round. SHARAPOVA 6 5 STOSUR 3 3
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Sharapova races to a 40-0 lead.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Stosur has hit 30 unforced errors in the match. 18 in the first and 12 in the second so far.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
A double fault from Stosur gives Sharapova the break. The Russian leads 4-3. It is a long way back for the Australian now. SHARAPOVA 6 4 STOSUR 3 3
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
She has one now. A long forehand from Stosur gives Sharapova a break point.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Sharapova has a chance for break points but hits a forehand long. 30-30. That could be costly.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Great defence from Sharapova. She hits every ball back and then pounces on a poor drop shot by Stosur. She now has 0-30.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
A return from Stosur goes into the net. 3 games all. SHARAPOVA 6 3 STOSUR 3 3
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Sharapova wins the next two points to bring up a game point. 40-30.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
A forehand down the line gives Stosur 15-30 on the Sharapova serve. Who will take their chance in the set?