Sharapova wins Zurich: Russian keeps alive hopes of finishing year No. 1

[irish_blue69]

ZURICH, Switzerland (AP) -- Maria Sharapova became the first Russian to win the Zurich Open, defeating Daniela Hantuchova 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 Sunday in the final.
Sharapova, who won her third WTA title this season, still has a chance to finish the year as the top-ranked player. She'd need to win next week in Linz, Austria, and at the season-ending WTA Championships in Madrid.
Amelie Mauresmo, who withdrew from the Zurich Open with a shoulder injury, and second-ranked Justine Henin-Hardenne, who hasn't played since mid-September because of a knee problem, still lead the U.S. Open champion in the rankings.
Mauresmo leads Sharapova by 630 points, but many of the Frenchwomen's points will expire before this season ends. Henin-Hardenne would have to fail to reach the WTA final for Sharapova to finish on top.
Neither Henin-Hardenne nor Mauresmo are expected to play before Madrid.
"Becoming No. 1 is a huge achievement, but I don't personally think ending the season as No. 1 is a huge deal," said Sharapova, who was top-ranked in August 2005. "I honestly can't remember who finished last year No. 1.
"You remember who won the Grand Slams and who has been No. 1, not who finished the year No. 1."
Sharapova, who withdrew from the recent Kremlin Cup with a foot injury, said she was playing through pain in Zurich. She picked up her 14th career title, her other wins this season coming in San Diego and Indian Wells, Calif.
Hantuchova 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 Hantuchova talked with her mother.
The motherly advice seemed to help. Hantuchova broke Sharapova's opening serve in the second set and then saved five break points in the final game to even the match.
"She told me to be a bit calmer and not go for the crazy shots, to focus on what I had to do," Hantuchova said. "I felt I turned it around well."
Before the final set, Sharapova took a bathroom break, and her father appeared to follow. Hantuchova 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.
"It was weird having that letdown in the second set," said Sharapova, who dropped only one set in Zurich and is 5-1 against Hantuchova with five straight wins.
Hantuchova, who has only one career title, played in a final for the first time in 14 months.

SI.com - Tennis - Sharapova tops Hantuchova for Zurich title - Sunday October 22, 2006 11:12AM

[Kapchar]

Sharapova is very beautifull girl!