TENNIS – Maria Sharapova has won the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix for the third time in succession. In a high class final, the superstar from Russia beat Serb Ana Ivanovic 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 in front of a thrilled 4,500 crowd in Stuttgart’s Porsche Arena. She will therefore take home the main prize of a Porsche 911 Targa 4S. From Stuttgart, Simone Kemler
The winner was left speechless. Immediately after clinching the match after two hours three minutes with her first match point for one of the most important wins in her career, Maria Sharapova put her hands to her face and shook here head in disbelief. The spectators, who had seen a thrilling and high class final, rose to their feet to give her a standing ovation. On Centre Court, Maria Sharapova bowed over and over again to her fans. The tennis star had just crowned herself the tennis queen of Stuttgart for the third time. Having won the tournament in 2012 and 2013, Maria Sharapova’s 13th victory in the Porsche Arena gave her her third win in a row at the long-standing Stuttgart event. It was the first time in her successful career that she had a hat-trick of tournament wins. The Porsche Brand Ambassador has now joined the legendary Martina Navratilova who also won three Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in succession – 1986 to 1988.
Ivanovic had a brilliant start into the match
Though Maria Sharapova’s win in the dream final appeared relatively comfortable, it did not look like last year’s winner would be able to defend her title. Ana Ivanovic put her under immense pressure with her accurate and powerful shots to win the first set 6-3 and was one point away from going 4-1 up in the second. But then Maria Sharapova showed why she is renowned for her fighting spirit. “It was like the Porsche is too sexy to give up,” she said afterwards. “You know I was down and out in that first match in the tournament against Lucie Safarova early in the week and I came through. I know the situation.” The four-time Grand Slam champion fought back impressively to win the second set and eventually close out the match 6-1 in the third. “I love the competition,” she said, “Thankfully today I was able to bring out the best that I could on this given day.”
The winner’s trophy was presented to Maria Sharapova after the final by Dr. Wolfgang Porsche, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Porsche AG and Porsche SE. The key for the Porsche 911 Targa 4S was handed over to her by Matthias Müller, Chairman of Porsche AG, who she then drove onto Centre Court. That there was no real loser at the 37th edition of the long-standing Stuttgart was shown by the thunderous applause for Ana Ivanovic that lasted minutes on end. Moved to tears she said, “I didn’t expect that, thanks very much Stuttgart.” For Maria Sharapova, the tournament ended not only with a memorable win but also with a personal success. “After my shoulder injury, Stuttgart was like a little comeback,” she said after her 30th career tournament win which was the first one since last year at the same venue. “Playing here is something very special.”
The Doubles Title goes to the Italian Duo Errani/Vinci
The doubles tournament at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix was won by Italians Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci. Playing Cara Black (Zimbabwe) and Sania Mirza (India), the No. 1 seeds won 6-2, 6-3.
