The top two seeds at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, Stuttgart, Maria Sharapova and Li Na both advanced to face off in Sunday’s final. Top seeded Maria Sharapova defeated hometown girl Angelique Kerber with Li Na prevailing over Bethanie Mattek-Sands.
Sharapova had the tougher task of the two, being pushed by the German to a 7-5 final set decider. The Russian World Number 2, began well enough, breaking twice to take the first set and then started the second set with another break.
Kerber fought back strongly, reeling off eight of the next nine games to secure the second set and break Sharapova early in the third.
The third set was a rollercoaster of momentum swings following Kerber’s initial break with both players breaking. Delicately poised at 5-5, Sharapova put the hammer down, winning the next two games without dropping a point to take the match and advance to the final. Notably this was her 15th straight clay court victory.
Her opponent on Sunday, Li Na advanced in more convincing fashion. A straight sets victory over in-form American qualifier Bethanie Mattek-Sands 64 63. Mattek-Sands had enjoyed a great week, including taking the scalp of fourth seeded Sara Errani. However, Li Na’s combinaton of poise, strength and consistency were a step too far.
Sharapova leads the head to head 8-5, but on the single occasion they have met this year, Li ran out a comfortable winner. It will be an interesting final.
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