TennisGrandStand

By Ben Montierth

Russian Maria Sharapova won her 11th WTA Tour Career title after defeating compatriot Elena Dementieva in straight sets, 6-1 and 6-2 in the Pacific Life Open final. Both players were having trouble playing in the wind conditions in Indian Wells, causing both Russians hitting unforced errors. Earlier Sharapova announced she would not play for the Russian Fed Cup team who are to face Belgian in Liege next April. The Siberian born said her body is not just ready to play Fed Cup after two tough tournaments.

The match lasted an hour and 22 minutes on a windy day in Indiana Wells.

The first set started out with both players getting a break. Sharapova then got a second break and went on to win the rest of the games in the set winning 6-1.

Dementieva won the first two games of the second set. The former number one then won the next six games to win the title.

“It was so tough,” said Sharapova of the high winds. “You can be playing great tennis, you come out today, and you can be looking like garbage. You just never know, and I tried to hang in there. You just never know if the ball is going to go in or out, especially on serve.”

Sharapova now leads 4-1 in the head-to-heads against Dementieva and cashed $332.000 after winning at Indian Wells.

Maria will play in the NASDAQ 100 next.  She will now move up to fourth in the WTA rankings

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