Sharapova sends Flavia into retirement

AFP, SINGAPORE: Flavia Pennetta's brilliant late-career flourish was brought crashing to a halt by Maria Sharapova on Thursday as defeat by the Russian sent her out of
the WTA Finals and into retirement.
The reigning US Open champion only needed to win a set against Sharapova to reach the semi-finals but after going a break up in the first set, she stuttered before losing 7-5, 6-1.
The colourful Italian, 33, announced her retirement last month, just moments after becoming the oldest first-time Grand Slam winner at the US Open in New York.
“Was a good way... to say goodbye, because when you lose against such a good player there is not too many things to say,” Pennetta told reporters.
“Right now I feel like it's not my last match. I feel normal completely. I don't know why. Maybe in few days I will feel more the difference. Right now it's so far so good.”
While the tennis tour bids arrivederci to Pennetta, Sharapova marched into the semi-finals after topping the Red Group round robin, followed by Agnieszka Radwanska in second place.
The resurgent Russian, who has roared back to form after months out with injury, paid tribute to Pennetta as the Italian walked without fanfare from the Singapore Indoor Stadium court.
“I've lost the last couple of times against Flavia,” Sharapova said. “I know what a tough opponent and competitor she is and I just tried to get a little bit of
my revenge before she's out of the game!
“I just heard this was her last match. It's really sad to see such a great champion go. She's had an incredible career, and I was so happy she got the Grand Slam at the US Open. I was smiling for her.”
Pennetta was in good company, as top seed Simona Halep's season also came to an end when she lost 7-6 (7/5), 6-1 to an inspired Radwanska, who finishes runner-up to Sharapova in Red Group.
The Pole survived a "crazy" first set, when she went a break down and recovered from 1-5 down in the tie-break, finally taking the set after a mesmerising rally.
And the second set was a lopsided affair as Radwanska played with renewed confidence and world number two Halep's energy and motivation fell off a cliff.
“I was done. No energy any more. I was tired. I felt that I lost the chance to win the first set and probably I lost the chance to win the match in that moment,” the Romanian said afterwards.
The result was enough to guarantee Sharapova's spot in the semi-finals but she was not about to give Pennetta an easy ride and mixed up her power game with an array of drop shots that left the Italian scrambling.
Pennetta broke Sharapova in the first game but the Russian took it back to level the match at 4-4 and stayed ahead till wrapping up the set at 7-5 with a drive-volley.
Pennetta's head dropped and she was only to win one game in the second set, before a backhand to the net on the first match point ended both her campaign and her career on tour.
Sharapova, who had not completed a match since July when she arrived in Singapore, has now swept all three of her round-robin assignments after earlier beating Radwanska and Halep.

 

Sharapova sends Flavia into retirement

AFP, SINGAPORE: Flavia Pennettas brilliant late-career flourish was brought crashing to a halt by Maria Sharapova on Thursday as defeat by the Russian sent her out of the WTA Finals and into retirement. The reigning US Open champion only needed to win a set against Sharapova to reach the semi-finals but after going a break up in the first set, she stuttered before losing 7-5, 6-1. The colourful Italian, 33, announced her retirement last month, just moments after becoming the oldest first-time Grand Slam winner at the US Open in New York. Was a good way... to say goodbye, because when you lose against such a good player there is not too many things to say, Pennetta told reporters. Right now I feel like its not my last match. I feel normal completely. I dont know why. Maybe in few days I will feel more the difference. Right now its so far so good. While the tennis tour bids arrivederci to Pennetta, Sharapova marched into the semi-finals after topping the Red Group round robin, followed by Agnieszka Radwanska in second place. The resurgent Russian, who has roared back to form after months out with injury, paid tribute to Pennetta as the Italian walked without fanfare from the Singapore Indoor Stadium court. Ive lost the last couple of times against Flavia, Sharapova said. I know what a tough opponent and competitor she is and I just tried to get a little bit of my revenge before shes out of the game! I just heard this was her last match. Its really sad to see such a great champion go. Shes had an incredible career, and I was so happy she got the Grand Slam at the US Open. I was smiling for her. Pennetta was in good company, as top seed Simona Haleps season also came to an end when she lost 7-6 (7/5), 6-1 to an inspired Radwanska, who finishes runner-up to Sharapova in Red Group. The Pole survived a crazy first set, when she went a break down and recovered from 1-5 down in the tie-break, finally taking the set after a mesmerising rally. And the second set was a lopsided affair as Radwanska played with renewed confidence and world number two Haleps energy and motivation fell off a cliff. I was done. No energy any more. I was tired. I felt that I lost the chance to win the first set and probably I lost the chance to win the match in that moment, the Romanian said afterwards. The result was enough to guarantee Sharapovas spot in the semi-finals but she was not about to give Pennetta an easy ride and mixed up her power game with an array of drop shots that left the Italian scrambling. Pennetta broke Sharapova in the first game but the Russian took it back to level the match at 4-4 and stayed ahead till wrapping up the set at 7-5 with a drive-volley. Pennettas head dropped and she was only to win one game in the second set, before a backhand to the net on the first match point ended both her campaign and her career on tour. Sharapova, who had not completed a match since July when she arrived in Singapore, has now swept all three of her round-robin assignments after earlier beating Radwanska and Halep.