Maria Sharapova To Face Agnieszka Radwanska In 2012 Sony Ericsson Open Final

Maria Sharapova

If there were two players in the 2012 Sony Ericsson draw who would most benefit from Victoria Azarenka being upset in the quarterfinals by Marion Bartoli, in my opinion it would be Maria Sharapova and Agnieszka Radwanska. Of course, both of them are competitors and would probably tell you they welcome the challenge of playing Vika. I think they both could use a break from Azarenka. Masha lost both the 2012 Australian Open final and Indian Wells final to Vika. Aga is undefeated on the court (not counting a walkover) – except for 4 losses to Vika. What we have in the Miami final are the two best players this year not named Azarenka. I think it’s important for one of them to emerge with a premier mandatory trophy or an upcoming Major title to show for the brilliance they’ve exhibited this year, particularly Masha. Aga has a title at Dubai, but Masha would have an Australian Open and Indian Wells title were it not for Vika. I think a win at Miami for Masha could be just what she needs to boost her confidence and push her to a Major title this year. I expect Vika to cool off significantly in the coming months. There could be an opportunity for Masha here, if she can get by Aga, whom she’s beaten in 7 of 8 match-ups, to set the stage for a return to #1.