Maria Sharapova, Li Na Advance At 2011 Mutua Madrid Open; Andrea Petkovic Upset

Maria Sharapova

Maria Sharapova used her powerful serve and all-court coverage to defeat dangerous lefty and fellow Russian Ekaterina Makarova at the 2011 Mutua Madrid Open, 6-3 3-6 6-1. Although Maria didn’t have a lot of aces, and in fact had more double faults (6) than aces (5), she served 77% on first serves, often hitting service winners that Makarova had a hard time keeping on the court on returns. Makarova converted a break point in the second set, which she won. But that was the only break point chance Maria gave her the entire match, dominating Makarova the first and third sets. Maria is playing very well right now and will be a threat to win this title.

Li Na

Not playing well lately and needing a win badly was Li Na of China. She looked incredible early in the year winning Medibank over Kim Clijsters and then dominating Clijsters early in their Australian Open final before Kim regained the upper hand and the title. But since Li’s semifinal win at the Aussie Open over Caroline Wozniacki, she has won only one match. She scored that much needed win over Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez 6-4 7-6 (6). Although it was a straight set win for Li, she struggled mightily, facing 7 break points, but Martinez Sanchez could not capitalize. I don’t know why Li has not looked like the same player that she was at the beginning of the year, but she will need to improve if she hopes to be a fixture in the top 10.