August 15, 2010
Maria's run in Cincinnati came to an end in the final against #4 seed Kim Clijsters of Belgium. Maria lost 6-2 6-7 (4) 2-6 in a match time of 2 hours and 30 minutes.
From 2-2 in the first set, Maria took control of the set by taking the next 4 games to take the set 6-2 in 42 minutes. Maria faced 2 breakpoints on her serve in the set and saved both of them.
Maria's run of 4 straight games was broken at the beginning of the second set as Clijsters raced into a 2-0 lead. Maria then broke back to tie the set 2-2, and in the next game Clijsters held her serve to lead 3-2. The set then swung Maria's way as she won 3 straight games to lead 5-3. In the next game, on Clijsters serve Maria had 3 matchpoints but was unable to convert them and at deuce, play was suspended due to a thunderstorm. After a delay of just over an hour, both players came back on court and Clijsters took 3 of the next 4 games to force a tie-break. Maria was up 3-0 and then Clijsters came back to lead 5-3. Maria then won only 1 more point as Clijsters took the tie-break 7-4.
Clijsters broke Maria to lead 2-1 in the third set. At the changeover, Maria had a medical timeout for a foot injury and on her return, Clijsters raced into a 5-1 lead. In the next game, Maria held her serve and fought in the next game on Clijsters serve but Clijsters took the match on her 5th match point.
Resources : http://www.mariasharapova.com/
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