Serena Downs Sharapova in Madrid for 50th Career Title

May 13, 2013 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
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Photo credit: Kenneth B. Goldberg

Serena Williams captured the 2013 Mutua Madrid Open title on Sunday, beating Maria Sharapova in straight sets, 6-1, 6-4  to not only win her 50th career WTA title, but also keep hold of the top spot in the WTA Women’s Singles Rankings. Williams fell behind 3-1 early in the second set, but apart from that slight edge from Sharapova, Serena was in control the whole time, and after the second-seeded Sharapova sent one last forehand long, the number one seed clinched the match.

"I’ve played her several times … I just tried to focus on what I was doing," said Serena. "I don’t know if her start was shaky, but I felt I played well in the first few games—playing such a great athlete and great tennis player like Maria, you have to come out and play well. I really had no other choice."

With the 2013 Madrid title, Serena became the 10th player all-time to win 50 or more WTA titles. The first nine were Martina Navratilova (167), Chris Evert (154), Steffi Graf (107), Margaret Court (92), Evonne Goolagong (68), Billie Jean King (67), Lindsay Davenport (55), Virginia Wade (55) and finally Monica Seles (53).


Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
USTA NTC
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