Not quite the final I was hoping for but the one that most expected from the last four - of course from the early days of the tourney this match-up would have been seen as something of a surprise, rather. We were asleep at the switch as far as a dedicated thread for the semis, a shame since the Hantuchova v Ivanovic match was quite absorbing, so let me throw a thread up here in advance for the final a few hours early.

Predictions?

For me, it's tough to go on their past encounters; each woman has thrashed the other, splitting their last two matches in this way. But while Sharapova was at a disadvantage on the clay, their Madrid RR match was played indoors, more of a neutral surface as each have won titles on it; the new plexicushion surface clearly suits the game of each, or at least does not detract from it, or they'd not have made it this far.

Sharapova is the clear-cut favourite, having both the experience at this level and the excellent form going into it. There are positive signs for Ivanovic however. She insists she has learnt from her experience in the RG final, where despite starting strongly she suddenly wilted under the weight of the occasion and never recovered. And Sharapova demonstrated a few chinks in her armour in the Jankovic match which another player (or a fitter Jankovic) might have exploited. From leading 5-1 in the first set she was nearly pegged to 5-4 on the back of several double faults and what echoed her serving woes of last season, as well as committing more UEs throughout seemingly than she hit during the entirety of the Henin match (although of course Jankovic's game is based on forcing her opponent into these).

I think facing Venus and Hantuchova, who hit with pace and power, was also good preparation for Ivanovic, who gave as good as she got, not to mention she had to overcome peaks and valleys and stayed positive and determined whereas a less experienced Ivanovic might have buckled. Hantuchova was shockingly brilliant in the first set of their semi, and dominated the decider, yet Ivanovic weathered the storm to prevail; Sharapova is of course not as mentally susceptible at key moments ... or is she? I guess this is where head says Sharapova and heart says Ivanovic. =P Either outcome is fine, as the Russian is clearly due an AO title after several semis and a final and will put a stamp on her blazing return to the top of the game, and Ivanovic will become the first of the Serb trio to lift a Slam title on top of it being her own breakthrough, though of course her countryman may join her the next day, making her being first a bit of a technicality. B) Here's hoping it's a cracker.

I enjoyed your analysis, Manzikert, thank you!

I'm rooting for ivanovic! I find her completely fascinating... So the best of luck to the kid :bow:

Can't see any further than an easy Sharapova win myself, although I shall of course be cheering for Ana. Frankly I don't think anyone could cope with some of the stuff Sharapova's been playing this tournament, and Ivanovic hasn't been in her sparkling best form, although her QF and SF wins did show her mental prowess. She'll need to serve well and hit deep, then it's a toss of a coin, but on last few matches form, Sharapova is more likely to do that and therefore dominate the rallies.

Does anyone know what time it starts British Time? :D

2:30 a.m. Felix :yikes:

I'm sure i could stay awake, it's just the dilemma would be what would i watch to pass the time until then! :P

Set your alarm clock - that's what I do. But they're repeating the match on Eurosport, so I'll wait for that.

Nothing bad I hope! :o

So so so so so nervous now-it always happens when Maria plays a big match-the next 4 hours will be killer for me......


Everyone's analysis keeps hinting Ana could pull off the upset and it's worrying me :yikes:

I was more nervous when Ana was favourite against Hantuchova in the SF too... am a little more relaxed tonight.

I think in most Slam finals there's always the chance of the upset... this one's no different but unless something drastic happens, I don't see any way Maria can possibly not win. As well as her ridiculous form, she'll also be so determined to make up for last year's final.

Thank goodness Hantuchoka did not make it through to the final :phew: , I mean Ivasqueakovic will probably choke as well but with Dani, as much as I love her :wub: , would be 100% guaranteed to do so in the final... :rolleyes:

Anyway, I hope Ivasqueakovic will win this one, I think she might if it goes to a final set but am expecting The Cheat and her disgusting father to be pawing all over the silverware by this time tomorrow... :angry:

roflmao

Okay coverage is starting.....here we go, stomach churning and all.....

Players on court....

Here we go then..........I can barely watch and we've not even begun yet....

Ana holds to 15.



:pray: :pray: :pray: Do not let it be like last year :pray: :pray: :pray:

Maria holds to love-now time to break her......

0-30....come on MARIA!!!!

Nice backhand from Ana to get to 40-30 :clap:

Sharapova levels to 2-2, yet to drop a point on serve.

Maria BREAKS!!!!!

*3-2

BANG!!! What a backhand from Maria 30-0

Maria holds to love again 4-2*

Already won more games than last year's final.

Ana holds to 30 without too much trouble.

*4-3

Oh no, 0-15 Maria drops a point on serve.....

ARGH! 15-30.....please don't get broken.....

30-30 come on Maria-2 more points please :pray:

Double fault from Maria 30-40.....it's gonna start happening all over again.....

and another first serve missed..... *gulp*

Maria saves the break point-deuce.

COME ON-2 more points now-2 first serves!!

ADV-Maria.

Nice return from Ana

Deuce.

2nd serve-help.......

Another double!!! NO NO NO NO NO NO Nit's like last years final all over again...I'm gonna cry I think....

ANd a third doubel AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRGH!!!!


NO NO NO NO....

40-15.....I think Maria may have peaked too soon......this is so upsetting.

5-4 Ivanovic....I bet Maria loses now just so the whole world can criticise her all over again.....

0-15....bugger....

0-30 NOOOOOO :cry:

NOT FAIR NOT FAIR NOT FAIR!!!!

15-30 Come on Maria!!!!

30-30 Please hold please please please......

Big Point now.

Ana dominates but the Sharapova defence prevails :lol:

40-30

Maria holds!!!


NOW TIME TO BREAK!!!

15-30-A chance for Maria......

15-40-Take advantage Maria!!!!

Nice backhand from Ana 30-40.....

Please win this game Maria....

6-5 MARIA!!!!! NOW HOLD SERVE!!!!!!!! YEEEEEEEEEEESSSSS!!!!!

I dunno how Ana got from 2-4 to 5-4, 0-30 but once she did she should have taken her chances better. Sharapova's gonna run away with it now,

What a colossal letdown from Ivanovic. She had Sharapova on the ropes, recovering from an early break to threaten at 5-4 0-30, made a Djokovic-esque quixotic drop shot that failed to capitalise on a good return, and it's been a sad string of UEs ever since. The Ivanovic from RG reared her head at the worst moment and the set will almost certainly be over now. Hopefully she recovers in the second set, but I'm not optimistic.

YEEEEEEEEEEESSSS

:yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:

7-5 Maria takes the first set with a love hold.

This is the first women's Slam final since Wimbledon 2005 to feature a 7-5 or 7-6 scoreline. That's about the only good thing I can say about the disappointing turnaround.

Well I was expecting a much easier scoreline for Sharapova but that 7-5 doesn't make me feel any better. Apart from a few moments, she pretty much resembles the Ivanovic of the French Open final. Sharapova had an off period in the first set and was there for the taking.

Actually, apart from the one abysmal service game early on where Sharapova hardly had to work to get the break, I thought Ivanovic acquitted herself quite well in the opening set - until she lost 12 of the last 14 points, but who's counting?

Nevertheless a very gutsy hold to dig herself out from 15-30 and then fend off several deuces and a couple of break points, and Ivanovic is up 1-0. At least she can't be bagelled now. :P But I think she is demonstrating the grace under pressure she showed since reaching the second week; it might not be enough to prevail but it's good to see.

The Ivanovic forehand has been an absolute joke so far - surprisingly, the backhand has been good.

She did well to hold at the start of the second set but it doesn't look to have bolstered her a great deal as she makes more and more sloppy errors straight afterwards.

True - her only reliable shot has been her serve, but that won't help her make headway into Sharapova's service games. Sure enough the Russian holds to love for 1-all and it will be a struggle all over to hold, undoubtedly.