2015 Australian Open SF: Sharapova vs. Makarova

[kskate2]

Maria leads the H2H 5-0

http://www.wtatennis.com/head2head/player1/9499/player2/10895

The last 3 meetings have been straight setters won on HC, twice in the AO QF. Ekaterina is playing better this year than previous years. Can she score her first victory against her Russian compatriot?

Who wins: Maria or Maka?

vs.

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

Unfortunately Maria, none of her fellow Russians play her well at all.

 

[tented]

I'm going with Maria, but in 3. I don't think it will be straight sets.

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

Unfortunately Maria, none of her fellow Russians play her well at all.

Maka does not get awed, even by Masha.
Maka can beat the best, as her record indicates.

But I only give her a set.

 

[Hoergren]

I'll try to go against my first thoughts and vote for Maka in 3

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I am going for a upset here,I loved the way Makarova played Halep,she attacked her fhand wing all match and it payed off

Makarova just has to Believe! she has the game to defeat Sharapova attack her fhand wing,she also has a great lefty serve,she dosent d/f under pressure like Sharapova,she has to keep her game plan throughout the match and not divert from it.Another plus for Makarova she is not in the doubles tournament anymore.

Makarova to win in 3 sets.

 

[britbox]

Masha in straight sets

 

[kskate2]

Maria in 3. She gets to the final where Serena will be waiting w/ her famous staredown. :laydownlaughing

 

[kskate2]

Makarova has the game to defeat Maria Sharapova,it will come down to 'belief'.

Makarova has a great serve and fhand,she needs to attack the fhand wing of Maria Sharapova,she will get the errors,she will need to do this all match,not go away from her game plan,if worked successfully against Halep,whose fhand wing is her weaker wing.Makarova is a doubles Grand Slam winner,she is great at the net as well.

Doesn't it mainly come down to belief. I know there are cases where one player is just more talented than the other and that's fine. But in the case where players are evenly matched, it's always about belief and execution.

Does Maka believe she will execute her gameplan w/o any resistance from Sharapova? Will she know when to elevate her game or make a small adjustement when Maria gets acclimated to said gameplan? That's what separates the elite from ordinary tennis players.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

^ I know Maria leads their H2H 5-0,Makarova has made the s.final of a Grand Slam event once before at the U.S.Open in 2014,so she has had the experience of playing in this type of event before.As long as Makarova dosent get tight,which has happened to her in the past,though I was pleased to see that didnt happen in her match against Halep,I feel she has the weapons in her game to defeat Sharapova,she is also better at the net than Sharapova and has a better transition game,being a GS Doubles title holder.

 

[10isfan]

I think Pova gets to the final. Maka has the game but not the head to beat her.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Just another plus for Makarova,she is the only semi finalist who has yet to drop a set so far in this tournament.

 

[Kirijax]

Makarova in three sets! Please oust the Screaming Banshee from the tournament so I can watch the final.

 

[rubydo]

Maria in three for no particular reason, may put my earplugs in while watching this match on the tube.

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

Ladies are about to start.

Russian session is first then we get American session.

Lets go ladies.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Thats the way Makarova put in straight back in the face of Maria Sharapova dont let her intimate you

Lovely lefty serve right into the body and fhand wing of Maria...Keep that up,you will get free easy points from that

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

I see Makarova is falling apart quickly per usual against Sharapova.

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

Tough start, both servers ended up at deuce in the first attempt. Masha took both games then holds at love for a 3-0 start. One break ahead.

I think I have heard 5 "come-on"s.

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

2 More games follow, both servers hold and it's 4-1

Makarova gets on board, she is doing a good job of talking to her coaching box.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Way to go Makarova,now a good service game

Makarova Davaii!!!!!!