Sharapova – Arvidsson in Memphis Final

2010 Cellular South Cup
By Hiland Doolittle, February 21st, 2010

Maria Sharapova in Memphis OpenThere will be noise aplenty when top seed and big draw Maria Sharapova square off in the finals of the Cellular South Cup in Memphis. As usual, much of that noise will be created by the tour’s loudest competitor Maria Sharapova.

The long Russian beauty has dominated the field in her run for her 21st Sony Ericsson WTA title. In the semis, Maria dusted off unheralded Petra Kvitova 6-4, 6-3. The top seed has yet to lose a set in the tournament.

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In the semis, Kvitova had her chances. She played tough in the first set and led 2-0 in the second before Sharapova surged to the finish line.

Former Cellular South Champion Sofia Arvidsson, who had to qualify for this year’s tournament, needed more than 2 hours to notch her semifinal win 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. Arvidsson dispatched number two seed Melanie Oudin 6-1, 6-3 to reach the semis.

Arvidsson is a bit of an enigma, but she now has 10 tour wins this year. At 5’9” and 152 pounds, she has the wallop to stay with Sharapova, the 6’2.” The 26-year old Swede is ranked 102 by the WTA. Her Cellular South title is the only tour victory on her resume. She has earned $30,000 thus far in 2010.

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Sharapova and Arvidsson have played only once before with Maria emerging the victor. Maria will be a heavy favorite to record her first championship of the year. The former world’s number one has struggled since returning to the tour last year after knee and shoulder injuries. Arvidsson has the weapons and history at this event. It would be a signature win for the Swede.

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