Maria Sharapova’s winning streak continues: two weeks after her third success at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart’s Porsche Arena, the 27-year old Russia has won the Mutua Madrid Open for the first time. In the final on Sunday, she comfortably beat Romanian Simona Halep 1-6, 6-2, 6-3.
The event in the Spanish capital is considered to be the second most important clay court tournament after the French Open in Paris.
Playing the world No. 5, the Porsche brand ambassador only had difficulties in the first set. She then quickly found her powerful game and gave the high-flier, who has won seven WTA titles in the past 12 months, no chance.
In an encounter lasting almost two hours, she clinched her second big win this year with her first match point. Her build up for the French Open, which she won in 2012 and was a runner-up last year, is therefore going very much to plan. Maria Sharapova has not lost a match on clay this season and will rise to No. 7 in the WTA rankings.
