BNP Paribas WTA Finals, Singapore

Round Robin, Day 2: [CR2] Maria Sharapova (RUS) vs. [CR8] Caroline Wozniacki (DEN)

Wozniacki almost failed to take advantage of Sharapova’s shaky second serves. Despite the serving woes of both players, this match ultimately was a battle between mental strength and physical fitness, and physical fitness won.

Wozniacki needs to learn how to finish points against players that have a more aggressive style of play than she does.  She knows how to play aggressively; however, playing consistently aggressive is out of her comfort zone and inevitably, she resorts to defensive tennis, pushing the ball around the court.

Wozniacki’s inability to consistently finish points authoritatively allowed Sharapova to stay in the match.  Sharapova’s mental strength allowed her to push the first two sets to tie-breaks; however, in the end Wozniacki won 7-6(4), 6-7(7), 6-2 because fatigue got the better of Sharapova.