Maria Sharapova opts out of WTA Championships (Istanbul)

Maria Sharapova, the world number two from Russia, who was beaten by Sloane Stephens in the second round of the Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati in August has announced that she is opting out of the last grand women exclusive tournament in Istanbul, Turkey to be held later this month.

The  end-of-season WTA Championships in the Turkish city of Istanbul is a ladies exclusive tennis championship in which top 9 women tennis players participate eah year in the month of October.

Her shoulder injury also resulted in her missing the US Open.

However, she has improved upon her shoulder injury and says on her Facebook page:
"On the bright side, my shoulder has really improved in the last week, and I can finally begin my strength rehab, before getting back on the court again. I will start my off-season preparations early and use my exhibition matches in the month of December in Bogota, Mexico City and Thailand to get some matches going."

Sharapova's withdrawal means former champion Petra Kvitova, Sara Errani and Jelena Jankovic all qualify for Istanbul. They will join Serena Williams, Victoria Azarenka, Agnieszka Radwanska and Li Na - who had all already booked their places - at the eight-woman event, which begins on 22 October.

Sharapova beat Serena Williams 4–6, 6–2, 6–4 in 2004 - while Serena took her revenge in 2012 by beating Maria 6–4, 6–3. That means this year, Serena will have some other proponent to face her in the finals.

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Serena Williams beat Sharapova at Istanbul

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Had someone told me that Sharapova has beaten Serena Williams at Istanbul, I would have hurriedly gone over to the internet to read the juicy news. But when I came to know that Serena has won over Sharapova, I just said that it was what was in the air already.

Serena hold the WTA Istanbul trophy - a great moment indeed [photo AP]

Well yes, Serena with a  9-2 winning edge over Sharapova with coveted titles of Wimbledon, US Open  and even the London Olympics under her belt, found it least difficult to beat the Russian and world no 2 just too easily 6-4, 6-3 at Istanbul Sunday evening.

As some newspaper already said that a hungry Serena is all set to deveour upon anyone who came her way to clinch the WTA Championships while the year ends. And sure she did.

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The 31 years old American has the fitness as that of years 2002-03 when she was on top of the world with all four Grand Slams - or the so called Serena Slam. She last lost to Sharapova in 2004 in Wimbledon and  has since not given away an match to the Russian.

Commenting on Serena's victory, Sharapova remarked: "She had another great serving day against me, I don't think I even had a break point. Serena is such a great champion and has had a tremendous amount of success in her career"

Sharapova beats world no.1 Azarenka to face Williams in WTA Istanbul Final Sunday 28 October

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So world no.1 Victoria Azarenka finally succumb to world no.2 Maria Sharapova in the semi final of WTA Istanbul 4-6, 2-6 Saturday today.

World no.1 Azarenka and world no.4 Radwanska ousted form Istanbul

Although Azarenka secured her no.1 ranking by beating Chinese Na Li Friday  she failed to beat Sharapova despite having had an upper edge of 7-4 over the Russian in their eleven previous encounters. Azarenka had recently beat Sharapova in the Beijing final 6-3, 6-1, a score that speaks how easily Azarenka overpowered Sharapova.

But today, it was different - rather reverse and revenge match by Sharapova who simply outclassed the world no.1 in starlight and easily won sets. Perhaps this loss saved Azarenka of being mauled by Serena in the finals as she did in the US Open recently.

In the other semifinal, US and Wimbledon champion and London Olympics Gold medalist American Serena Williams beat Radwanska 6-2, 6-1.

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Serena Williams plays the WTA Istanbul final against Maria Sharapova Sunday 28 October

Serena now meets Sharapova in the finals Sunday - let us see who lifts the Istanbul trophy for 2012.

The links for the live free streaming will be provided Sunday morning in our nest post. Keep updated with Movin' Sports.

World No.1 Azarenka beaten by Serena Williams - WTA Istanbul

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What many thought to be expected, world no.1 Victoria Azarenka was taken aback by US Open and Wimbledon Champion world no. 3 American Serena Williams 6-4, 6-4. Thus Azarenka failed to avenge her defeat at the hands of Williams at the US Open finally this year.

Azarenka had just yesterday overcome a strong resistance from German Angelique Kerber and lost the first set 6(11) -7(13). But regained the match and beat the German winning the next two sets 7(7)-6(2), 6-4. And it was thought that she would not be a hot pie for Serena to eat easily. But Serena found it easy to beat Azarenka just like that.

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In the first match fo the Day-3, 7th ranked Chinese Na Li beat 6th ranked German Angelique Kerber 6-4, 6-3. Na Li was earlier beaten by Serena Williams 7(7)-6(2), 6-3 on Day 2.

Results WTA Istanbul - Day 2

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The three matches played on Day-2 of the WTA Istanbul saw a very tough match being played between world no.1 Victoria Azarenka and German Angelique Kerber. Kerber contested the first match with lot of resilience and won it 7(13)-6(11). But then the world no.1 struck back and fought her way through to win the match 7(7)-6(2), 6-4.

In the other two matches:

• Russian Maria Sharapova beat Radwanska 5-7, 7-5, 7-5.
• American Serena Williams beat Chinese Na Li 7(7)-6(2), 6-3.

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The three matches scheduled for 25 October are as under:

• Angelique Kerber vs Na Li
• Serena Williams vs Victoria Azarenka
• Stosur vs Sara Errani

The links for Live free streaming for the matches above are being provided in our subsequent posts today at Movin' Sports.