Sharapova fails in bid to reach No. 1
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-05-15 10:01

Maria Sharapova failed once again in her bid to become No. 1. Sharapova lost to eighth-seeded Patty Schnyder 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 in the semifinals of the Italian Open on Saturday.

In the title match Sunday, Schnyder will face defending champion Amelie Mauresmo, who reached her fifth consecutive Italian Open final with a 6-2, 6-4 win over sixth-seeded Vera Zvonareva.

Russia's Maria Sharapova in action against Switzerland's Patty Schnyder during the semifinals of the women's Italian Open tennis tournament at Rome's Foro Italico, Saturday, May 14, 2005. Schnyder beat Sharapova 3-6, 6-3, 6-1. [AP]

The top-seeded Sharapova could have overtaken Lindsay Davenport for the No. 1 world ranking if she had won this $1.3 million clay-court tuneup for the French Open, which starts May 23.

Sharapova also had a chance to take the top spot at the German Open last week but lost to eventual champion Justine Henin-Hardenne in the quarterfinals.

"I've said it before, there's no rush," Sharapova said of becoming No. 1. "I'm not disappointed. I'd rather play better at a Grand Slam. I'm just going to work on things next week and hopefully be fresh and ready for Roland Garros."

Schnyder entered the tournament off a semifinal appearance at the German Open, where she lost to eventual champion Justine Henin-Hardenne. She improved to 12-4 on clay this season.

"For me it was also about ranking. I can be in the top 10 again. For me, that's special," said Schnyder, who is ranked 13th but reached No. 8 in 1999.

Schnyder believes she was able to beat Sharapova because she is better on clay.

"She deserves to be No. 1, she's a great champion," Schnyder said of Sharapova. "I just took a chance on a clay court. I think it's her weakest surface. I played a great game. I was the dominant player. I move better on a clay court than she does."

The 6-foot Sharapova overpowered her shorter Swiss opponent in the first set with her big serve and groundstrokes, producing 11 winners to Schnyder's four.

But in the second set, Schnyder began to vary her shots as Sharapova lost her rhythm slightly and started making more unforced errors.

Schnyder began the third set by breaking serve and Sharapova's game quickly unraveled.

"I didn't think I was patient enough in the third set. I think she was more ready for the third set," Sharapova said.

Schnyder used her drop shot effectively to set up easy passing shots and moved Sharapova out of her comfort zone with well-angled shots that the Russian was forced to track down.

Sharapova made 40 unforced errors to Schnyder's 24.

"She's a very different player than most players on tour," Sharapova said. "She has sort of an old-style sort of game and moves really, really well. You have to be really, really patient."

The crowd helped Schnyder, who comes from the same city — Basel — as top-ranked men's player Roger Federer.

"I was really surprised how they supported me. I guess they like my game," said Schnyder, who had never advanced past the semifinals in eight previous appearances in Rome.

The second-seeded Mauresmo also beat Zvonareva in the semifinals en route to her first Italian Open title last year.

"It's unbelievable here in Rome. I always feel good and play well and the crowd has gotten to know me. Now I have to use this as a reference point for Paris," said Mauresmo, a Frenchwoman who has never made it past the quarterfinals of her home Grand Slam.

Mauresmo cruised through the first set in just 35 minutes. She won her first four matches here without dropping a set.

"It's good physically to get to the final like this," she said. "You never know what can happen in the final — it can be a very long match."

Mauresmo knew she would have a hard time against Schnyder.

"Patty's been playing some unbelievable tennis on clay in 2005," Mauresmo said.

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