The Hindu : Sport / Tennis : Sharapova wins Zurich Open

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Monday, Oct 23, 2006
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Sharapova wins Zurich Open

Zurich: U.S. Open champion Maria Sharapova claimed her fourth title of the year on Sunday by beating unseeded Slovak Daniela Hantuchova 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 in the final of the Zurich Open.

It was Sharapova's first title in Zurich, after she finished runner-up to Alicia Molik in 2004.

Although the second-seeded Russian will remain at No. 3 in the rankings next week behind Amelie Mauresmo and Justine Henin-Hardenne, the win boosted her chances of ending the season as World No. 1.

Despite her defeat, Hantuchova's ranking will improve next week from 22 to an expected 16.

Federer triumphs

World No. 1 Roger Federer racked up his 10th title of the season with a ruthless 7-5, 6-1, 6-0 win over Chile's Fernando Gonzalez in the final of the Madrid Masters on Sunday.

The 25-year-old weathered an early storm from the 10th seed but found his rhythm in the second and then powered his way to victory as Gonzalez cracked under pressure.

It was Federer's fourth Masters title of the year and the 12th of his career, taking him one clear of Pete Sampras into second place behind Andre Agassi who heads the all-time list with a record 17 titles.

Top seeds Bob and Mike Bryan claimed their seventh doubles title of the year with a 7-5, 6-4 victory over twice defending champions Mark Knowles and Daniel Nestor at the Madrid Masters on Sunday.

The results: At Zurich: WTA Zurich Open: Final: Maria Sharapova bt Daniela Hantuchova 6-1, 4-6, 6-3.

Semifinals: Hantuchova bt Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-4, 6-2; Sharapova bt Katarina Srebotnik 7-6(3), 6-2.

At Madrid: ATP Madrid Masters: Final: Roger Federer bt Fernando Gonzalez 7-5, 6-1, 6-0.

Semifinals: Gonzalez bt Tomas Berdych 6-3, 6-1; Federer bt David Nalbandian 6-4, 6-0.

Quarterfinals: Berdych bt Rafael Nadal 6-3, 7-6(6); Federer bt Robby Ginepri 6-3, 7-6(4); Gonzalez bt Novak Djokovic 7-5, 5-7, 7-5. — Agencies

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