Maria Sharapova Lifts Pan Pacific Title

1 month ago 05th Oct 12:43

Maria Sharapova returned to the winners circle this weekend as she lifted the Pan Pacific Title in Tokyo.

The twenty two year old faced Jelena Jankovic, the highest seed to make it to the quarter finals, in the final but she retired towards the end of the first set handing victory to the Russian.

This is the former world number one and Grand Slam champions first title since April 2008 after being away from the game for the best part of a year with a shoulder injury, having to have surgery on a damaged rotator cuff.

Speaking to the BBC after the match she said: "To go from not knowing whether you'll ever play the sport again to holding a trophy, it's an unbelievable feeling.

"You realise what a gift it is to hit a tennis ball. I've put in so much work and this is just exciting."

Sharapova has made steady progress since her return just before the French Open in June and has climbed steadily up the rankings.

Now ranked at twenty five in the world she has struggled to recapture the form that made her the world number one player and brought her the Wimbeldon title.

It has been an up and down season for Jankovic but found some good form in Tokyo as the seeds dropped like flies in the opening round.

Jankovic needed on court treatment to her right arm during her semi final Li Na and with Sharapova leading 5-2 in the opening set the Serb was visibly struggling.

After Sharapova took four straight games in the first set Jankovic once again called the trainer to have her arm looked at.