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Serena: Everyone expects me to win, but Sharapova's been playing great

Sharapova saved two match points in the second round, and lost less than four games on average in her previous four matches. Serena is aware of that, but the record between the two of them favors her hugely (16-2). Sharapova said why Serena is such a difficult opponent, and pointed out the toughness and battle of nerves in the semifinal, which she will need today as well, and did not have in their previous duels so far

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Before the official part of the season started Serena pointed out that it's no big secret that she's going after the great Steffi Graf. Serena collected 18 Grand Slam titles, and has an 18-4 score in the finals, while a victory here would get her up to the second spot in the eternal ranking board in terms of Grand Slam titles.

Serena struggled with her game during the tournament, had health problems as well, but also improved her game, as she said, and proven it over the last two matches. Even against the unpleasant Keys, for whom Serena had nothing but praise:

-I'm a big fan of her game, she's incredible, a great, positive player. It's been my honor playing against a future number one player.

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Keys did well in the first set, taking Serena's serve at the very start and playing her game. She continued in the same vein after she lost her serve in the sixth game of the first set. Since serves dominated on both sides, a tie-break was not a surprise to anyone. Serena proved to be mentally stronger there. She made less mistakes, returned better, and when Keys completely lost her edge in the second set Serena was able to punish that with an impressive performance.

- I'm excited to be in the final. I did not expect that when I arrived here, so it's really exciting for me. She pressured me in the first set, I had to fight it mentally, but I managed to win in two sets in the end- said Serena, who had to stop her on-court statements twice due to coughing once again, but said:

- I'm feeling much better and improving every day. I have a day off tomorrow, and I'm hoping I'll recover by Saturday.

In the final she'll face a familiar sight on the other side. This will be the 19th time these two meet in their careers, and Sharapova won only two of those. She could have won another exactly ten years ago, in these very courts, when she had three match points in the third set at only 17 years of age.

The rivalry between Serena and Sharapova has been going on for years and will likely continue for a while longer, and they are currently ranked number one and two. Last year Sharapova said Serena was a big mental challenge. Sharapova is known as a mentally strong player, but Serena has always been a step above her in this matchup in that respect. The only match they played last year, in Miami, can serve as an example. Sharapova held 4-1 in the first set and a break in the second, only to lose in two sets in the end. However, Serena leaves nothing to accident, and is cautious about this match as well:

-Everyone expects me to win, but Sharapova's been playing an amazing game. She was practically eliminated and made a come back, and has been playing better in every match since. I believe she really wants the title, and wants to improve her game to the next level. It will be an interesting match.

In the second round match Sharapova saved a 1-4 lag in the third set and two match points as well. Panova made a big mistake of pulling back, Sharapova knew how to punish that, and has averaged less than four games lost per match since, which is impressive.

- I did not give my best performance against Panova. However, I fought to get through that and came out of that match realizing I can raise the level of my game. After winning that match I felt like I got another chance in this tournament- commented Sharapova on the difficult moments in the second round match.

In the semifinal against Makarova she played a tough match from start to end. Makarova ended the match with 29 errors, but a lot of credit for that goes to Sharapova being tough and leaving her opponent with no ideas at some moments in the match.

-I played a solid match and was not afraid of it becoming a mental challenge- said Sharapova after her victory against Makarova.

It is the mental strength, or more precisely absence of fear that the match could become a battle of nerves, that she'll need again today. We mentioned earlier that Serena has been a step above in their previous matches in that segment. Sharapova is playing her tenth Grand Slam final, of which she won five, lost four, and after entering the final she answered to a media question on why is Serena such a tough opponent?

-I think her strength and aggression always pushed me to be more aggressive, perhaps a bit more than I should have been. What makes Serena great is the fact she forces her opponents to look for shots you don't necessarily need to be looking for- answered Sharapova, but did not give up:

- Serena is a tough match-up for me, but you know, I'm a competitor. I'll step to the court and do my best to change the score. I think my confidence should be pretty high because I'm in a Grand Slam Final, regardless of who is on the other side of the net. It doesn't really matter, I got this far and I belong here, for a reason, and I'll do whatever it takes to get the title.