Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships

Dubai, UAE
February 20-25, 2012
Hard – WTA Premier – $2,000,000

Singles
- First round : won against Monica Niculescu (ROU), 6-3, 6-0
« One year I played against Niculescu here on center court and I won, 63 60, the same. Today there were some very close games I lost at the start, but I was doing everything right and coming to the net. She was better in those games but I continued to play the same way, then it was better. I liked my forehand a lot today. I was playing it well from each position on the court, I think. I was enjoying that shot today and having a lot of fun out there. I’m quite happy because normally I don’t start the season really well. Two years ago I did quarterfinals at the Australian Open, then I didn’t do anything until after French Open. So now I feel I’m playing more consistently, and I’m winning all the matches I should, which is a good thing. »

- Round of 16 : against Ana Ivanovic (SRB)
Head to head : 2-3

- Quarterfinal : against Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) or Simona Halep (ROU)

>>> Singles results, click here

Doubles with Sabine Lisicki (GER)
- First round : Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP) / Alicja Rosolska (POL) won by retirement (Acute neck injury for Maria)

>>> Doubles results, click here

Singles : 22 (+3)
Race – Singles : 24
Doubles : 9 (=)

Full singles ranking, click here
Full doubles ranking, click here

Career-High Singles : 18 (July 7, 2008)
Career-High Doubles : 5 (October 24, 2011)

Season-ending singles
2011 : 28
2010 : 20
2009 : 63
2008 : 29
2007 : 31
2006 : 30
2005 : 25
2004 : 111
2003 : 122
2002 : 417

Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships

R2 : Schiavone (ITA) or Ivanovic (SRB)

Next: …

Doha, Qatar
February 13-19, 2012
Hard – WTA Premier 5 – $2,168,400

Singles
- First round : won against Jie Zheng (CHN), 6-3, 3-6, 6-3
- Second round : Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) won, 6-4, 6-4

>>> Singles results, click here

Doubles with Sabine Lisicki (GER)
- First round : bye
- Second round : won against Andreha Klepac (SLO) / Alicja Rosolska (POL), 6-2, 4-6, [10-8]
- Quarterfinal : Nuria Llagostera Vives (ESP) / Anastasia Rodionova (AUS) won, 6-4, 6-7(3), [10-7]

>>> Doubles results, click here

Next tournament : Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships (February 20-25, 2012)

Singles : 25 (+1)
Race – Singles : 21
Doubles : 9 (=)

Full singles ranking, click here
Full doubles ranking, click here

Career-High Singles : 18 (July 7, 2008)
Career-High Doubles : 5 (October 24, 2011)

Season-ending singles
2011 : 28
2010 : 20
2009 : 63
2008 : 29
2007 : 31
2006 : 30
2005 : 25
2004 : 111
2003 : 122
2002 : 417

Pattaya City, Thailand
February 6-12, 2012
Hard – WTA International – $220,000

Singles
- First round : won against Casey Dellacqua (AUS), 4-6, 7-6(6), 6-3
- Round of 16 : won against Anastasia Rodionova (AUS), 2-6, 6-3, 7-6(3)
- Quarterfinal : won against Tamarine Tanasugarn (THA), 7-6(2), 6-1
- Semifinal : won against Sorana Cirstea (ROU), 6-2, 5-7, 6-4
« It was a high-quality match. We both played very good tennis and I was just luckier today. She played so well and fought for every point and hit hard. I think I was very aggressive today and was happy with my serve, my return and my backhand finally, because in other matches I didn’t play well on the backhand. I’m happy with my volleys. Everything was working. »

- Final : Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) won, 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-3

>>> Singles results, click here

Next tournament : Qatar Total Open (February 13-19, 2012)

Singles : 26 (=)
Race – Singles : 43
Doubles : 9 (=)

Full singles ranking, click here
Full doubles ranking, click here

Career-High Singles : 18 (July 7, 2008)
Career-High Doubles : 5 (October 24, 2011)

Season-ending singles
2011 : 28
2010 : 20
2009 : 63
2008 : 29
2007 : 31
2006 : 30
2005 : 25
2004 : 111
2003 : 122
2002 : 417

How do you feel physically now ? Did you recover ?
I feel fine now, I didn’t hit for 10 days and now I am in Pattaya and I start over again slowly. The good thing I feel fresh now and wanna play again!

You prepared for your season in United States. What memories did you keep of these weeks ?
I have only a good memories from this trip and I will never forget them! It was the best time I have ever spent in the United States. I had the time of my life!

You celebrated your 25th birthday in Australia. Do you feel older than before in your mind ? Do you tell yourself “wow, I’m already 25 !” ?
To be honest I feel the same as 24 but different than 23:))) Defiantly every year gives me more and more experience!!!

Next tournament in Pattaya, what do you expected of your next matches ?
I am expecting to play without any pain, that is most important for me now!

Singles : 26 (+3)
Race – Singles : 43
Doubles : 9 (-2)

Full singles ranking, click here
Full doubles ranking, click here

Career-High Singles : 18 (July 7, 2008)
Career-High Doubles : 5 (October 24, 2011)

Season-ending singles
2011 : 28
2010 : 20
2009 : 63
2008 : 29
2007 : 31
2006 : 30
2005 : 25
2004 : 111
2003 : 122
2002 : 417

I am so happy to get so many wishes!!! Thank you so much to all of you!!!I really glad that I have so many fans you are all great!!! Love you all!!!

Yours Maria