MARIA CONTINUES TO SHINE!
Maria scored a very impressive 6-2 6-2 win over Anna Chakvetadze of Russia to advance to the final of the WTA Tour Championships in Madrid. Maria won the match convincingly in 1 hour and 14 minutes to make her lifetime record against Chakvetadze 6-0 and has 4 consecutive wins over top 10 players in this tournament. This will be Maria's 2nd appearance in the final at this event having won it in Los Angeles in 2004 and will be Maria's 4th final of the year. After saving a break-point in the 2nd game of the 1st set, Maria won 4 points in a row and got the break of serve after Chakvetadze double-faulted. Maria's return was working beautifully when she broke Chakvetadze again to lead 4-1. Maria serves with authority and wins the set after a fantastic baseline rally. Maria's 1st serve saw her through the set as she had an excellent 89% winning percentage when her 1st serve went in. Maria also saved 3 breakpoints. Maria wrapped up the set 6-2 in 41 minutes. More of the same in the 2nd set as Chakvetadze double-faults to give Maria an early break in the 1st game. In the next game Maria hit 2 aces to hold to 15. Another double-fault gives Maria another break to lead 3-0. Chakvetadze started to work herself back into the match but it was too little too late as Maria took the set and the match 6-2 with a service winner. Maria's 1st serve winning % was 83% and saved 5 breakpoints and won 4 of 5 breakpoints (80%). In the final Maria will play top seed and defending champion Justine Henin of Belgium. Maria has played the Belgian 7 times before and trails the series 2-5. The last meeting was here exactly 1 year ago in the semis which Henin won in 2 sets. Henin is unbeaten since Wimbledon.
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