By putting an end to her chase of the No. 1 ranking, Maria Sharapova now has her shot at No. 1. In a way.
Three months after missing out on the opportunity to challenge No. 1-ranked Serena Williams at the 2014 WTA Finals in Singapore, No. 2-ranked Maria Sharapova now will face her nemesis in the finals of the Australian Open on Saturday.
Maria Sharapova no longer concerned with the No. 1 ranking
Unlike the missed opportunity in Singapore, however, Sharapova won't get a chance to take the No. 1 ranking away from Williams just yet. The Associated Press reported that Williams' straight-sets victory over Madison Keys in the semifinals assures that she will retain the No. 1 ranking at the conclusion of the first Grand Slam of 2015, no matter the outcome in the finals.
The No. 1 ranking, however, is a secondary story as far as Sharapova is concerned. Williams holds a 16-2 all-time record against the Russian, including a 15-match winning streak now going on 11 years.
But after her early exit from the WTA Finals, Sharapova said she was reprioritizing her goals.
"I will not be chasing the number one ranking next season," she said in an interview with the BBC in November. "I think adding more Grand Slams is the top priority."
Sharapova has not won the Australian Open since 2008, and her last appearance in the finals was a disappointing 6-3, 6-0 loss to Victoria Azarenka in 2012.
In an all-Russian semifinal, Sharapova dominated Ekaterina Marakova in straight sets, but Sharapova's Aussie Open chase almost ended in the second round against Alexandra Panova as Panova had two match points that Sharapova saved before winning 6-1, 4-6, 7-5.
"It's so special," Sharapova said on court after her win, according to USA TODAY Sports. "When you start off the tournament you take it a match at a time. It's been a strange road for me to get to the final but I'm here and I'm really happy."
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