Sharapova Captures 2007 Acura Classic Title

Playing before a capacity crowd on Stadium Court, top-seeded Maria Sharapova dropped a set in her championship match against 11th seeded Patty Schnyder, but finished strong for a 6-2, 3-6, 6-0, victory to win the 2007 Acura Classic.

Sharapova, who defended the title she won last year, was awarded a check for $196,600 and an Acura MDX sports utility vehicle for her victory.

Schnyder opened the match by holding serve for a 1-0 and took a 40-0 lead in the second game, but Sharapova fought off three break points and held to make the score 1-1. In the third game, Schnyder had a 40-0 lead but Sharapova using consistent ground strokes, came back to win five straight points for a 2-1 lead.

After Sharapova held serve for a 3-1 lead, she broke Schnyder at love to increase her lead to 4-1. Both players held serve to make the score 5-2. Sharapova served for the set and served out the set, which took 38 minutes.

Both players exchanged service breaks early in the second set and Sharapova later served at 3-4.
Schnyder broke serve for a 5-3 lead when the Russian netted a forehand on break point. 

Serving for the set, Schnyder took a 30-15 lead and hit an ace to get to 40-15. On set point she hit a service winner to win the set. It was the first and only set Sharapova would lose in the tournament.

Sharapova opened the third set by holding for a 1-0 lead. She broke Schnyder in the second game when Schnyder’s backhand drop shot landed in the net.

In the third game, Sharapova fought off three break points and held for a 3-0 lead. Sharapova got an insurance break in the next game to take a 4-0 lead.

Sharapova would go on to win the championship as she lost only four points in the last two games to win the third set at love in 34 minutes.

• Sharapova is ranked number two in the world.
• Sharapova improves her 2007 match record to 31-8.
• Sharapova improves her career head-to-head record against Schnyder to 6-1.
• Sharapova was making her third career Acura Classic appearance.
• Sharapova won her 16th career tour singles title.
• Sharapova is one of 17 Russians to be currently ranked in the Top 100.
• Schnyder is ranked 17 in the world.
• Schnyder was making fifth career Acura Classic appearance.
• Schnyder has represented Switzerland in the Olympics and Fed Cup play.
• Schnyder is the highest ranked left-hander in the world.
• Schnyder’s best result in a Grand Slam is a semifinal finish in 2004