EVENT OF THE DAY. TENNIS 
WTA tournament in Cincinnati

On the night of Monday, Moscow time, Maria Sharapova won the second title in a season (and 24th in career). In a match of two former first rackets of the world in the premiere tournament final  in Cincinnati, the Russian has prevailed over Serbian Jelena Jankovic. This success has not only brought Sharapova 350 000 dollars in prize money, but also led to first place in the WTA title race! The place that Maria last held in spring 2008.

For comment on this Sharapova success "Soviet Sport" asked the President of Russian Tennis Federation Shamil Tarpischev.

Final in Cincinnati, lasted three sets and 2 hours 48 minutes, with a distinct advantage Sharapova appeared only in the final set. Due to what did the Russian woman manage to snatch a victory?

What Sharapova that Jankovic  - both very stubborn athletes, with an iron nature that are fighting to the end and not allow themselves to paste up during the match. The more so because the two girls - deserved champions, were the first racket of the world. Not surprisingly, the final in Cincinnati turned out to be so stubborn. In fact, I'm glad that Maria won it in such a hassle, had not easily defeated her opponent in straight sets! Tortured victory is much better impact on psychology. Sharapova now has a charge that self-confidence, which often brings a decisive 10 percent of success in key matches.

If you analyze the game of Maria, her tactics are well known. And with the filing and acceptance Sharapova is trying to acquire a positional advantage in the competition. From the side of a tennis looks monotonous, but rightly so, since it brings results. Receiving Masha has always been good, the question is - how it applies to the specific match. When Masha is 62-70 percent hit the first ball, it is almost guaranteed victory.

After winning in Cincinnati, Sharapova led the WTA championship race . How long she will last at the top?

I am sure that Masha fully able to lead a basic rating, and in the near future. I've been saying that for years the American series of tournaments she will take, and the victory in Cincinnati affirmed my words. Another thing is that a defeat in the finals of Wimbledon slowed the rise of Mary - she got into a little psychological pit and spent some time on it to get out of it. Although, as we see, - choose!

Next week begins the last tournament of the season "Grand Slam" - the U.S. Open. Can we call Sharapova favorite "number one" in  US  Open?

"Number One" - no, but one of the key - definitely. In the women's tennis right now there is no clear leader, and for victory in major tournaments are contending six or seven athletes. It's not just about Sharapova, Zvonareva, Wozniacki  - those girls who are leaders in the ranking. Can not be discounted Petra Kvitova , German women Julia Görges and Andrea Petkovic .

In New York, much will depend on the draw. Determining what conditions under which Sharapova will come to the quarterfinals. Ideally, she should save her strength and try to avoid protracted fights, although it will be difficult. But if you're lucky with a net of Mary and she will win the U.S. Open, I'm sure - Sharapova will finish the year number one player in the world.

The last time Sharapova led the championship race in 2008 when she won the Australian Open.  You can compare this and the Maria who won in Melbourne?

During these three years a lot has happened. Australia has won a young, ambitious, audacious and arrogant in a good tennis player, with fantastic confidence in their abilities. Now Maria is suitable only to the psychological state. Of course, now and in flow Sharapova is not as good as she was before the shoulder injury, before the Olympics in Beijing. But Masha added significantly to the performance of intermediate (havkorta) strikes in the game since the summer, the variability of her game on the baseline. So when the serve gets better (and it is getting better!) With psychology and everything will be alright, we'll see even more Sharapova than the one that won in Melbourne.