Maria Sharapova at the season-ending WTA Championships in Istanbul proved to be almost as important in a standout year.
The 6-1, 7-5 win in October was the first time Stosur had beaten the Russian in 10 meetings, dating back to 2004. With another showdown on the cards at the Brisbane International in January, the result could not have been more timely for the Gold Coaster.
"That's going to be a big confidence boost for me the next time I go out on court against her," Stosur said. "A 9-0 record isn't good but now I've won one, it proves I can beat her."
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Stosur stands by her man
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Sharapova's height means Stosur's trademark kick serve and heavy top-spin forehand generally land right in the Russian's hitting zone.
In Istanbul, Stosur shelved those weapons and frustrated Sharapova by moving her around the court.
She also mixed up her shots with plenty of slice, and was rewarded.
"If I don't hit it well enough, then it's right in her hitting zone where she can just go 'whack' and get on top of the point," Stosur said.
The importance of the Turkish victory against the odds cannot be underestimated, according to Stosur's coach David Taylor.
"That was one of the great victories of the year," Taylor said.
Sharapova is just one of the many tantalising match-ups looming for Stosur in Brisbane, depending on the draw for the tournament starting on New Year's Day.
She could also come up against US Open runner-up Serena Williams, ranked 12th, and Italy's Francesca Schiavone, who beat the Australian in the 2010 French Open final.
Taylor cannot wait.
"It's an incredible first week of the Australian summer," he said.
"That field - you couldn't have wanted any of the bigger names and Sam is up with those big names now.
"That is going to be a real test and a really great benchmark to see where everyone is at early in the season. It's different than going to a lower-tier tournament and winning it. You're better off playing Sharapova in the quarters and seeing where you're at."
Likewise, Stosur would welcome the chance to test herself two weeks before the Australian Open. The world No.6 insists she has no added desire to beat Williams after the American's blow-up during their US Open final, just the usual will to win.
"I don't think it was aimed at me, and after the match everything was fine," Stosur said.
"I never even think about the incident - only when someone else brings it up. I don't care about it.
"That's part of what happened but I walked away winning the match, so that's all that I'm worried about."
With Schiavone, however, the lure of revenge lingers. Stosur has a 6-3 win-loss record against the world No.11 but, since Schiavone's Roland Garros triumph, they are split 2-2.
Stosur won their most recent clash, in Rome in May, and would relish the chance for a repeat.
The three-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova has been working hard in practice at Nick Bolletiari’s academy in Florida for her 2012 preparations.
The World No. 4 Maria Sharapova, who has finished the season with ankle injury, where she hopes to return back strongly next year. Russian beauty has begun her 2012 preparations at Nick Bolletiaris academy in Florida along with American coach Yuri. Sharapova has lost two consecutive matches at the year ending’s WTA Championship in Istanbul, as she suffered ankle injury and withdrawn from the third round robin match.
The 24-year-old Sharapova has showed finest performance this season and clinched two WTA Tour titles at Rome Masters and Cincinnati. Russian star has climbed to No. 2 position in the WTA Rakings in October, but failed to secure her spot at the end of the year and fall down two positions to No. 4. Sharapova will begin her 2012 campaign at Brisbane International championship, schedule to begin on 2nd January and will take place at the Queensland Tennis Centre in Tennyson in Brisbane.
The former World No. 1 Sharapova will face tough challenge at Brisbane International tournament, where she will meet Serena William’s of United States, 2011 US Open winner Samantha Stosur, World No. 2 Andrea Petkovic, Kim Clijsters, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Italian star Francesca Schiavone and Jelena Jankovic.
Maria Sharapova
Maria Sharapova
Maria Sharapova
Maria Sharapova
Maria Sharapova
