The Russian star Maria Sharapova won the French Open 2012 on Saturday, defeating her tiny Italian opponent, Sara Errani, 6-3, 6-2 in the final at Roland Garros to complete the career Grand Slam.
“I believe in my game,” Sharapova said. “I think that’s one of the reasons I’m sitting here with my fourth one and winning Roland Garros, because I always believed I could be a better player.”
Second-seeded Sharapova, who was guaranteed of moving to No. 1 in the rankings regardless of the result, jumped to a quick 4-0 lead against the 21st-seeded Errani, who was in her first Grand Slam final.
But Errani battled back on a cool, blustery day in Paris, turning what had the makings of a blowout into an 89-minute endurance contest, filled with long rallies that forced Sharapova to find another gear. Eventually, Sharapova’s bigger serve and bigger groundstrokes wore down the 5-41⁄2 Errani.
“She won many points with her serve or in the first two or three shots,” Errani said. “It was difficult. I couldn’t play long points like I wanted to play.”
