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Sharapova Emerges In All-Russian Linz FinalPOSTED: 10:46 am EST October 29,
2006 Linz, Austria -- (Sports Network) - Top seed Maria Sharapova downed second seed and defending champion Nadia Petrova Sunday in an all-Russian final at the Generali Ladies Linz tennis tournament.The U.S. Open champion Sharapova erased her fellow countrywoman in straight sets, 7-5, 6-2, in less than 90 minutes. She unleashed six aces and was 4-of-5 in break point conversions. The win earned Sharapova $95,500. The 19-year-old Sharapova has been on fire as of late and has won her last 16 matches stretching back to the start of the U.S. Open, a streak that does not include a walkover loss in the quarterfinals of the Kremlin Cup when she withdrew because of a foot injury. The former world No. 1 captured her third title in four events and 15th of her career. She has also won five of her six all-time meetings with Petrova and did not drop a set here in Linz. Petrova was playing in her third straight final, most recently titling in Stuttgart. She also finished as the runner-up in her native Moscow earlier this month. The loss snapped a seven-match winning streak for Petrova in Linz. She defeated Patty Schnyder in last year's final. This was the 10th all-Russian singles final in WTA Tour history and second this month. Anna Chakvetadze beat Petrova for the Moscow crown two weeks ago. Copyright 2006 Courtesy of The Sports Network. Cleveland CavaliersSponsored Links | Sports E-News |