The WTA posted an intriguing "Quotable Quotes" piece as a postmortem to the Serena Williams-Maria Sharapova Miami final.
After losing the championship match 4-6, 6-3, 6-0, Sharapova was remarkably upbeat about her chances moving forward—and against the world No. 1, Williams. Among her statements:
"... It was a step in the right direction, and there's no doubt we'll be playing many more times, and there's no doubt I'll be able to beat her."
As to whether she had a dearth of energy in the final set due to—wait for it—not eating enough:
"I'd love to use that as an excuse, but I'm not one for those!"
As to where, if allowed, she'd schedule her next showdown with Serena:
"Wimbledon."
Very telling stuff from the world No. 2. Thing is, it has to be downright disheartening to Sharapova, in truth, that she didn't win this match. The fact is that she hasn't defeated Serena since 2004, when she did so twice on two big stages during George W. Bush's first term as U.S. president. Serena is now 12-2 against Sharapova, and she truly gets "up" for those matches, having won the past 11 (and, until Saturday, their past 13 sets).