Week #15: 1st title on clay for Sharapova

Amelia Island's title was the 19th for Maria Sharapova, but it was special as it was the first one that Maria has won on clay. Sharapova had to overcome two long and though matches against Anabel Medina and Alona Bondarenko to reach the semis, but there she took benefit of Lindsay Davenport's withdrawal due to illness. Her opponent in the final was upcoming teen Dominika Cibulkova, who confirmed her brilliant season with wins over Amelie Mauresmo and Anna Chakvetadze, but was unable to upset Sharapova in the final. Also a surprising semifinalist was French teen Alize Cornet, who took advance of an easy draw. It was also remarkable the comeback of former Top 20 and now ranked #296 Karolina Sprem, who defeated Sugiyama and Hantuchova to get into the Last 16, where she was defeted by Davenport in three sets.

Amelia Island (USA), Tier II, $600,000
Final: Maria Sharapova (RUS) def Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) 7/6 6/3