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Maria Sharapova is Doing Her Best Claypova Imitation in Rome


Maria Sharapova has been referred to as “Claypova” on many occasions, and she is owning the title this week at Rome.

Exhibit A: Look at this amazing, punishing point that Sharapova plays against Daria Gavrilova in round of 16 action on Thursday at the Foro Italico. She hits groundstrokes with such depth and quality on this point, and all the while roadrunner Gavrilova keeps testing her.

So what does Claypova do? She hits a few more lethal groundies and then does her best Ninja imitation to win the point with the most wicked, sidewinder drop shot you will ever see.

Here's another look:

There’s a reason Sharapova took a clay-court record of 140-31 into today’s match. And if she keeps improving at the rate she’s improving on the red clay in Rome, she could indeed be a contender to win the Roland Garros crown in a few week’s time.

UPDATE: Sharapova claimed the 6-3, 6-4 victory and has now ensured herself of a seed at Roland Garros. She will face Jelena Ostapenko in the quarterfinals on Friday.

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