Pennetta happy to bow out against Sharapova
After seeing her career come to an end against Maria Sharapova, Flavia Pennetta was full of praise for her opponent at the WTA Finals.
Flavia Pennetta has hailed Maria Sharapova, deeming her loss against the Russian as the perfect way to say goodbye to tennis.
Pennetta, who needed to win a set to qualify from the Red Group at the WTA Finals on Thursday, could not manage to defy the world number four, as Sharapova put in a superb showing to prevail 7-5 6-1 and reach the semis with a perfect record.
World number eight Pennetta enjoyed a marvellous swansong this year, winning the first grand slam of her career at the US Open, and was happy to bow out against such a professional.
"I feel really good. I'm happy to have the chance to play this tournament. I think to have the last match against Maria was amazing play such a good champion," she told reporters.
"It was a good way also to say goodbye, because when you lose against such a good player there are not too many things to say.
"Right now I feel like it's not my last match. I feel normal completely. I don't know why. Maybe in a few days I will feel more the difference. Right now it's so far so good.
"I think she [Sharapova] is one of the best of ever. She's a good person. Also like in the court, I mean, today she was perfect in so many aspects, I think - it's perfect to lose against her."
The 28-year-old Russian is seeking to win her second WTA Finals title, and is surprised at the form she has shown this week.
"I think, [I am] also a little bit surprised that I've been able to win three matches, as physical as some of those matches were," she said.
"I think knowing that I qualified allowed me to be a little bit more aggressive today."