TENNIS - The second edition of the “Big Challenge” show lived up to expectations of the 9000 enthusiastic spectators. Maria Sharapova, Ana Ivanovic, Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci provided an exciting tennis show. From Milan Diego Sampaolo

After last year's highly successful edition when the Williams sisters clashed against Francesca Schiavone and Flavia Pennetta, the “Grande Sfida” showed once again that Milan really deserves a great tennis tournament after a long absence following the end of the ATP Tournament in 2005. Ernesto De Filippis, the organizer of the “Grande Sfida”, confirmed that the third edition will be held on 7th December 2013.

The first singles match featured Italy's Roberta Vinci and Serb Ana Ivanovic who played a hard fought match which came down to the wire at the tie-break. Vinci, number 16 in the WTA singles rankings, failed to convert a break-point in her favour while she was leading 3-2. The match remained balanced until they drew level 5-5 when the Italian player was broken. Vinci managed to break back and drew level 6-6. In the decisive tie-break Ivanovic took a 6-3 lead but Vinci managed to save the first two match points. The Serb converted the third match point with a backhand and wrapped up the first match with 7-5 at the tie-break.

Ivanovic partly avenged the 6-0 6-0 against Vinci at this summer’s WTA Tournament in Toronto.
The second match featured this year’s Roland Garros finalists Maria Sharapova and Sara Errani who also met in the round-robin at the WTA Championships in Istanbul where the Russian star soundly beat the Italian player. Errani, who rose from the 45th to the 6th in the WTA ranking, has become the most improved WTA player of 2012, a year in which she collected four singles titles and eight doubles titles teaming up with her close friend Roberta Vinci.

Sharapova, who completed her career Grand Slam in 2012 by winning all four Major titles at least once in her career, got off to a flying start in the Milan show with a break which enabled her to take a 2-0 lead. Errani recovered soon by breaking back. At 1-2 Errani made two double faults in a row, but the Milan crowd gave her great support. Despite the encouragement from the local fans Sharapova broke serve once again for a 3-1 lead. Errani broke back to close the gap for 2-3. However Sharapova broke again and took a 4-2 lead which she increased to 5-2 in the following game. Errani faced two match points. She saved the first with a drop-shot but Sharapova converted the second to take the win 6-2.

Last but not least, the final doubles match featured world number 1 pair Errani and Vinci against the east-European all-star team formed by Maria Sharapova and Ana Ivanovic. The Italian duo is more experienced team and it showed when they took an early 4-2 lead. Ivanovic and Sharapova came back and managed to draw level 4-4. The Italian “Chichi and Chichi”, as they are nicknamed, broke serve in the ninth game before taking the remaining game to wrap up the third match 6-4.

It was just an exhibition match, but Errani and Vinci crowned a fantastic year with a well-deserved win. The two Italian friends, who spent a holiday at the Maldives after the long and exhausting season, are in full training to prepare the 2013 season which will start with the Australian Open where Errani reached the quarter final in the singles and the Errani/Vinci team reached the doubles final in 2012.

“I was very thrilled to see so many people who showed great enthusiasm for tennis. We are proud that the organizers invited us before our wins in Paris and New York. They brought us luck ”, said Errani

“Maria and Ana showed that they are simple persons. They were nice with us”, commented Errani.

“I hope a tournament will be held in Milan in the future”, said Vinci.

The tennis show was attended by prominent VIPs like the famous Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani, former tennis stars like Ivan Ljubicic and many other prominent names from other sports.

Diego Sampaolo