Photos:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/8073753.stm (third round)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/8075838.stm (fourth round)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/8079328.stm (quarter-final)
What a difference a year makes. Last year, Maria came into the French Open as world #1, having won her first 18 matches of 2008, including winning her third Major at the Australian Open, and titles at Doha and Amelia Island.
But she was struggling with a right-shoulder injury, and dropped sets to players ranked #103 and #106 in the first two rounds of the French Open, before losing to world #14 Dinara Safina in the fourth round (6-7 7-6 6-2 after leading 7-6 5-2* with a match-point, and 5/2 in the second-set tiebreak).
Now Safina is world #1 (albeit having never won a Major), while Maria is #102 after missing almost ten months with her much-documented right-shoulder injury.
After an abnormal, embarrassing second-round exit from Wimbledon 2008, Maria withdrew from Montr�al after beating Marta Domachowska 7-5 5-7 6-2 in her opening match, and had not played singles since (she did play one doubles-match at Indian Wells 2009), until she came back at Warsaw earlier this week.
Maria underwent minor arthroscopic surgery on her right shoulder on 15th October 2008, but it has taken a long time to recover her fitness. She says her shoulder is much better, but it was taped up for her matches at Warsaw, and she was also icing it during her press-conferences there.
In the first round at Warsaw, Maria beat world #68 Tathiana Garbin 6-1 6-7 (8/6) 6-3 in 2h34m, but that was after leading 6-1 *4-0, when she got nervous, somehow managed to drop that second set after squandering six match-points, and found herself 1-3* down in the third. But then that famous Sharapova-overdrive kicked in, and she won five games in a row, converting her ninth match-point.
Maria then thrashed #209-ranked lucky loser Darya Kustova (who had replaced injured world #10 Caroline Wozniacki) 6-2 6-0 in 57 minutes, but almost suffered the same fate herself in the quarter-finals - at the amazingly-manicured hands of world #39 Alyona Bondarenko, who led 6-2 *5-0 before closing Maria out 6-2 6-2. It was a very impressive performance from Alyona, but Maria was rushing her shots and unable to find her range from the baseline.
Maria needs only a French Open title to complete her Career Grand Slam, but realistically, it's too soon for her to rediscover championship-form on her worst surface.
I'd sign for Maria just to defend her fourth-round points from last year - no mean feat as she has a potential second-round match against world #11 Nadia Petrova, who has twice reached the semi-finals here - and then rediscover her magic in the grasscourt-season.
Maria has already committed to Birmingham - which is unusual as, in the past, she has always waited until she's out of the French Open before confirming her entry.
Should she lose in the first week of the French Open, I might even suggest that she should start her grass-court season a week early at ITF Nottingham (week of 1st June).
BBC-commentator Sam Smith made the following comments about Maria during the Nadia Petrova v Lauren Embree first-round match:
"I'm hesitating about my assessment of Sharapova, who looked in great shape [at Warsaw]: her shoulder was absolutely fine - no residual problems after the matches.
"But for some of the matches, she looked as if she'd never been away, and in her quarter-final match against Alyona Bondarenko, who's a very good player - former top-twenty player - she was very, very erratic, and missed so many shots.
"She's trying to play very aggressively now, Maria Sharapova, and coming into the net as much as she can on the shorter ball.
"She's got a brand new serve: completely abbreviated action. It looked quite good, actually, after a match.
"Sorry to be so vague, but it's just really difficult to get a measure of the form of Sharapova coming in here. I think it could be a competitive match [against Petrova, should they meet in the second round] - very much so."
Maria has never played Anastasiya Yakimova: her fellow 22-year-old, currently ranked #64. I remember watching Yakimova lose 6-2 7-5 to Justine Henin-Hardenne at the French Open 2006, and that she was a solid, unspectacular player (much like Alyona Bondarenko, I would have said).
Yakimova has had a much better 2009 than Maria so far, compiling a 26:11 win/loss record - mostly on the WTA Tour, with a couple of titles on the ITF circuit.
Yakimova lost in the first round of the Australian Open, but won ITF Cali in February, dropping just one set and beating world #95 Rossana de los R�os in the final.
At Indian Wells, she had three very one-sided wins to reach the second round as a qualifier, then lost 6-4 6-3 to eventual runner-up Ana Ivanovic. She then reached the third round of Miami as a qualifier, beating world #13 Marion Bartoli 6-4 6-3 in the second round before losing 6-3 3-6 6-4 to #26 Alisa Kleybanova.
She won five matches to reach the quarter-finals of Barcelona as a qualifier, then had a couple of early exits at ITF Cagnes-sur-Mer and WTA Estoril. But she made up for that at ITF Saint-Gaudens, where she won the title with a 7-5 7-6 win over #64-ranked Estoril-champion Yanina Wickmayer in the final.
At Strasbourg this week, Yakimova beat #135 Maret Ani 6-3 7-5, but lost 6-4 6-1 in the second round to #79 Aravane Reza� - the eventual champion.
My conclusion is that Yakimova's 2009 form has been somewhat streaky - she has had four first-round losses between the highlights I picked out above. Yakimova could be dangerous if Maria is well below par, but it's a very winnable match if Maria puts up a half-decent performance.
From www.sonyericssonwtatour.com: Among this year's competitors at Roland Garros, Sharapova owns the best career win-percentage on clay (55:15, for 78.6%). However, the French Open remains the only Major she is yet to win, and while conviction has never been a problem, even she must harbour more modest expectations after nine months out. Two encouraging wins at Warsaw last week got the comeback off to a good start, but while the troublesome shoulder seemed to hold up, the 22-year-old's quarter-final loss to Alyona Bondarenko showed there is still work to do. Unseeded and currently ranked No.102, the Russian can at least take solace in the fact her draw could have been worse: Yakimova - the world No.64 - has only been to the second round at Roland Garros twice in five main-draw efforts. She reached her second Tour quarter-final at Barcelona in April, but whatever the rankings say, the difference in class dictates that Sharapova should prevail.
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Anastasiya Yakimova (BLR) vs. Maria Sharapova (RUS)
First meeting
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+ Maria Sharapova [EF] d. Anastasiya Yakimova, 3-6 6-1 6-2
A scrappy performance by Maria, who lost the last four games of the first set after leading *3-2.
It would appear that the Sharapova-overdrive kicked in after that, as she swept through the last two sets with just a few minor hiccups, and won just a minute shy of the two-hour mark.
The match was second on Court 1, and started at 15:30 CEST. Unfortunately, BBC Red Button was showing the early stages of Mart�n v Federer at the time, so I had to make do with live scores at www.rolandgarros.com.
SHARAPOV @*@ 3 YAKIMOVA *@ @*@* 6
Yakimova serving 0-0: 40/0. 40/15. Held.
Maria serving 0-1: 15/15. 15/40 (BP). Broken.
Yakimova serving 2-0: 0/30. 15/30. 30/30. 30/40 (BP). Broken.
They say great champions break back immediately.
Maria serving 1-2: 15/0. 15/15. 15/30. 30/30. 30/40 (BP #1). Deuce #1. Ad Maria. Deuce #2. Ad Yakimova (BP #2). Deuce #3. Ad Maria. Held.
Two break-points saved - it could easily have been 1-3* now.
Yakimova serving 2-2: 30/0. 30/30. 30/40 (BP #1). Deuce. Ad Maria (BP #2). Broken.
Maria serving 3-2: 0/30. 15/30. 15/40 (BP). Broken.
Four breaks in six service-games - this is so up and down. I can't believe Maria's actually going to lose this one...
Yakimova serving 3-3: 15/0. 15/15. 30/15. 30/30. 40/30. Held.
Maria serving 3-4: 15/0. 15/40. 30/40 (BP). Broken.
Yakimova serving 5-3: 0/15. 15/15. 30/15. 30/30. 40/30 (SP #1). Deuce. Ad Yakimova (SP #2). Yakimova won the first set 6-3 at 16:16 CEST (46m).
Maria has lost four games in a row now, so we do now have to contemplate the dreadful possibility of her losing in the first round of a Major for the first time since the French Open 2003.
And with Federer currently leading 6-4 5-2*, Maria could even slip out of the French Open without being televised by the BBC since Wimbledon 2008. :sad:
SHARAPOV *@*@ @* 6 YAKIMOVA @ 1
Maria serving 0-0: 40/0. 40/15. Held.
Yakimova serving 0-1: 15/0. 15/40 (BP). Broken.
Maria serving 2-0: 15/0. 15/15. 40/15. Held.
Yakimova serving 0-3: 15/0. 15/40 (BP). Broken.
Tremendous response so far by Maria to dropping that opening set!
Maria serving 4-0: Broken to love.
I hope I didn't just jinx her.
Yakimova is now taking a medical time-out to get her lower back massaged.
Yakimova serving 1-4: 0/40 (BPx3). Deuce. Ad Maria (BP #4). Broken.
Maria serving 5-1: 0/15. 40/15 (SP #1). 40/30 (SP #2). Maria won the second set 6-1 at 16:54 CEST (second set 38m, match so far 1h24m).
SHARAPOV @* * *@* 6 YAKIMOVA * * 2
Yakimova serving 0-0: 15/0. 15/40 (BP). Broken.
Maria serving 1-0: Held to love.
She's got the bit between her teeth now! :D
Yakimova serving 0-2: 15/15. 40/15. 40/30. Held.
Maria serving 2-1: 15/0. 15/15. 30/15. 30/30. 40/30. Deuce. Ad Maria. Held.
It's just as well that Maria seems on course for victory now, because Federer's match just finished, but BBC Red Button is now showing Roddick v Jouan instead of joining this match. :fiery:
Yakimova serving 1-3: Held to love.
Maria's certainly not out of the woods yet. She's not looking quite so dominant now, as Yakimova has held her last two service-games, and Maria already lost the first set after leading *3-2.
Maria serving 3-2: 15/0. 15/15. 40/15. 40/30. Held.
Yakimova serving 2-4: 0/30. 15/30. 15/40 (BP). Broken.
Maria serving 5-2: 0/15. 30/15. 30/30. 40/30 (MP #1). Deuce. Ad Maria (MP #2). Maria won 3-6 6-1 6-2 at 17:29 CEST (third set 35m, match 1h59m).
Maria had a positive W:UE ratio of 36:29 (including an impressive 14:6 for the first set), Yakimova a negative 12:17 (including 2:9 for the second set).
Maria served much faster than Yakimova: fastest 115-103 mph, average first serve 101-95mph, average second serve 93-81mph.
Maria got 69% of her first serves in (quite constant from set to set), winning 59% of the points when she did so (improving set to set from 47% to 57% to 72%), and 48% on second serve (improving from a woeful 22% in the first set to 64% for the second and third combined).
Yakimova's first-serve percentages were significantly inferior to Maria's: she got only 56% of first serves in, winning 45% of the points when she did so, and, like Maria, 48% on second serve. The striking difference came in the second set, where her winning-percentages were abysmal (22%, 33%).
Maria served 3 aces and 7 double faults, Yakimova no aces and 6 double faults.
Maria broke 7 times from 11 BPs, while Yakimova converted 4 of 7 BPs. Yakimova won the first set by 3 breaks to 2; Maria won the second set by 3 breaks to 1, and the third by 2 breaks to 0.
Maria won 9 of 14 points at the net (64%), while Yakimova was more selective, winning 6 of 7 (86%) - she only went in once after the first set!
In points, Maria won 79-66 (first set 26-35, second set 25-13, third set 28-18).
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. How encouraged were you by your performance today?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, I started pretty lousy. You know, even though I was up a break, I was just not doing the right things and, you know, letting her play really well. She got a lot of balls back. She made me hit a lot of balls. I was just a little sloppy.
����������� But I totally changed it around, and I started playing a lot better and more aggressive. The match kind of changed after the first few games of the second set.
Q. Must be a different feeling this year than last year, when you were still the No.1. Can you express your feelings? Where is your level now?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, it's a very different - very different time in my career, as well, because I've only played a couple of tournaments since I played here last - actually two, only.
����������� So, you know, I feel like I don't have as many matches under my belt as I had coming into this tournament last year, where, you know, I was No.1. You know, I won a few titles, I was playing really good tennis. This year, it's obviously different after having a long layoff.
Q. Tough to find yourself back here, at the No.128, being the No.1 like you were last year.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: At this point in my career, I don't think - it certainly doesn't bother me, doesn't change the way I think. Many of the girls that are, say, are in the top 10 or top 20 when I was top 5 or 1 in the world, I used to play them second or third round, anyways. Now I just kind of change around, and I've been out of the game. I've always made a point about not really caring who's on the other side of the net, and knowing that I have to go out there and just compete and try to win the match.
Q. Serve is a big part of your game. How would you describe your relationship with your serve today and, say, the last little while trying to get back to it?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: It's interesting, because we're on clay, so I don't feel like - I've never hit 20 ace in a match, per se. I've always been a solid server, so I think especially on clay, it's just so important to have a good percentage of first serves, you know.
����������� Make the opponent hit a return; make the opponent hit a good return. Make them get back in the point. That's kind of what I'm working on here, you know. After shoulder-surgery, I'm not going to come out and hit Mach 50, and try and hit aces left and right.
Q. Seemed like the first set maybe a little bit of nerves. You were hesitating a little bit. Didn't have your normal anticipation. Is it just coming - I know you played more - coming back to the big stage? I know it's a Slam [sic]. You have some expectations of at least playing well.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, well, I don't really have expectations, to be honest. I think this is the first time in my career where I can really say where I don't have any expectations; I don't know how things are going to work out.
����������� I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow, how my shoulder is going to feel. Obviously, I haven't played competitive matches in a long time. That's a big factor for my body and for my shoulder, and, you know, tennis-wise, competing and playing, you know, getting all that back.
����������� I think that's just so important right now just to - I mean, it's definitely - it's tough coming out and thinking of the things you have to do in order to win the match, because at the end of the day, you have to focus on yourself and, you know, you have to focus on what you do well, but you also - you don't want to come out making too many errors, and that kind of hesitation today, you know, force me to make more errors than I usually do.
Q. Do you see this as sort of a second career now? It's almost been a career since you've been comfortable.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, in a way. Definitely. It's the first time in, you know, in my life where I couldn't practise for such a long period of time. I think it was three months where I didn't touch a tennis-racquet. I mean, everything about it was just bizarre. It was some things were just taken away from your life.
����������� In a strange way, it's kind of, I don't know - it was a little calming, you know. Even though it's obviously stressful because you don't know if you're ever going to get the chance to be out here again and playing again, and you always have to be positive. I mean - don't get me wrong - there are many days where I was really hesitant, and, you know, you try to do the best things, but there are so many different paths and so many voices and so many opinions, and at the end of the day, you have to try and choose the right one.
����������� You know, I've been grateful to have a wonderful team around me that's been able to, you know, support me and help me in making those right decisions, and is leading me to the right paths.
Q. What do the doctors say long term about your shoulder? Do you expect to get completely back to where you were before?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: They say I should be fine.
Q. You've spoken before how fortunate you are.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yes.
Q. When you were out this length of time, did you have time to reflect on what a tremendous experience, what a tremendous life you've had, and the possibility that you might not have it again?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Oh, absolutely.
Q. Could you reflect on that, please?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, absolutely. Every single day. You know, no matter where I was, I was obviously - it seems like I was, you know, home for the whole nine months, but I was spending a lot of time in Arizona, so I wasn't exactly home, home.
����������� I did have an opportunity to have a normal life, and I think when you're travelling 11 months out of the year, always on the go, and you never have the time to actually settle down and appreciate the very little things that you have in life, and, you know, the number-one thing is your family, your support-system, and, you know, the people that are sending you positive vibes every single day. And then just the opportunities that you've had, that you've gained in life from your tennis-career, you know.
����������� Everything, tennis and, you know, in my career and when I go out on the court, drives everything, drives myself, drives my business, drives everything that I do.
����������� You know, you realise that, you know, you sit back and you're like, you miss it, you want to be out there, and, you know, doesn't - it's from the hour you're in the locker-room and putting your dress on, you know, to the 15 minutes before your match, where you're warming up and you're pumping yourself up and, you know, you're going to get out there in front of 20,000 people. You miss that. I certainly missed it.
Q. And the one piece of advice that you got during all this period - what was the best advice that you got?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I mean, many. Definitely many. All that I'm very appreciative of. You know, one thing is that you have to - what I had to realise from the beginning was that it was going to be a long road. As an athlete, you try to anticipate your comeback. You try to figure out when you're going to be back. Oh, there are so many times I thought, "Oh, I had I'll be back in Australia," or, "Oh, I will be back in a few weeks." Every single time, it was disappointment after disappointment because you couldn't achieve that goal. So that's when it kind of becomes a little bit frustrating.
����������� I think another thing is: many people think that you have surgery and you wake up and you're completely fine. There's a lot of work that goes on, especially after being out of the game, not only getting your shoulder right and getting your strength back after shoulder-surgery, but also getting back on the court and training, and trying to be where you were before and even better.
Q. You will play Petrova. How do you consider this match?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I've had pretty good success against her. I haven't seen her recently - especially in the last year or so - so I don't really know how she's playing, but I think my coach watched a little bit of her match, and I'm sure I'll get a few pointers. She has a very aggressive serve. She plays a pretty big game. You know, I'm just excited that I gave myself another opportunity to play tomorrow - not tomorrow, but the day after.
Q. If this is Act 2 of your career, given that you've had a lot of time to think about things, is there anything you feel like you'll approach differently?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I think my losses, you know, because I was - I am still and I was a big competitor. The losses are very tough to take, and no matter what brave face you put on, it's always difficult, especially the next day or so, but I think after going through this long process with the shoulder, you know, stuff, I think - I don't think I'll treat those losses that emotionally bad.
Q. You think you'll try to put them behind you faster, and process the lessons?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I think I just have more perspective on those things. I've always really had good perspective, but I'm a competitor, you know. So is everyone else here in the draw. Everyone wants to win, and unfortunately there's only - fortunately, because that's what makes it so exciting. There's only one winner in the men's and women's field. You want to be that one person.
����������� When you're not, you know, you're always thinking of how you can be.
Q. You're known as a fighter. It's practically attached to your name. How difficult was it to encounter a situation where really fighting did not help?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: To be honest, it really did. I think if I was - if I was a mentally weak person or individual, I think I wouldn't be here today. I'd be on some island. I mean, sounds good to me, probably sounds good to everyone in this room. You know, with a nice cold towel they hand around at the pools.
����������� But I love being here, and there's no better feeling than waving to the crowd after you've won. There's no better feeling than going on court when they call your name, and, you know, there's a job in front of you and, you know, especially in these days, to know that you have an opportunity to go out and play, and have a job.
Q. Your serve: you've obviously had to work a little bit on it, and a little different service-motion. Can you talk us through that a little bit, and where you feel it needs to be, the adjustments on that, Maria?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I think I'm just trying to do everything I can. Work on my shoulder, make it easier. Not just looking for the next five or six months. I'm looking down the road. I want to be playing for as many years as my body can, as long as my body can hold up, and I think these little changes, I mean, little or big, I think whatever I can do in order to help my body and to help my shoulder in this particular case, I will do.
����������� In this point in my career, where I've already achieved things way beyond that I expected when I was a little kid, I think if I can adjust and make these changes, it will help my body, then I'm totally up for it.
Sharapova battles into round two [CEEFAX 490->494]
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Maria Sharapova marked her return to the Major arena by coming from behind to beat Anastasiya Yakimova 3-6 6-1 6-2 on Day 2 at the French Open.
Sharapova, who underwent surgery on a troublesome shoulder-injury in October, has not contested a Major since Wimbledon 2008, and is now ranked #102 in the world.
The former world number-one made a poor start against Yakimova, but responded strongly to seal a much-needed win.
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Sharapova recovers [Teletext 495->498]
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Sharapova fights back [Teletext 498]
Former world No.1 Maria Sharapova recovered from a set down to beat Anastasiya Yakimova in the first round.
The unseeded Russian, who returned last week after a nine-month lay-off, lost the opening set, but fought back to beat the Belarusian 3-6 6-1 6-2.
Alisa Kleybanova became the first seed to be knocked out in Paris after the 23rd-ranked Russian went down to Slovenian Polona Hercog 6-2 4-6 6-1.
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Sharapova recovers to advance at French Open (AP)
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Maria Sharapova's bandaged right shoulder held up despite a shaky start, sending her into the second round of the French Open with a 3-6 6-1 6-2 win over Anastasiya Yakimova of Belarus.
The unseeded Russian was broken three times in the first set of Monday's match, but she opened the second with four straight wins before being broken once again. Before the start of the next game, Yakimova called for a trainer to work on her lower back.
Sharapova made her season-d�but in singles this month in Poland, reaching the quarter-finals in her first tournament since taking time off because of a shoulder-injury.
The three-time Major champion needs only to win the French Open to complete a Career Grand Slam.
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Nadal, Federer and Safina sparkle in Paris (Reuters)
By Pritha Sarkar (editing by Sonia Oxley)
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Roland Garros has never been a happy hunting-ground for Maria Sharapova or Andy Roddick, but they kept alive their chances with contrasting victories.
Twelve months after Sharapova competed in Paris as the world number-one, the Russian turned up ranked 102nd as she is on a comeback-trail following a nine-month injury-layoff.
Some things, however, never change, as Sharapova shrieked and screeched her way to a 3-6 6-1 6-2 victory over Anastasiya Yakimova of Belarus.
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Sharapova back at French (AP)
By Howard Fendrich: AP Tennis Writer
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Those unmistakable shrieks punctuating point after point on Court 1 at the French Open on Monday trumpeted Maria Sharapova's return to the Major stage.
There were other ways Sharapova made her presence felt: the big groundstrokes off both wings; the tough-as-nails turnaround after a slow start; the prematch accessories of buttoned-up blue jacket and oversized white purse; the post-match victory-waves and blown kisses.
Sharapova's tennis is not yet back to her lofty standards - as one might expect after shoulder-surgery in October and four singles-matches in the past 10 months. The 64th-ranked Anastasiya Yakimova of Belarus is not the sort of opponent who would normally trouble a top-of-her-game Sharapova, yet there was trouble on Monday.
Still, a win is a win, and Sharapova's first match at a Major tournament in nearly a year ended with a 3-6 6-1 6-2 victory over Yakimova and a spot in the French Open's second round.
It will take more than that performance for Sharapova to erase the uncertainty that comes with such a long layoff.
"This is the first time in my career where I can really say I don't have any expectations," the three-time Major champion said. "I don't know how things are going to work out. I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow, how my shoulder is going to feel."
Because of her time away, Sharapova is ranked 102nd and unseeded at Roland Garros, which might help lower others' expectations, too. A year ago, after all, she was No.1.
"If I was a mentally weak person or individual," Sharapova said, "I think I wouldn't be here today."
<snip>
If there never appeared to be real doubt about the outcome of that [Nadal v Daniel] encounter, Sharapova's deficit against Yakimova was more daunting.
"I started pretty lousy," Sharapova said.
She hit four double faults in her first two service-games, and was broken three times in the opening set. She also had 15 unforced errors in that set - more than the rest of the way.
"She was probably a little nervous," said Yakimova, who is 4:12 in Major play. "And she hasn't had much practice, so she was missing more than usual."
But Sharapova won 16 of the first 20 points in the second set and, with Yakimova slowed by a bad back, pretty much controlled things from there.
Sharapova hadn't played a match at a Major since 26th June 2008, when she was upset 6-2 6-4 in Wimbledon's second round by 154th-ranked Alla Kudryavtseva. Go further back, to 3rd June, and Sharapova lost in the fourth round to Safina at the French Open.
On Monday, she was back at Roland Garros, playing the game that made her rich and famous before she turned 20.
"I love being here, and there's no better feeling than waving to the crowd after you've won," Sharapova said. "From the hour you're in the locker-room and putting your dress on, to the 15 minutes before your match, where you're warming up and you're pumping yourself up, and you're going to get out there in front of 20,000 people - you miss that. I certainly missed it." <<<
Sharapova steals spotlight from Nadal, Federer (AFP)
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Rafael Nadal - bidding for an historic fifth successive French Open - and Roger Federer - still seeking a first Roland Garros crown to complete a Career Grand Slam - swept into the second round on Monday.
But the two great rivals were overshadowed by the eagerly-awaited Major return of Maria Sharapova: the world's highest-paid and most recognisable sportswoman.
The Russian golden girl - ranked at a lowly #102 after a nine-month absence to cure a shoulder-injury - overcame Belarusian Anastasia Yakimova 3-6 6-1 6-2 to book a last-64 date against compatriot Nadia Petrova: the 11th seed.
Sharapova - a former Wimbledon, US and Australian Open champion - said her return feels like a second career has just get underway.
"Definitely. It's the first time in my life where I couldn't practise for such a long period of time," said Sharapova, who warmed up for the French Open by playing singles at the low-key Warsaw event last week.
"I think it was three months where I didn't touch a racquet. Everything about it was just bizarre. It was like some things were just taken away from your life."
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Sharapova screams back (Reuters)
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Russian Maria Sharapova shrilled her way into the second round of the French Open with a 3-6 6-1 6-2 victory over Anastasiya Yakimova of Belarus.
The former world number-one - who dropped to 102nd in the world-rankings being out of action for nine months because of a shoulder-injury - needed a set to find her range on Court One before cracking winners past the world number 64.
Yakimova called on the tournament's trainer at change of sides at 4-1 in the second set to have her lower back massaged, and she never seemed to recover.
Sharapova, who returned to singles-play last week at the Warsaw Open - where she reached the last eight - will next face 11th-seeded compatriot Nadia Petrova.
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Federer, Nadal, Safina win first-rounders at French (AP)
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Dinara Safina - the top-seeded player in the women's draw - advanced with No.3 Venus Williams and unseeded Maria Sharapova.
Sharapova played with a bandage on her right shoulder, and she struggled in the first set before beating Anastasiya Yakimova of Belarus 3-6 6-1 6-2.
The unseeded Russian was broken three times in the first set, but she opened the second with four straight wins before being broken once again. Before the start of the next game, Yakimova called for a trainer to work on her lower back.
"I started pretty lousy," said Sharapova: playing a Major match for the first time since last year's Wimbledon. "I was just a little sloppy. But I totally changed it around, and I started playing a lot better and more aggressive."
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Sharapova glad to swap c******** for racket (Reuters)
(Reporting by Julien Pretot; editing by Pritha Sarkar and Sonia Oxley)
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* Sharapova beats unheralded Yakimova in Major comeback.
* Second career is starting for me, says the Russian.
Maria Sharapova began Act II of her storied career on Monday, when she shrieked her way into the second round of the French Open with a 3-6 6-1 6-2 victory over Anastasiya Yakimova of Belarus.
Twelve months after competing in Paris as the world number-one, the Russian turned up ranked 102nd as she is on a comeback-trail following a nine-month layoff with a career-threatening shoulder-injury.
After not knowing for months whether she would ever be able to return to the big stage again, Sharapova was delighted to be back in Major action.
"If I was a mentally weak person or individual, I wouldn't be here today," Sharapova - who was unable to defend her Australian Open title in January - told a news-conference.
"I'd be on some island... with a nice cold towel they hand around at the pools.
"But I love being here... there's no better feeling than going on court when they call your name and, especially in these days, to know that you have an opportunity to go out and play and have a job."
Playing her first Major match since losing in the second round of Wimbledon last year, the 22-year-old needed a set to find her range on Court One before cracking winners past the world number 64.
Yakimova called on the tournament's trainer at change of sides at 4-1 in the second set to have her lower back massaged, and she never seemed to recover.
Sharapova, who returned to singles-play last week at the Warsaw Open, where she reached the last eight, will next face 11th-seeded compatriot Nadia Petrova.
Asked if she felt like she was starting a second career, Sharapova said: "Yeah, in a way. Definitely.
JUST BIZARRE
"It's the first time in my life where I couldn't practise for such a long period of time. I think it was three months where I didn't touch a tennis-racket.
"There are so many times I thought, 'Oh, I'll be back in Australia,' or, 'Oh, I will be back in a few weeks.' Every single time, it was disappointment after disappointment because you couldn't achieve that goal.
She did, however, find a silver lining in her layoff.
"I did have an opportunity to have a normal life, and I think when you're travelling 11 months out of the year, always on the go, and you never have the time to actually settle down and appreciate the very little things that you have in life, and the number-one thing is your family," Sharapova said.
With a new sense of perspective, Sharapova was realistic about what she hopes to achieve in the only Major she has failed to win.
"I don't really have expectations, to be honest," she said.
"I think this is the first time in my career where I can really say I don't have any expectations; I don't know how things are going to work out."
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Self-aware Sharapova discusses comeback (Abigail Lorge, TENNIS.com)
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Playing her first Major tournament-match in 11 months following shoulder-surgery, Maria Sharapova battled to defeat Anastasiya Yakimova 3-6 6-1 6-2 in her fourth singles-match of the season.
Sharapova, who has had to adjust her service-motion in the wake of the injury, recorded five double faults and was broken three times in the brutal first set, but then raised her level, while her Belarusian opponent - who called for a trainer during the second set - apparently struggled with a lower-back injury.
Afterwards, Sharapova - who has won every Major except the French Open - spoke poignantly about how, during her discouragingly long layoff, she grew to appreciate the privileges that her athletic gifts have earned her in life.
"Just the opportunities that you've had, that you've gained in life from your tennis-career," she said. "Tennis drives everything: drives myself, drives my business, drives everything that I do."
It was an insightful appraisal from the candid and eloquent 22-year-old. In describing her psychological struggles over the past year, Sharapova joked that she would have retired to an island if she weren't by nature a competitor, determined to make it back to the domain where she forged her reputation as a champion.
"I love being here, and there's no better feeling than waving to the crowd after you've won," said the former world No.1. "There's no better feeling than going on court when they call your name, and there's a job in front of you."
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Self-aware Sharapova discusses comeback (Abigail Lorge, TENNIS.com)
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Playing her first Major tournament-match in 11 months following shoulder-surgery, Maria Sharapova battled to defeat Anastasiya Yakimova 3-6 6-1 6-2 in her fourth singles-match of the season.
Sharapova, who has had to adjust her service-motion in the wake of the injury, recorded five double faults, and was broken three times in the brutal first set, but then raised her level, while her Belarusian opponent - who called for a trainer during the second set - apparently struggled with a lower-back injury.
Afterwards, Sharapova - who has won every Major except the French Open - spoke poignantly about how, during her discouragingly long layoff, she grew to appreciate the privileges that her athletic gifts have earned her in life.
"Just the opportunities that you've had, that you've gained in life from your tennis-career," she said. "Tennis drives everything: drives myself, drives my business, drives everything that I do."
It was an insightful appraisal from the candid and eloquent 22-year-old. In describing her psychological struggles over the past year, Sharapova joked that she would have retired to an island if she weren't by nature a competitor, determined to make it back to the domain where she forged her reputation as a champion.
"I love being here, and there's no better feeling than waving to the crowd after you've won," said the former world No.1. "There's no better feeling than going on court when they call your name, and there's a job in front of you."
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Returned Sharapova Rallies, Reaches Second Round (www.sonyericssonwtatour.com)
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Maria Sharapova - who just came back to the WTA Tour a week ago after missing nine months of action due to a nagging right-shoulder injury - didn't look sharp in the first set, but stormed back to reach the second round of Roland Garros on Monday with a 3-6 6-1 6-2 win over in-form Anastasiya Yakimova.
"I started pretty lousy. Even though I was up a break, I wasn't doing the right things, and I was letting her play well. I was a little sloppy," Sharapova said. "But I totally changed it around. I started playing a lot more aggressively, and the match changed after the first few games of the second set."
Last week, Sharapova made her return to play in Warsaw, winning two rounds before falling to eventual finalist Alyona Bondarenko in straight sets.
"This is the first time in my career where I can say I don't have expectations. I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow, how my shoulder is going to feel. Obviously I haven't played competitive matches in a long time. There were about three months where I didn't even pick up a tennis-racquet. It was just bizarre.
"You sit back and you miss it. You want to be out there. From the hour you're in the locker-room putting your dress on to the 15 minutes before the match when you're warming up, pumping yourself up and knowing you're going to go out there in front of 20,000 people. I certainly missed it."
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After struggling through her first-round match on Monday, Maria comes up against world #11 Nadia Petrova, who will certainly be well-rested after brushing aside world #628 (and junior world #7) Lauren Embree 6-1 6-2 on Sunday.
Maria leads Petrova 5:1 head to head, but they've never met on clay, on which surface Petrova has had better results in her career than Maria: namely three clay-court titles (all in 2006) to Maria's one (Amelia Island 2008), and two French Open semi-finals (2003, 2005) to Maria's one (2007).
Maria beat Petrova 6-2 2-6 7-5 as a 16-year-old at Los Angeles 2003, and all their other meetings came in 2005-2006, including three Major quarter-finals (Wimbledon 2005: Maria won 7-6 6-3; US Open 2005: Maria won 7-5 4-6 6-4; Australian Open 2006: Maria won 7-6 6-4).
Maria's wins over Petrova have all been three-setters or tight two-setters. Petrova - a big, muscular specimen with a huge serve - can match (or even, at times, exceed) Maria's power, but Maria's far greater mental strength has been the key against an opponent who really dislikes her.
The only time Petrova beat Maria was at the round-robin stage of the 2005 WTA Tour Championships - a meaningless match, as Maria had already qualified for the semi-finals, so she just played casually and let Petrova win 6-1 6-2.
Petrova comes into this match with a modest 13:8 record for 2009, which she began by being hospitalised with viral meningitis. She lost in the first round of Sydney, but made the fourth round of the Australian Open (albeit without beating anyone in the top 90), losing 7-5 6-4 to world #7 Vera Zvonar�va.
Petrova was then sidelined with a right-foot injury until Miami, where she struggled past #154 Micha�lla Kraj�cek 3-6 6-4 6-2, and lost to #54 Ekaterina Makarova in the third round: 7-5 6-1.
But she has played a full clay-court season, starting with an International-level semi-final at Ponte Vedra Beach, where she lost 6-4 4-6 6-2 to #35 Aleksandra Wozniak.
At Charleston, she struggled past #73 Patricia Mayr 6-1 2-6 6-2, then lost third round to #82 Melinda Czink: 3-6 6-4 7-5. At Stuttgart, she beat #16 Zheng,Jie 6-4 5-7 6-4, but was thrashed 6-2 6-2 by #14 Flavia Pennetta. At Rome, she beat #23 Carla Su�rez Navarro 6-2 3-6 6-3, but lost third round to #48 Mar�a Jos� Mart�nez S�nchez: 6-4 6-7 6-4.
Petrova reached the third round of Madrid by beating #30 Iveta Bene�ov� 6-0 2-1 retired, and #53-ranked qualifier Anna-Lena Gr�nefeld 4-6 7-6 7-6. She lost 6-4 6-7 7-6 to #20 Patty Schnyder.
Maria v Petrova is an intriguing match-up, but I worry that it might be a little too soon in Maria's comeback to face such a powerful opponent in just the second round of the French Open.
On the other hand, given that Maria has been fit, powerful but erratic in her comeback so far, it might actually be better for her to face a big hitter rather than a counterpuncher such as Alyona Bondarenko or Anastasiya Yakimova.
I guess it depends primarily on Maria's form on the day, since at Warsaw there were times when it looked like she'd never been away, yet she was very erratic at other times.
From www.sonyericssonwtatour.com:
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(11) Nadia Petrova (RUS) vs. Maria Sharapova (RUS)
Sharapova leads 5:1
To date, Sharapova has had the edge over her older compatriot, and by rights, this should be Petrova's chance to improve her side of the ledger.
But, not for nothing is Sharapova a three-time Major champion; the French Open is the only Major missing from her collection, and yet among this year's main-draw players, she arrived in Paris with the best career-win percentage on clay (55:15, or 78.6%).
She would not have returned to action last week in Warsaw if she didn't think her shoulder was ready, and her grafting three-set first-round win over Anastasiya Yakimova was exactly the sort of match she needed to get back into the swing.
Of course, two-time Roland Garros semi-finalist Petrova is no slouch on clay either, and her biggest weapon - her serve - has been firing on all cylinders - she owns the best aces-per-match percentage on Tour this year, serving nearly six each outing.
Neither player will leave anything on the court.
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Day 4 - Match of the Day: Nadia Petrova [11] v Maria Sharapova (www.rolandgarros.com)
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BACKGROUND
����������� Nadia Petrova loves Roland Garros: the stage for her best Major performances to date. The statuesque No.11 seed reached the semi-finals here in 2003 and 2005, but since then, has only won two of five matches played on the famous red clay.
����������� Roland Garros represents the Holy Grail for Maria Sharapova, being the only Major to have evaded the Russian belle. Maria is looking to add the Suzanne Lenglen Cup to her collection, having lifted trophies at Wimbledon in 2004, the US Open in 2006, and the Australian Open in 2008.
CURRENT FORM
����������� Nadia Petrova was not able to hold on for long to her highest ranking of world No.3. She reached the top three back in May 2006, thanks to clay-court victories at Amelia Island, Charleston and Berlin. That said, her consistency has enabled her to finish each season around the No.10 spot. Petrova has been held back by an injury to her right foot this year, and arrives at Roland Garros without putting in any outstanding performances of note.
����������� After nine months away from the tour due to an injured right shoulder, Maria Sharapova came back with a bang last week at Warsaw, reaching the quarter-finals. The former No.1's current ranking of No.102 is thoroughly misleading then, but whether her shoulder withstands the rigours of a Major and carries her to the title is debatable.
STRENGTHS
����������� Although her aggressive game theoretically favours faster surfaces, Nadia Petrova excels on clay. Her powerful serve and baseline play can do serious damage.
����������� A great technical player, with fast and powerful shots, Sharapova's mental attitude is what really sets her apart. A fighter to the end, she refuses to throw in the towel, and is not afraid of taking the game to her opponent and forcing the issue.
TACTICS
����������� Sharapova's lack of match-practice may work in Petrova's favour. Nadia's results on the red clay may be lacking consistency recently, but she has still beaten some top players: namely Bondarenko, Zheng and Su�rez Navarro.
����������� Despite her lack of playing-time this year, restricted mobility on clay and recent low ranking, Maria Sharapova has the psychological edge over most opponents, including Petrova.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
����������� Nadia Petrova has notched up two victories over her fellow Russian. The first was in the group-stages of the 2005 Masters, and the second - due to Sharapova's withdrawal - was in Los Angeles in 2007.
����������� Maria Sharapova has won five previous battles against Petrova: three of them in Majors. But this will be the pair's first match-up on the red clay.
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+ Maria Sharapova [EF] d. NADIA PETROVA [11], 6-2 1-6 8-6
I saw the whole match on BBC Red Button, and it was amazing! Even on the slow red clay, on a cold, heavy day, Maria's shots skidded through the court so fast and low bouncing!
Maria has adjusted her game to protect her right shoulder since I last saw her play in 2008:
(a) She now uses an abbreviated service-action, which consists of mainly just throwing the ball up and hitting it, rather than starting with the racket down by her knees and taking a full swing.
(b) She hits more of her forehands with the conventional follow-through (racket finishing over her left shoulder) rather than her trademark buggy-whip forehand (racket finishing over her right shoulder).
Maria ambushed the eleventh seed with a brilliant first set, breaking in the first game, and although she was broken back immediately and went *1-2 down, she reeled off five games in a row to take the first set. If she could play every set like that one, she'd certainly win the French Open to complete her Career Grand Slam!
In the second set, however, worrying groundstroke-errors started to creep into Maria's game as she was broken for 1-3*, and by the end of the set, she was haemorrhaging errors, while Petrova grew in belief, her big serve and big forehand doing a lot of damage as she kept stranding Maria with crosscourt forehands to set up winners.
The third set was a worthy sequel to Tuesday's Kl�ra Zakopalov� v Serena Williams thriller, as the momentum shifted from one player to the other. Would Maria's far greater mental strength win out in the end, or would she make too many errors at the wrong times?
Maria got broken for *0-1, but broke back immediately with two blazing backhand return-winners. With more errors creeping into Petrova's game, the momentum seemed to be firmly back with Maria.
But Maria put herself in desperate trouble when, from *2-2 (30/0), she made four unforced errors in a row to get broken, then Petrova held to love for 4-2*, and had two break-points at 15/40 that would have left her serving for the match at *5-2!
Maria saved 15/40 with a first serve + forehand winner, 30/40 with a good second serve, then an ace at deuce as she held for 3-4*. Then Petrova got very nervous and tentative as Maria broke back for *4-4.
In a dramatic game at *4-4, Maria went 40/0 up with two great serves and a forehand winner, then her serve deserted her and she found herself facing a break-point. She saved it with an error-forcing forehand that caught the back edge of the baseline, but a horrendous netted forehand gave Petrova a second break-point. Maria saved it with an error-forcing backhand down the line, an ace and a Petrova forehand winner took it to a fourth deuce, then Petrova hit two forehands long for *4-5.
The next four games went with serve, but while Petrova held to love at both *4-5 and *5-6, Maria - who was looking very tired by now - had to recover from *5-5 (15/30) and *6-6 (30/40).
A couple of weird things happened to Petrova at *6-7. At 15/0, she opened up the court perfectly for an off-forehand winner, but put it long. At 30/30, she thought she hit an ace, but ended up serving a double fault. This gave Maria match-point, and Petrova hit a forehand just wide.
My heart was throbbing, I was smiling, and Maria looked delighted too. And I laughed with joy when reminded just what this victory means: a mouthwatering third-round match with Yaroslava Shvedova!
One tactical observation from this match is that Maria's crosscourt forehands sometimes expose her to being passed down her backhand-line, especially when she goes to the net. She might get away with it on grass, where the ball skids through lower on crosscourt shots, but it sits up nicely for the opponent on clay.
SHARAPO @ *@*@* 6 PETROVA @* 2
Maria came onto court with a very serious look on her face, and wearing a dark blue dress with what looked like an outer, light blue skirt.
The match was fourth on Suzanne Lenglen, but started at 14:49 CEST - considerably earlier than expected, with the prior matches having gone very quickly.
Petrova serving 0-0: Maria started brightly with a deep off-backhand just inside the baseline, forcing Petrova to net a forehand. 15/0. Deep first serve: off-forehand return wide. 15/15. Second serve: Maria hit a searing crosscourt forehand return virtual winner into the corner. 15/30. A deep, hard backhand return down the line forced Petrova to hit a forehand wide. 15/40 (BP #1). Service-winner down the middle. 30/40 (BP #2). Maria broke as Petrova hit a backhand just long.
Brilliant start by Maria! Fantastic returns, and as Sam Smith said, she has really come out here looking to "ambush" the 11th seed.
Ana Ivanovic has just started on Chatrier - we need her to win comfortably, because the BBC has threatened to switch to Chatrier if the defending champion looks to be in trouble.
Maria serving 0-1: Petrova forehand winner down the line. 0/15. Good second serve out wide + forehand winner down the line. 15/15. Maria netted a forehand off a deep ball from Petrova. 15/30. Service-winner. 30/30. Maria forced a short ball, and dispatched it with a backhand winner down the line. 40/30. Petrova hit a short-angled off-forehand return-winner - I'm not sure that she meant it! Deuce. Petrova hit an off-forehand that pulled Maria wide, forcing her to net a backhand. Ad Petrova (BP). Double fault (second serve long).
A couple of very damaging forehands from Petrova in that game.
Sam Smith: "If Sharapova has a weakness, it's that if an opponent pulls her out wide to the forehand side, she doesn't recover particularly well."
Petrova serving 1-1: Maria hit an off-backhand dropshot from the baseline, forcing Petrova to run forwards and earth a forehand. 0/15. Deep first serve out wide forced Maria to spray a backhand return wide. 15/15. Deep first serve down the middle forced Maria to net a backhand return. 30/15. Another big serve - on the service-line - forced Maria to bunt a backhand return wide. 40/15. Petrova played a great one-two punch to force a short lob from Maria, but netted an easy forehand smash. 40/30. Big first serve down the middle + crosscourt backhand winner.
Maria serving 1-2: Petrova pulled Maria out wide with a crosscourt backhand, but unforcedly netted an forehand down the line. 15/0. Serve out wide + deep crosscourt forehand forced Petrova to hit a forehand wide. 30/0. Petrova hit a crosscourt forehand deep into the corner, forcing Maria to stretch wide and net a forehand. 30/15. Maria spread Petrova with a deep off-forehand + crosscourt forehand, forcing Petrova to net a forehand. 40/15. Petrova pulled Maria wide, forcing her to hit a left-handed forehand; Petrova hit a backhand winner down the line. 40/30. Serve out wide + off-forehand winner + "c'mon".
Petrova serving 2-2: Maria's depth induced Petrova to hit a forehand very long. 0/15. Deep first serve out wide - just inside the service-line - forced Maria to hit a backhand return wide. 15/15. Deep, body-jamming first serve - just inside the service-line - forced Maria to net a forehand return. 30/15. Double fault (second serve just long). 30/30. Petrova's forehand hit the netcord, hung in the air for an age, and fell back on her side. 30/40 (BP). Maria spread Petrova with a crosscourt backhand, and broke with a backhand winner down the line.
Mark Petchey: "Fabulous hitting from Sharapova. She might well have missed the competition, but we've missed her as well. Tremendous shot. And there's no doubt that the women's tour is a richer place with her in it."
Sam Smith: "I do enjoy watching her play. I know there's a lot of critics out there that get very upset by her shrieking; I personally don't find that an issue. What I love is what she brings to the court: it's utter commitment, isn't it? She brings all of herself to everything she does. There's so much drive there, guts. She is clearly not one of the best athletes in women's tennis, but she's probably one of the best ball-strikers, and she's probably - along with Venus and Serena [Williams] - probably one of the top mentally in women's tennis right now."
Maria serving 3-2: A deep, low-bouncing ball from Maria forced Petrova to hit a backhand not halfway up the net. 15/0. Another deep, low-bouncing backhand forced Petrova to net a forehand. 30/0. First serve out wide forced Petrova to hit a forehand wide. 40/0. Deep first serve out wide forced Petrova to net a backhand.
Maria's making clay look like a very fast, low-bouncing surface right now - no mean feat on a cold day such as this!
Petrova serving 2-4: Petrova netted a backhand. 0/15. Petrova ran down a short ball, but pushed a forehand long. 0/30. First serve: Maria hit a blazing off-backhand return-winner just inside the sideline. 0/40 (BP #1). Maria netted a forehand return. 15/40 (BP #2). Petrova on the third stroke hit a backhand long, giving Maria the double break.
Mark Petchey: "I'm surprised Petrova isn't serving more into the body. She's giving Sharapova the width to lean into the ball."
Sam Smith: "This is two or three levels up from Warsaw, where the conditions were much heavier."
Maria serving 5-2: First serve down the middle + pinpoint forehand winner down the line. 15/0. Petrova's off-forehand return took a strange bounce, forcing Maria to earth a backhand. 15/15. Service-winner out wide. 30/15. Maria slid into a crosscourt backhand - sliding is unusual for her - but hit it wide. 30/30. Maria hit a deep backhand down the line, forcing Petrova to hit a forehand halfway up the net. 40/30 (SP #1). Maria on the third stroke hit a forehand just long. Deuce #1. Maria netted a backhand dropshot. Ad Petrova (BP). Maria saved it with a "stunning" crosscourt forehand winner just inside the sideline. Deuce #2. Ace down the middle. Ad Maria (SP #2). A big, deep first serve forced Petrova to hit a backhand return long. Maria won the first set 6-2 at 15:22 CEST (33m).
Well, the way Maria's playing now, she might even win the French Open if she keeps it up! Even on a cold day with lots of moisture in the air, she's making the clay look as fast and skidding as diarrhoea!
SHARAPO * 1 PETROVA * *@*@* 6
Petrova serving 0-0: A longish baseline-rally ended with Maria hitting a backhand long. 15/0. A deep first serve down the middle forced Maria to bunt a forehand return long... but the umpire checked the mark on the service-line, and called it long. Second serve: Maria hit a forehand long on the fourth stroke. 30/0. A penetrating backhand return down Petrova's backhand-sideline forced her to bunt a backhand long. 30/15. Maria, driven wide to her right sideline, took her time and hit a well-controlled short-angled crosscourt forehand winner just inside the sideline. 30/30. Maria crosscourt forehand + off-backhand dropshot-winner. 40/30. Big, deep first serve forced Maria to hit a forehand return wide. Deuce. Maria got caught in no-man's-land, and Petrova hit a forehand pass-winner down the line. Ad Petrova. First serve down the middle forced Maria to net a forehand return.
Sam Smith suggested that Maria is hitting fewer of her forehands with that trademark buggy-whip follow-through, because it hurts her shoulder.
Maria serving 0-1: Maria hit a running forehand wide. 15/0. Big first serve out wide - on the sideline - forced a short return, which Maria dispatched with a crosscourt forehand winner. 30/0. Deep first serve out wide forced Petrova to net a forehand return. 40/0. Maria crosscourt backhand + backhand winner down the line.
Petrova serving 1-1: First serve: forehand return floated just wide. 15/0. Petrova went to the net, but Maria just dollied a forehand back to her, giving Petrova an off-backhand volley-winner. 30/0. Maria's deep forehand return down the middle jammed Petrova, inducing her to hit an early backhand long. 30/15. A body-jamming serve forced Maria to net a backhand return that would also have been wide. 40/15. Big serve down the middle + wrong-footing crosscourt forehand winner.
Maria serving 1-2: Maria crosscourt backhand winner just inside the sideline. 15/0. Petrova opened up the court and hit a backhand winner down the line. 15/15. Maria hit a deep backhand onto the baseline, forcing Petrova into error. Petrova asked the umpire to check the mark, but they appeared to disagree over which mark it was - high time for Hawk-Eye at the French Open! 30/15. Maria on the third stroke hit a down-the-line backhand just long. 30/30. Petrova, driven wide, hit a crosscourt forehand would-be winner just wide. 40/30. Maria hooked a crosscourt forehand just wide. Deuce. A body-jamming return induced Maria to hit a backhand long. Ad Petrova (BP). She broke when Maria netted a backhand on the third stroke.
Worrying groundstroke-errors are starting to creep into Maria's game now.
Sam Smith: "If you can get hold of that Sharapova-serve and drive her out wide to the tramlines, you're starting to be in business."
Petrova serving 3-1: Petrova stranded Maria with a crosscourt forehand, and hit a pinpoint forehand winner down the line. 15/0. Maria backhand just long - and they were just hitting it back and forth down the middle. 30/0. Ace down the middle. 40/0. Maria sprayed a forehand wide.
Sadly, Maria's bubble has burst - at least for now. She's still going for it, but making errors at an alarming rate now.
Maria serving 1-4: Maria netted a forehand. 0/15. Petrova crosscourt backhand + down-the-line backhand winner. 0/30. Maria played a great spreading rally, culminating with a crosscourt forehand + off-forehand winner. 15/30. Petrova spread Maria with a deep backhand down the line + off-forehand winner. 15/40 (BP #1). Deep first serve down the middle forced Petrova to hit an off-backhand return wide. 30/40 (BP #2). Double fault (second serve into the net).
Maria is haemorrhaging errors now, and Petrova is growing in belief.
Petrova serving 5-1: First serve down the middle: Maria netted a backhand return. 15/0. Petrova netted a forehand. 15/15. Service-winner. 30/15. Maria hit a running forehand into the bottom of the net. 40/15. Petrova netted a backhand. 40/30. Ace down the middle. Petrova won the second set 6-1 at 15:51 CEST (second set 29m, match so far 1h02m).
Sam Smith: "It wasn't a terrible set of tennis from Maria Sharapova. I just think she'd invested so much in that first set, just kept up such a high level, with the little that she's played - and I can't emphasise that enough: she's only played five matches now in nine months - it's like trying to play matches on vapour, really. Tough for her to keep it going. Petrova is a very good competitor, and she has more of a background of matches."
SHARAPO @* *@* * *@ 8 PETROVA @ *@* * * 6
Maria serving 0-0: Maria on the third stroke hit a forehand wide. 0/15. An intriguing rally ended with Maria hitting a forehand just long. Her grunt is in squeak-mode now. 0/30. Ace down the middle: right in the corner (it looked a bit wide, but Petrova checked the mark and rubbed it out with her foot). 15/30. Great serve out wide, but Petrova found a "miraculous" crosscourt backhand return-winner onto the sideline. 15/40 (BP). Ace down the middle: on the service-line. Petrova's coach appeared to give her a hand-signal. 30/40 (BP #2). Maria netted a backhand.
Mark Petchey: "Sharapova's fighting hard now, but just looking a little rusty in these exchanges."
Sam Smith: "Petrova's got momentum, and she's hanging onto it."
At least we can now be sure that the BBC will show this match to its conclusion, because over on Chatrier, Ana Ivanovic just dissolved Tanasugarn 6-1 6-2.
Petrova serving 1-0: Petrova forehand long. 0/15. Maria hit a searing short-angled crosscourt backhand return-winner onto the sideline. 0/30. Maria backhand long. 15/30. Maria opened up the court with a crosscourt forehand, but slapped a down-the-line forehand into the net. 30/30. A deep ball from Petrova induced Maria to bunt an early backhand long. 40/30. Maria hit a deep forehand, forcing Petrova to hit one long. Deuce. Maria hit a blazing off-backhand return-winner, and doubled over with a fist-pump. Ad Maria (BP). Maria hit a roaring backhand return-winner down the line.
She's back! :-)
Maria serving 1-1: Maria went for a forehand winner down the line, but it was wide by a whisker. 0/15. Petrova, driven wide, dumped a forehand halfway up the net. 15/15. Big serve out wide forced a short return, which Maria dispatched with a gruntless crosscourt backhand winner. 30/15. Maria's off-forehand forced Petrova to earth a backhand. 40/15. Petrova netted a backhand.
The momentum's firmly back in Maria's favour now, judging by how excited I feel! Her grunting is very loud, and more errors are creeping into Petrova's game.
Petrova serving 1-2: Double fault (second serve long). 0/15. Body-jamming first serve forced Maria to hit a backhand return long. 15/15. Second serve: off-backhand return-winner just inside the sideline. 15/30. Service-winner down the middle. 30/30. Maria went to the net, but her crosscourt forehand approach gave Petrova a forehand pass-winner down the line. 40/30. Petrova couldn't get her racket around Maria's crosscourt forehand, which forced her to hit a down-the-line forehand wide. Deuce #1. Maria, driven wide, hit a crosscourt forehand, and Petrova hit a pinpoint forehand winner down the line. Ad Petrova. She netted a forehand on the fifth stroke. Deuce #2. Maria went to the net behind a crosscourt forehand, but it was neither deep nor wide, and Petrova hit a crosscourt forehand pass virtual winner. Ad Petrova. First serve out wide: backhand return long.
Maria's crosscourt forehands left her so exposed a couple of times in that game.
Mark Petchey: "One wonders how pivotal that game's gonna be in this final set."
Maria serving 2-2: Petrova's one-handed backhand floated long. 15/0. Big serve down the middle forced Petrova to bunt an off-forehand return just wide. 30/0. Maria on the third stroke netted a forehand. 30/15. Maria forehand long. 30/30. Maria appeared to hit an ace down the middle, but the umpire called "let". Double fault (second serve long). 30/40 (BP). Petrova broke when Maria netted a backhand on the third stroke.
Maria had the momentum, led 30/0, then made four errors. She's really up against it now.
Petrova serving 3-2: Big first serve down the middle forced Maria to hit an off-backhand return wide. 15/0. Maria's return clipped the netcord and sat up nicely for Petrova to hit an off-forehand winner. 30/0. Pinpoint first serve out wide - right in the corner - forced Maria to net a forehand return. 40/0. Ace out wide.
Maria serving 2-4: Double fault (second serve into the net). 0/15. Petrova backhand long. 15/15. Petrova hit a pinpoint backhand winner down the line. 15/30. Maria on the third stroke slugged a crosscourt backhand just wide. 15/40 (BP #1). First serve down the middle + off-forehand winner. 30/40 (BP #2). A good second serve induced Petrova to mishit a backhand return wide. Deuce. Ace down the middle: just inside both the centre-line and the service-line. Ad Maria. Petrova netted a backhand.
Sam Smith (at 15/40): "I don't think she ever bargained on Petrova coming back quite so strongly."
Mark Petchey: "I think just sensing that she needs to keep it closer to the lines, just to keep Petrova at bay, but unfortunately that has contributed to a much higher error-count for Sharapova."
Well, at 15/40 it looked like Petrova was about to serve for the match at *5-2, but two brilliant winners from Maria and two errors from Petrova have switched the momentum back in Maria's favour. Sadly, it might not be enough to recover from a break down. I think the next game will prove decisive...
Petrova serving 4-3: Petrova went for a backhand winner down the line, but it was just wide, and rather steered too. 0/15. Petrova forehand just wide. 0/30. Maria netted a backhand that would also have been wide. 15/30. Maria punished a tentative serve with an off-forehand return-winner. 15/40 (BP #1). A well-placed second serve - out wide in the corner - forced Maria to spray a forehand return wide. 30/40 (BP #2). Petrova netted a forehand.
Petrova got very nervous and tentative there.
Maria serving 4-4: Ace out wide. 15/0. Maria hit a pinpoint forehand winner down the line, and celebrated with an animated fist-pump with one leg in the air � la Ana Ivanovic. 30/0. Serve down the middle: Petrova dumped a backhand return into the bottom of the net. 40/0. Second-serve let... a big forehand return forced Maria to bunt a forehand lob long. 40/15. Double fault (second serve just long). 40/30. Second serve out wide: Petrova picked off a backhand return-winner down the line. Deuce #1. Double fault (second serve long). Ad Petrova (BP #1). Maria's forehand caught the back edge of the baseline, forcing Petrova to hit a forehand long. Deuce #2. Maria on the third stroke netted a horrendous forehand. Ad Petrova (BP #2). Maria hit a penetrating backhand down the line, forcing Petrova to shovel a forehand halfway up the net. Deuce #3. Ace down the middle: just inside both lines. Ad Maria. Petrova moved Maria around with some domineering groundstrokes, and hit a forehand winner down Maria's forehand-sideline. Deuce #4. Petrova bunted a forehand return just long. Ad Maria. Petrova forehand long.
PHEW!! Maria's taking so long between points that I had to change video-tapes at 40/30 in that game - not something I had counted on with four minutes left on the first tape before it began.
Mark Petchey (at Ad Petrova): "Really out of character - a 40/0 lead has slipped by for Sharapova."
Two break-points for Petrova to have served for the match at *5-4!
Sam Smith: "This is just will. When you think how little she's played, she's almost got no right to be playing this well under pressure, because it's just a completely different ball-game in this kind of situation. Just shows you mentally how disciplined she has remained."
Petrova serving 4-5: Maria netted a forehand. 15/0. Deep first serve down the middle - just inside the service-line - forced Maria to hit a forehand return very long. 30/0. Petrova forehand winner down the line. 40/0. Ace out wide.
Maria serving 5-5: First serve out wide - just inside the sideline - forced Petrova to net a forehand return. 15/0. Maria, stretched wide, netted a one-handed backhand. 15/15. Maria mishit a forehand VERY long. 15/30. Ace down the middle: on the centre-line. 30/30. Service-winner down the middle. 40/30. A deep first serve out wide induced Petrova to hit a crosscourt backhand return wide.
Maria looked very tired at 15/0 and 15/15, but she got away with it - great serving!
Sam Smith: "And when you think it's a completely new service-action: really the front part, so the rhythm is totally different - we've seen her just lose the rhythm ever so slightly - really allowing that shoulder to get right back, and there's no problem with the throw at all. She's trusting the shoulder post-op - trusting all the rehab she's done."
Petrova serving 5-6: First serve out wide: forehand return long - "not an easy return to be aggressive on" [Mark Petchey]. 15/0. Deep second serve down the middle - just inside the service-line - forced Maria to hit a forehand return just long. 30/0. Maria forehand long. 40/0. Ace down the middle caught the outside edge of the centre-line.
I expect Petrova to blink first because she's much weaker mentally than Maria, but she's held her last two service-games to love.
Maria serving 6-6: Second serve: Petrova hit a forehand return very long, and there was an agonised look on her face. 15/0. Petrova dumped a backhand halfway up the net. 30/0. Petrova's crosscourt backhand forced Maria to net a running backhand. 30/15. Petrova crosscourt backhand + backhand winner down the line. 30/30. And again. 30/40 (BP). A booming first serve down the middle - on the service-line - forced Petrova to net a forehand return. Deuce. Brave second serve on the service-line forced Petrova to hit a forehand return wide. Ad Maria. Backhand return long.
That's three games now in which Petrova has had break-points to serve for the match! (*2-4, *4-4 and *6-6).
Mark Petchey: "I'm impressed by Sharapova's fitness at this stage as well. It's one thing to do all the off-court training, but to actually manage to maintain your level of fitness over this length of time - with all the emotions going on - very impressive."
Petrova serving 6-7: First serve: Maria dumped a cheap backhand return halfway up the net. 15/0. Petrova opened up the court perfectly with a crosscourt forehand, but put an off-forehand would-be winner just long. 15/15. Petrova off-forehand winner just inside the sideline. 30/15. Petrova netted a backhand. 30/30. Petrova hit a near-ace down the middle, but it was just wide (the umpire checked the mark). She hit her second serve long for her third double fault. 30/40 (MP #1). First serve long. Second serve down the middle, curling away from Maria: she hit a short forehand return inside the service-line; Petrova hit a short down-the-line forehand onto the service-line; Maria caught it late and hit a crosscourt backhand; Petrova ran around her backhand and hit an off-forehand just wide. Maria won 6-2 1-6 8-6 at 17:01 CEST (third set 1h10m, match 2h12m).
My heart is throbbing, I'm smiling, and Maria looks delighted too. And I laughed with joy when Mark Petchey reminded me just what this victory means: a mouthwatering third-round match with sexy Yaroslava Shvedova!
Maria had a positive W:UE ratio of 30:22 (including 10:3 for the first set), while Petrova was less erratic at 27:14 (including an amazing 9:1 for the second set!).
Petrova had a bigger first serve than Maria's: fastest 117-115 mph, average 109-102 mph. But Maria had a slightly faster average second serve: 93-92 mph.
Maria got 64% of her first serves in, winning 65% of the points when she did so, and 42% on second serve.
Petrova got 58% of her first serves in (which decreased from set to set), winning 71% of the points when she did so (peaking at 86% for the second set), and 41% on second serve (0% in the first set!).
Maria served 7 aces (6 in the third set) and 6 double faults (4 in the third set), Petrova 5 aces and 3 double faults.
Maria broke 6 times from 10 BPs, while Petrova had more BPs, but was much less efficient at converting them: she only broke 5 times from 13 BPs (including 2 of 8 in the third set). Maria won the first set by 3 breaks to 1, Petrova the second by 2 breaks to 0, Maria the third by 3 breaks to 2.
In a baseline-oriented encounter, Maria won 5 of 7 points at the net (71%), while Petrova won 2 of 5 (40%).
In points, it was actually Petrova who won: 94-93 (first set 20-31, second set 26-15, third set 48-47).
THE MODERATOR: Questions in English, please.
Q. You've had a lot of tough battles with Maria before, most significantly at the '05 US Open in the quarters. Where does this rank in terms of disappointments for you, and in terms of having chances and not being able to capitalise on them?
NADIA PETROVA: Yeah, that's true. It's been another tough match, and, you know, she really showed - even though she has been out for a while - she's willing to compete till the end. I'm disappointed with me, because I just didn't finish it off when I had everything in my hands.
Q. It was a very close match. You played very well for long stretches. What do you think made the difference in the end?
NADIA PETROVA: Basically just not going for it, not taking my chances, you know. That's what I have to change if I want to become a better player, if I want to go up again and win the tournaments and the titles. What I want is the Grand Slam. I just have to go for my shots without any doubts.
Q. How do you think she played, and did it seem like she was not up to 100% coming off the time that she's had away and the shoulder-injury?
NADIA PETROVA: Well, she didn't have enough matches obviously this year. She just played a tournament before French, but she really showed that she's a real champion, and once again, how she fought till the end, and she really went for her shots.
����������� All I can say, you know, there was little, what I felt like, she wasn't really moving fast, fast enough, but it is obviously quite difficult on clay.
Q. You were up a break two different times in the third set. Did you get nervous or just tighten up, or what happened?
NADIA PETROVA: Well, she served well at those important points. She didn't give me any chance to start the points, and, you know, she put me in a difficult situation right away. So, at the other hand, maybe I start thinking a little bit already ahead all the time, instead of staying in the present and focus[ing] on each point.
Q. Was there ever a moment when you forgot - or you could forget - that this was a former world No.1, or was it always in the back of your mind that this was the former top player in the world?
NADIA PETROVA: Well, in the beginning, it definitely was. But then the longer the match went on, I just start being really more thinking of the game instead of who's on the other side. That's it.
Q. Do you always suspect she could show flashes of that brilliance?
NADIA PETROVA: She did. She came out with amazing shots, and still, you can feel, you know, that even - I mean, the confidence and the power behind the shots.
Q. Do you feel like your game is still improving, the physical part of your game, or is this the - you know - competitive, the mental aspect of it, what you still need to work the most on?
NADIA PETROVA: I would say both. I would say both. I think I need to get fitter, and I didn't have that chance yet because of my foot-injury, so now I'm just trying to play my matches to gain the confidence. I know the confidence is coming from being fit. The fitter I'll become, [the] more belief I will have in my game.
Q. Are you still feeling any effects of the fitness-time you lost last winter when you had meningitis?
NADIA PETROVA: Well, the doctors said I will not be able to play until summer, and I recovered pretty good, pretty fast. I tried to play the Australian. Probably even though I don't feel much of a difference, but neurologically, I'm still a little behind.
Q. What did your coach say to you after today's match?
NADIA PETROVA: Well, what can I say? He was a bit disappointed. Even though I know I played good tennis, it was a very interesting match probably to watch, but as he said, I had it. I didn't take it.
Returning Sharapova nets superb win [Teletext 495->498]
>>>
Maria Sharapova's comeback continued in style as she came through an epic third set against 11th seed Nadia Petrova in the second round of the French Open.
The Russian - out for nine months through injury - began impressively and took the first set 6-2, but Petrova hit back to secure the second set 6-1.
Sharapova broke back to level at 4-4 in the decider, then held her nerve, and won 8-6 with her first match-point.
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Sharapova stuns Petrova in thriller
By David Tutton (www.rolandgarros.com)
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Maria Sharapova edged past fellow Russian Nadia Petrova on Suzanne Lenglen court, hanging tough in a nailbiting third set before seizing her opportunity to clinch a 6-2 1-6 8-6 triumph in 2h12m.
Sharapova may be diminished by her recuperating shoulder, but the former world No.1 has clearly lost none of her legendary will to win. Trailing 2-4 in the third set and seemingly for the count against No.11 seed Petrova, she hauled herself back into the match by sheer force of will.
The first two sets were contrasting affairs, as the scoreline suggests. Sharapova found her groove quickly, and a mixture of powerful winners and unforced errors on the part of her opponent saw the statuesque Siberian wrap up the opener 6-2 in just 32 minutes.
Petrova refused to crumble, however, and knocked Maria off her stride in the second set, when it was her turn to find the lines and force the error. In just 29 minutes, she was level.
Then began an epic third set, which saw Petrova make the first break to lead 3-2, then 4-2, and even miss a break-point at 30/40 for a 5-2 lead. Had she broken then, Sharapova would surely have found no way back, but as it was, the 22-year-old former Wimbledon, US Open and Australian Open champion held on, and broke back to 4-4.
Petrova carved out further break-points that would have seen her lead 5-4, but could not take them, and then at 6-7 (30/30), the 2003 and 2005 semi-finalist cracked. She double-faulted, disputing the first serve and losing her concentration, then hit an unforced forehand wide on match-point to hand victory to her thrilled compatriot.
On the tentative road to full fitness, Sharapova will be delighted at showing such resilience in the face of an onslaught. Petrova - not for the first time against Maria in a Major - is left with regrets at what might have been.
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Sharapova hangs on to advance at French Open (AP)
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Maria Sharapova's troublesome right shoulder held up for another day at the French Open, helping her make enough shots to beat 11th-seeded Nadia Petrova of Russia 6-2 1-6 8-6.
The unseeded Sharapova won five straight games on Wednesday to close out the first set. Playing again with tape on her shoulder, she struggled later in the match.
Trailing 2-4 in the deciding set, she broke Petrova to get back on serve at 4-4, and then saved two break-points to take a 5-4 lead. She saved another break-point while serving at 6-6.
Sharapova is making her first Major appearance in almost a year, after missing the US Open and the Australian Open because of her shoulder-injury.
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Sharapova joins Safina, Ivanovic in third round (Chris Lehourites, AP)
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Maria Sharapova struggled again in her Major-tournament comeback at the French Open, needing three sets and a few extra games to reach the third round with a 6-2 1-6 8-6 victory over Nadia Petrova on Wednesday.
Playing with tape on her troublesome right shoulder, the unseeded Sharapova hung on to join top-seeded Dinara Safina and defending champion Ana Ivanovic in the next round.
"Obviously I am spending a little bit more time out there than I want to, but I think I'm learning so many new things, as well," Sharapova said. "I think this was a great match where I had to fight my way through many, many challenges. And I did."
Sharapova - a three-time Major champion who has slipped to No.102 in the rankings because of her injury-layoff - won five straight games to close out the first set.
Trailing 2-4 in the deciding set, she broke the 11th-seeded Petrova to get back on serve at 4-4, and then saved two break-points to take a 5-4 lead. She saved another break-point while serving at 6-6.
"I got off to a really good start," Sharapova said. "I kind of started stumbling away. Things went in the wrong direction. I was just glad I could pick myself up and keep fighting, and do the right things, and end the match with a win."
Sharapova is making her first Major appearance in almost a year, after missing both the US Open and the Australian Open because of her shoulder-injury. She had surgery in October.
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Sharapova's comeback campaign takes off (Reuters)
By Julien Pretot (editing by Sonia Oxley)
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* Sharapova gets to live another day in Paris.
* Wins despite being five points from defeat.
After being grounded for months on American soil recovering from a shoulder-injury, Maria Sharapova enjoyed watching her French Open campaign take off with a 6-2 1-6 8-6 win over fellow Russian Nadia Petrova on Wednesday.
Twelve months after competing in Paris as the world number-one, Sharapova turned up ranked 102nd as she is on a comeback-trail following a nine-month lay-off.
The 22-year-old quickly adjusted to the Roland Garros clay, however, showing stamina and composure to advance into the third round a week after losing in the quarter-finals at Warsaw in her competition-comeback.
It was a bit harder for her to adjust to the drill of competitive tennis.
"I had to check my passport to make sure it wasn't expired when I went to Warsaw. That's how long I didn't travel for internationally," she told reporters after her 2h12m encounter with Petrova.
Sharapova kept her focus while recovering in Arizona.
"I'd be in my hotel-room in Phoenix, and it would be like 11pm and I'd watch a match, and I'd be so motivated from the girls playing [that] I'd go to the gym," she said.
"It would be dark outside, and I'd ask them to go to the gym so I could work out."
Sharapova started brightly, finding outrageous angles to unsettle the 11th-seeded Petrova: twice a French Open semi-finalist.
Her compatriot, however, was also up for a fight, and it seemed she had turned the tide when she opened a 4-2 lead in the decider after storming through the second set.
Sharapova, only five points from defeat, then seemed to have run out of steam.
But instead of throwing the towel, the three-times Major champion shifted up a gear to break back and level for 4-4 in the decider, staving off a couple of break-points in the following game.
"I knew coming into this match that Nadia has very good results on clay. I got off to a really good start," said Sharapova.
"I did the right things, and I just kind of started stumbling away. Things went in the wrong direction.
"I was just glad I could pick myself up and keep fighting, and do the right things, and end the match with a win."
Sharapova kept her nerve when it mattered, setting up a third-round meeting with Kazakh Yaroslava Shvedova after converting her first match-point.
She left Court Suzanne Lenglen blowing kisses to the crowd, and Petrova was full of praise for her.
"She really showed - even though she has been out for a while - [that] she's willing to compete till the end," said Petrova.
"She really showed that she's a real champion, and once again how she fought till the end, and she really went for her shots."
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Sharapova and Murray stage great escape (Reuters)
By Pritha Sarkar (editing by Sonia Oxley)
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* Sharapova wins despite being five points from defeat.
Maria Sharapova flirted with danger, and Andy Murray suffered a mid-match meltdown before their survival-instincts kicked in to carry them into the third round of the French Open on Wednesday.
The duo have never felt at home in the heartland of clay-court tennis, and after Murray was forced to change tactics to tame Italian Potito Starace 6-3 2-6 7-5 6-4, Sharapova maintained an aura of calm despite being five points from defeat to subdue 11th-seeded fellow Russian Nadia Petrova 6-2 1-6 8-6.
The words "fear", "terror" or "panic" do not feature in Sharapova's dictionary, and on Wednesday, she again showed why.
On a comeback-trail following a nine-month lay-off because of a career-threatening shoulder-injury, she hung tough for 2h12m before forcing Petrova to smack a forehand wide on match-point.
"Obviously I am spending a little bit more time out there than I want to, but this was a great match where I had to fight my way through many, many challenges, and I did," Sharapova said after overcoming an opponent ranked 91 places above her.
Petrova, who actually won one more point than the 93 bagged by her rival, applauded her conqueror: "She really showed that she's a real champion by how she fought till the end."
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Sharapova extends her Major comeback; Safin loses (AP)
By Howard Fendrich: AP Tennis Writer
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On a day of adieus at the French Open, Maria Sharapova managed to stick around.
Trailing through most of the third set in her toughest test since shoulder-surgery, Sharapova pulled out a 6-2 1-6 8-6 victory over 11th-seeded Nadia Petrova on Wednesday to reach the third round at Roland Garros: her return to Major tennis.
"I kind of started stumbling away. Things went in the wrong direction," said Sharapova, who missed the US Open and Australian Open. "I was just glad I could pick myself up and keep fighting."
That she did: five times, Petrova was one point away from serving for the match. But Sharapova didn't allow her to convert those chances.
"She really showed - even though she has been out for a while - [that] she's willing to compete till the end," Petrova acknowledged.
<snip>
Sharapova had a much longer day's work. But that's okay with her.
The Russian was so disappointed to miss the US Open and Olympics last year that she couldn't bear to watch on TV. By the time the Australian Open came around in January, Sharapova found herself tuning in, then being inspired to head to the gym late at night.
"I know what I'm capable of out there. I know what I've done before. And I know I can do it again and even better," said Sharapova: once ranked No.1 and now No.102.
There were moments on Wednesday when Sharapova looked as if she'd never been away, pushing Petrova this way and that - particularly while winning the first set's last five games.
There also were moments when Sharapova appeared a step slow - particularly while losing second set's last five games.
So Sharapova found herself playing her second straight three-setter, with rain falling and the temperature in the low 50�s F. Both women draped towels over their legs during changeovers, and Petrova donned a jacket.
But Sharapova saved six break-points in the final set, serving well when absolutely necessary.
"She didn't give me any chance," said Petrova: twice a French Open semi-finalist.
When Petrova sent a forehand wide to end the match, Sharapova covered her face with her fists. A moment later, she glanced at the players' guest-seats - normally where her father sits. But he isn't at the French Open, because, as Sharapova put it: "After I won my third Grand Slam [sic], he said, 'Look, I like hiking and skiing a lot,' and he kind of wanted to pursue that. So he's currently enjoying his life."
And his daughter is once again enjoying hers. She smiled as she looked up at her coach Michael Joyce, who travelled back and forth weekly between Los Angeles and Phoenix with Sharapova when she was rehabilitating her shoulder. As Sharapova beamed, Joyce stood and pounded his right fist over his heart.
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Sharapova triumphs as French Open welcomes new teen-queen (AFP)
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Maria Sharapova battled into the French Open last 32 on Wednesday as Roland Garros glimpsed the future of women's tennis in the shape of high-volume, big-hitting, 16-year-old Michelle Larcher de Brito.
Triple Major title-winner Sharapova - playing only her second tournament following a 10-month lay-off to recover from shoulder-surgery - shook off the cobwebs with a bruising 6-2 1-6 8-6 win over Russian compatriot Nadia Petrova.
The former world number-one, whose world-ranking has slumped to #102 as a consequence of her lengthy absence, will now face Kazakh qualifier Yaroslava Shvedova for a place in the last 16.
"These types of matches are very important for me, although I spent more time on the court than I wanted to," said Sharapova after the 2h12m encounter, which saw her recover from a break down in the final set.
"But I'm learning new things. It was a great match where I had to fight really hard, and that's what I did. I'm glad I picked myself up and I could win."
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Sharapova's not daddy's girl anymore (AFP)
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The Maria Sharapova Story: Part Two is missing one of its leading men from the fairytale's first chapter: father Yuri.
But the Russian star is getting used to not having the man around, despite him famously accompanying her on her life-changing journey to Florida - and eventual superstardom - when she was only nine.
"After I won my third Grand Slam [sic], he said, 'Look, I like hiking and skiing a lot,' and he wanted to pursue that," said Sharapova.
"So he's currently enjoying his life, and I think he really deserves it. He was training with us in Florida and Los Angeles in the last couple of months, when I was getting back and practising a lot and playing matches.
"But I don't think you'll see him at too many tournaments. It's not so strange, as most of last year, he didn't come to a majority of the events."
Yuri Sharapov has ceded coaching-duties to former Tour-player Michael Joyce, who has worked constantly with the Russian to get her back on tour after her agonising 10-month lay-off: recovering from shoulder-surgery.
All that work paid dividends on Wednesday, when the former world number-one battled for over two hours to see off compatriot Nadia Petrova 6-2 1-6 8-6 to reach the French Open last 32.
Sharapova, who came into Paris with her ranking at #102, said she used her absence from the Tour as a motivation to increase her workload, and that watching from the sidelines proved to be the impetus she needed, even if it meant training at strange hours of the day.
"At the beginning of the year, it actually motivated me more than anything. I'd be in my hotel-room in Phoenix and it would be like 11:00pm, and I'd watch a match, and I'd be so motivated from the girls playing [that] I'd go to the gym," she said.
"It would be dark outside, and I'd ask them to open the gym so I could work out."
Sharapova has now played two three-set matches at Roland Garros as she steps up her push to win the only Major title she has never won, with a semi-final run in 2007 her best performance.
The next round should, in theory, be a slightly easier afternoon's work, with Kazakh qualifier Yaroslava Shvedova her opponent before a potential quarter-final clash with Venus Williams further down the line.
"I think these types of matches are really important for me and for my game," explained Sharapova.
"Obviously I'm spending a little bit more time out there than I want to, but I think I'm learning so many new things as well.
"When you haven't played for such a long time, when you get back out there, and you're put in these situations, many things come back to you.
"I think this was a great match where I had to fight my way through many, many challenges, and I did."
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Another near miss for Petrova (Abigail Lorge, TENNIS.com)
>>>
The return of three-time Major champion Maria Sharapova, who has produced two gritty three-set victories here, is the most compelling story of the tournament so far - and a positive development for women's tennis.
One need not be a fan of Maria's game, or of the Maria Empire, to have been impressed by her performance on Wednesday against the 11th-ranked Nadia Petrova: a quality-player and a formidable opponent for Sharapova, particularly on her weakest surface.
Ever the fighter, Sharapova twice came back from a break down in the deciding set, and ultimately prevailed 6-2 1-6 8-6 in a 2h12m second-round slugfest. While the prognosis for her surgically-repaired shoulder is uncertain, it's clear that Sharapova's competitive resolve is still intact.
Nevertheless, I'm more intrigued by the long-maligned Petrova. She's not a glamazon like the blond and statuesque Sharapova: a 6'2" fashionista who is ubiquitous in television-commercials and magazines, even when she hasn't played tennis for months. The 5-foot-10 Petrova is pudgier, darker and a bit gawky, but has a tenacity that makes her an appealing character in her own right. She has a tendency to break down in the crucial moments, and, when she does, she reveals through her comportment how frustrated she is by her own fallibility. Today, while the elegant Sharapova stalked and preened, smoothing down wisps of hair in between every point, an agitated Petrova prowled along the baseline, gesturing and grimacing with each ill-timed unforced error.
There were plenty of opportunities for self-flagellation. Petrova broke Sharapova to open the deciding set, but was broken back immediately. She broke again when Sharapova was serving at 2-2, and this time consolidated the break to take a 4-2 lead. In the next game, with Sharapova serving at 15/40, Petrova had two chances to go up a double break and effectively put away the match. But Sharapova, suddenly serving better, won eight of the next 10 points, holding serve, and then immediately breaking Petrova to even the match at four games all. They stayed on serve for the next five games, but the Southern Californian had seized momentum, while Petrova had tightened up. The outcome was inevitable, and Sharapova broke in the 14th game to take the match.
Afterwards, a clearly shattered Petrova managed gracious words for her opponent. "She really showed, even though she has been out for a while, that she's willing to compete until the end," the 26-year-old said. "I'm disappointed with me, because I just didn't finish it off when I had everything in my hands."
It's not the first time Petrova let victory slip out of her nervous grasp. She has now lost to Sharapova at all four Majors - most memorably in a three-set quarter-final battle at the 2005 US Open. A strong athlete with an excellent serve and a big forehand, Petrova has reached at least the quarter-finals of all four Major events, and twice been a semi-finalist here at Roland Garros. But her nerve - more than her game - has routinely let her down in the most important matches, and prevented her from achieving her stated goal of winning a Major.
Petrova has had a rough year, contracting viral meningitis whilst training in Argentina during the off-season, and then struggling with a foot-injury earlier in the spring. But though her fitness is not yet back to where she wants it to be, her undoing today was an opponent who was stronger mentally - not physically.
"She served well at those important points," Petrova said of Sharapova's performance in the third set. "She put me in a difficult situation right away. Maybe I started thinking a little bit ahead all the time, instead of staying in the present and focusing on each point."
Petrova is hardly the first WTA Tour player whose career has been defined by near-misses; in fact, the game's top tier is choked with chokers. With five of the top 10 players in the 2008 year-end rankings, Russia is the deepest nation in women's tennis, but it's also home to some of the most notorious big-match underperformers. There's world No.4 Elena Dementieva, whom I've argued is the Sergio Garc�a of women's tennis - the best active player never to have won a Major. Dementieva has made it to two Major finals and five other Major semi-finals, but has never won a Major title. Honourable mention in the Russian head-case department goes to No.6 Vera Zvonar�va: a player with the talent to beat anyone, but a propensity for meltdowns in pressure-situations.
These women aren't underachievers; that word implies a level of laziness or disengagement. If anything, Petrova and Dementieva and Zvonar�va are too engaged, too invested, and at some point, that will to win becomes a liability. The older one gets, and the more desperately one wants something, the harder it is to obtain. Petrova, Dementieva and Zvonar�va have been experiencing la douleur exquise for years - with the elusive Major title the object of their mutual affection.
As it has several times in the past, Petrova's desire to win manifested itself in a negative way today: when she was closest to victory, she seized up and played worse. It's an unfortunate but not uncommon pattern, which she knows she must break if she is to succeed at the highest level.
"Not going for it, not taking my chances - that's what I have to change if I want to become a better player, if I want to go up again and win the tournaments and the titles," she said. "What I want is the Grand Slam. I just have to go for my shots without any doubts."
It's a reasonable if ambitious plan for her future Majors. In the meantime, Petrova is fully aware of the opportunity she squandered against Sharapova today.
"I had it," she said, ruefully. "But I didn't take it."
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Sizzling Sharapova wins thriller (BBC Sport)
>>>
Former world number-one Maria Sharapova beat 11th seed Nadia Petrova 6-2 1-6 8-6 in an epic three-set battle to make the French Open third round.
The Russian - ranked #102 after a year of injury - had a topsy-turvy first two sets, and then won a 71-minute final set.
The 22-year-old - a semi-finalist in Paris two years ago - has not played a Major since Wimbledon last year, because of a shoulder-injury.
Following her victory, Sharapova said: "These types of matches are very important for me, although I spent more time on the court than I wanted to.
"But I'm learning new things. It was a great match where I had to fight really hard, and that's what I did. I'm glad I picked myself up, and I could win."
The 22-year-old wrapped up the first set in 32 minutes, taking the last four games on the bounce, but fellow Russian Petrova - who had won just one of her last six matches against her opponent - levelled the match with breaks in the fourth and sixth.
Sharapova fought off a break-point to lead 7-6, and secured victory with a cracking forehand to win in 2h12m.
Sharapova will next play Kazakhstan's Yaroslava Shvedova.
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Sharapova Edges Petrova (www.sonyericssonwtatour.com)
>>>
The competitor in Maria Sharapova came out at Roland Garros on Wednesday, as the former world No.1 won a nail-biter against compatriot Nadia Petrova to reach the third round of the year's second Major tournament.
Sharapova, who returned to the WTA Tour last week and reached the quarter-finals of the Premier-level Warsaw Open, was the underdog against the No.11-seeded Petrova on paper, but having won five of their six previous meetings, a close one seemed in the cards.
After losing the first set 6-2, Petrova looked like she was headed for a routine three-set win, winning the second set 6-1, and building 4-2 in the third, even holding points for 5-2. But Sharapova roared back to win six of eight games and the match 6-2 1-6 8-6.
"She really showed - even though she has been out for a while - that she's willing to compete until the end," Petrova said. "I'm disappointed I didn't finish it off when I had everything in my hands. That's what I need to do to become a better player and win titles: go for my shots without doubts. But Maria showed she's a real champion. I really felt the confidence and power behind her shots."
"These types of matches are really important for me. I'm spending more time out there than I want to, but I'm learning so many new things as well," Sharapova said. "When you haven't played for such a long time and you're put in these situations, many things come back to you. This was a great match where I had to fight my way through many, many challenges, and I did."
<<<
Sharapova, Murray take big steps forward
by Richard Evans (Tennis Week): Special to FOXSports.com
>>>
The first round was a test. This was for real.
Maria Sharapova found herself in a genuine battle for survival against a tough opponent in the second round at the French Open on Wednesday, and came through with the shoulder in one piece and another victory to boost her confidence.
The score against Nadia Petrova - a former world No.3 - was 6-2 1-6 8-6, and Sharapova had to battle back from 2-4 down in the final set.
"I think it was a great match where I had to fight my way through many, many challenges, and I did," Sharapova said. "I thought I served well. It was actually one of the things I did best in the match. It was important to get a high percentage of first serves, to take control of the points. Nadia is a very aggressive player, and she likes to get you on the run."
The fact that the serve worked so well for Maria was a huge relief. And, even if she had lost, coach Michael Joyce and agent Max Eisenbud, watching anxiously from the players' enclosure, would have been satisfied just because the shoulder that has kept Sharapova out of the game for over a year, was holding up to the huge demands placed on it. That, for them, was the crucial test. Fighting back to win against such an experienced opponent was just the icing on the cake.
No one should underestimate just how long a road back to a Major championship it has been for the former world No.1. Maria admitted that last summer had been really tough for her, because she had been looking forward so much to playing in the Olympics and the US Open.
"It was so disappointing, I made a conscious effort not to watch any of it," she said. "But at the beginning of this year, it didn't bother me at all. It actually motivated me more than anything. You know, I'd be in my hotel-room in Phoenix, and it would be like 11pm, and I'd watch a match and I'd be so motivated from the girls playing that I'd go to the gym. It was dark outside, but I'd go to the gym just to work out. Little things... but it was more motivating than anything."
The motivation is real, and now one can safely say that so is the return of Maria Sharapova. Providing there are no after-effects from her tough duel with Petrova, she should be ready to move on towards the last 16 when she meets a qualifier from Kazhakstan: Yaroslava Shvedova.
<<<
This mouthwatering match-up gave me even more motivation (if any were needed) for Maria to beat Petrova, knowing that Yaroslava Shvedova was waiting for the winner!
They've never met before, but I suppose I should give Yaroslava a slight edge in this match, seeing as she's currently ranked #98 to Maria's #102! ;)
I must admit that Yaroslava is gorgeous: I used to think of her as a taller, prettier version of Martina Hingis, but that doesn't come close to justifying her beauty once you've seen her up close in person. She's tall and leggy, with a pretty face, a divine ponytail and a lovely smile.
I kind of met Yaroslava at Birmingham last year: we were staying in the same hotel; I opened the front door for her, and she said "Thanks" - the only time a professional tennis-player has ever spoken to me! Though I must admit I didn't actually realise who she was until the hotelier later told me that she was staying there - I only knew that she was sexy! ;)
Yaroslava seemed to be quite a classy player as I watched her outwit the tall, manly Akgul Amanmuradova with acute angles, sliced backhands and even a lob-winner over AA's head!
Yaroslava first made the tennis-world sit up and take notice of her when she won the Tier III WTA Bangalore 2007: then ranked #143, she beat world #36 Mara Santangelo 6-4 6-4 in the final.
Yaroslava's win/loss record for 2009 stands at 14:8 after her five wins here as a qualifier. She had a poor start to the year, losing to world #95 Julie Coin in the first round of Brisbane, and to #11 Petrova in the first round of the Australian Open.
Yaroslava beat #79 Tamira Paszek 6-3 6-4 in the first round of Pattaya City, and lost 6-4 6-4 to #5 Vera Zvonar�va in the second round. She then won three matches to reach the second round of Indian Wells as a qualifier, beating the notorious Alla Kudryavtseva (#72) 6-4 6-2 in the first round, then losting 4-6 7-5 6-3 to #11 Victoria Azarenka.
Yaroslava then turned to the ITF Women's Circuit, suffering a disastrous 6-2 6-0 loss to #94 Aravane Reza� in the first round of Tourhout, and losing to Coin again in the second round of Cagnes-sur-Mer.
Returning to the WTA Tour, Yaroslava won three matches to reach the second round of Rome as a qualifier: she beat a certain Nicole Vaidi�ov� (#59) 6-2 7-5 to qualify, beat #32 Samantha Stosur 6-4 6-2 in the first round, then lost 6-3 6-7 6-1 to #14 Flavia Pennetta.
Yaroslava fell in the second qualifying-round of Strasbourg, beating #355 Claudine Schaul 6-3 6-1, then losing 6-2 6-2 to #478 Astrid Besser.
Yaroslava had never won a match in three previous French Opens, but has reached the third round as a qualifier, with the following results:
1q + Shenay Perry, 6-4 6-4
2q + Angela Haynes, 6-1 6-2
3q + ELENA BALTACHA [15], 6-2 6-2
1r + KAIA KANEPI [19], 7-6 (7/2) 3-6 6-2
2r + Arantxa Rus [Q], 6-0 6-2
Maria's results - the contrast in their second-round scorelines could hardly be greater:
1r + Anastasiya Yakimova, 3-6 6-1 6-2
2r + NADIA PETROVA [11], 6-2 1-6 8-6
Conclusion: there's not much to be scared of in Yaroslava's pre-FO results, but to knock out the 19th seed and then win 6-0 6-2 is definitely a step up for her, so Maria needs another good performance if she is to defend her fourth round from last year.
+ Maria Sharapova [EF] d. Yaroslava Shvedova [Q], 1-6 6-3 6-4
The match was fourth on Court Philippe Chatrier, and started at 17:47 CEST. Unfortunately, Murray v Tipsarevic was starting on Lenglen at the same time, so Maria and Yaroslava had no chance of being televised on BBC Red Button! :mad:
Maria broke in the first game of the match, then lost six games in a row to drop the first set. There were some tough, deucy games in there, but Yaroslava won them all: most disturbingly the one at *1-4, where Maria had 40/15, and the one at 1-5*, where Maria squandered three break-points at 0/40.
Maria broke first in the second set, but was broken back from *3-1 (40/15). The rest of the second set was hard work - in fact all the games in the second set went to deuce except the first and last - but Maria achieved the vital break for *5-3, and served out to 15.
The first six games of the third set went with serve, but Maria was holding easily, while Yaroslava got taken to deuce in two of her service-games. Maria got the first and only break of the third set for *4-3, then after a couple more deuce-games in which the server led 40/15, Maria took a *5-4 lead, and served it out to love.
SHARAPOV @ 1 SHVEDOVA @*@*@* 6
Yaroslava serving 0-0: 0/15. 30/15. 30/30. 30/40 (BP). Broken.
Maria serving 1-0: 0/30. 30/30. 30/40 (BP #1). Deuce. Ad Yaroslava (BP #2). Broken.
Well, well! I was just about to congratulate Maria on a good recovery from 0/30 and 30/40, but Yaroslava breaks back anyway!
Yaroslava serving 1-1: 40/0. 40/30. Held.
Maria serving 1-2: 0/15. 15/15. 15/40 (BP). Broken.
Andrew Lilley and David Tutton (www.rolandgarros.com): "Shved drops, volleys and slices and ooh, she's a break up. 3-1."
Maria's lost three games in a row now, including two service-games. What's wrong with her?
Yaroslava serving 3-1: 0/15. 15/15. 15/30. 40/30. Held.
Maria serving 1-4: 15/0. 15/15. 40/15. Deuce #1. Ad Yaroslava (BP #1). Deuce #2. Ad Yaroslava (BP #2). Broken.
Not even from 40/15 up! I expected it to be much closer than this, with only four places between them in the rankings. :o
Yaroslava serving 5-1: 0/40 (BPx3). Deuce #1. Ad Yaroslava (SP #1). Deuce #2. Ad Yaroslava (SP #2). Yaroslava won the first set 6-1 at 18:25 CEST (38m).
Andrew Lilley and David Tutton (www.rolandgarros.com): "Shvedova takes the opener 6-1. Except for a few points, Maria wasn't at the races in the opening stanza. Neither player served well, but Sharap's second offering was meat and drink to her unheralded Kazakh opponent � unheralded maybe, but she's actually above Maria in the rankings at the moment, after the leggy Siberian was forced out of action for nine months due to a persistent shoulder-problem. No.98 plays No.102 at the moment."
SHARAPOV * *@ *@* 6 SHVEDOVA * @* 3
Maria serving 0-0: Held to love.
Yaroslava serving 0-1: 15/15. 30/15. 30/40 (BP). Deuce. Ad Yaroslava. Held.
Andrew Lilley and David Tutton (www.rolandgarros.com): "Maria has held to open, and carved out a break-point in the second game. Shvedova saves it with a beaut of a sliced drop. It was gorgeous. I want to take that drop out to dinner in Montmartre tonight, it was that delectable."
Yet another break-point (and game-point in general) goes begging. I'm beginning to wonder whether the scoreboard hasn't got the players' names the wrong way round, because it's Maria's characteristic to fight through games like Yaroslava's doing today.
Maria serving 1-1: 15/0. 15/15. 40/15. Deuce. Ad Maria. Held.
I thought Maria was going to lose that game too, the way things have been going. :o
Yaroslava serving 1-2: 0/15. 15/15. 15/30. 40/30. Deuce #1. Ad Maria (BP #1). Deuce #2. Ad Maria (BP #2). Broken.
Andrew Lilley and David Tutton (www.rolandgarros.com): "Shved serves at Ad Maria, and the leggy Siberian (as Sharapova is rarely referred to) bangs down a belter of a return that her Kazakh opponent can only net, at full stretch."
At last the abnormal, embarrassing situation is being fixed...
Maria serving 3-1: 30/0. 30/15. 40/15. Deuce #1. Ad Yaroslava (BP #1). Deuce #2. Ad Yaroslava (BP #2). Broken.
Once again, Maria gets broken after 40/15.
Yaroslava serving 2-3: 15/0. 15/15. 40/15. Deuce. Ad Yaroslava. Held.
Maria serving 3-3: 0/15. 30/15. 30/30. 40/30. Deuce. Ad Maria. Held.
Yaroslava serving 3-4: 0/15. 15/15. 30/15. 30/40 (BP #1). Deuce. Ad Maria (BP #2). Broken.
Hard work, but at 4-3*, it's always great to break for *5-3!
Maria serving 5-3: 15/0. 15/15. 40/15 (SP #1). Maria won the second set 6-3 at 19:19 CEST (second set 54m, match so far 1h32m).
SHARAPOV * * *@* * 6 SHVEDOVA * * * * 4
Yaroslava serving 0-0: 15/0. 15/15. 40/15. Deuce. Ad Yaroslava. Held.
Maria serving 0-1: 15/0. 15/15. 40/15. 40/30. Held.
Yaroslava serving 1-1: 0/15. 15/15. 15/40 (BPx2). Deuce. Ad Yaroslava. Held.
Wow: Tipsarevic just retired against Murray, so BBC Red Button might actually show this match after all!
Maria serving 1-2: 40/0. 40/15. Held.
Yaroslava serving 2-2: Held to love.
But BBC Red Button has ended its live transmission early instead of joining this match! :fiery::fiery::fiery:
Maria serving 2-3: 15/15. 40/15. Held.
Yaroslava serving 3-3: 0/15. 15/15. 30/15. 30/40 (BP). Broken.
Andrew Lilley and David Tutton (www.rolandgarros.com): "Sharapova breaks on the back of some great backhands!"
Maria serving 4-3: 30/0. 30/15. 40/15. Deuce. Ad Maria. Held.
Again, Maria gets pegged back from 40/15; the difference now is that she's pulling through these tough games in the end, which Yaroslava was doing earlier.
Andrew Lilley and David Tutton (www.rolandgarros.com): "Shved nets and Maria is only four points away..."
Yaroslava serving 3-5: 30/0. 30/15. 40/15. Deuce #1. Ad Yaroslava. Deuce #2. Ad Yaroslava. Deuce #3. Ad Yaroslava. Held.
Andrew Lilley and David Tutton (www.rolandgarros.com): "Maria drops a beaut. More deuce..."
Maria almost gave Yaroslava a taste of her own medicine there: four game-points saved. Now the moment of truth: Maria hasn't been broken since the fifth game of the second set, so can she serve this out?
Maria serving 5-4: 40/0 (MP #1). Maria won 1-6 6-3 6-4 at 20:15 CEST (third set 56m, match 2h28m).
Andrew Lilley and David Tutton (www.rolandgarros.com): "Big forehand. 15/0 Maria. Yaroslava longs one. 30/0. And now it's three match-points...
����������� "Sharapova is through, 6-4 in the decider, and she'll face Na Li, the No.25 seed, most likely on Sunday. She's delighted, all smiles, blowing kisses.
����������� "Sharapova is such a fighter. She really is remarkable the way she hangs in there. Quite whether she can hang in there all the way to the title is doubful..."
Maria had a W:UE ratio of 26:51 to Yaroslava's 18:33. Maria's was a woeful 2:15 in the first set, while Yaroslava's deteriorated from 10:12 in the first set to a combined 8:21 for the second and third. Maria's UE-count actually increased from set to set, but so did her winner-count, while Yaroslava's winner-count decreased from set to set.
Maria got 62% of her first serves in, winning 64% of the points when she did so, and 52% on second serve. Her first-serves-in percentage was pretty constant, but her winning-percentages improved from set to set: from (43%, 22%) in the first set to (62%, 64%) for the second set to (83%, 60%) for the third.
Yaroslava got 64% of her first serves in, winning 59% of the points when she did so, and 50% on second serve. From the first set to the second, she upped her first-serves-in percentage from 50% to 68%, but her first-serve winning-percentage dipped from 64% to 48%.
Maria served a monstrous 11 double faults to just one ace, while Yaroslava served 3 aces and 4 double faults.
Yaroslava had a bigger first serve than Maria: fastest 120-112mph (wow!), average 101-98mph. Maria had the faster average second serve: 89-86 mph.
They broke each other four times each - Maria from 12 BPs, Yaroslava from only 7 BPs, which shows how wasteful Maria was with her opportunities. Yaroslava won the first set by three breaks to one; Maria won the second by two breaks to one, and the third by one break to none.
Maria won 8 of 14 points at the net (57%), Yaroslava 5 of 8 points (63%).
In points, Maria won 95-91 (first set 20-31, second set 39-30, third set 36-30).
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. From the beginning of the week, you have played six and a half hours. Is it okay for you physically, and for your shoulder?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, I think it's a lot better than playing six-and-a-half and going somewhere else tomorrow. I think I'm giving myself another chance to, you know, play again and play another match. That's the only thing I could ask for right now.
Q. Did you have the time to give a look to the draw? I mean, because you have a good chance. You seem to have a good draw. I know you look one opponent at a time, but still...
MARIA SHARAPOVA: So why do you ask me the question? <laughter>
Q. Maybe you have changed in nine months. I haven't seen you.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, good luck.
����������� No, you know, I've had so many different draws in my career: tough ones and supposedly easy ones. At the end of the day, you always look forward to your next opponent, and you always just try to take care of business, no matter whom you play.
Q. Have you noticed any change of attitude from the crowd, the public? Because sometimes before, you didn't have all the crowd with you. Sometimes yes; sometimes no. Now everyone seems happy when you win.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, probably because you're ranked outside the top 100, so people like you. <laughter>
����������� When you're No.1 in the world, for some reason they don't like you anymore. It's amazing how the society works.
����������� No, you know, I think especially here in France, I think they always love the underdog, and they always love the one that comes back, you know, from behind, or the one that's not expected to win. I'm probably that person.
Q. It seemed for a second you might have woken up on the wrong side of the bed. Couldn't keep a ball in, and then second and third, you recovered fairly well.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, I dug a nice pothole for myself there. That's kind of what I've been doing the last few rounds.
����������� But, yeah, it's just so many errors and so many mistakes that usually you can make in your sleep. You know, I actually thought her own level, you know, got a lot better towards the end of the match than it was in the beginning.
����������� I don't think I made her - you know, I don't think she came up with great shots in order to win that first set. I honestly believe that I was making easy errors, you know, was one step slow.
����������� And then, yeah, got rid of those errors and started playing better.
Q. With certain parts of your game, it's still like you're owning it. You know, the backhand looks great most of the time. Other parts of the game look like you're struggling.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Are you going to digest my game?
Q. Digest? No. Just talk about where you think things are. Sometimes the return games are great; serving-games look like you're little more nervous.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Um, I don't know. That's an interesting input. But I don't know, with every match, it just seems different. You know, I'm also playing on different courts and different - you know, the weather is different every day.
����������� It seems today the ball was flying tremendously. You know, the day before, the balls were very heavy. The courts are all different. They're playing with different speeds.
����������� I just think I'm taking a really long time to adjust to everything. You know: I definitely have to speed that up and change it in order to go any further in this tournament. It's only going to get tougher from here. You know: I just have to cut those errors and make those shots.
Q. I wondered if you're learning anything new about yourself at this tournament? But beyond how the shoulder is holding up, how the body is holding up? Are you surprised about anything happening to you here?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Like tennis-wise?
Q. Any sort of surprise at your capacity to sort of come back this way? Has anything sort of new popped into your head?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I'm full of surprises. You know, I surprise myself on a daily basis. I'll tell you, just when you think you've seen everything, I manage - I'm the only one on my team that manages to just shock everyone. Just ask a member of my team.
����������� But, um, no, to be honest, I think coming into Warsaw and coming into this tournament, it's all really - it was all really a test, and it still is a test. I've said this, and I'm going to say it again: I think after not playing for so long, you just want to come out and - you just want to try and work on your game, and see how the things you've been practising on, how they're doing.
����������� For me, it's kind of the beginning of the season. We're in the middle of the tennis-season. It's definitely strange, but, I mean, I'm not surprised at the way I've come back in my matches, and the way I've played. I've done that before. I never give up.
����������� You know, even if I'm playing horribly in the beginning of the match, I know that the match is not over till it's over, you know. If it's over and it doesn't go my way, then there's another match next week. You have to have that philosophy - especially now.
Q. Switching back to the relationship you might be striking up with the crowd here, don't you think there might be more than you being world No.1 or 2? Maybe they have been seeing you digging deep just to win a match?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, I mean, but I think everyone knows what to expect of me. You know, this might not be, you know, my best surface, and I always - especially in the early rounds or later rounds - I always have difficult matches. I go to the three sets.
����������� You know, every single first round - I think in the last three years - has been three sets. I've always been down, and I've been down match-points, but I always fight. And, you know, I think that's why - I think that's why people buy a ticket. If they didn't really care that much, even if they bought the ticket, they wouldn't come watch.
����������� I mean, I certainly know if I was going to some sporting-event and I didn't really care about who I was watching, I just wouldn't go. So there must be a reason why people come out and watch.
Q. I think you made last 16 five years ago.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Of this tournament?
Q. Yeah, French Open. Five years in a row. Does it give you some certain satisfaction, or you don't really care that you're aiming for the higher thing?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Um, I mean, I don't know if that's a solid stat, or I think many people would be happy with that stat, but I think I can do a lot better. I mean, I know I can.
����������� But, yeah, I mean especially this year. I'm just thrilled - I'm really thrilled to be here and sit here - you know, this is what - my third or fourth press-conference - and have the opportunity to play again.
����������� I mean, especially this year. It really gives me a tremendous, um, you know, tremendous perspective. You know, every single result, no matter how easy or tough, I learn so much from it.
����������� Like I've said, I've had really difficult matches here, and I had really exciting ones. And actually, most of them, I remember - I remember the certain points and the certain situations where I've been down and able to pull through them.
����������� You know, like I said, even though it's a challenge playing here, I really enjoy it. I have a lot of respect for the tournament. It has so much history and so much tradition. I certainly want to be one of the girls holding the trophy one day.
Sharapova fights back [Teletext 498]
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Maria Sharapova continued her comeback from injury to reach the fourth round of the French Open at Roland Garros.
The Russian three-time Major champion started shockingly against Yaroslava Shvedova, gifting the Kazakh four double faults and 15 unforced errors as she lost the first set.
But Sharapova dug deep, hitting back to win 1-6 6-3 6-4 and set up a clash with Li,Na for a quarter-final place.
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Sharapova rallies for three-set win at French Open (AP)
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Maria Sharapova managed to earn yet another three-set win at the French Open.
The unseeded Russian lost the first set on Friday, but rallied to beat Yaroslava Shvedova of Kazakhstan 1-6 6-3 6-4 and advance to the fourth round.
Sharapova entered the French Open despite missing nearly 10 months of play because of a shoulder-injury that required surgery. She also was pushed to three sets in each of her previous two matches.
Sharapova has won three Major titles, but none at Roland Garros.
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Sharapova thrives on underdog-status (Reuters)
By Julien Pretot (editing by Pritha Sarkar)
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* Sharapova fights back to advance to fourth round.
* French crowd love the underdogs, she says.
Being the underdog suits Maria Sharapova at the French Open, where she enjoyed being backed by the fickle Parisian crowd in a 1-6 6-3 6-4 third-round victory over Kazakh Yaroslava Shvedova on Friday.
In recent years, the Russian has endured a torrid relationship with the Roland Garros fans, and was famously booed off court when she was knocked out in 2007 and 2008.
But no longer the world number-one, the 102nd-ranked Russian seems to have become a firm favourite as she is on a comeback-trail following a nine-month layoff with a career-threatening shoulder-injury.
"Allez Maria!" the fans screamed as they cheered her on while she gasped for breath after running down many of her opponent's cunning dropshots.
Summing up the change of attitude towards her, Sharapova quipped: "You're ranked outside the top 100, so people like you."
"When you're number-one in the world, for some reason they don't like you anymore. It's amazing how the society works.
"Especially here in France, I think they always love the underdog, and they always love the one that comes back from behind, or the one that's not expected to win. I'm probably that person," added the three-times Major champion, who will next face China's Li,Na.
A beaming Sharapova blew kisses to all corners of the Centre Court after overcoming a miserable start to down Shvedova.
PERFECT RECIPE
Sharapova found the perfect recipe to strike up her relationship with the French crowd by unleashing winners after falling one set down on a sunbathed Centre Court.
She pocketed the opening game on her opponent's serve, but Shvedova broke straight back when the Russian sent a backhand wide.
She dropped serve again with her third double fault in the fourth game, and then struggled to return Shvedova's heavy first serve.
The Kazakh mixed her game with dropshots, and bagged the first set when Sharapova returned long after 37 minutes.
The former world number-one broke for 3-1 in the second set as the clock ticked past the hour. But she served a double fault at 40/30 in the following game, and instead of going 4-1 up, Shvedova broke back.
Sharapova hung on to break again with a fine backhand down the line, and followed it up on serve to level the contest.
Shvedova then faded, and bowed out with a weak backhand into the net after 2h27m.
"I could not serve at 100%, because a muscle was pulling [in my arm], and because of this, my arms got tired and it was difficult to hit the balls," said the Kazakh, who came to the post-match press-conference with an ice-pack wrapped around her arm.
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Venus Williams beaten at French; Sharapova wins (AP)
By Howard Fendrich: AP Tennis Writer
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Out of breath and out of sorts, Venus Williams played her way right out of the French Open on Friday with her most lopsided Major loss since 2001.
Hours later, Maria Sharapova appeared headed in the same direction. Like Williams, Sharapova hasn't won the French Open, and she, too, slogged through three sets in each of her first two matches this week, then looked awful at the start on Friday.
But Sharapova - surgically repaired right shoulder and all - did what Williams couldn't: she pulled herself together and moved into the fourth round. Sharapova came back to beat 98th-ranked Yaroslava Shvedova of Kazakhstan 1-6 6-3 6-4.
While Sharapova found herself in yet another two-hour-plus test, No.1 Dinara Safina and defending champion Ana Ivanovic won easily.
"I dug a nice pothole for myself there. That's kind of what I've been doing the last few rounds," Sharapova said. "I don't think she came up with great shots in order to win that first set. I honestly believe that I was making easy errors."
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Tame Venus crashes out (AFP/Reuters via Eurosport)
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Maria Sharapova overcame a miserable start to scrap into the fourth round with a 1-6 6-3 6-4 victory over Kazakh qualifier Yaroslava Shvedova.
Twelve months after competing in Paris as the world number-one, Russian Sharapova turned up ranked 102nd as she is on a comeback-trail following a nine-month lay-off with a career-threatening shoulder-injury.
Sharapova broke in the opening game, but was then simply overpowered by world number 98 Shvedova, who raced through the first set in 37 minutes.
The Russian, however, demonstrated her iron will to storm back, and prevailed after 2h27m to set up a meeting with China's Li,Na, after the 25th seed beat Belarusian Olga Govortsova 7-5 6-1.
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A 16-year-old shines... except for the scream
by Richard Evans (Tennis Week): Special to FOXSports.com
>>>
Sharapova is getting used to recovering from first-set losses. She did so for the second time here later in a day that had been blessed with lots of sunshine against Yaroslava Shvedova, winning 1-6 6-3 6-4.
Sharapova is not yet playing at her best, but the shoulder is holding up, and she seems to have lost none of her fighting spirit.
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Safina, Ivanovic Advance; Sz�vay Upsets Venus (www.sonyericssonwtatour.com)
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...and last, but definitely not least, Maria Sharapova, who continued her comeback with another comeback, battling to beat qualifier Yaroslava Shvedova 1-6 6-3 6-4.
"I dug a nice pothole for myself there. That's kind of what I've been doing the last few rounds," Sharapova said on the slow start. "I got rid of all of those errors and started playing better. Even if I'm playing horribly in the beginning of the match, I know it's not over till it's over. I've given myself a chance to play another match. That's the only thing I can ask for now."
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Maria has a 4:0 head to head against current world #25 Li,Na:
+ 2005 Australian Open 3r: 6-0 6-2
+ 2006 Miami 2r: 6-2 6-4
+ 2006 Birmingham 3r: 6-2 6-4
+ 2006 US Open 4r: 6-4 6-2
But Li can be an extremely dangerous opponent, as she goes for broke, dominating the points with either winners (her forehand is particularly potent) or unforced errors.
And Li has some results to prove it: Gold Coast 2008 was her first tournament back after a six-month injury lay-off, but she won the title. She beat both Williams-sisters last year: Venus at the Beijing Olympics (where she also beat Svetlana Kuznetsova) and Serena at Stuttgart. She has 13 wins over top-ten players in her career.
Li has a respectable 17:8 win/loss record for 2009 (including her three wins here).
After missing January with a right-knee injury, Li came back at WTA Paris and beat #30 �gnes Sz�vay 7-6 6-2 before losing 6-0 3-6 6-2 to #3 Jelena Jankovic. But she crashed out to #75 Elena Vesnina in the first round of Dubai.
Li upset #10 Agnieszka Radwanska 7-6 4-6 6-0 in the first round of Monterrey, and went on to reach the final (albeit without beating another top-30 player), which she lost 6-4 6-3 to #13 Marion Bartoli.
Li reached the fourth round of Indian Wells, beating #18 Patty Schnyder and #20 Am�lie Mauresmo both 7-5 6-2, before losing 6-4 6-4 to world #6 and eventual champion Vera Zvonar�va.
Li reached the quarter-finals of Miami, beating #5-ranked Vera Zvonar�va 6-4 3-6 6-2 in the third round. It took world #1 Serena Williams to stop her: 4-6 7-6 6-2.
The clay-court season has been less impressive for Li. At Stuttgart, she beat #33 Peng,Shuai 6-2 6-3, but lost 4-6 6-4 7-5 to #9 Svetlana Kuznetsova. She lost to #27 Sybille Bammer 7-6 4-6 6-3 in the first round of Rome. At Madrid, she beat #23 Carla Su�rez Navarro 5-7 6-1 7-5, and lost 6-3 7-6 to Majorless world #1 Dinara Safina.
Surprisingly for a 27-year-old, Li has only played the French Open twice before: both times losing in the third round. In 2006, she beat #30 Anna Chakvetadze 7-5 6-3 in the second round, then lost 6-3 7-6 to #10 Svetlana Kuznetsova. In 2007, she lost to #25 Sybille Bammer 6-4 6-3 in the third round.
This time, Li has reached the fourth round of the French Open without dropping a set:
1r + Marta Domachowska, 6-4 6-2
2r + Timea Bacsinszky, 6-1 6-4
3r + Olga Govortsova, 7-5 6-1
Maria, in contrast, has dropped a set in all three of her prior matches:
1r + Anastasiya Yakimova, 3-6 6-1 6-2
2r + NADIA PETROVA [11], 6-2 1-6 8-6
3r + Yaroslava Shvedova [Q], 1-6 6-3 6-4
So we have to be prepared for another three-setter (which would favour Maria), or even a loss (which would most likely be in two sets).
From www.sonyericssonwtatour.com:
>>>
Maria Sharapova (RUS) vs. (25) Li,Na (CHN)
Sharapova leads 4:0
Sharapova hasn't exactly cruised this week, but since the 22-year-old made her return from injury at Warsaw, she is 4:0 in three-set matches, and there's a lot to be said for that.
In the past, she hasn't needed to go the distance against Li, but the 27-year-old Chinese star, who is bidding to become the first player from her country to reach the last eight at Roland Garros, has been quietly playing herself into a groove as well.
Making only her third main-draw appearance at the French Open, she won't be fazed by the occasion, and it may be that the time has come for Sharapova to turn her attention to grass, where her renaissance will surely continue.
Of course, the Russian won't be thinking like that; having defended her fourth-round points from last year, everything now is a bonus, and she'll be keen to maximise her rankings-thrust back into the top 100. That's bad news for Li.
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+ Maria Sharapova [EF] d. LI,NA [25], 6-4 0-6 6-4
The match was fourth on Court Philippe Chatrier, which was reeling from the seismic shock of Rafael Nadal's first-ever loss at the French Open a few minutes before. I saw the whole match on BBC Red Button.
It was another tough struggle for Maria: her fourth three-setter in a row (mirroring Jelena Dokic's fairy-tale run to the Australian Open quarter-finals), and she won the last four games from 2-4* in the third. As BBC commentator Sam Smith put it, Maria won by her "sheer force of personality".
Li has the ball-striking ability of a top-five player, but is inconsistent, and can get very nervous, as she did at *4-2 in the third today. Maria enjoys playing Li because the fast pace from Li plays into her hands. Conversely, Li enjoys playing Maria when she's not getting it quite right!
From *1-2 in the first set, Maria won three games in a row for *4-3, as Li went for the lines and missed by narrow margins. Li broke back as errors crept into Maria's game, but Maria's crosscourt backhand winner gave her an opening at 4-4* (0/30), and she pushed home that advantage to break and then serve out the first set 6-4.
In the second set, Maria was broken for 0-2*, and then I realised - from the three forehand-errors she made in the next game - how tired she was: her footwork had deteriorated, and her shots seemed to lack their usual purpose.
Li won the second set 6-0 by playing to a very high level, while Maria made error after unforced error, and wasn't running for Li's winners.
At *0-1 in the third set, all I asked was for Maria to avoid a double bagel. She held serve with Li until 2-2*, but had to work so hard just to do so, while Li kept pushing her deep into the corners, from where Maria invariably tries to blast a winner rather than floating back a deep defensive shot to recover.
A quadruple fault put Maria *2-3 (15/40) down, and Li found tremendous depth on her groundstrokes to break for *4-2.
At *4-2 (30/30), Li netted a nervy crosscourt forehand to give Maria a break-point, which she converted with a down-the-line backhand winner just inside the baseline!
At the *3-4 changeover, Maria took a medical time-out to get her left thigh massaged (I wouldn't mind that job! ;-)), which she had requested at *2-3 (15/40).
Maria: "The thigh was just a little bit sore. I just needed to put some hot cream on it to forget that anything was wrong. I'm definitely a little bit... little sore, but I'll be fine. That's why the Grand Slams [sic] are great. You have a day in between - day to recover - and that always helps the body."
With the depth of Maria's groundstrokes forcing Li into errors, Maria held for 4-4* after a crosscourt backhand winner, and broke for *5-4 after a blazing backhand return-winner down the line.
An ace and a service-winner helped Maria to match-point at *5-4 (40/30), which she converted when Li hit a backhand long. Maria looked delighted, and it made me the happiest I've been so far this French Open by quite some distance! :D
Li: "She's so strong mentally. She was always fighting - doesn't matter what the score was. She never gave up. She was fighting every point on the court."
The win puts Maria into her first Major quarter-final since she won the Australian Open 2008 - thus ending an abnormal, embarrassing 16-month run at the Majors, considering that in 2005 and 2006, she reached the semi-finals of every Major except the French Open.
SH @ *@* @* 6 LI @* *@ 4
The match was fourth on Court Philippe Chatrier, and started at 18:11 CEST.
Li serving 0-0: Li on the fifth stroke hit a forehand long. 0/15. A longish baseline-rally ended with Li hitting a down-the-line forehand very long. 0/30. First serve out wide: Maria hit a blazing short-angled crosscourt forehand return would-be winner just wide. 15/30. First serve out wide: Maria mishit a down-the-line backhand return very long. 30/30. First serve out wide: Maria picked off a blazing forehand return-winner down the line. 30/40 (BP). A deep backhand return down the middle induced Li to spray a forehand long, giving Maria an immediate break.
Sam Smith said Maria loved playing Li, because the fast pace coming from Li plays into her hands. She also said Maria was even more aggressive since her comeback than when she was playing before.
Maria serving 1-0: Li hit a crosscourt forehand winner back behind Maria. 0/15. Li hit a short-angled crosscourt forehand winner just inside the sideline. 0/30. Maria hit a huge, error-forcing forehand down the line. 15/30. Li's acute crosscourt backhand return drove Maria out wide, forcing her to net a backhand. 15/40 (BP). Double fault (second serve into the net).
Sam Smith said Maria always goes for a winner when she's driven wide, and said that was right for her rather than hitting a defensive floater.
Li serving 1-1: Maria netted a forehand. 15/0. Maria hit a pinpoint forehand winner down the line. 15/15. Forehand return long. 30/15. And again. 40/15. Another forehand return long - this time just long.
Sam Smith: "When Li puts it together, she's as good as anyone in the world, but in the past, she couldn't sustain it for a whole match. It's all or nothing."
Maria serving 1-2: Maria crosscourt backhand wide. 0/15. A deep forehand return down the middle forced Maria to hit a forehand half-volley that sat up nicely for Li to... swipe a forehand into the net. 15/15. Maria crosscourt backhand winner. 30/15. Ace down the middle caught the outside edge of the centre-line. 40/15. Li ran down an inadequate dropshot and hit a forehand winner. 40/30. First serve: forehand return very long.
Li serving 2-2: Maria netted a forehand. 15/0. Maria backhand return-winner down the line. 15/15. Maria's crosscourt backhand winner on the baseline was called long (the umpire checked the mark and confirmed it). 30/15. Li slapped a forehand into the net. 30/30. Maria hit a penetrating crosscourt backhand return, forcing Li to bunt a backhand lob long. 30/40 (BP). Double fault (aggressive second serve just long).
Sam Smith: "Despite the incredible ball-striking ability of Li,Na, I fancy this comes down to a mental battle. If we get sort of deep in the sets, I know who I'd back. Despite her lack of match-practice, mentally she looks absolutely tuned in - and she has done, actually, since the first ball she struck in Warsaw."
Mark Petchey: "It's pretty easy when it's the only way you know. Doesn't have to doubt herself."
Maria serving 3-2: Li crosscourt backhand winner just inside the sideline. 0/15. Li's deep, penetrating forehand forced Maria to bunt a defensive backhand long. 0/30. Li off-forehand just wide. 15/30. Serve down the middle: Li netted a forehand return. 30/30. First serve down the middle: crosscourt backhand return just wide (the umpire checked the mark and confirmed it). 40/30. Double fault (second serve into the net). Deuce. First serve out wide: forehand return long. Ad Maria. She served right into Li's hitting-zone: Li painted the baseline with an off-forehand winner. Deuce #2. Maria hit a first serve straight into Li's backhand hitting-zone: an aggressive, early, deep crosscourt backhand return forced Maria to bunt a defensive backhand wide. Ad Li (BP). Li went for a big crosscourt forehand to the sideline, but it was just wide. Deuce #3. Li forehand just long. Ad Maria. Big first serve down the middle forced Li to spray a forehand return wide, giving Maria her third game in a row.
Li is going for very aggressive shots to the lines, and just missing by narrow margins at the moment.
Li serving 2-4: Li on the third stroke hit an off-forehand just wide. 0/15. A meaty exchange ended with Li netting a backhand. 0/30. Maria ran around her forehand to hit a backhand return, which she dumped halfway up the net. 15/30. Li hit a deep forehand just inside the baseline, forcing Maria with an anxious grunt to hit a crosscourt backhand wide. 30/30. Li spread Maria with an off-backhand + down-the-line forehand + down-the-line backhand just inside the baseline, forcing Maria on the run to hit a defensive forehand lob long. 40/30. Li's crosscourt forehand forced Maria to hit a defensive forehand long.
Maria serving 4-3: Li crosscourt forehand just wide. 15/0. Li forehand down the middle just long. 30/0. Maria forehand very long. 30/15. Maria went for a brave second serve down the middle, curling away from Li, but it was called wide for a double fault (the umpire checked the mark and confirmed it). 30/30. Maria forehand just wide. 30/40 (BP). Li opened up the court with a crosscourt forehand, and hit a forehand winner down the line.
Sam Smith: "While Sharapova enjoys the Li-ball, the converse is also true: if Sharapova doesn't get it quite right, Li is very happy with what she gets off Sharapova's racket."
Li serving 4-4: Maria's deep crosscourt backhand forced Li to spray a backhand wide. 0/15. Maria hit a big crosscourt backhand winner into the corner, and shouted "c'mon". 0/30. Maria hit a roaring off-backhand return just wide. 15/30. Li on the third stroke hit a forehand long. 15/40 (BP). Double fault (second serve just long).
Sam Smith: "Li's second serve is a little flaky."
Maria serving 5-4: Li spread Maria, her off-backhand forcing Maria to run, stretch low and wide, and net a forehand. 0/15. Deep first serve out wide forced Li to hit a backhand return wide. 15/15. A deep second serve forced a short backhand return; Maria's off-forehand forced Li to hit a backhand wide. 30/15. Deep serve out wide induced Li to hit a backhand return long. 40/15 (SP #1). Maria went for an ace out wide, but it was just wide. Li's crosscourt forehand forced Maria to hit a defensive forehand lob wide. 40/30 (SP #2). Maria on the third stroke hit a backhand very long. Deuce. Forehand return just long. Ad Maria (SP #3). Deep first serve on the service-line forced Li to hit a forehand return that clipped the netcord, landed short, and sat up nicely for Maria to hit a deep forehand just inside the baseline to force a floater; Maria's crosscourt backhand drive-volley forced Li to bunt a backhand lob long. Maria won the first set 6-4 at 19:00 CEST (49m).
Sam Smith: "Sharapova very rarely hits two loose shots in a row - or even in a game - and that's what distinguishes her from Li,Na."
SH 0 LI *@*@*@ 6
Li serving 0-0: Li's crosscourt forehand drove Maria outside the tramlines, forcing her to net a backhand down the line - not for the first time today. 15/0. Maria's aggressive forehand return induced Li to hit a forehand long. 15/15. First serve out wide: Maria netted a roaring forehand return. 30/15. Li on the seventh stroke netted a forehand. 30/30. Li sprayed a forehand long. 30/40 (BP). Maria, driven wide, hit a crosscourt forehand wide. Deuce. Maria, driven wide, netted a backhand. Ad Li. Ace out wide: on the sideline.
Sam Smith said Maria was so pumped up from watching the Australian Open in January that she went to the gym at 2am!
Maria serving 0-1: Maria netted a forehand. 0/15. A deep crosscourt backhand to the baseline forced Maria to net a backhand. 0/30. Ace out wide. 15/30. Service-winner down the middle. 30/30. Maria hit a deep first serve down the middle, but Li connected with a crosscourt backhand return just inside the sideline, forcing Maria to knock a backhand just long. 30/40 (BP #1). Maria hit a crosscourt backhand back behind Li, inducing her to net a backhand; Maria shouted "c'mon". Deuce. Double fault (second serve into the net). Ad Li (BP #2). Maria on the third stroke hit a forehand long, giving Li the first break of the second set.
The cheers from the crowd are a little strange. One section is shouting what sounds like "Laura, Laura, Laura" (it's a little too early to be cheering for Robson, but there's no way it's "Li,Na" unless they or I are VERY wrong about the pronunciation), while others are chanting "allez Marie!"
Li serving 2-0: Maria netted a forehand. 15/0. Maria hit a forehand long - lack of footwork. 30/0. Maria slapped a forehand return into the top of the net. 40/0. Double fault (deep second serve just wide). 40/15. Maria's crosscourt forehand forced Li to hit a forehand long. 40/30. Serve out wide + backhand winner down the line.
Three tired errors from Maria at the start of that game. Her footwork wasn't great, and her shots seemed to lack their usual purpose.
Maria serving 0-3: Double fault (Maria went for a deep second serve, but it was long by a hair's breadth). 0/15. Li hit a deep forehand just inside the baseline, forcing Maria to spray a backhand wide. 0/30. Maria, driven wide by a crosscourt forehand return, picked off a blazing forehand winner down the line. 15/30. Li hit an off-forehand return deep into the corner, forcing Maria to net a backhand. 15/40 (BP #1). Ace down the middle: on the centre-line. 30/40 (BP #2). Maria blasted a crosscourt backhand return halfway up the net.
<sigh> It looks like we're heading for yet another third set, and I am already weary...
Li serving 4-0: Li hit a deep, error-forcing crosscourt forehand onto the baseline. 15/0. Li netted a forehand. 15/15. First serve out wide: Maria hit a forehand return-winner down the line. 15/30. Li, on the fifth stroke, hit a deep forehand winner down the line. 30/30. Li's deep forehand induced Maria to hit a backhand just long. 40/30. Maria backhand long.
Sam Smith: "Easy power from Li now, while you just feel that Sharapova is fighting the ball."
Maria serving 0-5: Serve out wide + forehand down the line... but Maria netted a tired-looking forehand smash. 0/15. Li hit a crosscourt forehand winner, and Maria didn't even try to run. 0/30. Service-winner down the middle. 15/30. Maria on the third stroke hit a forehand long. 15/40 (BP #1). A deep forehand return down the middle induced Maria to bunt an early forehand long. Li won the second set 6-0 at 19:29 CEST (second set 29m, match so far 1h18m).
I don't like Maria's chances now. She looked so tired towards the end of that set, and is making error after error early in the rallies. Can she get a second wind?
Li is playing to a very high level - can she keep it up?
Maria took a toilet-break.
SH * * @*@* 6 LI * * *@ 4
Li serving 0-0: Li hit a deep backhand onto the baseline, forcing Maria to hit an early off-backhand wide. 15/0. Maria on the fourth stroke hit a crosscourt forehand wide. 30/0. Maria threw in an uncharacteristic loopy ball, and Li's crosscourt backhand forced her to net a backhand. 40/0. A body-jamming serve forced Maria to hit a backhand wide of the netpost and way below the level of the net.
Seven games in a row for Li. Right now, I'm worried not so much about the possibility of a loss as the possibility of a humilating double bagel. :o
Maria serving 1-0: Li netted a backhand. 15/0. Service-winner. 30/0. A big forehand return down the line forced Maria to blast a crosscourt backhand wide. 30/15. Maria opened up the court with a crosscourt forehand, but netted a down-the-line forehand. 30/30. Service-winner down the middle: on the service-line (the umpire checked the mark). 40/30. Double fault (second serve halfway up the net). Deuce. Maria served and volleyed, her off-forehand drive-volley forcing Li to hit a backhand that I was very relieved to see float long. Maria pumped her fist. Ad Maria. Li forehand just long.
A vital game for Maria to win, and she had to work very hard to do so. Now even the commentators have noticed what I've been saying since halfway through the second set: that Maria is "fatigued".
Sam Smith: "Once again, Sharapova out in those tramlines. There's very little she can do, because she hasn't got a one-hander to get her out of the corner - she has to get right behind the ball, and go two-fisted with the backhand. On a hard court, she copes a little better, because she can push off the court-surface, but here, she can't get the traction, and it really exposes her. And that's what Li has done so well: she's put Sharapova in so many parts of the court where the Russian is not comfortable. In fact, Li is moving so well and so effortlessly around the baseline, making so many balls, that that's forcing Sharapova to go even tighter to the lines."
Mark Petchey: "Yes - the only single-hander that she has on that side is her left hand."
Li serving 1-1: Maria forehand wide. 15/0. Maria slapped an off-forehand return into the net. 30/0. Maria connected with a first serve out wide, her deep, hard crosscourt forehand return forcing Li to net a forehand half-volley. 30/15. Li forced a short ball from Maria, but slapped a forehand into the net. 30/30. Li played a great spreading rally, her crosscourt forehand forcing Maria to net a defensive forehand. 40/30. Big first serve down the middle forced Maria to hit a forehand return long.
Maria serving 1-2: Li backhand winner down the line. 0/15. Forehand return long. 15/15. Maria hit an acute crosscourt forehand just inside the sideline, forcing Li to hit a down-the-line forehand wide. 30/15. Deep first serve down the middle: forehand return just long. 40/15. Maria hit a good first serve out wide, but Li hit a deep crosscourt forehand return just inside the baseline, forcing Maria to mishit a forehand half-volley into the net. 40/30. Maria netted a forehand. Deuce. Li on the fourth stroke netted a backhand. Ad Maria. Maria took the early initiative, lost it when her forehand clipped the netcord, but restored it with a backhand winner down the line.
Sam Smith: "Where Sharapova's slightly fallen down in this match is that she's opened the court up a bit too much for Li,Na - you have to be so careful on a clay-court. She hasn't really gone back behind too much to the Chinese player, and that is something she could do a little more of. As soon as she's any sort of space, she's gone straight there and left herself vulnerable. And the return of Li,Na has been phenomenal today. She really is one of the few women that actually moves towards the ball on the return - cuts off all the angles."
Mark Petchey: "For my money, she's in the top five in terms of ball-striking, as well, for sure. She strikes the ball out of the middle virtually all the time."
Another very tough hold for Maria, and it might just swing the momentum back in her favour.
Sam Smith: "She doesn't do tired."
Li serving 2-2: Maria hit a heavy forehand winner down the line: on the baseline. 0/15. Maria crosscourt backhand just wide. 15/15. First serve out wide - just inside the sideline - induced Maria to blast a down-the-line forehand return very long and very wide. 30/15. Maria crosscourt forehand just wide. 40/15. Li's deep backhand induced Maria to net an off-backhand that would also have been wide.
Sam Smith: "I don't think I've ever seen Sharapova play so aggressively on a clay-court as I have since the comeback. I think she's totally worked out, and totally clear in her mind, how she wants to play on this surface now. When she first appeared on the clay, I think she got a little bogged down in some long rallies, was trying to play a little more conservatively, like a clay-courter - height over the net. She didn't enjoy it - okay, she made semis and quarters here a few times, but she never really was a threat. I think she just believes now: impose her game, keep the points short, and see what turns up."
Maria serving 2-3: Li pounced on a short ball with an off-forehand winner. 0/15. Kicking second serve out wide induced Li to mishit a backhand return into the stands to her left. 15/15. Double fault (second serve just long). 15/30. Quadruple fault (second serve long). Maria asked to see the trainer at the next changeover. Mark Petchey: "I got a sense there that she was tapping both her legs, like her thighs, as though they're getting a little fatigued." 15/40 (BP #1). In a long, nailbiting rally, Li hit her groundstrokes with tremendous depth, but eventually sprayed a crosscourt forehand long and wide. 30/40 (BP #2). A deep return just inside the baseline induced Maria to net a half-volley forehand.
Sam Smith: "If Li,Na is going to get tight, it's going to happen right now. You can see her face tighten up when she gets nervous."
Li serving 4-2: Maria, driven wide, hit a crosscourt forehand wide. 15/0. Li netted a backhand on the third stroke. 15/15. Li hit a backhand long on the third stroke. 15/30. Serve out wide + backhand winner down the line. 30/30. Li netted a nervy crosscourt forehand. 30/40 (BP). Second serve: Maria broke back with a down-the-line backhand return-winner just inside the baseline!
The trainer came onto court for Maria, and massaged her left thigh sexily - I wouldn't mind that job! ;-)
Maria serving 3-4: Maria's deep backhand forced Li to hit a forehand wide. 15/0. Li hit a short crosscourt forehand just inside the sideline, but Maria returned the angle with interest, her deep, acute-angled crosscourt forehand forcing Li to slide right and bunt a forehand long. 30/0. Maria pounced on a netcord with a crosscourt backhand winner. 40/0. Li opened up the court with a crosscourt backhand, and hit a backhand dropshot-winner. 40/15. Deep second serve: Li slapped a forehand return into the net.
Mark Petchey: "It's her force of will that's the most impressive thing about Sharapova."
Sam Smith: "I just get the sense Li,Na's started to think a little too much. I loved it in the second set, when she was just playing from instinct, hitting and moving - it was all flowing. She's lost some of that fluidity at the moment. That's just the pressure of the situation, though."
Li serving 4-4: Maria off-backhand long. 15/0. Li backhand long. 15/15. Second serve: Maria hit a crosscourt backhand return-winner onto the sideline, but it was wrongly called wide. 30/15. First serve out wide: with a high-pitched roar, Maria hit a blazing backhand return-winner down the line. 30/30. First serve out wide: Maria hit a blazing down-the-line forehand return just inside the baseline, forcing Li to hoist a one-handed backhand floater; Maria let it bounce and hit a laserlike crosscourt forehand, forcing Li to bunt a defensive forehand lob just long. 30/40 (BP). Maria went to the net behind a deep crosscourt backhand, forcing Li to hit a backhand wide.
Mark Petchey: "Three points in a row that just sum up everything there is to say about Maria Sharapova. When she needed to, she produced her best returns of the match."
Sam Smith: "Li must feel like there was a ten-ton truck coming towards her with some of those shots - it was just awesome pressure. She's grown up under pressure-situations just going for it - there isn't a decision to make. I don't think anyone - except maybe Venus and Serena Williams - back themselves that much in that kind of situation."
Maria serving 5-4 (new balls): Li crosscourt forehand just wide. 15/0. An intense baseline-rally ended with Maria hitting a crosscourt forehand just long/wide. 15/15. Ace down the middle: on the centre-line (the umpire checked the mark). 30/15. Maria blasted a crosscourt forehand wide. Sam Smith: "Difficult to know for Li whether to twist or bust here, because the force coming at her from the other side of the net is quite incredible." 30/30. Service-winner out wide: forehand return long. 40/30 (MP #1). Deep first serve out wide: short crosscourt backhand return; Maria backhand down the middle; Li hit a short crosscourt forehand that sat up nicely for Maria to blast a forehand down the line, forcing Li to bunt a backhand lob that landed just short of the back fence. Maria won 6-4 0-6 6-4 at 20:24 CEST (third set 55m, match 2h13m).
Sam Smith: "Tough for Li,Na, really. She played terrifically well, but just beaten in the end by just sheer force of personality. I don't think Sharapova played consistently well all the match, but she just played well at the right times. Intensity was out of this world, and I guess you don't win Wimbledon at 17 unless there's something pretty special about you."
Both players had negative W:UE ratios, with Maria's being considerably worse at 17:33 (including 4:13 for the second set) than Li's 14:26 (including 4:10 for the third).
Maria got 57% of her first serves in, winning 59% of the points when she did so, and 39% on second serve. In the second set, her winning-percentages were abysmal (38%, 17%); in the third set, it would appear that she went for bigger serves, as her first-serves in percentage dipped to 45%, while her winning-percentages rose to (67%, 56%).
Li got 69% of her first serves in (which peaked at 85% for the second set, but dipped to 56% for the third), winning 58% of the points when she did so, and 52% on second serve (after 25% in the first set, this rose to 67% for the second and third).
Maria served faster than Li: fastest 112-108 mph, average first serve 103-100 mph, average second serve 96-85 mph.
Maria served 4 aces and 8 double faults, Li one ace and 3 double faults.
Maria broke 5 times from 6 BPs, Li 6 times from 10 BPs. They had the same number of BPs as each other in the first and third sets, but Maria won the first by 3 breaks to 2 (after saving a BP at *3-2), and the third by 2 breaks to 1 (despite being broken for 2-4*).
In a baseline-oriented encounter, Maria won 3 of 4 points at the net, Li 1 of 2.
In points, it was actually Li who won: 86-78 (first set 31-34, second set 26-13, third set 29-31).
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. So you're the marathon-woman. You're getting to like these three-set battles?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, sure! <laughter>
����������� Um, whatever - whatever it takes. You know, if it takes three sets, if it takes two sets, if it takes two sets in five hours, I don't care. I'm willing to be out there for as long as I need to be in order to finish the match.
����������� You know, today was another tough one, so it was tough. But I managed to get through it, and managed to win.
Q. So just talk about physically how you were feeling, and then going into the third set, kind of what you're thinking about, what you have to do?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, I mean, I'm definitely a little bit - little sore, but I'll be fine. That's why the Grand Slams are great. You have a day in between, day to recover, and that always helps the body.
����������� So I think physically I'll be fine. I mean, I had nine months of doing physical workouts and fitness and all that, so it's paying off. Before - [a] couple [of] years ago - if I had played two three-setters in a row, I'd be dead. I actually feel pretty good.
Q. So you had this little problem with the thigh. Do you know exactly what it was? You seemed to be struggling with your serve lately. Does it have anything to do with [your] shoulder-problem?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: My thigh just was a little bit sore. I just needed to put some hot cream on it to forget that anything was wrong.
����������� The serve, I actually served really good today. That actually pulled me through the match, so I'm really happy with the way that worked.
Q. You played Li,Na five times now, and you won the previous four in straight sets. This time definitely was the toughest one. What do you think of the difference? Did she play a different game, or is it because you played different[ly]?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Um, I've never played her on clay, and I think this was definitely a different match-up. And in considering we haven't played each other for a long time, I think all the previous matches should be taken out of the equation, especially when you're playing someone on a different surface.
����������� I actually thought she did many things better than when I previously played her. Even though those matches, as you said, they were two sets, but I remember having, you know, many difficulties against her, and being down - I remember I was down quite a bit in the first set at the US Open, and found my way back in that match, and managed to pull it through.
����������� But they've always been really difficult encounters. You know, she knows how to play the game, and she plays it really well. She's really aggressive. She's - I think she's improved her serve a lot. It was really important for me to return well today. I think in the end, that and serving really well helped me win the match.
Q. What's it like to play a tournament with no expectations, if that is still the case?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Um, it's still a tournament, and you still gotta go out and gotta compete, and you've gotta face an opponent, and you're going to try to win.
����������� You know, I think expectations are just words, and so is pressure. You know, they're obviously going to be there at times, and you're going to have to deal with them. You know, I think definitely if someone told me five or six weeks ago while I was practising in Florida and coming home at 7:00pm and, you know, deciding on which tournament I would be able to start back on, if someone told me that I'd be in the quarters, I'd probably take it, you know.
Q. You had a pretty interesting match that preceded you on centre court. Were you following it inside the locker-room and watching what was happening with Nadal?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah. It's interesting, because usually I love playing after Nadal, especially here, because I know that it's - most of the time it's only going to be three sets. And if he's down a set, I know that I'm going to be in the locker-room for three more, because he's going to come back and win.
����������� So that was definitely a little bit strange. It caught me off-guard. But that's - that's life and that's tennis, and that's why they put the nets up every morning. He's won this tournament so many times, and, you know, he's an incredible athlete.
����������� I have a tremendous amount of respect for him, and for his fight, and for the way he deals with everything, but just goes on the court and performs, and gives it 120% every time.
����������� Sometimes you leave that court, and sometimes you lose. It's just part of the game. He has a great head on his shoulders. I'm sure he'll be fine.
Q. My question was going to relate to this. I'll just follow up. Players are really known for their professionalism, their tunnel-vision. But when there's a huge match like Rafa's, does the word get around? Is there a buzz in the locker-room?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah. I was at the - I was in the gym for the majority of the last set, just trying - warming up, and trying to get ready for it - for my match.
����������� I definitely - I saw a few players, and they seemed really into it. I had my headphones on, so I wasn't - I try not to pay attention, and try not to get into all the drama of who's winning and who's losing, because it just sucks up too much energy from you, you know.
����������� But, yeah, I was definitely aware of the score.
Q. I know you're tired, but is there any time for happiness after the victories? Are you thinking, "I'm in a tournament now..."?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: What makes you think I'm not happy? I mean: what do I need to do, jump up and down?
Q. That would be good.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Really?
Q. Not on sore legs.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Really? Don't make me do it.
Q. But is there a lot of inner happiness? Are you so into the tournament now you're thinking, "Practise now, and Cibulkov� the next day"?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I mean: I'm a competitor. I'm an athlete. I'm here to get the job done, and my job isn't done. When the tournament is done, there's always the next one.
����������� I mean: I'm so grateful that I'm still here, and that I have this amazing opportunity to play so many matches, and keep winning and keep digging them out, and keep fighting.
����������� I mean: I love that feeling. That's why I play the sport. You know: there's no better feeling than coming down from behind and trying to find a way to win. Those things definitely make you happy. I mean...
Q. Being off for so long, and this is your first big tournament back, is there a certain sense of, "Heck, I ain't got nothing to lose? I'm playing with the bank's money." In some ways, does that take a little bit of pressure off?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Um, I think from a general point of view, yes. But I think - I mean, you always - I don't know how it works. It's always different. It's tough to answer that question, because you always want to win.
����������� Even when you don't think, you know, you're physically prepared, or you haven't had enough matches, or this and that, you forget about that when you step on the court. You just think of your goal, and your goal is to end that match with a 'W'.
����������� I know that's not a really great answer to your question, but I tried.
Q. A few words, please, to Dominika Cibulkov�. She was in Amelia Island against you - [her] first time in [a] final. It was [your] first time in [a] final on clay in this match, and then after, you beat she [sic] in Roma in three sets. What do you think about Dominika?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: She's definitely a difficult opponent, especially on clay. I've had... I've had a few challenges against her, and I think the last - when we played in Rome, that was a year ago, so I think that was my first round in Rome, and it was a really close match.
����������� But I just gotta go out there, and perform and play, and we'll see who wins.
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. Can you just tell us what you think happened in the match today, and where it turned against you?
NA LI: The match was tough. I mean, everyone can see. Also: she's strong - so strong mentally. She was always fighting - doesn't matter how was the score.
����������� I mean: turnaround was like - I mean, I don't know. I lost the first set, win second set easy, and then 4-2 up, then maybe I lose a little bit [of] concentration.
����������� Yeah, and also, I mean: she never give up. She was like fighting every point on the court.
Q. She's been away for a long time. Did you expect this kind of fight from her coming back after such a long layoff, or did you know she's a fighter and she's going to come at me?
NA LI: I mean: I'm out of the tournament [sic] long time also, so I think we are the same.
����������� Yeah, she's tough. I mean: I would say she's top player in all the world. She have strong mentally, and also body-language. She never give up on the court.
Q. Are you glad to see her back, or would you rather that she take some more time off?
NA LI: Yeah, I think she's back. Yeah.
Q. You're happy about this?
NA LI: Of course, because we are same company, same sponsor.
Sharapova battles on [Teletext 498]
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Former world No.1 Maria Sharapova staged a late fightback to beat China's Li,Na on Philippe Chatrier Court.
After winning the opening set as she continued her comeback from injury, the Russian looked dead and buried after losing the second 6-0 and going down a break for 2-4 in the decider.
Sharapova called for the trainer, but earned a 6-4 0-6 6-4 win after a 56-minute final set to reach the quarters.
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Sharapova hobbles into quarter-finals (Reuters)
By Julien Pretot (editing by Sonia Oxley)
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* Sharapova needs three sets again to advance.
* Faces Slovakia's Cibulkov� for a place in the last four.
Maria Sharapova kept alive her French Open dream on Sunday when the Russian reached the quarter-finals with a 6-4 0-6 6-4 victory over China's Li,Na.
The former world number-one - who is on a comeback-trail following a nine-month injury lay-off - will meet Slovak 20th seed Dominika Cibulkov� for a place in the last four.
Sharapova - who has dropped to 102nd in the WTA rankings, and has needed three sets to advance from each round - dropped serve twice, but broke three times to take the opening set before fading away in the second.
Three-time Major champion Sharapova took a medical time-out to have her left thigh treated, and broke decisively in the seventh game before wrapping up the win after 2h13m on her first match-point.
"Whatever it takes. Two sets, three sets, two sets and five hours," Sharapova told a news-conference.
She added that her thigh-problem was nothing to worry about.
"The thigh was just a little sore. It will be okay - we have a day off in the Grand Slams [sic], so it will be fine," she said.
Sharapova will be glad to have survived, since she produced eight double faults and 33 unforced errors during a scrappy contest.
The Russian's mental strength had made the difference, her opponent said.
"She's strong, so strong mentally. She was always fighting - doesn't matter what the score was," Li - who had been the last Asian player left in either of the singles-draws - told reporters.
"She never gave up. She was fighting every point on the court."
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Sharapova wins fourth three-set match (AP)
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Four three-set matches, four victories for Maria Sharapova at the French Open.
The unseeded Russian with the injured right shoulder pulled out another close one at Roland Garros on Sunday, coming back to beat 25th-seeded Li,Na of China 6-4 0-6 6-4 and reach the quarter-finals at the clay-court Major for the fourth time in her career.
"If it takes three sets, if it takes two sets, if it takes two sets in five hours - I don't care," Sharapova said. "I'm willing to be out there for as long as I need to be in order to finish the match."
Sharapova was absent from the Tour for the better part of year. The last Major tournament she played before her injury forced her off the court was at Wimbledon, where she lost in the second round. She then had shoulder-surgery in October.
"I'm definitely a little bit... little sore, but I'll be fine," Sharapova said. "That's why the Grand Slams [sic] are great. You have a day in between - day to recover - and that always helps the body."
On Sunday, it was Sharapova's mental strength that impressed Li more than her physical prowess.
"She was always fighting, doesn't matter how was the score," said Li, who was up a break in the third set. "I lost the first set, win second set easy, and then 4-2 up [in the third]. Then maybe I lose a little bit concentration."
Besides her ailing shoulder, Sharapova also called for a trainer to look at her left thigh after breaking Li to 4-3 in the third.
"My thigh just was a little bit sore. I just needed to put some hot cream on it to forget that anything was wrong," said Sharapova, who can complete a Career Grand Slam by winning the French Open title.
But the thought of winning her fourth Major title isn't getting to her just yet.
"I think expectations are just words, and so is pressure," said the 22-year-old Sharapova, who has dropped to No.102 in the rankings because of her injury lay-off.
"I'm here to get the job done, and my job isn't done."
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Sharapova survives another 3-setter at French Open
By Chris Lehourites: AP Sports Writer
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Four three-set matches, four victories for Maria Sharapova at the French Open.
The unseeded Russian with the injured right shoulder pulled out another close one at Roland Garros on Sunday, coming back to beat 25th-seeded Li,Na of China 6-4 0-6 6-4 and reach the quarter-finals at the clay-court Major for the fourth time in her career.
"If it takes three sets, if it takes two sets, if it takes two sets in five hours, I don't care," Sharapova said. "I'm willing to be out there for as long as I need to be in order to finish the match."
Sharapova was absent from the tour for the better part of year. The last Major tournament she played before her injury forced her off the court was at Wimbledon, where she lost in the second round. She then had shoulder-surgery in October.
"I'm definitely a little bit... little sore, but I'll be fine," Sharapova said. "That's why the Grand Slams [sic] are great. You have a day in between - day to recover - and that always helps the body."
On Sunday, it was Sharapova's mental strength that impressed Li more than her physical prowess.
"She was always fighting - doesn't matter how was the score," said Li, who was up a break in the third set. "I lost the first set, win second set easy, and then 4-2 up [in the third]. Then maybe I lose a little bit [of] concentration."
Besides her ailing shoulder, Sharapova also called for a trainer to look at her left thigh after breaking Li for 3-4 in the third.
"My thigh just was a little bit sore. I just needed to put some hot cream on it to forget that anything was wrong," said Sharapova, who can complete a Career Grand Slam by winning the French Open title.
But the thought of winning her fourth Major title isn't getting to her just yet.
"I think expectations are just words, and so is pressure," said the 22-year-old Sharapova, who has dropped to No.102 in the rankings because of her injury-layoff.
"I'm here to get the job done, and my job isn't done."
Associated Press Writer Trung Latieule contributed to this report.
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Ivanovic sent to defeat in Paris (BBC Sport)
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Maria Sharapova beat Li,Na 6-4 0-6 6-4, and next faces Dominika Cibulkov�.
Former world number-one Sharapova, who has slipped to #102 in the rankings after a long spell out with shoulder-trouble, fought back from 2-4 down in the third set to oust Chinese 25th seed Li.
The Russian was struggling with cramp to her left thigh in the latter stages, but came through for a victory that keeps alive her hopes of a fourth Major title.
Sharapova said: "Whatever it takes. Two sets, three sets, two sets and five hours.
"The thigh was just a little sore. It will be okay - we have a day off in the Grand Slams [sic], so it will be fine."
Her opponent said the Russian's mental strength had made the difference.
"She's strong - so strong mentally. She was always fighting - it doesn't matter what the score was," said Li.
Sharapova's last-eight opponent - Cibulkov� - is through to the quarter-finals of a Major for the first time with a 6-2 6-4 win over �gnes Sz�vay of Hungary.
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The Ticker (Kamakshi Tandon, TENNIS.com)
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Maria Sharapova wins her fourth three-setter in a row, defeating Na Li 6-4 0-6 6-4 to reach the quarter-finals. "I had nine months of doing physical workouts and fitness and all that, so it's paying off," said Sharapova, who is playing her second singles-tournament after being sidelined for several months with shoulder-problems.
Sharapova's match took place on the stadium right after Rafael Nadal's shock exit. "Usually I love playing after Nadal, especially here, because I know that most of the time, it's only going to be three sets," she said. "I was in the gym for the majority of the last set, just warming up, and trying to get ready for my match. I definitely saw a few players [watching], and they seemed really into it.
"I had my headphones on, so... I try not to pay attention, and try not to get into all the drama... it just sucks up too much energy from you."
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Defending Champ Out (www.sonyericssonwtatour.com)
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Maria Sharapova and Dominika Cibulkov� also reached the quarters, with No.20 seed Cibulkov� beating No.29 seed �gnes Sz�vay 6-2 6-4, and an unseeded Sharapova rallying from 2-4 down in the third set to beat No.25 seed Li,Na in a nail-biter: 6-4 0-6 6-4. Sharapova has gone to three sets in every match.
"If it takes three sets, if it takes two sets, if it takes two sets in five hours, I don't care. I'm willing to be out there for as long as I need to be in order to finish the match," Sharapova said. "Today was another tough one, but I managed to get through it and win. I'm definitely a little sore but I'll be fine. That's why the Grand Slams [sic] are great: you have a day in between to recover."
"I felt like I was going to cry, because I was just so happy. I play for these moments," said Cibulkov�, who will play her very first Major quarter-final. "I didn't know what to expect here, because I was injured and didn't play the big tournaments leading up to this. I was a little bit afraid. But this is just amazing."
Sharapova and Cibulkov� have played twice before: at Amelia Island and Rome last year. The Russian won both, but both matches were very competitive.
"She's a difficult opponent, especially on clay," commented Sharapova, who will be playing her 14th Major quarter-final, going 11:2 in her first 13. "I just have to go out there and perform, and we'll see who wins."
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I am delighted and very excited that Maria and Dominika have set up this mouthwatering quarter-final: Maria's first Major quarter-final since the Australian Open 2008, and Domi's first ever!
When Maria won her fourth-round match, I had never seen Dominika Cibulkov� play, but I was able to rectify this immediately by pulling the Amelia Island 2008 final out of a pile of unwatched DVDs that I ordered from Tennis Videos International last December.
The Amelia Island 2008 final could not have been more appropriate for this preview, as Domi was playing none other than Maria in Domi's first WTA Tour final and Maria's first clay-court final!
Domi is essentially a counterpuncher whose favourite surface is clay. She frustrates Maria on this surface by getting a lot of balls back, so the onus is on Maria to overpower her.
But Domi can also be aggressive from the baseline - particularly with her returns of serve, which produced a few spectacular winners against Maria in the Amelia Island 2008 final! I remember one backhand return-winner down the line in particular!
Most of Domi's groundstroke-winners seemed to be down the line, although a couple of times when Maria went to the net, Domi passed her with crosscourt forehand winners. Apparently Domi's passing-shots are one of her greatest strengths (as when she beat Am�lie Mauresmo in the semi-finals of Amelia Island 2008), but she doesn't get to hit that many against Maria, who only tends to go to the net when she's on top of the rally.
My first impression of watching Domi play was that she hits the ball very low over the net - none of those high bouncing balls that other short girls tend to resort to!
Domi will again be looking to spread Maria: make her run from side to side, ideally by hitting into the corners, which are an uncomfortable place on a clay-court for Maria to be.
Domi has a good first serve for one so short (5'3" to Maria's 6'2") - she even hit an ace in her opening service-game of the Amelia Island 2008 final! But Maria's aggressive returns put Domi under pressure to hit her second serves very deep, which can result in double faults.
Dropshots can be an effective tactic against Domi, as although her lateral movement is excellent, she doesn't seem quite so quick running forwards - although it has to be a good dropshot or Domi will hit a winner! If Maria can draw Domi to the net and then lob her, Domi has to retreat to the baseline, and that really puts her on the back foot (e.g. *3-4 in the first set of the Amelia Island 2008 final).
Domi also had some success with her own dropshots against Maria, who made errors after running down a couple of dropshots, and she actually lost the first point of the first-set tiebreak by running down a dropshot, hitting a winner, and touching the net with her foot before it had bounced twice!
Domi says her favourite shot is the drive-volley, and sure enough, she hit some of those in the Amelia Island 2008 final - but she was reluctant to do it more often.
Domi had some problems closing out games against Maria (who loves to fight for every game), but commentator Sam Gore said Domi was mentally strong. Whenever one of Maria's shots just missed a line, Domi had an annoying habit of circling the mark with her racket.
In the Amelia Island 2008 final, Domi recovered from *1-3 to 4-3*, and when Maria served for the first set at *5-4, Domi broke back with aggressive play, including a backhand drive-volley winner.
Domi led 4/2 in the tiebreak, saved a set-point at *5/6, but it might have been a much tougher match for Maria, had Domi not missed an easy forehand after running down a dropshot at 6/6. Maria won the tiebreak 9/7.
Domi led *2-1 in the second set, but took an medical time-out, and screamed in pain as the trainer massaged her left thigh (unfortunately this is not on the DVD). She was in tears after netting a forehand smash to get broken for *2-4, and Maria won 7-6 (9/7) 6-3.
Maria and Domi's second (and latest) meeting was in the second round of Rome 2008, which Maria won 6-2 3-6 6-4.
At Amelia Island 2008, Domi was an 18-year-old ranked #34. Now 20, she has pushed on to #19 (after a career-high of #16 in March).
Domi reached her second final at Montr�al 2008, beating #6 Elena Dementieva 6-4 6-2 in the second round, #2 Jelena Jankovic 7-5 6-2 in the quarter-finals and #15 Marion Bartoli 4-6 6-4 6-3 in the semi-finals, before losing 6-2 6-1 to #8 Dinara Safina in the final.
Another highlight that jumps out from Domi's 2008 results is her 3-6 6-2 7-6 (7/4) win over #5 Ana Ivanovic in the second round of Moscow.
Domi comes into this match with a 17:9 win/loss record for 2009 (including her four wins here). Not counting towards this record is winning the Hopman Cup for Slovakia (with Dominik Hrbat�): she beat Dinara Safina 6-7 6-1 6-4 in the women's-singles rubber of the final!
Domi reached the fourth round of the Australian Open, beating #186 Chanelle Scheepers 6-0 6-0, #75 Chan,Yung-Jan 6-0 6-2 and #56 Virginie Razzano 7-5 7-5, before losing 6-2 6-2 to #4 Elena Dementieva.
Domi reached the third round of Dubai, but retired against #75 Elena Vesnina with heat-illness when trailing 6-4 1-6 0-4. She lost her opening match at Indian Wells 7-6 6-0 to another very short player: #121 Nuria Llagostera Vives. She reached the third round of Miami, but retired against #21 Anabel Medina Garrigues with cramping at 5-5 in the third set.
Domi's clay-court season didn't go very well before the French Open. She reached the quarter-finals of Ponte Vedra Beach, but lost 7-5 6-7 6-3 to #63 Elena Vesnina. She reached the quarter-finals of Charleston, but retired against #3 Elena Dementieva with a left-adductor strain when trailing 4-6 0-1. In Fed Cup play, she lost 4-6 6-2 6-3 to #21 Am�lie Mauresmo, but beat Aliz� Cornet 6-2 5-7 6-4.
Domi lost 6-1 6-1 to #4 Jelena Jankovic in the first round of Stuttgart, and pulled out of Rome and Madrid with a left-thigh injury, which did not bode well for her French Open chances.
But Domi has reached the quarter-finals with the following results:
1r + Alyona Bondarenko, 6-4 2-6 6-4
2r + Kirsten Flipkens, 6-1 6-0
3r + Gisela Dulko [DF], 6-4 6-2
4r + �GNES SZ�VAY [29], 6-2 6-4
Whereas Maria lost 6-2 6-2 to Alyona at Warsaw, and has struggled much more than Domi to reach this stage:
1r + Anastasiya Yakimova, 3-6 6-1 6-2
2r + NADIA PETROVA [11], 6-2 1-6 8-6
3r + Yaroslava Shvedova [Q], 1-6 6-3 6-4
4r + LI,NA [25], 6-4 0-6 6-4
I'm looking forward to another very tough match.
From www.sonyericssonwtatour.com:
>>>
(20) Dominika Cibulkov� (SVK) vs. Maria Sharapova (RUS)
Sharapova leads 2:0
That Sharapova's ferocious desire to win survived her nine-month enforced break is no surprise. That the former world No.1 has juggled recuperation from shoulder-surgery with the construction of an effective new service-action and an even more aggressive playing-style is impressive too.
But she has only just scraped through some of her matches, and if the dream-comeback has to end at some point, Cibulkov� might just be the player to strike the blow.
Their last match was a tight three-setter on clay in Rome last year, and while Cibulkov�'s ranking has stalled in the high teens this season, she boasts the consistency and mobility to withstand the Russian assault.
Although Cibulkov� missed the major clay-court lead-ins after aggravating a hip-adductor injury during her mighty Fed Cup effort against France - she spent more than seven hours on court over two days - she seems fresh, and a tiny bit surprised by her success so far. If she can handle the occasion, it could be the start of greater things.
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- Maria Sharapova [EF] lt. DOMINIKA CIBULKOV� [20], 0-6 2-6
Maria was playing only her second singles-tournament back after a 9�-month injury-layoff. Her reason for not playing singles in March was that she wasn't fit enough to play for more than four days in a row, so it's not surprising that after four tough three-setters to reach the quarter-finals, she had nothing left.
This is what Maria had to say for herself: "I guess you could only ask your body to do so much. Everything fell a little short today. The pace wasn't there on my strokes, and I was five steps slower. She just played really solid and made me hit a lot of balls, and I came up short today."
Maria was on the verge of a humiliating double bagel as Domi had her first match-point 6-0 *5-0, so I felt a lot better after she won two games, and Domi, after another tough service-game at *5-2, converted her fifth match-point to reach her first Major semi-final.
Domi: "I realised I could beat Maria Sharapova 6-0 6-0 and go to the semi-finals in a Grand Slam [sic], and I got shocked. So when it was 5-2, I knew I was serving and had to make this game."
Maria: "I don't really care about numbers. It's either a 'W' or an 'L', and I prefer 'W'. You know, if it's 7-6 in the third and you come out with a loss, what's the difference?"
If Maria had lost 6-0 6-0, I would have had to kill myself, because I have made an unbreakable vow to report on all her French Open matches, and an unbreakable vow NOT to report on any double bagels she may suffer! :o
SHARAPOVA 0 CIBULKOV� @*@*@* 6
The match was second on Court Suzanne Lenglen, and its chances of being televised by the BBC were shot to pieces when S�derling beat Davydenko 6-1 6-3 6-1 in the previous match even before Azarenka v Safina had finished on Court Philippe Chatrier. So instead of showing this match, the BBC showed Murray v Gonz�lez on both BBC 2 and BBC Red Button. :fiery:
The match started at 16:13 CEST.
Maria serving 0-0: 0/15. 15/15. 15/40 (BP #1). 30/40 (BP #2). Broken.
Domi serving 1-0: 15/0. 15/40 (BPx2). Deuce #1. Ad Domi. Deuce #2. Ad Domi. Held.
Two break-points go begging.
Maria serving 0-2: 0/15. 15/15. 15/40 (BP). Broken.
Domi serving 3-0: 0/30. 40/30. Held.
A 0/30 opening wasted, and this is starting to get very embarrassing.
Maria serving 0-4: 15/0. 15/15. 30/15. 30/40 (BP). Broken.
Domi serving 5-0: 30/0. 30/15. 40/15 (SP #1). Domi won the first set 6-0 at 16:43 CEST (30m).
Just checked the live-scores thread at TennisForum.com to find out what's going wrong, and apparently, Maria can hardly move.
franny: "She's just all out of sorts, and looks like she has no energy left. Her shots have no sting, and yet she's still missing almost on every ball."
Perhaps it's just as well that the BBC isn't televising this match! :o
SHARAPOVA @* 2 CIBULKOV� @*@*@ * 6
Maria serving 0-0: 15/0. 15/40 (BP #1). 30/40 (BP #2). Broken.
Domi serving 1-0: 30/0. 30/30. 40/30. Held.
Maria serving 0-2: 0/15. 30/15. 30/40 (BP). Broken.
Despite 30/15, the horrible humiliation continues. :o
Domi serving 3-0: 15/0. 15/15. 40/15. 40/30. Held.
Apparently, Maria has even resorted to moonballing against the 5'3" Domi! :o
Maria serving 0-4: 0/30. 15/30. 15/40 (BP #1). 30/40 (BP #2). Broken.
Domi serving 5-0: 15/0. 15/30. 30/30. 30/40 (BP #1). Deuce #1. Ad Domi (MP #1). Deuce #2. Ad Maria (BP #2). Broken.
THANK GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's amazing how hard it is for someone on the verge of a double bagel to actually get it. Anne Keothavong almost did it to Ioana Raluca Olaru at Warsaw, but Olaru came through a deuce-game to avoid complete humiliation, and Keothavong at least took Safina to deuce before Safina did it to her in the first round here.
Maria serving 1-5: Held to love.
It won't be easy for Domi to serve for the match now, having already failed once and wasted one match-point. Maria certainly has some mental momentum now, though it would still take an unprecedented miracle (has anyone in tennis-history ever recovered from 0-6 0-5 and won?) for her to turn this one around.
Domi serving 5-2: 0/15. 40/15 (MP #2). 40/30 (MP #3). Deuce #1. Ad Domi (MP #4). Deuce #2. Ad Maria (BP). Deuce #3. Ad Domi (MP #5). Domi won 6-0 6-2 at 17:28 CEST (second set 45m, match 1h15m).
Maria had a W:UE ratio of 14:27 (first set 4:13, second set 10:14) to Domi's 9:9 (first set 6:1, second set 3:8).
They both got 64% of first serves in (Domi raising hers from 48% for the first set to 74% for the second), but whereas Domi won 69% of the points when she did so, and 45% on second serve, the winning-percentages for Maria were woeful: 44% and 29% (first set: 36% and 17%).
Maria served much faster than Domi: fastest 112-107 mph, average first serve 98-93 mph, average second serve 93-87 mph.
Maria served 2 aces and 5 double faults, Domi one ace and 3 double faults.
Domi broke 6 times from 9 BPs, Maria just once from 3 BPs.
In a baseline-oriented encounter, Domi won 2 of 3 points at the net, Maria 1 of 3.
In points, Domi won 57-37 (first set 26-12, second set 31-25).
THE MODERATOR: Questions in English, please.
Q. You looked very tired, but you fight until the last ball. Can you explain what you feel, how you feel now.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Um, it took me a while, obviously, to start going for my shots and create, you know, good opportunities to come to the net and finish the point off, you know, closer to the court.
����������� Yeah, it just, you know, I guess you could only ask your body to do so much. You know, everything fell a little short today. The pace wasn't there on my strokes, and, you know, I was five steps slower today.
����������� I think everything kind of combines. The fact [is] that, you know, she just played really solid, and made me hit a lot of balls, and I came up short today.
Q. The game today, it looked as if the score didn't reflect the game. It didn't look as if it should be such a difference in the score within the game. What happened? It's as if you lost most of the crucial points.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, definitely. I don't know, second game of the match, 15/40, I missed two returns in a row. I mean, that's just, you know, stupid. You give your opponent so much confidence.
����������� And many games after that, it was 30/30. Yeah, obviously when you lose a few of those in a row, your opponent all of a sudden gains momentum and gains confidence, and then it's pretty difficult to get those opportunities back again.
����������� So you've got to take advantage of them when you have the opportunities.
Q. You said you can only ask your body to do so much. Is that because of playing four long matches before this?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I don't know. I'll ask you that question. What do you think?
Q. Did not having had much match-work over the past year have an effect, do you think?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I think for the previous matches, yes. I think, you know, if I didn't - if I was smart and finished the match off when it had to be finished off or, you know, didn't have letdowns, absolutely.
����������� But I don't think it had anything to do with today.
Q. Your shoulder, how did it feel today?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: It's fine. It's good.
Q. The French public supported you very much, especially at the end. You are happy with that?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Absolutely. Yeah, I was very appreciative of the way they were rooting for me, asking for me to fight and, you know, to keep working and find a way to turn things around, you know.
����������� Yeah, definitely. I've had a really great last few weeks here, and I can only tell them that I'll be back next year.
Q. Was there anything she did that was particularly troublesome to your game today?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I just think she did - she was just solid - she made me hit a lot of balls. She was very solid. She did the right things, I mean, in order to win.
����������� She won. I guess that's what - I guess that's what only matters in the end.
Q. Two things: overall, pretty good run here. Could you comment on the big picture of your big comeback this spring and here? And realistically, when do you think you'll reach your peak? Do you think you'll be able to turn it around by Wimbledon, or, more realistically, US Open?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I think this is a very good starting-point for me, definitely. I always say you're only as good as your last tournament. Reflecting back on everything that I've been through in the last year, I think I can sit here and say I'm pretty proud of what I've achieved - not only in this tournament, but in that whole time.
����������� I just gotta keep working and keep my head up. The only thing I can do is just work on the things that you feel you need to improve, and keep getting better. That's... it's only going to help you.
Q. On a scale of 1 to 10, where would you place your physical?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Um, I don't really like scales, so I don't know. I don't know where it is. I don't like numbers, either.
Q. How will you prepare [for] Wimbledon?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: How?
Q. Yes.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Just go on a practice-court and hits millions of balls, and work on the things I need to improve.
����������� Yeah, I'll definitely take a couple days off, and then get on the grass.
Q. The other day, you said that maybe the people are supporting you now because you're not anymore No.1, or you're sort of underdog. But don't you think that all these changes at the top of women's tennis have somehow disorientated the people, and they would like to see you back as the queen of the tennis as you were supposed to become?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Well, I mean, the one thing I've always said about ranking is, yes, I think numbers never lie. They always reflect on your performance and what you've achieved.
����������� But taking that aside, I think - I think no matter if you're ranked No.1 or No.100, it takes just as much work to get there. It takes a lot of hard work. There's no one in this draw that lacks that work. I have a tremendous amount of respect for everyone.
����������� At the end of the day, I mean, I've been No.1, and I've done really crappy while I've been there. But I'm - you know, I'm just looking forward to getting back out there and getting there again. I mean: I wouldn't be here if I didn't think I could do it again.
Q. There was another day which was a very bad day for you: in Indian Wells, when you played Lindsay Davenport. Today, when you were down six-love five-love, you were almost...
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Look what happened when I lost to Lindsay Davenport. I won two more Grand Slams [sic], so...
Q. Yeah, that's why. So we wish you the same thing.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Thank you. Very nice of you.
Q. What happened then, and what was the difference with today? There was completely different situation? Can you try to remember a little bit and tell me how?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: That was years ago. Yeah, I don't remember much of it, because it didn't last long. I played two different opponents, today, and two different situations on two different surfaces, and it's tough to reflect on that.
Q. You haven't spent very much of your life behind six-love five-love and match-point. What were you thinking at that point? Was it as strange as it was tough? I mean, what was the thought?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I mean, the only real difference is numbers. Like I said, I don't really care about numbers. It's either a 'W' or an 'L', and I prefer 'W'.
����������� You know, if it's 7-6 in the third and you come out with a loss, I mean, what's the difference, you know? You lose.
����������� I mean: obviously you try to give 100%, and you try to fight for everything. And I've always been a fighter, and I [always] will be. You know, you can only ask yourself to do so much. When you run short, you've gotta keep your head up and look forward to the next opportunity you get.
THE MODERATOR: Questions in English, please.
Q. It was so hard to believe what happened out there. Can you explain a little bit to us what that was?
DOMINIKA CIBULKOV�: Yeah, I mean, it was, I think, more surprising for the people who don't know me, you know. Maybe for the crowd. But, you know, I was - today I was playing really solid. I was playing, you know, very solid from the baseline. I think I made really just not a lot of, you know, unforced errors.
����������� I was returning well, and my serve was like so-so today. It was not the best, but I knew if I played solid, you know, and if I make her move, yeah, and if I play well, then I have this chance.
Q. How hard was it then to finish it off, especially when you hear the crowd and maybe it's not against you, but they wanted Maria so badly to win?
DOMINIKA CIBULKOV�: Yeah, I know. It was really - it was really tough, because when I was up 6-0 5-0 (40/30), in this moment I realised what I can make. I realise I can beat, you know, Maria Sharapova 6-0 6-0 and to go to semi-finals in a Grand Slam, you know. I got shocked a little bit, you know, and I realised everything.
����������� But then, you know, she hit a great shot, so it was 5-2, and I knew that I was serving and I have to make this game, because then it will be really difficult, you know, if it will be 5-3, 5-4. Then I can get really tight.
����������� And the crowd, you know, I was a little bit surprised, because this never happen to me that so many people were like - there were maybe not against me, but they wanted Maria to go - to play, you know, to beat me or, you know, to watch longer our tennis.
����������� So, you know, in the beginning I got a little bit p***ed. You know, like why against me? They don't like me or what's happening? But then, you know, I realised I cannot think of these things.
����������� You know, after the match, my agent, she just told me like, you know, Don't take it like personal. Maybe the people they wanted, you know, the match to go on.
Q. You start very quickly. You came very quickly into the match. It was your intention to rush Maria?
DOMINIKA CIBULKOV�: This is not something unusual for me, because this is part of my game. This is, you know, how I play. I'm quick and I'm fast on the court.
����������� You know, it was my tactic, you know, to play close to the baseline and, you know, to make her move, and not to be scared of her first, two, three, like fast shots.
����������� I knew that if I managed to put it back, then I have my chances.
Q. You say at the beginning that, okay, maybe it was more surprising for the crowd, but not for you. I mean: six-love five-love, you had to be very surprised?
DOMINIKA CIBULKOVA: I mean - they asked me if, in the beginning, I was surprised with my game. It was - no, but that's what I said. When it was 6-0 5-0 and 40-30, that's when I realised like what is happening? 6-0 5-0, it's too much, I think, against Maria.
����������� That's why maybe I missed the first match-point, because I was thinking. I just said I was surprised, you know, in the end of the match when I had... when I had the match-point.
����������� But I wouldn't say I was surprised. I was just... I just start to think, "What's the score?".
Q. You played a good match against her already in Rome, no?
DOMINIKA CIBULKOV�: Uh-huh.
Q. And did you play also in Qatar,or not? I can't remember.
DOMINIKA CIBULKOV�: No, no, no. I played against - I lost in the final in Amelia Island, and then I lost to her in Rome. But there was... I think it was a very close match. I was up in the third set, I think 3-0 and 40/15, so it was really, really close, and I could beat her, and now I took my chance.
Safina fights back to reach semis [CEEFAX 492]
>>>
Safina will play Slovakia's Dominika Cibulkov� in the last four after the 20th seed ended Maria Sharapova's revival in style, crushing her 6-0 6-2.
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Sharapova shrugs off size of loss [CEEFAX 490->492]
>>>
Maria Sharapova said the score did not concern her after Dominika Cibulkov� inflicted her worst Major defeat.
"I don't really care about numbers," Sharapova said after the 6-0 6-2 loss.
"It's either a 'W' or an 'L', and I prefer 'W'. You know, if it's 7-6 in the third and you come out with a loss, what's the difference?"
"I guess you could only ask your body to do so much. Everything fell a little short today. The pace wasn't there on my strokes; I was five steps slower."
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Poor Sharapova crushed by Cibulkov� [Teletext 495->497]
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Cibulkov� ousts Sharapova [Teletext 497]
Dominika Cibulkov� claimed a crushing victory over Maria Sharapova at the French Open to reach her first-ever Major semi-final in Paris.
The Slovakian 20th seed raced through the first set 6-0, but then missed match-point at 5-0 in the second set before finally claiming it 6-2.
Cibulkov�, who had never beaten Sharapova before, will face top seed Dinara Safina in the semi-finals.
Sharapova feels pace [Teletext 497]
Maria Sharapova felt the effects of her long lay-off during her defeat by Dominika Cibulkov� at the French Open.
The Russian - who only recently returned after nine months out - was crushed 6-0 6-2 by the Slovakian in the last eight.
She said: "I guess you could only ask your body to do so much. You know, everything fell a little short. The pace wasn't there on my strokes, and I was five steps slower."
Cibulkov� had nerves [Teletext 497]
Dominika Cibulkov� was hit by nerves before sealing her win over Maria Sharapova at the French Open.
The Slovakian was leading 6-0 5-0, but wasted a number of match-points before winning 6-2 to reach the semi-finals.
She said: "I realised I could beat Maria Sharapova 6-0 6-0 and go to the semi-finals in a Grand Slam, and I got shocked. So when it was 5-2, I knew I was serving and had to make this game."
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Sharapova loses to Cibulkov� 6-0 6-2 at French (AP)
>>>
Maria Sharapova's latest bid for her first French Open title ended with a 6-0 6-2 loss to Dominika Cibulkov�.
Sharapova lost the first 11 games, and averted a shutout only after facing match-point. She was playing in just her second tournament after a layoff of nearly 10 months because of a right-shoulder injury and surgery.
Sharapova had won three-setters in all four previous matches in this year's tournament.
Cibulkov� - a 20-year-old Slovak seeded 20th - advanced to her first Major semi-final. Her opponent on Thursday will be top-ranked Dinara Safina, who rallied to beat Victoria Azarenka 1-6 6-4 6-2.
<<<
Safina survives, Davydenko suffers birthday-blues (Reuters)
By Pritha Sarkar (editing by Sonia Oxley)
>>>
Maria Sharapova - on a comeback-trail from a nine-month injury-layoff - was on the receiving end of an even more emphatic 6-0 6-2 rout from 20th seed Dominika Cibulkov�.
The former world number-one's patched-up shoulder held up during four successive three-setters, but her run was finally ended by a rather amusing and petulant Cibulkov�.
Behaving like a child who had just had a bag of sweets taken away from her, a grimacing Cibulkov� stamped her feet and swiped her racket against the ground as Sharapova hung on to save four match-points.
On the fifth, the 102nd-ranked Sharapova netted a forehand that sent Cibulkov� into an aerial twirl before she fell flat on her back to celebrate her first Major semi-final appearance.
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Safina holds nerve to secure Cibulkov� semi
By Matthew Cronin (www.rolandgarros.com)
>>>
Top seed Dinara Safina overcame a stern challenge by Belarusian teenager Victoria Azarenka, and powered into the semi-finals with a 1-6 6-4 6-2 victory.
Safina will face Slovakian upstart Dominika Cibulkov�, who tore apart Maria Sharapova 6-0 6-2.
After contesting four three-set matches prior to taking the court against Cibulkov�, Sharapova - who just returned to singles-play after 10 months off due to a shoulder-injury - looked tired trying to run down balls from the baseline.
The 20-year-old Cibulkov� played extremely steadily, and while she didn't serve particularly well, she adeptly moved the ball around until she could get into points.
Enough is enough
"I guess you could only ask your body to do so much," Sharapova said. "Everything fell a little short today. The pace wasn't there on my strokes, and I was five steps slower today. I think everything kind of combines. The fact is that she just played really solid, and made me hit a lot of balls, and I came up short today."
Cibulkov� has lost two matches to Sharapova on clay last year, but was determined to exact revenge, and controlled much of the action. However, she needed five match-points to close the contest out, because in the final moments, she realised that the final four was within her grasp.
"It was really tough, because when I was up 6-0 5-0 (40/30), in this moment I realised what I can make. I realize I can beat Maria Sharapova 6-0 6-0 and to go to semi-finals in a Grand Slam [sic]. I got shocked a little bit, and I realised everything. But then she hit a great shot, so it was 5-2, and I knew that I was serving and I have to make this game, because then it will be really difficult, you know, if it will be 5-3, 5-4. Then I can get really tight."
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Sharapova lost her match but won the crowd (Reuters)
By Julien Pretot (editing by Sonia Oxley and Pritha Sarkar)
>>>
Maria Sharapova left the French Open on Tuesday following a 6-0 6-2 quarter-final demolition by Slovak Dominika Cibulkov�, but it was not all bad news, as she had finally won over the fickle Roland Garros crowd.
The former world number-one, who was jeered off court after being eliminated in 2007 and 2008, was backed enthusiastically as she battled past her first four opponents in three sets.
"Allez Maria!" became a regular chant heard around Suzanne Lenglen Court, and when the Russian found herself 0-6 0-5 down against the 20th-seeded Cibulkov�, the volume of support reached deafening levels, especially when she saved a match-point with a forehand winner.
The 102nd-ranked Sharapova, who is on a comeback-trail following a nine-month injury-layoff, saved three more to the delight of the fans, but finally bowed out on the fifth.
The crowd still gave her a standing ovation.
"I was very appreciative of the way they were rooting for me, asking for me to fight and to keep working, and find a way to turn things around," Sharapova told a news-conference.
"I've had a really great last few weeks here, and I can only tell them that I'll be back next year."
Cibulkov� - who will face world number-one Dinara Safina for a place in Saturday's final - was taken aback by the crowd-reaction.
"I was a little bit surprised, because this never happened to me that so many people were maybe not against me, but they wanted Maria to go, to play, to beat me, or to watch longer our tennis," she said.
Sharapova, who returned to singles-action last month at the Warsaw Open, said she was not too bothered by fact she almost lost the match without winning a game.
"The only real difference is numbers. Like I said, I don't really care about numbers," she said.
"It's either a 'W' or an 'L', and I prefer 'W'. If it's 7-6 in the third and you come out with a loss, what's the difference? You lose.
"Obviously, you try to give 100%, and you try to fight for everything. And I've always been a fighter and I [always] will be."
When Cibulkov� realised she was about to whitewash Sharapova, her nerves got the better of her.
"It was really tough, because when I was up 6-0 5-0 (40/30), in this moment I realised what I could do," she said.
"I realised I can beat Maria Sharapova 6-0 6-0 and to go to the semi-finals in a Grand Slam [sic].
"I got shocked a little bit."
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Sharapova loses at French, barely avoids shutout (AP)
By Howard Fendrich: AP Tennis Writer
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The final score of Maria Sharapova's stunning loss in the French Open quarter-finals on Tuesday did not look quite as embarrassing as it nearly did: her opponent led 6-0 5-0.
That Sharapova saved a match-point in the 12th game, and wound up delaying her defeat for 15 minutes was of no consolation, of course. All that mattered was that her bid to complete a Career Grand Slam this year ended when she was beaten 6-0 6-2 by 20th-seeded Dominika Cibulkov�.
"I don't really care about numbers. It's either a 'W' or an 'L'," Sharapova said, "and I prefer 'W'."
All of that time on court at the French Open, and all of that time away before it, finally caught up with her, resulting in her most lopsided loss at a Major tournament.
"You can only ask your body to do so much," said Sharapova, who had right-shoulder surgery in October, and had played four three-set matches at Roland Garros in her first Major tournament in nearly a year. "Everything fell a little short today. The pace wasn't there on my strokes, and, you know, I was five steps slower."
Her absence from the Tour dropped her ranking outside the top 100. Still, as a former No.1 and a three-time Major champion, Sharapova was expected to beat Cibulkov�: a 20-year-old Slovak who was making her Major quarter-final d�but, and whose chief financial backer is not a shoe-company or a racket-manufacturer but, instead, a friend of her coach from back home in Bratislava.
Now the 5'3" Cibulkov� - 11 inches shorter than Sharapova - faces the current No.1, Dinara Safina, who overcame a shaky start to defeat No.9 Victoria Azarenka of Belarus 1-6 6-4 6-2.
"I'm not really happy with my game today," Safina said.
One might have thought Cibulkov� would feel exactly the opposite about her own performance, but neither she nor her coach Vladim�r Pl�ten�k thought she played perfectly. "Regular," was the word Pl�ten�k used when they huddled in the hallway outside the locker-room at Court Suzanne Lenglen.
"I told you!" Pl�ten�k said. "I told you if you played regular, you could do it!"
Indeed, stranger things have happened at this tournament - not least was Robin S�derling's fourth-round upset of four-time defending champion Rafael Nadal. No one - save perhaps S�derling - thought he would stop Nadal's 31-match winning-streak in Paris, and given that accomplishment, there should be no doubting how far the Swede can go.
Fernando Gonz�lez - the 2007 Australian Open runner-up - reached his first semi-final at Roland Garros with a 6-3 3-6 6-0 6-4 victory over No.3 Andy Murray.
Was Gonz�lez surprised to have taken a set 6-0 from Murray?
"Playing Andy? I would have never dreamed it," Gonzalez said, "even playing table-tennis."
Cibulkov� had similar thoughts about Sharapova, and it showed at the end.
Far less experienced in these settings, Cibulkov� was steady throughout. She made only one unforced error in the first set, and nine overall - 18 fewer than Sharapova. Cibulkov� broke Sharapova's serve in the first game and - with the help of two double faults - again in the third, and suddenly a pattern was established.
When Sharapova was late for a backhand and tried hitting the ball lefty, only to sail the shot wide, Cibulkov� had won 11 of 11 games, and would serve for the match. She got within a point of ending things, right then and there, when it hit her.
"I realised, like, 'What is happening? 6-0 5-0 - it's too much, I think, against Maria,'" she said. "That's why maybe I missed the first match-point."
She pushed a forehand long there to start a run of eight consecutive points for Sharapova, which allowed the Russian to break to 5-1 and hold for 5-2. Serving for the match a second time, Cibulkov� saw three more match-points go to waste: Sharapova would not go quietly, her strokes gaining their customary sting, and her trademark shrieks rising in pitch and volume.
But on match-point No.5, Sharapova dumped a forehand into the net, and Cibulkov� dropped her racket and fell on her back, leaving a rusty splotch on her white top.
"She made me hit a lot of balls. She was very solid. She did the right things, I mean, in order to win," Sharapova said. "She won. I guess that's what only matters in the end."
To Sharapova, maybe. To Cibulkov�, every detail of the biggest victory of her career mattered.
Beaming afterward, Cibulkov� wanted to hear Pl�ten�k describe what had just happened.
"How many match-points did I have?" she asked her coach. "How many? Tell me!"
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Sharapova suffers stunning French Open defeat (AFP)
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Maria Sharapova suffered one of the worst defeats of her career on Tuesday, when she was beaten 6-0 6-2 by Slovakia's Dominika Cibulkov� in the French Open quarter-finals.
It was the former world number-one's heaviest loss since she went down 6-1 6-1 to Serena Williams in the fourth round of Miami in 2007.
It could have been a lot worse for sport's most highest-profile woman as Cibulkov� - playing in her first Major quarter-final - had a match-point to complete a 6-0 6-0 humiliation, before the Russian managed to put two games together to stop the rot.
Sharapova saved three more match-points in the 12th game of the second set, before her resistance crumbled with a netted forehand.
Cibulkov�, the 20th seed, will now will face top seed Dinara Safina - who earlier put out Victoria Azarenka of Belarus - for a place in the final.
Sharapova, playing only her second tournament since a 10-month lay-off because of a shoulder-injury, was bidding to reach her second semi-final following a run to the 2007 last four.
The Russian star, whose ranking slumped to #104 in the world during her time off the Tour, had won both her previous matches against the pint-sized, 20-year-old Cibulkov�, and both were on clay.
But Cibulkov� - 11 inches (27cm) shorter than the glamorous Russian - was in complete control of the quarter-final, breaking in the first, third and fifth games of the opening set.
The Slovakian was then quickly 1-0 ahead before receiving a code-violation for taking too long between points.
It didn't throw her off her stride, however, as she quickly went to 5-0 ahead before squandering her first opportunity to serve for the match.
She wasn't to be denied in the eighth game, and slumped to the dirt-surface of Court Suzanne Lenglen in celebration.
Sharapova finished with 27 unforced errors to her opponent's tidy nine.
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Sharapova downed by Cibulkov� (AFP)
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Maria Sharapova's Major comeback ended in the French Open quarter-finals after she was demolished 6-0 6-2 by Slovak Dominika Cibulkov�.
Cibulkov� will face world number-one Dinara Safina for a place in Saturday's final, after the Russian recovered from dropping the first set to beat ninth seed Victoria Azarenka 1-6 6-4 6-2.
Sharapova - a three-time Major title-winner, but who has never got beyond the last four in Paris - was playing just her second tournament following a 10-month lay-off to recover from a shoulder-injury.
She had needed three sets in each of her four matches to make the last eight, and the 22-year-old ran out of steam against an inspired Cibulkov�, who is enjoying her best Major run.
The loss was former world number-one Sharapova's heaviest defeat since she went down 6-1 6-1 to Serena Williams in the fourth round of Miami in 2007.
It could have been a lot worse, as Cibulkov� - the 20th seed - had a match-point to complete a 6-0 6-0 humiliation before the Russian managed to put two games together to stop the rot.
Had she suffered a whitewash, it would have been only her second 'double-bagel' - after she lost to Lindsay Davenport in the Indian Wells semi-finals in 2005.
Sharapova saved three more match-points in the eighth game of the second set before her resistance crumbled.
"It took me a while to get going and create good opportunities to come to the net and finish the points," said Sharapova.
"But you can only ask your body to do so much. Everything fell short, and the pace wasn't there. It all combined, but she played really solid, and I came up short."
Cibulkov� said she wasn't surprised by her performance.
"It might be a surprising result for people who don't know me, but I played solid from the baseline, and didn't make too many errors," said the Bratislava-girl.
"I knew that if I could make her move around the court, I would have a chance."
Sharapova - whose world-ranking slumped to #126 during her time off the Tour - had won both her previous clashes against Cibulkov�, and both were on clay.
But Cibulkov� - 11 inches (27cm) shorter than the glamorous Russian - was in complete control from the outset, and claimed victory on a fifth match-point when Sharapova put a weary return into the net.
Sharapova finished with 27 unforced errors to her opponent's nine.
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Pint-sized Cibulkov� downs Sharapova, faces Safina (AFP)
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Pint-sized Dominika Cibulkov� became the first Slovakian to reach the French Open semi-finals on Tuesday by striking down Russian giant Maria Sharapova 6-0 6-2.
Now the 5'3" (1.61m) Cibulkov� must tackle another mighty figure in the shape of world number-one and top seed Dinara Safina, who reached her second successive semi-final here with a 1-6 6-4 6-2 win over Victoria Azarenka.
Sharapova - a three-time Major title-winner, but who has never got beyond the last four in Paris - was playing just her second tournament following a 10-month lay-off to recover from a shoulder-injury.
She had needed three sets in each of her four matches to make the last eight, and the 22-year-old ran out of steam against an inspired Cibulkov�, who is enjoying her best Major run.
Tuesday's loss was former world number-one Sharapova's heaviest defeat since she went down 6-1 6-1 to Serena Williams in the fourth round of Miami in 2007.
It could have been a lot worse as Cibulkov� - the 20th seed - had a match-point to complete a 6-0 6-0 humiliation, before the Russian managed to put two games together to stop the rot.
Had she suffered a whitewash, it would have been only her second 'double-bagel' - after she lost to Lindsay Davenport in the Indian Wells semi-finals in 2005.
Sharapova saved three more match-points in the eighth game of the second set before her resistance crumbled.
"It took me a while to get going, and create good opportunities to come to the net and finish the points," said Sharapova.
"But you can only ask your body to do so much. Everything fell short, and the pace wasn't there. It all combined, but she played really solid, and I came up short."
Cibulkov� said she wasn't surprised by her performance.
"It might be a surprising result for people who don't know me, but I played solid from the baseline, and didn't make too many errors," said the Bratislava-girl.
"I knew that if I could make her move around the court, I would have a chance."
Sharapova - whose world-ranking slumped to #126 during her time off the Tour - had won both her previous clashes against Cibulkov�, and both were on clay.
But Cibulkov� - 11 inches (27cm) shorter than the glamorous Russian - was in complete control from the outset, and claimed victory on a fifth match-point when Sharapova put a weary return into the net.
Sharapova finished with 27 unforced errors to her opponent's nine.
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Sharapova blown out in Paris (AP)
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Facing match-point in the quarter-finals, Maria Sharapova was no longer focused on winning her first French Open title. She merely wanted to win a game.
That she did. A weary, rusty Sharapova averted a shutout on Tuesday but lost to Dominika Cibulkov� 6-0 6-2 in the worst Major defeat of her career.
"I don't really care about numbers," she said. "It's either a 'W' or an 'L', and I prefer 'W'. You know, if it's 7-6 in the third and you come out with a loss, I mean, what's the difference?"
Cibulkov� was one point from victory at 5-0 in the second set, before Sharapova finally found her form. She won that game and then another, hitting a flurry of winners and saving four match-points before Cibulkov� closed out the win.
Sharapova was playing in just her second tournament after a layoff of nearly 10 months because of a right-shoulder injury. She won three-setters in all four previous rounds at Paris, and the long matches took a toll.
"I guess you could only ask your body to do so much," she said. "Everything fell a little short today. The pace wasn't there on my strokes, and I was five steps slower."
The three-time Major champion had 27 unforced errors to nine for the No.20-seeded Cibulkov�: a Slovak who advanced to her first Major semi-final.
Cibulkov�'s opponent on Thursday will be top-ranked Dinara Safina, who rallied to beat Victoria Azarenka 1-6 6-4 6-2.
<snip>
Sharapova v Cibulkov� was an even bigger mismatch [than S�derling v Davydenko]. Sharapova's legs looked wobbly, and she repeatedly hit the ball late, while the 20-year-old Cibulkov� relied on steady strokes from the baseline.
The margin in unforced errors in the opening set was 13:1.
"It was, I think, more surprising for the people who don't know me - maybe for the crowd," Cibulkov� said. "But today, I was playing really solid."
Games were closer early in the second set, but Sharapova looked increasingly desperate. Caught out of position in one rally, she even tried a left-handed forehand.
It went wide too, putting her behind 0-5.
When Sharapova finally won a game by smacking a return-winner, she reacted with only a subdued fist-pump. She then clubbed three winners to hold at love for 5-2, but although she erased three match-points in the next game, there would be no comeback.
When Sharapova pushed a forehand into the net on the final point, Cibulkov� collapsed to the clay in glee and relief. Sharapova took consolation in reaching the quarter-finals.
"Reflecting back on everything that I've been through in the last year, I think I can sit here and say I'm pretty proud of what I've achieved," she said. "I've just got to keep working and keep my head up, just go on a practice-court and hits millions of balls."
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Safina fights back to reach semis (BBC Sport)
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Safina will play Slovakia's Dominika Cibulkov� in the last four after the 20th seed ended Maria Sharapova's revival in style, crushing her 6-0 6-2.
Sharapova, who was playing in only her second tournament after nine months off with a shoulder-injury, never looked like continuing her progress.
Cibulkov�, 20, won the first 11 games of their match, and Sharapova only got on the board after saving a match-point with a rare forehand winner.
The former world number-one, whose ranking has slipped to 102nd, did at least hold up Cibulkov� by winning two games and saving three more match-points, but she was eventually beaten after 1h15m.
"I don't really care about numbers," said Sharapova after the worst Major defeat of her career. "It's either a 'W' or an 'L', and I prefer 'W'. You know, if it's 7-6 in the third and you come out with a loss, I mean, what's the difference?"
She added: "I guess you could only ask your body to do so much. Everything fell a little short today. The pace wasn't there on my strokes, and I was five steps slower."
Cibulkov� said: "It was, I think, more surprising for the people who don't know me - maybe for the crowd - but today, I was playing really solid."
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Maria Sharapova retreats to lick wounds after loss (The Times)
Neil Harman: Tennis Correspondent
>>>
It was when she led Maria Sharapova 6-0 5-0 (40/30) and the crowd on Court Suzanne Lenglen began to vent their amazement, Dominika Cibulkov� said, that she realised she was probably going to beat a former world No.1 and multiple champion to reach her first Major semi-final.
"I got shocked," the world No.20 from Slovakia said. Not half as shocked as those of us watching Andy Murray's match against Fernando Gonz�lez were when the score flashed up on the big screen.
Sharapova squeezed herself a couple of games, but that was it. Cibulkov�, who has not won a tournament on the WTA Tour, stands between Dinara Safina - the world No.1 - and her second Roland Garros final.
The Russian was reminded that she was in a similar position against Lindsay Davenport in Indian Wells, California, in 2005, when she did not manage to staunch the flow. "I won two more Grand Slams [sic] after that, though," she said. "The only real difference is the numbers. If it is 6-7 in the third set, it comes out as a loss. What's the difference? You lose. I've always been a fighter, and always will be. You've got to keep your head up, and look forward to the next opportunity you get."
That will come next week in the AEGON Classic at Edgbaston - quite probably the last time the Priory club will stage an event on the Tour. It would be good to think that Sharapova and her heavily-plastered right shoulder would be able to stand up to the rigours of grass. "You can only ask your body to do so much, and everything fell a little short today," she said.
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Cibulkov� Stops Sharapova in QFs (www.sonyericssonwtatour.com)
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Dinara Safina and Dominika Cibulkov� are the first two players into the French Open semi-finals, after winning their quarter-final matches on Tuesday.
<snip>
There was no such competitiveness in the second quarter-final, as Cibulkov� - the No.20 seed - beat a visibly rusty, unseeded Maria Sharapova handily 6-0 6-2 in 1h15m. Cibulkov� won the first 11 games of the match, and had a point for a double bagel, but the Russian squeaked a pair of games in - and even had a point for a third - before ultimately falling to the Slovak.
Sharapova - who missed nine months of play due to a shoulder-injury - made her return to the Tour at Warsaw the week before Roland Garros, making it to the quarter-finals. In Paris, ranked No.102 in the world, she survived four straight opponents - two of them seeded: Nadia Petrova and Li,Na - in three sets. She is projected to return to the top 75 in next week's rankings.
Cibulkov� had never been to a Major quarter-final, but with her crushing win, is now in her first Major semi-final. She lost to Safina in straight sets in their only two previous Tour meetings: last year at Montr�al (6-2 6-1) and Tokyo (6-3 6-4), though both of those were on hard courts.
"Today, I was playing really solid. Not a lot of errors. I knew if I played well, I'd have a chance," Cibulkov� said. "When I was up 6-0 5-0 and 40/30, I realised I could beat Maria Sharapova 6-0 6-0, and go to the semi-finals in a Grand Slam [sic]. I got shocked a little bit. When it got to 6-0 5-2, I knew I had to make that game because if it got to 5-3, 5-4, it would be difficult. I could get really tight."
"She played really solid and made me hit a lot of balls, and I came up short today," Sharapova said. "I was very appreciative of the way the crowd was rooting for me, asking for me to fight and keep working to find a way to turn things around. I've had a really great last few weeks here, and I can only tell them that I'll be back next year."
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Proud Maria ready for Wimbledon lift-off (AFP)
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Maria Sharapova shrugged off her devastating French Open hangover on Wednesday, and admitted she's come a long way since the dark days of injury-misery that sidelined her for 10 months.
The Russian golden girl slumped to one of her heaviest defeats at the hands of Dominika Cibulkov� in the Roland Garros quarter-finals, losing 6-0 6-2.
She also came within a point of suffering only the second 'double bagel' of her career.
But the former world number-one - whose ranking should creep back inside the top 75 after her run to last eight here - insists there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic ahead of Wimbledon, which starts in under three weeks.
"I think this is a very good starting-point for me," she said.
"I always say you're only as good as your last tournament. Reflecting back on everything that I've been through in the last year, I think I can sit here and say I'm pretty proud of what I've achieved - not only in this tournament, but in that whole time.
"I've just got to keep working and keep my head up. The only thing I can do is just work on the things that I feel I need to improve, and keep getting better."
Sharapova arrived in Paris having played just one tournament - at Warsaw - in almost 10 months as she recovered from a right shoulder-injury.
During that time, her ranking slid into the wilderness, and there were whispers that sport's highest-earning woman would struggle to recover her former powers.
But she toughed it out on the Paris-clay - never one of her favourite surfaces - she once likened her movement to that of a cow on ice - and battled through four successive three-setters to reach the last eight.
Tuesday's loss to the 20th-seeded Slovakian Cibulkov� proved to be a match too far.
The three-time Major title-winner will not put pressure on herself by predicting a rapid rise back to the top of the women's game.
"The one thing I've always said about ranking is that numbers never lie. They always reflect on your performance and what you've achieved," she said.
"But I've been No.1, and I've done really crappy while I've been there. I'm just looking forward to getting back out there. I wouldn't be here if I didn't think I could do it again."
The Russian also reminded her detractors of what happened when she did suffer her lone 6-0 6-0 mauling at the hands of Lindsay Davenport in the Indian Wells semi-finals in 2005.
"I won two more Grand Slams [sic]," she smiled.
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