Sharapova struggles but advances in Beijing
Monday, 4 October 2010
BEIJING, Oct 3 (AFP): Three-time Grand Slam winner Maria Sharapova struggled at times to find her rhythm but eventually advanced to the second round of the China Open Sunday thanks to her brute force from the backcourt.
The Russian, a former world number one and the 12th seed in Beijing, defeated Bulgaria's Tsvetana Pironkova in straight sets, 6-4, 7-6 (7/5), in a duel of 23-year-olds that lasted more than two hours in the warm afternoon sun.
Sharapova, looking to bounce back after crashing out of the Pan Pacific Open last week in Tokyo in the first round to Japanese veteran Kimiko Date Krumm, used powerful groundstrokes to escape from danger in the first set.
The Russian, a former world number one and the 12th seed in Beijing, defeated Bulgaria's Tsvetana Pironkova in straight sets, 6-4, 7-6 (7/5), in a duel of 23-year-olds that lasted more than two hours in the warm afternoon sun.
Sharapova, looking to bounce back after crashing out of the Pan Pacific Open last week in Tokyo in the first round to Japanese veteran Kimiko Date Krumm, used powerful groundstrokes to escape from danger in the first set.