Sharapova extends her Slam comeback; Safin loses
Güncelleme Tarihi:
The Associated Press
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Mayıs 29, 2009 00:00
PARIS - 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 Grand Slam tennis.
"I kind of started stumbling away. Things went in the wrong direction," said Sharapova, who missed the U.S. 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, she's willing to compete till the end," Petrova acknowledged.
Sharapova was so disappointed to miss the U.S. Open and Olympics last year, she couldn't bear to watch on TV. By the time the Australian Open came around in January, she 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 102nd.
Back with confidence
There were moments 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 cool temperatures. 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, a two-time French Open semifinalist.
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, 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.
"I kind of started stumbling away. Things went in the wrong direction," said Sharapova, who missed the U.S. 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, she's willing to compete till the end," Petrova acknowledged.
Sharapova was so disappointed to miss the U.S. Open and Olympics last year, she couldn't bear to watch on TV. By the time the Australian Open came around in January, she 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 102nd.
Back with confidence
There were moments 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 cool temperatures. 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, a two-time French Open semifinalist.
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, 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.