Pan Pacific Open: Sharapova sails into Tokyo quarter-finals
Two-time champion thrashes Czech Safarova in straight sets.
TOKYO:
Two-time champion Maria Sharapova finally found some rhythm to dispose off stubborn Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic and reach the quarter-finals of the Pan Pacific Open yesterday.
The French Open holder from Russia, who needed more than three hours to beat qualifier Heather Watson of Britain on Tuesday, showed few signs of fatigue in coming through 6-2, 7-6 (7/5) in the third-round clash. Six out of eight games in the first set went against serve. Sharapova’s service game had also been a problem against Watson.
“After winning the first set, I was up 3-0 in the second set and I didn’t think it was going into a tie-break,” said Sharapova, 25. “She had an opportunity to serve out for the second set and I was frustrated in that situation. After the long match yesterday, I’m very happy to be able to win today. I was a little bit down in the second set and I’m just happy to win in two sets.”
In the quarter-finals today, Sharapova will play eighth-seed Samantha Stosur of Australia, who defeated Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia 6-4, 7-5. On a day of few surprises, defending champion Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland beat qualifier Jamie Hampton of the US 6-4, 6-3.
Errani overcomes Bartoli
Italy’s Sara Errani ended the French resistance in Tokyo, overcoming ninth-seed Marion Bartoli 3-6 6-2 6-2 to reach the last-eight. The sixth-seed won in two hours and 22 minutes, clinching victory with a crunching forehand her opponent could only dump into the net.
“I’m a bit tired but I have lots of motivation to keep winning,” said Errani, who has captured titles in Acapulco, Barcelona, Budapest and Palermo this year. “It’s been an amazing year but I still have to qualify for the (season-ending) Championships.”
Fifth-seed Angelique Kerber of Germany overwhelmed Urszula Radwanska of Poland 6-1, 6-1. Nadia Petrova of Russia defeated plucky Petra Martic of Croatia 7-6 (7/2), 6-7 (1/7), 6-4.
Li Na eyes season-ending championships
Meanwhile, the 2011 French Open champion Li Na set her sights on the season-ending WTA Championships after her third-round defeat to Caroline Wozniacki.
The championships will be played from October 23 in Istanbul and feature singles players ranked in the top eight. Li, is currently eight in the world.
“I’m now number eight, so it’s very tough,” said Na. “Right now I don’t now (if she can take part in the championships). I think it will be decided after Beijing. I wish I can be in the championships, but I lost today, so the only chance is that I have to do well in Beijing.”
The China Open, in Beijing, will provide another chance for Li to boost her rankings points. Samantha Stosur and Marion Bartoli, ranked ninth and 10th, are also in with a shout of going to Istanbul.
Li, the seventh seed, went down to former world number one Wozniacki 6-4, 3-6, 4-6.
“It was a tough match, but I still feel that I had a chance to win the match. It’s tough to play against Caroline.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 27th, 2012.
Two-time champion Maria Sharapova finally found some rhythm to dispose off stubborn Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic and reach the quarter-finals of the Pan Pacific Open yesterday.
The French Open holder from Russia, who needed more than three hours to beat qualifier Heather Watson of Britain on Tuesday, showed few signs of fatigue in coming through 6-2, 7-6 (7/5) in the third-round clash. Six out of eight games in the first set went against serve. Sharapova’s service game had also been a problem against Watson.
“After winning the first set, I was up 3-0 in the second set and I didn’t think it was going into a tie-break,” said Sharapova, 25. “She had an opportunity to serve out for the second set and I was frustrated in that situation. After the long match yesterday, I’m very happy to be able to win today. I was a little bit down in the second set and I’m just happy to win in two sets.”
In the quarter-finals today, Sharapova will play eighth-seed Samantha Stosur of Australia, who defeated Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia 6-4, 7-5. On a day of few surprises, defending champion Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland beat qualifier Jamie Hampton of the US 6-4, 6-3.
Errani overcomes Bartoli
Italy’s Sara Errani ended the French resistance in Tokyo, overcoming ninth-seed Marion Bartoli 3-6 6-2 6-2 to reach the last-eight. The sixth-seed won in two hours and 22 minutes, clinching victory with a crunching forehand her opponent could only dump into the net.
“I’m a bit tired but I have lots of motivation to keep winning,” said Errani, who has captured titles in Acapulco, Barcelona, Budapest and Palermo this year. “It’s been an amazing year but I still have to qualify for the (season-ending) Championships.”
Fifth-seed Angelique Kerber of Germany overwhelmed Urszula Radwanska of Poland 6-1, 6-1. Nadia Petrova of Russia defeated plucky Petra Martic of Croatia 7-6 (7/2), 6-7 (1/7), 6-4.
Li Na eyes season-ending championships
Meanwhile, the 2011 French Open champion Li Na set her sights on the season-ending WTA Championships after her third-round defeat to Caroline Wozniacki.
The championships will be played from October 23 in Istanbul and feature singles players ranked in the top eight. Li, is currently eight in the world.
“I’m now number eight, so it’s very tough,” said Na. “Right now I don’t now (if she can take part in the championships). I think it will be decided after Beijing. I wish I can be in the championships, but I lost today, so the only chance is that I have to do well in Beijing.”
The China Open, in Beijing, will provide another chance for Li to boost her rankings points. Samantha Stosur and Marion Bartoli, ranked ninth and 10th, are also in with a shout of going to Istanbul.
Li, the seventh seed, went down to former world number one Wozniacki 6-4, 3-6, 4-6.
“It was a tough match, but I still feel that I had a chance to win the match. It’s tough to play against Caroline.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 27th, 2012.