Sharapova enters quarters
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Five-time grand slam champion Maria Sharapova came back from a set down to defeat American Alison Riske at the Shenzhen Open yesterday and book a spot in the quarterfinals.
Riske, who had been hoping for her first win against the former world No. 1, proved to be a tough opponent early in the match before the Russian overcame her 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 in just under two and a half hours.
“I’m glad I got this kind of match. Although I would’ve wanted a quick and easy victory, these are the kind of matches that you need, especially with such a short preparation going into the Australian Open in terms of matchplay,” Sharapova said.
“I’m just glad that I came back. She played a really great match and as I said to her at the net, I thought it was a great quality match. In the end, I won it so I have another opportunity to keep going.”
Despite Riske’s early lead, Sharapova hit 34 winners, nearly three times Riske’s total. The world No. 59 was helped by 11 aces, and managed to save seven out of 10 break points.
French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko meanwhile slumped to a shock defeat yesterday only days after beating Serena Williams in the American’s comeback match.
Number two seed Ostapenko of Latvia lost to the big-serving Czech Krystina Pliskova 6-1, 6-4 in just an hour and 20 minutes.
Ostapenko had beaten Williams via a super tie-break 6-2, 3-6, 10-5 in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, but she had no answer to the power of Pliskova, identical twin sister of former world number one Karolina.
“I felt a bit nervous in the second set, but my serve was really working today, which was a big help,” Pliskova said.
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