Serena, Sharapova move into Sony Open 3rd round
Print Edition
SERENA Williams capitalized on a critical double-fault by Yaroslava Shvedova to survive a 69-minute first set and win her opening match at the Sony Open 7-6 (7), 6-2 on Thursday.
“It was an incredibly tough first set,” Williams said. “I just needed to relax and yet keep up the intensity.”
The top-ranked Williams is seeking a record seventh Key Biscayne title, and her second in a row.
No. 4 seed Maria Sharapova, a five-time runner-up at the tournament, joined Williams in the third round by beating Kurumi Nara 6-3, 6-4. Seeded players had first-round byes.
In men’s play, former world No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt became the third active man to win 600 matches when he rallied past Robin Haase of the Netherlands 3-6, 6-3, 6-3.
The 33-year-old Hewitt also staged a comeback. With the victory, he joined Roger Federer (942 wins) and Rafael Nadal (675) in reaching the 600-match milestone.
“Not many people get the opportunity to get close to that, so it means I have been around for an awfully long time,” the Australian veteran said.
Williams, who owns a small share of the National Football League’s Miami Dolphins, wore a dress in the team’s orange and turquoise colors — which may explain her slow start. Or maybe it was because she hadn’t played since February 21.
Williams had to erase a 3-5 deficit in the first set, and then fell behind 3-6 in the tiebreaker. Shvedova pushed a forehand into the net, then the Kazakh hit a nervous double-fault that allowed Williams to exhale.
In other women’s play, No. 5-seeded Angelique Kerber of Germany won her opening match, beating Peng Shuai of China 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (5). Ana Ivanovic beat American Lauren Davis 6-1, 6-1, and No. 8 Petra Kvitova defeated Argentina’s Paula Ormaechea 6-3, 6-4.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
