Sharapova, Li, Zheng among Toronto casualties
Source: Agencies |
August 13, 2011, Saturday
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MARIA Sharapova had an upset loss to 135th-ranked Galina Voskoboeva of Kazakhstan at the Rogers Cup in Toronto on Thursday, becoming the latest casualty of a draw which has lost 11 of the 16 seeds.
The 26-year-old Voskoboeva, who ousted Marion Bartoli and Flavia Pennetta to reach the third round, beat fifth-seeded Sharapova 6-3, 7-5 with soft drop shots and had the veteran chasing balls to the baseline throughout the match.
"It makes for an exciting story because at the end of the day it doesn't matter what you're ranked or seeded, the reason we go out and play the matches is to know who's going to be the winner on that day," said Sharapova, who has 23 career singles titles.
Voskoboeva reached her first career semifinal earlier this year.
"Whether you're No. 1 in the world or you're facing someone that's 100 or so, you still have to go out and win. That's what the sport is all about," Sharapova added.
Hours earlier, No. 6-seeded Li Na lost 2-6, 4-6 to No. 10 Samantha Stosur of Australia. Li became the first Asian player to win a grand slam singles title two months ago at the French Open. Li was playing her first game of the week after being handed a bye through the first round and then a walkover victory when compatriot Shuai Peng withdrew with an injury.
She fired numerous returns long on another blustery day at Rexall Centre, eventually bowing out when she smacked a forehand into the net.
The match was held during a power outage at the venue. The main scoreboard stayed dark for just over an hour, while the corner scoreboard periodically worked, powered by a backup generator.
"It's always tough after a break to come back for the first match, because I had six or seven weeks that I didn't play a tournament," Li said. "At the beginning of the match I didn't even know what I should do on the court, not like during the clay-court season."
No. 11 Andrea Petkovic of Germany also reached the quarterfinals after cruising by Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic 6-1, 6-2. Third-seeded Vera Zvonareva of Russia is also out, losing 6-4, 7-6 (4) to Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland.
Serena Williams advanced with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 win over Chinese qualifier Zheng Jie, taking momentum in the second and dictating play from there. Williams will face Lucie Safarova next.
The 26-year-old Voskoboeva, who ousted Marion Bartoli and Flavia Pennetta to reach the third round, beat fifth-seeded Sharapova 6-3, 7-5 with soft drop shots and had the veteran chasing balls to the baseline throughout the match.
"It makes for an exciting story because at the end of the day it doesn't matter what you're ranked or seeded, the reason we go out and play the matches is to know who's going to be the winner on that day," said Sharapova, who has 23 career singles titles.
Voskoboeva reached her first career semifinal earlier this year.
"Whether you're No. 1 in the world or you're facing someone that's 100 or so, you still have to go out and win. That's what the sport is all about," Sharapova added.
Hours earlier, No. 6-seeded Li Na lost 2-6, 4-6 to No. 10 Samantha Stosur of Australia. Li became the first Asian player to win a grand slam singles title two months ago at the French Open. Li was playing her first game of the week after being handed a bye through the first round and then a walkover victory when compatriot Shuai Peng withdrew with an injury.
She fired numerous returns long on another blustery day at Rexall Centre, eventually bowing out when she smacked a forehand into the net.
The match was held during a power outage at the venue. The main scoreboard stayed dark for just over an hour, while the corner scoreboard periodically worked, powered by a backup generator.
"It's always tough after a break to come back for the first match, because I had six or seven weeks that I didn't play a tournament," Li said. "At the beginning of the match I didn't even know what I should do on the court, not like during the clay-court season."
No. 11 Andrea Petkovic of Germany also reached the quarterfinals after cruising by Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic 6-1, 6-2. Third-seeded Vera Zvonareva of Russia is also out, losing 6-4, 7-6 (4) to Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland.
Serena Williams advanced with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 win over Chinese qualifier Zheng Jie, taking momentum in the second and dictating play from there. Williams will face Lucie Safarova next.
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