Sharapova stops Zheng, Azarenka through
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E-mail Shanghai Daily, June 2, 2013
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Zheng Jie returns a shot to Maria Sharapova during their French Open third-round match at Roland Garros Stadium in Paris yesterday. |
A frowning Maria Sharapova walked toward the net, peering at a mark on the other side and trying to argue her way out of yet another double-fault.
"It hit the outside line," she told the chair umpire.
He disagreed -- incorrectly - but Sharapova wasn't fazed for long. She overcame eight double-faults, the erroneous ruling and a second-set deficit to beat Zheng Jie 6-1, 7-5 in the third round at the French Open in Paris yesterday.
Sharapova completed a career grand slam by winning the Roland Garros title last year. She has reached the fourth round at 11 of the past 12 major events.
She'll next play American Sloane Stephens, who reached the fourth round for the second consecutive year, beating Marina Erakovic 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-3. Unseeded American Bethanie Mattek-Sands also advanced, beating Argentine qualifier Paula Ormaechea 4-6, 6-1, 6-3.
Like Sharapova, former No. 1 Victoria Azarenka struggled with her serve, but she rallied past Frenchwoman Alize Cornet 4-6, 6-3, 6-1.
Seeded third, Azarenka advanced despite hitting 10 double-faults and being broken six times. She managed a smile later when asked about her serve. "I think I left it home today. If I can win with serving like this, that's pretty remarkable."
She next plays unseeded Francesca Schiavone, the 2010 champion, who beat No. 13 Marion Bartoli of France 6-2, 6-1.
Azarenka has won the Australian Open each of the past two years. Roland Garros is the only major tournament where she has yet to reach the semifinal.
No. 13 Kei Nishikori became the first Japanese man in 75 years to reach the fourth round at Roland Garros, beating No. 24 Benoit Paire of France 6-3, 6-7 (3), 6-4, 6-1.
Sharapova found herself trailing 1-4 in the second set following the incorrect call. Facing a break point at 30-40, she hit a second serve that was ruled long. The umpire climbed off his chair to check the mark and confirmed the call. Sharapova briefly argued in vain, contending the umpire looked at the wrong mark.
A TV replay showed her serve had hit the line. She shook off the setback, sweeping the next three games for 4-all, and broke in the final game.
While Sharapova struggled to hold, Zheng had trouble with her serve, too, landing one short of the net. She was broken in her final five service games.
Sharapova feasted in particular on Zheng's weak second serve and went 8 for 8 on break-point chances. The Russian improved to 33-4 this year, including 14-1 on clay, and owns a best winning percentage on clay (.821) among active players.
Over on court 1, the No. 17-seeded Stephens won the last three games against Erakovic, who was penalized a point in the third set for getting coached.
A year ago, Stephens became the first US teenager to reach the fourth round at Roland Garros since Serena Williams in 2001. She followed that up by reaching her first grand slam semifinal at the Australian Open this January, beating Williams to get there.
"This is my favorite tournament," said Stephens, now 20, "so I would really, really, really love to win this tournament. But that's a long shot."
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