TNT Sports
Sharapova survives test
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Published 02/09/2005 at 21:49 GMT+1
Having dropped just three games in her opening two matches, top seed Maria Sharapova survived her first test of the U.S. Open on Friday. The world number two edged past Julia Schruff of Germany 6-2 6-4 to set up a last 16 match with Indian Sania Mirza, a
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Sharapova dropped just one point in the first three games of the match and calmly closed out the first set before going on to led Schruff 4-2 in the second.
Schruff, however, regained her nerve breaking back and going on to level at 4-4.
But Sharapova struck back immediately and clinched victory over the world number 87 in just over one hour.
"I was moving quite well in the first set and then second set I felt a little sloppy," said Sharapova. "I played a sloppy game at 4-2 serving with the wind, made a few easy errors. But other than that, came back strong."
Sharapova, who's preparations for the New York championship were limited by a pectoral muscle injury said: "I felt pretty good.
"I haven't had that many matches coming to the Open so it's good to get three matches in before the tough ones come.
"So far so good. When the tougher matches come I'm going to put more power into my shots."
MIRZA INTO THE UNKNOWN
Mirza became the first Indian woman to reach the fourth round of major championship when she beat Bartoli of France 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 for a shot at Sharapova, the 2004 Wimbledon champion.
"Every round of a grand slam is very important, especially fourth round at the U.S. Open," Mirza said after whipping 45 winners in her victory on the Louis Armstrong stadium.
"I just came here thinking I wanted to win one round and won three. I'm very happy about it."
Having finished last season ranked 206th, Mirza is now at her highest rating of 42nd.
Looking ahead to her clash with 18-year-old Sharapova, Mirza said: "She's number one seed, so I still have nothing to lose if I'm going to play her.
"There's obviously no pressure on me. I don't think a lot of people expect me to win."
FRIDAY WRAP-UP
In other third round action on day five, 26th seeded Czech teenager Nicole Vaidisova defeated Ivana Lisjak of Croatia 6-1 7-6 (7-2).
Ninth seed Nadia Petrova advanced to the fourth round for the third time in six rounds with a 6-2 7-5 victory over Laura Granville of the United States.
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