Sharapova Gifted Win at WTA Moscow
Posted on October 13, 2005Maria Sharapova opened her Kremlin Cup campaign Wednesday in Moscow in anticlimactic fashion, defeating Germany's Anna-Lena Groenefeld after trailing 1-6, 2-4 when the German sprained her ankle and retired from the match.
Sharapova withdrew from Filderstadt last week, suffering from her slow-healing chest muscle injury.
"I know that I did not win this match fairly. I do not like such victories," said the world No. 1 who looked out of sorts coming off injury and dealing with the expectations in Moscow. "I knew she was a strong player and played well in Beijing but I must admit I just wasn't myself on the court today. It's always tough to come back after injury and I haven't played for two weeks, so obviously I need some time to find my rhythm. Hopefully, I'll play better in my next match."
Not so lucky was No. 5 seed Patty Schnyder, who won the first set 6-1 before falling in three to Russian Elena Likhovtseva.
Other seeded winners likewise struggling to join the world No. 1 in progressing Wednesday were (3) Mary Pierce (d. Pennetta from a set down) and (6) Anastasia Myskina (d. (WC) Maleeva from a set down).
Unseeded Russian Vera Zvonareva also moved into the second round with a straight-set win over countrywoman and wildcard Maria Kirilenko.
On court Thursday are (8) Kuznetsova vs. Zvonareva in an all-Russian, Schiavone vs. (2) Mauresmo, (6) Myskina vs. Peschke, (Q) Karatantcheva vs. (4) Dementieva, and Safina vs. (Q) Stosur.
Sharapova withdrew from Filderstadt last week, suffering from her slow-healing chest muscle injury.
"I know that I did not win this match fairly. I do not like such victories," said the world No. 1 who looked out of sorts coming off injury and dealing with the expectations in Moscow. "I knew she was a strong player and played well in Beijing but I must admit I just wasn't myself on the court today. It's always tough to come back after injury and I haven't played for two weeks, so obviously I need some time to find my rhythm. Hopefully, I'll play better in my next match."
Not so lucky was No. 5 seed Patty Schnyder, who won the first set 6-1 before falling in three to Russian Elena Likhovtseva.
Other seeded winners likewise struggling to join the world No. 1 in progressing Wednesday were (3) Mary Pierce (d. Pennetta from a set down) and (6) Anastasia Myskina (d. (WC) Maleeva from a set down).
Unseeded Russian Vera Zvonareva also moved into the second round with a straight-set win over countrywoman and wildcard Maria Kirilenko.
On court Thursday are (8) Kuznetsova vs. Zvonareva in an all-Russian, Schiavone vs. (2) Mauresmo, (6) Myskina vs. Peschke, (Q) Karatantcheva vs. (4) Dementieva, and Safina vs. (Q) Stosur.