Sharapova Gifted Win at WTA MoscowPosted on October 13, 2005 Maria 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. |
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