Scrappy Sharapova still comes up shining
NEW YORK: Maria Sharapova extended her grand slam comeback when the former world number one defeated Hungary’s Timea Babos 6-7(4) 6-4 6-1 on Wednesday to advance to the US Open third round.
The Russian, in her first appearance at a major since she returned from a 15-month doping ban in April, did not have the same inspiration that helped her beat world number two Simona Halep in the opening round.
Sharapova, who was granted a wildcard entry to the tournament, made too many unforced errors in a scrappy first set that featured six breaks of serve.
Once she found her groove midway through the second set, however, the 30-year-old, sporting a pale peach pink crystal-encrusted dress, eventually shone like a diamond, tossing Babos aside in a onesided decider.
The Hungarian bowed out on the second match point when she sailed a backhand long, triggering a huge roar inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The Russian has a clear path to the semi-finals, where she could meet tournament favourite Garbine Muguruza of Spain.
Sharapova got off to a shaky start as Babos, who mixed her game perfectly with serves to the body and sliced forehands, opened a 2-0 lead.
The Russian eventually forced a tiebreak but made a mess of a couple of forehands to hand Babos a deserved lead.
Sharapova became more vocal as she saved break points in a sixth game that proved to be the turning point of the match.
The 2006 US Open champion broke in the following game and held to clinch the second set as Babos sensed her chance was gone.
Sharapova then broke twice in the decider to move 4-1 ahead and ensure her third round place was a formality.
Although the two wins have boosted her confidence, she was not complacent as she prepares for her next match against American Sofia Kenin.
“I certainly have expectations just because I know I’ve been in these stages before and I’ve been able to execute,” she said.
“There’s a certain level of I know I can do this, I’ve done it before. I want to have that feeling again.
“But there’s also the realistic understanding of ‘okay, you haven’t been in this situation for a while. It’s going to take a little time’.”
Meanwhile Serena Williams’s coach Patrick Mouratoglou says the player must put her career first after the birth of her first child if she wants to regain her place at the top of women’s tennis.
Former world number one Williams is due to become a mother in the coming days but has hinted she would like to defend her Australian Open title in Melbourne starting on January 15.
Mouratoglou, who has coached Williams since 2012, is hoping she will be ready in time.
“I know she will of course love her baby, be an incredible mother, be very protective, I’m sure of that, but I’m sure on the other hand that she will not let anyone or anything be between her and her career,” he said at Flushing Meadows.
No one knows how Williams will feel after she becomes a mother and Mouratoglou said everything will depend on how the 23-time grand slam winner adjusts to her new life.
“She’s always put her career first. And if she doesn’t... I think she will stop,” he added.
“If she puts her tennis second, she might be not as good as she could be and this she will not accept.
“She’s the biggest professional I’ve ever met.” – Reuters