Thursday, May 31, 2012

Sharapova breezes into second round

Updated May 30, 2012 06:36:32

Maria Sharapova took just 48 minutes to race into the French Open second round on Tuesday with a 6-0, 6-0 humiliation of hapless Romanian Alexandra Cadantu.

Russian second seed Sharapova, who needs a Roland Garros title to complete a career Grand Slam, hardly broke sweat against her 22-year-old opponent who was so penniless in 2008 that she had to stop playing.

On Tuesday's evidence, it was easy to see why.

Sharapova, twice a semi-finalist in Paris, allowed the 78th-ranked Romanian just nine points in the opening set which was wrapped up in 23 minutes on Suzanne Lenglen court.

It was a similar tale in the second, with Sharapova again surrendering just nine points before wrapping up victory when Cadantu hit long with a forehand.

Sharapova unleashed 19 winners in her victory while the Romanian hit none at all.

"Of course I'm really happy with the way my preparation has been coming into this tournament," beamed Sharapova, claycourt winner at Stuttgart and Rome this season as well as twice a semi-finalist here.

"I feel like with every year I have improved and I enjoy it much more," added the 25-year-old, beaten in the last four by Li Na on her last Roland Garros appearance.

The second seed will face Japan's Ayumi Morita for a place in the last 32.

AFP

Tags: tennis, sport, france

First posted May 29, 2012 21:42:33


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