Tennis: Sharapova struggles through

May 29 2008 The Journal

TOP seed Maria Sharapova said she only had herself to blame as she came close to becoming the first high-profile casualty in this year’s French Open.

The new world number one squeezed past fellow Russian Evgeniya Rodina, who was playing in her first grand slam event, 6-1 3-6 8-6 in an epic match that lasted almost two and a half hours. Hampered by a misfiring serve, a game opponent smelling an upset and a severe wind that blew the Parisian clay into her face, Sharapova had to save three break points when 4-3 down in the third set.

She then broke Rodina at the second attempt to go 7-6 ahead, before claiming victory on her first match point when the tiring 19-year-old sent a backhand wide. Sharapova, who needs the Roland Garros title to complete a grand slam of major wins, admitted things had gone far from smoothly.

Asked what had been her problem against Rodina, she said: “Me, myself and I.”

The highest seed to fall was Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli (9), beaten 6-7 (4/7) 6-3 6-2 by Australia’s Casey Dellacqua.