Maria Sharapova makes a ragged start to Pan Pacific Open
Posted on February 1, 2007 - Filed Under Tennis, WTA Tour | Leave a Comment
Maria Sharapova returned to action at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo after losing in the finals of the Australian Open last week and the Russian star looked rather rusty in the beginning. But she looked to find her usual form in the final set as she beat the Italian Francesca Schiavone 7-5 2-6 6-1. The newly crowned world number won made a rather ragged start but managed to win the first set 7-5. But the Italian made a strong come back in the second set as things went from bad to worse for the Russian and she lost the second set 2-6.
Nevertheless Sharapova, who lost to Serena Williams at the season’s first Grand Slam final recovered and firmly shut the door on Shciavone taking the final set 6-1. Sharapova would next play home favorite Ai Sugiyama who beat Maria Kirilenko in another three setter. Also making progress were Elena Dementieva, Jelena Jankovic, Ana Ivanovic and unseeded Samantha Sotsur. The Tokyo tournament allows for on court coaching one that really seemed to benefit the top seeded Maria.
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