09/02/2012 16:25 CEST - WTA Tour
Maria
Sharapova really “sparkles”!
TENNIS – Finally Maria Sharapova makes her debut in the tournament and she is the first player to qualify for the third round. Julia Goerges also qualified to the third round as she defeated Cetkovska. Roberta Vinci, Yannina Wickmayer and Mattek-Sands won their first round matches. Article and Photographs by Monique Filippella translated by Paul Sassoon
It was as if Kristina Barrois had read one of my comments about the advance of the strong German contingent a few days ago and decided to forget how to play. She was left to wonder why she couldn't put a ball over the net.
I felt sorry for her, she was alone as it was too early for the rest of the German team to come out to support her as they usually do.
She was in dire need for some support.
On the other side of the net, Bethanie Mattek-Sands was exhibiting her usual determination. She hasn't been playing well, but her grit that allows her to reach these balls.
She nearly flipped over as she was heading to head-butt the dot of the WTA logo.
Even in her doubles match Bethanie attacks every ball.
The problem is on the other side of the net. No, its not photoshop, its the Kichenok sisters.
Not only are they identical, they also move in a synchronised way.
Sometimes they distracted Mattek-Sands as she misses the ball.
Roberta Vinci was playing well. It was her fault I had fight my survival instincts and move to the freezing court number 1.
If you think I am exaggerating, just take a look at Monica Niculescu as she cam eto support her compatriot Halep.
The coaches were forced to jump over the door that was stuck. Every time they approached it with confidence, but the door refused to budge forcing the coaches to some acrobatic court entrances.
No Vinci didn't sprint from her bench to enter the rally, it was just one of Halep's attempts to throw the Italian out of the court.
At the end of the match Roberta rewarded her fans for risking pnemonia in order to support her with some pictures and autographs. I was ready to take a picture of her thanking the crowd, but she tidied her bench with her back to me. I told Angelica, “I swear I will publish a picture of her... from behind.”
But later we had a chat in the press room and she explained that she didn't think it was appropriate to thank me after the match, she promised she will the next time. It was a very peasant chat, we talked about the Fed Cup, about her doubles partners Flavia Pennetta and Sara Errani, about her expectations for this olympic year and about how slow court number 1, but not as bad as centre court. I think its because its iced over!
You still don't believe me? Look at the live score technician on court number 1.
I was so frozen that I couldn't move so I took a few pictures of Christina McHale. Christina was the unlucky winner of the title of “the one to watch” in the Ubitennis staff poll at the beginning of the year.
Even if she is still young she does show a bit of experience when she untied her soe lace and then tied them up again to catch her breath after a long exchange.
I didn't see Yanina Wickmayer's match, but I did catch her press conference. She was a little exasperated by the expectations of a nation that was spoiled in the past with the likes of Henin and Clijsters.
And finally after a two year wait, Maria Sharapova made her entrance on centre court! She even won easily.
She is so relaxed that she can afford to do some yoga exercises during the match.
During the press conference photographers had to fight with the glare and sparkle that came from Maria's hand every time she waved it.
The best description of the ring was given by a member of the press office “Il est sublime.”
The last match of the day is Julia Goerges against Cetkovska. The safety staff was clearly tired as they took their time in calming down these kids as they were jumping around behind Julia. Anything to be on TV!
Even Julia had an easy match and she decided to try her luck at the net, but her rudimentary volleys often ended in the net.
At least she is the first to laugh about it!
Julia wanted to emulate Maria with a different interpretation of the same yoga position.
I will leave you with a quiz (do not seek external help!).
What is the make of the ball?
Haha! As if you were looking at the ball!!!
RESULTS
Singles Second Round
[1] M Sharapova (RUS) d C Scheepers (RSA) 63 61
[6] J Goerges (GER) d P Cetkovska (CZE) 61 64
First Round
[7] R Vinci (ITA) d S Halep (ROU) 64 64
[WC] P Parmentier (FRA) d [8] A Medina Garrigues (ESP) 26 63 63
M Niculescu (ROU) d J Gajdosova (AUS) 61 46 64
Y Wickmayer (BEL) d [LL] J Craybas (USA) 61 00 Retired
C Mchale (USA) d [LL] V Lepchenko (USA) 64 75
K Zakopalova (CZE) d [WC] A Cornet (FRA) 63 61
[Q] B Mattek-Sands (USA) d [Q] K Barrois (GER) 76(3) 62
Doubles First Round
[1] L Huber (USA) / L Raymond (USA) d M Kondratieva (RUS) / S Lefevre (FRA) 64 46 10-6
L Kichenok (UKR) / N Kichenok (UKR) d [3] J Gajdosova (AUS) / B Mattek-Sands (USA) 62 62
A Groenefeld (GER) / P Martic (CRO) d E Bogdan (ROU) / K Marosi (HUN) 36 61 10-7
ORDER OF PLAY
CENTRAL start 12:00 noon [7] R Vinci (ITA) vs [Q] B Mattek-Sands (USA)
Not Before 2:00 PM [Q] M Barthel (GER) vs [WC] P Parmentier (FRA)
M Niculescu (ROU) vs [9] A Kerber (GER)
[WC] J Coin (FRA) / P Parmentier (FRA) vs J Craybas (USA) / B Zahlavova Strycova (CZE)
Not Before 7:00 PM P Martic (CRO) vs [2] M Bartoli (FRA)
Y Wickmayer (BEL) vs C Mchale (USA)
COURT 1 start 1:00 pm K Zakopalova (CZE) vs T Pironkova (BUL)
Not Before 5:00 PM [4] M Niculescu (ROU) / A Rosolska (POL) vs L Safarova (CZE) / K Zakopalova (CZE) - After suitable rest
Monique Filippella
Some Tommy highlights for the Haas addicts out there...
- Ann Liguori's column each week as she covers the world of sports
For more information, visit www.annliguori.com
"I've got £10m in prize money but I'd pay it all back to win at Wimbledon"
Andy Murray before the Championships
January 20, 1920
Rebound Ace, the controversial court surface of the Australian Open since 1988, is thrown under microscope and criticized as two players, Gabriela Sabatini and Mark Woodforde,suffer ankle injuries that force them to leave the court in wheelchairs in third-round matches.
From "On this day in Tennis History" by Randy Walker
