New York: Maria Sharapova’s mix of grit and power were enough to see off American teenager Sofia Kenin 7-5, 6-2 and book a place in the fourth round of the women’s singles at the US Open tennis tournament here Friday.
Sharapova had battled through the first two rounds and it seemed that she would also struggle against the 18-year-old Kenin.
Hitting winners and unforced errors in almost equal measure in the opening set, the former World No.1 however, dug deep to take the advantage.
Kenin’s tank was empty in the second set and Sharapova, who next faces Latvian 16th seed Anastasija Sevastova, opened up a 3-0 lead and ended the contest on the first match point when the American sent a backhand wide.
“We had never faced each other and she came out having nothing to lose and it’s always dangerous so I‘m happy I went through,” said Sharapova, who won her only U.S. Open title in 2006.
“Coming into this match playing two three-setters, I‘m just happy I got it done in two. Give my body a little bit of a break,” she added.
Meanwhile home favourite Venus Williams continued her campaign when the American beat Greek Maria Sakkari 6-3, 6-4 to advance to the fourth round.
Roared on by the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd, Venus, who won two titles at Flushing Meadows in 2000 and 2001, overcame serve problems to set up a meeting with gritty Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro. She has now reached the last 16 in every Grand Slam this year, a feat she last achieved in 2010.
The 37-year-old managed the only break in the opening set to take control of the match. After a couple of exchanges of breaks in the second, Venus stole her opponent’s serve again to close it out on the first match point when Sakkari’s forehand sailed long.
“I’m playing at home, I’ve got a lot to accomplish here, and I‘m happy to get the win,” Venus said, before adding she was expecting a similar game style from Suarez Navarro as Sakkari. “She’s feisty. I know I have to come out, play well, have you all (the crowd) behind me and get a win.”
Meanwhile Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza cantered into the U.S. Open fourth round with a 6-1, 6-1 demolition of Slovakian Magdalena Rybarikova to set up an exciting clash with Petra Kvitova. The Czech had earlier on the day beaten Carolina Garcia of France 6-0, 6-4.
Muguruza, the Spanish third seed barely broke sweat on the Louis Armstrong Stadium courts against the 31st seed. She dropped serve once, the only glitch in a neat display.
Results
Maria Sharapova bt Sofia Kenin 7-5, 6-2
Venus Williams bt Maria Sakkari 6-3, 6-4
Garbine Muguruza bt Magdalena Rybarikova
Petra Kvitova bt Carolina Garcia 6-0, 6-4
C Suarez Navarro bt Ekaterina Makarova 6-1, 3-6, 6-3
Agencies