New York: Maria Sharapova proved Monday she will be someone to contend with for the US Open women’s crown after the Russian wild card outlasted second seed Simona Halep 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 to get the year’s final Grand Slam off to an electrifying start.
Still shaking off the rust from a 15-month doping ban and a string of nagging injuries, the 30-year-old Sharapova needed all her skill, determination and two hours and 44 minutes to snatch victory in front of a packed Arthur Ashe stadium.
The victory becomes the highlight of what has been a torturous comeback from the ban for the former World No.1. Then there had been injury issues since May.
However, there was no hint of distress against an in-form Halep as she improved her record to 7-0 against the feisty Romanian in an opening round clash that was played with the intensity more befitting of a final.
“You sometimes wonder why you put in all the work and this is exactly why,” said Sharapova. “No matter my record against her it’s always been tough, no matter what tournament, no matter where we played I knew I had to work for it.”
With the US Open draws ravaged by injuries and withdrawals, Sharapova provided a splash of glitz and glamour to the tournament strolling onto the floodlit court like it was catwalk in a jet black tennis dress that sparkled with Swarovski crystals.
“Behind all these crystals and little black dresses this girl has a lot of grit and she’s not going anywhere,” Sharapova told the crowd after the match. “Prime time baby,” she screamed, now 18-0 in night time matches on Arthur Ashe.
Reuters
