Sharapova Survives Petrova to Advance to U.S. Open Quarterfinals
Maria Sharapova survived a tough three-set encounter with fellow Russian Nadia Petrova 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 in the fourth round of the U.S. Open on Sunday night to advance to the quarterfinals. The 19th-seeded Petrova led 2-0 in the third set and had momentum on her side when play was delayed 75 minutes by rain. After the rain ceased, Sharapova, the Russian number three seed, took control and continued her 2012 dominance in three-set matches.
"It’s a tough situation because I felt like there are so many ups and downs between the beginning of the first until that break," said Sharapova of the rain delay. "She [Petrova] was up a break and it was a little bit difficult going in because I felt like I started getting a little bit of momentum back in the second set and then just didn’t really take my chances when I had them and played a sloppy game at 4-5."
Sharapova is now 11-0 in three-set matches to date in 2012. She enters the quarterfinals on Tuesday Sharapova where she will next play 11th-seeded Marion Bartoli of France, who upset fifth-seeded Czech Petra Kvitova on Sunday afternoon, 1-6, 6-2, 6-0.
"We haven’t played in a while," said Sharapova of Bartoli. "It was a great win for her today, someone who has been playing really good this summer. It’s nice to see her back in the quarterfinals of a Slam. I think she’s been a little bit up and down, but obviously her level has stepped up here. Honestly, I haven’t watched any of her matches here. I played her before; I know her game style. It’s always a little bit different, non-traditional, but it’s the quarterfinals and I am excited."
Credit photo to Kenneth B. Goldberg
