U.S. Open Recap: Sharapova Rolls Past Fellow Russian Kirilenko

August 26, 2014 | By New York Tennis Magazine Staff
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Fifth-seeded Maria Sharapova cruised past her former doubles partner and fellow Russian Maria Kirilenko 6-4, 6-0 in the first round of the US Open Monday night. The 2006 champion at Flushing Meadows, Sharapova rattled off the final 10 games of the match to knock off Kirilenko in an hour and a half.

Kirilenko held a 4-2 advantage midway through the opening frame, but then Sharapova turned things around. She started to play cleaner tennis and became more efficient with her groundstrokes, neutralizing Kirilenko’s serve while dominating with her own. She committed just three unforced errors in the second set which allowed her to roll to the straight set victory and into the tournament’s second round.

Sharapova is now 17-0 all-time in night matches at the US Open.

“I’m not really sure,” said Sharapova of the stat. “This is usually the time I’m sleeping, so I don’t know. You’d actually think it was the opposite. In the beginning of my career, it was always a bit more challenging because I didn’t really know how to adjust to what I should do during the day, but I’ve certainly learned a lot.”

Sharapova missed last year’s US Open because of shoulder surgery, and took advantage of a sore ankle that bothered Kirilenko. The former 10 player received treatment on the ankle during the match, and Sharapova capitalized on her hobbled opponent. Up next for the former champion is Romania’s Alexandra Dulgheru.

Also advancing in the later matches from Day 1 was 10th seeded Caroline Wozniacki, who advanced after Magdalena Rybarikova retired midway through the third set. The Dane led 6-1, 3-6, 2-0 when Rybarikova, who lost in the New Haven final on Saturday, was forced to retire because of a bad hip.

Wozniacki plays Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus in the next round.

American Sloane Stephens disposed of German Annika Beck 6-0, 6-3 on Monday. Despite committing more unforced errors than Beck, Stephens ripped 17 winners compared to six for her opponent. The 21st seeded American will meet Johanna Larsson of Sweden in the second-round after Larsson beat France’s Virginie Razzano.

Madison Brengle, a 24-year old from Delaware, notched the first major win of her career, taking out Israel’s Julia Glushko 6-3, 6-2 in their opening round contest.


New York Tennis Magazine Staff
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