Serena and Sharapova Move on in Miami

March 21, 2014 | By New York Tennis Magazine Staff
Photo credit: Adam Wolfthal

Serena Williams was victorious on Thursday in action at the Sony Open Tennis in Miami, a 7-6(7), 6-2 winner over Yaroslava Shvedova. Serena owns the record for most Sony Open Tennis titles with six, in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008 and 2013.

"I love playing here," said Serena of the Miami event. "I live really close. I always just drive here, and if I need something I can go home and get it. I just have my whole life here. I train here and all my friends are here. We have so many people that come out, because this is where all of my friends live. It's kind of cool to come here year after year and literally play at home in your back yard."

Serena will next face Caroline Garcia, a 7-6(3), 7-6(3) winner over the number 27 seed Klara Zakopalova. Serena is 2-0 lifetime against Garcia, having beaten Garcia in straight sets in both meetings.

Maria Sharapova was also in action Thursday in Miami, a 6-3, 6-4 winner over Kurumi Nara. Sharapova had to battle back from 1-3, 0-30 down in a marathon 64-minute second set for the win. Next up for Sharapova is Lucie Safarova, a 6-3, 7-6(2) winner Thursday over American Vania King. Sharapova leads Safarova in their head-to-head, 2-1, and has won their last two meetings.

Angelique Kerber got past Peng Shuai Thursday as well, pulling off a 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(5) win to advance to face Tsvetana Pironkova, who upended the number 25 seed Sorana Cirstea, 6-3, 6-3. Pironkova leads Kerber in career meetings 2-1, and has actually won their last two meetings in straight sets, including right before the Australian Open earlier this year in the Sydney finals.

Flavia Pennetta, last week’s winner at Indian Wells, moved on in Miami, overcoming a slow start to clinch a 6-3, 6-3 win over Belarusian qualifier Olga Govortsova.

"Tennis gives you good moments, but they can be really short," said Pennetta about her recent win in Indian Wells. "You never really get to enjoy them a lot because the day after you have to go back on the court and play another match."

Up next for Pennetta is the number 12 seed, Ana Ivanovic, who needed just 62 minutes to defeat American Lauren Davis, 6-1, 6-1. Pennetta is 0-4 lifetime against Ivanovic. 


New York Tennis Magazine Staff
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