June 2nd, 2008
Paris, France
It was almost as if the French made Deja Vu happen all over again to Maria Sharapova. Two years ago in the Round of 16, Sharapova was facing off against Dinara Safina, and Safina defeated Sharapova. Fast forward two years later and there it was again, Sharapova taking on Safina in the Round of 16. And what happened? The same exact result.
Maria Sharapova, who is the number 1 player in the world, for now lost 6-7(6), 7-6(5), 6-2 to Dinara Safina in a up and down match that featured both Russians trying to get over nerves, the crowd and bad patches of play. It was tight for the first two sets with both Sharapova and Safina trying their best to win, Sharapova took the first set in a tiebreak while Safina did the same in the second set. Sharapova must of felt that was her point in time to win, as the third and final set was all Safina. This doesn't bold well for Sharapova who had a great chance of winning Roland Garros, but for Safina she can look forward to possibly getting to the Semi-Finals with some great play.
Elena Dementieva has returned to the Quarter-Finals of Roland Garros after dispatching countrywoman, Vera Zvonareva, 6-4, 1-6, 6-2. The match was up and down, which would be expected from two baseline players, and was a great oppurtunity for the winner, as they have a good chance to get to the Semi-Finals, if they defeat Safina. Svetlana Kuznetsova didn't finish her match up, but was up in the second set after winning the first. She is expected to move on. She'll take on the winner of the Kvitova and Kanepi match which also did not finish.
Tournament favorites, Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic play tomorrow and will try to set a Semi-Final date against each other.
Results:
Court Philippe-Chatrier
(7)Elena Dementieva d. (11)Vera Zvonareva - 6-4, 1-6, 6-2
Court Suzanne Lenglen
(13)Dinara Safina d. (1)Maria Sharapova - 6-7(6), 7-6(5), 6-2
Top 10 Seeds:
1. Maria Sharapova - Lost in Round of 16 (Safina)
2. Ana Ivanovic - Quarter-Finals
3. Jelena Jankovic - Quarter-Finals
4. Svetlana Kuznetsova - Round of 16
5. Serena Williams - Lost in Round 3 (Srebotnik)
6. Anna Chakvetadze - Lost in Round 2 (Kanepi)
7. Elena Dementieva - Quarter-Finals
8. Venus Williams - Lost in Round 3 (Pennetta)
9. Marion Bartoli - Lost in Round 1 (Dellacqua)
10. Patty Schnyder - Quarter-Finals
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