Kuznetsova, Sharapova Continue Rolling On!

May 31st, 2008

Paris, France

On this last day of May 2008, Roland Garros has come to its mid way point with the Round of 16 matches all set after today's play. With the stunning loss of both Williamses yesterday, the field has become a little less heavy now on the bottom side and things are now pretty even as far as the draws go. I suspect a Sharapova vs. Kuznetsova Semi-Final as well as a Ivanovic vs. Jankovic match in the other half.

Speaking of Svetlana, she was first up on Court Philippe-Chatrier today against fellow Russian, Nadia Petrova who is a two time Semi-Finalist at the French Open. It was expected to be a tough and entertaining match but the exact opposite occurred. Kuznetsova completely rolled over Petrova who has had trouble with her game the last year or so. Kuznetsova was ruthless as she stormed to a 6-2, 6-1 victory and moved into the Round of 16. The way Kuznetsova has been playing, she may be a good bet to make the Finals.

Jelena Jankovic came back today to complete her match and won 7-5, 6-3 over Dominika Cibulkova. Maria Sharapova who seems to play everyday was also in action today against a sometimes tricky opponent in Karin Knapp. The first set was very testing for Sharapova who was forced into a tiebreaker to take the set. The second set was all Sharapova as it seemed Knapp lost hope and her game faded. Sharapova moves on into the Round of 16 with a 7-6(4), 6-0 win. She next will face Dinara Safina who is tough on the clay and beat Sharapova in the same round back in 2006.

Elena Dementieva and Vera Zvonareva also continued on through the tournament quietly. Tomorrow Ana Ivanovic returns to action as she tries to make the Quarter-Finals of Roland Garros for the second straight year. Jankovic and Pennetta will also return to play their 4th Round matches.

Results:

Court Philippe-Chatrier

(4)Svetlana Kuznetsova d. (25)Nadia Petrova - 6-2, 6-1

(1)Maria Sharapova d. (32)Karin Knapp - 7-6(4), 6-0

Court Suzanne Lenglen

(16)Victoria Azarenka d. (18)Francesca Schiavone - 6-1, 6-1

(7)Elena Dementieva d. Olga Govortsova - 6-0, 6-4

Court 1

(13)Dinara Safina d. Jie Zheng - 6-2, 7-5

(3)Jelena Jankovic d. (28)Dominika Cibulkova - 7-5, 6-3

Petra Kvitova d. (12)Agnes Szavay - 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-2

Court 2

(11)Vera Zvonareva d. Aleksandra Wozniak - 6-2, 6-2

Top 10 Seeds:

1. Maria Sharapova - Round of 16

2. Ana Ivanovic - Round of 16

3. Jelena Jankovic - Round of 16

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 - Round of 16

8. Venus Williams - Lost in Round 3 (Pennetta)

9. Marion Bartoli - Lost in Round 1 (Dellacqua)

10. Patty Schnyder - Round of 16