Last year’s U.S. Open winner Svetlana Kuznetsova trounced Swiss qualifier Marie-Gayanay Mikaelian 6-3 6-1 to join fellow Russian Sharapova in the last eight of the $1.3 million event. Sharapova struggled initially in her first match since losing to Serena Williams in last week’s Australian Open semi-finals.
She dropped serve twice and was clearly frustrated with herself before finally seizing control and racing through the tiebreak 7-3. A more focused Sharapova powered through the second set in just 20 minutes, the 17-year-old closing out the match with her ninth ace. Sharapova squandered a match point in a crushing 2-6 7-5 8-6 loss to Williams in Melbourne. Williams went on to beat Lindsay Davenport in the Australian Open final at the weekend.
“It took a while to find my groove and rhythm,” said Sharapova. “I didn’t have the best preparation coming from the Australian Open — just a few days. “I wasn’t nervous. I needed a little more time on this surface. It suits my game because the ball moves fast and low and I picked up my level in the second set.”
Kuznetsova was wrongly accused of doping violations last month and forced to play down talk of a rift with Sharapova during the Australian Open. But the third seed looked comfortable from the start on Tokyo’s indoor carpet as she pummelled Mikaelian into submission in just 49 minutes.
“It was tough playing my first match after the Australian Open,” said Kuznetsova, who was beaten by Sharapova in the Melbourne quarter-finals. “It’s the start of the year and I’m not playing too well yet but I’m not complaining. I think I have a chance to win another grand slam this year.” (Reuters)
