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Sharapova advances to Birmingham semis
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-06-11 15:56
Defending champion Maria Sharapova struggled with a cold and a strained thigh
but still advanced to the semifinals at the DFS Classic on Friday, beating Eleni
Daniilidou of Greece 7-5, 2-6, 6-1.
Russia's Maria
Sharapova shouts during her quarter final match against Greece's Eleni
Daniilidou in the DFS Classic tournament in Edgbaston, Birmingham, England
Friday June 10, 2005. [AP] |
Fifth-seeded
Tatiana Golovin of France will play Sharapova in the semis after defeating Anna
Chakvetadze of Russia 6-4, 7-6 (3). Third-seeded Jelena Jankovic of
Serbia-Montenegro topped Mashona Washington of the United States 6-2, 6-4, and
American Laura Granville beat Tamarine Tanasugarn of Thailand 6-4, 6-3.
The top-seeded Russian needed an injury timeout in the second set to treat
her right thigh.
"There's no problem," Sharapova said. "Next week I will have a whole week
off, so there's plenty of time to recover before Wimbledon."
Sharapova begins her title defense at the Grand Slam on June 20.
"I played bad for two sets and I couldn't have got any worse," Sharapova
said. "I just had to pick myself up and just find a way to win. It's a big
positive to win when you feel like this. I have always been mentally tough."
Sharapova took offense when asked why she lacked energy.
"Are you telling me I am burnt out or something?" she snapped. "It's just a
bit of a cold.
"That's part of the life of an athlete, traveling around the world, that you
get sick. Today, energy-wise, I didn't feel great but I still went out to play
tennis."
Jankovic advanced in part thanks to a low, controlled topspin that
consistently made Washington pop up her volley, setting up chances to hit easy
winners past the American.
"A top 20 player is going to go for a few more shots and take more risks and
chances," said Washington, the sister of former Wimbledon finalist MaliVai
Washington. "I'll handle it better next time."
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