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Sharapova wins Wimbledon tuneup
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-06-13 09:19
Maria Sharapova struggled on a cold day to defeat Jelena Jankovic 6-2, 4-6,
6-1 Sunday to capture the DFS Classic and win this Wimbledon warmup for the
second straight year.
Maria Sharapova goes into her Wimbledon title
defense on a high note.[AP] |
Sharapova,
preparing for her Wimbledon title defense, didn't serve especially well and
struggled to finish points as she contended with a lingering thigh strain.
"I will still go to Wimbledon thinking I have played well," the top-seeded
Russian said. "I wasn't playing my best tennis, but I managed to get through and
felt really comfortable as the matches went on."
"Plus, I got some good practice," she added. "Practicing things which weren't
going well, which will also be the key. And once I get to Wimbledon, it will
bring back good memories and it will go great."
Sharapova, ranked No. 2, broke Jankovic in her first two service games. In
the second set, Jankovic showed that she is improving on the unfamiliar surface
by timing the ball better.
Jankovic, a Serb seeded third and ranked No. 18, broke in the seventh game
when Sharapova netted two backhand drives and then held the advantage. She
received treatment from a trainer at the end of the set. After an eight-minute
delay, Jankovic's left thigh was bandaged but her game faltered.
Sharapova broke for a 3-1 lead, taking advantage of Jankovic's moderate
second serve and a mistimed forehand.
"It was just a question of whether I could continue and that's why it was
6-1," Jankovic said. "If I play my best I can beat her, but today I wasn't even
close to the level I can compete at."
Sharapova said: "You are not the only one with a thigh problem so I don't say
I'm sorry in that way."
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