Maria keen to improve after struggling with her serve in her win over Watson
French Open champion Maria Sharapova needed more than three hours to beat Heather Watson of Britain yesterday for a place in the third round at the Pan Pacific Open tennis tournament.
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The Russian lost a service break while up twice in each set before finally taking the tie 6-7 (7/9), 6-3, 6-4.
Sharapova, 25, struggled with her serve, hitting three double faults in the 10th game of the first set, having to save two set points against her.
“I was not consistent enough. I had opportunities to win the first set and I didn’t. It wasn’t the best quality match,” said Sharapova.
The Russian hit nine aces but also had 14 double faults. “That certainly gave her a lot of confidence. I think that’s the reason why the match was so long. My percentage (of first serves) was very low as well. So I put pressure on myself, I hit so many second serves. Certainly I have to improve for tomorrow,” the second seed added.
No 1 Victoria Azarenka of Belarus maintained her good form to beat Tamira Paszek of Austria 6-1, 6-1.
Kvitova stunned
Fourth seed Petra Kvitova (left) of the Czech Republic became the biggest casualty of the day when the 2011 Wimbledon champion crashed to a 6-4, 6-4 defeat to Petra Martic of Croatia.
Former World No 1 Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark saw off Slovakia’s Daniela Hantuchova 7-6 (7/3), 6-1.
Sania exits in Rd 1
Second seed Indo-Spanish pair of Sania Mirza and Nuria Llagostera Vives were stunned 0-6, 6-4, 8-10 by Croatian-Hungary duo Darija Jurak and Katalin Marosi in the firt round of the women’s doubles event of the Pan Pacific Open yesterday.
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