Sharapova through to China Open second round
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World number 15 Russian blonde Maria Sharapova brushed aside Bulgaria's Tsvetana Pironkova 6-4 and 7-6 (5) to book a spot in the second round of China Open on Sunday.
The 23-year-old Russian wasn't bothered by her first-round exit at the Pan Pacific Open from Sept. 24 to Oct. 2 in Tokyo, hitting 6 aces to clinch her third straight win over 32th-ranked Pironkova.
"Going down in the first round in Tokyo and coming here gives you kind of a little bit of a window to prepare," said Sharapova. "The first rounds are always quite difficult, and I faced a tough opponent."
The 2-0 match wasn't in short of ups-and-downs. Sharapova kept seeking a quick victory, but the effort from the other side of the court destroyed her plan.
"Sometimes it's when your opponent plays their best tennis is when they're behind," said Sharapova. "And the kind of don't have much to lose, and they go for their shots."
Both players made mistakes in the beginning, but most of them went to Pironkova. As a result, Sharapova broke the third game and the seventh game, establishing a 5-2 lead. Though failed to hold her fourth service game, Sharapova strengthened her service afterwards, and powered an ace to end the first set 6-4.
The second set opened perfectly on Sharapova's side. The former world number one broke twice to get a comfortable 3-0 advantage. However, her rival refused to give up. The Bulgarian broke back in the fourth game and managed to draw the score to 4-all. When it got to 5-4, Sharapova received two match points, but she lost both, pulling herself into the tiebreaker.
Sharapova let go no chance in the tiebreaker, getting a 7-5 to finish the match 6-4 and 7-6 (5).
Sharapova will next face compatriot Elena Vesnina.
