Sharapova, Kuznetsova lead Russian charge
By Matt Cronin
Saturday, May 28, 2005
The Russian women had a mediocre clay court season leading up to Roland Garros, but have made their presence known once again in Paris.
In hot pursuit of the number one ranking, second seed Maria Sharapova out slugged compatriot Anna Chakvetadze 6-1, 6-4 on Saturday. Former Roland Garros semifinalist Nadia Petrova looked in fine form in her 6-3, 6-1 win over Shahar Peer, while US Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova struggled briefly but survived American Marissa Irvin.6-1, 2-6, 6-0. Russian Elena Bovina also moved ahead with a 6-3, 7-5 victory over France's Tatiana Golovin.
Sharapova can reach number one here should she advance two rounds past top-ranked Lindsay Davenport. The 18-year-old, who reached the quarter-finals here last year, was lethal on a warm and dry day in Paris.
"I thought I got off to a really good start, and I was in control from the first game," said Sharapova, who will play Nuria Llagostera Vives next. "I felt like it was a pretty tough first game, but after that I was pretty much in
control."
Bovina played steady and smart against Golovin, the talented French 17-year-old, who had high expectation coming into the match. But the Russian veteran stayed with her during brutal rallies and used her experience when closing out the contest.
The 22-year-old believes that Golovin may have fell under the weight of her country's expectations.
"She had a little bit of pressure on her because she was in the spotlight of Paris and TV and stuff," Bovina said. "I think it's normal. She's a good player and she's young. It's good for her if she learns how to deal with
that because she's going to have to. She played pretty good. It's good that I kept my focus on and I played pretty patient at those important moments."
Kuznetsova gained control of her match against the all-courter Irvin early, but the American began to mix up her shots better in the second set. But after the Russian broke her to open the third set, Kuznetsova stepped on
the gas, dictating with her huge forehand and retrieving with sheer abandon.
With Irvin's loss, only one American remains in the tournament, top ranked Lindsay Davenport.
Petrova, the only significant Russian veteran yet to win a title, played an efficient match over the Israeli Peer, nailing 26 winners to only 16 from her opponent. She's friendly with Bovina, who she'll play in the fourth
round. The two stretched together after their victories.
As of Saturday afternoon, there were still six Russians left in the tournament. That should come as no great surprise, considering that there are eight Russians ranked in the top 20. But Belgians Kim Clijsters and
Henin-Hardenne came into the tournament as favorites, while the Russians have only been mentioned as dark horses.
"Everybody is trying to deal with their opponents and playing match after match without thinking how good or bad season they had or who else is playing so well," Bovina said. "There's so many other girls that are out
there playing well right now - not only Henin and Clijsters."
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