Sharapova cruises, Lu bows out
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E-mail Shanghai Daily, May 30, 2012
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Spain's Rafael Nadal hits a return to Italy's Simone Bolelli during their French Open first round match at Roland Garros in Paris yesterday. Nadal won 6-2, 6-2, 6-1. |
Maria Sharapova won by a score that couldn't be better - a 6-0, 6-0 "double bagel" romp yesterday in the first round of the French Open and a step toward a possible career grand slam.
Also, Rafael Nadal started his charge towards a record seventh title by crushing Italian Simone Bolelli 6-2, 6-2, 6-1 to reach the second round.
The second seeded Spaniard, who has only lost one match at Roland Garros since his debut in 2005, produced his usual awe-inspiring mix of power and pace to dismiss the world No. 111 in just under two hours on Court Philippe Chatrier.
Sharapova, who lost in this year's Australian Open final, spent little time on the red clay at Roland Garros, completing her rout of Romania's Alexandra Cadantu in 48 minutes. The second-seeded Russian finished with 18 winners to none for Cadantu but had to save three break points.
"No matter how good or bad they're playing, you still have to win that match," Sharapova said. "It's always about who takes their chances."
Earlier, Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova defeated junior Wimbledon champion Ashleigh Barty 6-1, 6-2. After losing the opening game, Kvitova won six straight in the first set against the 16-year-old Australian wild card and again raced through the second set despite being broken once.
The left-handed Czech won her first grand slam title at Wimbledon last year, and then won the WTA Championships.
Heart-breaking
Sixth-seeded David Ferrer of Spain and No. 8 Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia advanced in the men's tournament.
Chinese Taipei's Lu Yen-Hsun lost a heartbreaking five-setter while Japanese veteran Kimiko Date-Krumm was routed by Italy's Francesca Schiavone.
Jeremy Chardy of France, the world No. 54, edged out the 59-ranked Lu 6-4, 6-1, 6-7 (3/7), 3-6, 11-9 over four hours in one of the most closely-fought contests so far at Roland Garros this year.
Date-Krumm, 41, was no match for the 31-year-old Schiavone, the 2010 champion who was beaten last year by Li Na.
Date-Krumm is the third oldest woman to play at Roland Garros in the Open era but remains in the top 100.
"I am still fit, so why not?" she told journalists when asked if she was planning to keep playing.
"I don't know how many years I (will) continue to play. Maybe last time here, maybe two more years, three more years. Nobody knows. I don't know also."
